Saturday 5th August 2017

Power Ministry Saves FG from N119bn Judgement Liability Frees another N39.17bn held under another ruling To be used for the supply of electricity metres Yemi Adebowale The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has, through negotiations and compromise, saved the federal government

a staggering sum of over N119 billion resulting from a judgement entered against it over litigation from a metering contract awarded by the previous administration in 2003.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who disclosed this at a press briefing after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council Meeting, said one of

the three memoranda the Ministry took to the Council for approval was in respect of an inherited liability from the former Ministry of Power.

He explained that the

judgement came “as a result of acts of officials of government who varied the Presidential approval without seeking further directives from him”.

According to Fashola, the

officials of government varied the Presidential approval without seeking further directive from him and then Continued on page 8

Ambode Seeks NERC's Approval for 3,000MW Power Project…

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Good Leadership, True Federalism will Defuse Agitations, Say Obaseki, Oshiomhole, Sagay Ijaw youths insist on restructuring, resource control Adibe Emenyonu in Benin and Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa The Edo State Governor,

Godwin Obaseki; his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Nobel Laureate, Professor

Wole Soyinka and the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC),

Professor Itse Sagay, yesterday in Benin agreed that the raging agitations for a breakup and the demand

for restructuring in the country could be defused with good leadership.

On the same day, Ijaw

Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, described as Continued on page 8

Again, Archbishop of CanterburyVisits Buhari, Says President’s Rapid Recovery Delights Him Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja About five months after the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, paid a personal visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at Abuja House, London, the cleric repeated the visit yesterday.

Welby had visited Buhari on March 9, this year, in the United Kingdom’s capital, 24 hours before his departure for Nigeria during his last 50-day medical trip to the city.

Welby visiting Buhari again at the time rumours about his return are rife seems to be prophetic, thus creating the impression that his visit might have been deliberately scheduled towards the president's departure period.

All through the week, several pieces of fake news that Buhari

had either returned or was on his way circulated on social media.

A statement by the president's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, yesterday, said Welby expressed delight at Buhari's pace of recovery, describing it as a testimony to God's healing power.

Adesina who said both the Archbishop and Buhari were friends, who shared deep respect for each other, added that the president remarked that Welby had always stood by him in critical times and wished him well in his spiritual calling.

The Presidential spokesman said: "Archbishop Welby said he was delighted to see the rapid recovery President Buhari had Continued on page 8

Bayelsa APC Crisis: DSS, Police Take Over Secretariat… Page 54 THE LORD IS WITH YOU…

President Muhammadu Buhari receives in audience Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby at the Abuja House London… yesterday

Northern Youths, Igbo Leaders Set up Committee on Quit Notice… Page 10

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L-R: Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and former President, National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Dr. Asani Omosuwa at the 20th Annual Wole Soyinka Lecture in Benin City… yesterday

Akiolu Accuses Buhari of Killing Efficiency in Police Force Ambode canvasses for state police Chiemelie Ezeobi The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu yesterday in Lagos stirred the hornet nest at a public lecture organised by the police on security, when he openly accused President Muhammed Buhari of killing the efficiency of the police during the military era while he was head of state in 1984.

The public lecture was themed “providing strategic solutions to emergent security challenges, the essentials of synergy among security agencies and the civil populace.”

Oba Akiolu alleged that the problem of the present day police began with Buhari when he seized all the vehicles under the then Inspector General of Police, Sunday Adewusi.

He said Buhari had harboured suspicions that the IGP wanted to take over government then, which prompted him to act the way he did.

Whilst wishing the president a speedy recovery, Akiolu however urged him to reverse all that he had done in the past now that

he is back as a democratic leader.

He said: “The military in this country killed the efficiency of the Nigeria Police. The only thing saving us right now is that only a serving policeman can become an IGP, if not, a retired army officer would have become an IG. ” We all need to support the police as the issue of security is not only a problem of the police."

Commending the efforts of the present IGP, Ibrahim Idris in looking after the welfare of his men, he urged him to be open-minded and always tell his officers the truth and not what they wanted to hear.

On the issue of insecurity, especially on highways, he called on the federal government and the IGP to establish 10 police stations within one kilometer on the highways to aid speedy response.

Earlier in his speech, the IG said he was entreating the FG for special courts to facilitate speedy trial of suspected kidnappers currently in their custody nationwide.

He also stressed the need to bring policing closer to the people, especially as regard tackling the

issue of kidnapping and sundry crimes and bring suspects to justice.

He said: "We are working towards getting special courts to try kidnapping cases and if you remember while I was addressing my officers and men at the Police College, I told them that we are building more area commands to bring us closer to the people.

"We are building more Police Mobile Squadron units in various parts of the country to take care of violent crimes and we believe with the support of the National Assembly for passing the Police Trust Fund bill, the police will be well positioned to tackle whatever challenges we are going to have any time in the country.

"Like I suggested at various fora, what we need to address in this issue of kidnapping is to have a change in legislation, probably creating a special court for kidnapping.

"Another thing is limiting the period of trial of suspects.

It should be shortened so that within one or two months the accused persons are sentenced

because I believe with those changes, things would take their normal shape.

"As I speak now, we have over 1000 kidnappers in police stations nationwide. So, if we can have this innovation attached to the issue of kidnapping, I believe it will come to an end very soon.”

Also on the arrest of the notorious billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudi Onwuamadike alias Evans, he said he would soon be charged to court.

He said: “I am sure you all followed the jubilation that followed the arrest of the billionaire kidnapped, Chukwudi Onuamadike alias Evans in Lagos recently.

“Efforts are daily made to arrest other suspected kidnappers and bandits in various parts of the country.”

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, represented by his deputy, Idiat Adebule said: "In recent times, Nigerians have been faced with security challenges on multiple fronts which I believe are not insurmountable if we adopt the right strategies and also strengthen

GOOD LEADERSHIP, TRUE FEDERALISM WILL DEFUSE AGITATIONS, SAY OBASEKI, OSHIOMHOLE, SAGAY ‘hasty’, the reported withdrawal of an ultimatum handed to the federal government by Niger Delta leaders to respond to demands by the people of the region, while at the same time insisting on restructuring and resource control.

Speaking at the 20th Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture with the theme: “Nigerian State in the Aftermath of the Centenary: Prospect For its Indivisibility” held in Benin City, Obaseki who was the chairman of the occasion, said having the right leadership at all levels of government and the different aspects of life was the panacea to the recurring clamour for self-determination in the country.

Obaseki said: “The question of whether Nigeria has come to stay is a non-issue; the real issue is what sort of country should we create for ourselves?”

He explained that his administration was making concerted efforts to provide good leadership for Edo people and make positive impact in the lives of the youths to enable them take charge of their future.

Obaseki said that Nigeria’s unity was non-negotiable and maintained that it was possible to make Nigeria

great and prosperous again.

He commended the organisers of the lecture, noting that the topic was apt and timely, considering the agitations across the country.

In his presentation, the former governor of Edo State who was the guest lecturer said what should be paramount in the minds of Nigerians should be how to make the Nigerian Project a viable reality.

He explained that what needed to be addressed in the country was the socio-economic structure as well as the problem of bad leadership which has corruption at its core.

“It is not in our interest that after 103 years of existence, we should be thinking of dividing. It is not a viable conversation that having lived this long together we should divide, rather we should think of ways of doing things differently for better results,” Oshiomhole said.

He frowned at the wasteful spending of scarce resources by some government officials, noting that resources should be properly channeled towards improving the standard of living of the masses.

“The structural issue in the country needs to be addressed; the issue is really that of the very rich structure and the very poor structure. In addressing our challenges, we should restructure

our attitude, character and value system and manage our resources well so that a very rich nation such as Nigeria will be able to take care of her poor people.’’

Also speaking, the Chairman PACAC, who was a discussant at the lecture, said a return to true federalism would promote good governance in the country.

Sagay urged that states be given autonomy as a situation where state governments have been reduced to mere civil servants, depending on monthly allocation was not ideal. “Why should the centre have all the resources and states be impoverished? This has led to the inability of state governments to carry out their responsibilities.’’

Soyinka, in whose honour the event was held, called on all Nigerians to unite against the common enemy of corruption, stressing that in Nigeria, it is not actually one tribe that is against the other or one religion that threatens the other, rather it is the league of the corrupt that has caused impoverishment of the numerous ordinary people.

Ijaw Youths Insist of Restructuring, Resource Control Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, yesterday

described as ‘hasty’, the reported withdrawal of an ultimatum handed to the federal government

by Niger Delta leaders to respond to demands by the people of the region.

National President of the IYC, Eric Omare said in a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, that the Chief Edwin Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) made the decision based on mere promises.

PANDEF had on Monday given the Federal Government up until November 1, 2017 to meet the 16-point demand made by leaders and elders of the region on November 1, 2016, but withdrew the ultimatum after meeting with Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday night.

But the IYC maintained that aside the promises made by the federal government on ‘routine issues', there was no commitment from the government at the centre on the matters of restructuring and resource control.

“The IYC is of the view that the federal government’s mere promise of dialogue and briefing on progress made with the PANDEF 16-point demand was not enough for PANDEF to withdraw its ultimatum to the federal government to dialogue with the Niger Delta people,” said the IYC.

the synergy between security agencies and members of the public, especially on intelligence sharing.

"Developing effective solution to emerging security challenges must therefore take into consideration the deployment, through appropriate technology and strengthening the bond with the people through community policing.

"Although the issue of state police has not gained the desired

consensus, I believe strongly that it is the panacea for effective policing that is community based.

"It is a common knowledge that the numerical strength of the Nigeria police as at today falls short of the minimum requirement relative to our population.

"For instance, Lagos State, with a population of over 22 million has less than 30,000 officers and men.

AGAIN, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY VISITS BUHARI, SAYS PRESIDENT'S RAPID RECOVERY DELIGHTS HIM made from his health challenges, noting that it was a testimony to the healing powers of God, and answer to prayers of millions of people round the world. The cleric pledged to continue praying for both President Buhari and Nigeria.

"In his response, the Nigerian President thanked Archbishop Welby, whom he noted had always stood by him at critical times, and wished him God's continued grace in his spiritual duty of leading the Anglican Communion worldwide.

"It will be recalled that when former British Prime Minister, David Cameron, described Nigeria as a 'fantastically corrupt' country ahead of an anti-corruption summit in London in 2016, Archbishop Welby had retorted: 'But this particular President (Buhari) is actually not corrupt.'

"The Archbishop later personally received the Nigerian President at Lambert Palace, London, and had also paid a goodwill visit to President Buhari in March this year, during his medical vacation."

POWER MINISTRY SAVES FG FROM N119BN JUDGEMENT LIABILITY awarded the contract on that basis adding that the party who was the beneficiary of that contract “which the officials subsequently sought to withdraw” went to court and got a judgment.

The Minister, who cited the incident as an example of some of the problems inherited from the last administration, added, “But we have successfully reached a compromise on that matter where the judgment has been compromised for the entire sum of N119 billion to N19,369,520. So, Government is no longer liable to, under this new agreement, to pay that amount”.

Pointing out that the negotiations took about the entire period of his tenure as Minister to achieve”, the Minister added that the successful negotiation was able to free up another N39.17 billion held under another Judgement in court to be used now for the supply of electricity metres to the DisCos adding that all of the disputes arose from a contract to supply 3,000,000 metres entered into with the contractor and NEPA, which became PHCN, in 2003; about 14 years ago.

“The contract was never fully

performed by both parties; either by the contractor or government.

So, from those very early days, they ended up in court. Government constituted one committee after the other to resolve the matter.

So, there was court judgement, money was left in the bank, the purpose couldn’t be achieved.

Then a new contract was created which became a liability of N119 billion”, he explained.

Fashola, however, expressed delight that the Federal Executive Council approved the Memo “to give effect to the negotiations that we were able to put together to compromise that judgement entirely and to convert the old N39 billion to a loan to that contractor, so that they can use it to supply metres to the DisCos” through new rules being developed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The Minister said one of the other two memoranda sent to Council by his Ministry was with respect for approval to construct the Pankshin-Balang-Yeleng-SaraGi Ndiri Road in Plateau State for N10.461 billion while the second one was with respect to Share- Pategi Road in Kwara State for N10.29 billion, adding that both prayers were approved

by Council.

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AUGUST 5, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

Yemi

Adebowale

07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Time to Replace Olonishakin, Buratai, Sadique

T

he night of July 29 was one of the most traumatic for me this year, following the killing of 69 oil explorers/soldiers in Borno State by Boko Haram.

I spent hours shedding tears and rolling continuously on my bed, before reaching out for sleeping pills. Eventually, I struggled to sleep in spite of ingesting a cocktail.

Every attack by the terrorists leaves me angry and depressed. The attack in Jibi village was horrendous. All the dubious stories of having defeated the terrorists came to naught. For me, things have deteriorated a great deal because the leadership of the military is handling the war in the North-east in an insincere way.

I was not surprised when Boko Haram suicide bombers stormed the IDP camp in Dikwa and killed eight people, just three days after the Jibi attack. These monsters were also in Madagali on Wednesday where they razed a village and killed several people.

Thousands of innocent Nigerians have

Olonishakin

been killed in the last two years by Boko Haram under Buhari’s watch. I stopped counting in May, 2016 after tallying 3000 deaths. Hundreds of our soldiers have needlessly lost their lives.

In sane societies, the key men leading this battle against Boko Haram would have resigned. I am upset that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonishakin; Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai and Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar are still holding on to their jobs. These men must take responsibility for the slide in the war against Boko Haram, and resign or get sacked. The slide in this war is, to a large extent, a failure of leadership in the military. Well, some may say that these men are doing their best, but it is not just good enough for this war. They have to make way for others with fresh ideas.

One fact we can’t run away from is that the situation was not this bad when Olonishakin, Buratai and Abubakar took over the war against Boko Haram in 2015. The terrorists had been pushed

The Game of Death in Kaduna APC The Kaduna State Command of the Nigerian police must show more seriousness and fairness in the tussle for the control of the All Progressives Congress in the state, else, we will start witnessing the destruction of human lives. Already, the battle is getting a bit bloody. Last week, armed thugs almost lynched Senator Othman Hunkuyi and Senator Shehu Sani, among other prominent members at the secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Kaduna.

However, a cameraman with a private radio and television station, Liberty Radio and Television, was battered while their camera was destroyed. Several mobile phones and recorders belonging to other journalists were destroyed by the thugs who invaded the hall while Sani was addressing the press. The controversial election of Kaduna delegates to the impending APC National Convention triggered this current crisis. Sani and Gover-

nor Nasir el-Rufai have been at loggerheads over the control of the party in the state.

Many alleged that the Special Adviser to el-rufai on Politics, Mallam Uba Sani was the mastermind of the mayhem at the Kaduna NUJ secretariat. They say he controls the thugs that unleashed terror on the politicians and journalists. Uba’s response has not been convincing. The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, Abah Agyole must dig in before Kaduna APC combatants start killing innocent people.

I am shocked that he is yet to make any arrest. Agyole must ensure that all those responsible for the mayhem at the NUJ hall are arrested and prosecuted. As for el-Rufai and the APC chieftains, let them continue their dance of shame in public. This is clearly the Change the party promised Nigerians.

The good people of Kaduna State must rise and change these impostors in 2019.

el-Rufai

Governor Ugwuanyi and the Bolstering Tales from Enugu In an age where the performance of statutory responsibilities is becoming a huge challenge for governors, even with the release of bailout funds and Paris Club refunds to states by the federal government, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is increasingly standing out as a true exemplar in the deployment of public resources. Even more gratifying is the fact that he is doing so without the typical pomp that would normally be stirred in some states for the mere execution of insignificant projects. This inclination to stay off the limelight is the reason not many Nigerians outside Enugu State are aware of the brilliant governance scorecard being notched regularly by the governor. This governor needs to market his strides so that our numerous failed governors can learn from him.

One of the potent indicators of how governors have performed could be gleaned from their relationship with trade unions. As is often the case, the commemoration of Workers’ Day offers a perfect example to gauge this. The story across many state capitals few months ago when workers held rallies to mark the day was not a pleasant one. The situation was mostly similar as civil servants denounced their governors over unpaid arrears of salaries and pensions, announcing a strike or threatening to embark on one. But it was a markedly different experience in Enugu State as the workers lavished encomiums on Ugwuanyi and conferred him with the “Most Labour-Friendly Governor in

Ugwuanyi

Enugu’s History” award.

Proof of the governor’s remarkable accomplishments further emerged few days later at a symposium on good governance organised by the Enugu State arm of the Trade Union Congress. The validation was made by the respected President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who commended him for constructing a bridge across the Inyaba River. For decades, the

lack of this bridge left many communities in Nkanu East Local Government Area literally cut off from their kith and kin.

Locals had to traverse a number of local government areas to access their council headquarters, roughly 800 meters away.

There are, as a matter of fact, some communities in these areas where a vehicle had never driven through. Such sordid memories have been erased by this bridge built by the Ugwuanyi administration.

It is quite instructive that these feats, as well as many other milestones, were accomplished despite Enugu’s status as one of the least recipients of the monthly federal allocation to states. Equally significant is the fact that the state has never had any difficulty fulfilling its obligations to civil servants and pensioners even in the pre-bailout era when the situation was particularly bleak across nearly all states, a point evident in a BudgIT report last year which listed Enugu alongside Lagos and Rivers as the three states in Nigeria with the capacity to meet statutory recurrent obligations.

Such comforting tales should serve as a model for other governors whose states are better endowed and enjoy a substantial share from the federal purse, yet, fail to impact on the lives of their people. I sincerely hope that some of our numerous rogue governors will learn to treat civil servants with dignity as being done in Enugu State.

to Sambisa forest before the Jonathan administration handed over power. Now, the terrorists are everywhere in Borno State and are unrelenting. This must not continue in a country with a legitimate government and a military backed with huge war chest. How can a country with a well-trained army be losing grounds to ragtag terrorists? President Muhammadu Buhari must wake up and halt this slide into lawlessness. If this government fails to act promptly and decisively, these terrorists may start flying fighter jets to bomb people in the North-east. Already, they are fully in control of two local government areas in Borno State – Marte and Abadam. Moving forward, the top echelon of the military must be purged. How can they be assuring Nigerians of their ability, when things continue to deteriorate? We all know that the only language these terrorists understand is superior and deadly firepower. The military needs fresh leadership to attain this status.

The current military leadership must give way to more proactive and result-oriented generals. There should be no sentiment here.

The wages of failure in an assignment like this is sack. There should be no room for sentiment. This country desperately needs result in this war against terrorists. For us to get the right men for this job, we must consistently sack those who can’t do it.

The unpleasant scorecard of our military chiefs has been corroborated by the 2016 report of the United States’ Bureau of Counter-terrorism, which stated that the Nigerian military was unable to hold some areas cleared by it in the North-east. The 2016 Country Report on terrorism released by the United States Department of State on July 19, 2017, contradicted the claim by the federal government that it was on top of the situation in the North-east.

One other person that should be swiftly fired is the Army spokesman, Brigadier Sani Usman. This Director of Army Public Relations thinks his job is all about concealing the truth. Public Relations is not propaganda.

It should be a deliberate, planned and sustained effort to establish and maintain mutual understanding between an organisation and its publics. This is the global standard. Brigadier Usman does not seem to understand this. This is why he is always regaling the nation with phantom clearances and successes on the war front. He finally shot himself in the foot, with his dubious press release on the “rescued” oil explorers.

Even when the lives of our gallant soldiers are involved, this army spokesman goes about showboating. Brigadier Usman has no regard for the lives of our soldiers and other victims of this war. That was why the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Abubakar Njodi lashed out at the military over its initial claims that it had rescued the ambushed crew of geologists and their aides from the university. A livid vice chancellor, whose brother was among those killed, said he still could not understand why the Nigeria Army chose to mislead the world with the spurious claims. “I wonder the recovery of corpses was referred to as a rescue,” he said.

Brigadier Usman eventually pushed out one scruffy apology letter after the fiasco.

For me, this is not enough. Usman has no business staying a day longer in his position. Credibility is vital in this business of Public Relations. We have been regaled with enough war propaganda in the last two years. This is the time to switch to credible information management in the war against Boko Haram. This is the time for genuine change. Again, I am reiterating what I said last week about shutting Maiduguri for 48 hours and conducting a massive house-tohouse search for Boko Haram members/ weapons. We also need to bring back the mercenaries for precise aerial bombardment.

I am yet to see any action in this direction.

There is an urgent need to put the military back on track in this war.

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FOR 2-4-7- POWER IN LAGOS...

L-R; Commissioner, Legal, Licensing, Compliance Division, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC), Mr. Dafe Akpeneye; Lagos State Governor, Mr.Akinwunmi Ambode and Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Olawale Oluwo , during a meeting with NERC on the Lagos Embedded Power Programme in Abuja ...Friday

Northern Youths, Igbo Leaders Set up Committee on Quit Notice Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Igbo leaders of thought from 19 northern states and Abuja met in Kano on Friday with their counterparts of Northern groups to review the contentious issue of agitation which led to issuance of quit notice to Igbo by a coalition of northern youth groups.

The meeting which was attended by Arewa Youths consultative forum led by Mr. Shettima Yerima and their members as well as coalition of Northern groups led by Mr. Nastura Ashiru Sheriff was held at Chinese Dragon Restaurant, Kano.

Eze Ndigbo of Minna, Niger

State, Igwe Ngozi Nwaiwe in his remarks stated that the level of cohesion and union among the segments that constitute Nigeria made it indivisible.

According to him, majority of Ndi Igbo residing in the North had economic, marital and social relationship with their host.

He said it was amazing for a group to now ask Ndi Igbo to desert their hard earned achievement and leave to where he asked.

“We only travel back home during festival, marriage and burial ceremonies, we are at home here in the North, some of us have spent over 45 years, we have inter-married, we are going nowhere,” he said.

The session culminated into the

formation of a 10-man committee with the mandate to produce an acceptable position on the quit notice issued in a declaration in Kaduna by Arewa Youths Consultative Forum.

Five persons were selected from amongst Northern Igbo leaders, while equal number was selected from the Coalition of Northern groups.

Members of the committee are, Eze Ndi-Igbo Kano, Boniface Ibekwe; Chief Chi Nwogu, Mr. Chris Nnoli; Igwe Ngozi Nwaiwe and Mr. Magnus Ihejirika, representing the Igbo.

Those representing the Coalition of Northern Groups are Mr. Abdullahi Utoro; Dr. Abba Bukar; Dauda Shamakari and

Ambode Seeks NERC'S Approval for 3000Mw Power Project Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Friday requested for a no objection letter from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for the State Government's Embedded Power Programme expected to generate 3000 megawatts of power.

Ambode, who led some members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers and other stakeholders to a meeting at the NERC’s headquarters in Abuja, said the embedded power project was designed as his administration’s flagship programme for direct intervention in the power value chain towards achieving a 24-hour power for Lagos.

He said the proposed power programme would generate up to 3,000MW of power through accelerated deployment of various power plants in strategic locations across

the State by private sector power providers within three to six years.

He noted that Nigerians' aspiration to create a secure and prosperous nation that was globally competitive would be difficult to achieve without stable power supply.

Ambode submitted that while efforts were ongoing to resolve the power crisis, it had become increasingly clear that the problems in the energy sector could no longer be left to the Federal Government alone to solve.

"Embedded power was designed as our flagship programme for direct intervention in the power value chain towards achieving a 24-hour power for Lagos. Lagos State has always demonstrated its capacity and willingness to play a leading role in resolving the power sector challenges in the state, subject

to the limit of the federal authority allowed regulations.

"Having succeeded in powering government facilities, the next level of intervention for our government is to collaborate with other stakeholders in the power sector to design and implement a roadmap for uninterrupted power supply to homes and businesses in Lagos State.

"The draft of the Lagos State Embedded Power Bill was finalised in May 2017 and submitted to the National Electricity Regulatory Commission for clearance before same can be forwarded to the State House of Assembly.

"The stakeholders meeting holding today is a continuation of the ongoing engagement between NERC and the Lagos State Government on the Lagos State Embedded Power Programme," he said.

Ado Mohammed.

The facilitator of the parley session between the coalition and Northern Igbo leaders, comrade Isa Tijjani disclosed that the committee was mandated to finalise the assigned duty in 72 hours and issue a roadmap towards addressing the quit notice issued in the Kaduna declaration.

Speaking also, the President of Eze Ndi Igbo in diaspora, Igwe Boniface Ibekwe said the Igbo ethnic group were apostles of peace He said peaceful co-existence was beneficial to the development of Nigeria as a nation.

“I and majority of our people are Igbo people of Northern extraction, you are asking us

to go, where do you want us to go to, who among us here is an IPOB member,” he queried.

Leader of the Northern Coalition Group (CNG) Mr. Shettima Yerima faulted the Igbo leaders for keeping mute since the IPOB agitation clamouring for the creation of the state of Biafra started.

He lamented that IPOB leadership continuously rained abuses on Northern elders and proceed to insult the intelligence of Northerners and that despite all those charade, Igbo leaders maintained silence, failing to caution those responsible with the aim to halt their continuous call for war and uttering of hate speeches by the Nnamdi Kanu-led

Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. Earlier in his submission, Yarima lamented what led to their quit notice was the violent agitation by the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that he was not called to order by the Igbo elders.

"Though we had a meeting with the Ohaneze Youth Council in Kaduna, who dissociated themselves from Nnamdi Kanu, and we got all sorts of condemnation from the South East. So we couldn't understand what was really happening," Yarima said.

Our correspondent observed that heated debate ensued between the groups before an agreement was reached for raising a Committee.

Suicide Attack on Leprosy Centre Foiled Michael Olugbode, in Maiduguri and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Police dogs yesterday foiled what would have been a suicide bomb attack on a leprosy home in Borno State, the Police have said.

This is as a group, Concerned Professionals Congress (CPC) has dismissed claims that the recent attacks on soft targets by Boko Haram insurgents was an indication that the sect was getting back its strength to strike at will.

A a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Victor Isuku said, "Today 4/8/2017 at about 0515hrs, two suicide bombers, male and female, attempted to gain entry into the temporary settlement area for rehabilitated leprosy patients within the premises of Molai General Hospital, in the outskirt of Maiduguri township, along Maiduguri /Damboa highway.

"They were prevented by the persistent barking and attacks from dogs in the area."

He added that: "In the process, they hurriedly detonated IEDs strapped to their bodies, killing themselves. No other casualty was recorded. "Police EOD teams were promptly drafted to scenes, to sanitise and certify the area and its surrounding as safe. Normalcy has since been restored."

Isuku also revealed, in the statement of another suicide attack that was foiled on Thursday.

He said: "Yesterday (Thursday), 3/8/2017 at about 2322hrs, a female suicide bomber detonated IED strapped on her body near a joint security guard location in Molai general area, killing herself alone."

The Concerned Professionals Congress group stated at a press conference in Bauchi yesterday

jointly addressed by its chief media strategists, Mr. Emeka Nwakpa and regional Rapporteur, Malam Bala Alkassim that there was no resurgence of Boko Haram..

According to the group, the capacity of Boko Haram to confront Nigerian Military or takeover any territory had been degraded while the troops maintained an upper hand against and despite the risks they faced.

"We reviewed emerging developments in the ongoing anti-terrorism campaign which some commentators have loosely assumed as a possible resurgence of terrorism in the region.

"We beg to differ. We take the opportunity of this press conference to observe that such thinking is false, fallacious and fatally flawed. It is not a correct reading of the situation as far as fighting contemporary terrorism is concerned," the group noted.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY AUGUST 5, 2017

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ͽ˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

THE TRIUMPH OF THE INNOCENT For President Buhari, the worst seems over, writes Louis Okoroma

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t was no small relief for many Nigerians across the country in the past couple of weeks over the health situation of President Muhammadu Buhari. Many well- meaning Nigerians have been on edge and have been involved in continuous prayers for the quick recovery of President Buhari who has been in London for more than 10 weeks on medical grounds.

The anxiety was made thicker by the fact that this is the second time that the elderly leader would go for medical leave this year, raising fears of what would become of the nation and the Presidency in the event that the president is unable to continue to discharge his duties.

As a honest and straight-forward person who does not pretend about things, and a man of integrity, qualities which are related to his long stay in the military, it was PMB that gave Nigerians an insight into his health status. On his return from his first medical trip, President Buhari told Nigerians that he could not remember being sick the way he had been in recent days. Thus, the president confounded his critics who were notorious for asking for disclosures of what was the ailment that bothered the president.

Having disclosed that he was very sick unlike his medical history showed all through his life till he became a septuagenarian, those who continued to pester Presidential aides for a full account of what ails the president, cannot but be trouble-makers who seek to disturb the peace of the nation.

Thankfully however, in the past couple of weeks, all negative speculations about the health condition of the president has been put to rest, following the twin visit of selected political leaders and government officials to London to see the president who is fast recuperating.

The pictures and testimonies of the governors of the two leading political parties who were invited to London to meet with PMB told a lot of stories. It is the story of a man who loves his country, but who has suffered from an undisclosed ailment. It is also the story of a man on whose head, the creator of heaven and earth heard the prayers and supplications of millions of his countrymen for his quick recovery. PMB is so admired and loved, and Nigeria held in high esteem despite its shortcomings that prayers for the recovery of our president was commissioned and carried out in foreign countries by friendly leaders.

The takeaway from the issue of PMB’s health issue and the happy story behind it is that, the life of everyone is in the hands of God and not in the hands of his fellow men or his detractors or those who delight in bad or fake news. By giving him his healing to the point that he is now resting to gather energy for his triumphal return, according to Chief John Odigie- Oyegun, National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the creator has vindicated PMB as an innocent man, a righteous man, whom he would not allow to shed tears or tears be shed in his name.

The period of absence of PMB has been trying for most Nigerians including the federal government which has to keep running without the Commander- in- Chief, a major factor for national stability and confidence. However, credit

THE PICTURES AND TESTIMONIES OF THE GOVERNORS OF THE TWO LEADING POLITICAL PARTIES WHO WERE INVITED TO LONDON TO MEET WITH PMB TOLD A LOT OF STORIES. IT IS THE STORY OF A MAN WHO LOVES HIS COUNTRY, BUT WHO HAS SUFFERED FROM AN UNDISCLOSED AILMENT

needs to be given to Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo who has tirelessly kept forte for President Buhari all through this period.

Unlike what the nation experienced in the past with ailing presidents, Buhari displayed his innocence and integrity by voluntarily transmitting a letter to the National Assembly, as required by the constitution to the effect that he would be absent and that the vice-president should hold the fort in his absence.

While Professor Osinbajo has discharged the role of acting president with maturity, candour and humility, the good working chemistry between the two men means that the ship of state has been in proper gear despite PMB’s absence to the admiration of Nigerians and the international community. Even while in far-away London receiving medical attention, the patriot in Buhari has often compelled him to rub minds with his deputy on matters of state, to ensure that the right decisions are made with the support of presidential authority.

It is to the credit of President Buhari, and a testimony to his charisma and influence that in his absence, government has been working smoothly. This shows that PMB’s body language fame is real and has staying power. Critics of the president would surely not like this situation and would surely have wished otherwise.

Another remarkable attribute of PMB, which his health status controversy has brought to the fore, and which is part of the reason for his staying power is the fact that the man hold malice against no one and with no one. While sensational characters on social media and those doing the bidding of opposition elements have done everything in the books to provoke the president and draw him into a public exchange of insults, as revealed by Mallam Garba Shehu, a ranking media adviser to the president, the amiable leader has always remained his jovial self, finding reasons to look at the bright side of things and doing his utmost with the loyal support of committed aides, to revamp the ailing national economy and get it out of recession.

PMB did not choose to be sick and the fact that the country is doing well under his guidance is a testimony to the fact that he enjoys the favour of providence. The statistics of economic performance in the country continues to inspire hope and optimism. A recent report in the authoritative BusinessDay newspaper shows that Nigeria is still a favoured destination for international business. Interestingly, more than any African country, foreign investors continue to make inquiries about investable opportunities in the country buoyed by the stability being witnessed in the hitherto unstable foreign exchange market.

That Nigeria is pulling through despite present challenges should be a source of pride to all Nigerians. Thus as the nation looks forward to the imminent return of a medically- fit and freshly energised President, it behoves on all Nigerians to be thankful and look forward to the future with confidence.

Okoroma, Media Consultant, wrote from Abuja

REVAMPING LIBRARY SERVICES IN LAGOS Jedidiah Omisore writes that libraries are the carriers of civilisation

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popular maxim says ‘readers are leaders’ and amongst the things that affect people in life includes the books they read. A good book has a salutary effect on the mind of its reader. It elevates the spirit and thoughts. It augments his store of knowledge. Books help in correcting moral ineptitude; especially in these days of mechanical existence, books remain, perhaps, the best source of acquiring knowledge.

