Saturday 8Th July 2017

Rejection of Magu Stands, Senate Tells Osinbajo War against corruption must be won, EFCC boss insists

Benneth Oghifo in Lagos and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sabi Abdullahi, yesterday declared that the rejection

of the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) still stands and would not be reviewed.

On the same day, and apparently responding to the backing

he got from Acting President Yemi Osinbajo earlier in the week, the acting chairman of the EFCC restated his determination to strengthen the fight against corruption in the country, while speaking at a function in Kano

State.

The Senate spokesman, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was clearly reacting to the statement credited to Osinbajo that Magu would remain as EFCC chairman under

the Buhari administration.

He said: “The senate has already made its resolution, and our resolutions are official statements, and most times, based on how we communicate, we don’t go to press immediately

because somebody has made a statement; we usually discuss issues.

“You know before we made that resolution, the issue was Continued on page 8

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War is Gruesome, Deadly and Destructive, Obasanjo Warns

Says those beating the drums of war don’t know the meaning Britain opposed to Nigeria’s break up, says High Commissioner Okiro chides elites for fanning disunity Sylvester Idowu in Warri and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday lambasted those advocating for the dismemberment of the country as a solution to the myriads of problems confronting the nation, warning that he would never

participate in another war.

Also yesterday, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright stated that his country was opposed to secession agitations in some parts of the country, contrary to claims that some powerful nations like the United States and the UK were backing the agitations.

Speaking when he paid a visit along with his host, Dr. Leemon Ikpea, Chairman of Lee Enginering and Construc-

tion Limited to Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikemwoli, Obasanjo said those beating the drums of war don't know what

it means.

He maintained that the solution to the problems facing the country could be resolved

through dialogue, discussion, negotiations “but definitely Continued on page 8

FG Arraigns Lamido, Two Sons, Others on Fresh 43-Count Charge Alex Enumah in Abuja

The federal government yesterday arraigned former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, his two sons and others before a Federal High Court in Abuja, on a fresh 43 count criminal charge bordering on corruption and money laundering.

The EFCC had in September 2015 instituted a 27 count charge including abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of N1.3 billion against Lamido and his co-accused, but however

amended the charge to 43 on April 14, 2017.

Others charged alongside Lamido and his two sons (Aminu and Mustapha) are Wada Abubakar, Bamaina holdings limited, Bamaina Company Nigeria limited, Bamaina Aluminium Limited, Speeds International Limited and Darlington Agoha.

Their re-arraignment was preceded by a short ruling delivered by trial Judge, Justice Continued on page 8

Dogara Backs Amendment ALL FOR MAITAMA SULE...

L-R: Acting President Yemi Osinbajo with Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara at the residence of late elder of OGFZA Law… Pg 47 statesman, Alhaji Maitama Sule to condole with the family in Kano ..yesterday

CBN Intervenes in Forex Market with $254.3m ...Page 10

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Weekend Photo

OBASANJO TOURS LEE FACILITY...

R–L: The Acting Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso; and the Chairman of Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited, Chief Leemon Ikpea, during an inspection tour of the Ekpan offices and fabrication yard by the former president....yesterday

WAR IS GRUESOME, DEADLY AND DESTRUCTIVE OBASANJO WARNS not through dismemberment.”

Obasanjo said: "I participated in the civil war and I will never participate in any civil war again in my life. It was gruesome. It was destructive. It was deadly. So those people who are clamouring for whatever they are clamouring for don’t know what war means.

"There is a saying in Yorubaland that whoever has seen 'Sango' being angry, heightened with thunder and lightning, will never want to incur the wrath of Sango again. He whoever has seen the devastation of war, destruction of war, the mindlessness of war will never want to see another war again and may we never see another war again."

The former President agreed that the nation was facing serious challenges but maintained that they could be surmounted through dialogue, discussions and negotiations.

Obasanjo said: "I believe the answer to most of our problems is mindset change and change of mentality. If we need any restructuring at all, it is the restructuring of our mindset and the restructuring of our mentality. We have many problems no doubt, but we can talk about them, we must talk about them and find solutions to them.

“The diversity of the country is what makes the nation. It is the diversity that makes us

what we are. The greatness of Nigeria is in our diversity and our different languages.

"What I think we need to make is greater progress than we have made before and we can do that. If we do that and add good governance, no impunity, there is justice, there is equity, then, everybody will have a sense of belonging in Nigeria.

"I always say that there is nothing wrong with Nigeria.

All we need to do is to correct the wrongs with Nigeria.

We have to speak up and say this is not good enough and offer something than what is not good enough. Definitely, dismemberment of Nigeria is not good enough."

Obasanjo said instead of dismemberment, Nigerians should promote peace, harmony and love of one another as substitute for dismemberment.

In his speech, the Olu of Warri lamented that in spite of the tremendous contributions of the Itsekiris to Nigeria, the ethnic group had been relegated in things in Nigeria.

Earlier, the Chairman of Lee Engineering and Construction Limited, Dr. Leemon Ilpea had while taking the former President on a facility tour of his company, said it was established when Obasanjo as Military Head of State promoted indigenisation as a policy.

He said it was that policy

that made the company grow its operations in the oil and gas sector, by manufacturing many engineering projects for the sector, thereby saving the nation money that could have been repatriated.

Britain Opposed to Nigeria’s Break Up In a related development, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright yesterday stated that his country was opposed to secession agitations in some parts of the country, contrary to claims that some powerful nations like the United States and the UK were backing their agitation.

Arkwright stated this in Ilorin, Kwara State after he met with the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Ali Ahmad.

“We don't have anything to do with anyone agitating for break-up of Nigeria. We're strongly in support of the unity of Nigeria and federal government of Nigeria. And that's what British government has consistently supported. We don't have interest or in support of any one agitating for break-up of Nigeria. For anyone to say British government is involved in any way in break-up of Nigeria is completely wrong," he said.

The British High Commissioner, who described Nigeria democratic situation as delicate, commended both the state government and the state House

REJECTION OF MAGU STANDS, SENATE TELLS OSINBAJO debated. It is not because the executive has said something, we will react to it. We discuss issues first.

“That is what makes up an institution. Nobody in the Senate is expressing his individual opinion. We are expressing the opinion of the Senate, its stand and its position. We have given it a resolution. For now, that is what subsists, and until we get a response, otherwise officially, we are not going back.”

The lawmaker called on all arms of government to respect the rule of law for the deepening of the democracy in the country.

“Let us work in the interest of Nigerians. We have made a point, a point which is clear.

He was brought to us for confirmation, and on the basis of damning reports from the DSS, we rejected him twice.

It is left for Nigerians to see and we have done our part,” he said.

War against corruption must be won, EFCC boss insists The acting chairman of the EFCC yesterday restated his determination to strengthen the fight against corruption in the country.

Magu who spoke in Kano

at an interactive session with civil organizations held at EFCC Zonal office, said corruption must be fought to a conclusive end.

"There is no way corruption will continue in this country.

We have president and the Vice President that are serious on war against corruption. This is the only period in the history of Nigeria that we have a government that is serious about the war against corruption."

Magu said the war against corruption was for the survival of the country “and our main goal is to ensure that we have a corrupt free society.”

of Assembly on their efforts at upholding democratic tenets, and keeping the flame of democracy alive.

He said the British government was interested in getting more Nigerian women engaged in politics, adding that he was happy with efforts of the state government and the House of Assembly in women’s participation in politics, especially with women lawmakers holding leadership position in the House.

The Speaker described the visit as symbolic, saying that it was an attestation that the British government was in support of Nigeria democracy.

"This has also deepened democracy in Nigeria and it sent a message that legislature is central to democracy. Unfortunately, many state Houses of Assembly in Nigeria are not functioning as expected. But we here at the House of Assembly have had cause to amicably differ with the executives despite the fact that we're in same party", the Speaker said.

Okiro Blasts Elites for Fanning Disunity Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and now, Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Mike Okiro has blamed Nigeria elites for “fanning embers of ethnic and religious disharmony to achieve their group or personal interests at the expense of our national ethos.”

"Corruption has also caused deterioration in the quality of infrastructure, healthcare delivery and education among others.

So it is our duty to ensure we fight the scourge of it.

"We can do it because we have the advantage of the number to push them out.

Fighting corruption in the country is compulsory in order for us to have better society," he said.

During the interactive session, a member of Kano-based civil society group, Miss Maryam Ibrahim challenged the EFCC to investigate the allegation of corruption against even NGOs.

The former IGP spoke on Thursday while launching his book titled, “Nigeria: The Restructuring Controversy” at the International Conference Center Abuja.

However, the PSC Chairman

has the conviction that Nigeria “will emerge an unstoppable giant on the path of peace, rapid development and progress, and not by dissolving into mushroom republics or along ethno-religious lines.”

FG ARRAIGNS LAMIDO, TWO SONS, OTHERS ON FRESH 43 COUNT CHARGE Babatunde Quadri who declined the application of the defendants seeking the return of their trial to the former trial Judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

When the new charge was read to them yesterday, the defendants entered a not guilty plea. Consequently, counsel to Lamido, Offiong Offiong (SAN), prayed the court to allow the defendants continue on the previous bail conditions granted them by Justices Gabriel Kolawale and Adeniyi Ademola.

But the prosecuting counsel, Chile Okoromma objected on the grounds that the charge against the defendants was new adding that what happened before the previous judges was "dead and in the past".

However, in his brief ruling, Justice Quadri admitted Lamido to bail in the sum of N100 million and two sureties in like sum while his sons and the other defendants were admitted to bail in the sum of N50 million each and two sureties each in like sum.

Quadri, also ordered that the sureties for Lamido must have landed property that is not encumbered and depose to an affidavit that they are willing to forfeit the property to the federal government should he breach his bail condition.

For the other defendants, the judge however ordered that their sureties must be civil servants in any ministry from grade level 15 and above who must present their tax clearance certificates for the last three years.

They must also have more years in service and produce a letter from the heads of their various ministries that they have no criminal record and have never been indicted before.

Other conditions of the bail include that the EFCC, which is the prosecuting agency, must verify the addresses of the sureties.

The judge further ordered that the defendants deposit their international passports with the registrar of the court and must not under any circumstance, travel out of the country without the permission of the court.

Justice Quadri held that in the circumstance the defendants fail to perfect their bail conditions within two months from the day of arraignment, they would be remanded in prison custody until they perfect same.

Lamido and his co-accused had been arraigned before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court, Kano State, on July 9, 2015 for allegedly misappropriating funds belonging to Jigawa.

The case was later transferred to the Federal High Court, Abuja, where Justice Gabriel Kolawole, a vacation judge, granted them bail, and adjourned the matter to September 22, 2015.

The matter was then assigned to Justice Adeniyi Ademola but following his arrest and prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS), the matter was transferred to Justice Quadri.

Following the acquittal of Ademola, Offiong prayed the court to transfer the matter back to Ademola on the grounds that 18 witnesses had already testified.

But Okoroma objected on the grounds that the lead counsel for Lamido, Joe Agi (SAN) was tried alongside Ademola for corruption related offences.

Continued on page 47

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JULY 8, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

Yemi

Adebowale

07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Kudos to Igbo Elders for Moderating Agitation

I

t is heart-warming that genuine elders/leaders in Igbo land have now decided to take charge of the political proceedings in the South-east. For too long, they left a massive gap for an intellectually-bankrupt Nnamdi Kanu to exploit. It’s so difficult to phantom how a region with eggheads sat down for that long to allow a tenderfoot like IPOB’s Kanu to go about misleading the masses of the region. I am not sorry to say this: Kanu lacks the intelligence, finesse and maturity to lead South-east’s battle for justice and equity. His specious exuberance and crudeness will create more problems than solution for this great region. Kanu’s sense of history is also crooked. His hate speeches and conduct are aberrations in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society like ours. Every God-fearing Nigerian must rise and bury this extremist called Nnamdi Kanu.

Great sons of Igboland must take full charge of the South-east struggle. This is a struggle for justice and equity in Nigeria and not the balkanisation of this great country. It is a struggle for true federalism, constitutionalism, freedom, rule of law and not setting brothers against brothers. The great men of this land of the rising sun that I am talking about include: Alex Ekwueme, Ebitu Ukiwe, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Emeka Anyaoku, Mbazulike Amaechi, Sam Egwu, John Nnia Nwodo, Ike Ekweremadu, Uche Okwukwu, Uche Onyeagucha, Prof Anya O Anya, Pius Anyim Pius, Peter Obi, Ike Nwachukwu, Enwo Igariwey, Alfred Achebe, Dozie Ikedife, Maxwell Anikwenwa, Joe Achuzia, Anagha Ezikpe and Ogbonna Onovo.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex-Igbo sociocultural organisation has already taken a giant step to check this motor park tout called Kanu after the comical IPOB leader called for the stoppage of the November 18, 2017 governorship election in Anambra State.

Ohaneze’s leader, Nwodo, remarked: “Yes, we are not happy with our treatment in Nigeria. Yes, some of us want Biafra. Yes, some of us prefer a restructured Federal Republic of Nigeria, but the fact remains that we are still part and parcel of the present Federal Republic of Nigeria, bound by its laws, no matter how repressive or

Let us all learn from the tragic story of Republic of Southern Sudan.

Prior to the country’s independence, the late John Gerang’s Sudanese People Liberation Army and other socalled freedom fighters regaled the people with stories of prosperity and justice once it became an independent country. They got the independence, but few months after, Southern Sudan is worse than what it was in the bigger Sudan unjust. Our approach to reforms of our laws, even if it leads to self-determination or restructuring, must be lawful. We must convince other Nigerians of our point of view, we must strive to make others share our convictions.

“Our language must be civil, respectful and lead to consensus building. We must resist any attempt to turn division amongst us, as to which way we must go, to a source of altercations between us. As we speak, very many of our people living in Northern Nigeria are in complete awe and consternation regarding how safe they will be after October 1st. Other Northerners living amongst us are also worried.”

Also, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, in a letter to Kanu remarked: “Biafra’s concept is a metaphor for the demand for equity and fair play in the Nigerian state and not a separatist movement. Nnamdi Kanu’s call for a boycott of elections in the

South-east is irresponsible, irredentist and totally devoid of any focus.

“You must appreciate that for different logical reasons and perception, the Biafra concept has attracted favourable comments among our people, ostensibly borne out of the marginalisation of Ndigbo in the Nigerian state. In this popular agitation for Biafra, Ndigbo have not instituted a separatist movement or a terrorist gang as it were. We are more concerned about the continued existence of Nigeria under the present structural arrangement.”

APGA advised the IPOB leader to drop his “emperor” perception of himself and humble himself before the true leadership of Ndigbo for a proper and better articulation of the Biafra struggle.

It is also cheery that Igbo leaders from the South-east zone, including its governors, National Assembly members and leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, rose from a closed-door meeting in Enugu last Sunday, restating the zone’s commitment to a united Nigeria.

“Ndigbo are in support of a united Nigeria where peace, love, fairness, justice, equity and equality of opportunity are paramount, regardless of creed, ethnicity, gender or political affiliation.

That we condemn all hate speeches and conduct emanating from any segment of Nigeria,” remarked the Igbo leaders.

The icing on the cake was from the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who appealed for caution among those pushing for a sovereign state of Biafra, and called on Igbo youths to jettison the idea of leaving Nigeria.

He remarked: “Having invested across the country, the best option for Igbo is to team up with those pushing for the nation to be restructured. The truth is, times have changed, and so have political interests because 1967 is different from 2017.

“Igbo leaders must set up a committee for continuous engagement and moderation of IPOB, other pro-Biafra organisations and their leaders to avoid hate speeches and reckless statements that would make the South-east lose its friends and sympathisers. Ndigbo need a bigger space to operate. In fact,

Plight of the University of Maiduguri Boko Haram bombers again attacked the University of Maiduguri yesterday. In the last six months, these terrorists have attacked the university nine times, killing innocent people, including a professor of veterinary medicine, Aliyu Usman Mani.

Never in the history of this institution has this much pain been inflicted on its staff and students. It is even more disheartening that no single top official of the federal government deemed it necessary to pay a solidarity visit to the university.

Where is the Education Minister, Adamu Adamu? He is simply sleeping while precious human lives are being wasted at this university. Adamu’s inaction on the precarious security situation in this school

is giving a boost to Boko Haram’s ideology.

The Buhari administration has clearly failed the staff and students of the University of Maiduguri.

It should be noted that the terrorists did not even stray into the school during the peak of the insurgency between 2009 and 2015. So, what went wrong? I guess government and the managers of the university did not prepare for this eventuality. There was nothing like perspective planning despite the raging insurgency around the school.

They unwisely thought that the terrorists would never get to them. The FG has also not been proactive in responding to the challenges. It is depressing to note that the FG refused to provide funds needed to

procure modern security equipment and build a perimeter fence at the varsity. The borders of this university are wide open.

As a result, Boko Haram bombers stroll in with ease and kill people. A bigger accident is waiting to happen. Honestly, this university should be shut until the FG provides all the necessities for protecting life and property. Dr. Dani Mamman, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of the university noted: “The FG has been insensitive to the plight of students and parents that lost loved ones.” Senator Baba Kaka Garbai’s motion on Thursday, calling on the FG to do the needful for the university is soothing. Our Education Minister must swiftly make amends.

Nigeria as a country is even a small space for the enterprising spirit of the Igbo, hence our people are scattered all over Africa and are capable of dominating the economic space.”

Wise men of Igboland have spoken. No right-thinking person will recommend secession as a solution to any problem in any region. Immoderation destroys. Let us all learn from the tragic story of Republic of Southern Sudan. Prior to the country’s independence, the late John Gerang’s Sudanese People Liberation Army and other so-called freedom fighters regaled the people with stories of prosperity and justice once it became an independent country. They got the independence, but few months after, Southern Sudan is worse than what it was in the bigger Sudan. Massacre, hunger, disease, poverty and malnutrition now pervade the land, no thanks to a gruesom e fratricidal war that cropped up few months after independence.

Suddenly, they are no longer brothers. This is food for thought for all of us this morning.

Aregbesola and Osun State Pensioners

Osun State pensioners spent most of last week protesting huge unpaid gratuity and pension. They also accused Governor Rauf Aregbesola of diverting bailout funds meant for payment of salaries and pensions. The chairman of the retirees, Omoniyi Ilesanmi revealed that more than 2,000 retirees had died waiting for pension and gratuity, while many others are down with various ailments. “Many of our members are married to their wheel chairs till God knows when. Their children are out of school because of inability to pay fees.

The untimely and avoidable deaths continue unabated among us because of non-payment of our benefits,” remarked Ilesanmi.

Instead of addressing issues raised by these retirees, the government mischievously sponsored a faction of the Union to counter the protest. Aregbesola has also been pushing out a lot of falsehoods about payments to these senior citizens. This is the height of man’s inhumanity to man. The situation in Osun State is terrifying. Few weeks back, medical doctors in the state health institutions were on the streets demonstrating against payment of incomplete salaries. Both serving and retired civil servants are going through hell here.

Aregbesola represents pain. The leadership of the NLC and TUC must step in to save these hapless people from further anguish.

Aregbesola

Sleaze Allegations: Waiting for Governor Yari’s Response

Yari

Wonders will never cease in Nigeria.

Many of those who promised us “change” are now enmeshed in corruption allegations. One of such is Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari. The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an interim forfeiture of N500 million and $500,000, suspected to be bribe given to Yari by the consultant engaged for the Paris Club refunds by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, huge sums of money were fraudulently diverted from the bank account of the NGF on the instruction of Yari. How did the funds get into the NGF account in the first place? Very simple; fees

due to the consultants engaged by the NGF to verify refunds due to all the states were paid into NGF’s account. The fees were subsequently disbursed to the specialists in a manner not transparent.

In an affidavit by the EFCC, it alleged that the N500 million was diverted to offset Yari’s personal loan obtained from the First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited.

It also alleged that another firm, Gosh Projects Limited, got $500,000, which was allegedly used for the purchase of building materials for Yari’s 100-room hotel project in Lagos. Gosh Projects was also suspected to have used part of the looted funds for the purchase of treasury bills and transfers to

offshore accounts.

The sums had already been recovered from the two firms, before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave the interim forfeiture order on June 30.

I am earnestly waiting for what this Zamfara governor has to say about these sleaze allegations. He has refused to disclose his relationship with the two companies the funds were seized from by the EFCC. The two affected firms are also not protesting. So, who owns the seized money? I am shocked that all we have been hearing on this issue are humdrum explanations from the spokesman of the NGF, Abdulrazaque Barkindo. When will Yari speak up? This is clearly not the “Change” Nigerians voted for.

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NEWS

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JULy 8, 2017

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

IN HONOUR OF MAITAMA SULE ...

L-R: Speaker, House of Reps Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II, House Chief Whip Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa at the Emir' s palace in Kano when the Speaker led delegation of members to condole with Govt & people of Kano on the death of Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule Pictures Speaker's Media Office

Dickson wants Nigeria Overhauled, Calls for State Appeal, Supreme Court Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State on Friday reiterated his call for a return to a truly federal state where all the current distortions in the way the country was organised would be addressed.

He also advocated that State should have their Appeal and Supreme courts, pointing out that the judiciary was a part of the federal structure that should be tinkered with to suit and address the needs of the federating units.

The governor who spoke during an interview, noted that restructuring would minimise the several agitations currently threatening to tear Nigeria apart.

He added that because of the

anxiety generated by the word “restructuring”, a Committee by whatever name could be set up to distil the several reports that had been generated in the past.

“That is the very essence of the call for some kind of meeting of minds of Nigerians to reorganise, because a lot of people have issues with the word restructuring. We have to cool the heat because nobody will benefit from war or crisis or violence,” he said.

Drawing examples from the rest of the world, the governor said countries that did not allow for debates and arguments in the past ultimately disintegrated.

“Look back at what happened (to Nigeria) in the sixties. Look at Sudan and see where they are.

Yugoslavia is now almost seven countries. Every nation is an artificial creation.

“So, very often I hear people say Awolowo (Obafemi) referred to Nigeria as a mere geographical location. He was right. Every nation is. What gives essence to nations is shared values, shared views as to what citizens think of themselves and of the country,” he insisted.

He added that Nigerian politicians had generally failed to understand what democracy entailed, stressing that arguments, debates and disagreements should be encouraged in that kind of political system.

“The political class has failed and I am talking generally. And that even manifests in the internal

disputes. Political leaders now don't understand the concept of dialogue and argument.

“What they understand is violence, money politics, propaganda and blackmail, selfish agenda, promotion of ethnic and religious divisions.

“It is playing out in the PDP where a common dispute is in the Supreme Court. We are still waiting for the judgement. There is crisis in APC too. Leaders don't talk. It is worse in APC. I hear since they took over power they have not been holding NEC meetings and all that. It’s a shame,” he added.

He said that since Nigeria had become crisis-ridden the federal government should set up a technical committee to ease the current

pressure.

“We have gone from crisis to crisis and we are almost at the precipice. That's why I made the suggestion that the FG should set up a committee. You don't need to call it a constitutional conference, just a committee that will harness all the former reports, bring out the salient issues and then give the National Assembly leaders,” he said.

According to the governor, part of the restructuring should happen in the judiciary where there were a lot of contradictions in relation to true federalism.

“We need to design a system that suits us. The judiciary for example. Why do we come to the Supreme Court every time.

It is an inherent component of a federal system that states should have their own appeal and supreme courts,” he said.

While calling for a re-examination of the status quo, Dickson noted that the federal government had no business owning and controlling oil blocs and other minerals in people’s backyards.

“What they call oil blocks are people’s farms, people’s lands and villages. You call it an oil bloc , but you have dispossessed the poor people of that area,” he said.

He insisted that the national assembly had not been able to carry out fundamental reforms in the polity. “Most of them have been cosmetic. They are not true to the core of the issues”, he concluded.

CBN Intervenes in Forex Market with $254.3m

Two Suicide Bombers Killed in another Foiled Attack on UNIMAID

Obinna Chima

Michael Olugbode, in Maiduguri

Players in the retail segment of the Nigerian inter-bank foreign exchange (forex) market received a $254.3m boost from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday, following bids received from forex dealers by the apex bank.

According to a report, the deals in the retail window represented requests from the various sectors in the Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS), thereby providing a boost to the respective sectors.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications at the CBN, Isaac Okorafor, while confirming the forex sales, explained that the sale was in response to bids received from authorised dealers, on behalf of their customers, at the retail auction announced by the CBN

on Wednesday, July 5, 2017.

He disclosed that the $254.3m sold was for companies in the raw materials, agricultural, airline and petroleum industry.

Okorafor reiterated that the Bank’s continued intervention was aimed at strengthening the international value of the naira, while ensuring accessibility to the greenback by customers who required it for genuine purposes.

The Bank had at its last intervention in the Retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) on June 23, 2017, injected a total of $240 million for spot and forward deals, just as it intervened with $390 million in the wholesale, SMEs and invisibles segments of the market on June 28 and July 3, 2017.

Speaking further, Okorafor said

the CBN remained very committed to ensuring that all the sectors continue to enjoy access to the foreign exchange required for their business concerns.

Meanwhile, the naira exchanged at an average of N364/$1 in the Bureau de Change segment (BDCs) across major trading points in Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Kano.

In order to ameliorate the challenges in returning naira to banks for unutilised foreign exchange (FX), the CBN recently released the rule for addressing the situation.

The CBN said it took the decision following incessant complaints from Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) over the delay in getting naira value for unutilised portions of FX repatriated to the CBN.

Another attempted suicide attack on University of Maiduguri was yesterday foiled by security operatives on guard at the institution.

The two suicide bombers were lost in the incident, according to the Police. It is the ninth attack on the institution of higher learning in a bid to shut it down by insurgents.

The University has come under threat recently as the insurgents have frequently blown up themselves both within the institution and it's vicinity.

This made the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima to release the sum

of N50 million for the dredging of trenches around the school and equally to pay security allowances.

In a press statement on Friday, the spokesman of the Borno Police Command, Victor Isuku said: "Yesterday 6/7/2017, at about 2150hrs, two male suicide bombers were sighted and intercepted along the parapet behind the University of Maiduguri by joint security operatives deployed to the University.

"One of the suicide bomber was shot dead, while the second bomber hurriedly detonated IED strapped to his body, killing himself, to avoid being captured alive."

He added that: "It will interest you to know that, the

command recently deployed a full unit of Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel, as well as guard and sniffer police dogs to the University, to compliment the presence of security personnel there.

"These deployments have started yielding the desired results, amongst which are, to prevent and nip in the bud any attempt by these enemies of peace who threaten the lives and safety of the University of Maiduguri community and its environs."

He said immediately after the incident, "Police EOD team were drafted to sanitize the scene and its environ, and normalcy has since been restored."

T H I S D AY SATURDAY JULY 8, 2017

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JUNE 8, 2017• THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

AFRICA AND RELIGIONS FOR INDUSTRIALISATION

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Theological censorship inherited from colonial governments may account for the state of technology and economic growth in Africa, argues Okello Oculi

he gap between core principles enunciated by organised religion and political practices runs deep in Africa. Ancient Egyptian civilisation created by black African Pharaohs valued ‘’justice’’ ( “maat’’) understood as community welfare.

Its priests developed commandments which were later borrowed by religious movements that sprung out of ancient Egypt’s former colonies and barbarians who overthrew her rulers. Egyptologists credit Pharaoh Akhenaton with propounding the notion of one divine being whose power of creation was seen in the beauty of flowers; tempers of wind, stars, etc.

The second notion was that of the Pharaoh as the son of God and is also a part of God. As a ruler, He/ She was accountable for achieving ‘’justice/maat” through governance. At the gate of Heaven a panel of 39 judges weighed a Pharaoh’s soul against a bird’s feather; with a virtuous record of governance being heavier than the feather.

The Pharaohs ruled colonies included present-day Iraq, Sudan and Greece. Colonial governors recruited slaves to build pyramids as houses from within which the souls of the Pharaoh and top officials rose and travelled to Heaven. As drawings on walls of pyramids show, the Pharaoh was buried with servants, wives, domestic and paintings animals hunted in the wild. The brutal exploitation and enslavement of conquered peoples did not diminish the ‘’justice/maat’’ by which a ruler was judged at the gates of Heaven.

This heritage would later haunt Africa. For four centuries, Christian pirates from Scandinavia, Holland, Belgium, France and the British isles joined in looting human resources out of Africa to use for building their industrial economies; while excluding slaves from prosperity and taking part in politics. As Ottoman and Arab merchants crossed the Sahara from Morocco in the west to Egypt in the east, their religious beliefs did not prohibit the horrendous depopulation of Africa.

As the French historian Jean Suret-Canale has insisted, Christian commandments failed to prevent European nations that carved up Africa in 1885, from practicing genocidal colonial dictatorships. In the Congo, for example, the Catholic Church blessed King Leopold’s barbaric cutting off hands of five million villagers who resisted collecting rubber latex. It was little wonder that at independence, Congolese people in rural districts raped Belgian women, including Catholic nuns, and whipped Belgian men with hides of rhino skin. Frightened and mauled Belgians fled into Uganda. King Bedouin of Belgium walked out when Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba recalled this sordid history.

In Rwanda and Burundi, Catholic schools favoured enrolling children of a minority group they called ‘’Tutsi’’. As the independence wind gushed across Africa, they changed direction and began to favour the majority ‘’Hutu’’; while inciting them to revenge humiliations they had suffered from Tutsi chiefs and clerks. At mid-night on Independence Day, adult Hutus rushed out with panga/machete to hack any Tutsi in sight. That was the genocide of 1959/60. President Kagame has resolved to dredge out the hatred in the Hutu-Tutsi relationship engineered

by Belgian officials. The law prohibits labelling a person by those poisonous identities. Camps for youths are imparting a new identity of ‘’New Rwandans’’ pledged to build a new united non-tribal community. The Catholic Church had been a willing farmer of conflicts in Rwanda and Burundi.

In Ethiopia, the Coptic Church had, for centuries walked hand in hand with brutal imperial and feudal regimes. In 1974, the gun wielded by angry soldiers with socialist convictions

SERMONS FROM PULPITS NEVER MENTION COMPETITION BY CONGREGATIONS WITH BRITISH AND JAPANESE COMPANIES WHOSE BANKS AND VEHICLES RULE AFRICA. IRONICALLY, LUXURIOUS VISUALS OF IMPORTED GOODS INCITE DESPERATE YOUTHS IN NIGERIA TO KIDNAP POLITICIANS AND SCHOOL CHILDREN FOR RANSOM

brought into governance principles of justice, human dignity and commitment to the development of the masses of the people. Mengistu Haile Mariam gave land to serfs trapped under poverty and ravenous landlords. Prime Minister Meles Zenawe moved the country from having only one rickety university to over 23 universities. Both wielded guns directed by socialist values. The Coptic Church may be waiting for history to take them backwards to a time when Christian practices ignored development, justice and equality before the law and God. Out of South Africa came a stark contrast. From 1948 believers in doctrines of a ‘’Dutch Reform Church’’ won political power through an election. It was a tribal victory to be used to drag rural Boer farmers from low-income agriculture into modernised farming, industrial production and commerce. They borrowed from the United States of America laws for enslaving black people and denying them access to prosperity and citizenship. A vital ethos was the use of Calvinist notions of salvation through work to build prosperity for the Afrikaner tribe. They grabbed and retain as much of profits being carried away by European and American mining companies to finance government parastatals to build an industrialised economy in Africa for their tribal paradise under Heaven. The Dutch Reformed Church won the distinction of being a religion that anchored and celebrated a “crime against humanity.’’

Protestant Europe and the United States of America had used the “Protestant Ethic’’ to fuel industrialisation. However, the Protestantism spread to African peoples avoided this fuel for economic development. Together with Catholicism, their priority was on bashing minds of colonised peoples with accusations of being sinful; rather than creative producers of wealth as worship of God, and winning tickets to heaven. Doreen Baingana in her novel, Tropical Fish, expresses the mental damage done to girls in Gayaza Girls High School – a leading Protestant/Anglican boarding school - as follows: “All around me the girls swayed in sweet suffering, relishing the pain of being outcasts on earth, but chosen by God for heaven. Only Jesus could see them through. Only Jesus.’’

The deep poverty which colonial Christianity has wrapped with worship has since the early 1980s been thrown into panic

by American “Prosperity Christianity’’. It tells followers to threaten and intimidate God and wrestle wealth from His hands. With prayers - not mobilising to force the state to provide funds to support personal invention and productivity - God will be coaxed into sending wealth, thereby saving the ‘’wretched of the earth’’ from trenchant poverty.

There is no contact with the fuel for development in the “Protestant Ethic’’ and the version of Calvinism that drives development by Afrikaners in South Africa. Sermons from pulpits never mention competition by congregations with British and Japanese companies whose banks and vehicles rule Africa.

Ironically, luxurious visuals of imported goods incite desperate youths in Nigeria to kidnap politicians and school children for ransom.

Perhaps this is a new form of alliance between religion and violence. There is no talk about a “Christian African industrialisation theology’’. That theological censorship inherited from colonial governments may account for the propensity of graduates of missionary schools across Africa to be consumers and corrupt leaches on state funds; not inventors and manufacturers of technology as drivers of economic growth.

Prof. Oculi is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

THE POLITICS OF TARABA

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Emmanuel Bello commends Governor Ishaku for keeping his nerve in the face obvious intimidation

n case you missed what Governor Darius Ishaku said the other day on the Fulani herdsmen crisis, let me attempt a paraphrase of it. He said, “While we would continue to work for peace, it is pertinent to point out that the federal government has to fine-tune its response style. You can’t be swift in responding to crisis in one place and go deaf and blind in another. The central powers have to agree if they indeed work and care only about a fraction of Nigerians or indeed have the whole country at heart.” It was the ultimate rebuke yet from any governor of northern extraction to a federal government many dare not join issues with. Even Governor Ayo Fayose couldn’t have said it in this more refined way but the Taraba helmsman nailed it.

And with that he etched his name in gold. The setting too where this was said was also very symbolic. Ishaku said this before none other person but the formidable Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau, easily regarded as the face of amorphous dreary cabal within the Presidency. The retired general had stormed Jalingo last week with pomp and pageantry. He came in with the Inspector General of Police (IGP). Ostensibly, it was all part of the rapid response of the federal government to the

Sarduana crisis. Before Danbazau, there was the GOC from Jos. General Benjamin Ahanato had also come in charging like a red-eyed bull.

He was almost frothing at the mouth as he struggled to quickly accuse the state government of genocide. Ahanato was joined in that bid by the duo of Minister of Women Affair Senator Jummai Aisha Alhassan and Senator Yusuf Yusuf of the central zone. It was a week of crucifixion as every Abuja-based politicians tried to outdo themselves in the art of condemning Gov. Ishaku.

The usually calm and politically correct governor probably couldn’t take it anymore.

And when Danbazau added his own brand of condescending observations on the need for the state government to work for peace, it appeared to be the last straw. The governor saw an opening there to bare his fangs.

Looking into Danbazau’s battle scarred face, Darius Ishaku bellowed with the voice carrying the mandate of millions of Tarabans.

