Saturday 3rd June 2017

Dollar Glut Hits Forex Market as Naira Strengthens to N363/$

Obinna Chima

The impact of the sustained dollar supply by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has continued to have positive effect on the foreign exchange (forex) market as the sell side of the Naira exchange rate against the

Dollar appreciated significantly

by N12, to close at N363/$ on the parallel market yesterday, as against the N375/$ it was the previous day.

Also, the buy rate of the greenback closed at N369 to the dollar yesterday, stronger than the N382 to the dollar it

was previously.

The latest gain recorded on the forex market shows a gradual move towards rate convergence in the forex market, which is the target of the apex bank.

The CBN has injected about $5 billion into the forex market

since February, in a bid to ensure stability in the forex market.

This week, it injected $482.6 million into the market. This, the bank had said underlined its determination to guard the value of the naira. A breakdown of the intervention this week

had indicated that the retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) was allocated the sum of $285,779,350, while $100 million was offered in the Wholesale SMIS auction window. In addition, the Small, Medium and Enterprises (SMEs) window got an allocation of $52

million, while the invisibles segment, comprising Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), Personal Travel Allowance, medicals and tuition fees, among others, was allocated the sum of $45 million.

Continued on page 10

Bello: My Ghost, Not Me, Made Double Registration ... Page 16 Saturday 03 June, 2017 Vol 22. No 8080. Price: N250

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Governors Move to Douse Political Tension, Promise to Pay Backlog of Salaries But ties payment to next tranche of cash from Paris Club

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Governors of the thirty-six states of the federation have

constituted a committee to work towards the reconciliation and the betterment of the country.

In this regard, the gover-

nors, under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), said they have resolved to offset the backlog of salaries and pension arrears owed civil

servants in the country as soon as the next tranche of payment from the Paris-London Club loan refunds were made.

A statement from the NGF

statement reads: "The governors who are not oblivious of the hue and cry over the non-payment of the backlog of salaries and pension arrears

and the precarious predicament of the Nigerian worker deliberated on the matter and Continued on page 10

Adebanjo: Nigeria Will Know No Peace, Stability Until We Return to True Federalism Yemi Adebowale and Bennett Oghifo

Elder statesman and a chieftain of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo has warned that Nigeria would know no peace and stability until the country is returned to true federalism.

The 89-year-old Adebanjo, who spoke to THISDAY early this week, said the full implementation of federalism remained the key element for repositioning and cementing the unity of the country, “with every unit truly autonomous and strong enough to stand on its own; where the federating unit will be complementary to the federal government and not subordinate.”

Adebanjo, who was also a chieftain of the defunct National Democratic Coalition, (NADECO) lamented that the military de-structured Nigeria and that this was the origin of the current political logjam in the country.

He said: “After the military Continued on page 10

HOMAGE TO THE LAMIDO AWAMAWA...

Former Vice President and the new Wazirin Adamawa. Atiku Abubakar paying homage to the Lamido Adamawa, Dr Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa, at his palace in Yola, shortly after the end of Jumat prayers ...yesterday

IGP Laments Underfunding of Police, Revives Trust Fund Bill ...Page 14

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 3, 2017

SUPER SATURDAY

ABIODUN KOYA

I Want to Uplift Nigeria with My Patriotic Songs

Koya

US-based soprano and classical singer Abiodun Koya was home for Democracy Day with a new patriotic song of uplifting Nigeria. She speaks with Nduka Nwosu on her recent crossover to pop music inspired

by Sarah Brightman

S

oprano and crossover singer, Abiodun Koya has effectively tried to live between two continents. She reminds you of the popular expression of having breakfast in New York, lunch in London and a party in Lagos all in a day.

That does not in any way suggest she is profligate. She is not on the speedball of simply living life to the fullest. Instead, her passion to fully express her creative afflatus has created two complex personalities out of one. And that’s why she wears her renown and affluence comfortably like a pair of overalls, and enjoys as scandal-free a life of glamour as any top Hollywood star.

She is, if you like, the suave, cosmopolitan lady of the new millennium, who embraces life with a knowing wink that contrasts with the unknowing innocent life of the illiterate timid maiden.

And why not? When you are privileged to be a guest of the White House, territories reserved for the likes of Beyonce, to sing for Barack and Michelle Obama or for Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, the sky becomes the limit. But not for Koya, who insists there are other limitless planets such as Saturn, Jupiter and Venus.

Just last year, Koya tried to do a crossover from classical and soprano to what she calls “pop, Afro classical mainstream and some light jazz.” The result?

A critical acclaim that urged her to come centre stage where hopefully she could, not surprisingly, assume a

long-awaited breakthrough that may approximate to hitting the glass ceiling of planet Mars. On that effort titled “Flourish Me,” Koya adds: “I wrote and composed ‘Flourish Me,’ some years ago due to an inspiration from the love relationship I was in. The song is a complete expression of love and relationship bliss in a new way. I managed to successfully find a way to express the magical trance I was in through writing thesong”. Koya has, of course, composed a series and some lyrical callertunes she hopes to launch soonest to consolidate her base and convince her admirers of an exciting musical train ride.

She hints it will not be out of place to marry soprano to the current brand with an endless stream of possibilities. “I enjoy the process of going into the studio to work with great minds to cook music or take a journey to a music science lab to explore and experiment a musical marriage of possibilities.” She does not think being a brand in soprano will make her an outcast of the tribe going into popular culture and she has Sarah Brightman as a role model who deviated from the norm to make her presence felt in pop music culture.

“I am hoping to break new grounds, usher in a different taste and change in music. The sky is just the starting zone for this. I want to be the first of an African descent to do this,” she enthuses.

Koya has always presented herself as an appealing young lady who wouldn’t upstage the female lead.

That was why sometime in 2014 she was among other great American gospel singers, invited by the BET star

and creator Bobby Jones to his gospel finale in Maryland US. At the end of the event and over dinner with a select mixed audience she reminded all why she was particularly elated about that experience.

She said, “I was the only African and Opera singer invited to feature through the 35 years of the show. I also represented my country well as you could see at the tail end. I also designed the couture I wore. It exposed my name and talent to a different audience who wouldn’t have ordinarily had the platform to listen to me. Now it airs once a month on BET Television’ I am so grateful to Dr. Bobby Jones for inviting me on the show.”

Few traits favourably compare Koya who has gone into Hollywood training with the La Dames of the 1970s-Doris Day, Alfred Hitchcock’s heroine in the epic screenplay Man Who Knows Too Much; or, Catherine Hepburn, the blithe siren character of James Stewart in The Philadelphia Story.

They are more like the three musketeers who exemplify the glamour and idealism of their time using their native illusions on global perspectives. While Day and Hepburn’s backgrounds suggest a way of life that is comfortably nestled in the native illusions of the 1970s, Koya is a product of the new millennium.

Koya no doubt lives part of her dream in native illusions of a dear and wonderful Nigeria, blessed with leaders that rule with wisdom; she is always performing for the African audience whether it is to honour a visiting head of state in the Washington area or in the church even with an all-white audience

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ UNE 3, 2017

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SATURDAY ‘KOYA: MY PATRIOTIC SONG SEEKS TO UPLIFT MY COUNTRY’…

I couldn’t sleep for nights. I would toss and turn in bed and rehearse my songs in my head. And being a perfectionist was part of the burden.

I remember going grocery shopping, pushing the cart and rehearsing the songs I was to sing. The atmosphere was very presidential; I had my heart in my mouth and was delicately nervous until when I mounted the stage but I managed to give a glass shattering performance

Koya with veteran Pianist and music producer, Wole Oni and comfortably too. Koya’s native illusion is welded in the glamour of her dear Nigeria and her hopes for a better tomorrow, a narrative that is so deep and reassuring, touching the very fabric of unity and love.

It is that Nigeria which has as her contribution to Africa, an advance away from the jaded old system, a Nigeria that radiates deep freshness and unsuspected candour. Her new album, ‘Uplift Nigeria’, exemplifies all that.

Does she hope to use the message of music on the global canvas to go into politics and grab power? Not exactly even though she has partially relocated to Nigeria; a life achievement worthy of official reward is all well and good but not for her. The idea is to fully grapple more with her crossover music and

convince her sponsors she’s more of the centre stage persona, not a backstage performer.

On why she would be devoting enough space for her Nigerian audience, Koya says it is in response to her earlier promise to spend more time here so as to connect more effectively with her roots.

“I am currently making efforts to spend more time in Nigeria and Africa at large more than before so I can be close to my roots,” she explains.

As a young struggling girl, Koya built her Taj Mahal out of toothpicks; though this attainable best of dad and mum fed from a silver spoon and still does but now from her own sweat with a career she admits has placed her on the threshold of fortune, explaining her closeness to her creator evolved from a home

where God comes first.

“I have an unbreakable love and bond for God, the Father and the Son. I still hold my Christian values really tightly and it has helped me conquer career and life’s adversities while gaining new heights. I read my Bible daily and I fast three days a week. I’ve read the Bible through once and I’m on the path to a second round. The angels are always near me, they give me creative inspiration and ideas and I get my music from them, lyrics and melody, that is,” she adds.

She will not hesitate to tell you she believes in doing good deeds with resources “the Almighty God has entrusted you with. I believe in helping and serving the poor and the helpless. It is also my belief that as long as you are living, you should exist for others and not for yourself alone.”

Looking back she realises her only addiction has been music going for days without food as long as she was occupied writing, listening to or co-producing music. “Growing up,” she says, “was fun. I had an amazing childhood.

Being the last child, I was showered with so much love. I was also a radio-head because I knew almost all the songs and commercials on radio.”

Beyond family values in music, Koya

drew strength from such composers as Andrea Bocelli, David Foster, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Luciano Pavarotti, Sarah Brightman, Leontyne Price and Kathleen Battle.

“I was also influenced by pop artistes like Celine Dion and Whitney Houston.

I work with angels for inspiration.

Sometimes they give me just a melody and I have to write the lyrics but most times they give me the songs readymade whether as music or lyrics already prepared. I think that is awesome.”

The new generation of Nigerian musicians except for a few is in the habit of releasing singles and Koya seems to have fallen for this, which she explains is a trend that works for the environment they relate with. Besides, she adds, “this is my first album outside my trained genre, hence a sampler so to speak. I have at least five more singles to release after this. At the end, I will compile all the singles together to make one ‘Soprandella’ album.”

What value does she hope to add n her new musical quest? “Great and quality music 360 degrees. I believe in soul stirring lyrics and melody so I am very involved in the process of making my music. I write, compose and co-produce my songs. I am not the type of artiste that has no direction or does not know what to do and be handed a finished song at the end of the day.”

Koya agrees she has a reputation for running a very tight ship with herself, her back up musicians and team giving her the appellation of a military woman with a high operational standard and demand for outstanding work ethics and this extends to her service providers.

“You must be on time, arrive 15 minutes before call time, rehearse your music, phones on silence or vibrate and have all your tools intact and ready with you. You cannot forget anything at home or assume I or someone else in the group will bring an item that you need so you can borrow from them. I expect A-class professionalism or go home,” an attitude that connects with her American experience, which fulfillment she labels as partial but great describing it as a journey whose gains will be counted at the end of the day. She adds: “I have also recently embarked on a Hollywood acting career and I had to start from the realms of a minor with non-speaking roles and going for tons of gruelling auditions.

Koya, who spends her spare time relaxing by watching movies, getting a spa treatment and doing charity works, looks back to her White House and the Democratic Convention performances as one of her greatest moments in her music career, overwhelmed with gratitude and amazement.

“I couldn’t sleep for nights. I would toss and turn in bed and rehearse my songs in my head. And being a perfectionist was part of the burden. I remember going grocery shopping, pushing the cart and rehearsing the songs I was to sing. The atmosphere was very presidential; I had my heart in my mouth and was delicately nervous until when I mounted the stage but I managed to give a glass shattering performance” Koya, a fashionista who is in the process of launching her clothing, shoes and T-shirt lines says she has an eclectic taste and a signature in fashion with a career that has given her a great privilege to stand before Kings and Queens, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Congress members, Lawmakers and Prime Ministers to share her talents. “I have also used these platforms to help orphans, the weak, the poor and the underprivileged. We must remember and care for them too, we just have to because God demands it,” Koya stresses, with the hope of “giving birth to more weird music inside of me.”

I’llExploreaJourneyofMusicScienceLab to ExploreaMusicalMarriageofPossibilities

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SATURDAY, ÍťËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ Ëž T H I S D AY

PAGE TEN DOLLAR GLUT HITS FOREX MARKET AS NAIRA STRENGTHENS TO N363/$ CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele had last week recalled that about three months ago, the local currency was trading at above N500 to the dollar on the parallel market, but has appreciated to between N370 and N375/$.

Describing this as a significant achievement vis-Ă -vis the convergence, Emefiele noted that the monetary authorities would however prefer a convergence that would head southwards rather than northwards. “We would prefer a convergence that will significantly head southwards, than a convergence that will go northwards. The fact that we have seen a convergence in the southward direction gives us a lot of hope that things are working in the right direction,â€? he said.

On how far the CBN would go in sustaining its market interventions, he had said: “I have said it and I will repeat myself that the interventions will be more vigorous than before to underscore the fact that we are determined to ensure that the Nigerian economy recovers, by making sure that foreign exchange is being made available to operators of the economy to conduct their businesses.�

Meanwhile, the country's external reserves stood at $30.330 billion as at May 31, 2017, representing a decline by $644 million in one month, compared with the $30.974 billion it was as at May 2.

Weekend Photo

LAGOS GOLDEN JUBILEE...

L-R: Governors Ayo Fayose (Ekiti); Owelle Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe); Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos); his wife, Bolanle; Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Mr. Godwin Obaseki (Edo) cutting the cake during the Lagos@50 Gala Night at the Lagos House, Ikeja ...recently

ADEBANJO: NIGERIA WILL KNOW NO PEACE, STABILITY UNTIL WE RETURN TO TRUE FEDERALISM intervention in 1966, came the instability we inherited and we are yet to get out of till now. Not until we go back to it (autonomous states), this country will not have stability.

In my own view, unless that position (true federal structure) is reverted to now, Nigeria will not exist. We must have federalism the way it is done all over the world, devoid of Nigerian factor. “The thrust of federalism is that the federating units are autonomous in all aspects, except those powers conceded to the federal government and

that is where you talk about the residual powers residing in the federating units. So, we know what powers the federal government has and the state governments will be contributing to the federal government and not the other way round. “In 1954, Awolowo fought for derivation; what you now call ‘resource control’. We fought for it that each region must take majority of resources before contributing to the centre. The marketing boards then, were broken to the regions and the regional governments had a lot

of money; the North through groundnut, West through Cocoa and Eastern Region through their palm kernel. That was the position and there was peace and there was healthy competition among the regions; Awolowo built the Liberty Stadium, Ahmadu Bello built his own in Kaduna, Awolowo built the University of Ife, Ahmadu Bello built his in Zaria. “The system that was run thereafter was the unitary system where the states are now subordinate to the federal government. But that was not the position before

independence. The constitution that we had before independence created four regions, as a truly federal system and there was devolution of power.�

Adebanjo chided the military for reversing the gains of federalism and called on the APC-led federal government to ensure that the country is restructured before the 2019 general election in order to avert further crisis in Nigeria.

He said: “The creation of these states, irregularly, came under the military after the coup of 1966. That reverted the federal system we were

GOVERNORS MOVE TO DOUSE POLITICAL TENSION, PROMISE TO PAY BACKLOG OF SALARIES concluded that in order to set the country on the path of growth, something immediate must be done to ameliorate workers plight by offsetting the backlog of their pay and emoluments.

"The governors therefore resolved as a matter of urgency, to pay workers their due as soon as this half of the Paris Club refunds is made. We all agreed that a substantial amount from the next tranche of the Paris-London refunds be used in the settlement of workers salary and pension arrears.

"Out of the N522.74bn owed, N388.304 was paid to states last December.

Similarly, the governors committed to the verification of the input of all the consultants who claim to having worked towards the harmonization of the refunds regarding what is due to which state, since 2005 when

the demand for the refunds commenced.

"At the moment, there are litigations from more than ten different consultants still agitating for settlement for their roles in the quest to have the refunds made to states.

The statement issued by the NGF's Head of Media and Public Affairs, Abulrazque Barkindo, added that it had set up a seven-man committee to look into the development surrounding the unity of the forum and the development of the country. “To achieve this, a committee made up of the governors of Imo, Bayelsa, Abia, Ekiti, Kano, Nasarawa and Bauchi was constituted to work for the “reconciliation of the forum and the betterment of the country,� said Barkindo.

The Chairman of the Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari said: “There is no how you’d mention

any political development in Nigeria without mentioning governors. Governors are a bloc and a key component of this democracy. Therefore, we have set up a seven-man committee to look into the development surrounding the unity of the forum and the development of the country.

The idea is for governors to be speaking with one voice.�

The forum also resolved to work harmoniously in a manner that would transcend all political affiliations so that all governors would speak with one voice on issues of national importance.

The 36 governors who met at Yari's Maitama Residence in Abuja Thursday night resolved to carry out verification of claims by all the consultants who worked towards the harmonization of the refunds regarding what is due to which state, since 2005.

The governors met in anticipation of the release of the other half of the Paris-London Club refund which has been approved for payment by Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo.

According to the NGF, the funds are expected to hit the states accounts this month.

The meeting agreed to set up a committee under the chairmanship of Governor Akeredolu of Ondo State with the governors of Bauchi, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Seriaki Dickson of Bayelsa, Nyesom Wike of Rivers and former Accountant-General of the Federation and Gombe state governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo as members.

The committee is expected to provide a solution to the demands by consultants on the Paris-London Club refunds to states.

enjoying, and ever since, we have not gotten out of it. All the political instability we have been having ever since will continue to be because, as Chief Awolowo told them at that time, the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious nature of our country cannot succeed in a unitary form of government. “There is nowhere in the whole world that the unitary government will survive in that type of society, and that is why we have our problem of Biafra today, IPOB tomorrow, Avengers and this will continue no matter what we do. We will not get peace, stability until we go back to true federalism. “At this stage now, there is nothing left for this government other than to do restructuring immediately before any election.

In fact, there is no room for the APC to do anything now, other than to restructure immediately before any election. They have failed in their programme and in the remaining two years, there is nothing else they can do. What they can do as their legacy is to restructure the country before going for any election.�

The elder statesman chided the APC-led federal government for failing to deliver on its promises to Nigerians, describing its war against corruption as skewed.

He also said that President Muhammadu Buhari had been running a one-man-show, and failing to implement the policies of his party.

On President Buhari’s stance on corruption, the Afenifere chieftain said: “Which conscientious Nigerian will be happy to see the amount of

money people steal? I give them kudos for that, but why I disagree with Buhari and APC is that the war against corruption should be made holistic; No matter how much you want to wipe out corruption, to do it outside the rule of law is nonsensical; I’m opposed to it. The moment you ignore the rule of law, nobody is safe.

You can’t be fighting corruption and become dictatorial, ignoring the rule of law and imposing the rule of man, breaking into people’s houses under the guise of fighting corruption.

It is unacceptable, as far as I’m concerned, for anybody to pretend to establish a civilian dictatorship under the pretense of fighting corruption, and that is what Buhari is doing. “Since he has come into office, he has come back to show that he is the same Buhari of 1983, which I warned against before he was elected. What did I say Buhari was guilty of that he has not done now? I said he is a dictator and will not obey the rule of law. Right now, we are having a dictatorship and not a democracy, because the party to enthrone democracy is not united. He cannot say that he is implementing APC policies; when last did the APC meet? “You are deceiving yourself if you think you are having a democracy under Buhari; it is a one-man rule. All the things that he is doing are not the decision of his party and I challenge him to say where the party met or held its convention.

The party (APC) right now is divided into about five or six sections. How do you expect them to do anything for the good of the country?

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T H I S D AY SATURDAY JUNE 3, 2017

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ÍťËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

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Daily Times honoured Nigerian heroes at its 91st birthday, writes Bonaventure Melah

he world collapsed into one large hall, the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 as thousands of Nigerians and foreigners gathered to endorse Mr. Fidelis Anosike and the management of Daily Times of Nigeria. The occasion was the Times Heroes Award organised by the newspaper to honour Nigerians who have served the country well. It was also part of activities to mark the 91st Anniversary of Daily Times.

According to Anosike, Chairman of Folio Media Group/Publisher of Daily Times, the award was to serve as reward for those who have impacted the society positively. He expressed readiness to reposition the newspaper with focus on digital publishing which he said would encompass all aspects of new and conventional media.

Although the main hall of ICC was prepared to host 1,000 guests, the surging crowd did not overwhelm the organisers as early comers who were already seated gladly allowed more chairs around their tables to accommodate more people as the night was filled with fun, glamour and ceremony. It was one huge indoor carnival.

The occasion started with a seamless and colourful red carpet protocols. Guests were also taken round the stands were they inspected with admiration, exhibitions of ‘’Nigeria: Our Heritage,’’ a book published by Folio Communications Limited as well as pages of important publications by Daily Times, some dating back 90 years.

This aspect drew pleasant emotions from some high school students that attended the event.

The award cuts across all segments of the society with serving and former presidents, governors, captains of industry, publishers, the clergy and others decorated and gifted with beautiful plaques. Among those honoured with awards include President Muhammadu Buhari who received the Nnamdi Azikiwe Leadership Award; President Nana Akufo-Ado of Ghana, Babatunde Jose Award; former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ernest Okoli Leadership award as well as late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Industrialist and President of Heirs Holdings Tony Elumelu received “Man of the Decade� award; Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria Plc was “Woman of the Decade,� while Senior Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock received “Life Impact� Award.

While President Muhammadu Buhari was represented by Femi Adesina, Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, four serving governors, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State represented former Governor of Lagos State and a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as Guest Speaker, Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dakwanbo, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State were present. Governors Willie Obiano of Anambra, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and others were represented by their deputies.

Other high profile dignitaries at the occasion include former Minister for Information and Culture Tony Momoh, and Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Sam Amuta (both of whom were part of the history of Daily Times) as well as the Publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Sam Nda Isaiah and Chairman, Board of Nigerian Tourism Development

L-R: Chairman, Folio Media Group/Daily Times Publisher, Fidelis Anosike poses with two awardees, Senior Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock and Sam Amuta, Publisher, Vanguard Newspaper Corporation, Otunba Segun Runsewe, among others.

One of the most attractive shows of the night was the large entourage of Abia State women who accompanied Governor Ikpeazu to the venue in solidarity and appreciation of what they said was the governor’s outstanding performance in office. The women sang and danced, while expressing appreciation to Daily Times for honouring their leader.

In his speech at the occasion, the keynote speaker, former Lagos State governor Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, called for urgent economic and political reforms in Nigeria. Tinubu said Nigeria needs a holistic reform of its economy to bridge poverty the gap in the country. “More powers and resources need to devolve to the states. The federal government is taking on too much. Some of the 68 items on the exclusive legislative list should be transferred to the resident list as is in most federal constitutions,� Tinubu said.

Expressing concerns for the present and future survival of Nigeria, Tinubu said that “Where Nigeria stands today as a nation is but the child of what she did or failed to do yesterday. If we are to build towards our better future, we must have an appropriate respect for the accurate recounting of that past. This is why I am honoured to speak to you this evening as we mark the 91st birthday of a venerable institution that has been a foundation of Nigerian Journalism, The

Daily Times.�

Daily Times Nigeria was incorporated on June 6, 1925 by Richard Barrow, Adeyemo Alakija, and others. They printed the first copy on June 1, 1926. The paper quickly became a popular voice of the nationalist movement. In 1947 the London-based Daily Mirror Group headed by Cecil King bought the Daily Times. During the 1950s the Nigerian Daily Times played an important role in the process that led to independence in 1960.

The federal government of Nigeria acquired 60% of the Daily Times on September 1, 1975. The paper was doing well initially but government’s insistence to control its editorial content, especially during the administration of military heads of state, Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha, gradually led to decline of public interest in the paper as the public preferred independent newspapers with better content.

The newspaper was mismanaged. Workers were not paid salaries for months, leading to strikes.

Under civilian President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) started the process of returning the Daily Times to private ownership. After a failed attempt at a public offer the paper was advertised for sale in 2003. In 2004 Folio Communications owned

by Fidelis Anosike was approved by the federal government through BPE as the preferred bidder, gaining control with 96.5% of shares.

SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

Oseghale Omosefe argues that sex education has corrupting influence on children

I

read an article in the newspaper by a women’s right activist justifying comprehensive sex education in schools and the defence of sexual rights for school children.

I am afraid this stand might promote immorality among school children. I will like to share a personal experience. About seven years ago, I had written an article in the newspapers on the dangers of promoting sexual promiscuity under the guise of sex education. I had recounted a story of a neighbour of mine in a government secondary school in Lagos (JSS 1 to be precise,) who came home from school one day and said innocently that two white men had come to her school to distribute male and female condoms and actually taught them how to use them in order to prevent pregnancy or HIV. Of course her parents went the very next day to raise hell in the school. And I had wondered why it was so important that little children who could barely lace their shoes are being taught how to put on condoms at such a tender age.

This really is diabolical. It goes contrary to our moral traditions and culture as a country. We should not be copying the wrong lifestyles of the Western world. In the West, morals have lost their places. As a result, children are being lured into sexual promiscuity early in life. In fact, morality has been so corrupted that children are being lured into procuring abortions without the knowledge of their parents. Is this what the women’s right activists in Nigeria want us to replicate in the name of sexual rights? I am afraid that Nigerian radical feminists campaigning for Nigerian teenagers to be allowed to exercise their sexual rights under the comprehensive sex education curriculum

have long past their menopause and most likely do not have teenage children in school. This is because no good mother or father would want to introduce his or her child to sexual promiscuity at such an early age. When ex-President of the United States Barack Obama legalised lesbianism and homosexuality in the United States he was asked this question by a journalist: “If Malia, your daughter, comes home with a girl for a husband what would you do? Without any hesitation, Obama answered: “No Way, not my Malia�. When I was growing up, my mum used to call my sisters and I and explained to us that we shouldn’t be like the palm wine that needed to be tested before being bought and that the bus stop of being morally loose was to get pregnant and drop out of school. So, why would a good father or mother encourage her teenage child to indulge in safe-sex (and most probably come out damaged and battered) when the child is still so immature and unready for the emotional stress which accompanies an active indulgence in casual sex?

It is sad that rather than promote abstinence for unmarried teens, some women are going about telling children to use condoms and have safe-sex. They forget that unlike animals human beings are not governed by instincts. It is the primary responsibility of parents to teach their children sex education, not school teachers who more often than not lure the school pupils into sexual promiscuity without realising it, all in the name of sex education. Teachers should strengthen the moral values handed down by parents, not destroy them. It is quite disconcerting to think that teachers are made to teach

children a comprehensive sex education in very unrefined ways. As a teacher in a mixed school, I once confronted the biology teacher in my school once when I saw him going to the classroom to teach the students with male and female condoms and most probably how to put them on and use them.

He said they were his teaching aids. I was stunned. I never thought that the education board or education minister would permit the teaching of such a theoretical sex act with children. This is really very deplorable and sad. I then told my colleague that he did not have to teach the kids such gross details about sex. In response, he said casually that the students knew everything already about sex and even knew much more than the teachers and that there was no point hiding anything from them.

This is a defeatist option. We cannot act on a false generalisation that all children are sexually exposed, and hence must be indulging in sex. This is not true. Many children are properly brought up by good parents. Therefore we cannot make a blanket statement that all children are already corrupt. I think parents should protest against the imposition of a comprehensive sex education on them and their children.

When I was in school we were lucky to have enjoyed Shakespearean books and other very educative literature books packed with good moral undertone. But the books you find in schools these days are polluted with stories of romance and love making with no moral lessons to be learnt. I think it is irrational to teach sex education with such graphic and unrefined sexual illustrations that end up corrupting the school children who are

still trying to discover themselves, and cope with the physical and psychological changes occurring in their bodies, thereby adding to their emotional stress and tempting them to carry out the practical acts on their fellow classmates. Recently we have noticed that the academic performance in schools is dropping rapidly. Meanwhile, many poor teachers are being blamed for not teaching well enough. I strongly think and believe that this poor performance can be attributed to the teaching of a comprehensive sex education in schools. Because of these distractions tend to shorten the attention and interest of students in studying. This has further led to an escalation in exam malpractice, in which parents, students and school authorities are oftentimes involved in.

There is no doubt that moral decadence is on the increase in our primary and secondary schools due to the teaching of a comprehensive sex education. Children are now more interested in putting into practice the theory of sex education taught in class, and are now much more easily carried away by subjects unrelated to their study. I will like to use this medium to appeal to the Minister of Education and the education board to please take a look at the primary and secondary school curricula once more and make the necessary changes therein. Let us bring back moral instruction into the school curricula.

Instead of fuelling promiscuity under the guise of sex education let us emphasise the teaching of moral values and abstinence from sex to children before marriage.

Our children of today is our Nigeria of tomorrow. Let’s build a better Nigeria.

Omosefe wrote from Benin City

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INSIGHT

What message?

Letter to Edo Police

L

his shoulders, he talked down and eventually kicked us out of his office. I was ast week, together with the national leader of police reforms in Nigeria, we to remark to him after he kicked us out that the office he occupies even though went on a human rights fact-finding mission. Apart from this big Oga, there sinecure is a public office and temporal. was another human rights chap from another organisation I will not name.

We experience some trauma with the police as well, especially with the back The catalyst for that mission was that a common thread of brutality and and forth drama. The world over, if you are carrying out a study like ours, extortion was being spun tightly around Edo residents by the police and law enforcedecorum and the need for balance requires that you get the side of the other party ment institutions. Residents allege that their condition is not different from that of a involved with the object of your investigation. What even made the need to speak great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its with the police strong was that as soon as that video of police brutality broke, the blood funnel into anything that smells of money (William Cohan Money and Power, police image maker in Benin berated the journalist who wrote the story without 2011). There are allegations that the anti-cultism unit of the police was the instrument getting the side of the police. So, to the police we went. The officer-in-charge with which certain persons in the police were extorting from Edo people. At first this of the image of the police was nice as well from the beginning. He listened was hard to accept. In Fredrick Forsyth’s The Odesa File, it is said that a people and patiently, and promptly ferreted us to see the commissioner. It is possible that the institutions are not bad but the individuals who inhabit a people and institutions commissioner was indeed too busy to see us. But we couldn’t understand why he are the ones who make a people and institutions bad. That said, it is important to couldn’t respect the rescheduled meeting that the image maker scheduled for the establish that there are many fine police officers in the force, and because of the evening of that day. Is it that a spokesman of an institution key to the enforcement anti-corruption stance of this administration, it would be difficult to come to terms of our rights and privileges does not have the authority to speak to us? If we had with a police force that uses the instruments of state to harass, extort and intimidate come from abroad, with a fancy name and portfolio, would he have spoken with our people. Then a video gone viral of a suspect chained like an animal to a police us? What on earth could have made them let us go away with the can of worms van in Benin City surfaced. That video also coincided with the arrest of a prominent and the bucket of maggots we brought with us, without as much as trying to civil society activist on charges of treason. debunk these many stories of extortion in Benin City?

To get to the bottom of all these, we needed to get the facts. First on our list I want to recommend to the individuals responsible for law enforcement in of esteemed subjects for discussions was the civil society community. Most are Nigeria. Be friendly with Nigerians in word and deed. The first step to getting directly involved with fighting the causes of the victims and therefore regularly the solidarity of Nigerians with the fight against corruption is to get off that high take flak from those perpetrating the rampant cases of extortion. And when horse of theirs, and help to dismantle the toll-collection points which dot the people began to speak, they opened cans of worms and buckets of maggots. metropolis.

Of course, some saluted the integrity of the police, while others were not that Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, Civil Empowerment & Rule of Law Support benign. We heard many, many cases but the one which stood out was the case Initiative,Benin City of a restaurateur. The victim alleged that the police came at him in the dead of night in mufti, and armed to the teeth. Because they were unable to get him, they returned two months later in an unmarked vehicle. They were said to be from the anti-cultism unit of the police. As his traducers were T H E S AT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R bundling him away to his Golgotha, solidarity came EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU from his neighbours. The oldest man on the street, DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE together with the neighbours of the victim all swore MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO on their mother’s graves that this chap couldn’t be a DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI cultist. But the police were adamant, and allegedly EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN made a demand of N200,000 to set free the suspect.

The oldest person became upset and left in disgust, yet others went into their closets and began to contribute until they managed to get N50,000 which they handed over to the police. But certain human rights activists T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D intervened and compelled the officer-in-charge involved EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA to return the cash.

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, We talked with another batch of unlikely victims ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU journalists. They chronicled several cases of extortion GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA and an exercise of brute force on residents and on DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE members of the Fourth Estate. But for us this was not DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI to be enough. We needed to substantiate these very SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH weighty allegations. To ascertain or establish if there ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO was any iota of certainty in these stories, we opted then CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI to get the version of the police and the man in charge GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI of the dispensation of the criminal justice system in GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO Edo State. It is important to say that even at that very short notice, the chap agreed to see us. Why he became TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com dour and sour eventually is what beats my imagination right now. Not only did he have a mighty chip on

Murtala Muhammed Airport Road’s Reconstruction

T

he releasing of the Trunk A road from Oshodi to Murtala Muhammed International Airport by the federal government to Lagos State Government for reconstruction is heartening.

The lack of attention to the deplorable state of this road and other roads like Lagos-Ibadan Express by past governments leaves much to be desired.

It befuddles the mind how a country could so neglect her first and most strategic international airport thereby inhibiting the tourist appeal and the commercial architecture of the facility as a crucial gateway to global trade and investment.

The approval of the release of the airport comes in a confluence of variables accentuated in the interplay of unmistakable developmental strides of the Lagos State under the indefatigable governor Akinwunmi Ambode and a rare opportunity provided through a service- oriented governance philosophy at the centre as being piloted by the acting Vice- President Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

The MM International Airport is a national monument that plays host to diverse economic interests spread across the country. This synergy therefore promises to foster inclusive utility across national spectrum.

Airports are global tourist signature of any host country and speak volume of the cosmopolitan mindset of any government. All eyes are on Lagos State to take delivery and execute an aesthetic masterpiece that would trump the standards exhibited in Dubai and in western corridors.

Decrepit side attractions from Oshodi to the airport should either be evacuated or shielded from visibility. Other state governments should borrow a leaf from Lagos State and partner with the federal government and fellow states on developmental initiatives of mutual benefits.

