Saturday 17TH June 2017

NDDC: N70bn Required to Complete East-west Road

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja and Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has disclosed that the Commission and its supervising Ministry, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, need over

N70 billion to complete the Eastwest Road which straddles the six South-South States.

Speaking while receiving the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Uguru Usani Uguru, Ekere said: “The NDDC will partner with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and private sector investors

on the construction of the EastWest road. Over N70 billion is needed to complete the road. So, the strategy will be to harness private sector collaboration to complete the road. The portions that have totally collapsed will be addressed immediately.”

He lamented that the Eleme-

Refinery junction section was in a very terrible state. “It is so bad that a 10-minute journey on that axis now takes three hours. That section of the road has failed and we will get contractors to the site immediately,” he said.

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer further stated that the

construction of the remaining sections of the East-West Road would be handled by many contractors.

“Our strategy involves multiple contractors. The road, which is a strategic link to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, connects Edo, Delta, Bayelsa,

Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.”

According to Ekere, the Commission is embarking on a centralized e-project management scheme which would reduce waste and costs on project Continued on page 8

NDLEA Seized N225trn Worth of Cocaine, Heroin at Lagos Ports Since 2006 ... Page 53 Saturday 17 June, 2017 Vol 22. No 8094. Price: N250

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Rivers APC Crisis Deepens As Amaechi Sacks Abe’s Loyalists Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The crisis rocking the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took a new turn for the worse yesterday as

Minister of Transportation and Leader of the party in the State, Chibuike Amaechi allegedly removed local government caucus leaders loyal to the Senator representing Rivers

South-east Senatorial District, Magnus Abe. There has been a budding feud between Amaechi and Abe over the latter’s governorship ambition which has not received

the blessings of Amaechi.

Amaechi told some stakeholders of the party, at a meeting he allegedly convened, on Thursday, at the residence of former Chairman, Local

Government Commission, Chief Nnamdi Wokekoro, at the Rumukalagbo Area, of Port Harcourt, that he would not endorse the 2019 governorship ambition of Abe on the platform

of the APC. Sources said the Minister of Transportation also held another meeting at the residence of the Continued on page 8

INEC Gives Certificates to 5 Newly Registered Parties PDP governors meet, pledge to stand by party regardless of S/Court verdict

Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Amaka Nkwonta in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday handed over registration certificates to the five newly registered political parties at its headquarters in Abuja.

Also yesterday, the Peoples Democratic Party’s Governors Forum met in Abuja and pledged to retain their membership of the party notwithstanding the outcome of the pending leadership tussle at the Supreme Court, confirming THISDAY report within the week.

The new parties include Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Democratic People’s Movement (ADPM), Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA), New Generation Party of Nigeria (NGP) and the Young Progressive Party (YPP).

This brings the number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 45.

While maintaining that the commission would continue to strictly monitor the activities of all political parties, the INEC

Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who presented the certificates, warned that the electoral umpire would not hesitate to apply sanctions against any of the parties that violated the law governing the terms and conditions of registration.

He also cautioned the parties and their candidates to guard against hate speeches as any such acts would attract heavy sanctions from INEC. "I wish to remind all political parties that the law also provides for de-registration of parties. We shall vigorously apply this aspect of the law as the need arises.

"As we approach some of the outstanding bye-elections, the three Governorship Elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States and ultimately the 2019 General Elections, the commission will pay special attention to the conduct of political parties as well as their candidates and supporters. Hate speech and other violations of the electoral acts attract appropriate sanctions under the law", he said.

Continued on page 8

FLAGGING OFF N70B IBADAN CIRCULAR ROAD ...

L-R: Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Lekan Balogun; Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo; Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; his wife Florence and Chairman ENL Consortium Engineering Ltd, Prince Adesuyi Harstrup during FELIX ADEMOLA the official flag-off of the 32km Ibadan Circular Road held at Badeku Village, Ibadan ...yesterday

EFCC: How Kuku, Aides, Pocketed Over N35.2m from Amnesty Funds in 2 Months ...Page 10

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T H I S D AY SATURDAY JUNE 17, 2017

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SATURDAY, June 17, 2017 • T H I S D AY

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Weekend Photo

IDP ON THEIR MINDS...

Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo (middle) with National Assembly members from the North-East during a briefing on the new grain distribution system for IDPs held at the State House, Abuja.... yesterday

RIVERS APC CRISIS DEEPENS AS AMAECHI SACKS ABE’S LOYALISTS APC Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Reginald Ukwuoma, where he restated his opposition to Abe’s ambition.

"I have foreclosed Abe's governorship ambition as far as the Rivers APC is concerned. If he likes, let him run to President

Buhari. That will not change anything. If he likes, let him go to the First Lady, Aisha Buhari; nothing will change,” Amaechi

allegedly remarked during the meeting at Etche.

He stressed: "In my capacity as the leader of the APC in

INEC GIVES CERTIFICATES TO 5 NEWLY REGISTERED PARTIES The INEC Chairman used the ceremony to update Nigerians on the status of other associations applying for registration as political parties.

He disclosed that out of the 103 political associations that applied for registration, 54 failed to meet the basic requirements and were disqualified He explained that three of the associations seeking registration voluntarily withdrew their applications, while 33 associations passed the initial assessment and were advised to proceed with the necessary documentation in support of their applications.

Yakubu also said that 10 of the political associations had already submitted the necessary documentation and that the commission was currently verifying their submissions.

"As at last week, we had 95

applications out of which five have fulfilled the requirements for registration while three associations voluntarily withdrew their applications, bringing the total to 87 applications. Since then, we have received six more applications. This means that the commission is currently processing 103 applications", he said.

Yakubu said the 54 disqualified associations had failed the initial assessment due mainly to the similarity of their proposed names or logos with existing political parties or associations.

INEC also gave an update on the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise saying that as at the end of the eighth week, 954, 001 Nigerians had registered.

PDP Governors Meet, Pledge to Stand By Party

Regardless of S/Court Verdict The Governors who met in Abuja pledged to retain their membership of the party notwithstanding the outcome of the pending leadership tussle at the Supreme Court.

The protracted leadership crisis in the PDP had pitted loyalists of two factional leaders, Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi against each other, leading to a state lull in the once vibrant largest party in the Africa.

However, the state governors elected on the platform of the party met on Thursday night in what looked like a reunion after a long period of estrangement to discuss the way forward.

Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, the Ekiti State Governor and the Chairman of the forum, Ayo Fayose, said they

had resolved to remain confident, committed and loyal to the PDP believing that the Party which is more democratic than any other in the country would be united towards winning elections at all levels in 2019.

"We are saying that we believe in the tomorrow of this party and we believe that this party will come together united for victory in 2019," he said.

On the pending Appeal at the Supreme Court, Fayose said that the party leaders were hopeful that the forthcoming judgment would further unite the Party.

According to Fayose, PDP is beyond every member and "as such, all its members must be guided by its supremacy" He reassured party members of their readiness to work together for the overall success of the PDP and democracy.

NDDC: N70BN REQUIRED TO COMPLETE EAST-WEST ROAD management. He added: “We are determined to improve on our project management capabilities. NDDC projects all over the Niger Delta will be managed from a central project management platform such that I can sit in my office at the headquarters and monitor projects all over the region. The essence of this is to ensure a robust project management portfolio and reduce waste and costs.

“We are determined to do things differently. We are determined to leave behind a new and improved NDDC. We are determined to reform our systems to help us reduce the incidents of abandoned projects,” Ekere said.

The minister, during the visit, ordered an investigation into

the educational qualification of staff of the NDDC with the aim of exposing ghost workers and those working in the commission with forged certificates.

Uguru directed departmental heads in the commission to submit their nominal rolls to the Managing Director within one week.

Uguru said: "Directors of various departments in this Commission should submit the nominal roll of their respective departments to the Managing Director within one week. I don't want to hear that we are on it because, I will ask for it immediately it is one week. If you are a departmental head and signs for a ghost worker, you will face it.

"We have observed that there are several people with forged

certificates working in NDDC. Please, let us shun all the things that will give a bad image to the NDDC." While assuring the board and management of the NDDC that there won't be political interference in the running of the commission, the Minister stated that the Buhari administration would carry out governance without partisanship.

He promised to stamp out any form of political interference in the running of the interventionist agency.

"We will stop political interference in the NDDC. Any political interference in the commission will be resisted. I assure you, political interference will no longer be an obstacle for the NDDC," Usani said.

He commended the NDDC

board and management for their efforts towards reforming the commission’s processes, and called on the staff to cooperate with the management during its audit exercise.

The minister said: “We must from this day, hasten our processes within the commission. There is no more room for partisanship."

Usani noted that the audit that would be carried out in the NDDC was a presidential directive which must be complied with as soon as possible, warning that anyone who constituted an obstacle in the audit process would be shown the way out “The ministry was buffeted with obstacles when it conducted its own audit. The staff of the Ministry tried to frustrate the process," the minister said.

Rivers State, Abe cannot be the governorship candidate of the party in Rivers State in 2019. Abe has no character. I hear the executives of about 15 local government areas are already working for him. I will see how far they can go."

"I am the only one that can determine who gets the party's ticket in 2019. Suddenly, Abe has become something else in the party because he won his Senatorial election. Was I not governor for eight years? Was I not Speaker for eight years?"

Amaechi warned that he would suspend any party leader that is supporting Senator Abe's candidature for 2019.

“I remain the leader of the APC in Rivers State. Even if the 23 LGA chairmen of the party support him, it will not change anything."

In line with his threat, Amaechi, on the same day, allegedly suspended former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms, as the leader of the APC caucus in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, PHALGA. He replaced Boms with Wokekoro.

Sources said the minister later met with stakeholders of the party from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, at around 2.pm and also suspended his former Chief of Staff, Chief Tony Okocha, as the leader of the APC caucus.

Amaechi who met with top brass of the party from Etche Local Government Area, ratified the suspension of Chief Allwell Onyesoh, as the leader of the APC caucus in Etche.

Chief Onyesoh's suspension, last week, by a former member of the House of Representatives, Ogbonna Nwuke, sparked a whirlpool of discontent among top members of the party in Etche.

The minister also allegedly removed Chidi Wihioka, a member of the House of Representatives, representing

Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency, as the leader of the APC caucus in Emohua.

He replaced him with Chibike Ikenga, who is regarded as the minister's satellite.

A leader of the party in the state who expressed dismay at the gale of suspensions embarked upon by Amaechi disclosed that Senator Wilson Ake, the leader of the APC in Egba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. was next to be suspended.

Some leaders of the APC in the state opine that Amaechi had resorted to the suspension of party leaders in their respective local governments as a last ditch move to wrestle the APC from the clutches of Abe, solely, to forestall him from earning the APC governorship ticket in 2019.

Reacting to the development, Amaechi’s former Chief of Staff, Chief Tony Okocha, said: “They just removed me (as Leader of Obio/Akpor Caucus). I was removed because I support Abe. The removal is just to confirm that APC belongs to one man. The man is turning it to his private estate. But I am not worried because he also appointed me. The man who appoints has a right to remove. But my worry is the reason for which he was doing this; that we support Abe. He also removed the former Attorney General, Worgu Boms; the serving member of the House of Representatives and Leader of his LGA (Ikwerre), Chidi Wihioka. We hear that by 3pm, he will be meeting with Etche/Omuma caucus to remove Allwell Onyeso.

“I am supporting Abe because I believe he has the mien, the clout and all that it takes to win election for APC.” As at press time, efforts to get the reaction of Amaechi’s media office to the allegation proved abortive. However, sources close to Abe confirmed the development.

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JUNE 17, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

Yemi

Adebowale

07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Two Years of Binge Borrowing

B

inge borrowing is a monster the APC-led federal government and many of our state governors have been notorious for in the last two years. Just last week, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo asked the National Assembly to approve $1.5 billion loan for 12 states. The loan figures are scary, yet, this country has virtually nothing to show for all these borrowing. According to statistics from the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s indebtedness to foreign/local creditors as at Q1 of 2017 stood at N19.16 trillion. Between the end of Q4 of 2016 and that of Q1 of 2017, there was an increase of N1.8 trillion, with the debt moving from N17.36 trillion to N19.16 trillion. This means that N1.8 trillion new loans were acquired in just three months.

For me, the biggest issue here from the DMO’s figures is that the Buhari administration and many state governors took loans amounting to N7.1 trillion in just two years from foreign and local creditors. As of March 31, 2015, the country’s total debt stood at N12.06 trillion.

By Q4 of this year, it is N19.16 trillion indicating that the debt level increased by N7.1 trillion within two years. The Buhari-led federal government took the bulk of the loans.

Within a period of two years, the federal government borrowed N3.46 trillion from domestic creditors, thereby increasing the domestic debt of the federal government by

What I find most ludicrous is that the N7.1 trillion borrowing within two years has failed to impact on the nation’s infrastructure and economy. Just look around you and you will see massive decaying infrastructure in all sectors – health, education, roads, housing and the rest 40.71 per cent. External debt for the federal and state governments rose from $9.46 billion to $13.81 billion. This means that within the two years, Nigeria’s external debt rose by $4.35 billion or 45.98 per cent.

The federal government and many states

are increasingly depending on borrowing, even for the implementation of routine responsibilities. Genuine patriots should be worried about this. The country’s current indebtedness is expected to reach 23.3 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product by the end of 2017. The International Monetary Fund has projected that Nigeria’s indebtedness would further climb to 24.1 per cent of the nation’s GDP by 2018.

What I find most ludicrous is that the N7.1 trillion borrowing within two years has failed to impact on the nation’s infrastructure and economy. Just look around you and you will see massive decaying infrastructure in all sectors – health, education, roads, housing and the rest. Visit Apapa, home to Nigeria’s key sea ports and you will weep for this country. Visit any of our teaching/ general hospitals and you will return home depressed. For example, workers of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital have been on strike for weeks over decaying infrastructure. Virtually all our public schools are in tatters. Visit any one around you. Federal and state governments have failed to translate this massive borrowing to better life for the people. What they have given hapless Nigerians in return are hunger, disease, poverty, unemployment and malnutrition.

This slithering economy amidst massive borrowing is clearly reflected in the

Governor Ortom Should Respond to Sleaze Allegations I am earnestly waiting for Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State to respond to frightening sleaze allegations against him by Abubakar Tsav, a former police commissioner and current Federal Public Complaints Commissioner overseeing the state. As at press time, Ortom was still shilly-shallying.

For those who have not been following the story, Tsav, in a 10-page petition to all antigraft agencies accused Ortom of “corruptive nepotism and executive recklessness by placing his family business (Oracle Business Limited) above the state.” For example, he

alleged that Ortom gave a contract to the said family business for the supply of 30 Toyota Prado Jeeps at N540 million without following due process.

Tsav also accused the governor of using his office to hijack a humanitarian project, “Feed Mill Factory” meant for the state and incorporating the mill into his family’s company. Funds were allegedly provided for the mill by international donors. I sincerely hope that our anti-graft agencies will look into these allegations and take appropriate action.

The Wisdom of Paul Unongo A number of eminent northerners have continued to reprimand the thoughtless ‘Arewa Youths’ who asked Igbo in the North to leave. Professor Ango Abdullahi who backed them is also getting knocks. The position of Paul Unongo, the Deputy Leader of the Northern Elders Forum on the issue is instructive. He stated: “Professor Abdullahi is on his own in backing the Arewa Youths.

The NEF could not have adopted the position of ignorant youths who were not there when Nigeria lost three million of its citizens to the civil war they fought to keep the country as one united nation.

“I am the Deputy Leader of the Northern

Elders Forum and Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule is the leader. So, only the two of us can speak for the forum on sensitive matters like this.

Therefore, if Professor Abdullahi is backing those ignorant youths, then he is speaking for himself.

We cannot support the nonsense those boys said. We fought civil war with our blood to keep Nigeria one. So, any Nigerian can live in any part of the country he feels like. The Igbo are welcome in the North; they are welcome in Yoruba land and my own village in Tiv land and they have right to pursue their daily bread and own property.

“We couldn’t have killed three million people to keep Nigeria one and come back and allow these kids to insult our intelligence. We knew why we

unemployment crisis in the country. Let’s look at the statistics. According to the NBS, the unemployment rate in the country rose to 14.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2016 from the 13.9 per cent recorded at the preceding quarter. This is 4.2 per cent higher than the rate recorded during the fourth quarter of 2015. While the number of unemployed people in the economy is growing, the number of underemployed people is also rising.

The NBS report also disclosed that underemployment rate rose to 21.0 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2016 from 19.7 per cent recorded in the third quarter of the year. The rise in the unemployment/underemployment was because Nigeria recorded negative economic growth in 2016, forcing many employers of labour to retrench staff. Nigerians who lost their jobs in 2016 rose by 2.1 million to 11.55 million from 9.48 million at the beginning of the year. Everywhere you turn in this country, you will find so many jobless youths and adults. This is upsetting.

A huge part of the revenue that governments at all levels ought to be using for poverty alleviation and infrastructural development has been going into debt servicing; yet, we are sustaining the binge borrowing. The IMF estimates that Nigeria spends 66 per cent of its tax revenues on servicing debts. This country is spending such a huge part of its revenues to pay interests on debts. Today, I am leaving with a quote from Emir Muhammed Sanusi II on binge borrowing. He said: “Borrowing has reached its limit and government should therefore look for ways to attract investments.

Growth can only come from investments. It cannot come from consumption. It cannot come from government balance sheet. It cannot come from borrowing because you cannot borrow unsustainably.” I hope this administration will reflect on these words of wisdom.

Tanko Al-Makura’s Cruelty to Breeze FM Ortom

fought the war, we knew why we killed the people we loved. So, if the young men cannot build a nation, they should not destroy the one we put our lives on the line to build for them. We cannot allow young men who did not fight the civil war with us to destroy our country, because Nigeria cannot afford another civil war.”

Of course, the trifling youths who signed the quit notice are clearly not true representatives of broad-minded Arewa youths, who are in the majority in the region. For me, signatories to the quit notice are just a bunch of attention-seeking riff-raffs who should be in jail.

Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State appears extremely intolerant of criticism.

They say he’s ever-ready to destroy anybody that points to his failings. This was exactly what Al-Makura did to Breeze 99.9 FM, a private radio station based in Lafia. The building housing the radio station was demolished with a rickety excuse. This station has been very critical of Al-Makura’s activities. The Nasarawa Urban Development Board demolished the building on May 20, citing alleged violation of land approval laws. It also claimed that its action became necessary because the station’s facilities posed a health hazard to residents living close to it.

Haba! This is preposterous and reprehensible.

This story was obviously made up. The station’s Executive Director, Dr. Nawani Aboki, noted that the demolition was swiftly carried without requesting for approval documents from the owners. He added that Al-Makura was angry because the station consistently gave voices to all shades of opinions, especially oppressed civil servants. Clearly, the demolition did not follow due process as stipulated by the laws of our land.

Human rights groups must rise up for Breeze FM. This injustice must not stand.

Kayode Fayemi, Please, Nobly Honour Ekiti Probe Panel

Fayemi

The Minister of Steel and Mineral Resources, Kayode Fayemi has been doing everything possible to frustrate the Judicial Commission of Enquiry set up by his successor, Ayodele Fayose to probe his tenure as governor of Ekiti State. The latest is the suit he filed, asking a court to restrain the panel from investigating him over allegations of fraud and diversion of public funds. Honestly, Fayemi has not impressed me one bit with his response to the challenge. All his talk about witch hunt by Fayose is twaddle. A man who has nothing to hide should be prepared to appear before any panel. The good thing is that the panel will be sitting in public. Besides, it is headed by highly distinguished retired Justice Bamidele Oyewole. I have gone through the terms of reference of the panel; I don’t think Fayose is asking for too much.

Fayose wants the panel to ascertain how much Ekiti State received as statutory allocations during Fayemi’s tenure and how

same were disbursed; look into the financial transactions of the state between 2010 and 2014; ascertain the amount received on behalf of the state from the Universal Basic Education Commission; investigate the allegations of fraud/loss of funds, including the diversion and conversion of the UBEC funds; ascertain the amount the state took as loans during the period and how they were utilised; including all other issues relating to the finances of the state within the period under review, and to make appropriate recommendations to the Ekiti State Government.

Fayemi, as the governor during the period under review, should be happy to appear before the panel and shed light on these grey areas. Many will be shocked to know that the Ekiti State Commission of Inquiry Law, under which the panel to investigate Fayemi’s tenure was set up, was made and signed into law by Fayemi himself while he was governor. This former governor should show some respect

for the law he signed. He should emulate former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola who presented himself before a panel set up by his successor to probe him.

Fayemi should do same in the full glare of the media and let the good people of Ekiti State judge him for his alleged financial misconduct while he was in office. I am particularly worried that Fayemi allegedly diverted N852 billion Universal Basic Education Board’s fund during his tenure.

His refusal to appear before the Ekiti State lawmakers to shed light on the issue is also embarrassing. It is even more embarrassing that the police refused to implement a valid warrant issued by the lawmakers for Fayemi’s arrest. Now, he is trying to use the court to frustrate the enquiry panel. This minister should toe the path of honour by honouring the panel and the good people of Ekiti State. This is my unflustered message to Fayemi this morning.

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NEWS

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUNE 17, 2017

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

FOR A HEALTHIER REGION...

L-R; Director General, West African Health Organization( WAHO), Mr. Xavier Crespin ; Togo Minister of Health, Prof. Moustafa Midjiyawa ;Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo and Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole during the Eightenth Ordinary Meeting of the Ecowas Assembly of Health Ministers at the ECOWAS Secretariat Abujab...yesterdayat Abuja...yesterday PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

Atiku: Why Africa Remains Unattractive To Investors Onyebuchi Ezigbo inAbuja

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has said that the country's poor infrastructure had served as a source of discouragement to would-be foreign investors in Africa.

Atiku who gave a lecture yesterday at the at the Maiden University of Nottingham Africa Summit, at the University of Nottingham Great Hall, University Park, Nottingham, England said that Africa’s governments,

development partners and the private sector needed to pay more attention to fixing these critical infrastructure deficits.

Speaking on the challenges faced by investors wanting do business in most African countries, especially Nigeria, Atiku said that one often had to provide his own electricity, water, and even fix roads to business locations.

"The huge infrastructure gap means that as an investor you often have to provide your own electricity, your own water, and

you even fix roads to your business locations. That discourages investors. Thus small businesses that would provide ancillary services to a major establishment are often absent”, he pointed out.

The former Vice President who has been involved in setting many enterprises in the country' including a University in his home state, Yola, Adamawa state, gave his personal experience saying: "For instance, in the same town, Yola, where we have our school system, we established a printing

press, built our own hotel to carter to those who visit, established a beverage plant to, among other things, manufacture still drinking water and fruit juices".

"We established petrol and diesel filling stations to help serve our businesses and the general public. We also established a radio and television station to help publicise what we do, in addition to providing distance learning. And we have a logistics company to help provide logistics for these various entities.

"Because we have businesses with healthy revenue streams, we are able to access financing with greater ease than many others can.

Currently the AUN contributes nearly $400 million dollars annually to the Yola economy.

"Any serious observer of Africa’s development challenges will readily agree that these are indeed critical areas that need urgent and sustained attention by Africa’s governments, development partners and the private sector.

"They speak to the challenges of

infrastructure deficit; agricultural stagnation and food insecurity; lack of meaningful industrialisation and value-added production; the poor integration of Africa’s economies, partly resulting from weak regional infrastructure and the legacy of colonial trade patterns; and Africa’s dismal ranking in the indices of human development, including life expectancy, infant and maternal mortality, poor sanitation, high levels of illiteracy and poor access to education and skills training," he said.

$1.2bn Debt: Etisalat Reaffirms Continuation of Negotiations

‘How Kuku, Aides, Pocketed Over N35.2m from Amnesty Funds'

Emma Okonji

Paul Obi in Abuja

Etisalat Nigeria has reaffirmed that its discussion with the 13 local banks that loaned it $1.2 billion for its network expansion in 2013, was ongoing. The telecoms company said such negotiations would soon be concluded.

Etisalat gave the reassurance while reacting to news reports that Mubadala Development Company, the majority shareholder of Etisalat Nigeria was exiting the business.

Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs for Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Dikko, who gave the assurance in a statement, said: "Whilst it is premature at this stage of the ongoing discussions to affirm

that this is the conclusive option, Etisalat Nigeria considers it pertinent to state that parties to the negotiation are considering a number of options and discussions are at an advanced stage regarding the syndicated loan agreement with the banks.

"It will therefore be presumptive and in bad faith to begin to predict the outcome. Discussions have so far been quite collaborative and we expect to reach a final resolution next week, by which time we will be in the position to make a definitive announcement.

“Etisalat Nigeria can confirm that negotiations with the consortium of banks regarding the syndicated loan agreement signed in 2013 have reached an advanced stage. As noted

in an earlier statement, we are considering a number of options and are not taking anything off the table at this time.

“Etisalat remains a viable business, having recorded its best financial year in 2016.

Parties are keen to ensure that the ongoing discussions and eventual outcome do not affect the day to day operations of the business whether now or after the announcement of our agreement. All parties have continually demonstrated an interest in the continued operations of Etisalat as a business as it remains the backbone of millions of small business owners; multinationals, government and indeed Nigerian subscribers in general, according to a statement released by Etisalat.

A prosecution witness in the trial of Henry Ugbolue, an aide to Kingsley Kuku (former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta), Ayogu Nnamdi told Justice M. M. Kolo of the FCT High Court Wuse, Abuja that the accounts of Great & Gamaliel Alliance Limited received a turnover of about N35.2million in two months.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Head of Media and Information, Wilson Uwujaren explained that the EFCC "had on April 20, 2016 arraigned Ugbolue and Lawrence Pepple, both former aides to Kuku on two separate charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, false declaration of assets and fraudulent acquisition of property to the tune of N55million.

"Kuku and Ugbolue were alleged to have conspired among themselves and awarded contracts running into millions to companies in which they had interests. "It was alleged that Ugbolue was the sole signatory of Great & Gamaliel Alliance Limited, the company which provided integrated management of communications and stakeholders’ engagement chain for the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta.

“On his part, Pepple was the director and sole signatory for KER Global Wave Limited, which was awarded a contract to provide Reintegration Support Services by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta under the Presidential Amnesty Programme”.

Testifying, Nnamdi, a compliance officer at the United Bank for Africa, UBA, who is PW1, told the court that,

“a sum of N35, 206,564.89 was paid to the account of Great & Gamaliel Alliance Limited between March 4 and May 15, 2014 through the Office of Special Adviser to President on Niger Delta.”

Counsel to EFCC, Faruk Abdullah, sought to tender account opening documents, statement of account and mandate card in evidence, but the admissibility of the documents was objected to by Ugbolue’s counsel, G. E. Ezeuko, SAN, on the grounds that the documents were originals of public documents adding that, only certified true copies of public documents were admissible.

Ezeuko argued that, “one of the account statements has no certificate of identification and the one with certificate of identification did not comply with Section 84 (4) of the Evidence Act.”

T H I S D AY SATURDAY JUNE 17, 2017

*945#

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JUNE 17, 2017• THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

AMERICA AS AN UNDER- DEVELOPING COUNTRY

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America’s democracy is still in the process of wearing virtues, argues Okello Oculi

t was at the 1972 Montreal conference of the International Political Science Association that Professor Ira Sharkansky of the Madison campus of the University of Wisconsin won popular acclaim by scholars from Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean. They were tremendously animated by the title of his paper, namely: “The United States as an Under-Developed Country’’. His fellow Americans and their allies from NATO countries sat biting their teeth worn under faces wrinkled in rage.

He made a blunt accusation that scholars from the north-eastern coastline of America were indulged in a conspiracy of claiming that the United States was a ‘’post-industrial society’’. That claim, he asserted, was mainly true of their sector of the country. As a son of the State of Georgia in the South, that characterisation was false and ignored the raw reality of the 13 states in the South where social, economic and political conditions corroborated what Euro-American scholars routinely slapped on ‘’Third World countries’’ of Africa, Asia and South America.

Sharkansky outlined the following notorious list of ‘’tribal marks’’ marking states in the Southern United States, namely: (One) a state ruled by a single-party dictatorship; (Two) authorities that used the police and goons to stop African Americans from registering to vote or be voted for; (Three ) legislatures which manipulated boundaries of constituencies to ensure that black communities could not elect one of their own into state assemblies and Congress ; (Four) having high levels of illiteracy; infant mortality and malnutrition; (Five) lack of industrialisation, and using permanent indebtedness to trap landless blacks to be serfs. These ‘’tribal marks’’ of backwardness were expressed in mournful hill-billy music popular with poor whites, and ‘’negro spirituals’’ among African-Americans.

Hillary Clinton was increasingly frustrated by their fanatical support for Trump and labelled them as ‘’undesirables’’. She, however, panicked when Trump’s campaign machine used her contempt to pour buckets of petrol over flames of fanatical adoration for ‘’Jesus Trump” – as one placard proclaimed. She was in step with those African elites who throw soft venom - such as ‘’primitive’’ - on people from sections of their country that were not favoured with development by colonial officials. They too arouse wrath in ’’those others’’.

Trump smeared Mexicans as thieves and purveyors of illicit drugs, including cocaine. He claimed that he saw one Nigerian in Alaska and accused him of taking jobs away from Americans in that oil-rich and ice-dominated state. To keep the Mexicans out he would build a wall across borders of Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. A wall to force invading Nigerians back into the Atlantic Ocean would be followed by a resolve to ‘’re-colonise Africans’’. It was as if Trump was imitating President Jacob Zuma who was blaming governments in Africa whose failed policies were forcing their people to flee to South Africa. He fell short of joining the late Professor Ali A. Mazrui that Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa should ‘’colonise’’ those African governments that have been ruined by corruption and tyranny. Both Trump and Zuma were giving people frustrated by poverty other people to divert their anger at.

After winning the election it turns out that good Muslims are who have thrown billions of dollars to buy military weapons from Trump and his allies among the ‘’military-industrial’’ fraternity. Saudi Arabia

FOR AN AMERICAN ELITE WHO SUBVERT ELECTIONS IN EASTERN EUROPE, AFRICA, ASIA AND SOUTH AMERICA WITH NASTY MEASURES THAT HAVE INCLUDED ASSASSINATIONS, LIES, POURING FUNDS INTO ELECTION CAMPAIGNS IN FAVOUR OF CIA AGENTS, CORRUPT AND UNPATRIOTIC ECONOMIC PROSTITUTES, IT IS LAUGHABLE TO SEE THEM SCREAMING ABOUT RUSSIA’S PRESIDENT PUTIN’S FINGERS SHOVING HILLARY CLINTON OUT OF THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE

that was once accused of breeding Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda is no longer full of ‘’evil’’ Muslims exporting violence around the world, now had a ‘’wise’’ ruler. His determination to find legal whips for banning Muslims from entering America as well as ‘’deporting them out of America’’ recalls Hutu leaders in Rwanda calling Tutsi people as ‘’cockroaches’’ to justify exterminating them; and Boers in South Africa gunning down primary school children because they were ‘’communists’’. The children were demonstrating for an education which promised hope and capacity to participate in a world beyond the prison of apartheid.

Under the umbrella of hating Barack Obama for taking his black skin into the White House, Trump is hiding a plan to enrich insurance and pharmaceutical companies whose greed had been curbed by Obama. Under the fury of uprooting the so-called ‘’Obama Care’’, Trump seeks to rob 20 million Americans of access to medical attention and ensure high profits to big business. In Africa we scream against bureaucrats and politicians who build ‘’white elephant’’ projects, and direct budgets into their pockets while the people starve.

The difference with Trump is that our robbers do not own factories that manufacture medical drugs and equipment.

Trump’s most welcome gift to Africa is his bringing sunlight into the corridors of the American media and Congress by courageously and stubbornly bringing Russia into American elections. For an American elite who subvert elections in eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and South America with nasty measures that have included assassinations, lies, pouring funds into election campaigns in favour of CIA agents, corrupt and unpatriotic economic prostitutes, it is laughable to see them screaming about Russia’s President Putin’s fingers shoving Hillary Clinton out of the road to the White House. Currently, they are hating Joseph Kabila in the Democratic Republic of Congo because he has awarded Chinese companies rich contracts for building railways, roads, hospitals, and agricultural projects; to be paid for with mining various minerals.

His hatred for the ‘’Green Climate Fund’’ in the Paris Climate Change Agreement is almost hysterical because it promises paying at least one billion dollars each year to support African countries hit by drought, floods and famine due to harm to food production.

He would most probably salivate at the thought of seeing Obama in every starving African child. His ‘’firing’’ the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tallies with that brutal bands in American cultural geography which has ran from virtual genocide against indigenous peoples (now tagged as ‘’Native Americans’’); a slave-based economy; bullying and exploiting South America and the Caribbean; bombing Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, and rousing shouts of’ ‘’BLACK LIVES MATTER’’ on her streets during the 2016 election campaign.

The saving grace is that Americans have anchored in their constitution a historic flight from oppression in Europe in search for freedom and prosperity for commoners; and a suspicion against ever lurking threats to its promise. Accordingly, their will to fight enemies of freedom and justice will clip Trump’s poisonous rages, hatreds and greed. Their democracy is still on the road to wearing virtues. Another name for that status is ‘’under-development’’.

Prof. Oculi is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

A WINNING HAND

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he Ministry of Defence and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded remarkable successes since the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, particularly in the area of degrading Boko Haram terrorists and reducing insecurity and criminalities in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country. The political commitment and support of the Commander- in- Chief of the Armed Forces gave boost to the key successes recorded by the military against insecurity and insurgency in Nigeria. This has gone a long way to redeem the country’s image and boost confidence in the minds of the citizenry that the days of compromising the security and wellbeing of Nigeria are over.

Some of the key successes recorded during the period under review include the immediate change in military leadership that gave new direction and impetus to the military and other security agencies.

The relocation of military command and control centre from Abuja to the theatre of operations has significantly succeeded in boosting the morale of the troops. This also guarantees smooth control of military operations in the North East. The establishment of operation LAFIYA DOLE theatre command has also unified the command structure system in the theatre of operations. In line with President Buhari’s promise to secure every ground in the land many operations were conducted some of them still on going. Few of them are operations Awatse, Delta safe, Mesa and Harbin Kunama. Others include Operations Iron Force, Gama Aiki one and two by multinational joint task force and Sharan Daji which the president personally launched in Dansadau Village in Zamfara State. The Ministry of Defence as the supervising ministry has carried out major reforms in the ministry and the armed forces respectively.

Tukur Gusau writes that the Ministry of Defence has performed remarkably The reforms have yielded positive results and significant departure from the past since its creation in 1958. The MOD has reviewed the defence policy and conducted military pension verification and over 20,000 ghost workers were discovered in the payroll system. This exercise has saved government huge resources. The ministry also facilitated the administration of Group life Assurance scheme for members of the armed forces. The reforms also touched the pension scheme for the retirees.

Another major reform by the Ministry of Defence under the able leadership of Mansur Mohammed Dan-Ali includes a review of the Order of Battle (ORBAT) for the armed forces to accommodate the contemporary security challenges. Under the new order of battle two new divisions six in Port Harcourt and eight in Monguno were established by the Nigerian Army with a plan to have a brigade in all the 36 states of the federation. The new army divisions will no doubt enhance security along neighbouring countries of Cameroun, Niger and Republic of Chad as well as in the riverine areas of the Niger Delta. New units were similarly established in line with the requirement of the new ORBAT. Under this arrangement some specialised units like the motor cycle battalions were established to enhance quick mobility especially in areas unsuitable for vehicular movements. The newly inducted K-9 sniper dogs battalion has been deployed in the North East.