He spoke not for himself but for the teeming populace he represents. But he also carried with him the history, sociology and world view of a people who are known for their courage, fearlessness and resistance to all oppressors. If Danbazau thought he could

bamboozle the governor, he had another thought coming. Governor Ishaku was unfazed as he made his acerbic, scathing and damning rebuke. It was a retort like no other that spoke the minds of many Nigerians who have helplessly watched as Fulani herdsmen wreak havoc in the polity. As a surrogate, I was really proud of the governor. Nigeria has become a dictatorship. People don’t say what’s on their mind anymore and some don’t even have anything on the minds to say anymore. Courage and boldness are two qualities you hardly find. Beyond the Wikes and Fayoses, political platitudes couched in stifling officialese are the norm. No one wants to ruffle feathers with out of the box statements.

Not DDI (the governor’s moniker - Darius Dickson Ishaku)! He delivered a profound statement without any coloration. What he did was to cut to the chase and tell power a truth it didn’t want to hear. Ishaku said he was happy that “federal might” still existed after all. It was bitingly sarcastic as it was acerbic. The presidency would remember that Governor Ishaku had tried to reach it when the southern Taraba crisis raged. Ishaku had warned that Boko Haram or elements like

that were regrouping in Suntai Daji- a remote outback of the Taraba wilds. While Fulani herdsmen took turns at finishing off whole communities in the southern zone, the federal government remained indifferent. As soon as the crisis went to a different zone, the federal government swung into action. The governor said this sort of selective response only gives room for critics to authenticate their doubts and update their fears. He reminded the federal government to see the entire country as its oyster. Then he said what was clearly the icing on the cake: that all lives matter.

With this, even those who never cared about a certain Governor Ishaku became his fans overnight in the state and across the nation. A new voice of reason was born devoid of the crudity or ethnic bias of others. Ishaku’s was measured, mature and profound. Today, he’s being hailed as the emerging rallying point of the new resistance movement of those against oppression and all forms of discrimination based on tribe and faith. Unknown to Governor Ishaku too perhaps, he has just got inducted into what is arguably the northern resistance hall of fame.

Bello is the Senior Special Assistant to Gov Ishaku on Public Affairs

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JUNE 8, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

What fate?

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Lekki-Ajah Bridge in Perspective

agos population, no doubt, serves as massive boost for investment, exchange of ideas, products and services, among others. As it is with population growth, business expands, the need for office accommodation, warehouses, stores, shopping complexes, etc., also increase. Thus, formerly residential areas in Lagos such as Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki, along Ibeju- Lekki axis, have suddenly become one huge business hubs.

This is the story of the Lekki-Epe- axis in Lagos which, perhaps, is one of the fastest growing business and residential points in the country.

Situated in the Eti-Osa local government of the state, Wikipedia puts the population of Lekki and the entire local government area a little over five million.

Highly populated with robust middle and upper class presence, an average family in Lekki owns at least between two and three cars. These cars ply the only major road in the axis, popularly called Lekki –Epe Express Road. The result is the perennial traffic gridlock often experienced by commuters along the axis. For those familiar with the state of affairs on the Lekki-Epe expressway prior to its transformation and expansion into a world-class highway, traffic brouhaha was so fierce that travelling on the road early in the morning and late in the day used to be a nightmare. Taking undue advantage of the situation, hoodlums and armed robbers turned the road into a business honey hub for which they licked every day.

Many people lost their jobs for frequently coming late to offices with the same boredom excuses while many became victims of several stress- induced ailments, thanks to the excoriating trauma usually experienced on the road. Many business owners relocated or went into oblivion as the brightest brains behind the offices could not cope with the impact of the traffic chaos of the road.

The sad case of Samuel Okon who was returning home from office at about 9pm on a fateful day lingers on in one’s memory. Unknown to Okon, a group of armed robbers had cashed in on the heavy traffic on the road to embark upon their dastardly act. Samuel, who was an hotelier, was behind the wheel when he suddenly felt a bang on his head.

When he intuitively touched the spot on his head, he discovered that his fingers were smeared with his own blood which began to spill down his face.

Bullets from robbers who were operating about four vehicles away from him had it him. If not for the swift assistance of spirited people, he could have lost his life from the sad episode. Unfortunately, by the time he left the hospital months later, he had become paralysed.

Another ugly incident arising from traffic gridlocks of Epe- Lekki road was the death of a

senior police officer who was murdered just after the newly completed Jubilee flyover bridge. The retired officer was on his way home when he encountered an illegal road block and saw armed robbers in police uniform who had ordered vehicle owners to lie on the ground. Even though he was in mufti, he had with him his identity card.

Armed with his identification, he approached the fake senior police officer on duty and demanded him to stop the devilish operation and allow innocent citizens to retire to their homes after the hard day’s job. Little did he know that he was actually conversing with armed robbers! Infuriated, the fake police officer accused him of being part of the messy system that had forced many to resort to crime. Hardly had he finished his statement when he gunned down the retired police officer. It was such a gory sight! That was the agonizing state of the Lekki-Epe express way before the Lagos State Government decided to intervene through a Public -Private Partnership Model. That was about seven years ago and ever since motoring on the road became relatively better as commuters and motorists heaved a sigh of relief.

Blessing Vendafan, Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

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National Assembly and the Proposed NCR Bill

OHESU and her affiliate bodies introduced the phrase ‘international best practices’ in our health sector the same way late Murtala Ramat Muhammed introduced the phrase ‘My Fellow Countrymen’ to our presidential speeches. By such introduction, they want everything obtainable outside the country to be replicated here. Contrary to our expectations, it is now getting clearer that their own type of democracy does not work when they are losing. I have read what many radiographers have written against the proposed bill that has passed second reading in the National Assembly, the recent being the joint communique by radiographers in Lagos. They raised so many specious points that could easily sway gullible and subjective minds to their side.

I always ask myself pertinent questions if professionals that register their businesses with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) don’t have their own regulatory agencies/bodies. What of the different specialties of engineering profession that are under COREN (Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria)? Don’t they have their own individual regulatory boards? The truth the radiographers will never tell Nigerians is that the proposed bill will bring sanity and totally eliminate quackery in the field of our radiology

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

and radiation medicine. Quackery is not only limited to non-professionals parading themselves as professionals, it equally involves professionals claiming what they are not. When a radiographer claims to be and practices as a radiologist, that is another form of quackery. Today, everybody in the health sector parades themselves as doctors because they are aware that with the high illiteracy level in the country, the title ‘doctor’, especially in the health sector, metonymically means a medical doctor. Why will radiographers want a bill that will ensure that they are addressed as radiographers while the specialist medical doctors in the field will be addressed as radiologists? They still want to exploit the illiteracy of the Nigerian patients and still practice and parade themselves as radiologists.

The next thing is to rush to the court and tell the court that radiologists want to usurp their positions and they will never tell the court that bill is meant to harmonise the sub-sector.

This communique reminds me of our childhood experiences. Whenever any of us spoilt any of our home appliances, when our parents came back to ask who spoilt the gadget, the culprit would be the first person to deny and where necessary would accuse other siblings in order to shift attention.

That ‘inspiration’ normally came naturally but our experienced parents knew how to single out the culprit and surprisingly confession would be made at the end of the day .Thereafter appropriate punitive measures would be meted out to the offender. Why are they raising false alarm when JOHESU and her affiliate bodies have been the ones shouting that we should all work as a team?

How can we work as a team when we refuse to come together to define our roles? I seem not to understand the term ‘team’ as used by JOHESU and her allies because we have been working as a team unless there is another meaning attached to their own concept of a team. If to work as a team, you expect the doctor to work as a cleaner or porter, that ill-conceived team will, of course, not see the light of the day. I want to let all Nigerians know through this publication that the people claiming that we should work as a team are now the ones saying that we should not belong to regulated team where our roles will be clearly defined as it is obtainable elsewhere in the world.

In the UK, we have British Institute of Radiology (BIR) that offers membership to radiologists, radiographers, medical physicists, radiotherapists, oncologists and companies working in the field of radiology. Has BIR prevented or eliminated the different regulatory bodies of her members?

Dr. Paul John, Port Harcourt

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 8, 2017

SUPER SATURDAY

LUCKY IGBOKWE

I Want to be Remembered as Living for Others Suave in appearance; humble in approach; dogged in enterprises; and godly in his heart, Lucky Igbokwe, aka Don Lulu, is a man of many parts. Awarded with the United Nations Mayor for Peace in recognition of his contributions in the international arena, Igbokwe bestrides 2Flame Entertainment, Lucion Towers Construction company, the Don Lulu Foundation and the Green Peace Nigeria as the chief executive officer. Through his entertainment company, the prominent indigene of Umuahia, Abia State, has organised concerts paraded stars like Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Omoba D’Prince, Morachi, Muno, Sheyman, and Exnel. In this interview with Azuka Ogujiuba, Igbokwe talks about life, family, business and passion

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hat was life like growing up?

I am from an average home, though sometimes life was tough, my parents kept us going under strict parentage. My mum and dad never allowed my five siblings and I to stray from the way they wanted to bring us up.

What do you do?

I am into entertainment and real estate. My entertainment company is called 2Flame Entertainment and my real estate company is called Lucion Towers Construction. I am also involved in a lot of charity work through the Don Lulu Foundation. 2Flame Entertainment is Nigeria’s most definitive voice in entertainment. Since 2004, it has signed some of the fast-rising and top artistes in Nigeria, including Morachi (crooner behind the infectious “Hapuya Like That”) and Yeka (winner of Season 1 of Nigerian Idol) to its recording label.

How did you come about doing these different businesses and projects you are involved in?

I would attribute it to my mother. She was an astute businesswoman, who is hard-working and knows how to put in all her strength and energy into whatever she sets out to do. She trained us with that spirit of hard work, endurance and doggedness and that has been my strategy in business and life in general.

Take us through the different projects and activities you have rolled out so far.

As a businessman, I am into entertainment being my first line of business and like I mentioned earlier I am also into real estate, and have a foundation which I set up to take care of the less privileged in the society at the same time which means I am fully committed to community services. My entertainment company also organises astonishing concerts and promotions where Mavin Records’ Don Jazzy and Tiwa Savage as well as other artistes like Omoba D’Prince, Morachi, Muno, Sheyman, Exnel have performed. It has also recruited award-winning DJs including DJ Jimmy Jatt and DJ Kentalky for its promotional concerts within Nigeria. Due to my charity and community work, I was accorded a Mayor for Peace by the United Nations.

What plans do you have for your different businesses?

I have a lot of plans for my businesses, however, my philosophy as an individual is to hand over to God whatever I intend to do. God gives life and he plans our future, and as a human, I will still put in my best in order to ensure that my businesses grow and my strategy is to do my business projections and work towards its growth.

What challenges have you faced in your business?

This is not peculiar to me or my business alone; the country at the moment is facing economic recession and that has been a challenge to every business within the country today. Aside the economic recession, the enabling environment suitable for businesses to thrive is not in place. We are faced with poor infrastructure, challenges in power generation and security. All this has made the cost of doing business very high and businesses keep losing financially.

What is your typical day like?

That is dependent on where I am: if I am in the country my day starts with my morning devotion as I love to hand over my daily activities to my creator first, and then I proceed to the office where I usually take my time to attend to my businesses and treat the files after which I attend to the affairs of the people through my foundation before retiring home. But if I am outside the country like in the United States where my family lives, my typical day starts with my son waking me up in the morning for an early morning play before our family fellowship, and subsequently going out for my daily activities.

Igbokwe

What advice do you have for someone interested in doing your kind of business?

It is important for anyone interested in starting off a business to study the environment where they intend to invest in. They should also do a feasibility study of what it takes to harness the materials intended to aid his business interest and finally they should have the required capital and passion required to

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 8, 2017

15

SATURDAY PATIENCE, HARD WORK BROUGHT ME SUCCESS AND PEACE OF MIND

Running a business and having best and worst days I will say has to do with the mindset and I like to always keep a positive attitude. Life on its own is a risk and businesses are as risky as it is interesting. But basically, if one’s business is well positioned and running in full capacity, one starts to enjoy the benefits of having his businesses grow. If it’s not functioning as expected and you are losing money the tendency that you will run at a loss is there and that will make you embittered

Igbokwe donation to Innercity Mission nursery and primary school

business get in the way of my family and of course my wife has been very supportive in everything.

You celebrated your birthday recently.

I became a year older on the 27th of June; honestly, I had no plans for any celebration not because I couldn’t afford to give myself a party. But I was treated to a birthday bash in my hometown Umuahia as my friends, brothers, sisters and entire kindred surprised me with a lavish party.

How do you unwind?

I am a typical homeboy; I derive immense joy in hanging out with my family and friends.

How do you pamper yourself?

I relax a lot when I am not working. I do my morning workouts to keep fit and periodically I go to the spa.

What is your fashion fetish?

I don’t have any fashion fetish. I wear what makes me feel free and look smart.

Igbokwe with staff venture into the entertainment and real estate business.

What is the best and worst part of being a businessman?

Running a business and having best and worst days I will say has to do with the mindset and I like to always keep a positive attitude.

Life on its own is a risk and businesses are as risky as it is interesting. But basically, if one’s business is well positioned and running in full capacity, one starts to enjoy the benefits of having his businesses grow. If it’s not functioning as expected and you are losing money the tendency that you will run at a loss is there and that will make you embittered.

What tips or lessons will you like to pass on to others?

A lot of experiences that I have garnered in life as a young entrepreneur; I started early in

life and God was very faithful to me. My advice to anyone who is interested in venturing into the business environment is that they should be very patient, trust in God and study the environment before investing their money.

They also need to be honest and hard-working.

ally. I have always utilised every available opportunity to let them know the importance of hard work and honesty. I have also encouraged them to move into whatever they have passion for early in life and to take their studies seriously.

What kind of successes have you had in recent years and have there been moments you thought of quitting?

I am passionate about my line of business and that has been secret of the huge success I have recorded in the entertainment business but as a businessman, I have never at any time thought of quitting or changing my line of business.

What do you want to be remembered for?

I will like to be remembered as that man who lived for others and cared for the less privileged while pursuing his passion to the fullest.

How do you pass on your knowledge to younger people looking up to you?

I am actively involved with the youth in Abia State, with my foundation as well as person-

Tell us about your family.

I am married with a son, and I must say I am the happiest man on planet earth because of my family.

How do you juggle family and hectic business schedules?

I make out time for both. I don’t allow my

What has been your greatest challenge in life?

My greatest challenge in life was when I lost my father. It was a really difficult time in my life.

What’s your greatest achievement in life?

It is getting married and having a son.

What do you think must have significantly shaped you to be who you are today?

My love for my family, especially my mum, who has a great influence in the man I am today.

What is your greatest food indulgence?

I love traditional soups: ofe ukazi, mkpurusu, achara and seafood; and okra soup.

What is your favourite holiday destination?

It is Miami Beach in Florida.

What makes you tick?

It is my belief in God.

I Am a Busy Businessman Who Doesn’t Joke with Family Fellowship

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • july 8, 2017

16

POLITY

Lagos APC Primaries: The Antics of a Custodian Ibidapo Balogun

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arty leaders in Lagos State knew the forthcoming Local Government election would generate tremendous interest. They knew the election would attract a large army of aspirants. This intense interest in participating in governance at the grassroots level should be understandable. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had drastically opened up the state with massive developmental projects and infrastructure which have positively impacted businesses and government revenues. And the statistics are not unflattering. The Economic Confidential, an economic intelligence magazine in the country, in its recently-released Annual States Viability Index (ASVI) showed that 14 states are insolvent as their Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) in 2016 were far below 10% of their Federation Account Allocations (FAA) in the same year. According to the report, only six states, with Lagos at the top, are viable. The interesting thing, however, is the report further indicates that the IGR of Lagos State put at N302 billion is higher than that of 30 states combined, excluding Ogun, Rivers, Edo, Kwara and Delta states whose IGRs are very impressive at more than 30% each.

The report also shows that only Lagos and Ogun states generated more revenue than their allocations from the Federation Account by 169% and 127% respectively. No other state has up to 100% of IGR to the federal allocation.

Pundits who put these figures of increased revenue generation in perspectives say the figures may have had its effect on the jostling for the Local Government election in the state. Going by these favourable IGR figures, they argue that it is not impossible that some local governments in Lagos could equate some states in terms of revenue generation.

So by extension therefore, running for the chairmanship of such local governments in Lagos seem akin to running for the governorship of some states, hence the rat race for the chairmanship and councillorship positions.

Indeed, the number of those who came forward to contest the LG poll is bewildering.

Within the All Progressives Congress (APC) alone, a whooping 1,806 aspirants turned up to contest for the councillors in the 377 wards and 488 for the chairmanship in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state. The Assistant

Tokunbo Afikuyomi Publicity Secretary of the APC in Lagos, Hon. Abiodun Salami, who unfolded the figures in a recent interview with an online newspaper, said the 1,806 persons officially obtained nomination forms (not expression of interest forms) for the councillorship positions in the 377 wards.

How does a party manage this humongous number of aspirants in a way to produce quality candidates to compliment the good work been done by Governor Ambode, and with little acrimony? And add to this the fact that winning the APC ticket is tantamount to winning the eventual election as the APC does not seem to have any effective opposition in the state. The APC leadership in the state knew it had to put on its thinking cap and fashion out an arrangement that would be democratic and at the same time throw up credible candidates who can make significant impact in the local councils, the closest arm of government to the people at the grassroots.

In its wisdom therefore, the party opted for a combination of direct and indirect primaries, the latter encompassing consensus arrangement. This was agreed upon at the Stakeholders’ Meeting in April at ACME Road, Ikeja Secretariat of the APC in a bid to stem the tension, bitter acrimony and untoward violence wholly direct primaries

would have engendered. Indeed, the APC constitution provides for both direct and indirect primaries. It must be pointed out that the consensus approach and candidature through affirmation are key democratic processes. In areas where the consensus arrangement could not resolve the issue of candidature, direct primaries were arranged.

The final ratification of the approved candidates who had emerged by consensus and direct primaries in a few contentious areas were then slated for Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos on May 25. Ballot boxes and papers were put in place for the vote in respect of the few contentious areas. The process had gone far enough. The ratification of the large army of candidates who had emerged by consensus had been done, and election was being called for the few contentious areas when trouble broke out and the process could not proceed.

Since then, however, the multi-level conflict-resolution mechanism put in place by the party had virtually resolved the problem. Where there are still pockets of complaints, consultations and discussions and negotiations have been employed to deal with them and they are still ongoing. It should be borne in mind that no system is perfect and humanity has not come up with a model that is without its problems.

APC Deputy Spokesman Salami spoke further about the method put in place to resolve perceived problems. He said: “After the primaries, we have in place the Appeal Committee headed by a distinguished Lagosian, a former Deputy Governor of the state, who has so much at stake and who is known to be a man of integrity. There are still other mechanisms again to explore even if you are not satisfied with the Appeal Committee. We have the Executive Committee made up of representatives from each of the local governments that make the state. So if you have not exhausted all these avenues and you are out there protesting or saying all sorts of things, we don’t pay attention.

“As a party, we are so organised and would not allow anybody to coerce us. It is for you to sell yourself to us, convince us that this is why you want to serve the people not, force yourself on us. The stage of appeal has just wound up and the Executive Committee that have all it takes to handle the situation, having been running the party over the years at the state level. Expectedly, we at the Executive Level have a stake in the party and the state and we are looking at some of

the complaints. For instance, I represent a local government, same with many others who are also state officers; even the state Chairman (Chief Ajomale) is representing a local government. Notwithstanding that, as a state chairman, if you bring a petition from his local government, we all look at it meritoriously”.

I have taken the pains to explain the electoral processes employed and the conflict-resolution mechanism put in place, which has virtually resolved all the contending issues, in order to expose the shenanigans of people like former Lagos Commissioner for The Environment, Mr. Muiz Banire, who claimed no primaries were conducted. As APC Legal Adviser, though he resigned from the office the other day, Banire is only been clever by half. The party’s constitution approves of both direct and indirect primaries.

His vituperation is that of a man lost in the scheme of things in Lagos and now battling for relevance. He is simply out to confuse the unwary by giving the impression he is fighting for certain principles or for the people.

Nothing can be farther from the truth.

Pray, where was Banire “the custodian of the party’s constitution,” when the party’s governorship primary election was badly manipulated in Ondo or when the seemingly abhorrent was employed in Kogi in the name of candidate-replacement method?

Now, the custodian has suddenly woken up from his deep slumber. This is the same Banire who was a beneficiary of consensus and compromise through which he held sway as Special Adviser and Commissioner for 12 unbroken years.

The problem with Banire is he could hardly appreciate the huge burden on the shoulders of party leaders in ensuring equitable distribution of positions in the state. Imagine what may likely happen if every position and seat in Lagos is left to be the vagaries of election. Yet Banire who is crying wolf has never contested, talk less win an election in Lagos.

He expects the grass to be greener at all time.

When things do not go his way, all hell must let loose. Truth is Banire can hardly fight for anything altruistic. It’s all about juicy morsel, apologies to late Chinua Achebe. But not a few had known that his streak of providence was bound to run out and now that it has, Banire has suddenly become the aggrieved, fighting for the fabled oppressed.

–Balogun, a political analyst, writes from Ikorodu

Journalists, Anti-corruption Agencies Agree on Fight against Corruption Bennett Oghifo

j

ournalists and officials of some anti-corruption agencies rose from a 3-day annual Media Workshop organised by the United Nation’s Office on Drug and Crimes, supported by the European Union (EU), with a single resolve to collaborate and tackle corruption.

The annual Media Meeting on Anti-Corruption in Nigeria is under the “Support to Anti-Corruption in Nigeria”Project. For three days, 11 officials of Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs), 22 Journalists and four resource persons from across the country were lockeddown in Ikoyi, Lagos to deliberate on how to collaborate in the fight against corruption in the country.

At the end of the brainstorming sessions, the participants resolved that it was necessary for the journalists and the ACAs to have a common platform from which authentic anti-corruption information would be passed to the public.

The ACAs were urged to ensure uninhibited information flow to the media and that to make this work faster, the media should establish special desks that would report anti-corruption news that would be devoid of sensationalism, and fakeness.

Also, they appealed to the UNODC and ACAs to support such desks, saying it would encourage them to achieve the objective of effectively playing its role in

Participants at the anti-corruption workshop the anti-corruption fight.

The participants then drew a list of what the Media houses should do in the struggle against corruption like follow up on anti-corruption stories to their logical conclusion; to show the negative impact of corruption, using infographics in telling corruption stories; collaborate with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to inform and educate the public on corruption issues.

They also urged Journalists to report evidence-based issues on corruption, maintain their integrity and credibility by checking their facts, adding that in view of the huge cost of corruption to the nation, the media, as the watchdog of the society, are should help to set agenda in intensifying anticorruption campaign.

Participants also canvassed for the

establishment of specialised courts to handle corruption cases for speedy trial of corruption cases and that there was need for journalists to be sensitive when reporting corruption issues in order not to glamourize crime.

The media and ACAs, they said should see themselves as advocates and partners in the fight against corruption and urged media owners to take the welfare of workers as a critical factor in the work environment.

Participants commended United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Union (EU) for their support to Nigeria in the fight against corruption.

The Country Representative, UNODC, Ms. Cristina Albertin said, in her opening remarks, delivered on her behalf that “the workshop has been the opportunity to

follow-up to the initial one held in Calabar last year which brought together Editors/ Journalists from media houses and senior officers from the legal and communication departments of anti-corruption agencies.

I am happy to see a platform that brings ACAs and the media together to discuss ways of effectivelyreporting and curbing corruption in Nigeria.

“As most of you are very well aware, Corruption has disastrous impacts on development and if left unchecked, is a serious impediment to sustainable development and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development throughout the world. It also breaches the essential trust between citizens and governments, as well as businesses and consumers. Therefore, it is critical that everyone in the community including media officers take up a responsibility to prevent and fight corruption.

“UNODC is the United Nations agency entrusted to assist Member States in their efforts against transnational organized crime, corruption, drug trafficking and terrorism, a mandate that is enshrined in several UN Conventions, which all have been ratified by the Government of Nigeria. UNODC has spearheaded the development and adoption of UNCAC, the United Nations Convention against Corruption to assist member States to fight corruption on a global scale. UNCAC is the only legally binding universal anticorruption instrument with 140 signatories and 181 state parties till date.”

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS ALTERNATIVE AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER FASHION FILE PERSPECTIVE

Jeremiah Ogbodo I’m Driven by the Desire to Stay on Top

pg. 20 pg. 24 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 41 pg. 44

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 8, 2017

PLUS

I Don’t Want to be Where I Started From in Styling Sometimes exotic. Sometimes simple. Sometimes extraordinary. Celebrity fashion stylist and designer, Jeremiah Ogbodo, aka SwankyJerry, is a world apart from other stylists. Down-to-earth in thought, deep in philosophy, consistent and astute as an enterprising stylist, SwankyJerry has become a household name to many A-list celebrities on the African continent. His unique creations have made him to stand out in the fashion industry. In this interview with Azuka Ogujiuba, he talks about his craft and dreams for the future

W

hat makes you stand out in the crowd?

Well, I really think my originality and creativity make me stand out. I don’t know what others see in me.

You have been in the public eye for over five years. What does it mean to be a celebrity stylist?

To start with, I have yet to mark five years. I launched Swanky’s signatures in July 2012. So, I’ll be celebrating five years this year. It’s never been easy and it will never be.

As we all know that styling is one of the most popular emerging professions in the fashion world globally. Being a celebrity stylist means you have to select clothing and accessories for published editorials, print or television advertising campaigns, music videos, red carpets, concert performance and any public appearances made by celebrities, models or public figures. Note that a celebrity stylist is often part of a larger creative team, collaborating with fashion designers, makeup artistes, hair stylist, and photographers, etc., to put together a particular look for a client. Celebrity styling is such a large topic.

What is the major drive behind your creativity?

To be on top of your game as a celebrity fashion stylist, you must be extremely creative. You must come up with new ideas very often. The fear of not being on top is the major drive behind my creativity. I have worked so hard over the years and I realize that once you stop being creative as a celebrity stylist you have pretty much lost it. My motivation to do great things is extremely beyond where I have been. I never want to be where I started from.

It’s no longer news that you

O

recently bagged an endorsement deal with Ciroc. Can you tell us about it?

Well, I must thank God for constantly blessing the works of my hands. This is my second endorsement as a brand ambassador or as an influencer. I’m proud to say that in Nigeria I’m the first and only fashion stylist to be endorsed by brands, and it’s definitely a great achievement. I really don’t know why they keep choosing me but I guess my work speaks for itself.

As we speak, another endorsement is rolling my way but let’s keep it hushhush for now until we are ready.

What are the challenges that stylists face in the industry?

There are multiple challenges for stylists in the Nigerian industry. I’ll state a few. Firstly, I think stylists and designers need to have a better relationship and understanding.

I personally enjoy working with designers on projects from the scratch.

Secondly, fashion items are not really accessible in the country which is a major challenge. I have to source for fashion items all over the world. If I travel to any part of the world I take time to go around and pick selective items I know it’s hard to find in Nigeria and just take home for rainy days even though I don’t need them at that exact time. But we are improving.

So, I guess soon that’s going to be history. Thirdly, designers are getting access to celebrities and public figures, thereby making the stylist almost without a role to play. It is forgotten that a designer is not a stylist.

For example, a designer can contact a celebrity and say, ‘I have a beautiful dress for you.’ He sends the dress to the celebrity and that’s it. The celebrity wears the outfit and looks completely crazy even though it’s a beautiful piece. Why? Because there was no proper coordination, dress might not be for her body type, wrong makeup choice, wrong hair style, wrong shoes, wrong clutch, wrong photography, wrong accessories, etc. It’s the job of a stylist to make sure all these things

JULY 8, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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PLUS There are multiple challenges for stylists in the Nigerian industry. I’ll state a few. Firstly, I think stylists and designers need to have a better relationship and understanding. I personally enjoy working with designers on projects from the scratch. Secondly, fashion items are not really accessible in the country which is a major challenge. I have to source for fashion items all over the world. If I travel to any part of the world I take time to go around and pick selective items I know it’s hard to find in Nigeria and just take home for rainy days even though I don’t need them at that exact time

I’m Driven by the Desire to Stay on Top are in place with the outfit. Designers who showcase worldwide have stylists styling their collections because a stylist just knows what works better. These are some of the challenges stylists face and we pray it gets better so stylists should be allowed to play their full role.

Apart from styling, what else do you do?

I’m into a lot of other things apart from styling. Over the years I have grown so many businesses into what they are today with my exceptional skill as a public relations guru, personal branding strategist, events manager, image consultant, publicist and many more. I also work with a couple of insurance firms as a marketing strategist. I currently got into the real estate business too.

How do you deal with difficult clients?

A client will be difficult only if you don’t understand them. For me, once I get a call from a client, research is key.

I quickly do a research on their fashion history, or present fashion state so as to give me a better understanding of who I’m working with. Once that is done I start to get prepared for the job.

Next, I try to always do a fitting before the D-day comes in other to avoid any hazards on the event day. So, when Swanky arrives on the D-day, know that I’m extremely prepared and my client is already happy with what we concluded to wear. The best way to handle difficult clients is to be ready for them 100 per cent. Have options for the clients in case something goes wrong.

For example, a broken zip, and you have no options; client gets angry and is termed a difficult client. It’s you as the stylist who wasn’t prepared. If you are organized and you pay attention to details I’m sure your client will be happy with you and difficult clients will be far from you.

Which famous stylist do you admire and why?

Oh wow! That’s a big question. I admire a few famous stylists because they inspire me differently. Every stylist has their own crown. I’ll mention a few that I admire and why. Ryan Hastings: He has continually reinvented gothic glam over the years and I love how he explored a full range of softly dramatic, neutrally hued looks. His works are mind-blowing. Erin Walsh: I just love how she knows how to experiment and get it right. She blew my mind when five of her clients were on the top list of best dressed even though she was heavily pregnant. Samantha McMillen: She is exceptional when it comes to men’s grooming. She knows how to make a man look magical yet classy; less is always more for her.

TY Tryone: We all know Beyonce is queen of slay of all times. Tryone makes most of it happen. I love how he styles her to perfection. He’s a perfectionist; very motivating and inspiring. He’s also supportive to stylists around the world who see him as an inspiration or admire his works.

I met TY at the global citizens’ festival in New York and trust me; he’s one of the most humble famous people I

have met in my lifetime. He’s such a goal-getter. Plus he has just launched his own fashion line which is doing incredibly well.

Which celebrity in the world will you like to style and why?

Oh my goodness! The list is endless.

When I launched Swanky’s Signatures in 2012 I had a list of celebrities I wanted to work with and my dreams came to pass. In Africa, I have been able to work with all the A-list celebrities: Dbanj, Ice Prince, Wizkid, Davido, Tuface, Majid Micheal, Juliet Ibrahim, Tonto Dikeh, Seyi Shay, Yemi Alade, Mercy Aigbe, Ini Edo, Aka from South Africa, Flavour, Iyanya, Wande Cole, Omawumi, Darey Art Alade, Annie Idibia, Toke Makinwa, Praiz, DJ Spinall, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Caroline Danjuma, Mi, Yung Six, Daniella Okeke, Victoria Kimani, Osas Ajibade, Becca, Chioma Chukuka, Banky W, Vanessa Mdee, Emma Nyra,, Simi, Dprince, Ik ogbonna, governors, presidents, royalties and many more to mention a few. So, I’m guessing let’s take this to Hollywood. I will love to style Jlo, Beyonce, Kim K, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Usher, Lady Gaga and lots more. One singular reason is because they have evolved over time and their style keeps improving.

What advice do you have aspiring stylists?

Well, note that it won’t be easy but it will be worth it. Stay true to yourself, put God first in everything that you do; be ready to be criticised, and be creative. Consistency is very important.

How do you balance work and other obligations?

I always just find a way out. It’s extremely difficult but I just make sure I set my priorities right and it works out almost all the time. It could be complicated most times. But division of labour has also helped me.

Why do you think Swanky’s Signatures has done so well?

I pretty much think it’s God almighty who has uplifted me and made me who I’m today. He sees it all. Plus my hard work, creativity and consistency also contributed to the growth.

The social media is full of people who don’t really know you giving you their opinion on what they actually think about you. How do people who know you describe you?

The people who know me will describe me as a god-fearing young man, hard-working, kind, happy, smart, and intelligent.

What outfit will you not be caught in?

I can’t say; I love to experiment. So, if you see me in a shocking outfit know that I’m a stylist and I’m allowed to experiment.

If you were not a stylist what would you have been?

One of the many things that I do now; maybe, I would have been into full-time public relations.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 8, 2017 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Osinbajo

Osinbanjo: Won’t You Give Me National Honours?

As I celebrate my birthday with glam and pizzazz, I am just looking at this acting President o. How can he miss such an opportunity at finally achieving national unity and muting these cries for separation? He should have used the occasion of my birthday to confer on me a national honour. I do not understand the kinds of leaders that we have and the type of advisers they surround themselves with.

Look at that baba Sagay, screaming daily on only God knows what when he should have concentrated on writing a memo to the Acting President who I must confess I really admire if for nothing else but for his well-cut traditional attire - pushing for my awards. Throughout the day, I kept looking at my phone expecting a call from the presidency. A personal call from the acting president would not have been too much after all my contributions to the development of this country in the last 48 years.

You see the way they treat patriots. I was totally ignored not only by the presidency, even my state governor too could not even deem it fit to call or send me a bottle of wine. I hear they say he is confused as to where I really belong: Shomolu or Akwa Ibom. How that one disturb am I know know o. Well, as the day wore on, I gradually came to the painful realisation that Osinbanjo would not call and my hope for a national honour conferred on me was dying with my phone battery, I began to miss President Buhari. As tears came down my handsome face surrounded by my teeming Shomolu adherents I prayed a silent prayer for my President. If he was in town hale and hearty, he would have called me. He would have removed this shame from my face. He would have given me my title. But then life happens and we must continue trudging along. But Osi baba you know try sha. Even if na flash, you for still flash me na. I leave everything to God and will not because of this snub migrate to Israel like some people I know.

I will continue my good works for Nigeria and would not even change party. I rest my case, next year is another opportunity.

My dear acting president, in case you are still acting at that time, it is 4th of July and buy enough credit on your phone o, so you will not come and say you don’t not have credit o.

Ikorodu : What is Happening There?

This town used to be calm. The only problem there was the bad roads, but if you took courage and went there, you would really have fun. The people were kind and hard-working. I used to have a friend who worked at one of the factories there and a visit to his office used to see us take on the many amala joints that littered the place. Ikorodu is a town of history and when my mum worked in Epe we used to pass through Ikorodu on our way to visit her. Today, Ikorodu has been turned into a ritual enclave by a blood-thirsty cult. Daily we are assailed with all sorts of stories of people losing their lives needlessly. Initially, it was stories of kidnap and militant incursions, today it is Badoo. The police and indeed the military should move in and return sanity to that enterprising town. The people should not be allowed to

Fatai Owoseni , Commissioner of Police, Lagos State

Abike Dabiri

The Duke of Shomolu @48 My people that is how like joke o I have clocked 48. Like play like play I will soon hit 50 and I have not yet become a senator talk less of being recalled. Have I failed in life? This question keeps bugging me, depressing me and making me ask questions about my purpose in life. At my age, some of my mates have already been impeached as governors, others have even formed separatist movements, be like say I even senior this Nnamdi Kanu guy, me I am here parading about with a superfluous title given to me by my maiguard who during a scuffle over unpaid salaries mentioned that ‘oga you just dey do like you be Duke’ and the Oba of Shomolu who was just passing by on his bike stopped and immediately conferred the title on me. I am still awaiting its ratification from the only Asiwaju of Lagos although I am allowed to parade myself as such. As I read our history books, I see some people had emerged as presidents and military heads of state at innocent ages like 36. Kai, others have even gone as far as becoming the richest men in Africa and parading about. Well it is not too late to make my mark in this country that I believe so much in.

