Saturday 19th August 2017

NBS Report about Corruption in Police Misleading, Says Police Paul Obi in Abuja The Nigerian Police yesterday debunked claims contained in a report recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which rated the Police

as the most corrupt institution in Nigeria.

Police Public Relations Officer, CPS Jimoh Moshood said the report failed in many respect to appraise the tremendous efforts by the Police to rid itself of corruption.

He stated: “The Nigeria Police, after a careful study of the report,

wishes to state categorically that it is entirely misleading, a clear misrepresentation of facts, essentially based on hearsays which made it unempirical, and the survey instrument absolutely inadequate and therefore a plain distortion of the improved situation in the force as a result of the renewed

commitment and determination to fight corruption, bribery and corrupt tendencies in the ranks of the personnel of the Force.

"For the avoidance of doubt, since the inception of the present administration of the Nigeria Police in July 2016, after the reported survey has been conducted and concluded, the

Inspector-General of Police has introduced and implemented diverse internal reforms aimed at bringing corruption to zero level in the Force.”

The Police spokesman said this was to ensure that Police officers operate within the principles of the rule of law and respects the rights of Nigerians while

performing their constitutional duties of protecting lives and property and to abhor corruption.

CPS Jimoh Moshood added: "Similarly, to further make police officers imbibe a culture where the rule of law forms the bedrock of our actions and activities, and Continued on page 8

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Redeemed Church Leader, Pastor Adeboye Visits Buhari in London Presidency: It is a show of goodwill Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The list of prominent personalities visiting President Muhammadu Buhari in the United Kingdom swelled yesterday when the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, also visited him at Abuja House, London.

Few hours after the visit, Buhari expressed gratitude to Adeboye for both the visit and his prayers.

The President who expressed his gratitude on his twitter handle

@MBuhari, also prayed God to continue to bless Adeboye and his work.

"I thank Pastor Adeboye for visiting today and for his prayers and good wishes. May God continue to bless him and his work," he tweeted.

Adeboye's visit came 24 hours after Buhari received the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, in the UK. Continued on page 8

Concern Mounts over Amnesty, Contract for Abductors of Lagos Pupils Sylvester Idowu in Warri The National Leadership of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Warri, Delta State calling on the Presidential Adviser on Amnesty Programme, retired Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh to hands off the pipeline surveillance contract or face the wrought of the People.

HOSTCOM said the decision was taken because Boroh allegedly promised to give pipeline surveillance contracts to the abductors of the recent Lagos State School Students, a condition allegedly agreed for their release.

The group noted that it was not against engagement of ex-agitators as it was in Continued on page 8

Buhari: Nigerians Protest in London… Page 55

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS… Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) leader, Pastor Enoch Adeboye in a handshake with President Buhari during his visit to the President in London ...yesteray

Two Killed as Violence Mars APC Chairman's Inauguration in Bayelsa… Page 53

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L-R: President, Dangote Group, Alh. Aliko Dangote; former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; during the funeral service of late Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and Patriarch of the famous Obaseki Family, Justice Andrew Otutu Obaseki in Benin, Edo State ...yesterday

Eulogies as Justice Andrew Obaseki is Buried Governor Obaseki: Late jurist preserved family values He delivered justice in its purest Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The remains of the late Supreme Court Justice, Andrews Otutu Obaseki and the Obaseki of Benin Kingdom was yesterday laid to rest in his compound on Lagos Street, Benin City, Edo State.

The late jurist was an uncle to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.

Delivering his sermon at the funeral service, the Bishop,

Anglican Diocese of Benin, Rev. Peter Imasuen, said everyone would one day give an account of their stewardship to the Almighty God. He said death was no respecter of persons as both the rich and poor would die one day, and urged the people to live in a way that would affect the society positively.

Reading from the Book of Psalms, Chapter 23, Verses 3 and 4, the Bishop said those who

would make heaven are those with clean hearts and not those who swear deceitfully, saying God will judge everyone according to their work on earth.

Governor Obaseki, said he was grateful to his late uncle for helping to preserve their family values like humility, fairness, hard work, honesty, uprightness, education and discipline.

The governor said his uncle stood for education and announced

that the Obaseki family had decided to institute a scholarship scheme for ten members of St Peters Anglican Church, the church the late Justice Obaseki attended while he was alive.

He said five of the scholarships would be given to outstanding indigent students in any secondary school in Edo State, two for students training to become teachers, one for a priest undergoing training and two for

students studying law.

Former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole said the late Justice was a judge who in his time, delivered justice in its purest form.

President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who also graced the service, described him as a great leader and a legal icon who gave his all to the legal profession.

Describing his late father as

a disciplinarian, the eldest son of the deceased, Edosa Obaseki, said his father was a man with a thankful heart who appreciated every little thing done or given to him.

Other dignitaries at the funeral service were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode.

Police officers. It was re-launched by the Inspector General of Police in Abuja in late 2016 and subsequently launched simultaneously by Commissioners of Police in all the Commands of the Thirty Six (36) States of the Federation and the FCT last year.

"This has engendered change of attitudes and good disposition in the conduct of Police Personnel throughout the country towards abstaining from corruption.

"However, it must be pointed out that the Nigeria Police sees the report as a clear demonstration of mischief and calculated attempt to promote campaign of calumny against Police officers.

"Nowhere in the report were references made to either the improved transparency in the Nigeria Police or the sustained daily sacrifice being made by gallant officers and men of the force in confronting criminalities

in the society.

"The renewed determination of the Force to adhere to International Police Reforms and conform to standard principles, building trust and confidence in the citizenry and above all comply and support the Federal Government War Against Corruption remained unequivocal and unwavering," Moshood stated.

The NBS/UNODC report was based on a survey conducted in April and May, 2016 across the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT. "The deliberately ill-timed release of the findings from a survey carried out in 2016, is coming at a time when the Nigeria Police Force has fully keyed into the change mantra of the Federal Government of Nigeria “Change Begins with Me” and total war against corruption,” said CPS Moshood

NBS REPORT ABOUT CORRUPTION IN POLICE MISLEADING, SAYS SPOKESMAN give the fight against corruption the bite and new impetus, this administration has commenced the training of officers on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

"The Act is considered an important legislation because of its innovative provisions, and every Police officer has been enjoined to follow strictly the provisions of the Act.

"This will, to a very large extent, reduce and eliminate instances of unlawful arrests, illegal detentions and inhuman treatments in the police stations across the country that can tempt officers to corruption.

"The X-Squad Unit of the Force responsible for the arrest, detention, investigation and prosecution of any officer found wanting and culpable of

corruption, bribery or corrupt tendencies has been reinvigorated, equipped and its personnel retrained with detachments in all the Thirty Six (36) States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja to deal decisively with corruption allegations made against police officers to eliminate corruption in the Force."

He observed that the Re-launch of Complaint Response Unit

(CRU) to a more broadened Public Complaints Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) was carried out by the current Police Management team to facilitate dynamism and to promptly address complaints against officers of the Force bothering on corruption.

"This unit is responsible for receiving and attending to reports of corruption from members of the public against

REDEEMED CHURCH LEADER, PASTOR ADEBOYE VISITS BUHARI IN LONDON Speaking with THISDAY last night in a telephone conversation on Adeboye's visit, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, described the visit as a show of goodwill from Adeboye, whom he described as a man of tremendous influence across the globe.

Adesina said Adeboye’s visit was significant, saying it further proved wrong the erroneous conception that Buhari was a religious bigot, pointing out that Adeboye's visit to his principal only underscored the level of his acceptability beyond his own religion, Islam.

“It is a show of goodwill from a man of Adeboye’s standing, one of Times Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, who is the leader of millions of Christian faithful across the world.

"His visit to Buhari is also significant because the man had been erroneously tagged a religious bigot. This visit shows Buhari’s acceptability across all faith," Adesina stated.

Earlier, Adesina had announced Adeboye's visit to Buhari on his Facebook page with photographs without giving details. He had only said: "President Buhari receives General Overseer Worldwide of the Redeemed Christian Church of God at Abuja House in London on August 18th, 2017."

The visit of Adeboye yesterday

also showed that in the last one week, Buhari had been visited by three groups of individuals. Last weekend, he received his media team and some other aides led by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

Also in the team were Adesina; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu; Lauretta Onochie, Personal Assistant to Buhari on Digital/Online Media, and Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters.

On Friday, six days later, Buhari also received Saraki and Dogara.

Buhari had first received a delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on July 23, led by the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. Also in the delegation were the Chairman of APC Governors' Forum and Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha; Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, his counterparts in Kaduna and Nasarawa States, Nasir el-Rufai and Umaru Tanko al-Makura, and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

But two days later, on July 25, the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), dispatched to London, seven governors led by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari.

Also in the NGF delegation were PDP governors, David Umahi (Ebonyi) and Udom Emmanuel

(Akwa Ibom).

Other governors in the delegation were Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).

Buhari had left the shores of Nigeria 102 days ago to receive medical treatment in London for an undisclosed ailment. The earlier visits had been prompted by the allegation by the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose that Buhari was on life support in a London Hospital.

Last week, after receiving his media team, Adesina said Buhari told the team that he had longed to return home but was constrained by his doctor's advice which he said had told him to stay back in London, saying the president was left without option than to abide by his doctor's instruction.

"I've learnt to obey my doctor's orders, rather than be the one issuing the orders. Here, the doctor is absolutely in charge," Adesina quoted Buhari as saying.

He also said Buhari thanked those praying for him at home, recalling how his roles in the ouster of former Gambian President, Yahaya Jameh, in January had brought him a huge goodwill across the globe.

"What we did in The Gambia early this year fetched us a lot of goodwill on the African continent.

It gave us a lot of latitude. I thank

all those who are praying. May God reward them," he was further quoted as saying.

Buhari left the shores of Nigeria on May 7 on an indefinite medical vacation after transmitting power to his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

This trip was his second this year after his initial 50-day medical vacation in the United Kingdom's capital.

His continued stay in London has in recent times resulted in various protests and calls for his resignation.

Some others have persistently called on the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to declare the president incapacitated.

Throughout last week, a group of protesters led by rights activist, Dele Adeyanju, and maverick entertainer, Charles Oputa, caused a stir in Abuja, insisting on Buhari's return or resignation on moral grounds.

The protesters anchored their agitation on the theme expressed in pidgin English, "Our Mumu Don Do," which being translated means "we have been foolish enough."

But four days later, another group of protesters, commenced a pro-Buhari protest in the nation's capital, dismissing the protest for his resignation as unnecessary, having complied with the constitutional provision which authorised him to transfer power to his deputy.

CONCERN MOUNTS OVER AMNESTY, CONTRACT FOR ABDUCTORS OF LAGOS PUPILS discussion and collaborating with them towards monitoring and securing the pipelines in the Niger Delta region but was against the alleged inclusion of criminals as exemplified in Boroh's promise to include the kidnappers of the Lagos pupils.

HOSTCOM maintained that giving the abductors of the students the pipeline surveillance contract would encourage other youths into crime.

The HOSTCOM members led by its Acting National Chairman, High Chief Benjamin Style Tamaraebi rallied round major streets of Warri with placards such as “Pipeline Surveillance belongs to HOSTCOM and the Ex-militants”, “HOSTCOM objects to diversion of pipeline Surveillance”, “Leave pipeline Surveillance matters or face

crises”, “Brig. Gen. Boroh should concentrate on the Amnesty only”, “Surveillance contract is the right of host community”, “Pipeline Surveillance for HOSTCOM will keep our youths off the streets” and “No HOSTCOM, No pipeline Surveillance.”

They warned that Boroh should understand that the securing of the pipelines if not given to the host communities would be resisted.

Tamaraebi described Boroh’s alleged statement as "an aberration, a stench vomit, and an affront to the host communities which would be visited with stiff opposition.”

He added: “We expect nothing less than for the Federal Government to invite us to sign the agreement already reached with NNPC who are in charge,” they declared.

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AUGUST 19, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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Yemi

Adebowale

07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Reflections on Anti-Buhari Protests

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any Nigerians still have a lot to learn about the tenets of democracy. It is a shame that countless people are unaware or chose to pretend not to know that protest is a key part of democracy and a constitutional right.

This set of people needs to understand that everybody has a right to protest about any issue, no matter how stupid others consider it.

The best those opposed to the protest can do is to launch a counter-protest and not to attack, blackmail and hound activists. Unfortunately, this is what has been happening to the demonstrators calling for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari because of his ill health and prolonged absence from the country.

Pro-federal government bands have openly termed the Charly Boy-ledOur Mumu Don Do group as “enemies of Buhari and insensitive” to the plight of the President. Some of these hoodwinked people attacked Charly Boy and his team at Wuse market in Abuja on Tuesday. These hoodlums should be told that they have no right to suffocate the democratic right of others.

It is a shame that some policemen also brutalised members of Charly Boy’s group for daring to stand up against the president’s long absence from the country. Scenes of policemen pummeling Charly Boy and his friends with tear gas on August 7 were really depressing.

While harassing the anti–Buhari protesters, pro-Buhari demonstrators were seen being protected by the police. This violates Section 42 of our Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on grounds of political opinion.

For me, the biggest life lesson which we must all learn and imbibe from the Buhari health debacle is that “what goes around comes around”. Buhari’s supporters have all suddenly forgotten that he chastised and mocked the late President Umaru Yar’Adua for clinging on to power while he was ill. We need to remind members of Buhari’s grumpy bands that when the late President Yar’Adua was ail, Buhari advocated for his impeachment in a message issued on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 It is pertinent to remind IGP Ibrahim Idris and his men that Section 94 (4) of the Electoral Amendment Act, 2015 stipulates that “notwithstanding any provision in the Police Act, the Public Order and any regulation made thereunder or any other law to the contrary, the role of the Nigeria Police Force in political rallies, processions and meetings shall be limited to the provision of adequate security as provided in subsection 1 of this section.”

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana was apropos when he remarked that the conduct of the Police should be a source of embarrassment to President Buhari, “who famously advised the

late President Yar’Adua to resign when the latter was ill for a long time.” Falana added: “Every Nigerian has the right to hold rallies for or against the government. That right should not be enjoyed at the discretion of those in power. The federal government must put an immediate end to the disruption of public meetings and rallies by the Police and other security agencies.”

For me, the biggest life lesson which we must all learn and imbibe from the Buhari health debacle is that “what goes around comes around”. Buhari’s supporters have all suddenly forgotten that he chastised and mocked the late President Umaru Yar’Adua for clinging on to power while he was ill. We need to remind members of Buhari’s grumpy bands that when the late President Yar’Adua was ail, Buhari advocated for his impeachment in a message issued on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. Buhari also urged the Federal Executive Council to declare the late Yar’Adua incapacitated and have him impeached due to his inability to carry out his official duties. Buhari, who spoke when members of the National Unity Forum paid him a visit in his house in Kaduna, said Yar’Adua’s removal was the only viable option out of the political logjam caused by his long absence. He also criticised the then National Assembly for using “extra-constitutional measures” to empower Goodluck Jonathan as Acting President “when the constitution already had a solution to the problem.”

Buhari added in his remark in 2010: “Political expediency won’t remedy this kind of problem because if the Executive

Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Wages of Pride Pride destroys. This is one reality most people fail to face until it suddenly happens. This, perhaps, sums up the story of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State and his dwindling influence in the state. While his reign lasted, after “making” Abdullahi Ganduje governor, Kwankwaso’s presence in Kano often brought government activities to a stop. He would summon Ganduje as soon as he was in town. His influence on Ganduje became imperious. For almost 10 months, Kwankwaso practically turned Ganduje (his erstwhile deputy) into a puppet. The man in Ganduje died, as he was taking instructions from Kwankwaso on virtually all issues. The former governor decided who got what, when and how much in the state. This former governor did not know when to show respect to the incumbent governor. Kwankwaso wanted him to remain his “house boy”. Just 10 months into this oppression, Ganguje woke up from his slumber and resisted the coercion. Three weeks ago, the Kano governor finally buried the Kwankwasiyya movement by fully taking over the party structure in the state with the installation of his man, Abdullahi Abbas as Kano State Chairman of APC. Senator Kabiru Gaya and Senator Barau Jibrin of Kano South and Kano North respectively,

have also teamed up with Ganduje in this war against godfathers. It is heartwarming to note that Governor Ganduje is now a free man. He has fully dislodged members of the Kwankwasiyya Amana political movement in his cabinet and the Kano APC leadership in the interest of the people. However, Kwankwaso is putting pressure on the national leadership of the APC to recognise Umar Doguwa who was removed as the Kano APC Chairman.

Odigie Oyegun has remained silent on this.

Some governors across the country are still under the yoke of their godfathers.

Some of these incumbent governors are happy taking instructions from their predecessors. They are simply errand boys. I hope the development in Kano State will motivate these eaglet governors to fight for their emancipation from the shackles of godfathers. The story in town now is that Kwankwaso is planning to defect to the PDP and has vowed to replace the governor in 2019. This is the same PDP he destroyed in 2014. Suddenly, he wants to return to the camp of the conservatives after being humiliated in Kano APC. This country can’t make any progress with politicians like Kwankwaso. He should continue dreaming about uprooting Ganduje. With the way things are going in

Kwankwaso

Kano State, I suspect that Kwankwaso would not wake up from his dream until after the 2019 elections. All powers belong to God and our politicians must learn to use power to the glory of God. My takeaway today is that we must always remember that we are in this world for the moment. This should always guide our actions and inactions.

Boko Haram’s Siege in Madagali, Konduga It is sad that Boko Haram terrorists have spent the last three weeks attacking Konduga (near Maiduguri) and Madagali (Adamawa State) with impunity. On Tuesday, suicide bombers killed 27 people at a market in Konduga. About 82 others, who were badly injured, were transferred from the General Hospital, Konduga to State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri.

Less than two weeks ago, four persons were killed by heavily armed terrorists at Wanori-Amarwa community in Konduga.

In Madagali, the terrorists are still wreaking havoc. This month alone, they have

carried out four deadly attacks in this hapless town. Just on Monday, they launched attacks on some communities in Madagali, leaving scores dead. Nyibango and Muduhu enclaves were the worst victims.

Last week, the terrorists attacked Ghumbili and Midlu villages, leaving scores dead. Midlu and Vapura villages were earlier attacked, with seven people killed.

The Madagali Council Chairman, Yusuf Muhammed was in tears while recounting the ordeals of the affected villages.

“They killed many people, slaughtered livestock and razed the villages during the attacks,” lamented Muhammed. The

lawmaker representing Madagali/ Michika Federal Constituency Adamu Kamale confirmed my earlier report that the terrorists are roaming freely in Madagali. For how long must we continue burying innocent people? We must continue to put pressure on the military to do the needful before more communities in Adamawa fall under the control of the terrorists. The situation in Borno State is also not getting better. It is pertinent to rejig the military leadership in charge of this war. I am convinced that Allah will give victory to our gallant soldiers.

Council of the Federation had acted in accordance with the constitution, by invoking the necessary sections to declare the President incapacitated, we would not have found ourselves in this present situation. As you can see, adopting extra-constitutional measures have not addressed the problem. If it had, we would not have been subjected to the raging debates and controversy going on. So, we must go back to the constitution. The Executive Council of the Federation must do the right thing because once we start moving away from the constitution, then we are inviting anarchy. The Federal Executive Council must save the nation from the current agony by declaring the president (Yar’Adua) incapacitated to pave the way for his impeachment.”

My very good friend, Lai Mohammed, who was the Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress, also jabbed Yar’Adua and demanded that Nigerians should be given daily update on Yar’Adua to stem the rumours about his health. He added in the statement in 2009: “The ACN calls on the Federal Executive Council, the only body constitutionally empowered to start the process of determining whether or not the President can continue in office on the basis of his health, to rise above mundane considerations and put the nation’s interest first.”

Today, Buhari’s legion of sycophants is violently opposed to anybody appraising or demonstrating against their principal’s ill health and long absence from home. Such critics are tagged unpatriotic and their utterances “absurd”.

This is the pinnacle of hypocrisy. Those opposed to critical questions about the health of the nation’s President are hypocrites and are doing a great disservice to the nation.

Lagos City’s Poor Rating by the Economist I have spent quality time reading the 2017 Liveable Cities report of the London Economist magazine. My dear Lagos city was ranked 139 out of 140 cities evaluated by the Economist’s Intelligence Unit and remained second, behind Damascus on the annual report by the Economist. This was the same horrific position it occupied last year. The survey, released on Wednesday, scores cities on five broad categories: stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, culture and environment. Even conflict-torn cities like Tripoli were ranked higher than Lagos city. Facilities in public health and education institutions in the city of Lagos and its suburbs are still deplorable. This is the truth that must be told to encourage Governor Ambode to raise his game. Just visit a public school or health institution around you and you will understand what I am saying. What about the frightening heaps of refuse in Lagos city and its suburbs? What about its epileptic public water supply? The level of crime in this city is also horrendous. Inner roads are in tatters. Those querying the Economist’s report on Lagos city should continue in their delusion. Members of Ambode’s band will tell us that he is doing his best to tackle this rot. Well, he has to do more for Lagos city to join enviable cities like Melbourne with quality infrastructure.

The Australian city was ranked number one out of 140 cities evaluated, slightly ahead of the Austrian capital Vienna, with the Canadian trio of Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary completing the top five. These are the great cities Lagos city must strive to emulate. My dear Ambode, decaying infrastructure and rising crime are indeed eroding living conditions in Lagos city and its suburbs.

Ambode

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News Editor ÒË×ÏÐßÖË ÑÌß ͸΀͹͹;Ϳͽ΁΀͹͸ ̙sms only) Email ËÒË×ÏÐßÖ˲ÙÑÌß̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×˞

BUILDING WEATH ...

L – R : Mark Ifashe, Head Emerging Businesses; Chioma Afe, Divisional Head, Corporate Communications; Uzoma Dozie, CEO, all of Diamond Bank Plc; Peter Bamkole, Director; Nneka Okekearu, Deputy Director all Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) at the Building Entreprenuers Today (BET 7) Press Conference held in Lagos recently

Two Killed as Violence Mars APC Chair's Inauguration in Bayelsa Emmanuel AddehinYenagoa The relative peace enjoyed by residents of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital, was shattered yesterday following a clash between two factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which resulted in the death of two persons.

Many people, including journalists were wounded in the clash, which was the peak of a crisis that had torn the party in the state between a group loyal to Chief Timipre Sylva, a former Governor of the state and another faction that is loyal to Tiwei Orunimighe, erstwhile Chairman, who was expelled by the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) two weeks ago.

The victims of the violence, THISDAY gathered, were shot during an alleged exchange of gunfire between operatives of the Nigerian police and the faction loyal to Orunimighe, which attempted to forcibly take over the secretariat of the party during the inauguration of the new Acting Chair, Joseph Fafi.

What started as a peaceful protest by the aggrieved faction, got out of hand when the police tried to stop the placard-wielding demonstrators from taking over the secretariat and

disrupting the event just before the arrival of party leaders that were to conduct the ceremony.

Among those killed were a man said to be a member of the party from Sagbama Local Council Area of the State and another young man who was hawking his wares at the venue of the event.

Some Journalists covering the ceremony, including a reporter with Rhythm FM, Jese Ese, also sustained injuries while trying to jump the barbed wire fence of the secretariat, located on the Yenagoa-Mbiama Road in Kpansia, Yenagoa.

The armed thugs had disguised as protesters and beaten the security barricade mounted by the security operatives before heading directly to the APC secretariat complex.

Some party faithful of the APC were said to have raised the alarm that the protesters were armed with dangerous weapons, which led to their being engaged by the police.

The sporadic gunshots caused panic among party supporters, leading to a stampede, with many sustaining different degrees of injuries.

But despite the killings, leaders of the party in the state, Ex-Governor Sylva and the Minister of State for

Agriculture and Rural Development, Heineken Lokpobiri, who came in after calm had returned, continued with the ceremony to swear in the new Chairman.

Speaking during the inauguration, Sylva said he moved against the expelled party chairman, his Deputy, Eddy Julius and Secretary, Malin Daniel, because they were trading with the party and that they allegedly served as moles for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the State Governor, Seriake Dickson.

“Let me apologise to the APC members that for a long time, the party was stagnant in Bayelsa and nothing was happening. It was because of some wicked chairman who was trading with the APC. “This is a man you all know how we brought him up from nothing; from nothing, we made him a council chairman; from nothing, we made him a party chairman,” he stated.

He added that a statement allegedly made by Governor Dickson that the APC and PDP in the state were working together, when the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, visited the state, was pregnant with meanings.

“When the Acting President visited Bayelsa during the peace

UN Building Search: Australia, Canada Germany Reiterate Commitment to Humanitarian Assistance Alex Enumah in Abuja No fewer than 14 members of the donor community have reiterated their commitment to the provision of humanitarian assistance to victims of Boko Haram insurgents in the north eastern part of Nigeria.

The reassurances followed the Federal government timely admittance that it's Military invasion of a building belonging to the United Nations in Maiduguri was a mistake.

The military had on August 11, 2017, carried out what it described as a cordon and search operation at a building housing the United Nations (UN) staff in Maiduguri following alert on high profile Boko Haram members.

However, the military's action received wide condemnation from both within and outside prompting the Federal government to make a public clarification and also reassured of its

commitment to uphold the principles of international humanitarian law that guarantees protection for all humanitarian organisations.

The donor community which include Australia, Canada, Germany, Denmark and Finland in a statement made available to THISDAY confirmed their commitment to continue to support humanitarian operations in North east as well as their continued support to the UN and other international aid agencies in the area.

"The below members of the donor community wish to express their concern with respect to the unauthorised search by the Nigerian military of a United Nations building in Maiduguri, Borno State on 11 August 207.

"We welcome the clarifications provided by the Nigerian government at the Federal and State levels and we take note of the acknowledgement

that this operation was a mistake," part of the statement read.

While they appreciated government’s commitment to the upholding of the principles of international Humanitarian Law regarding humanitarian organisations, they went ahead to confirm their commitment to the humanitarian needs in the northeast.

“We wish to confirm our commitment to support humanitarian operations in northeast Nigeria, and reaffirm our determination to continue to work closely with the government of Nigeria, the United Nations and other international aid agencies to assist and protect the most vulnerable in the region,” part of the statement read.

Other members of the donor community which signed the statement are the European Union, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

tour, Governor Dickson said the APC and PDP were working together. The working he was talking about is in the minds of the expelled chairman and the governor.

“We gave him time so as to allow him change his ways but he refused.

He kept moving deeper into the mud.

He is no longer an issue. No one should talk about him again because he is no longer an issue.

“This is our party and our state. We all want what is good for the people.

The ship of APC is moving and we cannot take it backward,” Sylva said.

He dispelled insinuations that he, the minister, as well as other party leaders in the state were mere ‘Abuja politicians', describing the allegation as laughable, promising that “from today onward, we will continue to be with the members of our party regularly.”

Sylva had earlier described the attack on the party secretariat as ‘cowardly and wicked', telling the crowd which included his running mate during the last governorship election, Wilberforce Igiri and a former Acting Governor, Werinipre Seibarugu, that those involved in the attack and their sponsors were “too small” to intimidate the APC.

Also in his remarks, Lokpobiri, a serving minister, agreed with Sylva, stressing that those expelled were hiding within the APC as PDP moles.

“All the party did was to follow the constitution of the APC. And the APC is a party that abides by the rule of law. The bad days are over.

And I have consulted with our party leader and the members will enjoy our presence more as from now,” the minister assured.

A member of the State House of Assembly, M. Israel Sunny-Igoli in his reaction, accused Orunimighe and ex-militant leader, General Africa Ukpariasa of masterminding the attack.

At least one person has been feared dead as armed men allegedly led by the suspended chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa state, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe and repentant militant leader, Afrikanus Ukparasia invaded the meeting venue of the party.

In the violent attack, former governor of Bayelsa state, Chief Timipre Sylva and the minister of state for Agriculture,Senator Heineken Lokpobiri narrowly escaped death as the two buses conveying the assailants shot sporadically at the gathering killing one person. An eye witness said the

vehicles were marked in Bayelsa state plate numbers.

Orunimighe was suspended, after the party severally accused him of antiparty activities having allegedly worked for Dickson in the last governorship election of the state.

Meantime, Miriki Ebikibina, a Senior Special Assistant on Politics to Dickson, has described the violence as unacceptable in the state.

“The violence and the pandemonium caused is regrettable because it is coming a day after the meeting of the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo with the state governors and security officials on hate speeches and security challenges faced by states.

“It is not only most unfortunate, regrettable and totally unaccepted but speaks volume of the party activities in the state. The APC's activities in Bayelsa are characterized by violence, thereby threatening the relative peace and calm.

“The Acting President and the leadership of the APC should call their party members to order and respect the right to peace and freedom of movement of the defenceless citizens of the state, who are going about their legitimate business”, the governor’s aide said.

Ibadan to have 32 Obas as Olubadan Retains Paramount Rulership Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, may next month have a 32 beaded crownwearing Obas, while the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, will maintain his status as the paramount ruler of the ancient city if the recommendation of a Commission on the issue is implemented.

The highpoint of the recommendations by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry for the review of the existing 1957 Declaration of Olubadan of Ibadanland and other related chieftaincies in Ibadanland, set up by the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi is that more Obas stools be created.

To reduce the lengthy years it takes a potential Olubadan to get to the pinnacle of the two chieftaincy lines producing the Olubadan on rotational basis, the panel has also recommended the reduction of the rungs from the existing 22 to 11 on the Otun line, while the Balogun line was reduced to 12 from 23.

The implication being that the

Ikolaba chieftaincy will now become the entry point for a potential high chief, instead of Jagun chieftaincy as currently stands, if the recommendations sail through.

These were highlights of the report presented to the governor by the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Akintunde Boade (retd) at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan, on Friday.

The presentation of the report by the 11-member commission was witnessed by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, led by the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun and Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin.

Others included members of Ibadan Council of Elders, representatives of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), all the local government chairmen from Ibadanland and other eminent personalities of Ibadan extraction.

Receiving the report, the governor said no effort would be spared to ensure that the recommendations

were implemented as early as next month.

Ajimobi said that his administration’s resolve to carry out a comprehensive review of the Olubadan chieftaincy was in response to the requests by the Olubadan-in-Council, Ibadan elders, members of CCII and others.

Insisting that the exercise was not new, the governor recalled that previous administrations had reviewed the chieftaincy declaration, but could not muster the political will to implement their respective reports.

He said that review was necessary in order to enhance the status of the Olubadan, to be in line with what obtained in other states in Yorubaland as well as to conform to the modern trend in culture and tradition.

The governor said that he was not unmindful of the pockets of opposition to the move, noting that he was not bothered as long as those in support were overwhelmingly in the majority.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY AUGUST 19, 2017

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

COMMENTARY

SITUATING NIGERIANYOUTH FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Dennis Erezi argues the need to invest more in the youth

W

ithout a doubt, the youth are the foundation of positive and negative picture of any society. Their energies, inventiveness, character and orientation define the pace of development and security of a nation. Through their creative talents and labour power, a nation makes giant strides in economic development and socio-political attainments.

In all societies of the world, a virile youth is the bedrock on which national integration and development is predicated. The youth are the back bone and the building blocks of any nation. It is a fact that the stronger the youth, the more developed a nation is. The role of the youth in the nation-building process cannot be overemphasised as countries that develop and utilise their youth in the right direction seem to be more developed. The energy and brightness of the minds of youth act as torch-bearer for a nation.

There is a confirmed connection between the prosperity of a nation and its youth development system.

The late British politician and writer, Benjamin Disraeli, had rightly described ‘Youth of a Nation as the Trustees of Posterity’.

It is in the reality of this that many nations have made concerted efforts in galvanising integrated approach in putting in place youth development structures that have a very high propensity to be a catalyst for their national growth. On the contrary, the countries which fail to realise the importance of the youth lag behind in every aspects of life.

It is, therefore, in realisation of the positive value that the youth could add to the growth and development of any society, that the United Nations set aside August 12 to celebrate the International Youth Day. First celebrated in August 2000, the primary objective is to draw public awareness to youth-related issues and values.

The 2017 edition of International Youth Day, themed: “Youth Building Peace”, was aimed at stressing the principal role anticipated of the youth in global peaceful coexistence among the people and the drive for positive change for development through the transformative and resourceful force of the youths which has been identified by national leaders globally including Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari.

Any nation that denies its youth the necessary enabling environment to enthusiastically participate in nation- building does so at its own peril. Nation-building is a dynamic process that calls for the participation of all segments of the society, including the often-overlooked and undermined youth population and resourcefulness.

As youth are brought into and connected with national issues and programmes, they can participate actively and contribute to decision making at multiple levels. As youths are engaged in more sustained positive relationships with adults, other youths, and national development programmes, apart from realising that they are valued citizens of their nations, such collaborations and participation may lead to skill enhancement, empowerments and confidence-building traits, which will help prepare them for active interest and involvement in nation-building.

It is important to note that young people play a crucial role in the prospect for development and should be included in all National Development Plans and Programmes. But reality shows that attention to youth has not been sufficient and more needs to be done considering the practical implications of shifting perceptions of youth and the role they can play in the society.