Additionally, the Nigerian Army established many forward operational bases across the country with a view of supporting tactical operations and to cover any likely security gap especially around the border regions. The latest is the Fort Muhammadu Buhari recently commissioned by the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai in Daura, Katsina State.

The Nigerian Navy has similarly expanded in line with the demand of the new order of battle. A naval outpost has been created and stationed in Lake Chad Basin and it has since been operational. Still on the new ORBAT, the NAF has established a special operations command with quick response units located at Gusau, Owerri and Ipetu-Ijesha, Bauchi, Jos, Katsina, Owerri and Yola. They are geared towards enhancing base protection and quick response to nationwide emergencies, civil crisis and other internal security threats. In the area of training of personnel, the three services trained both officers and soldiers within and out of the country. Special Forces were trained to handle myriad of security challenges like handling of improvised explosive devises. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin said the training of the special forces will enhance the capacity and operations of troops in the fight against insurgency in the North-east, militancy in the Niger Delta and armed herdsmen.

Similarly, army, navy and air war colleges have been established with the view to build the capacity of middle level officers in the application of operational doctrine and war fighting principles. Interestingly, the Air War College has since graduated its first set.

To bridge the educational and research gap in the armed forces the Nigerian Army and Navy have established Nigerian Army University, Biu in Borno State and Admiralty University in Ibusa, Delta State.

There is a steady increase in the recruitment and enlistment into the Armed Forces with enhanced capacity development so as to withstand the growing need for personnel and complex nature of operations to counter insurgency and other forms of criminalities in the country. The number of Nigerians being recruited into the armed forces has

been increased in the last two years. For example, the Nigerian Air Force trained 5737 personnel both in Nigeria and abroad to enhance service delivery and professionalism in the service.

In the area of improving military platform the president has displayed an uncommon spirit of leadership by graciously releasing two Helicopters from the Presidential Air Fleet to the Nigerian Air Force as well as six helicopters transferred from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the recent induction by Defence Minister on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari of two Mi-35 sophisticated helicopters deployed in the ground attack in the North-east to boost the operations of the Air Force. According to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, the induction of the helicopters will enhance the NAF effectiveness and capacity in the fight against insurgency and other forms of criminalities in the country. NAF will take delivery of the remaining Mi-35 by the end of 2018. This is in addition to 10 Mushak trainer aircraft already supplied. Also, contracts for the purchase of 12 aircraft and two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have also been approved in addition to more than 80 young pilots from the rank of Wing Commanders to Pilot officers trained. This is against the previous practice whereby very senior officer constitutes the bulk of the fighter pilots.

The federal government also procured Mine Resistant Ambush Protection vehicles, Mine Sweepers and ammunitions of different calibre for the Nigerian Army. This is addition to the ones donated by the US government last year to support the North-east operations.

Col. Gusau is the Media Aide to the Minister of Defence

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JUNE 17, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

One day for the thief...

Waziri Adamawa: Grateful People Elevate Their Own

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o those who are used to Atiku Abubakar, it did not come as a surprise when whispers turned to reality. On June 1, 2017, a routine meeting of the Adamawa Emirate Council, held in Yola, capital of Adamawa State, under the able leadership of the Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Aliyu Musdafa. The meeting took the significant and important decision to elevate the former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar in the hierarchy of the nobility of the emirate.

The former Vice-President and an illustrious son of the emirate was pronounced the Waziri Adamawa, or traditional prime minister of the emirate. For Atiku, as he is fondly called by all and sundry, the journey to the revered rank of Waziri has been a long one. Before now, he has been the proud and contented holder of the revered and princely title of “Turaki’’, a title which has competed and interchanged with his name Atiku for more than three decades.

In traditional Fulani society, the Turaki, is a prince who is in charge of the household matters of the Lamido or emir and he is usually regarded as a favourite of the ruler. Thus, the holder of the title is not a commoner or outsider but someone who has blood ties to the royal house.

It is a testimony to the staying power of this man, and divine favour, that he is around to have the title bestowed on him having been the Turaki Adamawa for close to 35 years. It was on November 19, 1982 that in pomp and pageantry, and in the presence of Nigerians of all walks of life, that Atiku Abubakar was turbaned as the Turaki Adamawa at the palace of the then Lamido, the late Aliyu Musdafa.

Therefore, those who initially raised eyebrows about the Lamido’s decision to confer the Waziri title on Atiku Abubakar could be pardoned because it seemed the decision was taken by consensus and spontaneity, by the members of the emirate council following the demise of the former occupant of that position, and the urgent need to fill the position with a popular, and effective person. Being a member of the royal family of the emirate by virtue of his marriage to one of the daughters of the late Lamido, Princess Rukaiyat, who is a sister of the current traditional ruler, Atiku’s qualification is not in doubt.

Added to his eligibility is the fact that all through the years that he served as Turaki, he displayed utmost loyalty to the traditional institution and supported the latter to ensure the peace, prosperity and development of the emirate. Atiku’s energy and appeal, according to observers, has greatly delighted the Lamido and his council. It was therefore natural that they found for him higher responsibility, an opportunity which presented itself when the critical

and strategic position of Waziri or prime minister, became vacant.

As traditional prime minister, the new Waziri would be expected to be a reliable counsellor to the Lamido, assisting him with advice for the good governance, peace and stability of the emirate. The new Waziri, in the thinking of those who know him will excel in this task given the great love he has for his native Adamawa State and its people.

Adamawa Emirate and by extension Adamawa State, is endowed with many outstanding individuals who have played prominent roles in the life of the Nigerian nation and Adamawa State. Atiku Abubakar is a primus inter pares among Adamawa’s illustrious sons and daughters.

“You are fit for this position (of Waziri) because of your total loyalty and support to the development of the (Adamawa) Emirate. Since independence of Nigeria, no citizen of the emirate had shown love and patriotism to Adamawa like you. You promoted Adamawa to the world and may Allah bless you and give you more health and long life to continue the good work,” Galadima of Adamawa, Alhaji Mustafa Aminu had eulogised the new Waziri when he led a delegation to pay homage to him.

Louis Okoroma, Abuja

T

LASDRI and Safety of Lagos’ Highways

ransportation is the pivot around which the wheel of every modern economy revolves.

The efficiency with which people, goods and services can move from one point to the other largely determines the quality of life of every society.

Lagos population is huge. According to the United Nations projection, by 2018 the population will be 30 million, making it the 3rd largest city in the world.

Lagos daily records an average of 227 vehicles per every square kilometre of roads. One factor that has continued to work against safety on roads across the country is the failure of motorists, most especially commercial drivers, to obey simple traffic rules and regulations. Most of the drivers using the highways in Nigeria never got trained formally anywhere.

They were trained by people that are not qualified to train drivers. They keep on passing bad habits to the drivers they train and this has resulted in what we find on the highways.

Today, throughout Africa, public transportation is dominated by the operations of a ‘disorganised’ informal sector. Without a doubt, this has hampered economic development and reduced the quality of life of citizens as the largely disorganised transport system brings about colossal economic losses.

Being the economic hub of West-Africa, Lagos is

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

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

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

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

not entirely immune from the jumbled transport experience. For obvious reasons, driving in Lagos could be an appalling experience. Both commercial and private drivers drive in a haste either to meet up with an urgent appointment or to make brisk business. The result is the confusion that usually characterised Lagos roads, especially at peak hours.

It is in order to address this anomaly that the Lagos State Government established the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute, LASDRI, with the aim of improving knowledge and skills of road users’ especially commercial drivers. LASDRI also has the mandate of ensuring that professional and licensed drivers improve their skills on a continuous basis to achieve a 35% reduction in road traffic crashes attributed to human errors. The setting up of LASDRI was a bold step towards ensuring that motorists are schooled in the technology and art of driving.

Part of LASDRI’s mandates is to ensure that all professional drivers in the employment of both government and private organisations are trained and re - trained, at least once every year. The purpose of the training is to update the skills of drivers after which certificates of competence are issued to deserving ones. The institute also provides facilities to assist registered driving schools in the state, compiles and maintains database of all professional drivers in Lagos State, educates trainees in the proper use of the highway, organises conferences, seminars, workshops and educational programmes for professional and non - professional drivers from time to time, among others.

Presently, LASDRI operates through five training centres that are located across the five divisions of the state viz-a-viz: Ikeja centre; LSTC yard at Ilupeju-Oshodi; Badagry centre; Oko Afo, after Agbara Industrial Estate; Badagry, Ikorodu centre; Lagos State Ministry of Transportation (VIO) yard, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos Island centre; Oja Oba Market by Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island and Epe centre; Lagos State Ministry of Transportation yard, Epe-Ikorodu road, Epe. Like it is being done with all the projects of the state government, the institute has embraced the scientific approach in fulfilling the LASDRI dream and this is gradually paying off. This is reflected in the training programmes the institute organises for its target audience. Today, LASDRI has the first driver education curriculum in Nigeria and indeed Africa which was taken to a conference organised by the Swedish Development and Cooperation Agency (SIDA) in South Africa and it was recommended to other African countries.

Dawodu Olatokunbo, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 17, 2017

SUPER SATURDAY

FACE ONU

Producing a Movie with Lesbianism as Theme Does not Mean I Support It

Onu

In the silhouette created by the blue light in the posh hotel room, four feminine lissom lips locked together, with slender hands groping, caressing each other’s body. The scene was unnatural and the act considered unforgivable. But the two lovebirds appeared caught between a rock and hard place.

Cut! The scene changed to a young man cuddling up with another man. One is the husband; the other is the ‘wife’. They seemed so happy but the enraged world was destined to burn them alive. As in real life and movies, the subject of homosexuality in Nigeria is usually discussed in hushed voice. But in a daring move and belief, an entrepreneur and movie producer, Face Onu, explores the theme of lesbianism – homosexuality – in her latest flick, Busted. In this interview with Azuka Ogujiuba, Onu explains why she chose to explore the controversial theme of homosexuality in her new film

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 17, 2017

15

SATURDAY SOME ARTISTES SHIELD AWAY DUE TO THE CENTRAL THEME OF MY MOVIE

I

s your new movie, ‘Busted’, your first movie in the Nigerian movie industry?

No. We have an Igbo movie already airing on DSTV tilted, ‘Ndi Igbo’ Why the title ‘Busted’ and what inspired you to make the movie?

The movie speaks for itself when it comes to title. It was originally titled ‘Busted: a Lone Road’ because the lead character trod on a lonely path. Unfortunately, the censor board requested we keep the title as simply ‘Busted’.

Speaking of inspiration, I am someone who begs to differ. I don’t do what everyone else is doing out there. I love to do what’s really never been done before.

How did you pick the lead character, a lesbian, in the movie?

We had several auditions for that role.

I wanted someone that could portray the central message. We even approached some up-comers in the industry that had 60 per cent of what I was looking for but they shied away from playing the role. I kept hunting until my sister called my attention to one Chika (who eventually became the lead character) but I wasn’t so interested to follow up because I heard she wasn’t interested and had never acted before. So, one day I bumped into the same girl, unaware it was the same girl my sister had told me about. Then I went all out to convince her to join the crew and also made her a good offer. The rest is history.

Were you discouraged at any point while producing the movie

by Nigerian outlook on the issue of homosexuality?

Yes; because I know many Nigerians will frown at it being that homosexuality is illegal and totally unacceptable publicly. And again couple of directors wasn’t so keen on taking up the job. We also visited couple of distributors including DSTV and their response was not encouraging at all.

It was actually the scriptwriter (Blessing Effiom Egbe) that encouraged me to shoot the movie and this was after shelving the script for almost a year. Then secondly, I would say no because inasmuch as it is termed ‘illegal’, the truth remains that a lot of our youths are so much involved in the act so I felt producing a movie with same-sex theme will open the eyes of many parents to arrest the situation on time if faced with it and to help with rehabilitation of those involved than judge or condemn them.

What was your biggest challenge in the course of producing the movie?

My main challenge was censor ’s board approval and then getting

Face Onu and her sister, Lisa the right crew to work with being my first major project. Then we had financial issues but somehow God in his mercy made a way as always.

What is the central message of the movie?

Diversity in sex perceptions; it’s a clear picture of what is happening in the society. Parents should not be too strict by scaring their children while telling them about sex. They should also let them know that same-sex relationship isn’t the will of God. Don’t you think this movie will encourage the lesbian and gay community in Nigeria to grow, knowing full well that Nigeria is a society where such practices are forbidden?

On the contrary, I believe the movie will help curb their activities and also in changing them positively without necessary hurting them. And I didn’t know we have lesbian and gay community here in Nigeria!

What is your personal view on homosexuality in general?

Inasmuch as the issue is highly sensitive and I know this matter is almost as old as the world; my personal view doesn’t really count. But I know that it is not the will of God for us and God condemns the act.

What inspired you to produce a movie with such a delicate theme?

To sound a reminder to the people involved and to parents, so we do not completely lose our children to this act – because they are tomorrow’s leaders. This is because it has started ravaging the youths and theirs mentors in this country. No need to sweep it under the carpet.

How do you juggle being a movie producer and a mother?

It hasn’t been easy trying to balance it, but I give in my best and God has been my strength.

Apart from producing movies what do you do?

As a strong entrepreneur, I have my hands on several other things and still striving to grow every aspect of any business I venture into. I have been a versatile and seasoned business woman for a couple of years now; only that the country has a funny way of crippling small and large businesses with no apology.

How do you relax and let out steam?

Chatting with my friends and ‘frenemies’ and also travelling and watching my favourite programmes on television.

The truth remains that a lot of our youths are so much involved in the act so I felt producing a movie with samesex theme will open the eyes of many parents to arrest the situation on time if faced with it and to help with rehabilitation of those involved than judge or condemn them

It Was Challenging but My New Movie was Worth the Stress

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 17, 2017

THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri

Between General Abubakar and President Buhari and a Bit About Saraki

M

y dear readers, I am in a celebratory mood. My book, Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years, Chibok, 2015 and the Conspiracies, is officially a bestseller. It peaked at the #1 position on two categories WORLDWIDE, Conspiracy Theories and International Business and Investing on Monday June 12, 2017. Coincidentally, that date marked my 13th wedding anniversary so it was a double celebration at my house.

The book also peaked worldwide at #4 amongst political books and at #9 in both the religious and historical bestseller rankings. It is also out as an ebook and doing very well.

You can buy the book on amazon but it is faster to purchase it via my website renoomokri.org.

On Tuesday the 13th of June, 2017, the great patriot and nation builder, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, turned 75 years old. Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, his former boss and military superior who joined the army years before General Abubakar did says he is 74. If I talk they will say I am a wailer!

In any case, we have a President who told us last October 1st that (and I am using his exact words), “Investors from all over the world are falling over themselves to come and do business in Nigeria.” This is despite the fact that under Buhari, foreign investment into Nigeria has fallen to a nine-year low. Well I guess a man who can tell such a blatant lie can be relied upon to state his real age.

Inconclusive age. Inconclusive certificate. Inconclusive elections. Please General Abdulsalami Abubakar, find time to advise your ‘younger’ brother to be more honest during this year’s October 1 speech.

And then this integrity-challenged Presidency had the guts to call the discharge of Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday the 14th of June an ‘outrageous travesty of justice’!

This is the same Presidency that was quiet when a Kano court freed the killers of evangelist Bridget Agbahime after the Kano State Attorney General withdrew the charges against them. I guess that was not a ‘travesty of justice’ to them.

Andthenthisintegrity-challenged Presidencyhadthegutstocallthe dischargeofSenatePresident AbubakarBukolaSarakibytheCode ofConductTribunalonWednesday the14thofJunean‘outrageous travestyofjustice’!Thisisthesame PresidencythatwasquietwhenaKano courtfreedthekillersofevangelist BridgetAgbahimeaftertheKano StateAttorneyGeneralwithdrewthe chargesagainstthem.Iguessthatwas nota‘travestyofjustice’tothem. Thisis thesamePresidencythatseesnothing wrongwithPresidentMuhammadu Buharihiring13SANsforhisdefence inthecasechallengingtheauthenticity ofhisWAECcertificate.Idonotneed evenoneSANifsomeoneaccusesme ofnothavingmyWAECcertificate.

AllIhavetodoispresentit.Ifitislost, allIhavetodoisapplytoWASCor CambridgeUniversityforaletter acknowledgingthatIsatforand passedmyWAEC/GCE.

Buhari

Abdulsalami Abubakar

This is the same Presidency that sees nothing wrong with President Muhammadu Buhari hiring 13 SANs for his defence in the case challenging the authenticity of his WAEC certificate. I do not need even one SAN if someone accuses me of not having my WAEC certificate. All I have to do is present it. If it is lost, all I have to do is apply to WASC or Cambridge University for a letter acknowledging that I sat for and passed my WAEC/GCE. This is coming only two days after the National Judicial Council exposed the Buhari Presidency as liars who lied about their appeal in the case of reinstated Justice Adeniyi Ademola and five other judges.

That a Presidency with such a record of dishonesty has the guts to point the finger at Saraki is the real outrage and travesty! As far as I am concerned, the only good thing about this Presidency is acting Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

I mean look at the people surrounding President Buhari? A polytechnic graduate as finance minister, a French graduate as agriculture minister and an English Literature graduate with no private sector experience as minister of transport!

Never since the civil war has Nigeria been so divided.

This administration is so inept and divisive that even amongst themselves they are fighting. What did Jesus say in Matthew 12:25 “every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:” The Presidency allowed the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, to lambast the judiciary, a separate and independent arm of government. The judiciary responded by calling the Presidency dishonest. Let us not forget that the Presidency has been fighting the legislature, the third arm of government.

Not only is the government divided, the nation is divided. The North has given a quit notice to the Igbo and is not backing down. The rest of the country is taking preemptive measures as we speak.

And even though Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed his ‘condemnation’ of the quit notice given to the Igbo by Northern youths and ordered the ‘arrest’ of their leaders, it is now over a week and the police have not arrested even one of the youths who gave the Igbo the quit notice.

I am not surprised. I expected it. If you go to my facebook profile, you will see that I as much as predicted it. Not by any divine revelation, but just by a process of deductive reasoning.

Do you still doubt the 5% versus 97% mantra? Compare this with the speed with which the police arrested the man who named his dog Buhari. Compare that with the speed at which the one-sided arrest was carried out after the Ife Hausa/Yoruba clash. This is the same way that the killers of evangelist Eunice Agbahime were discharged on the order of the Kano State Attorney General meanwhile Audu Maikori who erroneously tweeted false information and apologised was arrested faster than the speed of light.

Is it not clear people? There is one law for the 5% and another law for the 97%. Welcome to the new and improved Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari!

I am more than 100% confident that the current division in Nigeria was ignited by that infamous 5%

versus 97% speech that Muhammadu Buhari gave in Washington on June 23, 2015. It is quite unfortunate that this administration began on such a premise.

No Father should ever tell some of his kids in the presence of the rest of his kids that he loves them more than the others. When that happens, the discontent that it will cause may lead to the break-up of that home.

Even if you as a father have favourites, you must do your best to hide it. Genesis 37:4 says “And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.” Is it any surprise then that today the 97% “not speak peaceably unto” the 5%?

In this instance, President Muhammadu Buhari, is Jacob, the North and specifically the North-west and more specifically Katsina State and even more specifically Daura are Joseph. The South-east are the 10 half brothers of Joseph who were not loved as much as Jacob loved Joseph. The South-west is Benjamin, Joseph’s full brother from his mother Rachel who Jacob loved second best after Joseph of all his 12 children.

Finally, let me end by saying that I like Aisha Muhammadu Buhari. She is a classy and very beautiful First Lady, but is it right for her to accept China’s N60 million donation to her NGO? China has expansionist and imperialist ambitions in Nigeria and Africa. After accepting this monies, can her husband and his administration still stand up to China in crucial negotiations? Is this not a conflict of interest? A nation that is offering Nigeria billions of dollars in loans gives out such a huge sum to the President’s wife’s pet project.

There is nothing wrong with China giving financial aid to Nigeria, but giving it to our First Lady’s pet project is another thing. How a so-called anti-corruption President like Muhammadu Buhari cannot see the error in this makes people of conscience doubt his anti-corruption credentials. If this happened in America or Europe it would provoke a Congressional/Parliamentary probe.

Let me ask you a question, would Nigeria’s cashtivists have been quiet if the wife was Patience Jonathan and the husband was Dr. Goodluck Jonathan?

Reno’s Nuggets: Stupidity is when you can’t give an ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen who kill your people but give the Igbo that kill no one an ultimatum to leave! Foolishness is when you attack South Africa for xenophobia but practice a worse kind Internally against your fellow citizens. Hypocrisy is when you praise a man who promised to soak the dog and baboon in blood and take umbrage against a man who wrongly calls his nation a zoo. Nigeria is never a zoo, but the person who believes we are dogs and baboons obviously believed it is!

Reno Omokri is a Christian TV talk show host and founder of the Mind of Christ Christian Center and the Helen and Bemigho Sanctuary for orphans. He is the author of the worldwide amazon bestseller Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years: Chibok, 2015 and Other Conspiracies and three books, Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God, Why Jesus Wept and Apples of Gold: A Book of Godly Wisdom.

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS INTERVIEW AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER POLITY FASHION FILE

Oke Chuma Chinye My Mission is to Lift People out of Doldrums to Fulfilled Dreams

pg. 20 pg. 24 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 34 pg. 41

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 17, 2017

PLUS

How to be Successful as a Stayat-Home Mother Resolute and astute, the Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry, Mrs. Oke Chuma Chinye, is a testament to rediscovery and transformation. From being an overweight stay-at-home mother she has become an alluring woman of substance. Her life’s story signposts how women and anybody can rise above their seeming limitations and insurmountable challenges to become the best they can be in life. An author of the book, ‘Living the Life’, Chinye in this interview with Ahamefula Ogbu talks about her Rock Teaching Ministry, her book, and how she rose from living in a leper’s colony to becoming one of Nigeria’s brightest minds in psychology and enterprise

Y

ou are a woman of many parts can we know more about you?

To know me, I would like to break it down into what my calling is and what my profession is. So, by profession I am a business psychologist – I’m a learning and development consultant.

By calling, I am an inspirational teacher; a Bible study teacher.

I love to help people discover themselves. I love to inspire people to rise up from whatever challenges hold them down in life. Everyone has what it takes to surmount challenges and be where God has designed for them to be. But a lot of times we let fear, low self-esteem, challenges, distractions and the weight of life to weigh us down.

I found out that when people are supported, inspired, equipped with the know-how, they are able to rise up, surmount their challenges and become all they were created to be.

It is a book where I brought my personal experiences, my profession as a business psychologist and my calling as an inspirational teacher together to inspire people. It is about helping people find balance in life.

You find that some people are thriving spiritually but they are empty financially and physically. Some people are thriving financially but they are not happy because spiritually, they are empty

Was that what informed the launching of The Rock Teaching Ministry?

I would say yes. The inspiration I got for the Rock Teaching Ministry was a combination of my personal experiences, my profession and my calling in life. The Rock Teaching Ministry is about helping people actualise their worth. In the past, I struggled with finding out who I really was.

There was this light, a sensation inside of me saying this is who I am. So, the Rock Teaching Ministry is about fulfilling that purpose, that assignment God has

given me to accomplish on earth; helping people find out who they are and equipping them to actualise their purpose and supporting them in that journey of fulfilling a purpose. In trying to know who you are and get your bearing, you have some challenges.

What are those things you have suffered in life that became the compendium of your book, ‘Living the Life’?

I get very emotional when people ask me about my book because it is a personal experience. It is about helping people. The book is a God-inspired life -changing resource. I got inspiration from God to write that book. In that book you will find issues of purpose, relationships, physical health and spiritual awareness. You have seasons of your life and then life after our time here on earth. It is a book where I brought my personal experiences, my profession as a business psychologist and my calling as an inspirational teacher together to inspire people. It is about helping people find balance in life. You find that some people are thriving spiritually but they are empty financially and physically. Some people are thriving financially but they are not happy because spiritually, they are empty.

You even have people who are thriving financially and spiritually but in their emotions, their relationships, they are a failure. ‘Living the Life’ is about helping people find that balance because it is based on that premise on the Word of God, in John that says ‘Beloved I wish above all things that you will prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers. That is God’s purpose in our lives. God wants us to prosper spiritually, not just spiritually. He wants our relationship to blossom. He wants us to be financially, emotionally, intellectually and mentally balanced so that we can be at our best to fulfil the purpose he has for us. A lot of people find that they are struggling in one area of life or the other, so ‘Living the Life’ equips people. It deals with all sorts of challenges. It talks about issues of weight, finances, stress, relationship and even sexual issues that people encounter in their marriages, so it is a book that delves into life’s challenges in a practical way.

How did nature prepare you academically, experientially, physically and spiritually to arrive at this point in life?

It has been a journey for me. My first degree was in pharmacy. After a few years of practising pharmacy, I knew deep down that it wasn’t for me.

After getting married, I stayed at home as a stay-at-home mother; a few years after, I began to feel restless inside of me. I began to see a desire to study more, to develop myself more. There is this emptiness

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JUNE 17, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS

The Chinye family

My Book, ‘Living the Life’ is Changing Many Lives inside me and as I began to think about it I saw myself drawn to motivational, situational books and I wanted to do a master’s programme and since my first degree was in pharmacy I thought it was going to be in public health but then to date I don’t know how I got a pamphlet in psychology – that was my first encounter with psychology and as I read psychology I found out that it was about human behaviour, changing people, about helping people live better life and as I read that pamphlet, a light entered into me and I knew that psychology was for me.

That is how I had my first master’s degree in psychology. Yet, I have another master’s degree in Business Psychology.

Now I know that psychology is what I was meant to study as it helps me in all areas. In all the teachings I do about people, psychology comes to the fore. As I grew in my relationship with Christ, I knew that was my calling because I would literally hear messages coming into my mind. It was like someone was in front of me teaching me. Some other times I would see myself speaking and talking to people – a lot of stories I shared in my book came from personal experiences. The testimonies we have from people who have read the book so far is like, ‘Thank you so much. This is a book I had wanted in my life. It is a life-changing resource.

This is a book that answers the questions I have had in my life.’ What prepared me for what I am doing today is about my life experiences. All the businesses, all my non-profit organisations, every work I have gone into in my life have been about helping people. There was Woman Resource centre which was committed to total well-being of women.

There is stay-at-home mother network which is a support structure for women who took time off work to look after their children. I discovered that I struggled with so many challenges while at home during that time. First, there was an issue of loss of identity; it gets to a stage that you no longer know who you are. I put on so much weight; there was the issue of confidence. Let me say that it is not menial staying at home looking after the children as a stay-at-home mother. Children need to be looked after at a tender age. But while looking after your children, you need to keep developing yourself.

The problem of the stay-at-home mothers is that they don’t develop themselves and you find out that year after year down the line, they don’t recognise who they are and their confidence is really low.

Can we know how life was for you as a child?

We were six children and brought up in a very closely knit family. My parents were extremely protective – the kind of parents that didn’t want you to leave

the house during holidays in primary school. We weren’t very rich but we were comfortable. My father was this kind of person who was contented. He was a medical doctor; the first Nigerian leprologist. He taught us about humility, hard work and contentment.

Where did you have your formal education?

I grew up in Osioma, a leprosy settlement. We grew up in that small place and that is where I had my primary education and then I went to Maryanne College, Agbor and left secondary school at a very young age. So, I entered university at the age of 15. Getting into university, I struggled but I was the best graduating student in my year and that was how I came to study pharmacy in University of Benin. Because I was so young I struggled with so many things in the university.

I didn’t know how to balance going to class, the challenges and distractions in a university environment. In my first year I struggled; sometimes I would not go for lectures without any reason. After graduation, I worked in Warri for a few years, met my husband and got married, started a business, and began having children.

The first two children came in quick succession and then my pregnancies were usually very difficult so I had to take time off. I would have morning sickness from the first month to the ninth month.

How did you meet your husband?

We were in the same school but I didn’t know him. After I met him he told me the story. He was in UNIBEN and had a cousin who was in my pharmacy class.

So, he used to see me when he came to see his cousin in school and he said he used to say that I was the kind of wife he would like to get married to. According to him, he didn’t have the ‘liver’ to approach me. He said it was like a far-fetched dream he never knew would come true.

Years after graduation, our paths crossed and we got married.

What did you see in him that made you marry your husband?

I didn’t really fall (in love); I wouldn’t say I fell (in love). But I discovered he had a sense of humour the first time we met.

I will say we were friends first because from the first two meetings we had he made me laugh and it was as if he is someone I have known all my life. But it wasn’t love at first sight but friendship which we still share to date.

How does your husband cope as some men are said to feel overshadowed by their wives?

My husband is a busy man and also an author. He is stimulated by intellectual discuss and is my staunch support structure; an ardent believer in what

God wants me to be. He is not only my supporter but gives me a platform to fly.

He is a successful man and cannot feel overshadowed.

What do you like in people?

I am a very intellectual person; some people would say I am a fashionable person. People fall into different categories, you see people who are fashionable people; you see those who are sociable, etc. I like people I can have intellectual discourse with.

What puts you off in people?

I don’t like people who are petty and judgmental. I don’t like those kinds of people because I believe that God’s love should rule our hearts and if you don’t know the details of what the person is passing through so why judge the person?

I don’t like rude, unkind; I always walk away from such people.

Assuming one raids your wardrobe, what will be found?

Many keep saying I am fashionable but one thing I know is that I look after myself. I exercise a lot because I have dealt with the challenges of weight loss.

At my heaviest I was over 100kg and I was wearing size 22. The only thing I could wear that time was a pair of pants or trousers that had an elastic waist-band with big shirt. I did that for years until one day I looked into the mirror and I said no, this wouldn’t continue. I started exercising every day apart from Sundays when I would go to church and I learnt how to eat healthy. I came across a book, ‘Make the connection’ which Oprah Winifred co-authored with another person where I learnt the signs of weight loss. I read the book like the Bible and followed the principles so I ended up losing weight.

At my slimmest I was about 75kg or 79kg and I started wearing size 12. Talking about my wardrobe you’ll find comfortable clothes.

What is the costliest earthly possession you have?

I haven’t taken stock. I have some jewellery – like diamonds – my husband gave to me as birthday gift – they are very expensive.

Being a beautiful woman though married, how do you handle men who try to make a pass at you?

It depends on a number of factors.

Every woman has a responsibility to put boundaries around her; boundaries in terms of where you go to. There are certain places you go to that you get those passes and there are certain places you go to that you don’t get those passes.

Eventually if you are in a place that you get those passes, how do you react to it immediately? If someone makes a pass

at you and you react immediately, your guards are up. You let the person know that there is no way for him; he stops. I have been so busy and leading a triangular life that I have no time.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in life?

I went to Harvard Business School for an executive programme, ‘Launching New ventures’, for the second time. The first was a career development programme.

As part of the activities and exercises we were divided into different groups and each group had to pick somebody out to come and talk about the business venture you want to start, how you intend to get funding and how you intend to launch, market it out. Each person in the group had to make his or her presentation and after, mine was singled out to represent the group in the final meeting. When it got to the turn of my group, here I was standing in a big hall right in the middle of the hall with all the global chief executives watching and I completely blanked out. I started a sentence, speaking passionately and suddenly my mind went blank. I didn’t remember what I was supposed to say and had to start all over.

It was quite embarrassing. Some people will understand while others can’t. But I learnt a lesson there: don’t let people put you on the spot. I didn’t want to do that presentation but my group put pressure on me. Don’t let people pressure you to do what deep down you didn’t want to do.

What is your most memorable moment so far in life?

I may say giving birth to my first child; bringing out my first child to the world.

I would always say a child I delivered without stress. The pregnancy was difficult but I remember delivering my first son, CJ, without stress by pushing only twice.

With such a busy schedule how do you juggle family and professional activities?

My first two children are in the university. I am more or less independent now.

The third child is in high school and my 11-year-old child.

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

The vision of the ministry is to be a one-stop centre where people come in and are taught; equipped to face the world and impact on it. In the next five years I see the Rock Teaching Ministry build a big resource centre like an institute where people come in and are trained all round to find their purpose, their calling, entrepreneurial training, then they gout there and impact the world – not just the skill but their confidence is built up to impact the world.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 17, 2017 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Idris Ibrahim, Police IG

The Billionaire Kidnapper’s Love for Mummy As this saga unfolds, one tiny detail caught my attention in one of the confessional statements I have seen, hoping it is true though. Nowadays we no longer know which story is true or not. (Have you listened to the purported conversation between the Ogun State Governor and one of his colleagues in the North? I just tire.)

Evans the great kidnapper of all time was said to have implicated his wife, claiming that she is fully aware of his atrocities and have even collected some ransom on his behalf at some point in his lucrative but nefarious career while exonerating his mother. Now this solves the longlasting riddle. Remember we used to ask ourselves the question, if your mother and wife are stranded on a sinking boat and you could save only one, which one would you save? Well, Evans has solved the riddle once and for all. He has told us all that mother is more important and of better value than wife. This is no joking matter o.

The man must have looked at his beautiful wife and calculated that when he is gone because he will surely go, the woman fit go marry another man and the man will be enjoying the spoils of his ‘hard work’ without caring for his children. But in his calculation, his mother will not remarry anybody and his ill-gotten wealth would be better consolidated and appropriated by her for the betterment of his children.

What do we call this thinking? Does it make sense? In Evans’ shoes, who would you choose: your mother or your wife? I keep quiet, my wife dey read this page, I am still serving my suspension from the other room with humility and would not risk an extension. I no want trouble. Evans the great, well done wise, foolish man.

Zenith Bank: Please Show Your True Colours I have very good friends in this bank and they have continued to give me a reason to believe in their vision and commitment to the general well-being of their immediate environment, hence my appeal. If you watched the video of the Zenith Bank robbery that happened in Owerri some months ago, you will at first marvel at the bravery of the policemen who against all odds stood firmly against the robbers who remained sons of dogs. In the process, they lost their lives and I hear one of them is still in a pitiable condition. I have waited and watched to see how this wonderful bank would react to their plight but I have not seen or heard anything. Now it is possible that they would have silently done something for their families but since I have not heard or seen, I would like to now make this request that they should kindly come to the aid of these gallant officers’ families.

Salary for life, medical for life would not be such a bad idea and jobs for all dependants in Zenith would also go a long way in wiping off their tears. The activities of these heroes ensured that the whole branch, its staff and customers were protected from the fire of these satanic messengers. I know and trust you guys to perform and show the true colours we all know you are made of. So Victor and Akin over to you, let’s make this happen. God bless you guys as you reach out to the families of these policemen.

Evans

Peter Amangbo-- Zenith Bank MD/CEO

...On Biafra I Stand Following the declaration by the northern youths giving Nigerians of south-eastern descent, the Igbo specifically October 1st to leave the North failure which everything and anything would be done to ensure proper cleansing of their region, I have started to have a rethink of my position regarding this matter.

The opportunities that will abound to those of us who are not Igbo and have refused to be drawn into the Biafra map cannot be quantified. It is very simple, when the Igbo leave, someone would be needed to provide the services they would be leaving behind. Who will now sell their spare parts, sell stock fish, run their chemists, sell second-hand clothes and short-time hotels in the North? There you see the opportunity left opened by this ultimatum for the Akwa Ibom man who has the sense to support this declaration. Please I am now throwing my weight behind the northern youths, all Igbo should leave the North. I even think the ultimatum is too long, it should be immediate abeg. I have immediately rushed to register my firm, ‘No Biafra Allowed Limited’ with headquarters

Dino Malaye : A National Question This question no get answer o. What do we do with Dino? He has so far this year been the centre of attention in our country. He has garnered more news bytes than even the President and today he is so popular that he has name recognition in all nooks and crannies of the country.