My generation has given so much to this country and has suffered much more than the rest. Na we dem born during civil war, so most of us did not drink breast milk and you can see the effect on some of us the way we are going about,

cross carpeting, joining and changing political parties the way babies with dysentery change diapers, collapsing huge telecommunications firms, forming rogue news websites and slandering all kinds of eminent NIGERIANS WITH FAKE NEWS. Well it is not too late to redeem ourselves. Personally for me, I have decided to take up the plight of the single female, light in complexion, full-bodied members of our generation as a personal mission.

I have decided to work very close to them, counselling, encouraging them as they begin to lose hope in ever getting married. You see life is much more than marriage, you can still find fulfillment in sharing, being generous and in understanding that polygamy is not such a bad thing after all.

Well, to celebrate my birthday, my colleagues and friends all came together and bought me just one bottle of wine claiming recession and another even went as far as giving me over fifty bottles of coca cola - that is my favourite drink with all my titles emblazoned on the label. All my titles o from Duke of Shomolu to Obong Ikpaisong of Anyiam Nsit, Udua Mkpafi and my less known title conferred on me by Prince Charles of UK when the Queen was on leave - Earl of Mushin in recognition of my activities during the last riots there when I saved a light-complexioned lady from the mob. Happy birthday to me.

Maitama Sule

take matters into their hands as has been reported because of the recurrent loss of innocent lives. We need our Ikorodu back o, Vivian lives there. A very beautiful girl.

Abike Dabiri: I Am a Nigerian I have not laughed so much in a long time. This my aunty really loves to put her foot in her mouth. Remember the travel warning she personally issued against travelling to the United States and the wahala it caused. Today, she has gone ahead to congratulate a British citizen for representing us well by winning election into the British Parliament. I have just read in the media as I was looking for who next to yab that the lady in question has reminded aunty that she is British and not Nigerian. You see, don’t let me be too hard on aunty on one ground sha. That lady whether she is British or from Buckingham Palace should still have remembered that she has Nigerian heritage and should have recognised it. After all, could she have been more British than Obama, American who throughout his presidency never lost touch with his Kenyan heritage and celebrated it? Yeye. But that said, I think our aunty is taking this special assistant thing too seriously abeg. Can somebody please make her the Foreign Affairs Minister or whatever they call them these days, make we rest? Na wa. ...the Case of the Leaked Video There is a video of a big political person making the rounds. From what we have been told, the video was taken after a liaison with two women and the big masquerade was seen in the video putting on his clothes after the action. Well, me I support daddy in his defence that it is truly nobody’s business if he decided to conduct private business with one, two or even 50 people. It is not an official state matter and it only concerns his wife and children. We that are at risk to these kinds of videos must come together to support ourselves abeg. Let me give advice to old men who enjoy these kinds of activities with young social media savvy girls to avoid such embarrassment. Immediately, you enter the room, ask for all phones to be switched off. Kindly inspect the phones to make sure they are truly switched off or better still collect the phones, you know these children can be mischievous.

Where you have failed for whatever reason to collect the phones, make sure you wear a mask just in case, use only white underwear so that Nigerians do not think you are a dirty person and as the phone is pointed at you, insist that they film themselves too. A shot showing only you putting on your clothes is a clear case of blackmail, insist that all three of you be snapped so that the movie when released will not have only one-main actor. Finally, and the best advice I can ever give is never to succumb to blackmail, everybody does these things so have confidence that you only got stupid to be caught but we are plenty in this matter. But the girl that sent out that video no try sha.

Adieu Maitama Sule You picked a wrong time to leave us.

That is all I will say. Timing was so so wrong daddy. Sleep well in Allah’s bosom.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • july 8, 2017

21

SPY GLASS

with BAYO ADEOYE .... 08054680651 AJULO

Alex Otti

ALEX OTTI’S TRAVAILS

How does one begin to describe the story of Alex Otiti, an ex-banker? He once occupied a position that made him the envy of many.

Brilliant and blessed with uncommon managerial skill, he rose to the position of managing director, Diamond Bank Plc. To the chagrin of his admirers, he literally submitted to the irresistible allure of ambition, as he quit the plump job to contest as governor of Abia State in 2015 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

He certainly had a dream and his hopes were very high. He left no stone unturned to realise his ambition, as he toured every nook and cranny of the state to campaign.

In fact, he reportedly expended billions of naira on the campaign . But alas, his dream met a kiss of death, as the money went down the drain.

Having lost, he approached an election tribunal to seek redress.

Luckily, he got some reprieve at the tribunal but sadly, it was later overturned by the Supreme Court.

Then, it dawned on him that the game could not be taken any further.

Three years after, Otti took the decision to walk away from his job at Diamond, the man has yet to get another dream job.

Consequently, the question on the lips of many is: what is next for Otti?

HONOUR FOR KAYODE

Kayode Ajulo

It was undoubtedly a day of glory recently for Dr. Kayode Ajulo when he was honoured as the Ondo State Advocate of the Year at a well- attended event tagged “Ondo State Man of the Year Awards,” amidst pomp and circumstance.

For the majority of the guests, the cerebral Ajulo was most deserving of the honour.

Interestingly, Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who was one of the award receipients, spoke glowingly of Ajulo, for his advocacy and dedication to the people’s cause.

Indeed, by all standards, Ajulo, a legal practitioner of repute and conscientious activist has devoted his life to the service of humanity.

Ajulo, who was raised by a bookseller father and a seamstress mother, had the rare privilege of meeting several intellectuals while growing up.

At a stage in his inspiring earthly sojourn, he embraced activism, based on personal conviction, even as he developed an interest in politics Today, he runs a flourishing law firm, where he offers legal services to notable individuals, private and public agencies. Besides, he runs a non-governmental organisation, Egalitarian Mission Africa.

Though he quit his position as National Secretary of Labour Party a year ago, there are insinuations that he is having a secret political romance with another political party in order to contest a senatorial seat to represent his people in Ondo North senatorial zone.

However, Ajulo has denied the rumour, saying his greatest passion now is his profession as well as his campaign for social justice and equity.

PRINCESS KELECHI OGHENE’S PASSION

Princess Kelechi Oghene, a socialite and fashion enthusiast, last Sunday, launched her foundation, GMYT, at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

It was in fulfillment of her life-time dream to promote entrepreneurship and women empow-

Princess Kelechi Oghene

erment, while also tackling high unemployment rate in the country.

Besides, the GMYT is an empowerment platform for under privileged women to learn various aspects of fashion illustration, design, and manufacture.

The foundation not only desires to train and equip women with skills in fashion design, but also seeks to provide them business knowledge to enable them start and grow sustainable businesses and in turn serve as vehicles for empowerment and employment.

Talking about the project, she disclosed that her vision in the second half of this year was to provide “scholarships for 100 women to my GMYT Fashion Academy.”

The launch was well attended by eminent personalities.

OLUJUWON OBASANJO, WIFE, GO ON HONEYMOON

Last month, both Temitope Adebutu-Kessington and Olujuwon Obasanjo were joined in holy matrimony in Lagos.

Interestingly, many weeks after the superlative wedding, which is still the talk of the town, the couple is set to embark on a honeymoon to Monaco, where they are expected to spend a month at a private beach and in a world-class hotel.

It was also gathered that Temitope’s busy schedule as a Lagos State Magistrates Court judge prevented the couple from embarking on their honeymoon immediately after the wedding.

It will be recalled that prior to the wedding, the groom’s mother, Mrs. Taiwo Martins-Obasanjo, had raised a lot of dust.

Consequently, she had reportedly stayed away from both the traditional engagement and the church wedding.

In fact, she had earlier dragged both families to court seeking for an injunction to stop the wedding.

However, the case was thrown out in favour of the Adebutu and Obasanjo families.

ONDO FIRST LADY, BETTY AKEREDOLU’S HUMANNESS

While some say she is an epitome of courage, some maintain that she is a true definition of strength.

Betty Akeredolu However you want to define her, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, is certainly a woman of substance.

Sometime ago, she had an encounter that tested her faith in God, when she battled with cancer. Even in the face of the physical, emotional, psychological and financial torture, she put her trust totally in God. Looking back now, she is thankful to God for surviving the deadly ailment. Beyond this, the experience had prepared her for one of the tasks she is engaged in today: being a tool in the hands of God for giving hope to those who are currently battling with cancer.

In appreciation of God’s mercy in her life, she founded the now popular Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), an NGO dedicated to galvanising action against breast cancer, even long before her husband dreamt of contesting as governor of the state.

However, this is not all there is about this elegant woman. In her undergraduate days, she engaged in campus politics; thus, it was not surprising when she threw her weight behind her husband in his quest to become the number one citizen of the state.

Very modest and amiable, she also loves cooking for her family, in spite of her tight schedule as the First Lady of the state.

She is said to love traditional and inspirational music, especially gospel songs.

Olujuwon Obasanjo, and wife

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 8, 2017

MEMOIRS Dr. Gbolahan Alli-Balogun

I Had My PhD at 26 but Still Ambitious “I don’t have regret about life because I have enjoyed the ride” was his response when asked about his view to life at 60 as he welcomes this reporter into his Ikeja, Lagos office. Looking smart in a navy blue suits, his ageless looks contradicts a man who would turn 60 in a couple of hours. Without doubt, Dr. Gbolahan Alli-Balogun’s life is a lesson in hardwork, perseverance and above all, that one should never take one’s pedigree for granted. Born on June 26, 1957 into the famous Alli-Balogun family of Lagos Island. Apart from his solid pedigree which gave him a comfortable start in life, he is a brilliant and jolly good fellow, whose penchant for quality education has invariably paved the way for his many successes. He is not only integrity personified, he is also imbued with sterling qualities and a sense of humour that is second to none. He had his early education in Lagos before proceeding to Abeokuta for his secondary education. At age 17 in 1974, he gained admission to the then University of Ife where he read economics graduating in 1978 when he was barely 21. He would later cap it with a masters and doctoral degree in Economics at age 26. After a successful career at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and the banking sector, he walked away to start his own business. In 2004, he floated AdonaiNet which later pioneered the trade alert in Nigeria. He has since conquered many terrains in hiscareer life and still ready to explore. As he turns 60 he tells Funke Olaode his journey through life and why he is not ready to slow down

I was once the youngest student in my class In the beginning

I

was born in Lagos on June 26, 1957 into the Alli-Balogun family of Lagos Island. It was interesting growing up in what is called Moshalasi Jimoh area where the Central Mosque is located now. As of that time it was referred to as Victoria. It was a neighbourhood where everybody was related either by blood or by marriage. It was a big community and there was communal living where everyone radiated happiness. We had a good life by standard of that time because my mother was a flourishing trader and my father was a government contractor. Of course, having accomplished parents and coming from such famous family placed a burden of expectation on us (the children) to succeed.

Factors that shaped my life

There are many factors that shaped my life while growing up. One of them was my mother of blessed memory. I was doing well in class but she insisted that I must succeed and she supported me up till she died four years ago. The second person was Mrs. Gibson Roberts, a native of Abeokuta who made every effort to make me an English gentleman. She was my teacher in primary school at Christ Church Cathedral. I was her best student and she liked me a lot. She was so fond of me that she once asked my parents if I could spend one Saturday with her – her wish was granted. That time she had four children: two boys and two girls. The two boys were in England, one of the girls was in school, while the other girl, Mrs. Dolapo Coker, was preparing to go to the University of Ife. Then Mama asked my parents if I could come and live with her permanently. I was only 10 years old. I agreed and moved to live with Mrs. Gibson Roberts and only visited my parents during mid-term breaks or long holidays. I was nicknamed ‘Omo Mama’ because I was always with her. Then I became close to Mama’s daughter, now Mrs. Dolapo Coker, who is 10 years older than me. She was so fond of me back then that she would take me everywhere and anywhere.

I was the youngest student in my class at Ife

I spent only two and half years with Mrs. Gibson Roberts before heading for Abeokuta Grammar School which was her idea. Mama was from Abeokuta and she felt I would do well in Abeokuta. Of course, I got admission from CMS, Igbobi and other schools. In fact, she took me on a trip to Abeokuta prior to my resumption. Incidentally, Abeokuta Grammar School was the first grammar school in the then Western Nigeria founded in 1908 and had a lot of traditions. I got there and got hooked. I spent five good years in there and moved to the University of Ife at age of 17 in 1974, where I studied Economics. I recall being the youngest in my class. I always scored highest mark in Economics and the rest of the courses and I knew it was my line. I finished my West African Examination Council in June 1974 and by September of that year I entered University of Ife. Along the line I wanted to study Law because most of my friends were studying Law and I wanted to explore. But before you can change your course at Ife then you have to fail and change your department. But I didn’t fail in my department and that ambition of becoming a lawyer was truncated.

I finished from this great institution in 1978. We had a good time at Ife because we were blessed with the best teachers locally and internationally. We had the likes of Prof. Aluke, Prof. Oluwasanmi and Prof. Ojetunji Aboyade. Prof. Aboyade taught us Integrated Economics. These were brilliant Nigerian scholars who taught and mentored us as students.

I bagged a doctoral degree at 26

Looking back at my life in the last 60 years it has been a rollercoaster. Life has been very fair to me because things that I did not plan and success that I did not envisage came my way sometimes without even trying. I was lucky because I was a good student. I went to school for 21 years non-stop and in 1978 I had bagged a degree in Economics and at the age of 26 I had a doctoral degree in Economics. I could have had a PhD at 24 because by the time I was 26 I had spent one year for the mandatory youth service and another one year learning a foreign language in Poland, where I did my master’s degree and PhD. I was typically the youngest in my class at Ife and deep inside me I knew that I didn’t know anything. I was just a small boy who happened to be a good student. I was not interested in working and said I would further my education. With modesty, I have always been known to do unusual things. I always like to do my things differently which has become a habit. When I left Ife, I had opportunity to travel to America or England. I chose Latin America where I would learn Spanish or go to Eastern Europe such as Germany and all that. I applied for the two and the first that came was to go to Poland. I

Alli-Balogun

23

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 8, 2017

MEMOIRS I’m the Pioneer of Stock Exchange, Bank Alerts in Nigeria...

Cont’d from Pg. 22

Alli-Balogun with his wife and children in 2003 When men were boys...Alli-Balogun as an undergraduate at Ife in 1975

Lookingbackatmylifeinthelast60 yearsithasbeenarollercoaster.Life hasbeenveryfairtomebecause thingsthatIdidnotplan,success thatIdidnotenvisagecamemyway sometimeswithouteventrying. Iwas luckybecauseIwasagoodstudent andschooltomewasastroll.And mymotherrecognizedthatand encouragedme.Iwenttoschoolfor 21yearsnon-stopandin1978Iwas outofthethenUniversityofIfewhere IbaggedadegreeinEconomicsand by26Ihadadoctoraldegreealsoin Economics.IcouldhavehadaPh.D at24becausebythetimeIwas26I hadspentoneyearforthemandatory youthserviceandanotheroneyear learningaforeignlanguageinPoland opted for it and travelled to Poland where I spent the next five years. I learnt Polish for one year. They had a very good language school with a nickname ‘Tower of Babel’ because it was like a melting point of different nationals.

It was a good school which prepared me for academic excellence in that country.

I began my career at NIIA

I came back to Nigeria in September 1984 and joined the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs as a research fellow. Coincidentally, it was the place I envisaged to work before coming to Nigeria and it clicked for me. When I got back it was when the Eastern Europe was boiling and NIIA didn’t have a specialist in that field to interpret it.

That job proved 0as a challenge at the inception of my career because I was fresh from school without any job experience and at the same time I had to prove myself.

And that put me on my toes. I proved myself and had a great time at NIIA. I spent three and half years in NIIA. I could say that my time at the NIIA led me into banking.

While I was in the institute I was practically on the television, being interviewed on the radio and always in the newspaper every week. I gave lectures and attended various symposia. So I moved to Eko International Bank as a pioneer staff in 1988. A bank was to be set up by a white man and out of the blue he said he wanted to see me. He wrote me a letter and I went to see him. This man said someone had recommended me. His job is setting up banks, run it for three years and move to another country.

This white man said he understood banking but not economics.

He needed an economist who will work closely with him and explain the Nigerian economy to him, to guide

Alli-Balogun with wife, Omotayo on their wedding day on November 7, 1987

investment proposal, the interest rates, and anticipation of inflation and what borrowing and lending would look like. And he said, ‘Would you do it for me?’ I said yes but with an offer. He made an offer and it was five times of what I was earning in the institute. That was how I left the institute and joined Eko bank. After two years I got bored and went to the managing director that my job wasn’t tasking enough that I would love to be working from home. Again, the treasurer of the bank had just resigned and they couldn’t find another person. My MD just said that I have been attending the treasury meetings with them every morning and the decision taken was always based on my recommendations. So he advised me to add treasury to my portfolio. I enjoyed it while it lasted before moving to First Bank where I spent 14 years and quit paid employment.

Pioneering the alert mechanism in Nigeria The idea of becoming my own boss was conceived while at a First Bank training in South Africa. I was in a class when my South African colleagues received an alert on his phone. South Africa had a GSM by that time. He looked at the alert and just hissed. Out of curiosity I asked him what was it he said he got an alert on a transaction on his bank account through a cheque he dropped a while ago. I was amazed and I was like: ‘is this possible?’ and he said yes. You know such system was alien to Nigeria and since that day I couldn’t sleep. And for me I never knew such thing existed. It was like a magic and I made up my mind that I would venture into it. I resigned from First Bank and I brought in a technical partner to start that technology. I floated a company, AdonaiNet. Luckily, the then Director General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Dr. (Mrs.) Okereke-Onyuike, saw me and inquired about my next move after living the bank and I told him my new project I was trying to introduce to the Nigerian banks.

She said it could also work at NSE. She advised me to start with NSE because people who buy stocks would be able to get alerts on their phones whenever there is any movement or transaction on their accounts. That was how trade alert mechanism was introduced into the Nigerian system in 2005/2006. Mrs. Okereke-Onyuike said I should test run with 100 customers. We did it and it worked.

Then, she said we should move it to 1,000 and then we should try it on all transactions on the exchange. And brokers trading on other people’s shares without authorisa-

tion were caught. With its success we spread our tentacles to the banks and here we are. Also, we introduced Vehicle Licence Alert to the Lagos State Government. We later matched with autoreg which came on a big platform.

And when the then Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, now President of African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, said Nigeria has 15 million farmers, we came up with a device (a close user group) for them. It works by paying a fixed amount every month and you can interact. Our first port of call was the Nigeria Police; we called it Police Communication (Polcom). This is what I have been doing in the last 14 years. I am also into consultancy.

I met my wife through her cousin

I have been married to my wife, Barrister Omotayo Alli-Balogun, a native of Abeokuta since 1987. When I came back to Nigeria after my studies in Poland she was introduced to me by her cousin, Hon. Justice Mosun Dipeolu of the Ogun State High Court. I had known Mosun much earlier because when I was in Abeokuta Grammar School, Mosun was in the girls’ arm. I re-established my relationship with Mosun when I returned. One day she came to my house with her cousin and we got introduced.

And the attraction? She was just natural with no airs and she felt comfortable around me and even meeting me for the first time. We realised that our chemistry jelled and we started a relationship. We have been married almost 30 years and the union is blessed with three children (a boy and two girls). I have two lawyers and my last daughter is pursuing a degree in engineering abroad.

I am still ambitious

Considering the journey through life I thank God for helping me to navigate and excelled. Although life is not a bed of roses but life has taught me to persevere and never give up. It might take long but I know that I will get there. So, as s I clock 60 I am still ready to explore.

Anybody who tells you that all his life’s aspirations have been fulfilled is probably not ambitious. I am an ambitious person and as I used to tell my friends that I am not going to retire. Age will slow me down though when the time comes; for now I am very agile. I will only go on semi-retirement but not total. I don’t have any regrets. I have enjoyed the ride and if giving a chance I will do it the same way all over again.

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 8, 2017

THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri The APC and a Season of Hypocrisy

I

t is no longer news that we have a draught of men of integrity in Nigeria. However, what is new is that never in our history have we had such a profusion of men and women who speak from both sides of their mouths as we have today.

With what can I liken President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration? This government is like spectators who watch a game and criticise the players but when the players switch places with them they cannot perform!

Look at Babatunde Raji Fashola who said that the only way to have regular power is to vote out the PDP. Today, the PDP has been voted out but Fashola is delivering regular excuses instead of regular power.

Look at Nasir El-Rufai who called for restructuring under the Jonathan administration now calling those asking for reform ‘unpatriotic opportunists’.

In fact, in an August 10, 2010 ThisDay interview titled, ‘It’s Time to Restructure Nigeria’ Nasir el-Rufai, now the governor of Kaduna State said ‘the present situation of things where all the component units get monthly allocations from the Federal Government only makes the states lazy and unproductive.’

Today, he has completely repudiated everything he said in that interview because he is out of office.

Can we now see why former President Olusegun Obasanjo wrote in his memoirs, ‘My Watch’ that he “shudders” at El-Rufai’s lies?

But the worse is that President Buhari, who accused former President Jonathan of favouring the Niger Delta during his tenure, has himself removed the gloves and temporarily made Hausa our official language by delivering his Sallah Message in Hausa!

There may be one or two persons who may think I am just taking the Mickey out of this APC administration but let me just show you with the benefit of evidence that I am doing anything but. Let us go down memory lane.

On March 10, 2010, President Muhammadu Buhari said, “The Executive Council of the Federation, EXCOF, owes the nation a sacred duty by ensuring the ongoing confusion is resolved by declaring Yar’adua incapacitated to pave the way for his removal from office through impeachment.”

Recently, Shehu Sani, a senator and an activist of whom I have so much respect for called on Nigerians to pray for President Buhari like he was our father.

I want fair-minded Nigerians to ask Senator Shehu Sani if President Muhammadu Buhari behaved that way in the case of former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, a man who was then in need of sympathy

How can John Odigie Oyegun say he does not know what restructuring means? He ran for governor of Edo under the Social Democratic Party, a party that campaigned on the progressive issue of restructuring. What is happening here? Have the elite of the APC been hypnotised? How can you spend your political career advocating for something only to turn around and advocate against it when you get the power?

Odigie-Oyegun

Abdullahi

and compassion.

What about Lai Mohammed who on December 21, 2009 said, “As we have said many times, the health of President Yar’adua, as a public figure can no longer be of interest only to his family and friends. Nigerians have a right to know”.

He had further gone on to say that “It is clear to discerning Nigerians that those pretending to speak authoritatively on the President’s health are deceiving the public since they are neither well-informed on the issue nor competent to speak on it.

Therefore, a daily briefing by the Minister of Information, based on authentic details provided by the President’s doctors, should start forthwith. As we have said many times, the health of the President, as a public figure can no longer be of interest only to his family and friends. Nigerians have a right to know.”

Does Lai Mohammed suffers from multiple personality syndrome? I ask because whereas his 2009 persona believed that Nigerians have a “right to know”, hear what he says today.

According to the Lai Mohammed of 2017, the President is entitled to his privacy!

In fact, the hypocrisy reached fever pitch when the Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress said, ‘Only the president’s doctors abroad could decide when he would be fit to return to the country.’

Does the APC Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, know the import of saying ‘only the president’s doctors abroad can decide when he would be fit to return’?

Is Nigeria still an independent country? Because from that statement it appears that the headship of Nigeria’s government is dependent on the decision of foreigners. Another word for that is dependence.

In other words, we will not have a substantive President for the foreseeable future unless and until foreign doctors deem it appropriate! Under Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria is only independent in name and not in reality!

And the sad thing is that the 77-year-old John Odigie Oyegun continues to speak in ways that makes it very difficult to afford him the respect due his age.

On the 3rd of July, Chief Oyegun said, “I do not even know what they mean by restructuring. Go and read our party manifesto and see what we said there, we did not promise restructuring.

How can John Odigie Oyegun say he does not know what restructuring means? He ran for governor of Edo under the Social Democratic Party, a party that campaigned on the progressive issue of restructuring.

What is happening here? Have the elite of the APC been hypnotised? How can you spend your political career advocating for something only to turn around and advocate against it when you get the power?

What did Jesus say in Mark 8:36? “What shall it

profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

As I speak to you, Nigerians have no clue as to the health status of the President and I must say I commend the spokesman of the APC, Bolaji Abdullahi for having the boldness to say the truth that both Lai Mohammed (be careful how you name your children) and Chief John Odigie Oyegun could not say.

Asked by Channels Television to tell Nigerians the truth about the President’s health, Mr. Abdullahi said, “I don’t know the health status of the president…the party (APC) does not know either.”

Now since Chief John Odigie Oyegun is also a member of the party and in fact its chairman, what Abdullahi has just politely done is to call him a liar!

So President Muhammadu Buhari continues to be holed up in London and whereas we as Nigerian citizens are paying for his treatment from the public treasury, we do not have a clue what we are paying for. And these are the people who called us clueless!

And while President Muhammadu Buhari is continuing this greatest duo with London, Nigeria continues its free fall on almost every index on the Human Development Index.

In the last couple of months, Nigeria dropped from #38 to #39 in FIFA rankings, dropped from #1 to #19 in Africa’s Foreign Direct Investment ranking, we additionally fell from the 94th position to the 170th position on the Ease of Doing Business ranking. We also moved backwards five places to 119 out of 127 economies ranked in the 2017 Global Innovation Index. We occupied number 114 position in 2016. As a matter of fact, about the only ranking we increased on is the The World Economic Forum’s list of the most dangerous countries in the world where we are now number 5!

These marked drops as measured by independent and reputable global institutions just go to prove one thing: the Buhari administration has been a total failure in office.

Reno’s Nuggets

Adultery is the only reason to end a marriage. Jesus said it in Matthew 5:32, not me. Listen to Jesus not celebrity women with failed marriages. That is why you should not marry someone you do not know.

Take time out to court each other. Joseph and Mary courted. Their marriage lasted. Samson and his wife did not court. Their marriage ended in a tragedy. If you do not court and end up with a wife beater, you may choose to leave him, but according to Jesus, not me, you must remain unmarried. Obviously, misery loves company and these celebrity women will urge you to leave your husband at the drop of a hat.

But you are not with them when they cry at night! #RenosNuggets.

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 8, 2017

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES BY

Marching Orders, Not Order

“O

SINBAJO issues marching order to cement producers” Truth and Reason: marching orders.

“LASAA’s double standards” (DAILY INDEPENDENT Headline, May 16) Fixed expression: double standard.

“This is crucial because our steps have been faulty from the onset (outset).”

The next four blunders are from SATURDAY TRIBUNE of July 1: “…the noise pollution that accompany (accompanies) the use and subsequent rise in the level of stress.”

“I am usually on (in) my farm and I don’t think you….”

“He spoke on Supersports about his achievements and experiences on the saddle of CAF Champions League second round….” SATURDAY Sports: in the saddle.

“Bill Gates: The billionaire with unparallel love for the less privileged” Exceptional philanthropy: unparalleled love.

“UNIBEN alumni commends INEC” UNIBEN alumni commend, but UNIBEN Alumni Association commends. No muddle.

“Sometimes (Sometime) ago, twenty-three wise men met at….”

“As police beams (beam) searchlight on some formal groups, associations and organizations.”

“In his sermon at the occasion.…” Get it right: on the occasion.

“In 1996, ASUU, apart from demanding for the review…” Military and varsity education: delete ‘for’ in the interest of grammatical sanity.

“The Yorubas like I said on this platform last Friday.…” This way: The Yoruba, as (not like) I said, on this platform last Friday…. “…the good foundation laid for take-off and hopefully with what we have (had) read and saw (seen) in the media….”

“He sacked the Shonekan administration and assumed the reign of power as Head of State.”

Get it right: reins of government.

“They like parading themselves in state-of-theart cars, leaving (living) in mansions and dictating the economy (how?) of the country with their loots (loot).” Do we resort to vernacular in the light of the foregoing morphological tragedies?

“Thrown into panic, the driver of my vehicle managed to find a save (safe) haven from the portion of the road lawfully meant for Abujabound motorist (motorists).” “…talkless of (let alone) those actually chased into them by the escorts of the ‘big’ men.”

The next outrageous error is from Vanguard of May 19: “We urge that investigations be launched into the circumstances that led to the embarrassment and ask that those involved be brought to book to forestall a re-occurrence.” Let us foreclose a recurrence of ‘Eze-Goes-to-School’ blunders.

“The Real Madrid coach got the marching order on the 44th minute into the crucial competition.…” Once more: marching orders.

“The last but not the least is….” An extra: the last but not least. That is the correct expression.

“She is an alumnus of the popular….”

Standard style: alumna.

The next six blunders are from the sports pages of the Saturday Newspaper: “Flying Eagles (Eagles’) sloppy play bothered (bordered) on the fact that.…”

“I seized the opportunity (sic) to congratulate him for (on) the very great successes at the recent polls.…” “…the smallish player was the life wire (sic) of the Flying Eagles….” Nigeria ’99: livewire.

“The screening of the prospective footballers continued with the captain playing the role of the ball boy, perhaps with the believe that.…”

Change ‘believe’ to ‘belief’.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the bandwagon of progress.” Progressive English: climb or jump (not join) on/aboard the

bandwagon.

“Today, the Whiteman’s problem has been fully entrenched in the dark continent, especially south of the Sahara.” Standard expression: on the Dark Continent “Abia police warns (warn) on tinted windscreen” “3 state-own industries to begin production soon” This way: state-owned industries.

“Drivers of luxurious (luxury) busses are not so often stopped or extorted.”

“Such accusation (an accusation) leveled on (against/at) the FRSC is, however, an exception rather than the rule.” “…the commission was poised to enforce all road violations.” This is sheer linguistic monstrosity! Perhaps, it is only in Nigeria–where anything is plausible – that violations (instead of laws and regulations) could be enforced.

“Adebanjo had been involved in a ghastly motor accident that claimed the lives of over five people almost immediately along (on) the popular Ibadan-Lagos expressway.” When lives are lost in any vehicular mishap, it is a fatal (not ghastly) accident.

“Some few years later after I had almost forgotten about the Navy….” ‘Some’ and ‘few’ cannot co-function.

“So when this new uniform group was set up in 1988 by the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida administration, I have (had) no doubt in my mind (where else?) that this would certainly work because of the calibre of people behind it.”

“People in power in this country atimes amuse me by their thinking.” This way: at times. “…disregard to traffic signs….“ Disregard for/of…depending on context. “…I always doff my hat for (to) the electoral commission.” Another entry: take off your hat….

“Let me advise a rethink into (on) matter.”

“Let the police remain on its (their) own….” “…power surge had resulted into (in) sparks which had in turn resulted into (in) sparks which had in turn resulted into (in) fires with dire

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

consequences.”

“Agroup that has transformed into one of the most powerful thuggish agency (agencies)....” “…the accounting firms also copy themselves (one another) such that it is difficult to tell the originator of such statements.” “…tankers drivers (tanker drivers) who can now hold everybody to ransome at the least conceivable excuse.” Petrol watch: ransom.

“Yorubas warm to Buhari” Formal usage: Yoruba worm (take note) to Buhari.

“Ironically, his administration has not fared better with regards to.…” Either: as regards or with regard to.

“Ridiculous as it may sound, employers do lure workers to call off a strike action....” Get it right: a strike or an industrial action (preferably).

‘Strike action’ smacks of illiteracy!

“As at Monday only half of the 36 states in the federation have (had) agreed to pay the minimum wage of….”

Next on feature is THISDAY of May 18: “The euphoria among workers over this year’s May Day find (finds) expression in the fact that they can now take their destiny in their own hands.

“It was an unenviable task given the palpable hostility that rented (rent) the air.”.

“The lack of adequate knowledge of the areas have (had) often made past exercises to be.…” “…execute programmes and policies which they promised the electorates (electorate preferably) before being voted for.”

“The redeployment of the sports administrator comes in (on) the heels of sweeping changes presently (sic) going on in the federal civil service.” Yank off ‘presently’ in the interest of purity! “…we are assuming that among the privileged specie (species) of homo sapiens….”

“Amajor platform under (on) which banking regulation has been carried out in Nigeria over the years has been through the use of statutory regulation.”

OPINION

Banire and The Generation of Hypocrites Tunde Kashim

T

he unattainable grape is sour, especially to the leaking lips of ingrates.

One is talking about the category of people driven purely by ego or selfish whims and caprices, rather than the overall interests of their political parties, communities or the country at large. Those propelled by the evil of ingratitude also do so because psychologically they overrate their worth.

That may perhaps explain the vile vituperations and the perfidious hypocrisy employed by Muiz Banire in the recent interview he granted Sunday Punch of July 1, 2017 as a fallout of the APC primaries for the forthcoming local council elections.

Reading through, it comes as a veiled attempt to demean and denigrate the globally acclaimed status of the political colossus in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Progress (APC). Indeed, it turns logic on its head that the beneficiary of endorsement from the same Asiwaju should now turn round to cast aspersions on the same benefactor.

While it is no crime for anyone to emerge from humble beginnings, such should be utilised, to better the lot of man. That is especially when the person has actualised his professional dreams.

Both Jesus the Christ and Prophet Muhammad shared such background but went ahead to positively impact on the quality of lives of the people they met and served.

Unfortunately, Muiz Banire, with roots in down town Mushin, Lagos has gradually evolved into a stinking brand of crass ingratitude. No thanks to his vaulting ambition to become the governor of the Centre of Excellence.

Banire

Ever since Asiwaju refused to endorse him as one of the credible aspirants to be tested and become the APC candidate in 2014 - a decision which made him to bang the door on the political stalwart, all hell has broken loose! Caution has been thrown to the wind. Decorum has gone to the dogs. In self conceit, he went ahead to boast and beat his chest that “APC may lose Lagos in 2015”.That was in the interview he granted Premuim Times precisely on November 9, 2014.

But his doom prediction never saw the light of day. Instead, APC conducted one

the best primaries that threw up Gov Akinwumi Ambode now regarded as the shining light of the party because of his exceptional performance in the last two years.

It is such braggadocio mindset that has given him the guts to state in the Punch interview that “I don’t recognise any other person as the person controlling the party machinery in Lagos”. He added that “I do not have a problem with anyone pulling so much weight, but my problem is where there is no compliance with the rules”. Surreptitiously to rub it in he said that “I do not see Asiwaju as a godfather”.

But if memory serves, Banire should be reminded that but for the political influence of Asiwaju he would not have become the legal adviser to the party that he is today. If the party had conducted primaries for interested candidates, he would not have scaled through, would he? Was it not Tinubu’s insistence that the position be zoned to Lagos State and the National Vice Chairmanship to Ondo State that caused the altercation between him and Rotimi Akeredolu, the current governor of Ondo State?