These conceptual issues related to the barriers to effective youth participation in national development such as lack of education, unemployment, extreme poverty, diverse illnesses and diseases, discrimination and cynicism from both adults and young people

IN NIGERIA, THE GREATEST CHALLENGE CONFRONTING THE YOUTH TODAY IS UNEMPLOYMENT, AND WHICH HAS BECOME A MAJOR NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGE

themselves about participation, competence, and institutional resistance.

In Nigeria, the greatest challenge confronting the youth today is unemployment, and which has become a major national security challenge. Despite alleged success of various youth empowerment programmes across the country, over 54 % of Nigeria youth remain unemployed. The unemployment record in the country clearly portrays an increase in idle hands across the length and breadth of Nigeria. It is often said that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. Activities of groups such as Boko-Haram, Niger Delta militants, Biafra agitators and recently, the Badoo group have serious implications for national security in the country. Sadly, some of these rebellious groups have youths at the forefront of their nefarious activities.

It is a known fact that youths possess a transformative force.

They are creative, resourceful and enthusiast agents of change.

Therefore, the need for youth to be listened to and productively engaged cannot be over-emphasised. Youths can determine whether this era moves towards a great peril or a more positive change. Let us support the young people of our world so they can grow into adults and a true platform for more powerful leaders of coming generations.

Unfortunately, in our clime, youth are not being given the needed platform to freely express themselves. Though they have always been touted as ‘future leaders’ since God knows when, our nation clearly needs a spiritual or physical veil remover for us to act the saying: ‘the future is now’ for us to stop saying the potential leaders of tomorrow are too young to lead alongside other flimsy excuses.

Around the world, there is a growing recognition of the need to strengthen policies and investments in young people. We need a properly marshalled policy aimed at harnessing the innate and budding potential of the youth. In Nigeria, the youth almost do not have a voice in the scheme of things. Unemployment, lack of opportunities, faulty educational system, repressive political system, dwindling economic fortunes, among others, are mostly responsible for the suppression of the voice of the youth in our dear nation.

However, it needs to be stressed that the Nigerian youth need to be more focused, creative and disciplined if they are to actually become real agents of change in the country. The Agriculture and ICT sectors, especially, represent areas where the youth could truly make enormous impact in the country, if only they could become more forward-looking.

The trend of rural/urban migration by Nigerian youth has drastically reduced the capacity of agriculture to sustain the economy which has capacity to provide job for over 70% of the youth. Sadly, lots of youth idle away in cities rather than getting engaged in agriculture at the country side. Similarly, advancement in ICT presents numerous prospects for the youth to become creative, productive and prosperous. Unfortunately, rather than exploit the positive and resourceful sides of ICT, some youths have turned it into a tool of defrauding and tricking unassuming individuals through the infamous “yahoo, yahoo ” syndrome.

On a final note, governments, NGOs, youth-based organisations and other relevant stakeholders need to regularly enlighten and properly guide the country’s youth to imbibe the positive sides of life. Also, our education curriculum should be reviewed to reflect contemporary realities that would assist the youth to contribute meaningful to national development.

Erezi is on Industrial Attachment with the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

THE PRIZE OF HARD WORK

Taraba State is reaping its investments in education, writes Simon Baba

T

his is the season of the good things for Taraba State. In May this year, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku was rated among the 10 best performing governors in the area of service delivery in the country by THISDAY newspaper. In fact, the state was number six out of that group of 10.

Now, the state has emerged among the top 10 states in the 2017 West African School Certificate Examination ranking that has just been released. This is the second time the state is finishing so impressively in WAEC performance in two consecutive years. Last year, Taraba recorded 67.3 per cent, the highest the state has ever attained in its 27-year history.

These achievements are not accidental occurrences. And it is no surprise that they are happening in the two years under Ishaku’s leadership. They are a product of the new vision and discipline that his administration has deployed in the running of all departments of social services, including education.

The more significant aspect of this development in the education sector is the consistency in the annual results since Ishaku became governor. They good results have come back to back in two years.

It is a huge credit for the Ishaku administration which has consistently motivated teachers through regular payment of salaries and improvement in the states of the school environments and payment of examination fees for the students.

For a state which had many of its social activities,

including educational institutions, disrupted for several years due to communal crises in the past, the results in WAEC performances under the Ishaku administration are a testimony to the commitment of the administration to its rescue agenda.

His peace initiative has worked magic in several communities and helped to stabilise economic and social activities including the school system. What these impressive records have confirmed about the state is that the administration has successfully rescued education from the jaws of neglect and decadence of the pre-Ishaku years.

It is also a sign of greater things to come in that sector. The administration’s agenda for the repositioning of education is a huge project and it is still work in progress. For example, government is recruiting 3,000 additional teachers for primary and secondary schools. This will greatly enhance the quality of instruction in the schools and impact positively on students’ overall performances in critical examinations.

On Monday, August 7, 2017, members of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) stormed Government House, Jalingo, to show appreciation for this and other good things the administration has done for the people of the state. The team led by its chairman, Comrade Naphtali Kefas had all the 16 Local Government Council chairmen on it. They came on a “thank

you” visit to Governor Darius Ishaku. Explaining further the mission of the team, Kefas said the visit was an opportunity for members to also apologise to the governor for their initial misunderstanding and resistance to his decision to do a verification of the councils’ payroll. “Now we can understand your reason for the verification. The payroll was highly bloated and was full of ghost workers. We thank you for successfully cleaning it up and for the commencement of payment of salaries to our members”, he said.

The NULGE leader praised Ishaku for restoring sanity to the local government system in the state.

“You have done a great job for the state and we have come to pledge our loyalty and support for your administration. You have given hope to retirees by setting up the machinery for them to be paid regularly and we appreciate your efforts.”

He said with the regular payment of retirees, workers in the state will no longer be scared about retirement.

He said the union’s leaders were also in Government House to acknowledge the good works the administration has done in all the other sectors in the state. “You turned agriculture around in the most dramatic way, the Green House project and the booming rice farms are evidences of this great turn-around. You have also done several roads and among them are some of the long forgotten

ones. You have renovated hospitals and given employment to thousands of our young graduates through the employment opportunities created by your administration and the skills acquisition programmes. We appreciate the on-going recruitment of 3000 teachers”, he said.

In a short remark, Governor Ishaku said the visit of the NULGE officials was one of his happiest moments in government. He said it was the first time people were coming to him to say “thank you” for a job well done. And for this “thank you” to have come from workers who are more used to making demands and issuing threats to their employers, it is something that I value tremendously”, he said.

He said experience has shown that most of the times, workers come with demands “and when you meet these demands, they go away quietly, showing no appreciation.”

He told the NULGE leaders that his administration was a listening and caring one and urged workers generally to always opt for dialogue in the pursuit of their demands. “Protests do not solve problems. Dialogue does”, he said. He also reminded labour leaders of the objective of trade unionism which he said is all about attracting benefits for those that they represent and that those benefits can be better achieved through negotiation and dialogue.

Baba wrote from Jalingo, Taraba State

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

INSIGHT

Back to life...

Nigeria’s Dwindling Value System

Citizen Observation and Credible Polls

T

he importance of citizens especially youths to democratic advancement cannot be overemphasized. Youth participation in ensuring transparent governance is an obligation. In this vein, election, the fulcrum of democracy, has to be taken seriously by the authorities and the citizens who are always at the receiving end of consequences emanating from political choices. Close observation and monitoring of elections especially in Africa has become a phenomenon and evolved significantly in the first years of the 21st century.

Observation of elections by the citizens has become one of the global yardsticks for assessing credibility and transparency of an election, highlighting specific recommendations for improvement and garner support of their international community for genuine democratic elections. Also, election observation promotes public confidence in the democratic process.

One of the techniques devised to deepen democratic process through close monitoring of elections is the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology which made its name in the Philippines when the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) exposed the issues involved with the 1986 Philippine Presidential election.

While the PVT methodology which uses statistics and Information Communication Technology to calculate elections result using trained accredited citizen observers may not be a popular concept amongst Nigerians, it has proven to be a dependable means of verifying elections results over the years.

Citizen observation also successfully ended the 27 years reign of former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda when a group of citizen observers called Z-vote revealed to the public how Kaunda had woefully lost the 1991 elections but the electoral commission announced him as the winner. The accurate figures obtained via observers’ analysis left Kaunda with no choice but to step down.

In recent times, citizen observation was also successfully deployed in the 2016 general elections in Zambia; Tunisia in 2014, Burkina Faso in 2015, Ivory Coast in 2015, Ghana in 2016 and Nigeria in 2011 and 2015. Nigeria has also experienced a fair share of citizen observers during elections as non-governmental organisations deployed observers for both general elections in 2011 and 2015 including gubernatorial elections in Ondo, Ekiti and Osun States.

Nigerian citizens should know that political

apathy like the one experienced during the last local government elections in Lagos and much more will do more harm than good to governance as participation will strengthen electoral commissions in discharging their duties accurately.

In view of the foregoing, a civic hub dedicated to the promotion of democracy, accountability and citizens’ participation, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA) recently deployed 75 observers to rotationally observe at least 225 wards out of the 326 Continuous Voters Registration ward centres across Anambra State in the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise. This was to observe and report to the Independent National Electoral Commission the entire registration process ranging from the opening of centres and registration of prospective voters.

Citizen Observation could also cover certain areas like the functionality of the new Direct Data Capturing machine and the time frame it takes to register as this will help INEC in sorting out related issues in time for the coming elections.

Moshood Isah, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement

S

ometimes ago, there was a popular Nollywood movie with a thought-provoking and telling title: “Died Wretched but Buried in N3.2 million Casket”. For somebody who does not understand the African culture, it denotes how in Nigeria we prefer to spend huge funds to celebrate the dead, somebody who could have been saved by a little amount of money on medicals. Here, someone can be terminally sick for years without any attention or help from anywhere. Fast forward to when the person dies and you begin to see people flying from one part of the world to the other to ‘celebrate’ his exemplary life with a big, fancy, noisy party. This begs the question: what is really our value system as a people?

In recent times, the tendency of people hanging around emergency scenes without a natural mental disposition to help the victims but as “social media reporters” should be of grave concern to discerning minds. Nowadays, when people get to tragic scenes, rather than offering the needed assistance, they would rather bring out their phones and start recording so as to share on various social media platforms.

Recently, a lady that was drowning in a pool and a guy who could swim just watched her die. When the guy was asked why he did not help, he said he

T H E SAT 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

did not want to jump into the pool with his phone and if he left the phone behind, it might be stolen.

Implication: he valued his phone ahead of a human life. Yet, he recorded the drowning scene. What really is the worth of the human life in Nigeria?

Just a few days ago, a ritualists’ den was discovered in a part of Lagos with startling revelations. Only God actually knows how many souls have become victims of ritual killings in the country. At the end of the day, only the little criminals are caught while the real kingpins in the ritualists’ chain are let off the hook.

Some of the kingpins could even be top shots in some of the nation’s critical sectors.

How can we claim to have value for human life when the national minimum wage leaves much to desire? Almost every aspect of our national life diminishes our human values. How can we claim to be a people of sound values when traditional, academic, judicial, religious and other such hitherto revered institutions openly pervert justice?

Recently, a student, Ayodele Dada broke the 54-year-old cumulative grade point average (CPGA) record of the University of Lagos by graduating with 5.00. His reward? A laptop! To achieve that incredible feat, Dada had an A in all his courses. Now that is simply ingenious. On the other side of the divide, Efe Ejeba, the winner of 2017 edition of Big Brother Naija was rewarded with N25 million and a brand new KIA Sorento after 90 days work. On top of this, he was offered a chieftaincy title of the prince of Okpe kingdom in Delta State. That simply sums up the weird direction of our value system now toes. Now, since we have chosen to celebrate artificial and superficial glory at the expense of real success, we need not be taken aback that vices such as kidnapping, cultism and gangsterism, among others, are taking the centre stage in our beloved country.

The worst part of our warped value system is that we don’t take responsibility for our lives and destiny.

We don’t take responsibility for anything. It is only in Nigeria, and perhaps other African countries that there would be mass killing somewhere and the police hierarchy would be waiting for the ‘body language’ of some powers that be before actually taking step to do the needful. Sadly, we still pontificate on the illusion that books like, “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” provide. We still believe that Lord Lugard caused our problems by lumping seemingly disunited groups together. If we don’t put the blame for our several woes at the doorstep of politicians, we blame it on the military. Sadly, the blame game continues endlessly. Poor people!

Jedidiah Omisore, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 19, 2017

POLSCOPE

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356

Buhari’s Ill Health and Matters Arising

I

t was 100 days as at last Wednesday since President Muhammadu Buhari travelled to London for medical treatment. Ever since then, he had been the butt of many jokes and ill comments.

But for just a handful of political jobbers, the general wish of the Nigerian people is for President Buhari to quickly recover and return to his post.

However, the handlers of the president had elevated the normal issue of a president’s health to a coded state secret.

The President’s health status has simply been mystified, making it appear like the President is a traditional monarch whose health status is sacrilegious and thus cannot be discussed or enquired into by mere mortals. If that is true of ancient monarchs, it cannot subsist for a democratically-elected president.

Till date, Nigerians do not know for sure what our president is suffering from. The secrecy around and about his health has understandably, generated conspiratorial conclusions and inaccurate conjectures. The handlers had so treated the health status like classified information so much that even the official media team/ spokesmen of the president do not or did not have reliable first-hand information about their principal.

Until last week, when the media team was graciously allowed to visit Mr President in London, they hardly knew better than a man on the street, as they had relied hugely on secondary sources of information. Bad! The experience of the media team betrays the scant regard the president’s handlers have for the Nigerian public.

In fact, it was rumoured (we had to rely on rumours, in the absence of valid reports) that Mrs Aisha Buhari’s first visit to London to see her ailing husband was a fiasco as she was not even allowed to see her husband, and soon returned to merely say her husband would soon be back. This is over 50 days that she said so and we are still waiting for the soonness of the “soon”.

Even though everybody agrees that it is natural to fall ill, get treated and recover or die, those around Mr President have, by their modus operandi, seemed to present the President as a Dues ex machina. Even then, machines do break down, let alone a 73-year-old man.

Why should Nigerians not know what is wrong with their president? Those who have merely called for prayers for the president without full disclosure of the ailment troubling him, forget that prayers are better answered when the prayer points are clear and unambiguous. Why is it such a big deal disclosing the nature of Mr President’s sickness?

In the sad instance of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s case, that was the same way Nigerians were kept in the dark on what was actually wrong with their president. It was not until “quarter to” before Nigerians were told of the ‘jaw-breaking sickness… “pericarditis” while some other medics say the then Mr President was manifesting symptoms of Churg Strauss syndrome (whatever that means). It was later simply interpreted to be lung cancer.

I am often reluctant to compare our brand of governance with those of America or other developed economies. But was the world not told, just less than a month ago, of how the 80-year-old Republican Senator, John McCain, was diagnosed of “glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer” and how he had to undergo surgery to remove the blood clot on his left eye? Such lucid details of an ailment (as Nigerians would say) for an “ordinary” senator. So imagine if it is their president.

It is doubly sad in this instance given the fact that not only is Buhari a Nigerian property, the Nigerian state is indeed picking his medical bill and all the other concomitant expenses of both the feeding, allowances, welfare of all those around the President in London, as well as the trending practice of trips by Nigerian government officials to visit the president in London. Nigeria is paying and so perfectly deserving to have full details.

It is both rude and wrong for one of Buhari’s aides, Lauretta Onochie, an emerging puppet presidential bouncer, to claim that it

Buhari was bad manners for any Nigerian to demand to know the health status of Mr President simply because Buhari properly handed over power to his deputy, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

For crying out loud, does Onochie need to be told that Mr President is an employee of the Nigerian electorate? If an employee is going on sick leave, the employer reserves the right to grant a sick leave with pay or a sick leave without pay, especially in a circumstance that seems to be an ad infinitum. If Onochie was a chief executive of a going concern would she continue to pay a sick employee without knowing exactly what is wrong with the staff?

Let no one misinterpret me. Mr President is fully deserving to be treated and cared for by the Nigerian state, no matter the cost. Even Local Government chairmen get treated with public funds. After all, the total cost of the treatment, directly and indirectly, is not anything compared to the roguery going on in government, albeit illegally. The point to make therefore is that Nigerians deserve to be told wholly what the problem is with Mr President.

This is even doubly so knowing that on this “second missionary journey”, Nigerians are at the mercy of the whims and caprices of the British doctors on whose instruction alone, President Buhari will return home.

Even the shameful issue that at almost after 57 years of nationhood, Nigeria does not have a reliable and efficient health system that can take care of her president, but has to run back to our colonial overlords, deserves a deeper exegesis. But that will be a matter for another day.

The President had, on his “first missionary journey”, done 49 days of absence for a journey initially programmed to last 10 days. He returned on March 10.

Before he returned then, top government officials kept deceiving Nigerians that Mr President was “in good shape”, “he is in high spirit”, “he is as fit as fiddle”, etc. It took the president himself, on his return, to confess that he had never been as sick, as he even had blood transfusion. So why were the government officials

downplaying the reality of the situation?

Is it out of place to be sick? Would telling Nigerians how sick the president is/was, make him to be less loved?

In the 57 days he was in the country, after the March 10 return, he was hardly able to follow through his official routines as he skipped several Federal Executive Council meetings, and stayed away from official ceremonies, indicating that he was not sufficiently recovered before he came back on March 10.

That necessitated his return to London last May 7.

Until we graduated into the photographic phase, wherein we can now see Mr President in photographic posts (with those coming to visit him, including men and their children), it was all silence and banal official rhetoric, broken only by the audio message from Mr President in which he addressed Muslims in Hausa (or was it Arabic) language, during the last Muslim festival.

Although official narratives deny the existence of a cabal, the open fact confirms that indeed there is a clique, otherwise called the cabal, that is manipulating the affairs of and around the President. And it is altogether a job not so well done.

One of the top government officials who was among the first set of visitors to President Buhari, last month, had narrated how he had suggested the snapping of the amateur photo shots, just before they left, that were eventually released by the presidency, as a way of proving (to doubting Thomases) that the visiting team indeed met a “living and recuperating” president. He told me of how the “cabal” had objected to the idea of a photograph, and that but for his insistence, there would have been no proof that the visiting team actually met the president.

Even then, the presidential handlers had also interrupted the meeting when one of them sauntered in to remind the president that he had done more than the agreed thirty minutes with the visitors. It took Mr President’s reprimand to keep away the meddlesomeness of the handlers.

We have since seen more photo pose of Mr President, in different dimensions, including the latest with his media team.

The source had confirmed that Mr President had “fully recovered” adding that his not returning now is because he appears too lean and there is the plan that he should rest a little more, eat more, and put on some weight before he returns; stressing, with glee, that, “the Buhari I met in London was like the pre-2015 Buhari I knew: sharp and witty” That’s about three weeks ago.

And back to the menace of the notorious cabal, it is true that Professor Osinbajo is the acting president, in accordance with section 145 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, but the real fact is that the powers so released are indeed not absolute.

And being a careful, loyal and learned (seemingly) unambitious deputy, Osinbajo has tried to play it very cool and remain under the authority of the far-away and ailing principal, even when the real principal is disposed to him having unfettered powers. But there are other “forces” that determine which light (whether green, red or amber) to press. Osinbajo is in charge, but not in control. The cabal yet dictates, albeit discretely, how the government should run.

That explains, why in recent times, the speed and pace of the acting president has slowed down remarkably.

For instance, it took the public outcry for the acting president to assign portfolio to the two ministers, Stephen Ocheni (Kogi) and Suleiman Hassan (Gombe) that had been cleared by the Senate since May. They were just assigned portfolio three days ago, because ‘London’ had not approved all along.

In all, it is the secrecy and dearth of information about the health of the first citizen that triggered the resume-or-resign protest being led by the group called Our Mumu Don Do. Buhari is a public votary. He cannot be treated or cocooned like a private citizen.

His issues, while in office, remain vital chips in the public space.

Needless to say that how these chips are managed are crucial in sending the right or wrong messages about the number one citizen.

Diezani: The Shame of a Regime

I

Diezani-Maduekwe

have not ceased to wonder about the tons of bad and shocking news we are daily served concerning Mrs Diezani Allison Madueke, former Petroleum Minister, under the Goodluck Jonathan regime.

As my late father would say, the murderer would have been set free, but what about the person he killed? How do you discount that?

Even if Jonathan’s regime is discharged of all malfeasance, how do we discount the Diezani plague?

No woman, in the history of Nigeria’s public service, has been woven round with such odious tapestry of fraud and shame.

Her name now collocates with fraud, or allegations of huge fraud. She seems to have denominated the mess of the Jonathan regime. While she reigned, she was a prized peacock that paraded the gait of the sacred and untouchable specie. And she enjoyed the public scare. Not even Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who then was the Finance

minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, dared to dabble or pry into the transactions of the petroleum ministry. It was a no-go ministry. The auditor-general of the federation, and the president himself all became mentally benumbed with Diezani and the petroleum ministry. But what else was left of the Economy for Okonjo-Iweala to coordinate if petroleum was not to be looked into? Those were some of the ambiguities of the Jonathan administration which they all lived with, albeit with under-breath grumblings.

Diezani had an inexplicable grip on the person of Jonathan. The latter handled her and her issues only with a third of his senses. The result was that she carried on with borderless freedom.

That was why Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the former CBN governor (now Emir of Kano) was sacked, because he dared to raise the alarm that some $50 billion (later reduced to $20billion) was missing from the petroleum funds.

The story was then told of how, in the last two years of that regime, she practically lived in London and flew in every Wednesday in a private jet, to attend FEC meetings and flew back immediately after.

Little wonder she was accused by the House of Reps that she spent over N10 Billion, drawn from NNPC treasury, in chartering private jets. Who would have imagined that such an educated, charming lady, seemingly urbane would yet scale down to the level of greed and base acquisition of what is altogether mere vanity?

The latest accusations against Diezani and her ill allies like Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko of how they maintained vagrant life style at the expense of the Nigerian treasury, as well as the recent high court forfeiture order of the $37.5m worth of property in Banana Island, Lagos (plus the rent realised from the vast property), including even foreign currency in various banks, are only a confirmation that indeed, all that glitters is not gold.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY AUGUST 19, 2017

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 19, 2017

INSIGHT I’ve Been to London to See the King When President Buhari first needed to travel for holiday and medical attention in January this year, it was deemed a private trip, in which the media was not needed.

On such journey, you naturally would need security details, your personal physician, protocol and domestic aides, and those were the ones that went.

Media? It depended on the principal. What was essential was that the channels of communication be kept open

Femi Adesina

N

ot a few tongues had wagged over the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari was outside the country on medical vacation for weeks on end, and no member of his media team was with him. Many times, we had been confronted by journalists on why we were sitting pretty in Nigeria, while our principal was confronted by severe health challenges in London.

How did I feel about the situation? I had always told the media, and others who cared to listen, that whoever is on a presidential entourage at any time is the prerogative of the President. In the first 20 months of this administration, the President had made scores of trips, both locally and internationally. There was none, and I repeat, none, in which the media team was excluded. We were always there to keep the world abreast with what the President was doing.

When President Buhari first needed to travel for holiday and medical attention in January this year, it was deemed a private trip, in which the media was not needed. On such journey, you naturally would need security details, your personal physician, protocol and domestic aides, and those were the ones that went. Media? It depended on the principal. What was essential was that the channels of communication be kept open.

When the fuss came that the media handlers of the President were transmitting at best third hand information to the public, it did not bother me as much as it did some people, particularly, journalists. The discretion to have anyone with him at a given time was that of the President, and there was nothing anybody could do about it. I was in direct contact with those who were around him, and that was the best in the circumstances.

When the rumour mill went into overdrive sometime in January that the President had passed on, the first person I called was his personal physician.

He laughed, saying nothing of such happened. I was thus confident enough to debunk the malicious information.

Before he returned on March 10, in what turned out to be the first leg of his medical treatment, President Buhari had spoken with me personally on phone, the details of which I made available to the public. It was sufficient for me.

The President left again on May 7. I was with him at home till he left for the airport. Information dissemination followed the same pattern as on the first trip. The aides on hand told me whatever was necessary, and I communicated same, never for once making it appear that the information was firsthand.

It was the best and the honest thing to do. You work for a straightforward man, it would be a disservice to him for you to begin to spin and bend information. Never!

Not once did I agitate to visit London to see the President. I was trusting enough to receive whatever information was passed to me, knowing the kind of man we serve. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe.

A lot of people were using paracetamol for what they considered my headache. They continued to fret that I was not in London, but it didn’t bother me a bit. Ask my wife and children, they would tell you that I am never in unnecessary hurry. I don’t push things, but the lines always fall for me in pleasant places. I have learnt to take all things in my strides, and let the divine powers work out the rest. Some people will erroneously call it a laid back approach, but those who are discerning would see that I had always excelled in whatever I did, physical, professional, spiritual, domestic etc. No need to sing my own praises. Not unto us, but unto Him, be all the glory and praises.

And then, on Wednesday last week, ‘come came to become’ (apologies K.O Mbadiwe). I received a communication to proceed to London to see the President, along with other members of the presidential media team. To lead the delegation was Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, while others included myself, Mallam Garba Shehu, Lauretta Onochie, Bayo Omoboriowo, and the Nigerian Television Authority team of Adamu Sambo and Emmanuel Arinhi. Senior Special Assistant on International and Diaspora Matters, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who was in London on another official matter, eventually joined us to see the President on Saturday.

Leaving the country through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Friday morning, one was as conspicuous as a tiger in a teashop. All that knew me, and saw that I was headed for London, naturally said: “Please give our greetings to Baba o.” They just took it for granted that I was going to London to see the King, and not the Queen this time, as made popular by the pussycat in the nursery rhyme.

The trip aboard the British Airways Boeing 777-

Buhari

200/300 was pleasant and pleasurable. It was like a whole city in the sky. The Nigerians who saw me and my colleague, Mallam Garba Shehu, onboard, also jumped to the same right conclusion as those at the airport: “Please greet Baba for us o.”

On Saturday afternoon, we were ferried from our hotels at the appointed time. At Zero Hour, we were at the Abuja House, Nigerian High Commission, London.

As we strode into the living room, I saw with infinite pleasure, the great object of my mission.

Standing tall and ramrod straight was President Muhammadu Buhari, with that ubiquitous smile in place. He was looking a lot better than he had ever looked in the past eight months. My heart leapt for joy, and sang praises to God. Was this not the man they said was on life support machine? Didn’t they say he could neither walk nor talk? But he was welcoming Alhaji Lai Muhammed, and calling him by name. I was next. I shook the hands of the man I had admired since his days as a military head of state, a man I am not ashamed to call my leader and President today, and any day.

Seated, the President had words for each member of the team, which showed that he had been following events back home very keenly. He commended the Minister of Information and Culture, saying, “Lai, you are all over the place. I see you virtually everyday. You have been working very hard.” Pointing to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, he said, “She is here in her constituency. But me, I am here reluctantly.” We all laughed, and Dabiri-Erewa jocularly issued what you could call a quit notice, saying she didn’t want the President in her constituency again.

How are you, Mr President?

“I am okay now. I feel I could go home, but doctors are in charge here, and I’ve learnt to obey my doctors. I’ve learnt to obey orders, rather than be the one giving the orders.”

If you have met the President personally, he is usually full of wisecracks, and this day was not different. He told us he had enough time to watch television, and commended the NTA particularly, and Nigerian media generally, for bringing him up to speed with what was happening back home.

He said he had been watching the protests by people who wanted him to return home post-haste, or resign. He mentioned one of the leaders of the protest by name, and laughed. I did not discern any malice in the laughter.

President Buhari told us he seldom got sick, something he had told Nigerians on March 10, at his first return. When we told him millions of people were praying for him at home, in Africa, and even beyond, I saw the glow in his eyes, and he said :”May God reward them,” after noting that what Nigeria did in The Gambia in January, which forced a sit-tight Yahya Jammeh to quit office, “fetched us a lot of goodwill and latitude.”

We talked about many issues, some of which are not due for public consumption yet. The President

was obviously enjoying our company. Then the State Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Lawal Kazaure, popped up (as he always does) and indicated that the allotted time was over.

“Oh dear,” the President exclaimed, reluctant to see us go.

It was time for photographs, and we walked into the garden. The President was spry, as he joined us.

Bayo Omoboriowo clicked away, and those were the pictures you have seen. The President even almost sprinted, while going back inside. Omoboriowo captured that rare moment.

And to the dining room we proceeded. We sat at that famous table, laden with different kinds of fruits; banana, apple, pear, water melon, and many others. It was a setting which a man blinded by bile, and suffused with hatred, had described as a previous fast-breaking session at Aso Villa during a Ramadan season. Father, forgive him, for he knew not what he said.

We ate, heartily. Our appetite had been stimulated by the state in which we met our principal. Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, was at hand to attend to us, urging us to eat as much as we wanted.

Halima, daughter of the President, as well as Yusuf, his son, were also there.

It was a pleasure meeting all the presidential aides once again, and we greeted one another warmly: Yau and Lawal (trusted security details), Sunday (the personal cook of many decades), the ADC, SCOP, CSO, CPSO, the personal physician, Tunde Sabiu, Sarki Abbah, and many others. It was grand re-union.

Lunch over, the President bade each person goodbye, with a handshake. We said to him, “See you soon, sir.” But when Dabiri-Erewa uttered the same, the President laughed, and declared: “No, we will leave you here, as this is your constituency.”

The health status of our President, as earlier attested to by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, during his visit, was a testimony to the healing powers of God. This was a man gravely ill, but restored miraculously. It can only be God. In spite of what haters, wailers, and filthy dreamers imagine, and which they spew out, God remains merciful and immutable. He has the final say. If I were a hater, I would repent now, in sackcloth and ashes.

Yes, I’ve been to London to see the King. The Lion King. But unlike the pussycat in the nursery rhyme, I didn’t frighten any mouse under the chair.

---Adesina is Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS VINTAGE AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER FASHION FILE FEATURES

pg. 20 pg. 24 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 41 pg. 50

Tony Elumelu

I Struggled to Eat Three Square Meals

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 19, 2017

PLUS

We Shouldn’t CriminaliseWealth in Africa With a trademark, serene smile, dressed to the nines, he sat across a marble table that reflects his distilled silhouette – decked in a black suit, white shirt and a red tie to match, his face radiates with hope and commitment as he talks about leaving a legacy in Africa and the need to let the African youths take a shot at leadership. Wealthy, philanthropic and visionary, he has come a long way through the parched path of deprivation and discomfort of a nation promised to be a giant but sleeps on. Now a global brand, Tony Elumelu, the economist, entrepreneur and philanthropist, as the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, the United Bank for Africa, Transcorp and founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, is a strong believer in diligence, innovation, wealth and prosperity. At the recently concluded Mandela Washington Fellowship summit where he spoke to over 1,000 young African leaders in Washington, D.C., Elumelu relieved memories of days he struggled to survive. The accomplished banker and philanthropist tells Adedayo Adejobi how he became what he is today

W

hat is the role of the Tony Elumelu Foundation in changing the political framework in Africa?

Setting up the Tony Elumelu Foundation is about economically empowering our young ones and I would be happy if one day a Tony Elumelu entrepreneur becomes the president of his or her country – and it will happen. We also play an advocacy role because we realise that for entrepreneurs to succeed the operating environment must be right and we engage with governments to help shape policies. So, I would say changing Africa is a collective responsibility for all of us. Every one of us must realise that we need an improved Africa in the 21st Century; because the truth is that the world is moving and new leadership is evolving in other parts of the world and we may face a huge risk of Africa even retarding further instead of making progress. So Tony Elumelu, Tony Elumelu Foundation, yourselves, friends of Africa and other Africans must realise that we need a new kind of leadership, public sector and private sector to move Africa forward.

How do you deal with other governments trying to interfere in Africa?

In the 21st century, we need massive investments into Africa and investments should not have any colouration. We should encourage Africans to invest in Africa. We also need the Chinese, Japanese, Americans because it is the inflow of investments that will ultimately help us to create the jobs that we need as a continent and that is encapsulated in the economic philosophy of Africapitalism. That is the private sector getting involved by investing in key sectors that will help create economic prosperity and social wealth. We need to begin to change our mentality as a people. In the 21st Century, we should be engaging in a different fashion to create opportunities. If we have the right leadership, our leadership will engage in a manner that creates opportunities for their people.

It is the lack of opportunities which is driven by the myopia of leadership that creates the kind of problems that we see.

Elumelu

How did you build UBA, what inspired TEF and what will happen seven years after your tenure expiration at the foundation?

The first reason is our people. What you are to the continent of Africa is what people are to our organisation.

Great leaders have a pipeline of successors so that when they leave, others will come in because it is inevitable. So, we assembled the right team, shared the aspirations, they owned them and bought into them and we had a three-tier strategic intent. Tier one was to get a distressed bank and turn it around and make it viable and we gave ourselves a time-frame. With purpose and vision, we created milestones and put a time-frame. That way, in accomplishing those aspirations, because they were long-term, we create meaningful impact.

The second-tier intent was to become one of the top-ten banks in the country. We worked hard and accomplished it. And the third-tier intent was to become one of the top-three banks and we accomplished that. So, I would say that significantly helped; getting the right people; thinking about what we wanted to achieve; setting milestones; working very hard and being resilient. All of this helped us to achieve what we want to achieve.

What motivates you?