Lagos has done this before with Kebbi State as Lake rice become an household item.

Bukola Ajisola, bukymany@yahoo.com

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News Editor Ă’Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ Ă‘ĂŒĂ&#x; ͸΀͚͚͞ͿͽΠ΀͚͸ Ě™sms only) Email Ă‹Ă’Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹Ë›Ă™Ă‘ĂŒĂ&#x;̜ÞÒÓĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

PRESENTING SCORECARD...

L-R: Company Secretary, FSDH Merchant Bank, Mrs. Oyindamola Ehiwere; Chairman, Mr. Osaro Isokpan; and the Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Hamda Ambah at the bank’s Annual General Meeting held in Lagos, yesterday PHOTO:SUNDAY ADIGUN

Kogi West Moves to Recall Melaye Senator Mocks them to Spell his Name Correctly on INEC Form Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja

Kogi West Senatorial district on Friday stormed the office of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lokoja to pick forms to commence the process of recalling Senator Dino Melaye from National Assembly just as he asked them to make sure they spell his name correctly on the INEC form.

However, Senator Dino Melaye while reacting to his recalled on Friday said "again I will continue to speak the truth till Kogi is

liberated. My people no shaking at all.

"Yahaya Bello is carrying money round newspaper houses to give him front page tomorrow that Dino Melaye recall process begins."

The leader of the protest, Mr. Muhammed Tanko who is also the Administrator of Kogi local government while addressing officials of INEC noted that all the Local Government Areas comprising Kogi West Senatorial Zone are united in their resolve to recall Senator Dino Melaye.

"We have compiled the key reasons to show the world that Senator Dino Melaye’s recall is not only long overdue, but the right thing to do in the best interests of Kogi West Senatorial Zone, Kogi State.

Hon. Tanko opined that Senator Dino persists in portraying their Senatorial Zone as hostile to the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State respectively, for no just cause and not minding the impact on them.

"Whether the appropriate authorities act or not, we the people of his constituency who are at the receiving end of his shameful deeds have run out of patience and are resolved to recall and replace him with a decent and people-oriented Senator.

"We understand the requirements of S69 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 regarding the recall of such a member of the National Assembly and hereby assure everyone that Kogi Central

Senatorial Zone is united in this and will achieve it.

"We hereby give the Kogi State Government notice that we are going through with this and if they will not help us, they must also not try to stop us or put obstacles in our way, in particular, everything the Law requires to be done by the Administration in Lokoja in aid of this process must be done with dispatch.

Meanwhile in swift reaction Senator Dino Melaye said, "man as daft as Yahaya Bello who do not know about transferring vot-

ers card from Abuja to Kogi or Edward Onoja who will soon be on his way to Prison want to recall the best performing Senator for the year 2016.

"Senator with the highest number of motions and bills.

I have told our people to go and collect the money after all is our money.

"Governor that can't pay salary but can sponsor rubbish. I was alarmed two days ago that this will happen. Just make sure you spell my name correctly on the INEC form." he said.

IGP Laments Underfunding of Police, Revives Trust Fund Bill

Biafra: Igbo Think-tank Lauds Ohaneze, IPOB, MASSOB, Others for Unity

Amby Uneze inOwerri

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Idris Ibrahim has lamented over the underfunding of the Nigeria Police force, saying that the major constraint faced by the Police in executing its constitutional responsibility of effectively policing the country was the paucity of funds as the annual budgetary allocation for the force is grossly inadequate.

He disclosed that he is already discussing with the leadership of the National Assembly with the aim of reviving the Police Trust Fund Bill at which if passed into law would make more funds available to the force through first line charge.

States, local governments and private organisations would be expected to make contributions to the Trust Fund, just as value added tax (VAT) are deducted from source.

The IG who spoke in Owerri during his inspection tour of the Police College of Finance and Administration

at Obiohia/Ogwuma in Ideato South Local Government council, the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base at Ogboko being constructed by the state government, and the 250 bed hospital also donated to the Nigeria Police by the state government all located in Ideato South council area of the state.

According to the IGP, “the force is doing her utmost best in discharging its constitutional duties of ensuring internal security in the country but our major constraint has always been inadequate funding. During the Security summit we held in Abuja recently it was said that the Police is underfunded and that we want to revive the Police Trust Fund Bill and we are in touch with the leadership of the National Assembly and when passed into law it is going to be a first line charge as private organisations, states and local governments will contribute to the fund".

He commended Governor Rochas Okorocha for his support to Nigeria

Police in the state disclosed that the Police has established three police tactical intelligence units in Lagos, Rivers and Imo state to tackle the menace of kidnapping as well as withdrawing the men of Police Mobile Force from individuals to enable them do their work.

"We are seriously addressing the menace of kidnapping as we have established Technical Intelligence Units in Lagos, Rivers and Imo for the South East to tackle the issue and we are calling on all community leaders to partner with the police by providing information as security is everybody's business. These youths who are into kidnapping do it for money but if information is provided on time it will enable the police to tackle the menace".

According to Ibrahim, “it is one of the Units we are using to tackle kidnapping because it is an intelligence outfit that has given us capacity to pre-empt some of these kidnappings.

The umbrella Igbo Think-Tank, Nzuko Umunna, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of Igbo people worldwide in their activities to mark the May 30th “Biafra at 50� celebrations.

This was contained in a statement signed yesterday by the group's Coordinator, Mazi Ngozi Odumuko and Secretary, Paschal Mbanefo, noting that unlike in the past, this year’s strategy ensured a string of non-violent yet very effective activities.

The group which commended the IPOB, MASSOB, BIM and such other organisations for the very peaceful and civil manner they mobilised and conducted themselves on the day, also hailed the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and all the South East governors for their cooperation in ensuring the success of the Remembrance Day. They noted that the level of compliance with the sit-at-home directive while highly satisfactory

and commendable, had shattered a lot of myths and fallacies about Igbo and their unity, adding that never would Ndigbo forget the heroes who made the supreme sacrifice for them.

The Igbo socio-cultural group thanked all Nigerians for their show of support and solidarity, and promised to work with all other necessary bodies to make subsequent commemorations in the years to come more massive.

Nzuko Umunna had in the past intervened in the ongoing differences between the IPOB leader and the Federal Government through the famous press conference championed by intellectual icons like former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo and renowned economist, Prof. Pat Utomi.

The statement read: "30th May, 2017, made it exactly 50 years after the civil war, otherwise known as Biafran war, broke out.

"While it has become a tradition

to remember our heroes who paid the ultimate price in the defence of Igboland during the war, the commemorations before now had been fraught with avoidable clashes between some Igbo youth and law enforcement agents.

"The commemorations, to say the least, had always been marked in an atmosphere of tension, mutual suspicion and forceful suppression of the people who were mostly attacked by the Nigerian forces even without provocation, leaving behind it trails of tears, sorrow and blood".

"It was on this basis that it was decided that this year’s commemoration be marked with a sit-at-home directive.

"As an Igbo socio-cultural group, we were highly delighted at the level of compliance with the sit-at-home directive despite not being enforced in any way except through moral suasion. IPOB, MASSOB, BIM and such other groups must be commended for this rare feat."

15

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NEWSXTRA

In Brief

U.S., Nigerian Exchange Programme

TheUnitedStatesembassyinNigeriahasselectedfiveNigerianwomento participate in the 2017TechWomen exchange programme.TechWomen is aU.S.initiativeempoweringandconnectingthenextgenerationofwomen leadersinscience,technology,engineering,andmathematics(STEM)from Africa,Asia,andtheMiddle East. AstatementbythePublicAffairs Section, EmbassyoftheUnited StatesofAmericasaidtheprogrammewouldbring together100womenleadersintechnologyfieldsforafive-weekprofessional mentorshipandexchangeprogrammeatleadingtechnologycompaniesin California’sSiliconValleyandtheSanFranciscoBayArea. “Nigerianwomen are highly talented like the American women in the movie Hidden Figures,�

Ambassador W. Stuart Symington said, prior to screening of the movie at GenesisCinemas,inAbujathisweek,inhonourofNigerianTechWomen. Hidden FiguresdetailsthestoryofthreefemaleAfrican-Americanmathematicians employed by NASA in the 1960s.

IOCs Relocation to Niger Delta

CONJUGAL BLISS...

L-R: Father of the groom and former commissioner for information, Kwara State, Alh. Abdulraheem Adedoyin, Special Guest of Honour and firmer Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the Bride, Ifedooapo Joyce Banire and the from, Taofik Adesina Adedoyin at the wedding ceremony of the new couple at Genesis Suites and Hall, Ibadan at the weekend

IGP: We’ll Dismiss, Prosecute Corrupt Officers, those Culpable in Calabar Clash Bassey Inyang in Calabar and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris , has said the Nigeria Police Force will not hesitate to dismiss and prosecute any officer arrested for extorting members of the public henceforth.

He also warned that any policeman found culpable following last Tuesday's clash between men of the Nigerian police and the Nigerian Navy in Calabar would be sanctioned and commissioned an investigation on the problem.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Southwest Zone, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, rated Ekiti State as having the lowest crime rate in Nigeria, hinging this on the high level of professionalism existing among his men in the State.

This is as the Police Community Relations Committee(PCRC) and other stakeholders frowned on the incessant transfer of the Commissioners of Police out of Ekiti police command, saying the scenario always led to the regrouping of criminals

to unleash terror on the citizens.

He was addressing stakeholders in security sector , where police officers in the command, led by the CP, Alhaji Abdullahi Chafe, PCRC members, Important Personalities, Hausa community and transporters, were present.

Idris saluted the courage of his men in tackling criminalities, urging them to be dedicated to duties and expect commensurate rewards from government and members of the public . “The crime rate in Ekiti is very low, in fact, the lowest in the country. The police anywhere

in the world can’t do it alone without the cooperation and consent of the people. You need to work with critical stakeholders to achieve a crime-free society. “The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris is committed to the task of giving our men incentives. Before now, Inspectors used to spend over 14 years before becoming superintend of police, but such has been corrected and other rank and file positions. “Apart from promotion, we are working on the housing scheme for our men to be able to own a house after retirement".

PCN Seals 380 Illegal Pharmacies, Patient Medicines Stores Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) said it has sealed the premises of 380 illegal pharmacies and patent medicine stores during its facility inspection and enforcement exercise in Edo state.

The Council's Director of Inspection and Monitoring, Mrs. Anthonia O. Aruya, disclosed this in Benin City while briefing journalists on the enforcement carried out in Benin metropolis by the council.

Aruya said those sealed 380 businesses during the exercise

were made up of 38 illegal Pharmacies and 270 Patient Medicine stores, adding that the aim was to sanitise the drug distribution chain in the country.

According to her, the sealed-up were for various offences, ranging from failure to renew premises license, dispensing ethical products without the supervision of pharmacists and poor sanitary condition among others.

She said, "Pharmacists Council of Nigeria cannot guarantee that drugs sold in unregistered outlets are of the same integrity as specified by the manufacturers since

they have not submitted to the regulation that ensure maintenance of minimum standard for handling such products".

Aruya also noted that the inspection was carried out to ensure that the right storage environment was maintained to preserve the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic integrity of medicines.

"We observed in Edo that many premises are operating without registration while others failed to renew their license. Some of them store products in environment where quality, safety and efficacy

of pharmaceutical products cannot be guarantee", she stated.

The PCN Director of Inspection and Monitoring, added that operators of these sealed premises did not have the requisite knowledge on how to handle highly ethical drugs, saying the exercise was to revise the ugly trend and improved on service delivery.

She said the enforcement was a corrective measure to do the right thing, noting that if not checked, they could be carrying out business detrimental to the public.

Court Bars Markarfi PDP Faction from Benue LG Election George Okoh in Makurdi

A Makurdi Federal High Court yesterday stopped the Ahmed Markarfi led faction of the People Democratic Party (PDP) from participating in June 3 local government election in Benue State.

Giving judgement earlier yesterday, the trial judge, Justice Aneke, declined jurisdiction of his court to entertain the matter, and dismissed the originating

summons brought by the palintiff.

The suit was brought by the plaintiff's against Dan Ale, Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Commissioner of Police and the Attorney-General of the state over the omission of the Markarfi faction led by Mr. John Ngbede in the state while recognising Dan Ale of the Modu Sheriff faction

In a reaction, State Chairman of the party, John Ngbede, expressed dissatisfaction with the judgement, viewing it as not serving the cause of justice, even as he assured that the party would appeal the judgement at higher courts.

Addressing a large crowd of party faithful at the party's state Secretariat in Makurdi, he urged them to be calm, law-abiding and hopeful that justice will be gotten at the higher courts.

Ngbede further called on the party’s membership across the state to stay away from tomorrow's polls, as the party was not fielding candidates in the elections.

However the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Mike Gusa hailed the Judgement as sound and fair.

He said a Daniel has come to Judgement while calling on the electorate to come out tommorow and express their franchise.

MembersoftheBayelsaStateHouseofAssembly yesterdaytookturnsto beratetheHouseofAssemblyandoilmultinationalsoperatingintheNiger Delta for working against the directive to relocate the oil companies' head officestotheregion. Theyvariouslyfaulted thereluctanceofthecompanies tocomplywiththeorder,declaringthatitwasacleardisregardforthepeople’s agitation against the issues of environmental degradation and "economic servitude". Many of the state lawmakers also criticised the federal house ofrepresentatives forrejectingthemotionintendedtoaffirmthedirective givenbythefederalgovernment. Following amotionmovedbytheBayelsa StateHouseLeader, PeterAkpe, thelawmakersagreedthattherewasthe need for the IOCs to comply with the directive and immediately move their officestothestate. Akpe,whorepresentsSagbamaconstituency1,lamented that in spite of the fact that oil was discovered in commercial quantities at OloibiriinBayelsaState,thestateandtheNigerDeltaregionatlargewerestill wallowingin“abjectpoverty,environmentalandsocio-economicdeprivation."

JAMB Should Improve BroadbandConnectivity

A group, Coalition of Civil Society Organisation for Transparency on Governance has urged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to improve on broadband connectivity in the subsequent conduct of the UnifiedTertiaryMatriculationExamination(UTME).ItsExecutiveDirector, SaboOdeh disclosedthis atapressconference inAbuja,whereitalsocommended JAMB on the success of the recently conducted UTME exam. He noted that despite the efforts by JAMB, the exam still experienced some hitches,stressing thatlapseswerehoweverexternallymotivatedtoanextent that the Board had limited wiggle room to influence them otherwise. Odeh alsopointedoutthattheComputerBasedTest(CBT)Centreswouldstillhave todomoretomeetthestandardsdemandedbyJAMB.Despitethehitches, the group confirmed that, “conduct of the UTME was orderly, conformed with best standards at most parameters, and is commendable. Instances ofmalpracticeswerehoweverrecordedatcentreswherepeoplecolluded to cover the cameras with hoods.�

Defence Minister Dribbles Journalists

The Minister for Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, onThursday night reneged on a promisehemadetoDefencereportersinLagos,afterkeepingthemwaiting for three hours.The minister, was in Lagos alongside the Chief of Defence, GeneralGabrielOlonisakin,forthe61stNigerianNavyanniversary,heldatnaval dockyardinVictoriaIsland,Lagos.Afterthetraditionalceremonialsunsetheld atthejettyofthedockyard,theministerwasledbytheChiefofNavalStaff (CNS),ViceAdmiralIbokEtte-Ibastothemesslocatedintheadministrative building of the dockyard. After liaising with the Media Adviser to the MOD, Colonel Tukur Gusau, the defence reporters on ground had converged at the entrance of the administrative building to wait for the minister for an interview.Whenhefinallycameoutatabout7pm,hepromisedreportersthat he would answer their questions after the navy dinner, which was the next thing on the agenda. Citing the ongoing Ramadan fast, the minister and his entourageurgedthejournaliststoallowhimbreakhisfastfirst,afterwhich he will attend to them.

ConMin W’Africa Exhibition

TheInternationalConferenceCentreinAbujawillonthe June13,2017,open its doors to the leading construction and mining organisations to exhibit their products and services to visitors for over three days at ConMinWest Africa.Accordingtoastatementfromtheorganisers,theexhibitionwould provideanetworkingopportunityforparticipantswithvarioussessionsand opportunities for stakeholders to engage with relevant counterparts. “On the 14th, The Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) will be hosting a construction conference oriented around the theme of “Sustainability of theConstructionIndustryinNigeria�.Theseworkshop/seminarsessionsare freeofchargeandopentoallvisitors.Sessionswillincludefinancingprojects, skilledmanpowerandenvironmentalsustainabilityandwouldbeledbykey membersandexpertsoftheFederation.Acrossthethreedays,visitorscan expect to hear technical sessions and be able to attend workshops held by representatives from Dangote Industries, Soetec Engineering,Total, CAT Nigeria and Boustani Nigeria,� said the statement.

CAN Novelty Match, Sports Awards

The maiden Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) versus Veteran ExInternationals Novelty Football Match and Awards will take place at the NationalStadiumPitchandtheSportsWritersAssociationofNigeria(SWAN) CentrerespectivelyonSaturday,June3,2017.TheMatchisslatedfor10am while the awards will start by 4pm. The event will feature the Minister for Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola, alongside celebrated superstars such as Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Taribo West, Friday Elaho, Henry Nwosu etc. Hon. Sheriff O. Balogun, the Administrator of Surulere Local Government will serve as the Chief Host while Apostle AlexanderBamgbola,theLagosStateCANChairman,willbethechairman of the event.The Spiritual Father of the Day is Msgr Bernard Okoduah, the ParishPriestofSt.AnthonyCatholicChurch,Gbaja,Surulere,Lagos.Among theAwardeesisChiefMikeUmeh,theMDofCentralBagNigeriaLtd,former TeamManageroftheSuperEaglesandNationalSportsAdministratorwhowill behonouredwiththeCANSportscitySoccerLifetimeAchievementAward.

16

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍťËœ ͺ͸͚;

Osinbajo Advocates Local Raw Material Sourcing Sheri Balogun in Abeokuta Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Friday called on industries operating in the country to adopt backward integration and import substitution policy in their operations, in order to reduce cost of production and maximise profit.

While speaking at the inauguration and tour of Procter and Gamble factory in Agbara area of Ogun State urged the industries to reduce importation of raw materials and locally source them.

He challenged the business community to key into plans of government by introducing a huge portion of the local content in their production as this will guarantee their viability and security in their host communities.

While commending the company's efforts in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility, especially on their safety water initiative and hygiene, Osinbajo appealed to P&G to do more as they are expected to invest in the development of the community they operate.

Earlier in his speech, the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun said the state has attracted the largest Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria, noting that this is a testimonial of the ease of doing business in the state.

Restating that the state government would fix the Atan-Lusada- Agbara road, he asked the companies in the axis to invest part of their profit on the project.

Amosun also reiterated the call by Osinbajo on companies

FOR STRONG ECONOMY...

R-L: Jigawa State Governor / Past National President, Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Badaru Abubakar; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Wife of the Acting President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo; Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun; and immediate past National President, NACCIMA, Dr. Bassey Edem, at the inauguration of Iyalode as the 19th and 1st Female National President of NACCIMA in Abeokuta, Ogun State recently

operating in the state to source their raw materials locally, in order to reduce production cost and maximise profit.

He assured that his admin-

istration would continue to create conducive environment for businesses to strive.

He advised the industries to collaborate with the state govern-

ment in the development of the model schools, vocational and technical colleges and invest in the training of young people, so as to produce employable

workforce for investors in the state.

In his welcome address, Managing Director of Procter and Gamble, Mr. George Nassar

appreciated the efforts of the Federal Government and Ogun State in particular, for their efforts in the ease of doing business in the country.

Bello: My Ghost, Not Me, Christian, Muslim Leaders Warn 'Nigerian Military Needs to do More to Exterminate Boko Haram' Made Double Registration against Secession,Violence Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, yesterday in Abuja described as falsehood, an allegation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that he engaged in scandalous double registration, saying his ghost might have been the one which registered twice.

Bello, who made this remark while answering questions from journalists in the State House after participating in Juma'at prayers in Aso Rock mosque, claimed that he was not in the country on May 23, 2017 when the alleged double registration took place.

Earlier, while defending his principal, his media aide, Kingsley Fanwo, had said his principal was forced to register again in Kogi State following the failure of INEC to transfer his earlier registration in Abuja to the state.

INEC Commissioner, Mr. Solomon Soyebi, had disclosed that Bello was caught in double registration scandal on May 23. According to Soyebi, Bello had first registered in Wuse, Zone 4, Abuja on January 30, 2011 only to illegally register the second time on May 23, 2017 in his office in Lokoja.

But Bello insisted that he was in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates on May 23, when INEC claimed he made the double registration.

According to him, he had only registered on May 19 and not May 23, before embarking on his Dubai trip.

"I travelled on 19th, May to Dubai for a brief break and I saw

the press release that I did double registration on 23rd and I was taken aback. Probably, it is my ghost that has done the double registration.

"I think INEC has earned itself a very high reputation and I think and I am very confident that the leadership of INEC will not allow some elements in INEC to drag the name of the Commission into the mud. Surely, that's falsehood. I did not do double registration for permanent voter card," he claimed.

On recent attacks against him by Senator Dino Melaye who represents Kogi West in the Senate, Bello said he would never dignify the controversial senator with a response because he was too focused to be distracted.

Claiming that he had been busy repositioning the state for infrastructure development, Bello also dismissed calls by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for his impeachment.

He said those making the calls were not notable members of APC in Kogi State as he proceeded to reel out the activities of his government in the state since he assumed office in the past 15 months adding that APC in the state was not factionalised.

"APC in Kogi State is one and indivisible - no faction, no division and by the grace of God, we are all strong and united.

"Honestly speaking, when a human being is talking, then I will respond. Surely, I don't see anything coming out of that and I don't think I have to waste my time in responding to whatever side distraction. Honestly speaking, I'm too focused to be distracted.

Paul Obi in Abuja

Christian and Muslim leaders yesterday in Abuja warned against any plan for secession that will separate any part of the country from Nigeria.

The warning was handed down during a ceremony where Christian and Muslim leaders broke fast at the National Mosque, Abuja.

The leaders also cautioned against the orgy of violence that has engulfed the country in recent times, ranging from Boko Haram terrorism, herdsmen and locals clashes, kidnapping and militancy in some parts of the country.

Speaking at the event, President of the Niger Delta Bishops and Ministers Forum, Dr. Julius Ediwe, warned that God will hold religious leaders responsible in Nigeria is divided.

Ediwe made the assertion when he led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Executive Secretary, Abuja National Mosque Management Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Jega, on Friday in Abuja.

He explained that the role of religious leaders in promoting peace and tolerance between Muslims and Christians could not be overemphasised, adding that both Christian and Muslims should unite and pray for the peace of the country.

"I want to say to Nigeria that the texture of violence that is going on in the country is the evident of trouble coming to the country.

"I am calling on all Christian religious bodies that if anything

happen to this country Nigeria with the texture of violence we are experiencing all over the places God will hold us the religious leaders.

"So I am using that to say all religion both Christian and Muslims should come together and pray for the peace of this country.

"We want peace for this country and that is why I came here to the National Mosque to meet our brothers to come together and pray for the country," Ediwe said.

He added that there could never be any meaningful development without peace in the country, appealed to all Nigerians to live in peace with one another irrespective of their religious difference.

The bishop called on all Christian’s bodies to ensure that their followers shun all forms of violence, support the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari and pray for his quick recovery.

"I am here at the National Mosque Abuja to thank God for the month of Ramadan which is going on in the Muslims community", he said.

Bishop John Peters, the Secretary, United Bishops and Eminent Clerics Initiative (UBECI), said that the initiative support the anticorruption crusade of President Buhari, stating that, "corruption is the biggest problem of Nigeria.

"One of the reason for coming here is to ensure that Nigeria have sustainable peace and development," he said.

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

In spite of the progress recorded in war against terrorism, the Global Amnesty Watch (GAW), London said Nigerian military needed to do more to drive the Boko Haram insurgents into extinction.

GAW Representative on African Affairs, Mr. Tom John Lever disclosed this in Abuja at the official presentation of the independent assessment of the Nigerian military's war against terrorism.

The report presented in partnership with Centre for International Strategic Studies (Abuja), was a review of the activities of the Nigeria military especially on human rights and humanitarian issues in the North-east since the inception of the insurgency.

According to Lever, "the current administration promised to fight the Boko Haram insurgency when it was sworn-in on May 29, 2017.

In line with this promise, a notable shift in strategy and outcomes was noticeable, especially from when the military chiefs were changed."

He noted that GAW having closely monitored the period preceding the current administration, its military operations against the Boko Haram insurgents, the humanitarian and internal displacement from the crisis, and government efforts to curtail all these, compiled reports on Nigeria's counter insurgency war.

GAW stated: "In the period under review, the military has recorded some progress even

though more can be done to accelerate driving Boko Haram into extinction.

"The military operation in the northeast has successfully liberated the towns and villages that came under the control of insurgents. “A first batch of 21 Chibok Girls have been freed followed six months later with another 82 of the girls freed. As at May 2017, 11,894 other hostages of the terror group had been freed. Hundreds of other hostages have been freed in the period since then.

"Several Boko Haram fighters with their commanders (amir) have surrendered, been captured or killed. Many others fled underground and are hiding among civilian population and in refugee camps.

"The US government, which earlier blocked sales of arms and hardware to Nigeria has softened its stance and the embargo has been lifted. The deal for the sale of A29 Super Tucano aircrafts to Nigeria's military is a direct outcome of the notable changes the world has seen both in the improved due diligence that eradicate corruption in military procurement and improved human rights records that meet international standards".

The international rights group recommended that the military must continue to do the needful to ensure that the civilian population remain protected from insurgents, and the adherence to the rules of engagement along the current levels should continue.

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS TRAVEL TRIBUTE AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER FASHION FILE

pg. 20 pg. 22 pg. 24 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 41

Yetunde Bankole-Bernard

I’m Building a Nation through Branding and Image Identity

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 3, 2017

PLUS

What My Concept of Image Identity for Individuals and Corporate Organisations is All About In an age of mass production and chaotic globalisation, brand and image along with value-driven services are everything. As an individual or corporate organisation, how does one incorporate brand perception and image identity in various activities? An elegant and experienced mind, says the answer is simple and profitable – for more than a decade, she has been helping individuals and organisations find a balance between their identity and service delivery that reflect values, ethics and etiquettes. Yetunde Bankole-Bernard is the go-to person. Starting with her PGL Image Consulting, she now runs “The Yetunde Bernard Company’’ as Chief Coaching Officer (CCO). Bernard speaks with Omolola Itayemi about her RECALL concept and why every brand and personality needs to key into it

W

hat is ‘The Yetunde Bernard Company’ all about?

It is an organisation set up specifically to work with individuals and business owners that desire to harness their distinct message and craft. In the process of doing this, we help to refine that distinct image by projecting it for maximum influence and impact globally.

Why are image consultants referred to as image school owners or etiquette school owners?

On the contrary, we are image consultants that offer bespoke services ranging from corporate image solutions to Individual image services.

Yes, we do share some similarities in our belief in bringing back old manners such as respect, regard for elders and using the magic words ‘please’, ‘sorry’, ‘excuse me’ which is all part of a good image.

How did your business evolve?

My former partner and I had always been friends; we met in school (university of Lagos) and bonded. I was in my last year studying Insurance while she was in her second year, reading Economics.

We lived in the same hall in school and developed a life-long friendship.

Years after, while ruminating over the shoddy customer service from front-desk staff and the poor image perception of a good number of high-profile individuals and organisations, the idea to form an image consulting firm was birthed. It’s not just about dressing. It involves etiquette, protocol; what should be done and what shouldn’t be done.

We started PGL and there’s been no regret. We cannot overemphasise the impact of image on people and what it communicates, especially in these modern times where the world is fast becoming a global village.

As image consultants, we are focused on positive impact, one organisation at a time, one person at a time; in effect, we build a nation.

We did this by assisting business executives and leaders, public figures, celebrities and discerning individuals to hone their impression management skills and professional presence, through visual, verbal and non-verbal communication, etiquette, and protocol expertise in order to build an authentic image. We made use of coaching, psychology and other tools to achieve phenomenal results. We worked with diverse individuals and corporate bodies like Access Bank, CakesByTosan, The Catalyst, Nigerian Interbank Settlement system (NIBSS), Lagos State Government, TFOLC Career Development Agency, Loyola Secondary School, National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and several others on identity, leadership and mentoring, self-awareness, social abilities and brand personality development. But my partner had to relocate and that gave birth to Yetunde Bernard Company, (YBC).

What was your first seminar like?

My former partner and I had addressed crowds individually before on different levels but not a big crowd. It wasn’t strange but there were a few jitters, but we knew we had to get it right after putting ourselves out there. We had a certain number in mind and we had more than a full house at the end of the day. It turned out fine and we also realised there was so much more we could contribute to the society.

It was a wow time for me with the realisation that I was sitting on this wealth of information and there was a need to come out of my shell and make a difference – and that was what happened.

How will you describe yourself and how has the enterprise been doing?

Yetunde Bankole-Bernard is a New York City-trained relationship, style and image coach and a corporate image consultant, trained in Las Vegas. I practised understanding of brand perception that is identity creation and image projection as well as excellent communication

19

JUNE 3, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS I’m Building a Nation through Branding and Image Identity proficiencies functioning in different capacities in the Nigerian marketing communications industry. It has not been a tea party because I have had to hone my skills at different blue-chip companies that require the best from you. My time at TPT Lagos and EXP Nigeria enabled me to gain core competencies in public and media relations, event planning and management, brand activation/ experiential marketing and sponsorship leveraging.

Over the course of my career, I worked closely with organisations like BAT (British American Tobacco), Unilever, Nigerian Breweries, MTN, and Nokia to mention a few. I am a certified MBTI practitioner from CAPT. Florida and popularly called, ‘the identity coach’. I have been privileged to speak and serve on various youth intervention/rehabilitation and women empowerment initiatives.

Lifestyle coaching is a relatively new sub-sector for companies and individuals. Is the acceptance level improving?

Lifestyle coaching addresses one’s personal and/or corporate life and the obstacles faced daily, proffering solutions through a personalised and introspective action plan to improve the life of the individual.

There are times in everyday living when we lose focus of what is most important; and at certain other times we encounter challenges that knock us off our feet and most likely stand in the way of our goals and aspirations. Lifestyle coaching provides the guidance needed during these phases of life, helping individuals to clarify, prioritise and then focus on ways to live productively. Inasmuch as this is a relatively new sub sector, quite a number of companies and individuals are responding positively. Failings, challenges, aspirations and triumphs are human experiences common to us all. Life coaching provides the opportunity to make choices that create a more balanced and fulfilling life personally or professionally.

Why should personal branding matter to individuals looking for jobs?

Establishing an image for yourself and creating an impression in the minds of those you come across is what personal branding entails.

When looking to employ, every organisation is really concerned about the same thing – value. I have to be convinced of your ability to add value before I can commit my affairs to you. This even goes beyond seeking for a job. The catch here is that you must first place a value on yourself and be willing to go the extra mile in your journey of self-discovery and development before you can even expect to attract external interest, admiration or validation.

Personal branding is an ongoing process of establishing an impression or perception in the minds of others about yourself. While it includes putting yourself together in a way that presents you in a good light; proper communication skills, protocol and etiquette, dress and grooming; it runs much deeper than that.

Beyond job seeking; in day-to-day interactions, you are constantly selling yourself. Whether it’s an idea, indication of an interest, a promise of a relationship, a job or a product, the same principle applies. You have to be able to effectively define your potential for creating value in this world; that is, for making a contribu-

Bernard

tion that comes naturally from the core of your being and touches the lives of others in positive ways. That is identity. Knowing who you are, identifying your core characteristics and what value you bring should be the bedrock of ‘personal branding’.

It is irrespective of whether you’re selling yourself to an employer, potential father-in-law or a client. You cannot fully express yourself if you have not taken time to discover your essence and difference. That is what I call your ‘memorability factor’.

How much opportunity exists for graduates going into the identity creation and image projection sector?

I believe that opportunities can be found everywhere but it all depends on how you look at it. An opportunity could be staring at you right in the face and there’s still a high chance of missing it if you’re not walking in the consciousness of that reality. To a large extent, passion and interest drives what we see. Just like many other specialties, matters of identity creation and image projection require a high level of interest, determination and passion. Beyond all that is something that comes from a place of ‘knowing’. Again, I am back to the subject of identity. You thrive in your place of gifting and natural ability. Find that place. Stay there.

How can one then find their identity and how does this influence productivity?

Just as it is common to ask or place a demand when you want something, the first step to self-discovery is to inquire into your own character, interests, values and beliefs. It is a journey of self-assessment. When you are able to understand and accept yourself, you will make better choices and decisions. This ultimately

makes you more deliberate, effective and productive. My work over the last 12 years in the marketing communications industry has given birth to RECALL: the identity coaching tool for those beginning or at a new beginning. It is a workbook, journal and audio CD that will help anyone seeking clarity for their identity and talents. It also provides practical solutions on how to create productivity platforms from these natural abilities.

How can unemployed graduates enhance their interpersonal relationship skills when going for interviews?

It is important to note that interviews or any scenario for that matter is transient. Human connection is a constant. The ability to understand yourself, your personality, your values, social and communication style, idiosyncrasies, whims and caprices places you in a position of authority where you are able to determine your responses to others. It helps you also to be more tolerant of others giving that you are not without a fault. Acceptance of self precedes acceptance of others. We are able to listen better and allow difference of opinions without being judgmental.

Now that does not necessarily mean we become a push-over. It simply means that we are able to become better communicators by listening; better friends by showing ourselves friendly; create positive impressions by being comfortable in our skin and not trying too hard to impress. We are more considerate and respectful when we are at peace with self. This breeds true confidence, which in itself endears people to us. For the purpose of this particular question, however, I’d consider two things. The first: practise and perfect the art of being ‘present’ in your interactions.

Be aware of the other person and what they are trying to communicate.

Lifestyle coaching addresses one’s personal and/or corporate life and the obstacles faced daily, proffering solutions through a personalised and introspective action plan to improve the life of the individual.

There are times in everyday living when we lose focus of what is most important; and at certain other times we encounter challenges that knock us off our feet and most likely stand in the way of our goals and aspirations.