From academic credentials, to releasing exciting songs, my brother remains the Nigerian dilemma. He is now facing a recall by his constituents pitching him against his state governor and attracting gunshots in the process. Dino is by far the

in Sokoto so that I can be close to the Sultan. I will however beg to be allowed to hire two Igbo expatriates to ensure continuity in the businesses. Seriously, why do we need to continue to remain as one? The unity of this country has not benefited anybody so we must break up and urgently so. Let the Igbo go back to their Biafra but as they leave they must not go with all their women o. Their women especially the light-skinned ones and full-bodied ones should be given exceptions; they have a lot to contribute to the development of what would be left of our country.

Have you seen Igbo actresses? Kai I don’t want to mention names, Nigeria will not be the same if we lose such resources. So as we make all these declarations let us be careful so that we do not throw the baby out with the bath water?

We have to be very systematic as we drive away the Jews. On Biafra I stand abeg, make dem go but leave Genevieve, Cossy Orjiako and the rest. Nnamdi and him brothers are free to go. Laugh want kill me.

Which kind country? Nigeria, one drama one day.

man of the year even though we are still in June. He has emerged the main subject of discussion and interest in today’s Nigeria after Kanu and Evans the great. So you will ask what is my position. Do I support his recall or assassination? Let me state here very clearly nobody deserves to be shot no matter what, whether it is arranged or not.

Trying to eliminate a life can and will never be accepted. That said, what is my take on his recall? Well, in search of an answer, I headed to Ikeja where I met a new friend; young and very erudite lawyer from Kogi and asked him the question, ‘should Dino go’. His answer was emphatic and in firm

Dino Melaye

support of the colourful politician. He posited that despite his theatrics, Dino was still doing the job his people in Kogi sent him to the Senate to do. He opined that Dino was the leader in moving motions on the floor and as such he was dutifully representing not only his people but also the totality of Nigerians in the Senate and as such he should be left alone to continue with his good works. I agree. Simple.

Goodbye.

Command School Ipaja Alumni: Why Not Me? I attended Command School Ipaja. A great school with a strong pedigree. I was in that school from 1979 till.... I cannot remember when I left only that the koboko our then Principal, Mr. D.B. Ajayi laced my back with still resonates till this day. I loved the man to pieces and still have fond memories of him chasing me around the school compound with his koboko simply because I would not sit still and read my books. It was a beautiful experience at Command, going into the bush to get fruits to augment our food, playing volleyball and chasing girls through letter writing.

You see where my writing skills emanated from? I still smile anytime I think back to those days. But trouble is brewing in the clouds o. As a befitting 40th anniversary celebration of the great school, the alumni are nominating distinguished old students for recognition and awards and so far nobody has nominated me. You see my anger, even my set ‘84 are refusing to nominate me, the Duke of Shomolu. That is why I have brought this matter to Nigerians to help me put mouth o. Who else in that school deserves the award more than me?

Me, a great political thinker, I still marched with Charly Boy on Third Mainland Bridge last week, I voted in the June 12 elections, saw Bill Gates jogging on the Lekki bridge, lover of light-skinned women and a strong advocate of polygamy. They want to bypass me simply because I am an Ibibio man, forgetting everything I have done both for school and country. If not that I love this school so much, I would have taken this case to the International Court of Arbitration in Uyo. What kind of nonsense is this? Other schools are honouring distinguished alumni, this one is making me beg. If not that Fawehinmi my friend is late, this is the kind of fight he would have loved to jump on. That is their luck, why not me? I have not been able to sleep since the matter came up. Where is MASSOB and IPOB in this matter? Where is the OPC when one needs them? I will die o, give me this award o. I am the most outstanding alumnus of Command Secondary School, Ipaja. Oya guys don’t vex, please just give me, I am not fighting again, I am begging. I will buy TV set for the auditorium. Please na. Olumide, Bufo, Fubara, Femi Omotoso, Tanko, Ejiro these are some of my mates.

Please Nigerians help me beg them. If you need their numbers please call me, my number is on top of the page, call them and beg on my behalf o. I am in tears. I did so much for the school. I was the first to be flogged at the assembly ground and did not even flinch; opening the door for so many to be flogged if that is not an achievement, I don’t know what else is. Kai. Pastor Joshua won’t you say something?

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • june 17, 2017

21

SPY GLASS

Olu Okeowo

OLU OKEOWO’S WONDROUS TASTE

Olu Okeowo, a property merchant and philanthropist, is one of the successful men living their lives to the hilt.

Wealthy and influential, he has always dazzled his competitors and delighted his admirers. No doubt, his success story is such that will make anyone green with envy. He works hard for his money, so he spares nothing to spoil himself with the good things of life.

It will be recalled that in December 2016, he moved into his eye-popping Park-View palatial home in Lagos. The architectural masterpiece, otherwise called “Palacio de Okeowo,” is built on five acres overlooking the sea at one part.

The 16-bedroomed edifice boasts a world-class helipad, jetty and a 40-seater private chapel called ”Solomon’s Chapel of Faith;” one of the reasons it is said to be a mecca of sorts. It also has a lawn tennis court, a basketball court and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

It was also gathered that Okeowo, who recently took delivery of an exotic car, Bentley Mulsanne Extended WheelBase Limited Edition”said to worth several millions of Naira, marked his 52nd birthday with funfair.

The event, which was witnessed by Alist celebrities across the globe, including a former Ghanaian President, started with a church service and prayers. It was followed with a breakfast party and then the main party later that day.

The shrewd businessman who is unarguably one of the best property merchants in Nigeria, has been around for sometime. He is known for a number of imposing properties scattered around the country.

Today, Okeowo has become a reference point in the nation’s property sector.

AMOSUN TO BECOME ABIKE DABIRI’S IN-LAW

Though it is a few weeks away, there is no gainsaying the fact that the planned wedding between Ayomide Amosun, daughter of Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, and Oladipo Dabiri, Son of Hon. Abike Dabiri, a Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammad Buhari, is already generating a lot of buzz.

Indeed, both the political and society circles will witness yet another classy wedding when beautiful Ayomide, a lawyer, is joined in holy matrimony with her heartthrob, Oladipo, on July 8.

As gathered by Spyglass, the first leg of the wedding will hold in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while the second leg holds in

with bayo adeoye .... 08054680651 the US. Already, colourful invitation cards are being circulated among family members, close friends of the couple, celebrities, business tycoons, politicians and high net-worth individuals.

It was also gathered that both families are neck-deep in preparation to make the ceremony a huge success.

It was also gathered that some of the best events planners, fashion designers and make-up artists have been contracted, all in anticipation for the forthcoming shindig.

KING OF AFRICAN OIL, WALE JUBRIL TINUBU, GLIDES INTO GOLDEN AGE

Nigerian businessman and oil mogul, Wale Tinubu, CEO, Oando Oil, will turn 50 on June 26.

As the day is fast approaching, one is surprised that there has not been so much buzz, except a few reports. in some section of the media.

If one considers the frenetic importance that many in this part of the world attach to this kind of moment, that is attaining the Golden age, one would have expected that he would have began to roll out the drums preparatory to the D-day. Yes, for him, the day is worth celebrating. Or which of the favours of God can he deny in his life?

So, as he warms up for the big event, many are saying that he may not want tow the familiar path of launching a book to chronicle his inspiring journey so far.

Close sources hinted that Tinubu would rather want a low-key event.

Besides, it was gathered that he would prefer to commit his Godgiven wealth to lifting more indigent members of the society, in addition to organising a special prayer, on the occasion.

However, one thing is sure, the man would be celebrated to high heavens that day. it will not be surprising that every form of commendation and eulogy would be literally poured on him by those who have encountered him.

The reason for this may not be far-fetched. His life is a challenge to those who were born with the silver spoon, but, who as a result of lack of discipline and lack of focus, abused the privilege. At the same time, Tinubu’s life is an inspiration for people from humble backgrounds that they should never entomb their dreams, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity.

It was gathered that while growing up, Tinubu displayed traits of a child destined to be great in life. He was precious to the admiration of all. He nursed a beautiful dream to be one of the greatest businessmen in the world, coupled with his doggedness, providence was sure to smile on him. So, many would argue that his path was already laced with roses because of his background. What many do not know is that he began to sow with sweats long before now. In other words, the foundation of his business empire was laid with sweat, determination and hard work. Of course, you cannot rule

out the influence of divine grace in his life.

Many years after he floated his business, he resolved to pursue his dream on a global stage. Though it looked an impossible task at the time, he was determined to pursue his ambition of ruling the world with unwavering doggedness. Today, the company is not only recognised around the world, but the Lagos State- born oil mogul has been listed as one of the richest on the continent of Africa.

His emergence as a world-acclaimed businessman did not come as a surprise to those who knew him early in life. “As a very intelligent man, Wale Tinubu began to exhibit a high level of skills and attitude very early in life,” a source said, adding, “When he dabbled into business many years ago, his clear was to lead the company as a leading indigenous exploration and production player on the African continent, and today he has achieved that dream.”

His early life also portrayed him as a potentially great person in life. Like most young men of his generation, his dream was to become one of the greatest businessmen in the world.

Luckily, providence has granted him his heart’s desire.

That he has grown head and shoulders above several of his competitors in the industry is no longer in doubt, and today, he is one of the few Nigerians that rub shoulders with other top executives around the world, making him a glittering star in the global business firmament.

SEGUN AWOLOWO QUITS POLITICS

In Nigeria’s politics, stories abound of people who, at different times, have ridden on the crest of the name of the late political sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to prominence.

Perhaps, it was the same reaction that greeted the emergence of Segun Awolowo on the political scene some years back.Famously called Otunba, the boss of Country Hotel and DeSkyline Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos came into the public consciousness after he contested as senator under the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

However, his ambition suffered a deadly blow when he lost at the primary.

Following the political defeat, he seems to have made a retreat from the murky waters of Nigerian politics, a decision that has now made him to face his hotel business squarely, the decision he has no reason to regret as the business is rolling in millions of naira.

LEO STAN EKEH ‘S ‘PREGNANT’ SILENCE

Though Stan Leo Ekeh, Chairman, Zinox, has continued to deny the rumour making the rounds that he is interested in becoming the number one citizen of Imo State, it has refused to abate. It is becoming a major topic in the state among the elite as well as the grassroots.

A source confirmed to Spyglass that

Leo Stan Ekeh the reason behind the wide spread rumour is largely due to the billionaire’s growing influence in his home state lately. This became heightened, especially after he organised the last Yudala show in Owerri.

The show was described as one of the biggest in the city in a long while.

It was gathered that since then, the computer guru’s influence and profile has witnessed unprecedented rise.

Consequently, so many people are said to be begging him to join the race for the state’s top job in 2019 after the tenure of the incumbent governor, Rochas Okorocha.

However, the source further hinted that the billionaire is yet to consider the plea. Ekeh founded TaskDirect Limited in 1987, he is an Indian-trained economist and risk Manager, he was honoured as an ICON of Hope by President Olusegun Obasanjo October 1st, 2002 for his sustained pioneering efforts in the area of information technology and also as a pride to modern Nigeria. The widely-experienced businessman has a record of incisive entrepreneurship and his vision to computerise Nigeria has reshaped the history of information technology in the Third World.

He pioneered Desktop publishing and Computer graphics in Nigeria with Task Systems Ltd in 1989. He also pioneered ICT products distribution in West Africa with - Technology Distributions Ltd - which is the number one ICT distribution company in Sub Saharan Africa.

SANNI BELLO’S GENEROSITY

For Col. Sanni Bello(retd. ), a former Military governor of old Kano State, a life is meaningful only when it is lived in service to humanity.

Over the years, Bello, a former chairman of Tennis Federation, has always been guided by this philosophy. He does not wish to be respected for his wealth, but for the grace to impact on the lives of the people around him.

Those whose paths have crossed his say the father of the incumbent governor of Niger State is always in constant quest to lift the needy individuals around him, while also contributing to the development of his society.

Bello, who once led the national team to the Commonwealth and World Championships in 1983, is an embodiment of philanthropy. Indeed, it is said that his generosity is legendary.

F

Amosun

Wale Tinubu

Segun Awolowo

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 17, 2017

POLSCOPE

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356

Kidnapper Evans and Matters Arising

E

arly this week, the news about the eventual arrest of the billionaire kidnapper broke.

Until his celebrated arrest, not much was known about him in the public domain.

While I join in the ecstasy of this “breakthrough” in crime bursting, I am deeply worried about a system that allows such a dye-inthe-wool criminal to have a free unchecked reign for over seven years. Once upon a time, we had a notorious armed robber, Lawrence Anini who shook the whole country from defunct Bendel State. I recall also another terrible kidnapper, Osisi ka’nkwu who operated in the Aba axis. A day came and they met their waterloo.

But first, I must commend the police for not “wasting” Evans, because if he had been killed in a “gun duel”, many of what we are hearing now will never have been known.

I saw the picture of Mr. Chukwudi Dumeme Onuamadike a.k.a Evans’ wife and children—how well nourished they look, at our collective expense.

From his royal fortress in highbrow Magodo district to the exotic furniture and fittings in his house, plus the luxurious cars, it is clear, Evans was living large. He had taste, many have said.

The Police themselves have described him as a very clever criminal; one who managed to evade(?) arrest for over seven years, whilst he dwelt amongst the people.

The account of how eventually he was arrested is most intriguing. If the police had delayed 30 more minutes, Evans would have vanished again, as he was duly awaiting an Uber cab he had called to take him to the airport, as he was billed to travel out of the country, that afternoon. It is even more significant however to note that it had to take the coming of the special IG squad all the way from Abuja, for Evans to be nabbed. Surely, there is absolute truth in the saying that many days are for the thief, but one day is for the owner. That ‘one day’ came last Saturday.

And that is my first point of worry: this is an international criminal as records show that he had operated in Ghana, South Africa and Nigeria. How come he is always going through immigration uncaught? Or is there no inter-agency cooperation between the police and other security agencies?

Could his name not have been flagged? Or is it that the Police did not know his real name?

The other concern is how such a net-worth criminal (said to be worth N5billion) operates bank accounts successfully without being tracked by the system. Who were his bankers? Who were his Account officers? What information did he fill in his account opening forms? Did the banks verify the information? Pray, what happened to

Evans

the integrity check of BVN (Bank Verification Number)? And what happened to the KYC (Know Your Customer) policy of the banks? Were the banks simply carried away by the huge cash he deposited with them without caring who he is or what he does?

Here was a kidnapper that charged ransom in dollars.

Shouldn’t the changing of $1 million into naira, for instance, trigger some suspicion, even in the Black market? Where are the DSS operatives that should undertake undercover services in such sectors?

Relatedly, Evans is said to have many exotic cars. In whose name and address were those cars registered?

For seven years, the police have been on his trail. How many times had he driven past police checkpoints those seven years? With an almost unknown face, it is not impossible he had been hailed as “Baba” several times by policemen at checkpoints, especially if he once dazzled them with a sheet of $100 bill, as he drives through with his arms and perhaps plus his victims in the trunk of the car.

I would not have been surprised if Evans had policemen as his bodyguards or security guards. Few years ago, a notorious criminal who was arrested at a party in Sapele, Delta State, actually had policemen as his bodyguards, even at the party where he was arrested. Indeed, I dare think that Evans had been that elusive because he had some “friends/ allies” in the police force who are modern day DSP Iyamu (remember him and the Anini saga in defunct Bendel State?)

I suspect he may yet name them in his running confessions.

Part of why Evans is said to be very clever is how he manages his various gangs so neatly that they neither know themselves nor even know where he lives. He had seven phones with which he coordinated his nefarious activities.

Each gang had a phone attached to it, just as a phone was dedicated to his family. He never mixed the phones. He could never be called. He alone called whomever he wanted.

These are curious indicators to telecoms operators, if their eyes are not so fixated on fleecing Nigerians. So how could he also not be traced by the NCC and the various telcos?

In this era of SIM card registration, how could Evans have registered seven or more SIMS without a trace of his real name and identity? What ID cards was he presenting for those SIM registration? Surely, in a more adept system, Evans wouldn’t have survived even outsmarting the telecoms companies altogether?

It is part of urban malaise that city dwellers hardly know themselves. Were it not so, Evans’ neighbours on his street would have decoded who he is. Yes, a lot of criminal activities are camouflaged with the bland description of Businessman, yet a little care would have revealed a hint about Evans’ deadly business.

But if the neighbours could not decode him, how come the Land registry also failed to do that? The narrative is that he bought the Magodo mansions. Does the Lagos State government not have or keep the record of who owns what in the state? What is the essence of the several property enumeration exercises of the state government? Indeed, whose name is recorded against the properties found to have been owned by Evans? Does the Land Use Charge of the Lagos State government not apply to those houses?

His criminal sophistry is also manifest in his maintaining a camp for his victims in far-flung Igando, on the outskirt of Lagos, far from his Magodo abode, where he is said to “stock” his victims for as long as seven months until every kobo of the ransom is paid. Such a hard driver! So who is the landlord of that house who didn’t care about who his tenant is/was?

And pray, was PHCN not sending electricity bill to the mansions of Evans? What are the names on those bills?

What about LAWMA? Was Evans disposing his refuse by himself? Was LAWMA not servicing him? How was he paying?

Trite as it may seem, it still needs to be asked: how was Evans getting arms and ammunition that easily? One of the gang members had said he it was that Evans always called upon when he needs arms, as he (Evans) often directed him to Bayelsa to get more arms. Those arms will be moved from Bayelsa to Lagos, and there will be no police interception! This same year, there have been two main arms importations through the Tin Can port in Lagos. The fact that the criminals dared to route such illegal weapons through the nation’s ports bespeaks of the decadence in the system.

Some of the importers were only charged to court few days ago.

It is clear from all the foregoing that the absence of reliable database in Nigeria is indirectly aiding and abetting crime.

The need for a comprehensive database for all Nigerians cannot be over emphasised. Nigeria has attempted this exercise twice or so in the last ten years with no visible success.

Finally, is it not remarkable that the various Evans’ gangs that operated in various towns and cities are almost all his kinsmen, including even the woman who cooks for the kidnap victims?

Canticles...

Matters Miscellaneous

D

id you hear that contrary to media reports, that Mrs. Aisha Buhari was not allowed to see her husband during her recent visit to London? (clasping his hands on his face) Telephone without wire! Who told you that? Stop all these your chun-chun-chun, you are not a woman.

But that’s what I read from those people living opposite the savannah. And I have even wondered why Mrs Buhari is here distributing cartons of Indomie to IDPs while her husband is withering away in a London hospital.

I said stop this your chun-chun-chun. If you like believe everything you read from those people. It will put you in trouble one day. Your duty is to pray for the quick and perfect recovery of Mr President.

Ok, Did you follow the twist and turns that led to the discharge and acquittal of the Senate President? Is this country not so funny?

What is funny about it? Is it not the judiciary? Don’t you know that the axe can swing to any side? Funny indeed! Why don’t you start laughing?

You don’t understand.This is a case that has been running for almost two years with so much melodrama and hype. Just when many thought the prosecution is tightening the noose around Saraki whom many believe is not exactly clean, the same CCT which had been blowing hot steam about the trial, turns around to say the prosecution could not prove anything against the number three citizen, and so discharges and acquits him.

So case closed!

If the allegations couldn’t be proved why won’t case close? Do you have superior information to nail the senate president?

Me? What do I know? Am I from Kwara? We leave everything to God, the ultimate judge.

But is it true that Nigeria will get out of recession before the year runs out?

I can’t see any such sign o. Things are even getting more expensive in the market. Inflation is increasing. I don’t even believe all those their misleading economic projections anymore. More and more families are finding it difficult to feed their children. Looks like our problems have gone spiritual.

Buhari

Stop believing abstract things. By the third quarter Nigeria will climb out of recession.

That’s what they said. Didn’t you hear South Africa just slipped into recession?

If fire can burn the tortoise with the iron coat, what will it do the hen with the feathery gown?

What are you implying? Who is tortoise and who is hen?

Leave that thing…. Who statistics epp?

But talking seriously, is it true that Hausa boys will pursue Igbo people away from the north in three months’ time?

Don’t mind those misguided youths.They are talking balderdash. Can’t you see how everybody has rebuked them and condemned their utterance?

It is arrant nonsense. And nobody will tolerate that stoking of fire of disintegration.

This is not matter of speaking grammar-o. Those Hausa boys, hmmmm, when their eyes get red, they see everybody as suya-o.

That will not happen. Didn’t you hear the Acting President warn them seriously against hate speeches and violent tendencies?

That was said in Abuja. The understanding in Kano is not the same thing. As for me, I think the answer to these endless threats and unrest is proper restructuring of this country.

That has to be done through a referendum What rubbish referendum? How many National conferences have recommended restructuring to no avail? Can’t you see that all Nigerians are not feeling equal and that is why there is a hue and cry for restructuring which is the only guaranty to justice and peace? How can you explain that the whole Southeast region has just five states and 95 local Government Areas, whereas, Kano State alone has 44 Local Government areas? Isn’t that the reason the north has much more federal constituencies than the South and so has more members in the Federal House of Representatives? Is that fair? Can’t you see that it is issues like this are the cause of the endless agitations?

But the answer does not lie in secession or breaking away. It is foolhardy to settle for such shenanigan.

You call it shenanigan. The people call it oppression and unfair treatment.

Everybody wants to feel equal. In the Nigerian project, there is no junior partner.

Not even the so-called minorities are junior partners, especially as it pleased God to deposit the livewire of the nation in their land.

Look, the time for restructuring is now. There is no better time. The clock is twice right in a day. Let me warn that nobody tests the depth of a river with the two legs at once. Any other thing apart from restructuring is chasing of shadow.

Ok. Let us wait for Mr President to return.

But I say the time is now! Not tomorrow!

23

JUNE 17, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

ENCOUNTER

Former Ebonyi State governor, Mr. Sam Egwu eulogising Governor Umahi for efforts on the Okao bridge during a stop over at the bridge

Umahi

Stamping His Professional Field on Ebonyi’s Development Coming from a recent tour of projects embarked upon by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Kunle Adewale and Shola Oyeyipo write that the governor, who is also the chairman, South-east Governors’ Forum, has an insatiable thirst to reposition his state

A

recent tour of projects executed

by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State was an experience in good governance.

Aside from the administration demonstrating an obvious passion for rapid development of the state, the projects, cutting across every part of Ebonyi, are the best example of prudence in the management of a state’s limited resources.

No doubt, Governor Umahi knew he had so much to show off, considering the meagre monthly allocation hovering between N1. 5bn to N2.5bn and the biting effects of economic recession, hence he did not just embark on the tour personally, he had with him notable leaders of the state, journalists drawn from different parts of Nigeria and other citizens of the state, who all marvelled at the quantum and quality of work done so far.

Some of the notable persons on the tour included former governor of the state, Chief Sam Egwu, his deputy, Chigozie Ogbu, Senator Ngiji Ngele, former Minister of State for Power, Chief Godwin Ogbaga, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu, member of House of Representatives members: Hon Lazarus Ogbe, Hon Linus Okerie, Sylvester Ogbaga, National vice chairman PDP, Augustine Umahi, the state PDP chairman, Onyeka Nwaebonyi.

An engineer by training, Umahi has turned most parts of the state to constrution sites, across the state’s three senatorial districts.

One of such important projects was the Okoa bridge project in Onicha LGA. It is a gigantic project which he had promised the people that he would construct during the electioneering campaign. Judging by the size and the quality of work done so far, the project which could cost as much as N2.5bn in other climes was done at a paltry N700m.

With the pace of work, it ranks among the fastest construction works ever done in Nigeria. People were said to have been working day and night to accomplish the 75 per cent completion attained within three month months of commencement.

The people are particularly elated about the project because of its importance in linking various parts of the state and easing movement of people and farm products.

That much did former governor Egwu note when he said: “I Want to appreciate you for this mighty project on a federal government road. When completed, the people will have a new lease of life. This project needs to be commended. The low cost of money had to be commended. As former governor, I can appreciate you. You want everybody in the state to have a sense of belonging.”

It was a trip that saw the inspection team to the 11-kilometre Nzerem-Akaeze to Ishiagu

road, a land constructed with the new cement road construction technique that has eight inches thickness. There was also the 25 kilometre road at Amasiri-Okposi-Uburu, being handled by Crush Rock limited. The Uburu internal road that links most of the communities in the area. In Afikpo, the home town of Akam Ibiam, the government constructed the Amamgbala, Eke market and Catholic Church road which links Afikpo North. The project is billed to cost N636.7m and N200m has already been paid.

On completion of the project, it would mean that every road in Afikpo would have been tarred and as such the town could take its position as the second urban community in the state. The governor schooled in Afikpo and the people considered his action as thoughtful.

The tour got to the Ivo water treatment plant to supply water to the entire Ivo local government area, Ebonyi School of Nursing and midwifery, Uburu, Edda road in Ohofia and several other places, but above all, the underlying fact is that the governor has achieved so much within the past two years that he has been on the saddle. His effort has put to the fore, his extensive experience in the field of professional engineering spanning over two decades.

Armed with a vission, which according to him, is to “make Ebonyi the number one economy in Nigeria” Umahi has shown an uncommon penchant for a rapid development geared towards bringing all parts of the state to the standard they should be compared with other states in other federation, particularly the hinterlands where agricultural products are being massively harnessed.

The administration has completed the rehabilitation of 200km roads within the capital city with over 300km more. Without doubt, long time visitors to Abakaliki, the state capital are bound to be pleasantly surprised by the new look of the capital.

Now, there are three well-beautified roundabouts, the Udensi, Government House and Abacha Road roundabouts. There are also three flyover bridges. They are all enhancing the outlook of the city.

During the electioneering campaigns, Governor Umahi promised the people that his administration would provide good roads in the rural communities and he fulfilled this by commencing a 15km road in each of the 13 local government areas of the state. They are all in varying stages of completion.

Considering the hardship some abandoned federal roads caused Ebonyi people, the government embarked on the reconstruction of such roads. Some of such are; 60 km Abakaliki – Afikpo road, 47km Enugu – Abakaliki road, 15km Nkalagu – Egbedegede – Ehamufu, 21km Nkwagu-Enyigba road and

26km Amasiri-Okposi-Uburu road. There are also some very important bridges constructed on Hilltop – Nwofe road with another section at Mkpumakpatakpa, the Amangwu-Edda bridge and the Ebiya bridge at Amike Aba. Some outstanding qualities of these roads are the thickness of the cement base of between eight to 10 inches before the asphalt overlay, which the governor says he was doing to ensure that the roads outlive this generation. The roads are guided by a very thick cement slab that between the roads and the drainage to ensure durability. A good number of these roads come with street lights mostly powered by electricity generating sets.

Judging from the roads scattered all over the state, many may easily conclude that the government is only spending money on roads, but that would have been wrong.

The achievements of the government in the area of education, youths and women empowerment, healthcare delivery, security, environment and other sectors are legendary.

Some of the remarkable efforts include the acquisition of state-of-the-art facilities for hospitals in the state, construction and equipping of Virology Center, Abakaliki, upgrading of 13 General Hospitals and 171 primary healthcare centres, provision of 1.7 million bed nets to prevent malaria, construction of Chest Clinic at Mile 4 and the completion of Ebonyi School of Nursing.

A simple reflection of government’s investment in the transport sector is that from a previous internally generated revenue of between N5, 000 to N10, 000 from the sector, with appropriate policies, it has been jerked up to N10m. The government has also constructed a waste-to-wealth plant. The aim is to ensure a cleaner environment and provide jobs at the same time.

Aside several other policies and government investments tailored towards youth empowerment, there has been massive training of youths in the area of ICT. The state recently hosted it first youth development summit on ICT with the theme: Refocusing Talented Ebonyi Youths for Sustainable National Development in Training and Capacity Building through ICT Revolution. Over 2,000 youths, including secondary school students participated. Also, as parts of effort at youth empowerment, the government acquired a parcel of land at Uda Odeji at Nnorom street where the construction of an ultra-modern stadium is underway. There is also a GSM village under construction and the idea is to use it to harness the talents of youths in that sector.

The government has not only radically turned around the College of Education, Ikwo with the massive 18-classroom – 400 seater lecture hall-lecturers’ offices, modern laboratories and other befitting facilities,

secondary and primary schools have been reconstructed, provided with modern sitting arrangements and students provided with books.

The governor’s wife, Deaconess Rachael Obonna Umahi, is complementing her husband’s effort by providing succour to families through women, particularly widows. She recently laid the foundation stone to houses for indigent widows and she has been providing series of empowerment materials to the people.

One of the major policies of the administration is to provide about 10 per cent of rice consumed in Nigeria. So, the government has a mindset to create jobs through agriculture and it has been providing empowerment materials to farmers thereby helping to create jobs rather than make people job seekers.

Towards these, there have been numerous entrepreneurship trainings and government has provided loans to farmers while at the same time attracting all possible facilities from the federal government to help farmers. To restore the dignity of his people, the governor brought home Ebonyi hawkers from other cities and assisted them with loans to go back to farm.

The fact is, there is so much to talk about.

It is a very long list of achievements so far and yet, works are going day and night everywhere and one must wonder how the governor is able to manage the little he has to achieve so much just as a driver in the Ministry of Information, Sunday, said, “Because we had governors who left most these things undone, people are really wondering about how he is able to do all these things within two years.”

Later, when asked of his overview of the entire projects of Umahi, former governor Egwu said, “My perception is that the governor is doing so well. He is not the type of governor that does something and blows it out of proportion. These things we are seeing today, we didn’t know they exist because he is not publicity conscious. The only thing he knows is to do the job.

“You know as a former governor I cannot be a sycophant. I will say it the way it is. He is really working very hard. He has surprised a lot of us; the quality of work done and the amounts spent on these projects show that he has the passion; he wants to work very hard.

So, we are happy with him.”

Two factors answer why the governor is working hard. First, his initial promise to the people, which will be the factor to judge his re-election. Two, the circumstance of his emergence as governor while the former governor, Mr. Martin Elechi tried to truncate his ambition. Hence, he must prove to the people that they did not make the wrong choice in the first place.

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •June 17, 2017

INTERVIEW William Wiah Tuider

My Leadership will Bring Good Governance to Liberia The people of Liberia will go to the polling booths in October to elect a new president and 73 federal lawmakers. The elections, coming in the post-war era will mark the first transfer of power from one democratically elected president to the other. One Liberian, William Wiah Tuider, apolitical and humanitarian, wants to rule the country.

In doing so, he also wants to honour Nigeria for its roles in restoring peace and bringing about democracy in his country. A visionary with a deep understanding of African and world politics, Tuider tells Stanley Nkwazema about his dream and ability to be Liberia’s next president

“I

Tuider

The Real Native Boy am a son of Liberia, born in Liberia and grew up in Liberia. Born in the city of Yekepa, in Nimba County, my father, the Reverend John Tuider, was a Methodist preacher and a conservative. I grew up in a humble household. We are about eight siblings.

My mother, Lucy, was a market woman and so we had a very humble beginning. I have been married for 25 years and I have six children.,” said William Tuider.

His late father was, a humble man.

He was his hero. He says he learned a lot from him, especially about taking care of the family and doing the right thing and being straight in whatever he does.

“He was a conservative guy. A lot of what I do today I sometimes see my old man in me because he was that kind of person. For my mother, Mrs. Lucy Buteh Tuider, she had a big heart.

And I think many people see me today and say you are just like your mother.

She was the kind of woman who will make food and bring everybody to eat.

She will bring other people’s children to come and stay with us. We had a household that was filled with so many kids. Both parents were humanitarians. That is the kind of person I am today. I learnt it from home.”

To America in Search of the Golden Fleece…

Tuider says he attended Samuel Doe Elementary School and left Liberia for the United States of America in 1985 where he attended University of St John’s in Queens New York.

“I got most of my education in the United States. After education I had some corporate jobs, working for different companies in America. Actually, I worked for a phone company called Nextel which I don’t know if it exists anymore but because of the kind person I have always been, I started my own business. I have been working for myself in the last 20 years. Some of what I did was starting an import and export business that allowed me to travel around the world; Asia in particular and established businesses in Liberia. To be exact, in 1997, I started off bringing general merchandise into the US and Liberia. So I was able to establish stores because you know we had this civil strife in Liberia. I was able to hire a lot of young people and I grew the number rapidly.”

He took care of people under his employ; paying their salaries because with the war off and on in Liberia, the business was able to educate their kids.

“I gave them benefit. I was able to establish some educational programmes in my own community of Monboe Town in Liberia where I grew up. We put 22 kids on scholarships and many of those kids are high school graduates today.”

25

JUNE 17, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INTERVIEW I’ve Been a Nationalist Since I was 11 Why I want to be President of Liberia Tuider says it is true that Liberia went through so much from civil war and the accompanying devastations that were brought upon the country because of politicians and other big personalities in the country.

“I think if given the opportunity to serve my people, my leadership will bring good governance to Liberia because I was also trained in the United States and I do have Western background in me. I appreciate the fact that I have Liberian culture that I was brought up there. Having Western background, democracy is something that I cherish and bringing those things to Liberia, I believe we can pull our country back on the road map, to move this country forward. I can do that. Many of the politicians in Liberia today do not entertain the same; they just think they should be the rulers of the people. I don’t believe that I want to ru le my people because I don’t think I know everything.

So I want to have people on the table where we all can discuss as to how we can move our country forward. I can lead this nation to that direction.”

On his political leaning, Tuider says he could be Labour in certain kind of situations and could be a very conservative person in other situations. But politically, he believes he is a humanitarian person because he wants to see his people do well.

Liberia, Poverty Index and Funding “Let me tell you, Liberia is 169 years old and we have nothing to show for it.

Our children are not properly educated; our healthcare system is in a dreadful condition and cannot even take care of the people. Infrastructure is so bad; we don’t have that infrastructure that we can actually boast of. Corruption and governmental mismanagement all continue to be the root causes of our problem or underdevelopment. I will tell you exactly why I want to be the President. I believe Liberia needs a genuine leader; someone who cares about the country and the people. My overriding desire to be president is to improve the lives of the Liberian people and to transform Liberia into a modern prosperous nation beginning with of course, with a justice system that will tackle corruption, the root cause of our nation’s problems.”

Incumbency Questions and Support…

Tuider notes that in Africa, people seem to need the endorsements of incumbents to have advantage during elections. But he does not seem to want the endorsement of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for now.

“The Liberian people are so bitter with her leadership and so bitter with the politicians. If they see this President supporting me, they will not support me. May be her endorsement may come when we are getting close to election, but at this time, no. In Africa, everybody tends to need the incumbents support.

“Like I said, the people are very tired of the politicians. Before I came to Liberia, I was involved behind the scenes politically.

During the war in Liberia, I was the guy who supported the peace process in which I even had the privilege of working with General Abdulasalami Abubakar, the former Head of State of Nigeria, because he was the ECOWAS Representative. I brought former government officials on board; I transported, paid for hotels and all the accompanying costs because I wanted peace and I believed I was not somebody who was not interested in good government. We can better by helping our country to broker peace. I came there and played my part. We engaged the (Charles) Taylor government, urging him to step down because he had an indictment on him. I personally was engaged with the rebel forces to stop the war. So when the war was over, we formed an Interim Government. My effort brought in the current government at the time.”