I grew up as a typical African boy: born, bred and schooled in Africa. I worked in Africa and attained a level of comfort. When I retired as Chief Executive Officer of United Bank of Africa, I asked myself if I could institutionalise luck because we were all a product of many factors: the kind of place you worked, the kind of leaders you have, your upbringing and so on. So, I just felt that it would be nice to give support to young Africans who have ideas and no capital. The next thing was, should it be a Nigerian or African-focused foundation? I think it was Benjamin Disraeli that said this thing about poverty anywhere being a threat to mankind everywhere and because I was born in Nigeria, I’m more of an African citizen. There was the need to let prosperity spread. At the end of the day, our hope is that not what we do as a foundation but how we help to catalyse action. For example, we talk to other organisations and say we have many people applying, take some and help. We want this to be a movement on the continent.

How do you deal with rejection?

Entrepreneurs do not give up; they are resilient. I am resilient.

Do you feel the overthrow of Gaddafi was justified?

AUGUST 19, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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PLUS

The Elumelus

Our Leaders Should Be Well-paid for Public Service This is a tough question and I’m sure my colleagues will be cringing that I did not say something but I want to say something to that question. Nature abhors vacuum, so Africa must begin to take its destiny in its hand. We must begin to direct the nature and complexion of conversations with African narrative. We must be concerned about narrative on Africa. We must tell our stories ourselves. We must let those we relate with know things that are important to us as a people. We must not allow for our agenda to be set by others. Leadership is not alien to Africa. We must not allow one form of leadership to determine and define the rest of the world. People have argued and I am in that camp that the absence of some people have created regional security imbalance.

We also have seen situations where people have repented, turned a new leaf and have been embraced to become better leaders. At some point, I am sure the world will debate some of these issues and political students and actors who play a role will be in position to comment further.

What must young African youths do to attain leadership positions?

My foundation is focused on promoting African entrepreneurship and leadership. We see the need for a ‘new kind of leadership for Africa.’

African youths must ‘seize the opportunity’ to ‘fulfill their aspirations and dreams.’ To attain leadership positions they must prepare for it as that is the only way they will be able to accept it when it comes.

Leadership occurs at every level.

There is so much we can all do and you must play your own part. You must prepare yourself for leadership and be able to accept it. Youths must struggle for leadership the same way older generation fought for independence of the African continent. This generation must struggle for strong leadership. Nelson Mandela, the freedom fighter, despite the enormous challenges he faced, was able to fulfill his dreams. The youths carry a huge moral burden. I have realised that for a man to dream is one thing but to realise his dreams, he will face tremendous challenges. He (Mandela) faced those challenges and he never gave up. You must think legacy. You must think long term. You must ask yourself, ‘how would I like to be

I want to be remembered by the impact I make.

Elumelu with children

remembered?’

For a continent that is hugely endowed with so much, we should actually be a land of plenty but unfortunately, we have not been able to get it right and the only reason it is this way is the dearth of good leadership across both the private and public sectors. I would like to share the burden that I carry as I travel all around the world and you see progress. But the progress that you see in other parts of the world is a bit lacking on our continent. So when the United States Government organises an event like this and selects great young Africans, we must seize the opportunity. Youth unemployment in Africa is a challenge to all of us. It is a threat to everyone and at times I wonder if we or our leaders recognise what this means. We must all work hard to put the youths out of the streets; failure to do that portends doom for all of us. We have natural resource and a demographic structure that if well harnessed can confer a competitive advantage on us as a continent in the 21st Century. But we are not doing all that we need to do.

With wealthy and influential Africans and a huge population in Africa with just one Tony Elumelu Foundation from Nigeria, what

needs to be done to get people interested in thinking about the rich influencing young Africans positively?

I am a strong believer in prosperity and the fact that we should not criminalise wealth. But it becomes an issue if your wealth is self-centred and that is why the kind of growth and development we want in Africa is an inclusive one. We want mutual prosperity, not barbed wire economy.

We don’t want a society where some have and some don’t. It’s all again encapsulated or defined in this philosophy of legacy and I think it’s the deficit of the mind that makes a man think he keeps accumulating forever. You must also find how to share what you have accumulated.

When I was in the university, at some point it was difficult to eat three square meals as a student. I had that challenge and I resolved that when I have money I would eat very well. Today, if you eat one, you are counting the calories. So how much can you even eat? Our youths need good education and good moral value so they can conquer the world.

I think we all should use social media engagement, writing in constructive manner to catalyse others. This is a journey and it has begun. I would hope that everyone will catch on.

Some African leaders are reluctant to leave public office. What career path can you prescribe for people who enter politics so that the younger generation can thrive?

Your question is apt. He who must seek equity must do so with clean hands. We expect so much of our leaders and at times we pay lip service to certain issues. It is not even what they pay or that they steal that is important, but the kind of wrong decision they make because of pecuniary motivation. Let’s support them so that we can hold them firmly accountable for probating. I had a meeting in the office some days ago; at the meeting people told me how they’re hiring the chief of staff to this person who served in America. In fact here, people leave as ministers and senators, while others are begging them to work for them.

I’m telling myself if we had this in Africa, it would address the point you raised. But the reason we don’t have it is when politicians are in office they don’t think legacy; they don’t distinguish themselves.

I can only as a private-sector person take on someone who has distinguished himself or herself while in public service. We need to do something about that and the conversation must start. But more important, those public-sector leaders should realise that there is life after office and should do things with legacy in mind. People should leave public office and next day they are okay and that actually can help address the greed that we see in leadership.

Africa needs young leaders to develop our continent. This must not be a complaint generation but instead an action generation that will help to take Africa from where it is today to great heights. And most important, it must breathe, think, remember and act legacy.

Can you prescribe a career path to those who enter politics?

I totally support paying our leaders well. Let’s support them so that we can hold them firmly accountable.

The reason we don’t have it is because when people are in office, they don’t think legacy and they don’t distinguish themselves. Those public-sector leaders should realise there is life after service.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 19, 2017 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Buhari

President Buhari: It is the Slippers Nigerians are known for their style. I tell you as the pictures of the President in London with his communications people emerged, na the leather slippers I dey look o. The blue slippers were elegant and e be like say baba himself know because if you look at the picture very well you will see the way he pose shooting out his leg so that the sippers will show .

This our daddy like to pose o. From the angle I was looking at, the thing looked like those half shoes that are usually very comfortable and which you wear with traditional wear to get the sophisticated laid-back look. So let me cover my shame and officially request for the slippers as my own share of the national cake, my daddy as you prepare for your return, kindly package the pair of shoes, it is blue in colour with black soles, you wore it in the picture that was placed on the front page of THISDAY on Monday August… cannot remember the date but Lai Muhammed was standing behind you and Femi Adeshina was also in the picture. I am giving your Excellency all this information just in case you have plenty and will not remember the exact one I am talking about. As you are considering my request, because I know you may not want to release it because they say you can be stingy small remember that I have been standing with you since o. I have yabbed Charly Boy who is going around all the markets asking you to resign. I have worked with Kogi people to attempt a recall of Melaye abi you hear am talk again? I have presented a paper at the United States War College on why you should be given another term should you desire and I will be eating lunch with OBJ in Ota where your 2019 fate will be discussed and if you give me this pair of slippers before that meeting, you can be sure where I will stand. I have supported all your policies even your principled stance on Magu, ask him I swear. I know you must be planning to gift Osinbajo as reward for his immense loyalty but mine should be better rewarded because Osinbajo no get choice but to remain loyal unlike me, the Duke of Shomolu who is opened to varied alternatives. So, please just give the thing to Femi Adeshina. My best friend retired Superintendent of Police, Segun Ogunleye, knows him very well. He once sent a text to him greeting him and Femi replied. So, let me get those slippers to ensure continuous peace and national cohesion.

Thank you sir.

Olori Wuraola: It is Well This very beautiful Olori has been in the news all week. But before I comment on the so-called news, let me first comment on her beauty. This

Osinbajo

Olori Wuraola

Command School Alumni Elections Command School Alumni – Ayo Fayose Help!!!!!!

My brother forget your proposed declaration for presidency come 1st October. We have a more serious issue of national importance and urgency that needs your quick attention. You see, I attended Command Secondary School in Ipaja, one of the greatest schools in this country and the elections for the Presidency is coming up this December.

As a bona fide member of the association who has not failed to pay his dues ( I only missed last year when I was on exile) and who have attended only one alumni meeting in the last 30 years I threw in my hat. My Lord come and see the kind of resistance to my candidacy o. The way they are pushing back is beginning to look like the way Nigerians will resist you too should you seriously embark on this your campaign. Hence, the need for us to join hands. I have embarked on a series of consultations assuring them that this is not Lagos APC and as such I will not accept any kind of imposition, I have tried to reach Banire who is busy fighting his own matter but the paddy no gree take my call. I have assured them that I am perfectly healthy and have even offered to send my medical certificate and even challenged the school team to a game of scrabble to test my fitness. My presidency will not involve any medical vacation and I have even offered not to probe the incumbent administration which does not reflect national spread.

So you see my issue, despite all this, I am still sensing that the presidency still remains elusive. Your Excellency, you need to support me. We are 10,000 members and if we win, I will galvanise support from our members towards your presidential campaign. If you insist on the presidency, at least you can be sure of the block vote that should throw you up.

I really do not understand why these people do not want me but prefer to go for reluctant leaders, people who although have better pedigree but are not prepared for the task. Me, right

from my school days, I always knew I would be president of the alumni and everything I did during those days was aimed at capturing this dream. I was the first to be flogged at the assembly grounds, this was strategically aimed at boosting my popularity amongst the girls. I was a good public orator. You should see me toasting the young girls, giving them reasons to come with me.

I introduced Volley ball to the school and taught the female teachers how to dance the rhumba dance. I was the football coach and an inspiration to all those who had disciplinary problems.

I introduced the eating of fried eggs on Sundays in school which at that time was a luxury and showed all the boys how to fly their shirt collars while putting comb in their back pockets. Your Excellency, despite all and great love for the school which has seen me discuss the possible affiliation of the school with the Charly Boy school of #our mumu don do which teaches the United Nations approved tactics of fainting as a veritable tool of effective non-violent protest, these people have failed to support my Presidency.

So I have come to you as a last resort. My reason for coming to you is so you teach me the doctrine of stomach infrastructure so that I can see if we can use it to sway the vote.

Should I go ahead to distribute 10,000 loaves of bread or do I go to the next meeting on Okada and share Akara?

I have even worn jeans and T-shirt to present my speech and have sworn that the incumbent president, Mr. Olumide Lala has incurable rashes on his bum bum. All to no avail. Frustration is catching me o. My brother please come to my aid, we have to conquer these people o. If I try civilian tactics he no work, I go cross to the other side o . aaaaaaah am I appealing to the right person, shouldn’t I be talking to the Jagaban himself? Abeg, where is this keke Marwa we have to head up to the Lion of Bourdilon?

Charley Boy

Olori is very beautiful o. If you have not seen her before, please take the next bus to Ife to see her o. There is a bus tour of Osun State organised by one private operator for N31,000 that has been advertised to take you to Osun where you will visit all the wonderful sights that Osun can offer.

They say they will take you to the famous Osun groove, the waterfalls, Aregbesola’s office and lastly, the Ooni’s palace. Me I have gone to pay and register for the trip for the simple reason that it will give me the opportunity to see this wonderfully made Olori. Na look I just want look and if possible take picture. Her cousin who is my good friend, Jennifer, knows a lot about this my admiration; she is truly regal and born to be a queen.

Well, back to the matter, just as I was about to place a call to the highly revered and great ruler of not only the Ife people but all Yoruba and by extension my paramount ruler (remember I am Duke of Shomolu, so I can trace my ancestors to the market near the palace in Ife; true, there are some Ibibio people there selling Afang) - to advise him to be patient in handling the alleged wahala with his Queen. I stumbled on a statement from the palace decrying the rumours and stating his undying love for the Queen. You see, in these times of fake news we no longer know what to believe again but whatever the case is, Kabiyesi, some of us really do admire you and will continue to pray for your long reign. We are saying that we look forward to a stable marriage for you as an inspiration for us and will really be crestfallen if anything were to happen between you and Olori. God will bless your union not only with peace but with fruit of the womb. We here in shomolu are rooting for you guys.

In fact, this Friday we are carrying out some sacrifices in Shomolu for your continuous good health and long life.

Kindly send us just two tubers of yam and one keg of palm oil, you can send Olori’s younger sister, the one not yet married to convey the goods. I am sure you know the one I am talking about - the light one with eyes like the almonds from Persia. Yes, that chubby one that has skin glowing like the oil of alabaster. Oya kabiyesi ma shere kere o. kabiyesiiiiiiiiii oooooo!

Charly Boy (MAN) “: Think o !!!!!!!!!!!!

Charly!!!! Charly !!!!!!! Charly!!!!!!

How many times did I call you? Pull your ear and go back to your lipstick and cosmetics o. Shebi you are fainting now, don’t let it go beyond that o.

Your protest in Wuse market possibly igniting ethnic unrests especially at a time like this when the nation is battling ethnic-related strife. Charlyyyyyyyy, Charlyyyyyyyyy go home o. I don talk my own o.

21

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

SPY GLASS SEYI TINUBU AND WIFE

with BAYO ADEOYE .... 08054680651 gestures and unrivalled contributions to the development of the state.

Besides, he is unapologetically committed to the course of humanity. Though his style and approach to some issues may be distasteful to many, it is said that Ubah has the milk of kindness running in his veins.

MUHAMMED INDIMI’S BIRTHDAY WONDER

AGAIN, SEYI TINUBU, WIFE WOW

It was a day of glory on August 6, 2016 when Seyi Tinubu, one of the sons of a former governor of Lagos State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress( APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, married his heartthrob, Layal (nee Holm), in Lagos .

For the couple, the past one year, to put it mildly, has been wonderful! No wonder, at their first wedding anniversary, last week, the couple gave a hint on some of the things that have defined their blissful marriage, while also renewing their vows to spend the rest of their lives together.

Since he got married, Seyi, who was one of the most-sought- after young men in the country, has proved that he is actually ready for the institution called marriage, as he showcased his romantic side on their wedding anniversary.

Those close to the couple are not surprised because the foundation of their marriage is said to be rooted in the fear of God, communication, mutual respect and love, among others. The marriage is blessed with a baby girl named Noella Amira Rose Titilayo Asabi Simisola Tinubu.

Seyi, who obtained his Master’s degree in Law from the University of Buckingham, has his hands in some very lucrative pies, including Loatsad Promo, an advert agency, which is said to be enjoying very impressive patronage.

IFEANYI UBAH’S WINNING STREAK

Just when many had thought that he was a political orphan, Ifeanyi Ubah, Chairman of Capital Oil, surfaced at the recently held national convention of the Peoples Democracy Party, PDP, in Abuja.

His appearance has, therefore, cleared the air about the rumour making the rounds that he had gone under after he was reportedly arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for alleged fuel subsidy scam.

Ubah, who is also contesting for the number one job of his state, Anambra, in November this year, was one of the few party chieftains who stole the show at the convention, as he was cleared to contest for the party’s governorship primary.

This, it was learnt, came as a big shock for many of his political traducers. In the same way, his acceptance at the convention is also said to be generating interesting discourse among the elite in the state as well as those at the grassroots.

It was gathered that he is head and shoulders above the other contestants in the state owing to his uncommon philanthropic

When the news of the birthday of billionaire Muhammed Indimi, Chairman, Oriental Energy Resource, broke, not a few concluded that it would be the talk of the town for a long time.

Expectedly, the oil and gas guru did not disappoint his guests, numbering over 100, who joined him on a trip to a Spanish Island, Marabella, to celebrate his 70th birthday. Can you beat that?

The city, which is a resort area on Southern Spain’s Costa del Sol is one of the best tourism and most expensive islands in Spain.

Call it a double celebration and you wouldn’t be wrong. He was said to have also celebrated his beautiful and fashionable daughter, Adama, who turned 29, on the occasion.

The Forbes listed billionaire, famously referred to as ‘Master strategist’, is said to be planning a grand soiree in Nigeria soon.

Blessed with a heart of gold, Indimi is inlaw to President Mohammed Buhari and, until recently, in-law to a former President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

KUNLE SONAME, SHAMES CRITICS

Kunle Soname, who hails from Ogun State, is an astute businessman.

In all his years of doing business, Soname, who is the first Nigerian to acquire a European club side, Clube Desportivo Feranto, a Portuguese second division side, has been guided by the principle of honesty and openness.

However, if he is asked to recount an encounter that has challenged his abiding confidence in the Nigerian business environment, he will most probably talk about a period when some undisciplined elements had vainly attempted to drag his name in the mud.

In other words, Soname will share with you how some individuals had allegedly wanted to take advantage of the loophole in his BET9JA’s system to claim the sum of N42 million, which they never won.

Though he was said to have been dragged before the House of Representatives, the top Lagos politician was able to clear his name and redeem his image.

Today Soname, also the owner of Remo Stars Football Club and Clube Desportivo Ferrante, has providentially surmounted the initial challenges faced in his business to become the envy of many of his competitors.

OLAKUNLE CHURCHILL SPREADS COAST In his quest to keep touching lives and further extend his philanthropy to the rest of Africa, business mogul and boss of Big Church Haven, Oladunni Olakunle Churchill, was recently hosted by the President of Liberia at the metropolitan city of Monrovia, Liberia.

On arrival, Liberian government officials as well as teeming Liberians were said to have given Churchill and his entourage a rousing welcome at the airport, chanting songs in their local dialects.

Among other reasons, the visit was aimed at preaching peace in election process among Africans. Besides, Churchill also used the opportunity to launch his agricultural empowerment programme in the country as part of his quest to extend his tentacles and philanthropic deed to the rest of Africa.

Churchill, who was welcomed by the Vice President, Joseph Boakai and other ministers during the visit, was a keynote speaker from Nigeria at an event that held at a stadium in the country. He spoke extensively on ‘‘Maintaining Peace and Promoting a Non-violence Election in Africa’’.

Churchill, who was said to have wowed the audience with his spontaneous oratory, was conferred with a traditional chieftaincy title at a community called Kamara. He was further alloted 100 hectares of land for agricultural use as a means of diversifying the country’s economy through production of agricultural and farm produce.

During the visit, Churchill, a member of the Lions’ Club, donated eye glasses and gave out souvenirs as well as cash gifts to inmates of a home for the blind.

It will be recalled that his donation to the Nigeria Fire Service,last month, puts him on record as the first ever donor, since theinception of the Service.

SIR LUCKY OMOLUWA BURIES IN LAW IN GRAND STYLE The sleepy town of Sabongidda-Ora literally came alive when the remains of very pious Sir Julius Ifidon Ola were laid to rest. Like a worn engine sputtering to extinction, the unassuming patriarch bowed to the cold hands of death at the age of 83. The Ifidion Ola’s siblings who had years back been confronted with the lost of maternal bliss on account of the demise of their mother, Mabel Omozehio did not spare any cost to give their octogenarian father a befitting burial.

The delight and luxury of having a dad and basking in his goodwill and warmth finally deserted the doorsteps of the Ifidon Ola when death crept into the influential family.

Olu, Lohi, Orumenosen and their other siblings did not grieve; rather, they celebrated their aged father’s death because he lived a fulfilled life.

Expectedly, the burial party was show-stopper as friends of Sir Lucky Omoluwa, the amiable Chairman of Pinnacle Communications Limited who is an in-law to the deceased having married Orumenosen, came out in to pay their last respect to Sir Julius Ifidon Ola. The burial ceremony commenced 0n Thursday August 10, 2017 with Service Songs at his GRA Benin City residence; it was followed by a Commendation Service at Our Savior’s Anglican Church, GRA, Benin City.

To portray how dedicated he was to the service of God and humanity, another service was held in his honour at St. John Anglican Church, Sabongidda-Ora, he was thereafter buried in his SabongiddaOra. Unknown to many, Sir Julius Ifidon Ola (J.P) was born into the of Ohionuan and Imoukhuede of Sabongidda-Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State on the 18th of May 1934. He had his early education at Government College and Uhrobo College in Warri, from where he proceeded to Fourah Bay College, Freetown and finally to Durham University in 1961.

Upon his return home, he joined the

INDIMI’S FAMILY

IFEANYI UBAH

KUNLE SONAME

CHURCHILL former Western Region Service as its Information Officer, serving in that capacity until December 1966. Prior to this, he had attended a course in Berlin-Tegal, Germany, under the aegis of The German Foundation of developing countries and in 1962 was posted to the former Midwestern Region as the Information Officer in charge of the entire Western Region.

In February1963, Sir Ifidon Ola proceeded to London for a year in-service training. The year 1967 saw his promotion to the role of Senior Information Officer and his employment at the Central office in London. In 1972, he attended a course on Development Administration at the University of Wisconsin, USA and upon his return was promoted to the post of Acting Permanent Secretary.

He was one of the most formidable, dependable, disciplined and trustworthy Permanent Secretaries of his time and as a result was popularly referred to as “.Super Perm Sec”. His service under various military and civilian governments attests to his lasting relevance to the civil service.

From 1969 to 1971, Sir Ifidon-Ola was appointed Sole Administrator of the Bendel Newspaper Corporation (Publishers of the Observer Newspaper) and became its General Manager fro 1971 to 1972. He was later appointed Chairman from 1974 to 1975.

In 1972, he held the position of Acting Permanent Secretary in the then Ministry of Home Affairs and Information, following which he was posted to the Ministry of Health in the same capacity. He subsequently served in the Ministry of Education from February to November 1975.

He was Permanent Secretary for nine years in various parastatals namely Ministry of Home Affairs and Information, Trade and Industry, Establishments, Public Matters Department of the Governor’s Office and the Ministry of Works and Transport. Within this period of time, he was a member of the Board of Bendel Pharmaceutical Ltd, Eternit Nigeria Limited, Niger Construction Company Limited and was a director of Nigerian Water Resources Ltd. Sir Ifidon Ola eventually retired from civil service in 1984 and joined his darling wife, Mabel Omozehio Ifidon- Ola (Nee Ilevbare) as head of Jim Travel Agency, a travel business they established in 1983.

He served as its Chairman. While running his business, he was appointed by the Federal Government to the Board of the Nigeria Minnig Corporation, Jos. Sir Ifidon-Ola was appointed Justice of Peace in 1993 and was consecrated Knight of St Christopher in March 1996. Until his demise, he was the Chairman of Jim Travel Agency Ltd and a Director of Niki Manufacturing Co. Ltd. He is blessed with seven children

and grandchildren.

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ AUGUST 19, 2017

SUPER SATURDAY

NKIRUKA ‘KIKI’ OMEILI I’m Not Searching for the Right Man – a Man Should Search for a Woman W

You could describe her as a cross-over artiste and that would not be out of place. p Although g she started out acting g in secondaryy school, Nkiruka ‘Kiki’ Omeili finds p pleasure being g in front of the camera rather than being g in the operating p g room. That being g that the eclectic space p in Nigeria’s g movie industry accommodates a lot of professionals from other fields to make Nollywood a home. Best known as Lovette in ‘Lekki Wives’, the hit television series mayy have g given Nkiruka’s acting g career the needed p push to become well established in the film industry. y With over 40 movie credits, including g short films, and television series, the actress presently p y is in a couple p of movies meant for the big g screen that are at various stages g of production p and post-production. p p The medical doctor-turned-actress speaks with Ferdinand Ekechukwu about her career, medical profession and relationship

THISDAY, THE SAT A URDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ GUST 19, 2017

23

SATURDAY I’M NOT SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT MAN – A MAN SHOULD SEARCH FOR A WOMAN

W

ho is Kiki Omeili?

Kiki Omeili is God-fearing g ; downto-earth;; and happy-go-luck ppy g ky y. She’s hard-working g and p passionatt e about work. I love music and mov v i es. I love to sing g (and ( even rap). p) I am a p person of integrity g y and proud p of my y heritage.

That’s me I guess.

What set are y you on at the moment?

At the moment,, I’m working g on a movie c a lled,, A Rose For Freddy, y, with fantastic actors like G regory g y Ojefua, j , Osas Ajibade j and Udoka Oyeka. y Th h e producer p is Chike Nwoffiah,, a US-based director who o also curates a film festival called Silicon Valley A frica Film Festival in California.

What’s y your idea off ‘old’ and ‘new’ Noll lywood? y I think the term ‘New Nollywood’ y just j reff e rs to a newer group g p of filmmakers (actors, ( , produ p u cers,, directors,, writers)) who entered the industry y and ‘old Nollywood’ y refers to the filmmakers who p rovided a base for the movie industry to grow in thee first place.

How many y movies have y you starred in??

Somewhere in the region of 40 movies – in n clusive of short films.

Do y you think the number off movies y you u have starred in have given you the popularity y you deserve?

Popularity; p y; I think the movie audience mii g ght be in a better position p to answer that question. q I d o my y jjob I’ve never really stopped to question or assee ss popu larity.

As an actor is there any role you cann n o t or may not want to play? p y I wouldn’t want to play p y a role that would involve blasphemy. I’m pretty much open to anythii n g else.

You once said there are two kinds off p pee ople p in the entertainment industry y in Nigeria; g ; t hose who are popular p p for f their talent and tho o se popular p p ffor jjust being gp popular. p What do y ou mean by y ‘just j being g popular’? p p I mean some people p p are famous for being g famous. You can’t really y pinpoint p p what it iss that they y do that makes them popular. p p They y are not actors,, musicians,, p politicians, designers, wrr it ers, producers, or models.

JJust for f clarity, can you name a particu u lar person?

There’s no particular p person. p There are see v eral of such p people, p , home and abroad. An examp p le of such a p person abroad would be Paris Hiltt on.

While at home I would not like to mention names. I don’t want trouble. I only give it double to whoever wants it.

How many y followers f do you have on yo o ur social media platforms? p f That number keeps p growing. g g My y Twitter handle is @kikiomeili across all social medii a platforms. Interested parties p p should please p go g and check. Some would be inspired p to follow w if they y like what they y see. Sometimes peopl p ple like to do a bit of work/investigation on thee ir own.

Aside the ffact that you y a trained medical doctor,, what else would y you hav ve been doing g iff you y weren’t acting? g I would probably p y be a writer. I have been writing g since I was a child and my y mum actually y encouraged g me but writing g is so intellectually y tasking g and takes up p so much h time. I should p probably y find the time to do more of that. I actually y wrote the story of th he film that I produced, ‘Unprotected’.

Could it be for f any y phobia p y you abandoned medical practice p for f acting? g No p phobia;; jjust a p passion for the arts. And d I didn’t ‘abandon’ medicine. I actually y don’’ t like it when people p p say y that. I’m actively y involved in health advocacy y and awarenesss .

I am a U-report p advocate ((a UNICEF sub sidiary) y) and always y lend my y voice to causess such as cervical cancer prevention. p Even my y short film ‘Unprotected’ p was to p promote health awareness;; once a doctor,, always y a doctor. There’s more than one way to prac tise medicine.

It was q quite an easy y transition ffrom medicine to acting g for f you. y Tell us aboutt it and did you y ever practise p medicine?

I laugh g out loud whenever people p p say y it was an easy y transition for me from medi cine to acting. g It wasn’t easy y – not at all.

It took a lot of doggedness, gg , hard work, perseverance,, dedication,, p p patience,, determination,, countless auditions and rejections. I’m glad that I made it look

That’s not true about acting g not paying g as much as practising g medicine, especially in Nigeria. How much you earn as an actor is dependent p on many y factors. Money y has never informed my y career choices.

If I were to g go back to clinical practice it wouldn’t be because of money easy y tho oug g gh. That might g inspire p or encourage g more p peeop p ple to pursue p their passion. p Yes,, I did practisee b p briefly y before I started acting. g It was a year o f h y housemanship p at University y College g Hosp p itaal,, Ibadan,, a year y of NYSC in a local goveern g nment area health centre and about six mon nth hs in a private facility before delving int o aacting.

S me say Som y acting g doesn’t p pay y much as beein ng g a doctor. Will you soon return to m ed dicine?

T at’s not true about acting Th g not p paying y g ass m much as p practising g medicine,, especially p y in Niigeria. g How much you y earn as an actor is dep d p pendent on many y factors. Money y has nev verr informed my y career choices. If I were to g o b back to clinical practice it wouldn’t be becaausse of money.

Wh at is one thing g you y hold dearly? y I hold dm my y integrity g y and p principles p very y deadly. y I c annot compromise p my y integrity g y to fit in or be accceepted. p I cannot do without movies!

I’m a couch hp potato. I watch all sorts of movies and TV series, b botth local and international.

Being g tha at image g is very y important p to many y celebritiess what w pressure does it p p put on y you?

I wouldn n’t say y that maintaining g a certain Image g puts me u nd p der p pressure because the image g that Ip present iis w who I really am. So it’s quite easy to just be m e.

You weere e born and raised in Lagos, g , how well can ny you speak Yoruba or any other languag g g gee?

I spea p ak Igbo g q quite well. Growing g up, p, my y dad made ssurre that we went to the village g every y year so y o I aam very y familiar with the Igbo g lan guage g g an nd culture. As a matter of fact,, I host a traveelo ogue g in Igbo g called,, ‘Onye y Ije’ j which showccasses sights and sounds in Igbo land.

Wha at’’s your y idea of love and do you belieevee in love?

Lov ve is best expressed p and felt rather than spok p ken n about. I definitely do believe in Lovee.

Yo ou love to sing g and know the lyrics y to a lo ot o off songs. g Has it ever crossed your y min nd that y you could go g into music?

N Thank you.

No. y Would love to do musi calls ((stage and movies) but that’s about it.

Ha ave y you ffound the right g man?

I aam not searching. g But I hope p ‘he’ is.

I d on’t believe that a woman should be doing d g the searching. g To search for a wife is a man’s jjob. The Bible says, y , ‘He’ that finds a wife finds a g good thing. g That is the ‘He’ that I’m refer ring to.

What’s y your hobby y and what form off sports p do y you engage g g in?

M y hobby My y is watching g movies. I’m a couch p potato o l ike I said earlier. I swim and run. I’d llike to take up tennis at some point.

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΁, 2017

VINTAGE Helen Elelagu

At Louisville, Excellence Remains Our Hallmark Louisville Secondary School in Gwagwalada, Abuja is one of the few schools where discipline is the watchword and excellence, the hallmark. Principal of the School Helen Elelagu takes Stanley Nkwazema through the ten years journey of the school How long have you been with the school? will say I was one of the pioneer staff that started this school with the late Principal, Reverend Sister Fagbemi on the 30th of September 2006; we are 10 years and some months now. I was here in the first five years but left in 2011 and I am here again on my second missionary journey.

I

Why do you place emphasis on discipline?

The beauty of a person lies in the character of that person. If you really want to be successful in life, you need discipline. You must be disciplined to be hard working. We try to let our girls know that there is nothing they can achieve in life without discipline. If you really want to leave legacies, remembered for life, you need discipline. I think what people admire most here is discipline. Sometimes when people talk about discipline, they relate it with being strict. I tell people they can be strict but the word I use for it is firmness. What I do with my girls is that I let them know why they should do what they are asked to do. They need to understand the reason behind what they are asked to do and what not to do. They need to accept it and believe it to live it out. I don’t coerce them, I teach them to know it. We also let them know that they need it to be prosperous in life.

How has academic performance been in the last 10 years?

We are doing well for now, but you can never say you are satisfied till you get 100 percent.

We are waiting for 100 percent. We will be very satisfied when all the students get all A’s but at the same time, we appreciate that the girls are doing very well and excelling in different parts of the world.

How are parents reacting to the high level of discipline here?

Deep within them, they are happy. That is what they saw that brought their children here.

When you talk of discipline, no one enjoys it, but we need to be successful. At the moment, it pains, but when they sit back to evaluate it, they are in support. I am not surprised at what I observe or get as feedback when they say we are too strict. I know they appreciate it. Interestingly, I attended a Catholic School.

Marymount College Agbor in Delta state and went to University of Nigeria Nsukka. I am a Lioness. I studied Biochemistry, Microbiol-

Elelagu ogy. I have combined Honours but did PGD in Education. I joined the religious life as a graduate. After my profession, I was asked to do a Diploma n Education. When I was at Marymount, it was already taken over by government. So, I would not compare that to what we have today. I will say that the Catholic Schools are doing very well. When you have a Catholic sister or priest in a government school, you also see the difference because they put in that touch of discipline. We have such discipline during my days in secondary school. Though, it was a Government school at that time, we had an old girl of that school as the Principal, so that discipline was still there because she was trained by Missionaries. Today, the school has gone back to the church.

Some say co-education hinders quality education. Do you agree?

I don’t understand why people should be against Co-education. We must also have separate schools for boys and girls. They all have their advantages and disadvantage. Some people are not versed to single sex schools because they say that when they come out from there, they are shy, timid. I don’t believe

in that. It depends on the training. I don’t think that any girl from this school will go out to the larger society and be timid, not relating well. We have to strike a balance. Apart from the fact that they are only girls, our staff strength is still a mix of male and female. They still have that touch.

Whether it is coed or single sex, I encourage that there should be a standard which is very important and I will encourage the Federal and state governments to put in a lot in education.

It is an area a country should invest in. It is not all about reading books; education should be wholesome, both in intellect and building the character of the person.

in life without discipline. If you really want to leave legacies, remembered for life, you need discipline. I think what people admire most here is discipline. Sometimes when people talk about discipline, they relate it with being strict.