And despite Banire’s claim to legal intelligence, he has been unable to distinguish between ‘endorsement’ and imposition. To rejig his memory, the former rent collector for Alhaji Olatunji Hamzat may have to answer some pertinent questions. Was it not Tinubu that made him his Special Adviser on Special Duties while he was the state governor between 1999 and 2007? Did he not also enjoy the enviable positions of Commissioner for Transport/ and later /Environment under Babatunde Raji Fashola? But insatiable as he is, he had to expand his coast by allegedly carrying outright imposition of his choice candidates in Mushin. From candidates for local government councils to chairmen of the LGA through to the Federal

House of representatives, Saint Banire’s hands were there literally pulling the strings. Not satisfied, he ensured that one Mrs. Olayinka Olagundoye from Epe became the Commissioner for Education during BRF’s second term.

Truth be said, the negative traits of hypocrisy and betrayal have always manifested in him from the outset.

Tinubu might have noticed these in the unknown entity, a 27-year-old graduate assistant of UNILAG, brought to him

by Hamzat back then, when he initially refused his candidature as the Special Adviser on Special Duties. But what did he do thereafter? Banire, characteristically ditched Hamzat!

It is little of a surprise therefore, that the betrayer extraordinaire is now claiming that the two-time Senator Afikuyomi for Lagos is not politically relevant in the state. Who interviewed and cleared him for the Special Adviser status under Tinubu? It was the same Afikuyomi.

That is Banire for you. But he should take note of the wise words by Vasilios Karpos that “Ingratitude is poison to the soul, remorse is part of the diagnosis”.

For instance, a neighbour sympathised one day with a little, wrinkled old lady because she had only two teeth left. But the smiling old soul answered, “One’s lower, and the other’s upper, but thank God they meet!” Not much was heard about her soon after. Similarly, Andrew Carnegie, an American multi-millionaire, left $1 million to one of the relatives, who in turn cursed Carnegie thoroughly.

He never invested it wisely and did not rise to become a billionaire. Banire should therefore realise that whoever abuses grace will certainly eat grass!

That is one lesson of life for Banire and his co-travellers that are beating the drum of betrayal for him right there in Abuja. A word should be enough for the wise.

–––Kashim, a public affairs analyst writes from Mushin, Lagos.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUly 8, 2017

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

Emerging at T-Junctions

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The Kia Telluride SUV

Design Prize for Futuristic Kia Telluride Concept Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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he Kia Telluride, a full-size SUV concept from Kia Motors, has received a prestigious design prize from the International Designers Society of America (IDSA). Kia received a 2017 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) bronze medal in the ‘Transportation’ category for the concept car, which was unveiled last year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Kia has built a reputation for world-class design in recent years, and previously won IDEA prizes for the design of the 2014 Soul and GT4 Stinger Concept, as well as the 2012 Rio. The Telluride was designed at Kia’s California design studio,

Kia Design Center America.

Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Kia Motors commented: “The Telluride is a bold statement for Kia, providing a glimpse into how our designers would elevate levels of luxury into Kia’s future SUV lineup.

It highlights how our designers are creating compelling concept vehicles as a foundation to lead into production-ready cars. I am very proud of our design team and the award from IDSA. It is a great honor for all of us.”

The Kia Telluride Concept Unveiled in 2016, the Kia Telluride previews a cutting-edge vision for a full-size SUV. A striking three-row, seven-passenger, luxury SUV concept, it features a modern and upright shape, muscular stance, and – for maximum comfort – a longer

wheelbase than many other production Kia models.

The car made an aesthetic statement as a bold, all-new luxury SUV with an abundance of advanced technologies.

The concept focuses on the passenger experience and comfort of second-row occupants, whose seats can recline nearly flat with large fold-away footrests.

Front- and middle-row passenger seats feature a series of precise diamond-cut openings in the seatbacks, each embedded with Smart Sensors to capture a passenger’s vital health information.

Passenger vitals are then displayed on interior door panel screens, and synchronize with a Light Emitted Rejuvenation (LER) system. The LER system utilizes a large LED panel in the ceiling which displays therapeutic light patterns to treat desynchronosis, more commonly known as jetlag, and improve passengers’ energy levels.

GM Produces Self-Driving Chevrolet Bolt EV Test Vehicles

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eneral Motors has announced the production of 130 Chevrolet Bolt EV test vehicles equipped with its next generation of self-driving technology at its Orion Assembly Plant located in Orion Township, Michigan. The vehicles will join the more than 50 current-generation self-driving Bolt EVs already deployed in testing fleets in San Francisco; Scottsdale, Arizona; and metro Detroit.

“This production milestone brings us one step closer to making our vision of personal mobility a reality,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “Expansion of our real-world test fleet will help ensure that our self-driving vehicles meet the same strict standards for safety and quality that we build into all of our vehicles.”

GM became the first company to assemble self-driving test vehicles in a mass-production facility when its next generation of self-driving Chevrolet Bolt EV test vehicles began rolling off of the line at Orion Township in January.

The self-driving Chevrolet Bolt EVs feature GM’s latest array of equipment, including LIDAR, cameras, sensors and other hardware designed to accelerate development of a safe and reliable fully autonomous vehicle.

“To achieve what we want from self-driving cars, we must deploy them at scale,” said Cruise Automation CEO Kyle Vogt. “By developing the next-generation self-driving platform in San Francisco and manufacturing these cars in Michigan, we are creating the safest and most consistent conditions to bring our cars

Chevrolet Bolt EV autonomous test vehicles

to the most challenging urban roads that we can find.”

GM and Cruise Automation engineers have been testing Chevrolet Bolt EVs equipped with self-driving technology on public roads in San Francisco and Scottsdale, Arizona, since June 2016 and on public roads in Warren, Michigan, since January 2017.

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world’s largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands.

T-Junction, as the name implies, is a point where one road meets another without crossing it, forming the shape oftheletter‘T’.EmergingatT-junctionis thetermusedindrivingtodescribethe processofleavingaminor(side)roadto join a major (main) road to turn right or left. In ideal situations, the junctions should be clearly marked as either ‘Give way’ or ‘Stop’, but in Nigeria, road signs androadmarkingsarerarelypartofourroadfurniture, hence a vast majority of our junctions are classed as ‘Unmarked’.Although your actions may vary from onejunctiontoanotherasaresultoftheroadandtraffic conditions,onthewhole,theroutinewillalwaysbethe same,viz:approachusingtheMSPSLorhazardroutine; positionyourvehicleforyourrightorleftturn;assess the major (main) road; and emerge when it is safe to doso.Whenemergingfromaminor(side)road,your view into the major (main) road will determine your speed of approach. Generally speaking, T-junctions are classified into two categories - ‘open’ or ‘closed’.

An ‘open’ junction is one where your sightline (zone ofvision)intothemajor(main)roadyouareentering willbefairlyclearofobstructionssoyoucanseeother trafficbeforeyouarriveatthemouthofthejunction.A ‘closed’junctioniswhereyoursightline(zoneofvision) is restricted by building line, fences, hedges, etc and you can only have a clear view until the last moment of your approach to the junction.

AsyouapproachtheT-junction,lookoutforroadsigns and markings if they exist, and use your MSPSL or hazardroutinewhichyouhavelearntfromprevious articles. As you approach, you should be able to tell early whether the road junction is either ‘open’ or ‘closed’. Check your mirrors; signal right or left; and thenpositionforyourturn.Whenturningrightkeep toyournormalsafetyline.Whenturninglefttakeupa positionjustrightofthecentrelineandremainparallel to the line as you arrive at the junction.

WhenapproachingaT-junctionyourspeedmustbe slowenoughtoallowyoutocarryouteffectiveobservation, looking for traffic in order to decide whether youcanemergesafelyandyoushouldrememberthat trafficonthemajor(main)roadhaspriority.At‘closed’ junctions you will not be able to decide if it is safe to emergeuntilyoureyelineislevelwithanobstructionto therightorleftonthemajor(main)road.Duringyour observation,lookoutforcycles,motorcyclesandtricycles (Keke)travellingalongclosetothekerb.Ifthejunction is open enough and you can clearly see early on the approachthatitissafetoemerge,generallyapproach in the second gear. You will need to approach most T-junctions very slowly to allow you enough time to carryouteffectobservationtodeterminewhetheritis safe to emerge, in which case you will require the use of first gear (even when you don’t stop), especially in towns and cities.

Whenemergingright,ifthereisavehicleapproaching fromyourleftonthemajor(main)roadthatissignalling righttoturnintotheroadfromwhichyouareemerging, you need to be especially careful and make sure that it is turning before you emerge. The signal may have been mistakenly turned on too early.

Beforeemerging,lookbothleftandrightbeforemoving into a major (main) road. You have to be very careful whenturningleftsothatyouwillnotputyourselfinto thepathofanyvehicleapproachingfromtheright,for instance,thedrivermightbepassinganobstructionand maybepositionedonyourintendedpath.Asyouwill be crossing in front of vehicles approaching from the right,makesureyoucancleartheirpathsafelybefore attemptingtoemerge.Evenifyouapproachcarefullyyou mightstillbeunabletomakeyourdecisiontoproceed, because of your restricted view of the major (main) road due to parked cars, trees, pedestrians or other obstructions. If your view is restricted you will need to‘creepandpeep’.Thatis,youneedtomoveslowly, usingclutch-control,whilstcarryingoutobservation atthesametime,untilyouareinapositionfromwhich you see well enough to make your decision.

Stephen K. Dieseruvwe

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

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUly 8, 2017

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aUto Daimler Launches Two Locally Built Mercedes-Benz Models for Kenya

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Back seat of Rolls Royce Phantom

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Celebrates Largest Gathering Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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olls-Royce Motor Cars celebrates the largest gathering of Rolls-Royces in the world at the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club Annual Concours and Rally, in the Club’s Diamond Jubilee year. The spectacular setting of Burghley House in Stamford, Lincolnshire, will provide the perfect backdrop for a record number of motor cars, with over 1000 heritage and contemporary Rolls-Royces

attending for the first time in the Club’s history.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, according to a statement, will honour the occasion with a significant display of Goodwood-built Ghost, Wraith, and Dawn motor cars. The collection will include Wraith Black Badge and several highly Bespoke models.

The motor cars will be hosted by a team, including apprentices, from the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. In previous years the display has drawn large crowds throughout all three days of the event with their passion for the marque,

particularly the latest models, evident amongst fans, enthusiasts and owners alike.

Andrew Ball, Global Corporate Communications Manager, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “We are delighted to be presenting contemporary RollsRoyce motor cars at this spectacular event. The Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club is a vital custodian of our marque’s remarkable history, and events such as the Annual Concours and Rally serve to give the wider public close access to some of the most important and rare motor cars in automotive history.”

aimler is bringing two new bus models to the importantAfrican market of Kenya. This is Daimler Buses’ response to the ever-growing demand in East and CentralAfrica for comfortable and safebusesforpassengertransportation.

Both bus models are built in Nairobi in cooperation with local sales partner DT Dobie Kenya for the domestic market and its challenging road conditions. The compact Mercedes-Benz 917 city bus is ideal for use as urban, school or shuttle bus and can accommodate up to 37 people. The more spacious Mercedes-Benz 1730 is designed for long-distance travelandhasroomforapproximately60passengers.

With a total market of up to 2.500 new vehicles per year,Kenyaisoneofthemostimportantsalesmarkets for buses in Central and East Africa. Daimler has been active in Kenya since the 1950s.

Regarding the launch of the two new bus models Ulrich Bastert, Head of Marketing, Sales & Customer Services at Daimler Buses, says: “I am very proud to present two new Mercedes-Benz buses for Kenya – together with our partner DT Dobie.

With these products, our reliable service and DT Dobies excellent customer care we will convince our customers.”

Global positioning pays off When developing new bus models, Daimler Buses benefits from its global operations. Presently truck chassisareusedinthevastmajorityofbusesinKenya.

Duetothecomparativelyhardsuspensionsandhigh entrance steps, however, passenger comfort is low.

By contrast, the two new bus models are built on the proven OF 917 (permissible gross vehicle weight of 10.4 tonnes) and OF 1730 (perm. GVW 18 t) bus.

2018 Porsche 911 Rides on Increased Power, Luxury

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he new 2018 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series Coupe from Porsche is the most powerful 911 Turbo S ever, according to the automaker.

The Coupe makes 607 horsepower and is limited to 500 units worldwide. In addition to an increase of 27 horsepower, the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series distinguishes itself from other 911 Turbo S models with its unique design, specialty materials, and luxurious details. The sports car is being meticulously finished by hand in the new Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur at Porsche AG’s headquarters in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.

Previously known as “Porsche Exclusive,” the in-house workshop specializes in customization and is responsible for limited-edition vehicles. For

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the first time ever, Porsche customers can have the optionalmatchingchronographfromPorscheDesign configured in the same specification as their car.

Increased power and performance The 3.8-liter, twin-turbo flat-six engine with a power kit delivers a maximum torque of 553 lb.-ft. between 2,250 and 4,000 rpm.

This results in the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series Coupe accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, and it takes 9.6 seconds to cross 124 mph making it 0.3 seconds faster than the standard 911 Turbo S. The top track speed is 205 mph. The 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series comes standard with 20-inch center-lock wheels painted in black, with highlights carefully finished in Golden Yellow Metallic using a new laser technology.

The new 2018 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series Coupe

Is Phoning While Driving Insanity

s I round up the focus on the use of phone while driving, I wish to remind you of the position I have had held since 2007 that people who drive and phone are not sane. Even if you disagree with me, please remember that many studies have linked texting while driving to series of fatal crashes. The International “Telecommunication Union states that texting, makingcallsandotherinteraction within-vehicle information and communication systems while driving is a serious source of driver distraction and increases the risk of traffic crashes. The Virginia Transportation Institute found out that text massaging increases a crash risk 23 time worse than driving while not distracted. Even the use of hands free, according to the Transport Research Laboratory, makes drivers four times more likely to have an accident, concentration level reduced for 10 minutes after the call had ended. The report also showed that drivers making hand free calls had slower reaction times than those who were slightly over the drink limit.

In the United Kingdom, around 30 deaths on the roads each year are linked to mobile phone use even though the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accident (ROSPA) believes this is “just the tip of the iceberg”, because so few drivers admit to using mobile phone when

SAFE DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

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

they cause crashes. crashes involving distracted driving injured more than half a million people in 2008 in the United State of American ,deadly driving habits kill nearly 6000 American a year, according NHTSH. Car crashes are the leading Killer of youths inAmerican – they kill an average of 11 teens each day. As the former United State secretary of transportation, Ray Lahood puts it, “the mother who lost children, the children who lost mother. You want no part of that kind of lost” Talking on the phone while driving causes as much impairment as drunk driving; its like driving after you have taken four bottles of beer and if you are texting while driving, you are 23 times as likely to get into a crash. In the US nearly a third of all crashes are either talking or texting.

Studies have shown that drivers who use their cell phone for talking or texting, have much slower response times than those who do not.

They also have slower reaction times than people

with blood alcohol levels of 0.08. Studies have also shown that people who talk and drive at the same time are four times likely to crash. Those who text and drive are 20 times more likely to have an accident. While the danger of phoning or texting behind the wheels is undisputed, laws that ban texting while driving have not reduced the number of crashes across four states in the US. According to a study, but a slight increase in road accident has been recorded.

The Highway Loss Data Institute compared the insurance claims in four states of California, Louisiana, Minnesota and Washington before and after the texting ban, with those in nearby states that don’t have these laws. After the bans, crash patterns varied from one percent more in Minnesota, and the largest crash increase of 12 per centafterthetextingbanwasamongyoungdrivers in California. The researches have calculated rate of collision claims for vehicles up to nine years old during the months before and after driver texting was banned.

The study shows crashes have increased in three states after the bans were enacted, which indicates that bans could increase the risk of crashing for drivers who continue to text despite the laws. The study notes non compliance as the key reason for the increase in crashes as young drivers among 18-24 years are most likely to text with 45 per cent saying they do so in States that ban texting.

It pointed out that the bans are ineffective as 48

per cent of drivers admitted to texting in the state without bans.

Before I round up, please allow me to once again refer you to the finding of an FRSC commissioned attitudinal survey on motorists. The study was conducted in 2013 by NOIPolls to do a road attitudinal survey across 6 locations in Nigeria. To measure the level of compliance on the road, the survey was conducted across pre- identified corridors within 9hrs of the day (morning, noon and evening) for 12 days. The observation monitored the following: lane discipline, seatbelt/ crash helmet compliance, compliance to overloading rules, traffic light / road signs obedience and the number plate usage.

The survey was carried out in 6 locations.Abuja, Lagos, Owerri, Benin, Kaduna, and Gombe.

The survey was conducted via observational study.6 corridors in total selected by the clients were observed across all locations and 6 extra corridors were added by NOIPolls, giving a total of 12 corridors observed. Observation was done by 8:30 am – 5:30 pm daily for 5 days. A total of 70,180 vehicles/ bikes were observed across all 6 locations with 29,482 on the highway, and 40,698 on township roads.Atotal of vehicle/bikes observed by location were 13,426 inAbuja, 11,503 in Gombe, 11,903 in Owerri, 7936 in Benin, 10,435 Lagos, and 14,977 in Kaduna. The findings of the survey indicate that 90% of the total observed vehicles/bikes adhered to mobile phone usage rules while driving. Gombe (24%) recorded the highest proportion of drivers/riders that used mobile phones while driving.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • July 8, 2017

FAMILY HEALTH

What Your Skin Says About Your Health Status

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he human skin is the outer covering of the body. It is the largest organ of the human body. The skin has multiple layers of external tissue and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs.

Human skin is similar to that of most other mammals. Though nearly all human skin is covered with hair follicles, it can appear hairless. There are two general types of skin, hairy and glabrous skin. Because the skin interfaces with the environment, skin plays • an important immunity role in protecting the body against pathogens and excessive water loss.

• Its other functions are insulation, • temperature regulation, • sensation, • synthesis of vitamin D, and the protection of vitamin B folates.

Severely damaged skin will try to heal • by forming scar tissue. This is often discolored and depigmented.

In humans, skin pigmentation varies among populations, and skin type can range from dry to oily. Such skin variety provides a rich and diverse habitat for bacteria, and there are several bacterial present on the human skin.

The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold.

Good health often is reflected in an attractive, youthful appearance. So you might be tempted to blame aging and stress for facial lines, unsightly fingernails, or hair loss when, in fact, these flaws can signal underlying health issues. This starts by whispering, then it’ll start talking, and, if you don’t pay attention, it’ll start yelling and shouting, and then you’ve got an illness.

Skin has three layers The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, provides a waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone. The skin’s color is created by special cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin. Melanocytes are located in the epidermis.

The dermis, beneath the epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands.

The deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is made of fat and connective tissue.

There are various tell tales physical signs that trouble may be lurking beneath the skin’s surface.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR Tell Tale Signs Lines around the mouth: A primary concern for many women is ageing lines around the mouth, which can be caused by smoking. The effects can be lessened by regularly applying lip balm. And quitting smoking, of course.

Sores around the mouth: Sores in the corner of the mouth may indicate a deficiency of B vitamins. Try introducing more whole grains into your diet, along with green vegetables and meat – all are full of vitamin B. Alternatively, you could try taking a vitamin B supplement.

Dry lips: Dry lips show possible internal dehydration, vitamin B deficiency or you could be low in iron intake. Hydrate your skin by drinking plenty of water.

Dry skin/inflammation on the chin: These are sure signs there’s a problem with the digestive system and bowels. Gently massaging in circles and pinching and releasing the chin can help with constipation.

Forehead Horizontal lines on the forehead: This may indicate digestive issues. They can be combated by drinking warm water mixed with lemon

with

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, 08053372356

buildup in the thin, loose skin that sits below your bottom eyelid. Lots of things—from allergies to crying jags—can cause fluid to accumulate there, but one of the main culprits is eating too much salt. High-sodium foods promote water retention throughout the body, and the sensitive under-eye area is no exception.

Dark circles under the eyes: Dark circles that persist despite regular and restful sleep may be a result of food intolerances. Remove dairy and wheat from their diet and see if the circles lighten.

Another culprit is alcohol – even in moderate amounts this can cause darkness around the eyes. Try to reduce alcohol consumption.

Dark circles on the eyes: This indicates a possible deficiency of iron in the blood. Try reducing the amount of stimulating drinks you have, including fizzy drinks, coffee and tea.

White spots on the eyes: A series of white spots near the outer rim can indicate a chronic congestion of the lymphatic system. You should avoid lactose and cow’s milk products.

Spots on the cheeks: “These can be caused by not cleaning foundation away properly so the skin becomes congested. This might be from using a water-based cleanser that doesn’t remove make-up fully. Use an oil-based cleanser and take a break from wearing make-up to let the skin breathe.

Good health often is reflected in an attractive, youthful appearance.

So you might be tempted to blame aging and stress for facial lines, unsightly fingernails, or hair loss when, in fact, these flaws can signal underlying health issues.

This starts by whispering, then it’ll start talking, and, if you don’t pay attention, it’ll start yelling and shouting, and then you’ve got an illness

juice first thing every morning.

A pronounced frown line: A pronounced line between the eyes shows the liver is under pressure. This could be for physical, environmental and emotional reasons, an allergy to foods/substances or loss and grief . This leads to adrenal overload, known as burnout. Try gently massaging the area with circular moves.

Pimples on the forehead: This could indicate internal symptoms, such as problems with the liver and stomach congestion, Robinson says.

“Drink plenty of water to flush out any toxins.

You should also eat more liver-friendly foods, such as leafy green vegetables, and cut out processed foods, as well as caffeine.

Ears and jawline Itchy ears: Itchy ears are often the sign of an allergy or low tolerance. Psoriasis and eczema here are signs that the person is depleted in vitamin D – the sunshine vitamin. [Spending] 10 minutes with the arms and face exposed will give the body vital sunshine and plenty of vitamin D. Acne on the jawline: Acne here may result from eating lots of dairy, sugar and refined foods, such as burgers, chips, crisps and fizzy drinks. Eat more fresh foods and replace fizzy drinks with water to flush out toxins. Ensure the affected areas are cleansed thoroughly.

Acne around the jawline: Oestrogen is a friend to our skin, suppressing sebaceous activity, but when levels reduce as women get older, skin lacks lustre and you may experience acne cysts deep in the dermis and commonly found on the jawline and hairline. Try eating apricots, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and mangos as they all contain vitamin A to normalise the production and life cycle of skin cells.

Eyes Bags and dark circles under the eyes are typically a telltale sign of one too many late nights (and not enough sleeping in). But if you’re getting plenty of shut-eye and still can’t shake the basset-hound look, you might want to take a look at your diet.

Eye bags and puffiness are caused by fluid

SKIN Dry skin Everyone experiences dry skin from time to time. Usually it’s a minor nuisance caused by cold air or overly hot showers, but in some cases parched, brittle skin is a sign of dehydration or serious health problems. Hypothyroidism and diabetes can both leach moisture from the skin, for instance, as can nutrient deficiencies associated with a poor diet or eating disorders.

Atherosclerosis, the narrowing of arteries that leads to heart disease, can affect skin as well—especially on the feet, legs, and shins. If the tiny arteries that carry blood to the extremities become blocked, they can deprive the skin of oxygen, producing dry, shiny patches.

Small bumps under the skin: You may be using too strong a product on the skin. Use the right cleanser. A milder one would be more suitable if you suffer from this.

Dark patches: These can be caused by medication or illness so please see your doctor. Age spots, on the other hand, may be the body’s way of ridding itself of toxins. Eat more fresh foods, drink more water and massage a small amount of castor oil on to existing age spots.

Oily skin: Oily skin can be caused or worsened by your diet. Pay attention to your diet. As you get older, your skin produces less sebum. Choose the right cleanser to keep it under control and use a face mask regularly.

Puffy skin: The skin may be trying to protect itself from a beauty product that’s too strong for it. Drink lots of water to help drain the lymph system.

Wrinkles Although wrinkles are inevitable, they also may be a sign of osteoporosis. Is your furrowed brow and grooved mouth ratting out your bones?

Research reveals an association between wrinkles and bone health in early-menopausal women.

The worse the wrinkling, the greater the risk of lower bone density. Most wrinkles are the result of aging, but excessive exposure to cigarette smoke or the sun can speed the process.

It is advised that you pay particular attention , to your body, even though your skin is a very good and reliable telltale and alarm, that there is something wrong with your health. Indicators can be assured, if you do know that you are eating healthy food, do moderate good exercise , a living sensibly.

Do not overlook any signs at any time, as it is easier to treat a disease or illness, if it is picked up early enough.

GLOBAL SOCCER

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JUNE 16, 2011

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

08.07.2017

Usman Muhammed Going for the Kill at Barcelona?

SUMMER TRANSFER...

FUTURE IN LIMBO PAGE. 29

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • july 8, 2017

GlOBAl SOCCER

Going for the Kill at Barcelona?

So far, Emmanuel Amuneke and Gbenga Okunowo are the only Nigerians who have played for FC Barcelona’s A team. A few others have had trials with the B team. last week, the Nigerian media celebrated Rio Olympics bronze medalist, usman Muhammed, as he was officially unveiled by Barcelona B team. Kunle Adewale asks if it’s not just sightseeing for another Nigerian player after Ezekiel Bassey, unveiled in February was shown the exit door at the Catalans

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sman Muhammed was officially unveiled as a player of Barcelona on July 1, as he joined the B team on a free transfer after his contract expired at Portuguese side, Uniao Madeira. After impressing the handlers of the B team during a short trial last season, he was handed a deal which would see him start off with the B team of the La Liga side before hopefully progressing through the ranks to the main team.

The news about the interest of the Catalans in the Nigerian star first broke in May after Pep Segura, the head of Barcelona’s Professional Phase expressed an interest in the player.

Segura oversees the development of players at both La Masia Academy and Barcelona B team.

Muhammed would start off in the B team of the club.

Segura noted that the player had distinctive qualities which attracted interest from the club.

Some of the mentioned attributes include physical presence and ability to play different position in the midfield.

Muhammed and other fringe players are expected to report a week earlier than their established team-mates as Barcelona Team A Manager, Ernesto Valverde, would use those seven days to decide which of them will join their USA Tour.

In February this year, former Enyimba of Aba player, Ezekiel Bassey moved to Barcelona B team on an initial six-month loan deal, with a

provision to make it permanent for a two-year duration but very little was heard of him after his unveiling.

Indeed, former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, said recently that he was uncertain about the future of Bassey at Barcelona as he didn’t play a single game for the Barca B team after they got promoted to the Segunda division.

“I have not heard much about him, I know he went on loan to Barcelona and I believe the loan period has expired in June. I don’t know what will happen because it depends on Barcelona, he was on loan so that Barcelona can see him. I don’t know if he had satisfied them in what they were looking for,” Adepoju said.

Bassey who joined on loan from Enyimba has been told he won’t be offered fresh terms and the striker has even started moves to leave the club

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JULY 8, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

Emmanuel Amuneke...pioneer Nigerian player in Barcelona

as he is expected to arrive Turkey in the coming days to hold talks with Osmanlispor.

In a chat with THISDAY, Head Coach of Barcelona Football Academy-FCBESCOLA, in Lagos, Bernal Villa, said inasmuch as he agreed that there were a number of talented players in Nigeria, for them to make it to Barcelona team, they must first understand the club’s philosophy and be ready to work very hard.

“It’s not just about having the natural talent. Since my arrival in Nigeria, I have seen a lot of good players that are on very good level.

But the most important thing is for these players to be in good physical condition as their counterparts in Europe and if they can understand how we work and train at Barcelona, which is our methodology, in few years, some of them can make it to good clubs in Europe and eventually their national team,” Villa said.

Asked about the major difference between an average Nigerian player and their European counterparts, Villa said, “The kids here are more of individual players, though they have good skills but they have problems technically and collectively. They are too individualistic; they always think they can take on their opponents and go alone with the ball and finish the ball by themselves. We have to make them realise they should play with the team.

“It not enough to be unveiled by Barcelona because that is when the real work begins. It’s not the time to shout hurray and go to sleep. It is the time to prove you can learn and adapt fast to the club’s philosophy, which is the bane of most Nigerian players have come across.”

Recalling his time at Barcelona to THISDAY, former Nigerian international, Gbenga Okunowo, said a player’s ability and composure with the ball are important during trials.

“In 1997, I was part of the team that represented the country in the Meridian Cup in Portugal and it was from there the scouts of Barcelona Football Club spotted me. They invited me for a week trial after the tournament after which I was invited for another round of one week trial, and after four days of training with the team, I was given a contract by the club and signed to their youth team. After then, Xavi Hernandez introduced himself to me as being a member of the Spanish team that lost to Nigeria in the Meridian Cup. “Barcelona loves players that are very comfortable with the ball even when they are under pressure, which is a key factor to play for Barca, aside being skillful. The

Ezekiel Bassey...could not make the cut at Barca

club would therefore not hesitate to dump a player as quickly as possible if he does not possess these attributes,” Okunowo noted.

Former Barcelona winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, attributed high “mental speed” of the players as the main reason behind the club being at top level, saying the club would still dominate for a long time.

“I am glad to have been part of the great club in my active days in football, but the present generation is far better than my era when the likes of Guardiola, Ronaldo de Lima, Patrick Kluivert and Rivaldo were the star players of the side.

“When you look at this present generation, their mental speed is very high and gives them the ability to read their surroundings and make accurate passes on the field. When a group of players play cohesively and have field vision far greater than other teams, there is no doubt that they will be a terror to other competitors,” Amuneke said.

It remains to be seen how well Mohammed would adapt to Barcelona’s philosophy and mental speed, just as Nigerian soccer fans would be hoping he would not be shown the exit door as his other Nigerian contemporary.

He represented Nigeria at the Rio 2016 Olympics where Nigeria won bronze, thanks to his midfield combo with captain John Obi Mikel in almost all of Nigeria’s game at the Olympics.

The player start off with the B team who are now going to campaign in the second division after securing promotion via the play offs at the end of last season.

This is the second time in six months a Nigerian player has joined the Catalans.

The kids here are more of individual players, though they have good skills but they have problems technically and collectively. They are too individualistic; they always think they can take on their opponents and go alone with the ball and finish the ball by themselves. We have to make them realise they should play with the team.

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE WAHAB AKINTUNDE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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july 8, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER Transfer News… Transfer News… Transfer News… Transfer News… Transfer News… Transfer News… Transfer News… Transfer News… Transfer News…

Lukaku

Conte

Morata

Lacazette

With the transfer window open and players starting to return for pre-season training, below is what each Premier League club has done so far this summer. The window swung open in England on June 9 - though some deals only became official on July 1 - and sides have until August 31 to finalise their signings for the new campaign. However, while some teams have been quick off the mark in recruiting new players, others have been lagging behind as they look to make their first captures of the season Morata Left in Limbo

M

anchester United’s surprise move for Romelu Lukaku has left Alvaro Morata in limbo.

The Real Madrid striker was convinced as late as Wednesday that he was days away from being a United player and that he would soon be on a plane on their tour of the USA next week.

But as United now close in on a £75m deal for Lukaku instead, Morata has been left surprised and stranded at Real.

Morata is now hoping that Chelsea will come back in for him and spend the money that they had intended to spend on Lukaku, before they were out-manoeuvred this week by United. If Morata were to end up at Stamford Bridge it would mark the eventual conclusion of a courtship that has lasted for years.

Antonio Conte has been a long-term admirer of Morata and hoped to sign him after arriving at Chelsea in 2016. Morata, too, has always wanted to play for Conte ever since his time at Juventus. Morata played for Max Allegri, but in a team built

by Conte, whom all of his team-mates still revered.

But the contact between Chelsea and Morata had gone quiet recently as Chelsea targeted Lukaku instead. Morata had an offer from Milan but had been convinced

by Jose Mourinho, who gave him his Real Madrid debut, to go to United. But United and Real Madrid could not agree a fee.

Therefore, United decided to turn their attention to Lukaku instead this week, and now Morata is left hoping that Conte will come back for him again

Inter Set for Sanchez Move

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is being lined up by Inter Milan , who are "dreaming" of making him the "poster boy" of a new era for the Nerazzurri.

Backed by Chinese retail billionaires Suning, Inter are keen to add the Chilean to a new look side under Luciano Spalletti.

The report, from Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, details how Suning are ready to move for the 28-year-old after Bayern Munich pulled out of the race.

The Gunners forward, who scored 30 goals in all competitions last season, has reportedly demanded an incredible £400,000-per-week to remain at the Emirates.

With his deal set to expire in 2018 and Arsene Wenger insistent that Sanchez will not be sold to a Premier League rival, Inter could take advantage.

Having previously starred for Udinese for three seasons before joining Barcelona, Sanchez is accustomed to life in Serie A. Should Inter be able to also hold on to Manchester United target Ivan Perisic, there would be the potential for a front three worthy of winning the Scudetto with

Sanchez joining the Croat and captain Mauro Icardi.

Questions over Conte’s Future at Chelsea

Antonio Conte is growing increasingly frustrated at Chelsea and the latest transfer blow raises serious questions about his future at Stamford Bridge.

Conte had set his heart on Romelu Lukaku and saw the Everton striker as the central piece in the jigsaw for next season before Manchester United came in to hijack the transfer.

Chelsea boss Conte was said to be “fuming” at how the deal got away and club officials spent Thursday trying to establish from Lukaku and his advisors whether there was any way back.

But it leaves Conte facing the disastrous prospect of going into the season with his No1 target having gone to one of Chelsea's main rivals.

Despite some reports in Italy suggesting that Lukaku was not Conte’s first choice, Mirror Sport understands that the Italian was desperate to get him.

Conte had been in regular contact and was making tactical plans for next season with Lukaku in his starting line-up.

Conte has already had a difficult summer and, according to one source, there was genuine concern that the ex-Italy boss could leave last month such was his frustration over Chelsea’s lack of activity in the transfer market.

In fact, Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo went “missing” for four days on an emergency mission to try and resolve the Conte crisis following the fall-out over Diego Costa.

Emenalo managed to resolve the crisis but it has flared up again.

Costa going public on a text exchange with Conte telling him he was no longer in his plans enraged the Chelsea hierarchy and there is no escaping that there is some disquiet on both sides as the club were not happy with the manager's actions.

Costa is set to rejoin Atletico Madrid and then be loaned out until January - but the value of his deal has been drastically reduced after the public row and Chelsea’s position in the market has been weakened.

They have struggled to get deals over the line, having seen a move for Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk stall, they have not yet done Alex Sandro from Juventus and Tiemoue Bakayoko’s move from Monaco has dragged on.

Conte is now likely to have to go back for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata and Chelsea will also look at Swansea’s Fernando Llorente. Torino’s Andrea Belotti is another option.

Chelsea will also discuss making a move for Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, but are well

aware that their London rivals do not want to sell to another Premier League club, having publicly insisted they will not sell to Manchester City.

It leaves Conte and Chelsea facing a crisis before the start of the season.

Chelsea’s ability to turn success into a shambles has returned to haunt them again with the much talked about new contract for Conte remaining rather ominously unsigned.

Everton Wait on Man Utd to meet £90m Lukaku Demands

decided to end their interest.

Leicester remain in talks to sign Iheanacho, but any proposed deal could not be agreed until he returns from holiday.