The Clamour for Change and Liberia “However, after 11 years, she has failed

Tuider

to provide good governance in the country.

The poverty level went high; education is very low in standard so people are yearning for change. And you can see that today. All over the world; even in the United States, many of us thought that Hilary Clinton was going to win. Again, Donald Trump came from nowhere, a non politician, and beat those politicians and today he is the President. Same thing happened just in our backyard in The Gambia.

I like what happened in The Gambia because the guy who won the election, Adama Barrow, like me came from nowhere, and organised those guys who were against Yahya Jammeh. He got the smallest political parties; brought them together and he won the elections. We are replicating the same formula in Liberia because already we have brought five political parties into our own camp or movement and I am looking into bringing in five more.

The reason I said so is because Liberia is a small country and we have about 22 or 23 political parties. I am looking so that they can come and collaborate with us. When I made my public declaration, believe me, on the 10th of February this year many of the people heard about this new guy who is coming. He is not their usual politician; he has a big heart and he is a big humanitarian and they all wanted to see me. About 3000 people assembled just to hear my declaration speech at that place. When I got out of the car, people were so surprised to see me. They started to sing that the President, our mother, has fooled us and our father has come. Believe me I was so humbled to hear that. That tells me this change movement you see going around the world today can happen in Liberia and I truly believe it is going to happen with me,” Tuider said.

United States Sojourn As a Tuider Strength Tudier did not just earn a degree in the United States but did a whole lot of work study programmes to improve his ability.

“My wife and kids are in the United States but she frequently comes to Liberia.

My wife and I came to Liberia one time and we saw this little girl on the sidewalk

down the road and my wife couldn’t help it. I couldn’t too. I remember as a little boy, my parents used to bring so many kids to the house to stay. I was the oldest son, so I couldn’t leave the girl on the sidewalk.

That girl is my daughter today. We are happy to have Asata. She is my sixth.

We are eight and there is a brother who is next to me; Paul who is in the States.

During the civil war, I was able to help all my family out of Liberia to the States, including my own parents. All my siblings except for one sister and a brother live in the States. I also brought friends from the refugee camp in Ghana to the States. I also helped others who went to Europe,” he explained.

Liberia, Nigeria and Africa He says he joined in solidarity with the African National Congress (ANC) to fight against apartheid. He has been an African Nationalist since he was 11 years old.

“When in I turned 11years in 1977, and Steve Biko was murdered by the then apartheid government in South Africa, our President at that time, Sir William Tolbert called on the country to mourn the death of Biko. He gathered all the students to line up the streets and pay tribute to the people of South Africa, our black brothers and sisters there. Out of curiosity as a child, I wanted to know why and who was Steve Biko and why must we be outside paying tribute. Of course, I remember my English teacher explaining who Steve Biko was and why we are paying tribute. From that onward, I became an activist. In my little mind I joined in solidarity with the people of South Africa. Again, that caused me to start reading about African liberation movement. I joined with the people of Angola. I had sympathy for the people of today’s Namibia, then South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) movement and Sam Nujoma. When I grew up and travelled to the United States, of course we black Americans came together. I was part of that organisation that joined hands in solidarity with the Mandela Freedom Movement for the release and freedom of Nelson Mandela and his people because I was a member of an underground

Like I said, the people are very tired of the politicians. Before I came to Liberia, I was involved behind the scenes politically. During the war in Liberia, I was the guy who supported the peace process in which I even had the privilege of working with General Abdulasalami Abubakar, the former Head of State of Nigeria, because he was the ECOWAS Representative.

I brought former government officials on board; I transported, paid for hotels and all the accompanying costs because I wanted peace and I believed I was not somebody who was not interested in good government organisation in America called the Malcolm X Grassroots Organisation and the Patrice Lumumba Coalition. We fought and many people fought for the release of our brothers and sisters in South Africa.

Nigeria played a vital role. Nigeria was one of the first countries who stood against apartheid and Nigeria also helped in the freedom of South Africa. We know that today. I think what is happening in South Africa is shameful and disgraceful and it is embarrassing to every decent African today after what we all went through for the freedom of South Africa. Our brothers and sisters in South Africa need to understand and appreciate that we are one African people. So I ask the question: whatever happened to our shared identity as African people and African nationalism? They need to understand that. I do resent the loss of lives.

Nigeria played a vital role not just in the freedom of South Africa. In my own country, Liberia, Nigeria was the reason that the war in Liberia stopped today.

Nigeria is the reason we are enjoying a form of democracy. That is why I am in the race. This country Nigeria has to be respected. That is why in my own view, Nigeria is our Super Power. That is why when I announced my candidacy; I came to Nigeria to pay my respect to people like President Obasanjo because he played a vital role in bringing peace to our country.”

Tribute to Nigerians “To the mothers and fathers of this nation, those who lost their children and loved ones in Liberia’s civil war; those who paid the ultimate prize for bringing peace to our nation, I want to tell them, I William Tuider, have not forgotten them. I am not saying it as a politician because I am not playing politics with it. I don’t believe that the leadership in Liberia has done enough for these families who lost their loved ones in Liberia. I can commit myself and make a promise and you can hold me to that: when I am President and I know I will be, I will surely honour them.”

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUNE 17, 2017

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

Moving Off and Stopping ...Continue from last week Stopping

S

topping a vehicle involves more than just pressing the brake pedal and bringing the vehicle to a halt.

When stopping a vehicle at the side of the road, you should aim to pull up close and parallel to the kerb (side

of road).

When stopping your vehicle, you will need to ensure that you stop somewhere safe, legal and convenient. Just as there is a routine for moving off, there is also a routine for stopping. In fact, the method for stopping uses a routine that will be at the heart of almost everything you do when you are behind the wheels - The ‘Mirrors, Signal, Manoeuvre’ routine.

When stopping your vehicle, do not park where you will create a hazard to other road users i.e. on or near a bend, a brow of a hill, too close to junctions etc. Each aspect of this routine is explained below and you will need to practice the routine for as long as necessary to ensure that each aspect becomes second nature.

1. Apply the ‘Mirrors, Signal, Manoeuvre’ (MS-M) routine for stopping your vehicle. Check your interior mirror and right door mirror to ensure it is safe to stop.

Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe OrangeArt

MercedesAdds ZesttoGLECoupe Stories by Bennett Oghifo

T

his is the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe OrangeArt Edition. The special edition model is basically a packaged version of the GLE Coupe, further accented by unique orange highlights.

The OrangeArt Edition includes an AMG Line exterior, the Night Package, and

exclusive upholstery in nappa leather and Dinamica microfiber. The German automaker says the OrangeArt Edition is now available for order and deliveries will begin in August.

Those interested in ordering get to choose from black, polar white, obsidian black, iridium silver, selenite grey, or designo diamond white bright exterior colors, all of which feature orange highlights on the front apron. In addition, the model comes

with 21-inch AMG five-twin-spoke alloy wheels in an exclusive high-gloss black painted finish with an orange trim ring.

Inside, the black nappa leather and Dinamica microfiber feature orange piping and grey top stitching. Floor mats with AMG lettering also have piping in orange.

Finishing off the cabin accessories are sport pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs and aluminum trim with light longitudinal grain.

Stakeholders Demand Bailout for Auto Firms, Safer Roads

T

he 2017 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) forum in Lagos, recently, presented an opportunity for stakeholders to appeal to the federal government to provide bailout for auto firms.

Stakeholders also asked for stricter enforcement of road safety laws to drastically reduce avoidable injuries, loss of lives and properties associated with road accidents.

The special guest of honour, Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi described road accident as one of the major causes of deaths worldwide.

Oyeyemi, who was represented by theAssistant Corps Marshal and the Zonal Commanding Officer, Lagos and Ogun, Sheu Zaki, challenged motorist and members of the public to contribute to safer road culture by adhering to existing rules.

He explained that FRSC’s response is 15 minutes depending distance, adding that the agency successfully rescued 401,000 accident victims between 2011 and 2016.

Zaki used the opportunity to explain that the price for three years duration driver’s licence remains N6,350.

He said: “The official rate of driver’s licence as set by the Joint Tax Board (JTB) is N6,350. People should endeavour to fight for their rights.”

2. Decide whether you need to signal your intention to stop, signal if it will benefit other road users.

3. Looking well ahead, select a safe, legal and convenient place on the right hand side to stop your vehicle.

4. Take your right foot ‘off gas’ (accelerator) pedal, the engine will slow down, and pivoting your right foot on its hill, immediately ‘cover’ the brake pedal, lift your left foot and ‘cover’ the clutch pedal.

5. Turn the steering wheel from 12 o’clock to 1o’clock until the kerb lines up with our reference point (the mid-point of your dashboard), then turn the steering wheel to 11 o’clock and back straight to 12 o’clock.

6. Apply light pressure to the brake pedal with your right foot to slow the vehicle and then more firmly.

7. With your left foot depress the clutch fully to the floor just before the vehicle stops, disengaging the engine from the driving wheels and to ensure that you don’t stall.

8. Ease the pressure off the footbrake just as the vehicle stops.

9. Finally, make the car safe by applying the handbrake to secure the vehicle, to ensure that the vehicle does not move, then ensure that you put the gear lever into neutral, cancel your signal if you applied one, and then remove both feet from the pedals.

In next week’s article we shall be discussing approaching junctions to turn right using the Mirror, Signal, Position, Speed and Look routine (M-S-P-S-L routine). For further explanations or clarification on the articles in the Essential Skills of Driving column, consult the author.

Participants at NAJA conference in Lagos... recently

Speaking in a similar vein, road safety expert and founder, Safety Beyond Borders, Patrick Adelusi, called for more resources to support FRSC activities.

He also used the opportunity to advise FRSC and other relevant agencies to partner Nigeria Postal Services as part of measures to ease challenges associated with drivers licence renewal in the country.

He said: “There is no need to go to FRSC for licence renewal. Since the data is with them, applicants should pay and fill relevant information online. On its part, FRSC should send the processed licence through NIPOST.” The Vice-Chancellor, Caleb University, Prof Diji Aina, in his paper on Political Economy of Automotive Crisis, emphasised the need to give adequate priority to the sector.

Concluded Stephen K. Dieseruvwe

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

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUNE 17, 2017

27

aUto

Four Reasons Why Dads want a Ford Ranger for Father’s Day

A

Stories by Bennett Oghifo

D

ads love big and tough cars. They love being able to go anywhere – outdoor sports, adventures in nature, and weekends away with the family.

The ideal car for this lifestyle has to be tough enough to handle the elements and terrain, but safe enough that dad feels comfortable taking the whole family on the adventure. This Father’s Day, Ford Motor Company of Sub-Saharan Africa would like to give dads four reasons why the Ford Ranger is the perfect vehicle for the job: 1. Complete Control Rain, dirt roads, steep hills, gravel and rocks – all these conditions can reduce traction and cause cars to skid or get stuck.

The Ford Ranger tackles these risks by increasing your control through its Traction Control (which can be toggled between 4x2 and 4x4) and Locking Rear Differential. While these features were designed to allow the Ranger to traverse the roughest of terrain, you are safe in the knowledge that, at the push of a button, they increase your control on the road at any time.

2. More Than Braking The Ranger has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), but because the Ranger is made for taking on the world its brakes are not used only for stopping.

When going down a hill, the Ranger’s Hill Descent Control manages the vehicle’s speed while brake pressure is applied to the wheels independently for maximum traction. All this without the driver having to touch the pedals.

Off-road conditions often call for constant and hard braking, the Ranger’s brakes are made of durable and lightweight materials that do not weaken under high temperatures or when carrying a load.

3. Size and Strength

Apple Finally Confirms Its Car Plans

2018 Ford Ranger

TheRangerhasagroundclearanceof230mmand 800mm of water wading depth*. It is designed to go over mountains, through jungles and rivers, so it will keep you safe from any imperfect roads, debris, or unexpected potholes when you are on your way to work.

Off-road driving also puts severe pressure on the body of the car. The Ranger was designed to twist over uneven ground, and makes use of an ultra-high-strength chassis and forgiving yet responsive suspension to ensure a smooth and reliable drive.

4. Safety Gear Naturally, the Ranger has the typical safety

features such as Electronic Stability and airbags.

It has many airbags: duel front, drive knee, side curtain and side seat are standard on all Ranger XLT models.

The Ranger also meets the strictest standards with a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. It’s big, it’s tough, and it could be one of the safest cars you will drive.

This Father’s Day, if you are looking for an adventure, why not let the Ranger take you there? With its ability to take on nearly any terrain while keeping you and your family safe, the Ford Ranger will help you get the most out of your journey and take on the world with confidence. *4x2 Hi Rider and 4x4 models only, maintaining a steady speed of not more than 7km/h.

fter years of secrecy,Apple has finally divulged some details on its muchhyped car project.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed the company is developing a self-driving system for cars, putting it in a race with rival tech giants such as Alphabet (Google’s parent) and Intel as well as ride-sharing giants Uber and Lyft and many of the major automakers.

“We’re focusing on autonomous systems,” Cook said. “It’s a core technology that we view as very important.”

He went on to describe the self-driving system as an artificial intelligence (AI) project that has the potential for “major disruption.” For example, just in the case of the auto industry, self-driving cars could lead to more people in cities choosing to skip owning a car, with automakers earning more of their revenue from offering rides instead of actually selling cars.

Cook wasn’t willing to reveal what Apple plans to do with its self-driving system from a product perspective, which means the company could still manufacture its own self-driving car eventually.

The more likely scenario, at least initially, is that Apple either plans to license the technology or use it for a self-driving taxi service. Recall, Apple in 2016 invested $1 billion in Chinese ride-sharing giant Didi Chuxing.

Though Apple had never previously acknowledged it was working on a car-related project, comments from numerous insiders as well as the tech giant’s poaching of senior auto industry staff suggested otherwise.

News ofApple developing its own car under the code name Project Titan emerged in 2013. Two years later it was thoughtApple would have a car on sale as early as 2019, but in 2016 it was reported thatthecompanyhadabandonedplanstodevelop its own car and would focus on self-driving tech instead. Cook’s latest comments go some way towards corroborating the report.

PAN Urges Aliyu to Fast-Track Auto Industrial Development

M

anaging Director of PAN Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi has urged the Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Jelani Aliyu, to fast-track the pace of automotive industrial development including local components manufacturing in Nigeria.

Alhaji Boyi stressed the urgent need for the NADDC boss to enforce “strict and rigorous implementation” of the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP).

He was speaking in Abuja, recently, when he led the management team of PAN Nigeria on a courtesy visit to the recently appointed Director

General of NADDC, Mr. Jelani Aliyu.

“We are most delighted to have somebody of your pedigree, knowledge and vast experience in the auto industry being brought to head NADDC.” remarked the PAN Nigeria CEO while congratulating Aliyu on his well-deserved appointment.

Other areas which he wanted Aliyu to give necessary attention were the enactment on NAIDP into law, introduction of affordable vehicle finance scheme, development of cluster parks for local components manufacturing, prevention of vehicle smuggling, imposition of high levy on imported used vehicles, stable macro-economic environment, migration of assembly operations from SKD to CKD.

MADMEN AS DRIVERS

O

nWednesday,the14thdayinJune, 2017, a crash involving a bullion van and a DAF truck occurred by polo junction along the josbukururoad.Theprobablecause of the crash was brake failure of the truck,which killed two people including a policeman in the bullion van. That crash was a re minder on some of the critical risks I would have to contend with as Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone4,comprisingPlateau,BenueandNassarawa States. Despite the sourness the crash brought on my third day in Jos, Jos, the Plateau State capital has always held fond memories for me for some reasons; as an advanced level student at CSM Grammar school Bariga, I was too eager to round up and pick up admission at the University of Jos to study TheatreArts.Although the admission did not scale through, my first and second trip to Jos caught my fancy partly because of the weather which is too soothing to ignore while the people are friendly and hospitable.

ItwasthereforewithexcitementthatIreceivedmy redeployment from Port Harcourt, the Rivers Sate capital to Jos from where the introduction to this old piece is being done. I therefore wish to thank my boss,Dr Boboye Oyeyemi,the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps for allowing me fulfillachildhooddreamofsavoringtheendearing weather and receptive people of Jos,popularly referred to as J city. Before you start getting jealous,

SAFE DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

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

pleasenotethatthispieceisnotaboutthewonderful weatherinJos,butabouttherecentpronouncement by my boss on the commencement of psychiatrists test for certain categories of recalcitrant drivers.

As a prelude to a piece on the new directives which I hope to do next week,I have chosen to wet your appetite with a write-up I did sometimes in 2014 and 2015 on the nuisance learners constitute even though by my boss’s pronouncement, they are excluded from the psychiatrists evaluation. Here is the piece for your perusal- When I set out to do this piece I was torn between the topic, “saints and sinners and madman as drivers”.

I settled for the latter because of the need to be original knowing that a lot of write-ups and movies have been done on the topic. I am hoping that my views would change the attitude of some people who by their actions on the wheels naturally tag them as madmen on wheels. It is not my first piece

L-R: Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Jelani Aliyu; and Managing Director of PAN Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi

on this. I recall a piece I did sometime in 2014 titled learners or lunatics. In that piece I tried to paint the picture of the nuisance learners constitute daily on the roads…

Thirdly, I wish to also state that while I was pondering over the appropriate title for this piece, my mind quickly flashed to Oga Driver, an interactive awareness program conceptualized by me and my colleague, Salihu Ibrahim Kindo ofAso Radio when I was the sector commander in the Federal Capital Territory. It was in the cause of that program that we coined the above title as a way of raising awareness of the seriousness and risk involved in this driving behavior, in addition to the need to draw a line between the good and the bad guys among learner-driver. If you want to know what I mean by the good and the bad, let me first state thatfromourobservations,thegoodguys represent learner-drivers who are not ashamed to be tagged, learners and as such body display the ‘L’ sign as mandated by law.

The bad guys on the other hand represent learners that refuse to display the ‘L’ out of ego and pride and even when they do, they willingly flout all rules that guide learners. Specifically, the National Road TrafficRegulations2004mandatesalllearnerdrivers to observe the following rules: attend a certified and approved driving school as a prerequisite to obtaining a fresh drivers licence. In the course of this coaching the learner driver must display an ‘L’-plate for learner, which is a square plate bearing a sans- serif letter ‘L’ for learner, which must be affixed to the front and back of a vehicle in many countries, if the driver is a learner under instruction

or a motorcycle rider with provisional entitlement to ride restricted motorcycles. What this means is that this rule is a universal convention with slight variations from country to country. In the case of Nigeria, section 27, subsections 1-3 of the National Road Traffic Regulations earlier cited spells out the details as applicable to learner drivers. For the purpose of this piece, let me stress here that besidesdisplayingan‘L’sign,alearnerdriverwhen issued a learners permit, must be accompanied by a licensed driver-instructor sitting beside him to drive a vehicle or type stated in the permit from a period not exceeding three months from the date of issue on the highways specified in the permit.

Besides, the permit in itself forbids the learner from carryinganypersonnomatterthelevelofaffiliation except the instructor. In addition, the learner-driver must at all times comply with relevant traffic rules and regulations. Unfortunately, these provisions are daily abused by learner-drivers who no doubt displaythe‘L’signyetdisregardtheotherprovisions meant for their safety and the safety of others.

The highflying learners on their own don’t display the ‘L’ sign and arrogantly violate all other provisions. It is even strange that other motorists expose themselvestounnecessaryrisksbyofferingtodrive in such vehicles. It is also strange that women by ourfindingsinthecourseofpatrolsrankamongthe greatest offenders when it comes to infractions that have to do with learner-drivers. It is very common to see women who are learner-drivers on Sunday and during school run flout all safety precautions by carrying children in such vehicles and even doing the same on their way to worship centers.

28

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • June 17, 2017

FAMILY HEALTH with

Fungal Infection of the Nails

W

e are programmed to always use our hands and feet, because they are the agents of mobility for us. This is also So because we constantly put our hands and feet in water, immersed in moist conditions.

Also, in the course of moving and using our limbs, we contact some infections, and if good hygiene is not employed, infects can occur. Therefore fungal infections can and do occur.

Many people develop a fungal nail infection at some point in their life. It’s not usually serious, but can be unpleasant and difficult to treat.

The infection develops slowly and causes the nail to become discoloured, thickened and distorted.

Toenails are more frequently affected than the fingernails. The medical name for a fungal nail infection is onychomycosis.

Fungal infections can affect any part of the body. Fungi are normally present in and on the body alongside various bacteria. When a fungus begins to overgrow, you can get an infection.

Onychomycosis, also called tinea unguium, is a fungal infection that affects either the fingernails or toenails. Fungal nail infections are common.

They’re not serious but they can take a long time to treat.

Fungal nail infections usually affect your toenails but you can get them on your finger nails too.

Fungal nail infections usually start at the edge of the nail. They often then spread to the middle.

The nail becomes discoloured and lifts off. The nail becomes brittle and pieces can break off. It can cause pain and swelling in the skin around the nail.

What are the symptoms Symptoms of a fungal nail infection Afungal nail infection may not cause any obvious symptoms at first.

As it progresses, the infection can cause: • discolouration of the nail – it may turn white, black, yellow or green • thickening and distortion of the nail – it may become an unusual shape or texture and be difficult to trim • pain or discomfort – particularly when using or placing pressure on the affected toe or finger • brittle or crumbly nails – pieces may break off and come away completely • Sometimes the skin nearby may also become infected and be itchy and cracked or red and swollen.

Causes Most fungal nail infections occur as a result of the fungi that cause athlete’s foot infecting the nails.

These fungi often live harmlessly on your skin, but they can sometimes multiply and lead to infections. The fungi prefer warm, dark and moist places like the feet.

Those at risk • have diabetes • have a disease that causes poor circulation • are over age 65 • wear artificial nails • swim in a public swimming pool • have a nail injury • have a skin injury around the nail • have moist fingers or toes for an extended time • have a weakened immune system • wear closed-toe shoes, such as tennis shoes or boots • don’t keep your feet clean and dry • wear shoes that cause your feet to get hot and sweaty • walk around barefoot in places where fungal infections can spread easily, such as communal showers, locker rooms and gyms • have damaged your nails • have certain other health conditions, such as diabetes, psoriasis or peripheral arterial disease Fungal nail infections can be spread to other people, so you should take steps to avoid this (see below) if you have an infection.

Treatment Treatments for fungal nail infections Treatment isn’t always needed for a mild fungal nail infection because it’s unlikely to cause any further problems and you may feel it’s not worth treating.

Whether you decide to have treatment or not,

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, 08053372356

Antifungal tablets Terbinafine and itraconazole are the two medicines most commonly prescribed for fungal nail infections. These usually need to be taken once or twice a day for several months to ensure the infection has completely cleared up. If you stop taking the medication too early, the infection may return.

Possible side effects of antifungal tablets can include headache, itching, diarrhoea, loss of sense of taste, and a rash.

A fungal nail infection is unlikely to get better without treatment, but if you’re not bothered by it you might decide it’s not worth treating because treatment can take a long time, may cause side effects, and isn’t always effective

you should still practise good foot hygiene to stop the infection getting worse or spreading to others.

Speak to your doctor if you’re bothered by the appearance of the affected nail, or it’s causing problems such as pain and discomfort. They’ll probably recommend: • antifungal tablets – tablets taken once or twice a day for several months • antifungal nail paints – special paints applied directly to the nail over several months • nail softening kits – where a paste is used to soften infected parts of the nail, before they’re removed with a scraping device A procedure to remove the nail completely may be recommended in severe cases. Laser treatment, where a high-energy laser is used to destroy the fungus, is also an option. But this is only available privately and can be expensive.

Treatment Treatment may not be necessary in mild cases of fungal nail infection. For more severe or troublesome cases, antifungal medication may be recommended.

A fungal nail infection is unlikely to get better without treatment, but if you’re not bothered by it you might decide it’s not worth treating because treatment can take a long time, may cause side effects, and isn’t always effective.

Whether or not you decide to have treatment, you should still follow the self-help advice below to help stop the condition getting worse or spreading to others.

Do these The advice below may be helpful if you have a fungal nail infection: • keep your hands and feet clean and dry • wear well-fitting shoes made of natural materials and clean cotton socks – these will allow your feet to “breathe” • clip your nails to keep them short – use a separate pair of clippers or scissors for the infected nail • don’t share towels and socks with other people, and ensure your towels are washed regularly • don’t walk around barefoot in public pools, showers, and locker rooms – special shower shoes are available to protect your feet • consider replacing old footwear as it could be the source of the infection • treat athlete’s foot as soon as possible to avoid the infection spreading to your nails Antifungal medication Speak to your doctor if you’re embarrassed by the appearance of the affected nail, or it’s causing problems such as pain and discomfort.

They’ll usually recommend treatment with antifungal medication, either in the form of tablets or a special paint you apply directly to the nail.

A small sample of the infected nail may need to be taken and sent off for testing before treatment starts, to confirm that you do have a fungal infection.

Antifungal nail paint If you prefer not to take antifungal tablets, your doctor may suggest you try antifungal nail paint instead.

Nail paint isn’t generally considered to be as effective as tablets because it can be difficult for it to reach the deeper layers of the nail. However, it doesn’t usually cause any side effects.

Like antifungal tablets, antifungal nail paint also normally needs to be used for several months to ensure that the infection has cleared up.

Results of treatment Antifungal treatments are thought to be effective in treating about 60-80% of fungal nail infections.

It can take between six and 18 months for the appearance of the affected nail to return to normal, and in some cases the nail may not look the same as before the infection.

If the treatment is working, you should see a new healthy nail start to grow from the base of nail over the course of a few months. The old infected nail should begin to grow out and can be gradually clipped away.

Speak to your doctor if new, healthy nail doesn’t start to grow after a few weeks of treatment. Keep using the treatment until your doctor says you can stop, as stopping too early could result in the infection returning.

Softening and scraping away the nail As it can take a long time for antifungal medication to work, some people may prefer to use a treatment that involves softening and removing infected parts of nail over a few weeks.

Treatment kits are available from pharmacies that contain a 40% urea paste, plasters and a scraping device. The paste softens the infected parts of the nail, allowing them to be scraped away so they can be gradually replaced with healthy nail.

To use the treatment: • wash the affected area and dry it thoroughly • carefully apply the paste to the infected nails • cover the nails with plasters and leave them for 24 hours • wash the paste off the next day and scrape away the softened parts of the nail • repeat this process each day for two to three weeks • Once no more infected parts of the nail can be removed, ask your pharmacist for antifungal nail paint to prevent re-infection as the nail regrows over the next few months.

• Removing the nail • Aprocedure to remove affected nails completely isn’t usually necessary, but may be recommended if the infection is severe or painful and other treatments haven’t helped.

If your nail is surgically removed, a new nail should eventually grow back in its place. However, it could take a year or more for the nail to grow back completely.

Preventing fungal nail infections: 1. You can reduce your risk of developing a fungal nail infection by: 2. keeping your hands and feet clean and dry 3. wearing well-fitting shoes made of natural materials and clean cotton socks – these will allow your feet to “breathe” 4. clipping your nails to keep them short – don’t share clippers or scissors with other people 5. not sharing towels and socks with other people, and ensure your towels are washed regularly 6. not walking around barefoot in public pools, showers, and locker rooms – special shower shoes are available to protect your feet 7. replacing old footwear that could be contaminated with fungi 8. treating athlete’s foot as soon as possible to avoid the infection spreading to your nails Nail salon equipment can sometimes be the source of fungal nail infections. If you regularly visit a salon, make sure any equipment used is properly sterilised between uses.

GLOBAL SOCCER

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 16, 2011

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

Olusegun Ajose World Title Dream Still Alive

17.06.2017

TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS BEGINS PAGE. 29

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World Title Dream Still Alive Those who thought Olusegun Ajose drew inspiration from the fact that his father was a boxer and later a coach, got it wrong. In fact, he actually wanted to be a basket baller until he was beaten up by a girl. This led him to the boxing ring. Ajose, who in 2012 lost his bid to win the WBC Light Welterweight title to Argentine Lucas Martin Mattysse has a dream of winning a world title, Kunle Adewale writes

S

egun Ajose was born into a family of three in Shomolu, Lagos, which was popular for producing many boxers like Obisia Nwankpa .

"I really never wanted to be boxer; my ambition was to become a basket-baller when I was a kid despite the fact that my father was a boxer, who later became a

coach.

"My dad never planned that I should become a boxer.

It was just by accident. I went to the gym one day and I was beaten up by a girl, who happened to be a boxer. I was tricked into having a sparring session with her not knowing that the girl was already into boxing and she beat me to stupor. I cried like a baby. So, two weeks later, I returned to the gym and that was how it all started," the former Commonwealth Featherweight champion recalled.

At the age of six, Ajose was already a boxer in the making. As a primary school pupil, he would go to the boxing gym to train.

"During weekends, I go to the ring to train. I was doing the same till I got to secondary school. Though, along the line, I was into football too and I almost abandoned boxing for football but my father felt I was better to be a boxer than a footballer. That was how I concentrated all my efforts to boxing," he noted.

Unlike most mothers who would not want their children to have anything to do with boxing, Segun's mum would even watch some of his bouts.

Speaking further, he stated, "My mother had no choice because in the African setting, the man rules the home and since my father had given his blessing to my boxing my mother was left with little or no choice. Moreover, she was married to a boxer. She was always coming to watch my fights. When I won the Eagle belt, she was there by the ring side."

Most athletes always have people they look up to as a child and wish to emulate and Ajose is no exception. In fact he had two people as his role models.

"There were two boxers I was always looking up to.

One is a Nigerian, Moses James and the other, an American, Sugar Ray Leonard. James was a terrific boxer and represented Nigeria in many competitions. He won a lot of laurels for the country. He won gold for Nigeria in both the Commonwealth and African Games. He also won bronze at the World Championship. He was under the tutelage of my father for so many years. I really looked up to him and I used to visit him whenever he was in camp in preparation for national competitions.

“He was a wonderful boxer. As for Sugar Ray, I love the way he boxes, dances and entertains. He did not just use power but skill and brain. He was an extraordinary boxer and I tried to combine both his style and that of James. I did not really copy them but I like to showcase my talent and entertain the crowd too. The two of them no doubt are my role models and they affected me a lot in my career," Ajose said.

But when reminded that his fighting approach does not really match that of Leonard he said: "I can dance, move and maneuver better than Sugar Ray but because I was boxing in the United Kingdom and the British does not like that all they are interested in is for you to win. So, I had to put away my dancing shoes and box rather than entertain. In the UK, it is called 'showboating'. At some point I was angry that I had to do away with all that I learnt over the years. But really, I love to entertain the crowd," he said.

Shockingly, the former African and British Featherweight Champion said he never wanted to become a professional boxer, but rather remain an amateur but the disappointment of the Sydney Olympics changed his plan.

"I really never wanted to turn pro. My plan was to win gold medals in the Olympic Games and other interna-

tional amateur competition then quit boxing. But it was not to be after I was robbed at the Sydney Olympics. Everybody including myself strongly believed I was going to return from Sydney with the gold because I had beaten almost everybody in my category at one competition or the other prior to the Games including the Cuban that won the gold.

Even the Algerian that won the bronze, I had earlier beaten him at the All Africa Games final some few months to the Olympics.

“So, nobody really doubted my ability to win a medal at the Sydney Games but I was robbed against my American opponent and my medal hope was shattered. I was then torn between waiting for another four years and turning pro. And I felt if I wait for another four years what was the chances that I would not be robbed again and that means another four years is wasted. So, I opted for the latter with the belief that in the next four to six years I will win a world title which will compensate for my dashed Olympic dream and that is the reason why am still pushing hard in my resolve to win a world title," the Army Staff Sergeant said.

On why he opted for the UK in his quest for a professional career as against the United States of America that is more famous for boxing and where the game is more lucrative, he said: "I thought boxing was as big in England as it is in the US. Moreover, I got a sponsorship for training in the UK

by Kronk Gym and my late manager convinced me that I'll be well taken care of in the UK, which prompted my move to England. I also had the opportunity to go to Australia and America but I felt Australia is too far a place for me as I always love to visit Nigeria at the slightest opportunity.

America is far away but London is just about six hours away from Nigeria by flight. Like I said earlier, turning pro was never a priority before now. All I wanted was to win everything as an amateur and become a coach. Because of the way Nigeria prepares for the Olympics I was not sure of winning a medal at the next edition.

“I have the talent no doubt but talent alone is not enough but one needs to work hard. Though working hard has never been my problem but we have to prepare which is not easy for individual alone to do. The government needs to fund the athletes' preparation. I knew how we prepared for the Sydney Olympics and all other competitions. That was how I decided I have to put my destiny in my hand and turned pro," he said.

He also blamed the Nigerian government for not assisting him in his preparation for the failed bid to win the WBC

Light Welterweight fight against Lucas Martin Mattysse of Argentina.

"Most countries of the world support the preparation of their boxers for world title fights. Argentina did it for Mattysse. The money I spent in the build up to the fight against Mattysse was enough to build two bungalows in Lagos. But I want to win a world title for Nigeria and that is the reason for my continuous investment in my preparation. It’s the pride of the nation at the end of the day.I was technically better than he was. The only difference was that he was more prepared than I was. I was only fighting with share grit and talent which was not enough to win a world title. If I had had financial support, I would have prepared better,” Ajose said.

In spite of age catching up on him and a world title still yet to be won, the pugilist said he was not feeling any pressure.

"Age is just a number. You are as old as you feel. With my lifestyle, I can box for a long time but I'm not going to box for ever though. I have set my retirement target and I pray that I achieve my aim before I retire. I will do everything to win a world title before I retire. I can win a world title today and retire the next day, but what is paramount is the title. Very soon I'll quit but I hope to win the world title and even unify it," he reiterated.

Ajose indeed paid a lot of kudos to the Nigerian Army for their support to his course.

"The Army is one organisation that has been very supportive to my ambition, without the Army I would not have been where I am today. Joining the Army gave me a lot of confidence. I trained at the Army Sports Centre for the world title fight. Some of the equipment that are in the centre I bought them myself, while the Army provided the rest.

The soldier-boxer said if he had his way he would want his son to take after him, but the boy had opted for football.

"These days everybody wants to play football and I think he's got some talent for football. But if I have my way I would have preferred he goes into boxing which is more of an individual game unlike football that is a team's game. If you are a good boxer you can go to the ring and show how good you are to the world but in football it does not always work like that. And with my experience in boxing, I can always put him through. But maybe he should stick to his football because he's not as tough as I am. But you never know he is still young and he can still take to boxing," the 1999 All African Games gold medalist said.

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june 17, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

Confederations Cup: A Tournament of Champions

Cameroon will be flying the African flag in Russia

The FIFA Confederations Cup is also known as the tournament of champions-as all the continents’ winners are represented. The tournament being the second most recognised FIFA Tournament after the FIFA World Cup kicks off tomorrow in Russia. Below is a preview of all the participating teams

T

raditionally a dry run ahead of the World Cup, the Confederations Cup has developed its own history through the years.

Indeed, as the 10th edition approaches, one of its quirks is that no team that has won the Confederations Cup has gone on to win the World Cup a year later.

Ironically, defending champions Brazil haven’t qualified for the eight-team tournament, which sees host Russia joined by the six winners of the FIFA confederation championships plus World Cup champions, Germany.

The matches will be played in four different venues in four major Russian cities: Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan and Sochi.