I tell people they can be strict but the word I use for it is firmness. What I do with my girls is that I let them know why they should do what they are asked to do. They need to understand the reason behind what they are asked to do and what not to do. They need to accept it and believe it to live it out. I don’t coerce them, I teach them to know it. We also let them know that they need it to be prosperous in life.

What legacy do you hope to leave at Louisville?

The legacy I am going to leave here is that every child in this school will have freedom to exercise her strength, freedom to explain why she is able to do, or why she has done what he did. There are two kinds of discipline; some people discipline children by coercing them, forcing them, I don’t believe in that. I discipline a child by teaching that child, letting you know the advantages and disadvantages of whatever action and then it is left for you to now take that decision while I guide. I am here to guide, I expect that any child that passes through me should be courageous enough to defend whatever action he or she takes. I have expelled many students in the past; we have sent about two out this term. There are certain standards we expect from a child and if after several cautions, disciplinary measures and there is no change, then the child will leave so that we can concentrate on the serious ones. So that she won’t pollute or cause others to join her way

How has academic performance been in the last 10 years?

We are doing well for now, but you can never say you are satisfied till you get 100 percent.

We are waiting for 100 percent. We will be very satisfied when all the students get all A’s but at the same time, we appreciate that the girls are doing very well and excelling in different parts of the world.

How long have you been with the school?

I will say I was one of the pioneer staff that started this school with the late Principal, Reverend Sister Fagbemi on the 30th of September 2006; we are 10 years and some months now.

I was here in the first five years but left in 2011 and I am here again on my second missionary journey.

Why do you place emphasis on discipline?

The beauties of a person lie in the character of that person. If you really want to be successful in life, you need discipline. You must be disciplined to be hard working. We try to let our girls know that there is nothing they can achieve

How are parents reacting to the high level of discipline here?

Deep within them, they are happy. That is what they saw that brought their children here.

When you talk of discipline, no one enjoys it, but we need to be successful. At the moment, it pains, but when they sit back to evaluate it, they are in support. I am not surprised at what I observe or get as feedback when they say we are too strict. I know they appreciate it. Interestingly, I attended a Catholic School. Marymount College Agbor in Delta state and went to University of Nigeria Nsukka. I am a Lioness. I studied Biochemistry, Microbiology. I have combined Honours but did PGD in Education. I joined the religious life as a graduate. After my profession, I was asked to do a Diploma n Education. When I was at Marymount, it was already taken over by government. So, I would not compare that to what we have today. I will say that the Catholic Schools are doing very well. When you have a Catholic sister or priest in a government school, you also see the difference because they put in that touch of discipline. We have such discipline during my days in secondary school. Though, it was a Government school at that time, we had an old girl of that school as the Principal, so that discipline was still there because she was trained by Missionaries. Today, the school has gone back to the church.

Monica Ugwuanyi’s Touch of Life Chibuzo Uche Anichukwu

T

he saying that behind every successful man is a woman is one that those who have closely followed the government with a human face being run by the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, would readily agree to given the humanitarian works of his wife, Her Excellency, Mrs. Monica Ugochi Ugwuanyi.

Coming to power with a promise to provide godly and humane leadership to the good people of Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had gone further to dedicate the State to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and indeed the awesome God of David.

Building on this foundation, Her Excellency, Mrs. Monica Ugochi Ugwuanyi took it upon herself to run with the task of recommitting Enugu into God’s hands on the 9th day of every month on the platform of the Enugu State Women Prayer Network.

The result is that Enugu has been variously rated as one of the most peaceful and secured states in Nigeria. The prayers also give flesh to the Governor’s deep belief in the miracle of five loaves and two fish. Whereas richer States lament of a casting down, unable to pay salaries, Enugu State has continued to witness a lifting up. Enugu is not only among the few states that pay workers regularly, equitable development projects are going on in every part of the State.

A woman deep in God’s word and overflowing with milk of human kindness, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi understands that faith

Monica and good work are mutually reinforcing.

Therefore, she has not only been mobilizing Enugu women to pray, she also put structures in place to minister to the educational, health, and economic needs of the less privileged in the State.

Through the Ugo’s Touch of Life Foundation (U-TOLF), which she founded, Mrs. Ugwuanyi has taken it upon herself to close the palpable gap in healthcare between the rich and the poor. The U-TOLF’s healthcare programmes has provided free cervical and breast cancer screening, enlightenment, and treatment to thousands of women, while men are provided with free prostate cancer sreening and care. U-TOLF has provided free eye screening and treatment as well as free

deworming of thousands of school children in rural areas. The Foundation also builds sickbay and carry out other health campaigns, such as hygiene to promote health in rural schools.

Education, according to the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandella of blessed memory, is the great engine of personal development through which the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, son of a mineworker become the head of the mine, and a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation.

Therefore, Mrs. Ugwuanyi, has through the U-TOLF’s scholarship scheme popularly known as Project 102, ensured that orphans and children of the poor do not miss out on primary and secondary education. Those covered by this scholarship scheme are cared for down to their uniforms, sandals, books and writing materials throughout their junior and senior secondary education.

To empower women economically, Mrs. Ugwuanyi not provides free vocational training for women, with priority given to the widows, she also personally hands them the requisite facilities to start up their own businesses. Farm inputs, such as fertiliser, are also distributed to woman in rural areas every farming season.

The amiable wife of the Governor also understands the vital role of women in housekeeping. Therefore, she personally takes it upon herself to enlighten women on home management, household hygiene, clean cook, and among others.

Mrs. Ugwuanyi’s life-touching efforts also extend to the routine visits to orphanages and

old people’s home, prophetic donations, leadership training, and Children’s Vacation Camp. It is well known to the people of the State that Governor Ugwuanyi and his wife do not hold elaborate events to mark their birthdays. They celebrate with orphanages.

This charitable woman, who has demonstrated that out of the abundance of the heart, the hand gives, continued her statewide annual women empowerment outreach with a visit to Amangunze, headquarters of Nkanu East Local Government headquarters to kick-start the August outreach in Enugu East Senatorial District last Wednesday. Just like other times, the women of Nkanu East felt the warmth of her heart and the magnanimity of her presence.

For indtance, she doled out empowerment facilities to hundreds of women already trained in various vocational skills to startoff their own businesses.

It is, therefore, with a basketful of gratitude that the women of Nomeh Unataeze join the wife of the Chairman, Nkanu East Local Government, Mrs. Precious Ubagu, and the good people of East Senatorial District in commending her exemplary works of charity and not only teaching our women how to fish, but also equipping them to do so for the benefit of their families and society.

Good wife of the good man, O muo olezuta anya, Oso di eme ogo, tall tree that shelters the poor, may your light continue to shine brighter and touch lives everywhere.

–Mrs. Chibuzo Uche Anichukwu writes from Nomeh, Enugu State

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 19, 2017

25

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

Masquerader, not ‘Masquerade’

EBERE WABARA

D

AILY Sun Front Page Headline error of August 14 welcomes us this weekend: “APC no match for (to) PDP— Wike” “It was attack by hoodlums who disguised as masquerades (masqueraders)…”

According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English New Edition for Advanced Learners, among other reference books, ‘masquerade’ (noun and countable) is ‘a formal dance where people wear MASKS and unusual clothes’. Another meaning (countable and uncountable depending on context): ‘a way of behaviour or speaking that hides your true thoughts or feelings’. Its synonym is ‘pretence’. An example: ‘She didn’t really love him, but she kept up the masquerade for the children’s sake’. The word also functions as a verb. Anyone involved in the foregoing is a ‘masquerader’—obviously not a ‘masquerade’!

“What we are saying is just remain faithful to the spirit and letters (sic) of the federal government.” (DAILY SUN, August 9)Get it right: the spirit and the letter of the law.

“Ozubulu killing: Obiano asks Anambra indigenes to wear black, observe minute silence” (Source: as above) In memory of the murdered Catholic Church worshippers: one-minute/twominute etc silence “Ex-council boss begs govt to clear Apapa drainage channels” (DAILY SUN Headline, August 7) This way: Apapa drains or drainage system—not ‘drainage channels’ because a drain or drainage system consists of operational channels or outlets.

“That the government is spending huge sums of money in search of crude oil in the Chad Basin at a time oil produc-

BY

ing (oil-producing) nations….”

“Budget minister, Sen (Sen.) Egba commend NCC over (for) Tennis Cup” Journalism has really changed: decades ago I was taught that headlines should not be titled (Dr., Chief, Senator, Master, Mr., Miss, Mrs., Engr., Arc. Sur….et al) The Guardian of July 14 fumbled two times: “The United States has donated a whooping (whopping) N995 billion to the Multinational Joint Task Force to boost military operations against the Boko Haram insurgency, the U.S. government has said. Conscience, Nurtured by Truth: no whooping cough, please “Also, the Presidency has pledged to garner the necessary investments to improve the wheeling capacity of the nation’s transmission infrastructure.”

Would they have been ‘unnecessary’ investments?

Still on THE GUARDIAN under focus: “He said that is (was) why he would come back to salvage the state and rescue it to put it back to realize it’s (its) pride of place as he left it in 2003 and go even beyond that.”

“Cash and carry (Cash-and-carry) democracy, bane of Nigeria’s development” “Falana supports Soyinka’s objections on (to) Sexual Offences Bill” “Train to become a certified child care personnel (official)” ‘Personnel’ is a collective noun.

“In other jurisdiction (another jurisdiction or other jurisdictions), you don’t just file for the sake of filing, you can’t just take a matter for the sake of taken (taking) it.”

“We therefore regret any inconveniences this might cause our esteem (esteemed) distributors. This announcement is ordered by Tiens Group—Nigeria.”

“NDIC boss charges corps members on bank saving (bank-saving) culture”

“…and newly-elected officials sworn-in (sworn in) at the federal and state levels….” Phrasal verbs abhor hyphenation.

“Oil swap (Oil-swap) contracts: AITEO not front for Jonathan, AlisonMadueke—Spokesperson” Except if the headline caster meant that oil was swapping contracts!

“Jigawa council chairmen pledge support to (for) APC govt” “I wish you many more years in good health and prosperity, to further your accomplishments to (in) journalism and humanity (service to humanity, you mean?)”

“I and my wife, Lady (My wife, Lady… and I….) Etymological sequence is critical to good writing.

“Use of made-in Nigerian (Nigeria) cars by Mr. President will lift auto industry” “Soyinka laments Chibok girls (girls’) continued captivity” (THE NATION ON SUNDAY, August 6) THE NATION ON SUNDAY of July 30 comes up next with the following errors: “Dangote commissions (inaugurates/ auspicates/launches, et al) $500 million cement plant in Ethiopia” “Osinbajo to flag off (inaugurate) super highway in Cross River” “First and foremost, you must look at the PDP; they mismanaged their victory and haven (having) mismanaged the victory….”

“The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria…played very prominent roles during the electioneering campaigns that ushered in the new administration.” ‘Electioneering’ and ‘campaigns’ cannot co-exist in the same lexical environment as the former encompasses the latter.

“On the occasion of your birthday anniversary….” For the umpteenth time, ‘birthday’ and ‘anniversary’ cannot co-function in the same lexical environ-

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

ment. ‘Birthday’ is the anniversary/ commemoration of one’s birth.

Take note that the old, grammatical rule that “one” must be followed by “one” and its parts—“one, one’s, oneself”, has changed. The feeling that the repetition of “one”—one’s (e.g. One must do what one can to ensure one’s family a decent standard of living) makes for a stilted style has now led to the permissible shift from “one, one’s” to “he, his” (e.g. One must do what he can to ensure his family a decent standard of living).

In general, a shift in the number or nature of pronouns is undesirable, but this particular shift is established usage.

Examples: When one is in power and things go his way in highly competitive elections, his first task is to fight his own mentality. Perhaps one has gone to the university where he has been given the wrong orientation that his degree is an opportunity to reach for the skies just like that. One could be said to hate himself if he lacks self–confidence in his abilities.

Every user of the language, particularly every journalist or communicator, must keep abreast of the current changes—the dynamics—in the language.

“Even a child in this nation knows that the police derives (derive) its (their) enabling and operational authority from the dictates of the Centre….” The paper’s Metro Section institutionalized this same lexical bondage in one of its headlines: “In Kano, Police allegedly shoots (sic) tanker driver over bribe” Its Editorial was equally not left out in this particular police howler: “Nigerians would no doubt be happier to hear from the Nigerian Police what it is (they are) doing to enhance its (their) capacity….”

“The ban on tinted glasses is even more reprehensible because the security benefits it can deliver is (are) far from certain.”

INSIGHT

Satanic Voices Duke Ogunbor

J

erry John Rawlings, the former military dictator and President of Ghana will forever remain an enigma in the folklore of Ghanaian politics – though, the jury is still out on whether he was a good or bad leader. Nevertheless, in a continent blighted by sit-tight leaders, the remarkable act of voluntarily relinquishing power, especially to a candidate from the opposition party, earned him a well deserved entry into the very rare pantheon of African leaders.

For that reason, whenever he weighs in on any issue, his comments and views always carry a lot of gravitas.

Therefore, it should be of no surprise to most people, that I was particularly interested in what he had to say concerning the incendiary rhetoric credited to some Nigerian politicians, and champions of various ethnic based groups, in what is turning out to be a zero sum game.

Recently, while speaking at the 12th annual lecture organised by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Ekiti State chapter, The former Ghanaian President, warned Nigerians to stop hate speeches, and desist from threatening each on tribal grounds; he emphasized that such development is not good for the nation. His admonition comes against the backdrop of the burgeoning agitations by nearly all ethnic groups Nigeria, and in particular, the upsetting audio recording, purportedly being spread in some parts of Nigeria by an amorphous Northern Youth group.

President Rawlings concern should not be lost on us. Nigeria by the sheer size of her population and economic clout plays a strategic role in the overall stability of the African continent; therefore, any whiff of instability will always have a debilitating effect.

To illustrate the potency of this clout, I will share an anecdote by one of our own representatives in the pantheon of African statesmen, President Olusegun Obasanjo (though I harbor a negative view of his personal moral compass, a subject for another day).

According to him, during a state visit to Ivory Coast, when he held sway as military head of state, all the major markets in that French speaking West African country were closed as a mark of respect, not by the host government, but by the traders who were mostly Nigerians. This incident happened in late 70s, so it is

Rawlings very likely that the population of Nigerians in that country must have, by current estimates, quadrupled.

A fairly more recent example is when, not long ago, Late President Matthieu Kerekou of Benin Republic had to literarily go on all fours to plead with OBJ for the reopening of his country’s borders with Nigeria, after an indefinite closure had been ordered by the

latter to stem the tide of cross-border smuggling.

Inasmuch as we seem to care-less about keeping the peace in our nation; nam tua res agitur paries cum proximus adet a quote in Latin by the famous Roman poet Horace, provides some justification why some of our neighbours believe it is within their rights to voice concern –loosely translated into English, it means; you too are in danger when your neighbour’s house is on fire. In any case, our neighbors have in recent times felt the adverse spill-over effects from our internal wrangling – Cameroun, Chad Niger by their sheer proximity have been dragged into the vortex of the asymmetrical warfare between Nigeria and the Boko Haram insurgents.

So at times like this, when calmer heads should prevail, the recent comments credited to Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) in response to the audio recording is most unhelpful; without a shred of evidence, he accused the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as being the authors and sponsors of the now infamous recording. As usual, when politics is thrown in the mix, the underlying import, and likely resolution of what is potentially a dangerous situation gets allmuddled up. Such rhetoric was unhelpful when just a few years ago, the former publicity secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh accused (also without a shred of evidence) the then nascent APC as being sponsors of Boko Haram and touted them as proponents of the infamous janjaweed ideology. Metuh’s rhetoric was unhelpful then, same way Oyegun’s rhetoric is now.

If history remains the best teacher, then we as Nigerians, have every reason to be concerned. While our good neighbours, like Rawlings, can see a clearand-resent danger, and choose to speak out; our own leaders, like Oyegun are busy hurling verbal Molotov cocktails on the smoldering fire of discontent. Therefore, for the survival of our nation, it is time to not only crowd out the noise from these satanic voices, but to identify and isolate those leaders - religious, ethnic, local and national who are busy ratcheting up the flames of angst, divisiveness and hatred. We should, without ambiguity, and any hint of equivocation, tell them that Nigeria deserves better.

“Be resolute in your convictions, but never absolute in your views” –Duke Ogunbor

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

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

Overtaking

Lamborghini Giro

Lamborghini Giro Japan: On the Route of the Rising Sun Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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apan hosted the prestigious Lamborghini Giro for the first time this year, offering Lamborghini super sports owners a unique driving experience. Building on the success of the driving tours organized in Italy and China, the Japanese

tour started from Nagoya in July and went on to Osaka and Kagawa for the second edition in August.

The spectacular convoy of super sports cars made in Sant’Agata covered over 500 km in two days. Around fifteen Lamborghinis from the Kansai region left from the ATC HALL Piloti Square in Osaka, crossed the Akashi Kaiky Bridge

and stopped off at the Goshiki Wellness Park set in the Awaji Island National Park.

They made a pit stop at “Yoshima PA” to enjoy the spectacular view over the Seto Inland Sea. The next day they made their first stop at Westin Awaji Island, before heading back to Osaka and reaching the tour’s final destination, the “Osaka Tenmangu”.

Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Sonata Named One of 10 Most Awarded Cars of 2017

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he all new Hyundai Sonata has earned a spot on Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com “10 Most Awarded Cars of 2017” list, .

In addition, Hyundai was one of the “10 Most Awarded Brands of 2017,” with vehicles throughout its lineup being honored for their design, engineering,

technology and value.

In a crowded midsize-sedan market, the Sonata shines with its powerful, engines, handsome styling, comfortable and quiet driving environment and wide array of standard features.

“Even in one of the industry’s most competitive classes, the Sonata continues to distinguish itself with dynamic style and luxury features at

a best-in-class value,” said Brandon Ramirez, senior group manager, product planning, Hyundai Motor America.

“We strive to provide our customers with ‘better’ and Sonata delivers on this commitment by innovating and exciting drivers with each new release and customers are seeing that today.”

Overtaking Overtakingisoneoftheriskiestmanoeuvresonourroads, asitputsyouinthedirectpathofoncomingtrafficinasingle carriage road. We must bear in mind that overtaking at the wrong place or time can put you on a collision course with oncoming traffic. In the real sense of it, overtaking needs not be dangerous as it seems, as far as you take care and follow the basic rules of overtaking. The secret of safe overtaking is to visualise in advance every detail of what might happen during the overtaking manoeuvre.

Overtaking on a two-lane dual carriageway or an expressway is less dangerous than a single carriageway.

You should normally drive in the right-hand lane and use the left-hand lane for overtaking or turning left.At the completion of your overtaking manoeuvre, move back to the right-hand lane when it is safe to do so.

Before deciding to overtake, ask yourself if the benefit is worth the risk. Many people have been killed or injured because of their poor decision to overtake, so always ask yourself if it safe, lawful or necessary to carry out the manoeuvre.You should make sure the road is sufficiently clear ahead; the vehicle behind is not beginning to overtake you; and there is a suitable gap in front of the vehicle you plan to overtake. If you are in doubt whether it is safe or not, don’t overtake. Do not overtake where your view is restrictedatbends,orwhenyouareapproachingjunctions, as vehicles might be emerging. Where there is a dip in a road that could hide an oncoming vehicle, you need to take special care.

Preparing to Overtake You will need to use the MSPSLor hazard routine several times when overtaking. When you have decided that it is safe to overtake, make sure that the road ahead is clear.

To get a good view of the road ahead, stay well back, and matchthespeedofthevehicleyouwanttoovertake.Check the mirrors and position so that you can see a long straight stretchofroadthatisfreeofoncomingvehicles,obstructions and side roads. The basic routine is as follows: Mirrors - always assess the speed and position of traffic.

Checktherearvieworinteriorandthelefthanddoormirrors.

Signal - at this stage because we are only preparing to overtake, do not apply signal.

Position - keep well back to allow the vehicle in front to see you as well as keeping a safe following distance.

Speed - keep to the same speed as the vehicle ahead and consider changing down a gear for extra power to help pass briskly when you get the chance.

Look - assess the whole situation – the road condition, the intention of the driver ahead, and any other hazard.

Asthesituationcanchangeyoumayneedtokeepfollowing the above routine until you are sure it is safe to overtake.

When Overtaking If it appears safe ahead and behind, you may need to change to a lower gear in order to accelerate briskly past thevehicleyouareovertaking.ApplytheMSPSLorhazard routine again – look in the mirrors to check that it is still safe, and signal to let others know of your intentions. Pull out on a smooth line that will give adequate clearance to the vehicle ahead. Overtake as promptly as you can. Try not to stay in the other driver’s blind area for too long. The basic routine is as follows: Mirrors - re-assess the situation behind as well as rearview or interior and left-hand door mirrors. As you are about to overtake have a quick look for any blind spots - just a quick sideways glance.

Signal - always apply a left signal to overtake as it will help drivers behind and the driver you are overtaking.

Manoeuvre - pull out on a smooth line overtaking as quickly as you can.

After Overtaking Beforemovingbacktotheright-handlaneafterovertaking, use the MSPSL or hazard routine again to pull back on to your side as soon as you safely can. Make sure you are clear of the vehicle you are overtaking so that you do not force the driver you have overtaken to slow down.

Always make sure that you can see the vehicle you have overtakeninyourrearvieworcentremirrorbeforemoving in. Once in your normal road position, check your mirrors again and make progress. In next week’s article we shall be discussing dual carriageways. For further explanations or clarification on the articles in the Essential Skills of Driving column, consult the author.

Stephen K. Dieseruvwe

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

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

27

Toyota, Mazda Enter Capital Alliance

T

New 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

Jeep® 2018 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, Claims Quickest SUV Stories by Bennett Oghifo

T

he new 2018 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk hasbeentransformedintothemostpowerful and quickest SUV ever.

The new 2018 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is injected with an unmatched 707 horsepower–courtesyofanawe-inspiring supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine – the most awarded SUV ever and the most capable full-size SUV in Canada.

Built in Detroit at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant, the new 2018 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will arrive in Jeep® showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2017. “The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk deliversastoundingperformancenumbers,backedby

renownedSRTengineeringthatcombinesworld-class on-road driving dynamics with luxury, refinement and an array of innovative advanced technology,” said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand. “As the most powerful and quickest SUV, there is nothing else like the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk in the market.”

The new benchmark 707-horsepower supercharged engine combines with an upgraded high-torque capacityTorqueFlite eight-speedautomatic transmission, world-class on-road driving dynamics and new Brembo brakes to deliver a new level of performance: 0-60milesperhour(mph)in3.5seconds,quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds at 187 km/h, top speed of 290 km/h, 60-0 mph braking distance in 35 metres (114 feet) and .88g capability on the skid pad.

As the most powerful and quickest SUV ever, the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is packed

with standard performance features, including: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine with 707 horsepower, 645 lb-ft of torque and 3.5-second 0-60 mph times;TorqueFliteeight-speedautomatictransmission with improved shift response, quality and consistent performance and drivability; Jeep Quadra-Trac ondemand 4x4 system, which includes an electronic limited-slip rear differential and a single-speed active transfer case; Launch Control optimizes the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s performance by coordinating the engine, transmission, driveline and suspension for a textbook launch and consistent straight-line acceleration; Selec-Track system uses performance-tuned software to pre-configure and distinguish the five dynamic modes (Auto, Sport, Track, Snow and Tow), enabling drivers to choose a vehicle setting that ideally meets their requirements.

oyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) signed an agreement today to enter a business and capital alliance, with the aim of further strengthening their partnership.

The agreement is a testament to the positive result of two years of collaborative and deliberate discussions between the two companies, and it is a milestone in the journey to further strengthen and accelerate the partnership in a sustainable way.

Specifically, the companies agreed to: 1) establish a joint venture that produces vehicles in the United States, 2) jointly develop technologies for electric vehicles, 3) jointly develop connected-car technology, 4) collaborate on advanced safety technologies and 5) expand complementary products.

In addition, together with the aim of advancing and strengthening their long-term collaboration, Toyota and Mazda agreed to a capital alliance arrangementthatpreservesindependenceandequality for both companies. In the capital tie-up, the two companies have agreed that Toyota will subscribe for and acquire shares to be newly issued by Mazda through a third-party allotment, and at the same time Mazda will subscribe for and acquire third-party allocation shares of treasury stock disposed of by Toyota in the equivalent amount in value to the Mazda shares. The value of the shares mutually acquired by both companies will be equivalent.

Marking the agreement, Toyota President Akio Toyoda said: “The greatest fruit of our partnership with Mazda is that we have found a new partner who truly loves cars. It has also sparked Toyota’s competitive spirit, increasing our sense of not wanting to be bested by Mazda. This is a partnership in which those who are passionate about cars will work together to make ever-better cars. It is also the realization of our desire to never let cars become commodities.”

Coscharis Motors Offers 10% Discount on Select Genuine Ford Parts

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n a bid to continually deliver quality aftersales service, Ford Motor Company’s sole dealer in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, is offering a 10% discount on select genuine Ford parts.

A statement by Coscharis said the offer runs until the end of September, 2017. “This is testament to the company’s commitment to safety and maintenance of its customers’ vehicles at various locations across the country,” Coscharis said.

According to Abiona Babarinde, General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications at Coscharis Group, the campaign is designed to delight customers by giving them value for money and added benefit.

“The economic situation in the country has affected so many things including vehicle maintenance and we believe that as key players in the motoring industry in Nigeria we cannot allow customers to forgo their vehicle safety,” said Babarinde.

“This is why we have taken it upon ourselves to give our loyal customers some relief in this challenging period. We want to help our customers with our 10% discount on select parts such as brakes, shocks, batteries and service parts to cushion their expenses at this period at our various aftersales service centres and Quick Lane facilities that are now in many neighbourhoods across the country,” Babarinde said.

2017 Ford Edge interior

A Marshal Under Siege

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love Denzel Washington. He is my favorite and a delight to watch in whatever role he is cast .As a young actor, Denzel provided for me the inspiration to deliver on stage .I recall several times when I had to study him for inspiration especially when I was opportuned to be cast as Sizwe Bansi in Arthold Fugger’s Sizwe Bansi is Dead during my days as a member of Theartre15,at the University of Lagos. Without sounding modest, one of my critics then at the University of Lagos,late Professor Femi Adetugbo who was then Dean, Faculty of Arts described our performance as the best he had seen, rivaling a similar performance he saw in the United Kingdom performed by professional actors. Although this piece is not about Denzel but his movies ,Under Siege and A man under fire provides for me the title for today’s piece.

If you are also a fan of his, then you must relish his performance in those movies. Like him, I was under siege and also came under fire, although a different kind of fire. I am sure you never heard that I was under fire. Not like the kind of fire Bovi and his crazy crew put themselves under whenever it is time for them to thrill Nigerians with back to back comedy by the very best the entertainment industry can boast of. My fire was not from the nozzle of a gun like the case of my colleagues in Aba,Abia state. Mine was ignited by some

SAFE DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

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

transporters who a fortnight ago laid siege on my command along the Jos-Zaria road in Jos,the Plateau state capital. Incidentally, this happened while we were engaging their leaders on their grouses were. Their actions threw me off balance bringing flashes of a discussion I had some years back with the former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps,osita chidoka on what Nigerians really want.

Let me bring you up to speed on some issues in contention. Top on their agenda was what they termed the regular mobile court sitting, the ongoing enforcement on speed limiting device which commenced nationwide on feb1,2017 after months of advisory enforcement that entailed subtle enforcement without arrest, ticketing but rather extensive advocacy and public enlightenment in keeping with the position of the various stakeholders who had asked for robust enlightenment.In summary they desired

an enforcement with human face .It was these series of complains that prompted me again on Monday 14th to convene an elaborate meeting with these stakeholders and was honored to have in attendance the commissioner of police in the state,Peter Ogunyewo who patiently waited all through the over four hours meeting alongside representatives of the other security agencies .After hours of jaw jaw,we made peace but they they were told in clear terms that they cannot break the law with impunity and yet choose to manipulate or teleguide enforcement to suit their whims and caprices. The stakeholders left hey meeting excited at a fresh begining with frsc and other security agencies in order to promote peace in the state.This siege is a wake up call for me even though it is the first in my career as I have always managed to cement a strong synergy with stakeholders whenever I work .Before the siege,some angry drivers drove all the way from Lafia,the Nasarawa state capital to Hawan Kibo in Plateau state to disrupt patrol activities as a way of expressing dislike for some aspects of our operations. That action and the one directly under my watch is a pointer to the level of impunity and lawlessness against frsc marshals which has been condemned by government and well meaning Nigerians.

The events of the last one month have been captured by the social media. Impunity, lawlessness and disregard for human life are getting

worse in Nigeria. Proof of this abounds across Frsc commands. Even though most of these incidents occurred in Commands outside my watch but I must say say here that there have been some bad cases earlier. Before I left Port Harcourt where I spent twelve months, I recall a case where construction workers mobilized under the leading of a uniform personnel to mob and assault a patrol team, inflicting injuries on the team leader. His offence was that he stopped a vehicle belonging to a colored driver who refers to himself as expatriate.

Even though he failed to stop, he still had the effrontery to drive into their site, instigate Nigerian laborers to mob and assault their fellow brother in defense of a colored driver who they mistook for a white man. The incident in Abak was totally different.So too was the one which the Punch editorial rightly captured thus:In another incident in Calabar in January, Cletus Okune, a driver attached to the Cross River State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Peter Egba, was remanded in Afokang Prison in the city for allegedly assaulting two members of the FRSC. The Commissioner, according to newspaper reports, was not in the vehicle when it was impounded for a number of traffic offences, including driving without fastening of seat belts. But, on arrival at the scene, Egba reportedly ordered his driver to assault them.

“The Commissioner later joined in the beating and also used a stone to injure a colleague in the head,” Fidelis Eteng, one of the victims, said Egba denied ordering the assault.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚Π˜ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

FAMILY HEALTH

Fatigue – Pushing Yourself to A Halt

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uman beings in general tend to ignore our body speaking to us that there is the need to slow down and press your slow mode button for a while, and then having rested for a while, regained strength, press your restart button. But no, we just tend to go on a suicide mode, till we eventually grind our entire system to a halt. I have always told those that bother to listen, you have only one life, and there are times, when all the money in the world cannot buy you good health.

Fatigue is extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness.

Physical and mental fatigue are different, but they often occur together. Long-term physical exhaustion can also lead to mental fatigue. A lack of sleep can both result from and increase the risk of a number of medical conditions.

Nearly everyone is overtired or overworked from time to time. Such instances of temporary fatigue usually have an identifiable cause and a likely remedy.

Unrelenting exhaustion, on the other hand, lasts longer, is more profound and isn’t relieved by rest. It’s a nearly constant state of weariness that develops over time and reduces your energy, motivation and concentration. Fatigue at this level impacts your emotional and psychological well-being, too.

Fatigue can prevent a person from fulfilling their usual tasks. It can make it hard to get out of bed in the morning.

When it affects safety, for example, on the road, it becomes a public health concern.

Fatigue is the state of feeling very tired, weary or sleepy resulting from insufficient sleep, prolonged mental or physical work, or extended periods of stress or anxiety.

Boring or repetitive tasks can intensify feelings of fatigue.

Fatigue can be described as either acute or chronic.

Acute fatigue results from short-term sleep loss or from short periods of heavy physical or mental work.

The effects of acute fatigue are of short duration and usually can be reversed by sleep and relaxation.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is the constant, severe state of tiredness that is not relieved by rest. The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are similar to the flu, last longer than six months and interfere with certain activities. The exact cause of this syndrome is still unknown.

There are dierent types of fatigue r 1IZTJDBM GBUJHVF " QFSTPO à OET JU QIZTJDBMMZ IBSE UP do the things they normally do or used to do, for example, climbing stairs. It includes muscle weakness. Diagnosis may involve a strength test. r .FOUBM GBUJHVF *U JT IBSEFS UP DPODFOUSBUF PO UIJOHT The person may feel sleepy, have a decreased level of consciousness, and in some cases show signs similar to that of an intoxicated state.

Sleepiness can happen when a person does not have enough good-quality sleep, or when there is a lack of stimulation. It can also be a symptom of a medical condition.

It is more likely to be short term. Sleepiness, or drowsiness, may be solved by getting a good night’s sleep.

Fatigue, especially chronic fatigue, is usually linked to a medical problem. Drowsiness and fatigue can be life-threatening, for example, if it impairs a person when driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery. r)PX NVDI TMFFQ EP QFPQMF OFFE It varies, but on average studies say we need at least 7 to 9 hours every day. Studies have reported that most night workers get about 5 to 7 hours less sleep per week than the day shift. (You can accumulate a sleep “debt�, but not a surplus.) )VNBOT GPMMPX BO iJOUFSOBMu PS iCJPMPHJDBM DMPDLu cycle of sleep, wakefulness, and alertness. Although these circadian rhythms are influenced by external clues such as the sun setting and rising, it is the brain that sets ZPVS QBUUFSO .PTU DZDMFT BSF IPVST MPOH BOE UIFSF are natural dips or periods when you feel tired or less alert - even for those who are well-rested. .PTU PG VT OFFE BSPVOE FJHIU IPVST PG HPPE RVBMJUZ sleep a night to function properly – but some need more and some less. What matters is that you find out how much sleep you need and then try to achieve it.