Iheanacho has been told he can leave City this summer and he could now become Leicester's third summer signing after Harry Maguire and Vicente Iborra.

Leizpig Shielding Keita from Man City

Naby Keita appears set to stay in Germany with his employers RB Leipzig saying none of their key players are for sale.

Everton are waiting on Manchester The Guinea midfielder has been linked United to meet their total demands over with a move to Liverpool but hinted the sale of Romelu Lukaku, which could last month that he would prefer joining amount to £90m, according to Sky sources. Manchester City if choosing to come to the United are confident of landing the Premier League.

Belgium striker and have agreed an initial But RB Leipzig's sporting director Ralf fee of £75m, but the Toffees want a number Rangnick says his Champions Leagueof add-ons that will take the total price bound team want to keep hold of the even further. players that guided them to a superb Lukaku is currently in Los Angeles, second place in Bundesliga last year. where he has been training with United "We will definitely not be letting any key midfielder Paul Pogba and is expected to players go. There's nothing that will make undergo a medical with his potential new us budge," Rangnick said. club ahead of their US tour.

"It's totally normal for clubs to be But Sky Sports News HQ understands interested in our players, but that doesn't Lukaku does not have permission to be affect our stance on the matter." away from Everton's training base at Finch Farm, and was supposed to report back for Chelsea Agree on Deal for pre-season training on Thursday.

Lukaku's future at Goodison Park has Rudiger from Roma been in doubt since he rejected a lucrative Chelsea and Roma have agreed a deal new contract offer back in March and said for central defender Antonio Rudiger, Sky during duty with the Belgium national sources understand. team that he knew where his future would Rudiger helped Germany win the be.

Confederations Cup in Russia earlier this The 24-year-old has also been a target month. It is thought the player will take a for Chelsea this summer but United boss medical in Los Angeles this week, with the Jose Mourinho has also been keen to add a transfer figure potentially rising to £34m. new high-profile striker to his squad after The 24-year-old moved to Roma from losing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to injury.

Stuttgart initially on a season-long loan United had been in talks with Real deal in August 2015 before making the Madrid over a possible deal for Almove permanent the following season for varo Morata and saw a number of offers 7.6m. rejected, but Sky Sports News HQ underHe made 40 appearances last season stands their interest in bringing the Spain for Roma in all competitions, helping the international to Old Trafford has now Italian club to a second-place finish in come to an end.

Serie A behind champions Juventus and There are also negotiations ongoing automatic qualification for this season's between the two north-west clubs over Champions League.

Wayne Rooney's potential return to Personal terms still have to be discussed Merseyside, with a willingness on all sides but it appears that Rudiger will become a to get the deal done, according to Sky Chelsea player ahead of the new Premier sources.

League season.

Chelsea are in need of defensive reinforcements following the departures Leicester New Favourites to of Nathan Ake and John Terry to BourSign Iheanacho nemouth and Aston Villa respectively.

Leicester City are the new favourites to Antonio Conte's Chelsea will open sign Kelechi Iheanacho after West Ham the defence of their domestic league title United dropped out of the race to sign the against Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Manchester City striker.

August 12.

West Ham were close to agreeing a £25m Chelsea have not commented on the deal to sign the Nigerian forward but have latest developments.

33

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • july 8, 2017

GlOBAl SOCCER\\OTHER SPORTS

L-R; Team Lead, New Media, Diamond Bank Plc. Udoka Oguamanam; Interim CEO, Central Securities and Clearings System CSCS, Mr. Bola Adeeko; and Media Relations Officer, Diamond Bank Plc. Mr. Eze Anyanwu, at the 2017 Nigerian Stock Exchange Corporate Challenge Sponsor by Diamond Bank Plc. in Lagos

L-R : Tosin Ajayi, AXA Mansard Insurance plc; Naomi Aduku, AXA Mansard Pensions Limited; Suliat Giwa, AXA Mansard Insurance plc; Olamilekan Diyaolu, AXA Mansard Health Limited and Ephraim Chimezie, AXA Mansard Insurance plc, all participants at the Nigerian Stock Exchange 5km Corporate Challenge held on Saturday at Onikan Stadium.

Mladenovic Blames 'Damaged' Court to Wimbledon Ouster France's 12th seed Kristina Mladenovic complained about a "damaged" court at Wimbledon, claiming poor surfaces are the talk of the players' locker room.

The 24-year-old twisted an ankle in the warm-up and damaged a knee during her second-round defeat by American Alison Riske on Court 18.

Mladenovic said both players wanted to stop after only two games "in case something bad happened".

The All England Club said the courts were as "playable as per normal".

Temperatures have reached 30C

at Wimbledon, with around 60 people treated by the St John Ambulance for heat-related symptoms on Thursday.

The Met Office is predicting highs of 26C on Friday and 23C on Saturday, but with more cloud cover on both days.

Mladenovic blamed the weather for making the courts too dry.

She said: "The colour of the court, the fact that there's no more grass, the fact that the baseline where we are running, it's very slippery. There's no grass.

"You kind of have to run light and be careful, not to push or press too much, too hard, which

is strange to play on."

Mladenovic, who lost 2-6 6-4 6-4, added: "It's quite unique with your opponent, after two games, you both agree on stopping playing in a Slam.

"I'm just honestly very happy and blessed that I didn't injure myself that much."

An All England Club statement read: "The court preparation has been to exactly the same meticulous standard as in previous years.

"Grass is a natural surface and it is usual for the baselines to start to be showing signs of wear and tear four days into the Championships."

Lagos Marines Beat Riviera Eagles in Cote D'Ivoire Rebecca Ejifoma The International American football is gradually making a name for itself in Nigeria and dribbling its way into other African countries since its arrival in 2013.

The Lagos Marines stormed Cote D'Ivoire and defeated the Riviera Gold Golden Eagles of Abidjan Felix Houphouet Boigny University Sport Field on June 18.

The Marines defeated its opponent 13 goals to 12 and according to the head coach, Dominik Mueller, it is the first international contest between two clubs in West Africa.

“The turnout was very encourag-

ing. Although the American football is still coming up in Africa, we believe that with time, the sport will be popular here.”

He expressed joy after the successful trip through Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana, “The Lagos Marines had already made a name for themselves in Ghana by running three American Football clinic sessions for scores of children between ages eight and 16 on the beaches and at a primary school in CapeCoast.“ Mueller commended the Lagos state government in Nigeria for providing a conducive platform for the boys to play and continue their training, adding that the Lagos

Marines, currently practise on Saturdays at LASUTH. “We are counting on more talents to join the team on both the playing and coaching level.”

The German Head coach told THISDAY that the Association had plans to introduce American Football in secondary schools starting with Lagos then other parts of the country.

He emphasised that he Lagos Marines are now considering to play their way 'westwards' along the coast planning to taking on club sides in Takoradi in Ghana and Abidjan in Cote D'Ivoire and hold training camps for these countries as well.

Participants Brave Rain to “eRace Cancer” at NSE Corporate Challenge More than 850 participants braved the rain to support the fight against cancer at the 4th edition of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Corporate Challenge last Saturday, at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.

The NSE Corporate Challenge is an annual, highly competitive and fun-filled 5-kilometre walk, jog and run competition designed to raise awareness and funds for the purchase of 37 Mobile Cancer Centers (MCCs), valued at $613,000 each.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, OON, said, “It’s amazing and emotional to see a lot of people turn out in the pouring rain to save lives. Cancer doesn’t care about the weather, and neither do we. This year’s event attracted over 200 partner companies who are all in massive support for the cause to tackle the cancer scourge in Nigeria”.

Onyema lauded the listed companies, non-listed companies,

organizations, notable Nigerians and celebrities for their continuous support for the NSE Corporate Challenge since inception. “We remained focus in one of our CSR efforts of mobilizing funds for the purchase of Mobile Cancer Centers in the country.

Through this initiative, we want to provide access for early detection and treatment of cancers so that people can live to their full potentials. With your support, we believe we can save lives”.

FMCG Games 2017 Begin Tomorrow All is set for the fourth edition of the Fast Moving Consumers Good Games slated to begin on Sunday, July 9 at the Digital Bridge Institute, Oshodi, Lagos.

The Chief Operating Officer, Media Vision, Jimi Shogbesan, who are the organisers of the Games, informed that about 400 athletes will vie for honours in five events of the competition.

"It’s yet another exciting season

of one of the biggest sporting event in Corporate Nigeria as the FMCG Games is set to be more exciting with BUA Group and UAC foods making their debut.

"We are also going to ensure that the fans and families are not left out of the fun, as there will be fans engagement and other exciting activities at the event," he assured.

Nestle Nigeria Plc emerged

overall champions, Unilever Nigeria Plc won the football event, while Friesland Campina made an impressive debut with impressive display in all the events, just as they won bronze medal in football in the last edition of the Games.

Shogbesan also disclosed that about 400 athletes will vie for honours in football, athletics – 100m and 200m, table tennis, scrabble and chess.

Kim-Clijsters with baby girl-Jara

Motherhood Challenges Facing Female Tennis Stars Former world number one Victoria Azarenka is going for glory at Wimbledon - less

than seven months after giving birth to son Leo. Azarenka, 27, who plays Britain's Heather Watson in round three on Friday, has been speaking this week about the challenges of juggling a professional tennis career with motherhood.

Kim Clijsters, who won the 2009 US Open 18 months after the arrival of daughter Jada, is one of only three women to have won Grand Slam titles after becoming a mother.

"For a first-time mum, travelling on the road full-time is hard - but I am very glad I did it," Clijsters told BBC Sport.

"It was a big adventure for us as a family and I would not have changed anything."

There has been plenty of baby-talk at SW19, with Luxembourg player Mandy Minella competing while four and a half months pregnant and seven-time Wimbledon winner Serena Williams absent because she is expecting.

Like Azarenka, Williams intends to return to the Tour after giving birth - but what will change for her?

From sleeping babies in walk-in wardrobes to emptying the mini-bar, Clijsters tells BBC Sport what it is like to be a tennis mum.

'We tried to keep everything the same' - finding a routine for baby Azarenka is playing only her second tournament since Leo was born in December.

She is bidding to emulate Clijsters, Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong by winning a Grand Slam title as a mother - Goolagong, who won at SW19 in 1980, is the only mother to have won a Wimbledon singles title in the tournament's 140-year history.

Clijsters: "My mum cooked every day for us when I was young. She was there all the time and that was the vision I had for Jada too.

"I had to adjust, of course, because at home I was changing nappies and preparing food myself as soon as she woke up, but I still felt like we had it all organised when we went on the road.

"My husband Brian was always there and we also travelled with a nanny who took care of Jada. It meant Brian and I had our own time as well and could even go out to dinner occasionally. That was important.

"We just tried to balance things like that and have the same routine, and it worked really well for her, and for us.

"As a player, you don't normally have much order to your life but I wanted to structure things for Jada. I didn't want different people to be taking care of her at different tournaments.

"It was the same with food, although she eats almost everything. We travelled the world with a baby-food steamer-blender and I must know every organic store near all of the tournaments I played at.

"That was the first thing we did - we would ask for a fridge to be added to our hotel room or we would empty the mini-bar out so we could stock up on vegetables and fish, or whatever she had to eat.

"Jada was potty-trained in a hotel room too. All the little things like that happened while we were travelling the world.

"She is nine now and is will adjust to anything, and I think that is something to do what she was doing at such a young age.

'Nothing is perfect' - dealing with life on tour Clijsters took daughter Jada for a walk in her buggy in New York's Central Park on the morning of the 2009 US Open final - she beat Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki on Arthur Ashe Stadium later that day, and successfully defended her title the following year.

Clijsters: "With Jada, it was so hectic in the beginning for us with the media at tournaments that I just tried to keep her away from it.

"When I won the US Open in 2009, she hardly ever came out to Flushing Meadows.

She came for the final and was able to sit in one of the boxes upstairs, and that was it.

"That day I had delayed her nap time a little bit, so she was able to stay up a bit later for the final.

"Sometimes things happen and you just have to juggle your routine. I have three children now and it is still the same. There are always different challenges but that is the great thing about being a mum.

"For me I love that everything is not perfect. When we lie in bed or sit on the couch, my husband and I can talk and laugh sometimes and say 'what happened today? It was chaos all over'.

"It was the same on the tour too. Sometimes we would stay in hotels and would not know how the rooms would be divided - we would ask for an extra room, but it would be on a different floor.

"We did not just throw money at the problem because that was not the way I was brought up - we tried to figure it out ourselves. Sometimes Jada even slept in a walk-in closet because there was nowhere else for her.

"She was a pretty good sleeper, which really helped around my matches.

"The one thing I was worried about was her getting sick because it is easy to deal with that at home but if you are in, say, Thailand I would not know where to go or who to ask.

"But it all went pretty smoothly in the end. She needed some medication from time to time but we have doctors and physios with us on tour so in that sense we were lucky because we had some of the best medical staff and facilities around."

'A new perspective - family is important, no trophy comes close' Clijsters: "My husband would be there to watch my matches but if I had to practise, it would just be with my coach and trainer.

"Brian would do something with Jada so their bond is very strong because they have been together so much - it is the same as I had with my father, and I love seeing it with them too.

"But sometimes, as a mother, I felt guilty for leaving Jada behind and me going off to tennis.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • july 8, 2017

INSIGHT/TRIBUTE

Lagos: More than Just a State (III) Tony Monye

I

n assessment, endlessly suffering the belief that Lagos is a tribal enclave, without reflective space for novel thinking, circa bears very little berries. As the screeching eagle economy, amongst the continent’s capital cities, Lagos’ is brazenly big in association. The CoE parallels with most of the countries in Africa, effortlessly drowning them. Consequently, its sight is roundly beyond their centre cities. Lagos is to Africa what the state of California (United States) is to the rest of the globe, especially in the perspective of gross domestic products (GDP). Conversely, in terms of key fundamentals (policies, plans, vision, infrastructure, multiculturalism etc), the CoE reflects so much less than the American state. More important, this cavity should represent ample space for richly embracing fresh and more vision-driven philosophy.

With GDP in excess of $150billion, the CoE’s economy is larger than over 90 per cent of African state’ economies, positioning the city-states in a group of its own membership. To picture this in context is to view and understand it more clearly. The Lagos economy is much larger than some of the continent’s high-branded countries such as Kenya, Cameroon, Ghana, Uganda, Mauritius etc., fading only behind Africa’s top-four (Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt and Algeria) markets. Just on the half-line of its stay, the Ambode administration has won many spurs, with plaudits steadily growing, with noteworthy numbers coming from the opposition steads. Lagos has had many great governors. Ambode’s effervescence is yet seen. So far, he has shown clear sense of direction and leadership. Ambode has told us, in simple (Yoruba and English) words, he aspires to take Lagos state to the third slot. We believe him. Because there are so many strong and visible signs. Therefore, as residents, let’s not adopt a doubting ‘siddon look’ attitude rather we should willingly support him, give life to his dream for a better Lagos. For the bread of the CoE is for the butter of over 20million inhabitants.

Governor Ambode

As the eagle population, Lagos is intimidatingly huge. With population in excess of 20 million inhabitants, the CoE enjoys the most populous city status on the continent.

Cairo, perhaps, presents some threats. It seems the North African city will always represent that, as Lagos doesn’t seem willing to relent. Fascinatingly, the city of Lagos has more inhabitants than over 85 per cent of African countries. For instance, Gambia’s population is suggested at ‘only’ two million.

The size, crowdedness and denseness (given its landmass) of its population give birth to the hustle, the flurry, and the excitements of Lagos. Although, amongst the population, the transaction rate is high but the CoE can do a lot more with the right policies, plans and visions. Perhaps, Lagos should learn to sleep less, socialise more, work a lot more and, transact a lot much more, boosting its fortune on this index. For instance, Lagos can decide to celebrate its rising cosmopolitan-

ism/ multiculturalism by hosting tribal food festival during the morning hours of the last Saturday of the month. The list of ideas isn’t short.

Beginning from the pre-independence era, the CoE has continuously witnessed some sustained dilution in the provincial and mono-cultural nature of its population to one of multicultural and cosmopolitan mix. Lagos, as a state, is friendly, welcoming and tolerating. Varied views are so easily accommodated. Given the rapid rise in the number of peoples from other parts of the world, Lagos is enjoying a marked rise on its racial diversity grade. When we are different, Lagosians understand it presents vast opportunities especially when viewed rightly. There is, nonetheless, a clear and mounting need for improved deliberateness in policymaking and visioning to reflect the strengthening swing eastward.

As a chicken, the CoE’s per capita income is both insipidly and uninspiringly low, reflecting weak productivity per man. Lagos can do a lot more and more. And, more. The openings are abundant. The uninformed will be less stressed to contend in favour of the city, citing the depressing impact of its population. Such argument is quite slight.

Instead, the government should embrace the huge prospects presented by these undesirable but pleading gaps for job and wealth creation and GDP expansion. For illustration, the Lagos’ night economy is one of the poorest and the most uncultivated amongst its ‘peers’ in the world. The CoE slumbers quite loudly, snoring deafeningly unlike many other capital cities, such as London, Berlin, Paris etc. For example, Berlin, with less than four million inhabitants, enjoys a very active nightlife – seven nights a week, keeping its economy agog all through the dusk hours.

Same as London as well as Paris. When over one million working-age adults snooze for seven hours throughout the night, it is more than seven million hours lost to productivity, impacting growth unwholesomely growth every night. Our capacity for imaginative thinking may be impaired if we attempt at the yearly figures. Unexplored opportunities

abound aplenty along the Airport-OjuelegbaVictoria Island and Mile II-Ojo axes. There are many others. Let’s unearth ways to explore and cultivate them.

It’s time Lagos halted listening to the many vision-shrinking, poisoned voices about the seat of government, which all appear to have some ‘wisely’ feel about them. Clasping and conforming to their yearnings only deteriorate and degrade the state. The CoE must free itself from the knotting grip of the many ‘small’ men with insatiably big stomachs around the dinner table. Unfortunately for the state, reasoned voices are few and are always weak in their ears. Lagos can and should re-invent itself by re-leaning its ladder on a different visionary wall, leaving it resting on that fence for the duration of its envisioned time. Preceding this must be a change of belief. Its leaders must believe that the CoE’s extant figures, though massive, are still a lot leaner than life. For example, it’s so much withering referring to Lagos as Nigeria’s commercial capital. With over 20million people, why not Africa’s? If the CoE isn’t yet there, then, the movement in that bearing should of great earnestness begin.

In addition, a broader view for the Centre of Excellence will mean varied things to many of its residents. To some, it will mean more inclusiveness and, to others, bigger opportunities and yet, to another group, a larger and more forward-looking competitive arena.

The vision is easy to identify because Lagos ought to aspire to be Africa’s best across all the files whilst racing away from the backwardgazing intra-Nigeria comparison. As the CoE strides to be amongst some of the world’s top cities, it should give no quarter. If any city on the continent can dream of it, Lagos is that. As athletes, we are imparted quite clearly that whenever the whistle blasts, it’s time to explode. And, for Lagos, the toot has sounded. Let’s go, Lagos, for the continent’s challenge is trumpeting. Lagos must pluck off its dull chicken-feathers and, quickly robe itself in the eagle’s elegant fluffs. My Lagos is a country. What’s your Lagos?

See you next week.

– Tony Monye Managing Partner Rham Durham Consulting Ltd

Urhobo Traditional Chiefs Bid Michael Ibru/Farewell Ibrahim Sule

E

ncomiums rained as Urhobo traditional chiefs from Agbarhaotor and Olomu Kingdoms of Delta State, recently converged on the Ibru Family compound in the sleepy town of Agbarha-Otor, to bid final farewell to the late business colossus; Olorogun Michael Christopher Onajirhevbe Ibru, OFR. The foremost entrepreneur was the Otota of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom and the Avwhoghokefe of Olomu Kingdom.

The two-day event was heralded on the second Saturday of June, with prayers at his magnificent tomb, situated opposite the family compound. The prayers was led by the Ahwotu of Agbara-Otor and the leader of the delegation, Olorogun Khalil Ofomukoro, who prayed for “the repose of the kind soul of the departed Otota of our kingdom”.

Ofomukoro noted that the departed businessman was the most inspirational figure that he ever came across. He added that late Ibru was “an extra ordinary human being who brought sunshine to the lives of thousands”.

He said the Otota, (Prime Minister) of the kingdom was a special gift to the world. “Chief was adored by all and sundry in this community. He brought joy to all. He was a good man, who built a great legacy. Our father believed that the only way to make the world a better place was for him to become a better person.

He made a difference and a lot of people like me were beneficiaries of his philanthropy.”

Ofomukoro added: “He taught us that with perseverance and determination, a man could take the world as he found it, improve himself, and be successful. He was unfailingly kind to everyone that came his way. The Otota treated everyone alike. He was fair to all. Olorogun Michael Ibru was a very gifted businessman, a father, and a likeable personality.”

The Ahwotu revealed that Ibru was his mentor. “He was very important in this kingdom, the entire Urhobo nation, Delta State

L-R: The Otota of Olomu Kingdom, Olorogun Macauley Ovbagbedia, Olorogun Oskar Ibru and Ahwotu of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom and Nigeria. We are proud that he was from this town, for he was a truly a remarkable man.

“His contributions to this community were numerous. He donated the Ibru College to this town in 1969. He facilitated the provision of electricity, pipe-borne water, roads, primary, secondary schools and a University. He gave us a clinic and established Superbru. He was a very wealthy man, but he was never arrogant”.

Also speaking in the same vein, the Olotu 1, of the town (War Minister), Chief December Umudjere, said that the ceremony was necessary to properly bid the late business man good bye. Noting that, the late Ibru was a pillar of the kingdom. “Every traditional chief of this kingdom was in attendance. They came in from all over the world to give final honour and last respect to our most illustrious son”.

Umudjere advised the children to emulate how their father related with his own siblings while he was alive. “In unity, we are strong. In disunity, we are pushovers”.

While also speaking, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, who represented Delta Central Senatorial in the Seventh Senate, dis-

closed that his life took a turn for the better, the very first day he met the late Olorogun Ibru.

Sometime in 1972, after several failed attempts to get audience with the busy businessman.

“I first met Chief, as we came to call him in early 1972. I met him after several attempts by my biological father. Then my father’s pain was that his only son who finished primary school in 1968, should go to secondary school, but there was no money to pay the school fees.

He then tried to see Chief, his cousin, in whose company he was already working, as a security personnel/gateman. Seeing Chief was a most difficult thing, because he was always on the move, building his castles and cities literally everywhere in the world.”

“One day I followed my father to his work place, at 33 Creek Road, Apapa, on advice from some of Chief’s aides, I was told to wait by the reception downstairs. They told me to write, with my own hand, a request of what I wanted from Chief and that once I am able to give it to him, he will answer me.”

Aguariavwodo who was a former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commis-

sion (NDDC), added, “As I got downstairs, I started waiting. After a while, Mr. Okon, with his white khaki uniform made me some tea to drink, along with biscuit. The tea was very sweet, and I ate all the biscuits on the saucer.

I had never had that kind of tea or biscuits before. After eating. I promptly fell asleep.

And so I slept away until Chief closed around 9pm that great day. On his way downstairs to his car, he sighted me and asked who that child was, and they told him who I was. So he asked the question, what do you want? I couldn’t speak I was tongue-tied. Am I really standing before the Ibru? Is this the Ibru? I couldn’t speak! So I gave him the letter I had written that I should I would love to go to school, but my father has no money, and so he should allow me to ‘learn work’ in any of his companies.

He read it and then chuckled and laughed, and then gave the letter to his aide, and gave a commanding instruction. ‘Go and look for school for him, and let him go to school until he is tired of schooling.’ ” “And they looked for school, and they did not get an appropriate one, so he gave another instruction, ‘take him to the school in Agbarha-Otor’! The school in Agbarha-Otor is the world famous Ibru College, which he built by himself! Just imagine, somebody building a school all himself!!! That is how I now went to secondary school, free of charge, then to Higher school, then to University all courtesy of my new benefactor, father and mentor.

Without Chief, I won’t be who I am today, To God be the glory, he came and took over the responsibilities of a father, providing for me, looking out for me, and teaching me.”

“The teaching Chief gave to me and others like me continued when I started working closely with him. As a Personal Assistant to him for eight years. I was privileged. It was a most wonderful position of rare stature for a village boy like me, yet Chief drew me close to him. He showed me many things, taught me many things, and I learnt many things. No wonder I could boast that I have a Ph.D from the Michael Ibru School of Business.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 8, 2017

WRITERS’ WORLD

The Online, Print Media War in Nigeria

BISI DANIELS bisi.daniels@thisdaylive.com Blog: www.bisidaniels.com, 08050220700

The silent war in the media is interesting to watch from the sidelines. It is difficult monitoring news around the clock but it can§ be fun. The war is between stand-alone online newspapers and the traditional print newspapers, which today have online versions.

T

he news of Senate President Bukola Saraki’s acquittal by the Code of Conduct Tribunal broke in the morning. The long trial was a big developing story for many reasons - obvious and hidden. That morning, either way, it was still a big story, but an acquittal was a far bigger story.

When the news broke, the day’s print newspapers were already on the stands selling, and early readers, including free readers at popular news stands were already running commentary on the day’s news.

Years ago, radio and television stations would have been the only platforms to serve the news even as they lack the luxury of time for too much details and background of stories.

For the print media, even as big as the story was, it could not cause them to overlook logistics constraints and the cost of printing new editions.

Besides, having worked long into the previous night, the most senior editors were at home resting in preparation for another round of night shift, or were out for one reason or another.

On the other hand, the online competition had the full complement of senior editors and publishers in the office to give the Saraki news exhaustive treat - the news, analysis, and all.

Although, the print media have people to handle their websites, that is certainly not the A-team.

Days later, the Saraki story took another turn.

The Federal Government appealed the CCT judgment, and to the advantage of the print media, the news broke late in the day, when virtually all the online media houses had gone to sleep. They had to play catch-up with the print media on the story in the morning. The online papers are leanly resourced relatively and cannot keep people at work 24/7.

Day and night news

Although the above situation keeps editors alert around the clock, the day and night shifts for the online and print media in the news chain is not really a war; and certainly not a darkness and light metaphor for evil and bad! Readers are the better for it.

Until the success of an Abuja-based online paper caught national attention, the online media in Nigeria was not very popular. A US-based online paper existed but because of its style, influential people it reported on tried to brand it as an activist paper or ignore it. It fought on and today, against all odds, it has become difficult to ignore.

On the other hand, the print media has been so entrenched, with readership and advertisement inflows assured, it never felt threatened. But with its highly professional team, the Abuja-based online paper hit the ground galloping. It operated like a print newspaper with newsroom and correspondents around the country; and as more professionally-run papers joined the online ranks, the game changed completely.

One of them even had a high-profile launch to boldly announce its arrival.

The Online advantage

The Saraki stories highlight the advantages and disadvantages of both papers. In a fast-paced world that seems to be in a hurry, online papers have the advantage of serving news readily as it breaks. People no longer look for news or wait for it, it is served hot to them wherever they are on their mobile devices.

Online papers report news a lot faster than regular newspapers, although oftentimes, the later have greater depth with rich background information and sometimes analysis. But that advantage also depends on how much time is available to the reader to take in all that.

Online papers are updated regularly, while traditional papers are one a day in Nigeria.

Without radio or television, one has to wait for the following day to be served or look for another round of news.

Counting costs: Online papers save a lot of time and money for the owners and readers.

There is no printing cost and they don’t require large staff members to operate.

Online papers are environmentally friendly.

Unlike print newspapers, you don’t have to worry about storage or disposal.

The fake news pollution

The downside of all those advantages, however, is the ease the online platform provides for proliferation and pollution of the profession. It is so bad that out of the several online papers operating from Nigeria, only a few are reliable or even visible.

Operating without checks and standards, many of them are sources of fake news.

The problem here, and it is getting more complicated, is that no matter how false the news is, it gets readership and spread. The business model of fake news thrives on the demand for it. The consumer of fake news is a major cause of the proliferation. The following reasons have been identified by psychologists and media experts.

Gullibility: Many poorly educated people take what they read in newspapers and online media as the gospel truth they are proud to spread.

Loss of humanity: Fake news thrives because in a world that is increasingly losing its humanity, people want false news about others to be true.

Implicit Bias: Psychologists explain that there is the tendency for humans to group people into categories. We are inclined to trust people we consider members of our own group more than those of a different group. The word implicit indicates that it is a bias that influences us without our knowing it.

Confirmation Bias: Experts describe confirmation bias as our tendency to seek out information that confirms what we already think or want to be true; and actually turn a blind eye to facts that contradict our beliefs.

The Print media

With advantage of time and better resources, print media stories are on the average better researched and checked, and so tend to be more reliable.

However, a few online papers are giving them a stiff competition in this area, displaying

real professionalism in their combination of speed and accuracy. If a story appears on their sites, it is guaranteed to be a true story.

The print media is good for advertising and very suitable for spreading awareness. Many of the newspapers that have survived the harsh business climate in Nigeria are largely professionally run. At least one can be sure of the checks and balances.

Some of them still have huge and trusted followers, which is also a boost to attract readership.

Also, the print media serve far more stories - news and features, analysis and photographsthan the online papers. And while in the print media, the stories are fresh every morning, some online papers keep stale stories on their front pages for weeks, even months.

In spite of prediction of natural death, the print media is not doing badly in competition for readership and revenue. According to Wikipedia, in a 2015 survey, 55 percent of people reported that print was their preferred method for reading a newspaper, down only four percent from 2014. The methods people use to get their news from digital means was at 28 percent, as opposed to 20 percent of people attaining the news through print newspapers.

These trends indicate an increase in digital consumption of newspapers, as opposed to print. But today, advert revenue for digital forms of newspapers is nearly 25 percent, while print constitutes the remaining 75 percent.

Contrastingly, ad revenue for digital methods was 5 percent in 2006.

Mainstream media

Although the tag is not popular here, some of the newspapers in Nigeria called the old reliables, could form part of the Mainstream media (MSM) in the country because of their influence. Wikipedia defines MSM as a collective term used to refer to “the various large mass news media that influence a large number of people, and both reflect and shape prevailing currents of thought.”

However, going by their growing influence, and despite their sizes, today one can add at least three reliable online papers to the group.

The wars

The game is changing and the war is on. The first war during which some online papers accused sections of the print media of stealing their stories is over. It was said then that some print newspapers were copying stories from online papers verbatim without crediting the sources. It was so bad that some online papers

froze their stories, making them difficult to copy.

Today, because of the “day and night shifts” they run, when online papers wake up in the morning they feed on the print media. Even the big online papers do take stories from the print media.

Breaking News: the second news war

Popularised by television stations, such as CNN, the term refers to big, new events, usually unexpected, for which running news has to be interrupted to allow. Now it is used more generically to refer to fresh or unexpected news with huge impact.

It is news the media rushes to serve readers, and one can easily sense the frenzy in the media houses to do this. And it is a war because those who break news faster and most reliably attract readership. The same goes for “exclusive news.”

The war is some intense it makes some papers commit the unpardonable mistake of leaving their readers hanging forever. They report a little bit of a news item and promise “more to follow.” But hours after, there is no update.

It has also been observed that many funny online papers break news of the same news broken hours or days by other papers.

General observations

• Unmindful of time constraints of readers, some papers – print and online -make their stories too long; with unnecessary background information as if they are under pressure to just fill space. A tried to check the length of one of such stories by copying and pasting on his laptop as a word document. Horrible! Four pages of one story. Experts say that to some extent, English language or news is to a large percentage redundant. One does not have to say everything to be understood.

• And there is no lazy reporting as serving a presentation or long press statement verbatim as news. It is for the reporter to read all what is said and serve the salient points. The reader may then be given the option of reading the whole statement or speech but not be punished with it.

• The economy is the blood of the country, so it is difficult to understand why many papers tug their business and economy sections away, far behind sports, relationships, etc.

• Generally, against all odds, the Nigerian media has not failed as some people want us to believe, and the maturation of the online media provides far greater possibilities.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUly 8, 2017

FAIRGROUND

AMAA Nominees Party Shindig in Kigali

K

igali smiled on all the stars prior to the AMAA nominees’ party. It was a long night of fun, camaraderie, swashbuckling when Africa Movie Academy Awards hosted Rwadan celebrities, business executives and their Nigerian counterparts at the 2017 AMAA Nominees’ party.

The nominees’ party was a precursor to the main awards, which will hold in Lagos on Saturday July 15, at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre. It is being, officially, hosted by the Lagos State Government as part of a year-long celebration of Lagos at 50.

The party, which took place under a well -decorated marquee at Camp Kigali, was opened by Arthur Nkusi, a Rwandan standup comedian who wowed the ecstatic audience of revellers with his rib-cracking jokes after which he called on stage The Maestros, a Nigerian live band from the stable of Bolanle Austen Peters’ creative enterprise.

The crowd gyrated, sang along and danced to many popular hit songs performed by the band. It was a pulsating night of celebration of the nominees into all the categories of the continental awards.

The nominees were announced earlier in Kigali on May 15 by the Academy Jurors and, according to the founder of the awards, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the nomination party was a celebration of the progress and breakthrough that African film makers and those in Diaspora have made from when AMAA started in 2005 and now, adding that AMAA’s team also chose Kigali for the event to further promote the cultural, social and economic ties between Nigeria and Rwanda.

“In the spirit of African unity and oneness of the people of Africa we came to Kigali for this event and it has been amazing, the kind of support we got from the government of Rwanda and the relevant government agencies. We got support from Rwanda Development Board and RwandAir. I cannot continue to say the level of cooperation and massive support we got from Frank Murangwa, CEO of Rwanda Convention Bureau and Belise Kariza, Rwanda Chief Tourism Officer who pulled in corporate sponsorship from MTN and other companies.

“We thank Raddison Blu and Convention Centre for the support and Grand Legacy Hotel. Coming to Kigali has been a great and humbling experience for us at AMAA and it further confirms us Africans as brothers and sisters. I want to say thank you

Rwanda and thank you to President Paul Kagame for the great work he is doing to transform this country.”

In his address, Murangwa, Chief Executive of RCB underscored the importance of the event to the tourism development of his country and friendship between Nigeria and Rwanda.

He noted that the event has what cooperation between African countries can achieve for the continent and her people, adding that his government looked forward to hosting the main AMAA awards whenever the organisers wanted.

“We are happy to see some of the great stars from Nigeria. We have started a relationship that will continue to grow. You have seen our beautiful country and the transformation that is happening. Rwanda is good for business. We are proud to describe our country as a country of 1000 hills and we welcome visitors with 1000 smiles. We hope you have enjoyed your stay and we will be happy you come back for holidays and to do business in Rwanda,” he said.

Ugandan music star, Ykee Banda also proved his status as a regional pop music star with his sterling performance. He sang his hit songs such as Nipe, featuring Urban Boys, Byonkola and Munakampala, among others which Rwandans sang along, with the accompanying dance steps.

Much earlier during the day before the party started, the Nigerian delegation, which included Joke Silva, Olu Jacobs, Paul Obazele, Tony Anih, Doris Simon, Chinedu Ikezie (Aki), Bolanle Austen Peters, Tonye Princewill, businessman and Executive Producer of the film 76, Izu Ojukwu, Osita Iheme (Paw Paw), Ghanian Lydia Forson, Chidi Nwokebia, Obodozie Valentine, Okezie Chibuike, among others, had a Rwanda Tourism Agency organised Luxury Bus City tour around Kigali.