In the group stage, starting this weekend, each team will play three games in a group of four, with the winners and runnersup from each group advancing to the knockouts. In the next stage, matches will be on a straight knockout basis, played as semifinals, and ending with the final match on July 2.

Russia

How they qualified: Russia qualified by virtue of being hosts of the 2018 World Cup next summer.

FIFA ranking: 64

Star player: Igor Akinfeev – Captain and

goalkeeper is a fine shot-stopper and the main man for the hosts.

One to watch: Aleksandr Golovin – CSKA Moscow midfielder is being tracked

by Arsenal and has the attributes to make the step up.

Manager: Stanislav Cherchesov – Vastly experienced coach has been in charge for less than a year and has been set a target of reaching the 2018 World Cup semifinals. A very, very tough task.

Chance of winning: 20% – The hosts may do better than most expect, but getting out of this group as one of the top two is still a struggle.

New Zealand

How they qualified: They beat Papa New Guinea on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw in the 2016 OFC Nations Cup Final.

FIFA ranking: 95

Star player: Chris Wood – Top scorer in England’s second-tier at Leeds United, the powerful forward could be set for a move to the PL. A proper handful. 19 goals in 49 games for the All Whites.

One to watch: Ryan Thomas – He plays for PEC Zwolle in Holland and is a creative, fast attacking player who should supply Wood with plenty of chances.

Manager: Anthony Hudson – Young English coach has long been lauded as one of the brightest in the game. Just 36 years

old, this could be his big moment but New Zealand are the heavy underdogs.

Chance of winning: 5% – Tough to see them getting out of this group, especially without the injury Winston Reid.

Portugal

How they qualified: Through their shock win at EURO 2016 last summer, their first-ever major trophy.

FIFA ranking: 8

Star player: Cristiano Ronaldo – Yeah, not a surprise. After leading Real Madrid to back-to-back Champions League titles, a La Liga crown and a EURO 2016 title with Portugal in the past 12 months, Ronaldo is hungry for more goals and glory.

One to watch: Andre Silva – After completing his big money move to AC Milan, Silva is ready to shine. He has seven goals in eight games for Portugal.

Manager: Fernando Santos – Experienced Portuguese boss who led the team to a superb defensive display at EURO 2016.

Chance of winning: 40% – Will progress from the group easily.

Mexico

How they qualified: By winning the 2015 Gold Cup they had a one-off CONCACAF Cup game against the USA (2013 Gold Cup winners) in November 2015 which they won 3-2 after extra time, thus making

them champs of CONCACAF and sealing a Confederations Cup spot.

FIFA ranking: 14

Star player: Hector Herrera – Seems to get better each and every year and he will drive El Tri on from midfield.

One to watch: Hirving Lozano – Man City are rumored to be interested in signing the youngster and if the winger has a fine tournament, plenty more top clubs in Europe will take a chance on his mercurial talents.

Manager: Juan Carlos Osorio – Meticulous and disciplined, Osorio will make Mexico tough to beat and they have the attacking talent to counter quickly.

Chance of winning: 30% – Should progress from the group, then anything else is a bonus.

Cameroon

How they qualified: By winning the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, beating Egypt 2-1 in the final.

FIFA ranking: 32

Star player: Vincent Aboubakar – Besiktas striker scored the winner in the AFCON final and has 16 goals in 56 games. Bags of pace and experience.

One to watch: Fabrice Ondoa – Goalkeeper is just 21 years old but already has 31 caps to his name. A real star for the future.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 17, 2017

GLOBAL SOCCER

Cristiano Ronaldo

Manager: Hugo Broos – Experienced Belgian manager who led the Indomitable Lions to success at AFCON 2017.

Chance of winning: 30% – They will do well to get out of this group but if they do they can keep things tight and cause a few upsets. Darkhorse.

Chile

How they qualified: Winning 2015 Copa American on home soil by beating Argentina on penalty kicks in Santiago. Adding the Copa America Centenario for good measure in 2016 too.

FIFA ranking: 4

Star player: Alexis Sanchez – One of the top forwards in the world right now, scored 24 goals and added 10 assists in the PL for Arsenal. A wanted man who will put on a show to drive up his wages and transfer fee.

Just watch.

One to watch: Not exactly an up and coming star, but Marcelo Diaz is so often overlooked while Sanchez, Vidal, Bravo and Medel steal the limelight. Diaz holds everything together.

Manager: Juan Antonio Pizzi – Former Spanish international has had ups and downs but his team are dynamic and experienced. If they qualify for the World Cup next summer (slight qualifying struggles continue) they may be among the favorites.

Chance of winning: 60% – Clear favorites for this tournament after Germany sent a young, inexperienced squad.

Australia

How they qualified: Winning the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, beating South Korea 2-1 in extra time in 2015.

FIFA ranking: 48

Star player: Tim Cahill – Okay, he’s 37 years old but Cahill still comes up with the goods when the Socceroos need him. 48 goals in 96 games.

One to watch: Aaron Mooy – An absolute beast in Huddersfield’s promotion push.

Man City man will likely have plenty of loan offers in the PL this summer. Energetic and creative midfielder.

Manager: Angelos Postecoglou – In charge of Australia for almost four years, Postecoglou has built a solid core which has taken the AFC by storm.

Chance of winning: 10% – Will struggle to progress from the group.

Germany

How they qualified: By winning the 2014 World Cup.

FIFA ranking: 3

Star player: Julian Draxler – Named captain of this young German squad, the PSG attacker will be the go-to guy for Die Mannschaft.

One to watch: Sandro Wagner – Three goals in two games for Germany say it all.

Wagner is looking to continue his fine season after helping Hoffenheim finish fourth in the Bundesliga.

Manager: Joachim Low – A really intriguing squad selection from Low who has left Ozil, Kroos, Muller, Neuer, Hummels, Boateng and many more experienced players at home. Time to see if his next crops of youngster have what it takes.

Chance of winning: 50% – Will progress from the group and this young German team will gain valuable experience from a big clash with Portugal or Mexico in the semifinals.

Participating Countries Africa (CAF) – Cameroon Asia (AFC) – Australia Europe (UEFA) – Portugal Host – Russia North America (CONCACAF) – Mexico Oceania (OFC) – New Zealand South America (CONMEBOL) – Chile World Cup Winner – Germany

Stars To Watch

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Alexis Sanchez (Chile) Julian Draxler (Germany) Christian Bassogog (Cameroon), Carlos Vela (Mexico) Mile Jedinak (Australia).

Fixtures Crist

Match Venues Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow Olympic Stadium, Sochi Kazan Arena, Kazan

Group A

Group B

Russia

Germany

Portugal

Chile

Mexico

Cameroon

New Zealand

Australia

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • june 17, 2017

GLOBAL SOCCeR\\OTHeR SPORTS

Can Murray lift the Aegon Championships trophy for the third year in a row?

L-R: Assistant Brand Manger, Star Lager Beer, Kolawole Akintimehin, Portfolio Manager, National Premium, NB, Tokunbo Adodo, Partnership Manger, Arsenal Football Club, Gordon Tannock; Marketing Director, NB; Franco Maria- Maggi; Senior; Brand Manager, Star Lager Beer, Abayomi Abidakun at the NB headquarters alongside the trophy won two weeks after the club won it for a record 13th time

Murray Aims for Record Win at Queen's Club Andy Murray has won a record five titles at Queen's Club between 2009 and 2016 and the world No 1 will be aiming to extend that sequence this year.

The signs are positive for Murray considering he arrived at the French Open not even sure if he would win one match, a semi-final showing was more than respectable.

He now heads into the grass-court season with a chance to make it a hat-trick of titles at the ATP 500 tournament and extend his record-breaking five trophies he has collated since 2009.

But Murray is sure to face stiff

competition with the likes of US Open champion Stan Wawrinka, 2014 winner Grigor Dimitrov, and last year's runner-up Milos Raonic all vying for the top prize.

Murray became the first British champion at Queen's Club since Bunny Austin in 1938 as he claimed a historic first grass-court tournament after beating James Blake 7-5 6-4 in the 2009 final.

He followed up his success in 2009 by completing the perfect Wimbledon preparation by fighting back to defeat hard-hitting Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 in the 2011 final, which was only the third Monday final in the

tournament's history.

Murray became the first Briton to win the tournament more than once since Francis Gordon Lowe, who was champion in 1913, 1914 and 1925.

It was to be a lucky hat-trick of titles for the Scot, who went on to claim his first Wimbledon crown just a few weeks later with a memorable win over Novak Djokovic.

The 28-year-old joined John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt as the only four-time winners of the Wimbledon warm-up event in the Open era.

Ubong Shares VAT Wonder Goal Prize with Orphans Match Day 21 VAT Wonder Goal Award winner, Akwa United’s Ubong Friday, has revealed that he would share the proceeds of his award with the Children Development Centre in Uyo. Ubong’s strike against ABS FC of Ilorin was adjudged the best goal of the match day by online voters in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) poll and was presented the award on Wednesday by the Akwa Ibom and Cross River State FIRS Coordinator, Agu Bennet, amidst

cheers from fans, team mates and visiting Wikki Tourists players at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, as part of pre-match ceremony for the rescheduled NPFL match day 23 fixture between Akwa United and their opponents from Bauchi.

Elated by the recognition, Ubong said he had never won such an award in his career and he is delighted that he is beginning to hit the limelight.

He said he will share the prize money

of N150,000 with the Children Development Centre on IBB Boulevard in Uyo, which his club and players have been channeling their charity gestures as part of their community relations.

“I will share the proceeds with the Children Development Centre near our camp here in Uyo. That is the only charity I know and that is where we as a club and team mates have been visiting to give support from time to time.”

NBBF Board Meets as All-Stars Game Holds The Nigeria Basketball Federation board has announced that it will meet today in Lagos as the new body settles down to work. According to the Vice President of the NBBF, Babs Ogunade, “the board will meet in Lagos today; we definitely need to get things going fast. The secretary needs to be properly briefed so that he can secretariat as effectively as it should be. He is the one on ground and it has to be properly so. You know there are a lot of things that are not just the way

that makes real sense to anybody.”

The new NBBF board led by Musa Ahmadu Kida was elected on Tuesday in Abuja along with other national federations as organised by the sports ministry.

One of the first major issues to be tackled by the board is the men’s league which changed to Kwese Basketball League two months ago when the tip off was done in Lagos.

Even as the league has gone through

the half way mark the competition is playing on credit as the sponsors have yet to present any sponsorship cheque to the federation as at yesterday.

However, the All-Stars game scheduled for today will hold in Kano under the supervision of the former board led by Tijjani Umar, whose members are also laying claims to being the authentic board.

“The game has been allowed to continue for the sake of basketball and the players,” an official of the new board said.

MPG Takes Father’s Day to Golf Course McWord Premium Games (MPG) for the first time will celebrate fathers with a golf tournament that is about healthy patriarch in particular and the fathers in general at the Elephant Cement Club, Ewekoro, Ogun State today.

The Alake of Egbaland, Oba

Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III; Olu of Akinale, Oba Adefemi Ogunleye and Olu of Itori, Oba Akamo Fatai Akorede are some of the royal fathers expected to tee off the epoch event.

The tournament will feature both best ball formats for father and son team match and stroke play for other

golfers.

Deji Ajomale-McWord, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MPG – McWord Premium Games commenting on the event affirmed, “We feel honored to be the ones to gather and celebrate fathers for being the awesome creatures they have always been.”

NNPC/SNECO Tennis Tourney Ends Today After six days of gruelling tennis, the NNPC/SNECO Tennis tournament which began on Monday at the Tennis Section of the Ikoyi Club 1938 will come to a close today.

Speaking with THISDAY on telephone, Captain of the Tennis Section, Akeem Mustapha said though the primary aim of the tournament was for members to socialise amongst

themselves, the competitive level of the tournament was very high.

“With what I have seen in the past few days, I have no doubt in my mind that the sponsors would want to do this again,” Mustapha said.

It would be recalled that Hope Nuka, a representative of the Managing Director of SNECO, Bayo Ojulari, had stated that in spite the company’s pleasure to

be associated with the tennis section, the outcome of the tournament would indeed determine SNECO’s continued sponsorship.

Trophies, cash vouchers and other prizes have been lined up for grabs in all the events, which include the men’s and ladies singles, team’s event, veterans and super veterans amongst others.

From right, Mr. Agu Benedict, FIRS State Coordinator in charge of Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers States, VAT Wonder Goal winner and Akwa United player, Friday Ubong and Elder Paul Bassey, Chairman, Akwa United at the presentation ceremony of NPFL Match Day 21 VAT Wonder Goal prize at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo

Ikpeba Mentors Young Footballers at COPA CocaCola Coaching Clinic Participants of the Abuja region of the 2017 COPA Coca-Cola secondary school football tournament had the opportunity to be schooled and motivated by ex-international, Victor Ikpeba, at the recently concluded COPA Coca-Cola Coaching Clinic in Abuja, ahead of the regional games to determine the team that will progress to Lagos for the National Finals.

The former African Footballer of the Year attended the training session designed by Coca-Cola to inspire to great success the budding football stars and stimulate a sustained passion in them for football as a potential career.

Ikpeba commended the initiative of bringing together COPA Coca-Cola players and ex-football internationals, adding that it is exciting to see these young boys showcase their talents.

“It's a privilege to be involved in Copa Coca-Cola for years now and it is exciting to be around once again to see how we can help develop these players, he said.”

Ikpeba mentored the teams from Kano, Kaduna, Benue, and Niger, all of whom had emerged victorious from the grassroots phase of the tournament and progressed to the regional stage in Abuja to contest for a spot at the national finals.

According to him, it is a great opportunity to catch them young. “As a member of the Technical Committee of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, I see a pool of young talents coming from this initiative. We know that not everyone can make it through football but when an element of education combines with football, the outcome is phenomenal. For me, this is the innovativeness of the greatly appreciated and respected Copa Coca-Cola to development of football in Nigeria,” he remarked.

Senior Brand Manager in charge of Colas at Coca-Cola Nigeria, Soji Omoigui, while speaking on behalf of the brand, said Coca-Cola strongly believes in the potentials of Nigerian teens. “We are aware that one of the greatest passion points of these teenagers is football so COPA Coca-Cola is a platform that provides sports education and development for them,” she said.

After the Coaching Clinic, round-robin games were played between the teams from Government Secondary School, Gwale, Kano; Christ Comprehensive College, Kaduna; Mbagwa Community Secondary School, Lessel, Benue; and Ndayako Day Secondary School Bida, Niger. The Kano boys emerged champions with the highest number of points from three matches.

In addition to identifying young talents across the country through the COPA Coca-Cola Under-15 football tournament, the Coaching Clinic is also offering the talented footballers the rare opportunity to be guided into professional football career. Also, the platform gives qualifying young players an opportunity to meet with a legend of football and to be inspired and motivated by his life story.

Milo Basketball National Finals Dunks off Today The national finals of the 19th edition of the Milo Secondary School Basketball will dunk off today at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The draws for the championship were held yesterday at the match venue in both the male and female categories, which would see six schools battle for honours between today and Wednesday.

In the female category, Government Secondary School, Numan, Adamawa State; Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State; St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State; Wesley Girls Secondary School, Yaba, Lagos State; Yejide Girls’ Grammar School, Ibadan, Oyo State; and Government Secondary School, Wuse, FCT, Abuja, will slug it out.

The male category will see Government Secondary School, Karu, FCT, Abuja; Government Secondary School, Minna, Niger State; St. Augustine’s Seminary Ezzamgbo, Ebonyi State; Greater Tomorrow International College, Yola, Adamawa State; and Greenlands Academy, Abeokuta, Ogun State vying for the top prize.

The national finals promise to be captivating, as the best of teen basketball will be on display.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • june 17, 2017

34

POLITY

Paris Club Refund and Ugwuanyi as Shining Exemplar Laurence Ani

F

ew weeks ago, there was a groundswell of indignation over a press statement issued by the Governors’ Forum indicating that its members intend to use the second tranche of the Paris Club debt refund to states to pay outstanding arrears of salaries and pensions. The gripe was that the performance of a statutory obligation has seemingly been made contingent on the release of the refund.

Even if unstated, you could imagine many asking, “what have they done with the initial installment?” - a question reinforced by the erroneous impression the payments were simply a product of the Federal Government’s magnanimity, which they certainly are not.

The payments are nothing more than refunds for excess deductions from monthly allocations to state drawn at source over the years, a point clearly defined by Nigeria’s finance minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

According to her, the deductions were made to service external debts. “These debt service deductions are in respect of the Paris Club, London Club and multilateral debts of the federal government and states. While Nigeria reached a final agreement for debt relief with the Paris Club in October 2005, some states had already been overcharged.”

So, what exactly have governors done with the initial reimbursement from the Paris Club refund? It’s difficult to say how each state had spent their share of the refund, but in Enugu State they were scrupulously deployed towards offsetting outstanding arrears of salaries and pension of local government workers and retirees, a gesture that has earned Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi a huge acclaim from workers and leaders of councils in the state. “It is gratifying that the councils received the entire N3.9b of our Paris Club refund to settle outstanding salaries and pension,” the state’s chair of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr. Cornelius Nnaji, announced at a seminar organised by the Trade Union Congress in Enugu.

Governor Ugwuanyi The fact the federal government had actually recommended that 50 percent of the funds be spent on wage obligations to workers and retirees is a point that underscores the significance of the Enugu State governor’s decision.

With media reports alleging a breach of the presumed understanding as apparent in the arrears of as yet unpaid salaries and pension in some states, Ugwuanyi’s action stands as a true exemplar in accountability in public expenditure. The governor’s action was no appeal to populism. He had earlier set a very high watermark in accountability with the handling of the federal government bailout funds approved last year to help states solve pressing recurrent obligations for which many states (with exception of a few including Enugu) had been in default for months.

Such transparency and prudence drew commendation from members of the Senate

Committee on State and Local Government Administration who described Governor Ugwuanyi as the most outstanding governor in the utilization of the bailout funds. “We have gone through the books,” said the committee’s chairman, Senator Abdullahi Gumel, after rounding off legislative oversight visit to Enugu State few months ago.

“And as far as the bailout funds are concerned, everything is in order. In fact, Enugu State has even gone further because we haven’t seen this in any other states. We are not saying it because he was our colleague (Governor Ugwuanyi was a three-time member of the House of Representatives); we are doing it because we have seen with our eyes.

This is an innovation and we are reflecting it in our report. We are proud of him.”

The commendation from the Senate committee is just one of several other plaudits the governor had earned for his remarkable governance record whose scale hardly reflects the fact that Enugu is among states that receive the least allocation from the federation account. Indeed, the positive socio-economic indices seen in Enugu State in the last two years which have been a particularly challenging one for Nigerian states, is testament to the tenacious vision of the governor. With the country’s economy severely buffeted by steep decline in oil price, revenue accruing to states from the federal purse has been anything but cheering.

The unfailing resolve to put the welfare of workers above everything else has brought tremendous goodwill to the governor. Even in the absence of industrial dispute, the relationship between labour unions and governments - either at the state or federal level - is seldom a rosy one. Such an ambivalent situation can only be further strained by default in payment of wages, as evident in some states where civil servants and pensioners have either been on strike or are threatening to do so. The contrasting scenarios that played out last Workers Day across the states serves as an illustrative point.

Whereas workers in some states shunned the traditional May Day rallies and railed against their employers over unpaid arrears of salaries and pensions, it was a festive mood in Enugu

with workers conferring an award on Governor Ugwuanyi as the “Most Labour-Friendly Governor in the History of Enugu”.

But the commitment to the payment of civil servants and retirees’ wages has even deeper socio-economic roots. The governor understands that being a largely civil service state and the fact that each worker often has a number of dependants, salaries can actually serve as economic spur and when delayed or unpaid could have some catastrophic consequences. The governor alluded to this in his speech during the May Day celebrations in the state. “Enugu State is peaceful and secure. We are, against all odds, paying salaries as at when due; we are enjoying industrial harmony and we are carrying out massive infrastructural and other development in all parts of the state for the benefit of our people,” he told the jubilant crowd.

So what Governor Ugwuanyi seeks to enthrone is a vision that is enduring, one that ushers in a new work ethic where workers understand that employment in the public service comes with a commensurate degree of responsibilities. “As we celebrate this May Day with workers in Enugu State,” he enjoined the workers, “we urge you to remain true to your obligations and to approach your duties with greater zeal and commitment so that collectively, we can achieve the higher levels of efficiency and productivity that will fast track the socio-economic development of our dear state.”

At the heart of all this is the governor’s conviction that public officers should be accountable to the public and always demonstrate actions which accord with the highest standards of good governance. The transparency that underlined the deployment of the bailout fund and Paris Club refund is reflective of this ideal, and an assurance that there is a sufficient will to be so inclined as states await the second tranche of federal government’s refund of excess deductions from statutory allocations to states.

–The writer was formerly editor of ThisDay, The Saturday Newspaper. His writings could be read on Twitter @AniLaurence and laurenceani.blogspot. com.

Peter Osalor

We are 50 Years Backward in Farming There are several aspects of Peter Osalor’s life that gets interesting when you get closer to this Chartered Accountant, writer and tax expert. He has written over 22 books and many adopted by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) on entrepreneurship. Osalaor has a new project in a book form called the “The Farmer Entrepreneur” which will teach the comers and existing farmers the rudiments of entrepreneurship. He shares his dream on Agriculture in Nigeria with Olaoluwakitan Babatunde countries are following suit. We just need to go back to our roots.

n

Nigerian farmers went backward…

igerian farmers went backward in the last 50 years. In the 60s and 70s, we were leading in Agriculture. We were one of the leading exporters in cocoa, palm oil, groundnut, cotton and hides and skin.

We were deeply involved in agriculture before oil discovery in Oloibiri. In those days, agriculture was giving us 70 per cent of our foreign exchange earnings. Now it is just two per cent. Only oil and gas give us 95 per cent. In Africa, farming died with the discovery of oil wells in both deep sea and onshore and now in the 21st century the oil is no longer lucrative business, it has lost value and it is dying a slow death. People are looking for alternative sources of energy.

Our biggest customer, the United States, now wants to sell oil because they have plenty reserves and much more. We are in trouble, so we don’t have any alternative than to fall back to agriculture because we don’t even have the capital to go back to mining. In mining alone, we are also losing $53 billion annually because we are not mining. All the steel complexes are dead. Ajaokuta, Aladja, the iron Ore. The easiest way that can help us now is agriculture, through farmers led entrepreneurial revolution.

Going Back to Farming

Peter Osalor Farming became a hobby and no more a business. But in those days of the 70s, farming was our business; we had marketing employer of labour but we left it and went into subsistence farming.

The minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh has always stated that we spend abound $35 billion on food imports annually. That is very sad. If Nigeria is doing it, other African

Farming Will Pay More Money Than Oil… The previous PDP government initiated some programmes led by Adewumi Adesina who is now the President of AfDB when they started doing this value chain. From cassava we were getting bread. With this new government they have also started the Green Alternative. They are now focusing on farming as a business where youths are being encouraged to go into farming. Farmers should now be looked at as businessmen to earn foreign exchange. Farming will pay more money than oil business. That is why I have taken the pains to write a book called “The Farmer Entrepreneur” and how we can transform the farmer into an Entrepreneur.

They will think like entrepreneur, do business plans, form strategic alliances export the products and make the much needed foreign exchange by sending to Europe and the United States while also getting into the Asian markets. That is very possible. The book I have written will be launched on the 22nd of August at the Yar Adua Cultural and event Centre in Abuja where we will also organise a round-table conference. The main discussions for that day shall be transforming the farmer into an entrepreneur that should become a national policy were you take farming as a real business.

I am going to take the book around; the states and farming cooperatives all through the nooks and crannies of this country because it is a national issue and the book is so loaded that it can be used in schools as textbooks. I will go through the NUC. They have approved my books in the past. This is my 22nd book and most of my books are approved by NUC. I will go back to them and I am sure they will be glad because there are no books on farming entrepreneur. I am sure this is the first in Nigeria.

Impediments to Successful Farming…

Our youths are not serious. They think that farming is dirty and want to go into music, the entertainment industry. They forget farming is life. Every day we eat from the farm. The youths should start taking farming as a more lucrative business than oil and gas. If you go to Europe where I lived for over 30 years, Sainsbury and most of the big supermarkets are into farming. Most former leaders of the West are farmers.

In Nigeria, our former Heads of States are farmers. The youths must follow them.

They are getting old, who will they hand over the farms to? We must now focus on the youths, the unemployed graduates. There is a programme the Federal Government just introduced called “Empower”. It is a super programme to encourage the youths to go into farming. With farming there would be food and income security.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUNE 17, 2017

mEdia & markEtiNg

Chain Reactions, Edelman Boost PR with New Report

with

KASIE ABONE 08057511558 (sms only)

E

delman, leading global communications marketing firm in partnership with its local affiliate, Chain Reactions Nigeria has unveiled the 2017 edition of Edelman Trust Barometer Survey Report.

The 17th edition of the annual global trust and credibility survey was launched for the first time in Nigeria, courtesy of Chain Reactions Nigeria, a leading vibrant Public Relations and Integrated Communications consulting firm.

The global survey carried out by Edelman Intelligence consisted of 25 minutes online interviews conducted between October 13th and November 16th 2016 in which more than 33,000 respondents across 28 countries were sampled on how much they trust four institutions namely government, business, media and non-governmental organisations to do what is right.

Managing Director/Chief Strategist, Chain Reactions Nigeria, Israel Jaiye Opayemi, while speaking at the event explained that one of the key insights in the survey was the widening trust gap in the four key institutions adding this should challenge practitioners in proffering innovative solutions for managing the reputation assets of their clients.

“The survey report is significant because it documents insights and knowledge to help governments, businesses, media and non-governmental organizations to proactively build and raise their trust equity as a major factor that impacts organisational reputation,” he stressed.

Opayemi further stated that the launch of the report was a significant milestone for Nigeria because it underscored the strategic importance of the Nigerian market to Edelman.

“Chain Reactions and Edelman will be helping interested Nigerian businesses to build their asset of trust and reputation around this. It is our hope that those of you here today saddled with the responsibility of managing the reputation of different corporate brands will do the same for your respective brands.

We intend to use this as a foundational step to help Nigeria establish the Nigerian Trust Index which is the average of a country’s trust in the institutions of government, business, media and non-governmental organizations,” he said.

In his presentation of the annual report, Managing Director of Edelman, South Africa, Jordan Rittenberry said, “The growth of populism has seen the mass population reject established authorities.

The informed public consists of people

Chairman, Lagos Chapter, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations ( NIPR), Mr. Olusegun McMedal; President, Business Education Examinations Council, Mazi Mike Okereke;Managing Director, Chain Reactions Nigeria, Israel Opayemi and Chairman/CEO C & F Potter Novelli, Nn’emeka Maduegbuna at the presentation of 2017 Edelman Trust Barometer Annual Global Study organised by Chain Reactions Nigeria in partnership with Edelman in Lagos recently

who are educated and economically better while the mass population is made up of people who are illiterate or semi-literate and fall under the lowincome earners strata.

Currently greater influence lies with the growing mass population.

“In the case of Brexit and the last American election, we saw the media combating fake news and this was witnessed all over the world with businesses being rocked by scandal after scandal.

“All these factors combine to show that trust is in crisis in 2017. What we used to see as the pyramid of influence is gone; no longer are the days when the better source of information is presumed to be held by the elite as there is a democratisation of information and communication. What we are seeing is an emerging new model that is populist. Edelman is working with Chain Reactions to ensure Nigeria is covered in the next Edelman Trust Barometer statistics.”

Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria, Mrs.

Ibukun Awosika, in her video recorded keynote speech, enjoined individuals, public and corporate institutions to embrace trust as a non-negotiable currency to trade in every area. “I consider the issue discussed very critical, and it is important going forward for any organisation especially for the nation.

When trust is broken, when we can no longer trust institutions, there is a major problem because it becomes very difficult to communicate. People generally have low trust level; they tend to believe the accusation first before they find out what is true. You can see it play out in our polity, people no longer trust institutions,” she said.

In his remark, Chairman/CEO, Channels Television, John Momoh, said, “The media around the world has lost credibility due especially to the emergence of social media and the traditional media has its own blame as interference like politicians, editorial policy are really weighing on media responsibility. Channels TV for instance,

is a network built on trust which is why the station is where it is today.”

Other speakers included Founder/ Chief Executive Officer, Proshare Nigeria Limited, Olufemi Awoyemi Awoyemi, Founder, Consumer Advocacy Forum of Nigeria (CAFON), Ms. Sola Salako, President, Public Relations Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), Mr. John Ehiguese; President, Africa Public Relations Association (APRA), Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; former President, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Maxi Mike Okereke; Vice President, Nigeria Guild of Editors/Deputy Managing Director, The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Steve Nwosu; Publisher, Encomium, Mr. Kunle Bakare, and Chief Operating Officer, Soulcomms Publicis, Moji Saka.

Some of them featured on the two panels that discussed trust as a subject matter with the immediate Past President, PRCAN, Chido Nwakanma as the moderator. Others delivered goodwill messages.

Lagos Tops Among Cowbelpaedia Competitors

T

wo Lagos State students, 14 year old Miss Monyei Cynthia of Good Shepherd Comprehensive Secondary School, Meiran and 13 year old Master Fuad Alaka of Federal Government Science and Technical College, Yaba were among five students who recorded perfect score of 100 percent in the Junior category of this year’s edition of Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz Show. The qualifying examination was conducted by National Examination Council (NECO).

Out of 51,018 students that sat for the Qualifying Examination of the 2017 Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics

TV Quiz Show, Lagos State topped the enrolment chart with 7,098 candidates.

The other students with perfect score in the Junior category were Master Adeyanju Oluwafemi, 13 years old, of Jesuit Memorial College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Miss Anita Alabi, 14 years old, of Gloryland Secondary School, Igarra, Edo State.

In the senior category, only Master Michael Paul, 14 years old, of Excelgrace Academy, Gboko, Benue State got a perfect score of 100 percent in the qualifying examination.

In the 2016 edition, eight students got the perfect score with Osun State producing four, while Cross River, Abia and Ogun States made up the list.

Analysis of the enrolment this year shows

a total of 26,057 candidates in the Junior Secondary School category and 24,961 candidates in the Senior Secondary School category.

Like in the previous editions, the best 108 students (54 from each category) will proceed to the second stage, the Television Quiz Show.

The second stage, which will be in a quiz format, will be further sub-divided into preliminary, semi-finals and finals. The show will be serialised into 13 episodes and aired on major cable and terrestrial television stations across the country.

Head of Marketing, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Festus Tettey acknowledged the support given by NECO, State Min-

istries of Education, School Principals, Teachers, the media and other partner agencies for the initiative over the years.

He explained that the Top 3 in each state for both categories in the qualifying examination will be rewarded with cash prizes.

The ultimate prize for this year’s edition is N1 million and an all-expense paid educational excursion outside the country while the first and second runners-up will go home with N750,000 and N500,000 respectively.

The teacher of the top prize student winner will be awarded N400,000, while those of the first and second runners-up will be rewarded with N300,000 and N200,000 respectively.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUNE 17, 2017

FAIRGROUND

Bovi, Man on Fire

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

T

he Bovi Man on Fire show has gone but we are still reeling from the laughter of that night. Our ribs hurt because we laughed so hard, every joke was on point.

The comedy show was held on May 5, at the Eko Convention centre. The dimly lit hall was packed full with an audience, ready to laugh out loud. It was well organised and by Flytime Entertainment, the organisers of the year’s Rhythm Unplugged’ musical concert.

Before the man of the night took to the stage to crack up his audience, there were performances from Brother Wasiu, Omini the great and other comedians.

S.O.P records and others upcoming musicians also thrilled the audience with their musical performances.

Basket Mouth took to the stage to tease the audience a bit on what they should expect from Bovi before introducing Richard Mofe Damijo to the stage to give a tribute to Bovi.

Bovi’s performance was indeed one to remember for a while. For over an hour, he did a good job holding the audience’s attention and making the night a memorable one.

After the comedy show, story making the rounds was that Bovi was paid N20m

by Cecil Hammond of Flytime Promotions, the organisers of the show. We are sure that Forbes will be adding another name to their lists, Kudos to Bovi.

Bovi

Richard Mofe-Damijo and Basketmouth Amaechi Obi

Julius and Ebiere Agwu

Falz performing on stage

Ben Murray-Bruce

Dee1 and Omobaba

Ladies having fun at Bovi on fire show

Nedu

Mary, Alibaba and Onome

Chris Ebosi and his friend

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUNE 17, 2017

FAIRGROUND

Lagos Welcomes Professor Anthea Garman, of Rhodes University, South Africa

C

ome July 6 at the MUSON centre in Lagos will welcome Professor Anthea Garman of Rhodes University, South Africa.

Garman is an associate professor in the School of Journalism and Media Studies, where she teaches journalism.

She runs a research group studying media and citizenship in South Africa, edits the Rhodes Journalism Review (www.rjr.ru.ac.za) and teaches long-form journalism to

post-graduates.

Her book on one of South Africa’s most controversial non-fiction writers has just been published: Antjie Krog and the Post-Apartheid Public Sphere: Speaking Poetry to Power (UKZN Press).

She will be bringing a fresh dynamism to a conversation in this year’s conference themed; ‘Pioneers, Innovators and the Brave New World’ as well as other seasoned speakers and panelists whose details will be shared in the coming weeks leading to the conference.

Professor Anthea Garman

Bad Market: By Women’s Film Club

W

omen’s Film Club proudly presents the first screening of the quarter featuring a contemporary Nigerian film; Bad Market directed

by Paul Gaius, at the Ford Foundation.

Bad Market is a short film about a 14-year-old runaway girl, Eno, who was trafficked to the big city of Lagos by Chike, a ruthless pimp and con artist who intends to profit from her seeming innocence. Each one has to devise a plan to escape life’s harsh realities in a ‘dog eat dog’ world.

The film screening will feature a question and answer session with the director with the aim of

promoting culture, spreading knowledge through insight and sparking new conversations about pressing social issues relating to women.

About Women’s Film Club The Women’s Film Club is a platform that aims at making independent cinema accessible to the Nigerian public.

Through a curated programme of film screenings, forums and related events, Club explores the role of women in film to an African and global audience.

TWFC organises regular screenings of independent films in Lagos not otherwise shown in mainstream cinemas - including special projects like festivals and art exhibitions.

Best Premier Hotel Launches In Abuja

P

opular Hotel chain Best Premier Hotel launched recently in Wuse II, Abuja.

The occasion was graced by friends, family, and wellwishers of the President of Best Premier Hotel, Mr. Prince Chidi Ibe. The ceremony began with a brief prayer, then Mrs. Chioma Ibe, Vice President of Best Premier Hotel introduced her husband Mr. Prince Chidi Ibe to give a welcome speech.

The Chairmana’s speech was interrupted by heavy breeze and drizzle which the Ibe in his humorous nature referred to as showers of blessings. After the weather became calmer, he invited his mum to bless the day and officially launched the hotel.

Ibe continued his speech in one of the fully furnished conference rooms in the hotel addressing a select audience.

He dedicated the hotel to God and his beautiful family.

He then invited the General Manager of Best Premier Hotel (Abuja), Mr. James Oche to the podium. In his speech, the GM highlighted the many facilities and services offered by the hotel. After which the guests were taken on a facility tour of the hotel.

There was also plenty to eat and drink as guests were treated to complimentary food and drinks.