As a general rule, if you wake up tired and spend the day longing for a chance to have a nap, it’s likely that you’re not getting enough sleep.

A variety of factors can cause poor sleep, including health conditions such as sleep apnea. But in most cases, it’s due to bad sleeping habits. )PX UP HFU B CFUUFS TMFFQ There is no one way to get a good sleep - what works for one person may not work for another. In general, TVHHFTUJPOT JODMVEF 1. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. &YFSDJTF SFHVMBSMZ &BU BU SFHVMBS JOUFSWBMT BOE DPOTVNF B CBMBODFE EJFU of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and protein.

4. Use your bed primarily just for sleeping (e.g., do not watch television, read or do work in bed).

5. If you are not sleepy, do not try to go to bed. Get up and read or do something quiet instead.

6. Avoid caffeine, tobacco or alcohol - especially before bed time.

7. Turn off the telephone ringer and answering machine speaker.

8. Ask family members to be respectful if one person is sleeping. Family members can use headphones for

with

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, ͸΀͸ͽ͝͝Ϳͺ͝ͽ͞

r JSSJUBCJMJUZ BOE NPPEJOFTT r MPTT PG BQQFUJUF r XFBLFOFE JNNVOF TZTUFN r TIPSU UFSN NFNPSZ JNQBJSNFOU MFBEJOH UP QSPCMFNT XJUI PSHBOJ[JOH UIPVHIUT BOE Ă OEJOH UIF SJHIU XPSET to say, known as brain fog r TMFFQJOFTT BOE ESPXTJOFTT r TMPX SFTQPOTFT UP TUJNVMJ BOE TMPXFS SFĂĄFYFT UIBO before r WJTJPO QSPCMFNT TVDI BT CMVSSJOFTT r *O TFWFSF DBTFT UIF QFSTPO NBZ FYQFSJFODF IBMlucinations. r XFBSJOFTT r UJSFEOFTT r MBDL PG NPUJWBUJPO r EFQSFTTJPO r HJEEJOFTT

Fatigue is the state of feeling very tired, weary or sleepy resulting from insuďŹƒcient sleep, prolonged mental or physical work, or extended periods of stress or anxiety.

Boring or repetitive tasks can intensify feelings of fatigue. Fatigue can be described as either acute or chronic.

Acute fatigue results from short-term sleep loss or from short periods of heavy physical or mental work.

The eects of acute fatigue are of short duration and usually can be reversed by sleep and relaxation

the TV and radio if necessary. .BLF UIF SPPN BT EBSL BOE RVJFU BT QPTTJCMF 6TF heavy, dark curtains, blinds, or a sleeping eye mask.

Soundproof the room where possible or use ear plugs.

.PTU QFPQMF TMFFQ CFUUFS XIFO UIF SPPN JT DPPM Consider using an air conditioner or fan in the summer months. )FSF BSF TFWFO XBZT JO XIJDI B HPPE OJHIU T TMFFQ DBO CPPTU ZPVS IFBMUI 1. Sleep boosts immunity If you seem to catch every cold and flu that’s going around, your bedtime could be to blame. Prolonged lack of sleep can disrupt your immune system, so you’re less able to fend off bugs.

4MFFQ DBO TMJN ZPV Sleeping less may mean you put on weight! Studies have shown that people who sleep less than seven hours a day tend to gain more weight and have a higher risk of becoming obese than those who get seven hours of slumber.

4MFFQ CPPTUT NFOUBM XFMMCFJOH Given that a single sleepless night can make you irritable and moody the following day, 4. Sleep prevents diabetes Studies have suggested that people who usually sleep less than five hours a night have an increased risk of having or developing diabetes.

5. Sleep increases sex drive .FO BOE XPNFO XIP EPO U HFU FOPVHI RVBMJUZ TMFFQ have lower libidos and less of an interest in sex, research shows.

6. Sleep wards off heart disease Long-standing sleep deprivation seems to be associated with increased heart rate, an increase in blood pressure and higher levels of certain chemicals linked with inflammation, which may put extra strain on your heart.

7. Sleep increases fertility Catching up on sleep If you don’t get enough sleep, there’s only one way to compensate – getting more sleep.

It won’t happen with a single early night. If you’ve had months of restricted sleep, you’ll have built up a significant sleep debt, so expect recovery to take several weeks.

Starting on a weekend, try to add on an extra hour or two of sleep a night. The way to do this is to go to bed when you’re tired, and allow your body to wake you in the morning (no alarm clocks allowed!). &YQFDU UP TMFFQ GPS VQXBSET PG IPVST B OJHIU BU à STU After a while, the amount of time you sleep will gradually decrease to a normal level.

Don’t rely on caffeine or energy drinks as a short-term pick-me-up. They may boost your energy and concentration temporarily, but can disrupt your sleep patterns even further in the long term.

Signs and symptoms The main symptom of fatigue is exhaustion after a physical or mental activity. The patient does not feel refreshed after resting or sleeping. It may be hard to carry out the usual activities. The signs and symptoms of fatigue may be physical, mental, or emotional.

These include r #PEZ BDIFT DBO CF B TJHO PG GBUJHVF r BDIJOH PS TPSF NVTDMFT r QBJOGVM MZNQI OPEFT r BQBUIZ BOE MBDL PG NPUJWBUJPO r QFSTJTUFOU UJSFEOFTT r EJGĂ DVMUZ JO DPODFOUSBUJOH r EJ[[JOFTT r SFEVDFE IBOE UP FZF DPPSEJOBUJPO r IFBEBDIF r JNQBJSFE KVEHNFOU BOE JOEFDJTJWFOFTT

Causes of fatigue .PTU PG UIF UJNF GBUJHVF DBO CF USBDFE UP POF PS NPSF of your habits or routines, particularly lack of exercise.

It’s also commonly related to depression. On occasion, fatigue is a symptom of other underlying conditions that require medical treatment. r -JGFTUZMF GBDUPST Taking an honest inventory of things that might be responsible for your fatigue is often the first step toward SFMJFG 'BUJHVF NBZ CF SFMBUFE UP 1. Use of alcohol or drugs &YDFTT QIZTJDBM BDUJWJUZ +FU MBH 4. Lack of physical activity 5. Lack of sleep .FEJDBUJPOT TVDI BT BOUJIJTUBNJOFT DPVHI NFEJDJOFT 7. Unhealthy eating habits Fatigue is a symptom of many health conditions.

.FOUBM IFBMUI JTTVFT It can result from stress, bereavement and grief, eating disorders, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, anxiety, moving home, boredom, and divorce. It can occur with clinical depression, either due to the depression itself, or because of associated problems, such as insomnia.

&OEPDSJOF BOE NFUBCPMJD SFBTPOT Conditions such as Cushing’s disease, kidney disease, electrolyte problems, diabetes, hypothyroidism, anemia, kidney disease, and liver disease can all lead to fatigue.

%SVHT BOE NFEJDBUJPOT Some antidepressants, antihypertensives, statins, steroids, antihistamines, medication withdrawal, sedatives, and anti-anxiety drugs can cause drowsiness.

)FBSU BOE MVOH DPOEJUJPOT 5) Sleep problems Working late, shift work, jet lag, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia, and reflux esophagitis can lead to a lack of sleep and fatigue.

6) Chemicals and substances Vitamin deficiencies, mineral deficiencies, poisoning, and consuming too many caffeinated or alcoholic beverages may make it harder to get to sleep, or stay asleep, especially if these are consumed too close to bedtime.

7) Various diseases, conditions, states, and treatments Cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, massive blood loss, and weakened immune systems can all cause fatigue. Fatigue can also be a sign of infection. Some infections that cause tiredness include malaria.

8) Chronic pain Patients with chronic pain often wake up tired, even after sleeping for a long time, especially if pain disrupts their sleep. The combination of pain and lack of sleep can cause persistent tiredness.

9) Being overweight or underweight A person who is underweight may tire easily because they have less muscle strength.

10) Too much or too little activity.

A person who feels tired may not exercise, and lack of exercise can cause further fatigue. Lack of exercise may eventually make it harder and more tiring to perform a physical chore.

Diagnosis Diagnosis can be difficult, because the causes and symptoms are varied and non-specific.

You will be asked to do these assessments 1. evaluate the qualities of the fatigue JEFOUJGZ UIF QBUUFSOT PG UIFJS GBUJHVF GPS FYBNQMF times of day when symptoms are worse or better, and whether a nap helps EFTDSJCF UIF RVBMJUZ PG UIFJS TMFFQ UIFJS FNPUJPOBM state, sleep patterns and stress levels 4. The patient can help by keeping a record of the total hours slept each day, and how often they awaken during sleep.

5. The physician may carry out a physical examination to check for signs of illnesses and ask the patient which medications they are using. Other factors to consider include present or recent infections, such as glandular fever, and events that may cause fatigue, such as giving birth, having undergone surgery, a bereavement, and so on.

6. The doctor will also ask about lifestyle, including diet, alcohol consumption, sleep habits, and so on.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

19.08.2017

Ogenyi Onazi Looking Good to Soar with Birmingham

LONDON DERBY PAGE. 29

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

Looking Good to Soar with Birmingham ʰÏÜ ËØ ÓØÓÞÓËÖ ÎÏØÓËÖ ÞÒËÞ ÒÏ áËÝ Îß×ÚÓØÑ ÒÓÝ ßÜÕÓÝÒ ÍÖß̘ ÜËÌäÙØÝÚÙܘ ÑÏØãÓ ØËäÓ áËÝ ÙØ ÏÎØÏÝÎËã ßØàÏÓÖÏÎ Ìã ØÑÖÓÝÒ ÒË×ÚÓÙØÝÒÓÚ ÝÓÎϘ ÓÜ×ÓØÑÒË× ÓÞ㘠ËÝ ÓÞÝ ÖËÞÏÝÞ ËÍÛßÓÝÓÞÓÙØ˛ ÒÜÙØÓÍÖÓØÑ ÒÓÝ ÍËÜÏÏÜ ÐÜÙ× ËäÓÙ˜ Kunle Adewale áÜÓÞÏÝ ËÌÙßÞ ÞÒÏ ÚÙÞÏØÞÓËÖ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ×ÙàÏ ÞÙ ÜÏÔßàÏØËÞÏ ÒÓÝ ÍËÜÏÏÜ

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any would argue that the state of Nigeria’s national team is a reflection of the quality of players the country has at its disposal. While most of them are playing in lowly rated clubs, the few that play in top clubs could not boast of regular shirts except for about two or three players.

Ogenyi Onazi is one of such Super Eagles players struggling in the lowly Turkey league, but things are now looking good for him. After an initial denial and with news emanating that Onazi had changed his mind about leaving Turkish club, Trabzonspor, over unpaid wages and that he had received further assurance from the club about his salary, English Championship side, Birmingham, suddenly announced him as its newest player on Wednesday.

His agent and former Nigeria international, Ayodele Makinwa, said the issue with Trabzonspor was settled amicably.

"To be clear, we never asked for any financial improvement or whatsoever. We settled the differences with additional guarantees with regards to payment. It's an avoidable and unnecessary problem but both parties have come out with a mutual understanding now," Makinwa told BBC Sport.

Onazi even resumed pre-season training with the Turkish club before the Birmingham deal.

"We have an agreement with the club which strictly states that the player has a right to terminate his contract if the club failed to pay him for two months or more," he said.

Revealing why he opted to join the English Championship club, the Super Eagles midfielder, said it was because the club’s manager, Harry Redknapp had long wanted to sign him, adding that his experience would help the club return to the English top-flight league.

“Redknapp first wanted to sign me when he was in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, but for some reasons he couldn’t. He has called me to say he wants big, experienced players to help his team gain promotion to the Premier League. For me, this is an opportunity for me to get into the system. I believe that within a year, we will be playing in the Premier League,” the Benue-born player said.

The veteran English manager had earlier confirmed that talks were underway for the Super Eagles vice-captain.

In a chat with THISDAY, former Nigeria midfielder, Friday Ekpo said he did not see Onazi’s

Onazi

move to Birmingham as a plunge in his football career.

“Looking at it critically, it’s not a bad move after all. He is going to play under a coach that believes in him and had even wanted him before this time.

“Moreover, Harry Redknapp has the track record of reviving team; it is not surprising therefore that Onazi had challenged himself to help return the club back to top flight,” Ekpo said.

Continuing, the former international said, Onazi had been unfortunate to have played in

clubs where they owe him salaries, which sometimes unsettles him. He is now going to play in a system that is well organised. With many of his international colleagues playing in England, this will go a long way in helping him to settle down fast.”

Onazi’s performance in Turkey had earlier caught the eye of La liga side, Sevilla. According to AOIFootball.com, Sevilla’s new coach, Manuel Eduardo Berizzo who took over from former manager Jorge Sampaoli wants to bolster his squad ahead of the new season and fancies the midfielder’s playing style.

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AUGUST 19, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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

Gov Obaseki, Here’s Why You Need Ogbe Hard Court and Bendel Insurance Back!

Onazi tries to stop an opponent

From right, Mr. Olalekan Kolawole of FIRS, Shagamu, winner, Remo Stars Victor Chidume and Harry Iwuala of LMC at the presentation of VAT Wonder Goal Award to Chidume at the Gateway Stadium, Sagamu

Redknapp first wanted to sign me when he was in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, but for some reasons he couldn’t. He has called me to say he wants big, experienced players to help his team gain promotion to the Premier League. For me, this is an opportunity for me to get into the system.

I believe that within a year, we will be playing in the Premier League “The fact that a side like Sevilla still admires Onazi only goes to show that his game has not nosedived in anyway. He had only gone to play in a club where he is going to be playing regularly, which is not only good for him but for the national team,” Ekpo noted.

Onazi began playing football in the streets of Jos in 1998, from where his football skills drew a lot of attention and afforded him the opportunity to play in some academies in the city.

His footballing abilities came to prominence when he moved to Lagos to play for My People FC. Onazi joined Lazio in 2011 and was first promoted to the Lazio first team during the following season after appearing at youth level. In the following 2012–2013 season, Onazi was granted more playing time featuring in the defensive midfielder role.

He scored his first Serie A goal in a 3–1 win over Inter and his second in a 4–2 defeat to Napoli.

In 2016 he was transferred to Trabzonspor for €3.5 million.

On the international seen, Onazi represented Nigeria at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where Nigeria

was runners-up.

However, he was overlooked for selection at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup two years later, despite participating in the training camps in Portugal and Panama.

He made his debut for the senior team in an AFCON qualification match against Liberia and his first goal came in his second international match, a 3–1 friendly win over Venezuela in Florida.

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

T

he relatively new governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, is not your traditional politician. The 58-year-old made his name as a businessman playing the financial markets, before crossing over to politics. Hopefully this helps in the appreciation of my argument that Edo State should invest in bringing its once towering sports brands, Ogbe Hard Court and Bendel Insurance FC, back to life. Despite decades of neglect, both still rank among the best known brands in the entire country and should command a few billion naira in brand equity valuations. Bendel Insurance made their mark in football in the 70s to mid-80s, about the same time Ogbe Hard Court was arguably the most highly-rated tennis tournament in the country. The pair garnered a huge following back then when Nigerians passionately followed local sports. For my generation, who are now scattered around the planet, the sentiments linger. Though from Delta State, and the casualty of the decimation of this country into smaller, largely insolvent states, I still feel a deep connection to these brands.

Ogbe Hard Court inspired many tennis stars from Bendel to rule our local tournaments and represent Nigeria creditably on the international stage. Among these stars were the likes of Nduka Odizor, widely regarded as Nigeria’s greatest tennis player to date, Veronica Oyibokia and David Imonitie. The exploits of Bendel Insurance remain the stuff of legend. Who can forget the Kadiri Ikhanas, the Felix Agbonifos, and the Henry Ogboes. These successes firmly planted Benin City in the national news for the right reasons: from secondary school competitions, through tertiary competitions, state and national competitions, the state, along with its Delta half, dominated or held its own against the best in the country.

Those days may be long gone, but great brands hardly die easy. Even with successive administrations ignoring sports because of a failure to grasp the economic and socio-cultural value of the industry, a mention of any of these brands today still evokes deep nostalgic trips back in time.

Few can doubt that the state would have lost plenty in financial and cultural terms by failing to leverage on these famous brands. Their slide into coma and the rise of foreign sports on our television, has done immeasurable damage to our country. However governor Obaseki has the power to change things, and the training to understand the economic and cultural benefits of this.

The rewards will be huge. I understand that as a businessman Obaseki may want to fully turn sports over to private business people, but that may not be the solution, especially in a country where we do not have tried and tested sports management companies. What should happen instead is a transparent partnership between the state and the private sector. For sports to be successful, facilities have to be brought up to decent contemporary standards and only the government can fund these, as Lagos State

is beginning to do today. If Edo finds the right private sector partners, their investments will be repaid several times over. Even in the United States where there is no sports ministry and the industry is largely run as private enterprise, public sector infrastructural funding is still huge.

So how can sports and the revival of Bendel Insurance and Ogbe Hard Court benefit Edo State? Let us look at the economic picture first.

Imagine tens of thousands of people visiting Benin City every year to experience quality sports, imagine the boost to business for hotels, bars, local transportation, healthcare (sports medicine), eateries, suppliers of sports facilities, media, and tourism, as Benin City remains one of the best examples of Nigeria’s rich history and culture. Then add sponsorship and other forms of commerce. When they return to the top-flight, Bendel Insurance is a brand that can attract Nigerians in the diaspora. This can translate to a rich market for merchandising and broadcast rights.

It all depends on the game you want to play.

There is also more money in African football these days, with the CAF Champions League winners pocketing $2,500,000. Think about new jobs that will be created, boosting employment and disposable income as well as the state’s IGR. The club can also make a lot of money grooming and selling players to clubs around the world.

Socio-culturally our young are in dire need of quality Nigerian heroes. Growing up our heroes were the Odizors and Kadiri Ikhanas.

Who can forget the fever that gripped this nation when Odizor reached the last 16 of Wimbledon in 1984? Who can forget the Bendel Insurance heroes that crushed Rangers 3:0 in the 1978 Challenge Cup finals? Today, the heroes our children have are foreign. An Edo teenage boy may not know one player in Bendel Insurance but can name half the Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea squad. People miss the cultural damage this inflicts. Today we have a generation of young people who know little or care little about this country, and think they have to be western wannabes to matter, and these are our leaders of tomorrow.

Sports also give cities character, the kind that Benin City needs to fight a lingering negative reputation for kidnappings, prostitution and student cult violence among others. These brands would serve to promote the state across the world. The culturally rich Benin City has for too long been in the shadows in Nigeria, and sports offer the one platform to bring it back to the center of national discourse. In addition, sports are a wonderful way to promote camaraderie and unify people. Edo, like most Nigerian states, needs this.

The way forward is not just to play in sports as a social empowerment tool, but to play big as a huge business opportunity. We are talking of a global industry whose earnings were projected to reach $143b in 2015, according to global giants PwC. The challenge for the governor though will be to get the right management team for these brands in a country where political and clannish considerations are placed way ahead of competence and the greater good. For one, civil servants should not run sports.

Ours is still a culture where local sportspeople enjoy little respect. I imagine it would be a no-no for a “not-very-educated” sportsman to earn more than a permanent secretary, yet we live in a world were Brazilian player Neymar earns 515,000 GBP per week, which is probably more money than many PHDs would earn in a lifetime.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚Π˜ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

London Derby: Can Spurs Overcome Wembley Hoodoo against Chelsea? ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă‹ ĂŽĂ“ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă‘Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă•Ă“Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă“Ă™ Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž ÒÙ×Ă? ̋͝ͺ ĂŒĂŁ Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă–Ă?ĂŁ Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŁË› Ă™ Ă?Ù×ÚÙĂ&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂĄĂ™Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ăž ÞåÙ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ÚÖËãĂ?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËŞĂ? ĂžĂœĂ“Ăš ÞÙ Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹ ĂŽĂ“ĘŠĂ?Ă&#x;Ă–Ăž ÞËĂ?Ă•Ë› ÙʾĂ?Ă˜Ă’Ă‹Ă— ÙÞĂ?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă’Ă™ĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ͺ̋͸ Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ă‹Ă?ÞÖĂ?Ë› ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁËœ Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–Ă?ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹ ÑÙÙÎ Ă’Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă’Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă’Ă™ĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ?Ù×Ă? ÞÒĂ? ÒÙÙÎÙÙ

T

ottenham take on Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Sunday in what will be the first ever Premier League match played at England's national stadium.

Spurs are playing their home games at the famous 'Home of Football' for the duration of the 2017-18 season as they wait for a new stadium to be built and they fittingly kick things off against London rivals Chelsea - a team they have frequently butted heads with in recent years.

Mauricio Pochettinho's men finished runners-up to the Blues last season as Conte's side swept to glory, but the two teams have begun the new campaign with contrasting fortunes. While the reigning champions began their title defence with a defeat away to Burnley, Tottenham made light work of Newcastle at St James' Park.

Given its timing, the game at Wembley represents an excellent opportunity for both teams to land an early blow in the battle for the league.

With injuries and suspensions to the dismissed Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas, a visit to old foes Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday is the sort of demanding follow-up Conte might have hoped to have been spared so early in the campaign.

Yet could Spurs' brave new world at Wembley Stadium, as they wait for their new White Hart Lane home to be finished, prove an Achilles heel? If their wretched Champions League experiences there last season are anything to go by, it could be.

Eric Dier says playing at Wembley will have no impact on Tottenham against Chelsea, but Pochettino's players struggled to replicate their stellar White Hart Lane form at their temporary home.

The north Londoners won just one of four European fixtures at Wembley, leading to accusations that Spurs suffered from a stadium hoodoo.

However, Dier is convinced the location of their upcoming clash against Conte's side will count for little. “I just think, as a team, we didn’t perform well enough in the Champions League this season,� he told the FA's official website. “It could have been at White Hart Lane, it could have been at Wembley or it could have been on a park, but we didn’t perform well enough as a team. “I don’t think anyone will ever say that Wembley was the reason and I don’t think anyone should.

"Football is on a piece of grass and we just didn’t perform well enough in it. “Chelsea are a very experienced team and I’m sure they’ve all played at Wembley many times before too. “I don’t think that’s going to have any impact on it or make any difference to the game," Dier added.

However, the mood at Chelsea is very different from when the teams met at the venue in April in the FA Cup semi-final.

Then, Chelsea were closing in on the title with Spurs in splendid but ultimately fruitless pursuit. Conte prevailed because his squad had more depth than Mauricio Pochettino’s team.

The Italian was able to summon Diego Costa and Eden Hazard from the bench at a crucial point in the match and Chelsea powered on to a 4-2 victory and a place in the final.

Four months ago, the possibilities seemed endless for Conte. With a little judicious work in the transfer window, it seemed Chelsea could plug the gaps that their manager had disguised with his tactical acumen. It was possible to imagine another golden age was starting at the Bridge.

The close season has been profoundly disappointing for Conte. Chelsea’s activity

Kante and Wanyama in midďŹ eld battle

in the transfer market has been bewildering. There have been more departures than arrivals. Alvaro Morata, Antonio Rudiger and Tiemoue Bakayoko are useful additions but the 48-year-old needs at least three more players who could slot into the first team. It does not take much for Chelsea to be down to the bare bones and this was illustrated by the 3-2 defeat by Burnley on Saturday.

Five of the 18-man matchday squad had between them just two Premier League appearances to their name. Conte cannot afford his front-line players to pick up suspensions. Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas’s red cards mean they will be missing at Wembley. When the team’s lengthy injury list is taken into account, it’s clear Conte will be short handed.

The madness of Chelsea’s summer was not highlighted by events at the Bridge, though, but at four other Premier League grounds. Five players on loan from the club started for five of their top-flight rivals. Two of those loans, at least, look misguided. Kurt Zouma might have helped solve the problems created by Cahill’s absence but the defender is playing for Stoke. Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be useful as midfield cover for Fabregas but the 21-year-old is battling away for Crystal Palace.

To make things worse, the game-changers are missing. Costa is in disgrace and will not play for the club again and Hazard is still a long way from recovering from his ankle injury.

The players who are left are beginning to wonder why their squad is so meagre in comparison to the depth of their rivals. The last thing Conte needs is creeping doubt among his available personnel.

Defeat by Tottenham would reinforce the growing concerns.

Where does it leave the Italian? He is a far more combustible character than he showed in his first season in England. His irritation with the board — and the Stamford Bridge philosophy of downgrading the manager’s influence in areas like recruitment — is growing.

Chelsea’s two previous title-winning managers were sacked in the season after their victorious campaigns — Carlo Ancelotti in 2011 and Jose

Mourinho two years ago.

If Conte erupts, it could be counterproductive and lead to an ignominious hat-trick. There is only ever one winner in Stamford Bridge’s boardroom face-offs and it is never the manager.

Things could not be set up more perfectly for Pochettino. Spurs need a flying start at ‘home’.

They won only once in five appearances there last season and a poor performance would throw up more suggestions that they are suffering a Wembley hoodoo. Like Chelsea, Tottenham have had an underwhelming summer in the transfer market. They need to strengthen but Pochettino has a significant advantage over Conte.

The Argentine’s first XI is settled and strong and his game-turners look to be at their dominant best. Dele Alli and Harry Kane were in excellent shape in the 2-0 win over Newcastle.

Pochettino is very keen to bring in players but the 45-year-old’s worries are nowhere near as bad as those affecting his Chelsea counterpart.

It’s fitting that Tottenham’s residency at Wembley should start with such an important game. The result could well determine the course of the season for both teams.

Meanwhile, the victories by Manchester's clubs on the opening weekend suggested they could be the teams to chase this term. The rivals are book-ending week two, with United at Swansea City in today's lunchtime game and City testing Everton's new big-spending resolve on Monday. That should provide an even better feel for their credentials.

Jose Mourinho's United put four past West Ham United and Romelu Lukaku quickly demonstrated his intent to be crowned the league's top scorer, after just missing out last year, with an accomplished double.

Just as impressive was the performance of Pep Guardiola's City, who broke down the newcomers Brighton & Hove Albion with the pairing of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus promising much.

Still having to prove they have enough goals

in them after the departure of Lukaku, manager Ronald Koeman declared on Wednesday that the Icelander is the man to "bring productivity" to the Toffees after Lukaku's departure.

�ËÎ ÞÙ �ËÎ 04/01/17

Tottenham

2-0

Chelsea

26/11/16

Chelsea

2-1

Tottenham

02/05/16

Chelsea

2-2

Tottenham

29/11/15

Tottenham

0-0

Chelsea

01/01/15

Tottenham

5-3

Chelsea

03/12/14

Chelsea

3-0

Tottenham

08/03/14

Chelsea

4-0

Tottenham

28/09/13

Tottenham

1-1

Chelsea

08/05/13

Chelsea

2-2

Tottenham

20/10/12

Tottenham

2-4

Chelsea

24/03/12

Chelsea

0-0

Tottenham

Fixtures TODAY Swansea Bournemouth Burnley Leicester Liverpool Southampton

vs vs vs vs vs vs

Man Utd Watford West Brom Brighton Crystal Palace West Ham

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

Stoke

vs

Arsenal

15:00

SUNDAY HuddersďŹ eld

vs

Newcastle

13:30

Tottenham

v

Chelsea

16: 00

MONDAY Man City

v

Everton

20:003

33

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

˺˺

L-R; Managing Director, Unmissable Incentives Limited, Kayode Idowu; Chief Executive Officer, Master Sport International, Mitchel Obi; Veteran Sport Broadcaster and member of the Nigerian Sports Award Panel (NSA), Fabio Lanipekun; and the Chairman of the Panel, Kweku Tandoh, during the inaugural press conference for the 2017 Nigerian Sports Award held in Lagos PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN Bartoletta

Mayweather and McGregor

MAYWEATHER VS MCGREGOR

16TH IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

McGregor: From UFC Champion to Boxing Debutant Revealing the details behind Conor McGregor's transition from UFC champion to boxing debutant...

The skills "Conor improves on a daily basis. The Conor of today is better than the Conor of yesterday," his coach Owen Roddy exclusively told Sky Sports. "He gets better every day, every week.

"The camp is not too different. It hasn't really changed. In Conor's MMA fights the plan is to keep it standing, and knock the opponent out. So that hasn't changed. We're limited with the weapons we can use, but we're trying to lead the opponent into Conor's shot."

The fitness "We're training five-and-a-half or six days a week," said Julian Dalby, the sports scientist who oversees the 'McGregor F.A.S.T Extreme performance training plan'.

"It stands for Fighter Anaerobic System of Training. It combines high-intensity aerobic training with continuous, endurance training so it's ideally suited to MMA but also lends itself to boxing.

"The fitness required for boxing is not radically different to MMA. It isn't a 100m sprint compared to middle-distance running. There are more strikes thrown in boxing than MMA so it's a more continuous power output. MMA requires higher anaerobic peak outputs for takedowns.

"Typically Conor does skillsbased training early in the day, then conditioning training later so he doesn't have to hold back.

Traditionally an athlete might do both together so they hold back.

"At this weight, there is a slight trade-off with his maximum power but an increase in his VO2 Max (his ability to perform consistently)."

The diet "On an average day, he eats nine times," said McGregor's nutritionist George Lockhart.

"It's insane how amazing his body is looking. We give him 4,000 calories a day because he expends so much energy.

"I go grocery shopping three

times a day, to make sure each meal is as fresh as possible. Everything Conor eats is extremely fresh and clean.

"We give the body what it needs, when it needs it. If Conor has a highly anaerobic day we give him more carbs. There are certain times he needs more fat or more carbs, and we give it to him. Everything we do is geared towards performance.

"Conor stays in shape all year around. He's super disciplined and does everything that he's told."

"There's no cheat meals. If you're driving a Lamborghini you only put top-rated fuel into that car."

The weight cut "We do a slow, steady drop so he doesn't lose any muscle," said George Lockhart. "With boxing we don't want a big weight cut because size doesn't have too much of an impact. In MMA, with the wrestling and grappling, size plays a bigger role so our weight cut is bigger."

Mayweather Says His Legacy is on the Line Floyd Mayweather says his "legacy is on the line" when he takes on Conor McGregor in Las Vegas next Saturday night.

But the American, who is unbeaten as a pro, says he has based his career on taking risks when necessary.

The 40-year-old is a hot favourite to take his record to 50-0 next week against a man who is a UFC great but has never boxed professionally.

But the Irishman is younger at 29, taller, and also has a longer reach.

And Mayweather said on

Thursday: "When a fighter has lost before, if he loses again they say 'oh, it's nothing, he's lost before.

"But when a fighter has been dominating for 20-some years and never lost, everything is on the line.

"My legacy. My boxing record.

Everything is on the line."

But the American added that he makes an effort not to dwell on negative thoughts, saying: "I try not to think about losing or taking the 'L.' That's not really my focus.

"Every day I tell myself I am a

winner. I was born to be a winner at life. Not just in the ring but I was born to be a winner.

"It's all about taking risk.

"I wouldn't be where I'm at if I didn't take risks so I don't mind putting a 49-0 record on the line, putting everything on the line for this fight.

"I feel like it's worth it."

Mayweather may be far from his prime but feels his sheer experience in the ring will carry him through what he says will be his last fight, one that is expected to be the most lucrative event in the history of combat sport.

DStv Creates a Pop-up Channel for Money Fight DStv customers are in for a massive treat as SuperSport launches a pop-up channel ahead of the “Money Fight” between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor. Channel 213 will be available to all DStv customers from Premium to Access and will go live today and broadcast daily from 4pm to midnight until the eve of the fight on August 27.

DStv channel 213 will have an amazing schedule with re-

runs of several of Mayweather’s great fights, his visit to Africa in 2014 and the popular All Access shows, which offer a fly-on-thewall viewing experience.

Loud clothes, piles of cash, fast cars and trash-talking. It’s all there in a fascinating package of boxing and bluster that will fill the pop-up channel dedicated to next weekend’s “Money Fight”.

Despite its unusual nature, the fight has attracted international

attention with fans and media alike drawn to the radiant personalities of both contestants.

Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe said: “This is another value-added service which is testimony to our commitment to put our customers at the heart of everything we do. As such we are making continued improvements and adding more value for our DStv customers.

When Bronze was More than a Medal Homeless World Athlete The sight of an athlete in tears on a podium is not a rare one in sport. But Tianna Bartoletta has said the World Championship long jump bronze that she won in London was so much more than a medal.

In an emotional social media post, made just hours after the final, Bartoletta revealed that she had been homeless for the past three months, having run away to give herself a chance at a life without "fear or fighting, threats and abuse".

While her husband John Bartoletta says the divorce they are now going through is "amicable", Tianna Bartotella tells BBC World Service about what she says was the biggest gamble of her life.

'I felt that I became a stranger to myself' Bartoletta, who won gold at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, struggled with her form in the early part of this season and was suffering torment away from athletics, too. There were things that I loved in the beginning that I completely walked away from. I just lost sight of what I wanted.

Other people would say 'oh, that's just what it took to be elite, it was a sacrifice, she's just the ultimate professional' but really, it was just me withering away.