A famed historian and Secretary of the Treasury under former President Franklin Roosevelt’s administration in the United States of America was reputed to have posited that “books are the carriers of civilisation. Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill.” Times have passed since Barbara Tuchman revealed this truth but the import and importance of those words have not been lost as they continue to reverberate through the echoes of time.

Without books, literacy amounts to nothing and numeracy is worthless. No wonder a wise man once opined that the man who does not read is not better than the man who cannot read. Literacy is the means to the end of learning. Books are the vehicles to such ends.

There is no gainsaying the fact that what mosquitoes are to malaria and mafia to

crime, the library is to learning. It is in the light of this that the efforts of the Lagos State Government in partnership with Guaranty Trust bank, (GT Bank) to revamp library services in Lagos State is a most refreshing and heart-warming development.

Bearing in mind that a mega city needs mega minds, it became untenable as far as the Ambode administration is concerned that the bulk of public libraries across the state were either run down or in decrepit condition. This made the state government to start refurbishing and creating more public libraries in the state.

Recently, the old Herbert Macaulay Library in Yaba, Lagos, has been transformed by the Lagos State government with the assistance of GT Bank, into a state of the art learning and recreation facility. With the goal of raising the library to global standards, a total overhaul of the internal and external structures of the facility was carried out.

These included a complete refurbishing of the building, equipping the library with state of the art furniture, the installation of computer and internet facilities to create an e-library and the provision of books to ensure a pleasurable and highly rewarding library experience.

Equally, the state government has completed the renovation and upgrade of public libraries in 18 secondary schools across the

state with top class facilities. Lagos Digital Library, an online repository of education content, is another creative innovation in the quest of Ambode’s government to guide the people to the library.

Let’s take a breather here and look at the values that public library brings to the society. The importance of a library cannot be over-emphasised as it is virtually a university of its own giving opportunity to all and sundry to drink from its cistern of knowledge and thus promoting life-long learning.

It does not end there. Public libraries exist in many countries across the world and are often considered an essential part of having an educated and literate population. To assemble, organise, preserve, socialise, and preserve all expressed thought embodied as manuscripts, books, periodicals, their constituents’ documents, however minute, and every other similar document produced as a means for communication.

Libraries also go a long way helping in the transmission of knowledge of the earlier generations to the later ones; and by this means help in accumulation and further building up of knowledge from generation to generation.

Importantly, the need to revamp the Lagos State public library for general use becomes clearer when situated in the context of the

Lagos State government drive to promote reading culture among students and the public. Not a few will consider the state government’s policy in this direction as well thought in this age when social media has distracted the average youth and students from reading.

The reasons for the decline in reading culture are not far- fetched. For one, reading is a taxing exercise that involves full concentration. Second, in our society today, nobody is interested in embarking on any activity that has no corresponding financial gains.

Third, our socio-economic environment is not readers’ friendly. The daily struggle for economic survival provides little or no time for people, especially those living in the cities, to cultivate a good reading habit. Also, the decline in the standard of education in the country has seriously affected reading culture in the country. Equally, high cost of books, particularly the imported ones, has contributed to a decline in reading culture in the country.

It is, thus, in line with the commitment of the present administration in Lagos State to expand access to knowledge that everything is being done to create a conducive environment for library users.

Omisore wrote from Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

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ͽ˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Is uninterrupted power supply possible?

Marriage: A Cultural And Social Imperative

Peace Corps Bill: Matters Arising ‘’One lie built on another is like a thatched house, and before long, it will soon rain through’’ -African Proverb

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t is increasingly becoming clearer by the day that some misguided elements are getting more desperate and paranoid about the fact that an unforgettable fortune of a life time is about to smile on the Peace Corps of Nigeria as a result of the efforts of its founder, Dr. Dickson A. O. Akoh. The Akoh-phobia, instead of dissipating, is rather burgeoning in the camp of his critics to the extent that when he sneezes, his fast-vanishing tribe of detractors catches cold.

In Nigeria, the challenge of leadership is undoubtedly daunting. How do you ensure that you satisfy the people without pandering to the whims and caprices of the stakeholders? By stakeholders, I mean those whose principal desire is a government or entity that caters to their needs and massages their bloated egos and those who think rightly or wrongly that power must be exercised at their discretion and to their advantage.

Since the adoption of the bill for an act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) by the Senate on Tuesday, July 27, 2017, a segment of the nation’s media, principally the social media have been awash with several allegations that border essentially on speculation devoid of any empirical evidence.

It would be recalled that since the bill was sponsored by Hon. Umar Farouk in the House of Representatives and Sen. Ali Ndume in the Senate, some dark forces have been in the trenches fuelling all manner of controversies in the public domain.

It beggars belief the wicked level to which some individuals can go to assassinate the character of other fellow Nigerians. Because Akoh has over the years resisted all manner of pressures to capitulate to the desires of the enemies of Nigerian youths, through the abandonment of his noble pet project, the PCN, he and the corps have been marked for destruction.

That is why some could go to the ridiculous extent of saying that our distinguished senators were monetarily induced to adopt the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill, while others allege that some ‘’key senators’’ were even promised over 500 employment slots to ensure that the bill was adopted. Balderdash!

All these allegations are simply the products of the fecund imagination of those who wish the Peace Corps dead at all costs, not minding the fact that the establishment of this organisation is a dream come true for millions of Nigerian youths, who have been at the receiving end of the grandiose mismanage-

ment of the nation’s affairs over the years.

It would be recalled that during the public hearing conducted by the two chambers of the National Assembly (NASS) on the NPC Bill, the Police, Civil Defence and the Department of State Services registered their opposition to it by submitting memos and backing them up with oral presentation.

However, their opposition was overwhelmed by the over 580 memoranda and presentations by major stakeholders who declared their support for the bill at the hearing. Some of the groups that supported the bill include traditional rulers, members of the academia, students cum religious bodies, members of states Houses of Assembly, several government ministries and parastatals, both at the state and federal levels, etc.

So, those that are opposed to the bill have either not read its contents to really appreciate the functions assigned to the corps or they merely elected to be mischievous in their wild criticisms.

In this context, for anybody to assert that these senators were compromised before this same bill could be passed and adopted smacks of playing to the gallery.

Rogers Edor Ochela, Abuja

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ave you seen a lady who wore a long, drawn and forlorn face on her wedding day? And bridegrooms were always in a buoyant mood on the days they took their wives to the altar. Marriage is a thing of joy. Newly married couple would start a family. They’ll breed children, and raise them up under their guidance. The joy of a man watching his son or daughter growing up is inexplicable and boundless.

So, not a few ladies felt happy and extremely joyous on the days their marriages were solemnised with holy wedlock. They did laugh heartily, and swayed beautifully and seductively to the music played on their wedding days. In Africa, especially in the South-East of Nigeria, parents consider the marriages of their children worthy of celebration.

Are old maids and ageing bachelors not viewed with disrespect in Nigeria? More so, politicians with failed marriages occupying exalted political offices are said to be unsuitable for such high positions on account of their troubled marriages. Here, in Nigeria, scaling the marriage hurdle has become a cultural and social imperative for people who want to gain acceptance in the society. It seems to me that being married is an open sesame to

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

gaining entrance into the club of responsible and law-abiding people.

But what is marriage? The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines marriage as “the relationship between two people, who are married.”

Until now, marriage was seen as a union of a man and woman. The legalisation of same – sex marriage has altered the definition of marriage. Nowadays, in Europe, America, and South Africa, two people, who belong to the same sex, can solemnise their union in a church. People who traduce same – sex couples are called provincial people, who are with homophobia. Our sexual preferences, behaviour, and orientation have fallen under fundamental human rights. But the sight of a man smooching another is preposterous in Nigeria. Same – sex coupling is frowned upon in Nigeria. The Abrahamic religions – Islam and Christianity – and the African traditional religion take a dim view of homosexual act and lesbianism. Whether it is a learned behaviour or genetic is immaterial to its staunch opponents.

In the traditional African societies, we have closet gays and lesbians. Same – sex coupling is criminalised in Nigeria. People caught in the act are vilified and visited with punishment. So, in Nigeria, when marriage is mentioned, the image of a man and a woman living under the same roof comes to mind. As Christianity had dislodged the African traditional religion in the south – east of Nigeria, they’re practicing monogamy. But, in the Moslem north, polygamy is practiced there.

A man’s performance of the marital rites for his wife marks a watershed in his life. People get into the marriage union for diverse reasons.

In order to ensure the continuity of their family lineage, people get married. Again, people enter into the marital union for companionship. But do Africans who are gregarious in nature marry for the reason of companionship? Do they need wives who will be their confidantes? More so, in order to satisfy their sexual cravings and avoid promiscuity, people marry. Yet, nowadays, many married men and women indulge in extra-marital affairs without having moral compunction and the prick of conscience. The wedding ring on the ring finger of a woman confers respectability on her. She waves it to show her marital status.

But African men marry chiefly to beget children who will perpetuate and carry their names into the future. People who are married are treated with respect in the belief that they are responsible people.

Chiedu Uche Okoye, Uruowulu – Obosi Anambra State

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˜ ˞ AUGUST 5, 2017

RIGHT OF REPLY

With Amaechi, There’s No God Complex David Iyofor

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efore I x-ray the issues raised by Shaka Momodu’s This Republic published on the back page of THISDAY newspaper on July 21, 2017 titled, “Amaechi’s God Complex�, I should clarify that the rejoinder to the column written by one Uwikor Andrew in the back page of THISDAY on Monday, July 31, 2017 are not the views, thoughts or reaction and do not represent the views, thoughts or reaction of the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to Momodu’s ‘Amaechi’s God Complex’ article.

I chuckled multiple times as I read Shaka’s column of July 21, 2017, mischievously screaming “Amaechi’s God Complex�.

The piece broached a number of issues, most of them largely unrelated to the subject matter, as they were mundane and pedestrian, in a curious bid to arrive at his conclusion of Amaechi displaying a God complex, which in its entirety is a fallacy. And I will prove that. I will try to restrict myself to the areas that relate and/or connect with the subject matter.

Momodu usually tries to first present his writings as an altruistic effort towards a better society. When he has his audience enamored to his seemingly noble agenda, usually in his first two paragraphs, he then goes for the kill, spewing his biases and prejudices.

And it wasn’t any different with that his backpage piece on Amaechi. Momodu started with some clichÊ about how visionless people in leadership positions will not allow the country make progress. He then stepped up the frenzy on how good-for-nothing leaders are idolized as gods. And he went on and on. Typical of Momodu, he was working his readers towards zeroing on Amaechi. Deliberately and with the precision of a misguided marksman, he tried to convey to his audience that leaders like Amaechi are responsible and should be held responsible for all their problems. To his base, that was music to their ears.

To be fair to Momodu, he has never hidden (at least with his writings) his dislike or even disdain for Amaechi. You just need to take a cursory look at some of his write-ups to see that he’s obsessively anti-Amaechi. He’s always fishing for fresh opportunities to take cheap shots at Amaechi. From the mundane to the utterly ridiculous, Momodu relishes in heaping abuses and denigrating conjectures on Amaechi. Even when the issue of discourse should ordinarily have nothing to do with Amaechi, Momodu more often than not, finds a way to drag Amaechi’s name into it, and turn it into another feast of Amaechi bashing.

One example that stuck out for me is how Momodu turned a September 19, 2016 column that was supposed to be about Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka into another cheap dig at Amaechi. The piece titled ‘Has The Man Died in Kongi’, which ordinarily should have nothing to do with Amaechi was turned into another vicious attack on the former governor of Rivers State.

Pardon me if I had wandered a bit into the antecedents of Shaka Momodu’s anti-Amaechi posturing. It is because to unbundle his Amaechi’s God Complex article, we need to understand the mindset and leanings (whether ideological or political or both) of the writer/messenger to fully and better x-ray his article and its underlining meaning.

Reading through Momodu’s piece, one would easily deduce that the foundation of the writer jumping into concluding that Amaechi has a God Complex is that Amaechi had boasted that one of his ‘protĂŠgĂŠs’ (Shaka’s word, not mine), Senator Magnus Abe will not be the governor of Rivers State come 2019. According to Momodu, “Amaechi has foreclosed Abe’s gubernatorial ambition as far as the APC is concernedâ€?. How did the columnist arrive at this surprising conclusion? What is the basis of this summation?

According to the writer, “Rotimi Amaechi, one of the

In my view, everything else raised by Momodu in that God complex piece cannot be connected in any way to his faulty God complex theory. They completely lack substance to trigger any robust discourse on the subject matter. They were Shaka’s usual cheap jibes, mundane and pedestrian personal attacks at, and on Amaechi. I will not condescend to go that route with Shaka.

I refuse to share in his moral burden. Just because Shaka does not like Amaechi’s face or does not share or agree with his political views and ideology, is not enough reason for him to unjustly turn Amaechi into his regular punching bag

Amaechi canonised heroes of our democracy by our Nobel laureate, was widely reported in the media recently playing the exact opposite of what democracy means.

He was reported to have boasted that one of his protĂŠgĂŠs, Senator Magnus Abe, will not be the governor of Rivers State come 2019. And to thwart the yet-to-be-declared governorship aspiration, the emperor who has no clothes is already boasting of his reach. The actions and statements credited to Amaechi are quite telling. His hubris and crude barbarism were on full display‌. Recently, he was reported to have removed local government caucus leaders loyal to the senator representing Rivers South-east senatorial district. According to the reports, there has been a budding feud between Amaechi and Abe over the latter’s governorship ambition, which he is against. This is the statement credited to him in the report: ‘I have foreclosed Abe’s governorship ambition as far as the Rivers APC is concerned. If he likes, let him run to President Buhari. That will not change anything. If he likes, let him go to the First Lady, Aisha Buhari; nothing will change.’ Unbelievable! That Shaka’s basis of labeling Amaechi as having a God complex is from the rumours being spread reportedly by unnamed sources! It’s a travesty and pathetic that Momodu, who also is a journalist and editor of THISDAY on Saturday (a major newspaper title) would condescend to make such sweeping and damaging characterization of Amaechi, predicated almost entirely on rumours from unnamed sources.

This is the pitfall of writing from a pre-determined mindset. A mindset that only looks for the angle that paints and portrays Amaechi in the worst possible way, even when there’s no reason to do so.

If Shaka Momodu had tried to put aside his bias against Amaechi, he would have seen that there are other sides to his reported ‘feud’ about Rotimi Amaechi and Magnus Abe in the Rivers APC. If Shaka had made minimum attempts to be fair, balanced and unbiased in his narration of his so called ‘feud’ in the Rivers APC, he would have also seen the other side and angles to his Amaechi/Abe issue. If his antecedents are anything to go by, most likely, Momodu would have also seen and read the other side but decided to ignore and discard it since it would not fit into his anti-Amaechi narrative and antecedents.

However, I will indulge him and reproduce here the other side to his Amaechi/Abe ‘feud’ as reported in several national newspapers and online news outlets. I will generously quote from the report in his paper, THISDAY newspaper of Sunday, June 25, 2017. In a report titled, “Abe’s Ambition Responsible for Rivers APC Crisis, Says Party Chief�, the article reported that: “Abeclouding governorship ambition of Magnus Abe, the senator representing Rivers South East was at the heart of the crisis in the state’s chapter of the APC, a chieftain of the party who pleaded anonymity has said. The party chief believed to be quite close to both men revealed that the real issue between them is that Abe wants Amaechi to ‘anoint’ him as the Rivers APC gubernatorial candidate. Abe wants to be governor. That’s fine and good. But it is his desperation and the underhand tactics he is now using to get Amaechi to support and ‘anoint’ him as the Rivers APC candidate for the 2019 governorship elections that is causing all these problems between them. “The party chief contended that Amaechi refused to ‘anoint’

Abe or any other APC aspirant that was interested in running for governor in 2019, because Amaechi’s position as the Leader of the party in Rivers State is that everyone with ambition to run for any elective office should hold it, keep it and work to build the party first. Amaechi made it clear that for the whole of 2017, rebuilding and re-strengthening the party should be the focus and goal of all APC members, and not campaigning for any elective office, whether openly or surreptitiously. That it’s a bit too early for campaigns. “He advised that at the appropriate time, every aspirant could then come out and campaign openly and that all APC party candidates for all elective offices would emerge through the laid down process in the party’s constitution for the emergence of party candidates.�

The report went on to say that some persons not pleased with Amaechi’s position started distorting and leaking details of private caucus meetings within the party. “They were not just leaking but were also twisting the details from these meetings, most times, completely concocting and fabricating comments and ascribing these statements to Amaechi just to serve their ulterior agenda,� the THISDAY report quoted the unnamed party chieftain to have said.

Let me be clear. It is irrelevant whether I agree with or disbelieve the contents of the two reports (Momodu’s own and the one I just quoted), which were basically sourced from unnamed sources. Whether Shaka Momodu, you, the reader or I believe or don’t believe the contents of the reports is immaterial to the discourse. The point I am making here is that it is tantamount to journalistic heresy for Momodu, a journalist, title editor and back page columnist for THISDAY to completely ignore and disregard the other side, its angle and arguments because it doesn’t suit and fit into his established anti-Amaechi trajectory.

This is his heavy moral burden that erodes credibility.

The other point Momodu raised that may remotely be considered to have any bearing to his Amaechi’s God Complex unjustified hypothesis, is the quote he attributed to Amaechi’s former Chief of Staff, Tony Okocha, and the supposed removal of certain leaders from what Shaka called APC Local Government Area caucuses in Rivers State. Let’s clinically look at these Shaka’s postulations.

Again, if Shaka Momodu had opened his eyes, mind and narrative to all the sides in Rivers APC, he would have seen, read and known that what Amaechi did was simply making a few leadership changes in his personal political group in about four or five LGAs in the 23-LGARivers State. No more, no less.

This Amaechi personal team has nothing to do with APCrecognized party structures at all levels, and that APC party leadership structure was not touched and still remains intact in the state, from ward to state levels.

Perhaps, if Momodu was not cloistered on going on another Amaechi-bashing voyage, he would have heard, read and included in his piece, the widely reported statement of the Rivers State APC chairman, Davies Ibiamu-Ikanya on the few changes Amaechi made in his personal political team in the state. Ikanya was then quoted in several newspapers (including THISDAY) and many online news outlets as saying that “Amaechi is making some changes in his personal political group, team or caucus in the state. It is his right and prerogative to make any leadership changes within his own political team, group or caucus. Amaechi created the caucus, team or group, appointed its members and leaders and so can make any changes he deems fit with this his personal group, team or caucus. But we must emphasize that these changes by the Honourable Minister of Transportation within his personal political team, group or caucus have absolutely nothing to do with the party leadership structure and does not affect the party leadership structures at all levels in the state�.

Okocha, who Momodu gleefully quoted, was removed and replaced as the leader of this Amaechi personal political team in Obio-Akpor LGA. Even in the same quote that Shaka abridged, Okocha admitted that Amaechi appointed him caucus leader and so has the right and powers to remove him. Okocha like every member and leader of this Amaechi LGAgroups serves at the pleasure of Amaechi, who appointed them into the groups. They were not elected neither is it their family inheritance. And they all know and acknowledge this simple fact. It beats me hollow, how this translates to Amaechi having a God complex. Can’t a man make changes in his personal political group again? The spur of the moment, emotional outbursts

by Okocha (he has not openly denied it) cannot and will not change the facts of the matter.

In my view, everything else raised by Momodu in that God complex piece cannot be connected in any way to his faulty God complex theory. They completely lack substance to trigger any robust discourse on the subject matter. They were Shaka’s usual cheap jibes, mundane and pedestrian personal attacks at, and on Amaechi. I will not condescend to go that route with Shaka. I refuse to share in his moral burden. Just because Shaka does not like Amaechi’s face or does not share or agree with his political views and ideology, is not enough reason for him to unjustly turn Amaechi into his regular punching bag. It’s not enough reason to cherry pick what suits you and your narrative and ignore the other sides and angles in a public political discourse. Again, that’s a moral burden I do not intend to share with Shaka. The Amaechi I know will not apologize for how he looks; neither will he apologize for his political views, ideology and stance. –– David Iyofor is Rotimi Amaechi’s media aide.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Í˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

NEWSXTRA

In Brief Man Kidnaps Father in-law

The police in Minna, Niger State said it had arrested one Abu Umar for allegedly organising his father inlaw's kidnap. The kidnap of Alhaji Ruwa Ajeni took place in the RaďŹ local government area of the state the police said. According to the outgoing Police Command Public Relations OďŹƒcer, DSP Bala Elkana, the suspect planned with Aliyu Buba and Abubakar Mohammed all of Agiani village in the same RaďŹ local government area to commit the crime. After kidnapping Ajeni, they reportedly took him to an unknown place from where they contacted the victim’s family and demanded for a N5m ransom if they wanted him alive. Elkana said the police was informed leading to the Anti kidnapping and Violent crime operatives being sent after the suspects.The PPRO said the victim was subsequently rescued "without any ransom being paid". He also said that one Dahiru Atiku of Gomba village was attacked by armed robbers who dispossessed him of N80,000 at the popular Mariga cattle market. "The hoodlums inicted several injuries on the victim and dispossessed him of N80,000" he said, adding that the suspects had made confessional statements to the police and would be charged to court soon.

Ugwuanyi on Quality Healthcare

REWARDING LOYALTY...

L-R: Ogochukwu Agu, Area Manager, Diamond Bank Plc; Ibe Afamefuna, Diamondxtra Season 9 Winner; and Adaku Uche-Obi, Branch Manager, Diamond Bank Plc at the Cheque presentation Ceremony to Diamondxtra Season 9 winners held in Diamond Bank, Tradefair Complex, Badagry Expressway Lagos recently

Lagos Arraigns Hotel Owner, Workers for aiding Homosexuality

The Lagos State Government on Friday arraigned the owner of Vintage Hotel in Owode Onirin area of Ikorodu, Chief Patrick Okeze before a Yaba Magistrate Court for allegedly aiding and promoting same sex sexual activities and gay club in his hotel.

Okeze was arraigned with two of his workers, Sunday Isang and Bright Oba for allegedly encouraging the illegal act by young men and minors in the hotel contrary to the provisions of Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2014.

The State Government had on Thursday arraigned 28 adults and 12 minors before Yaba and EbuteMetta Magistrate Courts respectively for engaging in homosexuality using the said hotel.

Okeze and his workers were alleged to have aided 40 people and others still at large, to engage in same sex activities as well as gay club/party in the said Vintage Hotel located at No 999, Ikorodu Road/Toyin Close, Weigh Bridge, Owode Onirin, Lagos contrary to and punishable under Section 5 (2) of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2014.

After the one-count criminal charge against Okeze (56), Isang (30) and Oba (28) was called and read before Chief Magistrate Adewale Ojo, the defendants were not allowed to take their plea as the court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on the subject matter of the case.

The prosecution team including

Ms Adetutu Oshinusi, Bosun Aroyehun, Folabi Sholebo, Olaitan Shoetan and Nnena Okereka, all from the State’s Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), urged the court to remand the defendants in prison pending the outcome of the legal advice of the DPP. However, the defence team led

by Mr. Alli Abba urged the court to discountenance the application of the prosecution, and admit the defendants to bail, as the offence under which they were charged was bailable.

He referred to the arraignment of the principal suspects in the case who were granted bail by the same court on Thursday, assuring that his clients would not abscond if admitted to bail.

Responding, Police’s counsel, Mr. Effiong Asuquo said the application for the defendants to be remanded in prison pending legal advice was based on the need to prevent the defendants from going back to run the hotel if granted bail.

He said the subject matter of the case being about Same Sex Marriage Act could only be tried at the High Court, and that the application was needed to keep them in custody pending legal advice.

In his ruling, Magistrate Ojo held that in view of the provisions of Section 264 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, he found merit in the application for the defendants to be remanded pending the DPP advice.

Man Arrested over Badoo Police Smash Kidnap, Cattle Killings Denies Involvement Rustling other Syndicates Akinwale Akintunde

A Lagos businessman, Alaka Abayomi, arrested by the police for alleged involvement in the latest attack by Badoo, the deadly cult group in Ikorodu, has denied any connection or link with the Badoo Cult or the gruesome and mindless killings going on in Ikorodu.

The 51-year-old said in a statement through his lawyer, Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo that the story trending in the social, print and electronic media that he gave a statement to the Police about his connection with Badoo was a baseless falsehood.

The Badoo group had on Sunday, gruesomely murdered four members of a family in the Ibeshe area.

The Lagos State Police Command had arrested Abayomi, who lives in Magodo, following intelligence reports that he was working with the dreaded group.

The police said Mr. Abayomi confessed to knowing others who own shrines in the area before

leading the officers to the Badoo cult’s shrine.

According to the police, Mr. Abayomi’s arrest led to the police’ invasion of a shrine allegedly owned by the cult group in the Agbowa area of Ikorodu on Monday.

But the statement by his lawyer stated that Abayomi was a legitimate businessman with business concerns in Ikorodu for over 20 years, adding that the reason why the Police was harassing and humiliating him was a question begging for an answer.

The statement stated that Abayomi voluntarily honoured Police invitation to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja two weeks ago where he was asked questions ranging from his business concerns to his growing influence in Ikorodu as well as of the Badoo activities in Ikorodu, Lagos.

He said in the course of his questioning, he informed the Police of his sacred place somewhere in Agbowa town, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Police in Bauchi have smashed and arrested about 20 members of various criminal syndicates in various operations in the state.

The suspects belonging to kidnap, cattle rustling and other criminal groups operating in the state were paraded at the Bauchi State Police command headquarters yesterday.

Addressing journalists during the parade of the suspects, the command's spokesperson, DSP Kamal Datti Abubakar said that the suspects 'who specialised in perpetrating various crimes in the state' were arrested through a coordinated operation by the command.

According to him, the kidnap and cattle rustling syndicate suspects; Buba Maikudi, Ishaka Muhammadu and Ibrahim Isah all of Gubi Village were arrested by a combined team of Special Anti-robbery Squad.

He added that the suspects kidnapped Ya'u Sule, Musa Hassan and Da'u Hassan all of Dass LGA and robbed them of 72 cows valued at N8,500,000.

The police said that all the victims

were rescued alive and 30 cows, 10 sheep, One Dane Gun, two Cutlasses and charms were recovered from the suspects.

Another Kidnap suspect, Buba Sale was also arrested for kidnapping Binta Mohammed and her four months old baby at Mararraban Liman Katagum demanding a ransom of N500,000.

Members of a car and motorcycle snatching syndicate were also arrested according to the police.

Sunday Aloko from Plateau State, Titus Lucky from Kaduna and Tunde Ogunsu from Bauchi were arrested for conspiring and stealing an ash coloured Honda Academy with registration number BG 677 JJN. Kamalu Mohammed, Tijjani Musa and Abubakar Umar were also arrested alongside their accomplices 78 years old Alh. Isah Mohammed and Abdulrasheed Ismail for snatching motorcycles.

According to the police, Two Haojou Motorcycles, One Jincheng AX100, One Jincheng Rubber and One Kymco Motorcycle were recovered from the suspects.

GovernorIfeanyiUgwuanyiofEnuguStatehasreiteratedthecommitment of his administration towards providing more qualitative, aordable and accessible healthcare delivery to the people of the state, in line with its vision to make the state the choice destination for medical treatment in the country. Ugwuanyi spoke when he hosted to the Minister of State for Health,Dr.OsagieEhanire,whowasattheGovernmentHouse,Enuguduring a courtesy visit, in company with Heads of Federal Government Health institutions in the State. The Minister was in Enugu on an oversight visit to all Federal Ministry of Health Facilities in the state to see for himself and seek ways of improving the facilities to serve the people as well as enhance the collaboration between the federal government and the state.The governor who described the visit as “most pertinent and timelyâ€?, noted that it coincided with the eorts of his government to improve healthcare delivery in the state “particularly through the maintenance of strategic cooperation and collaboration with Federal Health Institutions andfacilitiesinthestateâ€?.Hepromisedthathisadministrationwillcontinue topromoteandlendďŹ rmsupporttotheeortsbythefederalgovernment to upgrade the equipment and facilities as well as the services available in the aected institutions. “On our own as a Government, we have taken steps to review the health policy of the state in order to ensure more eďŹƒciency and eectiveness.

Edo Lady Mechanic Receives Award

Edo State Ambassador and proprietor of the Lady Mechanic Initiative, Mrs. Sandra Aguebor, has been nominated by the Committee ofWives of Lagos State OďŹƒcials (COWLSO) for the prestigious InspirationalWoman of The Year Award 2017. The association said that the choice of Mrs. Aguebor for the Award was informed by the work she had done in the automobile industry and how she had encouraged entrepreneurship in young girls and women. “More importantly, we appreciate how she has encouraged and groomed women through her Lady Mechanic Initiative, to take on mechanical engineering which is a male-dominated profession. The initiative has created new entrepreneurs and generated new employment opportunities for so many women,â€? the association said.

COWLSO was established in 1974 with the core objective of supporting the Lagos State Government in its eorts to improve the social welfare of the people.The Award’s presentation will take place at the association’s 17th National Conference.

Agbami Co-Venturers Donates Laboratory

Multi-national oil companies under the auspices of Agbami Co-venturers have donated and handed over a science Laboratory to Alaka Grammar School, Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government area of Delta State.The Agbami Co-venturers consists of Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, the FamfaOilLimited,theNigerianNationalPetroleumCompany,thePetroleo Brasileiro Nigerian Limited, Chevron and the Statoil Nigeria Limited.

They said the construction and completion of the science laboratory project was part of its corporate social responsibility and contribution to help improve the availability and aordability of quality education to Nigerian children. The Director, Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, Mr. RichardKennedywhospokeatthehandingoverceremonysaidthescience laboratory was expected to have a huge impact on the student, adding that it will provide them with up-to-date science laboratory equipment for undertaking experiments and for writing their examinations. Mr. Kennedy, who was represented by Dan Agbofode, Snr. Government Aairs Advisor, Policy, Govt. & Public Aairs, Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, noted the Agbami Co-venturers have also implemented other projects in the past in Delta state in education and health.We have several other projects across the country either on-going or completed. The projects, mainly libraries, chest coninics and science laboratories constitute an aspect of the strategic intervention plan of the Agbami Co-venturers in promoting a better life for Nigerians.

CBN Spokeman’s Mother for Burial

The family of Justin Okorafor Agwu of Umuchiakuma, Ihechiowa, in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, has formally announced the transition to glory of its Matriarch, Ezinne Cecelia Orieji Okorafor. A statement issued by the family disclosed that she passed on recently at the age of 85. She is survived by many children, grand-children and greatgrand-children, among whom is Mr. Isaac Okorafor, the Acting Director, Corporate Communications at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The burial programme released by the Okorafor family indicated she would be interredatthefamilycompoundinUmuchiakuma,Ihechiowa,inArochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State on Friday, August 11, 2017, after a funeral Mass at St. Mulumba’s Catholic Church, Umuchiakuma, Ihechiowa.

The late Okorafor was renowned for her philanthropy. As a community leader, she contributed immensely to the development and growth of her community and its people, particularly after the Nigerian Civil war.

She was also a successful trader whose vocation took her across several borders beyond the shores of the Eastern Nigeria.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ GUST 5, 2017

THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri In Defence of Restructuring and Atiku Abubakar

R

ecently, there was a picture of blind Lady Justice in front of a Nigerian court. The statue of this Lady Justice was tilting faster than the Leaning Tower of Pisa and was almost falling down but for the fact that it was supported by a stick. But for the stick, it would have fallen.

The picture of this statue found its way to the Internet where it immediately went viral for the simple reason that it reflected the sad state of not just justice in Nigeria, but the Nigerian federation as a whole.

The Nigerian federation is being held up by the stick of free oil rent money from the Niger Delta, which no less a personality than Waziri Atiku Abubakar has warned is coming to the end of its shelf life.

If we need any further reminder of just how fragile this stick is we only have to consider the plight of the people of Venezuela. Despite having the world’s largest oil reserves of 300 billion barrels in the sands of the Orinoco Basin, the people are hungry and with a devalued currency they cannot import basic medicines. The national oil company, PDVSA is the stick holding up the remnants of the failing economy and is about to snap as it is having to borrow money to fund its dwindling operations at an eye-watering 48%. It is in a downward spiral caused by the false utopia of black gold.

Of course, Atiku Abubakar’s warnings were almost prophetic because 8 days after he gave his warning, the U.K. joined France, Norway and a host of other nations to announce that petrol and diesel engine cars will be illegal in their domains between 2025-2040, a fact that ThisDay captured quite aptly in their front page headline of July 27, 2017 which read, ‘Doom for Nigeria, Britain Moves to Ban Petrol, Diesel Cars by 2040’. I trust the Senate realise that the earlier date of 2025 is only 8 years from now.

But going back to the tilting statue of Lady Justice and what that portends for Nigeria nothing typified the sorry state of our judiciary (and by extension our nation) than two recent cases involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in similar court proceedings.