Lifestyle coaching provides the guidance needed during these phases of life, helping individuals to clarify, prioritise and then focus on ways to live productively. Inasmuch as this is a relatively new sub sector, quite a number of companies and individuals are responding positively Listen with your senses. Listen for that which is not being said. You should be able to tell, for instance, if you’re talking too much or too little if you are truly present in a conversation. You will notice the other person’s body language, eye movement, hand gestures and the like. Second, relax and be comfortable – smile. Take your time and answer thoughtfully. It is just an interview to determine if you’re suitable or not. It is better to carefully consider what is being said than blurting out something you are not sure about.

Is there a relationship between personal/corporate branding and job creation?

Branding entails establishing an image for yourself and creating an impression in the minds of those who interact with you, while Job creation is the process of providing jobs for the unemployed. Though it is not the branding that creates the job, the interesting thing is that they work hand in hand – branding, whether it is personal or corporate enables visibility and creates room for the unemployed.

20

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 3, 2017 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan: This cannot be True Sir They say you want to come back in 2019 to the presidency. My lord, I really, for your own sake, hope that this story is not true. Come back how and as what. I really hope that if at all, you would be trying for the chairmanship of Otuoke Local Government and not the presidency. We are still grappling with the fallout of your unplanned sojourn in power and as such would not be able to withstand another foray. I tell you this time, we will have no country left to even pick the pieces from. You see, to date I remain one of your loyal supporters hence this my stance. I will tell you the truth, we are not really interested in another Jonathan journey; you have tried, just rest. At least you gave us the most exciting First Lady in our history; you gave us Deziani, you gave us the bowler hat and by the way, let’s hope it’s not one of the bowler hats you forgot in Aso Rock you want to go back to collect.

Oga, we have moved on and would really not be held back by this attempt at crass insensitivity. My advice is for you to take up an appointment at that university near your hometown and join in the quest to breed new leaders.

Yes, I think you would be of more value to the nation in that capacity, instead of meddling in state matters you really do not have an inkling as to their workings.

Don’t vex sir, I seem to be harsh on you in this write-up, it is just that I am in a bad mood, I have been consigned to the couch again and kicked out of the other room by my madam which has made me cranky, hence my tone in this write-up.

No vex . Come back ke, please don’t let me laugh o, leave me in this my state o.

Donald Duke: You have My Support This charming fellow has continued to intrigue me. I have just read it somewhere that he could still be interested in the presidency. Now we are talking; these are the kind of people we should be propping up instead of some dragons I won’t mention their names. As the only governor who deemed it fit to feed me at the State House while he was in power, I remain loyal till the day I die. Yes o, it is true when he was the governor of Cross River, my forever mentor Albert Okumagba, had taken me for a meeting with him in the build-up to the construction of the Tinapa Resort. After the meeting, while Albert flew off to only God knows where, the rest of us stayed back and we were treated to a sumptuous meal

by His Excellency. You see how we have to be careful in what we do. If Duke had not fed me that night, I will not be writing this piece today. The food was well made o. It was pounded yam and afang with all sorts of delicacies inside the soup served with a chilled bottle of red wine. That time there were no selfies, I would have taken one for posterity. As

Donald Duke

Kate Henshaw

IPOB: Please Leave Akwa Ibom Alone I really do not want to believe the authenticity of the proposed Biafra map. In one of their numerous statements, I have seen that they have corralled my homeland into the proposed Biafra enclave asking us to join the so-called sit-at-home protest that has been called. You see, this if true is not accidental, after all it was our kinsman who waited after the Biafra super hero and lord of the flies flew off to Ivory Coast after the 30-month fratricide that saw millions starve and lose their lives. Maybe that is why this latter-day dreamers feel that it is their right to just ‘command’ us to join this their one-legged campaign.

Let me state here categorically that no Akwa Ibom man, dead or alive is in the least interested in this your Biafra Project, so please leave us alone to continue our suffering in this our one Nigeria. We are content with our minority status and would continue to provide the Nigerian people with our delicacies

and goodwill if nothing else. How for heaven’s sake do you sit in your fathers’ living rooms and draw up a map without even consulting with the people you are trying to take out of a whole country. You see why I have always felt that this so-called Biafra push is a mere distraction at best and a comic turn of events at the worst and should not be taken seriously by any right-thinking Nigerian. Nigeria stands a much better chance of providing the very best in human life to its citizens as one solid country once we get leadership right. I keep saying it and nobody especially these Igbo Jews seems to be listening that the issue is not in separation but in bad and ineffective leadership which cuts across the whole country not leaving out any region. So my dear Biafra agitators, please leave us alone o, we are really not interested. Thank you for the concern. We are happy where we are even as we wish you well in your mission.

Osinbajo

I ate, I swore that day that should this man ever decide to run for president, I would be the first to join the train. You see as a man of my word, I will keep that vow I made almost 15 years ago in far away Calabar while swallowing a large

morsel of pounded yam. Donald Duke for 2019. You see what food can do? See my life.

Kate Henshaw: Will You Marry Me? Yes and I am not drunk. I want to use

Eugene Anenih

this page to propose to this delectable beauty and if she won’t mind I want to make her the Duchess of Shomolu. That position has been vacant ever since I was kicked out of the other room and denied my constitutionally enshrined conjugal rights. After suffering like Mandela in the wilderness of celibacy for over five years, I have decided to lift the sanctions on myself by proposing to this wonderful damsel. Kai, I ran into her last week at my friend, Segun Akande’s book launch somewhere in Ikoyi. The woman fine no be small. As I watched her from a safe distance I could feel myself falling in love with her. Her lovely brown skin, her gait and more important, her intellect.

She stood there discussing issues both political and creative and as she spoke, all I could see was her in my house as my latest wife. I walked up to her and asked for a hug and she obliged me and at that time I felt like Obanikoro after Tinubu must have forgiven him and taken him back into the fold. So here goes my dear Ms. Henshaw would you like to be the next Duchess of Shomolu bearing in mind that this particular title is immune from probe by any State House of Assembly? It also has no tenure limit and also grants you immunity from EFCC, DSS and Federal Road Safety corps? Please just say yes and before the President comes back o .

Eugene Anenih: An Ode Eugene was my friend. We were stockbrokers and qualified in the same class. He was quiet but very effective as he ran one of the most efficient stockbroking houses. He never had any airs and did all he could to hide his true identity. Look when people pass, mourners say all the good things about the person since in our culture we do not say evil about the dead. But in this case, Eugene truly deserved all that has been said about him. Just last year I invited him to join a consortium that we had set up to bid for a bank AMCON wanted to sell. His inputs at meetings were very constructive and his discipline and integrity were all out there for the rest of us to see and emulate. He did not mind that he was a big fish as he gladly came to all our meetings in our tiny office at Jide Oki and would eat local rice without fish or meat which was my speciality at the time. The news of his passing was shocking, although I had not really seen him since we failed in the bid, we still spoke once in a while and I had no inkling that this man had any plans to leave this earth. But what can we say. We cannot argue with Jehovah; he has taken his son. What we can only do is to pray to God to continue to give his family the strength and courage to bear this irreplaceable loss and to the rest of us his friends to continue with his good works keeping his vision alive. Adieu my good friend.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍťËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

21

SPY GLASS

Bishop Tom Samson

OF BISHOP TOM SAMSON AND HIS LIFESTYLE For sometime now, tongues have been wagging over the lifestyle of the General Overseer of Christ Royal Church, Bishop Tom Samson.

Though his fans and church members believe very strongly that he is very knowledgeable about the Bible and that he is truly called to win souls; many however, think that his lifestyle is out of sync with the divine teaching in Mathew 6 verses 19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.�

Except you know him too well, you may take him either for a hip-hop act or a Hollywood movie star owing largely to his dress sense. In some sense, he loves everything of the world and flaunts it without caring a hoot.

Surprisingly, he is unfazed about the barrage of criticisms that is daily hurled at him by some members of the society, including some Christian faithful. This is because he still goes about with a retinue of body guards and in exotic cars, to the chagrin of all. In fact, a few weeks ago, he took delivery of a Bentley, which left many mouths agape.

It will be recalled that on his 50th birthday celebration, he literally spoilt himself with a customised Limousine Though he claimed it was a gift from a member of his church, those who knew better countered that it was a tissue of lie to stave off criticisms.

The fiery preacher, who has a fleet of exotic cars in his garage, is said to be planning to acquire a private jet to mark his 55th birthday in a couple of years.

CBN TOP SHOT, BAYO ADELABU’S HEADACHE

If the news available to Spy Glass is anything to go by, then, the alleged moves by a deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Bayo Adelabu, to become the next governor of Oyo State may have suffered a hiccup.

Already, the respected ex-banker, who is a grandson of the late Adegoke Adelabu, famously described as the strong man of Ibadan politics, is being tipped as the successor to the incumbent governor, Abiola Ajimobi.

In fact, until recently, Adelabu had enjoyed a warm relationship with

with .... 08054680651 Ajimobi. But it appears there is no love lost between them now, owing to recent developments.

It was also gathered that both Ajimobi and Adelabu, who were protÊgÊs of the late businessman, Alao Arisekola, had allegedly entered into an agreement of sorts towards ensuring the success of latter’s candidature in next governorship election in the state.

However, that may no longer hold water in the face of an allegation that the governor is no longer comfortable with Adelabu’s lack of loyalty.

It was further learnt that Adelabu had irked the governor when he, in an effort to cement his political structure, allegedly visited the APC stalwart, Bola Tinubu, secretly to seek his support in getting the party’s ticket.

Consequently, Ajimobi is said to be upset and has vowed to puncture Adelabu’s governorship ambition.

A source hinted that the governor has decided to shop for a successor among his trusted aides, as part of his alleged effort to truncate Adelabu’s plans to rule the state come 2019.

Besides, another albatross in the way of Adelabu is the fact that he is said to be popular only among the elite in Ibadan and not in the whole of Oyo State.

PRINCESS FIFI EJINDU GLIDES INTO 55

Princess Fifi Ejindu, a successful architect and businesswoman, is a style and fashion icon, any day.

Ejindu, the great granddaughter of Kings James Ekpo Bassey of Cobham Town in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, is well groomed.

Blessed with an uncommon gene, this famed philanthropist has been doing everything humanly possible to maintain her beauty to the admiration of all.

SpyGlass gathered that highly intelligent and well polished Ejindu will be marking her 55 birthday on June 9 Interestingly , as a testimony to her far-reaching philanthropy. She would be celebrated by her loved ones, friends and admirers, especially those that have benefited from her uncommon benevolence. The beautiful princess has touched so many lives in her earthly sojourn; so, for some of the beneficiaries of her kindness, the occasion will provide a rare opportunity to celebrate and pray for her.

Many who know her very well claim that she has a kind of fire inside of her that never burns out.

More so, over the years, she has contributed immensely to the development of her home state in her own capacity.

IWO MONARCH, ABIOLA OGUNDOKUN’S WAR DEEPENS

It is no longer news that Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Akande and a popular businessman, Abiola Ogundokun, are not in talking terms.

However, what appears to be giving indigenes of the ancient town cause for concern is the fact that the rift between them has taken a new dimension as the

funky traditional ruler has reportedly revoked the chieftaincy titles of Ogundokun, also a publisher.

The monarch had earlier stripped Ogundokun of his traditional and social titles of Basorun Musulumi of Iwoland, a member of Iwo Board of Trustees, Otun Balogun of Iwoland and Obanla of Iwo that was recently bestowed on him.

It was learnt that the war erupted following Ogundokun’s alleged criticism of the monarch’s behaviour, which he described as too “childish� .

It was also gathered that Ogundokun, who was Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN, was instrumental to the enthronement of the former Canadabased controversial monarch.

OLAKUNLE CHURCHILL MOVES ON

Olakunle Oladuni Churchill, CEO, Big Churchill Haven Limited, for want of a better description, is a misunderstood man.

For a long time, he had been minding his business and doing his things without any noise or unnecessary attention.

The story changed immediately his relationship with star actress, Tonto Dikeh, became public knowledge.

Indeed, all eyes were on him the moment the duo agreed to take their love story to the next level. The wedding gained media attention, particularly because he is a nephew to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo .

However, many began to see him differently, when his estranged wife accused him of infidelity. The mother of one further gained the empathy of some members of the public when she opened up on the alleged domestic violence she suffered in the hands of her husband.

Aware of the negative effect on his image, the millionaire businessman debunked the allegations and professed his undying love for his wife and son, King Andre, despite the controversy trailing the break- up of their marriage.

But those close to him claim that he is a gentleman who understands the spirit and letter of love. More importantly, he is known to be generous to a fault.

In spite of the recent doleful experience, he has not stopped extending his hands of fellowship to people around him. Besides, he has moved on.

At the wedding ceremony of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s son, Olujuwon and Temitope, daughter of betting guru, Adebutu-Kessington, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Churchill was part of the groom’s men.

Churchill , an astute entertainment guru and philanthropist, was seen all through the event wearing a smile and exchanging banters with family members and friends.

WHEN BOLANLE AMBODE STIRRED THE HORNET’S NEST

Prior to 2015, little or nothing was known about Bolanle Ambode, the wife

Abiola Ogundokun

of Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode.

However, the whole tale changed immediately providence brought her husband to the public consciousness, following his victory in the 2015 governorship election in the Centre of Excellence.

In the past two years, the amiable woman has been doing her best to complement the worthy efforts of her husband to transform the state. In other words, she too has deployed her creativity to helping the generality of womenfolk in the state, just as her husband has been unrelenting in his efforts to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

In line with this, the Lagos First Lady, a devout Christian and a Pastor in one of the branches of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, launched a foundation: Hope for women in Nigeria Initiative , a project that has put her in the good books of the womenfolk in the state.

Sadly however, the respected woman of substance has been in the eyes of the storm in the past days over her alleged ‘misconduct’ in the house of the Lord last Sunday The unfortunate incident that happened at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Ikeja, Lagos has sparked lots of reactions from members of the public, especially the Christian faithful.

Ambode, it was reported, had felt insulted and embarrassed by the Chaplain of the church, Venerable Femi Taiwo, who was said to have ignored her and her entourage during an anointing service in the church.

The ugly scenario reportedly led to the sacking of Venerable Taiwo ba Lagos has sparked lots of reactions from members of the public, especially the Christian faithful.

Ambode, it was reported, had felt insulted and embarrassed by the Chaplain of the church, Venerable Femi Taiwo, who was said to have ignored her and her entourage during an anointing service in the church.

The ugly scenario reportedly led to the sacking of Venerable Taiwo barely 24 hours after by the state government, a development that has generated condemnations from different quarters.

Many church members who witnessed the unfortunate development described her action as that of someone who was ‘power drunk’.

Indeed, many who had in the past commended her positive impact in the state are now castigating her openly for being the orchestrator of the plan that led to the dismissal of Ven. Taiwo.

Fifi Ejindu

Bolanle Ambode Bayo Adelabu

Olakunle Churchill

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍťËœ ͺ͸͚;

TRAVEL&LEISURE

by OMOLOLA ITAYEMI omolola.itayemi@thisdaylive.com 08054699602

NCPC Striving to Simplify Pilgrimage Operations Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă? ÍşÍ˝Ëœ ÔË Ă™Ăœ ÔË ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹ĂšĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? ÞËÞĂ?Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ËÚÙĂ?ÞÖĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ“Ă–Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÔË Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă‹ĂœĂŽ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă?ÞËÖ Ă?Ă?ÖÖÙåĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă‹ĂšĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă?ÞËÖ Ă?ÖÖÙåĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ Ěš ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ͚͸ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ë› ĂœË› ÔË ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ÞÒĂ? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁËœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă’ĂœĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă–Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă— Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă’ĂœĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă–Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ě™ Ă?Ěš Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë› Ă? ÞËÖÕĂ? ÞÙ OmololaItayemi Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂšĂ“Ă–Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ’ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž åÓÞÒ Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă– Ă—Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ÞÙ ĂĄĂ‹Ă“Ăž

W

ho are CPOs, what is their relevance to pilgrimage and what is this conference about?

that people outside the country will be part of Nigerian activities and that way, they will benefit from the spiritual revival in Nigeria and also invest in Nigeria by also spending something in Nigeria. But I can tell you verbally, no country is as spiritual as Nigeria; it has the highest spiritual level far more than any nation and by developing on it, it will develop into human development and the development of the environment.

The painful truth is that the world sees Nigeria as a rich fool. All they want is to get the petrodollars and kick her out. They don’t need us.

I want to change that perspective. I want the world to reckon with Nigeria. I am hoping the media will help reduce negative stories about the country in their publications. They should increase the positive stories published; there are many positive things going on in Nigeria.

CPOs are Christian Pilgrimage Operators, we need them to develop increased working capacity, improved efficiency and acquire added access to global practices and networks in order to deliver efficient services to Nigerian Pilgrims. The main aim of the conference is to create the needed environment for them to succeed, to create an avenue for more CPOs to emerge and for more organized, coherent and predictable pattern for pilgrimage operations in Nigeria. Pilgrimage must achieve the designed purpose of serving Nigeria, projecting Christ and also promoting development ideas and become the pride of Nigeria.

A bilateral agreement with Israel was pursued fervently by your predecessor, who argued that if Nigeria is able to do bilateral agreements with Israel, Nigerians can fly directly and that will reduce the cost of pilgrimage. Has it been concluded?

How has NCPC been able to thrive in this period of recession?

I must first commend the federal government for offering services and infrastructure for the organization and supervision of pilgrimage; also state governors for supporting many Christians who aspire to embark on holy pilgrimage over the years. The biggest challenge we face is finance especially as the federal government has decided not to finance pilgrimage. We cannot totally begrudge government because of the present financial predicament. We have to take it courageously and what we have chosen to do is re-organise our internal operations by cutting cost drastically.

When I came in and met the financial situation, we didn’t have any funds at all. I called all our service operators whose contract has already been agreed and sealed and asked for a reduction in the cost of pilgrimage and flights. After much haggling, we were able to achieve the reduction.

We also did the same thing with ground handlers.

Also in our internal operations at the headquarters, we reduce expenditures on travel, fuel, cleaning services and so on, thereby enabling us to save funds. Strangely in the course of saving here and there, we now have some good saving in foreign exchange. We don’t look like we can ever be embarrassed financially; my intention is that we increase our areas of revenue drive.

If we have the cooperation we need, then we expect pilgrimages to run soon without hitches.

Our greatest challenge is to remove the dependence on government for pilgrimage and let churches, organisations and individuals whom God has blessed and have the wherewithal sponsor people because government largesse is reducing drastically by the day. Right now, just about 35 per cent of states sponsor and they sponsor little numbers. We don’t expect a drastic increase except something miraculous happens but we don’t want to work on that, we want realities.

If government can give this agency support by giving us some strategic funding on facilities we need for the next five years, we will never need government support for ever.

Will reducing cost not impact on efficacy of manpower?

We have not reduced manpower. Instead, we will like to increase manpower. While we are cutting costs, we are investing in other areas, For example, we are opening eight new offices in the country, We call them Metropolitan offices. They are focused on the big cities of Nigeria, where we think we can target and get good manpower and revenue to support or work, include Lagos,

Uja

Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Kano, Gombe,Awka and Asaba.

These offices will help build our linkages with churches, schools and organisations in that milieu.

They are engagement and mobilisation offices.

We want them to break into the economies and populace of these areas that have opportunities to wealth creation. These areas are strong in their economies and establishments are concentrated there especially universities who are also strategic entry points for us. We have repositioned pilgrimage into five entries. We are targeting youth, women, families, specialised groups and general pilgrimage open to anybody.

While we cannot ignore the role of states in pilgrimage programme, we want to move away from dependency on government both at federal and state level. No nation is as vibrant in the spirit like Nigeria and I believe with a better harnessing of it, it will translate into human development and the development of the environment. This spiritual movement going on in Nigeria has people coming from outside to participate in these activities and also invest in Nigeria by also spending something in the country.

Going by what you said earlier on, are we expecting a synergy between NCPC and other tourism parastatals like NTDC?

We can only have a synergy when they see our successes. We are going to invite people in their communities to come to Nigeria. Part of the programme on this conference is to train our pilgrimage operators to develop and manage tourists for religious tourism. Most of them don’t have equipment, some don’t even have buses. So when we get strong, the world will naturally come.

There are some sites we call the reverse pilgrimage and it is a process of inviting other parts of the world to come to Nigeria for pilgrimage and we are not looking first at ground centres. We are looking at human and historical centres. For example, if we bring pilgrims into Nigeria, we will like them to seeAjayi Crowther’s works and history as documented in Badagry and Mary Slessor’s works in Cross River but beyond that, we want people to come at the time people are holding their programmes so that they can be part of the spiritual exercise.

We want to create the pilgrimage booking so

No, that bilateral agreement has not taken off. Actually, it is slightly below the elementary stages. I have seen the document and it says nothing. Israel says it cannot go forward with any agreement except Nigeria addresses their concerns. Such concerns include security and there are many dimensions to that. Secondly, we need a Nigerian indigenous airline that is capable of running flights straight from Nigeria to Israel, there is none. I have been asking the Nigerian government to do a bail out for the aviation sector because any airline that flies us to Israel that is not ours will definitely stop at its hub, which is usually its country. It’s a shame that a big country like this has no airline to fly us directly. It is embarrassing.

Of recent you mentioned the need for the church to begin to invest in pilgrimage, isn’t that the norm?

As I mentioned earlier, the time has come for us to stop dependence on government. We only need proper advocacy to reach out to Christians and we are doing that. We are making efforts to simplify operations here, especially with regards to financial transactions. Christians are advised to take advantage of the installment payment arrangements of the Commission to pay and plan for their pilgrimages. They need not fear, any money paid into NCPC account is safe.

The commission is setting up a template that would enable any pilgrimage process to be done within a time frame. So I am using this opportunity to admonish every church to set up CPOs that would be fully registered with the commission. It is also pertinent that every state should have a registered CPO’s so as to be part of the pilgrimage process. CPO is a spiritual ministry and a profitable venture at that.

Top Promoters of Tourism honoured at Accra Weizo

T

he organizers of Accra Weizo, an ECOWAS region travel expo has unveiled Top 100 Tourism Personalities in West Africa at Accra, Ghana. The ceremony held on Friday, May 26th 2017 at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana. “The Top 100 Tourism Personalities was set up to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves through

their efforts or that of their organizations in the travel and tourism sector across the West African sub region, whose efforts have stimulated and helped to achieve their individual country’s tourism goals and forging interactions among stakeholders and customers across the region�, says Mr. Ikechi Uko, organizer of the awards.

While the Balafon Awards was instituted 2009 by the publishers of ATQNews, the Balafon Awards Committee made up of

Travel Professionals and Journalists from across West Africa had earlier met and shortlisted Nominees.

The award was set up to recognize individuals and organizations that have excelled in Tourism and Travel and who also have contributed to the growth of Hotels Business, Tourism and Travels in West Africa. The event was graced by his royal highness, Nene Nagai Kassa VIII and other dignitaries.

23

JUNE 3, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

ENTREPRENEUR Benson Ezem

How I Became a Multimillionaire Architect Benson Ezem, an extraordinary entrepreneur with an expanding multibillionnaira business empire, Cosmo Base, is a lesson in vision and honesty. Ezem, who is founder of Lively Hope Outreach, recalls in this Interview with Senator Iroegbu, how the grim reality of his father’s retirement after 37 years in the civil service changed his view about life and work. As an enterprising young man, he became a successful entrepreneur while still in school and shares his wealth of experience on how to make millions without breaking the bank

H

ow is hospitality business in Abuja, especially in this period of economic recession?

The hospitality business in Abuja has not been too wonderful because it is a business that relies heavily on the economy. This is because if the economy is doing well, people will get to travel a lot. Unfortunately, for the past two years, we’ve been in a recession. People are not travelling as frequently as they would want to; there are no idle funds to play around with anymore. People don’t travel for leisure again but only when it is necessary. What brings people to Abuja such as contracts and government jobs are no longer available.

Right now we are only doing 25 to 30 per cent, which is one-third of what we were doing when we started. The whole hospitality sector is affected. But we still retain our high standard because people make us hotel of choice because of the standard. In order to sustain this, we do more adverts at a very high cost to keep reminding people that we are still there. We also reduced our rates to attract more patronage at a very high cost to us. We want to create jobs because it is a thing of joy and that is what has kept me going as an entrepreneur.

What measures do you think can be taken to mitigate the current challenges?

Firstly, the people must have enough money to spend. And how do you have enough money? The economy is what the government has to look into and how do you look into this economy? What is happening right now is good when you look at it in a larger spectrum; there is no free lunch and there is no free money going around.

But if the government can inject more money into the economy then the people who are supposed to use these facilities will have money to invest. Another way is to reduce tariff if possible and make power available because we pay a lot to buy diesel.

The government should look into multiple taxations; we pay for practically everything in the FCT. What is your advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

This will be the best time for any young Nigerian to go into business. For you to be an entrepreneur you must be vision-oriented, have passion for what you want to do. So if you decide here to be a block moulder and want to be an entrepreneur, you have to keep aside your certificate because what you read in school may not be what you want to pursue. You must be ready to take up the challenges. I am not saying to be an entrepreneur is an easy thing but you must be prepared to go down and pick up the mess. For instance, if you decide to be blocks moulder, first of all you must get the right

equipment, you must know your market and you must know your source of materials.

Once you are knowledgeable about these requirements, then you must have passion for it because maybe in the first three months, you may not have patronage but you shouldn’t pack up.

Tell us your story as an entrepreneur.

There is no success without hard work.

There is no success without a vision. Right from secondary school, I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur because I grew up to see my father as a civil servant working for NEPA and after 3.30pm, he was back home reading his newspapers. Later, he would take us out and that’s it. It was okay for him, because of his level as a senior civil servant. We lived in the best areas. When my father retired, he was like a fish out of water and then we realised that everything that was in the house was owned by NEPA. So I asked what have we achieved these 37 years? NEPA property and NEPA gave us two weeks to leave the GRA. There was no plan; there was no house.

That situation ignited something inside of me. I said if I am going to live in this life I am going to live in my own house. That was what triggered my desire and passion to live on my own. So I entered the university with that mindset and vowed not to work for anybody, staying in a rented house or in a government house and at the end of the day they will ask me to move. So, from day one in the university my heart was focused to start a business that would be able to give me accommodation in any part of the town that I want to live. While in my second year, I started my own company (Cosmo Base).

Eventually, a small business came to me and I was running around doing it. You know as a young man, I was excited doing something I didn’t know it was going to become big.

Can you tell us about Cosmo Base?

I started part two (200-Level) Architecture in doing designs, running around and I had to hire some of those who had already finished to partner with me in that pursuit.

We did some jobs for people through referrals. People were now referring us to those in government and then my big break came in Katsina State through somebody that I have worked for. We were asked to design the Katsina Polytechnic’s 18 workshops and the design came out very well and we went on to do other projects. You know business was good and then I had my own house, an office complex and I people working for me and from that time we didn’t look back and that was in the 1980’s until now we moved into higher level of consultancy. What happens to a lot of entrepreneurs is that when they make their initial money, they want to buy big cars and tell the world that they have arrived. You don’t need to do that.

During my NYSC, I served in my firm

Ezem

as an architect. I bought a 504 car in 1986.

One thing I noted is that any young man that is dedicated and committed to what he is doing, people will want to patronise him.

People will want to give him an opportunity.

I was given such opportunity by a lot of people to do their designs. And before I knew what was happening, people I worked for introduced me to the state government and one commissioner of works. He told me to meet him by 8am in Katsina. I was living in Kano then. I was to design some workshops for Katsina Polytechnic. When the rector of the institution saw me, he was surprised and asked, 2Where is your boss?’ and I said, ‘Sir, by the grace of God, I am the boss.’ But by the time he asked me questions and gave me designs of workshop, I went back, wrote one page analysis and he summoned the board to meet me. As a young man in his 20s my head was hot, and by the time I was done with my presentation, I was quickly commissioned to do the job. By the time the project was completed in 1988, I got N200,000 as fee; an equivalent of 200,000 pounds.

How do you mentor aspiring entrepreneurs?

One thing we do in (Cosmo Base`), is talking to workers. I motivate and mentor them. Right now we have architects we have trained. We have people we have mentored in the business line. We try to tell them that there is time for everything.

There are decisions you will take today that will cause your success or failure tomorrow.

So at any point in time you must take the right decisions. As a Christian, I tell them to prayerfully take the right decisions.

While you mentor people, do you also extend that to your children bearing in mind that privileged children tend to waste their inheritance?

There are three different ways of making money in this country. There are people who have not worked for the money but made it through the positions they have occupied and went on to establish one or two businesses. If you go to those businesses you will find out that they are being sustained by the presence of their founders not the business itself. They are not entrepreneurs. That is one. Secondly, there are entrepreneurs who have built an empire during the years and they want to sit on that empire they have built. They sit on it and want to protect it.

They don’t even want their children to come near it because they still see them as children who are not experienced. There are also, some that seemingly built an empire, and are entrepreneurs but there are some clandestine

methods they use but don’t want their children to know those secrets. They protect those secrets so much that before they know it, they are in their 70s and 80s. When they now want these children to take over, they have moved on and already on their own.

Every man has their own vision, and it’s left for you to decide whether to activate the vision God has given you or you want it to die. Consequently, these children will follow their vision. So I have studied these scenarios and have seen where this takes every one of them to. For the first scenario; those businesses are not going to get anywhere because they have been founded on a very wrong foundation. The second one that the person is so protective and all that, by the time they know it they are old. I know a man in Aba he is so rich but now the business is gone and the man is gone and his children cannot keep the business. So I now said, what is the best way to do it? The third and best way, is first of all be an entrepreneur, and then have a good foundation for your business.

What is the good foundation? Be honest; bring integrity to your business, be truthful about your business and earnings so that you will be free to discuss it. You are not cheating anybody or doing any underhand thing and then let your children know that you are making genuine money. My children get involved in my business early as they are five years old. I would often take them to office, and made them perform simple tasks.

This is important, they know that paper is important and they are growing and you are talking to them about it. They are seeing you work. In any of my houses, I have a study and an office. Accordingly, when they come to the office they will see you, either it is the time I am studying my Bible; they can quip in, ‘Daddy, are you still studying?’ They know how you are getting the money. I tutor them; make sure their lessons are okay. My wife is doing the same.

What does Cosmo Base group do?

We initially started as a consultancy firm which we are still doing and now we are into oil and gas. This is mainly gas, LPG plants in different areas. Also, we have gone into hospitality business; we have the Jades Hotels. It has its own line. We are also into aluminium roofing sheets. We are into the industrial sector because we are trying to develop a line of industry, where you have pipes, conduits, and by the time we have all these products in the group, we will be able to reduce the cost of building. Now we are trying to set up the pipes, PVC pipes and all the drainage pipes but we are having it a bit difficult getting lands from the state government.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Íť, 2017

Isiaka Adeleke

Forever in Our Hearts Olumide Lawal

T

he First Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke came around as a distinguished Nigerian, who traversed the world like a colossus. This great personality, who was different things to different classes of people, was humility-personified. But essentially, Senator Adeleke is a man of the people. He lived his life for them, and they in turn gave everything to appreciate the kind gesture he extended to them. This was shown by the fantastic show of sympathy and commiserate they extended to him when he transited to glory on April 23, 2017 My boss, brother, benefactor and great friend, was an accomplished man in all facets of life. This is one great personality that will forever be remembered for his large heartedness, milk of human kindness in his veins. A charming personality, very rare to come by among his peers.

He loomed larger than life. He radiated elegance, charisma and dignifies carriage that was second to none. I stand to be corrected.

Senator Adeleke is simply Mr. generosity. A great administration and astitute politician, that played politics without bitterness. He abhorred violence all through his life. He came into politics to better the life of the down-trodden.

He was never tired of doing that very cheerfully, until he breathed his last. To all those, who heard of his sudden death on April 23, 2017, it was a great disbelief and shock, and when the reality dawned on us all, it was a spontaneous flowing of hot tears, that rolled out of the eyes of his teeming voiceless supporters, admirers and well-wishers.

Nigerians from all walks of life thronged his Ede country home, to bade him farewell. His unexpected transition but glorious exits and kingly burial on April 24 2017, was second to none in the annal of history of eminent Nigerian in this part of the world. Senator Adeleke good deeds to all manners of people while he was living, turned out to be great testimonies, that many believed have secured a place for him Aljana Fridaous.

To those of us living, he is smiling in his grave, though we can not see him.

Whatever, were the unjust contradictory remarks by whomsoever, the fact remains, that the leader of Osun politics, that Senator Adeleke was, had the world stands still for him in the course of his triumphant exit to the great beyond. It will remain a reference point forever.

Even the atmospheric air stopped blowing momentarily. The creatures of all descriptions found themselves in awe of a departed hero of Osun politics.

Take it or leave it, many will tes-

Isiaka Adeleke

tify to the fact, that there can never be another Isiaka Adeleke at least in our own generation. I personally enjoyed an excellent working relationship with distinguished Senator, spanning 25years, all of which were laden with successful career outing on my part as his media consultant. There was never a dull moment, in our inter-personal relationship.

I shall forever miss the sweet company of a great boss.

While he was the Executive Governor of Osun State, Adeleke got me appointed as Executive Chairman, Directorate of Information, Public Relation and Think Tank in the Governor’s office, just by writing my appointment letter by long hand using a ruled A4 paper. That was the length of friendship and trust that existed between us.

I am not the only beneficiary of his kind gesture, many Ede indigenes, who are today Directors, in the Local Government Service Commission of Osun State, would testify to how, Senator Adeleke got them appointed into the commission in a jiffy. He extended love and care to the less priveledge in such a way that, you only need to knock at his door and you will leave happier than you came in. such attestation has not stopped coming from thousands of such beneficiaries since his glorious transition. The Asiwaju of Edeland was a source of inspiration to

the youth, many of whom he empowered for skills acquisition. A colorful politician of no mean repute, he made many young people took a foray into partisan politics and became success stories in their own right. The sudden death of Otunba Adeleke has created a big vacuum in the political arena. He left a big shoe behind. His sojourn here on this transient world was remarkable and positively eventful, to the extent, that many had wished death should have spared him for and take them away, so that he could continue with impacting resourcefully on the lives of the down-trodden masses of our people.

For the amiable, selfless and consummate politician, that Senator Adeleke was, many will remember him as God-sent, the type of which are very rare to come by. Their type come once in a generation. A thorough family man, Senator Adeleke was an outstanding father and husband not only to his biological children, but to many outside there, whom he placed his generosity at their beck and call. The first executive governor of Osun State believed in the policy of live and let others enjoy life more abundant. He lived a very humble but distinguished life as exemplified in his simple and non-materialistic acquisition of vain-glorious worldly materials. His Ede country home is a

home to all and sundry, whether low or mighty. Knock at his bedroom door and “come in� was always the next word from Senator Adeleke. No privacy. His life and properties were for the people with whom he shared all with without complaints.