I lost my personality. I felt that I became a stranger to myself. I didn't trust myself to make the right decisions. It felt like I was just getting broken down and I just couldn't take much more of the negativity. It got so dark last season that it got me contemplating walking off a train platform in front of a train. It just started to feel that I had no way out of the feelings of frustration and shame.

Last season, I wasn't competing very well until my trials in July. To deal with that on top of what I thought was an overwhelming personal situation... I felt like I got no break from the universe and it was so tempting to just call it quits.

'It's hard to ask for help' For Bartoletta, reaching out to friends and admitting that she needed help to change her situation was a difficult step.

My relationship with my mum wasn't very close to start with, so we were already at arm's length, but when this situation started to happen, I withdrew and was isolated from friends and family.

My personality completely changed, and the most difficult thing was that while all of that was going on was that I was still being successful on the track.

Asking for help was the thing that required the most strength for me. A lot of people look at me and they're like: 'you're such a fierce athlete', 'you're such a strong woman', so it's hard to ask for help, right? It was one of the hardest calls I had to make because I had to ask for help from people I didn't think were necessarily going to be there for me, because they hadn't been in the past.

When I first reached out, it wasn't to leave - it was just for the emotional support, to get a second opinion whether this was normal or if other people were going through this.

And then once I started to understand, because they were my mirrors reflecting my situation back to me, I was able to see that I needed to move on.

'You are not alone' Bartoletta has been renting rooms to live in across Holland - where she trains - via a website.

She does not regret speaking out about the struggles she has faced.

This has been my therapy - sharing this story with you, sharing the Instagram post, blogging.

It has kind of been my way of healing.

What I love about this, even though it's incredibly uncomfortable for me to do, is that the responses I get are not just ones of encouragement, but people telling me their stories.

It validates my hurt a little bit in a way that says 'OK, you were strong enough to make it through', even though at times I didn't think that I was. For this person, to hear from you, that they can do it too. The most important thing is, you're not alone. You know that, but you don't know it in your heart. You can be strong, or weak and it's not a reflection on you as a person.

You're not any less of a person because you can't get out.

It's a very difficult situation, It's complex, it's confusing, and hard for a lot of people that aren't in one to understand. But take the time you need to look at yourself in the mirror and say 'you're worth more than that'. And even though it is going to be scary, just keep making those decisions and you'll strengthen that muscle and it will become a little easier and lot less scary.

'I'm figuring it out' After making the decision to start afresh, Bartoletta threw herself into her training to refocus.

I think that that is one of my biggest strengths as an athlete - I'm mentally tough and I knew that I could put all of this in a box and deal with it later.

I'm no stranger to traumatic situations and bad situations unfortunately so this is something I knew I would be able to kind of handle. When you're at practice, you're at practice and you're safe, this is what you need to do... in a strange way, it forced me to be present because that was the only way I could to get through. When I sit back and allow myself to think about the what ifs, it gets overwhelming and I freak out a little bit, but I've just been one foot in front of the other.

This [World Championships] was the finish line for me. The thing that I've been focused on so much till now, I'm a little bit lost again. Because I don't have that routine to fall back on but I'm figuring it out.

'Amicable divorce' In a statement to BBC Sport, her husband, John Bartoletta, said that in their time together they "made an incredible team" and that he would be "forever grateful" for having been a part of her success which included three world championship gold medals.

He said that it was his understanding that they were going through an amicable divorce, that he was very proud of Tianna and wished her "the very best".

34

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

TRIBUTE

David Attah: Legends Don’t Die! Francis Ottah Agbo

C

hief David Ogaba Attah, a quintessential family man, seasoned journalist, politician of conviction, elder statesman and philosopher-king may have passed on. But for me, he remains a legend and legends don’t die. They simply transmogrify, transfigure to the other divide, where a philosopher calls the great beyond to continue with their service to humanity.

This was exactly what Chief Attah believed.

He believed in life after death and used every opportunity he had with us here to philosophize on life after death. He enjoined servant leaders that he was to prepare themselves to serve in the hereafter, and I believe, this is exactly what he is currently doing in the great beyond!

Chief Attah rose from a humble background to national limelight by dint of hard work and creativity. After his primary and secondary education, he sought to seek knowledge like a ‘‘sinking star’’ but had no money to gain university education.

He quickly put on his thinking cap and sold his Radiogram to raise money to foot his education at the Ahmedu Bello University, Zaria. To sustain his education to completion, he needed a job and his flair for creative writing made journalism handy at the time. Daily Times engaged him and he started reporting for the powerful Lagos medium while still in the University and held several challenging editorial and non-editorial position in Daily Times before the then Benue-Plateau State Government poached him to superintend the Jos-based Nigeria Standard Newspaper as General Manager. As one of the earliest professional journalists in Northern Nigeria, he witnessed the first military coup in Kaduna on 15th January, 1966 and interviewed Major Kaduna Nzeogwu on the bloody day.

After graduation, Chief Attah left Daily Times and was appointed General Manager of Benue-Plateau Publishing Company (BPPC), publishers of Nigeria Standard where he distinguished himself as an archetypal public servant of the 21st Century.

As General Manager, he had a mission to turn around the newspaper and as events later showed, he exceeded his target. First he proved to the government of the day that journalists were indeed serious people and can be trusted with onerous responsibility as a result of his unalloyed commitment to service as against personal comfort!

The first thing he did was to assemble a crack team of journalists to help him turn the Nigeria Standard into one of the

Attah

best newspapers in Nigeria and the best in Northern Nigeria which he did. To achieve this, the head hunter that Attah was, had to recruit the services of some good hands that have today turned out to be amongst the best brains in the media industry. Top amongst them were Dan Agbese, George Ohemu, Bagudu Hirse, James Ikuve, Innocent Oparadike and a host of other professionals who at various times became editors, publishers and media managers. He also embarked on training and retraining of staff across the cadre which helped to develop the capacity of personnel. His staff capacity building philosophy became handy when he started the expansion of the corporation with the establishment of Sunday Standard; the first Sunday newspaper in Northern Nigeria, not even New Nigeria had a Sunday title at the time. Thereafter, Chief Attah diversified the newspaper to also take care of the comic industry by establishing Pappy Joe, a witty newspaper and perhaps the first of its kind in Nigeria. He also knew early in life that football is a veritable instrument in rebranding a newspaper and established Pen Powers Football Club, which later became JIB Rocks Football Club and later Plateau Untied Football Club of Jos. The capping stone of Chief Attah’s achievements in the Nigeria

Standard was a Ten-Story edifice, the tallest building at the time in Jos, which he built for the organization. As a reporter with the Sun, I was privileged to interview him on his enviable life and time, and was stunned that rather than take credit for his achievements as typical Nigerians would, Chief Attah would simply attribute the feats to team work!

Yet his achievements in Jos made him a cynosure of all eyes; anywhere he went he was stealing the show. And since a golden fish, they say has no hiding place, the leadership of the defunct Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) wooed him to run for the House of Representatives, an election which he won convincingly in 1979 and represented old Okpokwu. He was well respected by the party apparatchik and its leader, the legendary Zik of Africa whom he later had the privilege of chairing his burial committee set up by the Gen Sani Abacha led Federal Government. Chief Attah was very visible in the green chamber so much so that he nearly became the Speaker but for the ethnic contradictions of the Nigeria state! In the House, he sponsored many bills, moved motions and brought critical issues to the front burner of national discourse. Unfortunately, after his very successful first term, he couldn’t return to the National Assembly in 1984. No thanks to the rigging machine of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and the General Muhammed Buhari coup which sacked the second republic!

In 1984, the then Benue State Government appointed Chief Attah as General Manager of Nigeria Voice and usual, he hit the ground running. He inherited a galaxy of young writers like Nats Onoja Agbo, Hingah Biem, Tor Uja, Simon Amase, Joe Nwachukwu, Dan Edogbo Okolo, Bala Dan Abu and a host of others who later rose to the pinnacle of the journalism profession.

With a highly motivated staff, he improved the editorial contents of the newspaper. He redesigned the masthead of Nigeria Voice.

He introduced Sunday Voice and appointed Hingah Biem as its first Editor. Like Nigeria Standard, the Nigeria Voice newspaper’s editorials were aired on national radio. His accomplishments at the newspaper house endeared him to the then military governor who promptly elevated him to the position of Commissioner for Information. As a parastatal under his watch, he continued to beef up the Editorial department of Nigeria Voice with the appointment of editors from within and recruitment of experienced staff like Ochapa Ogenyi, Sebastian Agbinda and Chris Abah etc.

After Commissionership, he joined others to establish Focus, the first monthly

newsmagazine in Central Nigeria. He was in that venture with Nats Onoja Agbo who was the first Editor, Justice A.P. Anyebe, Professor Erim Ode Erim, Okpe Ojanga and Dr. Gabriel Ankeli. The magazine also had quality contributors like Ogoh Alubo, Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, Erim Ode Erim, Dan Mou and Thomas Amper.

Chief Attah was in the newspaper venture until 1989 when he returned to politics and pitched tent with the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP).

He liked life and lived it to the fullest. As a man of tradition and culture, he belonged to an age grade; he was at home with his people’s tradition and culture, always fond gracing Ujo new yam festival as well as playing the local draft in his country home in Igumale, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State. On one faithful day, he was playing the local draft when armed soldiers stormed the sleepy town looking for him.

Igumale instantly wore a mournful look. The locals took to their heels when they sighted the soldiers, fearing that General Sani Abacha who had just seized power as Head of State had ordered his arrest. How wrong were they! Unknown to them, Gen Abacha who first met Chief Attah at NIPS, Kuru, Jos some years earlier wanted Chief Attah to be his Chief Press Secretary.

The soldiers got him and they travelled on road to Lagos that same day and 24 hours after, Chief Attah was announced as Chief Press Secretary to General Abacha and Igumale came back to life with jubilation!

After the demise of General Abacha, he also served as Chief Press Secretary to General Abdulsalaam Abubakar before he again returned to partisan politics and became a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

But in spite of his loyalty to PDP, a party he heavily invested in, the potentates at the time humiliated him and stopped him from being Benue State Chairman of the party after he was unanimously endorsed as Chairman by Benue South (senatorial district) caucus where the position was zoned to.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the then National Chairman of the party, Chief Audu Ogbeh but was thwarted by the then Governor, George Akume! At a period when many Nigeria politicians had become nomadic politicians, changing political parties at will, in search of ‘‘food’’, coupled with his bad treatment by the party, Chief Attah as a politician of conviction remained faithful to the PDP until his death.

–AGBO is Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor of Bayelsa State and wrote in via (francisagbo38@gmail.com)

Obii Pax Harry: Transforming Lives, Uplifting Women Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

postle Obii Pax-Harry will always utilize every given opportunity to tell you why it pays to be humble and value family. This humble, respected international apostle and prophet has never failed to identify with the widows not only in Egbu, Owerri, where the English Bible was translated to Igbo, but to every life she comes across. She is a tested and tried minister of the gospel with several years of untainted ministry background and spiritual lineage.

No wonder the Women Christian Association of the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Egbu at their annual Women Christian Association conference honoured her, in recognition of her selfless services, exemplary life and contribution to the church and humanity at large.

Although an Anglican by birth, Obii has in the last five years made several indigent women in Imo state smile via her outreach programme, by providing foot items, clothing and other essential commodities. This year, she went beyond the annual handouts, by introducing empowerments programme, involving teaching women various skills for survival.

For two weeks, the founder of Nehemaih Apostolic Resource Centre in Abuja brought in experts in soap making, weaving, hair dressing and fashion design, to train these women.

It was therefore not in doubt and symbolic that the women gathered at the All Saints Cathedral in Egbu to recognise her humble

Pax Harry efforts at uplifting the downtrodden women she described as pillars of their various homes and at least show appreciations to this woman who served under Rev David Carr of Renewal Christian Centre, Solihull, where her intercessory efforts was recognized by the pastor as key to the healing revival that broke out in the church in 2003.

Obii was sent forth in year 2003 and in 2004 she planted a vibrant multi-racial Church “Resurrection Life Assembly, Birmingham”, where she now serves as the senior pastor with the support of her husband, and Pastors Andy and Jenny Lloyd as resident pastors.

As a recognized national intercessory prayer leader in the UK, Apostle Obii was part of the UK prayer Leaders Forum for several years, and part of the pastors and leaders forum in the city of Birmingham.

Interestingly, not wanting to be left behind by the women, Obii will take the centre stage again in Owerri when the Imo Broadcasting Commission (IBC) confers on her the Pillar of Society Award.

This is slated for the 31st of August, 2017, in recognition of her creditable performance in her field and also for contributing immensely towards the development of her community, state and in nation building.

She pioneered the well-respected ‘Women Arise International Prayer Ministries’ (now Arise Missions International) with over twenty prayer chapters in the U.K and in China, Swaziland and South Africa.

Born into the Nathan Okeoma Ejiogu family of Egbu Owerri, Obii has a strong calling and heart for media. Her pioneering work with the media in the U.K still lives on in several broadcasting houses such as UCB, Han church, Cross Rhythms Radio, Stoke On Trent, and GodTV. She was also for several years an executive member of the Christian Broadcasting Council of Great Britain, a radio show host of her own broadcast on TalkGospel.Com and a regular guest on Godtv, UCB and Cross Rhythms.

She pioneered “Britain Prays’ in 2003, a popular monthly on air night vigil in partnership with Cross Rhythms Radio Station, Stoke On Trent, and Women Arise Prayer Network.

In her passion to see the prophetic ministry

restored to the Church in the UK, she wrote a training manual, “Developing Passion For the Prophetic” in 2003, and ran a successful School of the Prophets in Birmingham after years of hosting the same with one of her mentors, the globally respected Dr. Paula Price, author of the bestselling “The Prophets Dictionary”.

Apostle Obii is the author of the award winning “Prophetic Engagement- the Issachar Mandate”, now translated into Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese. She is also the author of “Understanding the Future, Breaking Bonds of Wickedness in the Last Days” and the popular prophetic daily devotional book, “Arise and Shine.”

Her mission to Nigeria has given birth to “Breakfast with the King”, a bi-monthly apostolic and prophetic ministry, and “Nehemiah Company”, a mentoring vision dedicated to mentoring mentors and empowering builders of the new Nigeria.

She is also the Chief Executive Officer of Nehemiah Apostolic Resource Centre, an apostolic epicenter located in Abuja. She serves on the leadership team of “Woman of Influence”, and she is also on the central working committee of “Apostles in the Marketplace.”

Apostle Obii is a sought after international conference speaker, coach, strategist and vision developer with an unquestionable passion for the Lord and dedication to raising leaders wherever she goes. To date several of those she led and mentored in England have risen to leadership positions with one of her former assistants now a member of the UK Prophetic Roundtable.

35

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ UGUST 19, 2017

THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri

Move Over AY, Here Comes 100 Days in London!

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has done a great injustice to himself with the types of media aides he has surrounded himself with. They are some of the most inept bunch who perhaps think that their job is to alienate Nigerians from their boss.

Or what else would you call the madness from President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman accusing former President Goodluck Jonathan of causing the death of Dora Akinyuli? See what you get for making such a person your spokeswoman? How do they expect the family of the late Mrs. Akinyuli to feel?

Must they spit on the grave of a patriot in order to achieve their demonic propaganda? A government that killed 347 Shiite men, women, children and infant is so desperate to label Jonathan the killer of Dora Akinyuli!

And the sad thing is that the President and his presidency appear to acquiesce to this type of boorish behaviour because they do not seem to call these morally challenged individuals to order.

Quite frankly, I have given up on the Buhari administration. The other day it was reported that the President called President Ernest Koroma to sympathise with him over the mudslide in Sierra Leone which killed many people. Coincidentally, the next day there was a suicide bombing in Maiduguri. Sadly, even as I write this, the President has not deemed it fit to issue a statement, or to address the nation or even to somehow sympathise with us.

Is President Muhammadu Buhari our foreign minister that he cares more about what happens in Sierra Leone than about what happens in Nigeria? I understand that suicide bombings are now so frequent in the new improved federal republic of Nigeria under President Buhari but does that mean that our President should ignore them?

President Muhammadu Buhari speaks to those that are important to him, viz. his family, friends, aides, party members, etc. Why has he not spoken to Nigerian citizens? Because we are not important to him!

You doubt me? Okay, he called to give condolences to Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola over the loss of his mother, right? Okay, who did he call when Boko Haram kidnapped a group of Nigerian policewomen? Or when Boko Haram killed 69 people last month including Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation officials and University of Maiduguri staff prospecting for oil in Lake Chad at the President’s orders? In other nations, when such a thing happens, the President gives a national broadcast from wherever he is. Did that happen here?

Again I conclude that President Buhari only speaks to

Let me tell you what exists between Otuoke and Kaura Namoda -165 almajiri schools built for talakawa that were never ever cared for until the man from Otuoke became President.

Nigeria’s economy thrived under Jonathan because he relied on proper agenda, but it has collapsed under Buhari because he relies on propaganda! No wonder he has 6 media aides and no Chief Economic Adviser!

President Buhari at the forecourt lawn of the Abuja House in London

those that are important to him!

And the sad thing is that while Nigeria is reeling from lack of care from the President, his aides are busy taunting us with their chicanery knowing that we can do nothing against them since they have been left to their own devices.

Not only did President Buhari appoint as PA a woman in her sixties who insulted then President Jonathan as he was praying to God, calling him “stupid” and “useless” (how depraved do you have to be to insult someone who is kneeling to pray to God), this woman now continues her insult spree by saying Jonathan ought to crawl on his knees from Otuoke to Kaura Namoda to beg Nigerians for forgiveness!

Really?

What Team Buhari has failed to understand is that it is easier to manage an economy than it is to manage lies.

Imagine the ridiculousness of asking former President Goodluck Jonathan to crawl from Otuoke to Kaura Namoda to ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness from who?

From President Muhammadu Buhari who said ‘Abacha did not steal’?

Let me tell you what exists between Otuoke and Kaura Namoda -165 almajiri schools built for talakawa that were never ever cared for until the man from Otuoke became President. Nigeria’s economy thrived under Jonathan because he relied on proper agenda, but it has collapsed under Buhari because he relies on propaganda!

No wonder he has 6 media aides and no Chief Economic Adviser!

That is why Garba Shehu has the guts to say #ResumeorResign protesters are jobless.

Really! Who is more jobless between Charles Oputa and a President resident in London 101 days? For many years, Nigerians have known Charly Boy as a music mogul. What business has President Muhammadu Buhari been known for other than coups, serving Abacha (Nigeria’s biggest thief) and making hate speeches?

Charly Boy may be part of President Buhari’s 5% that shouldn’t expect the same treatment as his 97% (Buhari

said it, not me), but he is by far more gainfully employed than President Buhari and his boy, Garba Shehu!

And to those who still believe in President Muhammadu Buhari, please consider these facts. He is resident in London. His kids school in London. His wife shops in London. You may believe in President Buhari, but the overwhelming evidence is that he does not believe in you!

If he really believed in you, he would not have made this comment to the Telegraph of London on the 5th of February, 2016: “Some Nigerians claim is that life is too difficult back home, but they have also made it difficult for Europeans and Americans to accept them because of the number of Nigerians in prisons all over the world accused of drug trafficking or human trafficking.” So let me ask you again, do you still believe in President Muhammadu Buhari?

Nigerians should note that according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (that is controlled by the Buhari Administration, under this present government, N400 billion in bribe was paid in just 1 year! Sai Baba! Changi dole!

And why won’t that happen? Look at the difference between Jonathan and Buhari. In his first year, Goodluck Jonathan gave Katsina a Federal University. In his first year, President Muhammadu Buhari gave Katsina a helipad. You see, the truth is staring Nigeria right in the face. Jonathan thinks of the people. Buhari thinks of only himself. This is evidence-based, not opinion-based.

At this juncture, let me also commend President Muhammadu Buhari’s media team for ‘going to London to see the Queen’ as the famous nursery rhyme goes.

But, pray, did you also notice the contradiction between what the leader of the media crew (Lai Mohammed) that visited the President at Abuja House said and what the President said?

On Saturday the 12th of August, 2017 in London Nigerians heard two statements contradicting each other!

It went thus: President Buhari: “I have learnt to obey my doctors’ orders rather than being the one issuing the orders. Here, the doctors are absolutely in charge.”

Lai Mohammed: “Mr. President is very much back. He is very healthy.”

Lai Mohammed when will you start fearing God and learn to be truthful? How can the President be “very healthy” when the doctors are not even permitting him to return back to his duties after over 100 days!

And to further expose the hypocrisy of President Buhari’s media team, consider this tweet from his Special Assistant on Digital Communications, Tolu Ogunlesi, tweeted on the 16th of April 2011: “@araisokun We lost a lot to the Yar’Adua era. Between his illness and the bandits who ruled from behind the scenes, Nigeria ran backwards” All you have to do is replace Yar’adua with Buhari in the tweet above.

And he tweeted another even more damning tweet on the 6th of September, 2012: “remember u pple WANT TO SEE LATE PRESIDENT YAR’ADUA on his sick bed.now u ar advocating privacy for patience [J].let show her on live TV” The people who were advocating that the Jonathan administration must show Dame Patience live on TV are today saying President Buhari is a “private citizen”.

Issorai!

And since President Buhari’s media aides think it is sport to ridicule the man who rekindled Nigeria and Africa’s hope in democracy, let me also return the favour.

Move over AY COMEDIAN! My new movie 100 DAYS IN LONDON is set to break 30 Days in Atlanta’s record as Nigeria’s highest-grossing movie of all time!

Based on a true story, the movie features a hypocrite who on the 27th of April, 2016, banned government officials from going for medical tourism abroad at government expense yet ended up being the main culprit of a malaise he complained about. I have not yet decided who will play the lead role, but I am considering casting an anti-corruption crusader who chose to hire 11 SANs rather than show his school leaving certificate or proof that he had one. Watch this space for further details!

Reno’s Nuggets

As a husband, the most important thing you can do to help your children succeed is to love their mother, not your side chick. All side chicks are agents of satan sent to destroy your destiny. Like bait in rat traps, if you eat them you will be destroyed. Women who teach their daughters to slay are raising future side chicks. Train your daughters to succeed in marriage and life. #RenosNuggets

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

FAIRGROUND

At the Mai-Saa Northern Beauty Spa Launch Party

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

T

he Mai-Saa Northern Spa launch party took place recently in Lekki Phase 1.

Mai-Saa Spa is a northern traditional spa that allows you arrive into a rich world of culture, calm and tranquility. The beauty Spa was borne out of the need to share the northern Nigerian age-long beauty secrets with people of diverse cultures and traditions.

Guests learnt about the various services available such as Dukhaan/ Duhrot (Smoke bath): this is a private beauty ritual using incense-laced smoke to detoxify the skin also leaving it perfumed for days. This treat detoxifies and perfumes the body and also tightens the private areas of a woman.

Dilka/Kruhkum (Turmeric scrub): Dilka is a northern traditional scrub that leaves the skin exfoliated, soft, glowing and fragranced. DILKA and KRUHKUM constitute a major part of “gyran jiki” {beautification phase of wedding preparations} Halawa (sugar waxing/body sugaring): This traditional sugar recipe is one of the most ancient forms of hair removal. The removal is gentle yet exfoliating treatment that leaves your skin smooth and sweet after the process.

Lalle (Henna/Mehndi): An ancient form of body adornment, henna art is a cultural practice. Henna tattooing is used as a popular form of expressions for luck and happiness and can be found in many ceremonial practices, including marriages, births and Blessings.

The launch of the Spa welcomed various guests such as Tayo Afolabi, Tuke Morgan, Raisa Hadiza, Deola Adebiyi, Nowe Isibor, Osas Ighodaro, Idia Aisien, Tonye Garrick, Maria Okan, Yummie Ogbebor, Taje Prest, Ify Igwe, Yemisi Misykona, amongst others.

The launch was sponsored by various media partners such as Ebony life, Genevieve, Tribe & Elan, Pulse, Fuze, Arcadia, Lost in Lagos, Sotectonic and many more, while the PR was handled by SoMe Solutions.

Guests were treated to delicious Northern food like Kunu, Kilishi, Suya, Masa and so much more. It was a relaxing environment as guests were also treated to beautiful henna tattoos and sugar waxes.

Maria Okarande

Hadiza (middle) and her friends at the event... recently

Deola Adebiyi

Fola and Raisa

Idia

Ifi

Hadeeza and her Mum

Osas, Guest and Liz

Tayo Afolabi

Tonye Garrick

Tosin Omowole

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

FAIRGROUND

Silverbird Partners Meditol for MBGN

T

wo formidable Nigerian brands, Silverbird and Meditol medicated and antiseptic soap have wrapped up a partnership deal to stage this year’s edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, pageantry. Silverbird, a member of the Silverbird Group is superintended over by a tourism enthusiast and businessman, Ben Murray Bruce. Bruce is a serving senator is also Chief Executive Officer of Silverbird TV and Rhythm FM. The two broadcast media outfits are members of the Silverbird Group.

On the other hand, range of soap is produced by Evans Industries Nigeria Limited, a member of the Ekulo Group. Its Chairman is Emma Bishop Okonkwo (OFR), a seasoned industrialist and businessman.

A press release signed by the Media Adviser to the Ekulo Group, Ingram Osigwe, noted that after a year interlude, Nigeria and Africa’s biggest, most prestigious and glamorous beauty pageantry, the Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria, MBGN is once again set to take the centre stage courtesy of Silverbird and Meditol medicated and antiseptic soap.

According to Osigwe, interplay of factors combined to abort the 2016 edition of pag-

eantry, the first in the 30 years history of the yearly epoch event. The Ekulo and Silverbird groups say partnership between Meditol and Silverbird is an elegant marriage of two indigenous brands and market leaders that is primed at birthing terrific 2017 MBGN. Meditol range of soap protects heals and beautifies. It’s a family soap with five variants namely Meditol Original with Avocado extracts, Meditol Classic with Shea Butter Extracts, Meditol Gentle with Olive Oil, Meditol Cool with Menthol, Meditol Herbal with Aloe Vera Extracts.

Apart from Meditol, Evans industries also manufacture other household items, including the popular Eva range of soaps and Hawaii range of Papaya & Carrot Whitening soaps.

Evans Industries Limited is a fully-owned Nigerian company with belief in Nigeria with a proud maxim: “We are proud of Nigeria. We want Nigeria to be proud of us.”

In making the Meditol soap range, Evans Industries limited, is on a mission to prove that Nigerians can produce skin care soaps that are at par with international standards.

The Meditol range is the next level in antiseptic and medicated soaps making waves in the country.

Guy-Murray-Bruce- (MBGN)

Ala Igbo Festival Project Unveiled

A

t last, veteran musician and culture promoter, Chris Mba, has unveiled his latest project, Ala-Igbo Cultural Festival.

The event took place recently at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, with the endorsement of Dr. Ferdinand Anikwe, Director General, Center For Black and African Arts and Civilisation, CBAAC. Mba said the unveiling marked the beginning of preliminary activities of the festival. “The project team presently is making contacts with all relevant stakeholders across the world aimed at hosting the biggest cultural festival in Igboland.

“One of the major pre event activities is the Nite of the Igbo Princess, an evening with beautiful and intelligent Igbo maidens which will hold in seven venues across Nigeria. The event is packaged to sensitize all Igbo about the forth coming festival.

The grand finale of the event will feature the Queen Alaigbo International Beauty Pageant.”

Ala-Igbo International Cultural Festival is designed to resurrect in every Igbo personality the love, passion and interest for our cultural heritage and values.

The cultural festival will showcase the never say die spirit of Igbo people, visual arts, music, cultural displays, dance forms as well as the attire, cuisine, language dialects and hospitality of the Igbo Nation.

It is also aimed at showcasing the outstanding contributions and achievements of the people and governments of the South-east through tourism, culture, visual arts, fashion and the hospitality industry, Mba said.

Chief Agujegbe Chamberlin Adiaso, Grand Patron of Ala Igbo Cultural Festival, who flagged off the unveiling ceremony, said the initiative was also a “platform for creative and intellectual interaction amongst men and women of Igbo extraction on strategies towards youth development, economic advancement, cultural heritage and tourism promotion in the south east.

To use culture and tourism as a tool to showcase the investment opportunities in the region as well project the image of the region as a commercial hub in Africa.

To create an enabling environment for the unification of all Igbo across the globe geared towards establishing a functional networking base between Igbo’s at home and in the Diaspora.

High Chief Engr. Agujegbe Chamberlin Adiaso, Grand Patron of Ala Igbo Cultural Festival, during the unveiling ceremony

ACTDF’s Unleash Your Talent 2017

T

he stage is set for the maiden edition of AfricanChildrenTalentDiscoveryFoundation (ACTDF)’s Unleash Your Talent 2017, an initiative that seeks to discover talents in singing, dancing and acting.

Speaking at the star-studded inauguration held at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos on Monday August 7, President, ACTDF, Engr. Noah Dallaji, said that the first prize winners will win contracts worth N1 million each including cash and an all-expenses paid trip to New York for the United Nations Summit among others.

He said, This event is cued into this year’s United Nations GeneralAssembly Summit, which has tagged this year the InternationalYear of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

We shall hopefully be in the United States in September to depict the potentials in our youths and practically show how we could use it to drive the tourism sector in Nigeria through our various side events and general meetings.”

According to Dallaji, zonal auditions for the talent hunt will hold in Lagos, Enugu, Port Harcourt,Abuja, Nasarawa, Ibadan/Ekiti, Bauchi and Kaduna from August 17 to 19 before the grand finale, which will take place on September 1 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“The zonal competitions will take place on August 17,

18 and 19, 2017. We expect at least three winners to emerge from the zones before slugging it out at the grand finale in Port Harcourt. At the grand finale in Port Harcourt, we look forward to hosting a most successful event that will give youths a chance to celebrate life and enjoy it to the fullest. When we see our efforts impact positively on the needy and watch them in turn use their God-given talents to influence the larger society positively, we become satisfied, as this is just the only way great nations evolve - investing in their human and material resources as depicted by the ACTDF logo: Talent Is Great Resource,” he stated.

Dallaji said further, “We have worked to empower the downtrodden and today we are graded UN Grade C status as it relates to NGOs. In 2012, we participated in the Rio 2012 UN Sustainable Development Goals Summit, which held in Brazil.

“I am particularly happy that our brand ambassadors like Jim Iyke, Abubakar Yakubu, Emeka Rollas, Thelma Ojiji, and others who are here with us this morning, were all part of that trip to the beautiful city of Rio for that UN gathering. I am happy to state that across the nation and beyond the shores ofAfrica, we have reached out touching lives in very astonishing ways and are being recognised L-R: Kate Henshaw, Segun Arinze and others at the Talent-hunt event... recently for that.”

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

͹΁ ͺ͸͹Ϳ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚Π˜ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

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Willie Obiano

Anambra State is Becoming Hub of Night Life The Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano, recently took his turn to go through the screening process for the governorship primary of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abuja (in which he later emerged as candidate). He spoke with journalists about his scorecard, his second term bid and turbulence in APGA leadership, Onyebuchi Ezigbo was there

W

e learnt you have scaled through the screening process to qualify for the governorship primary of your party. What is the experience like?

I have just passed through a very rigorous screening exercise in line with APGA constitution.

The exercise was very thorough and I am happy that every step in APGA constitution was followed to ensure that everything we are doing is consistent with the constitution which is supreme in everything that we are doing. The party is supreme and every party runs on constitution that is appropriately approved. So I am very happy that we have concluded one aspect of the process. Once again, I want to thank the chairman of the screening committee and all the members of the committee, the National Chairman and the NWC members for the warm welcome that I have been given.

Of course, we are our brothers’ keeper and we want to make sure we continue to do so. I am confident that after my election the subsequent elections will bring many more APGA governors from Zamfara, Nassarawa, Abia, Imo and APGA family will grow from strength to strength. So once more I want to thank everybody for this great opportunity and I thank God for helping me to pass through the rigorous process.

We want you to react to what happened in Owerri, Imo state where a faction of APGA held a meeting to choose ofďŹ cials and held its own governorship primary.

I don’t have information on what you are telling me. All I know is that there was nothing that happened in Owerri. If something had happened the police and INEC would be present and I am aware that didn’t happen and therefore nothing happened and that is the best I can tell you.

Why are you seeking a fresh mandate?

I want some of my projects completed so that I will be around to commission them. In less than three and half years, virtually all the communities in Anambra State have felt our presence to the tune of N40 million, So we want to do more, so that by the end my eight years every community would have very significant infrastructure. This is outside the road that we are building, the street lighting that we are doing. In Anambra

Pbiano

now, virtually all the roads are lit and we have continued to do more. By God’s grace we are going to win the election and that would enable us to actualise the vision we have for Anambra and that will make the state to be the first choice in investment destination and the mission when we go to work is to create a socially stable and business friendly environment where indigenes and non-indigenes can have the opportunity to create wealth. That’s our vision. If you check my mission and vision so far, you will see that substantially we have achieved that.

So, my dream when I finish my eight years is that Anambra will be self-sufficient in its revenue sources and will not be dependent on Abuja. I have achieved that 65 per cent already and in the coming years I will be able to fully do that and that’s the only way to drive the process; making everybody productive, getting people to generate economic activities and create wealth. Apart from securing lives and property, that’s the core business of a governor.