Murtala Nyako, an All Progressives Congress party member belonging to President Muhammadu Buhari’s 97% voting bloc was accused of stealing N29 billion. He applied to travel abroad for medical treatment while his case is being tried in court. Justice Abang and the EFCC DID NOT oppose his application and it was granted. Olisa Metuh, a Peoples Democratic Party member belonging to President Muhammadu Buhari’s 5% voting bloc is accused of having received NSA funds of N400 million and using it for campaigning for the PDP (and not for personal enrichment). He applied to travel abroad for a spinal injury to the same Justice Abang but in this instance, the EFCC opposed his application and it was denied, despite tendering reports from multiple neurosurgeons. Think about that before you come here to tell me that this current EFCC is not an arm of the APC or that Nigeria’s judiciary is not in need of restructuring!

This is what we have been reduced to in Nigeria. Forced to believe that someone like Olisa Metuh, who performed a job and was paid for it, is guilty, but Mr. Babachir Lawal, who enriched himself through a company connected with him and who hid the connection through a labyrinthine maze at the Corporate Affairs Commission, is innocent.

We are expected to believe that the Supreme Court Justice visiting Rotimi Amaechi, who publicly admitted to spending $500,000 of public funds (yes, you read that right - half a million dollars and he ADMITTED IT) to host Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, to a one-day dinner is free from corruption, but Olisa Metuh, who received funds to do the work that he was LEGALLY appointed to do, was arrested and thrown in a cell to be photographed unshaven like a common criminal.

And this is another reason why we need restructuring. I mean not only is it patently dishonest for the All Progressives Congress to deny that it campaigned on a promise of restructuring, it is also downright suicidal not to restructure because Nigeria has only two options - either there is a new Nigeria through restructuring or there will be no Nigeria in the future as we will surely be torn apart.

Groups like Boko Haram, the Indigenous People of Biafra, the herdsmen menace and Niger Delta militancy are only symptoms of the fact that Nigeria needs to restructure to stave off an impending implosion.

Almost from nowhere, The World Economic Forum ranked Nigeria the fifth most dangerous nation in the world on July 6, 2017. Before then the US Congress had cited Nigeria as the most dangerous place for Christians in the world. Not to restructure would be tantamount to playing the ostrich!

And it is not only our judiciary that needs restructuring. The whole polity desperately requires it.

On Sunday July 30, 2017, the Guardian had the following headlines, ‘Two million containers stranded in Lagos ports’.

The story is that ‘No fewer than two million containers laden with various cargoes worth over N5 trillion are currently stranded at the Lagos port complex, due to the inability of importers to evacuate them.’

Yet we have ports in Warri and Sapele, and Koko that are going to waste for lack of use. Is this not proof that our current unitary system which passes off itself as a federal system is not working and that we need restructuring?

Ever since the July 1966 counter coup, Nigeria has been implementing the quota system whereby educationally advantaged states in the South are cheated out of spaces in the public education system in favour of educationally disadvantaged states mostly in the North, in the mistaken belief that it will help even up the educational imbalance between Northern and Southern Nigeria, but has it worked?

When the 1999 Constitution refused to take this unique solution into consideration (being that it was forced on the nation by the military) the onshore/offshore dichotomy raised its ugly head and threatened to tank the then nascent Obasanjo administration and the nation with it. It was precisely Atiku Abubakar who used the network he built at the 1994-95 conference to persuade both President Obasanjo and Niger Delta Governors like Obong Victor Attah and Dr. Peter Odili, (who were his colleagues at the 1994-95 constitutional conference) to reach a political solution and just like that, and by an Executive Order, President Olusegun Obasanjo, with the intervention of Atiku Abubakar, used a political solution to solve a problem caused by the constitution

Atiku According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, after over 50 years of the policy, Imo State has the highest literacy level in Nigeria with 96.43% followed by Lagos (96.30 %), Ekiti (95.79 %), Rivers (95.76 %), Abia (94.24 %), Anambra (92.11 %), Osun (90.57%), Edo (90.53 %), Enugu (89.46 %, and Cross River (89 %).

On the other hand, Yobe has the lowest literacy rate in Nigeria with 7.23%, followed by Zamfara (9.16 %), Katsina (10.36%), Sokoto (15.01%), Bauchi (19.26%), Kebbi (20.51%), and Niger (22.88%).

And that is not all. According to data from the NBS, Imo state, which has the highest literacy rate in Nigeria of 96% has a population of 3.9 million people (according to the 2006 census) yet receives significantly less from the federation account than Yobe State which has the lowest literacy rate in Nigeria and a population of 2.7 million people (2011 estimates by the state government) which is lower than Imo’s population. What the data proves is that educational progress has only been made by those states that have been cheated by the quota system policy while in those states which are favoured by the policy, the literacy rate has remained virtually unchanged since the quota system was introduced.

This is despite the fact that they receive more money than their counterparts in the South despite the fact that Southern states generate by far more money for the federation than their counterparts in the North.

Facts DO NOT LIE. They ARE NOT bigoted and they DO NOT recognise region or religion.

So when are we going to stop ignoring the 800 pound gorilla in the room and call a spade a spade?

And the sad thing is that when someone as eminent as former vice President, Waziri Atiku Abubakar is bold enough to take the bull by the horns and say it as it is, pseudo intellectuals, who know the truth but owe allegiance to their bellies rather than their conscience, are procured by pint-sized enemies of restructuring to pooh pooh his ideas.

One of such instances was the piece, ‘The Confusion Called Restructuring’ by Tobi Soniyi, published in ThisDay of July 31, 2017.

In that piece, the armchair critic said, “Someone has to tell the former vice president that it (restructuring) isn’t going to be simple as he thinks.” Right there is the problem of these types of procured voices.

They assume and forget that ‘assumption is the mother of all failures’.

The piece by Mr. Soniyi fell flat on its face for the simple reason that Waziri Atiku Abubakar has never said that restructuring will be simple or easy. What he and other patriots like him have said is that it is POSSIBLE! That it is not simple does not mean that it cannot be done. As George Bernard Shaw said, “People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.”

Waziri Atiku Abubakar is the one person that has the moral authority to say restructuring is possible because he has engineered it before. He is not saying I can do it, he is saying I have done it.

Many Nigerians may have forgotten that there was once a dilemma in Nigeria called the onshore/offshore dichotomy.

In 1984, Major General Mohammed Buhari (rtd) reduced the

amount of derivation funds paid to oil producing states to a paltry 1.5 % by military fiat and left the offshore oil revenues to the federal government.

It was not until the 1994-95 Constitutional Conference that patriots led by Shehu Musa Yar’adua and Atiku Abubakar mobilised other members of the conference to come up with a unique solution to the onshore/offshore dichotomy.

Their solution ‘provided a formula for the administration of the derivation principle and contained three very significant embodiments.

The first is that allocation to derivation shall stand at a minimum of 13 per cent. The second is that the dichotomy between onshore and offshore exploration shall not be taken into account for the purpose of revenue allocation. The third is that the boundaries of littoral states were clearly defined as extending to Nigeria’s exclusive economic zone which at the time stood at two hundred nautical miles.’

When the 1999 Constitution refused to take this unique solution into consideration (being that it was forced on the nation by the military) the onshore/offshore dichotomy raised its ugly head and threatened to tank the then nascent Obasanjo administration and the nation with it.

It was precisely Atiku Abubakar who used the network he built at the 1994-95 conference to persuade both President Obasanjo and Niger Delta Governors like Obong Victor Attah and Dr. Peter Odili, (who were his colleagues at the 1994-95 constitutional conference) to reach a political solution and just like that, and by an Executive Order, President Olusegun Obasanjo, with the intervention of Atiku Abubakar, used a political solution to solve a problem caused by the constitution.

Another criticism raised at Atiku is that he is an opportunist and a new recruit to the cause of Restructuring for his own political expediency. This is another lie. But don’t take my word for it. Google “Atiku Abubakar Resolution Onshore/offshore dichotomy”, you will find for yourself articles from various Nigerian papers dating back to July 13, 2001, in which Atiku Abubakar has been championing restructuring.

In fact, I recommend the article, ‘Nigeria: 6-1 Onshore-Offshore Jurisdiction Verdict’ written by Jide Ajani, then the Political Editor of Vanguard Newspapers and published on that very day.

So restructuring is not just a catchy slogan to secure votes for Atiku Abubakar, like it was for the All Progressives Congress. He has been consistent with it. So let people like Tobi Soniyi, who think it cannot be done, take a class in contemporary Nigerian political history and when they are done, they can send a thank you note to Waziri Atiku Abubakar.

And unlike the APC who talk about change, Atiku is someone who has an unquestionable track record of delivering it.

Reno’s Nuggets Women, not every man that is nice to you is flirting or toasting you.

Some mothers actually raised their sons to be gentlemen. Also women, never feel jealous of other women who marry before you even if you are older. Australia is 14 hours ahead of USA, yet America is richer, proving those who start before you aren’t necessarily ahead of you #RenosNuggets.

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS VINTAGE AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER INTERVIEW FASHION FILE

pg. 20 pg. 24 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 44 pg. 46

Olusegun Runsewe I Will Pay Any Price to Look Good

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 5, 2017

PLUS

2017 African Arts and Crafts Expo May be the Biggest in History Otunba Olusegun Runsewe is currently the Otunb Direc General of National Council for Arts Director Cu and Culture.

This detribalised Nigerian who speaks vvirtually all local languages was famous for his trail t blazing roles during his stint as the DG of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corpora Corporation (NTDC). He is reputed for his ability to create a river out of an oasis anywhere he works. He speaks with Jonathan Eze about his lifestyle, and talks about the forthcoming African Arts an and Crafts Expo (AFAC) 2017

S

hare with us a little of your background I was born in Kaduna to the family of Pa Bankole Runsewe from Ogun State. I attended St. Michael Primary School, Kaduna, before proceeding to Vohoeven Technical Minna, now Government College Min Technical C College. I hold an MBA in Marketing from Edo State UniHigher National Diploma versity; H Management Studies from in Manag School for Executives.

London S have a diploma in Public I also ha Relations from London School of Relation Management Studies and a proManage fessional certificate in Estate and fessiona Property Management from Proper Kaduna Polytechnic. Also, Kadun providence, I am a fellow by pro of the Nigerian Institute of Publ Public Relations; chairman, Boar Board of Nigerian Institute of Jo Journalism; fellow of Inst Institute of Management; and Association of Business Ex Executives, London.

You served as Director G General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation for almost eight years. How did it all start?

I have been a consistent phenomenon in Nigeria’s media, culture and tourism in the last three decades.

I worked as marketing t New Nigerian manager at the Newspaper and rose to the position of general manag manager. I also worked as head of public relations (Media) National Theatre; Theatre managing director/ chief executive officer, o Sports Weekly, and was publish publisher and editor-in-chief of National Netw Network Newspapers. I was also privileg privileged to be the media coordinator, Commonwealth Com Heads of Government Meeting M (CHOGM) in 2013, in Abuja. T To the glory of God, I was appointed as executive director of National O Orientation Agency in positio I held until I became 2000, a position g the director general of the Nigerian Deve Tourism Development Corporation. sever traditional titles from I also hold several different parts of the country: Danbura State Obiagu – Igbo Ukwu, Kabi, Kebbi State; a Anambra State, amongst others.

What is your philosophy about life?

What life has taught me in all these years is to thank God, wherever I find myself. To make things better despite challenges in life, you must thank God for today because there can’t be champions without challenges. God owns the next minute of our lives. So, we should enjoy the best of every minute of our lives because nobody knows what will happen next.

So, how do you unwind?

Unwinding is very important to the body. If you stand up with me on the dancing floor on a good day, I’ll give you a run for your money. Life is worth celebrating. You can never know what tomorrow will bring.

You play golf these days. Tell us about the sport.

I discovered recently that some golfers do not attend church. Then, I coined a word that there are two G’s. The capital ‘G’ is God but the small ‘g’ is golf. So, the capital ‘G’ comes first but the small ‘g’ can come anytime. It is not as important as the capital ‘G’. It’s just a swag way of praising God and that we must not compare God with anything. You cannot give the time of the capital ‘G’ to the small ‘g’. You can never see me playing golf on a Sunday morning. I cannot give what is for God to anything inasmuch as I love to play golf. We travel to Oturkpo, Sen. David Mark’s golf course to play golf sometimes and we played on Saturdays and Sundays only. On Sunday, other golfers would be looking for me because by then, I was already in church.

It was later they would tell me they were searching for me.

I told them I could not sacrifice my Sunday morning for anything. There and then, about four people changed their attitudes of playing golf on Sunday morning. Most of the Muslims I played golf with, when it was time for prayers would tell me to wait. They would say their prayers and continue. There is over $6bn that would be going into golf by 2019. The money is ready in the international golf circle. I want Nigeria to get a chunk of it. Meanwhile, only two African countries are making moves to get their shares of that fund coming into golf. The countries are South Africa and Zimbabwe. With the effort I have put in, Nigeria is in one of the calendar line of countries that will benefit from the money.

I started playing golf six years ago. Golf is a holistic game and I want to plead

AUGUST 5, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

19

PLUS I Will Pay Any Price to Look Good with Nigerians who have not discovered golf before the age of 50 to connect with the game. It is the only game that you play and your body chemistry communicates on just one swing. Golf shows who you are. If you want to know an introvert or an extrovert when a golfer hits the ball, it tells much story about the person standing behind the ball. Golf brings out the character in everyone. It’s a unique game. In golf, we play 18 holes, if you play 18 holes with a lady or a gentleman, you will know that person more than when you live with the person for 18 years. The 18 holes are about four hours and the four hours tell the story about every individual.

Golf is said to be a game for the rich only, isn’t it?

In 1937, there was a guy called Rocky Miller. He was a staunch golfer. He granted a journalist an interview and he said to the journalist, ‘Let us meet on the golf course.’ The journalist got there and met many prominent people. That incident also contributed to people’s perception that golf is a game for the elites. No, golf is for everybody. I will give you this analogy. In golf-kitting, we have the standards of a Mercedes, a Lexus, a Lamboughini, a Jaguar and a Keke Napep. If you think you cannot afford any of these big-time brands, you can go for the smaller brand. That is why people misunderstand what golf is all about. Are you aware that to play polo, you need a horse? Do you know that you can play golf with two or three clubs; it depends on who you are. If you want the best, you can get the best but would pay a price for it. So, I want to remove the assumption that golf is for the elites only.

Your style of dressing is unique.

How do you create them?

Life is to be enjoyed. My wife loves designing clothes and does many things for me. I want to look good on every occasion; from colour combination, to branding, to brand identity, I want to look unique. I love it. Even when I come out to play golf, people see a different outlook in the golfing environment. I love designers; I love to look good and I will pay any price to look good.

How will you describe your tenure at the NTDC? My tenure at the NTDC was a watershed in the development of Nigeria’s tourism sector. My team’s aggressive tourism marketing campaign, anchored on the catch-phrase ‘Tourism is Life’ gave the industry unprecedented national and international visibility. The tenure positioned Nigeria as one of the leading faces of tourism and a preferred destination in Africa. With consistent annual exhibitions at international tourism expositions like FITUR, Madrid Spain; ITB Berlin, Germany, Arabian Travel Market, Dubai; World Travel Market Oakland London, etc.

What are your achievements?

I want to modestly state that I left my footprints on the sands of Nigeria’s international tourism. I will allow my records to speak for me but to be candid; my team and I initiated new ways of doing things that stood the agency out.

Workers’ welfare was also a priority. My tenure in office witnessed the harvest of commendation letters by the Nigerian Tourism Corporation, including those from the World Travel Market, London and FITUR, Spain. I was also the pioneer chairman of Abuja Carnival Planning Committee, the edition adjudged by the international community to be the best organised since its inception. The Nigerian Tourism Village, which we put together during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, was rated as one of its kind at the event. I believe in innovation.

What are the innovations you are bringing on board for this year’s African Arts and Crafts Expo (AFAC) 2017?

We are bringing so many strategic innovations some of which you will see during the event. Let me just say that, first, we are redesigning the exhibition venue which is the arts and craft village and it will have several state-of-the-art facilities like a media centre, exhibition stands, free internet service within the

venue not to mention the various countries that will be showcasing their unique cultural identities. Over 25 countries and 150 exhibitors will be on show. It will be an expo with a unique difference in terms of participation.

We understand since you came on board at NCAC, you have introduced hashtags like #timeculture. Do you also plan on trending AFAC as a hashtag on social media during the event?

Yes; we have to carry the younger population along in everything and that’s why we are going to have maximum social media presence. The hash tag #AFAC2017 is already trending on several Twitter handles and when the event starts proper, we shall upload activities on a daily basis and everything about AFAC 2017 to expand the conversation among Nigerians.

How do you hope to leverage on AFAC? We will obviously strive to make each year better in terms of organisation and preparation. As far as AFAC 2017 is concerned, we are putting everything in place to ensure it is a huge success after which we will sustain the momentum to ensure culture takes its rightful place in Nigeria as the new crude oil. Don’t forget over 25 countries will participate in this year’s event. Each will have special days dedicated for them to showcase their unique cultures while engaging with over 150 exhibitors. They will also patronise made-in-Nigeria goods and services during their stay. There is no better way of attracting foreign direct investment.

What is your plan on addressing some contemporary issues the call for restructuring with this year’s edition of AFAC? We are going to use the opportunity of this year’s AFAC to propagate the indivisibility of Nigeria which statesmen like Awolowo, Sardauna, ZIK of Africa bestowed on us. They fought courageously to make us a united nation.

This year’s edition of AFAC will preach our diversity of culture to demonstrate that we are better as one than otherwise.

Those contemplating division are doing so in their selfish interest, not in our collective interest as a nation. For a long time in Nigeria we have always been talking about our weaknesses. It is time to show the world our strength by harnessing the opportunities our unique culture as a people provides, and we will do just that with AFAC 2017 What is being done to ensure the venue of the event is secure?

I am an apostle of the saying that the best security comes from God. Be that as it may, we are already in partnership with the Nigerian Army, the police, civil defence and some other para-military outfits to ensure there is no security lapse in the course of the event. I can’t provide all the details of what we are putting in place but we are committed to provide maximum security at the venue.

How prepared is your team?

It will interest you to note that the entire management and staff are anxiously waiting to witness what could presumably be the best AFAC yet in the history of Nigeria. The innovation we are bringing on board is surely going to impress the world.

How much does a pavilion cost?

You see even with the unique standard and artistic design of the pavilion, surprisingly we still maintain the old price of N40,000 for NGOs and N30,000 for states.

How do you hope to replicate what you did in NTDC at AFAC? We are going to maintain our style of excellence. We have been in the vanguard of making use of our local artefacts in staging world class exhibitions. I can assure you this year’s AFAC is going to be explosive in terms of standard. The time has come for us to depart from the traditional way of staging exhibitions to a more acceptable world -class model. That was the thinking while I was in tourism.

Now it is time to take culture to another level.

Runsewe

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 5, 2017 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Davido

Davido And The Police: A Partnership in Infamy Have you seen the video? If not, just Google it. This young and massively talented boy still being spurred by youthful exuberance which is expected was just flying into the country and was received by two gun-toting mobile policemen who now happened to be shooting sporadically and recklessly into the air in salute to their master. This irresponsibility as shown by these two mobile policemen is all the more annoying when you contrast it with the huge insecurity we are now facing in Lagos. Just last night, the estate where I live was burgled. The thieves came in at night, cutting a huge hole in the barbed wire and raiding homes of valuables and traumatising people. They were lucky they did not come near my house, otherwise I would have been paraded by the police for beheading somebody’s child. They were lucky my wife stopped me from going out to destroy these miscreants. You should have seen the way she was begging me not to go out. She really begged o and I looked at her beautiful eyes and pitied the sons of the devil and let them go. So you will understand my anger today as I watch these otherwise sane and well-armed mobile policemen display this kind of irresponsibility when the streets of Lagos and especially Ikorodu are being overrun by hoodlums. I hear the Lagos State Police Command has arrested them and have commenced investigations into their activities. This is a right step. They will be doing gra gra shooting into the air when they should be out combating real crimes.

And for Davido, I keep quiet before they say I am jealous of the small boy. But the question is, is he not doing too much? Na only him be superstar? He should borrow a leave from Tuface who to my eyes is the biggest ever. I keep quiet, this is what my mother used to call yeye.

The Senate: Please Listen to the Oba The Oba of Lagos is a man who says it as it is. He minces no words and in most cases does not care whose ox is gored. Remember the advice to the Igbo to jump into the lagoon? Well today, it has been reported that he has warned the Senate to be careful so that Nigerians do not storm their gilded hall.

It is kind of true sha. The National Assembly as a whole has in some issues really run against the tide of public opinion; they have gained a certain level of unpopularity amongst the people. As I stood at the vendor’s stand at Tinubu Square in Lagos and listened to the people on the street talk, it was all vitriol against the National Assembly. Nigerians are really angry with our elected legislators and this is just an honest feedback. Guys, let us retrace our steps and truly work for the betterment of the people.

Na beg, I no fit cry.

Sultan’s Mansion: Can it be True?

That is what you get when you do not have enough money to keep your internet running. I had run out of data just as this news broke and as I was out of the country, I was cut off. So I could not get newspapers.

I was in sweet bondage imprisoned by a damsel who devilishly refused to give me access to the Internet, thereby ensuring my

Oba Rilwan Akiolu

Tanko Yakassai

Goodluck Jonathan: I Know the Thieves Let me first send my sympathies to you sir for the recent theft at one of your houses in Abuja. I must say that this is one peril too much since you left office. Apart from the various name-calling and your wife’s continuous stress with EFCC, Nigerians have shown a markedly indifference to your brand of bowler hat-wearing democracy. I plead on their behalf for you not to take it against them.

Remember that even Jesus Christ our Lord was also not accepted by his people. The kind of leadership you have shown us cannot be replicated. In fact, the prayer is that it should not be replicated in this generation so that Nigerians can see very clearly the opportunity we have missed. But today is not about your leadership but about the thieves who invaded your residence. Such a huge lack of respect can only come from people who do not respect what you did for us during your presidency.

I am sure they did not benefit from those contracts you gave the militants to guard our pipelines, or did not gain from the amnesty largesse you graciously distributed.

I am even sure Diezani did not get to them because she could not go beyond those two ‘boys’ who have

today put Nigerian rent-seeking politics and its many oily benefits in the global record books. My lord after going through the items stolen from you, I knew instantly the people who burgled your house. It has been announced that six TV sets amongst other items were stolen. The police should not go far abeg; they should just go to the football viewing centres that litter around that vicinity to recover the items. The people in seeking what to eat and support their families following your wonderful economic policies and that of the present government which seems to be flying around, brandishing funny figures of economic resurgence simply decided to take football viewing centres with you as the unwilling benefactor. Have you seen how crazy Nigerians are with football especially the English Premiership? So take consolation that your missing items would create the employment opportunities your government could not, giving people an opportunity to relax and get away from it all in this our wahala country. So sir, no pity from here on this particular burglary; simply replace them abeg.

You can afford it. God bless.

Gov. Aregbesola

complete house arrest. But you trust me, I bore a hole in the wall of her bathroom, sneaked out, jumped the fence and landed in a dry gutter. Started crawling on my belly like those American soldiers we see in the movies and surfaced in a shopping mall.

Went straight to the telecoms stand and got my internet back. As soon as I came online again, I saw the Daily Trust report that the mansion had already been bought. Kai, so these people in less than one hour that I was out of circulation still went ahead to buy this mansion in Abuja. I still do not believe o as I am continuing with my investigations.

But seriously, if it is true which I still doubt, N700m for a house in the midst of the worst kind of poverty is a real dirty slap in the face of the people o. I hear 115 houses have been destroyed in recent floods and a lot of farmlands gone to waste within his caliphate. It is not my place to tell our masters how to spend their money but we can at least beg them to please consider us o. This kind of insensitivity if true led to the French revolution. Well, I have said my own sha and have kept quiet, wetin really concern me, my immediate problem is how to crawl back into my sweet bondage. Kai, this queen is fine o. Please do not show my madam this paper o, na self exile una want throw me inside o.

Tanko Yakassai: Where Have You Been?

This is one statesman I used to enjoy reading. Although I usually did not agree with most of his positions, his logic was usually not assailable. I have really missed his positions as he has been quiet for sometime.

I really hope that it’s not his advanced age that is keeping him away from us. You can imagine my joy when I read him taking on Atiku Abubakar, our forever presidential aspirant. He tore into my lord on his position on deregulation, claiming that the position was empty and vacuous and not properly thought through. Kai, this was Yakassai at his best and the simple reason I am his eternal fan. Atiku mistakenly believed, yes it could only be a mistake for how can you expect a deregulation of a country as complex and huge as Nigeria to be completed in six months? Yakassai in his usual reliance on strong logic simply asked how that would be possible without a constitutional amendment that would ensure the devolvement of federal budgets already allocated to federal ministries to the states. Kai, Yakassai kill Atiku o, laugh no gree leave me o. My stomach is about to explode. Kai. Atiku pele o. you should have thought through before releasing that statement. Mr. Yakassai how about lunch one of these days?

Rauf Aregbesola: Take Heart You know you remain one of my most respected politicians and I have been trying to grow your type of beard ever since I knew you. By the way, is there any special kind of ointment you use, because mine has simply refused to grow? I like the way yours stands on your chin making you look like those wizards in children’s fairy-tale books. Well my lord, pele o for the passing of your dear mother, Allah will give you the fortitude to bear the loss. Ma fa ra le as your people would say. She has gone to rest. Kindly accept my condolence. Take care sir.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͽ˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ

VINTAGE

When Ego Boyo-led Women Society Empowered Women Recently, the International Women Society executive members led by its 60th President, Ego Boyo, graduated 85 women in different vocational skills training at its Lekki centre. It was at its 18th graduation ceremony where Funke Olaode, captured the life-changing experience and confirmed that, indeed, the IWS through its empowerment programme is not just building careers but also providing steam that is driving the nation’s economy

Some graduating students at the 18th IWS Skills Centre Graduation ceremony

T

he popular cliché has always been “women’s place is the kitchen” while they are often expected to operate behind the scene as weaker species. This notion is changing gradually as women are now taking their rightful places, calling the shots in both private and public sectors, as many have realised that if you educate a woman, you empower a nation.

Empowerment has become the buzzword for the 21st century, often bandied around and used even in cases where there is no actual empowerment. At the dawn of the millennium, the International Women Society, which has thrown its weight behind women for over five decades, empowering and mentoring them, got a boost in 1999 under the leadership of Mrs. Marie Fatayi-Williams, who with her team, floated skills acquisition centers to rehabilitate children under the bridge and positioning them for gainful employment.

Today, the centre plays its part in combating the menace of unemployment, thereby extending a lifeline to those considered the dregs of the society bereft of formal education and therefore unemployable.

Since inception in 1999, the centre has graduated and equipped over 1,500 trainees and impacted over 27,000 people.

Evidence of its impact in Lagos is the swelling number of students each year, with over 120 per annum. Its strength of partnership with traditional rulers, Barclays Bank, Exxon Mobil and Eko Atlantic, that have supported the centre by sponsoring a number of students annually has not waned which signposts enthusiasm and impact.

Beyond the skills centre, the society’s tentacle is also being felt across the state and beyond. Founded in 1957, the society primarily has six charities and the Skills Acquisition centre is one of them. LUTH Library trolley, Day Nursery School established in Yaba in 1961, a home for

abandoned babies and children at IjebuOde, Trust Fund for Widows who want to start a business to support their families and a scholarship for girl-child in both primary and secondary schools among others.

Operating under five departments such as adult literacy, computer literacy, hair-dressing and salon services, sewing and fashion design and catering and event management, July 18, 2017 would remain evergreen in the lives of 85 students who benefited from the society’s gesture at a well-attended graduation ceremony at the headquarter of the Society.

Basking in the euphoria of her successful ‘first outing’ since her election as its 60th president, elated Ego Boyo couldn’t hide her joy. Asked how she felt, she replied, “I feel wonderful, elated and grateful and thankful that we were able to achieve again because IWS has demonstrated that we continue to do exactly what we set out to do, to empower a whole generation of young people with resources to enable them strengthen their position, develop themselves through continuous education and skill acquisition, with resources to be the best in their personal lives and their chosen field or profession. IWS has been graduating student here for the past 18 years. It is a testimony to a good work that we continue to do here and the idea is that we continue to do it and probably exceed that from potential partners and collaborations.”

Impacting lives goes beyond providing skills acquisitions as Boyo stressed that a follow up was required. “We set up an alumni to find out how they are faring and how they have utilised the experience gained at the centre. We assist them through collaboration, for instance, what the Lagos State government is doing with entrepreneurship and business through Lagos State Employment Trust Fund will help in granting those loans. We look out for those opportunities for them while

L-R: Best Overall Graduating Students, Lisa Inaku with trophy donated by Olori Sekinat Elegushi; Mrs. Ego Boyo, President IWS; Mrs. Nkoli Ogbolu, Chairperson IWS Skills Centre, Lekki

they are here so that at the end of their training they can get involved in such collaboration.”

Giving back, serving the under-privileged, impacting lives for Boyo has been fulfilling, but to her, it is a gesture that everyone must embrace, adding, “I always say that in anywhere you find yourself, try your best by helping others because how you are born, raised is not by your doing.

God has given you these advantages it is something that one must do to help those who don’t have those privileges you take for granted.”

Mrs. Boyo advised the graduands that as they leave the centre and become citizens of the world, she hoped that the time they had spent under their tutelage had shaped and would help propel them towards their aspirations and goals.

Corroborating Boyo’s position on how the society has been enriching lives in the past 18 years, Chairperson of the International Women Society Skills Acquisitions Centre, Lekki, Nkoli Ogbolu, who has been in charge in the past two and half years gave kudos to the supportive team who made the journey smooth since she came on board as chairperson. The centre has a principal, Kehinde Akinwunmi, who runs it, but there is no doubt that it has recorded tremendous success under her watch. Ogbolu promised to continue to put in her best even as her tenure expires in February 2018. According to her, “impacting lives is my calling.”

On how corporate organisations could collaborate with this kind of center to give a women financial inclusion through empowerment, guest of honour and General Manager, Fidelity Bank, in charge of Small and Medium Enterprise, Ken Opara commended IWS for initiating such wonderful programme. According to him, “there are so many ways corporate organisations can get involved. At Fidelity Bank, for instance, we insist you need to build skills, you need to build capacity to enable you

take your business to the next level. Part of the areas we are going to collaborate as a corporate organisation is to partner with this society to help them build the skills and continually ensure that the facilities here are top-of-the-range and to also help people beyond when they have graduated but to track them to the next level in terms of mentoring and sustainability.”

Opara noted that when you empower a single woman, the multiplier effect was enormous and therefore charged the government to pay more attention to women empowerment through special funding as statistics had shown that women were more entrepreneurial than men and credits given to women were judiciously used and repayment is also guaranteed. Opara continued, “As part of building financial inclusion, government should have a dedicated fund of a single digit to give to different institutions. When you have these funds in different sectors where women can have access to develop their skills in ICT, Fashion, entertainment and educational areas (make it to be single digit), is the best way to improve and empower women. For us as a bank, we have created a product for women entrepreneurs where they don’t have to pay any charges operating such account.”

For the best graduating student, Lisa Omonya Inaku, a computer science graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State says she is fulfilled because the centre has made her day. “It was a dream come true following my passion. I developed passion for fashion at age 16.

I had always wanted to do fashion. The centre has impacted me a lot taking me through the fashion tutelage and to reawaken my dream. It is a great privilege to be an alumnus of IWS Skills Centre that is empowering lives.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ AUGUST 5, 2017

SUPER SATURDAY I’m a Nigerian Artiste Loved by Brazilians

DAVID AJAKAIYE

David

Nigerian-born g Brazil pop p p singer, g David Ajakaiye, j y aka Daviskil Kukuruku Boy, y is working g on promoting p g his single, g Chocolate, around the world. He speaks with Oge Ezeliora about his music, Brazilian girls and his return to Nigeria

W

hy the stage name, Daviskil aka Kukuruku Boy? y I got g that name from high g school. I guess g because of my y swag g and the way y I dressed.

During g my y high g school days, y I was very y popular. p p Everybody y y knew me in school because I loved to look good g at all times. Back then, my y uniform was like FelaAnikulapo p Kuti. It was big g and noticeable. In fact, my y uniform differentiated me from other students. So, my y artistic nature started from high g school in Kukuruku Hills of Edo state. I am from Edo state, in a neighbourhood g called Kukuruku Hills in Edo state. Kukuruku Hills is in a town called Somorika inAkoko Edo. Can you y tell us about your first experience performing before a large g crowd?

I still remember my y first performance p – it was in Brazil. Right g there, on the stage, g I shed tears while performing. p g I remembered my y struggle in life; I had to kneel down to appreciate pp God then tears of joy j y kept p rolling g down my y eyes y because it was beyond y my y expectation. p I never believed I would become so famous and people p p will celebrate me.