If there are a few people out there, as there would be, casting unjust aspersions at the exalted personality of the Late Senator Adeleke at death, such people should have a re-think and allow his gentle and sweet soul, enjoy a peaceful rest, as no doubt he is already doing.

The game of dirty politics ought not be the lot of Senator Adeleke, from whatever quarters. The man of the people deserves the best of accolades from his detractors. They are advised to be God-fearing and let the sweet memory of Senator Adeleke linger on reservedly and honorably in their hearts, as it is with his numerous admirers. The death should not be trivialized by anybody, no matter how highly placed certainly, such is not applicable to Senator Adeleke.

The mere mention of the name Isiaka Adeleke will forever attracts tears to flow freely from the eyes of his teeming well-wishers from across the world. The First Governor of Osun State was first among equals in the political firmament of Osun State, no matter what anybody or group of people may want to say to the contrary. He carried a niche for himself. He employs his philantrophic gestures to make life worth living for countless numbers of people.

For the past forty days, it has been stream of symphatisers from across the globe, who were coming to give Senator Isiaka Adeleke the honour and respect that he richly deserved at death, because he lived his life for others to break even.

To his immediate family, I send deep condolence for the past forty days. We have shared together a moment of deep grief, which we bore with calmness and trust in God believing strongly, that Almighty God is the greatnest comforter and consoler. He shall not forsake the Adeleke family in particular and others outside there. God the ultimate healer of such a wound, occasioned by the sudden death of our own beloved Senator Adeleke will bring succor to all of us, as we shall continue forever to remembers him for all the goods works he symbolized, while he was on this divide with us.

In the words of Dr ‘Deji Adeleke, “with thanksgiving to Almighty God for a life well spent by our beloved, son, husband and brother Senator Adeleke and in total submission to his supreme will, we leave everything to God and we rest our case�. This is very much consol.

May God Almighty grant Senator Adeleke, Aljanat Fridaous. – Olumide Lawal was Special Adviser (Media Publicity) to late Senator Adeleke

Comedy Series, Hustle, Debuts on GOtv

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ustle, a new comedy series about a young boy chasing his hopes and dreams in the bustling city of Lagos will start airing from 7 June at 8:30pm on AfricaMagic Family (GOtv channel 2) The show tells the tale of Dayo, a naive, but relentlessly optimistic young man, who moves to Lagos, harbouring dreams of making it big.

It took very little time for him to learn

that it is not as easy as it seems, as he comes to terms with hilariously catastrophic neighbours, an antagonistic landlady and a shady, yet loyal roommate. All nonetheless, share an unwavering hope for tomorrow, and they are buoyed by the “Lagos spirit�- the spirit of the hustle.

With a cast strewn with stars such as Shola Sobowale, Afeez Oyetoro, Seun Ajayi, Stephanie Coker, Seyi

Law and many more, the series promises exciting moments.

Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe, said the addition plays a pivotal role in showcasing Nigeria’s rich local content and is part of a lineup of programmes that bring the family together. “We are committed to providing programming that encourage family bonding. Our customer promise is

to make great entertainment more accessible. We find and develop the right mix of international and local channels to give our subscribers a wide range of programming to choose from. “Furthermore, we are enabling homegrown channels transition from analogue broadcasting to digital, thus supporting top quality content locally�, Ugbe said.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 3, 2017

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES BY

Grouse About, not Against

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HE NATION ON SUNDAY of May 28 welcomes us this week with an avalanche of errors: “Some crammed popular city squares, parties and spectacular fireworks displays.” Captured: firework displays “Ikpeazu said that (sic) he has (had) been a public servant in the state for the past twelve (12, in professional journalism) years….”

“The Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, said that (sic) all his documents including his tax papers have (had) been documented….”

News: all documents documented! Carry go… nothing do you!

“APC dares PDP in Cross Rivers (River) State” “Ndigbo’s grouse against (about) Buhari” “Bello Fadile’s grouse with (about) Obasanjo’s My Watch” (THE GUARDIAN, May 29) “Seven-month-old infant roasted in Lagos tragedy.” …an explosion that sparked the fire which engulfed (burnt) the baby cannot be likened to ‘roasting’!

“2019: PDP mends fence in Rivers” (Source: as above) Politics Today: PDP mends fences “BoI lauds Nigeria’s first card manufacturing firm” The PUNCH Industry: card-manufacturing firm “Also there will be back to school anointing service for pupils and students” KICC (Walking in Full Blessing): back-to-school anointing service “Military blames sabotage in the run up (run-up) to elections” “143-years-old (143-year-old or 143 years’ old) Lagos school….”

“University don attacks private varsities, says their impact are (is) not being felt” In the spirit of the mid-year, delete ‘University’!

“Buhari will lose woefully (abysmally) in 2019, says PDP” “To understand the workings of the legislature, the citizenry needs (need) to understand its modus operandi….” (THISDAY Perspective, May 16) “Dabri-Erewa: An examplary (exemplary) legislator” “Ministers list potentials (potential/potentialities) of Kachimbila Dam” (Source: as above) “You provided employments for thousands of Nd’igbo sons and daughters” For the delectable princess: ‘employment’ is uncountable.

“Restricted area: Out of bound to customers” (Ecobank Nigeria Limited Banking Hall, Aguda Branch, Surulere, Lagos, January 5) The panAfrica (not African) bank: Out of bounds!

“Dear Customers, Please always remember to Collect a copy (copies of your) Deposit Slip (deposit slips) before leaving The bank” (Unnecessary capitalization) Another faulty notice: Dear Customer (sic), Kindly Drop your Deposit Slips Here. Management” (Source: Guaranty Trust Bank Banking Hall, Bode Thomas Branch, Surulere, Lagos) “NGO embarks on tree planting (treeplanting) campaign in Delta” “Lets (Let’s) celebrate an achiever” “Despite bombing, Jos second hand (secondhand) market booms” “SUBEB: Our grouse with govt—Kogi NUT boss” Middle Belt Today: grouse about, for the umpteenth time.

“Nurses decry the use of quackery in private hospitals” Lifeline: decry quackery in private

hospitals—not ‘the use of quackery’!

“Aguda residents happy for (over) improved power supply” THISDAY PERSPECTIVE of May 22 disseminated copious infractions: “Candidates have emerged under (on) the platform of the PDP to fly the party’s flag in the main election.”

“Reason for this is due to (Reason for this is…) the undisputed fact that….”

“We join well meaning (well-meaning) members of our great party, PDP, our teaming (teeming) supporters….”)

“Nigeria needs DNAtesting (DNA-testing) centres” “Obituary announcement by Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU) (Full-page advertorial) An ‘obituary’ is inherently an announcement—so no needless ‘announcement’!

“Hon. Emeka Ihedioha had remained calm and focused, knowing very well that in spite of betrayals which could tantamount to the (sic) stabbing on (in) the back….”

“That is why majority of the delegates voted for Agbaje.” (Sunday PUNCH, May 28) Interview: a majority of the delegates “The three most admirable traits about him are his unbelievable work ethics….” (Source: as above) Famous parents: work ethic “…where all manners (manner) of dirt is (are) poured on you….” (THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER, May 28)

FEEDBACK

YOU couldn’t conceal your annoyance a fortnight ago about the avoidable errors in our local media. Don’t be discouraged. Painfully, the usual production chain-cum-knowledge management

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

is faulty and dangerously weak. Recruitment methods are now sleazy, on-the-job training and newsroom management are compromised. The nature of mass media operations requires flawless recruitment, good training and Total Quality Management, from planning through production to the consumers.

The following brief is to substantiate yesterday’s (January 6) contribution. The newly modified words which can now be freely used in our local media are ‘fora’ or ‘forums’, ‘uplift’ or ‘upliftment’, ‘infrastructure’ or ‘infrastructures’, ‘vandalism’ or ‘vandalization’. Example: vandalization of government property. Sources: Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, Oxford University Press Dictionary (2015) and Meririam Webster Dictionary, which attributes origin of ‘upliftment’ to Jamaica. The quality of graduates today makes the job difficult for the editors. Paradoxically their input reveals the falling standard of education in the country.

Apart from providing employment, the proliferation of private media organizations has in a way devalued competence and content in the broadcast industry where revenue drive takes prominence.

The so-called talents, many of them inexperienced, run to new stations to occupy plum but critical positions; fumbling NTA and FRCN are not doing enough to minimize their errors for others to imitate. Security of tenure keeps incompetent staff on the job. To them, the usage of the words ‘commission’ and ‘correspondent’ is correct. We must learn that learning continues throughout life.

Meanwhile, some English words we had criticized have been modified by the native speakers! 2019 shocker! Cheers. (SUNNY AGBONTAEN, 08062998165).

INTERVIEW

Celebrating Aniocha/Oshimili Newfound Unity Aniocha and Oshimili communities in Delta State are neighbours that have decided to reunite under the Njiko Aniocha-Oshimili platform. Prof Epiphany Azinge, the Convener, tells Julius Omon Onabu why in this interview

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e know that Oshimili and Aniocha are geographically contiguous with cultural affinity and forming part of the Anioma of Delta State. So, what is special about Aniocha/Oshimili union?

You are right; Aniocha and Oshimili occupy a contiguous area and we share practically all cultural characteristics; we have cultural affinity, if I may put it that way. Yes, we are also part and parcel of the great Anioma nation, but the Njiko Aniocha-Oshimili is about the realisation of a long-sought unity. I’d say, it is a cultural renaissance because the people of Aniocha and Oshilimili consider themselves as being actually culturally homogeneous and unique.

Njiko Aniocha is a manifestation of a lot of work that has long be going quietly.

How will you explain the whole idea or objective of the new union?

Well, I must say in a way Oshimili and Aniocha are really part of the capital territory and we look forward, in the long run, to a convergence of development of the entire area in all ramifications. To answer your question directly. Firstly, there are four local government areas in the Aniocha Oshimili axis, made up of Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South. Together, they form Aniocha-Oshimili Federal Constituency with an elected member of the House of Representatives in Abuja.

There is a lot of interaction, in terms of communality that the people of this area share in common; they are culturally homogeneous, so to speak. They have interacted for so long and they consider themselves as one people.

The Njiko Aniocha-Oshimili different from the larger Anioma area

organisation that represents consensus opinion of the people within the Aniocha/Oshimili district. We are conscious of the fact that there are a lot of issues confronting the Aniocha axis. Some of these include the quality of public education, transportation, unemployment, housing, electricity, quality of our healthcare and water; and, at this point in time, the quality of security arising from the menace of the herdsmen that have made poor people vulnerable, especially our women that are, more often than not, subjected to the indignity of rape and sexual molestation. Therefore, one demand that is dear to our organisation is that we need a federal university in our area. This is the only federal capital in the country without a federal presence through the establishment of a university. Moreover, Njiko Aniocha is a grass-roots formation, helping to bring our people together.

Azinge or people?

Within the Anionma nation we have subgroups. We have the Ika Onueka group; we also have the NdokwaNekwu group; but for the four local governments in question we have not had this closely knit interaction or something that seems to bind us together as a people.so, having considered this closely, a group of people came together and came up with the idea of having a group known as Njiko Aniocha Oshimili group. It really means “’coming together,’ that is, coming together of people, blending, forging unity and oneness: Njiko

Aniocha-Oshimili.

That group came up not just three months ago. This is also to realise part of the objectives of the new group - one of them being to enhance the social and economic well-being of all Aniocha and Oshimiil indigenous people’ through advocacy, policy development, research, conferences, civic engagement and education.

Is it a political pressure group?

It is pertinent to note that Njiko Aniocha Oshimili is a non-partisan, non-profit, socio-cultural organisation and it is positioned to be the foremost

How will you describe your inaugural summit?

Summit is a holistic affair and not an ordinary talk-shop. His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who is Special guest of honour today will also be at the cultural fiesta (today, Saturday) in Asaba.

The summit will feature respected and renowned speakers on such areas as exploration of our agricultural potentials; education, making the area an Industrial Technology (IT) hub like the Silicon Valley in the United States of America; unemployment, tourism, featuring the renowned environmentalist, Chief Newton Jibunoh; understanding the concept or model of a modern Asaba Capital Territory; creating an enabling environment for foreign and local investment; leveraging on the economic overflow across the Niger and Asaba Airport, as well as security issues from a professional perspective.

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍťËœ ͺ͸͚;

ESSENTIAL SKILLS with STEPHEN DIESERUVWE (Director General, Delta State TraďŹƒc Management Authority (DESTMA)

Signalling and Use of Signals

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Arm Signals ou can give arm signals when mechanical signals, such as direction indicators or brake lights have failed. You do this by extending your right arm through the side window, to indicate that you are stopping or slowing down, turning or moving right, and turning or moving left. See photo of arm signal.

Although arm signals are rarely used nowadays, there are certain situations when an arm signal can be really useful to confirm a signal given by your indicators. For instance: - A left turn arm signal emphasises that you are turning left and not just passing a parked car.

- Aslowing downing arm signal makes your intention clear when you want to show you are pulling in to the kerb, not turning right.

- A slowing down arm signal is clearly visible when your indicators are hard to see because of strong sunlight Arm signals are useful to ‘get you home’ in the event of signal or brake light failure. It is an offence to drive with defective signals or other lights. Make sure that you make regular checks and carry spare bulbs in your vehicle. Apart from being useful in the event of bulb failure, you need to know your arm signals in order to understand signals given by cyclists and motor cyclists.

One-O Rolls Royce Sweptail

One-Off Rolls Royce Sweptail: World’s Most Expensive New Car Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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ny Rolls-Royce is a rare and exclusive automobile, but some customers want an entirely individual creation and they are willing to pay big bucks to get it.

The Sweptail, which made its debut at the 2017 Concorso d’Eleganza in Lake Como, Italy, is inspired by coach built Rolls-Royces of the 1920s and 1930s. The owner requested a custom-made two-seater coupe with a large panoramic glass sunroof and also wanted the car to incorporate the ‘Swept tail’ look seen on certain Rolls-Royce models of the 1920s.

The Sweptail was custom ordered for an alleged sum of $12.8 million USD, which if accurate would make it the most expensive new car of all time – even after adjusting for inflation.

In the automaker’s words, the Sweptail “is a Rolls-Royce – but like no other before.�

One of the most prominent styling features on the extroverted Sweptail is the different take on Rolls-Royce’s Pantheon grille. Milled from a single piece of aluminum, the grille is the largest fitted to any modern-era Rolls-Royce and is flanked by thin LED running lights and circular headlamps.

The side profile of the car is similar to that of the now discontinued Phantom Coupe, but instead of ending at the C-pillar, the roofline

jets backward and extends past the boot lid edge. The true styling centerpiece is the glass panoramic roof, which Rolls-Royce claims is “one of the largest and most complex ever seen on a motor car of any marque.�

The interior is similarly impressive with contrasting open-pore leathers and Ebony trim throughout. Rolls-Royce says the vehicle boasts its cleanest dash design to date and houses a special clock made of the world’s thinnest Macassar veneer.

Other unique interior features include a teardrop-shape rear parcel shelf, a champagne cooler in the center console and electronically operated luggage panniers designed to store a custom-made carbon fiber luggage set.

New Hyundai Kona Looks Pretty Good

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yundai is giving us another shadowy look at its upcoming small crossover.

The all-new Kona compact crossover will compete with the likes of the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V and a new video released today gives us a sense of what the Kona will look like. Up front, Hyundai’s now ubiquitous Cascading Grille is used, while a new twin-headlamp design is also present.

Hyundai says that the Kona will offer an all-new head-up display, a first from the brand, that has class-leading luminance of 10,0000 candelas per square meter.

Basically, that means that the eightinch projected image should be very easy to see.

The Horn The horn is one of the most misused items on the car. The horn is a warning signal and as such it must be used early enough to be of use. Use of the horn should be limited to warning other road users, who have failed to see you, of your presence. Avoid aggressively sounding the horn.

Whilst driving you should never take for granted that every signal you see is being accurately used to show drivers intentions.

Many signals are poorly used. Be cautious and wait for a secondary sign that the signal being given is correct. If you are driving safely and anticipating correctly, you will seldom need to use the horn. Only use it if you think other road users haven’t seen you or can’t see you.

There is not much point sounding the horn in anger at someone who has just pulled out in front of you. It might make you feel better but you could upset the other driver and lead to road rage.

Look well ahead and if someone looks as though they might be about to pull out without seeing you, use the horn to draw their attention to your presence. It can often be a good idea to acknowledge with a friendly wave when the driver looks at you. The horn can also be useful when your view is restricted, for instance approaching at a narrow bridge.

Reversing Signal When a car is put into reverse gear either one or two white reversing lights are activated at the rear of the car. This can be useful to signal to other road users or pedestrians that you intend to reverse into a parking space or around a corner.

In next week’s article, we shall be discussing moving off and stopping. For further explanations or clarification on the articles in the Essential Skills of Driving column, consult the author.

Stephen K. Dieseruvwe

2018 Hyundai Kona

Concluded

Director General, Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) **Driver Trainer and Road Safety Consultant **Email: sdieseruvwe@gmail.com **Tel: +2348167814928

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍťËœ ͺ͸͚;

27

Ford’s Clever Cot Simulates Car Journeys so Baby Can Get to Sleep at Home

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From left: JLR Divisional General Manager, Coscharis Motors, Ufuoma Umukoro; Executive Director, Coscharis Motors, Jonathan Maduka; President/CEO, Coscharis Motors, Dr Cosmas Maduka; and Executive Director, Coscharis Motors, Cosmas Maduka Jr, during the Jaguar Land Rover Awards presentation in Sandton, South Africa‌ recently

Coscharis Motors Wins Double Jaguar Land Rover’s Awards Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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oscharisMotors,aforemostautocompany in the country, has won Jaguar Land Rover’s prestigious ‘Customer First’ Award, while the company’s staff clinched the ‘Technician of the Year Award.

This is contained in a statement by the General Manager,Marketing&CorporateCommunications, Coscharis Group, Abiona Babarinde.

The awards were among those presented to top performing importers and importer employees of Jaguar Land Rover sub-Sahara Africa, at an impressive banquet in Sandton, Johannesburg in South Africa, during the week.

Jaguar Land Rover’s importer partners from its

sub-Saharanmarketswerepresentattheprestigious Importer of the Year awards, which highlight the stellareffortsintheBritishbrand’sretailnetworkon the continent, the statement said. The winners are those retailers that ranked the highest in a number of scoring categories for business performance, including vehicle sales volumes, sales of parts and accessories and maintaining Jaguar Land Rover’s required customer service standards.

or many new parents, there is only one guaranteed solution to putting their baby down at the end of the day – a night-time drive that soothes, calms, and eventually helps the little one nod off.

But that still means a disrupted night for mum or dad, who research shows can typically expect little more than five hours sleep a night while losing the equivalent of 44 days’ sleep in the first year of their child’s life.

According to other research conducted by Accident Data Nigeria, fatigue caused 2% of fatal road accidents in 2013. There is a need to combat this figure. As driving is a safety critical task, it is essential that one gets good quality sleep. Drivers should ensure that they work within the normal hours and rest for the required number of hours so that they are geared up for the next day.

Ford Motor Company takes the opportunity to acknowledge Children’s Day and will continue to take the necessary steps to stimulate safety and security. Ford has recently developed a cot that can simulate – in the comfort of one’s own home – the motion, engine noise, and even the street lighting of those night-time drives. To all appearances a regular cot, the Max Motor Dreams comes to life using a smartphone app.

This enables it to record and then reproduce the comforting movement, lights and sounds of a particular journey.

Parents of new-borns are often desperate for one good night’s sleep. While a quick drive in the family car can work wonders in getting baby off to sleep, the poor old parents still have to be awake and alert at the wheel.

CFAO Launches F40J Yamaha 4-Stroke Outboard Motor

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FAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Limited, a joint venture of the CFAO group and Yamaha Motor Company in Nigeria has launched into the market the all-new F40J Yamaha 4-stroke Outboard Motor, comingwithalotofoutstandingfeatures.

Speaking during the launch held at the company’s headofficeinAmuwoOdofin,Lagos,CFAOYamaha Motor Nigeria’s Managing Director, Mr. Olivier Levigne stated that the new motor is the first of its kind in the market. According to him, the “Yamaha F40J Out Board Motor is another strong model in the Yamaha family. It is durable, extraordinarily fuel efficient, manually operated, easily maintained with carburettor, self-diagnostic, user and environment

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friendly and comes with a strong manufacturer’s after-sales support. It was further stated that an operator of the F40J motor stands to save 1,500,000 million Naira on fuel per annum when it is operated for at least 1450 hours. Mr. Levigne who said the new F40J is being introduced with a promotional price, added that his company ensured that the F40J Motor is fully tropicalized for the Nigerian market as it took time to test run the product in different parts of the country before the official introduction.

He explained that “the journey of F40J started with the ban on all motors with 2 stroke engine system by the federal government of Nigeria in 2011 due to the negative effect of the discharges on the ozone layer and human health.

L-R: Deputy Managing Director/Marketing Director, Mr. Hisashi Fujii; Managing Director, Mr. Olivier Levigne, all of CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Limited and a representative of the Lagos state Commissioner for Agriculture. Mr. Bolaji Balogun, during the unveiling of the All new Yamaha F40J 4-Stroke Outboard Motor at the company’s office in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos‌ recently

WHO IS YOUR ‘ ICE’?

ometime in 2016, while waiting to board anAbuja-Lagos flight to Lagos where I was scheduled to deliver a paper on safer roads: the place of prompt rescue operations, I ran into a man in his late fifties whose story I wish to share with you today. According to Mr Brown Akpan(not real name)his tragedy began on a Saturday sometimes in 2015 when he and his three children made up of his two sons and a daughter embarked on a journey from Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory to Lagos to jointly assess a new home where they planned to relocate to start a new life without his beloved wife who died through a road traffic crash barely a year ago.

Having lived in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory for over fifteen years before the loss of his wife, the choice to relocate was not the least easy but was necessary as he and his children could no longer stand life in the same city without the presence of his loving and caring wife. In the face of the increasing financial demands of catering for his three children without the wife who was a great support, they agreed to make the trip by road instead of flying in order to save cost.

Onthedayofthejourney,theycommittedthetrip to God as was the practice in his family and set out. The journey was indeed smooth and a soul lifter as a measure of life and laughter returned

SAFE DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

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

momentarily to the family as they tried to lift their spirits away from the depression that had enveloped the family since the death of his wife.

At Lokoja, they pulled over for small refreshment before embarking on the long journey to Lagos.

My eldest son who was driving, he told me, for reasons we all found strange chose to eat swallow which was not his usual choice for launch. After the meal which took us about 30minutes, we again continued on the supposedly smooth journey .Barely two hours I noticed that my son on the wheels was fatigued. I persuaded him to allow me continue or better still pull over for a small rest but he insisted he was fine and that it was the heaviness of the meal which he believed will wear off .Less that fifteen minutes after this, I heard a loud sound due to a tyre blowout and our car swerved off the road and crashed inside a ditch.

I did not know what happened thereafter but

only found myself in a hospital with a fractured leg. When I inquired after my children, I was told both my son who was driving and his twin sister bled to death and when they couldn’t find any ICE contacts in either my phone or my children’s, help came late. Eventually after helped arrived, it was difficult to contact any family member in the face of the tragedy.

His tragedies brought to my memory the urgent need to address the issue of having a designated contact in our mobile phones .I recall I have severally stumbled on this same campaign in the social media and kept procrastinating until recently on the need to give it a focus on my column. This is how it is captured: we all carry mobile phones with names and numbers stored in its memory.

If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending to us would have our mobile phones but wouldn’t know who to call. Yes there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this ‘ICE ’(In case of Emergency).The concept of ICE is a method of quick contact during emergency situations. All you need do is to store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name ‘ICE’. The idea was thought of by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scene of accidents there were always mobile phones with patients but they didn’t know which number to call. He

therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency personal and hospital staff or first responders will know about this. It could save lives or put a loved one’s mind at rest. So you can have ICE 1, ICE 2 and ICE 3.

Mr. Apkan confessed he had seen this severally but ignored it without knowing he will become a direct victim. If only there was one in his or children’s phone, maybe one life could have been saved. While I share the pain of Mr.Akpan, I must confess that there is a general attitude among motorists on this subject. Since the Federal Road Safety Corps came up with a three digit toll free emergency number-122, you will be shocked to know that a greater proportion of motorists even when they are told of the existence of this number, either doubt if its functional while others do not even border to save this number.

Even when they do, you will be amazed that they rarely remember what the number is for.

I know that as Zonal Commanding Officer in Port Harcourt, I make it a habit to circulate my official number to the motoring public every time I was privileged to be a guest on any of the Radio shows.

Unfortunately, over 90% of the calls would either begin with, ‘’please excuse me ,is this radio corporation of Nigeria, Please I do not know the owner but I got it on radio and when I finally inform the caller that it is FRSC,the question is please how much is drivers licence?Please can you help me process one?

28

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍťËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

PERSPECTIVE

Obaseki’s Beyond-usual Governance in Edo Crusoe Osagie

and allegedly, issued threats to kill and maim.

For this alleged illegal and violent action, the duo of Osakpamwan and Osagbona were promptly arrested, arraigned and remanded to prison custody where they began to respond to the cause of justice.

T

he days that made up the last six months have been quite unusual in Edo State. Since Governor Godwin Obaseki assumed office on November 12, 2016. Residents and indigenes have watched in utter disbelief as one myth is confuted after the other.

Revenue Collection In the early days of the administration, it was the extremely controversial issue of revenue collection on behalf of government that got the Edo people’s attention. This issue was so mythicised that it was like a taboo of sorts to attempt to interrogate the rationale behind it and subsequently propose reforms.

However, concerning this issue, Obaseki pulled no punches, he went straight for the jugular. In a state-wide broadcast, he announced that all the contracts approved by previous governments for private entities to collect revenue on behalf of government had been voided by his administration.

As far as this decision was concerned, it appeared to be an attempt to rewrite the rules of politics not just in Edo State, but perhaps across the entire nation.

The model for revenue collection where private companies, usually owned and supported by some so-called party leaders and political stalwarts in the state are engaged to collect taxes and revenue from the grassroots for government was made popular by some of the bigger states in the country.

In Lagos State for example, the faceoff between a resident, Dr. Ademola Dominic, and the Lagos government over the mind-boggling sum a private company was netting for collecting taxes and revenue on behalf of the state comes to mind.

Dominic was not comfortable with the arrangement where an unbelievably huge chunk of the state government’s revenue accrued to some individuals, with a disproportionate fraction left for the state.

Dominic had petitioned the Lagos State government on October 24, 2012, asking for a disclosure of public accounts as pertain the tax consultancy fee the Lagos State government paid out monthly to a private company named Alpha Beta Consulting Limited.

According to Dominic’s petition “the Government of Lagos State boasts of internally generated revenue of about N40 billion every month; translating into a commission of N6 billion being paid to Alpha Beta Consulting Ltd, also every month, which sum I consider unfavourable and outrageous to me as a taxpayer and Citizen of Lagos State.�

In its reply to Dominic, the government tersely stated that his petition for accounts would not be answered and no Alpha Beta Limited invoices or payment vouchers will be disclosed.

While in the case of Lagos, the then governor, at the time, was unwilling to sail against the headwinds, Obaseki in Edo State immediately bit the bullet.

He outlawed all collection of government revenue by private representatives and transferred the responsibility to government officials who are mandated by law to carry out the function.

After the action, Edo people though elated, feared that law and order may give way. But the clouds did not even gather.

Some hoodlums who were beneficiaries of the graft-ridden old order went about trying to protest against the decision but had no support from the people. When they attempted violence, they were reined in and shackled by security agents.

Obaseki saw a situation where a few individuals gulped huge portions of government revenues they purportedly collected on its behalf, and also discovered the rights violation meted by these agents

Godwin-Obaseki to the innocent Edo people who paid the taxes and decided to put an end to the illegality.

It has been about five months now since this decision was taken and there has been no whimper. Rather, government revenue on a monthly basis has been on the rise.

Combating Impunity Law and order, characterised by respect for, and obedience to the rules of a society seemed to have taken flight permanently in Edo State.

The state has been unfortunately hamstrung by disorderliness, disrespect and flagrant violation of basic principles of discipline and civility.

Anyone who has lived in or done business long enough in the state will quickly perceive a certain intangible, yet very palpable tendency that seems to support the medieval code of society where ‘might is right’.

Some hoodlums are identified in the society and are marked as untouchables.

They are known to be affiliated with, and

If anyone still considers as a ruse, Obaseki’s vow to spare no eort in returning Edo State to glory, then these actions and several others in the past six months, against all odds and sentiments are an emphatic aďŹƒrmation.

Obaseki is known not to say much, but he is winning hearts and minds in Edo, for his commitment to the wellbeing of the teeming, ordinary and defenceless people in the state

sponsor violence and so they operate as laws unto themselves, violating glaring rules meant to keep the society orderly.

In the early years of democracy in Nigeria, some unscrupulous politicians developed a model of engaging these outlaws to terrorise their opponents and advance their political ambitions. When this primitive model of obtaining electoral victory seemed to produce favourable results for the selfish politicians who put it to use, thugs and hoodlums in the state seemed to confirm their place in the political structure.

Successive governments looked for ways to keep them satisfied, police and other security outfits courted them, they were given revenue collection contracts and other roles in the government to elicit some sort of loyalty from them and deter them from bringing mayhem upon the law abiding and rocking the boat of any sitting government.

However, what the politicians and security agents who empowered many of these people who often go by the fake appellation of ‘youth leaders’, failed to realise was that they had somehow succumbed to blackmail and apart from the fact that blackmailers will keep coming back, they will always ask for a higher stake the next time.

However, as Obaseki came along, people who had known him prior to his ascendancy, people who were privy to the prevailing reputation of his bloodline, knew that the status quo of negotiating with criminals using the resources of the state would receive a firm push back from him.

It did not take long before Obaseki began to make it clear to the political class in Edo that he was not comfortable with the arrangement where thugs tended to hijack the process of governance from the actual people to whom the masses gave their mandate.

One of the first confrontations of Obaseki’s resolve to enthrone law and order in the state, regardless of whose ox is gored, occurred in December 2016 when one Osakpamwan Eriyo and Sunday Osagbona allegedly attacked the Secretary of the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Osaro Idah, and threatened to kill him.

Just before Christmas last year, the leaders of the APC in Oredo Local Government Area were said to have attended a meeting at the Government House at the instance of the governor, but those loyal to Osakpamwan were not invited to the meeting. His supporters then violently stormed the Government House in protest

City Masterplan Enforcement To place further emphasis on the resolve of the government to insist on the enthronement of law and order, on Thursday, May 25, 2017, the government commenced the removal of buildings with unapproved plans with the demolition of a shopping complex in heart of Benin City (around Mission road and Ring road) said to have been worth about N800 million.

The complex housing 218 lock-up shops was constructed in contravention of the approval plans issued by the government.

Obaseki had recently warned that as part of its urban renewal plan, illegal structures and buildings with unapproved government plan and other violations would be demolished.

In line with the plan, the government relocated all commercial bus and taxi terminals from the city centre.

The government also commenced the removal of illegal structures within its precinct.

The aforementioned demolished shopping complex is believed to be owned by one Osamede Adun, a chieftain of the ruling party.

The government by this action indicated that no matter who is involved, as long as the interest of the people is jeopardised, the law would be certain to take its cause.

Obaseki, evidently, is insistent on enforcing the physical and town planning laws in the state and no personal relationships, societal status or personality can get in his way.

Speaking recently on the issue on behalf of the government, the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Mayaki, said, “On the building demolished along mission road which had over 200 shops, the structure for which the owner sought government’s approval was at variance with what was erected. “In other words, the structure which was built was in contravention of what was approved. “Before the demolition, notices were served, which have since expired. As you may be aware, nobody is above the law, neither is anyone’s interest bigger than that of the public. “No parking spaces were provided for owners of the would-be shops. There was also no parking space for those who would go there to shop.�

Also, in line with restoring order, a Community Development Association (CDA) law, which prohibits land grabbing that had become rampant in the state was passed about two months ago.

This law will put an end to the activities of hoodlums who form themselves into CDAs and use the platform to intimidate innocent citizens and residents who are often violently chased out of their landed property, only for the land to be resold.

For immediate effectiveness, the CDA law was followed by an enforcement law called the Private Property Protection (PPP) law passed last week and would be enforced by a task force led by a former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.

Obaseki’s Unusual Governance If anyone still considers as a ruse, Obaseki’s vow to spare no effort in returning Edo State to glory, then these actions and several others in the past six months, against all odds and sentiments are an emphatic affirmation.

Obaseki is known not to say much, but he is winning hearts and minds in Edo, for his commitment to the wellbeing of the teeming, ordinary and defenceless people in the state.

GLOBAL SOCCER

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2011

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

MISSION ON A BACK-TOBACK UCL VICTORY PAGE. 29

03.06.2017

Emmanuel Ibru A Bold Foray into ‘Deaf Football’

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍąËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

Emmanuel Ibru Grand Patron, Deaf Eagles of Nigeria

Deaf Eagles possing for a group photograph in Mali

A Bold Foray into ‘Deaf Football’

Ă“Ă? ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă™ĂžĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă– Ă“Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă™ĂžĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă– Ă‹ĂŽĂ—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ùà Ă?Ăœ ͺ͸ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?Ăœ Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă™Ă™ĂžĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁËŞĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă™ĂžĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ™ĂŽĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂšĂœĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ě‹ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂœĂ™Ě‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă‘Ă–Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă? Ă™Ă™ĂžĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ëœ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă™Ëœ Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă— Ă—Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? åÓÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ăž Ă—Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă– ĂŒĂœĂ&#x;Ëœ Kunle Adewale ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?Ă?

E

mmanuel Ibru has always been involved in football. He follows the game and it is a big part of his recreational activities.