What are your plans for women in line with the afďŹ rmative action?

If you look at my present cabinet, women constitute 27 per cent, and I am coming up to 36 per cent. So, in the things we are doing, women are given priority. By the way, the N1.5 billion that we gave to farmers in Anambra State, women farmers got 60 per cent of the money. So, we are paying attention to women

My dream when I ďŹ nish my eight years is that Anambra will be selfsuďŹƒcient in its revenue sources and will not be dependent on Abuja. I have achieved that 65 per cent already and in the coming years I will be able to fully do that and that’s the only way to drive the process; making everybody productive, getting people to generate economic activities and create wealth. Apart from securing lives and property, that’s the core business of a governor generally and improving their health. We are trying to reduce the maternal mortality rate in the state.

We got accreditation for the school of nursing and graduated about 300 mid-wives and they will be sent to the primary health centres in the state. Now we are going to ask those old women in the villages who didn’t go to school but help in child delivery that we pay them what the government would have paid them so that they can refer them to the proper mid-wives. If we do that, you will see considerable reduction in infant and maternal mortality.

You have been in power for almost three and half years and one will like to know the milestones that you have achieved and also the most challenging aspect of governance your administration has had to face?

The last two years have been tough. Nigeria went into a recession and only four states could pay salaries and Anambra is one of them out of 36 states. We have consistently paid salaries, pension and gratuities in the state. We are also working on infrastructure and other things that are required in a recession. So, being able to navigate the challenges of a recession and keeping my state afloat very well was a key challenge and I have had to bring to practice all my banking experience to keep the ship afloat.

Awka modern city is one of the projects you promised to execute. How optimistic are you that you will execute the project before you left ofďŹ ce?

I don’t know when last you came to Anambra state, you would have seen that Awka has transformed rapidly from a glorified village to a modern city. Are you are aware of the three fly-overs? Are you aware of the street lights that stretch from Amansea all through the length and breadth of Awka? Are you aware of the shopping complex opened that brought Shoprite? Are you aware of the 24-hour filling station? Are you aware of the bubbling night life that has come to stay in Awka? Are you aware of its massive security? More important, have you heard that someone has been kidnapped in Awka since I assumed office? We are doing area mapping in the whole of Anambra State and we have started with Awka. Area mapping is very useful when you want to do GPRS and GIS. GPRS is for direction that is why we are labelling the streets so that when you come into Anambra all you need to ask anybody is about the street, you will be directed accordingly. You just key in where you are going to and the taxi will take you there and the GIS is very useful for land and erosion site monitoring. And we are doing much more because we have development authority headed by a renowned American architect who is a Nigerian in Anambra. In my second term, we are going to deal with the inner roads of Awka and we have a plan to do another linkage to address weekend traffic jams. A lot of vehicles come into the state on weekends because of the night life, security and because of that, we have many vehicles on the road and sometimes you have gridlock here and there. So, we want to do some road intersects that will fly across one or two towns so that people will be able to get to their destinations faster.

We are building an event centre that will sit 6,000 people which is going to be the best event centre in the South East. The event centre is at the DPC level as we speak and I will flag it off once the DPC work is over. We are doing so much not only in Awka but in other cities in the state. We are currently modernising the roundabouts and that is what we want to do in the next one month and we are trying to retouch them so that we can put things that depict what those people from the areas are known for. For example, you find somewhere in Onitsha where we show ‘Odu’ and that is what Onitsha women are putting on.

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AUGUST 19 , 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

FASHION FILE

The Amelia Collection

By Urban and Chique

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž AUGUST 19, 2017

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

FASHION FILE

The Amelia Collection

N

igerian Womenswear brand URBAN AND CHIQUE unveils its debut Blouse collection titled AMELIA. Urban and Chique is a fast fashion brand known for bright & beautiful pieces.

The Amelia Collection is easily distinguished by its vibrant colours, quirky cuts, and 3D petals details on each design.

The collection is filled with a range of properly tailored blouse from a mix of sheer lace, tulle, monochrome and prints to floral embellishments.

The luxury pieces have been curated in a contemporary way allowing you to style it for

any type of event from formal to casual .

The creative director of Urban and Chique’s love for distinct and bold designs is very visible in the Amelia Collection.

Photographer: @TheFifographer Model:: @FewModels Make Up : @Awelewa@Awelewamakeovers Creative Direction:: @ Thestyle_concierge Brand:: @Urbanand@Urbanandchique Fabric : WhiteDiamond

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΁˜ 2017

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fashogbon... ͸΀͸ͻͻ;ͺ͹͸͸΁

L-R: Chairman, Construction and Engineering Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Leye Kupoluyi; Managing Director, First Home Mortgage Brokers, Mrs. Jumoke Fashanu; Special Assistant to Chief Executive, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company Plc, Mr. Ini-Odu Akpan; National Coordinator, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Moji Babatunde; and Director General, LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf, during the LCCI Construction and Engineering Group interactive session in Lagos recently

L-R: Chairman, Chinto Tech,Sylvester Okonkwo; President Association of Telecommunucation Companies Of Nigeria, ATCON, Olusola Teniola ; MD/CEO Commercio Limited/Treasurer, ATCON,Aderonke Adeyegbe; MD/CEO, Juniper Solutions/Coordinator, ISP ATCON, Gboyega Ojuri and MD/CEO eStream Networks Limited, Muyiwa Ogungboye during ATCON’s roundtable meeting with CEOs of Internet Service Providers in Lagos recently.

Green Marketing: The LG Example Environmental pollution is inarguably an inevitable phenomenon, yet, accompanied by harmful effects on lives, ranging from ill-health to disabilities or even death.

Despite generating hazards, experts say that it may be disastrous to attempt to halt it particularly in developing countries with economic fortune dependent on natural resources.

Nigeria thus happens to fall among the category of countries that look majorly to natural deposits for revenue accumulation and foreign exchange, in addition to its desperation to gather energy for industrial purpose, hence pollution of the environment is inevitable.

Therefore, in its policy of greener environment, the country is left with the task of striking a balance between two conflicting goals of being economically viable, yet a safe ecosystem.

But ecologists have argued that it is not impossible to process and gather wealth from artificial and earth resources, and still secure the ecosystem.

According to research, manufacturing companies are major sources of environmental degradation in Nigeria, either in the form

Academix Upgrades Platform , covers Corporate, Academic Bodies Foremost e-Library service provider, Academix. ng, has boosted its offerings with its latest subscription offer for corporate organisations and academic institutions.

Before now, the firm only opened its content to single user who through an e-library card can access over 30 million multi-disciplinary learning resources including e-books, audio books, journals, reports and encyclopedic references.

The latest development means that the organisation can now support multiple users under the subscription of a single account.

Speaking on this development, Managing Director of the firm, Engr. Iso Bassey stated that the initiative was a dream come true.

“Being able to support corporate accounts is something that we have aspired to do from the beginning. Arriving here so quickly is a great accomplishment for our team. This gives us the opportunity to meet the specific needs of our bigger clients like universities and companies,” he said.

He added that the corporate subscription model was suitable for university programmes in need of the National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation.

“For a very affordable fee, we can satisfy users’ requirements for a digital library.

“Our new offering is also able to provide users of academic institutions and corporate organisations access to over 30 million learning resources under a single account managed by an administrator.

“Users may log in simultaneously and use the digital library from any location as long as they have Internet connectivity. Administrators are provided back-end access where they can monitor both real-time and historical usage,” Bassey added.

of environmental pollution or waste from the products, or even products’ packages, hence the need for green or eco-friendly products.

Eco-friendly products are defined as products that do not harm the environment either in their production, use or disposal stages. These kinds of products, pundit say, help to preserve the environment by significantly reducing the pollution they could possibly produce.

The growing awareness on the implications of global warming, non-biodegradable solid waste and harmful impacts of pollutants amongst others, has further drawn the attention of both producers and consumers to the value in green products.

One of such brands championing this cause is LG Electronics, having considered the environment greatly in its production and marketing cycles.

Its range of products from refrigerators, television, washing machines, air conditioners, etc. has been proven safe and friendly to the ecosystem.

For instance, the LG Multi V 5 offers ultimate energy management by analysing data to forecast energy usage and preventing users from exceeding consumption guidelines.

Its Inverter compressor also increases part load efficiency and enhances ability to reach the desired temperature, while the Ocean black Fin protects against corrosive substances and industrial pollution.

Markedly, the LG inverter compressor technology has set a standard in the industry and one of the most advanced energy efficient compressors in all its cooling systems.

The inverter Linear Compressor enables refrigerators to consume 32 per cent less energy and produce 25 per cent less noise.

While in the Air Conditioners, it enables it to cool air up to 40% faster than normal which in the process saves up to 70% energy compared to conventional air conditioners.

According to the company, its commitment to a habitable atmosphere was part of its social responsibilities to promote the cause for a healthy life by producing products that are not only eco-friendly but sustainable over a period of time with greater consumer appeal.

Managing Director, LG Electronics West Africa operations, Mr. Taeick Son noted that part of the company’s vision was to increase the recyclability of its products and allow for easy disposal at the end of their lifespan, thus promoting a clean environment.

De Image Fashion Gives Back to Society At a time when unemployment rate has risen to almost 14 per cent, popular fashion centre in the heart of Lagos, De-image Creation and Fashion Institute has offered to lift the society with its empowerment programme targeted at the youth population.

The centre which is presently running a training programme on tailoring and related skills at no extra cost,urged the public, residing within and outside Lagos take advantage of the rare opportunity geared towards self independence.

Speaking to journalists, the Chief Executive Officer of the institute, Mrs. Temilola Akintayo, noted that the institute had planned to empower not less than 200 persons annually, however, there are rooms for more committed individuals who have passion for the vocation.

She said that her interest to invest in the society stemmed from rising moral decadence in the country which she believed was as a result of unemployment and poverty.

“We cannot contest the fact that a lot of unemployed talents are out there wasting away, but we are trying to address this in our own little way which of course is worth more than millions. By doing this,we are complementing government efforts to reduce the effects of economic challenges.We all know government

alone cannot solve the problems of this country,” Akintayo said.

It is on this note that the multiple award-winning firm is calling on privileged individuals, corporate organisations and the government to support the cause, whereby more people can benefit from the programme.

“As much as the training programme comes at no cost,we still expect participants to possess training materials of which not many of them cannot afford , besides, upon completion of the programme, our joy is to see them launch out in the market so they can put to practice the knowledge they have acquired for a year and more, while also earning a living.

“That is why we go as far as equipping our trainees with sewing machine and other relevant tools once they complete the course. But we need support from all angles to spread this gesture and touch more lives.We also cannot do it alone,” she noted.

She also urged government to motivate small and medium enterprises in the country by making available and simplifying access to considerable credit facilities that will drive business expansion.

She informed that the centre will be graduating its first set of empowerment.

“We in LG are fully committed to having more of Greenhouse products to protect the environment from hazardous impact which could spell doom for mankind. We have deliberately adopted it as a policy which means, at every strata of production, we are conscious of the fact that the environment must be kept safe for all. That is what we stand for,” he noted.

As a result of this friendly attitude to the environment, the company was singled out for honour by the United States Environmental Protection agency for its continuing leadership in protecting the environment with energy efficient consumer electronics.

This was flaunted at the back of its nearly 300 ENERGY STAR-certified models in the past.

Beyond its commitment to user-efficient products and consumer well-being, its effort thus abide by ‘Customer-Value Creation’ and ‘People-Oriented Management’ as it followed a Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR ,framework system that is based on CSR change management, CSR risk management, stakeholders engagement and strategic social contribution.

Firm to Host Brands, Retailers in Drinks Festival Operators in the beverage sector are set for a skill show off and industry groove as Africa’s Leading Event Management Company, Balmoral, hosts first International Drinks Festival in December.

The feast, which will take place in Lagos, is said to be the single largest gathering of stakeholders in the drinks’ business in Nigeria and will be graced by the crème de la crème of the music, movie, and the political class.

Announcing the event at a press conference, organisers of the event mentioned that the event which will take place between 1st and 3rd of December at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, would feature exhibition of various drinks brands, masterclasses with drink professionals and summits which will afford attendees opportunities to interact with beverage experts.

Judging by the report from Euromonitor International, a world-renowned business intelligence company, which states that Nigeria alone in 2016 consumed 36.68 million litres of soft drinks with its spirits market worth $ 6 billion, and beer accounting for 55% of the total market share, there are high hopes that the forthcoming event would stir a boost in the 2017 figures as the programme provides a platform to increase the exposure of Nigerian brands.

The function boasts to thrill attendees with abundant and massive choice of drinks ranging from soft, wine and champagne, distilled spirits, vodka, tequila, rum, whiskey gin, liquor drinks and many more.

Earlier in the year, the Lagos International Food and drinks Festival was held amid fanfare and pomp. The event was graced by Lagosians and visitors across the world.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 19, 2017

INSIGHT Ending The Buhari Versus Jonathan Political Feud Sufyan Abbas Mohammed

F

rom what one is seeing, the political fight between President Mohammed Buhari and the former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan appears endless. Nigerians have not forgotten how they were entertained with accusations and counter accusations from both camps, during the campaigns leading to the 2015 general

elections.

After the Presidential elections which ex-President Jonathan conceded defeat even when the final results were yet to be announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, one expects these two leaders as members of the Council of State to work together for the good of Nigeria, but the opposite appears to be the case. Going by what we read in the papers and social media daily, it appears as if the nation is still in the campaign mode, more than two years after the last elections.

My candid opinion is that the on going mudslinging affects every one of us as Nigerians. For us as a people, so long as we keep spreading negative news about our leaders, to that extent will our reputation continue to be dragged in the mud. There is no gainsaying the fact that constant bickering is not to the advantage of the two gladiators, the former and serving Presidents, who like big masquerades should not display in small village squares.

Even then, it is very obvious that the wave of ceaseless squabbles between them will obviously hurt the incumbent President Buhari the more. I say so because Jonathan is no longer the President.

As such he no longer, carries the nation’s image or bears its burden as much as President Muhammadu Buhari. Add to that the fact that Jonathan is not in contention for any political office, especially as his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned the presidency to the north for the 2019 polls. This means that Jonathan will not be a candidate in the next general elections.

As far as the whole world is concerned, it is President Buhari that symbolizes the country and may even stand as a candidate in the next general elections. It is therefore Buhari’s image and reputation that need to be protected and preserved.

We all know that if there is any major crisis today, it is President Buhari that will bear the headache, not Jonathan. That is why one is surprised that long after the election campaigns, Buhari’s aides, even in victory, have continued to rattle the sabre of propaganda and stoke the fire of hostility with the former President. I expected them and their close supporters to be the least to get involved in the on going spate of hate speeches which today pose serious existential danger to our country. Unfortunately this has not been the case. At the risk of sounding personal, I will specifically call out Ms Lauretta Onochie, Buhari’s aide on social Media for excoriation because of her subliminal disposition and insensitive comments on personalities, which are obviously beneath the calling of a public servant of her standing.

In democracy and the act of governance, the World

It is the price they have to pay for electing to serve the people at that level. A situation where Presidential aides, who ordinarily should be the ones holding up the banner of peace, are the ones abusing and insulting citizens, as is the case in Nigeria, is indeed the tragedy of our time

Buhari

Jonathan

has become a global village in which we all interact and learn from one another. All over the world, Presidents absorb comments from the people, no matter how uncomplimentary. Presidents are not known to abuse and insult the citizen they govern.

It is the price they have to pay for electing to serve the people at that level. A situation where Presidential aides, who ordinarily should be the ones holding up the banner of peace, are the ones abusing and insulting citizens, as is the case in Nigeria, is indeed the tragedy of our time.

One of the laws of natural science is that action and reaction are equal and opposite. There is no doubt that this mudslinging between President Buhari and former President Jonathan will impinge more on the incumbent President, than the former President, if it continues unabated, because it will obviously serve as a needless distraction to the President. Dr. Jonathan lost the election in 2015, and the earlier the ruling party and its agents stop focusing on him, the better for the incumbent President and the Government.

Buhari may not realize it, but it is a fact that one of the major factors beclouding his programmes and estranging him from Nigerians is the constant vilification of Jonathan by his aides and supporters and the former President’s own camp fighting back with their own disparagement. Beyond the attack on Jonathan, Nigerians themselves have also been called jobless, wailing wailers and other denigrating epithets that diminish their essence by the same Presidential aides.

The speech made by Dr. Jonathan during the PDP non-elective convention on Saturday 12th of August appears to have elicited so much negative reactions, especially from that same camp that don’t seem to see anything good in anything associated with the former President. To be fair to Jonathan, there is nowhere in his speech that he directly mentioned the Government or President Buhari in his speech.

He simply cited the areas of the economy where he thinks his Government had done well. What was expected of his critics including the Presidential aides was to either disprove hiss claims, or counterthem with evidence of how the present Government has done better. What we saw in stead, were abuses, insults and the usual sing song on corruption. That was clearly disingenuous and shows how shallow the presidential response mechanism has become.

Each time they hold up the corruption banner against the previous administration or allege that “corruption is fighting back”, they remind us of how far they have become removed from the reality of right and wrong, in governance. It is sad this is the only time in our rich history that tribalism and nepotism are no longer considered as manifestations of corruption. If filling all the vacant positions in your establishment with your relatives and people from your village is not corruption, they should please tell us what it is.

In the same vein, an obviously sponsored article in one of the dailies listed oil revenues specifically from 2010 to 2017, in the bid to remind Nigerians that the Government earned more under Jonathan because of prevailing falling oil prices. Curiously, such analysis failed to reflect the total income and accruals vis-à-

vis the challenges before both administrations.

The authors of this article should have done well to include in the article, the borrowing plan of both governments to enable us determine the actual spending in real terms. It also should have been clear if it had contained a footnote on the annual budget for those years (2010-2017), and details of how they were funded.

Records show that Jonathan’s biggest budget was in 2014 when the appropriation bill had a face value of N4.6trillion. In 2016 Buhari budgeted N6.08 trillion with N1.84 trillion borrowing component which amounted to borrowing N5 billion a day for the entire 365 days in the year. Similarly, the 2017 budget has an expenditure outlay of N7.44trillion with N2.36 trillion deficit to be financed through borrowing.

It follows therefore that any dispassionate assessment of the income available for any government to spend in a budget cycle should factor in the borrowing plan, before drawing conclusions on Government spending.

Those close to the oil industry know that the higher the crude oil price, the more money spent on subsidy to ensure price stability. Higher subsidy, in turn, eats into the revenue base of the government.

This, unfortunately, was the lot of the Jonathan administration.

It was for this reason that the Jonathan government wanted to deregulate the industry in January 2012 but some elements in the then opposition APC frustrated the process through propaganda. It will also be good to know from the sponsors of this article how much was spent on subsidy between 2010 and 2017. I believe that if Jonathan had been allowed to deregulate as planned, both the nation’s reserves and the excess crude account would have been more robust at the inception of the buhari administration.

It is instructive that those who frustrated the earlier process of deregulation, did not see anything wrong when the present government, embarked on deregulation as soon as they took over from Jonathan.

It must be pointed out that in an apparent bid to make Jonathan look bad by comparing the price regime under both leaders, sponsors of the story ended up reminding Nigerians of President Buhari’s campaign promise to improve crude oil price which he is yet to fulfil. Although discerning Nigerians then wondered how one leader would be able to unilaterally achieve, it was obvious that the belief in the magical powers of Buhari then was too strong to allow a critical interrogation of the claim. Maybe we should also remind the Government that Nigerians are still waiting for when petrol will sell for N45 a litre as promised.

But now that the scales have fallen from our eyes, what will be Nigerians’ appraisal of a presidential candidate who promised to raise oil prices during campaigns, only to turn around as President to complain of low prices? It only tells us that a better appreciation of the economic environment was beyond the capacity of such a leader.

---Mohammed wrote from Yola in Adamawa State.

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PERSPECTIVE

Saraki: When Leadership Overcomes Challenges Danjuma S. Magaji

bubakar Bukola Saraki is the President of the Nigeria Senate, the upper chamber of the legislative arm of the Federal Government, and the Chairman of the Assembly (both the Red and the Green Chambers). The journey has not been easy for him but he has shown a lot of good qualities of an effective leader in the presence of adversity. The success recorded so far under Saraki’s watch in the Assembly is due to his effective leadership qualities.

The first challenge the former Governor of Kwara State faced was when he tried to exercise his fundamental rights as citizen and senator-elect that enable him to vie for the vacant position of the President of the Senate against the preferred candidate of a section of the party leadership.

There were a lot of ignorance displayed about presidential democracy by the ruling party and most of the general public.

Presidential democracy and parliamentary democracy although are all systems of democratic governments but their modus operandi differs in many areas. All Progressive Congress (APC) leaders failed to recognize the difference between a government institution and the party which many scholars regards as a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO).

Once senators are elected, they become one entity and every individual senator-elect reserves the right to vie for any position. This is what the leadership of the APC by ignorance want to exert unmerited powers over elected officials and other top government officials. In presidential democracy, there is no provision where party leadership will claim superiority over elected government officials. It must be noted that these elected officials were elected not only by members of their party but the

Saraki entire Nigerian electorate to rule over them.

The second challenge on the Saraki leadership was his case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Based on procedure, an asset declaration form is issued to a public office holder at the point of assumption of office and expiration of tenure. One expects the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate what such office holder had declared within a stipulated time.

In fact, as a civil organization, it supposed to draw your attention when they notice inappropriate action. It is not an act of morality for the organization to just be interested in going to court without drawing the person’s attention. Unless they believe that human beings are infallible and they cannot make mistakes.

If Saraki made mistakes in filing his assets declaration forms, the CCB failed to act in time to draw his attention before going to the court. Saraki’s third major challenge since he assumed office as Senate President is the case of the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu. The Senate is erroneously being accused out of either ignorance or sheer mischief. The Senate did not confirm Magu on the strength of the report from the Directorate of State Security (DSS).

The DSS is an outfit established by the constitution and its services are not meant for one individual or one arm of government but to the nation. All organs of government can reach this outfit for their service without having to go through a third party.

When a president sends the name of a nominee to the Senate for confirmation, the Senate has the right to investigate the personal record of such a nominee outside what the Presidency might have included in the curriculum vitae (CV) of the person. It is moral and constitutional for the Senate to further inquire about the personal records of Magu from other appropriate institutions and one of the right quarters is the DSS. Apart from nominees for appointments even those that are interested in contesting any elections from the local government to the Presidency must have gone through and pass the DSS screening. The senate as an independent organ of the government

under the leadership of Saraki is not out to unjustly confront the executive arm of the government, but rather wants to work in harmony for the development and progress of the country.

In spite of the aforementioned challenges, Saraki has through deployment of leadership skills succeeded in overcoming the obstacles.

The Senate President’s extraordinary ability to inspire others had helped in stabilising the once polarised Senate. As effective crises or conflict manager, he has the ability to understand the needs of others and the ability to behave wisely in respect of others.

Saraki has mastered the elements of the art of persuasion including understanding people, the effective use of words and the ability to manage conflicts.

To resolve the conflict that arose in the Senate, the Senate President Saraki made for reaching considerations to achieve what he has so far achieved. He handled the issue calmly as he never confront, accuse, or insult any person but considered that the conflict was over issues and actions not personalities.

The Senate President avoided personalized attacks. He kept the negotiations free of highly personal criticism, examinations, abusive language and especially jibes that inflict pains on others. He refused the winlose strategies of negotiation as he carried along everyone.

Saraki having secured peace and unity in the Senate and the whole National Assembly is set to lead by example, communicating his vision, keeping up morale and maintaining a positive attitude.

Furthermore, he is set to provide value based leadership, team-oriented, participatory and humane leadership that will make each Senator and other Nigerians happy.

FG Lauds EU, UNODC, as Support for Justice Sector in Nigeria Project Ends Bennett Oghifo

T

he Federal Government has lauded the European Union (EU) for financing the Support for Justice Sector in Nigeria Project that was implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to strengthen the nation’s justice administration.

The Minister for Budget and Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, whose office worked closely with the development partners, said the project, which would end in a week from now after over four years of implementation, was beneficial to the country.

The minister stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, during the week, to wrap up the Support to the Justice Sector in Nigeria project of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that was funded by the European Union (EU).

The minister, represented by a director, said, “We thank the UNODC, the stakeholders in this project, particularly to the European Union, to build our capacity to reform the justice sector. We all know that the justice sector is a symbol of civilization.”

He said the support given to Nigeria in the justice sector was well appreciated, stating that “the UNODC has been very supportive to us in so many areas; in the area of drugs, crime, the justice sector and so many others.”

He said the cooperation had improved considerably since Ms. Cristina Albertin took over as the UNODC Representative in Nigeria. “We have seen a new lease of life since she came.

We started this project creeping but since she came we have seen a great leap forward.

“As we wind down this project, we are winding up others. We have signed more than 15 partnership agreements with the European Union.

According to Ms. Cristina Albertin, UNODC Representative in Nigeria, the Support for Justice Sector in Nigeria Project built lasting partnership among federal, state actors in justice administration.

“One feature which in my view has made the project so remarkable and unique and that is that it built a lasting platform for partnership among a wide range of federal and state actors in justice administration including network mechanisms with the aim to enlist holistic and comprehensive support across Nigerian justice institutions at federal and state level for fair, accessible and faster delivery of justice for all.

“In my view, this approach and resulting

L-R: Hon. Justice Ibrahim Jauro of Yobe State Judiciary; Mrs Joy Bob-Manuel, DG, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria; Mr. Kurt Cornelis, Head of Development Cooperation, EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS; and Ms. Cristina Albertin, UNODC Representative in Nigeria at the stakeholders’ final meeting in Abuja... recently

collaborative work cannot be anything less than a guarantee for continuity and sustainability in justice reform while the project formally ends.” Albertin assured the government of “UNODCs commitment to justice reform in Nigeria continues beyond project end as we know and recognise justice reform as a critical foundation to ensure the respect for human rights for each and every Nigerian, including the principle of equality before the law and the right to due process and fair trials.

“In the 18 months that I have been in the country, I was able to witness in several occasions the tremendous interest, commitment and hard work that each and every partner and stakeholder has invested in this collective journey towards justice reform and justice for all.”

According to her, the stakeholders’ meeting held “to mark the formal end of a very important partnership project between the Government of Nigeria, the EU and UNODC, the - Support to Justice Project’.

“After more than four years of implementation, in one week the project will come to an end and before that we would like to share and celebrate the results and achievements in justice reform in Nigeria with all of you who have been part of the journey under the project. Much can and will be said about this project and the journey to fair and accountable justice systems in Nigeria.”

She lauded all stakeholders, saying “Without any doubt, fair, humane, accountable and transparent justice systems are key to any society and the aim and desire of each and every citizen in any part of the world. We all can relate to what justice means for ourselves and for others and its critical role to sustainable peace and development.

“Good Governance can only happen when it is grounded in accountable and fair justice systems. Public officials, be it Legislators, Governments or the judiciary will be judged by the citizens for their commitment to fair and effective justice delivery to each and everyone.

“You all remember that it is only two years ago that the importance of good justice systems was recognized as one of the 16 Sustainable Development Goals focusing on the rule-of-law, justice and strong institutions, a stark reminder of the urgent need worldwide to improve on justice delivery and the rule-oflaw to be able to attain sustainable development. I believe that during the last years, Nigeria has made good progress towards this goal.

“The entry into force of the ACJA Act in 2015 which formulation and development was accompanied and supported by the project has been a major breakthrough in Nigeria towards fair and speedy justice which allows now justice officials not only to expedite justice and overcome the appalling situation of 75 per

cent of remand prisoners, but also to prevent similar situations in the future applying for example alternative methods to imprisonment when warranted.

“While the ACJA can be seen as a breakthrough and bedrock for justice reform in the country, a series of critical inter-connected initiatives have been advanced in the last years under our joint partnership projects including the preparation of a national justice policy (National Justice Summit), the setup of a network of justice reform committees across Nigeria, the approval of sentencing guidelines at state levels, the preparation of training manuals and roll-out of training, in human rights for police officer and prison officials and on prison management for prison officials, preparation of manuals and guidelines such as for courts, assessment reports, such as on children in conflict, the establishment of JRCs, the adoption of Legal Aid Strategy and a guidance manual for legal services in Nigeria and so much more. With these much needed policy, legal and operational instruments and tools, justice practitioners are now equipped to deliver justice more effectively and efficiently, including to the vulnerable and poor without leaving anybody behind.

“On behalf of UNODC, I wish to congratulate Nigeria, the Government, legislative and Judiciary for their persistence in pursuing justice reform in Nigeria as well as the civil societies organisations and private persons, who often have been at the forefront of driving, initiating, advocating and implementing required reforms and services.”

UNODC, she said, “Has been a partner in these efforts allover the last years, if not decades. We will continue to do so in the future supporting Nigeria and its justice systems in translating our foundational mandate in criminal justice and prevention of crime into practice and action for the benefit and wellbeing of all Nigerians.

“UNODC’s other mandates and programmes relating to countering organized crime, terrorism and corruption have never been more relevant today worldwide and also in Nigeria.

“I am deeply convinced that our work in these areas will and can only be successful when our related efforts continue and are grounded in efficient and effective justice systems committed to and equipped on a daily basis to deliver speedily justice in respect of human rights and the rule-of-law for each and every Nigerian.”

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T H I S D AY SATURDAY AUGUST 19, 2017

T H I S D AY SATURDAY AUGUST 19, 2017

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

FOR THE RECORD

Governance and National Development: Issues and Implications Oluremi Tinubu

I

am honoured to present this paper as the keynote speaker at the12th Annual Research Conference and Fair of this great Institution, UNILAG. I must commend the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rahmon Ade Bello, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research), Professor OluwatoyinOgundipe; members of the Governing Board and members of the committee charged with organizing this conference.

The theme of this conference Govnance and National Development: Issues and Implications; and the sub-theme Democracy and National Development are relevant and important in the current scheme of events and the on-going conversations on the need or otherwise for restructuring. For this, I commend the organisers.

The purpose of Government is important in any discussion or attempt to analyse governance, national development, success recorded and the attendant issues and implications arising therefrom. Thus, governance in Nigeria is premised on the ‘principles of democracy and social justice’, ensuring participation of the citizenry in government, with the Nigerian Constitution stating the ‘security and welfare of the people’ as the primary duty of government.

Today’s Nigeria is a curious tale of two worlds co-existing, each different in nature and direction and each threatened by the other. On the one hand, Nigeria (along with few other countries in Africa) has been described as the new economic and innovation frontier, with consumer spending set to rise, the middle class expanding at very competitive rates and becoming sophisticated, college education reaching more and more of Nigeria’s youth, investment in infrastructure increasing year-on-year and, importantly, democratic ideals and practices taking roots more firmly.

On the other hand, a large section of the populace in today’s Nigeria struggles with the scourge of poverty, appalling standards of living, non-existent and decaying infrastructure, HIV and AIDS, maternal and infant mortality, terrorism, ethnic and tribal tensions and other ills symptomatic of a nation not fully at ease. The gap between our tremendous potentials as a country and our actual attainments is depressing and disheartening; for a country as endowed with human, material and natural resources as Nigeria, the level of poverty in which the vast majority of our people live is unacceptable.

The theme of this conference calls for reevaluation and re-appraisal of the issues and implications arising from the nexus between governance and national development in Nigeria. I believe strongly that an appraisal of the existing situation, discuss and proffering solution is important in ensuring a holistic approach to creating a system that works.

Thus, it is a privilege to deliver my thoughts on this subject. In this presentation, I shall attempt from governance viewpoints, to state the issues, articulate the situation and outline the options which may be subsequently adopted as solutions that will lead to this thriving ‘Nigeria’ that I alluded to.

Along with many political scientists, I agree that for a country as diverse and large as Nigeria, only the practice of true and fiscal federalism can deliver effective administrative and political governance and the afore-mentioned deliverables.

It will be noted that I have taken the liberty to use the expression ‘true federalism’ and ‘true fiscal federalism’ above. This is because, in the peculiar case of Nigeria, while our laws and constitution expressly declare the country to be a Federal State, the practical application of most of the applicable constitutional provisions and laws effectively makes Nigeria a country governed under a quasi-unitary system of government thus necessitating and justifying theclamour for ‘true federalism’ in Nigeria.

In Nigeria’s 3rd Republic, there has been a number of sordid corruption-related episodes in the States of the Federation and at the federal level that could justifiably lead to citizens’ loss of faith and confidence in the democratic process. Many citizens believe that democracy as practised in our

Oluremi Tinubu

Therefore, the leadership in Nigeria must provide a conducive environment for real and quality education. We must also realise that government alone cannot provide all the solutions. The examples of developed economies where education is an engine for development shows that individuals, religious groups, communities, and businesses must contribute towards providing education that leverages development Presidential System is lavishly expensive and over-burdening the nation’s resources.

However, one State in Nigeria has unarguably led in exemplary management of resources and people-directed policies – Lagos State.

The success story of Lagos State is traceable to the ascension to office of widely travelled professionals who are experienced in the scientific and systematic approach to governance. Lagos State has benefitted this from the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola and Governor Akinwumi Ambode. Also remarkable is the continuity of leadership, vision and purpose which has ensured continuity of policies and projects in the State Given my experiences and first-hand knowledge of the developmental challenges facing Nigeria, and considerable time spent reflecting on the areas in which the leaders and the people of Nigeria must necessarily co-operate in order to attain desired levels of development, I have come to realize that the mere identification of these areas of co-operation is not sufficient. The manner of

co-operation is much more important. I am therefore pleased to share my thoughts on this significant issue with this distinguished audience.