After my yp performance that day, y I noticed that people p were screaming my name – trying to snap photograph with me.

What is y your kind off music?

I sing gAfrobeat orAfro-pop, p p but that does not stop me from doing other kinds of music like R and B and rap.

Did you y choose Afro-pop for commercial reasons or out of inspiration? p Afro pop p p is a kind of music that moves people. p p Back then in school, all my y friends were musicians and we always y gathered g on one spot p to sing g for the fun of it. Hip-hop p p music has been popular p p inAfrica especially p y Nigeria g since the early y 1980s. Besides, people p p want to dance to your y music not only y nod their heads and listen to your y songs. g I want to do a music that both the y young g and the old will enjoy. j y If y you do your research p y properly p y Nigeria g is number one in terms ofAfro-pop. p p We also have good g rappers. pp In fact, we are number one in punch lines, wordplay, metaphors, and our artistes are good at all this.

What is the secret behind y your success?

God has been faithful. I bless God for everything. y g My y success story came out of hard work. I was focused and gifted. g The voice I have today y is not by y my y own making; g the video I shot in Brazil is not by y my y own making; g it’s just j God. Now, I am in Nigeria; g I have the dynamics y that work for me. My y songs g are unique q and anything y gy you ask me to do that is going g g to add value to life, I’m going g g to say y yes to it. I am not in competition with any artiste because I am different.

Any y challenges g so ffar?

Not really, y because I was fully yp prepared p for everything. y g The girls g in my y Chocolate video were willing g to do everything y g I asked them to do because they y were happy ppy shooting g with me. I came from a country that sponsors p entertainment. There is no struggle gg basically. y Like I said, I started five years y ago g and everything y g went as planned. p As an international artiste, my y music is highly g y celebrated in Brazil. I came down to Nigeria g because this is my y fatherland and my y root precisely. p So far, there has been no challenge. g The government g over there supported pp me a lot. I came back to Nigeria g and I still g get the love and respect p from my yp people. p I keep p the kind of hairstyle y I want; I dress the way y I want; I do the things g I want; everything is working out well for me. I am proud of my country.

Did you y ever imagine g you y would become ffamous?

Yes, because I was hard-working. g I had a humble background g and I invested so much into my y music career. I always y believe in myself. y I knew I would become famous someday. y Another thing g that motivated me was watching g PSquare q perform. p I love PSquare. q They y inspire p me a lot. One day, y after watching g them perform, p I said to myself, y one day y I will be like PSquare. q That also pushed p me forward and I started working g towards it; when I came to Nigeria g I went to visit PSquare and I learned a lot from them. They are wonderful. They are

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ GUST 5, 2017

23

SATURDAY I GOT INSPIRATIONS FROM MY HUMBLE BEGINNING

I still remember my y first performance – it was in Brazil. Right g there, on the stage, g I shed tears while performing. p g I remembered my y struggle gg in life; I had to kneel down to appreciate pp God then tears of jjoy y kept p rolling g down my y eyes y because it was beyond my expectation. I never believed I would become so famous and p people p will celebrate me. After my y performance that day, I noticed that people were g my y name – screaming trying to snap photograph g p with me

Hmmm, lovely! y I enjoyed j y every yp part of the video; frrom watching g the girls g flicking g their chocolate ccreamy y bodies on me, to dancing g with them and sshowcasing why people rush after chocolate.

How much did you invest in shooting the video? v So much, frankly y speaking p g but I think I need to cconsult my account officer for full details.

Iff not music what will y you do?

Nothing g because music is the only y thing g I know b how to do. Everything best y g I do in life is music.

When I am lonely W y I write my y songs; g when I think I memorize my y songs. g Music is the best thing that has happened to me. h

Daviskil and daughter, Haven g great.

God bless them. We had a wonderful time together. g We sang g together g and I had so much fun with them. Today, y people p p have started inviting g me to perform p in their shows. I was able to shoot a video, write good songs and perform greatly.

Can y you name some off the artistes y you have collaborated with since you came back Nigeria? g I am a Brazil-based artiste though g a Nigerian. g Soon I will collaborate with PSquare q or Flavour to produce a new song. p g For now, I don’t have much relationship p with some of the Nigerian artistes because I am not based here.

Do you y have any latest song or video as we speak? p Yes, I have a new single, g Chocolate. I just j finished shooting g the video and it is so lovely. y People p have been watching g it on YouTube and the comments have been awesome.

What is unique q about ‘Chocolate’?

It was shot in llhabella, a city y in Brazil. It is something g new that the Nigerian g market has not seen before. I actually y sold chocolates to become a musician. I left Nigeria g when I was 15 and relocated to Brazil. For survival, I started selling g chocolates on the streets of Brazil till I made it in life. It wasn’t easy y at all. I also got g inspirations p from my y humble beginning g g – that is how that song g came. That is the story y behind the video. And I got g a bunch of successful video vixens in Brazil who are just j doing really y big g for themselves to feature in my y video.

They y are exceptionally p y beautiful. The environment was full of chocolates. It’s chocolate season, let’s have fun! This I said to the beautiful ladies dancing

in the video. Presently, y I am the only y Nigerian g that has shot my y kind of music video in llhabella city. y As a foreigner g you y need certification to be able to shoot a musical video in llhabella city y in Brazil because it is a neighbourhood g and you y might g get g shot by y some Niggers. gg But I am certified and I have g grass roots love and support pp from Brazilians. The street loves me and the Brazilian government g supported pp me.

The part p I love so much in the video was where the girls were dancing g g in a p pool, filled with chocolates and two g girls were touching g their creamy y chocolate-filled body y and were screaming. g Please, go and watch it and enjoy the beautiful video.

Do you y have any y album?

I have more than an album because I have a studio so I keep p recording g songs. g And I am still in the creation process. p Although g one is set. It’s titled ‘Son of Cave’ and I have more than eight g songs g on the album. It will be out shortly. y I have so many y songs g which I wrote and I have yet y to release them into the market. It’s one after the other; my next song will also be anAfro beat.

Do you y think the Federal Government should ban production of music videos abroad?

Proposing p g to ban the production p of our indigg enous films abroad and musical videos will not help p issues. Music video outside Nigeria g is very y cheap. p But if you y are shooting g a musical video in Nigeria g y you will spend p twice the amount y you are spending p g abroad. For example, p if y you want to shoot a musical video in Brazil, the g government will encourage g you y because they y love entertainment.

But in Nigeria, g you y will pay p y heavily y for every y locaation and high quality equipment you are using to

shoot your y video. Instead of such pronouncements, p I expect p a mutual partnership p p with government g and all stakeholders in the entertainment industry.

There should be an agreement g instead of total ban of shooting g movie and music videos abroad.

Undoubtedly, y entertainment is the highest-ranking g g human resource export p from Nigeria. g Government should protect p their intellectual property p p y and invest in its capacity p y building. g What level of support pp has government p g provided to g growth of entertainment in terms of protecting p g creative works? Piracy y is still on the high, g most of the musicians and producers p do not earn what’s obtainable in other parts p of the world in terms of technical, social support pp and general contribution to their well being. g I recommend that instead of putting p g laws to check the issue of films and musical video produced p outside Nigeria, g the government g should invest in the sector; introduce partnership p p that will bring g about g government earning g revenues from the services provided p through g technical equipment, q p logistic g sites, and establishment of a standard film village. g More so, soft loans should be provided p to aid film production p while the ministry y of informaation and culture should engage g g the artistes and producers to build contents that can significantly p profile our image as a country.

The girls g in your y video dressed almost nude?

Not really; y they y wore a transparent p chocolate outfit and they y were so beautiful. Yes, their body y was showing g but I will not call that nude. They y were just attractive that you will want to lick the video.

What was the experience p like with the girls while shooting the video?

Are you y married or single? g I don’t want to expose p my yp private life. The only y thing g I can tell you y is that I have a daughter g named ‘Haven’. She means everything to me.

Are you y married to your y daughter’s mother or she is y your baby y mama? ((Laughs)) She is the mother of my princess.

Tell us about y your childhood?

I grew g up p in a polygamous p yg home. My y father married three wives, and he was into transportation p while my y mother was a businesswoman. Grow wing g up p was fun for me. I actually yg grew up p with a hard-working g mother and she taught g me and my siblings g how to be hard-working. g I went to high g school in Nigeria, g and continued my y education in Brazil. But I really worked hard to be where I am today.

What are some of the work ethics you live by? y I never look around me or what people p p are doing in my y environment. I try y to close my y eyes y and ears then focus on my y music career. I am really y lucky y that I got g to travel a lot and in my y travels, I get g to see things g differently. y Anytime, y I am writing g or producing p g my y songs, g I always y want to make sure that it is not the same old thing g that anybody y y else has delivered. That is why my songs are unique.

Any y plan p ffor the future? f So much to deliver; I am fully y in control of my y career. I want to be everywhere y in Nigeria g because I am a Nigerian. g My yp plan is to spread p my y songs g all over the Nigerian g market. Like in Brazil, the song g ‘Chocolate’ has gone g far. I still have so many y songs g that will be released in this country y so people p p will get to know more about my g y music and understand me a little bit better. I am set to explore in Nigeria.

IneverbelievedIwouldbecomeso famousandpeoplewillcelebrateme

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Í˝Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

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Adedoyin, Others Re-elected As OAAN Executives

R

ising from its 32nd Annual General Meeting held at Asaba, the Delta State capital, the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) reelected Mr. Tunde Adedoyin as president for second term in office. Also returned were all members of his team minus the Treasurer, Mr. Atilola Odudare, who did not indicate interest to retain his post. He was replaced by Mrs. Dupe Adewuyi.

Other executive members who were returned to their positions were Vice-President, Mr. Emmanuel Ajufo; Secretary, Mr. Femi Ogala ; Assistant Secretary, Mr. Tunde Oyekan, and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obi Nnaobi.

They will serve the association for the next two years.

Ex-officio members were Dr. Charles Chijide (the immediate past president

of the association) of Charella Limited, Mr. Churchill Nwagwu of Spreadout Media Limited to Mr. George Onwujiariri of Mario Sanctus Limited and Mrs. Ify Onukwuba of NAS Limited.

In addition to the election, the other major business conducted during the congress was the induction of six new member companies while two others were upgraded to full membership.

The newly inducted member-companies are Afromedia Airports Limited, Audience and Brands Consulting Limited, Interlink Multiconcept Limited, Yellowstrip Limited, Landmark Limited and Adscape Limited while Ocean Outdoor Limited and Dynamic Display Marketing and Communications Limited were upgraded to full membership.

Certificates of Merit were presented to members who have shown commitment to the association and contributed to the growth and development of the association.

Reeling out his scorecard in his welcome address, Adedoyin said though the industry was replete with a lot of challenges during the past two years, however, there was cause to cheer. He listed some of the successes recorded by his administration to include strengthening the bond of unity amongst members in both business and social life, setting up a library in the secretariat, conducting research on Nigeria outdoor advertising industry and facilitating negotiations with the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to pay outstanding debts owed some member agencies.

Other successes included working assiduously to get payments for debts owed members by Globacom Telecommunications Limited as well as bringing on board more quality members to the association, review of the association’s constitution, investiture of new eminent Nigerians as patrons, amongst many others.

with

KASIE ABONE 08057511558 (sms only)

President, Outdoor Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Mr Tunde Adedoyin

9mobile: The Bone Set to Rise Again

E

tisalat was a brand that resonated excitementandimagination.When it entered the Nigerian market in 2008 it did so with a lot of attitude and made no excuses about that.At the time, not a few gave it a chance to survive. But its promoters had huge confidence that the brand was set to reshape and redefine the telecom market.

Despite the forebears who seemed to have consolidated in the market leaving no room for any late entrant, Etisalat launched into the market with a bragging tagline: ‘now you are talking.’ The tagline was not only ambitious, audacious, creative and bold, it suggested that prior to its entry Nigerians were not enjoying quality talk time.And with that the network provided alternative services competitors were forced back to the drawing board to device strategies to contain this ambitious newcomer. But Etisalat seemed very prepared for the competition onslaught to follow.

Innovation and creativity the brand claimed were at the heart of its DNA, they claimed. From its theme song, to its unique innovative products to its dalliance with the youth market, to its creative award winning campaigns and other communication materials, Etisalat had within a short period of time penetrated the market to the awe of not a few observers. 9ja for Life became a theme song loved and danced by most Nigerians youth. It popularised the 9ja slogan. Adults too were not left out.

The way the number 9 was woven in Etisalat campaign was brilliant, magical, innovative and creative said Amos Oladele, a brand strategist.

And a year after its entrance into the market, Etisalat launched the most ambitious consumer promotions tagged 9Jillions campaign. The promotion promised and delivered millions of naira to winners. When the ultimate prize winner was announced, a University of Jos undergraduate, Kizito, was presented with his $1 million (equivalent of N150 million) at the time, that became a game changer for the brand. That combined with other freebies and innovative services, the network was soon to capture not only the youth market but also eat into the subscriber base of competitors.

Its former Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Steve Evans, at the re-launch of the 9ja For Life campaign had this to say: “We have grown to become one of 9ja’s favourite brands, this we couldn’t have done without meeting the aspirations of our customers. The unveiling of a new campaign theme, he said, is to further reinforce the uniqueness and also reinforce that Etisalat’s difference is not replicable. It is about an attitude and culture and is simply a way of life.

He reiterated Etisalat’s commitment to innovation, customer-focus and quality of service. “Since our launch in 2008, we have continued to deliveronourpromisetoofferNigeriahighquality, innovative products and services supported by

Kasie Abone ÖÙÙÕĂ? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ?ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹Ăž Ă‹Ă? Î Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ÞÒÓĂ? ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă?

Commission (NCC) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the brand was saved from total extinction.

The confidence of the promoters of the new brand 9mobile in staging a rebound was shared

by DKK Nigeria CEO, Temitope Jemerigbe. In her submission she described the current state of the telecom as dĂŠjĂ vu adding: “We’ve been here, several times, before. We all recall what happened with ECONET and the many epic name changes the brand went through. In the present case of Etisalat, I don’t think the situation will affect costumers’ confidence or anything like that. Yeah, there might be slow down in brand performance in the market place but as soon as they sort themselves out, the brand will take rebound. As a matter of fact, it might just be what the brand needs to shake off some lethargy and reinvent itself.â€?

L-R: Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Aairs, Ibrahim Dikko; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Boye Olusanya; Chief Financial OďŹƒcer, Funke Ighodaro and Vice President, Marketing, Adebisi Idowu all of 9mobile at the launch of 9mobile’s new brand identity in Lagos recently

best in class customer care,� he reassured.

Evans also said that the philosophy of Etisalat has always been to put customers at the heart of its business and they have developed several innovative products and offerings including home zone, bonus on incoming calls, you & me, missed call notification, Easylife, Dotme, Dual SIM phones. “Our fast and reliable internet Easyblaze and the first truly low cost 3G Android Smartphone -the Gaga to name a few,� Evans added.

Speaking on Etisalat’s world-class attitude, he said, as a caring brand, Etisalat, has demonstrated its customer focus through simple products, uncomplicated transparent tariff structures with no hidden costs, world class call centers, best in class retail outlets and partnership with major distributors nationwide to ensure that customers have easy access to the world. “We have also paid a great deal of attention to building a quality network, and this is evident in the awards and endorsements we have received in the past.�

And the Sun Went Down With the brand growing exponentially, the Etisalat brand managers went borrowing to

meet up its ever changing needs of its growing subscriber base which at the moment stand at over 20 million. That attempt led the taking loan from a consortium of thirteen banks. And the loan was huge taken in both dollar and Naira denominations. The banks involved in the loan and the debt portfolio are Zenith Bank ($262 million and N80 billion), GTBank ($138 million and N42 billion), First Bank ($79 million and N24 billion), UBA ($125 million and N38 billion), Fidelity Bank ($56 million and N17 billion), Access Bank ($131 million and N40 billion), Ecobank ($10 million and N3.1 billion), FCMB ($15 million and N4.5 billion), Stanbic IBTC Bank ($25 million and N7.5 billion) and Union Bank. Sadly, recession crept in. The economic downturn took a huge toll on the brand; with high exchange rate, it became difficult to repay the loan.

And like the saying goes “who goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.� Faced with a $1.2 billion debt, its foreign partners, UAE Etisalat and Mudabala, left leaving only its local partner, Hakeem Bello-Osagie-owned Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services, EMTS Holding BV, and the brand to contend with the debt. With the intervention of Nigeria Telecommunication

The Magic in a Number‌ The Chief Executive Officer of 9mobile, Mr. Boye Olusanya, at a press briefing in Lagos explained that the choice of the brand name was strategic. The name he said reflects the “0809ja heritage,â€? “9ja-centricityâ€?, and its “evolution over 9 years of operations in Nigeria. He added that the new brand identity reflects the bold and creative attributes which the brand shared with its valued subscribers.

The telco said that the new name and brand is a deliberate representation and confirmation of its Nigerian heritage and 9ja-centricity. Although its name and brand changes, it assured its customers that the values on which it operates remain the same. For the new brand, life begins at 9. “9 is significant with nature, the start of life, time of birth.

From our entry into the market 9 years ago to our evolution 9 years after, we are still 0809ja. 9 stands for speed, quality, and excellence. If you’re looking to the future, you find it with 9. 9 gets you talking more, doing more, achieving more and living more. We are here for you, rebranded for you because it is all about you.�

He assured that the exit of the foreign partners does not in any way affect the operations of the brand as the local staff had in the past handled most of the functions. “The new logo, a number-themed one, represents resilience and continuity and also reflects the network’s futuristic perspective.

The colour green, both its light and dark variants, reflects vibrancy, dynamism, life, and youth as well as the brand’s ‘Nigerianness’.�

Rebranding has commenced at all of the company’s offices, Experience Centres, online and physical touch points.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 5, 2017

25

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES BY

‘Revisit Again’? Never!

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

O

VERHEARD: “I have to sew my coat according to my size….” What if the cloth is insufficient?

Therefore, you ‘cut your coat according to your cloth’. Grammar could occasionally be illogical like ‘the WAGES of sin IS death’, but logic remains an integral/cardinal aspect of the English language.

Corrigendum from last week’s edition: “This is because of the numerous restraints, both social and economical (economic), which is (are) associated with the day to day (day-to-day) life of a convict.” (Thanks to Baba Ilesha for this contribution. More interventions are welcome from everyone).

I did not point out ‘economic’—not ‘economical’—as excerpted.

“Such citizens had since been integrated back (re-integrated) into the system.”

“A recent summit in Kaduna on education in the Northern states provided the appropriate forum to revisit, once again….”

(THE PUNCH, June 2) ‘Revisit’ cannot co-function with ‘again’.

“Gone are the days when government can (could) go it alone.” (THE GUARDIAN, June 2) From DAILY SUN of July 19 comes the next set of blunders: “Enugu police arrest man over (for) brother’s death” “This is necessary for a genuine rebuilding effort to commence, as the next general elections are fast approaching.” (EDITORIAL) Voice of The Nation: the next general election is fast approaching.

“Indeed, majority (a majority) of the stalwarts of the APC are PDP turncoats.”

(Source: as above) “37 killed in fresh farmers, herders (herders’) clash in Kaduna village”

“Osinbajo commissions (inaugurates/ auspicates et al) multi-billion projects in Zamfara” AREWA NEWS: multi-billion naira projects. Multi-billion projects belong to the dreamland of a utopian country!

Finally from the Back Page of DAILY Sun under focus: “That is why they either give us the chicken change….” Get it right: chicken feed, not ‘chicken change’.

“FG seeks N921.4bn to complete 925 roads projects” All the Facts, All the Sides: 925 road projects.

“Even Dubai ran into trouble (troubled) waters in 2008-2009 when huge debt (a huge debt) forcibly….”

“The enforcement of that sentence against a teenage mother who had just delivered is certainly regretable.” On the move: regrettable. And this: pregnant women do not deliver babies—doctors or paramedics/ traditionalists deliver their babies. “…the average journalist usually burns this professional flag, forgets his own humble past once he or she crosses over to the corridor of power.” Saturday People: corridors of power and this: their humble past once they….

“The government wants to dump all the dead stadia or sell them off to those who can breathe the breath of life on (into) them.”

“However, it could be useful to indicate that our research shows that the fortunes of NEXIM moved comfortably between (from) 1990 to 1992 and….” Alternatively: between 1990 and 1992 “These terminations were made after NEXIM had undertaken screening exercise (must you add ‘exercise’?) both at home and abroad and conducted series (a series) of travels, trainings (training).…”

“Trainings were held yesterday at the sports academy.” Viewpoint: ‘training’ is uncountable.

“Commissioner wants more vigilante

groups” Rutam, hello: vigilance groups.

“The article was an insult on the Federal Government, the National Assembly and an affront on the ICPC and its competent and hardworking staff.” Justice in service of community: an affront to (not on) the ICPC. And, of course, an insult to (not on) the FG “For quite sometime (some time) now, the poor and deteriorating condition of public infrastructure….”

“A few weeks ago, there was some news report (a news report) about the involvement of….” “…all the major roads in the Eastern part of the country have become pure death traps and for challenging his (President’s) non-challant attitude and doing anything positive in Igbo land.” Get it right: nonchalant.

“Trump, North Korea Minister hold talks” Foreign Affairs: North Korean Minister. “…there have been series of polemical attacks of (on) the commission and its activities by an obscure and often fictitious section of the public.” This way: a (take note) series of polemical attacks.

“The president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces also addressed the nation same evening.” Get it right: the same evening.

“INEC apologizes over aborted PDP convention” To live in truth is to serve: apologize for something or to somebody.

“The most impassible (impassable) roads accentuate the usual hectic traffic of motorists, making business transactions in Lagos a herculean task.” “…robbers who held residents and commuters to ransome for hours….” Spellcheck: ransom.

“I doff my hat for…” The right mix: I take off (or doff) my hat to (not for).

“Out of a lawyers’ population estimated

at about 20,000, only five females have been opportuned (opportune or have had the opportunity) to adorn the silk.”

“This is another scintillating edition for the matured (mature) mind.”

“Benue assures on abandoned project” Just tell readers who the state assured.

“A recent report on food related (a hyphen) ailments show (shows) that in many parts of the world….”

“Unfortunately, however, I, and many other Nigerians have been infuriated by our servants….” In pursuit of linguistic orderliness: many other Nigerians and I. The concept of the cart and the horse applies to language usage, too.

“But all our future blessing would be achieved through waiting in the Lord.” If you are after God’s heart, you wait on, not in, the Lord.

“Before embarking on the strike action….” You can as well embark on the ‘strike inaction’!

“It was as though both informants were mischievous people who had an affinity in (for) discrediting the preacher.”

“The vigilante group visited instant judgment on the thief and sent him to the great beyond.” In the name of excellence: vigilance group.

“Sixteen people were killed and two others seriously injured in a ghastly (fatal) accident which occurred along (on) the Bauch-Auchi road on Saturday.” If there were casualties, it follows that it was a fatal, not a ghastly, accident—which is even impliedly otiose. The mishap did not drag along the road, but occurred at a spot on the road.

“Some of the despotic regimes thrown up in (on) the continent did worse things than was experienced under colonialism.”

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͽ˜ ͺ͸͹͵

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

MeetingTraffic

Kingsley Holgate during an expedition with Land Rover

Legendary Kingsley Holgate Shows Up at All-New Discovery’s Campfire Stories by Bennett Oghifo

I

t is not every day one gets to meet and greet a legend like Kingsley Holgate, unless of course you have something to do with Land Rover. So, it was a pleasant surprise when Holgate showed up in the flesh at the Chiefs Camp, during the launch of The All-New Discovery, telling stories about his relationship with Land Rover. Holgate tells his enthralling stories overnight into the early hours of the next day, drawing his listeners, warmed by open fire and choice beverages, to corroborate some myths and positive stereotypes in their countries. He shared the myth he learned in Nigeria about Calabar women enchanting men who cross their path.

Holgate tells the gathering of crack journalists from the South African and sub-Saharan African region about his exploits driving the Land Rover far and beyond, traversing all African nations.

In all his trips, Holgate encountered some rough terrains that the Land Rover pulled him through and other situations that he needed sheer courage

to overcome, like looking down the barrel of an automatic rifle wielded by a child soldier in the Central Africa Republic.

Awelcome note Nicola Clarke, the PR Manager of Jaguar Land Rover, SouthAfrica and Sub-Saharan Africa, left in the tent at the Chiefs Camp in the Big Five territory of Marakele National Park, in the heart of the ancient Waterberg Mountains, promised a night of rare and uncut fun.

“When we said this would be an adventure like no other, we really meant it. This is the first car launch hosted overnight in this fantastic National Park,” Nicola said in her note.

The route and launch location, she said were “chosen to highlight the environments in which the All-New Discovery comes into its own, as a versatile and spacious family car, ideal for exploring the country and as a true Land Rover, with our unparalleled off-road capability.”

Holgate not only left his stories of adventure on the minds of those gathered around the camp fire but also left a gift from the Holgate Foundation- a LifeStraw, an ingenious straw-style filter that lets one turn up to 1,000 litres of contaminated water into safe drinking water.

The Holgate Foundation has distributed these life-saving water purification devices, mosquito nets, among others, to thousands of people in rural communities across Africa, with the Land Rover as partner.

Asked about the dangerous situations he had come across while travelling all over Africa, Holgate said, “Of all the dangerous situations, I bet it always comes to human beings.

We have lions in our camps and crocodiles ripped our boat to pieces, chased by Hippos and all those wildlife things, but it is very hard to negotiate with a child soldier whose body has been cut with razor blade and cocaine rubbed into his blood stream.”

He told about being taken captive in the Central African Republic by a warlord from one of the tribes in Southern Sudan. “And they were going to kill me but I just took three steps and gave him a big hug.

I had an interpreter with me and he told him that we came in peace. We have had a lot of experiences but the bad experiences come from people. But having said that, we in South Africa have a word we say which is Ubuntu, which means we are what we are through other people.

Coscharis Motors Academy Graduates Technicians for Nigeria’s Automotive Industry

A

new set of professional technicians that will drive the nation’s automotive industry graduated yesterday from the CG-EKO LLP Training Academy in Ikeja.

The Training Academy is a facility managed by the Coscharis Group through public private partnership with the Lagos State Government.

President/CEO, Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka described the occasion as another milestone in the historical development of the Nigerian automotive industry, “as we wheel out the human resources who will drive the industry to the next level.”

Maduka, whose speech was read by the Deputy Group Managing Director, Coscharis Group, Mr. Okey Nwuke, said, “When Coscharis Motors Plc, one of our subsidiaries in the group was to venture into the business of selling brand new globally respected iconic vehicles, we were guided by our vision, ‘to build an institution that is timeless in its relevance’. “At that point we knew that in order to remain timeless in our relevance to the automotive

industry, we needed to do more than selling new vehicles – we needed to also establish an after-sales support base which will help to keep our customers’ vehicles on the road, performing optimally at all times. Because of the dearth of qualified technicians in the industry at the time, we had to embark on hiring of expatriates from other countries to man our after-sales facilities.

“However, as the demand for our vehicles increased, so was the demand for after-sales services. Therefore, as a forward-looking organisation and in consonance with our mission statement to plough back to the society, we decided to embark on manpower training and development of our youths, to fill in the vacuum created by the dearth of qualified technicians, thereby empowering and creating employment opportunities for them.”

According to the CEO, “The main objective of the academy is to deliver value added human resources to fill the vacuum created by the dearth of professional technicians, who are supposed to drive the fast-growing automotive industry sector of our economy into a bright future.

“Since admitting the first set of trainees in 2013, the

academy has successfully wheeled out 41 graduates till date. Majority of the graduands here today have beenabsorbedintoourorganisation,someemployed by other organisations, while some have become after-sales facility entrepreneurs.

“We are thankful that we were able to contribute meaningfully into your lives via the offering of this training platform and pray that God will grant you the will to put the acquired skills and training into meaningful practice for the advancement of the automotive industry in particular, Nigeria at large and humanity as a whole.”

He thanked the Lagos state government for identifying with the company’s vision and for tapping into it via a public private partnership, which eventually birthed the CG-Eko LLP Training Academy.

The Training Manager said the graduands passed through series of professional hands- on theoretical and practical training in the field of automobile engineering ranging from automobile repairs, service, maintenance, troubleshooting, automobile technology, workshop practice, digital electronics, leadership, management, CRM and product knowledge.

he term ‘meeting traffic’ is a situation where the gap you are approaching isn’t wide enough for two vehicles to fit through safely and where one driver has to give way. Meeting situations could be as a result of road works, parked cars or other obstructions, which make the road space to be reduced, so there is only room for one vehicle to pass, and one of you has to give way. Forward planning and anticipation make all the difference when dealing with this sort of situation. You need to anticipate, and adjust your speed and position well in advance to deal with meetingsituations.Meetingapproachingtrafficcentres on avoiding conflict with other road users and your understanding of meeting situations would improve your ability for dealing with hazards in a systematic and safe way and you should be able to decide to either continue or to wait to allow approaching or oncoming vehicle through.

Priority: who gives way?

As you approach a ‘meeting traffic’ situation, decide who has priority. Generally, if the obstruction is on your side of the road, you will be the one to give way to approaching or oncoming vehicle.Any time that you continue with obstructions on your side, you must not cause oncoming vehicles to change speed or direction.

Be prepared to sacrifice priority when you are not sure ifoncomingdriversaregoingtoletyouthrough(where the obstruction is on their side of the road). If there are obstructions on both sides you must slow down and be prepared to give way, as neither vehicle will have priorityandthesituationmustbedealtwithonitsmerit, and the most important thing is to aim to always put you in a safe position. Usually the driver who arrives at the gap first will go through first but there are no hard and fast rules.As soon as you see an obstruction ahead (on either side), you need to begin your hazard routine.

Where you have obstructions on a narrow road, be prepared to“hang back” If you need to stop, aim to keep a reasonable clearance from the obstruction to help maintain a good view of the road ahead, this is referred to as a “hold back” position.Whengivingwayorholdingback,leaveplenty of space between yourself and the obstruction, this will maximise your forward vision and make it easier to move off when the road is clear, doing this will also help cars behind to realise that you are waiting to give way and not pulling in to park.

Wait, go or don’t know Normally in meeting traffic situations the decision to wait and give way, or proceed if the road is clear will be fairly straightforward and easy to make. However, there will be occasions when the situation is not quite so clear-cut. This is when you make a point of applying the ‘Don’t Know’ rule. If you don’t know, then give way or wait/stop.

Less space, Less speed Whendriving,rememberthesimplephrase‘Lessspace less speed’.You should expect to encounter problems, especially around parked cars, where doors can open, pedestrians may walk out between vehicles, cars may moveoffwithoutsignalling,soyoumustmakesurethat you are going slow enough to stop safely as there may be no other way to avoid the problem when vehicles are approaching.

Dealing with complex situations When dealing with more complex situations, before deciding on what course of action to take, consider the following: Is the available road width sufficient for both cars to pass side by side safely? If yes, then consider driving at slow speed, looking for gaps in the parked cars to hold back where and when necessary. Use the mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine and be prepared to slow down or stop.Always reduce your speed to a safe speed for the condition of the road.

Wecomeacrossthesemeetsituationsveryoftenonour congested roads, so it is essential that you do not rush intoameetsituationassumingthatwehaveprioritybut instead always approach with your speed well under control and be prepared to give way where necessary. …Tobecontinued Stephen K. Dieseruvwe

DirectorGeneral,DeltaStateTrafficManagement Authority (DESTMA) **Driver Trainer and Road Safety Consultant **Email: sdieseruvwe@gmail.com **Tel: +2348167814928

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͽ˜ ͺ͸͹͵

27

Increased Torque in the New Golf

W

ith the release of the new Volkswagen Golf, fans of this compact class leader are set to be more obsessed than ever before. This little firecracker packs one particularly stylish punch, with its sharper and sleeker features, the Golf retains its crowning reputation for refinement and sophistication. But of course there’s more to the new Golf than meets the eye; you can count on it to lead the way when it comes to safety, power, usability and pioneering technology… and that’s exactly why you already want one.

The New Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII

New Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII Arrives Stories by Bennett Oghifo

A

new benchmark has been set as the new Phantom – the eighth generation of this great nameplate – arrives.

Not satisfied with simply launching a motorcarthatisawhollycontemporary design interpretation of Phantom DNA and a technological tour de force, Rolls-Royce has revolutionised the luxury car industry itself by shifting away from the status quo of shared platforms to an entirely new luxury business model.

From the moment Sir Henry Royce introduced the Rolls-Royce Phantom in 1925 it was judged

‘The Best Car in the World’ by the cognoscenti. As a result, it has conveyed some of the world’s most influentialandpowerfulmenandwomentothemost defining historical moments over the last 92 years.

EverynewPhantomthathassubsequentlyappeared has successfully retained the title of ‘Best Car in the World’ as a result of Rolls-Royce’s tireless pursuit of perfection, visionary engineering, aesthetic acuity and deep understanding of what the world’s leading luxury item should be. Quite simply, Rolls-Royce has innovated for almost a century to set the benchmark and satisfy the most discerning luxury patrons.