The tour ended at the Kigali Memorial Centre, a museum built in memory of the victims of the 1994 Genocide. Over 250,000 victims of the genocide were buried in a mass grave at the centre.

Tonye Princewill, Joseph Dako and Olu Jacobs

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

AMAA Founder, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe addressing the guests

Bolanle Austen Peters and Olu Jacobs

Doris Simon, Nollywood actress

Emem Isong

Frank Murangwa, CEO of Rwanda Convention Bureau

Ykee Banda, performing Artiste

Rwandan ladies taking selfies during the party

Victor Osuagwu, Azuka Ogujiuba and Paul Obazele

Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JUly 8, 2017

FAIRGROUND

Lara Rawa of Eventi Cocktails Emerges Nigeria’s First Global Attaché

T

he CEO of Eventi Cocktails has emerged as Nigeria’s first Global Attaché at the Tales Global Attaché Programme. This is an initiative to promote diversity and expose Tales’ audience to some of the overlooked cocktail community around the globe. Her role is to promote cultural relations between Tales of the Cocktail and smaller cocktail communities throughout the world.

Tales of the Cocktail was founded in 2002, aiming to create international relationships by organising over 200 annual events, including tastings and networking events for bartenders, distillers and other spirit professionals. The objective of Tales of the Cocktail is to provide an annual meeting place for exchange of

new ideas, products and techniques.

Examples of these events include: Tales of the Cocktail on Tour, Tales 365, Tales of the Toddy and Daiquiri Season.

Rawa was chosen due to her high influence among the Nigerian community, educating those around her on local and unique techniques. Her role as an attaché will include providing Tales of the Cocktail with an ongoing insight into Nigeria’s local cocktail community; providing local recipes, local bartender spotlights, local spirits and any community influences. This will then be exhibited to Tales of the Cocktail’s international audience, drawing recognition to the communities’ talents. She will then get the opportunity to nominate talented local professionals and bars to be considered for a Spirited Award.

Lara Rawa

‘Church Culture’ Launches on ChannelsTV Today

C

hurch Culture’, a new television show focused on the mission of the Christian faith and the people, places and priorities that drive Christians in Nigeria and across Africa, will launch its first season today, Saturday (today) at 2:30 PM on ChannelsTV. The show is hosted by Funmbi Ogunbanwo and produced by Generation Y!, producers of Rubbin’ Minds, also on ChannelsTV and eXploring on ONTV. It is produced in conjunction with the church media company also called Church Culture.

“As one of our co-founders has said, the church is the biggest, most well-resourced institution in Nigeria, outside of (or perhaps equal to, since it would not be transparent about its numbers) business,” said ‘Seun Oluyemi, Senior Producer.

“With that much power, must come much responsibility. What this means is that the church can and must pray for Nigeria, but the church must also

work for Nigeria. Its revival of words must be matched with a revival of action.

“If faith is a key driver for our actions as a nation, then we must face that truth for what is and ask ourselves – now that we have this, what can we do with it? This show helps with that imperative, and our mission,” he added.

Guests on the first season of the show include Sam Adeyemi, Kris Okotie, Ituah Ighodalo, Jumoke Adenowo, Tosin Martins, Obiwon Obiora, Toni Kan, Akah Nnani, among others.

About Church Culture Church Culture (www.churchcultureinc.com) is a church communication company under RED-Africa’s leading omni-media company with a focus on youths. It deploys culturally effective strategies to attract more people to the church while deepening its core message of salvation to all people.

Funmbi Ogunbawo, Host of Church Culture

‘Inspire US’ with FCMB Debut on TV Show ‘Activating Success’

A

new inspirational segment ‘Inspire Us’, sponsored by FCMB, debuted last month on Love Idoko’s popular TV show ‘Activating Success’.

This new segment sponsored by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) is aired on the ‘Activating Success’ show by Africa Independent Television (AIT) every Saturday between 3:30pm and 4:00pm. It will feature mind-blowing and inspiring words from exceptional individuals like Ali Baba, Omotola Jalade Ekiende, Desmond Elliot, Cobhams Asuquo, Ayo

Makun, Managing Director of FCMB; Adam Nuru and many others.

According to motivational speaker, publisher and host, Activating Success, Love Idoko, “Inspire Us is a new segment of Activating Success and it is aimed at inspiring and motivating people, particularly young people to maximise their potential.

It features people from all facets of life; celebrities, pastors, politicians, actors, comedians, musicians, corporate executives and others. They will not only be sharing their success stories but also the challenges they have faced, their experi-

ences, their mistakes and ultimately how they became the inspirational figures they are now.

On the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) sponsorship of the programme, she said, ‘’It is such a great opportunity; the fact that FCMB, being such a great organization, is sponsoring such educative and inspiring programme shows their interest to contribute to the society they are a part of. It is indeed commendable.”

Inspire Us is a part of ‘Activating Success’, which has always been a 30-minute programme, which emphasises motiva-

tion as a major thrust, probes the different ‘successful’ public figures on how they made it to the top, the mistakes before they ‘made’ it and how many young people and the general public can succeed as well.

Love Idoko has been behind several events in Benue state and has gone on to establish herself as a leading event planner, publisher of the popular Motivation Magazine and as an entrepreneur.

This FCMB sponsored programme by Love Idoko, who is known for her passion for youth empowerment and development, will certainly impact many lives.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • July 8, 2017

July 8 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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T H I S D AY SATURDAY JULY 8, 2017

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JULY 8 , 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

FASHION FILE

Marobuk 2017 Menswear Collection “Regal Man” Drops

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 8, 2017

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

FASHION FILE

Marobuk 2017

F

ew days after debuting its first female collection, Marobuk fashion label has released its men’s wear collection named, “The Regal Man”. The brand which is gradually taking the Nigerian fashion industry by storm showcased some of his designs at the just concluded African Fashion Week Nigeria 2017.

Nollywood actor, IK Ogbonna, and former Mr. Nigeria runner up, Austin Igwilo, who are known for their sartorial choices modelled the pieces from the collection. The collection exudes designs that are classy, timeless and regal. What makes these pieces the ideal choice is that they are created from high quality fabrics, with embellishments at strategic points.

You definitely cannot go wrong

bejewelled in any of these pieces for a casual day wear or a smart night-out.

Credits Designer: Chidiebere Ekwunife @marobuk Models: @ikogbonna @austinigwilo Shot by: @ayoalasi for @alasistudios MUA: @lekeshades Sandals: @yomicasual Stylist: @ettidesigns Publicist: @moafricapr

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • july 8, 2017

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fashogbon... 08033621009

L-R; Head corporate Commissions, OVH Energy Marketing, Mr. Seun Adeosun; Chief Executive Officer, GaruTechnologies, Alhaji Lukeman Garu; Head,Lubricant OVH Energy Marketing Oando, Mrs. Lillian Ikoko and Head, LPG / Marketing, OVH Energy Marketing, Oando, Mr.Ganiyu Azeez at the presentation of car engine stimulator and demonstrator,500 PCs of oil filter range and 5 OEM scan tools by Garu Technologies Nigeria Ltd to OVH Energy Marketing, Oando, in Lagos recently

From left: Director of Operations, Rack Centre, Mr. Ezekiel Egboye; Managing Director, Comercio, Mrs. Aderonke Adeyegbe; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya and the President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Engr. Olusola Teniola during the Association courtesy visit to Airtel Headquarters in Lagos recently

Yudala Expands Wine Store to Meet Demands As part of its expansion drive, e-commerce outfit, Yudala, has opened 15 luxury wines and spirits stores nationwide to serve customers better.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mr. Wole Ogundare, the stores are available in major cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Owerri and Uyo. They will complement the company’s online orders and delivery services.

Ogundare added that classy wine brands like Dom Perignon, Luc Belaire Rose, Moet Nectar Rose, Hennessy XO/VSOP, Luc Belaire Luxe, Armand de Brignac, Belvedere Vodka, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon, Veuve Clicquote Brut, Scavy and Ray,

OLX, Interswitch Union to Boost Safety on Platform Online classifieds site, OLX, has struck a deal with a payment processing company, Interswitch to make activities less cumbersome and enhance security on its platform.

According to the company, the latest development would enable its customers to settle up with all kinds of offerings including premium services, Do-It-For-Me and Top ads on its site using the Interswitch platform.

Speaking at an event that sealed the partnership, Senior Manager, Business Development OLX, Mayokun Fadeyibi, stated that the initiative would also enhance the firm’s position as a market leader which was focused on facilitating safe trade.

“Trust and safety which are both priorities for OLX and Interswitch ensures that users can continue to trade safely on the site whilst making payments using the Interswitch secure platform. We are constantly re-inventing the wheel to ensure that our customers are able to use our services with minimal stress,” Fadeyibi said.

She added that escrow service recently introduced to the platform would also ensure safe deals where customers could pay money into the company’s bank account while undergoing inspection and validity of items before the company transfered funds to the seller once chosen item were approved by the buyer.

Group Head, Retail and Sales Interswitch, Paul Ohakim, stated that the partnership would deepen e- commerce in the country.

“Through Interswitch’s re-engineered payment gateway, which has seen successful webpay solution further streamlined and enhanced to improve users experience, we will continue to champion the growth and development of the e-commerce industry in Nigeria, particularly with partnerships such as this,” he said.

American Honey, Campari, Krug Grande Curvee, Sky Vodka, Remy Martin VSOP, Numanthia, Carlo Rossi, Andre, amongst many others would be stocked in the new stores to meet the sophisticated lifestyle of Nigerians who have come to rely on the company as a credible source of quality, high-end wines and spirits, sourced directly from manufacturers.

Also, as a give away offering, the company stated that in addition to mouth-watering discounts and concessions to individuals and organisations for special celebrations and occasions like 21st, 25th, 30th or 50th wedding or birthday anniversaries as well as corporate end-of-year balls/dinner

parties, the company has also volunteered to serve orders at customers’ functions through its well trained personnel.

The firm CEO said, “For such special occasion, we will add the special Yudala touch. Orders for wines and spirits received for these kind of occasions will be given the VIP treatment.

Apart from offering as much as five per cent discount, we will deliver the items free of charge to any location nationwide.”

The individual, couple, family, group or corporate organisation celebrating will also receive a valuable gift from Yudala.

“We have commenced work on the wines/spirits stores nationwide to ensure customers have an easy access to our wide collection of quality brands,” he said.

Also, the stores will serve as wine-tasting outlets where interested individuals will get a chance to sample the exclusive products.

According to Ogundare, the essence of this gesture was to make customers event a memorable celebration and more rewarding for the celebrants in Yudala’s unique way.

“We plan to add class to any event supplied with our wines and spirits - a quality party solution platform,” he said.

Sage One Launches Products for SMEs in Nigeria

Medview Airline Expands,Unveils New Destination

Sage One, a technology company that deals in integrated accounting, payroll and human resources and payment systems has announced the presence of its payroll and invoicing solutions in Nigeria.

According to the company, its new offerings, targeted at budding businesses would support the small and medium enterprises to run their businesses conveniently without any barriers.

Explaining the initiative, Regional Director for Sage in West Africa, Magnus Nmonwu, said Sage One payroll seamlessly integrated with Sage One Accounting, offered a complete business solution for startup and small businesses while the invoicing was an entry-level version of Sage One Accounting that made it easy for sole traders, self-employed consultants and other micro-business owners to produce professional quotes and invoices.

Nmonwu added, “We aim to make tasks such as administration and red tape invisible by 2020 so that businesses of all sizes can focus on their business strategy, their customers and following their dreams. This is why we place a huge emphasis on automating those tasks that business builders enjoy the least.”

Explaining the technology further, he said, “Sage One Payroll is a smart online payroll solution that can be accessed 24/7 and caters for local tax and legal requirements. It

Medview Airline has announced that it would be expanding its route to Ilorin, Kwara State to serve customers better.

According to a statement by the airline, flights to the new destination would begin next Monday.

The statement said, “The flight days are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with departure from Lagos to Ilorin put at 7.40a.m , while the departure from Ilorin to Abuja is put at 9.10 a.m, and the return flight from Abuja to Ilorin would be 15.50 p.m.”

It added that the flight was billed to depart Ilorin for Lagos at 17.30 p.m and arrive at 18.20 p.m.

The airline said the flight schedule was mapped out to give passengers the opportunity to fly to and from Ilorin from other destinations nationwide via Abuja and Lagos.

Medview Airline operates six flights daily to Abuja connecting Yola, Maiduguri, Kaduna and Kano.

The airline is also at the forefront of the 2017 Umrah- Lesser Hajj transportation, operating flights from Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto and Maiduguri.

allows unlimited earnings (owed to employees) and deductions (what the employee owes). The software makes it easy to calculate employees’ net salaries or wages, as well as deductions such as Pay-as-You-Earn (PAYE) and contributions to National Housing Fund (NHF), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), pension and life insurance.

“For as little as NGN 600 for two employees per month, it streamlines the capturing of transactions, automates payroll calculations and brings visibility to the business. It also makes its simpler to keep track of annual changes to tax regulations that impact on payroll tax calculations.

“Sage One Invoicing enables sole traders and micro-business owners to quote and invoice on-the-go from their PC or mobile device, as long as they have access to an Internet connection, from only NGN 27,840 a year and NGN 2,900 a month.

Customers don’t need accounting software training or financial experience to use the software.

“Business builders can save hours of paperwork each month, so they don’t spend their weekends compiling invoices, issuing quotes or doing reconciliation. When a business outgrows Sage One Invoicing, it can easily upgrade to Sage One Accounting — the complete Sage solution for small businesses that require more accounting, cash flow management and business insights.”

44

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •july 8, 2017

PERSPECTIVE

Just Imagine Badoo Cultists are in Rivers State Simeon Nwakaudu

F

or weeks, Lagos State has been in one of the worst cult crisis ever imagined for a metropolitan city. On a daily basis, blood of the innocent and supposedly guilty flow on the streets on the account of Badoo members going on a ritual killing

spree.

Reports had it that a budding comedian, Chinedu Paul alias Think Twice was lynched and burnt to death by a mob. He was lynched alongside two of his friends on the suspicion that they were members of the Badoo.

Badoo members have been killing people in Ikorodu and it was even reported that residents of the area have armed themselves with cutlasses and other weapons.

The residents have resorted to self-help because the security agencies have failed them.

They have formed armed vigilance groups, which have bypassed the criminal justice system, dispensing justice on the street as it pleases them. Without thinking twice, they sent MC Think Twice and his friends to untimely graves. Some many other cases abound.

Before the advent of Badoo boys, deadly kidnappers had taken firm hold of Lagos.

They kidnapped landlords, teachers, students, traders and other residents at will. They appear to have overwhelmed the security agencies.

There was a time when the military bombed their supposed hideouts. But when kidnapping did not abate, the military went into voice mail.

Notorious Evans was arrested in his posh residence in a highbrow residential area in Lagos. Since kidnapping has yet to abate in Lagos, we can safely assume that other “Evanses” are holding sway in different parts of Lagos.

As I penned down this piece, I read online the deadly robbery attack that claimed four lives in Ajah. A movie-like gun battle between the military and the robbers. We cannot begin to discuss the horrible trend of robbery in Lagos.

All this is happening in Lagos which plays host to majority of national print and electronic media. It is happening in Lagos, an APC state, with a friendly relationship with federal security agencies. Yet the crisis has claimed serveral lives.

It is hardly reported with front-page banner headlines. It is hardly included amongst the main news items of any major electronic media.

When it is reported at all, it is done to protect

Fatai Owoseni the economy and political framework of Lagos State. It is reported like the street “two fighting”, to give an impression that all is well.

Before Governor Wike used his internationally recognised Amnesty programme to resolve the pockets of security challenges in Rivers State, these media organisations, especially those with APC connection, embarrassed journalism profession by their style of reportage.

Headlines like, “Rivers of Blood,” “Five Die in Rivers Community “ and “Rivers APC blame Governor Wike for Insecurity “ were recycled in the media on a regular basis. The editors of the pro-APC deliberately neglected their professional responsibilities to the society and descended into the murky arena of politics.

Even where no security infraction took place, they relied on Rivers APC to issue damning statements, which they gave front page attention or primetime coverage.

Hosts of television programmes feasted on

these false reports to create a negative security impression about Rivers State. Today, Rivers State is the safest state in the country, while their host state ranks amongst the most insecure.

Has anybody seen a headline: “Lagos of Blood” on the front page of any national newspaper? Instead, the reporters localise tne deadly crisis to Ikorodu and Ajegunle.

Has anyone seen Gbenga Aruleba invite a PDP leader to his programme to rain insults on Ambode? Has anyone read in The Nation or Punch where an editorial was written placing the blame squarely on the doorstep of Ambode? Where are the paid columnists whose intelligence is at the peak when concocted stories are published on Rivers State?

Nobody is gloating over the security misfortune of Lagos State, but the truth remains that the media cannot afford to be agents of destruction as has played out in recent times.

Like Governor Wike continues to declare, we cannot afford to politicise security. The media cannot afford to be in the vanguard of APC’s plot to de-market Rivers State.

This unfortunate security crisis in Lagos affords the mainstream media the opportunity to reflect on its failures. What is good for Lagos, is good for Rivers State.

Today, CNN is battling for credibility because of its political inclination during the last American election. Here in Nigeria, the media controlled by APC spinned all manner of lies against ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

That lack of objectivity has crippled the nation.

The United States of America has several major cities thriving and supporting that country’s economy. It is foolhardy for the APC-controlled media to think that it will be profitable to undo Rivers State, so that Lagos State can stand alone. The consequences will be too grave to imagine.

God strategically placed Governor Wike in Rivers State at this time to serve as the conscience of the nation. He is here to serve as the required stabilising factor for the sustenance of true democracy. Therefore, he should be allowed to continue to provide the alternative platform through his outstanding roll out of projects and programmes.

I cringe when I imagine what the headlines would be if Badoo boys were killing people with reckless abandon in Rivers. I am horribly frightened to think of the manner of men like Gbenga Aruleba would be discussing with in his Focus APC studio. Even in time of peace,

Aruleba invites murder suspects to lampoon Rivers State. The Lagos deadly security crisis is a wake-up call for the media to retrace her steps. This is the time to jettison Pro-APC reportage and embrace the tenets of objective journalism.

I must state categorically that in the strict sense, once a governor has provided logistics, funded security operations and supported the welfare of security agents in his state, he has performed his obligations. The reason is simple: In the flawed federalism practiced today, the police, DSS, Armed Forces, para military and quasi-security agencies are strictly under the control of the Federal Government.

There is no governor who dishes out orders to the police commissioner or military commanders in his state.

It is even worse for opposition states like Rivers, where the security agencies are subtly instructed to undermine the state government for political reasons. Governor Wike has bent backwards, employed intelligent strategies and tactics to keep Rivers State safe for investments.

Over the last two years, Governor Wike initiated and signed into law the anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism law passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly. The law gave the security agencies the legal instrument to tackle kidnappers and cultists .

To strengthen the security architecture of the state; Governor Wike in the course of the last two years, has distributed over 150 security vans to all the security agencies in the state to fight crime.

The Wike administration has also procured six armoured personnel carriers, while 50 broken down armoured personnel carriers have been rehabilitated by the Rivers State Government for use of security agencies. Eight gunboats were donated to the Nigerian Navy, while another 13 have been ordered for further distribution to security agencies.

It is clear that the APC controlled media are afraid to hold the Federal Government responsible for the failures of the politically tainted security agencies. But the truth is known to all.

In Rivers State, Governor Wike remains focused to protect lives and property. His overwhelming success is premised on the fact that he is not moved by negative propaganda as sponsored by the APC . The Lagos tragedy is a reminder of the inadequacies of every conspiracy.

talking about other elections. I have come to tell you that in order to appreciate what this personality has been able to do in the last three and a half years, let us give him our votes.

What happened in 2011 was politics, and we can all see the difference between politics and personality.”

Eminent historian and elder statesman, Prof. Anthony Asiwaju, has equally not been silent: “The Yewa people and by extension, Ogun State have never had it so good since the creation of the state. So we are thanking Senator Ibikunle Amosun for coming to our aid through the construction of a road over 107 kilometres, which cuts across four Local Government Areas in the senatorial district.”

At the grand reception in Abeokuta on February 2nd, 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari, summed up his impression: “I express my gratitude to the Governor of Ogun State for inviting me and identifying with me on his success. He managed to disorientate me. On my commissioning in January 1963 – I was posted to Abeokuta, where Second Inventory Battalion of the Nigerian Army used to be. I said he managed to disorientate me because if you drop me anywhere in Abeokuta and ask me to find where the barracks is, I assure you I will get missing. I am pleased and happy about your success because I think that whatever I knew about Abeokuta, I have lost it. Your programmes are certainly people-oriented.”

Apart from constructing the first overhead bridges, first ten-lane roads, first world-class model schools, first gated housing estates, the Amosun government was the first to bring into Nigeria the very latest technology of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and made the “maximum donation” of security equipment that the then Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, confessed he had never witnessed since he had been

serving as a Police officer.

The Amosun administration was also the first to distribute 500 brand new transformers at one fell swoop across the state, first to introduce modern luxury buses and brand new taxis on Ogun highways and first to purchase, in one iconic gesture, such quantum of multi-million naira farm machinery - bulldozers, tractors, ploughs, harrows, slashers and planters.

The current government moved Ogun State from F9 to A1 in terms of Ease of Doing Business, as reported by the World Bank 2014 Doing Business Report. So far, about 120 multi-billion naira industries have been established in Ogun in the last six years, creating thousands of direct and indirect employment for the teeming youths of the state.

In spite of the meagre amount Ogun gets from the Federation Account, the Amosun government has paid above the minimum wage, and implemented it across board, thus making it the only government to achieve such a milestone in Nigeria. It is also the first to introduce a social health insurance scheme in the state, where poor pregnant women and their Under-5 children go to any of the four designated Health Care Providers (private and public) in their respective local councils with their Araya Access Cards (like ATMs) and access free health services anytime, any day, 24/7!

On Saturday, this Governor of many firsts will give her first daughter in marriage.

Although he has announced to everyone that the wedding is a private affair, it is certainly impossible to dissuade residents from celebrating with the first family that has accomplished so much in the state in the last six years.

Congratulations. A a r’ayo n be o.

– Soyombo, a media practitioner, sent this piece via densityshow@yahoo.com

As Wedding Bells Ring in Ogun...

I

Soyombo Opeyemi

know a couple of people who hail from Abeokuta but have not visited the capital city in more than a decade. There are even indigenes of Ogun that have only read developments at home on the pages of newspapers but have been unable to see those monuments that have created new sights, sounds and taste across the state in the last six years. You probably need a tour guide if you are coming to Abeokuta after a long time; indeed all the city centres across the state!

Prof. Is-aq Oloyede, former Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin and currently the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), was one of the first citizens that appraised the current administration in 2013: “From what I have seen in our state, it is very clear that we have a politician with a difference at the helm of affairs. With the on-going infrastructural revolution, many of us who are indigenes even find it difficult to locate our houses and some prominent places each time we come visiting.”

I must confess that I was jolted to the marrow when, upon the inauguration of the current government in 2011, I had the firsthand experience of criss-crossing Abeokuta.

Why should a state capital look so ancient?

The roads were so narrow that they could hardly accommodate pedestrians let alone automobiles, and the houses built so close to the roads such that people rising early morning in their bedrooms could through their windows exchange handshakes with passengers on so-called motorways!

It was, therefore, not surprising when at the inauguration of the first flyover constructed by any state government since the creation of Ogun in 1976, Dr Adedotun Gbadebo, the

Alake of Egbaland, declared: “Today can be likened to the day electricity, pipe borne water and railway first came to Abeokuta. Amosun has changed the city from the status of 19th century to the 21st century.”

And just before the end of that same year 2013, the highly revered monarch, Dr Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebu-Ode, observed: “Your performance has been beyond the imagination of each and every one of us. You have been able to go round the entire Ogun State (with your infrastructural development) without just concentrating on Abeokuta and leaving the rest of us in the wilderness. You have been able to go round Abeokuta, Ijebu, Remo, Yewa. This is a great thing that has never happened in the state.”

Abeokuta is the capital of Ogun State and the first port of call for investors and those who need to transact business with government. Welcoming you to the metropolis on Saturday is the sprawling flyover under construction. It confirms that development is work-in-progress. So many bridges and roads have been completed by the Amosun administration, yet so many need to be done. Some roads are currently receiving the final layer of asphalt. Ogun State is still a huge construction site. On January 16, 2015, former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, commented on the sterling performance of Governor Amosun: “In 2011, we were not together. We were together before and I did campaign against him. See what he has been able to do in the last three and a half years in the state. I cannot sacrifice performance for party. I never dreamt of having a bridge on a dry land in Ogun State in my life time. Yes, we have Ogun River, where there is a bridge. Go to Ijebu, Sagamu, Ota, what am I seeing? Bridges, not even one, two, three. So, my people, I am not

45

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • July 8, 2017

PERSPECTIVE

Ajimobi: “Ko sele ri” As a Recurring Decimal ‘Gbenga Ogunremi

W

ithin the Oyo State socio-political space today, the most common parlance is ‘’ko sele ri’’, a yoruba coinage which literally translates to ‘’never happened, experienced or existed before.’’

This imaginative but apt coinage was actually an ‘’honorary title’’- Ko seleri 1 of Oyo State- conferred on Governor Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi by the body of common people, the masses, by virtue of his well deserved victory at the 2015 governorship polls that gave him an un- precedented second term in office as governor of Oyo state. It was an unparalleled feat waiting to be equaled in the long chequred history of politics in the state.

Now, ‘’Ko sele ri 1’’ has become a rhythmic phrase chanted time after time at most public functions the governor attends these days.

This presents an accurate picture of the people’s appreciation for an endless flow of good governance that has brought Oyo state to the forefront of rapid growth and development.

Perhaps at this point, and in retrospect too, it is necessary to examine the contributing factors that over time added great value to governance and ultimately led to this ’title’ bestowal. The main focus of this piece actually.

Like a recurring decimal, these contributing factors that could best be described as novel and pacesetting achievements, happened at different intervals during the first four years of the Ajimobi led administration.

Indeed, they were in themselves ‘’ko sele ris’’, the totality of which paved the way for Gov. Ajimobi’s second term victory.

The first and perhaps most important factor was the governor’s rare ability to exercise a resilient and irrepressible political will in making far-reaching decisions that eventually changed the fortunes of the state for the best, regardless of whose ox was gored.

For a fact, from the inception of his administration, Ajimobi’s body language was quite clear. In an audacious manner, he called the bluffs of the fifth columnists by putting his foot down firmly and courageously in executing his reformation, regeneration and repositioning agenda.

Consequently, his vision and drive,

Ajimobi:

coupled with well articulated initiatives and programmes ensured restoration of peace, security and political stability, long overdue resuscitation of decaying infrastructures and environmental revival and upgrading.

Next factor was the restoration of peace, security and political stability that were almost non-existent before the advent of Gov. Ajimobi’s government. It is on record that the governor inherited a state of anarchy, of which brigandage, thuggery, hooliganism, loss of lives and property in great proportions were sad spectacles of the time.

This unhealthy phenomenon left him with no choice than to proactively put together initiatives that would within a short time entrench peace and stabilize the polity.

Predictably, the governor rose to the occasion in a very robust manner, for he did not only provide appropriate leadership at this instance, but also led the charge in implanting a sustainable regime of peace that has permanently changed Oyo’s typecast of a violent and unruly state to one of the most peaceful states in the country today.

With a peaceful and tranquil environment

in place, the stage was now set for meaningful development and socio-economic stability.

This commendable peace effort in fact set the pace for monumental and unprecedented achievements of the Ajimobi led government.

A fact check revealed that the first four years of his administration witnessed the construction and rehabilitation of over 250 roads across the state while dualization of major entry points to major towns in all the geo-political zones of the state were completed to taste and commissioned accordingly.

Furthermore, the Mokola fly-over bridge, the first ever by a civilian governor was commissioned within two years of his first term.

In addition to this, government constructed several bridges, including the Bodija Restoration Bridge and dredged many rivers, streams and canals that effectively checkmated flood disasters that constantly ravaged the state, especially Ibadan, the state capital for so many years prior to Ajimobi’s administration.

It is also worthy of note that Oyo state is fast becoming one of the choicest investment destinations in Nigeria, thanks to Gov. Ajimobi’s strategic peace, environmental enhancement and public infrastructure resuscitation initiatives that continue to attract both local and foreign investors to the state in large numbers.

At the last count, his administration has attracted at least 30 new companies that have yielded a turnover of about N32bn and created over 3000 jobs. In fact, the National Bureau of Statistics figures of Foreign Direct Investment Inflow in Nigeria revealed that Oyo state had within 4 years attracted a total of $64.8m investment, placing the state second only next to Lagos state in the south west.

Six years down the line, Gov. Ajimobi continues to render transparent and accountable stewardship reinforced by integrity and good governance. He is busy consolidating on his first term achievements by stepping up the tempo of making life more meaningful to the common man on the street through the never happened before (ko sele ri) legacy projects implementation, even despite serious financial constraints.

For instance, the road revolution legacy projects continue unabated with the recent flag off of the dualization of the Idi-ape – Basorun – Odogbo Barracks Road; dualization of Agodi gate – Old-Ife Road to Adegbayi Junction; Expansion of Oke-odo – Agodigate – Idi-ape to Iwo Road Interchange; Eleyele – Ologuneru to

Akufo Junction, all in Ibadan metropolis, and the dualization of Saki Township Road.

The latest addition is the revival of the Ibadan Circular Road, an idea conceived by the late Lam Adesina government, but neglected by successive administrations. According to reports, when completed, the Circular Road is expected to ease intra and inter city traffic congestion, especially in Ibadan which is fast becoming an industrialized city under the current administration. The road is also expected to boost trade and commerce and ultimately engender better standard of living of the people.

Other pacesetting achievements of the Ajimobi led administration include, among others, the establishment of a farm settlement in Aawe, Afijio LGA which has engaged 1000 youth farmers to pioneer organic farming, modeled after the Songhai Farm in Porto Novo; Health initiatives aimed at giving the citizenry more access to quality health care such as - Free Health Mission interventions that has recorded over a million beneficiaries from all the nook and crannies of the state, and the establishment of the First Health Insurance Scheme which instantly provided employment for about 750 health workers in the state.

Others include a veritable welfare programme that has empowered and provided succor to about 1,200,000 people in the last six years; and finally, a recently unveiled Transformation Industrial Park along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, a Free Trade Zone established with the aim of upgrading the civil service status of the state to that of an industrialized one.

In conclusion, the foregoing narrative could best describe Gov. Abiola Ajimobi , popularly hailed as the Architect and Builder of modern Oyo state, as an accomplished change agent that irrepressibly continues to steer the ship of the state to new directions. He remains resolute in sustaining the Oyo state pacesetter status through a holistic restoration, transformation and repositioning of all sectors of the state economy.

On Wed, Jul 5, 2017 at 4:33 PM, Yomi Layinka <yomi.layinka@oyostate.gov.ng> wrote: Dear colleagues, kindly find attached article for your consideration and publication. I would be most obliged for your kind assistance in this regard.

Thank you and God bless.

Osun: Memo to the 2017 Accidental Senatorial Candidates Musibau Tunde Akanni “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus”- William Shakespeare (Macbeth) overnor Aregbesola’s administration in the State of Osun is perhaps best described as one that has derived its strength from crises. Religious crisis over hijab between muslims and christians almost became an endless one bourgeoning when it seemed to be terminating. It finally subsided with the peoples’ resolve and the intervention of well meaning supporters. No less unnerving was the government’s altercation with the labour. What is clear in this regard for now at least is that there is no formally declared dispute. But the currently raging conflict triggered by the forthcoming senatorial election is one that may leave such a destabilizing effect in the state that may even affect the next governorship election.

This politics with bitterness in Osun State involving Ede community against mainstream politicians including the sitting governor has never been as bad as it currently is. Governor Aregbesola, reportedly dismissed Dr. Deji Adeleke, brother of late Senator Adeleke, as indulging in unfounded claims against his government. Otunba Ademola Adeleke, of course has not spared much breath unleashing hurtful pronouncements against his erstwhile colleagues in APC. Otunba Adeleke’s opponent, Mudashiru Hussein and his team have not relented either.

For decidedly neutral, yet activist stakeholders like this writer, this episode has been unimaginably messy and should fade away as fast as possible. The mess being impacted on individuals and families is best exemplified in what manifests in the family of the Ejigbo born, Honeywell Flour Mills engineer, Fatai Sina Oyeyemi, President of the Old Students’ Association of Muslim Grammar School Ede. Both Mudashiru Hussain and Otunba

G

Ademola Adeleke are members the Oyeyemiled association. Although both Oyeyemi and Hussain are from Ejigbo, Oyeyemi’s wife of more than twenty years, Fatimo, is from Ede. Besides, Oyeyemi and Otunba Adeleke had been intensely fond of each other even before it became public knowledge that Oyeyemi was going to be Adeleke’s in-law. So, where should Citizen Oyeyemi and several others including this writer with connections to the parties involved in this election and as legitimate stakeholders appropriate their loyalty in the midst of flying anger?

For those who may not know, the tragic outburst of Ede people in reaction to Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke’s death is best captured

by Ola Rotimi’s assertion that “joy has a slender body that breaks too soon”. Until Adeleke became the first executive governor of Osun State in 1991, endowed as Ede was with world class professionals, political appointments had always eluded the community. For that community, commissionership and board membership of parastatals were some kind of impossible attainments; some mirage.

Some analysts had argued that it was because Ede was largely a muslim community while the ruling elite in the entire western region of Nigeria comprised Christians in the main.

Sample: When Bola Ige became the Executive Governor of Oyo State in 1979, of course with the support of Ede community in ensuring his success at the polls, the community had looked forward to proper reckoning. The cabinet composition was eventually announced and the community sought to know who her representative was. Lere Adetoye was the eye of the community in Bola Ige’s team. Adetoye was then a teacher at The Polytechnic Ibadan. Not a few people believed Adetoye could withstand political turbulence when and if any happened.

And that government recorded ample share.

Till date, there has probably been any civilian state government in Nigeria in which a replay of the tumultous Bola Ige -Busari Adelakun had

featured.

In Ede, queries therefore began to issue forth on who else would be appointed. What happened to Bunmi Ayoade? What’s the matter with Olaide Abbas? Ayoade, retired, world class professor of political science now based at the UPenn in the US was the awe-inspiring, community’s ambassador at the University of Ibadan for several years. Lately, he coordinated Aregbesola’s campaign for re-election. On the other hand was Abbas who today, is Emeritus Professor of Computer Science at the University of Lagos. Abbass has been so much of the grassroots that he remains till date a major benefactor of Muslim Grammar School Ede. He had served on the board and expended material, moral and intellectual resources for the only school that the community saw as its sole baby after some nomenclatural distortion had been inflicted on some earlier efforts. Prof. Abbass was particularly expected to be appointed into government at the cabinet level on account of his political activism which derived from that of his late father who was a close acquaintance of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The intellectual accomplishment of the duo of Ayoade and Abbass held no attraction for Ige. Ede therefore had to endure Ige’s administration. But the emergence of the community’s messiah was not going to take eternity. Babangida created Osun State and the community produced its first civilian governor.