Simultaneously, a press briefing was going on. While fielding questions from the press, Mr. Prince emphasized that Best Premier Hotel was not just another hotel brand but one that will bring positive changes in the hospitality industry through premium services. According to him: “We are not just going to concentrate on our brand but also provide hotel management services to other hotels that are serious about standardization.”

President, Best Premier Hotel, Mr. Prince Chidi Ibe surrounded by his family and guests at the official launching of Best Premier Hotel, Abuja.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • June 17, 2017

June 17, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 17, 2017

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES BY

Kwara Governor Goofs on Saraki

T

HISDAY Front Page of June 10 welcomes us today: “…

Saraki said the eighth Senate has (had) passed 96 bills and 72 petitions in just two years.”

“Perhaps, the Igbo are saying that they intend to repeat the mistake of 2015 at (in) 2019 general elections (election).”

“Ford’s Driving Skills for Life (DrivingSkills-for-Life) Programme returns to Nigeria” The next set of blunders is from a fullpage congratulatory advertorial for Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki signed by Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, Executive Governor, Kwara State: “In two years, the 8th Senate, under your astute and resourceful leadership, not only broke a 17 year (17-year) jinx but passed a landmark Bills (sic) and cleared record breaking (recordbreaking) petitions.’

Still on the National Assembly Chairman: “At home, your community development (community-development) effort has translated into bridging a number of infrastructure gab (sic)….” Get it right: a number of infrastructural gaps (not gab).

“Book marketing (Book-marketing) tips for self-published authors” “In this encounter with…he advocates for modification of presidential system of governance instead of jettisoning it.” Yank off ‘for’.

“MEND in a statement signed by its spokesman…said it will (would) begin….”

“The targets are non-Muslims groups.”

Existential humanism: non-Muslim groups.

THE GUARDIAN of February 2 contributed four inaccuracies to this week’s pool of blunders: “Then between 2007 and 2015, Ikot Ekpene senatorial district is on (in) the saddle.” “…disclaimed insinuation (an insinuation

or insinuations) in some quarters that….”

“Today, he does not only represent the rare specie (species) of lawyers….”

THISDAY of May 3 goofed on the late Chinua Achebe twice: “Achebe was accused of being privy to the coup on the ground (grounds) that….”

“Achebe’s no hold barred (sic) reprimand on the Nigerian nation….” The Achebe story: no-holds-barred reprimand.”

“The sad story of some communities in Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu State that are literarily (literally) trapped….”

“I noticed that I stir up this awe whenever I speak in the company of my guys and others.” People: in company with (not of) my guys and others.

“Be your brother’s keepers….” Fixed expression irrespective of number of people involved: brother’s keeper.

“Yes, a lot of people like these kind of prophetic books.” This way: this kind/these kinds of people “…God was merciful to have kept him for 23 years after the motor accident that confided (confined) him to the wheelchair.”

“Let your wrist watch speak volume (volumes)” “To build capacity through trainings” ‘Training’ is non-count.

“This should have been our interactive platform and an income generating (income-generating) website.”

Please note this: ‘under the circumstance’ is American English while ‘in the circumstance’ is British English. This particular intervention is critical because in their book entitled Correct English, J. E. Metcalfe and C. Astle declared that ‘under the circumstance’ is wrong. But, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (New Edition) published in 2012 confirms the two expressions as correct entries. We should exercise circumspection in our use of the English

language and its registers. I prefer ‘in the circumstance’, however. “…has been as selfish, self serving (self-serving) and attempt (an attempt) by the House to place its members above the electorates they should be accountable to.” The making of invincible legislators: electorates/electors or the electorate (not the electorates). More on this next week…. “…and absorbs (absolves) them from civil or criminal proceedings….”

“The same house has (had) attempted in the past to compromise the….” Existential humanism: ‘in the past’ is redundant here.

“But what is really important is the number of people who turns (turn) new leaves….” Fixed/stock expression: turn a new leaf (irrespective of the number of people).

“Buhari, who summoned the service chiefs to Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, was said to have intimated them of (to) the Presidency’s plan….”

“Egypt (Egyptian) court revokes Morsi’s firing of prosecutor” “The President then presents the recommendation to the National Council of States (State) for deliberation.” “…it might afford the country the opportunity to a round table (sic) to regurgitate what grouse each bears against (about) the other (one another).”

“It was their battle (Niger Delta militants) that awaken (awoke) the consciousness….”

“I believe in total and comprehensive assessment of a person to determine his/her (their) suitability and overall credibility.”

“UI students’ union leaders sworn-in (sworn in), seek cooperation” “The minister goes on to paint a very laudable picture of the purpose of the First Ladies Peace Mission, rounding up (rounding off) with the battle-cry….”

“He said the village have (had) never been attacked in the past….”

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“…majority (again, a majority) of them failed woefully (abysmally).”

THISDAY of January 20 underdeveloped the English language: “…who briefed journalists on the company’s field development programme yesterday, in company of (in company with) the vice-chairman….”

“The victims comprised of four….”

Delete ‘of’ in pursuit of reason and truth.

Still on the editorial: “…stakeholders to put heads together in order to help find lasting solution (a lasting solution) to the security challenges presently facing the nation.” Why not ‘the insecurity facing the nation’?

“Shareholders of GSK Plc (PLC) has (have) enjoyed a huge….”

“But GSK need (needs) a more robust fourth quarter to sustain the record-setting bullish run.”

The final entry from THISDAY: “…where majority (a majority) of the population live (lives)….”

“Eight Egba chiefs arrested over (for) murder of prince in Ondo” “Survivors of suicide bomb attacks recount tales of woes” Kano blasts: tale of woe (fixed/stock expression—plurality notwithstanding) “Okopoly rector allays fears over masquerades (masqueraders)” “Anambra 2017: PDP supporters on strategic take over (takeover) campaign” “Both countries to sign drug control (drug-control) pact” ‘With due respect and humility, the above association (Tiddo Yo Daddo Alumni Association) is hereby inviting its esteem (esteemed) and valuable members to the forthcoming general meeting.” Are there invaluable members?

And this: ‘With due respect and humility’—what is the essence of this phrase?

TRIBUTE

Fanny Ada Nwogu: Akpaka Goes in a Blaze of Glory Chidi Nwogu

A

s Ndigbo say, even as a chicken, the cockerel is known, while from mere posture, a champion wrestler can be deciphered at the beginning of a duel. So it was with Chief Mrs. Fanny Nwogu (Akpaka).

She exhibited signs of unparalleled intelligence and brilliance, necessitating her father sending her to school at a time when women were relegated to the background and looked down upon as inferior gender to the men.

Born on Wednesday, 30th November, 1938 to late Chief Benson Ikoroha and Late Madam Mercy Ikoroha, Akpaka attended elementary school and secondary school at Nkwerre and Umuahia. At the completion of her secondary school education, she went on to study at the Teachers’ Training College, Umuahia in the then Eastern Nigeria, obtaining the Teachers’ College Grade 2 (TC-II) Certificate, hence qualified as a trained and professional teacher. She taught brilliantly at various schools in Nkwerre.

However, her quest for knowledge and non-acceptance of low academic standard motivated her to further her education and through the British Council and with the moral and financial support of her maternal uncle, Nze Obidaiah Amadi Onukogu (Agubata), she left the shores of our country as she gained admission into the prestigious Pitman Training College, London. She acquired a Diploma in Secretarial Administration and Domestic Science.

On her arrival in England to begin her studies, she met and was reunited with a young man whom she had known back home as a family friend; thus began a lifelong Love Story! This Love Story spanned for over 50 years and is likened to the “La Vie En Rose” song written in heaven and enacted on earth.

In her own words, “after a spell of friendship and courtship, the gentleman on bended knee finally popped the question at a dance party at St. Pancreas Town Hall, London, in 1961”. And of course, She said YES!!! She wedded the gentleman, her Sweetheart, Chief Emmanuel Osigwe Nwogu (Of Blessed Memory) on 13th April, 1963 at the St. Martin-in the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, London. It was an event that she held so dear to heart even till her last minute.

She returned to Nigeria with her husband in 1964 and

Nwogu

joined the Eastern Nigeria Civil service work force working in various capacities as a Secretary between March 1964 and 1971 in Enugu where she worked under the Chief Secretary to the Premier of Eastern Nigeria, Department of Public Prosecution, Ministry of Justice, and as the Administrative Secretary to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Development before she voluntarily retired in 1971.

Akpaka, as her friends fondly called her, was a woman with the Midas Touch. Everything she touched turned to gold. She was never satiated with any great height reached,

but saw such as stepping stone to higher levels of excellence and legacy.

For instance, anybody who expected her to fold her arms and rest after her retirement from the civil service was mistaken and never really knew her, for she delved into the business world after she retired. She set up the Fanisco Secretarial Bureau, which was one of the best printing presses in the country back then. She later founded Safety Travels and Tours having earlier set up Farol Travels and Executive Car Hire Services.

Akpaka was a notable and amiable Rotary Ann. She was a mature, staid and dignified member of her society. She was a formidable community leader, former President of Klub Feminique and former President of Business and Professional Women. As a political activist and mobiliser, she was a woman leader int he defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN. A woman of many paths, Akpaka was a sports enthusiast and loved lawn tennis so much. She was a life Matron of the Enugu Sports Club, the Nkwerre Tennis Club, and the Premier Tennis Club, Enugu.

A Christian in practice, she was a prominent member of the All Saints Church, GRA, Enugu in the 70s and 80s and subsequently a staunch member of the Living Christ Mission whose doctrines she solely believed in and which molded her Christian faith. In her lifetime she was tagged a philanthropist, not because she had too much to give away, but because she was kind, generous and loved assisting the less privileged. She was a believer of the “truth” and a Christian of Godly desires determined to serve God at all cost.

Mama was a recipient of the biblical “Abraham’s Blessings” having lived a fulfilled life and a partaker of God’s abundant Blessings. She was a Blessed child of God. Like all mortals, in the early hours of Friday, 7th April, 2017, Fanny Ada Ikoroha-Nwogu peacefully transited to higher glory.

Even though she passed away, the truth is that Akpaka never died. She lives on- in her offpring- Dr. Ijeoma NwoguOmekam, “IjeGood” and Hon. Chidi Nwogu, “Chiboy”, and nine grandchildren, who were his pride and joy.

She lives on in our hearts and the hearts of those whose lives benefited from her Midas touch. Her great works, legacies, selfless service to God and humanity will continue to keep her name aglow in the kind pages of history, while her kind soul continues to rest peacefully in the bosom of the Lord.

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JUNE 17, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

FASHION FILE

“Bottles, Muses & Shots Collection by Elanred

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 17, 2017

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

FASHION FILE

“Bottles, Muses & Shots”

C

ontemporary Nigerian store, ELANRED, celebrates summer with the launch of a new fashion edit “Bottles, Shots & Muses” starring Kenyan singer, Victoria Kimani, and Nigerian model/actor, Chinedu Ubachukwu, captured in an outdoor setting full of sun and summer styles selected by Sharon Ojong.

Inspired by their everyday customers, the store’s new location and design, the edit features confident use of colours, breezy dresses, mens’ casual, statement accessories, cover up like denim jacket for the warm weather days, and more style guide for summer 2017, while spotlighting made in Africa designs from the likes of Isi Atagamen, Tribal West, Fuad Fuzan, Purple Orchid, Amarelis, Keeks, Tash by Tasha Godwin, Dapmod, Sarah Smith, JZO, Jaxx, Nale, TIFE, May Anthony, Zamoux, Lagos Laidback and in-store pieces.

Bottles, Muses & Shots Models Victoria Kimani (VictoriaKimani) Chinedu Ubachukwu (ChindeuUbachukwu) Visuals D.E.E.V.A.S (@DeevasWorld) Photography Tope Adenola (@Tope_Horpload) Creative Direction & Styling Sharon Ojong (@SharonOjong) Makeup Temitope Onayemi (@Adella_Makeup) Hair TJ (@HairCraft_) Styling Assistant Sito Charles (iamc20) Location Bottles Lagos, VI Lagos (@BottlesRestaurant) Arts Café, VI Lagos

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • june 17, 2017

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fashogbon... 08033621009

L-R: Victoria Adewunmi of Prinsult Global Consult, Managing Director, Prinsult Global Consult, Raliat Oyetunde, and Chef Tonia at Prinsult Unique Business Model Canvas Seminar held in Lagos...recently

L-R: Director, Legacy Sports, Mr. Samy Kabbara; CEO, No Surprises,Funmi Victor Okigbo; MD, Legacy Sports, Philip Diwan and CEO, HC Bonum , Lanre Onasanya at the Breakfast meeting of the unofficial Christmas Party 2017 Preview in Lagos...recently

Power Oil Health Team Delights Rivers NYSC As it continues to drive its health initiative across the 36 states of the country, vegetable oil brand, Power Oil, has complemented the efforts of the Rivers state government to provide free medical service to youth corps members in the state.

The firm which visited the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, orientation camp with its health team provided the centre with basic medical checkup services including blood pressure, body temperature, medical consultation/ nutritional advice as well as products donation.

Staff at the camp and Corps members were beneficiaries of the exercise which overall motive hinged on healthy heart and longevity.

Olx Secures Environment with ‘Used Goods ‘Dealings In addition to its benefit of saving cost for Nigerians who shop for quality, yet affordable products, Olx business model of facilitating ‘used goods’ trading has contributed to the investment of protecting the Nigerian environment, said its Marketing Manager, Fifemayo Aiyesimoju.

She disclosed this on the occasion of the 2017 World Environment Day, WED, which the company celebrated together with Climate Stewards to make, the day a memorable one.

Explaining the modus operandi of Olx dealings to this year’s WED theme: Connecting People to Nature, Aiyesimoju stated that the company had always identified with nature in its engagement.

“At OLX we believe that sustainable consumption - selling and buying of used goods instead of purchasing new ones is a great way to create a healthy and clean and environment for us all.

“In a recent research conducted by us and Climate Stewards,the outcome showed that transactions held on our platform last year helped to avert the emission of 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 which is equivalent to you flying around the world 160,000 times. To further put things into perspective it’s also equivalent to 17, 000 tankers worth of petrol.

“Carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere due to the activities of a particular individual, organisation, or community. Every time one sells a product on OLX, the life of the product gets extended. Every time one buys a used product, one less item gets produced, lowering CO2 emissions.

“To calculate carbon emission, all stages in the life-cycle of a product, from raw material procurement till it reaches a user, were taken into account for eight product categories on OLX. The categories covered include cars, mobile phones, televisions, laptops, sofas, tablets, cameras, and books. Other categories such as fashion and beauty, hobbies, arts and sports, real estate and jobs were not included,” she said.

In realising this, Aiyesimoju urged Nigerians to contribute their quota to environment preservation by patronising used goods which was also economical.

In her remarks, the Public Relations Manager of the company, Ms Omotayo Azeez, pointed out that the visitation to the state was to further extend the reach of its health campaign to the youth segment in particular.

“As the need to further reach out to more Nigerians becomes visible, we are delighted to join forces with NYSC in Rivers State, thus extending our coverage to the youth.

The rate at which people suffer heart complication is alarming, yet we believe that this can be contained through proper enlightenment and regular checkups and that is what we have set out to achieve.

“Beyond our community outreach plans, we accept that everyone deserves

to benefit from this life impacting project irrespective of location and class which is what drove the extension move to other strategic institutions such as churches, mosques, schools and NYSC camps,” she said. Brand Manager of Power Oil, Amisha Chawla added, “This is part of our corporate social responsibilities at Power Oil. We recognise that the costs of accessing medical check-up in the country may be expensive for some people, hence we come up with this idea to make qualitative health service circulate among Nigerians irrespective of their economic class as well as raise awareness on living and maintaining a healthy life style.

Appreciating the initiative, Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Omotayo

NGO Hosts Fair to Boost SMEs As part of efforts to push the small and medium enterprises beyond its present 47 per cent contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, a non-governmental organisation, Rullion Capacity Builder, is set to anchor a fair, targeted at SMEs operators in the country.

Although, the fair will be considering the youth and women population, its over all motives were to generate employment, improve local technology, output diversification and development of indigenous entrepreneurship amongst others.

The shopping fair which will hold on June 26 at Ikeja is tagged: ‘The Women’s Entrepreneurial Fair (WEF) 2017’ and will feature start-ups and businesses in various sectors such as food processing, leatherworks, fashion and lifestyle.

Others are real estate, information

technology and agriculture with the organisers providing publicity materials to some of the participants to aid their visibility.

The Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Egedi, added that WEF also sought to showcase women owned businesses and provide an opportunity whereby they could tap from the experiences of established businesses who will also be on ground to exhibit their products and services at the fair.

“Guests should come ready to shop and drop with as little as N3,000 as participating businesses will be offering huge discounts on their products. The quality and array of products available will pleasantly surprise our guests. We will be taking the WEF Fair to other parts of Nigeria in the coming months to avail more entrepreneurs of our growth platform,” Egedi stated.

Adewoye noted that the programme was timely and relevant.

“You will agree with me that we take physical fitness and nutrition very importantly, going by our regular daily drills and healthy choice of meals for our staff and Corps members under the most hygienic condition,” he said.

Power Oil which is endorsed by the Nigerian Heart Foundation has invested hugely in the business of life savings through its heart specific wellness endeavours.

It had recently launched its health campaign in the Lagos State NYSC orientation camp, Kaduna and Oyo states government through their Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Real Strikers Emerges Most Outstanding Security Company

Real Strikers Security Services Limited has been adjudged the most outstanding private guards security company of the year in Nigeria.

The firm was specially recognised for its contributions to the security sector at the National Security Award put together by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs in collaboration with Nigeria Media Links.

According to the organisers of the programme, the award was conferred in recognition of the company’s commitment to quality service and effective security vigilance in Nigeria.

Speaking on the feat, Managing Director of the company, Joseph Ameh, commended the organisers, adding that the organisation would strive to improve on the excellence and professionalism feature for which it was known.

On the way forward to security challenges in the country, Ameh advised government to take advantage of the over 2000 private security outfits in the country through strategic partnership.

“The private security sector is another fertile resource in the country which if properly harnessed, would to a large extent minimise crime rate and enhance security, particularly through information with public security agencies.

“Contemporary discourse on the state and security has shifted from the traditional assumption that security is an exclusive responsibility of the state. The prevailing trend is the increasing role of private security outfits as a dominant sector,” he said.

He maintained that security status in Nigeria demands that government should keep stakeholders on their toes to find solutions that would restore peace and assure all the citizens of their safety to lives and property.

Congratulating the company , the Nigerian Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh MosManaging Director and Chief Executive Officer, Real Strikers Security Services Limited, Chief Joseph Ameh hood tasked the firm to keep the flag flying (left) receiving the most outstanding private guards security company of the year award on ‘Quality Services high, affirming that the private security sector and Effective Security Vigilance’ in Nigeria 2017 from the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Police Force, remained key in combating crime in the Jimoh Moshood at the 2017 National Security Award in Abuja...recently country.

44

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUNE 17, 2017

TRAVEL&LEISURE

by OMOLOLA ITAYEMI omolola.itayemi@thisdaylive.com 08054699602

About 5000 Nigerians Visit Ghana Every Weekend Striking, dark-skinned Nancy Quartey-Sam, President, Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) is brave and determined, especially when success is unlikely; she single-handedly had presidents of over five African countries release their ambassadors on a trip with TOUGHA to South Africa. Steering an organisation which has been in existence for almost 13 years with over 70 members is not tea party. Quartey-Sam in her second tenure talks to Omolola Itayemi about the challenges faced in running TOUHGA, hosting Accra-Weizo and why she loves Kumasi

G

hana’s aviation industry is on a mission to become the best in Africa.To what extent do you think the input of TOUGA would help achieve it?

FG, NTDC, Others Reject Tourism and Hospitality Institute Bill

T

I see TOUGA members as key players in the aviation industry because they facilitate the progress of the industry. In WestAfrica, Ghana has the highest airline operating. At present, we have over 45 airlines operating in Ghana, this is because Ghana has become the gateway to West Africa, per se.

This is largely because of the stable government and placing Ghana as a destination. What we have in Ghana is very unique compared to almost everywhere in Africa. Also we have very rich heritage.

What are the changes you experienced and the challenges as the president in your second term?

Before now, the tour operators were not working well. I realized that before you start making impact in tourism or boast of it, you must know it well. I decided to chart a course of reaching out to countries doing well in this regard, so the week I was inaugurated as president, I invited almost 10 ambassadors from various countries to be a part of our inauguration; South African, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Columbia, Europe, etc. These areambassadorsofcountriesdoingwellintourism and if we want to do well in the industry, we must partner with them. If they are doing well, it means they are getting tourists into their country. So, how can we tap into this and hopefully divert some of their tourists to our country. That was our strategy and they inadvertently became our friends. Every now and then, when they have programmes, they invite us which morphed into their tour operators having a partnership with Ghana Tourism.

With South Africa, we signed an MOU about two years ago to see how we can bring South Africa to West Africa and take West Africa to South Africa and that was the beginning of the relationship. They already had an airline and that made it easy. They were more into Eco-tourism while we were into tourism and culture. This also made easier to partner with them.

By the time we got the airlines, agencies in South Africa were ready to partner with Ghana because they realised it was a big market. Initially, our members didn’t understand, they wanted us to promote Ghana and that posed a lot of problems for me, even with my ministry.

They forgot that this the 21st century, with a lot of new technology, diversity and all that in tourism. I was however happy that I had some executives that understood and they stood by me. South Africa came to Ghana to do a road show, their tour operators, hoteliers and a host of others came for the road show.

It was a win-win situation and the awareness of how cheap and convenient it is to go to South Africa instead of Dubai and Europe increased.

The number of people traveling to South Africa from West Africa increased invariably.

The partnership also gave room for networking among tour operators from different regions of Africa. This new tourism didn’t just create room for the selling of a single country’s tourism but a conglomerate of African countries’ tourism as a package.

Another feat that broke the Camel’s back was

Lai Mohammed

Nancy Quartey-Sam

bringing five African Ambassadors in June last year. Getting them to partner with us was seen as an impossible task. I had to write to the presidents of their countries; South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and others. That was after the letters I had written to them were ignored.

Within two weeks, we got responses from all five countries releasing their ambassadors to come with me to South Africa. I needed to show them the practical aspects of tourism as was included in the paper work.

I chose SouthAfrica because we have the South African airline that flied directly from Ghana to Johannesburg. These ambassadors already had ambassadors in the host countries and the visit was to be an eye opener for the host ambassador.

They were around for 10 days after which they gave their testimonies. They attested that it was the best time of their lives.

The tour was like a vacation and we gave the tourist experience .We took them to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Suncity, with the tour on the three cities, they felt at home. We had a conference on how the plan was meant to go.

The government, the minister of tourism, met us and they all agreed that it was a good start in the history of Africa.

Theyproposeasimilartouraroundtheirvarious home countries. Zimbabwe and Zambia have agreed that we bring them together in August, to do another 10 days tour, and that they are going to bring other ambassadors.

You are a little silent about Nigeria, why?

Nigerians are our big brothers. We have just started and we are working gradually. We are working with Nigeria on the Weizo thing and Akwaabá.Years back tourists were always scared to go to Nigeria, because of the things they have heard but in Ghana we are beginning to tell them that it is safe. You need to have the right tour operator, you need to get the right people to handle you and to get the right hotels and you will be okay.

DuringAccra Weizo last year, we invited a lot of tour operators from Nigeria. Nigeria is one of our biggest markets, every weekend, I can assure you that we have up to 5000-6000 Nigerians coming

to Ghana from Friday to Sunday. It’s amazing.

Through this interaction, we have also been able to have groups from Ghana who are going to Nigeria, most of the time for conferences, and some of our tour operators were encouraging them.

In Ghana, we have these big churches with branches in Nigeria and vice versa, so we are encouraging these churches to do religious tourism. Much as we want them to go for Crusades and conventions, we are encouraging them for sight-seeing, shopping, and city tours. We are advising them to take that concept and it is working very well.

Accra Weizo is one of Ghana’s top tourism product of which you are the chief host.

How has it been hosting this pan-African product especially with the last big-bang edition in the past month?

I think Weizo is one of the wonderful things that happened to Ghana. Ghana has a lot of fairs but not tourism fairs, so Weizo has come to stay.

To do this continually for three to four years is determination. It gets bigger every year. The minister talked about Indaba which we have just ended which started in a small hotel room, with about 5 countries or tour operators who were trying to sell SouthAfrica and today Indaba has taken its feet and it’s one of Africa’s biggest tourism in the world. We believe that Weizo is running so fast, it’s catching up with the trend of tourism.

Last year, we had countries from southern and western parts ofAfrica but it will amaze you that this year, we had countries from the northern part joining us, and it’s been very encouraging.

Coming to Ghana has been of an advantage, it has been lucrative. These tourists do not just come and go. We ensure continuity. The Ghana tourism authority has been so supportive.

Now, we have over 70 tour operators coming from Nigeria, we have some from South Africa, Dubai, Kenya, Benin, Togo, Cote D’ivoire, Mali, all over. This will be a very good platform for Ghana to expose itself. With this new government having interest in the private sector, we believe the sky is our limit.

he Ministry of Information and Culture, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation and other tourism and hospitality operators have roundly rejected the Tourism and Hospitality Institute Bill sponsored by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR).

According to the minister, the Bill, which is at public hearing, is overwhelming and is likely to overshadow other parastatals by bringing about a lot of agitations. “The bill needs to be revisited and restrict NIHOTOUR to a tourism and training institute as obtainable in other climes,” he said.

Reacting, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Sen. Mathew Urhoghide explained that the Bill is not meant to override any parastatal, but to put them in their proper perspectives and define their roles.

He therefore asked the minister to address specific sections of the Bill and not to condemn it entirely.

“We are not against the Bill, we are only asking for amendment of some sections in the Bill which create conflict and clash of operations, especially on the legal and structural framework of the agency so as to make way for improved operation,” he pointed out. In his own presentation, the Director General of the NTDG, Folorunso Coker said the Bill encroaches on Sections 4, 14, and 15 of the Act establishing the corporation.

He said: “The bill is giving NIHOTOUR the position of both trainer and regulator of everything relating to tourism, thereby disregarding the legality of other parastatals.” He, therefore, prayed that the Bill be sent back for proper consideration and alignment, where focus should be placed more on: collaboration with the National Universities Commission and Colleges on formulation of tourism curricula for educational consumption, proper collaboration with the private sector and sensitisation and promotion of tourism training across board.

National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) was established in 1987 through a tripartite agreement between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Labor Organisation (ILO), and the federal government, and it saw the commencement of training activities in 1988. In the beginning, though, when there was critical man-power shortage, the institute was made a department and the training wing of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation before it gained autonomy in 1998.

Similarly, it could be recalled that major tourism groupings including The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents NANTA, the Nigerian Association for Tour Operators NATOP, The Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria,ATPN, and many other associations are all lined up to oppose the Bill.

Association of Travel and Tourism Writers of Nigeria, ATTWON had this to say about the Bill, “NIHOTOUR was established as an academic institution, not a regulator of hospitality outlets in the industry. As an academic body, it has failed to deliver on its set objectives. Instead of adding value to the industry, NIHOTOUR has become a liability as we could not really point out their impact in the industry. It is sad that a government agency can flagrantly disobey the highest court in the land and its judgement.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 17, 2017

INSIGHT Lagos: More than Just a State

45

Tony Monye

A

nd, the story goes thus: An old farmer got up early one morning, stretched his ageing muscles, picked up a hoe and a basket and he started out to his farm. As he strode, quite close to his farmstead, he came across an eagle’s egg along the roadway. He elected to pick it up. After admiring it for some countable seconds, he dropped it in the basket. Seeing an eagle’s egg for the first time, its unusual size left him lips apart in awe. At the close of business, he took the egg home. Fortunately, the farmer’s wife kept a miniature poultry. After discussing with his wife for a few minutes, the farmer left the eagle’s egg in her care.

The egg - as nights gave birth to days and vice versa - hatched, presenting a very robust-looking baby-eagle to the world. The eaglet found itself surrounded by many welcoming chicks. As time flew by, the eaglet grew big, having arduously perfected the ways of the chickens rather than the inherited manners and behaviours of an eagle. Instead of screeching, the eagle learnt how to crow and coo; as an alternative to the typical royal and inspiring long voyage of an eagle, he learnt the characterless and shabby short flight of the fowls. Turning up their noses in ridicule, it however thrilled the chickens unlimitedly.

With the changing months, the connexion of friendship between the eagle and the chickens only grew, becoming strongly ionic, as they did the whole shebang together. One day, as the birds strolled about, clucking and cackling their way around the neighbourhood, the eagle suddenly had an urge to look up the sky, because a shadow was cast over him. Puzzlingly, it saw another bird that looked so much like it in every way. For some moments, it paused, taking a squinted gaze, it was astounded by the bird’s elegance, candour and grace.

Its flight pattern was some wholesome delight to its eyes. With smile mixed with loads of wonder holding sway over the eagle’s mien, it called the attention of the chickens. Pondering aloud to them, the eagle pointed out the unbelievable likenesses between the bird up in the sky and itself. A few seconds noiselessly sailed by. All the birds were lost in thoughts, with the chickens stealing glances at one another, brooding if they had at any time given the eagle a modicum of belief it was some bird else.

All the while, none of the chickens called the bird up in the sky its rightful name – eagle, fearing it might signal something to their pal. The eagle sensed the chickens exchanged some messages amongst themselves, which he couldn’t untangle. It however questioned why it could not be like the bird up in the sky. Not so unexpectedly, the chickens, in one united, stout voice rebuked its wish, informing the eagle it would never be like the bird up in the sky for it had shacked up with them for too long. Therefore, he was now more like one of them and, they urged the eagle to accept that reality. With head slumped, the despairing eagle agreed with the chickens. They all walked on. Sadly, for the rest of its days the eagle led a chicken’s life, dying as one.

Views can present some awesome or awful expositions depending on which side of the divide we rest on. On the surface, this four-lettered word appears simple, defining sight but it just doesn’t completely spell it. It is a lot more than it exposes. Views can shape perceptions, understanding and give bent to relationships, as well as serving as some of the first planks, leading to deeper meaning. Views offer vent and strength, even shaping our missions and visions and their follow-through actions. Views can give bizarre definitions to ordinary things, ideas and thoughts, making them really complex whilst masterfully influencing even more things around us. It is just in the view if only we take a closer look, peep through a different window.

Views can spell distress or calm depending on which side of the wall one is leaning. When we look through the eastern window, we put up some huge and impressive defence of all the sights of our eyes, more often, completely discountenancing what the viewers of the western opening see and it goes the other way too. It might be a struggle to live in denial, appreciating how powerful views are because they truly are richly potent. To some extent, views have got some really tight grip on us. Their power to unite/ disunite individuals across many circles (religious, economic, political, social, tribal etc) is, however, just not in the view. It is quite constant, strong and pervasive. A wrong view of a wonderful friend might posit him as a deadly foe, just like an innocent gift can be viewed with suspicion, as is more often the case.

When siblings in a supposed close-knit family cross words, letting out devastating emotions, it just might be in the variations of their views. Martyr or villain, right or wrong, good or bad many a time, it is only

Ambode

in the view. Strange but true, in more of the cases, these differing views are driven only by bare ego, sentiments and arrogance and they are too far away from commonplace facts. More often than not, it is a case of the stronger the emotions and haughtiness, the sturdier and quicker the acceptance of the expressed views and, nothing more.

Quite like the introductory anecdote of the illstarred eagle, Lagos, at various intervals, views itself as a chicken when in fact it is supposed to be like the king of all feathery fellows. It’s the tale of my dear Lagos - a country that views itself more from the booth of a state.

––Monye writes from Lagos.

To be continued next week.

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JUNE 17, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

EVENTS

T

he 8th day Fidau prayer in honour of the Late Alhaja Wosilat Ejide Obanikoro, mother of the former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro was held at Event Hall, Victoria Island, Lagos. Here are some of the personalities at the occasion. Photos: Sunday Adigun

R-L: Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki; Son of Deceased and former Minister of state for defence, SenatorMusiliu Obanikoro and wife, Alhaja Moroophat

L-R : Dr. Tunde Ayeni and the THISDAY Managing Director, Mr. Eniola Bello

L-R: Hon. Jostice George Oguntade rtd. and Chief Rasaaq Akani Okoya

L-R: Former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Alao Akala and former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel

L-R: Hon. Yetunde Adesanya and Chief Mrs. Derinsola Osoba

L-R Former AIG Alhaji Musilu Smith and Alhaji SOB Babalola

L-R: Former Minister of state for Defence, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola Mr. Ademola Seriki and APC legal adviser, Muiz Banire

L-R: Air Vice Marshal Smith and Alhaji Danladi Yaro

L-R: Senator Anthony Adefuye and former Deputy Governor, Mr. Femi Pedro

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 17, 2017

EVENTS

L-R: Senator Buruji Kasamu and Senator Ben Bruce

L-R: Mr. Hakeem Alobo-Bakare, Nuhu Ribadu and Mallam Ibrahim Kashim-Imam

L-R: High Chief Adesoji Ajayi Bembe and High Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose

L-R: Mrs. Yewande Onilere and Gbolahan Obanikoro

L-R: Mrs. Wonu Folami; Mrs. Fehintola Okunola and Mrs. Aba Folawiyo

L-R: Hon. Wahab Owokoniran and Ms. Nike Jones

L-R: Senator Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon and Mr. Tunji Bello

L-R: Mrs. Jade Alade and Erelu Abiola Dosunmu

L-R: Mrs. Sewere Doherty Olopade and Hon. Folake Olunloyo-Osinowo

L-R: Christine Ahmadu, Fatima Obanikoro and Ijeoma Ezekwe

48

T H I S D AY SATURDAY JUNE 17, 2017

75

@

My elder statesman,

Eighteen years after political power, how inspiring that you continue to exercise enormous moral authority till date, not only at home but also abroad.

The nation adores you not necessarily because you reached the pinnacle of your military career as a professional General and retired as Head of State; but more because you truly lived out the often romanticized phrase, "Officer and a gentleman".

At one of the darkest moments in our nation's history, you brought the light. When many thought Democracy had become a mirage on account of a concatenation of broken promises, you restored hope. With uncommon tenacity and exemplary honesty, you pursued a course of action that eventuated in the restoration of democracy within a year.

That way, you proved that, in the matter of public service, it is not about how long, but how well. That the good soldier is defined by his fidelity to his own words. So, it is only fit and proper to identify you as the true father of our present democratic experience.

On a personal note, I attest to your deep sense of justice.

Without hesitation or any prompting whatsoever, among the early executive orders you gave on assuming power on June 8, 1998 was the repeal of three anti-Labour decrees imposed by the Abacha junta mainly to disable union leaders from seeking political office. In actual fact, not a few believed those wicked laws were targeted specifically at unionists like me who stood firm and spoke in unmistakable terms against tyranny on rampage.

So, if people like me later enjoyed the privilege of being elected into public office and the opportunity to make contributions, we owe it partly to you.

On the epochal occasion of your 75 birthday, my wife, Iara, and I join legion others in wishing you many more years in the service of our fatherland and mankind in general, in robust health and fecundity of the mind.

GENERAL ABDULSALAMI

ABUBAKAR, GCON

Signed:

Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, mni, CON, Former Edo Governor.