Speaking on how he became associated with deaf football, he said, “The Nigeria Deaf Football Association was at one time looking for somebody to give them some support, so I was approached and I gave it a consideration. Then, they were about to travel to Lome, Togo, for the West African Deaf Football Union Championship and I went to Lome to watch them and was quite impressed with what I saw there, both in terms of quality and the dedication of the players. It was after this that I decided to accept their offer as the grand patron of the association. I have since been working with them, trying to help in one way or the other to ensure they achieve their goals and objectives.�

Recently, the deaf football team went for the WADFU Championship and emerged winners. They would have missed the tournament due to financial constraint but for Ibru who came to their rescue. On how to forestall future occurrences, Ibru said, “The ministry was aware of that but we all know the present situation in Nigeria regarding paucity of funds. At that point in time, the ministry was also confronted with its own problems. But the fact of the matter is that the ministry was approached, various requests were sent, but unfortunately there was no positive response. “I would however want a situation whereby, on a yearly basis, a kind of a budget is made for special needs sports. The Nigeria Deaf Football Association and the Nigeria Football Federation should also have some kind of allowance made for them within the budget to prosecute their own programmes.�

When asked what could be done to propagate and popularise deaf football in the country, he said, “Again, it comes down to the question of finance. Some states have deaf football league and this depends on individuals within the states. The ideal thing would be to have a nationwide league for the hearing impaired and help them play tournaments on a regular basis. Maybe it may be difficult at the early stages to run a league but there could be an arrangement where sponsors would come in and have a Nationwide Deaf

Challenge Cup where games could be played on a knockout basis within various states and at the end they converge on a particular place to play for a cup and some awareness is given for such a competition. I think that would go a long way in propagating deaf football, but again, the major problem is financing. “Even the Nigeria National League, which is the pro-league body, is having problems in trying to attract sponsorship from the corporate sector. I think the same problem that affects football in general in the country also affects deaf football but to a greater extent.�

In spite of his pet club, AS Racine yet to gain promotion to the elite division, the proprietor says he is very satisfied with the achievement of the club so far. “We are a grassroots football club that concentrates on promoting players from the grassroots, giving them an opportunity to play in an organised setting and teaching the players about professionalism at an early age -the sort of conduct required to be a professional footballer. We give them a launching pad for bigger and better things in their football career. “I'm quite happy with the club in terms of what we have been able to achieve. Quite a few players have passed through AS Racine and had gone to have quite a decent professional career; notable among them are Osaze Odemwingwe, Brown Ideye, late Bayo Adefemi and Onyekachi Okonkwo. We have recorded quite a little bit of success in nurturing players that had gone on not only to have decent professional career but had also gone to represent the country at various age groups and at the senior national level. “The main ambition of the club this year is to consolidate our position in the pro-league, ensure we remain there for next year then build on that. Maybe in two, three or four years’ time we will play in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL. We are however contented with the fact that players have leveraged on AS Racine to move up in their professional career because that is what we stand for,� Ibru added.

When the draws for the 2018 World Cup qualifier was made and Nigeria was pitched with Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia, many football lovers in the country had their doubts on Eagles picking the group’s sole ticket to the Mundial, Ibru was inclusive.

“It’s a pleasant surprise to see the Super Eagles topping the group with six points after two matches and we can take three points against Cameroon in our next home game. I think we are almost home and dry because a couple more draws will see us through.

But it is still not all over because in football, anything can happen, but then we are in the driver’s seat,� the AS Racine proprietor said.

So far, Ibru is satisfied with the manner with which Gernot Rohr is going about his job with the national. “There has been very little rancour as far as financial issues are concerned. The NFF has had their financial problems but the coach has kept silent about whether he has any problem or not. He is just concentrating on doing his job. For now, he is still doing a little bit of experimenting though. What he is trying to do is build a new squad of young vibrant players. By the time we will be playing Cameroon in August in the World Cup qualifier he would have had a pretty good idea of his best 20 players,� he noted.

The AS Racine proprietor is also of the opinion that NFF President, Amaju Pinnick’s appointment into the CAF executive would be very beneficial to Nigerian football. “He is part of the top decision making body for football in Africa, which means when decisions are being made he’s going to be there and not at the peripheral level and from that point of view he would be able to protect the nation’s interest. But I would like to think he is in CAF because of Nigeria and the nation’s interest,� the Grand Patron of the Nigeria Deaf Football Association noted.

Comparing the present NFF to the one he served under, Ibru says there is a big difference between the two. “When I was a member of the NFA under Ibrahim Galadima, the various committees that were set up were very vibrant and were all functioning.

They were made up of members who were very interested in the game. Meetings were held on a very regular basis and from there a lot of information were collected which were made available to the board for deliberations and it helped a lot in decision making and in trying to grow the game in the country. For the inner workings of this present NFF I am not a party to it, so I would not know, but I do know that probably the major committee that is functioning now is the technical committee, headed by Chris Green. At one point, a

marketing committee was set up and it had been rather moribund and I am not sure if it still exists. That’s about the major difference have noticed. “Nigerian football politics have always been a very messy terrain to deal with but over the last few years, we have witnessed all sort of law suit instigated by one body or the other, it wasn’t as bad during my time as it has been in the last few years. There was never any threat during my time in the NFA from FIFA apart from question around Decree 101, but it’s no longer in use. From that point of view, the threat to Nigeria has not been government interference as it usually was in those days but now it has been rancour within the football committee itself.�

Meanwhile, by virtue of the Deaf Eagles’ victory in Mali, the team has automatically booked a place to the Deaflympics slated for Turkey in June. Ibru is apprehensive that the team may be denied the trip due to financing issues. “We went to Bamako to play in the WADFU Tournament without any support from the government or NFF despite several appeals to the various bodies. We also wrote letters to some corporate organisations but without any positive response. However, for us the most important thing was to get to the tournament, participate and do well. “There had been seven competitions so far since the inception of WADFU, and Nigeria could not make it to one of them because of paucity of fund but for the other six we’ve been to, we’ve won four and were runnersup twice. If you talk about consistency then kudos must go to Nigeria. “We know that the ministry is aware of the Deaflympics. The Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation plans in conjunction with the ministry to send teams in other sports to the game, specifically table-tennis and athletics.

From the NFF point of view, because of lack of funds the story is that we cannot go because it’s a team event and have to more or less pay for the entire contingent, which is about 20 to 25 people and there is only one medal at stake for that and the federation feels it’s not worth it. So it’s negative news on the possibility of Nigerian deaf team going to the Deaflympics in Turkey.�

Ibru is therefore appealing to the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung to give the boys an opportunity to attend Deaflympics.

31

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍťËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

Juventus Stand Between Madrid, Historic Champions League Defence Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă‹ĂŽĂœĂ“ĂŽ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă?Ăž ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã˪Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă? Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ“ĘĽËŞĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă?ÓÚËÖÓÞã ÞËÎÓĂ&#x;Ă— Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă™ĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă— Ă“Ă˜ ÙÚĂ?Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ‹ ÞÙ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă•Ě‹ĂžĂ™Ě‹ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă•Ë› ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă“Ă? Ă&#x;Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ&#x;Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ ĂžĂ’Ă“ĂœĂŽ ÞÓÞÖĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë›

D

efeat to Barcelona in April's memorable El Clasico ensured a tense finish to La Liga for Real Madrid but seven league wins in a row saw Zinedine Zidane's men wrap up the title on the final day of the season.

The Spanish giants are looking to secure a historic 12th European crown today and will become the first side to defend the Champions League trophy should they win.

The big talking point for Real before today is whether Gareth Bale will make the starting line-up in his hometown. The Welshman is struggling for match fitness after an ankle injury and admitted this

week that he may not play the full 90 minutes. Isco is most likely to take his place.

Juventus enjoyed a more sedate climax to the Serie A season, cantering home to a sixth successive title as well as winning the Coppa Italia. But for all their domestic success, Juve's record in Europe is a disappointing one when compared to other big sides across the continent.

However, after dispatching Porto, Barcelona and neutrals' favourites Monaco on the way to the final and with manager Max Allegri having a fully fit squad to pick from, Juve will fancy their chances of picking up a third European crown.

After turning 32 earlier this season, many questioned whether the Portuguese forward was past his best. While less likely

to roam around the pitch and dominate the play as in his younger days, Ronaldo has now adapted his game to become one of the best poachers in Europe.

After notching 49 goals in as many appearances this season there would be no better way to prove the doubters wrong and cement his place as favourite for a fifth Ballon d'Or with a man of the match performance and a winners' medal today.

It has been 19 years since these sides met in the Champions League final in Amsterdam. Real ran out 1-0 winners thanks to second-half strike from Predrag Mijatovic.

Zinedine Zidane, who played in midfield for Juve that day, will be hoping his evening turns out differently today.

Meanwhile, at 39 years of age, Juventus

goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon can look back on a career where he has won almost everything there is to win in the game - except for the Champions League title.

Today Buffon, the finest goalkeeper of his generation, can add the medal he misses the most if his Juventus team can overcome the 11-time European champions and make him the oldest player to win the continent's top prize.

At club level, Buffon got off to a winning start, claiming the Uefa Cup and the Italian Cup with Parma in 1999. With Juventus he has won the Italian league 'scudetto' 10 times, although two of those titles were later rescinded following investigations.

In the colours of the national team, under the guidance of his former Juve coach

32

JUNE 3, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER Match Facts

˾ ÒÓÝ ×ËÞÍÒ ÓÝ Ë ÜÏÚÏËÞ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ͚͒​͚͙ ʨØËÖ ÓØ ×ÝÞÏÜÎËט áÙØ ͒̋͑ Ìã ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ ËÑËÓØÝÞ Ë ßàÏØÞßÝ ˛ ˾ ßàÏ ÒËàÏ áÙØ ÞÒÏ ÞÜÙÚÒã ÞáÓÍϘ ÓØ ͚͙͖͒ ËØÎ ͚͒​͚͗˜ ÌßÞ ÒËàÏ ÖÙÝÞ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ʨØËÖ ÝÓâ ÞÓ×ÏÝ ̎ ×ÙÜÏ ÞÒËØ ËØã ÙÞÒÏÜ ÍÖßÌ˛ ˾ ßàÏØÞßÝ ÒËàÏ áÙØ ØÓØÏ ËØÎ ÎÜËáØ ÞÒÜÏÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏÓÜ ͓͒ ÑË×ÏÝ ÓØ ÞÒÓÝ ÝÏËÝÙØ̳Ý ÍÙ×ÚÏÞÓÞÓÙؘ ËØÎ ËÜÏ ÝÏÏÕÓØÑ ÞÙ ÌÏÍÙ×Ï ÞÒÏ ʨÜÝÞ ÞÏË× ÞÙ ÖÓʰ ÞÒÏ ÞÜÙÚÒã ßØÌÏËÞÏØ ÝÓØÍÏ ËØÍÒÏÝÞÏÜ ØÓÞÏÎ ÓØ ͓͑​͑͘˹͙͑˛ ˾ ËÎÜÓÎ ËØÎ ßàÏ áÓÖÖ ÌÙÞÒ ÌÏ ÍÙ×ÚÏÞÓØÑ ÓØ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÝÓâÞÒ ÒË×ÚÓÙØÝ ÏËÑßÏ ʨØËÖ˜ ÏÛßËÖÖÓØÑ ÓÖËØ̳Ý ÜÏÍÙÜβ ˾ ËÎÜÓÎ ÒËàÏ áÙØ ËÖÖ ʨàÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÒË×ÚÓÙØÝ ÏËÑßÏ ʨØËÖݘ Ë ÜÏÍÙÜÎ Øß×ÌÏÜ ÙÐ áÓØݘ áÒÓÖÏ ßàÏ ÒËàÏ ÖÙÝÞ ÞÒÏ ʨâÞßÜÏ ×ÙÜÏ ÞÓ×ÏÝ ÞÒËØ ËØã ÙÞÒÏܲ ˾ ÒÓÝ ÓÝ Ë ØÓØÞÒ ßÜÙÚÏËØ ßÚ ʨØËÖ ËÚÚÏËÜËØÍÏ ÐÙÜ ßàÏØÞßݘ áÒÙ ÒËàÏ ÖÙÝÞ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÖËÝÞ ÐÙßܲ àÏÜËÖÖ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÜÏÍÙÜÎ ÓÝ ͓ ͗˝ ˾ ÓËØÖßÓÑÓ ßʥÙØ ÓÝ ÞÒÏ ÝÙÖÏ ÝßÜàÓàÙÜ ÙÐ ßàÏØÞßÝ̳Ý ͓͑​͔͑ ʨØËÖ ËÚÚÏËÜËØÍÏ ÓØ ÞÒÏÓÜ ͓͑͒͗˹͒͘ ÝÛßËβ ˾ ßʥÙؘ ÞÏÚÒËØ ÓÍÒÞÝÞÏÓØÏܘ ÏÙØËÜÎÙ ÙØßÍÍÓ˜ ØÎÜÏË ËÜäËÑÖÓ ËØÎ ÖËßÎÓÙ ËÜÍÒÓÝÓÙ ËÖÖ ÝÞËÜÞÏÎ ÞÒÏ ͓͖͑͒ ʨØËÖ ÐÙÜ ßàϘ áÓÞÒ ÞÏÐËØÙ ÞßÜËÜÙ ËØ ßØßÝÏÎ ÝßÌÝÞÓÞßÞÏ˛ ÓÙÜÑÓÙ ÒÓÏÖÖÓØÓ ×ÓÝÝÏÎ ÙßÞ ÞÒÜÙßÑÒ ÓØÔßÜã˛ ˾ Ë×Ó ÒÏÎÓÜË áËÝ ÚËÜÞ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ àÓÍÞÙÜÓÙßÝ ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ ÞÏË× ÓØ ͓͕͑͒˞ ÒϘ ËÜÓÙ ËØÎƏßÕÓ÷˜ Ë áÓØØÏÜ áÓÞÒ ËãÏÜØ ÞÒÏ ÚÜÏàÓÙßÝ ãÏËܘ ËØÎ ËØÓ ÖàÏÝ ̙ ËÜÍÏÖÙØË ͓͑​͚͑˜ ͓͑͒​͒˜ ͓͖͑͒̚ ÍÙßÖÎ ÔÙÓØ ÞÒÏ ÖÓÝÞ ÙÐ ͔͒ ÚÖËãÏÜÝ ÞÙ áÓØ ÞÒÏ ÒË×ÚÓÙØÝ ÏËÑßÏ áÓÞÒ ÞáÙ ÎÓʥÏÜÏØÞ ÍÖßÌݲ ˾ ËØÎƏßÕÓ÷ ËØÎ ßàÏ̳Ý ͓͖͑͒ ʨØËÖ ÑÙËÖÝÍÙÜÏܘ ÖàËÜÙ ÙÜËÞ˘ ÍÙßÖÎ ÌÙÞÒ ÔÙÓØ ÞÒÏ ÖÓÝÞ ÙÐ ÞáÙ ÚÖËãÏÜÝ ÞÙ ÝÍÙÜÏ ÐÙÜ ÎÓʥÏÜÏØÞ ÍÖßÌÝ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ßÜÙÚÏËØ ßÚ ʨØËÖ˝ ÙØÖã ÏÖÓÌÙÜ ËÝÙàÓ÷ ̙ ËÜÞÓäËØ ͚͒͗​͗˜ ÔËâ ͚͚͒͗̚ ËØÎ ÜÓÝÞÓËØÙ ÙØËÖÎÙ ̙ ËØÍÒÏÝÞÏÜ ØÓÞÏΘ ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ ͓͕͑͒̚ ÒËàÏ ÚÜÏàÓÙßÝÖã ×ËØËÑÏÎ ÓÞ˛ ˾ ËÎÜÓÎ áËØÞ ÞÙ ÌÏÍÙ×Ï ÞÒÏ ʨÜÝÞ ÝÓÎÏ ÞÙ ×ËÕÏ Ë ÝßÍÍÏÝÝÐßÖ ÒË×ÚÓÙØÝ ÏËÑßÏ ÞÓÞÖÏ ÎÏÐÏØÍÏ˛ ÒÏã ËÜÏ ÞÒÏ ʨʰÒ ÜÏÓÑØÓØÑ ÍÒË×ÚÓÙØÝ ÞÙ ÜÏÞßÜØ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ʨØËÖ ÞÒÏ ÐÙÖÖÙáÓØÑ ÝÏËÝÙØ˛ ˾ Ù ÞÏË× ÒËàÏ áÙØ ÞÒÏ ßÜÙÚÏËØ ßÚ ÓØ ÝßÍÍÏÝÝÓàÏ ÝÏËÝÙØÝ ÝÓØÍÏ ÓÖËØ ̙͚͙͚͒˜ ͚͒​͚͑̚˛ ˾ ÓÎËØÏ ÓÝ ËÖÝÙ ËʵÏ×ÚÞÓØÑ ÞÙ ÌÏÍÙ×Ï ÞÒÏ ʨÜÝÞ ÍÙËÍÒ ÞÙ áÓØ ÞÒÏ ÒË×ÚÓÙØÝ ÏËÑßÏ ÞáÙ ãÏËÜÝ ÜßØØÓØј áÒÓÖÏ ÏÜÑÓÙ Ë×ÙÝ ÓÝ ÝÏÏÕÓØÑ ÞÙ ÌÏÍÙ×Ï ÞÒÏ ʨÜÝÞ ÍËÚÞËÓØ ÞÙ ÖÓʰ ÞÒÏ ÒË×ÚÓÙØÝ ÏËÑßÏ ÞÜÙÚÒã ÓØ ÍÙØÝÏÍßÞÓàÏ ÝÏËÝÙØݲ ˾ ÙØËÖÎÙ ̙͓͑​͙͑˜ ͓͕͑͒̚ ËØÎ Ë×ÙÝ ̙͓͕͑͒˜ ͓͑͒͗̚ ÍÙßÖÎ ÌÏÍÙ×Ï ÞÒÏ ʨÜÝÞ ÚÖËãÏÜÝ ÞÙ ÝÍÙÜÏ ÓØ ÞÒÜÏÏ ÒË×ÚÓÙØÝ ÏËÑßÏ ʨØËÖݲ ÙØËÖÎÙ ËØÎ Ë×ÙÝ ËÜÏ ÞáÙ ÙÐ ʨàÏ ÚÖËãÏÜÝ ÞÙ ÒËàÏ ÝÍÙÜÏÎ ÓØ ÞáÙ ʨØËÖݘ ËÖÙØÑ áÓÞÒ ËŴÖ ÙØäåÖÏä ̙͓͑​͑​͑˜ ͓͑​͓͑̚˜ Ë×ßÏÖ ÞÙ̳Ù ̙͓͑​͑͗˜ ͓͑​͚͑̚ ËØÎ ÓÙØÏÖ ÏÝÝÓ ̙͓͑​͚͑˜ ͓͑͒​͒̚˜ Ë ÖÓÝÞ ÞÒËÞ ËÜÍÏÖÙ ËØÎ ËÜÏÞÒ ËÖÏ ̎ áÒÙ ÌÙÞÒ ØÏʵÏÎ ÓØ ͓͕͑͒ ̎ ËØÎ ÙÜËÞ˘ ÙØ ÞËÜÑÏÞ ÐÙÜ ßàÏ ÓØ ͓͖͑͒˜ ÍÙßÖÎ ÔÙÓØ ÞÒÓÝ ÝÏËÝÙØ˛ JUVENTUS FINAL APPEARANCES

REAL MADRID FINAL APPEARANCES

1972/73: ÔËâ ͒̋͑ ßàÏØÞßÝ

1955/56˝ ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ ͕͔̋ ÞËÎÏ ÎÏ ÏÓ×Ý ÒË×ÚËÑØÏ

1982/83: Ë×ÌßÜÑÏÜ ͒̋͑ ßàÏØÞßÝ

1956/57: ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ ͓̋͑ ÓÙÜÏØÞÓØË

1984/85: ßàÏØÞßÝ ͒̋͑ ÓàÏÜÚÙÙÖ 1995/96: ßàÏØÞßÝ ͒̋͒ ÔËâ ̙ ßàÏØÞßÝ áÓØ ͕͓̋ ÙØ ÚÏØÝ̚ 1996/97: ÙÜßÝÝÓË ÙÜÞ×ßØÎ ͔̋͒ ßàÏØÞßÝ 1997/98: ßàÏØÞßÝ ͑̋͒ ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ

Head to Head

͔͒˹͖͑˹͖͒ ͖͑˹͖͑˹͖͒ ͖͑˹͒​͒˹͔͒ ͓͔˹͒͑˹͔͒ ͔͒˹͑͘˹͚͑ ͖͑˹͒​͒˹͙͑ ͓͒˹͒͑˹͙͑ ͚͑˹͔͑˹͖͑ ͓​͓˹͓͑˹͖͑

Marcello Lippi, Buffon won the World Cup with the Azzurri in 2006, making up for the disappointment of missing out on Italy's European Championship success in 2000 due to injury.

Twice the keeper has been in the final of the Champions League but both times the Bianconeri went home as runners-up - to AC Milan on penalties in Manchester in 2003 and against Barcelona in Berlin two years ago.

But his brilliance as a keeper is widely recognised and his enthusiasm for the game and his warm personality have made him hugely popular with his peers of all clubs and nationalities.

"If they weren't up against Madrid, I would want him to win the Champions with all my heart," former Real keeper Iker Casillas said this week.

"He deserves it - Gigi shouldn't end his career without a Champions League," added the Spaniard, currently with Portuguese club Porto.

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi has no mixed feelings in rooting for a Buffon and Juventus win.

"I think Juventus will win the Champions League. I want them to do it for Gigi Buffon," he said recently.

The keeper himself has made no secret of the fact that he desperately wants that missing medal.

"It would mean a lot for me. It would be the greatest joy of my career, together with the World Cup, because it would almost be a reward – the end of a very difficult road

ËÎÜÓÎ ßàÏØÞßÝ ßàÏØÞßÝ ËÎÜÓÎ ËÎÜÓÎ ËÎÜÓÎ ßàÏØÞßÝ ßàÏØÞßÝ ËÎÜÓÎ

2002/03: ßàÏØÞßÝ ͑̋͑ ÓÖËØ ̙ ÓÖËØ áÓØ ͔͓̋ ÙØ ÚÏØÝ̚ 2014/15: ßàÏØÞßÝ ͔͒̋ ËÜÍÏÖÙØË

͒̋͒ ͓ ̋͒ ͓͓̋ ͓̋͒ ͓͒̋ ͑ ͓̋ ͓̋͒ ͓̋͑ ͒̋͑

ßàÏØÞßÝ ËÎÜÓÎ ËÎÜÓÎ ßàÏØÞßÝ ßàÏØÞßÝ ßàÏØÞßÝ ËÎÜÓÎ ËÎÜÓÎ ßàÏØÞßÝ

1957/58: ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ ͔͓̋ ÓÖËØ ̙ËÏÞ̚ 1958/59: ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ ͓̋͑ ÞËÎÏ ÎÏ ÏÓ×Ý ÒË×ÚËÑØÏ 1959/60: ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ ͔̋͘ ÓØÞÜËÍÒÞ ÜËØÕÐßÜÞ 1961/62: ÏØʨÍË ͖͔̋ ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ 1963/64: ØÞÏÜ ÓÖËØ ͔̋͒ ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ 1965/66: ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ ͓̋͒ ËÜÞÓäËØ 1980/81: ÓàÏÜÚÙÙÖ ͒̋͑ ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ 1997/98: ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ ͒̋͑ ßàÏØÞßÝ

Venue: ËÜÎÓÐÐ ÞËÎÓß× Time: ͘˝ ͕͖ Ú× Referee: ÏÖÓâ ÜãÍÒ

1999/00: ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ ͔̋͑ ËÖÏØÍÓË 2001/02: ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ ͓̋͒ ËãÏÜ ÏàÏÜÕßÝÏØ 2013/14: ÏËÖ ËÎÜÓÎ ͕̋͒ ÞÖĀÞÓÍÙ ËÎÜÓÎ ̙ËÏÞ̚ 2015/16: ËÎÜÓÎ ͒̋͒ ÞÖĀÞÓÍÙ ËÎÜÓÎ ̙ ËÎÜÓÎ áÓØ ͖͔̋ ÙØ

paved by bravery, stubbornness and hard work.

"I have always wanted to win it and I have always been convinced that I can do it together with my team, the fans, my colleagues," he said.

With just one year left on his contract at Juventus and his 40th birthday on the horizon, this might be the Tuscan's last chance to taste that joy.

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

Will Buffon have a feel of the UEFA Champions League Trophy in Cardiff?

33

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍťËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

˺˺

Victorious school celebrating their victory during the GTBank-Lagos State Principals Cup at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos

L-R: Chief Coach BNB, Feh Olusanya; Player, Funke Ogunkoya; MC, CHairman of Lagos State Sporst Commission, Deji Tinubu; President BNB, Bimbo Smith

Ondo, Lagos Qualify for 2017 Milo Basketball Championship Greater Tomorrow International College, Akoko, Ondo State and Wesley Girls Secondary School, Lagos, have emerged champions at the just concluded Western Conference of the 2017 Milo Basketball Championship.

Greater Tomorrow International College, Akoko, Ondo State won in the male category after defeating Greenlands Academy, Abeokuta, finishing 43 – 38. While in the female category, Wesley Girls Secondary School, Lagos overcame their Oyo counterpart, Yejide Girls Grammar School, Ibadan, with a 32 – 24 finish.

The final games at the Akure Township Stadium closed the conference stage, which saw both Ondo and Lagos State set to represent the Western Conference in the male and female categories respectively.

Both teams will now link up with other conferences’ champions at the National finals which will kick-off in Lagos on June 11.

Milo is a brand that is known for building future champions, using sports as a metaphor to teach school children important life skills such as determination, confidence, discipline, teamwork and respect. Milo is committed to sustaining the development

of grassroots sports in Nigeria.

Director School Services, Ondo state Ministry of Education, Mr. Fola Dara, commended Nestle Milo for creating such an inspiring platform for Nigerian secondary school students. “I congratulate Nestle Milo for shouldering the responsibilities of organising the competition. Your sacrifices have shown to all and sundry the significance of sports as a unifying force. I have no doubt in my mind that these momentous efforts of yours are in the right direction of nurturing talented students for the future.� He remarked.

Loya Milk Holds Children Swimming Talent Hunt As part of efforts to promote and enhance talents in swimming among children, Loya Milk, on May 27, held the second edition of the Loya Swim Meet,� a swimming competition for secondary school students in Nigeria.

A total of 17 secondary schools participated in the competition which was held at the Grange School at Harold Shodipo Crescent, Ikeja, where cash prizes of over N1 million and other consolation prizes were won.

Speaking at the event, the Category Manager, Diary, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Abiodun Ayodeji, said feedback from the inaugural edition held in December 2016 where 10 Secondary Schools in Lagos participated was very commendable, and that request was made for the competition to be an annual event where talents could be discovered and nurtured.

He said Loya Milk which is fortified with 50 per cent more calcium believe in the development of children which could be achieved not only by providing the best nutrition in the brand but also by identifying with a sport that fosters this promise.

According to him, the 50 per cent more calcium in Loya Milk helps to build stronger bones, tougher teeth, and healthier heart which is in line with some of the health benefits of swimming.

He said swimming was a 360 degrees’ sport that uses the entire parts of the body and helps to maintain healthy weight and heart, tones the muscles, builds strength and above all, creates a platform where children could have fun while exercising.

He also mentioned that the plan was to extend to other parts of the country starting with secondary schools in Port Harcourt which would have their swim

meet at Bloombreed High School on Saturday June 17.

In the competition, Grange School outshined other 16 secondary schools by clinching the first position with cash prizes of N150,000 in the 25 metres freestyle; 50 metres freestyle as well as the 100 metres freestyle relays in the boys and girls categories.

Schools that participated in the “Loya Swim Meet� competition include Grange School; Straitgate College; The Bells Comprehensive School; Greenville School; Grace High School; Halifield Schools; Honeyland College; Queensland Academy; Avicenna International School; Chrisland Schools; and Supreme Educational Foundation School.

Others include Children’s International School; Lagos Preparatory School; Juiliard Academy; Corona Secondary School; Greensprings School; and Emerald High School.

Gladiators Win BNB Mixed Netball Tourney The Bringing Netball Back (BNB) Club hosted its 3rd edition of its Annual Charity Mixed Netball Tournament to raise awareness about netball and raise funds for Charity.

The participating teams of men and women were the Alphas, Blazing Bullets, Gladiators and So United, comprising of BNB members as well as invited male players. The prospect of a final match between the top two teams after the round robin - the Alphas and the Gladiators was exciting. The crowd cheered on the two

teams as they battled with the Gladiators emerging victorious in a closely fought final match.

The Tournament was sponsored by Model Steel Industries Limited and supported by the Lagos State Sports Commission; both of which were present at the event in the persons of Mr. Kassem Ajami, Mr. Hassan Hammoud, the Chairman and Managing Director of Model Steel Industries, respectively and Mr. Deji Tinubu, Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission.

The versatility and athleticism required of netball players was evident and appreciated as players and spectators alike, unfamiliar with the sport, embraced it and looked forward to similar events in the near future.

The BNB Club, an advocate for women in sports, was founded in 2012 and continues to work tirelessly to promote netball as the team sport of choice for women in Lagos and across Nigeria, starting at grassroots.

The Club President, Bimbo Smith, has aspirations to drive netball in Nigeria until the eventual emergence of a National team.

Winners Emerge in 2017 Guinness Cup Guinness Nigeria Plc. has held the grand finale of the 2017 edition of Guinness Cup. Guinness Cup is an employee competition that fosters team spirit and celebrates employees’ prowess in a range of sporting activities.

This year’s edition of the competition featured games such as: football, volleyball, scrabble, draughts and table tennis. The tournament began with preliminary games and culminated in a high-profile final which held at Agege stadium Lagos.

Speaking at the finals, Managing Director,

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, noted that Guinness Cup provided a unique opportunity for Guinness Nigeria employees to ‘live’ the organisation’s purpose – “To Celebrate Life Everyday Everywhere�.

He said: “I look forward to the Guinness Cup every year because it presents a unique platform for all Guinness Nigeria employees to have a great time, and celebrate life together in line with our purpose. “Sport is not just a physical activity that produces a winner and the loser. Rather,

sporting activities present a unique opportunity to celebrate the best qualities of the human spirit. Qualities like: resilience, teamwork, adaptability, creativity, stamina and the determined pursuit of excellence. I am therefore delighted to enjoy the finals but also recognise employees who are participating in various games�

Team Benin emerged overall winner of the football tournament beating the Lagos team to clinch the coveted trophy for the first time in three years.

The Category Manager, Diary, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Abiodun Ayodeji, with Shukunyys Rabiu (M) from Grange School, first prize winner in the 25 metres freestyle relay for girls, Chantel Watson (L), from Children's International School, who clinched the second prize and Anita Lamai (R), from Chrisland Schools, during the Loya Swim Meet Competition held at the Grange School in Lagos...recently

State Champions Emerge in 2017 NNPC/Shell Cup The state preliminaries of the NNPC/Shell Cup for All Nigeria Secondary Schools Football Championship, which began a few weeks ago in all states of the country and the Federal Capital territory is now producing schools that would represent each state at the zonal preliminaries.

At the Oyo state final played on Tuesday at the popular Wesley College, Elekuro playground in Ibadan, 2014 National runners up, Brightville College, Ibadan lost to Asegun Comprehensive College, Ibadan by 1-0. It would be recalled that Asegun Comprehensive College hasd made several attempts at clinching the national trophy in the past. This could be their opportunity as they take another shot at the trophy.

The Ogun State NNPC/Shell Cup final was between Comprehensive Academy, Abeokuta and Methodist Comprehensive College, Sagamu. This hostility hosted by Abeokuta Grammar School saw the former go home with the trophy after beating their opponents from Sagamu by 1-0.

In Katsina, Family Support Secondary School defeated Government College, Katsina to lift the state trophy and book a ticket for the zonal finals.

The Sokoto State final saw Sultan Bello Secondary School defeat Army Day Secondary School 8-7 via penalties after the match had ended 2-2 at regulation time.

Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State final was won by Holy Ghost Secondary School, Abakaliki after edging out Twelve Apostles College, Sharon, by a lone goal.

All states champions are expected to have emerged on or before June 7.

Other state champions are; Comprehensive Secondary School, Edemeya, Akwa Ibom State, Ahmadu Bahago Secondary School, Minna, Niger State, Government Day Secondary School, Lamisula, Borno State, Government Technical Training School, Jalingo, Taraba State.

Ekundayo to Fight for Vacant WBO Intercontinental Title One of the World’s leading boxing promoters Frank Warren, has announced that elite Nigerian boxer, Larry “The Natural� Ekundayo, will be fighting for the WBO Inter-continental welterweight title at the Copper Box Arena, London, on July 8.

The undefeated, former African boxing champion and Prize Fighter winner has been given the opportunity to fight for this prestige’s title as the main support to Billy Joe Saunders, who headlines the show and is defending his world title.

Ekundayo (12-0) will fight against the highly ranked and much feared Gary Corcoran, who has an impressive (16-1) record Should Ekundayo overcome this challenge he will be catapulted high into the WBO world rankings, with a world title shot in sight.

Ekundayo, who proudly wears the green and white of Nigeria into battle, said, “I would really likely to thank my management team, MTK, for arranging this title shot and for Frank Warren for giving me an opportunity to showcase my skills in front of a global audience.�

He represents the country’s best opportunity of delivering sporting success in 2017. He is thrilled to have the whole nation behind him, saying, “They have recently passed a bill in the Nigerian National Assembly to help support me and help bring big time boxing back to Nigeria, if we are given the right support we can rule the world of boxing.�

He and Olusegun Ajose, were recently blessed by Ooni of Ife with further promise of support, not only for the boxers but for all Nigerians in the Diaspora seeking to bring glory to their fatherland.

His Royal Majesty the Ooni of Ife had earlier urged all Nigerians in the United Kingdom and Europe to attend the boxing event to give maximum support to Ekundayo.

Participants doing the Coca-Cola sponsored Red Dress Run at the justconcluded 2017 Pan Africa Hash, which held in Eko Atlantic Resort, Victoria Island, Lagos

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T H I S D AY SATURDAY JUNE 3, 2017

35

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 3, 2017

INSIGHT/INTERVIEW Côte d’Ivoire: Mutiny Undermines Country’s Prospects Elizabeth Davis

I

was saddened to learn of the deaths of four demobilised rebels (démobilisés) last week during and after the crackdown on their armed uprising to demand a pay-off for past services rendered. My thoughts go to their families, as well as to the security forces who were wounded during the intervention.

These repeated armed uprisings are deeply concerning.

The population periodically finds itself hostage to armed men who are supposed to be in charge of its protection. Ivoirians and their neighbours, like me, are unsettled.