Quite remarkably, Adeleke ensured that he constituted a most commendable team of erudite professionals and administrators. His Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Gani’ Adegbite, now late, was a fine economist and veteran grassroots politician who used that position to substantially decongest the labour market state wide. Yours sincerely also knew so well that the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board led by veteran journalist and former General Manager at Concord Press, Alhaji Liad Tella, was probably the best in the country then. Tella was later head hunted for appointment as a pioneer commissioner for the

National Hajj Commission.

Clearly, Osun State has been substantially cultivated for governance with structures relatively better than what most of its contemporaries could boast of. It would have been a shame anyway if a contrary situation obtains in a region noted for minimum tolerance for non performance as well political deception far deeply entrenched in other parts of the country. But this hasn’t happened without efforts. Perhaps most important were the foundational effort of the pioneer civilian government upon which subsequent ones later built. Unfortunately, a consolidation of Adeleke’s first term as planned was not to be, leading to the ongoing battle between two accidental bidders.

As accidental bidders, they refuse to address governance issues. They deliberately ignore issues of fairness and justice as well as even development conspicuously needed in their domain. Rather, they indulged more in attacking one another escalating the aspersions ventilated by their supporters. Hussain’s cronies had eulogized him to high heavens echoing his humility and all. To them Demola is not even a member of the party or may be not old enough in the party to deserve what he is aspiring to be.

This is worrisome and compellingly so. It is glaring that the two leading parties fielding Muda and Demola hardly did any homework on their candidates Both Hussain and Ademola, unknown to their lackeys, are like brothers that must reconcile as soon as this election is over. The two candidates should know that providence has been maximally kind to them, hence whatever comes their way ultimately should not lead to any rancor. It is hoped that the duo will seek a common ground probably beginning with the common umbrella of the Old Students Association of Muslim Grammar School Ede. –Dr. Akanni is a journalism and peace and conflict resolution scholar based at the School of Communication of the Lagos State University. Follow him on Twitter @AkintundeAkanni.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JULy 8, 2017

46

NEWSXTRA

In Brief

FG Tasked on Restructuring

The federal government has been urged to stay true to its promise by implementing restructuring as promised in its manifesto which won the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) the 2015 presidential election. A group of Nigerians under the umbrella ofThe Core Federalist, which made the call after a meeting in Lagos yesterday said that was the only option available to Nigeria to avoid another civil war.The Federalists comprises of notableNigerianslikeMr.YinkaOdumakin(South-west),HumphreyOrjiako (South- east), Ambassador Ozo Nwobu (South-east), Dr. Dele Oluwatade (South-south),KunleFagbemi,Col.GabrielAjayi,AliyuAbiolaofthelateMKO Abiolafamilyandothers.Readingthecommuniqueofthemeeting,Fagbemi, notedthatitwasimportantthatthefederalgovernmentshouldrestructure the country by implementing the report of the 2014 National Conference. .

Teachers Protest Salaries Transfer

REWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE...

L-R: Former President of Rotary Club of Lagos, Mrs. Gladys Sasore, presenting a plaque to the head teacher of Pinefield School, Lekki, during the grand finale of the Read Project organised by the Club with Kuramo Publishers...last week

Mass Employment, Infrastructure, Not Part of Amnesty Programme's Mandate' Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

Providing mass employment, infrastructure development including roads, bridges, schools, health centres, hospitals, pipe borne water and decent housing, among others are not part of the mandate of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), the Amnesty Office has said.

The Amnesty Office, in a statement captioned "The Presidential Amnesty Programme is not an omnibus Agency," said it was inundated with demands especially by youths in the Niger Delta for mass employment, training and empowerment.

The statement issued by its Head, Media, Mr. Owei Lakemfa said "some apply to it as a scholar-

ship scheme through which their not misplaced dream of tertiary education, even abroad, can be met.

There are also those who demand of it infrastructural development including the provision of roads, bridges, schools, health centres, hospitals, pipe borne water and decent housing."

The statement said while these were desirable, "the Presidential Amnesty Office wishes to clarify that these are not part of its mandate, and it has no appropriation for such programmes and projects in the Niger Delta. Properly placed, these are the mandate of other agencies."

It added that the mandate of the Presidential Amnesty Office was to cater for the beneficiaries who took

the Presidential Amnesty proclaimed by the late President Yar’Adua administration, and, sustainably reintegrate them into society to ensure peace in the Niger Delta.

"The appropriation for the Amnesty Office is to pay monthly stipends, fund the tertiary education of those on the Amnesty scholarship in tertiary institutions and those undergoing professional and vocational training and run a lean administration," the statement explained.

It noted that there had been some delays in paying stipends, school fees and in-training-allowances to beneficiaries, attributing this to the fact that office got its funds from the national budget which had to

be appropriated by the National Assembly.

"With the 2017 Budget being passed about mid-year, it means that there are bound to be payment delays. However to lessen the burden of beneficiaries, the Office had approached the federal government for loans which had been used to offset some payments. "Happily, with the signing of the National Budget, payment of stipends have resumed as well as payment of fees to Amnesty students in the country and abroad. The Amnesty Office thanks beneficiaries and the people of the Niger Delta for their understanding and patience which has led to continuous peace in the Niger Delta," the statement added.

Police Nab 87 Badoo Again, Drivers Block BeninSuspects, Declare 20 Wanted Lagos Road over Robbers SarahAgbamuche

The Lagos State Police Command in collaboration with other security agencies and local security volunteers have nabbed 87 suspected Badoo members and declared 20 others wanted in connection with the activities of the gang in Ikorodu.

The arrests which were carried out in an all-night raid by security operatives on their hideouts in Owutu and Odongunya in Ikorodu was to clamp down on the dastardly act by the gang.

According to the police, the extensive raid operation on the two areas were necessitated by more intelligence on the membership of the dreaded cult group and their mode of operations.

Those declared wanted for cult related killings includes; Moshood (a.k.a. Mosho); Alfa (a.k.a. King of Boys); Papa; Fela; Alakoto and Chukwudi.

Fourteen (14) others were also declared wanted by the police for kidnapping in Ikorodu. They include; Agbara, O/C, Femi (a.k.a

FM), Pencil, Odidan, Jaru, Allen, Bush, Happiness, Fagbo, Junior, Nuru and Jamiu.

The police, however, made a call on other suspects on the run to surrender themselves to the nearest police station.

Also involved in the exercise were the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), ACP Olatunji Disu; Acting Area Commander, Ikorodu and all DPOs in Ikorodu among other senior police officers.

Meanwhile, before the operations were carried out; The Police, Members of the Department of State Security Service, Representatives of the 174 Nigerian Army Battalion, Lagos Neighbourhood Security Corps and Odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) met with Onyabo Vigilantes headed by Chief Bombata, Traditional leaders (Osugbo/ Olomba), Religious leaders (He Shaykh Nahya As- Samadaani), Baales of different communities, other herbalists and Babalawos in Ikorodu and its suburbs on the need to collaborate with the police to wipe out the cult group.

Killing of Pregnant Woman Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Commuters and motorists plying Benin-Lagos road were stranded for several hours following protest by as luxury bus drivers who barricaded the road against alleged killing of a pregnant woman and a male passenger on the Young Shall Grow Transport Service by armed robbers in the early hours of yesterday.

A driver with the Ezewanta Transport Service and his conductor were also shot and taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

On the first day of last month, armed robbers shot and killed passengers on the same Benin-Lagos Express road which led to a protest by motorists plying the road which left commuters stranded for several hours.

Consequently, daily newspapers such as were held for several hours and could not distribute their papers.

According to Mr. Sulaman Tajudeen, driver with the Complete Sports who arrived Benin City at

2:20pm yesterday, the luxury bus drivers blocked the road in protest of those who were shot and killed and the frequent robbery attacks on the Benin-Lagos express road.

Tajudeen said the protesters were not willing to leave the roads until the government put an end to the robbery attack on the road.

He said at the heat of the protest, the luxury transport union of the zone who called for the protest went to ascertain the health conditions of those with gunshot wounds and were told by the doctors that they were in stable conditions and that the sum of N35,000 should be deposited to commence their treatment.

According to him, "The union immediately swung into action by asking stranded passengers and transporters to contribute their quota to foot their hospital bills which the passengers all sympathetically did.

"The union being satisfied with the response gotten from the commuters and other drivers, decided that the road should be cleared for vehicular movement".

The Ondo State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) yesterday joined their counterparts all over the country to re-affirm their position that the payment of salaries of primary school teachers be taken over by the state government to prevent the education sub sector from imminent collapse. The teachers during a protest at the office of the governor in Akure, the state capital, expressed their position on the issue of salary as concernedthelocalgovernmentautonomy.TheStateSecretaryoftheNUT, Mr.SolomonIgbelowowa,expressedconcernthatthelikelihoodofscrapping the state joint local government account would take them to the dark days should autonomy be granted to local councils.The peaceful protest by the teachers is a nationwide demonstration following their renewed agitation forlocalgovernmentautonomythatwasdecided attheirnationalexecutive Councilmeeting heldinKaduna.Igbelowowawhileaddressingthegathering stressedthatiftheFederalGovernmentfailstoallowstatesgovernmentto continuewiththefundingofprimaryschoolteachers,theyshouldmakethe fundingcomethroughtheUniversalBasicEducationCommission(UBEC)that willinturntransferthepaymenttovariousstatesthroughvariousuniversal basic education boards.

FG Suspends NHIS Executive Secretary

TheMinisterofHealth,Prof.IsaacAdewolehasdirectedtheExecutiveSecretary /ChiefExecutiveOfficerofNationalHealthInsuranceScheme(NHIS),Prof.

Usman Yusuf to proceed on three months suspension with immediate effect.Thedirectivewascontainedinanofficialcommunicationsignedby the Minister. According to the directive, the suspension was a result of various allegations and petitions against him. The Minister in a statement issued yesterday by Director of Media and Public Relations, Mrs. Boade Akinola, alsosaidhehaddirectedthesettingupofaninvestigativecommitteetolook into the various allegations in accordance with the Public Service Rules. He said that "the suspension became necessary to allow for an uninterrupted investigation. Prof. UsmanYusuf was however directed to handover to the next most Senior General Manager in the Agency. Members of staff of the agencyareadvisedtobelawabiding,vigilantandsafeguardallGovernment properties including valuable documents,” the statement said.

Dana Air Introduces ‘Pay with Dana Miles’

DanaAirhasintroducedapackagecalled‘PaywithDanaMiles,’aspartofefforts to enhance its service delivery to its customers, especially the Dana Miles Members.AstatementbyitsMedia/CommunicationsManager,Kingsley Ezenwa saidWiththe‘PaywithDanaMiles’initiative,membersoftheairlines’ frequentflyerprogramcannowusetheirmilesastheydesireforpaymentof excess baggage, upgrade from economy class to business class, exchange milesforticketsandstillgetloadsofbenefitsattachedtothefrequentflyer programoftheairline.Ezenwa,‘saidweareexcitedtointroducethe‘Paywith DanaMilesinitiative,whichoffersourgueststheopportunitytousetheirmiles astheydesire. ThepaywithDanaMilesinitiativeisjustourwayofproviding more options for our guests and keeping our strategic mission, which is to earntheloyaltyandrespectofourcustomersbyconsistentlydemonstrating ourcommitmenttoservice,andprovidingaffordableregionalairtransport services that focuses on innovation, quality and service excellence.”

Umahi Appoints New CPS

Ebonyi State Correspondent of Sun Newspapers, Emmanuel Uzor has emerged the new Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Mr.David Umahi. Uzor replaced the former Chief press Secretary, Emma Anya, who was disengaged two weeks ago over alleged lackluster performance. The appointment was announced by the State Commissioner for information and State Orientation, Senator Emmanuel Onwe yesterday. Onwe noted that the appointment takes immediate effect. Uzor joined Sun newspaper in 2010 and has worked in Onitsha in Anambra state before his last transfer to Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital in August, 2015 before his appointment.

HeholdsdoubledegreesinPhilosophyandMassCommunicationfromthe UniversityofIbadanandNnamdiAzikiweUniversity,Awkarespectively.He also holds Bachelors of Philosophy, B’PHL from the Pontificate University, Urban, Rome and Diploma in Latin from St Joseph University, Rome.

Netcore Solutions Hold Technology Forum

Netcore Solutions in partnership with WSI Analytics Limited has held a forum for debates on technology and marketing with the theme “MaximisingtheMarketingMomentandAccretionMarketing.” Theevent,whichwas gracedbyhostsandpartners,ChiefEdirinAbamwa,ManagingDirector,Axon Analytics; Abithab Bhaskar, Group Senior Vice President of Global Sales, NetcoreSolutions,SiddheshSawant,BusinessManager,Netcore,Nigeria; and Chukwudi Nwokike, Chief Marketing Officer, Axon Analytics, featured interactivesessionswhereparticipantslearnt informationonnewmarketingtechniques.GuestSpeaker,Bhaskar,whileacknowledgingthecountry’s advancementintechnologysaid:“Outof192millionpopulationoverhere,77 percentageofthepeoplehavegotmobilephones.That’s150millionpeople.

Thatmeans,ifyouremovetheoldagecategoryandremovethekids,whichis notyourtargetaudience,100percenttargetaudiencehavemobilephones.”

Accretionmarketing,heaffirmed,focusesonengagingexistingcustomers ratherthanacquiringnewones. Byusingtheexampleofagrocerystoreowner next to his house who constantly engages him in personal conversations, he explained that leveraging on the existing customer is what accretion marketing is all about.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JULy 8, 2017

NEWSXTRA

Dogara Backs Amendment of OGFZA Law The speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has thrown his weight behind efforts by the National Assembly (NASS) to amend the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) Act of 1996.

In his opening remarks at the public hearing on the bill to amend the OGFZA law in Abuja, organised by the House Committee on Commerce, Dogara said he was convinced deliberations at the public hearing would lead to appropriate review and correction of any ambiguities that may exist in the OGFZA Act. Dogara, represented by the deputy chief whip of the House, Pali Iriase, said such amendment would “empower the agency to focus its resources on developing and promoting tailored investment packages and incentives for oil and gas free trade zones to further promote the diversification policy of the Federal Government.”

Giving reasons why the OGFZA Act should be amended, Dogara explained that since the law was enacted in 1996, much had changed in the global marketplace that had made the law obsolete and created the imperative to bring it up to date with current realities.

“We all do appreciate the fact that global investment climate has changed drastically since the days when the legislation was enacted in 1996.

“The global competition and scramble by various countries for available foreign investments has since grown much stiffer and complex also.

“The House under my leadership shall continue to be responsive to global economic trends and will endeavor to always take proactive steps together with the Executive arm and its agencies to make new laws and review outdated portions of existing laws that tend to reduce Nigeria’s competitiveness as the premier investment destination in Africa,” he said.

Dogara noted that Nigeria

TAKING STOCK ...

L-R: Mr. Tunde Fowler, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service; Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy; and Mr Kayode Oluwasona, President, Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria (AAAN), at the 44th AGM of the association holding at Golden Tulip Hotel, Lagos...yesterday pioneered oil and gas free zones as a means for accelerating economic development, adding that it was a thing of pride that even developed countries such as Russia and the United States felt the need to borrow from Nigeria’s success in oil and gas free zones development. He also noted that the free zones under OGFZA

attracted more than 170 foreign companies, generating more than N162 billion in revenues for the Federal Government.

In a welcome address, chairman of the House Committee on Commerce, organisers of the public hearing, Sylvester Ogbaga stressed the importance of the oil and gas free

zones, saying: “There is no doubt, the existence of the Oil and Gas Free Zones has increased the tempo of economic activities in our ports and have helped to deepen the economy of Nigeria” In their presentations at the public hearing, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, managing director of OGFZA and Mr.

Emmanuel Jime, managing director of Nigeria Exporting Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) said their submissions for the hearing had earlier been transmitted to the supervising ministry—Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment—which would harmonise both submissions and forward a common position of the

ministry to the House Committee on Commerce which was considering the amendment bill.

After the hearing on the OGFZA amendment bill, the public participation in lawmaking shifted to the bill for an Act to establish The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of Nigeria.

FG Arraigns Lamido, Two Sons, Others on APC, DSS Plotting to Implicate Me in Fresh 43 Count Corruption Charge Cont’d from Pg.8 Treasonable Offence, Alleges Fayose Okoroma submitted that it would be wrong for Agi to defend a case before Ademola because the public perception would be that the judge was bias, which-ever-way the verdict went.

Earlier in his ruling yesterday, Justice Quadri held that to serve the interest of justice and public peace, he would not return the case to Justice Ademola, adding that there might be a misplaced impression of likely bias if the case is returned to Ademola.

The federal government had dragged Justice Ademola, his wife, Olubowale, and Lamido's lead counsel, Joe Agi, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on allegations of receiving gratification.

However, Justice Jude Okeke in his ruling on a no case submission by the defendants, held that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants and consequently discharged and acquitted them of all the 18 counts charges preferred against them on April 5, 2017.

In arguing the application on transfer of Lamido's trial back to Justice Ademola, Agi, had argued that since Ademola was back to his court after he was discharged and acquitted on corruption charges, he should continue with the case and that he (Quadri), who was assigned the case by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, during

Ademola's trial, should hands off.

He submitted that it would be extremely difficult for the defendants to be subjected to attend trial afresh when the prosecution, the EFCC, had already called 18 witnesses before Justice Ademola's court.

The defendants had argued further that the Chief Judge failed to comply with the conditions precedent provided for in sections 98(1) to (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act before transferring the case.

Opposing the application, EFCC's counsel, Okoroma had maintained that with the history of the trial which Justice Ademola and Agi jointly underwent, the Judge's decision on the outcome of Lamido's trial would definitely be viewed with biased mind.

Responding, Justice Quadri admitted that there was a lacuna in the provisions of section 98(1) to (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, under which the Chief Judge exercised its powers to transfer the case from Justice Ademola to him (Justice Quadri).

Justice Quadri noted that the ACJA did not envisage a situation whereby a trial judge would be suspended on the grounds of undergoing a joint trial along with a defence lawyer in an ongoing criminal case before the judge and later recalled after being exonerated of the charges.

"Section 98 of ACJA is short of remedy to this case," Justice Quadri

ruled He however ruled that in order to allow the spring of justice to flow and to avoid any form of "misplaced impression of bias" it was better not to return the case to Justice Ademola.

The Judge however noted that the allegation of likelihood of bias should not be raised to "impugn the integrity" of Justice Ademola and Agi since both of them had been exonerated of the charges preferred against them.

The Judge also granted an accelerated hearing of the case assuring parties in the case that he would do his best to do justice and be fair to all with "utmost sense of responsibility".

The suit has been adjourned till October 18 and 19 for trial.

VictorOgunjeinAdoEkiti Apparently for being critical of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, Ekiti State Government, has accused some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of conniving with the Department of State Services (DSS) to implicate the State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose in treasonable offence.

The governor said the plot was being secretly plotted with a view to arresting him and some top functionaries of the State government.

Fayose’s Special Assistant on Public Communications , Lere Olayinka, made this known in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Friday . The governor alleged that some miscreants

were already slated to be arrested by the DSS, after which the DSS would claim that subversive materials were found on them and that the arrested miscreants confessed that they were being sponsored by Governor Fayose.

The statement read; “Few hours ago, credible information was received as to the new plot by the APC-led federal government to rope the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose into treasonable offence.

“This plot is being hatched with the active connivance of some top functionaries of the DSS. “Some miscreants are already slated to be arrested by the DSS, after-which the DSS will claim that subversive materials were ‘found’ on them and that the arrested miscreants confessed that they were

being sponsored by Governor Fayose to promote insurgency in the country, with the ultimate aim of toppling the President Buhari-led government.

“The DSS will then move in, claiming to be acting on the confession of the “arrested” miscreants and attempt to arrest Governor Fayose and some top functionaries of the Ekiti State government.

“Arrest of Governor Fayose will be premised on claim that the immunity being enjoyed by the governor does not cover treasonable offences.

“Nigerians should recall that Governor Fayose made it known last week that he was aware of the various attempts on his life just because he chose to expose to Nigerians, the state of health of President Buhari.

Host Communities Kick Against Divestment, Renewal of OML 29 JohnIwori Host communities in in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 areas of operation in Nembe, Bayelsa State have kicked against the disinvestment plans of the Federal Government from the block.

They also expressed disapproval to moves to renew the mining lease without the addressing what they called “several unresolved fundamental issues” between them and the companies operating in the area.

In a letter addressed to the Minister

of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Okachukwu, the host communities of Opu Nembe (Nembe-Bassambiri) Kingdom in Bayelsa State, reminded the Federal Government of the pendency of suit against statutory consent to divestment and against renewal of OML 29.

Signed by Mr. Iniruo Wills and Anthony Enyindah, their lawyers, the host communities drew the attention of the Federal Government to the fact that they had filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Yenagoa

Judicial Division to seek an order of perpetual injunction restraining the minister and other agencies from granting any consent to the application of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) to divest itself of the ownership of OML 29 and assign same to Aiteo Exploration and Production Limited or any entity.

They also warned the Federal Government against revoking or suspending any such consent if already granted unless and until the issues at

stake were addressed.

According to the letter which was also copied to the Acting President, Attorney General of the Federation, Attorney General of Bayelsa State, the Managing Director, SPDC, and the Managing Director, Aiteo Exploration and Production Limited, the host communities said the suit also sought for an injunction to restrain the minister and other relevant authorities from considering or granting any application for the renewal of OML 29 which expires this year.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER •JULy 8, 2017

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newsXTRA

Lawmakers Advocate for Audit Bill to Strengthen Anti-Corruption War

Ajomale: Court Verdict on Odi-Olowo LCDA Obtained By Deception

Ugo Aliogo

Kunle Adewale

Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the Senate and House of Representatives yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the passage of the audit bill in order to win the anti-corruption fight embarked upon by the administration.

They explained that with the passage of the law, anti-corruption agencies such as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would be fully empowered to fight corruption, adding that the present anti-graft war was targeted at individuals rather than holistic fight to improve the country.

They disclosed this at a two-day retreat organised by the Office of the

Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF) in Lagos, in partnership with the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly with the theme; ‘A Must for the Entrenchment of Transparency and Accountability in a Growing Democracy’ Speaking, Chairman of Public Accounts Committee in the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, said the passage of the bill would entrench the administration fight against corruption.

He noted that if the administration was serious about the anti-graft war, there was need for the speedy passage and assent to the bill so that it becomes a law, thereby empowering those institutions responsible in the anti-graft war.

Chinda lamented that agencies such as the OAuGF were vital in the anti-graft war, but the agency was not being funded and given the needed support like other agencies.

“There is need to pass the bill and change our approach towards the OAuGF. Therefore, the OAuGF will also provide information to the EFCC because from the audit report, you will see obvious cases of corruption that are going on. Therefore, if the bill is passed and the OAuGF is recognized, it will be the beginning of the anti-corruption fight.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Auditor General of the Federation, Mr. Anthony Ayine, said transparency and accountability were key pillars to good governance, while commending President Muhammadu

Buhari administration for its firm and principled stance in the fight against corruption.

He explained that there was need for a close working relationship between the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the OAuGF, stressing that it was vital in the interest of good governance and public accountability.

In explaining the process of public accountability, he said the parliament entrusted government with public funds which in turn they reported back to parliament how resources had been used or utilised, stating that in-between this process lies two critical bodies which were at the heart of public accountability; PAC and OAuGF.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Henry Ajomale, has said yesterday’s court judgement cancelling Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area’s primary election conducted by the party was obtained by deception.

The primary was to pick candidates for the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

Reacting to the court verdict calling for the fresh primary election in the area, Ajomale in a press statement said the court case was an ambush, adding that the case was filed by former Commissioner for Environment in Lagos, Muiz Banire by proxy.

The statement reads: “This judgment in respect of Odi-Olowo LCDA was obtained by deception. It was an ambush. The judge was misled into believing those presented to him as genuine members of the APC have nothing to do with the conduct

and organisation of the primaries.

“Pray, how can the so-called party members brought in as defendants be the same persons disavowing the party’s primaries? They were the ones who were served the court processes.

Nobody in APC Lagos was served the court processes. They were the plaintiffs and defendants at the same time. Muiz Banire filed the suit by proxy; he also procured the lawyer who ‘defended’ the party. As the Yoruba would say, he invited the thief and also called for law enforcement officers to come and arrest the thief.

“The court process had been on for more than a month, but the party only knew a day before Banire got the judgement. This judgment is frivolous. This is a pyrrhic victory. The party has set in motion the process of putting down the judgment by way of appeal. We have put together a crack team of senior legal practitioners to properly defend the party. This judgment cannot stand.

Glo Offers 800% Recharge value on E-Top-Up

IN ABIOLA'S MEMORY...

L-R; Convener, Concerned Nigeria Professionals and Entrepreneurs Forum, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju; Human Right Lawyer, Inibehe Effiong; President, Women Arise for Change Intiative, Dr. Joe Okei -Odumakin; son of the late MKO Abiola, Abdul Mumuni Abiola; NADECO’s Chieftain, Admiral Ndubusi Kanu; Chief Ayo Opadokun; Fred Agbeyegbe; and President, Campaign for Democracy, Abdulbako Usman at a rally and wreath laying to mark the 19th Anniversary of the death of Chief MKO Abiola, held in Lagos yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

Subscribers to Globacom, will henceforth enjoy 800% value when they recharge their lines electronically.

This was disclosed at a press conference held by the company in Lagos on to launch two products; Sharp Sharp E-Top-Up and Glo Café, which it said were designed to give subscribers more exciting experience on its network. The two products offer considerably higher value in data and airtime.

Mr. Sola Mogaji, Globacom’s Senior Manager, Events and Sponsorships, said that Sharp Sharp E-Top-Up gives subscribers eight times the value of their recharges when they top up their credit on electronic recharge channels such as Glo Café, Automated Teller Machines and Point Of Sale terminals.

He further explained that when a subscriber recharges via E-top up with specific amounts, he or she will be credited with 8 times the

Nigerian NUJ Adopts Self-help ECOWAS Court Expresses Breweries Dismay over Proposed Reduction as Abia Govt Abandons Review Prizes

of Judges from Seven to Five

Secretariat Project

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia

The Community Court of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), has expressed dismay over the proposed reduction of the number of Judges from seven to five.

It said the institutional reforms announced in Monrovia, during the recent statutory meetings held in June 2017, did not augur well for the development of community justice in the sub regional space.

The President of the Court, Justice Jerome Traore revealed this in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 9th ECOWAS Court Judicial retreat, with the theme; 'The ECOWAS Court of Justice: Prospects for Growth'.

He recalled that the Court, like other institutions based in Abuja, was faced with the closure of the Abuja airport for a long period of time, which disrupted the scheduling of hearings and negatively impacted its functioning.

The president also noted that the compulsory absence of Justice

Micah Wilkins Wright weighed heavily, especially concerning the treatment of English cases of which his contribution had always been remarkable.

Traore stated: "In addition, there are prospects, which are none the less disturbing. Indeed, at a time when more and more litigants are coming before the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, it becomes more necessary than ever to strengthen our Court and surround it with all the guarantees of independence and efficiency.

"Against all odds, it is a paradox that this was the time chosen to proceed with a reduction in the number of judges from seven currently, to only five, if the envisaged reforms were implemented...does not augur well for the development of community justice in our sub regional space," he added.

While fielding questions from journalists, the president stressed that the enforcement of judgement was still one of the challenges the court would continue to address.

With eviction staring it in the face following the expiration of its tenancy on a rented office the Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has decided to embark on self-help initiative to realise its permanent secretariat project abandoned by the state government.

Since the inception of Abia NUJ in 1993 the Council has been using a rented office accommodation as its secretariat or NUJ Press Centre. Hope rose in 2014 when the administration of Senator Theodore Orji embarked on the construction of a permanent NUJ secretariat at Ogurube Layout but the project was not completed before the end of the administration.

To worsen the situation the present administration of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has shown no interest in completing the NUJ secretariat project. Not only that, the government has also withdrawn the standing gesture of paying rent for NUJ office accommodation.

All previous administrations had

assisted the Abia NUJ to pay rent for its temporary accommodation pending the time it would get a permanent secretariat like other State Councils.

Chairman of Abia NUJ broke the news of imminent eviction to journalists during the July Congress of the State Council, saying that the permanent secretary, government house, Mr. Onyi Wamah had already informed him of government’s decision to stop paying NUJ rent.

Emejo said that with the sad development of possible eviction “time has come for the State Council to take the bull by the horn by making personal sacrifice to build our own secretariat” instead of being at the mercy of landlords and benefactors every year.

He said that the executive committee of the Council had decided that every member of Abia NUj must make a financial contribution to the tune of at least N2,500 toward erecting a temporary accommodation pending the completion of the permanent secretariat.

Olaseni Durojaiye As a further demonstration of its commitment to deepening and rewarding professionalism and excellence in journalism practice in the country, Nigerian Breweries Plc has announced an upward review for prize winnings and thematic thrust of the 2017 edition of the Golden Pen Awards.

The company stated that its commitment to continually honour journalists who abide by the finest ethics and highest standard of the profession aligns with the company’s corporate philosophy of winning with Nigeria.

Corporate Affairs Advise of the company, Kufre Ekanem, stated so while addressing newsmen to announce the flag-off of this year’s edition in Lagos. He also disclosed that over the last three years, the focus has been on the role of the media in setting agenda for the future of Nigeria with the theme, Education, Youth Empowerment and Talent Development.

value recharged. For instance, if the subscriber recharges with N201, he or she will get over N1, 601 made up of N201 in his or her main account, N100 bonus airtime for calls to all networks and N900 bonus airtime to call other Glo subscribers. In addition, customers will receive 50MB data bonus for personal use and extra 25MB data, which could be gifted to another Glo customer.

On the benefits of recharging via E-top up, he explained, that it was convenient, fast and secure. For example, customers can recharge at any time and from anywhere in the world.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as EJECHI OLUCHUKWU BLESSING now wish to be known and addressed as IGBOKWE OLUCHUKWU BLESSING. All former documents remain valid.

The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKWUOKIE ADIEU TINA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BLESSING UGOCHINYERE PETER. All former documents remain valid.

The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUWAKEMI IDOWU AKINBODE now wish to be known and addressed as MISS AKINBODE KEMI AJOKE. All former documents remain valid.

The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as SILAS EBENEZER now wish to be known and addressed as ETUK IDONGESIT SILAS. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as BABAWALE ABIODUN JAMES INNOCENT now wish to be known and addressed as BABAWALE ABIODUN INNOCENT. All former documents remain valid.

The general Public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME. This is to notify the general public that my name was wrongly quoted as ANI PETER instead of ANI PETER NWABUEZE. All documents remain valid, the general public should please take note.

49

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • july 8, 2017

MARITIME BITS with john Iwori.... 08057763164

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Command, Comptroller Emmanuel UdoAka displaying some of the contrabands seized by the command in Ibadan, Oyo State…recently

L-R: Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Ibrahim Hameed Ali (retired) and the NPA, Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr. Sokonte H. Davies shortly after inspecting Apapa Port, Lagos…recently

ICD Promoters Accuse Amaechi, Bello of Bias, Favouritism The promoters of the inland container depot (ICD) in the country have accused the Minister of Transportation, Right Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello of bias and favouritism in the implementation of dry port projects.

The promoters alleged that while Amaechi and Bello are doing everything possible to encourage and support the take-off of the ICD in Kaduna, this has not been the case with other ICDs. They alleged that it was this favouritism and bias against other ICD that was responsible for the speed in the execution of the Kaduna dry port.

The allegations of bias and favouritism is coming on the heels of the recent working inspection of the Kaduna dry port facility in Kaduna State by Amaechi, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna

IMO Scribe Backs NIMASA to Develop Transport Policy The Secretary General, of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Kitack Lim has expressed the commitment of the United Nations (UN) agency to support efforts aim at making Nigeria attain its aspirations in the maritime industry.

Lim who stated this at three-day National Maritime Transport Policy development workshop organized recently by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in conjunction with the IMO said the organization will support NIMASA to develop what he called a sustainable transport system that will reflects and balance the interests of all stakeholders.

The IMO Secretary General who was represented at the workshop by the IMO Head, Africa Section, Technical Cooperation Division, Mr. William Azuh, stated that promotion and development of national policies to guide planning, decision making and relevant legislative actions is an important governance practice of many governments, including Nigeria.

His words: “We will support NIMASA in developing a sustainable maritime transport system reflecting and balancing the interests of stakeholders with a carefully devised and executed maritime transport policy, which is crucial in serving as a fundamental guidance document to provide a long-term sustainable vision for the future of the Nigerian maritime sector”.

Besides Lim, other stakeholders also expressed their readiness to back NIMASA in the development of a sustainable transport policy in the country.

They include the Chairmen, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, who was represented by the Committee Deputy, Senator Ahmed Ogembe and his Federal House of Representatives counterpart, Hon. Umar Bago, represented

by Hon. Solomon Adaelu. They reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly’s support to see to the formulation of the policy.

Other are the Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas , represented by Rear Admiral Oshinowo, Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN).

State, Bello and other top government officials.

Buttressing the allegations of bias and favouritism, the Chairman of Dala Dry Port, Alhaji Ahmad Rabiu said while the Federal Government has refused to grant the status of Port of Origin and Destination to other dry ports, it has speedily given to Kaduna dry port facility.

He alleged that some state governments have continued to use Amaechi and Bello to frustrate the Kano dry port more than two years after President Mohammed Buhari’s government of change took the reins of administrations.

His words: “Vice President Namadi Sambo secured a declaration for the Kaduna inland port as a Port of Origin and Destination on 15/5/2015, just two weeks before leaving office after losing election even though Kaduna was never part of the six inland dry ports approved by the Federal

Executive Council (FEC) under President Olusegun Obasanjo in the year 2003 for which concession agreements were only signed in the year 2006.

Regrettably, the Federal Government refused to declare the rest dry ports, particularly Kano which pioneered the entire movement”.

Rabiu in a telephone chat with THISDAY stated that all the promoters are aggrieved by the poor attitude of government officials to the implementation of ICD across the country.

“John, I must tell you, it is not only Kano ICD that is affected. All the promoters of the dry port projects across the country are all affected. We are all hurt by this lopsided, poor and unnecessary delay in the implementation of the dry port projects.

The promoters of the ICDs are all hurt by the poor execution of dry port projects over the years. There are rent seekers who are bent on frustrating the

Attah: NLNG Committed to Cleaner Environment The Managing Director of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Mr. Tony Attah has reiterated the commitment of the firm to ensure cleaner environment.

He stated that the company would achieve this through its commitment to the sustained supply of cooking gas and liquefied petroleum gas into the local market.

According to him, this is premised on the need to ensure the use of cleaner energy for the health benefit of Nigerians and cleaner environment in line with the mission of the company to help to build a better Nigeria.

Attah stated this in Lagos during a visit to key LPG facilities in Nigeria’s premier port city, Apapa, Lagos.

His words: “NLNG is the biggest receptacle to gas in the country and it is our contribution that has changed the game in the gas industry in Nigeria.