49

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • junue 17, 2017

MARITIME BITS with john Iwori.... 08057763164

L-R: The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri, Comptroller Bukar Amajam presenting anti-smuggling enlightenment materials to the Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Hamza Bature when Bature paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Owerri… recently

Participants at a physical fitness programme organised by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Steady Run. Besides walking and running, the platform provides opportunity for community healing and bonding

The Battle for the Soul of Nigerian Ports The battle for the soul of the nation’s seaports is on. There is no doubt about that. This is one of the reasons why the Federal Government is saying one thing and doing another thing in the number of government agencies involved in the cargo clearance chain in the nation’s seaports. That the Federal Government has been going back and forth on the number of its agencies operating in the nation’s seaports, airports and international land borders is an understatement.

In fact, the executive order on the port has once more exposed the policy summersault of the Federal Government. Not a few stakeholders have picked holes in the policy. Among other issues, they wondered the criteria used in determining the government agency to remain or vacate the port. The order was also silent on the multiplicity of units of one government agency involved in the cargo clearance chain.

For instance, instead of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) having a unit where everything about the service can be concluded once and for all by consignees and licensed customs agents, there are many several units of the NCS in the port. Port users are not unaware of the fact that your clearance by one unit of the service does not translate to clearance by another unit of the same service. It is an indubitable fact that it is not only the multiplicity of government agencies that cause avoidable delays in the cargo clearance chain but also the multiplicity of units within the government agencies.

Moreover, the rationale for the exit order placed on some of the government agencies in the port has exposed one of the sore points of the President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration. Not a few government agencies or their helmsmen are working at cross purposes. They are not on the same page on what the Buhari administration intends to achieve in the port.

A case in point was the Director General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Muhammad Abdallah, who dared his counterpart in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman on the need for the drug watchdog to vacate the port in line with the port executive order. The recent public statement of these two government agencies makes one to wonder whether they are not working for the same government.

Quarantine Services is another case in point.

The Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS) is a Department under Federal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. It comprises three bodies, namely Plant, Vetinary and Aquatic Resources. It has a responsibility to prevent the introduction of exotic pests and diseases into Nigeria. It also protects other member countries under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement.

As if the present government is oblivious of these roles and responsibilities, NAQS is not among seven agencies allowed to operate in the nation’s seaports. The exit order on this government agency has made not a few within and outside the maritime industry to opine that the present administration is only paying a lip service to its campaign of diversifying the economy through improved agriculture production.

How can a government which never ceases to use every avenue to say it is going to step up agriculture production as a way of addressing Nigeria’s over dependence on crude oil sent packing the agency that will serve as its eye in the port?

In any case, is NAQS and the other government agencies asked to vacate the port responsible for cargo delay? Are they the one behind the high cargo dwell time (CDT) which remains one of the highest in the world according to World Bank report?

Many Nigerians do not have an eye for history.

Even things that happen in our recent history are easily forgotten. These historical facts are not allowed to shape our policy initiatives so that we do not follow the path that made us to falter in the past.

For instance, this is not the first time some government agencies were asked to vacate the nation’s seaports. In 2011, the President Goodluck Jonathan administration announced a reduction in the number of government agencies in the port. The former Minister of Finance

and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonji-Iweala who visited Nigeria’s premier port, Apapa and held meeting with stakeholders to unfold policy made it clear on why the Federal Government took the decision.

Nigerians need to know what happened in the port from 2011 when the reduction order was announced by the former minister and the fresh executive order on the port by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

It is on record that when these bodies were asked to leave the port, our agricultural commodities suffered a great deal on the international market. Besides, Nigeria’s agricultural products meant for exports recorded a lot of rejection, interception and outright ban.

Nigeria’s image in the international community was also at stake. This was not unconnected

NCS Anti-Smuggling Campaign Yields Results in Zone C The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) antismuggling campaign has yielded more results in Zone C. Zone C which has its headquarters in the Imo State capital, Owerri covers Imo, Delata, Edo, and Abia States.

The zone has recorded more seizures since the new Customs Area Controller (CAC), NCS, Federal Operations (FOU), Zone ‘C’ Owerri, Comptroller Bukar Amajam took over the reins of administration last month.

Confirming the development while taking an inspection tour of the seizures kept in of Government Warehouses in Benin City and Owerri, Comptroller Amajam said on assumption of duty, the zone has recorded seizures of items.

These include 1,591 used tires with duty paid value (DPV) of N14, 378, 400; 380 cartons of soap with duty paid value of N10,093,009; and 3,889 bags of rice with DPV of N 101,478,000.

Their various means of conveyance including a Volkswagen bus, Volvo truck, Ford Transit Bus, MAN truck, Mercedes Benz lorry all with a DPV of N19, 740, 300.

Also seized was 1x40ft container intercepted along Aba/Eleme containing assorted goods including 6,600 pieces of sewing machines, 3,080 sewing machine motor, 47 pieces of empty gas cylinder, 19 pieces of gas stove, 9900 packets of measuring tape, 1080 bundles of PVC package, 320 scissors amongst various other items with a DPV of N111,572,300.

The unit under Amajam’s watch also seized one Nissan Almera with DPVof 4,725,000. This brings the amount of DPV for seized items to N261, 987, 009. Similarly, the Unit also recovered N10, 646, 477 being underpayments for the month of May. The CAC also revealed that other commodities are in detention pending investigations. These include a container of 1401 rolls of fabric with DPV of N14,100,000, assorted cars including a 2016 Toyota Prado Jeep with DPV of N25,658,201; a 2013 Toyota Prado Jeep with DPV of N17,349,647; a 2011 Toyota Prado Jeep with duty paid value of N74,250,000; a 2010 Mercedes Benz G-Wagon bullet proof with DPV of N74,250,000; a 2008 Mercedes Benz G-Wagon with DPV of N18,528,750; and a 2016 Range Rover with DPV of N28,049,645.

Amajam stated that tough times await smugglers as the renewed onslaught against smuggling activities embarked upon by his unit

would continue.

He explained that the commodities seized were in contravention of the law with some of the infractions bordering on false declarations and deliberate attempts to evade duty payment.

“We cannot ease business if there is fraudulent declaration. In an honest society where honest declaration is done then the ease of doing business will be achieved”, he said.

He described deliberate efforts at false declaration and wrong classification to evade duty payments as acts of smuggling and he urged importers and agents not to cut corners but to ensure proper classification of their goods and commodities and pay the right duty on them.

His words: “Be law abiding. Always follow the legal provisions for any imports and exports. Classify appropriately and do the right thing at all times”.

Comptroller Amajam who declared a zero tolerance for smuggling said he would in addition to anti-smuggling activities engage the media to raise awareness of the dangers and negative impacts of smuggling. He decried the vice saying that it has led to loss of jobs, increase in criminal activity and attendant insecurity.

“FOU Zone ‘C’ Owerri is committed to enforcing government policy and we can do this through your help raising awareness and educate the public about the dangers of smuggling,” he told the press. Not only does smuggling damage our economy, some of the smuggled goods threaten the health and safety of our citizens.”

According to him, on assumption of duty commended officers and men of FOU Zone ‘C’ Owerri for their hard work and dedication, urging them to be professional and diligent in the discharge of their duties and ensure all revenue leakages are blocked. The command under my watch will intensify its antismuggling operations to sustain the mandate of FOU and bring smuggling to its barest minimum.

On rice seizures, he explained that any rice importation without appropriate approval and importation through the seaport is liable to seizure just as he reiterated that the ban on rice importation through the land borders in still in force and urged importers to follow the legal provisions for importation of rice to avoid being on the wrong side of the law.

with the fact that under the WTO agreement of which Nigeria is signatory, all agricultural goods in and out of member countries must be inspected and certified. The NAQS is the only authorized body to carry out these functions as well as the issuance of agriculture permits and certificates. In view of its vigorous campaign on agriculture, there is no proven evidence that the Federal Government put these into consideration in the selection of its agencies that will remain or leave the port.

Moreover, how will the Federal Government achieve 24 hours cargo clearance in the nation’s seaports with the dilapidated port access roads that stare port users entering or exiting Lagos port and elsewhere daily? The answer to this and many more questions lie in the bowels of time.

EMC Impounds Prohibited Items The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Eastern Marine Command (EMC) has impounded some prohibited items.

The service said no arrest was made in connection with the seizures which have already sent tongues wagging in some quarters.

The NCS has a mandate to enforce the Import Prohibition List (IPL) and the Export Prohibition List (EPL) prepared annually by the Federal Ministry of Finance based on the Federal Government fiscal policies.

The seizure of the items is coming on the heels of the recent change in the leadership of the command with the resumption of its new Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Ajiya Masaya.

Like its counterpart in the West, EMC which has its headquarters in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt is saddled with the roles responsibilities of protecting the Eastern waterways, generate revenue and facilitate trade.

The items impounded by the command include Nigeria’s staple food, rice and used tyres popularly called tokunbo.

The command in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Jatau B. Laraba on behalf of its CAC said the items were impounded at its Calabar outstation, Cross River State.

Masaya disclosed that no fewer than 245 bags of foreign rice and 72 used tyres with an estimated duty paid value (DPV) of N4.

9 million were impounded while the Oron outstation, Akwa Ibom State seized 125 bags of foreign rice with an estimated DPV of N2.2 million.

According to him, the sum total of items impounded is 370 bags of foreign rice and 72 used tyres with an estimated DPV of N7.1 million.

The CAC warned all defaulters to desist from any form of smuggling activities even as he vowed that EMC will not condone any form of smuggling within its area of jurisdiction.

As part of its statutory functions, he assured that the EMC would encourage genuine business activities within the zone.

50

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •june 17, 2017

PERSPECTIVE.

Sanguinary Religious Crisis Looms at Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Axis Nduka Uzuakpundu “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

W

hat may, ultimately, culminate in a religious crisis of a monstrous proportion is gradually brewing on the LagosIbadan Expressway, especially the Ogun State stretch, which is a vital economic route that links Lagos with other parts of the country. Until the advent of Pentecostal churches and other wild branches of the Cross, it was almost, always, an easy and pleasurable drive on the expressway. It was possible, in those halcyon days, to drive on the congestion-and-pot-hole-free road from Lagos to Benin City in two hours; Warri or Onitsha, three; Port Harcourt, a little over five; Ibadan, 50 minutes and Ijebu-Ode, 35. Then, there was a slogan: “breakfast in Onitsha, lunch in Lagos” by some ambitious transporters, who ‘jetted’ between the two commercial cities. That was between the late ’70s, when the dual carriageway was constructed, and the early 1990s. It was estimated, back in 2009, that about 37, 000 vehicles, carrying about 743, 000 persons and goods worth N450 million, plied the expressway – daily.

On both sides of the road were dense rain forests. Once, in a while, acephalous corpses dotted the expressway. Some said that they were products of ritual killers. They were pointers, some others said, to the fact that the expressway was a famished road. There were, it’s true, lonely human shelters – the fore-runners of today’s ambitious houses and offices. But all that has changed, with costly effects. The astronomical soar in the country’s population and the ever-pressing need for new human shelters have opened the Lagos-Sagamu end of the expressway to individual and corporate developers.

As industries are springing up, so, too, is a muscular vehicular traffic. The serene, rural wild, for which the area was once known, is now a good instance of an innocence lost – irretrievably. Take, for instance, the fact that each time there was a major, crowd-pulling, Cross gathering within Kilometre 30 and 59 of the ever-busy expressway, it’s such that – somewhat inexplicably – both sides of it are virtually blocked to the extent that vehicular traffic becomes agonizingly slow.

And, over the years, because of the notoriety that the Cross gatherings have gained, most commuters – who know when they take place and attract a gargantuan crowd of Nigerians and foreigners, who stubbornly think that their ultimate redemption, ‘deliverance from witches and demons’, and expected ‘miracles’ rested with a clique of self proclaimed man of God – either go through the Ijebu-Ode-Ikorodu road, Epe-Ijebu-Ode road or Sagamu-Abeokuta bush lane en route Lagos and vice versa. The intent is to avoid being trapped, for as long as nine hours – it could be more – on a twokilometre stretch, for as long as a particular Cross gathering lasts.

This development is the tyranny of a minority. Why should the organisers of such Cross gatherings subject commuters to occasional mental agony and psychological torture – all in God’s name?

It’s in the long, time-consuming traffic jam, caused by the Cross gatherings, that many of their victims – individuals whose vehicles’ engines become faulty, and so have to park them somewhere and take another means of transportation, fast, so as to avoid being late to their destinations – in the honest expectation that they would come back to meet their vehicles the way they left them – or those who, because of the same long, time-consuming, traffic jam, end up in the hands of criminals, who rob them violently of their belongings. Add a visible number of the sick, who die – while being taken to hospital by good Samaritans – because they could not get there early enough to receive crucial medical attention.

But, as it may well be argued, the congregation of relatives, friends or good Samaritans, in whose loving and caring arms well over a legion of the sick have died, in

Fashola

On both sides of the road were dense rain forests.

Once, in a while, acephalous corpses dotted the expressway. Some said that they were products of ritual killers. They were pointers, some others said, to the fact that the expressway was a famished road. There were, it’s true, lonely human shelters – the fore-runners of today’s ambitious houses and offices. But all that has changed, with costly effects. expressway to individual and corporate developers seasonal, agonizingly slow, time-consuming traffic jam, on the particular stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, should stop complaining: didn’t they know that free, efficacious medical care was given to the genuinely physically-down, in the numerous, ultra-modern hospitals inside one of the expansive worship complexes run by dissemblers and workers of iniquity, whose activities have caused so many deaths and economic losses? Inside the complex, there is a legion of what is called “Prayer Warriors”, who, it is claimed, possess unfailing, spiritual powers that could heal the sick. The visionary organizers of a certain stubbornly, offending Cross gathering said that they built the ultra-modern hospitals and had resident prayer warriors, who had special, spiritual healing powers, not only in fulfillment of their corporate social responsibility (CSR), but, as well, to serve as compensating features for whatever offence their religious activities were certain to cause. It’s their argument, still, that in the past twentyfive years, their religious gatherings had discouraged fatal accidents, on account of excessive speed by lawless motorists, who had thought that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was another Formula One turf. And why not! They also posited that those who refused to join them in worship-

ping Christ, in their vast complex, would always be incurably sick or get caught up in the agonizingly slow, traffic jam about which they complain – with impotent rage, though.

But seriously, Christ is certainly not happy that there appears to be an unholy alliance – a conscious conspiracy, as it were – between the remorseless cheats and coldly calculating workers of iniquity, who organise such Cross gatherings that cause so much agony.

Truth is that those who genuinely worship Christ are ever cautious to cause unnecessary discomfort to their fellow human beings, because, Christ did say, somewhere in the synoptic gospel according to Matthew, “do unto others, what you would like them do unto you.” There’s a curse on the offenders by a congregation of victims of their religious activities. The misplaced arrogance of the organisers of the offending Cross gatherings would seem to have been steeled, lately, for, as one of the leading pastors of the offending churches told this writer: “Vice President ’Yemi Osinbajo is a member of our church.” It was quite irresponsible of him, though, to have linked law-abiding and God-fearing Osinbajo with the gargantuan lawlessness on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Besides, members of the Crescent are not happy. A legion of them, who have, on many occasions, fallen victims of the notorious, church-programme-induced traffic congestion on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, told this writer, after Juma’at service, at Tom Jones, on Lagos Island, on August 5, 2016, and at the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, Alausa, on August 19, 2016, that they saw the development as sure to cause, in the near future, a religious conflict.

It promises to be a miraculously ferocious Holy Ghost fire that would consume Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who lives 382 metres, somewhere off the expressway – where religious lawlessness is regnant – in Ogun State, for evading tax, even after fasting for 40 days and 40y nights – in opaque solitary confinement – and receiving Holy Communion, during a combined service, in Prophet Brother Jero’s church.

It’s an unquenchable Holy Ghost fire that would – with a miraculous touch – burn Prophet Brother Jero to ashes – for plotting to claim ownership of the mushrooming places of worship that are now a common sight – in the name of expanding his church and “winning a multitude of clean, heavenbound souls for our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Amen, somebody! And because Soyinka has, stubbornly, refused to execute the contract awarded him, on his birthday, in 2014, for the expansion of a certain notorious section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Holy Ghooooost fire! And, again, because cautelous Prophet Brother Jero has conspired with some corrupt government operatives and fake town-planners to

erect – with “tigritudinal attitude” – gargantuan churches, where combined services are, often, held – in areas designated as strictly residential – and, thereby, causing gargantuan nuisance to Soyinka, whenever he’s busy crafting his usually toxic, Prizerigging, opaque plays and fictitious Bastille notes – rebarbative works, all; and because they are likely to congest the traffic of words in the reader’s brain, they are never read by such brilliant characters as Adedayo Ojo, ’Gbenga Oni, Nkoyo Toyo, Inatimi Spiff and ’Bayo Onanuga – Holy Ghooooost fire!

It’ll be a miraculously ferocious Holy Ghost fire that would surely consume Soyinka, in a similar manner that he stodges pigs “. . . without gastronomic options”, and Prophet Brother Jero for his famed, openly lecherous conduct, which led to his being nabbed, when he was comfortably “clasped between the two fleshy thighs of a . . .” Delilah, during a recent women-only vigil. Alleluia, somebody!

A congregation of students of English Language, Theatre and Communication Arts, federal and state Directors of Arts and Culture, well-known actors and actresses in Nollywood and members of Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU), led by Sunday Omobolanle (alias “Papi Luwe”); all members of Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN), led

by Tony Ubani (alias “Outrage”) and popular humorists, under the captaincy of handsome Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere (osare, omagarhen!); they all chorus, in defeaning unison: “Holy Ghooooooost fire” – against Prophet Brother Jero for conspiring with Soyinka to have the National Stadium and Teslim Balogun Stadium, at Surulere, Lagos, the Agege Township Stadium, the National Theatre, at Iganmu, Lagos; the test cricket pitch, The Arcade, the old National Assembly complex, all at Race Course and Campus Square, on Lagos Island, the International Trade Fair complex on Lagos-Badagry Expressway, the numerous warehouses and premises of once-thriving industries that have been forced to fold up, on account of openly hostile government policy, converted to gargantuan churches.

Amen, somebody! For causing so much nuisance in neighbourhoods, where live the aged, the infirm, pensioners, et al, in form of excessively loud noise – in a flagitious breach of a legion of extant laws on noise abatement, Holy Ghooooost fire!

Such places of worship that were built with the dirtiest of capitalist and worldly ambitions, would, surely, collapse, because, according to a genuinely aggrieved, regular victim of the muscular, jet-speed-of-a-snail traffic jam on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, who’s also a father of three girls, and lives in Lagos – Sheikh Sakrudeen Ibn Mahmudh, 49, – “they lack clean spiritual content.”

Many more churches would collapse, he prophesied, if they were not erected – and, genuinely, so – for the glorification of Christ.

Well over a legion of church structures would fall flat like the walls of Jericho – certainly not mosques, used by peaceful, law-abiding and tax-paying Muslims – whenever predaceous birds like hawks, kites and lammergeyer fly over them – with a gargantuan loss of local and foreign souls, if Soyinka and Prophet Brother Jero stubbornly refuse to sow a seed, or insist on robbing God. Amen, somebody!

“When the Holy Bible said in the book of Psalms, chapter number 127, verse number 1, that ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it’”, Ibn Mahmudh pointed out, “the over-abundance of crises in most churches, today – including leadership and succession, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds, sit-tight syndrome, failed marriages, on account of infidelity by hypocrites, cheats and fraudsters, vicious gossip, rumour-mongering concerning why some churches’ members no longer visit their pastors for fear of being drugged and raped or sodomised and, amongst others, collapse of supposedly church-owned, multi-storeyed buildings – are persuasive evidence to that effect.

Many more marriages will be sundered, because Christ did not nod at them or send any so-called anointed man of God to represent Him, when such marriages were contracted.” Amen, somebody!

51

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • June 17, 2017

PERSPECTIVE

The Igbo Nation Nicky Okoye

S

o, a young man was given access to a microphone, on a radio station and then he started spreading a hate message which has resonated with a number of his fellow ethnic group. It makes you wonder, did the Igbo people have hate in their heart all along? Or was this young man responsible for digging deep into the consciousness of the Igbo people and unearthing deep rooted hate for their fellow human being which has been lying dormant there waiting for a special calling?

In these times, many have refused to use their minds, their brains, their thinking faculty or whatever else provides all human beings the ability to reason, to plan and to position for long term success and prosperity. The other day I watched a program on National Geographic Channel, in which it showed a new technology that allows a man to use his thoughts (mind control) to control a flying drone. I also watched a driverless car which could drive hundreds of miles without a human driver. And then there was an experimental Nano robot (microscopic size engineering feat), which could be injected into the blood stream of a patient and it circulates the body to hunt down disease carrying pathogens. The developments and the excitement of technologies of the future are phenomenal. Unfortunately, my people, the Igbo people are completely distracted from these revolutionary advancements in Human kind, as they have currently engulfed themselves in a petty ethnic, tribal bickering and potential conflict which has the potential to wipe out the entire wealth and gains of the Igbo Nation over the past 50 years.

They said Igbos are marginalized Well I don’t agree, it seems those who choose to peddle this falsehood are using what Chimamanda Adichie (the celebrated Nigerian writer) calls the single narrative story. They are judging marginalization based on who and who gets Federal Government appointments. So they make a great issue out of the fact that Igbos are not at the helm of affairs of any major Federal Government agency and that the Igbos are not in the leadership of the Nigerian military or any of other paramilitary agencies. This may be true but it’s not the full story. The single narrative story is a dangerous form of propaganda which is designed to deceive, and in this case the young Igbo people seem to have bought the story, hook, line and sinker.

Below is what those spreading these HATE messages and marginalization stories don’t want you to know: • Igbos are the wealthiest group of people in present day Nigeria: all studies conducted by all international and multilateral agen-

Odumegwu Ojukwu

cies have demonstrated that Igbo have the highest per-capita income of all the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. In fact, there are communities in Igbo land, such as some villages in Nnewi, where you cannot find any poor people. If the truth be told the poorest people in Nigeria live in the Northern part of the country. And according to a study by the World Bank, if Northeastern Nigeria were a separate country, it would be the poorest place in the entire World.

•Igbos are the most successful Entrepreneurs in Nigeria: The Igbo entrepreneur is arguably the most successful business person in Nigeria. In fact, Igbos have completely taken over some major industries in Nigeria, where Igbos provide over 80% of the business services. Igbo dominated industries (over 80%) in Nigeria include, Road Transportation (Buses), Spare Parts, Electronic devices, Pipeline laying, Petroleum Tank Farms, Computer Technology, Cooking Gas, Building materials, Boutique Hotels, International Trade, Wines and Liquor, Cosmetics, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Private Hospitals, Oil Servicing, independent Filling Stations, tyres, watches, office equipment, household fittings, tiles and flooring, shoes and leather products, markets, shopping malls and plazas, medium and low cost housing, SME manufacturing etc. the list goes on and on.

•Igbos are the most educated group of people in Nigeria: whereas there is affirma-

tive action which lowers the standards to allow for Northern students to catch up with their southern Nigerian counterparts, if the truth be told, the Igbo students will take up all available spaces in all schools in Nigeria if this affirmative action were not in place. The records continue to show that Igbo students far out perform their counterparts from other parts of Nigeria, in all external examinations.

•Igbos are the most exposed and most traveled: in fact, of the estimated 500,000 Nigerians living, working and schooling in the United States it is estimated that over 60% of them are Igbos. It is therefore no surprise that the United States Census Bureau states that Nigerians are the most educated immigrant group in the United States, this may be as a result of the high Igbo population in the USA. In addition, the USA Nigerian diaspora are recorded as being the immigrant group with the highest average earning capacity, far out earning their African American counterparts.

•Igbos have the highest value of investments around Nigeria: in 2006, the then Minister of Federal Capital Territory Malam El Rufai stated that Igbos owned over 60% of the landed property in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory. He was Minister then, so he should know. And guess what, that was nine years ago. I understand that the percentage has grown to more like 70% today. The same story is told of Igbo investments in Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, all across Northern Nigeria.

In fact, Igbos have invested in every town,

city and community across Nigeria with no apologies. That’s what we do. We are investors, risk takers and business people. This is not going to change any time soon.

I don’t want to go much further as you are slowly getting my point by now. So where is this modern-day agitation for Biafra coming from? Why have some people convinced some Igbo people that they are suffering, that they are slaves in their own country, whereas the Igbo, in terms of business and commerce, most probably own the entire country?

Our lack of access to Federal Government appointments currently, has not stopped us and it has not even slowed us down. So, what’s all the noise about? In any case we only recently produced the Central Bank Governor, Charles Soludo, the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the Minister of Petroleum (by marriage) Mrs D. Madueke, the Chief of Army Staff, General Ihejirika, etc.

My take is simple, if the Igbo truly want Biafra then we must be prepared to loose our advantages in business and commerce which has been built on a large Nigerian market over the last 50 years. Having said that, I do not think a majority of the Igbo people want Biafra or any other new Nation for that matter. We do want to be treated fairly in a restructured well repositioned and prosperous Nigeria, and we do want a meritocratic society in which our goals and aspirations can be pursued without discrimination.

The Igbo Nation is about brotherly LOVE, not HATE as some will want us to believe and so we believe very strongly in affirmative action, we expect that a new restructured and repositioned Nigeria will continue to provide affirmative action to our northern brothers and sisters especially as regards their access to education, investment and healthcare. We would love to have the opportunity to keep investing all over Nigeria and the rest of Africa and even the World.

We do also want to use this period of mixed messages to also provide a deeprooted focus on investment in South Eastern Nigeria for a change. Maybe if the young people who have been agitating are given an opportunity to build a business or to get a job, the crafty misguided people that are misleading them will no longer have members to call on. I call on all well-meaning people of Nigeria, especially the Igbo people to join me in promoting an initiative designed to stimulate a monumental investment drive for the Southeastern Nigeria that will create over one million new jobs and completely diffuse this agitation for Biafra.

I love Nigeria and I love the Igbo people, we are one and the same. And a few overzealous, ill-informed young people will never change these facts.

–Dr Nicky Okoye Convener Nigeria Leadership Summit Founder Empower Nigeria

A Cry for Justice in the Nigerian Army Sani Tureta

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n article titled ‘Injustice, Human Rights and the Nigerian Army’ was widely circulated over the social media this week. This must read article written by Ishaq Yusuf painted a sad and disturbing picture of the injustices meted out to 38 senior Nigerian Army officers who were summarily retired without being accused of any offence or granted the opportunity of fair hearing via a court martial.

On reading the very detailed article, I noted that not only did the Nigerian Army breach its extant rules and procedures; it carried out a complete volte-face when carrying out the retirements. The army had in January 2016, recalled a Major General Ahmadu Mohammed, because in its own words, “…

The senior officer was never charged, tried, let alone found guilty of any offence that justified his premature retirement. The action was therefore a clear violation of the extant rules, regulations as well as Terms and Conditions of Service of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

This obvious violation prompted the senior officer to seek redress using the appropriate legal means. Consequently, the realization of these omissions called for a review of the

Burutai

case by the Army Council and his subsequent reinstatement into the Service”.

What is most astonishing is that none of the 38 officers was found guilty of any offence that justified their premature retirements.

The question is: When and where were all the officers charged, tried and found guilty? If

they were not, is that not an obvious violation of their human rights and the constitution?

Did Buratai as Army Chief and Dan-Ali as Minister of Defence approve the retirements without hearing from the officers? If this is true, it smacks of unprofessionalism and gross misconduct. Also, why the long delay in the appeals process? In the case of Gen Mohammed despite Amnesty International’s cries and U.S. travel ban on him, the Army Council called for a review of the case and recommended his subsequent reinstatement into the Army within 3 months.

It has been over a year and their appeals have not been heard by the President or Acting President, it makes you wonder if incompetence is at play. It would be very disgraceful for the Nigerian Army if the retirements are reversed by the courts and it is confirmed that even just one of the retired officers is innocent and was never queried, charged, tried or found guilty of any offence. This is because Gen Buratai said he gave an opportunity for all the officers to be questioned in line with the army’s administrative procedures. This will therefore assign grave doubts to the credibility of the retirements and would be a sad confirmation of the observations of human rights bodies.

We should have utmost regard and respect for

our laws, rules and regulations. The arbitrariness and impunity of the past should not be perpetrated any longer in the Nigerian Army.

It is distasteful and no longer fashionable.

This kind of injustice last occurred during the dark days of Abacha, already the US and UK are refusing Visas to senior officers, soon it may extend to refusal of courses or sale of equipment. It is because of these types of violations that lead to our army’s efforts being unrecognized. How can a serving senior army officer be retired without being found guilty of an offence? Some were never even accused of anything. I leave you with the words of Ishaq, “Mr President sir, the officers and their families cry out for justice, the soul of late BabaOchankpa and his family cry out for justice.

Why don’t we use our military laws and constitution more as a shield for the innocent rather than a sword of impunity? I believe that Mr President and the acting President both possess the courage to be just and the vision to be merciful. The continued delay in resolving the appeals erodes confidence in the military justice system as well as in this government’s resolve to provide justice to all Nigerians.”

Why don’t we use our military laws and constitution more as a shield for the innocent rather than a sword of impunity?

52

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • june 17, 2017

POLITY

Ogun 2019 Governorship Contest: The Ace Beckons at Tolu Odebiyi Just as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the time-table for the conduct of the 2019 general elections, the people of Ogun West Senatorial district seem to have expressed their desire to clinch the governorship seat of the gateway state in 2019. Femi Ogbonnikan takes a critical look at the chances of Tolu Odebiyi, the Chief of Staff to Ogun State Governor, said to be the likely successor to governor Ibikunle Amosun

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egardless of the political leanings and acceptability, the personality of an aspirant goes a long way to determine his or her chances. In this context, Ogun West (Yewa/Awori land) presents a logical example in relation to aspirants who have expressed desires in throwing their hats into the ring for the coveted seat.

Until recently, the defunct Egbado Division (now Yewa) had played key roles in the political activities of the old Western Region. During the reign of the Action Group (AG) which was the dominant political party in the region, the likes of Chief Jonathan Odebiyi and his co-travellers were die-hard Awoists on account of their influence and close contact with

Tolu Odebiyi

Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The only available tool deployed was the

encouragement of education which has continued to make the entire Western Region, a leading light in all spheres of life.

A chip off the old block: Tolu Odebiyi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress with unblemished track records, towers larger in status above his co-aspirants who have signified intentions for the number one seat. His intimidating profile bespeaks his competence and credibility. No wonder, he was a soughtafter by Amosu and appointed the Chief of Staff to the Ogun State Government.

Among keen political observers, it was gathered that he is being groomed by Amosun to be his successor. As a close aide who

craved anonymity put it, “the basic fact remains that you could notice that Amosun hunts for best hands to work with him in running the affairs of the state, the savoury development of which we are witnessing today, translating into rapid industrialisation, with more investors coming to the state to set up business.

With the commitment of the governor to hand over the baton of the administration to a Yewa/Awori person in 2019, do not be surprised if Odebiyi is picked to succeed him in office. This is a clear testimony. So far, Odebiyi is a more favoured aspirant who can pick the governorship ticket and he has the potentials to slug it out with other aspirants from other political parties”.

New Igbo Channel Offers Free One Month Viewing on StarTimes

D

etermined to bring premium entertainment in indigenous Nigerian languages to its valued subscribers, popular pay TV company, StarTimes, has launched a new Igbo entertainment channel ‘Isi Mbido’ on its platform.

The new package will include entertainment programmes such as movies, music, studio shows and many more.

Speaking on the new channel,

Acting Brands and Marketing Director, StarTimes, Mr. Qasim Elegbede, said all StarTimes subscribers, new and dormant, are qualified to watch this first of its kind channel for free throughout this month.

He said the new channel will go a long way to deepen consumer interests, not only in StarTimes, but with Nigerian local and indigenous languages as it is poised to bring exciting and consumer engaging programmes.

Elegbede noted also that StarTimes aggregates various exciting and topnotch channels on its platform to offer millions of digital TV subscribers a rich blend of entertainment - be it movies, sports, news, drama, series, and music.

“Our desire is to ensure that every Nigerian family can afford, access and enjoy digital television with over 100 owned and authorized channels creatively selected to appeal to every member of the family”, he said.

StarTimes is the leading digital-TV operator in Africa, covering 80 per cent of the continent’s population with a massive distribution network of 200 brand halls, 3,000 convenience stores and 5,000 distributors.

StarTimes owns a featured content platform, with 440 authorized channels consisting of news, movies, series, sports, entertainment, children’s programs, fashion, religion etc.

Photo news

L-R; Best Principal and first prize winner, Junior Secondary School Category, Ikeja Zone, Mrs. Fadeyibi Oluwayinka Adeola; Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District VI, Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Onadipe; Special Guest, Hon. Funmilayo Tejuoso, and the Best Vice Principal and first prize winner, Junior Secondary School Category, Ikeja Zone, Mrs. Williams Oluwatoyin Omowunmi, during the presentation of certificate and prize to the winners at Lagos State Government District VI 11th Annual Merit Award in Lagos… recently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R; Director, Fate Foundation, Mr. Dipo Davies; Eecutive Director, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi; Director, Habiba Balogun and Coordinator Research & Policy, Amaka Nwaokolo during the FATE FOUNDATION briefing on the third Policy Dialogue Series on Entrepreneuship in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

L-R: Brand Manager, Baileys Nigeria, Ufuoma Udjoh; Baileys BakeFest Partners: Corporate Business Development and Marketing Manager, Beko Nigeria, Inyang-Uko-Ekere; Baileys BakeFest celebrity baker, Funke Akindele-Bello; Assistant Marketing Manager, Beko Nigeria, Ogala Ijeoma Mercy; Head, Indirect Channel Partner, Smile Nigeria, Victor Inyang and Portfolio Director, Spirits, Diageo, Adebola Adenike at the press conference of Baileys BakeFest 2017 in Lagos... recently

L-R: Project Coordinator, Growth and Employment (GEM) Project, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ugo Ikemba; General Manager, Programme and Partnership, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Wale Anifowose; Special Adviser to Enugu State Governor on SME and Investment Promotion, Anayo Agu; and Head, Enterprise Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, Chinelo Mbanefo, at the Enugu edition of Etisalat Market Access organised

by Etisalat Nigeria in partnership with Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University in Enugu...recently

53

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUNE 17, 2017

NEWSXTRA

In Brief

Armed Forces Retire 295 Personnel

After their 35 years of service to the nation, about 295 military personnel drawn from the Nigerian Army (NA), Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Nigerian Navy(NN),wereyesterdayretiredbythearmedforces.Theex-servicemen comprising 270 from the army, 18 from the navy and seven from the air force, were retired after completing six months course of instruction in the various vocations of their choice at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos. This is just as the centre has appealed to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to facilitate agric loans through the Ministry of Agriculture for the retirees with interest in agriculture, given that over 80 per cent of the graduating trainees opted for agriculture. According to NAFRC Commandant, AirVice Marshal Ajibola Jekennu, more than 41,500 retirees have benefitted from the schemes at the center and were doing well in their chosen businesses. He said the recent crop of retirees would join others who in the past had benefited from military sponsored vocational training courses since 1945, when the centre was established.

Yoruba Unity Forum Worried

BEST COOK...