As the next chapter in the Rolls-Royce story opens, the New Rolls-Royce Phantom points the way forward for the global luxury industry.

Peter Schwarzenbauer, Chairman of Rolls-Royce and Member of the Board of the BMW Group said, “The global introduction of a new Rolls-Royce is always a very special moment within the BMW Group. This particular occasion is all the more special because we are introducing an all-new Phantom, the flagship of the Rolls-Royce brand and the world’s foremost luxury product. New Phantom is a powerful statement of design, engineering and Bespoke expertise and I am delighted with the response we have received from our many highly discerning customers worldwide. The BMW Group remains fully committed to the future of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and is proud of the many achievements made by the brand since its acquisition.”

Under the Bonnet The first thing you’ll notice on the spec sheet of the new 2017 Golf is the increased torque owing to the next generation TSI engine. Even the modest 1.0l engine of the Trendline Golf will take you from 0-100km/h in 9.9 seconds, while the GTI model will get you there in just 6.4 seconds. If you look at the top speeds of new Golf range you can expect to reach speeds between 196km/h and 248km/h depending on the model. Whichever model you choose, you need not fill a spot in the slow lane.

In the Cockpit When you slip into the driver’s seat, the first you will notice; after the sleek, stylish interior, is the updated infotainment system and the improved driver assistance systems.

Drivers can rely on the convenience of: Active Info Display – allows driver to easily access different information profiles.

Trailer Assist – assists in the manoeuvring of a trailer.

Adaptive Cruise Control – limits and ensures car speed remains consistent.

Ford Motor Company, Coscharis Support World Youth Skills Day

F

ord Motor Company and its local dealer Coscharis Motors have said they would continue to dedicate their efforts to showcase the importance of investing in youth skills development in Nigeria.

World Youth Skills Day, marked every year on 15 July, is one of the new United Nations (UN) International Days of observance established by the UN General Assembly in 2014.

Africa has the world’s youngest population and it is growing rapidly. African countries will need to address the rise in youth unemployment. Nigeria is no different. According to Trading Economics, approximately 25% of the youth in Nigeria are unemployed. Industries such as the auto sector present an opportunity for governments to tackle

youth unemployment. It’s essential that the youth are given the necessary skills to succeed in the industry to ensure competitiveness. Adequate training is the bedrock of any industry.

Coscharis Motors in partnership with the Lagos State Government has designated an automotive training centre in the revamped premises of Eko Engineering Ventures. The objective is to produce qualified staff for the local motor industry.

The ultra-modern training centre was officially opened in 2012.

Ford and Coscharis Motors have donated several vehicles to the CG-Eko LLP training centre to be used for practical training. These include three Ford Ranger pick-up trucks, a Ford Everest SUV, 1.5-litre Ford Figo and a Ford EcoSport.

Ford Ranger

What is Dangerous Driving

T

he Federal Road Safety Corps notice of offence sheet usually issued to traffic offenders by operatives of the Corps made pursuant to section 10(4), 28(2) of the FRSC(EST) ACT, 2007 and Regulations 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations(NRTR), 2012 list 38 offences, their codes, penalty points and penalty or fines. Dangerous driving violation which is our focus for this week is incidentally one of the traffic infraction listed on the offence sheet. It is also one of the traffic offences listed for reference for mental evaluation. It carries 10penalty points and a fine of N50, 000.This offence is defined as ‘’driving in a manner that is reckless and poses threats to the lives of the driver and other road users, e.g, forcing other vehicles or other road users off the road or engaging in acts that could easily result in crashes or driving at high speed in places of high pedestrian traffic’’.

According to Collins dictionary, dangerous driving is the act of driving a motor vehicle in a manner that falls far below that expected of a competent and careful driver and hence puts the life of the driver and the lives of other road users at risk.

The FRSC (Establishment)Act in its interpretation section (ie section 30), defines dangerous driving as “driving in a manner that is risky hazardous, perilous, careless, reckless, negligent, and unsafe in any circumstances of the case”.

Based on the above definition, it follows that there

SAFE DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

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

is a level of carefulness expected of a competent driver. Who then is a competent driver or what are the qualities of a competent driver? A competent driver is one who is able to drive with care and has the knowledge, skills and attitude to deal with hazards safely following his training in an approved driving school.

Howdoyoudetermineadriver’scompetence?Once it is established that a person is legally entitled to drive (i.e having satisfied all the requirement to drive) the next step is determining if the person has the driving skills, attitude and behavior that are right for a particular place and understands the hazards that may be encountered, how to avoid and control them. To ascertain the competence of a driver, the followings are important: DriverAssessments: The best way to evaluate driving skills and attitude is by direct observation. To achieve this, there must be an on staff trainer, a supervisor or an experienced driver that demonstrate the competencies required

by a particular organization, having regard to the type of vehicle or vehicles involved.

The second is Re-Assessment of Driver: Driving skills are perishable - lessons learned quickly fade away if not applied, hence the need to re-assess drivers to confirm they continue to perform as expected .The third is Working with Driving Science: Psychometric tools provide valuable insights and help to understand an individual’s driving attitude.

Such tools typically use a standardized questionnaire to determine personality trait, propensity to take risks, irritability, distractibility etc. that may translate to undesirable driving behavior. The fourth is to Confirm Driver’s Fitness: This is an essential part of determining if a driver is “qualified” or fit to drive. Medical conditions and health issues such as sleep apnea heart disease, diabetes, back strains and declining vision increasingly cause or contribute to road crashes, hence the need to encourage drivers to make healthy life style choices.

The last has to do with Applying Evaluation Results: engaging employees in exercises that evaluate driving performance yields positive outcome. Every driver should come away with ideas and methods that help them learn skills or maneuver that improve their driving. Most assessment should identify areas that deserve improvement.

Having defined dangerous driving, and how to determine a driver’s competence. It is pertinent to enunciate the statutory provisions or penalties

for dangerous driving. According to Section 20 of the FRSC (Establishment) Act 2007; A person who causes the death of another by the driving of a motor vehicle on a highway dangerously or recklessly shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years. Section 21 (1) of the same Act provides that; A person who drives a motor vehicle on a highway dangerously or recklessly shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of fifty thousand naira or imprisonment or a term not exceeding two years or both such fine and imprisonment.

Before delving into the explanations of the two provisions of the FRSC (Establishment) Act above, it is necessary to define or explain certain terminologies in the Section which may be misconstrued such as ”highway.” Highways here refers to public roads which according to the interpretation sections of the (Establishment) Act, means any road, whether Federal or State road used by commuters for passage. This is further buttressed by Wikipedia’s definition of highway, which means any public road or other public way on land.

Going by the provisions of Section 20 and 21 of the Act cited above, where death results from a dangerous driving and the driver is found guilty, the penalty is seven years imprisonment without an option of fine, while that from which no death is caused is a fine of fifty thousand naira or a term of two years imprisonment or to both such fine and imprisonment, respectively. It may appear harsh that no option of fine is given under Section 20 of the Act.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

MORE THAN A CHARITY FRIENDLY PAGE. 29

05.08.2017

The

Money Man From Street Footballer to Record-breaker

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍłËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

From Street Footballer to Record-breaker

Neymar in full ight as he steps away from the shadows of Messi

Ă?ĂŁĂ—Ă‹Ăœ ĂŽĂ‹ Ă“Ă–Ă Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ™Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă˜Ă?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă™Ă—Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă–Ă‹ĂŁ Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă’Ă? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă•Ă“Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă– åÓÞÒ ĂŒĂ‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ‹Ă¤Ă“Ă–

I

t would not have taken long for the realisation to hit because, by the age of 11, Neymar was the worst-kept secret in Brazil, was hounded by scouts from all the country’s top teams and his fouryear stay with first club- Portuguesa Santista was coming to a swift end.

Fast forward 14 years and he is now the world's most expensive player after Paris Saint-Germain agreed to pay Barcelona £199million – the amount in his release clause.

The fee is more than double the previous world record of ÂŁ89m that Manchester United paid Juventus for Paul Pogba last summer and, according to some, is a deal we will not see the likes of in the next 50 years, let alone the next two or three. He will earn about ÂŁ650,000 every seven days.

The only son of Neymar Santos Snr – a former professional footballer himself and Nadine da Silva was born on February 5, 1992 in Mogi das Cruzes, a small city 40 kilometres east of Sao Paulo.

He has a younger sister, Rafaella and the family ties are extremely close. Neymar Snr has been both a mentor and coach to his son – he continues to work as the player’s agent while Neymar Jr has a tattoo of his sister’s face on his right arm and she has her

Ă™Ă™ĂžĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă– Ă™Ă?Ăž âÚĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?

Neymar: Barcelona to PSG ÂŁ200 2017 Paul Pogba: Juventus to Man Utd ÂŁ89.3 2016 Gareth Bale : Tottenham to Real Madrid ÂŁ85.3 2013 Cristiano Ronaldo: Man Utd to Real Madrid ÂŁ80 2009 Gonzalo Higuain: Napoli to Juventus ÂŁ75.3 2016 Romelu Lukaku: Everton to Man Utd ÂŁ75 2017 Luis Suarez: Liverpool to Barcelona ÂŁ75 2014 James Rodrigue: AS Monaco to Real Madrid ÂŁ63 2014 Neymar

Angel Di Maria: Real Madrid to Man Utd ÂŁ59.7 2014 Zinedine Zidane: Juventus to Real Madrid ÂŁ46.6 2001

brother’s eyes inked on to her left arm.

Neymar inherited his father’s footballing skills but it was his movement which set him apart from the other boys at his local club.

He had already fallen in love with his boyhood club Santos and Brazil great Zico had little trouble persuading him to sign for them in 2003.

Neymar dazzled through the age groups at Santos and talk of his talent soon reached Europe, with Real Madrid offering him the chance to join their academy when he was 14 – but he turned them down after Santos offered him more money.

Santos handed Neymar his senior debut aged 17 in 2009 and over the next four years he scored a total of 54 goals in 103 appearances for the club.

He helped them win successive Campeonato Paulista titles, the Copa do Brasil and the 2011 Copa Libertadores - Santos’ first continental title since 1963 – and was voted South American footballer of the year in both 2011 and 2012.

Neymar was a phenomenon. He cut his own hair Mohawk-style when he was 18, which set a new trend throughout Brazil and, when left out of the squad for 2010 World Cup finals, 14,000 fans signed a petition in a bid to get him included.

He was 19 when his ex-girlfriend Carol Dantas gave birth to his son, David Lucca, and they both moved to Barcelona to be closer to Neymar when the inevitable move to Europe was completed in 2013.

He has never been shy about cashing in on his stardom and endorses more than a dozen products, including a bank, a car manufacturer and perfume and this year he was placed third on Forbes magazine’s list of the highest-paid footballers behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

And Messi paid tribute to his teammate yesterday, saying: “I wish you good

31

AUGUST 5, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

Breakdown of Neymar's Barcelona Career After four seasons at Camp Nou, Neymar's Barcelona career is over after a world-record €222million switch to Paris Saint-Germain. Barca won the race to sign the Brazilian from Santos in 2013 and, alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, he has since established himself as one third of one of the greatest attacking trios in the history of football. PSG triggered the €222m release clause in Neymar's contract on Thursday to make him the leading man in Paris, ending a scintillating on-field relationship with the Catalan club. Below are the standout figures that have encouraged the Ligue 1 giants to part with a record-breaking sum and take the 25-yearold to the Parc des Princes.

105 – The number of times Neymar hit the back of the net in all competitions during his Barcelona career. Rivaldo is the only Brazilian to have scored more for the club (130).

59

– Add in this impressive number of assists and the 25-year-old was involved in 164 goals in his 186 appearances for the club.

7

– The amount of goals Neymar has scored against PSG. He has only converted more against Athletic Bilbao (8) and Villarreal (9).

6

In his three seasons in Catalunya, Neyluck in this new stage of your life.” mar has helped Barca win La Liga twice, the Neymar responded by saying: “Thank Champions League once, the Copa del Rey you brother. I will miss you uncle!” on three occasions and the FIFA Club World But it has not been all sweetness and Cup. And in March, Neymar inspired light at Barcelona. Neymar’s father is owedNeymar Barcelona to the 6-1 victory they needed more than £23m by the club for helping to to overturn a 4-0 first-leg defeat by PSG to persuade his son to sign a new contract last reach the quarter-finals of the Champions October. But the Catalan club insists that League. “contract extension bonus” will not be paid So should he replicate that haul for PSG, until they get exactly what they want from PSG in the deal. PSG want their man, so that can it really be considered money well spent? is not in any doubt.

How Neymar Compares with Messi, Ronaldo Much of Neymar's motivation to leave Camp Nou reportedly stems from a desire to step out from the shadow of Lionel Messi and make his own push to win the Ballon d'Or. That honour has been claimed by ex-Barca team-mate, Messi and Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo for each of the past nine years. So, with Neymar blazing his own trail in the French capital in a bid to end their dominance, here is a look at how his four seasons in Spain stack up with Messi and Ronaldo's performances in all competitions over the same period.

105

- Neymar's goal tally for Barcelona, by stark comparison Messi has scored 194 in the same timeframe and Ronaldo has found the net 205 times.

39

- He scored 39 times in his best season with Barca as they won the treble in 2014-15. That number still saw him fall some way short of the standard set by Messi and Ronaldo, though. Messi had 58 goals to his name while Ronaldo registered 61.

15

– Neymar won a total of 15 penalties for Barca during his LaLiga career; only Cristiano Ronaldo (17) has earned more spot-kicks in the competition.

21

– The amount of assists supplied by the former Santos star in 2016-17, more than any other player based in LaLiga.

22 – Neymar set up more goals for Messi

than any other team-mate during his time at the club.

6

– The Vicente Calderon was the away stadium at which the Brazilian proved most prolific, scoring six goals, including his first for the club in the 2013 Supercopa de Espana, away against Atletico Madrid.

41

– Suarez (21) and Messi (20) assisted 41 of the Brazilian's goals for Barca, equivalent to 39.05 per cent.

431

– No individual has been fouled more times than Neymar across the top five European leagues since his arrival at Barca.

Preparim Hetemaj (410) is the only other player to have drawn the referee's whistle over 400 times in that span.

39

– Barca's treble-winning 2014-15 season proved Neymar's most prolific at Barcelona. The only other time he passed the 30-goal mark in four campaigns with the Catalan giants was 2015-16.

8

- With three Copa del Rey triumphs, two LaLiga wins, a Supercopa de Espana, one Champions League and Club World Cup glory in 2015, the 25-year-old won eight trophies across his Barca career.

59

- But Neymar's assist tally of 59 in four seasons was below that of Messi (77) and Ronaldo (61).

741

- Neymar's number of dribbles completed was significantly more than that of Ronaldo (281) but still pales in comparison to Messi (880).

288

- In his first two seasons at Barca Neymar created 288 chances. In the same period Messi created 238 and Ronaldo just 168.

21

- However, in his last two campaigns, Neymar has created just 138 chances, still more than Ronaldo (131) but he was comfortably surpassed by Messi, who created 227.

- The Brazilian did, however, top Messi and Ronaldo for assists in 2016-17.

His 21 assists superior to the 16 produced by

2

– Since his arrival at Barca ahead of the 2013-14 season, only Lionel Messi (204) and Sergio Busquets (196) have featured more times for the club.

Neymar

Messi and the 11 laid on by Ronaldo.

20

- Neymar scored just 20 goals in all competitions last season. Messi, meanwhile, hit home 54 times and Ronaldo was on target on 42 occasions to help Madrid to a LaLiga and Champions League double.

– Villarreal's Sergio Asenjo, formerly of Atletico Madrid, was beaten by Neymar more times than any other goalkeeper.

138

Messi

Messi

Neymar

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͽ˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ

with KENNETH EZAGA 0807 0530 677, zigi199@yahoo.com

COMMUNITY SHIELD The Arsenal Story and Why For Chelsea, Arsenal, It’s More the EPL Should be a Worry (1) than a Charity Friendly

I

n the course of the week a friend drew my attention to a CNN report that showed that after London, Lagos was the city with the highest sale of Arsenal jerseys in the world. It boggles the mind that a city in a sub-Saharan Africa with a colossal population of desperately poor people, is where millions of pounds are spent on the jerseys of a foreign club. Not in Chile where Alexis Sanchez, arguably Arsenal’s biggest star is from; not in Germany where another star Mezut Ozil is from. But the picture is far worse when you consider that the same free-spending habit is found among Nigerian fans of other popular English clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. Indeed, the money that Nigerians spend on the EPL annually should worry every major consumer business in the country as well as the government.

The Daily Mail UK recently reported that Supersport, that has the EPL broadcast rights for subSaharan Africa, agreed to double the current £84m they pay annually to 168m pounds from 2019 to 2022. To have a sense of how crazy the figure is, the company with the rights to the Chinese market for 2016-2019 SSMG is paying just £13m per annum. That means sub-Saharan Africa, the world’s poorest region, is paying six times more than China. Not only does the Chinese population top that of sub-Saharan Africa, they are the second richest country in the world, one to whom the beggarly nations of Africa creep to for aid on a regular basis.

The rights for North America belong to NBC who are currently paying £128m annually in a six-year deal from 2016 to 2022.

Although a new deal will see the Chinese pay £180m annually from 2019, it is curious the area we go head-to-head with the world economic superpowers is in splashing cash on English football. To my mind, it is sheer insanity for sub-Saharan Africa to even pay a quarter of what China or America are paying.

Even worse is that Nigerians have to fork out much of the money as we probably account for half of sub-Saharan Africa’s revenues. That’s a whooping £42m, which as of the time of writing this was N20.3b. Add Supersport’s top-ups and we are probably looking at N30b or more in subscription fees for a season. And that is only a part of the costs. There would probably be a further N10b or much more from merchandising. Recently, a friend related to me how he was at Old Trafford to buy Manchester United items and was surprised at the number of Nigerians in the store. He remembered one in particular because the guy spent over 2,000 pounds at a go. There are also the jet-set supporters who fly all the way to the UK in their private jets just to watch their clubs play, and others who simply shop at the UK malls or duty free

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Arsenal Players watch as the ball rolls away in agony Arsene Wenger

shops without going to the stadiums.

In effect, we are looking at the possibility of Nigerian fans extracting about N50b annually from our recession-hit economy to dump in the UK economy. Even if you half that figure because of our economic woes, you would still get a frightening number.

All that money is what a marketing man calls disposable income.

Disposable income is what is available to the person to invest, save or spend after his taxes. That is what you spend on beverages, shares, clothes, mobile phones and airtime etc. So imagine what our companies are losing in sales every year as these monies are withdrawn from our banks and pumped into the UK economy.

That money that should go into the books of Nigerian companies – many of whom are struggling. Some have folded up or retrenched staff or are unable to pay salaries. Sadly, some of these companies have helped to perpetuate the popularity of the EPL by sponsoring the games and clubs, while neglecting the local football league.

It is payback time. These days I allow my DTSV subscription to drift for days before re-subscribing; life has become hard in Nigeria. I am not alone in this. I have found out, many have stepped down their bouquet choices or have stopped paying altogether. It is clear for all to see that even the mighty DSTV is reeling from our economic woes as they have cut their sponsorship of domestic leagues in several sub-Saharan countries.

Our beverage companies are failing to sell their premium brands, and are instead flooding the markets with low-end alternatives. Every sector is suffering. To be clear, football alone is neither the cause of all our problems nor the sole solution, but the money we are losing in football annually is staggering. Think what can do in Nigeria if we pushed hard to get our football and other sports right?

Arsenal and Chelsea resume their rivalry at Wembley on Sunday as the FA Cup winners and Premier League champions battle for more silverware in the Community Shield.

Arsene Wenger's Gunners got the better of Antonio Conte's Blues on the hallowed turf as they shocked the title winners with a 2-1 FA Cup Final victory.

The two capital clubs have played each other since then - a pre-season friendly which Chelsea won 3-0 in China, but the Community Shield will be a real test of both sides with the 2017-18 season fast approaching.

Indeed, Chelsea goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois believes the Community Shield offers a chance for Chelsea to make amends for their FA Cup Final defeat to Arsenal. Conte's side blew their chance of winning the Double having won the Premier League title in impressive fashion.

"Arsenal are a good team," he said. "Maybe last season they were not at their best up until the last month. But in the last month before the FA Cup Final you felt they raised their level a lot and in the Final they played a good game, even though the first goal shouldn’t have been allowed. It changed the game but maybe they were on it more than us.

"We have to respect that and say that they were better that day and they won. But I think you cannot say now who is the favourite. We are both strong teams and we are both teams that can win a one-off game. Anything can happen."

Arsenal also beat Chelsea in the Community Shield two years ago and Coutois is determined to make sure history doesn't repeat itself.

The Community Shield has often been described as a glorified friendly, but the Chelsea keeper doesn't agree, especially as it's against Wenger's side.

When asked if a game against Arsenal can ever be a friendly, he said: "No. For example, last week in Beijing, it was a friendly because there were a lot of changes but you’re playing against another English team so there is a bit of honour as well.

"In the end you cannot avoid it being a friendly but we want to win our games, we want to do well. So for example, the Community Shield, there is a trophy in play. Even though there are six or seven changes it’s still a trophy. People might say that it doesn’t count at the end of the season but it’s still good to start the season with a victory in the Community Shield."

While Sunday's match may be a charity friendly, Wenger and Conte will expect their teams to give no quarter as they look to begin the new campaign with full bragging rights.

Arsenal will assess Alexis Sanchez before deciding whether to throw him straight in against Chelsea. The Chile international returned from an extended break at the beginning of August and has recovered from a bout of flu, but has looked in high spirits in training.

Mesut Ozil did not take play a full part in open training at Emirates Stadium on Thursday - a session planned as part of the club’s Members’ Day – but is expected to shake off an ankle problem to be fit for Sunday’s match.

Aaron Ramsey was absent due to a muscular injury but he is also set to be fit for Wembley.

Francis Coquelin is out while Shkodran Mustafi remains a doubt for the Gunners, so Wenger may be tempted to shuffle his three-man defence after experimenting with the likes of Mohamed Elneny at centre-back.

Summer arrivals Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette will expect to start at Wembley, and there is plenty of competition for places in Wenger's squad ahead of the new season.

In contrast, Chelsea coach Conte is concerned with a lack of options despite bringing in Alvaro Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Antonio Rudiger for big money.

Michy Batshuayi has pushed for a role given his impressive goal-scoring form in pre-season, while Pedro is a doubt after suffering multiple fractures to his face against the Gunners in July's International Champions Cup clash.

Bakayoko may have a part to play, but is not expected to start given a knee injury hampering his pre-season plans.

Diego Costa has been sidelined by Conte as the Spanish striker seeks a return to Atletico Madrid, though it remains to be seen whether the Italian coach will call on the wantaway forward if the Blues' injury problems worsen.

Fixture: Chelsea vs Arsenal Venue: Wembley Stadium Time: 2pm

33

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͽ˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ

˺˺

Bolt...Will he remain all-time best after the World Championship?

From right, Godwin Uzoanya, Head, FIRS, Abia State and Chief Emeka Inyama, Chairman of Abia Warriors presenting VAT Wonder Goal Award to Shadrack Asiegbu of Abia Warriors

16TH IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Bolt Poise to be All-time Best Today, the world 100m and 200m world record-holder, Usain Bolt, plans on proving it once and for all before leaving a sport he has dominated like no other athlete for almost a decade.

And he hopes to bow out just as he began as a schoolboy after unveiling his special purple and gold shoes for his 100m swansong at the World Championships in the London Stadium.

“Purple were my school colours in Jamaica,” said Bolt, 31 later this month, in a cavernous room at The Brewery near the Barbican centre. “That’s where it started, so it’s the right way to end- the gold because I am the golden boy.

“I hope my records are not broken. No athlete would wish their world records broken in their lifetime. I want to grab my kids when they are 15 or 20 and say, ‘see, I am still the best’.

“I never knew I would go on to become a multiple champion at the Olympics. All I ever wanted to do was win the 200m and be the world record-holder.

“There are no words to explain what I have done throughout my career. I am really proud of my achievements.

“It is going to be hard after I finish as track and field has been everything for me. I have done it since I was 10. Maybe football will be a different rush.

Or I might go into acting and do some action movies, you never know.”

Bolt plans on winning his 12th world championship gold today in the 100m before anchoring Jamaica’s relay squad to the

title a week later. Then he is off to play football with his pals.

The eight-time Olympic champion knows that rivals, like Canada’s Andre de Grasse, can sniff blood, reckoning his battered body may have gone a championship too far.

Bolt has only broken 10-seconds once this season, when winning in Monaco last time out. It is clear in his mind, though, that there will only be one winner.

This appearance from the ultimate showman was due to be at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium with both sharing the same sponsor, Puma.

Maybe it was the thought of being seen at the home of one of his beloved Manchester United’s main rivals that prompted the move to the city.

“I’m still waiting for the call from (Jose) Mourinho,” joked Bolt. “But we haven’t reached transfer deadline day yet.”

If, as the organisers said, The Brewery venue offered more space it was still jam-packed with rows of camera crews, photographers and journalists from Guatemala to Tokyo, Kingston to Beijing.

Puma had put the boat out for this farewell shindig, compered by Britain’s double world 110m hurdles champion Colin Jackson.

There were video messages from the likes of fellow Jamaican athlete Asafa Powell, footballer Thierry Henry, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and model Cara Delevingne and actors Idris Elba and Samuel L Jackson.

“I’m the underdog so I keep reading and people keep telling me, so I have got to prove myself once more,” said Bolt,

whose 100m and 200m world records are now eight years old.

“I am still the fastest man in the world. You guys know if I am here then I am fully confident and ready to go 100 percent.

“The last race I won in 9.95secs so it shows I am going in the right direction. Having two rounds before the final always helps me.

“It’s a championship, so it’s all about who can keep their nerves. I am ready to go, it’s time, so let’s go.”

Asked by his local paper in Jamaica if he would reconsider his retirement plans if he was beaten on Saturday, Bolt said: “It’s not going to happen so we won’t have the problem.

“But I am looking forward to watching the next 100m race in a championships without me.

I don’t know where I’ll be, but I’ll have a bet on it as there will be no pressure on me.”

A tribute to how much Bolt has transcended his own sport into the world of entertainment.

“Damn brother, sad to see you go,” said Jackson. “Thanks for the thrills and being the dope-ass motherf****** you’ve always been.”

And it did end as it began for Bolt with his parents Wellesley and Jennifer coming on to present their son with his special edition shoes.

“It is so exciting really, you just want to cry. It’s just a funny feeling but there is joy and it’s overwhelming,” said the proud mum of what it is like watching Bolt in action.

And then there was time for the inevitable trademark ‘Lightning’ Bolt stance. Cue an explosion of purple and

Ambode, Tinubu Rate 3rd Lagos Int'l Badminton Classics High The Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and the Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Deji Tinubu have rated the just concluded third edition of Lagos International Badminton Classics Championship very high.

Ambode, who was the Special Guest of Honour was represented by his Special Adviser on Central Business District, Honourable Agboola Dabiri at the final ceremony held inside the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos on Saturday.

The Governor said the hosting of the International Badminton Classics is born out of his administration’s mandate to achieve tourism through sports. This he had made known since he assumed powering 2015, and series of international sports events hosted in Lagos could attest to this.

According to him, sports is a vital tool in every country to promote and showcase its cultural heritage, to grow its economy and create employment for many talented citizens irrespective of their areas of operational gifts.

Ambode, who assured sports lovers that the state will put in all that is needed to ensure Lagos hosts other competitions in robust way, described the competition as a pleasing and encouraging experience.

Meanwhile, Tinubu, said the Badminton Classics was hosted to show that Lagos could give players a platform to thrive globally.

His words: “This tournament is to show that we don’t need to hassle our players but we can bring the world here. We can make it happen in Lagos, We can create events here to expose them globally.”

FMCG Games End in Style Leading beverage and foods company, FrieslandCampina Wamco has emerged champions of the fourth edition of Fast Moving Consumers Goods Games (FMCG).

FrieslandCampina Wamco beating all comers to not only win the Football Gold but also emerge as Overall Champions at the games held at the Digital Bridge Institute Sports Complex, Oshodi, Lagos.

The Games which brings together companies in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods industry to network, keep fit and have fun in a relaxed atmosphere witnessed participation in Athletics, Chess, Football, Scrabble and Table Tennis in the male and female categories.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Jimmy Sogbesan - Chief Operating Officer, MediaVision Limited – organizers of the tournament, expressed delight at the enthusiasm showed by all participants and reiterated that the objective of the Games - creating a platform for all companies in the industry to relax, network, compete and have fun – was realized.

At the end of the games; Friesland Campina emerged overall winners with eight gold, five silver and five bronze as well as becoming the Football Champions by edging out Unilever on goals difference.

Unilever were runners up in the football event as well as on the overall medals table with two Gold, two Silver and two Bronze medals, BUA Group and UAC Foods won medals in various events.

“We are the undisputed number one …. In the FMCG industry, we lead in industry best practices, fight to win with professionalism and inspire our people to always unleash their potentials," FrieslandCampina Team Manager Kenneth Omeni boasted.

Okagbare Draws Bowie in 100m First Round Blessing Okagbare will begin her chase for a fourth consecutive 100m final appearance today as the 16th IAAF World Championships enter Day 2 at the Olympic Stadium in London.

The Nigerian, who successfully completed a sprint double on British soil three years ago when she won the 100m and 200m gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland has been drawn against USA's Torie Bowie in the third heat of the first round of the 100m.

Okagbare will run from lane

eight while Bowie will run from lane 4. Both Okagbare and Bowie should be among the three automatic qualifiers from the heat alongside either Desire Henry of Britain or Ivet Lalova-Colio of Bulgaria.

The Nigerian finished fifth in her first appearance in the 100m final in 2011 in Daegu, South Korea and dropped to seventh two years later in Moscow, Russia.

Two years ago the Sapeleborn sprinter finished 8th in the final despite coming to the championships with an impressive 10.80 seconds personal season's best.

This time she will hope for a better luck as she begins the chase tomorrow morning.

Reigning world and Olympic champion Elaine Thompson will run from lane 2 in the second heat while Dafne Schippers of Holland has been drawn in lane in heat four.

African record holder in the event, Muriel Ahoure of Cote D'Ivoire will run from lane 8 in the opening heat of the first round.

Meanwhile, Shot Putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has been drawn in the second qualifying group of the event which starts this morning.

L – R: Clem Ugorji, Director of Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola West Africa Business Unit; Misan Eresanara, Legal Adviser, Special Olympics Nigeria; Naomi Saliu-Lawal, National Director, Special Olympics Nigeria; Peter Njonjo, President, Coca-Cola West Africa Business Unit; and Adenike Ibirogba, Program Director, Special Olympics Nigeria; during the presentation of cheque from Coca-Cola to Special Olympics Nigeria at Coca-Cola Nigeria office in Lagos...recently

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Is The e-book Dying?

BISI DANIELS bisi.daniels@thisdaylive.com Blog: www.bisidaniels.com, 08050220700

It took the book market in a storm as a status symbol, and threatening to shut down paper editions. But years after, the e-book seems to be losing its shine. A compilation of reports of some experts sheds more light on this

S

imon Rowberry: Nowadays, the ebook has a reputation for technological conservatism - so it is easy to forget that there was significant anticipation for the Kindle’s arrival ten years ago.

In a 2009 editorial, The Bookseller declared the device was “a giant leap for all”. The Kindle was frequently compared to the iPod’s transformative effect on the music industry. No wonder - the ebook format promised several advantages. Users could adjust typographic settings for improved accessibility; there was an increased level of portability; and the move to digital distribution promised the ability to purchase publishers’ extensive back catalogues.

But despite the early promise of the ebook, many are questioning whether it has lived up to these expectations. In recent years, the ebook has faced significant backlash amid reports of declining sales in trade publishing. The Publishing Association Yearbook 2016 noted a 17% slump in the sale of consumer ebooks while physical book revenue increased by 8%.

Over the last couple of years, audiobooks have replaced ebooks as digital publishing’s critical darling on the back of a rapid increase in revenue. In this climate, several commentators have asked “ how ebooks lost their shine”.”

Shipments of e-book readers worldwide from 2008 to 2016

e-book

This statistic shows the number of e-book reader shipments worldwide from 2008 to 2012 and also offers a forecast until 2016. In 2009, around 3.8 million e-readers were sold worldwide. In the United States, the revenue from e-books was 158 million U.S. dollars in 2008.

In 2010, Amazon’s Kindle accounted for 62.8 percent of all e-reader shipments worldwide.

One of the main problems is that e-reader devices have failed to develop in any major technical form since their introduction in 2008.

If you own a Kindle from 2009, you will know that it is almost exactly the same as the current model. In fact, I believe my old Kindle is better, as it came with audio, which has been removed from the current model.