We have since helped in the reduction of gas flared in the country from 65 percent to less than 20 percent. And as part of our vision to help build a better Nigeria, we are focused on sustained supply of LPG in a bid to deepen its usage in the country, promote environmentalism thus amongst others reduce death from inhalation of smoke from dirty fuels.

Volumes of LPG in the market was less than 50,000 tons per annum before our intervention in 2007 and since then deliveries have been on the increase with 262,000 tons delivered

by NLNG alone in 2016 while total domestic consumption was at over 450,000 tons. We are focussing on better environmentalism through steady supply of LPG, a clean and versatile energy which will protect our environment. Nigeria LNG is raising the ante in ensuring a lean environment for Nigeria.”

The facilities visited by NLNG boss and his entourage include Navgas Limited, NIPCO Plc and the Nigerian Products Storage Company (NPSC) Terminals in Apapa.

Besides NLNG Deputy Director, Mr. Sadeeq Mai-Bornu and the General Manager Commercial, Mr. Godwill Dike, the General Manager External Relations, Mr. Kudo Eresia-Eke and the Health and Safety Manager, Amadi Amadi.

Mai-Bornu said that there are opportunities for partnership with Nigeria LNG and businesses to create employment from new business opportunities, thereby reducing poverty. “Nigeria LNG is the arrowhead of the federal governments drive to reduce gas flared in the country and we are committed to ensuring reliable supply of the product for a cleaner environment”, he said.

On his part, Dike reiterated NLNG commitment to de-risking the domestic LPG value chain, even as he stated that the firm has committed resources to eliminating bottlenecks inhibiting steady supply of affordable LPG. “NLNG has recently gone into an arrangement with NPSC to revamp key LPG jetties in Apapa namely; the New Oil Jetty (NOJ), the Bulk Oil Platform (BOP) and the Petroleum Wharf Apapa (PWA). On completion of revamp works, delivery of product via all three jetties would ensure steady supply of LPG through the facilities and should lead to reduction in end user prices with volumes being readily available.” He said.

Also speaking, Eresia-Eke said: “As part of NLNG’s constant advocacy on helping to build a better Nigeria, it is focussing on supply of LPG and has currently dedicated 350,000 tonnes per annum for the domestic market.

dry port projects across the country. These rent seekers are virtually everywhere. They are within and outside corridors of power. Their existence precedes the present administration of President Mohammdu Buhari. Unfortunately, Amaechi and Bello are yielding to them”, he said.

In spite of the challenges, he expressed the readiness of Kano dry port to continue with efforts aimed at attaining its set goals and objectives.

THISDAY checks revealed that Amaechi and Bello’s push for the ICD in Kaduna was not unconnected with the failure of other ICD promoters to move at the speed the government expected them.

An impeccable source at Shippers Plaza, the corporate headquarters of NSC, Apapa, Lagos said despite having series of meetings with the ICD promoters, they are yet to carry out tangible milestones in the delivery of the ICDs,

Agents, Truckers Protest Vindicates Maritime Journalists The recent protest by licensed customs agents, freight forwarders and truck drivers over the poor state of the port access roads have vindicated maritime journalists who consistently brought the ills in the maritime industry to the fore.

It is on record that for three days running penultimate month, the nation’s seaports in the Lagos area that account for at least 65 per cent of cargo traffic and port revenue in the country were paralysed following a strike action embarked upon by port users. Apart from the high prices, poor services by service providers, the port users were protesting the deplorable state of the roads in and around Apapa, Lagos.

Besides members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), and the Amalgamation of Trucking Associations, the organized private sector under the auspices of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), also protested the ills in the nation’s seaports, airports and international borders.

They stated that apart from the untold hardship the traffic gridlock in Apapa causes to business, they disclosed that they have continued to record huge losses due to frequent fall of cargo-laden trucks as a result of the collapsed roads.

Journalists covering the maritime industry under the auspices of the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) had on December 8, 2016 protested the deplorable state of the Apapa roads and the resultant gridlock. Uncomfortable with the perennial Apapa gridlock which had remained unresolved for over ten years, MAJAN had embarked on the peaceful protest to draw the attention of the of authorities to the menace which has cost the country trillions of naira in revenue.

Specifically, MAJAN, whose membership is drawn from the print and electronic media, began the protest from Mile 2 and sang solidarity songs to show its disapproval of the development that has taken a huge toll on the country both financially and materially.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • July 8, 2017

INTERVIEW Simi Fajemirokun

Nigeria Needs Education That Prepares Children for the Future and Not the Past Committed, bold and driven by her desire to change the narrative in the Nigerian educational system, the founder of R2S Africa, an NGO dedicated to reviving the education sector, Simi Fajemirokun, is testament patriotism. Her involvement in a corporate social responsibility organised by a consulting firm she used to run opened her eyes to the decay in the sector. Her NGO has since impacted over 1,200 students in schools and is looking forward to impacting thousands more using the power of partnerships. In this interview with Eromosele Abiodun, she talks about the outcome of a field research in education conducted in a few states which showed that 50 per cent of children could not read or write in primary schools, and how Nigeria can become Africa’s giant in education

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hat informed your decision to set up an NGO that is solely dedicated to reviving Nigeria’s education sector?

The future looked very scary. While running a consulting firm, we conducted field research in education in a few states and the outcome showed that 50 per cent of children could not read or write in a primary school. The consulting firm also had a corporate social responsibility programme that reads to primary six class for an hour a week in a school in the community. We were horrified to see how low the literacy level was where some students in primary six could not spell basic words like cat, bat or sat. So between the experience and the facts, it was too big a problem to ignore. On the other hand, by showing up once a week, we saw the difference it made on the school – the school fence was built, security personnel were hired, making the school was now safe and secure. School taps were fixed and students now have access to water. The library became better equipped with books; teacher absenteeism reduced by 90 per cent; the school block connected to connected to electricity for the first time in 10 years; students went on excursion for the first time and 70 per cent of our students improved their reading and public speaking skills. The results were incredible; so we decided to scale up.

At R2S Africa, we are committed to improve the state of education in public schools. We constantly question the status quo of poor education in Nigeria and strongly believe that education should inspire tomorrow’s solutions.

So we develop programmes that positively impact on the environment, teacher and pupils.

The standard of education in the country has fallen drastically. What has your organisation done to change the narrative?

We don’t assume we know the problem so we employ a scientific approach. We start by conducting research, interview students and staff to produce a needs assessment report. We adopt schools and transform them. We also advocate for private sector to adopt a school or sponsor programmes with schools because it’s the best return on investment for corporate social responsibility projects with measurable impact. We believe this helps ensure we are part of the solution and not the problem.

Read2Succeed Africa recently celebrated the opening of its modern African-Inspired showroom at Utako LEA primary school.

What is this all about?

‘The future belongs to those who imagine it today.’ If majority of what we see about public schools are stories of degradation, neglect, broken furniture and leaky roofs, then we need new narratives so we decided to create that. In addition, cars have showroom, tech gears have a showroom, and fashion labels have showrooms. So, if education is really important then it needs a showroom where the best ideas for space design, functionality and more are showcased.

I understand that your idea is to have classrooms that feature unique designs that reflect the culture of the community and promotes a sense of belonging. Can you talk more about that?

We asked ourselves a question: what does a modern African classroom look like? We honestly didn’t know. We Googled and we couldn’t find any. Even the best schools seem to be preparing students to go abroad. When you see pictures of schools in England, China, Europe you have an idea where these schools are. But it seems like in terms of design, what is considered good is most likely considered Western and we completely disagree. We believe that modernism and Africanism are not mutually exclusive and if our classroom reflects our sense identity then we can stop perpetuating the colonial mentality that everything about our culture is backward and reserved for festivals and cultural day.

We wanted to design spaces where you don’t need to sensitise people to come to school – the classroom itself tells them ‘you belong here’; a space where pride and confidence are instilled without even saying a word.

What do you think is wrong with Nigeria’s education system and what is the solution?

The list is so long and multifaceted but I’ll focus on just one thing I believe is fundamentally wrong. The biggest problem I see is attitude; the attitude that education is a sunk cost with little or no returns on investment.

So the Universal Basic Education emphasizes access but not quality. So, we told ourselves to let everyone in and no child is allowed to

repeat. So, whether you learn or not is inconsequential. 50 per cent of students in primary schools cannot read or write and there’s been no state of emergency declared in the sector.

Teachers without training abound in schools and where there’s a shortage of teachers – we send a bunch of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members without training to go and teach in schools. Will you send a corps member to a hospital to perform surgery? If actions are a reflection of thinking then our actions show we simply don’t take education seriously.

The moment we begin to understand that the end of oil is near and that the greatest asset any country has is its people, and then harnessing this asset will become priority.

When we begin to link the present to the future of the country with a labour force that cannot read or write or solve problems maybe then we’ll get serious. On that note, we need a business approach to education where performance and funding are linked, where competition thrives and a reward system exists. A business approach will allow our schools to create value and earn income to sustain them. A business approach will put competent, passionate people in leadership positions in education to ensure a clear vision is crafted and results are delivered.

What has been your greatest achievement so far and why?

My greatest achievement? We haven’t even scratched the surface yet and whatever we’ve done so far feels like a drop in the ocean when compared to the mountain of problems in the education sector. But I do believe that

Fajemirokun

‘as a man thinks so is he’ and so maybe a huge achievement could be the ability to look at the stark reality of how bad things are and dare to dream of an alternate reality. If the power of neglect got us here, then I am confident that the power of intention and planning can get us out of this mess.

What is your NGO’s vision for education?

Our vision is for the ‘Giant of Africa’ to become the giant in Education in Africa. We envision an education system that creates a competent workforce where companies will make Nigeria their hub for doing business in Africa. I want to see an education system that is competitive and rewards hard work and not tribalism or mediocrity. An education system that is relevant and provides opportunities that will reduce economic disparities and the vicious cycle of poverty. I want to see an education system that prepares our children for the future and not the past. We want to put in place an education system where learning actually takes place.

What plans do you have in the pipeline to take your initiative nationwide and across Africa?

We’ve got big plans to change the sector from a policy, technology and partnership level. Once we are done with our selected schools in Lagos and Abuja and we show clear results, we’ll work with corporate and private citizens to make this a movement across the country. We believe smart business should be engaged in building smart communities. It’s just common sense.

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R â&#x20AC;˘ JULY 8, 2017

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EVENTS

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rof. Olufunmilayo Oloruntimehin turned 75 recently, Olufunmilayo is the wife of Prof. Olatunji Oloruntimehin and mother of Olajumoke Adenowo (Architect, CEO AD Consulting/Founder Awesome Treasures Foundation) and Olakunle Oloruntimehin, Country General Manager Cisco Nigeria. She is also the mother-in-law of Olukorede Adenowo (CEO Standard Chartered Bank Gambia and Senegal). A thanksgiving and communion service and a reception were held in her honour on the same day at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan. The ceremonies were well attended by Leaders from all spheres, dignitaries, Captain of Industry, and the academia. Here are some of the personalities at the events.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • july 8, 2017

POLITY

Fowler: FIRS will Continue to Work with AAAN

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Bennett Oghifo he Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Tunde Fowler has said they would continue to collaborate with the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) to the benefit of both organisations.

Fowler stated this in his keynote remarks, at the 44th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) at the Golden Tullip, Festac Lagos yesterday.

He said, “The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) will continue to be your partners in progress. You must have observed a fresh tinge to public communication and advertising from the FIRS, dating back to 2007. Some members of this association worked with us in re-designing our logo, branding and enunciating a new vision and mission.”

Fowler said the theme of the AGM and Conference — Fresh Thinking—was apt, timely and carefully considered, adding the FIRS had been embracing fresh modes

of communication in the last 24 months.

“Working with some members of your association, we will continue to vote for fresh, ingenious ideas that will strengthen the economy by helping to earn more revenues for the national treasury. We treasure the good work you have done and are still doing as well as your insights towards the realisation of our mandate.

“If ‘Fresh Thinking’ is a way of solving problems or considering situations from a fresh perspective that suggests unconventional solutions, then FIRS has been doing a lot of fresh thinking in recent times.”

He noted that FIRS has been relentless in improving its operations in the last 10 years since it became autonomous, stating that with the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), it had embarked on expansive modernisation projects that were resulting and would continue to result, in improved revenue earnings for the national treasury.

He presented some of the fresh ideas, which included what he called ‘Tax Amnesty’, explaining that “In 2016, the country celebrated the addition of N27 billion, to the national treasury from a novel idea: the

waiver of penalty and interest programme.

FIRS offered tax amnesty to taxpayers in default of payment of taxes between 2013 and 2015.”

According to him, “The Tax defaulters were allowed to pay the actual taxes owed while the penalty and interest were waived.

This was with a proviso: that they declared their indebtedness, paid 25 per cent of the principal amount and present a payment plan on the outstanding tax liabilities, acceptable to the Service.”

He said it was now easy to File Tax Returns with Ease, stating that FIRS considered the convenience, proximity and ease of tax payment. “We have since introduced the idea that taxpayers can now file tax returns at any FIRS office nearest to them. This idea alone has increased compliance considerably. Advertising was key to the realisation of this singular, but major change in more than 60-year shift in tax operational rules.”

FIRS, he said had also improved collaboration with the Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation to ensure that MDAs remit taxes promptly through the implementation of the Government Inte-

Emir Sanusi Becomes New Chief Scout of Nigeria

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he Scout Association of Nigeria (TSAN) known formerly as the Boys Scout Association has appointed the Emir of Kano, HRH Mohammed Sanusi ll as its new Chief Scout to replace Engr. Ahmadu Rufai Mohammed, MON, whose 4-year second tenure ended on June 27th, 2017.

Sanusi’s appointment was confirmed by the National Scout Council at its Annual General Meeting held at the Centre for Management Development in Lagos on Saturday, July 1st, 2017.

The National Council meeting, which is the highest policy organ of the Boys Scout Movement in Nigeria, also elected Mr Scot Aigbovia of Edo state as

Honorary National Secretary and Hajia Rabi Usman of Kogi State as Honorary National Treasurer.

Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode commended the positive contribution of the Scout Association to leadership development and pledged his government’s continued support for the organization.

Represented by the state commissioner for youth and social development, Governor Ambode thanked the Association for joining to identify with the government and people of the State during the celebration of State at 50 and congratulated the new chief scout whom he described as a committed lover of the youth.

In her welcome address, Lagos State Scout President and Chief Judge of the State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, said scouting remains a veritable instrument for national development and sustainable growth.

The Association had at the meeting considered the report of the Chief Commissioner, Treasurer’s Audited Report as well as the report of the Association’s youth forum. The AGM, which was attended by more than a third of State Councils and National officers in line with the Associatio’s constitutional provision, featured colourful cultural displays, including amongst others the EYO masquerade dance.

grated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) which facilitates deduction and remittance of Withholding Tax (WHT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) on all contract payments at source.

On the taxation of advertising incomes, Fowler said, “Incomes from advertising can be from a trade or business regularly carried on and such income does not enjoy any taxexempt status. An advertising company will be subjected to companies’ income tax on its profits. Tertiary Education tax will be paid where applicable. Likewise the withholding tax will apply as advance payment of tax.

The employees in an Advertising company will be subjected to personal income tax through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system.

Where the expenses pass the test of wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred by a taxpayer who is carrying on a trade or business, such expenses will be deductible for tax purposes.”

He advised that “advertisement should not only inform, it should be inspiring, patriotic and socially responsible. All forms of adverts: product and services, public service announcements, political adverts, obituary/funeral announcements among others, should conform to the canons of advertising.”

Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Stephen Ayorinde, said AAAPN has contributed to the economic growth of the nation and to the employment of skilled labour.

Ambode said he looked forward to improved cordial relationship between the state government and AAAPN, saying “we are fast-tracking economic growth and infrastructure development to keep pace with the demands of an emerging smart city that will impact profoundly on your profession.

“It will require that you evolve new strategies that will serve the needs of your clients in the development and location of billboards and advert holdings in public space.”

He also charged them on the application of ethical standards in the development of advert concepts.

Photo news

L-R: The Legal, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), Sade Morgan; Director General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. Dan-Azumi Ibrahim; the Managing Director, NBC, George Polymenakos and the Chief Finance Officer, NBC , Seun Oni, during a visit by NOTAP to NBC in Lagos...recently

Minister of Communications, Mr. Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, after declaring the TechPlus 2017 Conference and Exhibition open at Landmark Centre, stopped over at the Avon HMO booth for a health check in Lagos...recently

L–R: Founder FuelVoucher, Emewulu Chimezie; Head, Corporate Communications, OVH Energy Marketing, Seun Adeosun; Divisional CEO for Industry Vertical Markets, Interswitch, Chinyere Don-Okhuofu; and Head Sales, OVH Energy Marketing, Babafemi Olabiyi, at the official signing of strategic partnership on fuel retailing across Nigeria in Lagos...recently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

R–L: Surveyor-General, Lagos State, Olutomi Sangowawa; Principal Partner, Adekunle Omotola & Co. Kunle Omotola; Special Adviser, Urban Development Yetunde Onabolu; Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Lagos, Bode Agoro; Director, Land Services Banke Adeola; and Bamidele Ibrahim, at the commissioning of the Lagos State’s upgraded and re-designed Land Registry by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the Land Bureau, Ikeja, Lagos...recently

53

JULY 8, 2017 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

BUSINESS PEOPLE

Editor: Vincent Obia email: vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com Tel: 08054681757

‘Companies Need to Think Out of the Box to Grow Their Businesses’ Author and consummate life coach, Ayo Benson Olarewaju, a chartered accountant, rose to become a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, as well as Association of Certified Chartered Accountants in United Kingdom. He has his fingers in many pies. Over the years, Olarewaju has consistently rendered services to local and multinational companies, nurturing them to become iconic brands. Olarewaju is also a respected public speaker and expert on business, e-commerce, performance, NLP and psychology of success. In this interview with Raheem Akingbolu, the UK-based consultant and author of ‘Goldmine of your Mind-Your Fast Track to Abundance’ talks about secret of success and why businesses fail

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ou are based in the UK but have consistently showed passionate interest in Nigeria, through your articles and appearances in local and international television stations. What is the attraction?

The first attraction is the fact that I’m a Nigerian and like the saying goes; ‘no place like home’. Besides, the country has potentials for growth and a lot of human and natural resources that require proper nourishment. I have always said it that Nigeria has what it takes to become one of the greatest economies in the world if her resources can be well harnessed. To me, apart from the fact that we have poor approach to governance, I also believe experts should not shy away from providing necessary professional advice and services from time to time.

It is stated on your company’s website (ayobenson.com) that it helps transform businesses in the UK by getting remarkable results for big companies. Could you please tell us more about MBC Konsult?

MBC Konsult is a UK based company with a presence in Nigeria. The impressive results that are referred to in our profile are as a result of our unconventional ways of approaching business problems. Our experience has shown that the business school solutions are sometimes too complex to achieve quick result, so we devise our own ingenious ways of looking at providing solutions for our clients and the results speak for itself.

What do you think is the major challenge preventing Nigerian big companies from getting to the next level to compete internationally?

Let me take the question from unique perspectives; when you refer to major challenge, I would further divide it into two parts namely; internal and external challenges. Let me take the external challenges first because it is a great excuse for mediocrity. In today’s Nigeria, they include; the infrastructure, low

per capital income, corruption, legislations, regulations and others. There is a limited chance of changing these factors directly as it is considered outside the control of the companies. However, the internal challenges are within the purview of control by the companies, which I will try to look at some of them and proffer solutions now.

The first one is people and in my practice when a company comes to me with a gigantic business challenge, I usually don’t jump in to solve the problem the way they expected. I analyse the leader of the company to see if there is any blind spot he couldn’t see himself. I call it blind spot to explain the fact that most leaders have tremendous skills and energy which is why they got to that position but for obvious reasons, it is difficult for them to see their own fault and people around them are unlikely to tell them the truth! The qualities that get a leader to the top may also stop them from getting to the next level.

You are saying the attitude of the CEO can make and break a company?

Yes, let me give you a practical example. A client of mine with presence in the UK, US and South Africa recorded losses for three years in a row and he was introduced by another client. My diagnosis revealed that the success achieved by the company through expansion got into the head of the CEO and he was running ahead of time to get things done! The simple solution is usuContinued pg 54

UK based company with a presence in Nigeria. The impressive results that are referred to in our profile are as a result of our unconventional ways of approaching business problems. Our experience has shown that the business school solutions are sometimes too complex to achieve quick result, so we devise our own ingenious ways of looking at providing solutions for our clients and the results speak for itself

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER • JULY 8, 2017

BUSINESS PEOPLE ‘Companies Need to Think Out of the Box to Grow Their Businesses’ ally the best solution in my experience and according to the geniuses of our time. When I told him to slow down to the speed of life, he was resistant because speed was the key to his initial success. It sounded counterintuitive to him. How can slowing down achieve success, he asked. He eventually complied and we worked together for two years monitoring his activities periodically; the loss stopped in the first year and by year two the company returned the biggest profit it ever achieved. Without help, this company could have continued to haemorrhage until it collapsed. There are many companies in trouble but they are looking for the complex solutions to their problems; I advise they look for help in the right place and remember the simple solution is the most appropriate.

Training is considered optional by some companies and it is one of the areas they cut off when there is a little sign of trouble.

Training is not a cost head in my opinion, it is an investment in the future of the company and the value created by companies may be directly attributable to the sum total value of its employees’ know how!

You identified ‘processes’ as another problem confronting business owners, can you explain this?

Yes, this is also the belief of many experts.

The truth is that most big companies are paralysed by complex Standard Operating Systems. What does it mean? SOP helps companies maintain standard by setting out specifically how things must be done to maintain quality and safeguard the assets of the company. There is a saying that ‘what gets you here may not get you there’! You need SOP to run a business successfully but companies must not allow it to stifle initiatives of the team. I usually help my clients simplify their SOP so that the team may be allowed to act with initiatives when required without breaching the protocols.

In today’s global world of technology, automating replicable processes may save companies a fortune but people inside the business sometimes cannot see possibilities because they have been too involved to think outside the box. A client of mine in the UK implemented SOP solution for one million pounds but our cost benefit analysis shows that the system generates savings of around half a million per annum. If this system runs for 10years, then the return on investment is four million pounds.

Can you explain how products and packaging can enhance growth for brands?

Let me cite a recent development to answer the question. There was an outcry in the press lately about garri importation from China. I just laughed because we have been making garri for thousands of years in this part of the world; did you ever ask why we still make it exactly the same crude, dirty and inefficient way? Is it our culture not to think of continual improvement about our products? In the UK, I have a friend who is also an accountant but he produces plantain chips. If you are wondering why should he stoop so low? If you asked that question then it means you are thinking he fries it in his kitchen! He designed a machine where he feeds the plantain at the beginning of the process and it spits out packed plantain chips (ipekere) from the other end of the machine. He supplies major stores like Tesco in the UK and he is a very rich man just by thinking differently about product improvement. We are too much in love with familiarity which is understandable and companies are not immuned to this detrimental psyche.

Companies must look beyond their success based on a familiar modus operandi and look for a new method which may propel them to greatness. The challenge is that people within the business may not see it which is why a knowledgeable consulting firm may help them see things differently.

What roles do you think marketing communication will play in all these, especially promotion and advertising?

Let me take you on a journey to a few years ago. If you wanted to promote your business, you will pay for newspaper advert, radio jingle, tv ads, magazine, billboards and other platforms. This is not only expensive but ineffective and if you don’t have a big budget then you are going nowhere.

Today, it is different because the Internet is a leveller! This means if you can work hard

by learning and spending a little money, you may rapidly take your business to the next level of greatness leveraging on online marketing. I have studied the online marketing intensely for the past eight years and let me give you some ideas of the pitfalls. If you jump on the bandwagon without learning or using a skilful consultant, you may lose your shirt. The reason is that there are rules about online marketing and you must obey the rules to succeed. Another warning is that the rules change so rapidly, you may not be able to keep up with it. A client of mine sells a sole product (handset protector) online and he runs a campaign online spending 10000 pounds per month and he makes a profit of £40,000, that is 400 per cent profit. He doesn’t even touch the product because he orders them from China and directly delivers to Amazon in the UK and US to distribute them for him. His core competence which he does so well is online marketing. He doesn’t do it alone as well because our team also helps him tweak his campaign reflecting the constant change in online marketing space.

What is your advice for companies in Nigeria?

Well, I would have to write a whole book to do justice to this question, but let me try and keep it brief because of time and space. If you look around the world most big projects usually take longer than planned and cost much more than budgeted for. Why am I talking about project you may ask? You cannot run any significant business successfully without undertaking projects whether you call it that or not. The major reasons for project delay or failure is the method being used e.g. Gant chart et al. This was a second world war invention but modern companies still use it for their project management and no wonder the results are usually haphazard. I am going to talk about a new method (not quite new but much more flexible and effective)! It is called SCRUM. If you have a big project and still using Gant chart, drop the moribund method and go ahead and research how to use SCRUM. It may save you a fortune! The sum total of it is that you must find new methods constantly and more importantly adopt continual improvement in your business. Secondly, I think it is easy to fall for the story of difficulty about doing business in Nigeria but we must stop worrying about those things we have no control over because if we focus on those external factors then we may actually lose control over the issues that we have control over. We can control our internal resources; therefore, we must focus on it intensely to achieve success.

Hard work is not enough, we must engage in intelligent hard work. Learning is the key to growth and few companies in Nigeria do this systematically and deliberately. In the last chapter of my book ‘Goldmine of your Mind-Your Fast Track to Abundance’ I advocated for life-long learning not just by entrepreneurs but by everyone in our community. Mark Twain said, ‘a man who doesn’t read has no advantage over a man who can’t read’!

We have this notion that we know everything there is to know the moment we have a little bit of success but that cannot be further from the truth. Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘Live as if you will die tomorrow but learn as if you will live forever’!

We must develop the habit of reading and learning new things to have the chance of getting near the success of the developed world. The world will not wait for us but we must at least start walking towards the path of progress in our endeavor as a country.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY JULY 8, 2017

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Saturday, July 08, 2017

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MISSILE Ajibola to Separatists

“With this level of endemic corruption in the national psyche, breaking up is akin to multiplying avenues of corruption. We need to nurture a new generation of Nigerians through a review of our education curricula to promote good conduct, morality and globally acceptable conduct.”

– A former World Court Judge, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN), dismissing the growing agitation for secession

PENDULUM Dele Momodu

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

A Special Evening with The Acting President

F

ellow Nigerians, I had the rare honour of sitting and chatting with our Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, last Sunday, July 2, 2017, and it was such an amazing encounter. As you would probably have noticed on this page in the last few weeks, I’ve been visibly worried about the soaking tension in Nigeria. I’ve never been so agitated in a long time. Though we’ve had our fair share of challenges and tribulations as a people and country, we’ve always found a way to manage our differences and live in peace.

Why then the sudden clamour for separation and violence I wondered.

I was a humble, ardent and proud supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari in the last Presidential election out of the prevailing frustration and general anger against the PDP misrule under the seemingly irredeemable leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan. I must confess that the APC government that took over did not take full advantage of the massive goodwill it garnered from every part of Nigeria. Not since 1993, when Chief Moshood Abiola won a most decisive and convincing election have we witnessed the kind of clean and clear electoral mandate delivered in 2015. As a matter of fact, not only was an incumbent sitting African President defeated spectacularly, the man who lost actually called to congratulate the victor. That was a new tradition in the volatile Nigerian electoral system. It is my hope and expectation that the future leaders of our country will continue to imbibe all the positive lessons learnt from the 2015 elections and its aftermath.

However, the APC government took off at snail speed, crawling like a millipede. The Buhari/ Osinbajo administration behaved like it had all the time in the world. Big fans and volunteer supporters like me got alarmed very early. I panicked so much at the direction things were going that I hurriedly wrote a desperate memo to President Muhammadu Buhari pleading with him not to fritter away the uncommon goodwill that he then enjoyed. That mail actually got the attention of Mr President and earned me a special invitation to the Aso Rock Presidential villa where I sat in total privacy with our dear leader and was able to offer a few tips and ideas. That was also a new development and I was elated that his would be a listening and responsive government.

As days rolled by and months climbed months, things went from bad to worse and then worst.

The APC government was busy fighting a war of attrition with itself from the outset. It was also waging wars against perceived enemies of the Party and the State. These wars were being fought on all fronts and it was going to distract from the primary task of nation-building.

It was frighteningly similar to the incendiary and eventually fatal approach that ultimately led to the demise of President Jonathan’s PDP administration. I felt a sense of déjà vu! Only a few people could see the palpable danger ahead.

It is not easy to fight corruption in Nigeria. Like everything Nigerian, even corruption enjoys Federal character. The main reason most Nigerians fight tooth and nail for government appointment is to be able to partake in slicing off a chunky part of the national cake and savouring it with cronies and families, not for service. There was no way you are going to probe only the Jonathan government and not invite the fierce and fiendish wrath of some sympathetic militants who would argue that he was being persecuted because he comes from a particular section and minority tribe. Meanwhile, all those who had looted and emptied Nigeria fifty to even ten years earlier

are virtually walking free without any fear of prosecution not to mention punishment or even prison sentences.

Once the Buhari government chose to make the war against corruption its main cardinal priority, it was going to be like touching the tiger by the tail.

Corruption was going to fight back with all the ferocity and velocity at its command and disposal.

It is arguable that, perhaps, the President should have tarried a while, to secure and stabilise the economic structures of Nigeria before embarking on these wars. Sooner than expected, the militants began to strike with mathematical accuracy and scientific precision. And they struck at the very jugular of Nigeria without blinking. Our oil resources were attacked just as internationally oil prices dipped. Almost immediately, Nigeria began haemorrhaging dangerously. The hullaballoo made our case far worse than it ever was. We couldn’t lift or supply enough oil, our cash cow. As if by some unseen conspiracy, the price of crude oil fell calamitously on the international market as the attacks mounted and became sustained.

Thus the income that could not sustain us even on regular, incident free days became drastically drained and insufficient. States could not pay salaries of workers and our citizens lost jobs in droves.

If this was not already bad enough, our President suffered health challenges and could not operate full blast. President Buhari has now spent more time abroad than at home on medical leave this year. It would seem the enemies of Nigeria never slept at night as they waged endless wars against our country. And to crown it up, the agitation for secession filled the air as the carefully orchestrated call for the creation of an Igbo nation seemingly became deafening. Some Arewa youths from Northern Nigeria complicated the already terrible situation by pouring petrol into fire when they satirically gave Igbos resident in the North the quit notice to head back home by October 1, 2017, the anniversary of our independence as a Nation and Republic. How can one country suffer from all these debilitating afflictions in one fell swoop, without almost becoming comatose?

Any patriotic Nigerian should be seriously concerned. I truly pitied and prayed for whosoever

has the fortune or misfortune of leading Nigeria at this unfortunate period and that man is the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo. As I sat down to write my last column, which obviously went viral, my mind kept flashing to the Acting President. I was then in Johannesburg. As soon as I finished writing Friday night, I decided to send him a text message: “Your Excellency, good evening Sir. I’m sending you good tidings from South Africa. I will be in Nigeria tomorrow by God’s grace and wish to pay you a visit on Sunday afternoon or evening…”

I went to sleep thereafter but got a pleasant surprise as soon as I woke up from the Acting President: “Thanks very much Dele. Sunday afternoon is good, my assistant will call to schedule… God bless you.” What a wonderful leader, I soliloquised. I wish more of our leaders could be this simple and down to earth. I’ve known Professor Osinbajo for more than two decades as a man who has never been desperate for anything in life. He handles every job or assignment, whether domestic or international, with unusual decorum, meticulousness, adeptness and dexterity. This is what distinguished and endeared him to Lagosians when he served as Attorney General. As promised in his response, his assistant contacted me and we made plans for my meeting with him.

I landed in Lagos Saturday evening and headed to Abuja on Sunday afternoon. Acting President Osinbajo’s aides were as professional and polite as their boss. Everything was planned to the minutest detail. My trip to the Akinola Aguda House was very smooth. I never encountered any over-bloated and unnecessary protocol or security. It reminded me immediately of the kind of protocol and security I have seen surrounding serious minded African and other foreign leaders determined only to work and not just grandstand.

As soon as I completed a short and simple security screening, I was asked to sit in a waiting room. At the appointed time and without any grandiloquent arrival, the Acting President walked in alone, I mean alone, and I stood up to greet him and we exchanged pleasantries. Then he told me, “Dele, je a wo yaara kan lo…” (Dele, let’s enter one room together). He was that modest. We entered

a small room and someone brought us some snacks with an option of coffee or tea. I chose tea while the Acting President chose coffee. Let me note that neither of us touched any food or drink once we started discussing Nigeria.

The challenges of Nigeria are so heavy but Professor Osinbajo did not appear like a man intimidated or overwhelmed by the enormity of the problems. He believes problems are meant to be solved by man. His worries are not about the complexities of politics and politicians. He is troubled and traumatised about the future of Nigerian youths. Every now and then, during our interaction, he would make calls to check on how things were going in various departments of State. I saw a man who is very hands-on. He actually carries out his own investigations with subtlety and tact. He refuses to operate from a gilded cage. Many leaders fail because they simply abdicate responsibilities to others without making personal effort to supervise, understand and tackle the issues at stake. I love the way he has demystified and simplified power.

Professor Osinbajo said to me repeatedly that Nigerians are not asking for too much. As he reiterated several times, what he and his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, need to do is to work very hard to produce and provide the basic necessities of life first before thinking of extravagance or luxury. His unflinching loyalty to his boss is undeniable and unassailable. He sees President Buhari as a role model for all Nigerians to emulate. In his view, if we can accept to imbue the spirit of selflessness that President Buhari possesses, many of our problems would disappear. He sees light at the end of the tunnel.

He’s been on the road and he is inspired and encouraged by the love and warm reception accorded him in every part of Nigeria. He invites every Nigerian to work closely with the Buhari government in order to overcome the menace of corruption, retrogression and decay.

As I stood up to leave, the Acting President actually walked out with me and we continued our conversation. Nigeria is blessed to have a Vice President who does not suffer from a big ego or inordinate ambition. He is concerned with the here and now. He believes that if the institutions of government are strengthened, and the cancer of corruption is contained, then our country will go places and reach the desired destination very soon. He just wants to handle the huge assignment given to him by his boss with every sense of responsibility and loyalty and to succeed in delivering to the people on the joint mandate given to his boss and himself by the Nigerian people.

There is no doubt that Professor Yemi Osinbajo has done just that so far. It is clear that his approach is working and that the nation has woken from its slumber and is gradually returning to the glory days. His determination to succeed his buoyed by the unflinching support that he has received from President Buhari with regard to the steps that he is taking. For me, this is a combination made in heaven.

Prof Osinbajo’s style is to leave politics and politicking to the politicians for the main part whilst he engages himself and focuses on the more productive task of dealing with the needs, aspirations and expectations of Nigerian in the area of security, jobs, youth restiveness, poverty alleviation, power and the economy. From our recent interaction and my personal knowledge of him, I have an unshaken belief in his ability to continue to fulfil and discharge the unenviable duties and responsibility bestowed upon him by his boss and the grund norm of our land, the 1999 Constitution.

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