Like most West Africans, I was happy to see Côte d’Ivoire recover from its protracted succession crisis following the death of Houphouët-Boigny. Côte d’Ivoire is an economic engine for the sub-region, and our destinies are intertwined. The country has been chalking up impressive rates of economic growth since President Ouattara took office, evinced by visible improvements in infrastructure for example.

The civil service strike, the repeated military mutinies since January and now the uprising of the démobilsés indicate that not all Ivoirians are benefiting, or feel they are benefiting sufficiently, from the fruits of this growth. And I agree that if growth is not shared widely and equitably it will not be sustainable.

But without peace and security and respect for the rule of law there will be no growth to share, and therefore no development

or improvements in living conditions. This is why these armed uprisings are deeply detrimental to Côte d’Ivoire’s prospects.

The means the mutineers and then the démobilisés used to express their grievances were unlawful and at odds with the soldier’s code of honour and duty. Their demands should have been addressed through peaceful, legal and institutional channels, not through the barrel of a gun. Those responsible must be held to account, lest their example inspire others.

Economic success is built on confidence. It is thanks to renewed confidence in its prospects thanks to the restoration of stability that Côte d’Ivoire has been attracting high levels of investment as well as assistance from aid donors these past few years.

While confidence can take years to create, it can be shattered in an instant, however, and the repeated incidents of violence have effectively undermined years of effort to turn the pages of the dark chapter of the country’s history. All Ivoirians will pay the price, as will their families, should there be a return to the past instability and fear.

Côte d’Ivoire is finally recovering from a wasted decade of civil war. No patriot should put this recovery in jeopardy. The armed forces in particular have a unique responsibility to protect the Nation. The future of the country depends on their allegiance and respect for the constitution. Soldiers and civilians alike must put the interest of the Nation first. The future of the country depends on it.

- Davis writes from London

Annan

Insurance Has Huge Benefits and It Pays – Igbo Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers Limited, Mr. Anselem Igbo, tells Kasie Abone, in this interview that he has assembled most vibrant and energetic professionals to correct negative perception about insurance and thereby drive penetration

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he Nigerian insurance market appears saturated.What informed your decision to enter the market at this point in time?

The holding company Stanbic IBTC Holdings prides itself as an end-to-end financial service provider, before Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers the holding company had presence in banking, asset management, pension, trustees, stockbroking and bureaux de change. The coming of insurance brokerage company completed the chain in our drive to be the leading end-to-end financial services provider in Nigeria. The above notwithstanding, we observed a major gap in the insurance value chain mostly on lack of trust and the low insurance penetration. Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers therefore came into being to correct some of the existing negative perception concerning insurance, restore public confidence and reassure the insuring public that insurance has huge benefits and pays.

What kind of team have you assembled to compete against the old guards and become a successful venture?

We assembled one of the most vibrant and energetic professionals both from within the insurance industry and beyond. We have a team made up of men and women from diverse academic and professional background. Our technical and claims operation team are made up of tested professionals while our business development team is made up of the best in business development skills. Our major strength from day one is the adoption of robust insurance software that will enhance our underwriting and claims processing.

What will differentials Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers do in the market?

It is important that we distinguish our role as an insurance broker from that of an underwriting house.

We are into distribution of insurance products and the only way we can distinguish our service is by partnering with only reputable insurance companies that have the ability to pay claim. In as much as we will not bend the rules our vision is that within three years of operation we will win the confidence of the insuring public to see us as a reliable partner that they can trust in placing their insurable interest with insurance companies.

Do you believe that enough is done by the regulators and operators through their communication and marketing strategies to create awareness about insurance considering that penetration in Africa’s largest economy is low?

For the past 10 years, the regulators and operators have improved on the marketing and communication strategy to positively position the insurance industry. However we still need to do more in terms of communication, public enlightenment and marketing strategy. Considering the cost intensive nature for effec-

the Nigeria insurance market. We are being looked up to for leadership in the market. All this were made possible because of the international exposure we have by being a member of Standard Bank Group.

On regular basis members of the team have the opportunity of being exposed to international best practises through various avenues like trainings, sharing knowledge and experience from more advanced clime with better insurance penetration within Standard Bank Group operations.

Igbo

tive communication, I believe we will get more results if public education on the importance of insurance and the communication strategy is done collectively as an industry agenda rather than individual companies doing it on their own. The industry both brokers and insurers should have a strategic communication plan in letting the insuring public know their contribution to the economy. An average Nigerian still has the impression that insurance companies do not pay claim put in reality this is not the case considering the number of insurance claims paid by the industry.

Is Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers offering a full range of services and products or only a few?

At Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers we are licensed by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to act as insurance broker in General and Life businesses.

With this licence we are allowed to deal with both short term and long term insurance products which include motor insurance, marine insurance, group personal accident, group life, all classes of individual life, property insurance aviation insurance, goods in transit and so on.

Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers Limited is part of the Standard Bank group, Africa’s biggest financial services institution. In what ways has this relationship impacted on your insurance business in Nigeria?

Being the youngest member of the Standard Bank Group has gone a long way to enhancing our acceptability in the insurance industry. February this year was our first year anniversary since we obtained our operational licence from NAICOM but Stanbic IBTC insurance Brokers is now a household name in

Nigerians generally have a negative attitude towards insurance; what will you recommend as remedy to that attitude?

The remedy to this is continuous enlightenment of the public and a strategic communication plan. Also insurance should be included at a very early stage of school curriculum even at the primary school level. The major sector of the industry that is affected by this is the life arm of the industry for most African community talking about death is a taboo but the truth of the matter is that death is a necessary end which must come when it will come. We need to use the traditional means of communication together with the modern means of communication to correct the perception concerning insurance. Also we need to concentrate more on the retail segment of the market, in a situation where most insurers and brokers have their offices in the major cities with no presence in the local areas the insurance penetration will continue to be low. We need to learn from the development in the telecommunication industry and the revolution that took place in the banking industry.

What are the available channels through which customers can reach you when they have enquiries and queries?

We have multiple channels we can be reached, you can reach us through our group email insurancesolution@stanbicibtc.com , our Stanbic IBTC 24 hours contact centre, our telephone line, website, among other channels.

How will you appraise the Nigerian environment vis-à-vis development of the insurance industry?

The insurance industry is functional in both ways, in the period of prosperity there is more disposable income as a result there will be extra resources to buy insurance. Also, during recession as we are in now people see insurance as the last resort. From available statistics more claims are paid during recession as most claims that were overlooked in a buoyant economy are now reported to the insurance companies. There is no doubt that insurance drives more when the standard of living is high but insurance is also more desired when things are not looking up.

Looking at regulation of the industry, have you noticed any gap that requires further reform to enable the industry operate more effectively?

We have a dynamic regulator who is already thinking ahead by positioning to implement a risk based underwriting firm and also allow mergers and acquisition to naturally take place without regulatory inducement. Also the insurance broking sector is now sanitised in the sense that is no longer business as usual most broking firms now take their regulatory reporting more seriously and remitting the premium collected from the insuring public as stipulated by the insurance Act. Having said that there is still more room for improvement but we have to bear in mind that the sector is still at a very fragile stage.

Some experts have canvassed the need for policies that make certain categories of products mandatory so as to enhance local content and manpower development. Areas that easily come to mind include aviation and oil and gas. Will you subscribe to the emplacement of such policies in the insurance sector?

In as much as I support the local content policy to develop the local market, insurance generally is an international business from marine insurance to aviation insurance and more importantly the reinsurance market. However in most cases we don’t have the capacity. NAICOM is very strict on ensuring that all risk are exhausted at the local market before placing abroad the truth of the matter is that because of the low entry point of N3 billion most insurance companies take a limited proportion on aviation and oil and gas business. The re-insurance treaty may also not be robust enough to enable them take a higher percentage of the risk. In terms of manpower you will be amazed that we have some of the finest insurance practitioners in Nigeria but you still find greater percentage of the special risk been placed in UK market.

Digitization and ICT have become major drivers of business success. Occasionally, we hear people say that insurance and medicine are stuck in their ways and are refusing to modernise. Is this assertion true? To what extent does technology underpin Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers’ operations?

There is a lot of improvement in this aspect due to technology; some insurance companies now settle uncomplicated motor claims within three days from reporting of the claim and the customer receiving payment into their bank account. Some have gone the extra mile to design app where customers can buy insurance without visiting the insurance company. At Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers we intend to make the buying of insurance less stressful and designing process that will be attractive to those that are technologically savvy through digitalization. We have realised that the upwardly mobile and younger generation like to do everything in the comfort of their home and in real time. We will start this with the retail end products while the insurance products for the large corporates will still be handled through the traditional means of distribution.

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FAIRGROUND

Lagos @ 50: Lagos Walks the Talk at Cannes Film Festival

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

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he Cannes Film Festival is the biggest film event in the world. This year was its 70th anniversary, it is the same time Lagos State is celebrating 50 years. So, the Lagos State government sponsored a pavilion at the international film village of the festival, where movie practitioners and entertainment writers converged daily to discuss the way forward for Nigerian movie industry. Also, movie makers all over the world visited the Lagos pavilion to exchange ideas, network and to know more about Lagos state, tourism and were movie industry in Nigeria. It was at the Cannes film festival that the ‘Cinema in Lagos’, and the Lagos state quarterly magazine were unveiled. These are some of the faces of the people at the Lagos state pavilion in Cannes: Kunle Afolayan, Mayor Akinpelu, Dele Balogun, Shaibu Hussein, Funke Osai Brown, OC Ukeje, Lala Akindoju, Kene and Moses of Film House and Film One, Samson Adebayo and others.

Steve Ayorinde, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, explained to fairground the reasons Lagos state was at the Cannes Film Festival and how the state would do everything to support Nigerian movie makers to capture the international movie market.

Lagos state’s motive for sponsoring a pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival this year... “Our aim for taking a pavilion in Cannes this year is to have a communications outpost at the world’s biggest film festival and one of the biggest media-driven events which is celebrating its 70th in the same month that Lagos is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

We believe the brand awareness impact will be huge for Lagos as a state and for every motion picture professional operating from the state,� he said.

Tell us about the magazine that was unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival We actually unveiled ‘Cinema in Lagos’ an annual magazine dedicated to the promotion of motion picture industry and marketing of Lagos as film location destination and cinema investment hub. It’s called Cinema in Lagos because it is basically promoting the business of cinema in Lagos State and showing how investors can tap into that profitable venture. Major film festivals are a veritable ground to promote such publications and we are glad that it was very well received in Cannes. It will be well circulated locally too and it will be a yearly publication.

How did Lagos State support the Nigeria movie industry, especially movie makers?

Lagos State has always recognised the important role that the film industry plays and has always supported this industry that has done very well as a private sector-driven industry. Our support in recent times has cut across production, like 93 Days and The CEO; exposure at international film festivals like in Toronto last year where Lagos was celebrated as the city in focus and also at institutional level like the support we are giving to the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) as the host city this year. We are also encouraging productive engagement with the industry and the various guilds through the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board. And of course 10 filmmakers were invited to be part of the Lagos@50 celebration on Friday May 5 to screen their films, particularly in areas where such films had never been screened.

Dele Balogun, Mayor Akinpelu and Kunle Afolayan

Abisoye Fagade, Funke Osae-Brown and Samson Adebayo

Participants from other counties at the unveiling of Lagos State pavilion

OC Ukeje

TLK

Funke Osae-Brown, Shaibu Hussein and Lala Kemi Akindoju

So, it was great having Epe audiences enjoy 93 Days and Maami; having Badagry audiences enjoy Mo Abudu’s The Wedding Party and having the award-winning ‘76 by Izu Ojukwu screen to hundreds of movie goers in Ikorodu.

Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sports to achieve Excellence for Lagos State.

For the first time a Ministry for Tourism, Arts and Culture was created to drive this vision. You have seen how the old Lagos countdown which is to be a one-day, one-venue fanfare was decentralised and spread across all the five divisions of the state so that the crossover night can be enjoyed at Agege, Ikorodu, Badagry and Epe the same way that Bar Beach has been enjoying it. And instead of one day, it was extended to five days in 2015 and eight days in 2016, attracting unprecedented corporate sponsorship.

You have also, seen that we started this January an Art expo and how several artists have been commissioned to produce art installations all across the state. All of such works have been springing up all across the state, giving our dear state a vibrant artistic outlook.

More importantly, we are investing in infrastructural developments that will benefit thespians and motion picture professionals. We are constructing six 400-seat theatre-cinemas across all the five divisions of the state. They will all be ready this year. Think of the ripple effect on the economy of places like Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry and Alimoso.

Think of youth engagement and job

Governor Ambode’s vision for entertainment industry As you know Gov. Ambode is now being described as art-loving governor.

The arts and entertainment sectors have never had it so good under any governor. You can trace his vision to the campaign promise the governor made through Project T.H.E.S.E - that is using

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MARITIME BITS åÓÞÒ Ă™Ă’Ă˜ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ“Ë›Ë›Ë›Ë› ͸΀͸ͽͿͿ͚͟͞͝͞

The Commandant, Customs Command and Sta College/World Customs Organisation (WCO) Regional Training Centre, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Eporwei Charles Edike and his wife, Joy flanked by their two daughters when the Commandant received the Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ)’s ultimate integrity award in Lagos...recently

L-R: AďŹƒ Ibanga of AML Bonded Terminal and the Director General, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Obiageli Obi at the three day retreat organised by the National Assembly in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Transportation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State...recently

Before 24-Hour Port Takes O Reactions have continued to trail the 24 hours executive order recently made public by the Acting President, Professor Oluyemi Osinbajo. It is on record that the number two citizen who is standing in for President Mohammadu Buhari who is presently on medical vacation in the United Kingdom handed down the executive order directing that cargo delivery should be down at the nation’s seaports within 24 hours. That the 24 hours port executive order is a tall order is an understatement. The reasons for this are not far fetch. The nation’s seaport, airports and international borders is presently on a 48 cargo clearance regime.

Though the 48 hours cargo clearance regime is an initiative of the Federal Government, it is not the brainchild of the present administration. It was initiated by the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administrations to ensure that cargo dwell time (CDT) in Nigeria which according to World Bank

Edike Bags Ultimate Integrity Award Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Mr. Eporwei Charles Edike has been honoured by the Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ) with the ultimate integrity award.

Others who were honoured alongside ACG Edike were the Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade, and the former Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba.

Others are Professor Pat Utomi, Justice Oludotun Adebola Adefope, Dr. Atilade Olufemi Oshoniyi, Hon. Abike DabiriErewa, Mr. Sidney Ufeli and Mr. Anthony Akiotu.

The Customs Chief who was hitherto the ACG Zonal Co-ordinator, Zone A, Yaba, Lagos is presently the Commandant, Customs Command and Staff College/World Customs Organisation (WCO) Regional Training Centre, Gwagwalada Abuja.

Presenting the award at an impressive ceremony in Lagos, the NACJ said ACG Edike emerged from a list of those shortlisted based on his sterling performance as a Comptroller.

Former presidential aspirant and chairman of the occasion, Professor Pat Utomi said integrity is doing the right thing whether one is been watched or not.

Receiving the award, ACG Edike said he dedicated the award to the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Colonel Ibrahim Hameed Ali (retired) for giving him the opportunity and support that have enabled him to carry out his duties effectively.

He thanked the CGC for reposing confidence in his ability to deliver in the places he had posted him to since Ali’s appointment as the NCS boss by President Mohammadu Buhari.

He also dedicated the award to officers and men of the NCS, especially those he has been privileged to work with in the various places he had been posted to over the years.

According to him, without the support and co-operation of these officers and men, it would have been impossible to record all the successes that propelled the organisers of the award to take note of.

reports remains one of the highest in the world is drastically reduced. Successive administration since after Obasanjo had tried to implement the policy without tangible results. From Obasanjo to Yar’adua and from Yar’adua to Jonathan, not much have been attained in the realisation of the goals and objectives of the 48 hours cargo clearance regime.

Against the backdrop of the poor results of the 48 hours cargo clearance regime in the country, not a few have wondered why the Buhari administration will come up with another one. Many stakeholders in the maritime industry have not ceased to ask questions. How far can the Buhari administration go with this new policy initiative? If the Federal Government cannot succeed with the implementation of the 48 hours cargo clearance regime how can it do with 24 hours? Did the Federal Government did a thorough study of what was hindering the

successful implementation of the 48 hours cargo clearance regime before coming up with the 24 hours port executive order? The questions are unending. Yet no answer is forthcoming. Not a few stakeholders have called for the removal of the impediments to the implementation of the 48 hours cargo clearance regime as a springboard for the success of the 24 hours port executive order.

They opined that the removal of these impediments is the only way to make a success of the executive order as it affects the nation’s seaports, airports and international borders.

Already, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have listed conditions under which the 24 hours cargo clearance operations at the nation’s ports could be achieved. Speaking at the just concluded two-days National Conference on Bill of Lading with the theme: “Bill of Lading as a Contract of Carriage: Problems and Challenges in the 21st

Stop Your Anti-Port Investors’ Campaign, CMP Counsels Usman The Committee of Maritime Professionals (CMP) has raised alarm over impending loss of revenue by the Federal Government if the Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman continues in her hard line posture to frustrate real and potential investors in the maritime industry.

CMP stated that since the NPA boss was appointed last year, she has taken steps that have either made investors to leave the sector, or scared potential investors from coming into Nigeria.

CMP in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Mazi Charles Obi, said the development is a danger signal, which runs against the change agenda of the government that is bent on attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country. “Last week the Manila based container terminal operator, International Container Terminal Services, Incorporated (ICTSI) terminated its agreement to develop and operate a container terminal within Lekki Port. ICTSI’s subsidiary, Lekki International Container Terminal Services LFTZ Enterprise (LICTSE), and Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise (LPLE) decided to terminate the sub-concession agreement signed in 2012, based on circumstances that have to do with vitiation of the terms of the contract. “The terminated sub-concession agreement had granted LICTSE an exclusive right to develop and operate, and to provide handling equipment and container terminal services at the container terminal within the port located at Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, for a period of 21 years.

The project, initially slated for completion in 2016, called for the development of a container terminal with a 2.5 million TEU capacity capable of handling 10,000 TEU container ships. The terminal was to feature a 1,200-meter quay with 14 Post-Panamax cranes, making it one of the largest single terminals in Sub-Saharan Africa,� it said.

CMP said that while this is a major loss to the industry, it is just a tip of the iceberg,

as investments in several deep seaport projects across the country have been quietly suspended. “From our discussions with operators, many other investors in the sector are holding back because of the unfriendly posture of the NPA boss. One of the areas affected are investors in the deep seaport segment. You will notice that deep seaport projects have suddenly become silent. It is because of the wrong signals emanating from NPA and that is why everyone is now withholding their funds. Have you seen anyone invest any money at the port since the woman came in? No one will invest if contract terms will not be respected. “The case with INTELS also sends the wrong signal. The political dimension of the case is worrisome. Politics should not come in at all in matters concerning port operation. The maritime business is an international business, and you do not see other maritime nations vilify their investors on the pages of newspapers or in the television. Issues arise and will continue to arise but the best way to resolve them is through meetings and negotiations, not through media lynching,� CMP added.

CMP warned that many jobs could be lost at the port as a result of the current NPA posture against port investors. “Each day you open the newspapers, you see media trials of companies in the port industry by NPA. This is absurd and strange to the industry. These trials take place denigrating private companies, with their reputations being sacrificed on the altar of political exigency.

We raise this alarm for the Federal Government to step in and set things right by calling Usman to order in the interest of the country. “The Honourable Minister of Transport, Rt. Honourable Rotimi Amaechi has been travelling around the world shopping for investors for both the railways and shipping sector, Usman’s actions will be counterproductive to the Minister’s efforts if not nipped in the bud,� it said.

century�, the Customs Area Controller Apapa Command, Comptroller Musa Jubril said: “It is important to improve synergy among all agencies and relevant stakeholders to eliminate unnecessary checks, fees and reduce operational cost, thereby effectively reducing cost of clearing and cargo delivery time. The deplorable state of access roads to and from the ports also causes congestion as the ports often become inaccessible for the trucks, cars and other vehicles. Government should endeavour to improve ports infrastructure and road networks as this has huge impacts on the economy.�

The CAC charged concessionaires in the nation’s seaports to provide what he called “efficient and appropriate equipment and manpower� for effective service delivery even as he enumerated no fewer than 17 major causes of delay in cargo clearance chain.

NCS Partners BUMWAN The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded plans to partner Business and Maritime Writers Association of Nigeria (BUMWAN) to enhance investigative journalism in the country, especially in the maritime industry.

Besides investigative journalism, the partnership is also aimed at achieving balance reportage as well as enhances civil paramilitary relationship.

Customs Area Controller (CAC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne Rivers State, Comptroller Bashir Abubakar dropped the hint in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt when the national executives of BUMWAN paid him a courtesy call in his office.

His words: “The command will partner with Business and Maritime Writers Association of Nigeria to create balance reportage on activities in its area command.

Journalist should always imbibe the culture of investigative journalism in the discharge of their duties aimed to balance their report and create synergies and partnership in the society. “Journalism is a noble profession with an inherent tendency to check and balance societal ills and entrench stability in the society and as such practitioners should always take pains and patience to ensure information disseminated are objective, fair, accurate and balance with a view to create stability in the society. “My assignment here as the Customs Area Controller is to ensure documentation are proper and correct in compliance with the fiscal policies aimed to generate more revenue to the Federal Government of Nigeria and enhance trade facilitation in line with the three point agenda of the Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Ibrahim Hameed Ali (retired)�.

Abubakar opined that as the CAC, he will not condone any action or inactions that are capable or inimical to the smooth cargo documentation and clearance at the Onne port just as he warned that any stakeholder found wanton will be sanctioned or dealt with in accordance with the law.

According to him, his doors are wide open to genuine and law-abiding stakeholders with a view to create synergies capable at generating more revenue to the Federal Government and block any possible loopholes.

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ͻ˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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PERSPECTIVE

Adeniji Kazeem, Powering Ambode’s Dream Through the Instrumentality of Justice Idowu Ajanaku “I am a lawyer. I go for due process; I go for fairness and equitythese values mean a lot to me�

-Mohammed ElBaradei

T

hat Nigeria is abundantly blessed with the requisite human capacity; with some of the world’s most brilliant minds strewn across the globe’s exciting professional landscape is stating the obvious. The lacuna however, is the recurring mishap of placing square pegs in round holes! Little wonder, the obvious challenge of the slow pace of the country’s socio-economic development. But the exception to the rule has amply been demonstrated in no other place than the acclaimed Centre of Excellence, Lagos.

With the recent marking of two eventful years in office, one Ministry that the highly resourceful governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode would readily highlight as having keyed into his vision to take the state to the next level is that of Justice. No sentiments here. And that is because he mustered the courage to identify and place the right man-Adeniji Kazeem as the Commissioner who also doubles as the Attorney General of the state. But who is this distinguished Nigerian? What innovative and peopleoriented achievements has he brought to the governance table to deserve the national and international encomiums all coming his way? What lasting lessons can the younger generation glean from his illustrious life trajectory? The answers are not far fetched.

Adeniji who hails from Isale-Eko in Lagos Island was born in Lagos, Nigeria on 19th April 1965 to late Honourable Justice Boonyamin Oladiran Kazeem, a former Solicitor General of the Federation and Judge of Supreme Court of Nigeria and Princess Jemilat Adetoun Kazeem, a daughter of late Oba Adeniji –Adele II of Lagos.

The alumnus of the famous Federal Government College Warri proceeded to the University Lagos where he obtained a second class Upper degree in Political Science. That was in 1986, smiling home with a special prize in Comparative political systems. He served his one-year statutory Nigerian Youth service at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs as a Research Assistant before returning to the University of Lagos to study Law. In a similar

Adeniji Kazeem

fashion he graduated with a second class Upper Law degree in 1990 with a special prize in International Law. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1991.

Mr. Kazeem also holds an LLM in Information Technology and Telecommunications Law from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. His professional career started in 1991 when he joined the International Consulting Firm of Arthur Andersen (Now KPMG Professional Services) and rose to Senior Associate in the Firms Tax and Business regulatory Services Division before voluntarily resigning in 1996. During his career at Arthur Andersen Mr. Kazeem was exposed to varied Tax, Consulting and Business Advisory training and experience.

In 1996 Mr. Kazeem set up the Law Firm of AdenijiKazeem& Co to cater for local and International legal needs. He has since then run the full service Law Firm with offices in Lagos and Abuja.

The Firm specializes in litigation and ADR, ICT Law, Intellectual property, Commercial Law and Company Secretarial services to the Public and Private Sector.

Mr. Kazeem is the author of the book “Electronic Contract Formation and the Nigerian Initiatives� and several other

publications. He is a Notary Public of the Federation, member of the International Trade Mark Association, member International Bar Association, member chartered institute of arbitrators.

Interestingly, he was also the DeputyDirector General and Director of Legal Services of the Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Organization. That afforded him the opportunity to exhibit his tremendous organizational skills, deploying his intellectual acumen to critically and calmly analyze political campaign trend and evolve the best for Ambode.

With an innovative mind, a listening ear and serving as a member of the engine room, he saw to it that Ambode became the only aspirant on the platform of the APC to tour 19 out of the 20 LGAs in the state. This afforded him the platform to identify the people’s most pressing needs at close quarter. The results are obvious for all to see and applaud today.

Good enough, such zeal and commitment have been extended to the Ministry of Justice as the Commissioner, all geared towards evolving a crime-free society since he was sworn into office in September 2015. Amongst his groundbreaking achievements within two years of his stewardship include the

Inauguration of Five Mobile Courts for Traffic Offenders, setting up of a Task Force to Tackle Land Grabbers and the Establishment of a DNA Forensic Lab in Nigeria to fight crime.

Others include the Revival of the Crime Data Registry, Amendment/ Reform of laws in various institutions in the state, Launching of Online access to state laws and the full Protection of Citizens Rights.

With all these peace-engendering laws firmly in place ridding Lagos of recklessness and impunity on the roads, by the users is only a matter of time.

Also the Mobile Courts inaugurated in February 2016 at the Ikeja High Court premises, ensures that lawyers from the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) are readily available to defendants who so desire.

In a bid to check the menace of land-grabbing in the State, perpetrated by land grabbers popularly called Omo-Onile there is currently the full deployment of resources of government to give teeth and bite to Section 281 of the criminal law and Sections 52 and 53 of the law. These prescribe a jail term of two years for any person who forcibly enters or takes possession of land in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The establishment of the Lagos State DNA Forensics Centre (LSDFC) which took effect in January 2017 is the first ever high-powered DNA Forensic Laboratory in Nigeria. It fulfills an unmet need for DNA profiling which is a unique forensic technique that is now being used all over the world.

As for the CDR, it involves the participation of Stakeholders in the criminal justice process, namely; the Lagos State Judiciary, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police and the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Prison Service.

Any convicted offender in the State will thus have his/her details electronically registered.

And to show that justice is for all the Ministry has departments and statutory agencies dedicated to the provision of free legal services to citizens whose rights have been breached or violated.

That is what democracy is all about.

Our felicitations goes to this man of destiny whose eyes are clearly set for the future, to be reckoned with not only in his home state but also in Nigeria and the world at large. – Ajanaku. A journalist writes from Lagos

Agbaje Preaches Integrity at NACJ Award

igerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ) held her 5th Annual Lecture and Integrity Award in Lagos recently amid pomp. The Secretary General of the Association, Pastor Charles Okhai, a veteran journalist and media consultant in his welcome address stated that one of the major problems of Nigeria as a nation is corruption. According to him, fighting corruption necessitated the group to institute the Annual Lecture and Integrity Award in order to fight the monster from the mindset of Nigerians. “Getting Nigerian mentally integrity conscious is the motivating factor of the award,� he said.

The idea of the Award according to him is designed to encourage Nigerians who have demonstrated consistent life syle of integrity as leaders. Recipients this year included the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade who was conferred with the prestigious “Integrity Man of The Year Award� in Governance Category.

In his speech, Agbaje said Nigeria needed integrity leaders as a nation to ensure consistent developmental progress. According to him, integrity is simply doing what is right.

The popular politician described the award as “Big�, stating further that the award was beyond the normal. “It is an honour and challenge for me to

aim higher, work harder, and remain integrity conscious. In Nigeria today, right has become wrong and wrong has become right. There should be a play down of people who are doing wrong at the top for those doing it right to act as instruments of checkmating moral values among us.�

Several other eminent Nigerians were also honoured as men and women of Integrity. They include Professor Patrick Utomi who was also the Keynote Speaker; Jimi Agbaje, who was also the theme speaker; Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Bimbo Akintola, a popular Nollywood actress; the Ace broadcaster and Speech Master, Mr. Sydney Ufeli, Hon. Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie, JCA, Dr.

Atilade-Olufemi Oshoniyi, Managing Director; Sparta Nigeria Limited; Lady Evan Binta Jallingo; Mr. Obodoruku Omagbemi, Managing Director, Efe And Handly Limited; Apostle Johnson Suleiman, and Pastor Adefarasin, the General Overseer of Guiding Light Assembly, who both received, Integrity Man of The Year in the “Faith Category.�

Assistant Controller General of Customs Eporwei Charles Edike was honoured in Public Service category while distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the NDDC Chairman was also rewarded as “Integrity Man of the Year� in Public Administration Category.

41

JUNE 3, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

FASHION FILE

Cynthia and Angel Studios Debut SS17 Collection

42

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 3, 2017

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

FASHION FILE

Cynthia and Angel Studios Inspiration ynthia and Angel Studio’s debut SS17 collection was inspired by everyday women. Women like all of us: The weak and the strong; The dependent and the independent; The powerful and the powerless, because just like clothes, there’s no one type of woman, and it’s these different women that inspired this collection.

C

Creative Credits Brand: Cynthia and Angel Studio - @cynthiaandangels Photography: Zamani Istifanus - @xamanijnr Stylist and Creative Director: Richard Akuson - @richardakuson for @theprboy_ng Makeup: Victor Ugochukwu - @vugo24 Model: Titilayo Oluwaseun @missytee_ for @zaharamodels

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍťËœ 2017

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fashogbon... ͸΀͸͝͝͞ͺ͚͸͸Î

L-R: National Coordinator, Power Oil Health Camp, Opeyemi Awojobi; 2017 Batch B (Stream 1) Corp member, Ms. Francis Sarah; Camp Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) Rivers State, Mr. Omotayo Adewole ; Public Relations Manager, Power Oil ,Ms. Azeez Omotayo during the Power Oil health activities at NYSC Camp, Diobu, Port Harcourt

L-R: Founder, Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative, Dr Ama Onyerinma; Deputy Governor of Lagos State,Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule and Chairman of Lagos State Council of Arts and Culture,Polly Alakija during Lagos State Science ,Art & Craft Exhibition and Talent Hunt held in Oregun ,Ikeja recently

Customers Raise the Alarm on ‘GTBank’ Scam Emails Customers have expressed disappointment on the inability of Guaranty Trust Bank, to check fraudulent activities via its electronic email system by hackers despite claiming to be one of Nigeria’s most innovative and technology-driven banks.

The most reported of this was the one carried out on its notification platform, Guaranty Trust Bank’s Electronic Notification Service (GeNS) which has lured a lot of unsuspecting customers to give out their personals details, resulting in loss of money.

Narrating her ordeal to Market Place, a victim, Oluwadamilola Ayomi Olatunbosin whose experience went viral on the social media during the week said she fell for a spam e-mail message purporting to be from her banker, GTB , after the message kept coming.

According to her, part of the content of the message goes like this: “Dear Customer,

According to our records this month, your registration for our Guaranteed Trust Customer Digest monthly bulletin has been processed and this comes with a monthly charge of N11, 450:00. “As your opinion is important to us, we would like you to confirm your registration https://ibank.gtbank.com/ibank3/confirm_customer_digest_monthly_bulletin/“If you wish to reject the registration request, follow the cancel reference below https://ibank.gtbank.com/ibank3/cancel_customer_digest_monthly_bulletin_request/ “NOTE: If you do not respond within 12 hours of this notice, you would receive a successful debit alert on your account confirming your registration. You would have to confirm you are an active account holder with us by following the procedures from your GTBank Internet banking account.

Thank you for choosing Guaranty Trust Bank plc.�

She eventually clicked on the link to reject the request and followed the instructions after which she lost all the money in her account, the amount of which she failed to disclose.

Damilola whose account name is Adenike Damilola Olatunbosun said she opened the account in Gtbank, Dugbe branch in Ibadan but rushed to Oba Akran branch in Ikeja, Lagos to lodge a complaint when the incident happened. “I am so disappointed that the almighty GTBank system could be so cheap for hackers to penetrate. I want to believed an insider has connived with the hackers to supply them with the email addresses and phone numbers of customers,� she lamented.

While she claimed that the bank had

UT Financial Rejigs Operational Modalities to Lift SMEs

NGO Applauds Educators as Lagos Rewards Excellence

UT Financial Service Nigeria Limited,UTFSNL, has re-arranged its business practices to favour small and medium scale enterprises , SMEs in the country.

The non-bank financial institution which specialises in business loans, Personal/ Individual/ Social loans, Auto and Equipment leasing, investment and Financial Advisory among others has said that the new development would assist smes to boom in the country.

The institution acknowledged the SMEs sector as a major driver of economic growth, hence, the need to accord it full support. “With this new management team, a new direction, stronger vision, fresh ideas, and a stronger capital base is being provided to assist the SMEs boost their capacities and contribute to the country’s exit from the economic recession,� UTFSNL said in a statement.

It stated further that the company was working on bringing in fresh funds to expand its scope of operations into strategic areas of the economy like Agriculture, Housing, Oil and Gas, Trade, Manufacturing, Maritime and personal Financial Advisory services to support Federal Government’s planned stimulation of demand to exit recession.

The Operations Manager of UTFSNL, Felix Osadiaye reaffirmed the organisation’s continued committment to support businesses in the Oil & Gas, construction, communication, trade and commerce. “It is pertinent to mention that the new management team of UTFSNL is being spearheaded by a seasoned investment banker who will bring his vast knowledge of local and International operations to take the company to greater heights,� Osadiaye assured.

A non-governmental organisation, Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative, LAIE, has commended all stakeholders in the education sector, especially, teachers for their active roles and impact in building the society.

The Founder of the initiative, Dr. Ama Onyerinma gave the commendation at the 11th Annual Merit Award Ceremony put together by Lagos Education District IV, as she highlighted the contributions of teachers in individual life and the community at large .

According to her, whatever height an individual attain in life can only be made possible with the effort of a teacher.