However, few of them offer more than woolly opinions. On the surface, the narrative of the ebook’s demise may appeal to bibliophiles who cherish print - but the reality behind ebooks’ recent plateau is more complex.

The Publishing Association’s data is still adjusting to new publishing models. Just as the music industry needed to adapt to the rise of streaming, initiatives such as Amazon Charts are reacting to the rise of ebook subscription services and audio/ebook hybrids that don’t map to traditional metrics of publishing success.

The ‘ebook plateau’ argument also ignores emergent sectors of digital-only sales, including self-publishing, where new genres drive a vibrant and divergent market. Amazon facilitates most self-publishing sales, and the company steadfastly refuses to provide sales data for books published exclusively on the Kindle. So a potential increase in sales for emergent digital-only genres is hidden by the headlines about traditional publishers.

The fall in revenue from ebooks is a direct consequence of legacy publishers’ prioritization of print sales at the expense of digital books.

The Kindle’s North American launch in 2007 marketed new ebook titles at $9.99, a discount of at least $10 on the hardback equivalent. This approach was unsustainable, but it set readers’ expectations for the cost of ebooks. Agency ebook pricing has brought ebook prices closer to print, but at the cost of the perceived value of digital publications. As expectations of an ebook’s value were lowered by the initial discounting, the recent resurgence in print sales

cannibalizes ebook’s growth.

There have been plenty of discussions around the ‘ebook plateau,’ but the technological challenges for ebooks go under-acknowledged despite their precarity. Both EPUB and the Kindle’s proprietary format are based on 20+ year old technology in an age of rapid technological obsolescence. The recent merger of the Independent Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF, the organization maintaining the EPUB format) and World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) may prove to be a pivotal moment in digital publishing history and poses a significant challenge to the ebook format.

W3C will continue supporting EPUB, but the non-profit is also piloting Portable Web Publications (PWB), a self-described “vision for the future of digital publishing based on a fully native representation of documents within the Open Web Platform.” In other words, PWP moves ebook reading out of dedicated apps and into native web browsers. This has many advantages, but how will books cope in the complex attention of web browsing? Given the scope of the format, digital books will become just another type of publication to use PWP and as a consequence, the standard will not just serve the needs of publishers, a core design element of EPUB despite its limitations.

If PWP supersedes EPUB, Amazon will be the primary company to maintain an ebook format, as it is invested in proprietary specifications and continues to release updates for Kindle Format 8. Amazon’s resistance to EPUB may have been prescient if PWP replaces EPUB as the industry standard, but this relies on Amazon itself maintaining interest in the Kindle. It is still possible to read ebooks on a first-generation Kindle, a feat unthinkable for platforms such as the iPhone or videogame consoles, but elsewhere there is evidence that Amazon’s interests are turning away from books to a range of other ventures not limited to videogame streaming, winning Emmys, grocery shopping, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things. Their tablet line is now just ‘the Fire,’ having dropped the Kindle moniker in 2014. The Kindle brand, and books, are now just one small part of the Amazon juggernaut.

For the moment, reports of the ebook’s death are exaggerated. If the disinterest of Amazon and resistance from the book trade continue,

however, there is a chance that the ebook is killed off - in my view, prematurely. Publishers should see ebooks as complementary to print rather than as competition. Letting the ebook die may benefit print sales in the short-term, but the wider transition to digital media consumption presents a longer-term threat. Books need to remain visible and distinct from other genres of writing in the competition for attention.

Publishers may wish to build upon the success of ebook/audiobook bundling to build a sustainable future for the ebook.

E-reader Sales Slack as Paper Books Reclaim Market Share In this piece by Juliana Hill says if you have an e-reader collecting dust on a bookshelf somewhere, forgotten in the same place you’ve had it tucked for the last umpteen months, you’re not alone. Recent data from the Publisher’s Association indicate a major market trend back toward treeware, as ebook and e-reader sales continue to slump from their 2011 peak.

It’s not clear whether the enduring popularity of tablets might be responsible for some of this change; if tablets have usurped some e-reader market share, that could explain things. According to Euromonitor International, a consumer research group, sales of e-readers like the Kindle and the Nook have declined by more than 40 percent since 2011. “E-readers, which was once a promising category, saw its sales peak in 2011. Its success was short-lived, as it spiraled downwards within a year with the entry of tablets,” Euromonitor said in a research note.

But it’s not all about the platform. According to the Publishers Association, sales of consumer ebooks have taken a nosedive in the U.K., falling 17 percent in 2016 alone, while sales of physical books and journals rose by 7 percent.

Not to be bested, American e-book sales declined 18.7 percent between Q1 and Q3 of 2016, according to the Association of American Publishers. Paperback sales rose 7.5 percent over those nine months, and hardback sales increased 4.1 percent.

According to a Pew Research Center poll, 65 percent of Americans who responded had read a printed book in the past year; fewer than half that number, 28 percent, reported having read an ebook.

What could be driving this trend? Science has

some insights. Studies suggest it’s more difficult to absorb what you read on a glowing rectangle (and even an E Ink screen), as opposed to when you read a book made of paper. This jives with the observation that we tend to skim and scroll when we’re reading online, as the structure of a page chivvies us quickly from one bit of content to the next.

There may also be something important about the physicality of the book itself. Compared with a Kindle, it’s much easier to orient myself in a book. Between the corners of the pages and the physical thickness of the book, I have a sense of where a given bit of text is in the story and in the book.

This may be related to the fundamental structure of the human memory. Champion memorizers have brought into the public consciousness their “method of loci,” also known as the “memory palace” technique. Using this technique, a person can perform truly outstanding feats of memory, like memorizing pi to the 65,536th digit. Key to the idea of the memory palace, though, is the notion of place. When a person is moving through their memory palace, an MRI will show activity in his or her hippocampus, in the same places that we use to remember where we are in space — or perhaps where we are in a book.

The history According to Wikipedia, there have been several generations of dedicated hardware e-readers. The Rocket eBook was the first commercial e-reader and several others were introduced around 1998, but did not gain widespread acceptance. The establishment of the E Ink Corporation in 1997 led to the development of electronic paper, a technology which allows a display screen to reflect light like ordinary paper without the need for a backlight; electronic paper was incorporated first into the Sony Libre that was released in 2004 and Sony Reader in 2006, followed by the Amazon Kindle, a device which, upon its release in 2007, sold out within five and a half hours. The Kindle includes access to the Kindle Store for e-book sales and delivery.

As of 2009, new marketing models for e-books were being developed and a new generation of reading hardware was produced.

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FAIRGROUND

Cinema Premiere of Biola Alabi’s Banana Island Ghost

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

A

fter months of waiting, Nigerians will finally get to see the most talked about movie this year, Banana Island Ghost. Banana Island Ghost is an action-comedy film starring the multitalented ‘Chigul’ Chioma Omeruah as Ijeoma, paired with Patrick Diabuah, the Ghost. The Ghost has three days to fall in love and she will do anything to save her father’s house in Banana Island from the bank that is coming to reclaim it in three days.

The movie was premiered recently in what can only be described as a dazzling night of glitz and glamour, at Harbour Point Event Center in Victoria Island, Lagos.

It was an elegant night of exquisite class meets Casino Royale.

The glittery guest list on the red carpet included cast members Ali Nuhu, Tomiwa Edun, Saidi Balogun, Lala Akindoju, Akah Nnani, Uche Jombo, Damilola Adegbite, Dorcas Fapson, Ozzy Agu, Lord Frank, Makida Moka and Bimbo Ademoye.

Other celebrity guests spotted on the red carpet included Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Omawunmi, OC Ukeje, Michelle Dede, Inidima Okojie, Eku Edewor, Freeze, Osas Ighodaro Ajibade, Ill Rhymz, Lamide Akintobi, Beverly Naya, Linda Ejiofor, Tomi Odunsi, Beverly Osu, BBA Stars Bisola, Kemen and Uriel, and many more.

Banana Island Ghost is written and directed by BB Sasore and is Produced

by Omorinsojo Spaine and Tolu Olusoga.

The Executive Producers for the film are Biola Alabi, Derin Adeyokunnu, along with Co-Executive producers, Dr. Ayo Osunrinade, Mr. Michael Ugwu, the founder of FreeMe Digital, Ms. Adenike Adekanbi of HTB Entertainment Studios, Mr. Niyi Toluwalope and Mr. Basheer Tosin Ashafa of Tri-Equity Capital were all Co-Executive Producers.

Following a remarkable response from guests at the premiere, Biola Alabi, Executive Producer of the movie said, “Chigul is an exceptional talent and, in Banana Island Ghost, from her first moment on screen, she captivates the audience. Movie lovers all over will thoroughly enjoy watching her.”

Banana Island Ghost (B.I.G), is the first from a slate of five films by BAM-NEMSIA Pictures, a coproduction partnership between Biola Alabi Media (BAM) and Nemsia Films.

BAM-Nemsia also collaborated with strategic partners and sponsors for the film including: Lipton Tea, Sunlight Dishwashing liquid, Coldstone Creamery, HealthPlus Pharmacy and Kilimanjaro Restaurants.

The exceptional premiere event and the resounding satisfaction expressed by guests at the screening assures cinema lovers of an action packed and comedy filled viewing experience began yesterday in cinemas.

The film will be distributed by FilmOne and will be available in cinemas nationwide from yesterday, August 4th, 2017.

Group ED/COO of FilmOne Distribution, Moses Babatope said, “We are excited to be bringing this film to movie lovers across the country. Banana Island Ghost (B.I.G) is certainly another great win for local content and we are glad to be part of it.”

The movie premiere was sponsored by: Amstel Malta, mCash, Amarula, Nederburg and Bisque Whiskey.

“I loved the movie from start to finish.

Banana Island Ghost has certainly raised the bar for the industry. It’s a great testament to all that is possible when people dare to push the limits, BAM-NEMSIA has surely blazed a trail with this one, and as a movie enthusiast, I’m really glad for what it heralds for the industry,” said Omogbolahan Akinwunmi, Movie Critic.

BB Sasore, A cast member, Patrick Diabuah, Biola Alabi, and Derin

Chigul

Mr. Abayomi Ajao, Mr. Mako Alabi CEO ViMedia, Mr. Roelof Stoltz, Country Manager Distell

Inidima Okogie and Mimi Onalaja

Musician BMan performing on stage

Bizzle Oshikoya, Meg Otanwa flanked by other guests

Tope Tedela, Beverly Naya, Yinka Epega and a TV presenter

Enyi Omeruah with Biola Alabi

OC Ukeje flanked by Lolade Sasore and Lamide Akintobi

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Dare2Dream holds Press Briefing, Influencers Party in Yaba to Launch Season Four

N

igeria’s most anticipated fashion and entertainment reality show, paving the way to stardom for young Nigerian dreamers since 2014 held its press briefing and influencers party for the launch of its 4th season at Silver Cafe in Yaba, Lagos.

Present at the event were: Oluwakemi Akinwotu, Head, FCMB FLEXX Account; Oluwatobi Oyenekan, Brand Manager, Personal Care for Imperial Leather; George Mbam, Head of Online Marketing, Pulse Nigeria; Kabuchi Michaels, Presenter and Producer Wazobia TV; Edewor Ajueshi, Producer Wazobia TV; Josephine Enobong, Model Trainer and Special Student Reporter for Season4; and Valentino Dibia, Student PR and Strategy for Dare2Dream.

They met with the media and student influencers and discussed the upcoming Dare2Dream Season4.

Oluwakemi Akinwotu of FCMB said, “FCMB has been a part of Dare2Dream’s journey since Season 1 and our passion towards Youth Empowerment has made us continue to support the initiative. The youth account, Flexx is centred on Fun, Future and Banking. Dare2Dream combines two of the propositions, Fun and Future.”

Dare2Dream kicked off on July 31, 2017. It promises to be all shades of fun, entertainment and inspiration. Over three days in

George Mbam (Pulse Nigeria), Oluwakemi Akinwotu (Head FCMB FLEEX), Oluwatobi Oyenekan (Imperial Leather), Josephine Enobong (Dare2Dream) and Juliana James (Dare2Dream)

Afe Babalola Hall, there will be auditions of performing artists, music and fashion industry discussion panels, designers contest by DA VIVA Fabrics and, selection of multi-talented models. Dare2Dream

is an online platform and a reality-series which was crafted to unleash the creative and entrepreneurial potential of young people while opening doors to build their careers.

Oluwatobi Oyenekan of Imperial Leather emphasised the impact of Dare2Dream on youths saying, “The partnership with Kinabuti’s Dare2Dream aims at giving back to society by providing to the Nigerian youth life skills and empowerment classes. The youth that is well developed and grounded will ensure a sustainable future for Nigeria hence our desire to support them and make them ready for tomorrow. Besides, Imperial Leather is poised to meet the needs of our young consumers by giving them a taste of Luxury and Style delivered through the unique, inspiring, long lasting fragrances crafted by Master Perfumers that excite and appeal to the senses.”

Moreover, George Mban of Pulse.ng pointed out the need to connect young millennials with industry key players. “Dare2Dream celebrates the rising generation of African MSMEs who are mostly urban millennials between 18 and 25 by connecting them with established industry players.

This inclusive business model embraces the digital economy and redefines the future of sustainable business which is what Pulse.ng stands for.”

After a question and answer session, sponsors, trainers and media partners took group photos and the party started with live performances by upcoming artists: MAGIXX, Yung ACE, Brainee, Whytemuse and the cutting of the cake for the launch of the 4th season of Dare2Dream.

About New Nokia 6, Nokia 5

B

eautifully crafted Nokia smartphone range, delivering the latest pure androidexperiencewillsoon be available in stores.

HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, has announced that its first Nokia smartphone range – comprising the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 –all three are available for purchase from selected operator and retail stores. Launched in an HMD Global event held in Lagos, the devices combine superior craftsmanship, distinctive design and powerful entertainment features with a pure Android experience, giving you the ability to use your phone, your way.

Justin Maier, vice president Sub-SaharaAfrica, HMDGlobalsaid,“IbelievethatHMDGlobalwill be able to offer something for everyone. From the new Nokia 3310 feature phone to our premium Nokia 6 smartphone, we are bringing phones to Nigeria that will entice and delight, while offering simplicity, reliability, quality and importantly, the human touch. I am looking forward to this new chapter in Africa for Nokia Phones.”

“Phones have become an extension of ourselves and are integral to so many aspects of our lives,” added Joseph Umunakwe, General Manager,

West, East and Central Africa, HMD Global, “From capturing memories and keeping us entertained, to keeping in touch and remembering important dates and anniversaries, our smartphones are often at the heart of everything we do.”

Nokia 6: Powerful entertainment experience and superior craftsmanship.

Combining superior craftsmanship and distinctive design with an immersive audio experience and a 5.5” full HD screen, the new Nokia 6 delivers a truly premium smartphone experience. The unibody of the Nokia 6 is crafted from a single block of 6000 series aluminium and is perfect for those who want a robust phone with outstanding entertainment credentials.

The smart audio amplifier with dual speakers allows consumers to experience a deep bass and unmatched clarity, whilst DolbyAtmos® sound L-R: Joseph Umunakwe, General Manager – West, East & Central Africa, HMD Global, Justin Maier, Vice Presidelivers a powerfully moving entertainment dent, Sub Sahara Africa, HMD Global, Kola Osinowo, Senior Business Manager, West Africa, HMD Global, Patrick experience.

Henchie, Head of product and Operations, Sub Sahara Africa, HMD Global at the official Unveil Event of Nokia’s With outstanding colour reproduction, the new range of smartphones Nokia 6 has a fully laminated display stack delivering excellent sunlight readability without processor, the Nokia 6 strikes the perfect balance maximising your entertainment experience on compromising the slim form. Powered by the between performance and power consump- the go. The Nokia 6 is available in three distinct Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 430 mobile platform tion, designed to deliver premium quality colours – Matte Black, Silver and Tempered Blue and the Qualcomm® Adreno™ 505 graphics entertainment with battery life to spare, – and is estimated to retail at N78,000.

MBGN @30: Guy Murray-Bruce Announces Anniversary Plans

T

oke Makinwa, Unoaku Anyadike, Emmanuel Ikubese Bryan Okwara, Anna Banner and Abiola weighed in their support as Vice President of the Silverbird Group, Guy Murray Bruce announced the search for the next Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. This is the 30th edition and will be an epoch-making one, riding on a sub-theme ‘Gender Based Violence - The plight of the Nigerian woman; an addition to the pageant’s main theme ‘The True Essence of Beauty - Timeless.’

At a media briefing in Lagos, the outgoing MBGN, Unoaku Anyadike lent her voice in this regard, making a passionate appeal to government at all levels to take the fight against gender-based violence more seriously.

The scourge is real and Unoaku, like many other campaigners before her, is shocked by the statistics which show that nearly 50 per cent of all sexual assaults worldwide are against girls 15 years or younger.

Mr. Bruce, who was visibly excited over the announcement for the 30th edition of the pageant, further

called on corporate organisations and the media to be a part of the show as sponsors and partners.

Screenings have been scheduled to hold on the 8th of August in Enugu, 10th of August in Port Harcourt, Abuja 12th of August. The final screening to select the 36 contestants holds on 14th August at Best Western Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Past winners of the MBGN have made huge imprints globally with Agbani Darego, now an international super model and fashion entrepreneur, becoming the very first Black African Miss World in 2001.

Others are Mary Ngozi Bienoseh, Chinenye Ochuba and Anita Uwagbale named African Continental Queen of beauty, reaching the top 10 at Miss World 1987, 2002 and 2004, respectively.

Bianca Onoh was crowned Miss Intercontinental in 1989, and Sabina Umeh was the first Nigerian to win the Personality prize at Miss World 1990. Toyin Raji was the recipient in 1995, and until recently, Celestine Queen won the Miss Congeniality title in the Miss Emmanuel Ikubese, Mr Nigeria, Unoaku Anyadike MBGN, Guy Murray-Bruce VP, Silverbird Group, Universe pageant 2014.

Anna Banner MBGN 2013, Jonathan Murray-Bruce ED, Silverbird, Bryan Okwara former Mr. Nigeria

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T H I S D AY SATURDAY AUGUST 5, 2017

AUGUST 5 , 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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FASHION FILE

“The New Sprezzatura”

Collection by IdyII Okunusi Couture

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FASHION FILE

“The New Sprezzatura”

I

dyll Okunusi Couture , a Nigerian menswear brand just released a lookbook titled “ THE NEW SPREZZATURA “.

The inspiration behind the collection came from the word “GRACE” and “SARTORIAL NONCHALANCE” .The art of performing a difficult task gracefully with self confidence in an effortless way.

The collection is about owing the decision you make about your outfit that portrays positive attitude in a truly stylish cool figure, and not trying to achieve something too hard in an effortless and unorthodox way.

Credits : Brand name : Idyll Okunusi Couture @ idyllocouture Models: Prince Eze | @prinzeebrown003 , Oladipo Adeyemi | @skinny_giant Designer-cum-Stylist : Idowu Okunusi @ idowu_okunusi Photographer : Deji Omotayo @happyspecie

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 5, 2017

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͽ˜ 2017

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fashogbon... 08033621009

L-R: Executive Secretary, Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria. ATCON, Mr Ajibola Olude; President, ATCON, Mr Olusola Teniola and CEO InstinctWave ,Mr Akin Naphtal during the African Information Technology and Telecoms Awards held at Kempinski, Ghana ...recently

Founder, Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative, Dr. Ama Onyerinma ; Lagos State commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon Lola Akande and Founder,ACTS Generation,Laila St Matthew-Daniel flanked by protesters during a protest against rapism at Ikeja, Lagos...recently

Digital Currency Conference Holds in Lagos The first-ever blockchain and cryptocurrency conference in Nigeria will hold in Lagos on August 14 and 15.

The event will bring together enthusiasts, practitioners, entrepreneurs, startups and software developers playing in the blockchain and virtual currency community under one roof.

According to the facilitator, the inability of the regulatory agencies and relevant authorities to come up with clear road maps and regulatory framework has almost stifled the growth of technology.

He noted that elsewhere in Europe, America, Asia, and some neighbouring African countries like Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa, blockchain technology

is known to have begun a revolution in the way they transact business. BitPesa is known in Kenya and Uganda, The Sun Exchange and Payfast are known in South Africa, Bitland is known in Ghana. Of the well over 1,000 blockchain companies in the world, Africa accounts for 1.45 of that number while Nigeria is yet to define its stance.

Hence, the forthcoming conference, themed, ‘Learning to Glow with The Flow’ would spur a wave of startups in the business in focus and enlighten interested partners that are willing to explore the world of digital currency revolution.

Scheduled to hold at the Civic Center,

Victoria Island, Lagos, the programme will feature business sessions where financial opportunities in cryptocurrency trading, mining and investing will be expounded.

“The software developer community will enjoy special sessions, learning the basics of building smart contracts with solidity scripting language on the ethereum platform, and also learn how to build problem solving DAAPs. The discussion segments will offer everyone an opportunity to ask any question and receive instant answers,” stated the organisers in a statement.

Resource persons expected at the conference include: Chief consultant to National Information and Technology

World Confederation of Business Honours IPI Solutions

Unity Bank, BOI Sign Agreement on SMEs Development

The World Confederation of Businesses, WORLDCOB, has honoured Nigeria’s own Information Communication Technology, ICT giant, IPI Solutions at the BIZZ award held in the United States of America.

The BIZZ award which is considered one of the most important awards across the globe was an initiative geared towards the recognition of business excellence among small, medium and large enterprises.

The award which holds annually brings together leading and outstanding companies from across the globe striving consistently to boost the growth of the economy in their countries. In addition to being rewarded, such companies are exposed to privileges that will help them to foster new commercial relationships.

According to the company, IPI solutions qualified for the awards on the grounds of business excellence, quality management, innovation and creativity and as such conferred with the, ‘Elite Member’ status of WORLDCOB. Attaining this status will enable the awarded company to leverage on all the privileges and obligations entitled to elite members of WORLDCOB. Some of which include: awards, honorary titles for key personnel in the organisation, marketing and publicity using WORLDCOB logo and business directory, generating new businesses using WORLDCOB database, corporate social responsibility certification (WORLDCOB-CSR: 2011.3) and free corporate image consultancy.

Speaking on this feat, the Chief Executive Officer of WORLDCOB, Mr. Jesus Moran who specially commended the company for its impact on the Nigerian ICT sector said, “It is part of our mission as an organisation to acknowledge good business practices and promote examples such as yours. We recognise your history and the achievements that have set you apart as a company, we urge you to keep the flag flying high.”

Unity bank has entered into a strategic agreement with the Bank of Industry to boost the execution of Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), one of the social intervention programmes of the Federal Governmentw.

The GEEP initiative provides access to affordable micro credit to Nigerian micro business owners who hitherto were unable to access loans to grow their businesses. Under this partnership, Unity bank will provide account-opening services to qualified beneficiaries of GEEP nationwide.

These individual bank accounts will serve as channels for beneficiaries to receive loans disbursed by BoI. Beneficiaries will also make loan repayments through these bank accounts.

Unity bank will also provide BVN registration services for beneficiaries

who require such, thereby increasing the financial inclusion in Nigeria. The bank’s participation in the scheme stems from the strategic business objective of supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) to access affordable funding. Reacting to this development, Managing Director/Chief Executive of Unity Bank Plc, Mrs Tomi Somefun, stated that the success of the partnership with BoI is a testament to the fact that despite the difficulties of accessing credits by this segment of the market, the good knowledge and understanding of different players in the market segments and ability to harness inherent opportunities for their benefits have continued to differentiate the bank in line with its strategic business focus on agriculture, retail/SME and rural economy.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Quilox Nightclub, Shina Peller; Annie Idibia and Brand Manager Campari, Rilwan Shofunde, at the 3Kings Concert, held in Abuja...recently

Development Agency, NITDA and technology expert, Mr Femi Daniel, President of the Information Security Society of Africa, ISSAN, Dr David Isiavwe, Central Bank of Nigeria representatives and other international professionals and global brands. Also expected, are representatives from financial institutions, insurance companies, accounting firms, stockbrokers, regulators, law enforcements agencies, Security and Exchange Commission, SEC and Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN amongst others.

The event is put together by Blockchain Education Network, Blockchain Nigeria User Group and Web Print Express Services.

Olx Edges Rivals with ‘Do it for Me’ Initiative The ‘Do it For Me’, DIFM, initiative launched on Olx platform has further enhanced the visibility of the platform to numerous online shoppers across the country as more customers now explore the sales option to carry out their transactions.

The DIFM sales model which is exclusive to the company was instituted to make transactions easier and safer for users.

The idea was to further encourage customers to dispose off their unused and unwanted items profitably while also securing the environment.

According to the company, the value of unused, yet quality items stored in Nigerian homes is estimated at N512 billion and this is because many are yet to realise the monetary value in unused items while some others who know the worth don’t know how to go about selling them. Moreover, some people are still hoarding used items with the hope of re-using them in the future.

Shedding more light on the innovation, Country Manager of OLX, Lola Masha, stated that DIFM will help users manage postings and selling of items on the site.

“Users, especially busy executives who have no time to post, meet with potential buyers or want their privacy protected can entrust the sale of their goods to our champs who are sales experts,” she stated.

Testifying on the process, the Chief Executive Officer of Nuts About Cakes, Nike Majekodunmi commended the initiative which she confessed has boosted her business in the shortest time.

According to Majekodunmi, she heard of the DIFM service on the television and decided to give it a try when she needed a bigger oven for her bakery.

She said, “Due to my extremely tight schedule, I knew I needed help selling off my old oven very quickly as I had to buy a new one. This prompted me to visit the site to book a champ.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͽ˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ

INTERVIEW

‘Western Lotto Brings Hope to the Masses’ Elvis Krivokuca, graduate of Harvard Business School 2012, came to Nigeria with an eye on investment. He tells the story of how the country that gave him a large canvas to invest through the lottery business, even when his fellow Croatians were skeptical about making Nigeria a business destination. He speaks with Nduka Nwosu

W

hat is your track record?

I studied Hotel Management with emphasis on gaming casinos and entertainment business, at the University of Eriakea, Croatia; I went to the Diplomatic Academy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Zagreb primarily because of my love for languages; I speak German, English and Italian, worked with a retail company with over 8000 stores in Europe, then a real estate department specialising in property development.

I did a general management programme at Harvard in 2012 with chairmen and CEOs from great organisations such as CISCO and Facebook. Yes Zuckeberg was not there but there were other world renowned CEOs such as the CISCO CEO for Latin and South America participating in the HBS 2012. That same year a Nigerian friend Othonye Efebo of AA RescueNigeria’s diversified motor services company, who is also an alumnus of HBS 2012, invited me to visit the country to explore the prospects of attracting some organisations to invest here. Before now we knew of the logistics company Intels. When I arrived here, I fell in love with the country, the climate has similarities with my country Croatia, which in fact could be hotter; except for the mosquitoes.

I saw a lot of opportunities here and got involved in a mining businessdolomite in Niger State. Nigerians are happy in spite of all of these and my wife, a Nigerian and I have a daughter who has three nationalities.

Can you tell us more about your organisation, Western Lotto Lottery?

Western Lotto Nigeria Limited is an entertainment and gaming company with platforms that provide a bouquet of international games for players in Nigeria. Western Lotto is licensed in Nigeria by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to operate terrestrial and online platforms for gaming activities including lotteries, lotto, instant draw, indoor games, betting and online scratch card games, among others.

We seek at Western Lotto to create opportunities ultimately in employment, wealth and empowerment for people in Nigeria and across Africa. Patrons will derive fun from the games, while there would be job creation on our extended value-chain of distributors, agents, business centres, portals, and several suppliers.

It is important as we commence to make some clarifications and definitions. Our explanation concerns the nature of lottery as entertainment.

What is lottery business all about?

It is a gaming business with

Krivokuca

The stakes are very high in gambling.

People bet with expensive items including houses, cars, and even wives.

A lottery is a numbers game of chance for entertainment and recreation that carries much less risk. Unlike the high stakes of gambling, lottery deals with small stakes.

Participants spend small change, like N50 or N100, to win great prizes so much attraction and hope for the masses; it also brings shared wealth to the communities and countries where they operate. Unlike gambling it has less risk element attached to it. Simply put you pick six numbers plus one in the US before the numbers are drawn from a Powerball. Every seven days you stand the chance of winning and you become wealthier as you play

more successful numbers when the polls are drawn. Here in the country you can play from N50 to a N100 which is very, very affordable and is not meant to put a strain on your purse. You can win with three numbers, four numbers or six numbers. Of course luck plays an important role here.

Lotteries are number-based games of chance used mainly for entertainment, winning prizes and redistribution of wealth.

The lottery is distinct from gambling. The stakes are very high in gambling. People bet with expensive items including houses, cars, and even wives. A lottery is a numbers game of chance for entertainment and recreation that carries much less risk. Unlike the high stakes of gambling, lottery deals with small stakes. Participants spend small change, like N50 or N100, to win great prizes.

Lotteries are fun, entertaining and can be very rewarding. We offer hope, one of the major propellers of life for human beings everywhere.

There is another consideration. It goes without saying that gambling benefits only those directly involved; it is a winner takes all, whereas the proceeds of the regulated lottery have been used to promote good developmental causes in many countries.

Whereas we have national and state lottery companies, ours is a private lottery company. Lottery business has grown beyond profit to an active involvement in corporate social responsibility activities. So it is also all about shared wealth.

In the UK for example, Lotto was

very much involved in the London Olympics where it contributed over two billion pounds as its contribution to the success of the project. Just at the close of the London Olympics, Dianne Thompson the CEO of Camelot, the National Lottery operator, revealed that Britain’s National Lottery has been a huge success in deploying the people’s money for useful ventures including the successful organisation of the London Olympics donating 2.2 billion pounds for infrastructure development of the Olympics Park, paid for

by National Lottery players.

According to Thompson, the National Lottery has spent £4 billion directly on sports since 1994 and that 86 per cent of athletes in Team GB received some form of Lottery support hinting that the National Lottery would be contributing more in the next phase of British sporting development in the run-up to the Games in Rio than it has for London. This is corporate social responsibility at its highest even in sports where the proportion of Lottery money going into elite sport is increasing while Government investment or expenditure is coming down Western Lotto Lottery intends to do same here. We shall champion big ticket expenditure in the polity to show how useful lottery revenue can be to the larger society.

Why the emphasis on huge public expenditure?

The emphasis underlines the huge responsibility of the Lotto business in dong public good across time and space. As far back as 20 B.C. when

AUGUST 5, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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INTERVIEW the barbarians attacked China, and the Chinese Government didn’t have enough money to build up their defence, they ran a lottery and raised adequate funds to build up their defences, including the Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Can you beat that?

Lotteries in Colonial America played a significant part in the financing of both private and public ventures. Records show that the authorities approved more than 200 lotteries between 1744 and 1776, and they played a significant role in financing roads, libraries, churches, colleges, canals, bridges. In the 1740s, lotteries financed the foundations of Princeton and Columbia Universities. The Academy Lottery helped fund that of the University of Pennsylvania in 1755.

In South Africa, for instance, 82 percent of the population play the lottery, at least, once in a week. In 2012 alone, experts put the lottery share of funds to the country’s finances at about N141.3 billion.

Also in Niger Republic, the proceeds of the lottery were used to build boreholes, fight against desert encroachment, while many of the lottery winners are sponsored to Mecca to perform Holy Pilgrimages.

Propelled by these laudable initiatives and the need to contribute its quota to national development, some young and dynamic Nigerians established Western Lotto Nigeria Limited in 2015 to carry out the business of lotteries, promos and casinos in Nigeria.

We are committed to promoting global best practices in our operations as we positively impact lives through good causes. We will be speaking soon on the variousinitiatives that Western Lotto would be promoting.

We already have a partnership with the Rape Foundation to fight the incidence of rape in the country.

We also have our brand ambassadors-celebrities in the entertainment industry, whose foundations we intend to partner with. We shall go into such other projects as infrastructure development, repairs and rehabilitation of roads and bridges et al. The list is quite comprehensive.

What is the difference between lottery and gambling?

The stakes are much higher in gambling and it is a winner takes all whereas in lottery the number of those who won in a particular category get paid the quoted amount. In gambling you wager money or some valuable item on an event such as boxing or football whose outcome is uncertain. The spinning of a roulette wheel or the outcome of a horse race can determine the winner for example. Here we are playing with a lot of people, with the masses. There is a spread of wealth in a pyramid form. For example if ten percent of those who played the Powerball for example wins, every winner gets the quoted prize; they don’t have to share the amount placed on the game. I can share my own experience with you.

Every week I play the Euro jackpot, which is very popular in Croatia especially now that it has an online platform and all Croatia lottery balls are drawn in Finland gets a draw every Friday. If you played with one or two euros you have the possible chance of winning #70 million euros.

That means 10 percent of those who played will get wealthier by 70 million euros each. That’s the idea of wealth spread to the masses.