L-R: Mrs. Lillian Ikokwu, Head Lubes, OVH Energy Marketing; Mrs. B.O. Aiyegboro, NYSC Lagos Camp Director; Augustine China, Corp Member and Winner, O-Gas Sponsored Debate Competition; Mr. Ganiyu Azeez, Head, Marketing and LPG at the 2017 NYSC Batch A Inter-Platoon Cooking Competition at the NYSC Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos

NDLEA Seize N225trn Cocaine, Heroin at Lagos Ports Eromosele Abiodun

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday announced that it has since 2006 seized a total of 15,064kg of cocaine and heroin valued at about N225 trillion at the Tin Can Island and Apapa ports of Lagos.

This figure was disclosed by the Chairman of the agency Col. Muhammed Mustapha Abdallah (RTD.) in a recent statement signed by the agency's spokesman Mitchel Ofoyeju.

Abdallah further disclosed in

the statement that drug barons were targeting the ports for their illicit drug activities while vowing that NDLEA would resist their scheming.

A breakdown of the seized drugs showed 14,813.40 kg of cocaine and 251.22 kg of heroin within the period.

The agency also reiterated its resolve to continue screening incoming and outgoing cargoes at the nation's ports.

According to the NDLEA boss, "the seaports are high risk drug trafficking locations because of the movement of large volume

of consignments. Official record of drug seizures at the ports underscores the volatility of the ports in drug trafficking. Since 2006, the Agency has seized over 15,064kg of cocaine and heroin at the Lagos ports. The country cannot afford to condone this criminal trade because such huge proceeds in the hands of drugs cartels are threatening. We shall continue to screen incoming and outgoing vessels thereby making the ports impregnable to drug trafficking organisations".

Abdallah added that the presence of the NDLEA at the ports

was of immense economic and security benefit to the country adding that the agency would maintain alertness and frustrate any action targeted at disrupting her operations at the seaports.

Contrary to reports, he said the agency had the approval of the federal government to operate at the ports and this onerous responsibility shall be diligently and effectively discharged.

Abdallah reiterated that the NDLEA will take reasonable measures in preventing the seaports from being used for drug trafficking.

Kaduna Government Denies Ile-Ife Clash: Court Grants Audio on Purported Killing Monarch, Pastor, Others of Fleeing Igbo Suspects Bail John Shiklam inKaduna The Kaduna State government has expressed concern over a picture and audio in Igbo language, claiming that some Igbo relocating to the South East were ambushed and killed in Kaduna State.

Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, at a news conference on Friday in Kaduna, said the audio being circulated was the handiwork of mischief makers and urged members of the public to disregard it.

"The attention of Kaduna State Government has been drawn to an inciting picture and audio message stating, that some Igbos relocating to Eastern Nigeria were ambushed and killed in Kaduna State.

"According to the audio being circulated in Igbo language, the Igbos in question were ambushed in a luxurious bus conveying them to Eastern Nigeria.

"The man behind the mischievous narrative who also claimed to be at the scene, went further to lie, that the attackers slaughtered Igbo, including women and children and that their corpses were burnt

along with the luxury bus.

"The so-called eyewitness then appealed to all Igbo residing in Kaduna and rest of the North to relocate to their states of origin.

And to also avoid travelling enmass considering mass killings that awaits them in the North.

"It is clear that some dark forces are bent on sowing and creating panic in our communities" the statement said.

Aruwan who was flanked at the news conference by Igbo leaders in the state, said the story was false and calculated to create tension and tarnish the image of the state.

"As you can see, we are here with the leadership of the Igbo community in Kaduna State.

The story is entirely false and mischievous. The Igbo community in Kaduna is safe, like all our communities. Nobody is being attacked and nobody is relocating in fear" he said.

Aruwan said the Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, will continue to uphold and defend the right of every resident of the state to live in peace.

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Justice Kudirat Akano of Osogbo High Court, Osogbo has granted bail to the six suspects arrested in connection with the crisis that ensued recently between the Hausa and Yoruba communities in the ancient town of Ile-Ife which left about 46 persons dead.

The six accused persons are: a traditional monarch, Oba Ademola Ademiluyi, Pastor Taiwo Fakuajo, Akeem Eluwole , Bamidele Elurisanmi, Jimoh Sakiru and Daniel Olanrewaju The bail of the suspects were argued by the defense counsel, Wole Olawoyin SAN and the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Simon Lough on Wednesday.

Justice Kudirat Akano in her ruling on Friday said "the main objective or function of bail is to ensure the presence of the accused persons in court during trial, bail to accused during trial particularly capital offences are based on grace. Ordinarily granting bail rests solely on the discretion of the court especially on the discretion of the judge"

"Bail is hereby granted to each of the applicant with N5 million each, two sureties, to swear to an affidavit of means. One surety must be one an Oba or a level 14 officer resident in Osun State and other surety must be a blood relation of the applicant" "I hereby adjourn the case to July 13th, 2017 for further trial".

The court which had commenced trial on Wednesday had taken two Hausa witnesses; Mallami Nasri, Abubarka Mutari and a Police Investigator in monitoring unit of Inspector General of Police, DSP Akinlabi Ogundile.

Before the bail was granted on Friday DSP Akinlabi was led in evidence by Prosecuting counsel, Mr Simon Lough. He testified that, "I sighted 100 houses and shops burnt during the clash, I saw 13 burnt vehicles and six motorcycles while myself and team also saw 46 dead people. We took the body of the 46 to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife".

"I called pathologist, Dr. Olufemi Ojo and two other doctor to conduct autopsy on the corps after that we buried the corps ."

The Yoruba Unity Forum, the umbrella body of all Yoruba socio-cultural organisations is disturbed by the call by a coalition of ArewaYouths, giving quit notice to the Igbos in the states of the North.This call is outrageous, provocative and treasonable. All those behind this show of shame should be brought to book. If not quickly checked, could plunge the country into ethic tension. The Yoruba Unity Forum condemns this call in its entirety.

It is provocative and insulting and should not be treated with kids’ glove. A statementbytheSecretaryGeneraloftheForum,SenatorAnthonyAdefuye said, “The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees free movement of all Nigerians to any part of the country. Every Nigerian is free to pursue his or her legitimate business devoid of any hindrance or molestation by anybody in any part of the Country. We are however happy that the ACF (The Arewa Consulitative Forum) and other youth organisations from the north and the national security and peaceful coexistence.

Planned Herdsmen Attack

People of Ndi Uduma Awoke community in Ohafia local government of Abia State are on edge over alleged plan by Fulani herdsmen to launch reprisal attack on the community. To forestall the impending attack the traditional ruler of the community, His Royal Majesty Ezeogo Kalu Uduma Nchonwa yesterday led other community leaders to the state police headquarters Umuahia where they appealed to the state police commissioner to intervene and protect the community from herdsmen.

The police in a statement signed by the police public relations officer, DSP Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the fears of the Ndi Uduma Awoke people, saying that combined efforts of the police and the military had doused the tension. According to the police, there was a dispute between farmers and herdsmen in Ohafia local government and “since the incident, Police covert operations, and extensive patrol have been deployed to ensure no further breach of peace in the community and its environs.”

Bayer AG Selects Young Leaders

Bayer,aglobalenterprisewithcorecompetenciesintheLifeSciencefields of health care and agriculture, in partnership with Groene Kring (GK) and Fédération des Jeunes Agriculteurs (FJA), has selected 100 bright young minds to participate in the third Youth Ag-Summit, which will take place in Brussels, Belgium from October 9-13, 2017.Themed “Feeding a Hungry Planet”, this year’s Summit, which is part of Bayer’s Agricultural Education Programme, aims to address the UN Sustainability Goals of ending hunger, achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.

The delegates, aged between 18 and 25, according to the organisation, were selected from 49 countries across the world that includes Nigeria, Kenya, United Kingdom, among others.

Sokoto Disburses N11.5m to Widows

Sokoto State Government, has commenced the disbursement of cash assistance to over 1,000 widows in the state.The state Commissioner of SocialWelfare,AlhajiSirajoGatawa,statedthisFriday,atthecommencement of the disbursement of the funds to widows in Kebbe local government area of the state. He said the gesture was part of government's efforts to assist the less privileged during the Ramadan fast. According to him, the move was aimed at assisting the widows to enable them cater for the orphans. "The gesture is aimed at providing widows across the 86 districts with cash assistance and food items to enable them conduct their fast with ease during the Ramadan," he explained.

NCS Partners Army on Security

In order to improve security across the country, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expressed its readiness to partner with the Nigeria Army.TheCustomsAreaController(CAC),NigeriaCustomsService(NCS), FederalOperationsUnit(FOU)ZoneC,Owerri,ComptrollerBukarAmajam stated this when he hosted the Brigade Commander 34 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Hamza I. Bature and members of his entourage who came on a courtesy visit. While receiving the Brigade Commander, the FOU, Zone C in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), ASCI Chioma Onuoha quoted Amajam expressing his delight at the visit.

Viola Graham-Douglas Appointed Director

Guinness Nigeria Plc has announced the appointment of Viola GrahamDouglas as its Corporate Relations Director, effective June 1, 2017. Mrs. Graham-Douglas started her career in the banking industry in Nigeria and worked in varied roles with reputable banks. She joined Lafarge Africa Plc, formerly WAPCO Cement, as Treasury Manager, and subsequently became the Company Secretary/Head of Corporate Services before being seconded to the Lafarge Group Headquarters in Paris. She also served as Managing Director, Atlas Cement, another subsidiary of Lafarge and Country Communications Director before moving to take up her current appointment as Guinness Nigeria’s Corporate Relations Director. A statement from Guiness said Mrs. Graham-Douglas is a Law graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife (OAU) and was called to the Nigerian Bar.

54

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUNE 17, 2017

NEwsXTRA

Alleged N4.7b Debt: AMCON Seizes Multibillion Naira Properties in Lagos, Ogun, UK Akinwale Akintunde Multi-billion naira properties belonging three property firms and eight others were yesterday, seized by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) following an alleged N4, 680,343,681.47 bank debts.

The properties located in Lagos, Ogun and the United Kingdom, which include land, houses, cars and generating plants, were seized in execution of a Lagos Federal High Court order authorising receiver/ manager, Mr. Lanre Olaoluwa to take possession pending the determination of the suit.

Justice Abdulaziz Anka had in a suit filed by AMCON against 11 respondents including three firms, Havilah Villas Ltd, Grant Properties Ltd and Knight Brook Ltd ordered that AMCON take over the properties.

Other defendants in the suit with No FHC/AB/CS/69/16 are Rev. Olajide Awosedo, Rev. Mrs Abosede Olajide Awosedo, Engr Edun Kayode, Arch. Adebayo Kayode, Adaba Anthony, Byoma Andrew and Mfon Adebayo.

The properties include 14 hectares of land and buildings at Victory Park Estate, Igbokushu, Lekki; House J1 Olajide Awosedo Avenue, Goshen Beach Estate, Lekki and land at River View Estate, Isheri, Ogun State.

According to AMCON, its officials yesterday in a simultaneous execution also possessed the defendants’ assets in the UK. AMCON said it acquired by a Loan Purchase and Limited Servicing Agreement, the N4.68b non-performing loan that Havilah

REWARDING EXCELLENCE...

L – R: Chris Ofikulu, Head, Lagos/West Business Directorate, Diamond bank Plc; Layode Oyebisi, Lagos Corp member ; Prince Mohammed Momoh, Coordinator, NYSC Lagos State; Aduku Sherifat, Lagos Corp member; Elezue Obinna, Lagos Corp member; Rob Giles, Head, Retail Banking, Diamond bank Plc; and Elvis Ukpaka, President, Youth-with-A-Vision Initiative at the presentation of the first prize to the winning team representing Platoon 5 at the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme (SAED) Business Idea Competition held at the NYSC Camp, Iyana Ipaja recently

Villas Limited secured in 2006 from Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank).

The loan was guaranteed by Grant Properties Limited. AMCON

also advanced a further loan of N300,000,000 to Havilah Villas Limited.

The loan facility, which was also allegedly guaranteed by Grant

Properties, had also not been settled by the debtors.

The firm then appointed Olaoluwa as receiver/manager and approached the Federal High Court last August

3, in line with the Asset Management Act, 2010 (as amended) and the AMCON Practice Directions over the indebtedness of the debtors.

In granting the interim order,

Justice Anka directed AMCON to take over all the assets of the debtors, their directors, shareholders and guarantors pending the determination of suit.

Ajimobi Flags off N70bn Ibadan Norwegian Embassy, UNITAR Hold Circular Road Construction Conference on Marine Safety Ademola Babalola in Ibadan Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on Friday inaugurated the Ibadan Circular Road construction estimated to cost about N70 billion. The new project, according to the governor, would boost the socio-economic development and transportation system in the state.

The governor, while speaking at the flag-off held at Badeku Village in Ona-Ara Local Government Area, said the 32km first phase of the 110km road would be completed within 18 months.

He said the first phase of the project, which would start from Badeku

Village and end at Ajanla Village on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, representing the Northeast corner of the project, was awarded to the ENL Consortium Limited.

According to the governor, the project would be financed through a facility sourced from the Nexim Bank of China by the contractor on a ``Build, Operate and Transfer`` arrangement between the ENL and the state government.

Ajimobi said, “This project is at no cost to Oyo State Government; our partner (ENL Consortium) shall raise fund to finance it on the basis of `build, operate and transfer’ as part of our public-private partnership

agreement. “Nexim Bank of China will provide the fund because of their belief in the expertise and international best practice of our partner for whom we are guarantor’’.

Describing the project as a dream which had remained unfulfilled until his administration successfully brought it into fruition, Ajimobi said, when completed, it would further enhance the socio-economic development of the state.

Besides, he said it would generate unquantifiable number of skilled and unskilled employments as well as end the perennial traffic snarl within the Ibadan metropolis and help those travelling in and out of the city.

The Norwegian Embassy in Nigeria and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) will hold a two-day International Conference on Marine Safety and Fisheries Protection for professionals from governments, regulatory agencies, private sector, and other relevant stakeholders in Lagos from July 13 –14, 2017.

A statement from UNITAR said the key goal of the conference was to highlight environmental issues connecting to oil spill and facilitate discussion on the deployment of mechanical tools rather than the use of chemical dispersants as a first response. “The conference

will provide opportunity to deliberate on how to strengthen regional cooperation when huge accidents occur, discuss how national contingency plans can be followed up to invest in relevant equipment, and training, and facilitate discussions between public and private sectors to enhance effective oil spill prevention and responses through mechanical means. Series of conferences have been planned to sensitize critical stakeholders in West, Central and Southern Africa region on this important issue. The regional conference in Lagos is the first of the series.

“The West, Central and Southern

Africa region has a great potential for economic growth and sustainable development. The offshore oil producing countries in the region and areas spreading across the Gulf of Guinea to the Cape in South Africa is one of the most important sea routes in the world, accounting for more than 3000 ships passing annually with an estimated 140 million tons of oil. Offshore oil producers like Angola produces about 1.8 million barrels a day – all offshore and also deep sea, while Nigeria has eight deep sea production blocks producing almost 700.000 barrels a day, in addition to production in shallow waters.

Methodist Bishops want FG to arrest Olamide, Flavour, Phyno, Others for Glo Music Tour Arewa Youths, Unmask Herdsmen Emmanuel UgwuinUmuahia The Council of Bishops of the Methodist Church Nigeria has called on the federal government to direct its security agencies to arrest the ring leaders of the coalition of Arewa youths that issued quit notice to Igbos residing in the northern states.

The bishops made the call at the end of the 35th Council of Bishops held at the Methodist Theological Institute, Mission Hill Umuahia during which the Council “prayerfully deliberated upon many ecclesiastical, national and international issues.” In calling for the arrest of bellicose Arewa youths, the

bishops noted that the hate speech spewed by the "misguided youths", who got the backing of their elders, should be treated as treasonable offence which should not go unpunished.

“The Council condemns in strong terms the threat by Northern youths that Igbos in the North should leave the North or face annihilation. This is a hate speech and a threat that should be seen as treason and punishable under the law of the land,” the Council said.

In a 17-point communique signed by the Prelate, His Eminence, Samuel Kanu Uche and secretary of conference, Rt Rev Michael Akinwale, who read the document to journalists, the

bishops also denounced the herdsmen insurgency, saying that it had been allowed to go unchecked for too long.

According to the Council, it had become clear that the marauding herdsmen that kill and ravage communities were “different from the Nigeria herdsmen we had known” hence the need to unmask them to determine their real identity.

“Their (herdsmen) mode of operation is similar to that of Boko Haram and we suspect that they have strong connection with ISIS,” the Council said, adding that “it is important to investigate into who they are, who their sponsors are.”

King of Street lingo, Olamide, aka Badoo, will this today join nine other A-List Nigerian musicians to perform at the Victoria Island, Lagos edition of the Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour, the flagship show of the fully integrated telecommunications network, Globacom.

The show which kicked off in Awka, Anambra State 10 weeks ago, has gone round nine other locations such as Owerri, Imo State, Asaba, Delta State, the commercial city of Aba, Abia State the beautiful city of Calabar, Cross River State, the Garden City of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Ajah, Lagos State, the ancient city

of Benin, Edo State and the Federal Capital Territory, FC, Abuja.

In a statement issued from its head office in Lagos on Wednesday, Globacom listed world-class artistes billed to perform at the VI show slated for the Eko Hotels and Suites at 4.00p.m. to include the Nabania crooner, Flavour; queen of Afro-Pop, Yemi Alade; the duo of Marvin Records music sensations, Reekado Banks and Korede Bello; Africa's most decorated twin musicians, Peter and Paul Okoye of PSquare; Igbo ethno-rapper, Phyno; dance hall master, Runtown and Globacom's latest brand ambassador, Innocent Idibia, aka Tuface.

"Globacom recognises Lagos as the nation's centre of excellence. Just two weeks ago, residents of Ajah and environs were treated to an evening of sublime entertainment by the crew of the Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour and we are back in Lagos once again to delight our teeming subscribers with a full bouquet of entertainment with 10 top artistes', Globacom said.

According to the telecommunications company, "besides the music icons, six other stars in the nation's movie industry such as the diva of Nollywood, Mercy Johnson Okojie and her Ghollywood counterpart Juliet Ibrahim, who will anchor the show.

55

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •MAY 27, 2017

newsXTRA

Greatest Challenge World Bank Pledges to Assist Nigeria Funding, Facing SMEs, Say Experts Strengthen Fiscal Sustainability Plan Olaseni Durojaiye

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The World Bank Group is to assist states in Nigeria to improve, strengthen and consolidate the Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP).

The FSP was introduced by the federal government in 2016 as part of measures to address the 2015-2016 fiscal crisis, which was triggered by a significant decline in revenue.

This culminated in low allocation to states and subsequently led to two financial bailouts to the states by the federal government.

The FSP is also designed to reform the Public Sector Financial Management (PSFM) system spanning the three tiers of government.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the proposed intervention by the World Bank would entail financing capacity building and providing technical support

for officials in the 36 states of the federation by equipping them with the requisite knowledge and skills to effectively manage the comprehensive implementation of the components of the FSP on a sustainable basis.

The objective is to ensure that the states are put on the path that would lead them out of the situation in which they have to be bailed out or fail to meet their financial obligations for the wellbeing of the citizenry.

The capacity building programme would also include imparting skills capable of contributing in the successful implementation of the Open Government Partnership commitments with a view to boosting the fiscal transparency and accountability component of the FSP. The 22-point FSP was acceded to by the state governments in 2016 to implement fundamental

reforms by taking measures, including instilling a regime of fiscal transparency and accountability, improving internally generated revenue (IGR), the taming of unnecessary recurrent expenditure and strengthening adherence to debt management guidelines by the states.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has identified revenue mobilisation as critical to the success of Nigeria’s economic reform agenda.

She said for the size of Nigeria's government, the size of the economy and the size of needs, government revenue is simply just too low.

"We see increasing revenue as the long-term strategic solution for sustainable and inclusive growth. Revenue is required in the short-term for investments and in the medium to long-term for our debt service," the minister said while delivering the keynote

address at the NSE-Bloomberg CEO Roundtable in Lagos Friday.

A statement issued by the Director (Information), Ministry of Finance, Mr. Salisu Na'Inna Dambatta quoted the minister as saying: "Our acceptance that our ambitions cannot be financed by oil revenue is an equal acceptance that there is a finite limit to how much can, and should be financed by debt.

If we don’t want to borrow, we need more revenue."

The minister noted that the problem was not that the nation's debt service is too high but that revenue is too low", adding that "the manner in which the imbalance between our debt service and revenue will be corrected, apart from rebalancing our borrowings in favour of longer tenure loans and external sources, is by finally and frontally facing the issue of revenue."

While admitting that small and Medium Enterprises constitute 70 per cent of any growing economy, experts have identified funding as the greatest challenge that the sector is faced with even as they noted that the problem has persisted because many SME businesses do not understand the science of raising capital.

The experts who included, Executive Director, Bank of Industry, Mr. Waheed Olagunju; Managing Director, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo; Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji and founder of Gamesol, Mr. Abiola Olaniran, listed the criteria for accessing funding by SMEs to include Character, Capacity, Capital, Condition and Collateral.

The experts made the disclosures during a seminar organised by Testimony Place, the Victoria Island, Lagos branch of the HolyGhost Christian Center, which held in Lagos.

Groups Tackle EFCC over Attack on Turner

SECURITY MATTERS...

R-L: Mr. Sunday Ajayi the sector commander FRSC, Asst Inspector gen of Police zone9 Hosea karma Maj Gen Abubarkar , Col IU Akpan Commander, 302 Ar (GS), CP Sam Okaula and Sule Momodu NDLEA Commander, during the acting president visit in Awka

Coalition of human rights’ groups called on the South-South Zonal Head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ishaq Salisu, to desist over his verbal attack against the embattled political godson of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. George Turnah.

The groups in a statement jointly signed by Abdol Jega and Daniel Igbudu, stated that the recent media vituperations by Salisu against Turner, who was Special Assistant on Youth Matters to former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Dan Abia, were punishable breaches of the Code of Conduct of Public Service and consequently Oath of Secrecy.

Nwosu Seeks Police Protection, WED: LG Charges Nigerians to Tap Claim Threat to Life Economic Potentials in Cleanliness Bennett Oghifo A former Governorship Aspirant of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections in Abia State, Sir Friday Nwanozie Nwosu has appealed to the Inspector General of Police to give him protection from people he claimed were out to kill him.

He stated this in a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, titled ‘Threat to My Life & Application for Police Security’, dated 12th June, 2017.

Nwosu’s claimed in his letter to the IGP that he became a target of some powerful people in his political party (names withheld) in the state, following his decision to challenge the party’s choice of governorship candidate in court.

“I have been in court since January 2015 and even got to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The Supreme Court has now referred the matter back to the Court of Appeal for determination of the case on merit.

Nwosu said as soon as the Supreme Court referred his case back to the

Court of Appeal on the 22nd of May, 2017, some people, (names withheld) held a meeting in Abuja where the alleged “plans to assassinate me were perfected. And since then, they have been telling anybody who cared to listen that I won’t live to tell the story of this court matter I am pursuing.

“My life is in utmost danger. I am now seriously apprehensive of my safety and security in Abia State, the Court of Appeal in Owerri where it is being heard, the Federal Capital Territory- Abuja where I live and everywhere I go in the country.

“Consequently, I humbly apply that you use your good offices to assign, detail three or four armed police officers to me, to protect me from being killed.

“My life is in real danger, and the above mentioned people are out to assassinate me as well as burn my house as they have attempted in the past so that my case will be dead too.

“Sir, your cooperation and my rescue lie in God almighty and your good self,” he told the Inspector General.

Nigerians have been advised to explore the opportunities in nature by way of cleanliness to achieve economic growth and development.

This was the position of a multinational technology company, LG electronics, as it joined the rest of the world to connect with nature on the occasion of the 2017 World Environment Day, (WED).

According to the company, over 190 million Nigerians could live a comfortable life, devoid of financial hardship by way of simple adherence and observing personal and environmental hygiene rules that eventually guarantee a sound and stable health which in turn transform into labour productivity, educational attainment ,income generation and poverty reduction.

Speaking at an environment activation programme to celebrate the day, the Managing Director, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Taeick Son re-affirmed the firm's commitment towards environment conservation and protection which

is why it has made it a habit to identify with the objectives of WED annually.

“It is only when we have a clean and secured environment that we can talk of meaningful growth and development. This is why we will continue to design classy and sophisticated products that would meet world environment standard thereby helping our teeming consumers to experience cleaner and greener lifestyle."

As part of activities to observe the day which has as its theme: 'Connect more with Nature', LG mobilised its staff to embark on numerous environmental activations including e-waste clean-ups, tree planting, beach clean ups and awareness campaigns across its various regions. Also, to draw more attention to the week, it is presently screening a video relating to the theme of this year on its outdoor LED displays in the New York City Times Square and this will last for the whole of June.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to notify the public that FATELE EMMANUEL OLORUNLEKE and FATELE EMMANUEL LEKE refers to one and the same person, now wish to be known as FATELE EMMANUEL OLORUNLEKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as REUBEN ENUOYIBO ENUEKWE now wish to be known and addressed as ENUOYIBO ENUEKWE REUBEN. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ALOKO CHRISTOPHER now wish to be known and addressed as CHRISTOPHER SAMUEL OMOBANI. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKEKE CHIKAODILI OGOMEGBUNAM now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ECHEM CHIKAODILI OGOMEGBUNAM. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS BLESSING JUMAI EZEKWU NEE YUSUFU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BLESSING EJUMI ADEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AKUELE SEGUN AMOS now wish to be known and addressed as JOSEPH OLUSEGUN AMOS. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ANIMASHAUN KOLA AFEEZ now wish to be known and addressed as WOJUOLA AKOLAWOLE AFEEZ. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS DURU CHINENYE AMARACHI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZE CHINENYE AMARACHI. All former documents remain valid.

The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OMOBUSOLA REBECCA OLALEYE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OMOBUSOLA REBECCA OSHUNKOYA. All former documents remain valid.

The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as INAINGO GAMAGE now wish to be known and addressed as INAINGO JACOB. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as CHIDINMA ONYINYE UCHEGBU now wish to be known and addressed as CHIDINMA ONYINYE OTOH. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as KEHINDE BASH FOLARIN now wish to be known and addressed as KEHINDE WASIU FOLARIN. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EVANS PRINCE ITA now wish to be known and addressed as EVANSON FRIDAY ITA,. All former documents remain valid, Banks and the general public should Please take note I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ABIDEMI OBANIKORO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ABIDEMI OBANIKORO FALANA,.

All former documents remain valid, Banks and the general public should Please take note

TR

Saturday, June 17, 2017

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Price: N250

MISSILE Emir of Katsina to Separatists

“I am responding to the quit notice given to some Nigerians residing in the North by some group of people who are enemies of peace. Here in Katsina, I am ready to sacrifice my last drop of blood to ensure peace and protect all Nigerians residing in the state. Nigeria will continue to remain one in spite of its diversity.”

– Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumuni Kabir, chastising ‘enemies of peace’ who gave quit notice to Igbo residing in the North.

PENDULUM Dele Momodu

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Why are We Playing with Fire?

F

ellow Nigerians, I write movingly today because those who have the platforms to reach a mass audience should rise to rescue Nigeria from those hell-bent on unleashing stupendous terror and horror on our dearly beloved country. It is necessary for me to repeat some of my life history for people to understand the pain and anguish I feel about those toying with our very existence as a nation. I was not born with a silver spoon.

I have willingly laboured more for myself and our country than I ever want to receive. I have suffered enough pains, frustrations and denigration like, if not more than, the man next door. You may never know because we are yet to hold a sovereign national conference of the Sufferers Association of Nigeria. Unless you are told in very clear terms, you would never know, suspect or imagine what is buried within the underbelly of a human being.

Growing up was not so simple or easy for me. The primary school I attended was so local and rural that it even reflected in its name, Local Authority Primary School, Ifewara Road, Ile-Ife. From there, I travelled to Inisa Grammar, Inisa for my secondary education. This was a journey from Ile-Ife through Ife suburbs like Ipetumodu, Gbongan, Sekona, to Ede, Osogbo, Ikirun and finally Inisa. I have narrated the route just to show the arduous journey and how many bridges I had to cross as a young boy of eleven years old to go to school. The experience was so harrowing as we had to trek some distance to fetch water from Odo Otin river and had to wake up by 5.00am daily. I regularly escaped from school, running back to my parents. Being the only child of my mum for my dad, they were quite alarmed fearing something terrible might happen to me. I was brought back to Ile-Ife and I landed at Oluorogbo High School. I spent only one year in this school before moving St. John’s Grammar School, Ilode. I never had the privilege of attending any psychedelic schools of those days, as you can see.

As if my background was not chaotic enough, I suddenly lost my wonderful father on June 14, 1973. I was barely 13 and life went from bad to worse. Just visualise being left with a poor and illiterate woman who merely eked a living as a petty trader. My only saving grace was the wisdom she imparted on me from her native education and natural wisdom. My spoken English was a catastrophic disaster. I improved a bit in the written language after reading substantial literature under one of the best teachers ever, Mrs H. Sutton. I sat my first WAEC Examination in 1976, succeeded only in bagging a poor Grade 3. I flunked Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry with straight F9. I repeated the exams in 1977 but disaster struck again as in that evil year exam papers leaked like water inside basket. Though I had no access to what was nicknamed ORIJO (as in Original) at the time, my result was one of the many withheld.

It was so bad, my mum felt like my ordeal was spiritual.

I sat the exams a third time in 1978 and it was third time lucky. I also passed the inaugural JAMB exam and became a pioneer JAMBITE at the University of Ife. Such was my incredible trajectory in search of the golden fleece of Bachelor of Arts. It was at Unife (as the University was then called) that I met and became bosom friends with Prince Adedamola Aderemi, who completed my English transformation by teaching me how to pronounce words properly and improve my diction.

1978 witnessed the Ali-Must-Go demonstrations

Dele Momodu on a visit to Nigerian peacekeepers in Liberia in 2008 in Nigerian universities. I was naturally disposed to join the A LUTA CONTINUA struggle though I was yet to resume school as an undergraduate.

I was working in the University Library at the time and practically fancied myself as a fullfledged student because of my many family and friends who were already studying there. Since then, I have lost count of how many dangerous and deadly demonstrations and riots I have witnessed or participated in. We fought against all manner of oppressive tendencies. Many have been jailed or killed in the process. The sad news is that nothing has changed positively.

We’ve never had a respite of one year during which we could say life was indeed very good.

In deep frustration and anger, many of our citizens have blamed everyone else for the woes of Nigeria and reached the illogical conclusion that the solution is breaking up the country called Nigeria. The first costly step was THE BIAFRA WAR. Valuable properties were wantonly destroyed and lives senselessly wasted whilst sadly, these souls ran into millions. At the end of the day, our brave Biafrans surrendered and their participation in the country called Nigeria had to be re-negotiated. But not much ever changed. The marginalisation of Nigerians by fellow Nigerians continued unabated and the frustrations of the different ethnic groups became reinvigorated. Once again, the agitation for the breakup of Nigeria became strident and cacophonous. The exponents of this warmongering and disunification unfortunately cannot see that lumping large groups of diverse people together as one tribe is not necessarily accurate. Let me give a few examples.

When you say the Yoruba of South West Nigeria, who are you referring to? Would you consider them a single entity united by race, culture, tradition, language or religion? You would be dead wrong. In Lagos State alone, you have different ethnic groups and they hardly see eye to eye. If it were possible, the peoples of Epe, Ikorodu, Awori, Badagry would prefer their separate States. It is a similar story in Ogun State where the Egba and Egbado are not the

same despite the similarity in their names. Ditto Ijebu and Remo and Yewa. Please, move to Oyo State which is even more critical because of too many big townships and tribes. I have not even bothered to talk about religion. There are different kinds of Christians, Pentecostals and Traditionalists. Between them there are different sects and beliefs. The same goes for the Muslims who can be divided into Sunni, Shia etc. The story of Nigeria is replete with similar configurations everywhere. It is therefore jejune and over-naïve to assume that all the cases of oppression and suppression in Nigeria will evaporate and vamoose once we dissolve into fragments.

Let me say categorically that there is no way any part of Nigeria can break away or sack others without anarchy. Firstly, to break up a country, there must be a referendum of sorts because the leaders of this gambit must seek the mandate of the people to know if they want to take such a monumental step or not. No one in Yorubaland for example can say with autocratic confidence that he’s been mandated to declare a Yoruba or Oduduwa Republic.

Such a person would languish indefinitely in fantasyland. I also believe there is no such thing as a monolithic North. There are so many ethnic groups representing the geographical spread called Northern Region of Nigeria. The three regions of Northern Nigeria cannot be collapsed into one by fiat without resulting in fiasco at this time and age. The same can be said of the South South where I partly come from paternally. If the dream to break up ever comes to fruition, there would be cries of marginalisation, sooner rather than later. Even under the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, we heard those who grumbled about Ijaw domination.

The Igbos clamouring for Biafra would have been the most pitiable and laughable had it not been tragic. They draw up a map which includes the South South who have not been consulted as to whether they would want to join with people they have a natural distrust of. Indeed, their agitation and inclusion of the

South South States demonstrates the tomfoolery of their actions because it is the same subjugation they complain about that they would seek to impose on the South South.

Lest we forget, we must also examine the fallacy of thinking that having our home man or woman in power would turn our part of the country into Eldorado. It is never so. We only need to examine the various hometowns, not even States, of our former leaders to see that this is only but a mirage. For the first time, a leader from Niger Delta attained Presidential power, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (2010-15), did the South South transform into a modern-day wonder? Why are we fooling around in the name of secession as if that is the talismanic wand to crumbling our monumental challenges?

Let me warn without any fear of contradiction that Nigeria cannot afford to go through a second civil war just to massage the ego of any over-ambitious person or persons. Those calling for war should first put and push their children forward. It would be ungodly to use poor kids of the proletariat as cannon fodder.

Anyone who has ever seen the effect of wars on human beings, animals and vegetation would never call for war, again.

I led a delegation to Sierra Leone in 2001 and the trauma of what I saw did not leave me for a long time. Through the protection of God and the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), my friends and I were able to navigate our ways through the dangerous forests of Mange and Port Loco. We saw humans in various stages of dilapidation and` destruction. I personally met and spoke with a few rebel leaders encouraging them to be merciful by laying down their arms. The degree of human suffering was despicable and disheartening. We visited the Nigerian peacekeepers who described their harrowing experience in the bush. We prayed never to encounter such atrocity and brutality in our country Nigeria.

I repeated a similar peace mission to Liberia where our soldiers controlled ten out of the 15 counties in the war-torn country. I visited our peacekeepers and we exchanged very useful information about the effect of war in a country already impoverished by poverty and ravaged by diseases. God forbid, with our humongous population, the whole of West Africa will collapse and sink into the abyss if we ever allow the selfish gladiators to have their way.

Lastly, those calling for war now forget that the youths of this country do not share their negative vibes about Nigeria. They see this country as a prospective world power. They dream of a nation that is technologically advanced and self-reliant where people of diverse ethnic groups and religions come together to contribute to nation building. They ignore tribe and religion in their relationships. They do not care where their leader comes from as long as he or she has the acumen, capacity, ability and competence to lead. This is why Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is receiving accolades everywhere now. We, the ageing, decrepit generation, had better look back and not destroy the future of our kids because of our own failed past, bloated egos and self-aggrandisement.

The solution to our problems does not lie in splintering, or in any structural re-configuration.

It lies in capable, competent and incorruptible leadership. Our much-maligned Constitution, despite its many failings, has already provided a viable structure. It is the implementation of this lofty Constitution that is our bane.

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