In her speech, ‘Teachers :The Active Presence’, Ama stated thus, “It is true our parents are our first teachers but our school teachers, more formal in nature, hold a dear place in our hearts and how we approach learning. We are all here because a teacher or teachers made a difference in our lives. “Teachers recognise their job is beyond sharing information, and rather through their actions and presence, they model for their students appropriate codes of conduct and interactions within and outside of the school environment and develop skills as well as thought processes necessary for adulthood which cannot be dispensed from a textbook�.

Explaining the active presence feature in teachers, the London bred founder, who was also received a special

philanthropy award at the event, noted that the ‘presence’needed in tutors was beyond the physical. “As they must engage with the mind and heart. Their senses are heightened throughout the school day and beyond as they review lesson plans, homework and consider how to bring learning alive in the digital age when all students believe the internet is the depository of all knowledge. “You see, you can find information online but It is the teacher who gives it a soul. The teacher carefully finds a way to ensure not only that you interact with the knowledge but that you will remember beyond that moment otherwise you are back online reading again. That is the gift of the teacher’s presence�

In line with the objective of LAIE,part of which is to raise support for the education of the marginalised and less privileged children, Ama pledged that the initiative would do all within its reach to ensure that quality education was made available to children in the state and the South West at large.

In her speech,Tutor General/ Permanent Secretary, Lagos Education District IV, Mrs Lola Are-Adegbite, congratulated a.ll the awardees as she stated that selection procedures were strictly on merit .

She implored all to sustain the habit and works for which they were recognised, adding that the state and indeed the country could only develop on the platform of excellence.

refunded the said money may be as a result of the heat generated by the case, she urged the bank to tighten the noose on perpetrators in order to prevent more customers from falling victims.

Meanwhile, following Damilola’s outburst, a lot of customers claimed to have also fallen for the trick which had cost them their live savings.

Reacting, the bank cautioned customers to guard their personal details jealously as it would never call or send an email asking for customers account details, PIN, card or other personal bank details.

The bank’s Corporate Communications and External Affairs Officer, Meksley Nwagboh, added, “customers can help us stop these types of scams by reporting them to our call center or forwarding the mails to complaint@ gtbank.com so that we can block the site.�

Nobel Carpet Storms Market with Latest Designs Indigenous manufacturer of interiors and floor coverings, Nobel Carpets and Floors has rolled out new floor solutions of different designs to cater for the aesthetic needs of all economic classes.

The new set of products that come at friendly and affordable prices was aimed at strengthening the bond between it and numerous customers and to make its quality product available for all by eliminating the barrier of high cost.

The company while on a factory tour with some media men explained that while it acknowledged that most manufacturers had edged up their prices as a result of high cost of raw materials and forex restrictions, yet, the purchasing power of consumers had dropped as a result of economic issues, it had come out with quality and classy products for as low as 5,000 for everyone’s pleasure.

Speaking at the company’s showroom in Lagos, General Manager, Lucky Fibres Limited, Mr. Jitesh Pamnani stated that the new flooring designs were contemporary and eco-friendly solutions. “For as low as N5,000 anyone can get a piece of our rug. As the manufacturer of Nigeria’s premium interior floor covering brand, we have consistently sought avenues to improve our offerings to meet the needs of our numerous customers for quality products at affordable prices. “Our chief goal as an organisation is to continue to meet the needs of every consumer across all sectors by providing renowned flooring solutions at an affordable cost despite tough economy,� he said.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 3, 2017

BUSINESS PEOPLE

Editor: Vincent Obia email: vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com Tel: 08054681757

Olusola Dada

My Greatest Fulfilment is in Helping the Needy Not many old men still dream as he does. With clear vision and agile mind, he feels he has much to give to humanity as he lives. A man of many parts and a part of national history, his ingenuity and honesty shine through whether he is negotiating a deal, working for the government or demonstrating love to his wife and beautiful children. Chief Olusola Dada is an unassuming septuagenarian, known for success, pedigree and humility. He knows first-hand what it feels like to be a successful businessman and a happy family head. And he has been helping to put smiles on the faces of the less privileged for nearly four decades. As he turns 76 in three days’ time, the chairman of Anchoria Investment and Securities Limited, and District Governor-elect, Lions Clubs International, District 404 A1, Dada believes the greatest satisfaction he has found in life is in service to humanity. Vincent Obia writes

A

mid documents and attractive items in Chief Olusola Dada’s Obalende office in Lagos are his photos and the Nigerian high society, as well as different medals of honour. But Dada is proudest of the stuffs that depict his relationship with the lowly. “That is why I joined Lions Club International about 37 years ago,” Dada says. “I want to be involved in taking care of the needy, the less privileged people.”

Service to Humanity Dada believes, “Making money in life is really nothing because you will leave this life whether you like it or not, and whatever money you have made, you cannot go with it. Even if you leave it for your children, they can fight over your wealth, whereas, if you take care of the less privileged, God will be happy with you.”

A native of Aiyede Ekiti, in Ekiti State, the septuagenarian was elected District Governor of Lions Clubs International, District 404 A1, Nigeria, on May 12 in Ilorin, during the national convention of the organisation. He will serve for the 2017-2018 Lions year, after his confirmation at the international convention of the club later this year in Chicago, where he will be inducted alongside other governors-elect from different parts of the world.

Lions Club in Nigeria has been involved in the treatment of people with eye diseases, such as cataract and glaucoma.

“Our core project in Lions Club International is to prevent blindness, especially, among less privileged people,” Dada explains. “When you do that, you are happy. When you see somebody that could not see, and they perform the operation on him or her through your own financial contribution, you are happy. Ordinarily, that person could have remained blind for life.”

Hundreds of people have benefitted from the organisation’s eye programme in the current Lions year alone.

Career Born in Osogbo, Dada was educated at the University of Ibadan and University of Lagos, where he obtained Bachelor of Science degree in Economics (1970) and master of Business Administration (1976), respectively.

He had an excellent career in the federal civil service where he rose to the post of director. He joined the federal civil service in 1971 as administrative officer Grade V and rose to become Principal Secretary in 1983.

Dada served as special assistant to three Secretaries to the Federal Military Government between 1983 and 1988.

He was special assistant to the late Alhaji Shehu Musa, who served from October to December 1983; late Chief Gray Longe, who served from January 1984 to August 1985; and Chief Olu Falae, who was secretary to the federal military government between 1985 and 1988.

He became Director of Finance and Administration in the Presidency in 1988 and Director of Political Affairs in 1990. Dada was appointed Executive Director of NAL Merchant Bank, the first merchant bank in Nigeria, in 1993.

He held the position until 1996, when he co-founded Anchoria Investment and Securities Limited and became its pioneer Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer.

Dada was on the board of Nigerian Wire and Cable Plc and he was chairman of Great Nigeria Insurance Plc. He is a former member of the Ekiti State Economic Council, former national president of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, and expresident of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria. He is Chairman of Council and Life Member of the Nigerian Economic Society and member, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

He was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2008.

Memorable Moments Dada has a lot of things to thank God for, and many moments worth remembering. They include, in sequence,

Making money in life is really nothing because you will leave this life whether you like it or not, and whatever money you have made, you cannot go with it… whereas, if you take care of the less privileged, God will be happy with you Dada

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JUNE 3, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

BUSINESS PEOPLE

Dada, his wife and children

‘A Happy Man is a Family Man’ the day he graduated from UI, when he started work, and the day he got married in 1972.

“The next occasion I consider to be a very happy day for me was the day I had my first child, a girl, in 1973. I couldn’t believe that I, who had been a child of somebody, was now the father of somebody.”

He has four children. “Any time my wife gave birth to each of the children, I was very happy,” he points out.

Among the memorable moments of his life also was the day he was promoted in the federal civil service to the position of director; the day he was appointed executive director of NAL Merchant Bank, and when Anchoria Investment and Securities Limited was established after his term at the bank.

“And all the time my children passed their degree exams. All of them studied abroad. I was always a happy person because my money was not wasted.”

Family Man The septuagenarian is a happy family man who maintains a strong bond of love with his wife and their children.

He sees such family bonds as very essential for good life and business success. His disposition to relationship, however, contradicts that of many rich people who tend to feel relationship can hinder success.

Unlike the United States President Donald Trump, quoted as saying in an interview that success is not very good for relationship, and, great success leads to bad relationship, Dada notes, “Honestly, I don’t know what Donald Trump means by that. I feel that behind every successful man, there is a woman that is assisting. If the home front is settled, you will be able to achieve a lot in work or business. I don’t know how

he came about the notion that you have to cut the family ties to succeed.”

The ace stockbroker believes his wife occupies a special place in his life and business.

“Women should be very complementary in the success of a man,” he says. “My wife has been a support to my achievements. If I have a business appointment and I’m sleeping more than necessary, she would wake me up: ‘Darling, my dear, you said you had an appointment, wake up, your food is ready.’ She would not allow me to get out of my house without my breakfast.

I enjoy her support. Our children are all married now, and they always want to know what is happening to me and my wife.”

To him, “A happy man is a family man.”

But Dada’s wife is not directly involved in the running of his company, though two of their children are on the board of the firm, with one in executive capacity. He says it was a deliberate decision he took, moreover to give her room for her own business.

“Besides, I want to make this place a company that is not a one-man business,” he admits. “In fact, my ambition is to make this place a public limited company.”

Nonetheless, Dada says his wife has been very supportive and has even helped to sell his company to many people.

Humble Asked to describe himself in one word, Dada says he is humble. “I don’t expect too much from anybody. If you expect too much from people, you may be disappointed. I am a service-oriented person. I want to render service to humanity.”

He describes dishonesty as the single biggest put-off in his life. “What gets me most irritated is deceit. I want anybody I’m dealing with to be straightforward with me. This includes my wife, children, and people around me. Whatever I do, I want honesty. This is the best policy.”

Finding Fun The indefatigable old man relaxes watching the television and enjoys mostly news and international football.

He engages in Christian activities like fellowships during the weekends and goes to Lions Club meetings and town meetings at month ends.

“Occasionally, I have time to enjoy with my children, especially, those of them in Nigeria here,” he says.

“Besides, I have good friends that after the day’s job we meet and have drinks together.”

Dream Though in his seventies and fulfilled to a large extent, he has a bigger aspiration. “My biggest dream is to make this world better than I met it in terms of whichever contributions I can make. I want to be remembered for my contributions in the church, place of birth, and other places, when I leave this world,” he reveals.

He adds that people should refrain from bothering themselves with too many things. “We have many people with hypertension and stroke because they carry too many things on their minds,” Dada says. ”People should learn to free their minds. The Bible says take care of today, tomorrow will take care of itself. The problem of the day is enough for the day. Don’t get yourself involved in something you cannot solve, and pray to God to help you.”

I feel that behind every successful man, there is a woman that is assisting. If the home front is settled, you will be able to achieve a lot in work or business… My wife has been a support to my achievements.

If I have a business appointment and I’m sleeping more than necessary, she would wake me up: ‘Darling, my dear, you said you had an appointment, wake up, your food is ready

46

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍťËœ ͺ͸͚;

Paris Agreement Protects Nigeria’s Interest, Says FG Bennett Oghifo

The Federal Government has said that it was committed to the Paris Agreement on climate change, following the decision of President Donald Trump to pull-out the United States of America from the Agreement.

The Paris Agreement’s central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well

below two degrees Celsius; above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change.

To reach these ambitious goals, appropriate financial flows, a new technology framework and an enhanced capacity building framework would be put in place, thus supporting action

by developing countries and the most vulnerable countries, in line with their national objectives.

The Agreement also provides for enhanced transparency of action and support through a more robust transparency framework.

Already, 147 Parties have ratified of 197 Parties to the Convention.

On October 5. 2016, the threshold for entry into force of the Paris Agreement was achieved. The Paris Agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016. The first

session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 1) took place in Marrakech, Morocco from 15-18 November 2016.

The Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Environment, Ibrahim Usman Jibril said in statement yesterday that “Despite the pulling out of the United States from the Paris Agreement, I want to state categorically that Nigeria joined the Paris Agreement as a Sovereign

'Disgruntled Abia Politicians Behind Frivolous Petitions' Emmanuel Ugwu, in Umuahia The frivolous and inciting petitions flying about in Abia have been linked to some “unhappy and insatiable politicians� who are bent on inciting the security agencies against their perceived opponents.

This was made known by a youth organisation, Ochendo Youth Foundation (OYF) which in a statement issued by its president, Kingsley Chikwem, noted that the main targets of the petitions were Senator Theodore Orji and the majority leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Chinedum Orji.

According to the group, the petitioners had previously “failed in all their plots to smear, defame and incite the people� against the former governor and his son and “have now hatched a plan to

hoodwink the security agencies into hasty swooping and harassment� of Abia’s famous political family The OYF stated that the petitions were replete “with many fictitious offences ranging from voters card buying, drug and gun running to other unimaginable charges�, adding that the trumped-up offences were .

However the youth organisation urged the Abia Central senator not to be deterred by the antics of failed politicians as his achievements so far in the Senate were enough testimony to defeat his opponents any day.

The OYF said that with the manifest desperation of Ochendo’s opponents to undo him by every means the Senator should be vigilant and “gird your loins, beef up your security as to be fully alert and not fall prey to such gimmicks�.

It pointed out that the same

strategy of blackmail and smear campaign had been used on the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and may be employed on other Igbo lawmakers on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “We shall not give in to such cheap blackmail to let them achieve what they failed to get through the ballot boxes. It should not deter you from the outstanding work you are doing,� the group said.

It further noted that since there was no doubt that Ochendo went to the Senate with the mandate of the people anybody or group that want to remove him “should do so through the constitutional means via the ballots.�

To forestall the possibility of desperate politicians and their agents planting incriminating objects at the

ATCON Seeks NITDA Review of 20% IT Equipment Levy Omolabake Fasogbon With an upward review of custom levy on telecoms equipment from five per cent to about 25%,the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, has again warned of the consequences of the development which further fuel the threats confronting the $68 billion telecommunications market.

The association suggested that the National Information Development Agency (NITDA), should joined forces with other regulators in the sector to foster a talk with the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS and other relevant bodies to restore the levy back to the initial five per cent or even below.

While on a courtesy call to the agency's headquarters in Abuja, the President of ATCON, Mr. Olusola Teniola noted high cost of production as well as frustration of broadband roll out as some of the negative impacts of the increased charge.

Teniola pointed out that the association acknowledged the agency's input in arresting cyber threats making reference to its timely arrest of a newly detected virus called Wanna crypt ransomware but want it to engage stakeholders in timely and appropriate communication as regards its solutions to cyber-attack.

"We appreciate the way and manner that the agency contained it and we hope that it would keep us posted on how to stay free from contacting the ongoing cyber-related threats", he said.

The ATCON boss further lauded the strategic move of the regulator at ensuring progress in the sector beyond its present status as it looks towards fulfilling the quota of 20 percent to the nation's GDP by 2020.

"We are pleased by the agency's effort on capacity building to save Nigeria from depending on foreigners to develop our Information and Technology space. We consider this innovative and strategic and

we would want NITDA to place more focus on this initiative as in time Nigeria will be exporting its locally developed capacity .

"Also, it is heart-warming to see that the agency is working very hard to migrate all government services to web based services.

This would in no doubt reduce government cost and make government services accessible and effective.

There is no doubt that the emergence and liberalization of this sector has also impacted positively on revenue accruable to government , employment generation ,both direct and Indirect, foreign Direct Investment in tens of billions of dollars�, Teniola stated.

Speaking on behalf of NITDA DG, its Director, e-Government Development and Regulatory Department , Dr. Usman Gambo Abdullahi, sought for harmonisation of goals and synergy in the telecommunication sector as he noted that such which was lacking , has continued to hinder development in the sector.

Umahi Recalls Accountant-General, Reshuffles Cabinet Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has recalled the state Accountant-General (AG), Mrs. Queen Agwu who was suspended last year.

Though, the reason for her suspension was not made public, THISDAY gathered that she was suspended on the ground of incompetence.

The governor has reshuffled his cabinet where four commissioners swapped their positions and also appointed 11 Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants.

Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state executive council meeting, the state Commissioner for

Information and State Orientation, Sen. Emmanuel Onwe explained that former Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Chief Sabinus Nwankwegu was now in charge of the Ministry of Border, Peace and Conflict resolution, while former Commissioner for Economic Empowerment and Job Creation, Donatus Njoku, had been posted to the Ministry of Environment.

He added that the former Commissioner for Environment, Chief Moses Nomeh Ogodo-Ali, would henceforth man the ministry of Empowerment and Job Creation.

Former Senior Special Assistants (SSA) on Assembly Matters, Hon. Ikechukwu Ogbu, is now Special

Assistant on Salt and Cement Production; Former SSA on Cement and Salt Production, Sunday Ugwuocha, was redeployed as SA on Assembly Matters; former SA on Talent Development, Mrs. Jacinta Nworie has been moved as SA on Income Tax; former SA on Primary Health for Ebonyi North, Dr. Chris Achi, is now SA on Primary Health; former SA on Primary Health Ebonyi Central, Mrs. Obianuju Aloh, has been posted to Information Communication Technology (ICT) as SA; former SA on Primary Health for Ebonyi South, Mr. Chikere Omebe, now SA on training and the former SA on ICT, Mr. Ajah Nwabueze has been made SA on Housing.

homes of both Senator Orji and Engr.

Chinedum Orji, the members of the youth organization said that they would commence round the clock around the residences of the . “We will sacrifice our lives to see that you are not humiliated as detractors are planning,� the OYF said.

Country taking into account its national circumstances and convection in a global approach to tackle climate change. “Nigeria is committed to the provisions of the Paris agreement as it is in accordance with its National interest.�

Also yesterday, the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) said in a statement that it regretted the announcement by the President of the United States that his government would withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Agreement. “The Secretariat also notes the announced intention to renegotiate the modalities for the US participation in the agreement.

In this regard, it stands ready to engage in dialogue with the United States government regarding the implications of this announcement. “The Paris Agreement remains a historic treaty signed by 194 and

ratified by 147 counties. Therefore it cannot be renegotiated based on the request of a single Party. “The Paris Agreement is aimed at reducing risk to economies and lives everywhere, while building the foundation for a more prosperous, secure and sustainable world.

It enjoys profound credibility, as it was forged by all nations and is supported by a growing wave of business, investors, cities, states, regions and citizens.

We are committed to continue working with all governments and partners in their efforts to fast forward climate action at global and national levels.�

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as VIVIAN USIWOGHENE OKPEI now wish to be known and addressed as VIVIAN USIWOGHENE EDAFEWOMA. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS FEYIRANTI BABAGBALE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS FEYIRANTI RICHARD-BABA. All former documents remain valid.

General Public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, OGUNRINDE OLASHILE OLATUNDE, am the same person as OGUNRINDE OLASHILE OLATUNDE; OGUNRINDE OLASHILE KINGSHIZZY. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. The general public should please take note.

47

T H I S D AY SATURDAY JUNE 3, 2017

THE SENATE

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND LEGAL MATTERS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMPLEX

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND CALL FOR SUBMISSION OF MEMORANDA THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND LEGAL MATTERS, WISHES TO NOTIFY STAKEHOLDERS AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE COMMITTEE WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FOLLOWING BILLS: 1.

2.

3.

4.

National Commission for Peace, Reconciliation and Mediation (Establishment, Etc.) Bill, 2017 (SB.74); Revised Laws of the Federation Bill, 2017 (SB.391); Emergency Powers Act, 1966 Bill, 2017 (SB.182); and Arbitration and Conciliation Act Cap. A18 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (SB.427).

THE PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED TO HOLD AS FOLLOWS: DATE: TIME: VENUE:

MONDAY 12TH JUNE, 2017 11:00 A.M PROMPT SENATE CONFERENCE HALL, ROOM 231, 2ND FLOOR, NEW BUILDING, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, ABUJA. SPE C IA L G U E ST OF HONOU R :

HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR (DR.) ABUBAKAR OLUBUKOLA SARAKI, CON PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

STAKEHOLDERS ARE HEREBY REQUESTED TO SUBMIT 15 HARD COPIES AND A SOFTCOPY OF MEMORANDA TO THE COMMITTEE’S SECRETARIAT IN ROOM 2.4, 2ND FLOOR, SENATE WING, (WHITE HOUSE), NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMPLEX, ABUJA TO REACH US, ON OR BEFORE MONDAY 12TH JUNE, 2017 OR SUBMIT AT senatecommitteeonjudiciary@ gmail.com. FOR SOFTCOPIES OF THE BILLS, PLEASE VISIT www.nass.gov.ng.

THE UNDERLISTED INSTITUTIONS ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT MEMORANDA AND REPRESENT AT THE PUBLIC HEARING: 1.

The Hon. Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice; 2.

The Office of the National Security Adviser; 3.

The Nigerian Army; 4.

The Nigerian Air force; 5.

The Nigerian Navy; 6.

The Nigerian Police; 7.

The Department of State Services; 8.

The Nigerian Law Reform Commission; 9.

The National Human Rights Commission; 10.

The Nigerian Immigration Service; 11.

States’ Attorneys General and Commissioners for Justice 12.

The Nigerian Securities and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); 12.

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission; 13.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; 14.

The Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies; 15.

The Nigerian Bar Association; 16.

Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC); 17.

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution; 18.

NGOs, CSOs and Faith based Organisations; and 19.

Members of the General Public.

FOR FURTHER INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE COMMITTEE’S SECRETARIAT ON: 08097519432 AND 08180665904.

SIGNED

SENATOR DAVID UMARU CHAIRMAN

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T H I S D AY SATURDAY JUNE 3, 2017

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F R O M F O U R TO 3 6 : T H E F R A G M E N TAT I O N O F N I G E R I A

PROLOGUE

Understanding Nigeria’s Big Brother Federalism The fragmentation of Nigeria was a strategy by the military to keep the country united. But it also weakened the nation’s federal structure, contributing significantly to the lack of economic viability of the states of the federation, explains Bolaji Adebiyi

T

he report revealed what every discerning person had always known, only that this time around it corroborated, with facts and figures, the economic lameness of the states of the federation in contrast to the buoyancy of the central government, which in actually fact had neither the land nor the mineral resource of its own to justify its huge financial status.

Published by the Economic Confidential, an economic intelligence magazine, the 2016 Annual States Viability Index (ASVI) showed that 14 of the nation’s 36 states were insolvent as their Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) for the year were far below 10 per cent of their Federation Account Allocations (FAA).

According to the report, only six states, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Edo, Kwara and Delta States were

economically viable, generating 30 per cent or more of their federal allocation, while 16 others were barely surviving with a little above 10 per cent.

A more pathetic revelation was the fact that even among the six states said to be viable, only two, Lagos and Ogun States, generated more revenue than their allocations from the Federation Account by 169% and 127% respectively.

None of the other four had up to 100%.

But Lagos with a collection of N302 billion, a figure more than the revenue of 30 states, showed the immense economic possibilities in the country were all the states as aggressive in pursuing generation of revenue outside the monthly handouts from the oil revenue at the centre.

No wonder, therefore, many of the states had in the past two years being struggling to fulfil their obligations to their workers and contractors, with many of them in arears of six to 10 months. Of course, unable to pay salaries, provision of critical infrastructure to the teaming populace had become far more challenging than ever.

To salvage the situation, the federal government had to bail out the states, at least twice, to enable them pay workers’ salaries and gratuity of pensioners. This is an anomalous situation, indicating a deep dysfunction in the nation’s federal system, where the central government in Abuja has grown so big and powerful that it

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Alhaji (Sir) Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Prime Minister of Nigeria), Otunba T.O.S Benson (Minister of Information, Nigeria) and General Dwight David Eisenhower (President of the United States)

not only dictates to the states but also interferes in matters that ought to be the affairs of local government.

While the insolvency of the states has been blamed on their lack of initiatives and drive, not a few analysts have apprehended the skewed political and economic structure of the federation for the anomaly, pointing out that the fragmentation of Nigeria into multiple states has not only weakened the political authority of the states but has also undermined their capacity for economic viability.

With a 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory and 774 local government structure, the political and economic imbalance could not have been otherwise, particularly given the principles and mode of revenue mobilisation and allocation, where the federal government owns mineral resources and collects rents and taxes on them for distribution to the states.

Exploiting its enormous political power, appropriated during the reign of the military from 1966, the federal government enforces a skewed revenue allocation formula that allocates to itself 48.5%; state governments, 24%; local governments, 20% and special funds, administered by the federal governments, 7.5%. The federal government, therefore, effectively administers 56% of the resources of the federation.

The states have being kicking though. But they are too weak to stand up to the bullying federal government, which retains the coercive machinery of state that it has not been able to put into effective use to starve off the rampant acts of criminality, including kidnapping, armed robbery and the new menace of herdsmen, who have being maiming and killing thousands of Nigerians on their farm lands. Other manifestations of the remoteness of resource allocation and application to the people are the massive infrastructure decay, inadequate healthcare, housing and education, so much so that agitations are rife in virtually all parts of the country for the redress of obvious social injustice and inequality. The agitations have taken the form of communal strife, militancy and separatist movements.

Yet Nigeria’s economic development and po-

With a 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory and 774 local government structure, the political and economic imbalance could not have been otherwise, particularly given the principles and mode of revenue mobilisation and allocation, where the federal government owns mineral resources and collects rents and taxes on them for distribution to the states litical integration was better assured in the past.

With its three regions, North, East and West and a federal government at independence, the country operated a more effective federal system in which the component regions had a large measure of autonomy, retaining their own Constitution that asserted their rights to the control of their economic resources. This economic independence was guaranteed by the 1960 and 1963 Constitutions, which donated strict derivative and proportional revenue system that enabled the regions to keep 50 per cent of their mineral resource revenues, while 30 per cent of general import duties were paid into a distributable pool for the benefit of the Regions.

In fact, the total import duties collected on petrol, diesel oil and tobacco, less administrative expenses, were fully payable to the Region for which the petrol or diesel oil or tobacco was destined, with similar provision for excise duty on tobacco. The proceeds from produce export duties, including cocoa, palm oil, groundnuts, rubber and hides and skin, were shared on the basis of the proportion of the commodity that was derived from a particular Region.

Armed with the constitutional protection of the control of their economic resources, therefore, the regions were able to assert their political autonomy and developed themselves at their own pace, giving rise to the phenomenal

development and growth of the immediate postindependence era.

But the advent of the military and oil changed the course of events since 1966. The rot began with the military coups of January 15 and July 29 of 1966. Having difficulties in managing a federal state, where subordinate officers who headed the regions would share powers with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Maj-Gen Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi who took the reins of power from the failed coup plotters, promulgated Decree 32, which abolished the regions and unified the country under the command and control doctrine of the military. Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon who led the counter coup in July not only maintained the governance structure but also began the process of fragmenting the federation, starting with the dissolution of the four regions into 12 states on May 27, 1967.

Although the creation of states by Gowon was a political imperative to undercut the impending Biafran secession as well as respond to the agitations of the minorities against the domination of the majority ethnic groups, it later became a tool of the military to weaken the component states in favour of the centre as a strategy to discourage separatist tendencies and enforce the unity of the federation as a corporate entity. This strategy became more imperative after the civil war in 1970 as the military put in place several legal frameworks that increasingly strengthened the power of the centre, leaving the states weak enough never to again threaten the unity of the country. So, the military fragmented the federation from four regions in 1967 to the 36 states and the FCT that subsist today. It also diluted local governments from 299 in 1976 to 774, passing a series of decrees that worsted the pre-military fiscal arrangement that was in favour of the regions as the component units of the federation.

One of the laws the military promulgated was the 1969 Petroleum Decree that effectively transferred mineral resources ownership rights to the federal government, to the exclusion of the states. Although targeted at arresting the huge revenue from oil taxes and rents, today states have to obtain licences from the federal government to explore and exploit the mineral resources beneath their own soil.

Having achieved the objective of weakening the component units to defend the unity of the federation, the military then proceeded to use state creation as a strategy for distributing the oil wealth across the federation, with a slanted derivative revenue formula that left the oil bearing states and region with the short end of the stick. And so, the desire of the military, whose leadership was dominated by a section of the country, to redistribute oil resources, coincided with growing agitations of the ever growing minority groups for states of their own that will defend their cultural identity and facilitate their economic development against the dominance of the majority groups.

Meanwhile as the oil receipts became the mainstay of national economy, other sectors particularly, agriculture, that sustained the postindependence and pre-military economy, began to decline with the effect that both the states and federal governments became almost wholly dominant on oil for sustenance. This explains the current situation in which a substantial fall in the price of oil has fuelled the severe economic crises that has landed the country in recession.

In spite of the hardships that came with it, the prevailing economic recession has its own advantage. It exposed in a more compelling way, the structural defects in the federation and simplified the argument for a fundamental restructuring in favour of a fiscal federal system that would enable the states to explore and exploit their resources, while paying taxes to the centre. It calls for a constitutional reengineering that would reverse the prevailing command-and control federal structure and restore the financial autonomy of the states to enable them be more creative and more effective in the discharge of their responsibilities towards their people.

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F R O M F O U R TO 3 6 : T H E F R A G M E N TAT I O N O F N I G E R I A

Ayo Adebanjo

Nigeria Will Not Enjoy Peace and Stability Until We Go Back to True Federalism 89 years old Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a chieftain of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, is of a firm believe that restructuring and true federalism remain the key elements for repositioning and cementing the unity of Nigeria. This elder statesman uses every forum to reiterate his position. Chief Adebanjo is not averse to state creation. However, he wants the principles of federalism fully implemented, with every unit truly autonomous and strong enough to stand on its own; where the federating unit will be complementary to the federal government and not subordinate. Adebanjo shares his dream of a new Nigeria with Yemi Adebowale and Bennett Oghifo

W

hat have we gained as a country from the dismantling of regionalism 50 years ago?

From the way the constitution is made, it has not been beneficial, but at the initial stage when proper political activities took place, after the return to civilian rule in 1979, we had something good. But in the context of the federal system of government, it has not been a beneficial thing to Nigeria. In fact, Lagos State can be said to have been created to spite late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, just as Midwestern Region was created out of spite to reduce the size of the Western Region. They felt it was the size of the Western Region that made it to progress; they didn’t know that it was the programmes of the government. We must bring to focus the type of system that was run in Lagos before, the democratic system, which despised the office of the Oba of Lagos. But after the McPherson constitution, Lagos was merged with the West, and Awolowo was able to make a new law for Lagos. That was the position until the 1963 Constitutional Conference when Lagos was now severed from the Western Region. Thank God, the democratic system was very much in operation, when Lateef Jakande was the first civilian governor of Lagos State, under the UPN. Partially for Lagos, we have not done badly with the creation of states. But if the creation had been done under the principle of federalism, where every unit will be autonomous and strong enough to stand on its own; where the federating unit will be complementary to the federal government and not subordinate, more progress would have been made. The system that was run thereafter was the unitary system where the states are now subordinate to the federal government. But that was not the position before independence. The constitution that we had before independence created four regions, as a truly federal system and there was devolution of power. The regions at that time were the North, East, West and then Midwest. The crisis of 1953, which made the colonial government to send for the leaders of the party, brought about the 1954 Constitution.

That was when Premiership was included in the constitution. At that time, the constitution of each region was written separately to show their independence, and that was what we had until independence, and even after we became a republic in 1963, we were still under that constitution- the federal government knows its powers and the regional government knows its powers. It was the military that de-structured Nigeria and that is where the crisis is presently. After the military intervention in 1966, came the instability we inherited and are yet to get out of till now. Not until we go back to it (autonomous states),

this country will not have stability. In my own view, unless that position (true federal structure) is reverted to now, Nigeria will not exist.

We must have federalism the way it is done all over the world, devoid of Nigerian factor. The thrust of federalism is that the federating units are autonomous in all aspects, except those powers conceded to the federal government and that is where you talk about the residual powers residing in the federating units. So, we know what powers the federal government has and the state governments will be contributing to the federal government and not the other way round. In 1954, Awolowo fought for derivation, what you now call resource control. We fought for it that each region must take majority of resources before contributing to the centre. The marketing boards then were broken to the regions and the regional governments had a lot of money; the North through groundnut, West through Cocoa and Eastern Region through their palm kernel. That was the position and there was peace and there was healthy competition among the regions; Awolowo built the Liberty Stadium, Ahmadu Bello built his own in Kaduna, Awolowo built the University of Ife, Ahmadu Bello built his in Zaria. In the Eastern Region, there were all sorts of good things. It was under that system that Awolowo perfumed all the wonders between 1952 and 1959 and there was no occasion he went to Tafawa Balewa for subsidy or bailout. Every region knew its resources and before you can go on free education, you are free to levy tax. The independence was such that the Western Region at that time had an embassy in London- that was where I got married at the Agent-General’s office. It was not the Western Region alone, because under the 1954 constitution that created federalism, each region had the power to have its own Agency in London. Awolowo was the first to blaze the trail and Chief LBR Okorodudu from Warri was the first Agent-General. After that, the Northern Region had its own, and the Eastern Region followed. The Western Region Agent-General was staying at 15A Kensington Palace Garden. Ihenacho was the Agent-General for the Eastern Region.

All these were scrapped when the military took over, and that is why we are still having all these problems till today. Whenever we wanted anything, we went through our Agent-General office and we no long went through the colonial office; it showed how autonomous we were then.

So, the problem with our federalism is not as a result of state creation?

Yes, they can create as much as they want but the federating unit is the most important thing under the federal constitution.

Adebanjo

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Adebanjo

What is your position about those who believe the creation of states has retarded Nigeria’s progress?

The creation of these states, irregularly, came under the military after the coup of 1966. That reverted the federal system we were enjoying, and ever since, we have not gotten out of it. All the political instability we have been having ever since will continue to be because, as Chief Awolowo told them at that time, the multiethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious nature of our country cannot succeed in a unitary form of government. There is nowhere in the whole world that the unitary government will survive in that type of society and that is why we have our problem of Biafra today, IPOB tomorrow, Avengers will continue no matter what we do. We will not get peace, stability until we go back to true federalism. At this stage now, there is nothing left for this government other than to do restructuring immediately before any election. In fact, there is no room for APC to do anything now, other than to restructure immediately before any election.

They have failed in their programme and in the remaining two years, there is nothing else they can do. What they can do as their legacy is to restructure the country before going for any election.

What should be the focus of the restructuring?

Restructure to federalism. Our constitution is a fraudulent document and the late Chief Rotimi Williams said it that our document is fraudulent; we are neither federal nor did the people of Nigeria make the constitution. When you say, ‘we, the people...’ did we make this statement? It was made by the military; are we federal? So, to describe our constitution as a federal constitution is fraudulent.