Krivokuca

Can you define your games and expectations?

Western Lotto Nigeria Limited is a Nigerian company with international partners who have a track record of performance and integrity in the international lottery business. We are commencing with five games.

They are Powerball, Euro Millions, Euro Jackpot, UK Lotto and Mega Millions. Powerball is an American lottery game played every Wednesday and Saturday. Euro Millions is a transnational lottery played across Europe. The Euro Jackpot similarly plays across Europe. UK Lotto is also known as the UK National Lottery. It has served good causes in the UK. Draws for MegaMillions hold on Tuesdays and Fridays. Our unique offerings also come with the ease of play. Just pick your six (6) numbers correctly, and you are on your way to winning. Once you match three (3) numbers, you start winning.

We also pride ourselves in the privacy, dynamism and accessibility that our platform offers. You can play via USSD, mobile apps, online, shops and terminals. If you win, we will notify you immediately. You will get a text or email confirming your winning. Your winning code can be paid via the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of the Quick teller (for smaller amounts), or walk into any bank branch to collect their winnings.

However, if you win big, you come to our Head Office on Victoria Island, Lagos, to receive your money or state however you desire that we pay you.

So the game is on and what has the response been like?

These are confidential issues and I cannot disclose details because we are in a competitive industry where we are recognised as a private lottery company. Having sad that, the game is on and the response has been fantastic but I am not going to give numbers as you requested.

Besides we are a private, not government controlled Lottery Company but certainly to again respond to your question we are heading for the multi-million target and your projection of 10 million players is obviously not a benchmark. Our call centre is available from 7 am to 11 pm to respond to questions and assist those who need help.

The business cannot exist without trust. We are not saying there is anything suggesting manipulation elsewhere.

Here the game is internet driven and results are announced by the principals. Emphasis is on flexibility, accessibility and once you match the figures correctly, your pay is guaranteed. We have POS terminals deployed to the markets. However this is a technology driven lottery game

Your product seems to have appeal for the upper and middle classes, how then do you ensure there is mass appeal for the grassroots that constitute the millions currently patronising the market?

We also have the POS system to cater for this category. These terminals are deployed in designated shops, markets, communities, designated places et al. We are in partnership with some of the auto-agents while many more have indicated interest to do business with us. We are in business for them and for us; that is why we are asking them to see things in a different perspective including those who have not been playing lottery because they feel it is gambling, which is wrong because lottery is not gambling.

In gambling the stakes are higher.

In lottery the winning spread is higher and the revenue goes into addressing corporate social responsibility issues. Right now we have a partnership with a Rape Foundation and we intend to go into different activities which will remain beneficial to the larger community. We will sponsor sports and other recreational activities. Indirectly you are helping your neighbor one or the other when you play lottery, win or lose.

Since lottery is also a game that is liquidity based, are you partnering with banks?

We are in partnership with banks and names will be known when we run our campaign where they will be mentioned. This is not the time for it.

Are religious bodies against lottery?

No because lottery is not gambling. In the US for example, Las Vegas a tourist attraction centre was built on gambling with such games as the Black Jack and Roulette. So many people come to Las Vegas to see the attractive city of gambling and certain designated areas of Nevada. Now it is more of a tourist attraction centre but lottery here is a totally different experience. It is like drinking coffee every day. I play lottery regularly and once I do I feel like I am a millionaire already and I don’t want to know the results until Sunday. If I don’t win, maybe I won hundred or two hundred euros, I look forward to the next week. It is pure fun and entertainment and we are glad someone won.

What is the difference between Western Lotto Lottery packages and those of other companies in the country?

We are technology based and in partnership with existing lottery companies in Europe and the US. We do not have any influence on the numbers, we have no control over the numbers played. This is driven by luck. The local lottery companies depend on the fixed odd system. If you match one of two numbers correctly, the chances of winning are guaranteed. There is no manipulation.

So what is the element of trust that guards against manipulation?

The business cannot exist without trust. We are not saying there is anything suggesting manipulation elsewhere. Here the game is internet driven and results are announced by the principals. Emphasis is on flexibility, accessibility and once you match the figures correctly, your pay is guaranteed. We have POS terminals deployed to the markets.

However this is a technology driven lottery game.

We catch on the derivatives of existing lotto companies. Our customers are rest assured the numbers chosen get paid once they are correctly matched.

What is your game plan to take a sizeable share of the market?

We are in partnership with established lotto and lottery companies with a global track record. Our platform is accessible right inside your bedroom. Our foreign technical partners are credible and we are technology driven, making the human interface almost non-existent.

We are real time compliant. You don’t have to go to a kiosk, Motor Park or somewhere else to stay on the queue.

What about the scratch card system?

That is more of gambling because I have no possibility of knowing how the human angle has permeated into it. No one is saying so but we are human beings. We are flesh and blood and cannot control everything.

Ours is a simple entertaining system which also aims at helping to advance good causes. We have started with this platform and as we progress we will introduce more platforms that offer higher incentives to the players.

There is no mathematics attached to lottery. So what is the guarantee of the ease of winning?

There is a mathematics. Some play as a team, like a village or community does. The community won big time and everybody in the community that took part in the game became rich. People don’t get addicted to lottery because it is fun.

What is your expansion plan?

We intend to go beyond Nigeria.

With the internet, the global village is within reach.

We intend to be the pre-eminent gaming operator in Africa while the mission is to provide an entertainment and empowerment platform and embark on good causes that positively impact on the lives of Africans.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 5, 2017

SPECIAL REPORT Shame of a Nation: Mr. Fashola, Who is Responsible for this Criminal Neglect of the Access Road to Tincan and Apapa Ports; which is Said to be Causing the Economy to Lose as Much as N140 Billion Weekly? With the State of the Road, How will Importers Evacuate Goods from the Port in a Timely Manner? Can a Nation Make Economic Progress Without Good Roads?

Fallen traillers the daily lot of vehicles on Sunrise road

Photos: SUNDAY ADIGUN

Oshodi-Apapa Wharf Road

A Testament to Failure in Governance Ahamefula Ogbu

I

ssues of bad or impassable roads in Nigeria may not attract much attention as it has become the rule other than the exception. However, the deterioration in the access road to the cash cow of the country, the nation’s ports, especially Lagos ports which by policy design, account for nearly all the revenue accruing to the government is to say the least criminal. It is also a sign that policymakers and operators of the present government are either insensitive or carefree about the affairs of the people and the nation.

Approaching the Tincan Island Port from Mile Two on Oshodi-Apapa expressway shows all that is not well with the country.

Lines of trailers bearing different sizes of containers stretch endlessly with fuel tankers and some haulage trucks driving against traffic to escape the gridlock.

Passenger buses has for long made running against the traffic the rule. That is the desperation that must be exercised if one has to leave Apapa without spending days in the gridlock.

At Sunrise bridge, the nightmare begins on both sides of the dual carriage way.

While the road leading to Tincan has become huge gullies that no Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) can drive through, the silted drainages have ensured that pools of water have assumed the shape of a lagoon on the road.

The side exiting Apapa at Sunrise, under the bridge has cut into two with each heavy duty vehicle that passes through the spot further damaging the road. On both sides, filth has taken three-quarters of the road, narrowing it into a single lane where both vehicles and motorbikes driving one-way struggle for space. Residents of

the area appear not to help matters as the road now hosts heaps of refuse.

The area oozes rancid odour no particular word could aptly describe what it smells like, a mixture of faeces, urine, solid waste, abandoned wares and dirty puddles of water. Trailer drivers and their motor boys gratify themselves with all manner of indulgences which further foul the air with smokes of cigarettes and Indian hemp or a combination of other intoxicants. People no longer care about decency as they defecate and urinate in every available space since they have to literarily live on the road as they spend weeks on end on queues to either load products, take containers out of the ports or return discharged ones.

Few metres from the Sunrise bridge heading to the tank farms, you see evidence of the horror the trailer drivers face daily – fallen containers; and directly in front of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria –IPMAN office, a crater covered with blue water that breeds all forms of organisms emits foul odour; nevertheless, businesses go on as if oblivious of what ought to have been, the result of injured psyches. Hardly a day passes without a container falling on a smaller vehicle, crushing all occupants.

However, with the roads now impassable to smaller vehicles, the stories of containers falling on smaller vehicles appear to have abated.

To the left going towards Oshodi, one notices that all trailers and heavy duty vehicles had suddenly started using the service lane where the trailers pulling their containers had to move at snail speed, navigating through what ought to have been smooth road that had become impassable to the ordinary vehicular or pedestrian traffic but for the big wheels.

Forklifts struggling to lift a 40-foot container that fell on a totally broken section of the road at Coconut

Scavengers rummaging through the dump at Westminister, Oshodi-Apapa expressway

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AUGUST 5, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

SPECIAL REPORT Shame of a Nation: This is in the Mega City of Lagos, the Economic Nerve Centre of the Country

All asphalt gone, leaving gullies and craters on Tincan Second gate, Heading to Coconut. According to Aliko Dangote the economy loses more than N20 billion daily because of the disgraceful state of the road. It now takes haulage drivers weeks to be able to get their goods through this hell-on-earth road

A look further down the road revealed: a 40-feet container had fallen off the bed of an articulated vehicle and blocked the dual carriage way towards Oshodi. A closer look showed that four forklifts were laboriously trying to lift the fallen container off the ground into another awaiting trailer. The impact of the fall had given the container a grotesque look of death, disfiguring it. Along the road was another 20- feet container that had fallen previously. The impact had partially opened the container and of course, the rough roads also breed its rough guys, so the fallen container had been preyed on, leading to its owner using a chain and a key to attempt checking the pilferage. That is perhaps the lot of importers on the road from the port.

On both sides of the road, not even the red mud used to fill the scooped places could be seen, only rain water that has commercial motorcycles popularly called okada meander dangerously through crammed pathways, ferrying passengers as the only effective means of exiting or entering the zone.

Walking the distance between Coconut “Lagoon” at Sunrise, in front of IPMAN office bus stop and Tincan Island First gate reveals a link bridge with the railings all removed and the surface drainage totally blocked with shrubs growing luxuriantly on them. After the bridge which at a time had the state of the Sunrise to Coconut area had assumed a palliative look having been filled with pebbles while articulated vehicle tyres served as rollers, a shadow of what could have been done even as a temporary measure to make the road passable.

However, just after the Tincan first gate pedestrian crossing, the nightmare returns; filth, craters and pools of water. A little bit further on the exit route by Oando filling station, containers are stacked sky-high covering the road which tapered into another single lane. Often, the articulated vehicles, most of which have outlived their mechanical lifespan but pushed by the Nigerian spirit usually stall in the middle of the road. Such situation leads to heavy traffic for as long as it takes to get the vehicle back into movable order.

A little way down the road, the two sides look like a path through a jungle as craters make the load-bearing vehicles to Cont’d on Pg. 48

Containers stacked sky-high beside Oando filling station blocking part of the road with broken down trailer in the middle of the remaining portion. Every trace of asphalt gone

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 5, 2017

SPECIAL REPORT Shame of a Nation: Is this Country Actually Ready for Development with the Level of its Dilapidated Infrastructure?

The foot of the pedestrian bridge at Tincan has become a very unsightly refuse dump… Evidence of failure of governance

move at snail’s pace.

Closer to the Tincan second gate is the deepest crater and has more number of containers off the beds of the articulated vehicles in several falls. On a rainy day on those spots, the effect is unimaginable, a stark reality that those whose responsibility it is to fix the roads have alienated themselves from the pains of ordinary people and are only interested in how much comes from the ports but never the responsibility to fix anything.

The area from Apapa Wharf through Flour mills was of the same state till the recent palliative measures on them.

However, the repairs on Wharf to Flour Mills axis, exiting to Ijora has become a musical chair as each patched portion fails shortly after work on it and before other parts are fixed. This leaves the area in perpetual state of disrepair. Talk of ignoring the goose that lays the golden egg and the promises of change, maybe this is the change we were promised.

A massive crater at Barracks, Area B Police Station by Airways near Flour Mills

Gridlock stretching from Berger to Coconut and beyond on both sides of once beautiful expressway, after billion purportedly spent on rehabilitation, the road remains a pitiable and depressing nightmare

Westminister portion of the road… As the people continue to suffer on this road, our leaders less concern for the plight of the people

Late President J.F. Kennedy of the United States once said “America has Good Roads, Not because America is Rich, but America is Rich because America has Good Roads”… What is the State of Roads Here in Nigeria?

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͽ˜ 2017

MARITIME BITS with John Iwori.... ͸΀͸ͽͿͿ;ͻ͹;ͼ

L-R: Special Guest of Honour, Chief Philip Asiodu, former Petroleum Secretary, Guest Lecturer, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, with the wife of the President, Major (Mrs.) Janet Osamgbi, new President, Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Rotarian Isichei Osamgbi, Chairman of the occasion, Ogbueshi Alban-Ofili-Okonkwo and Past District Governor, Rotary International, District 9110, Dr. Omotosho Kamoru at the investiture of Osamgbi as the 33rd President of Rotary Club of Ikoyi in Lagos...recently

R-L: Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Boss Mustapha at the 2017 NIWA International Conference and Exhibition with the theme “Improving Navigability and Inland Port Development for Sustainable Investment on Nigerian Waterways” in Lagos…recently

E-Auction: The Case Against Ali It must be stated right away that there is nothing wrong with the idea of resorting to e-auction in the disposal of goods seized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). It is also not a novel one as the idea had been mooted in the past. However, the idea did not see the light of the day until those who mooted the idea were no more calling the shots.

It was meant to curb some of the ills associated with the traditional method of disposing cargo intercepted by the officers and men of the NCS. It was believed that with e-auction, there will be transparency, openness and accountability as the identities of the beneficiaries, how much they paid and the nature of their cargo will be open to public scrutiny.

Against the backdrop of the intended benefits of e-auction, not a few have wondered why many people especially stakeholders in the

Blue Economy Underway A policy initiative that will comprise all that is required to have a blue economy in the country will be unveiled soon, the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has said.

He assured that the blue economy will not only be put in place but fully implemented to ensure that Nigeria maximise her huge potentials in the maritime industry.

Peterside who dropped the hint in Lagos while speaking at the celebration of the African Day of Seas and Oceans revealed that the Federal Ministry of Transportation had empanelled a committee to come up with a blue print in respect of the blue economy policy.

The NIMASA helmsman explained that the blue economy is expected to generate a lot of resources in terms of fishes, aquaculture, transportation, power generation, all of which could generate a lot of wealth for Nigerians.

He also revealed that his agency will soon present an anti-piracy bill to the National Assembly, stressing that it was the empowerment NIMASA needed to effectively fight piracy in the nation’s waterways.

He explained that when the bill actually comes before the National Assembly as an executive bill, it would also enjoy accelerated hearing.

His words: “We have received assurances of accelerated passage of the bill and before the end of this year the bill will become a law and we will have legal backing to fight piracy and criminality on our water ways.

“There have been a lot of concerns about piracy within the Gulf of Guinea and Gulf of Aden. “The recent statistics published by the International Maritime Bureau based in Malaysia showed that there was a drop in incidents of piracy within our waterways. This is possible because of the few things we are doing with the Nigerian Navy, enhancing our intelligence gathering mechanism and inter-agency as well as inter-departmental collaboration”.

maritime industry have kicked against it.

Opposition to e-auction has continued to swell. At the last count, retired NCS officials, auctioneers, importers, civil servants, freight forwarders, and licensed customs agents have openly expressed their opposition to it.

The opposition is not limited to the NCS. It is within and outside the service. They have not ceased to use every avenue to pick holes in the exercise.

From the positions of these stakeholders, it is crystal clear that the Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Ibrahim Hameed Ali (retired) has a case to answer. In fact, as far as the introduction and implementation of the e-auction is concerned, there is a case against Ali. While the critics within the NCS cannot openly express their minds on the e-auction, for fear of victimisation, this is not the case

with those outside the service.

For instance, a retired Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Ralph Nwadike has called for the suspension of the exercise. Describing it as an “act of impunity”, he pointed out that there is a pending court case on the matter.

THISDAY had reported that the Nigerian Association of Auctioneers (NAA) had dragged the NCS and Ali before a Federal High Court, Abuja over the introduction and implementation of e-auction.

In an originating summons, the auctioneers had prayed the court to declare that by virtue of its incorporation, registration and accreditation pursuant to the relevant laws of the federation, an auction sale cannot be conducted by a committee appointed by the NCS. Giving an insight into case, the legal adviser of NAA, Mr. Wale Yusuf said the lawyer to

WIMA Organises Road Walk to Mark Africa Day of Seas and Oceans The Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA), Nigeria, has organised a road walk to create an awareness and enlightenment to sensitise the citizenry on the environment.

The road walk was part of the activities organised by the organisation to mark this year Africa Day of the Seas and Oceans.

The intercontinental body is a non-profit organization designed to answer the call of gender equality, women empowerment as well as to establish a cooperation entrepreneurship development of African women in the maritime industry.

A statement which issued in Lagos and signed by WIMA Nigeria President, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere said the road show was organised to stir up awareness about the keen need for Nigeria to keep its oceans and seas safe and clean.

According to the statement, the road walk was also meant to ensure the development and continuity of Nigeria blue economy especially now that the country has suffered great financial loss from the flood incidents in virtually all states of the federation many parts.

Wearing branded polo shirts along Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria- Island,

Lagos, as they held their road walk which commenced from the Eko Hotels and Suites to Bar Beach, Victoria Island Lagos, the intercontinental body said the celebration of Africa’s day of the Seas and Oceans was in tandem with the African Union’s clarion call to all its member states to organize activities in their respective jurisdictions to commemorate the day.

It said the marking of the day was in line with this year’s theme: “Implementation of the African Charter on Maritime Security, Safety and Development in Africa: International Law and Policy Perspectives.”

As the WIMA Nigeria women raise awareness about the challenges facing African Seas and Oceans, it solicited help from the populace, to preserve our Oceans and Seas by doing the needful.

These include the following. “Do not throw refuse into our seas and oceans. Do not pour toxic waste into our seas and oceans. Make safe and sustainable Seafood choices. Make our seas and oceans safe and clean for safer Sea navigation. Support organizations working to protect our oceans. Educate yourself about oceans and marine life”.

R-L: The chief executive officer, Kings Communications Limited and Truck Transit Park (TTP) Summit Consultant, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke; Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) Deputy Director, Public Private Partnership (PPP), Mr. Glory Onojedo; NSC Deputy Director, Monitoring and Inter-Modal Coordination, Mr. Olu Jayeola; NSC Director, Inland Transport Services, Mr. Akintunde Makinde; Federal Ministry of Transport (FMOT) Director, Inland Transport and Mass Transit, Dr. Anthonia Ekpa; FMOT Deputy Director, Inland Container Depot (ICD), Mr. Ekawu Odey; FMOT Deputy Director, Land Transport, Mr. Alfred Abah, in the national summit on TTP operations and management in Abuja…recently

NCS had filed a motion of adjournment at the last court sitting and the matter had been adjourned to September.

Nwadike, who served as Area Controller, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command, Apapa before his retirement, said since the matter was had gone to court, Customs had no right to commence the auction of seized goods.

His words: “The auctioneers are in court over the matter and the Customs is trying to defy the court. I have always wondered when government agencies will stop all this impunity. They should obey the court order and go and trash the case out. Even if Customs say they have a rule, they should go to the court and prove it to the auctioneers that they can do it their own way and prove the law that gave them the power and not acting with impunity and defiling the court regulations.

Operators Kick over Militarisation of Commercial Shipping The Concerned Maritime Operators in Nigeria (CMON) has called for the immediate halt to the militarization of commercial shipping in the country. To achieve this, it has commenced mobilization of stakeholders for mass action against the apparent hijack of the country’s maritime administration by the armed forces.

The CMON comprises various associations in the maritime industry, major indigenous shipping companies and stakeholders in the maritime industry.

In a statement, the group said its main concern was the introduction into the nation’s shipping industry strange laws like those of the Maritime Operation Coordinating Board Act (1992) Section 4a (1, 11 and 4) of the Armed Forces Act (Navy) 1994, and Harmonized Standard Operating Procedures on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution of Vessel and Person in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment 2016 (HSOP).

After rising from a stakeholders’ meeting in Apapa, Lagos, recently, resolved to write all operators, regulators and stakeholders in the industry in Nigeria about the militarization acts and sections of laws supporting it.

Signed by its Coordinating Secretary, Mazi Anabaraonye Ifechukwu Joseph and the Legal Adviser, Mr. David Ehimari Akhalu, the group stated that the section had militarized Nigeria’s maritime industry; hence making Navy the apex regulatory, policy-making and enforcement body to execute the totality of all international maritime regulations and conventions as well as national laws and regulations concerning maritime.

It described the development as “an aberration to democratic principles, rule of law and the spirit of separation of powers”.

It also stated that its call was aimed at ensuring that “we have a common front to pursue the repeal of Maritime Operation Commercial Board Act and expunging of section 4a (1, 11 and IV) from the Armed Forces”.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͽ˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ

PERSPECTIVE

Ambodeism: A Lesson in Leadership Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef

I

seek the indulgence of readers in my coinage of the word ‘Ambodeism’, but one cannot completely explain the phenomenon called Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State, until one examines him as a central theme or perspective, projected as strong feeling, combining a mix of economic, political, social, moral and spiritual principles.

The concept brings inspiration to the public who, having received adequate communication of its values and empowered to participate effectively in governance, readily subscribed to the possibility of SMART City destiny of Lagos, through expression of determination, dedication, discipline and duty.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode a man of big dreams, with immense ambition, great characters and matching astuteness to achieve unprecedented milestones in all things he sets out to do. Lagosians have witnessed many of such seemingly impossible targets that were set and met over the two-year period of Ambode’s administration. Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is over N30 billion a month; he has proposed N50 billion!

Ambode will realise this target soon.

From a big vision, he pursues big plans, reduces and interprets in big pictures, but pursues the objectives in bits and pieces to produce fantastic and delightful impressions that create lasting images in the minds of the people. Little actions he takes bring appropriate results in multiplicity of beneficial impacts, culminating in fantastic rewards. He does the right things for the right reasons. He follows carefully-prepared template for all his programmes and projects and monitors them to completion. Though, sometimes, he takes risk in practical ways, he does not believe in chances, but that you can create chances.

He religiously mentors his followers.

Here is a man who is not comfortable with failure; he puts his heart, health and soul into projects; he eats, sleeps and breaths work; he goes the extra mile to get results. He pushes you to persevere in assigned tasks. “One on the driver seat does not sleep”, he says, “Sacrifice and Successes are Siamese twins.” At

Ambode the State House, every hour of the day, year round, is working hour. Ambode pursues detail with fervor and with enviable transparency; and believes that if there is a will, a right passion, a right plan and right persons to drive your policies, there will always be a path to unprecedented accomplishments. To the Governor, “attitude is King of Character.”

Probability of failure or Probability of successes should not be the key to achieving programme objective, but having correct keys or plans always, will unlock the doors to successes. And when passion results in big triumph, he does not rush to the airwaves.

Often he says: “Succeeding or failing is what you choose. Create your own chances; if you wait for chances you may have to wait for eternity. Leadership is about adding something, every minute, every hour, every day, every month and every year. If you cannot add to what you met, be a better person than who you are and change the people for good at the end of each programme or project

or tenure, you have betrayed the electorates who freely gave you their mandate.

Confront challenges headlong: do not falter, do not fail, do not fall, and if you do, do not be frustrated by your failure; do not stay down, but stand firm in faith and continue to pursue your dream. ” Governor Ambode actually believes that a follower is capable of surmounting mountains (and should surmount) obstacles, if he can exert himself to bring out hidden strength and ability hitherto unexplored. He constantly searches for something good and strong in his followers and subjects. According to him “a chain is as good as its weakest link.”

He is a fantastic team player.

While he agrees that it is more difficult to build on success than failure, he believes success becomes sustainable as you become stronger after surmounting obstacle. He smiles, praises and pats you on the back, and says affectionately: “brother, you have the ability to do much more. Next time let me know how you can accomplish more.” His Excellency is a man who builds on your strong points, making your weak points irrelevant.

Goals, results, impacts and outcomes achieved with excellence and transparency, are central in Ambodeism. Excellence, whatever it costs, must be pursued in the realization of strategic targets, for here is a man of habitual integrity.

Ambode is motivated by outcomes that will bring the greatest joy to the greatest number of Lagosians; he has fervently pursued lay down strategies with passionate love, expressed in such infectious ways that followers begin to believe that they can move mountain.

Bringing me to the ban on sponsorship of pilgrims to the holy lands; occasionally some would express concern that many Lagosians would not be able to visit the holy lands, henceforth. To this, my answer, which has always been well received, is that enough pilgrims from Lagos would always go to the holy lands at more affordable cost that only Lagos could offer, but many that had no reason to be there would not be there. Moreover, money saved by the administration is adding better values in critical sectors, bringing benefits to many

Lagosians.”

Yes, the Governor can be very firm.

When he is focusing on result, he puts his foot firmly on the ground. Yet, he is warm, loving, kind and considerate. He looks down on no one. He says: “If our practices do not favour the masses, we must find courage to voice them and abandon such practices.” He is humble enough to say, despite his numerous achievements, people owe him nothing, as he only serves them by the privilege they have conferred through the ballots, and will never take them for granted.

Indeed Ambode is among the few leaders past or present, who command loyalty, obedience, love and respect of his cabinet and other arms of government.

He is a fantastic role model, providing direction and inspiration, always pushing you to realize a potential you did not think you have and celebrating your fantastic success in the end. To Ambode, every man has a hidden gift to annex and exploit to benefit individual and society. He challenges you for more, and you are surprised that you can transmit all of his noble values to others in your workplace, and achieve so much more than you think possible to the benefit of the society at large.

Over time, since the beginning of the Ambode administration, great results have been recorded. This is a clear evidence that there is something right with the Ambodeism. Of recent, my Ministry won seven out of eight awards for the state, in respect of 2016 Hajj pilgrimage. This unprecedented record in Nigeria occurred during Ambode’s administration, a Christian. I pray to Allah to achieve much more in this year’s pilgrimage, hoping on greater inspiration from Ambodeism.

Strive constantly for the good purposes, and Allah will join in your effort.

Your success is not measured by the amount of wealth you have, but by what you have bequeathed in advancement of humanity. That is your legacy. Amodeism is a legacy that will endure.

–AbdulLateef is the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Lagos State

Appointment of More Judges for the Federal High Court Kola Onifade

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ost state governors, in the exercise of their privilege of prerogative of mercy go around various prisons in their states from time to time and grant pardon to some inmates who are serving various terms of imprisonment; some awaiting trial for various offences.

A recurrent observation during these visits is that many inmates have been kept in the prison far much longer than the term of imprisonment they would have served if convicted. A very unfortunate situation. The congestion in various police cells and the prisons is one of the various problems of our legal and judicial system. Why are many inmates awaiting trial for unnecessarily long periods?

One even wonders why many of these awaiting trial inmates stay longer than the terms of imprisonment they would serve if convicted. Is the society fair to these people? This sad situation is even attributed to the Nigerian factor, a euphemism for cutting corners, not following due process and obtaining even undeserved favours through connection with men at the top. For instance, the relations of a well-connected person

Justice Walter Onnoghen may not experience this ‘awaiting trial’ ordeal for too long. Strings will be pulled and they have their day in court. But for the ordinary and poor man, only God is the saviour.

A government which cares about the welfare of the generality of the people should not allow this situation to continue. The President Muhammadu Buhari administration with its change mantra should take up this challenge

immediately. Something should be done to ensure that justice is dispensed to all and sundry within reasonable time frame as justice delayed is justice denied.

In this wise one praises the concerned agencies of the Federal Government that acted swiftly on the recent appointment of judges of the National Industrial Court. These courts now have judges to handle cases and dispense with them expeditiously.

However one wonders why this is not the same situation with judges of the Federal High Court. A close observation shows that the court is in dire need of judges, to replace those who have died, retired, or will soon retire.

Several vacancies exist in the courts and reliable information reveals that all the states have submitted names of recommended judicial officers to be appointed judges. The list has also been reviewed and the shortlisted candidates invited and interviewed by the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Bar Association in the usual screening exercise.

However, the result of the screening by these two bodies has long been awaited.

It was only a few days ago that the NBA released its own. That of the SSS is still being awaited. How long this wait will last is now the issue. During

the recent face-off between the DSS and the National Judicial Council, the latter was accused of not taking timely and appropriate action on Judges accused of corruption.

In this instance, nobody will blame the NJC for this delay, as the final list of lawyers to be appointed Judges has not been sent to them. What is causing the delay? When will the vacancies be filled?

When will the numerous cases in the Federal High Court that have not been attended to due to shortage of Judges receive attention? These questions need answers by those concerned This is a humble request to all the persons and institutions involved in taking appropriate action on appointment of Judges including the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Department of State Services, the Federal Judicial Service Commission and the National Judicial Council to do the needful and ensure that on resumption from the present annual vacation, all available vacancies in the Federal High Court would have been filled.

The Federal High Court is one of the most strategic and significant arms of our Judiciary and it should be empowered with its required human capacity to continue the good job it is doing.

– Onifade is a political analyst

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͽ, 2017

PERSPECTIVE

The Monica Ambrose in All of Us Tony Monye

friend of mine often sends me Whatsapp video, photos and comic strips of motley shapes and forms, almost on a daily basis. I wake up expecting some; I pull down each day’s curtains having seen some from him. Often most of the pieces are of good informative and educative quality. A few times, they rest on the other side of the wall. On the mean, these items enjoy positive appeal. Just a few days ago, I got one interesting but ruffling video. It was the sort I have never seen before but it gave me the three of great entertainment, cause(s) for more reflective thinking and worries, all in one view.

Many more views only added depth to the three takeaways. It was a video-clip from a Netherlands-based Nigerian.

Monica Ambrose. Monica, a woman probably in her late thirties, unlike the Monica Ambrose rest of us, is quite ambitious and bold.

She would like to give a shot at our dear country’s presidency in 2019. The present tives of social media. They have given leadership has only got her ire. Although some bliss whilst ditching out sources she admits to challenges with spoken for worries to so many. Social media English, she would like us to know her are serving as avenues for setting forth ambition is no joke, after all, her only opinions – right or wrong, sustaining and deficiency, that is, the English language refuting them. They are good sources is just a language like all the others. Her of information, as friends could drop vision for the country is complete but it’s some informative pieces. Accessed by only in her head, though she invited no one in. And, like the rest of us of qualified us, we only become better informed.

Social media help in reuniting, re-igniting age, she has the right to contest. She is age-old but long lost friendship, even therefore, welcome to the race to Aso from far-flung places. They fill us with Rock in a couple of years. elation as well as distress. Their effects are Social media, like all other inventions pervasive and they can also be quite inof man, have their blameless sides. They vasive. Their speed of movement is quite also have got their cheerless slants too. phenomenal, speedily trekking from the And, many have witnessed both perspec-

corners of our world to the centre-stage in one of the shortest possible time. I have got my doubts if anyone, at the moment, could see the end of social media. Well, whilst they are here with us, we have got to enjoy them.

Back again to Monica Ambrose.

Like the rest of us, Monica seems truly perturbed by our nation’s tottering steps, especially of the past two years. In fact, she sums it up as being calamitous. So, unlike the rest of us, she has voted to do something about it. Her disgust in the nation’s previous ‘statesmen-leaders’ is like a first-rate painting on some bright canvass, easily seen and acknowledged.

Monica doesn’t feel chickened by the monstrousness and enormity of the country’s problems. On the other hand, she’s quite convinced the task of guiding Nigeria to Eldorado needs especially her and it’s giving her some very loud calls.

So, she’s offering herself for the nation’s top job. In the video, Monica detailed her beyond average qualifications for the office of the Presidency of the Federal Republic of our staggering nation, Nigeria.

They are four. She is a married woman.

She has got three children (all Dutch citizens). She has lived in the Netherlands for seventeen years. According to her, she has seen it all, particularly living in the developed world as offered by the land of that talented, dreadlocks wearing footballer, Ruud Gullit. Calling on the support of all Nigerians, beginning with those of them living in the Diaspora (a word she really struggled to pronounce), as we march towards 2019, Monica’s promises are few. Good roads. Electricity.

Free education. These are some of the basic things all of our earlier ‘great’ presidents haven’t been able to get off the way.

And, the best of all her promises, unlike

previous leaders, Monica would want us to know she isn’t light-fingered. So, she won’t pilfer from our commonwealth, as all her children are Dutch citizens and are already on benefits.

The other, un-reflected sides of the Monica Ambrose video have left me completely ruffled, lost wholly in some sort of stupefaction. It revealed in very clear details many valuable and easily seen qualities in us – Nigerians. As Nigerians, we effortlessly make light of very deep pursuits, revealing our lack of knowledge. In our braggadocio, we go for bigger ‘shoes’ although we only have got smaller ‘feet’. We easily fall preys to cheap international conspiracies, possibly because we are bereft of the brilliance to engage them. It exposed how, after many generations of supposedly rare sort of leadership, Nigerians still have very weird and shrunken view of governance. Governance is still a big struggle of meeting some of the simplest tasks of road construction, electricity generation and basic education. It is no blame of Monica Ambrose. It falls on the laps of all those who have, at one time or the other, occupied some of the ‘coolest’ seats at State House (Dodan Barracks) and Aso Rock. It is just strange how she ended the video rebuking and diminishing the strength of the English Language. There is no language that reveals the universality of development as much as English. It is unarguably the most sophisticated language given the present time. In the end, I only hope that, with the audiovisual, Monica Ambrose was having some rich fun because she gave a sizeable measure of it. At its best, the Monica Ambrose video offered some dazzling comic relief for the night, inducing sound sleep.

Iyabo Anisulowo (Ogun West); and, apparently the most respected, given also her pedigree.

As a reporter covering the senate at the time for Vanguard newspapers, I had the opportunity of interacting with senators in the course of my reportage. There was a time when a male senator from Niger state slapped a female senator (not Daisy) who was the chair of a committee over the mismanagement of the committee funds.

But Daisy had no time for inanities. She was simply daisy, yes, excellwent in all that she did -on the floor and in the committees- especially the committee on women affairs, which she chaired. She also chaired the ECOWAS Parliament’s Women and Children’s Rights Committee. She was always far from the madding crowd. She had and still has no predilection for the odious and scandalous.

Above all, Daisy earned her respect among her colleagues. Understandably, she never caved in to the pressure of filthy lucre. She never used the instrumentality of the committee for acquisition of dirty money in the ridiculous ways that some legislators did. Rather, she used and has continued to use her privileged position of being at the giving end to define a life of rare philanthropy for which she is her husband’s backbone and adviser.

The brilliant and stylishly gorgeous Edo woman is averse to politics of intimidation, violence and self-perpetuation; otherwise, she would have returned to the senate in the 2007 election. It was also wise not to dig her feet in because a formidable force in the presidency which had an axe to grind with her husband was opposed to her re-election to the senate.

Her exit from the senate was graceful.

And she has since returned to the business world where she is the executive vice chairman of South-Atlantic Petroleum with

her husband, Theophilus Yakubu (TY), as executive chairman. Interestingly, she was the executive chairman of the oil company from 1999-2003 when her husband was defence minister. Immediately she won election into the senate she resigned and her husband, who was then out of government, returned as chairman. This speaks of their respect for due process and legalism.

Daisy loves her people, always ready to lend a helping hand. This explains why the T.Y. Danjuma Foundation has Taraba (her husband’s home) and Edo states as its immediate coverage areas for funding efforts to alleviate poverty by providing basic amenities, education for children and young adults while also providing free medical care for indigent people, especially afflicted by river blindness and other debilitating illnesses.

Born on August 6, 1952, Daisy began her career as a State Counsel in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice (Department of Public Prosecutions) and was a pioneer Legal Counsel to the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria before working for the investment bank, Nigerian Acceptances Ltd. (NAL). She was to spend the next decade as Company Secretary/Legal Adviser to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) before moving into private practice.

She is an alumna of the Lagos Business School, a member of the International Bar Association (IBA), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA).

This is wishing a woman, who deserves to be described as truly distinguished, Senator Daisy Ehinare Danujma, a happy birthday. Enjoy your day to the fullest, Ma!

MILESTONE

Simply Daisy @ 65 Sufuyan Ojeifo

R

ewind to 2003. The ecology of the National Assembly exuded the aura of influence.

The conclave of the powerful and influential politicians - 109 of them in the Senate and 360 in the House of Representatives –was magnetic. The calibre of the legislators was intimidating.

Meanwhile, the fourth session of the National Assembly (1999-2003) had been rambunctious: the Evan(s) Enwerem-Chuba Okadigbo-Anyim Pius Anyim game of the musical chair that produced them as senate presidents within a period of four years in the senate was, particularly, very interesting, creating some ballyhoo and instability.

Despite the tempers that flared in the senate over leadership control, the ambiance of the upper legislative chamber, in the succeeding fifth session of the National Assembly (2003-2007), under the senate presidency of Adolphus Wabara and Ken Nnamani, at different times though, was particularly more alluring.

Yet, the senate had its shares of the thespian moments that characterised the nation’s political landscape under the suzerainty of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who was in the saddle as president at that intersection. He had infiltrated the fourth session of the National Assembly in a desperate plot to subjugate and render it subservient to his whims and caprices.

He continued the agenda in the fifth session of the National Assembly. But he got his hand burnt over his plan to extend his stay in office through a process of constitutional amendment that cloaked the means to push through the infamous third term agenda. The move was defeated in the

Senator Daisy Danjuma

National Assembly despite the egregious corruptive attempts.

It was in that era that providence smiled on Daisy Ehinare-Danjuma, the beautiful wife of former Chief of Army Staff (from July 1975-October 1979) and Minister of Defence (1999 to 2003), to represent Edo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The trained lawyer and graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, never disappointed. Her contributions on the floor of the senate were solid. Not only that, she earned herself a badge of honour with the manner she comported herself in and out of the senate chamber. She was one of the only three women in the senate at the time, the others being Ruquayyah Gbemisola Saraki (Kwara Central) and

–Mr Ojeifo, Editor-in-Chief of The Congresswatch magazine, sent this tribute via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com

52

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Í˝, 2017

POLITY

Obiogbolu: PDP Members Must WorkTogether to Reclaim Anambra Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Dr Alex Obiogbolu said that the members of the party need to work together to reclaim the Awka Government House it lost twelve years ago.

He stated this during an interaction with the Anambra State executive council of the party in Awka. Dr Obiogbolu noted

that the party has lost three consecutive governorship elections in the state because of what he called imposition and impunity on the part of those managing the party in the past. He said time has come for the will of the people at the grassroot to be respected if the PDP hopes to make a headway in the November 18 Anambra guber polls.

Obiogbolu said that deep pocket should not be the only factor in politics as issue of credibility and competence

Forum Mobilizes, Screens Anambra PDP Aspirants

nambra State Peoples Democratic Party Councilorship Forum says it is ready to work tirelessly for whoever emerges as the candidate of the party for the November 18 governorship election.This position was part of communique issued by the forum at the end of their meeting in Awka and signed by Ben Onuchukwu (chairman) and Udemezue Chidozie (Secretary).

This position was part of communique issued by the forum at the end of their meeting in Awka and signed by Ben Onuchukwu (chairman) and Udemezue Chidozie (Secretary).

The forum said that it had been mobilizing for the PDP since 2014 and had carried out some restructuring aimed at positioning the party for better electoral

fortunes in Anambra State.

The forum of Councilorship candidates stressed the need to carry them along in the schemes of things in the party as well as allow a credible candidate to emerge through free, fair and generally acceptable party primaries.

As part of their effort to ensure that the best material emerges as the standard bearer of the party, it said arrangement had been concluded to screen and discuss with the aspirants jostling for the PDP’s ticket next week.

The group insisted that they had to do everything humanly possible to ensure the emergence of a credible candidate because they cannot afford to allow their four years investment of mobilization and strategising be wasted on the altar of wrong candidature.

should not be relegated to the background “I am a team player and everyone of you here can attest to that. When the issue of party leadership was tearing the party, many of my colleagues left for greener pastures, others refused to identify with the PDP or defend the party but now that the storm is over, they are now rushing here to reap as usual where they did not sow�. “We cannot afford to make the mistake of giving the party ticket to outsiders or else we become outsiders when they eventually take over the state and the party; it is imperative that we allow a known and committed person to fly the party’s flag in the governorship election. “I am worried that people always refer to me as an unrepentant PDP

man, for my insistence to remain in PDP despite overtures from people in other parties and the manipulations that trail my contests for the governorship ticket, but the truth is that whenever they run into any challenge, the know they have unfettered access to me and I get their problems solved,� he said.

Vincent Atuigwe, a former member of the House of Assembly and a member of the state executive, commended Obiogbolu for his commitment to the party and manner of his campaign.

Former members of the state executive and leaders of the party accompanied Obiogbolu on the visit to the state party leadership. They were Chief Francis Udeoba, Chukwudi Umeoba, Dozie Akunne, Chief Isaac Egbuonu amongst others.

Dr. Alexander Obiogbolu receiving his nomination form from Abdul Ningi,at the PDP national secretariat, Abuja... recently

L-R: Chief Africa, United Nations Global Compact, Mrs. Olajobi Makinwa; Executive Director, Convention on Business Integrity, Mr. Soji Apampa; and the Project Manager Action Plan, Feyi Fatona-Ajayi, at the anti-corruption incubation lab workshop SMEs on fight against corruption in Lagos...recently

L-R: Chairperson Communications, Ataoja’s Oshogbo Palace, Olori Kafayat Oyetunji; Orooye 11 of Osun State, HRM Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun; Area Sales Manager, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Mr. Olatunji Josiah; Brand Manager, Grand Oak Limited, Mr. Adebowale Bojuwadi, during the 2017 Osun Osogbo festival stakeholders forum in Osogbo, Osun State...recently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

A cross section of graduants of Nile University at the 2017 5th convocation ceremony in Abuja...recently

L-R: Commissioner for information and strategy, Lagos State, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, incoming President, EXMAN, Mr. Kehinde Salami and outgoing President, EXMAN, Dr. Rotimi Olaniyan at Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria Awards at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos...recently

T H I S D AY SATURDAY AUGUST 5, 2017

53

54

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͽ˜ ͺ͸͹͵

NEWSXTRA

Bayelsa APC Crisis Deepens as DSS, Police Take Over Secretariat Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa The power tussle within the All Progressives Party (APC) in Bayelsa took a new turn yesterday when operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police took over the party secretariat in the state located along the Mbiama/ Yenagoa road.

Yesterday’s escalation of the disagreement between a faction loyal to Mr. Timipre Sylva, former governor of the state and Tiwei Orunimighe, chairman of the party in Bayelsa, it was learnt, was a direct fallout of last week’s election for the APC's non-elective national convention.

The election which saw 24 delegates emerge from the eight local councils did not get the blessing of the Sylva group which has been at loggerheads with the Orunimighe faction since 2016, according to sources within the party.

It could not be independently confirmed on Friday if the purported suspension of Orunimighe, the state APC chairman, was carried out by the national leadership of the party, but it was gathered that the security operatives seized the party office to avoid a breakdown of order.

However, there were unverified claims that the National Working Committee of the APC had on Thursday evening suspended Orunimighe, the Vice Chairman, Eddy Julius and the Vice Chairman, Marlin Danlin over alleged anti-party activities.

The State Commissioner of Police, Asuquo Amba and the State Director of the DSS, Mr. Gideon Agbaje later personally visited the party secretariat and met with the Secretary of the Party, Alabo Martins.

Several heavily armed policemen

THIS IS HOW WE ROLL...

L-R: Special Assistant on Projects to the Deputy President of the Senate, Jonathan Ivoke; Team Leader, Partnership to Engage, Reform, and Learn, Adiya Ode; Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu; PERL’s National Leadership Facilitator, Chika Okoh; and Chief of Staff to Deputy President of the Senate, Ben Ogugua during a working visit by PERL/DFID to the Senator in Abuja... recently

and officials of Nigeria’s secret police were seen still mounting surveillance at the venue at the time of going to press yesterday evening.

Some of the party executive members loyal to Sylva led by Joseph Fafi, the youth leader, Edison Sogwe and the Secretary, Martins were also in the secretariat during

the security operation.

An ex-militant leader and loyalist of the purportedly suspended chairman, Africa Ukpariasia, aka, General Africa, was seen expressing anger over the presence of loyalists of Sylva around the party office.

Africa, who arrived at the barricaded party secretariat in

the afternoon was prevented from driving into the premises in his black SUV by the security operatives.

He threatened to chase the Sylva loyalists out of the secretariat, saying" we will know who owns the Party."

An APC member of the State House of Assembly, Sunny Igoli , who arrived at the party secretariat,

later met with the members of the security team and addressed the party supporters. " The party has concluded the non-elective congress and the process is at appeal stage. The key stakeholders have met and affirmed the authenticity of the decision of the party at the state level.

" Nobody should come to the secretariat until the National Working Committee issues a letter to whoever is going to act until a new congress is held to elect a substantive Chairman. Everybody should go home and let us not make the secretariat a crisis venue,” he said.

Osinbajo Inaugurates Judicial Commission on Armed Forces Compliance with Human Rights

'Ban on Use of Edo Public Schools for Social Activities will Check Vandalism'

Ejiofor Alike

Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Basic Education Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe has explained that the recent ban by the Edo State Government on the use of premises of public schools for social activities would check vandalism of government infrastructure.

She gave the explanation during an inspection tour of some public schools where students are currently writing the Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (JSSCE) in the state.

Dr. Oviawe said the ban would create an effective line of communication and strengthen the harmonious relationship between schools and

The Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, last night appointed a seven-man Judicial Commission to review compliance of the Armed Forces with human rights obligations and rules of engagement, especially in local conflict and insurgency situation with Boko Haram.

The panel, according to a statement, issued by Bolaji Adebiyi, the Director, Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, is to be chaired by a Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Biobele A. Georgewill.

The Commission is expected to

commence work immediately and submit its report within 90 days.

The statement said by its terms of reference, the Commission was empowered to review extant rules of engagement applicable in the Armed Forces of Nigeria and extent of compliance thereto.

It is also has the power to investigate alleged acts of violation of international humanitarian and human rights law under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Geneva Conventions Act, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act and other relevant laws by Nigerian

security agencies.

The Commission also has a mandate to investigate factors that might be militating against a speedy resolution to local conflicts and insurgencies and advise on means of preventing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in conflict situations.

Apart from Hon Justice Georgewill, other members of the Judicial Commission include: Major-General Patrick Akem; Olawale Fapohunda, Mrs. Hauwa Ibrahim, Jibrin Ibrahim, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwakama; and a representative of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

communities where they are located.

“With such a measure in place, communities will take over ownership of the infrastructure as critical stakeholders and put the problem of vandalism behind them,” she stressed.

She added that the conduct of the examination has been peaceful and orderly without disruptions at the centres visited by her team. “I want to commend the authorities of the various schools we have visited for the orderly manner the examinations are being conducted.

There are some challenges that are surmountable and we will improve on the entire process after critically

reviewing the findings of our visits,” Dr. Oviawe said.

Speaking to newsmen on the tour, the Principal of Oredo Girls Secondary School, Mrs. Patience Onwodi, said it was timely and would strengthen the education system and create an avenue for constructive review of developments in the sector if it is done regularly.

She noted that the Junior Secondary examination so far has been peaceful without any form of disruption in her school and called on the government to help renovate a dilapidated structure in the school premises to provide more classrooms for students.

Probe Judges who Jailed Underage Ohuabunwa: We Won’t give up Inmates, Charges Rights Group on Quest for Restructuring Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) said it welcomed the Amnesty granted to 80 underage inmates of Badagry Prison by the Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade on August 1, 2017 but with a mixed feeling and reservations The group pointed out that in a country operating with a Child Rights Acts by the Federal government and the Child Rights Law by the State government,

it was criminal and show how perverted the justice system was that 90 per cent of a prison inmates were underage.

They insisted that the Chief Judge of Lagos State should not only have released the underage from custody but should as a matter of necessity, put a stop to this unjudicial acts by some judges by setting up a panel to unravel those judges who jail the minors in the first instance and sanction them appropriately

to serve as a deterrent to other sitting on the altar of judgment in Lagos state.

“These underage should not have been allowed to go into the free society just like that without proper reorientation and psychological fine tune taking the time they have been ostracised from the society.

“It is time we do things like other people in decent society,” Dr. Bode Fasade said on behalf of the Rights group in a statement.

Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia Senator Mao Ohuabunwa has vowed that pro-restructuring Lawmakers in the National Assembly would not abandon the struggle for total restructuring of the Nigerian polity despite the setback already suffered during the constitutional amendment vote.

Speaking with journalists in Umuahia, Ohuabunwa who represents Abia North senatorial district, said that it was regrettable

that majority of federal lawmakers had voted against devolution of powers to the states.

He attributed the shooting down of power devolution to the “misunderstanding” of the concept restructuring and true federalism by some individuals and groups, adding that devolution of power was just an aspect of restructuring as being canvassed.

“What we want is total restructuring,” he said, adding that there was need to further engage in dialogue

and full explanation of the need to restructure the present political setup which had become anachronistic.

Ohuabunwa noted that the political structure in place now was a product of military rule which operated on unitary system of government and having come out of that era there was no way a democratic system of government could work effectively with the unitary structure.

“Now that we have democracy we should use democratic structure,” he said.

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NiMet to Collaborate with NASRDA On GIS, Climate Monitoring Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet) on Thursday, said it would collaborate with the National Space Research and Development Agency, (NASRDA) on the application of Geographical Information System (GIS) to meteorology.

The effort, it noted, was to complement the existing surface weather stations in the country thereby improving the accuracy of NiMet’s forecasts and other climate services.

Director-General/CEO NiMet, Professor Sani Abubakar Mashi, while hosting his NARDSA counterpart, Prof. Seidu Mohammed,

in Abuja, said, "there is need to strategically partner with NASRDA because of the abounding mutual benefits that is inherent in the synergy. Satellite imagery helps in effective forecasting�.

Sani, explained that, Geographical Information System (GIS), was designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage and present spatial or geographical data. GIS and satellite images could also be used to extract surface temperature for an area instead of using only surface station data.

According to him, "with the current density of ground weather observation stations, the agency can leverage on NASRDA’s expertise on satellite communication, juxtaposed

with its ground information to churn out sophisticated weather forecasts.

He said, "There is a tool that NASRDA possesses which could be effectively utilised to enhance the services of NiMet�.

Re-echoing the observation of the NiMet DG, the Director-General, NASRDA, Professor Mohammed, stressed the importance of government organisations working together for the greater good of Nigerians, “when we work together, we find a common solution to a common problem and therefore improve the livelihood of Nigerians’’.

Mohammed added that NASRDA would assist NiMet in providing feedback on predicted

flood areas, the accuracy of the flood predictions, as well as train staff of the agency on GIS application to meteorology.

He therefore expressed optimism that this would bridge the gap of low density of NiMet weather stations to conform to the recommendations of the World Meteorological Organisations on composition and establishment of weather stations.

Consequently, the two agencies agreed to set up an eight-man interagency technical committee, with the responsibility to draw up a Memorandum of Understanding that will identify critical areas of synergy as well as point out possible limitations.Ezeemo added.

It’s Return to Ibadan as Glo Hosts Lafta Fest Residents of Ibadan will be having a second dose of fun and laughter in less than two months as the mega comedy show currently touring the nation, Glo Laffta Fest, returns to the Oyo State capital tomorrow.

The comedy show enters its 17th consecutive week as it goes to the ultramodern event venue, Jogor Centre, Ibadan, for the benefit of the residents of the city who might not have been able to attend the show when it was held at the University of Ibadan conference centre, Agbowo on June 11, 2017.

Slated to thrill Ibadan residents this time are globally-acclaimed comedians, Basketmouth, Bovi, On-Air-Personality and stand-up comedian, Osama, one of Nigeria’s most popular comediennes, Helen Paul, social media sensation, Mr. Patrick, and the most popular ‘Preacher’ and ‘Interpreter’ comic duo, Still Ringing, among others.

The second Ibadan edition of Glo Laffta Fest will be graced by Nollywood mega stars such as Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD), Odunlade Adekola, Victor Osuagwu and Mr. Latin. The show will be anchored by television screen goddesses, Ebube

Imo Air Partners ELREEDA Foundation on CSR

PARTNERING TO SECURE...

L-R: Commissioner of Police Anambra State GB Umar in hand shake with Anambra State NDLEA State Commander, Sule Momodu during a visit to NDLEA oďŹƒce in Awka

NDLEA Uncovers Cannabis Depot Diamondxtra Season 9 Creates in Lagos, Arrests Suspect More Winners in New Draws Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

In a sting operation carried out by the Seme Special Area Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), it has uncovered a total of 7.5 tons of illicit cannabis sativa depot at Iyana-Ira, Ketu in Lagos State.

This was made known in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Principal Staff Officer, Public Affairs of the agency, Mr. Jonah Achema.

He said the operation led by the Seme Area Commander in charge of Narcotics, Udotong Noah, led to the arrest of one Ms. Timilehin Vincent Iyama.

According to him, "Timilehin, mother of four from Ifon, Ondo State claimed that her husband, Vincent Iyama, an indigene of Kwale, Delta State brought the cannabis sativa, known in local parlance as 'wee-wee' from Ondo State where the illicit drug crop is predominantly cultivated. The drug exhibit was stored in the family's apartment at No. 40, Kayode Badejo Street, off Chief Tunde Aluko Street, Iyana-Ira, Lagos. A Toyota sienna 2005 model with registration number

KTU 737 DZ was also seized from the suspect."

Achema said the suspect, a JSS3 drop out was known to be dealing in Gaari by neighbours while she also engaged in the clandestine wholesale of cannabis.

He revealed that at the time her arrest, the husband was said to have travelled back to Ondo state, being the source of their illicit consignment.

The suspect was said to have admitted that she had been in the business with her husband for a couple of years.

Quoting the Area Commander, "the seizure which was based on a tip-off and very intense surveillance, is a major breakthrough for the command. Although the Area command has made a cumulative seizure of about six tons since January, this present seizure is the single largest since the command was established about 21 years ago."

The agency urged the citizens to be vigilant and to come forward with more such hints to help the agency dismantle all the chains of cannabis supply, stressing that given the volume of local production and consumption.

Not less than N600 million has been set aside by Diamond Bank Plc to reward its loyal customers in the DiamondXtra Season 9 bonanza.

Activities planned for the season include extra-ordinary draws that will produce 3164 lucky winners throughout Q3 2017.

According to information made available to the press, the Bank stated that in the months of July, August and September, N137 million will be given out to lucky customers that would emerge from the draws: eight millionaires in July and September while 24 millionaires would emerge in August as N1 million will be won by a lucky customer every working day plus loads of other cash prizes.

During this period, three lucky customers would be rewarded with salary for life and will receive N100,000.00 every month for the next 20 years.

According to Chioma Afe, Head, Corporate Communications Division, Diamond Bank’s passion and commitment to its customers “is driven by the conviction that making them to save and plan for the future is what sustains the growth and development of any economy�.

She stated that DiamondXtra draws had come a long way in impacting the lives of new and existing customers of

the Bank that had participated in the promo over the years, adding that the draw was a unique customer reward scheme tied to the DiamondXtra account. which aimed at promoting savings culture among Nigerians by rewarding them for saving.

She said: “In this Season 9, Diamond Bank is set to create more millionaires in Nigeria by empowering them with the resources to change their lives and, also, be active participators in the economy. Twelve customers would be rewarded with salary for life and will earn N100,000.00 for the next twenty years. That is how much we value our customers and help them shape their future�.

According to her, with a deposit balance of only N5,000 (five thousand naira) a customer is qualified to participate in the draw and multiples of that amount increases the customers chances of winning.

The DiamodnXtra initiative was launched in July 2008 and has produced 5,600 winners with a cumulative cash reward of over N4 billion.

The Season 9 edition promises to be more rewarding as the Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to financially empower more Nigerians by spreading the draws across the six geopolitical zones.

Imo Air operated by Dana Air has announced that it would partner the House of FREEDA on the unveiling of ELFREEDA Foundation, scheduled to hold on 11th August, 2017 at the Imo Trade and Investment Centre, Owerri Imo State.

ELFREEDA Foundation is a nonprofit organisation aimed at providing a stabilising base for homeless women and children to rebuild their lives as they transit back to the society.

The non-governmental organisation aims to provide the basic needs for desperate and vulnerable homeless women and children, helping them build more stable and productive lives, while addressing the causes and consequences of homelessness in Nigeria.

According to the Communications Manager of Imo Air, Kingsley Ezenwa, “providing the basic necessities of life is the best thing any organisation or individual can do to the underprivileged in our society.

Considering the present economic situation in the country, we believe supporting a foundation like this will not only lessen the burden on our already overburdened government, but will take away the 'destitute' from the streets, rehabilitate them and give them a reason to smile again.�

Nwagbo and Uche Jombo.

"Glo Laffta Fest in Ibadan in June was unbelievable fun. But the residents of this great city should expect an even more explosive show on Sunday,� Globacom said in a press statement.

Saturday, August 5, 2017

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MISSILE Shehu Sani to el-Rufai

“The Governor (el-Rufai) wanted to write names of his boys and send to Abuja as delegates for the party’s convention. Our position is that delegates must be elected and not selected in line with the party’s guidelines for congresses.

Those who are afraid of elections deserve no place in a democracy.”

Senator Shehu Sani chiding Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State for allegedly manipulating the list of delegates to the planned APC convention.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Fashola, The Man Who Must Give Us Light

F

ellow Nigerians, there is nothing more critical and important to us than the issue of electricity. Any country that continues to sleep in total darkness 57 years after attaining independence is indeed a backward nation. The matter of power failure is reminiscent of a time when Nigerians believed in the concept of Abiku (the Igbo call it Ogbanje), a mysterious child prodigy who dies shortly after birth and continues to return and die repeatedly to the eternal torment of the parents. The case of electricity in our country has thus become like that of Abiku, with no solution in sight.

It is with this sorry state in view that many of us rejoiced when the highly celebrated former Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, was given the fattest combined portfolio ever in the history of the Nigerian State, as Minister of Works, Power and Housing by President Muhammadu Buhari.

For the record, it must be noted that Fashola was a natural and perfect successor to the brilliant Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in Lagos State. He took Lagos to the next level after a solid foundation was laid by his former boss, under whom he had served as Chief of Staff. It is to Tinubu’s credit that he is able to recognise great leaders from his stable of political acolytes and push them to the fore. Such is the successor to Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, who has taken Lagos further than his predecessors did in the short space of two years.

Buhari must have been a great admirer of Fashola’s good work and great development in Lagos State. It was even rumoured that but for the furore over a likely Muslim/Muslim ticket, Fashola was one of the preferred choices of Buhari for the Vice Presidential candidacy. But Buhari was not ready to risk another round of castigation and conspiracy theory linking him to the possible Islamisation of Nigeria so he opted for a Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, also a product of the Tinubu School of Politics.

Recent events have demonstrated that Buhari’s choice of Vice President had the seal of approval from God as Osinbajo has proved to be a remarkable, astute, competent and dependable leader with a vision for Nigeria.

I did not envy Fashola at all when his appointment and multiple assignments were announced, knowing how complex and complicated Nigeria is. I knew each of those Ministries was big enough to weigh even a King Kong down, talk less of a mere mortal. Some had likened the appointment to that of a de facto Prime Minister.

Well, to whom much is given, much is expected.

Fashola’s situation was dicey and precarious. He was expected to perform some of the miracles of Jesus Christ, either by turning water into wine or raising a dead Lazarus from the dead, as contained in The Holy Bible. Finish. How he was going to accomplish it was nobody’s business. But those who should know knew he was going to meet a brick wall thicker than the ignominious Berlin Wall, in those ugly days gone by. And that was exactly what happened.

Somehow, Nigerians are yet to see any appreciable or significant improvement on the infrastructure deficit of Nigeria. Naturally, they have pounced on Fashola and wondered why his magic wand seems to be failing this time around. Though I knew some of the obvious reasons why things were not running and moving positively, I needed to contact the main man and seek answers to so

Dele Momodu and Babatunde Raji Fashola many nagging and unanswered questions. I was particularly worried about electricity and the roads.

This is because I had seen first hand how the former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, had added over 800 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, ensured several thousand kilometres of roads were tarred or rehabilitated and got a few world-class housing estates built in record time. What then was stopping and messing up the forward march of the giant of Africa, Nigeria?

I made a call to Fashola last week and the cerebral Minister was gracious to grant me access and appointment under short notice. This was not the first time we will discuss politics and the challenges of leadership. He’s been a fastidious reader of my Pendulum column and had called me from time to time, formerly as Governor and lately as Minister, to discuss in a very civilised and positive manner. This is unlike others at his level who tend to take offence at any criticism and see writers as enemies in the figment of their imagination. I’ve since become a great admirer and respecter of his uncommon brilliance, exceptional performance and remarkable example of patriotism.

Right from the main gate, I saw his famous signature of efficiency and thoroughness. My names had been put on every list at every checkpoint on the way to the Minister’s Office. They didn’t have to make endless phone calls to invisible masquerades.

I did not encounter the usual ubiquitous hangers-on that normally litter our corridors of power. Anybody who was visiting or waiting to see the Minister had business to do there. Any casual observer would have noticed and noted that Fashola is a stickler for perfection and excellence despite the fact that his current assignment was almost destroying and demystifying his famed efficiency and efficacy.

I was ushered into his office pronto by his Chief Protocol Officer, Mr Oladimeji Sofowora, my friend of several decades. The Fashola I met

was as cool and calm as a cucumber. He stood to welcome me as we exchanged pleasantries.

Our discussions soon dovetailed into the chronic problems of infrastructure in Nigeria. In recent time, he’s been known and recorded as lamenting and bemoaning the dearth of quality infrastructure in Nigeria.

I fired the first salvo: “why are you not able to perform the same wonders you did as Lagos Governor at the Federal level?” It was meant to be an ordinary visit, meeting and general chat but trust the journalist in me, I was not going to allow this opportunity to slip away like that.

I obviously did not catch Fashola unaware.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (the equivalent of a Queen’s Counsel in England), ostensibly knows his onions and was always prepared and ready to defend his territory like the true footballer he is. I had hosted him in the past in Accra, Ghana, while he was on his playing expedition. “While I do not like to give excuses for challenges or failure, I must establish a few facts quickly…”, he thundered. I listened with rapt attention, like a diligent schoolboy.

I was captivated and enthralled by his thorough and vast knowledge of his subject and Ministries.

Fashola took me on a tour de force of his tenure as Governor of Nigeria’s richest State and the fundamental difference between being a Governor and a Federal Minister: “As Governor of Lagos, I controlled a budget of close to half a trillion naira; now I think Governor Ambode has superseded that. All my three Ministries today combined control about N500 billion only. So I’m expected to spend what alone I spent on one State on all the 36 States of Nigeria and in three major Ministries rolled into one…” I sighed, heavily.

That was not all, he exclaimed! “In Lagos, I had the Executive Power, and interference and protocol and processes were minimal. the Federal government is totally different…” Wow, I also

exclaimed, loudly. I could sense his frustration and feel his pain. On top of this, he was facing tough obstacles in the National Assembly. He said he respects the oversight functions of parliaments but was truly troubled that he was not on the same page with some of the National Assembly members. He believes that they have the same objective but it is just the way that they have not been able to agree that is seeming to demonstrate that there is discord.

I saw some of his preparations for his summons and visit to the National Assembly the following day to report and answer tough questions and queries from members of the Federal House of Representatives. He explained in great detail how he has had to undergo a rigorous tour of every part of Nigeria by land to truly study, experience, understand and decide on the most critical areas to tackle in stages by order of priority. Unfortunately, this did not sound palatable to some powerful and influential Nigerians. According to him, everyone wants him to do their roads first and that was not feasible and not going to be possible in the foreseeable future, given the current financial constraints of government.

The stories are virtually the same in all other Ministries; lack of funding, excessive bureaucracy, budget conundrum, political nepotism and even endless turnover of Ministers. For example, the Ministry of Works must have had about 36 Ministers in about 57 years, out of which Chief Femi Okunnu served the longest for about six years.

There is no continuity. Each Minister comes with new ideas and starts afresh. Fasola has worked assiduously and tirelessly in the past two years and has now mastered his Ministries. If you remove him today, the next person selected would, more than likely, jettison whatever Fashola has started.

This is a major factor militating against some of the reforms that a genius like Fashola is willing and able to activate and actualise with his team.

But, unfortunately, not everyone in government understands that time is of the essence of projects and development and that all problems cannot be fixed at once. We must learn to have targets and priorities. The time and energy we expend on bickering on irrelevant and often trivial matters would have been better spent tackling and solving some of the seemingly intractable problems.

For Fashola, all hopes are not lost. He is determined to succeed where others have failed.

He has fortified himself with the greatest weapon, KNOWLEDGE. He says you can’t fix a problem if you don’t know or understand the nature and cause of the problem. “A Doctor must first diagnose what is wrong with the patient before knowing what medicine to prescribe and at what dosage…”, he said, matter-of-factly. I couldn’t but agree with most of his submissions. The reality of governance is always different from the substance of armchair criticism. Seeing is believing and doing remains the biggest deal. Nigeria is fortunate in that Fashola is a committed patriot who has great faith and confidence in his abilities. He is a man who just wants to do his best for his country and let posterity be the judge thereafter. With dedicated and capable Ministers like Fashola, this government is still likely to deliver on the huge promise and expectation of the people who voted for President Muhammadu Buhari and the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in April 2015.

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