Is this not Federal Republic of Nigeria?

It is a fraudulent statement to make. To say that the system we are running is federal is fraudulent; under a federal constitution, the federating units are independent and not subordinate to the federal government- is it like this in Australia, Canada or the United States of America? You often say we run the American system and I asked a former Inspector

What have we got?

Nothing; you don’t need a crystal ball to say that. Unemployment and lack of electricity is going worse. The change we are having is change for the worse and not for the better. The only thing they shout about is corruption and even in corruption their score is four over 10, because they are partisan, not democratic in the way it is done, not logical General of Police at the 2014 conference, “you say you’re federal, but have you heard of Inspector General of Police in America? Even in Britain where they have the Parliamentary system, they have Chief of Cosmopolitan Police and that is why their security is effective. Coming back home, until they involved the local people in Boko Haram fight, they didn’t make progress; that is the essence, because the local people will know the nook and cranny of the area. Nigeria would have made much more progress if there has been political stability but you can’t get stability until you have this type of restructuring where every federating unit is satisfied. I’m happy that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is now talking of negotiating Nigeria’s unity; before, he said Nigeria’s unity was not negotiable. There is nothing more negotiable that the unity of this country. The federating units must agree on how we want to live together. Let nobody come and preach to us that it is good for us to live together, because that is not the question now. The question now is how do we want to live together and on what terms? We have passed the stage of ‘it is good

for us to live together’. We are already united, but what is causing dissention is how we are united on favourable terms to a section of the country against the terms our founding fathers agreed to at independence. The constitution to which the Saudana, Azikiwe, Awolowo agreed to from 1953 up to 1960, and I ask the question: can our Northern brothers who are opposed to restructuring now claim to be more northerner than the Saudana? Under what constitution did the Suadana become the Premier of the Northern Region? Under what constitution was Balewa appointed the Prime Minister of Nigeria? If all those saying they want the unity of the country are sincere, then they should know that there is need to restructure the federal system where every federating unit will develop at its own pace.

What you’re proposing will require constitutional amendment. What do you suggest?

That is how we confuse ourselves. People have been asking how we are going to implement the report of the 2014. If that is what we want, then the government should do it, because looking for excuses or technicalities not to do it will not help us. If there is nothing bad there, then why are we looking for technicalities? The government should take immediate step to implement it once you know that it is the solution to our problem, if not, we are just playing with fire? Until it is done, we will not get peace, and if there is no peace, there can be no progress, there can be no sanity. There is no situation in the country that was not captured in the 2014 National Conference document and these can be adjusted easily.

The Buhari administration is saying that Nigeria’s major problem is corruption.

What do you think?

Well, I agree but when they emphasis corruption and make it appear as if some people are opposed to the fight against it. Which conscientious Nigerian will be happy to see the amount of money people steal? I give them kudos for that, but why I disagree with Buhari and APC is that the war against corruption should be made holistic; No matter how

much you want to wipe out corruption, to do it outside the rule of law is nonsensical; I’m opposed to it. The moment you ignore the rule of law, nobody is safe. You can’t be fighting corruption and become dictatorial, ignoring the rule of law and imposing the rule of man, breaking into people’s houses under the guise of fighting corruption. It is unacceptable, as far as I’m concerned, for anybody to pretend to establish a civilian dictatorship under the pretense of fighting corruption, and that is what Buhari is doing. Since he has come into office, he has come back to show that he is the same Buhari of 1983, which I warned against before he was elected. What did I say Buhari was guilty of that he has not done now? I said he is a dictator and will not obey the rule of law.

Right now, we are having a dictatorship and not a democracy, because the party to enthrone democracy is not united. He cannot say that he is implementing APC policies; when last did the APC meet? You are deceiving yourself if you think you are having a democracy under Buhari; it is a one-man rule. All the things that he is doing are not the decision of his party and I challenge him to say where the party met or held its convention. The party (APC) right now is divided into about five or six sections. How do you expect them to do anything for the good of the country? About Buhari, who says he is fighting corruption, one thing I thought he would fight first was the practices in political parties of demanding exorbitant fees for nomination of which he was a victim and he cried out that he had to borrow N27 million for his own. What has he done about this since he came to office?

How is it impossible for him to have passed a law that no primary of any political party should exceed so much, to allow ordinary people to access to election? The election in this country now is only won by millionaires, no poor man can contest even local government council election. And Buhari says he is fighting corruption. Everybody was shouting that the money earned by the legislators was too much but has Buhari done anything about that also?

Put a stop to it, that is how to kill corruption.

People sell their houses to contest election and you want them to be incorruptible in office?

Whom are you deceiving? Those are simple symptoms to kill corruption from the root.

One of the things we did at the 2014 conference was to introduce independent candidacy.

We removed the immunity of the governor and the presidential issue was settled so that we know where the president will come from at any particular time. And, of course, the bulk of the power is in the federating units. That is why I am insisting that it must be restructuring before election. Restructure should no longer be an election issue, because immediately they win an election, every winner will want to exploit what is there. Let’s settle the issue of what constitution we are going to operate before any election now.

What is your assessment of the Nigerian economy in the last two years?

What have we got? Nothing; you don’t need a crystal ball to say that. Unemployment and lack of electricity is going worse. The change we are having is change for the worse and not for the better. The only thing they shout about is corruption and even in corruption their score is four over 10, because they are partisan, not democratic in the way it is done, not logical. They are introducing militarism instead of democracy. What has Buhari done now to deserve the accolade of ‘converted democrat?’

What the country should do right now is to let all the military people who put us into this mess to call on Buhari (not on APC because there is no APC) to restructure the country now to save the country, because without restructuring now, Nigeria will not exist. They are not sincere about keeping the unity of the country; the northerners want to dominate the country.

F R O M F O U R TO 3 6 : T H E F R A G M E N TAT I O N O F N I G E R I A

Gen. Yakubu Gowon

Gen. Murtala Muhammed

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Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida

EPILOGUE

LET’S TALK STATE CREATION

G

State creation has proven to be more liabilities than assets, writes Olawale Olaleye

enerically a military idea, the concept of state creation was ostensibly conceived to foster development by breaking relatively large entities into smaller territories for ease of administration and control. But the politics of it was not lost either on the originators of this idea as the delimitation was daringly skewed in favour of certain regions and at the expense of the others.

Over the years, however, the people appear to have come to appreciate and embrace more, the politics of an otherwise sound initiative than the development side to it. The surge towards state creation has thus moved from a micro agitation to the macro level, with every national debate now featuring the call for state creation.

Little wonder, it was one major issue that defined President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 national confab.

Save for the popular minority that cleverly debated their way through, the morbid majority would have gone beyond merely airing their voice but succeeded in shoving it through.

Yet, the elitist concern was both evident and arguable, as it was predicated on a simple question: how viable are the existing states before pushing for more?

This recurring question has remained almost a lifelong joker of those pushing against the unreasoned agitation for more creation of states.

Characteristically, the General Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly and a delegate to the National Conference, Pastor Tunde Bakare once corroborated this position, when he said only 10 per cent of Nigeria’s 36 states was viable.

Bakare, who made the assertion on SaharaTV while discussing his expectations from the National Confer-

ence, contended that “All the states created were created by military fiat” and that “Hardly do you find ten per cent of the states in Nigeria viable.”

This position was later corroborated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which last year said only seven states were viable in the country and controlled about 90 per cent of the cash transactions in the country.

He listed the states as Lagos, Rivers, Anambra, Abia, Kano, Ogun and the Federal Capital territory, Abuja.

CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Mr. Tunde Lemo, who gave the hint, said it was the reason the identified states were the one slated for the second phase of the cashless project which kicked off on July 1, last year.

It is worthy of mention that in 2013, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released some data on the internally generated revenue profiles of the states, which further proved that only a few states were undeniably viable.

With the southern states showing absolute, yet constant dominance on the NBS chart table, the north continued to post poor result, thus heightening concerns.

Eight of the least 10 states in terms of IGR were from the north, including the north east states, which had been under the attacks of the Boko Haram sect.

Take for instance, whilst Lagos State, being Nigeria’s

commercial capital, led by a desirable margin, Yobe had the least for 2012. With Lagos seven times more populated than Yobe, its N219.2 billion of IGR in 2012 was 123 times that of Yobe’s IGR of N1.78 billion.

When further analysed into regional bits and pieces, Lagos (SW) led with N219.2 billion, while Rivers (SS) followed with N66.2 billion, Ebonyi (SE) maintained N14 billion, Benue (NC) struggled with N8.4 billion, Kaduna (NW) had N11.5 billion to its credit, and Adamawa (NE) kept a profile of N4.6 billion IGR. This data analysis, which detailed the financial strength of the states according to their regional standing, further showed that states like Kano, Anambra, Abia and Borno were as at then underperforming in their respective regions as their relatively high GDP and commercial nature failed to translate into tax revenues.

Three states, as at then, generated tax revenues of above N1,000 per head and they were Lagos, Rivers and Delta. But the IGR status of a majority of the Nigerian states was a cause for concern, raising serious questions about their viability, in the event of an oil price shock, which was the case in 2015. And to further compound this ugly situation, a majority of the states were also highly indebted and nearly insolvent before the new administration of Muhammadu Buhari came on board.

Naturally, as the nation celebrates 50 years of state creation, concerns about viability of the existing states have continued to strewn the debate for and against the call for more states creation, which clearly cannot function without the monthly handouts from the federation account as against looking inwards and exploiting their leadership ingenuity.

But, with a nearly comatose council administration in almost all the states of the federation, the call for the creation of more states is utterly defective, selfish, indefensible, unreasonable and patently unpatriotic. It fosters no enviable development, clearly, but an increased financial burden on the government of the federation and further impoverishing the masses. Perhaps, there’s really nothing to celebrate!

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Íť, 2017

POLITY

Wike: The Indisputable ‘Mr. Projects’ From Grass to Grace: How Wike Has Transformed Rivers State Showcasing a Rich Testimonial While the celebrations of Democracy Day across the country may have died down, one state where the celebration is still ongoing is Rivers State where a majority of the people are overwhelmed with Governor Nyesom Wike’s impressive scorecard, Davidson Iriekpen writes

F

or the people of Rivers State, the encomiums so far received by Governor Nyesom Wike for his giant strides in the last two years of presiding over the affairs of his state are not surprising.

In 2015, the governor’s wife, Justice Suzzette Eberechi, revealed her husband’s passion to transform the state when she disclosed that she was confident that her husband, based on his antecedents and passion to satisfy others, would never stop his positive development strides. She noted that the state was entering a season of celebrations.

She said: “I know the man I am married to.

He is a determined and focused man. He will continue to deliver in line with the promises he made to the people. I know he will live up to the expectations of the people.�

These were what came to play last week when the governor gave account of his stewardship. There were encomiums showered on him from every quarter.

Even the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who recently visited the state as part of the federal government’s efforts to interact with leaders of the oil-rich region, in light of their strategic importance to the economy of the country could not hide his feelings. The acting president who was not quite prepared for the ‘miracles’ he was about to experience was surprised when he was taken around the state, to view some of the ongoing projects undertaken by the governor. “I think he deserves the title of ‘Mr. Projects,’� Osinbajo said, during a state dinner organised in his honour after the project tour. “He is indeed ‘Mr. Projects.’�

The appellation of ‘Mr. Projects’ is a striking metaphor that perfectly conveys the enthusiasm of the Wike administration for infrastructural development, from roads to healthcare to education. Criticised by his detractors for being too loud, too brash, Wike has shut them up by doing what governors are elected to do – ensuring that their people enjoy the dividends of democracy. “Wike has performed wonderfully well,� former President Goodluck Jonathan, had said, during the inauguration of the second Nkpogu Bridge in Port Harcourt in May. Jonathan, who described the whole of Rivers as a construction yard went on to assert that the Wike administration “has opened up Rivers State through projects. Wike has shown so much commitment to infrastructure development.�

These accolades from the top are not made from empty political gestures, but from a style of governance driven exclusively by results.

Before Osinbajo, the APC Governor of Zamfara State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, had visited Rivers. After seeing the massive projects the governor was embarking on, he extolled Wike without mincing words, leaving behind partisan sentiments.

One of Wike’s most visible infrastructure projects is the construction and repair of roads across every local government in the state.

There are constructions like: the dualisation of the Rumukurushi/Eneka/Igwurrura road; the construction and rehabilitation of the Chokocho/Umuechem/Ozuzu road; and the construction of the second Nkpogu Bridge in Obalga local government.

Tthe number of road projects in the state is innumerable. In fact, as early as November 2015, the government had already completed roads stretching up to 70 kilometres in its urban renewable programme. “We have engaged in the total revolution of the road infrastructure for the overall growth of the state,� Wike said.

A clear symbol of Wike’s determination to make all roads in his state navigable is his administration’s Operation Zero Pothole, an idea that saw massive rehabilitation of Port Harcourt’s internal roads, which included Tombia Street, Sokoto road, Churchill road, Creek road, Ahoada road, Force Avenue, Evo road, Woji road, Ohiamini road, Ogbunabali road, Eleme flyover and Kolukuma road. In all, the operation covered 20.1 kilometres and has provided relief to residents and road users.

On security, the Wike administration has set

Nyesom Wike its targets on a Rivers State secure for all. Some of the major steps taken include: the granting of amnesty to cultists and militants that agreed to surrender their arms; the development of surveillance networks in local communities to provide intelligence for security agencies; the amendment of the Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition) Law, ensuring it reflects the complexion of modern challenges; the total clampdown on cultists and related criminal activities across the state; confiscation of assets derived from kidnapping and other related crimes.

The administration has also strengthened the police through the procurement and donation of 64 patrol vehicles fitted with sophisticated communication gadgets, and 20 Toyota Hilux

On security, the Wike administration has set its targets on a Rivers State secure for all. Some of the major steps taken include: the granting of amnesty to cultists and militants that agreed to surrender their arms; the development of surveillance networks in local communities to provide intelligence for security agencies

vehicles. Also, there has been the institution of a handsome monetary compensation plan for families of security personnel who are hurt or die on the job, a move which will improve dedication and commitment.

Another huge point of focus for the Wike administration has been the education sector.

On his assumption of office, the standard of primary and secondary school education in the state was nothing to write home about.

But, an avid education administrator himself, Wike began the arduous task of rehabilitating the state’s collapsing education structure by reconstructing previously abandoned state-owned schools, which included, among others: Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta; Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori; Government Secondary School, Ogu; and Nyemoni Grammar School, Abonnema.

The rehabilitation of these schools, which is currently ongoing, will see a comprehensive overhaul of dilapidated structures and facilities. Some schools are being returned to full boarding status with state-of-the-art hostels being constructed; conducive classrooms and well equipped modern laboratories are being built and recreational facilities are also being upgraded.

The Rivers State University, too, has not been left behind in the projects spree, as key projects have been initiated within the institution, the completion of the Nebo Graham Douglas building in the Faculty of Law being a major one. Also, within the faculty are a newly equipped 500-capacity Law library, a magnificent 120-capacity Moot court, and a 1000-capacity Law auditorium.

The comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction of the faculty of management sciences, the construction of a two-storey faculty building for technical and science education and the construction of a three-storey building for the college of medical sciences, are some other projects ongoing in the university.

In the health sector, Wike’s infrastructure model is also virile. His administration has embarked on an intensive drive to build desirable structures in the state’s general hospitals,

equipping them with basic amenities like standard theatre rooms, well furnished wards and other facilities befitting standard, modern medical centres.

For example, the administration undertook a complete renovation of the 52-bed general hospital, Bodo, in Gokana local government.

The medical facility was in a run-down state before the government’s intervention. Also, the first state-run mental facility in the South-South and South-East, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Rumuigbo, has received a major facelift. The 42-bed hospital was totally renovated and fitted with state-of-the-art medical facilities to provide quality mental health care delivery.

Meanwhile, Wike has announced that the state would construct an international specialist hospital to handle life-threatening ailments, a move he said would stem capital flight from the country.

The new specialist hospital, which will no doubt promote medical tourism in Rivers, will have a helipad and modern equipments for the treatment of cancer, kidney, heart and liver diseases. Wike, who revealed this while hosting the national president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), also noted that his administration has released $4 million to equip the state-owned Braithwaite Specialist Memorial Hospital in Port Harcourt. “The new specialist hospital that we are working on will stem the foreign trips by Nigerians for healthcare services,� Wike said. “We want to conserve foreign exchange for the country.�

He added, “For us, our major focus has shifted from infrastructure to health and education. That is why you are seeing the rapid investments in health and education. We are committed to improved healthcare for our people.�

In the transport sector, giant strides are made. A befitting jetty is being built for the overall benefit of the riverine areas of Bonny, Bille and Nembe. This project is crucial to the improvement of marine transport and trading activities to adjoining riverine communities.

The Jetty, which is the main gateway to Bonny, Bille in Rivers, and Nembe in Bayelsa, was abandoned several years ago. On completion, the Jetty, which comprises of an upper and lower deck, will have a walkway and platform, a terminal building with arrival and departure lounges, improved driveway, retention wall and a car park facility.

In truth, to outline Wike’s projects is not the job of a newspaper article, due to their size and gargantuan impact. There are some who even defy sector classification; take for example the construction of the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, a project which will boost tourism, reduce crime and improve employment opportunities.

The Pleasure Park, which sits on a 17-hectare land, is situated on the former burrow pit along Aba Road. When the Aba Road was first constructed in 1972, the sand used to construct the road was taken from the site, leaving behind a burrow pit. For over 40 years, this deep pit has been home to hoodlums and armed robbers.

But the Wike administration has transformed it into a fun destination with facilities such as an artificial lake for a pedal boating experience, children playgrounds, a mini golf course, a five-star hotel with about 50 rooms, a 200-capacity 5D cinema and a 120-capacity car park.

When on a tour of some of Wike’s projects, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Senator Godswill Akpabio, offered a queer but arguably valid opinion, that Wike has done more work and projects in the last two years than the federal government. “The resources available to Rivers state is nothing compared to that of the federal government,� Akpabio said. “Rivers state government gets far less than a quarter of one per cent of what accrues to the federal government, but we can see the tremendous quality of the transformation taking place in the state. “It is not so much money that makes performance. It is love for your people. When you are elected, if you love your people, you will perform, no matter the little money that you have.�

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Íť, 2017

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POLITY

ANN/‘Technoticianism’: A Movement Whose Time Has Come The Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN, a new political group which has adopted the doctrine of ‘technoticianism’ as its guiding principle is making waves among young Nigerian professionals and technocrats. Labake Fashogbon reports

D

uring a recent interactive session with top media practitioners, Dr. Jay Osi Samuels, the national coordinator of Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN, a new political group, declared that the ideology of the new group was very simple: to retire and replace the old order. To him, the nation has been held back by years of recycled leadership to the extent that one could even predict who the regular front runners would be during every election.

Samuels and those who are promoting the new group might have their ideas but the way things are going for the group, it might even grow out of their ‘hands’ going by the way young Nigerians are signing in to join the group.

Findings by THISDAY revealed that perhaps, there are many disgruntled Nigerians who are in their 30s and 40s who seemed to have been waiting for someone to lead the way and they were ready to join the movement. And going by the idea behind the formation of the ANN, the aim has always been to get professionals and technocrats involved in the political process.

While this might be debatable, the percentage of those who are actively involved in politics, both as contestants and voters are less than 35% of the total population of Nigerians who are above the age of 18.

The remaining 65% are made up mainly of young professionals, both male and female, who hardly get involved in the political process; either as contestants or voters. “If you notice, only thirty percent of the populace gets involved in the political process in the country; either through active participation or via voting. Those who hold public offices are less than 20,000, including those at the state level. What we are doing is to talk to the remaining seventy percent

Jay Osi Samuels and get them to be part of the process.

This is what ANN is all about,� Samuels explained.

He did not end it there: “We have complained enough. We cannot continue to go on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp groups and be lamenting about how the country is drifting. Enough of that. It is time to get involved and try to change things in the country by being part of the political process. And there is no better platform to do this than through the Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN. We are out to serve as the rallying point for technocrats and professionals to come out of the shells and become part of the political process.�

And professionals and technocrats seem to have been listening to the message of ANN. And that message is that time has come for them to become a hybrid of technocrats and politicians which, according to the promoters of the group, will make them become ‘technoticians’. “The response has been overwhelming,�

Samuels announced during the interactive session. “Many Nigerians have been signing on to be part of the group. They seem genuinely disenchanted with the status quo. They have realised that neither APC nor PDP can take this country to the proverbial promised land. I can tell you ANN has become a movement. It has assumed a life of its own.�

Samuels believes one does not have to be a prominent politician before he or she can make an impact. According to him, since politics is a game of numbers, the fact that more and more Nigerians are joining the ANN is enough to show that names alone may not be enough to win elections in the future.

Leonard Ebute, a former students’ union leader, is one of the forces behind the group. Ebute is an entrepreneur who has founded three startup businesses in ICT, supply chain and more recently, agriculture. His outfit, Crest-Agro Products Limited, is a multi-billion naira investment in the cassava value chain. He holds an MBA from the prestigious Lagos Business School. He also has a Diploma in Procurement and Supply Chain Management from the UK, a full member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply from the United Kingdom and a B.Sc in Economics.

He has over 10years of work experience delivering operational efficiency in various multinational companies like Nestle where he served in various functions and projects within supply chain, Sanofi-Aventis where

he was head of Procurement for North East Africa and Kimberley Clark where he was head of supply chain for West, East and Central Africa. So passionate about youth development and a frequent speaker in various campuses and youth programmes, Ebute has a personal ambition to be directly responsible for 100,000 jobs in Nigeria.

Ebute said the problem with politics in Nigeria is that aspirants and candidates don’t rely on demographic figures to plan for elections. According to him, since politicians believe they will always bribe the electorate on election day, they hardly care about figures.“This is what ANN wants to change,� Ebute told editors during the interactive session. “There is a critical group of Nigerians that politicians don’t reckon with. They are students and young Nigerians. We want to engage these Nigerians and make them embrace the difference which ANN stands for. Nigerians can play politics in a scientific way. And ANN will surely do that. This is all about the real change and not the one of 2015.�

Samuels, an Edo State-born medical doctor, added that in the group, the 80-20 rule applies as they are more of technocrats than politicians. “For us to be involved in politics, we have to be known as politicians. But we are first and foremost technocrats only getting involved in the political process.�

Samuels lamented that for long, the nation has left its political destiny in the hands of few career politicians who only think of the next election and nothing more. The medical practitioner said these professional politicians are the ones that decide what go on in the country and who and who gets what. He said it was time Nigerians take their destiny into their own hands by legitimately interrogating these forces.

L-R: Co-founder, Bridge lnternational Academies, Shannon May; Special Assistant on Education to Lagos State Governor, Obafela Bank-Olema; CEO, Leading Learning Limited, Folasade Adefisayo; Founder, SystemSpecs Nigeria Limited, John Obaro; Managing Director, The Education Partnership (TEP), Dr. Modupe Adefeso-Olateju and Founder, Bridge lnternational Academies, Jay Kimmelman at the second quarter Open House Forum of the Academies in Lagos...recently

L-R: Acting Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Yetunde Oni; Ag President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Managing Director, P&G Nigeria, Mr. George Nassar; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and, Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Ogun State, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, at the site tour and commissioning of P&G’s Always Line, in Agbara Plant, Ogun State...recently

L-R: Celebrity Chef, Victor Akpojovwo; winners of the Pecadomo Nutrition Contest, Chidimma Nwenyi from Whitefield High School, Lagos and the Marketing Manager (Peak), Maureen Ifada at the grand finale of the nutrition contest organised by FrieslandCampina WAMCO to mark the 2017 World Milk Day celebration held in Lagos ...recently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: CEO, Feet Tricks International Limited, Odyke Nzewi; Director, Olisa Adibua; and Director, Feet Tricks International Ltd. Dom Lawson, during the launch of Nigeria National Freestyle Football Championship, organised by Feet Tricks International Limited in Lagos...recently PHOTO: DAN UKANA

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MISSILE Akpabio on APC and PDP

“People who are trying to press the APC government to work are members of the PDP; while the people opposing the government are the APC, because they are used to opposition. The APC is still crying about the PDP government that lost power to them two years after. And then, you look at the PDP that ought to be providing total opposition struggling for national chairmanship position and not knowing how to put itself together.”

– Senate Minority Leader and a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio reviewing two years of the All Progressives Congress-led federal government

PENDULUM Dele Momodu

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

My Picture of The Week

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ellow Nigerians, I’m sure you already know how much I love photographs and photography. And it has been said that pictures speak louder than a thousand words. Long before the coming of Facebook and Instagram, a magazine by the name Ovation International, published by some Nigerians in London, carved a niche for itself through celebrity journalism and generous use of beautiful photographs on its glossy pages. Ms Funmi Iyanda, the famous television personality has recently had cause to describe Ovation International as “Instagram before Instagram…”

When we started this brand of journalism, photographers were still treated like dregs of society, poorly paid and shabbily treated. Not anymore.

Photographers have become indispensable items on the list of celebrants and events planners. Many photographers now charge millions of Naira. And we thank God for our modest contributions to the upliftment of the fortunes of that beautiful industry.

My interest in photography has never waned. I just love good photographs. And I love photogenic people. Photography is usually enhanced by affable, charming and elegant personalities. The man or woman being photographed should radiate some warmth. It makes the job of a photographer that bit much easier. Charm and charisma have helped catapult many politicians to power. I can safely bet that Barack Obama was a quintessential beneficiary of great looks through effective use of pictures. I remember how we mesmerised Nigerians during the presidential campaign of the people’s general, Major General Muhammadu Buhari. I personally posted endless pictures of Buhari setting fashion trends. He was clearly carefully repackaged as a fashionista with a mission and his complete transfiguration was a wonder to behold. His tall and gangling figure, coupled with his stern looks mellowed by the benign smile mesmerised young Nigerians who chose him above a much younger President Goodluck Jonathan. Like joke, like joke, Buhari actually became President, after defeating an incumbent. The Fulani are naturally blessed with good looks. Buhari is an eloquent testimony to Fulani beauty.

Two years after returning to power, our President is temporarily knocked out of circulation, due to no fault of his, because of his medical challenges. This unfortunate ill-health has deprived us the opportunity of enjoying his services full blast. But fortunately, the President had chosen as his Vice President, a very cerebral and God-fearing gentleman, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the equivalent of a Queen’s Counsel in England. He also shares the President’s austere visage but is similarly blessed with a calming mien which illuminates the audience wherever he, is when he breaks into that trademark smile.

You never know the capacity and capabilities of a man until given some opportunities and stringent assignments. Such is the case of Professor Osinbajo.

I’m sure many must have underrated the abilities of Professor Osinbajo. The first minus for the doubters was that to them, he is not a seasoned politician but merely an accomplished technocrat.

They forget that he had been a successful Attorney General of Lagos State for eight years under one of the most canny politicians that has ever graced the Nigerian polity, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Before then, he was a Special Adviser to Prince Bola Ajibola, when Ajibola was Attorney-General of the Federation. In any event, while everyone needs the political platform to attain power, leadership is more about your ability to manage people and resources. That Professor Osinbajo has worked in institutions and organisations where he has been imbibed the leadership traits cannot be gainsaid. He has variously been lecturer and Dean at the Faculty of Law at University of Lagos and Lagos State University, interspersed with service with several international organisations. The biggest shortcoming of Nigeria is that we often elevate those who have never managed people and resources to positions they never expected and can never handle. This

Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo gets warm welcome in Cross River State cannot be said of the Acting President.

Since becoming Acting President, Osinbajo has continued to confound his worst critics by his sheer zeal, competence and confidence. He’s been able to rally and unify Nigerians from different parts of the country. He has played the role of the father of the nation which is what is expected of a good leader.

He has risen above pettiness and parochialism. You cannot fail to appreciate his hands-on approach to issues and situations. He has certainly dissolved the stultifying tension and destructive carnage in the Niger Delta. Together with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, and the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Kacalla Baru, he has so much succeeded in improving the situation in the Niger Delta that Nigeria is once again able to produce and sell close to its allocated share of 2.2 million barrels of crude oil daily. The impact this has had on our foreign reserves and the parallel market can be seen by all.

It is apparent even to those who dislike what is happening that the Acting President is once again moving at frenetic pace in this second stint in that role. This has without doubt increased the tempo and tenor of governance and his infectious boundless optimism and drive is spreading to every department and agency of government.

His biggest achievement in this short period is in giving every Nigerian a sense of belonging.

Attending the event to mark 50 years of Biafra war was a masterstroke. I sincerely doff my hat to this great unifier.

While it may be too early to see and treat Osinbajo as our Messiah, it is important to appreciate the innovation and dynamism he has brought to power in such a little time. There is no doubt that he has started well and has shown sufficient promise of good times to come. Many of our youths have regained inspiration. I’ve always said that Nigerians are not too difficult to manage or govern.

We actually appreciate every little mercy we get from our leaders. It is one of the principal reasons we praise our leaders for what ordinarily should be their job and not a favour in the first place.

The good news is that Osinbajo has rekindled hope and re-ignited the massive goodwill and populism that brought President Buhari back to power. It is amazing how he’s been travelling across Nigeria and attracting huge crowds everywhere including regions that are not usually supposed to be friendly to the ruling party. What he has demonstrated, almost effortlessly, is that Nigerians want peace, hope and prosperity no matter who is in power. Nigerians are sick and tired of being manipulated by politicians who thrive by ensuring that we live in perpetual strife and mediocrity.

Osinbajo’s recent trip to Cross River State was

very revealing and reassuring. We saw school kids cosying up to him and getting so excited. Those pictures made my week. I pray he continues to energise Nigerians. This is a positive revolution and development in the making. But it is already making some bad people uncomfortable.

As usual, not everyone wishes Nigeria well in our endeavours. The profiteers are never happy or satisfied when things seem to be going smoothly for our long-suffering country. They are never tired of plotting evil and setting traps to those trying their utmost best to change Nigeria for the better.

They mount all manner of obstacles and plant all kinds of thorns and mines in their paths and wait for them to fumble and falter. Nigeria has never been in short supply of these fiendish busybodies.

And they have started their shenanigans again.

If you are on social media, you would have come across some ugly rumours being circulated against the Acting President. Their strategy is to whip up ethnic and religious sentiments, whilst at the same time beating drums of war. God forbid. They are out knocking heads and circulating profanities. I’m happy and impressed by the speed at which these hirelings are being tackled on their own turf by those who see the good and benefit of what the Acting President is seeking to achieve.

The first article which we can almost be sure is the beginning of a series of attacks aimed at challenging Professor Osinbajo and damaging his veritable credibility was penned under the sobriquet of Ismaila Farouk from Zamfara State and titled “Osinbajo is no saint, Consolidating for 2019”. This article has set social media alive and so it was with some sense of relief that I read a rebuttal by one Musa Alhassan titled “Who is Afraid of Prof Osinbajo?” which tore through the patent falsehood spewed by the traducers of the Acting President by presenting those facts that the author of the earlier article had wilfully concealed.

Never mind the name game! That is another form of distraction to give some validity to the vague and nebulous allegations made by the author of the allegations.

Starting from the opaque, it was alleged that the President has been cornering juicy contracts for himself through one of his aides in the oil and gas, power and construction sectors among others.

Anyone familiar with the art of governance even during the Jonathan days would know that the Vice-Presidents office simply does not have the power or ability to manipulate contracts in this way. There are extant protocols and guidelines for public procurement and these have been tightened rather than loosened under this Government which is famed for its anti-corruption stance. Besides all multi-nationals corporations now conduct severe due diligence tests before embarking on projects in

developing countries because of the stiff penalties they face in their countries if they engage in corrupt practices. Nigeria is clearly not an exception to this and Government agencies have now also taken up this due diligence creed. An aide of Professor Osinbanjo fronting for him is surely an insult and affront to this cerebral of lawyers with an international repertoire to boot. Only a puerile mind would make up such a laughable story.

Bordering on the ridiculous is the allegation that the Vice-President travels to Lagos several times a week with numerous aides using the Presidential Fleet and claiming bogus estacode.

Those who know Prof Osinbajo will agree that he travels light in terms of aides that accompany him. I cannot see how anybody can claim that a Vic-President of a country is not entitled to the use of the Presidential Fleet. After the President who else is entitled to use the Fleet. If the Aircraft are available, must they be parked to rot away while crew are paid for doing nothing and government funds are wasted paying for commercial flights for the Vice-President and his team. This and the claim about bogus estacode demonstrates the warped thought process of the vilifying horde! Surely if the Vice-President is to claim estacode it can only be for himself and not for his retinue who will make their own individual claims themselves.

The more specific allegations relate to the appointment of people close to the Vice-President based on their membership of his Church, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, or based on being his kinsmen or work colleagues.

In relation to the appointment of members of his Church and kinsmen, which is aimed at fanning the embers of religious and ethnic discord, the rebuttal Article clearly demonstrates that this is far from the truth and represents a fundamental contradiction in terms as Professor Osinbajo has a fair mix of Christians and Muslims as aides from all parts of the country. His Chief of Staff, who is officially designated as Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ade Ipaye is a Muslim. There is Mrs Maryam Uwais, wife of former Chief Justice of Nigeria Mohammed Uwais, who is a Senior Special Adviser to the President but works in the office of the Vice-President. “Farouk” apparently did not get enough tuition from his sponsors otherwise he would have realised that most of the senior aides of the Vice-President are actually appointed by the President albeit on the recommendation of the President. That is why Mr Ipaye and Mrs Uwais like Dr Yemi Dipeolu, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs are all advisers to the President although working with the Vice-President. Similarly Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Vice-President was appointed by the President. If the President felt that there was something wrong with the recommendations made to him by his Vice-President surely he would have kicked. I am sure those accusing the Acting President of nepotism and maligning him in this way do not question the judgment and authority of President Muhammadu Buhari. There are also other Northern Muslims like Dr Balkisu Saidu, Gambo Manzo etc. occupying significant positions in the office of the Vice-President.

The appointment of colleagues like Ade Ipaye and Babatunde Irukera and others stems from their ability, merit and demonstrated competence.

Same is true of the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr.Okey Enelamah who is a seasoned technocrat from the South East. Indeed, the example of Dr Enelamah shows the convoluted thinking of those who seek to denigrate Professor Osinbajo and the futility of their task! He is an appointee of the President and is not from the same ethnic group as the Vice-President. If he was the only one Minister recommended by the Vice-President out of 36 Ministers it says a lot for the unenviable and inimitable good character and integrity of Professor Osinbajo.

Let us continue to pray for the Acting President and Nigeria.

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