The first is education. In the words of Ella Baker, American human rights activist, ‘Show the light and the people will find the way’. It is no wonder then that even the most developed of nations place high premium on education and on the constant review and refinement of their educational systems and curriculum.

The former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, famously said, “Ask me my three main priorities for government, and I tell you: education, education, education”. Further describing the role and value of good and quality education, he is quoted to have said, “At a good school, children gain the basic tools for life and work.

But they ought also to learn the joy of life: the exhilaration of music, the excitement of sport, the beauty of art, the magic of science. And they learn the value of life: what it is to be responsible citizens who give something back to their community”.

Sadly, no such premium is placed on education in Nigeria and most African countries.

Granted, there are schools and universities - many of them. But what is the state of infrastructure there? What is the quality of the minds and brains produced there? How often is the curriculum revised and reviewed to reflect modern realities? How many of the citizens do not regret their inability to send their children to study in places other than Nigeria?

In his passionate and well-thought out piece titled “Failed Leadership and Jaundiced Education in Nigeria”, Nigerian theologian, teacher and poet, Father George Ehusani painted a picture of the state of education in Nigeria today. He rightly observed that “Our institutions too are a reflection of the type and quality of education that we pursue.

It cannot be overstated that over the years our institutions have suffered widespread criminal neglect of infrastructure, content and administration.

Once highly regarded and respected internationally, our institutions have plummeted in reputation and self-esteem. ...Everywhere one turns, the decay in structures and facilities and the fall in morale are palpable. Institutional corruption began to erode discipline badly in virtually all the processes of teaching and learning. Education in such climes became a reflection of the life of the nation where the leadership at all levels dumped much needed development in preference for self-serving governance. …Our institutional and public libraries are generally antiquated, under-stocked and underutilized.

And without a good reading culture, there is no incentive to attract public support for

improvements in our libraries. Likewise, very few writers turn out good books, and others who strive to be authors end up filling the void with substandard works.”

I therefore propose the declaration of a state of emergency in the educational sector. I agree with the thoughts views expressed by Former President OlusegunObasanjo at a Lecture delivered at the 2012 Graduation Ceremonies of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka that Nigeria “cannot continue to wobble along like a stalked and wounded lion, walking to its death. We have immense resources” but these will only become real assets “if we start now to work seriously and assiduously on how this large population will be the quality, united and purposeful workforce associated with such countries as Ghana, the US and South Korea. United Nations projections show that we are on course to be the fourth largest country, in population, by the turn of the next century. Without commensurate growth in educational access, quality, purpose and relevance, we will be ill-prepared to take advantage of this demographic opportunity which can easily turn catastrophic indeed, in the absence of real leadership” Therefore, the leadership in Nigeria must provide a conducive environment for real and quality education. We must also realise that government alone cannot provide all the solutions. The examples of developed economies where education is an engine for development shows that individuals, religious groups, communities, and businesses must contribute towards providing education that leverages development.

My second recommendation is to celebrate diversity and welcome differences. It has been rightly observed that ethnic allegiances run deep in Africa such that from South Africa to Kenya to Nigeria and to the world’s newest nation, South Sudan, tribalism and appeals to ethnic sentiments and loyalties are “used to climb the political ladder and to create wealth”.

The US State Department acknowledges that the most diverse nations in Africa are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia and Chad. Nigeria had her civil war, Kenya recently experienced huge, bloody and widespread violence resulting from election disputes fuelled by ethnic sentiments and “with a population of 72 million people and more than 250 ethnic groups, the Democratic Republic of Congo has perpetually been engulfed in ethnic clashes”. Thus, William Boscom, a professor of anthropology at the University of California has been quoted as saying that while tribalism is no longer an obstacle to self-government in Africa, it “is still an obstacle to national unity”.

Thus, there must be an acknowledgement of our differences but with a view to putting in place structures and institutions that will accommodate and protect the interests and values of the co-existing ethnic nationalities.

Post-war Rwanda seems to be leading the way in this regard and it has been said that “if Africa can mimic what President Paul Kagame has done for Rwanda in appreciating tribal disparities, then our democracy and economy will be among the best in the world” In conclusion, African leaders must reevaluate their concept of leadership. Real Leadership, as Dean Williams of the Harvard Kennedy School has explained is “not about having convictions and imposing them on the group. Nor is it about amassing followers and showing the way forward.” He further opines that it involves “mobilizing people to confront their predicament and solve their most pressing problems. The focus is not on getting people to follow but on getting people to face reality and think and act responsibly, thereby enabling their organizations and communities to address their toughest challenges and make meaningful progress.”

Today, more than ever before, Nigeria needs real leadership in all spheres of our corporate existence. However, this need is particularly pressing in the education sector where skills, attitudes, and performance abilities are acquired. No development is possible without these. And talk of transformation will only be sloganeering. Leadership by example reinforces Real Leadership.”

–Senator Tinubu (OON) delivered the speech as keynote speaker at the University of Lagos 12th Annual Research Conference and Fair.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΁˜ 2017

MARITIME BITS with John Iwori.... ͸΀͸ͽͿͿ;ͻ͹;ͼ

President, Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA), Nigeria, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere and the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman (middle) flanked by other members of the continental body paid a courtesy visit to Usman at NPA House, Marina, Lagos...recently

L-R: Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chief Henry Njoku; representative of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), ACG Umar Sanusi; and the National President, ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu at the biennial National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of ANLCA in Port Harcourt…recently

ANLCA Leads the Pack There are many associations and unions in the maritime industry. They exist for different reasons depending on the purpose for their establishment. Their set goals and objectives also differ. These organisations are not unknown to those in the maritime industry. Some of them are not more than a collection of friends or those who speak the same language or share similarity of origin in the country. In some cases, decisions are taken in one man bedroom and passed down the throats of the rest. There is no clear cut roadmap in their leadership succession.

Where it exists at all, it is hardly adhere to.

This is not unconnected with the fact that they have no laid down structures and hierarchy that can stand the test of time. This is where the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) differs. It is on record that many helmsmen in the other associations in the maritime industry were hitherto chieftains

Development: NPA Join Forces with WIMA In order to ensure the sustainable development of the country as it affects women, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has expressed its readiness to join forces with Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA), Nigeria.

It stated that its management was committed to its resolve to support and encourage developmental programmes and goals initiated by credible women organisations across all spheres of the nation.

It explained that its focus shall be in the area of manpower development and utilisation across the country.

The Managing Director of the NPA, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman gave this assurance when she played host to the executive members of WIMA Nigeria at NPA House, the corporate headquarters of the authority at Marina, Lagos.

Usman stated that the desire to collaborate with WIMA Nigeria was not the first as the present management has over time collaborated with groups and captains of industries meaningfully on developmental programmes to better the economy.

She assured that that NPA was willing to further sustain these in order to ensure the progress of the country.

President of WIMA, Mrs. Jean ChiazorAnishere had earlier in her opening remarks stated that the association was at the NPA to solicit co-operation especially for their project in the rural areas aimed at encouraging women in these vital areas who are into fishing.

Anishere, a legal practitioner and immediate past President of WISTA Nigeria, said WIMA Nigeria required driers, freezers amongst others just as she pointed out that the African Union (AU) has a policy tagged ‘’Blue Economy’’ which recognizes the role of “Aqua Culture” through which women would be empowered for greater self-sustenance and relief to the economy.

According to Anishere, the initiative was an encouragement for them to achieve women empowerment which remains one of the key objectives of WIMA Nigeria.

of ANLCA. Established in 1954, ANLCA has continued to show the way while others follow. Since its establishment, it has continued to weather the storm with the implementation of its constitution, especially in the elections of its officials and taking of decisions that affect its membership.

For decades, the association which remains the umbrella body for licensed customs agents in the country has been has been leading the way for others to follow. I short, it leads while others follow. Only last Thursday, it took a major step to show that it does not run a “one man show” when its members all over the country met in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt for its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

The biennial meeting was well attended with the chieftains of the association in the various chapters across the country in attendance. The venue of the meeting, Swiss Spirit Hotels and

Suits, along Stadium Road was a beehive of activities. Besides all NEC and Board of Trustees (BOT) members, Zonal officers, all chapter executive officers, and some invited Elders of ANLCA, the meeting was attended by the Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retired) and the Registrar, Council for Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (CRFFN), Sir Mike Jukwe. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) boss was represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone C, ACG Sanusi.

To underscore its importance, no fewer than 18 chapters of the association spread across the six geo-political zones of the country submitted written reports with applause or hisses trailing each of them depending on its content and the delivery by the chapter helmsmen.

Though the challenges facing each of the chapters differ but a common trend ran through all of them. Besides the fact that they

NCS Seizes 8, 295 Used Tyres Worth N66m, Other Commodities Worth N141m The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has step up its anti-smuggling campaign with the seizure of more commodities in Zone C which has its headquarters in the Imo State capital, Owerri.

The service seized 8, 295 used tyres popularly called “totunbo” worth N66 million just it also seized other commodities worth N141 million.

The items were some of the seizures made by the service in the zone from January to July 2017.

These were disclosed by the NCS, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Bukar Amajam in a chat with news men in the Edo State capital, Benin City.

In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Chioma Onuoha, the CAC stated this shortly after conducting newsmen around NCS Government Warehouse, Benin City where the seizures were being showcased.

Amajam was quoted saying that most of the used tyres were craftily concealed in their various means of conveyance but operatives of the Service were able to detect and intercept them.

According to the Customs Chief, the used tyres put motorists in grave danger and therefore the unit in carrying out its functions will continue to ensure that irresponsible traders bent on putting Nigerian lives at serious risk will not succeed.

The CAC said the seizures made by FOU ‘C’ Owerri for July 2017 showed that the unit has recorded 18 seizures with duty paid value (DPV) of N141, 229,000. He also revealed that the unit also made recovery of underpayments to the tune of N24, 575,796.

The seizures made include cartons of vegetable oil, used tyres and bags of rice.

Others are a luxury bus intercepted with 69 bags of rice and 40 bales of second hand clothing.

He also disclosed another Sino truck laden with 460 bags of rice with DPV of N11, 776, 000 as well as Toyota Previa car

was intercepted with 59 bags of rice with DPV of N944, 000.

While displaying a 1x20 foot container intercepted conveying used motor parts with cartons of foreign soap concealed in it, he explained that the foreign soap was prohibited for trade.

He explained that import prohibitions have been put in place to protect the local manufacturing industry and called on the populace to gain information and knowledge before importation.

Also on display were three exotic cars including a Bentley GT Coupe 2014 model with DPV of over N56 million naira, Mercedes s Benz GLK 2011 model with DPV of N9,235,963 and another Mercedes Benz GLK 2008 model with DPV of N7,715,838 under detention.

Amajam disclosed that preliminary investigation reveal that the three cars do not have evidence of duty payment even as he pointed out that the nature of the cars show that it was bought by someone rich and affluent.

He appealed to wealthy Nigerians to be patriotic and pay appropriate duty and taxes, adding that it was the civic duty of every Nigerian to forward any useful information to the service.

He maintained that this was one of the ways that put the NCS in a position to guard against illegal activities of smugglers and protect the socio-economic wellbeing of the nation at large.

He commended patriotic Nigerians that have volunteered information that have been invaluable and have yielded positive results.

Their act, he said, has led to increased success in anti-smuggling operations just as he asserted the resolve of the unit and the NCS to bring smuggling to its barest minimum.

On the removal of illegal checkpoints, Amajam stated that the directive does not hamper operatives in the discharge of their duties.

have similar operational challenges of multiple alerts on cargoes which slows down NCS clearance procedures, extortion, NCS querying of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), bad access roads to the nation’s seaports, airports and international borders stand as a sour thumb in the mouth.

Others are lack of cargo benchmark for especially vehicles, server/network regularly breaking down, involvement of NCS officers in the clearing of cargoes and the multiplicity government agencies.

Far reaching decisions were reached at the NEC meeting which was presided over by the National President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu.

These include the position of the association on port operational fee (POF), National Assembly investigation of some importers; association electoral commission (ASECO), NPA annual renewal fee and registration requirements.

Eko Modular Refinery Gets N360m Grant The United States of America Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has approved a grant of $1 million (N360 million) for the detailed engineering design of 20,000 barrel per day (bpd) modular refinery in Lagos.

The Head, Media Communications, Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, Mr. Enyeribe Anyanwu who disclosed this in a statement said that the USA Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington confirmed the development during the official signing of the agreement in Lagos.

Symington commended the initiative of Eko petrochemical and refining company’s management just as he expressed the hope that the proposed 200, 000 barrel per day (bpd) production refinery would attract more investments to the country and develop host communities.

His words: ‘‘The grant was meant for detail engineering design and development of the proposed refinery in Tomaro Industrial Park in Lagos. I feel honoured to be part of the success story. I also promised to support the projects to actualisation”.

Symington applauded the Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho for his commitment to the project. He noted that Iheaneacho’s investment in the refinery project was coming at a time when the country needed it most.

He also praised the Federal Government for believing in the power of the individual citizens and entrepreneurs to undertake laudable projects for the nation’s development. ‘‘He is doing it at a time with a government that believes Nigeria can do what can be done anywhere in the world,’’ the ambassador added.

Iheaneacho who was the Minister of Interior during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan said the Eko Petrochem and Refining Company would complement efforts of the Federal Government in providing lasting solution to the problems of importation of refined petroleum products into the country.

He revealed that the USA Government, acting through the USTDA, has accelerated the process of the planned economic investments through the industrial development grant of $1 million, which it had seen fit to bestow to us.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΁, 2017

FEATURES

Arnold (2nd right) at work

Georgia Arnold

Upping the Ante against HIV Since she founded and assumed the role of Executive Director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Georgia Arnold, has not slowed down in her campaign against HIV through various initiatives including the lifestyle TV drama, MTV Shuga, reports Vanessa Obioha

N

othing prepared Georgia Arnold for the next question I was about to ask her. We were chatting via Skype at Viacom’s office in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Her employee, Anita Aiyudu, who is the MTV Staying Alive Foundation’s Marketing and Partnership Manager in Nigeria, sat beside me. She’s been playing the role of a chaperone for this interview, listening with rapt attention, in case the interview steers into unpleasant direction. Like Arnold, she wasn’t expecting the question from me. The interview has been going on smoothly so far.

Arnold proved that she needed no chaperone with her friendly disposition and willingness to talk. When we started, she spoke freely about her busy schedule in the past few days. Her son Covi is travelling round Europe and she has to keep tabs on him. But that’s not the main task; she is moving to a new place and caught up in the packing and unpacking of boxes. It’s not a task she is enjoying at the moment since she has to be in Nigeria in a few days for the MTV Shuga open auditions for its upcoming new series.

“I’m really juggling between work and moving house,” she told me.

Within minutes, we were talking about the return of MTV Shuga to Nigeria. The award-winning lifestyle TV drama which focuses on issues bordering youths filmed its third and fourth season in Nigeria. Prolific director Biyi Bandele and Chris Ihidiero worked on the productions. Those seasons boasted of actors like Jemima Osunde, Sharon Ezeamaka, Timini Egbuson among others who had never featured in the TV series. Coincidentally, they are the only ones returning for the upcoming seasons.

“MTV Shuga historically has been direct.

We started off in Kenya, then Nigeria, and South Africa. I was very ambitious on taking it to South Africa because there were many stories we could tackle on there. Moving it back to Nigeria was another ambition of mine. It was never that we were leaving; it’s just about creating space to reach wider audience. Now we are back with some of the existing cast members and also create brand new faces and storylines that bring more interest to the MTV Shuga because it’s one of our challenges to always keep it fresh,” she explained.

Apparently, North Africa seemed left out in the MTV Shuga train. Arnold however said all that were about to change. The Foundation recently included Egypt in its future plans.

“East, West and South are sort of our home but going to Africa means that we can deal

with really interesting and culturally very sensitive issues. So in Egypt we are tackling female genital mutilation. It’s illegal in Egypt but over 90 per cent of women in Egypt have FGM which is incredible statistics. We will be tackling that and also talking a lot about family planning. In Nigeria, the new series will also have a lot of contraceptive messages as well as HIV,” Arnold said.

Apart from Egypt, the series will also go to India and Arnold plans to have Shuga in Francophone countries in Africa.

This zeal of Arnold to spread the prevention of HIV and other youth-oriented issues to all corners of the earth didn’t start yesterday. It’s been a long walk in the park. Having started off as an assistant to one of the top echelons at MTV 23 years ago, Arnold climbed several rungs of the ladder to be the Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility for MTV Networks International.

Her proclivity towards social issues and impact was discovered from her first appointment at the international media outfit. So when an opportunity came to oversee The Staying Alive Campaign in 1998, she was the best man for the job. Through her effective and competent skills in the field which fetched the campaign glowing accolades, Arnold became very instrumental in the establishment of the Staying Alive Foundation- a global charitable body that provides grassroots grants for supporting HIV and AIDS awareness, education and prevention campaigns- in 2005. In 2007, she was appointed the executive director of the foundation.

Her zest didn’t decrease as she went about implementing initiatives that will spread the HIV message. In her words, it was about fighting HIV the smart way. By this, she meant different ways to talk to young people about HIV that they would feel comfortable with. At first, the Staying Alive campaigns revolved round concerts and events where music icons like Beyoncé, Mary J Blige as well as world leaders like the late president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and US former president Bill Clinton were spokespersons. Arnold however realised that the media could be a smart platform to achieve her goals. A series of documentaries on people living with HIV were done based on true life stories. It attracted a lot of viewership as well as positive feedbacks but Arnold felt it wasn’t yet impacting. Then she went on to produce a feature film ‘Transit’. Transit became MTV’s first-ever made-for-television film on HIV and AIDS. With the volume of feedbacks she got from this production, she knew that she needed more than a film to actualise her objectives.

The outcome of her continuous quest is

Arnold

MTV Shuga, a lifestyle TV drama on family planning, sex education, urban youth culture and relationships.

Launched in 2009, that first season set in Kenya, introduced us to stellar actors like Lupita Nyong’o, who had gone on to win an Oscar and Emmanuel Ikubese, ex Mr. Nigeria. The storyline revolved around Ayira (Lupita Nyong’o) an ambitious young girl who dated an older man at the expense of her longtime lover. The plot highlighted the consequences of risky behaviours of a group of young students.

By 2013, a Nigerian version was created titled ‘Shuga Naija’. The series stayed on for another season before moving to South Africa for its fifth season.

Now back in Nigeria for its sixth and seventh seasons, the storyline will explore themes on adolescent girls and their vulnerability to HIV infection and unintended pregnancy.

Through this means, Arnold was able to translate the stories of young people into pictures. Alongside the TV series are radio shows, classy novels and through social media. The media mix made MTV Staying Alive Foundation say it is fighting HIV the smart way.

Arnold believes the media provided a great opportunity for her and her team to put positive messages on the airwaves. While she won’t take responsibility for the obscenity in most media content, she thinks the media is a viable platform to create awareness on HIV. So far, the feedback has been encouraging for Arnold. She said one of the things she had to deal with in each country they visit was that everyone wanted Shuga to be filmed in their country. She is thrilled by the way the audience assumed real ownership of the series. This is so because of the unique way the stories are told. They are simply told and address issues that the audience can easily identify with.

The award-winning series has been broadcast in over 61 countries across the world. The impact in Nigeria has been very effective.

“There was a World Bank evaluation done on the last series in Nigeria. They talked to 5,000 young people, they screened MTV Shuga to them all and they came back six months later. They did two things to them at the beginning and when they returned six months later, they tested them for HIV and also gave them vouchers to HIV Testing Centres nearby and they got tested. They also tested them for chlamydia. What the evaluation showed was that the young people who watched MTV Shuga doubled the number of people who went to get tested for HIV

and 58 per cent reduction for those who tested for chlamydia. It is amazing to know we now made an impact but to me, it’s more than just the steps you take to protect yourself, but also your everyday language.

How you talk to and treat people living with HIV in a positive way. You know the stigma is so devastating. We really want to embed the culture of positive sexual health,” she pointed out.

She also found that another risky health issue in young ones today is sexual reproductive health.

“We have one body and we have to protect our body in many different ways. All of us have to protect ourselves from HIV and at the same time a girl or a woman will have to make sure that she is making the right decisions for her body regarding contraception and family planning. So I think sexual reproductive health when done right is the most positive empowering state that we can have for our body. But I think it’s also a very dangerous state because sometimes there’s no control, so we have to make sure that we protect ourselves,” Arnold counseled.

With all these out of the way, I asked Arnold when she first went for a HIV test.

Aiyudu gave me an incredulous look. Arnold appeared not to be startled at first but found herself stuttering a bit while doing the maths in her head to accurately remember the first time she had a HIV test.

“I’m very embarrassed to tell you this but I think it would have been the end of 1998. I got tested when I went to the hospital because I was pregnant. Interestingly, they give you a barrage of tests to be sure that you don’t pass them to your child. And the only one they asked me if I wanted to was HIV. I feel that was very bizarre because that’s one thing that if you know that you are HIV positive, you can prevent your child from getting it as long as you have that knowledge. That should have been the number one test I should have had without choice,” she said.

She honestly admitted that before that encounter, she knew nothing about HIV. Like most people back then, Arnold was more scared of getting pregnant than contracting HIV. But through the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Arnold is changing that perception and aims to see a world where people talk happily about sex.

“It is really bizarre. I’m sure if an alien came down, it will really question humanity, because unless any of us were born from a test tube, all of us got here by sex. And yet none of us can talk about it. Culturally, religiously, as parents we are all embarrassed by it. It is uncomfortable but we must change that mindset,” she insisted.

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

FEATURES

The therapeutic side of walking

Power Oil ‘Walkhearton Initiative’: More than Just a Walk Omolabake Fasogbon

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ot too many seem to be conscious of the healthy and life-saving effect of taking a walk even though it is an activity that people indulge in almost on a daily basis.

Walking also known as ambulation, according to Oxford Dictionary means to move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn and never having both feet off the ground at once.

Quite interesting, a lot of people embark on a deliberate work either for the fun of it, financial constraints in the case of commuters, staging of protest or rally, to strike a deal in a game of betting, amongst others.

For instance, Edward Payson Weston who is today regarded as the father of modern pedestrianism made history when he walked from Boston to the inauguration of President Lincoln in Washington DC after he lost in a bet which he had earlier boasted that Lincoln would lose in an election.

In Nigeria, Suleiman Hashimu walked for 18 days from Lagos to Abuja to celebrate the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Walking, however, goes beyond this social influence.

In a developing economy like Nigeria where majority work almost round the clock in order to make ends meet and experience a seemingly unending traffic congestion, leaving little or no time to stretch the muscle and pay attention to health needs, research has proven that working for long hours and sitting for four or more hours per day expose people to all manners of diseases ranging from diabetes, depression, stress and cardiovascular problems.

Recently, heart-related diseases have cut short the lives of quite a number of promising Nigerians.

According to data from the World Health Organisation, WHO, over half a million Nigerians died from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in 2012, and 1 out of every 5 Nigerian adults over the age of 30 will likely die prematurely from NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases. In terms of risk

factors for heart disease, 35% of Nigerian adults had elevated blood pressures in 2008, another 6.5%, mostly women, were obese.

Globally, the number of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases increased by 41 percent between 1990 and 2013, rising from 12.3 million deaths to 17.3 million deaths.

Yet, experts have said that these numbers are likely to increase substantially in the near future given the significant changes in people’s lifestyles and habits that are making them more susceptible to these diseases.

While heart diseases used to be attributed to developed or high-income countries, the stories of a growing epidemic of heart disease in Nigeria and other low and middle-income countries underscore the need for emergency responses on the part of individuals and indeed government.

The government indeed has a major role to play by investing hugely in the health sector.yet, health experts say that living healthy rest maximally on individual chosen habit and lifestyle.

One of the cheapest and simplest habits thus recommended by experts is walking.

According to the American Heart Association, AHA, walking for at least 30 minutes a day can help reduce risks of coronary heart diseases, stroke, breast and colon cancer.

Supporting AHA viewpoint, Jordan Metzl, a sports-medicine physician at New York City’s Hospital for Special Surgery says that exercise is the best preventive drug that should be taken by all.

An author and scientist, Katy Bowman states also that walking is a biological imperative like eating. Just like the dietary nutrients, she suggests that the body also valued movement nutrient that needed to be given it.

Scientific studies have also shown that walking, besides its physical benefits, is beneficial for the mind, improving memory skills, learning ability, concentration and abstract reasoning as well as ameliorating spirits.

The testimony and effectiveness of this physical engagement has propelled many including government, private individuals and corporate organisations to explore this

option in keeping a healthy population.

For instance, in the United Kingdom, ‘The Walking the Way to Health Initiative’, was initiated by the British walkers association, ‘The Ramblers,’ the largest volunteer led walking scheme in the United Kingdom.Volunteers under this umbrella are trained to lead free health Walks from community venues such as libraries and doctors’ surgeries.

Also an organisation,’Walk England’ launched a website in June 2008 to provide professionals with evidence, advice and examples of success stories of how to encourage communities to walk more.

The site has a social networking aspect that allows professionals and the public to ask questions, post news and events and communicate with others in their area about walking, as well as a ‘walk now” option to find out what walks are available in each region.

Here in Nigeria, foremost vegetable cooking oil brand, Power Oil, is leading the cause among corporates. Its annual ‘Walkhearton’ initiative which started off 3 years ago has not only intensified awareness on walking as a means of staying healthy, but also delivered many lives prone to diseases especially heart related.

According to the company’s Brand Manager, Amisha Chawla, the heart health awareness initiative which is a major corporate social responsibility project of the brand would further encourage Nigerians to see fitness as a lifestyle that needed to be adopted to remain healthy.

“The initiative kicked off three years ago in Lagos with a determination to penetrate all the 36 states in the country. In 2016, it covered Lagos, Ibadan, Owerri, Port Harcourt and Abuja.For this year,we were in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and Abuja and off course Enugu. The turnout and feedbacks were quite impressive year on year and this clearly shows that the gospel of fitness and health consciousness which the brand preaches is fast gaining momentum amongst Nigerians by the day,” she maintained.

“To further drive this fitness message home and attract more attention, the brand

also sought to partner with renowned artistes and comedians to enrich the participation level.

“For this third edition which was honoured by over 10,000 participants, Funnybone, MC Bonus and Sound Sultan thrilled the crowd in Lagos,the Enugu show was cheered up by Nigga Raw and MC Bonus while Sound Sultan & Funnybone stole the show in Portharcourt.In Abuja, Sound Sultan & MC Bonus also pulled the crowd with Woli Arole and popular Yoruba artiste,Afonja Sanyeri led the walk in Ibadan.The event was also graced by government officials of each state as well as representatives of the Nigerian Heart Foundation, NHF,amongst others.”

Speaking further on the initiative, the Public Relations Manager, Mrs. Omotayo Abiodun said, “As a health and heart conscious brand, all that we strive to achieve is a healthy population. We are saying that Nigerians should form an habit of walking for at least 30 minutes or 5 kilometre daily and consume healthy food so as to prevent and attack all sorts of diseases especially heart related. Of course, there are countless ways one can get to be active, but walking has the lowest dropout rate of them all. It’s the simplest positive change you can make to improve your heart health.

Since inception, the leading vegetable oil brand has been at the forefront of championing healthy cause through its different programmes which included ‘Pay with Calories’, an annual consumer engagement activity that invites the public to a location fully set-up with exercise equipment and encourage them to work out and burn some calories while they also get rewarded based on the amount of calories burnt on the spot.

Its health camp project provided the public with the opportunity to access free basic medical check up such as BMI, blood pressure and medical consultation. The company has also partnered state governments including Lagos and Ogun to strengthen the effect of the initiative which already has its presence in 14 locations across the country.

52

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚Π, 2017

POLITY

SME 100 Nigeria Empowers 25 Youth Entrepreneurs Ferdinand Ekechukwu

tatistical results in Nigeria show that seventy percent of small and medium scale enterprises hardly survive after takeoff. This, according to Charles Odii, the founder and Executive Director of SME 100 Nigeria, is not necessarily as a result of lack of finance, but as a result of lack of moral support and encouragement.

Speaking at a press conference to unveil the SME 100 Nigeria 25 Under 25 Entrepreneurs Awards 2017 in Lagos, recently, Odii noted that some of them just needed someone to complement their initiative and that such moral support helps to boost their confidence, saying that it was required to help reduce the high mortality rate of small businesses in Nigeria.

For the 2017 awards, the finalists will be presented in 25 categories, in fields such as cyber security and technology; fashion; arts, crafts and culture; food; health and skincare; education, as well as energy and sustainability. Others are media and ICT, photography; music; software and design; event and planning; creative writing and content creation; public relations and advertising.

Explaining the process leading to the selection for the award, Odii stated that the business must be in Nigeria and must be duly registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), among other criteria.

He added, “It is important we encour-

age those who are doing something.

For some of these entrepreneurs, this is their first award. Imagine when you say to them, ‘Well done’. The difference between this award and others is that these people are founders, innovators and CEOs of their businesses.�

The process to nominate under-25 entrepreneurs with compelling growth stories and who were making quality impacts on the economy was opened some six months ago by SME 100 Nigeria to members of the public and more than 3,500 entrepreneurs were nominated, out of which 100 nominees were shortlisted. “The Awards Central Working Committee, which has been working tirelessly for the past two weeks, have shortlisted all nominations to the final 100 nominees. We would be sending this list to our board for approval before it is published,� the organisation stated.

The number will further be slashed to the final 25 after voting and the winners will be awarded on August 26. The short-listing is based on the impact the entrepreneurs make.

Commending the efforts at rewarding the young entrepreneurs, Odii further observed; “In this actually, everyone is a winner and we trust that the ultimate winner is the Nigerian youth who through this platform and series of events have been made more aware of the options available to him/her and can now be driven to achieve great things.�

The 25 Under 25 Entrepreneurs Awards, in partnership with Diamond Bank is an annual award by SME 100

Director of Programmes, SME 100 Nigeria, Brian Oji; Head of Emerging Business, Diamond Bank, Mark Ifashe; Board Member, SME 100 Nigeria, Mimi Ade-Odiachi; and the Director of Communications, Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah during the event

Nigeria to recognise, celebrate and encourage some of Nigeria’s most innovative entrepreneurs under the age of 25. The goal of the award, according to the organisers of the project, is to stimulate an entrepreneurial culture among the youths. “We identify young people doing phenomenal work across the country, shine the spotlight on them so that all others can see them, and aspire to set up businesses as well.�

Mark Ifashe, Head, Emerging Businesses, Retail Banking, Diamond Bank, said the bank would bring the winners to its platform and provide financial services to them. “It’s time the society began to celebrate entrepreneurs with clear sources of wealth,� Mark said. “The economy is always vibrant when you have government and individuals supporting SMEs. Diamond Bank has a history centred on entrepreneurship

and we have a convergence in philosophy with SME 100 Nigeria.�

Mimi Ade Odiachi, CEO of Omar Gardens, who is a board member of SME 100 Nigeria, said she started her business at 24 and wished there was a platform like this then. “At 24 or 25 entrepreneurship is usually a lonely journey. I thought of taking on paid employment several times even as an entrepreneur at that age. So when you see a young person taking on responsibility, you need to commend them,� Odiachi said.

Emeka Oparah, Director of Corporate Affairs at Airtel, said the telecoms firm would support the event. “I think it’s high time we started encouraging people who work hard. The event will give those nominated the visibility. One of the things that are lacking is mentorship and mentor-mentee relationship should not be about money,� Oparah pointed out.

L-R: Managing Director, Prestige Assurance Plc, Dr. Balla Swamy; Second Secretary, High Commssion of India, Lagos, Mr. Subbu Ramesh; Director, Prestige Assurance Plc, Mr. Gopalan Raghu; Chairman, Mr. Hassan Usman; and Lead Executive, Sirus Associates, Oluwakemi Adeniran at the 65th anniversary celebration of Prestige Assurance Plc in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Chief Operating OďŹƒcer, Skillup TVET Limited, Mr. Dotun Adigun; Executive Secretary (LASTVEB), Mrs. Omolara Erogbogbo; Director, LASTVEB, Mr. Laolu Oguntuyi; Director, Curriculum and Exams, LASTVEB, Mr. Ademola Gbadamosi; Adminstration and Human Resources, Mr, Lukman Adewale during a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of LASTVEB by Centre Managers/ Heads of Craft Development Centers, Bayelsa State, organized by Skillup TVET Limitedd in Lagos...recently

L-R: Deputy Baba Aladura, The Eternal Scared Order, Cherubim and Seraphim Mount Zion, Dr. Harold Demurin and Deputy Baba Aladura, Dr. Deboye Bobmanuel, at the service of songs for the passage of their Prelate in Lagos...recently

L-R: Chief of Sta to the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chukwuemeka Woke, Chief Emmanuel Wonodi and People Democratic Party (PDP) South-South Zonal Auditor, Ms Justina Emeji during a condolence visit to the family of late Bright Ikonwa, former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area...recently

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

53

NEWS XTRA

In Brief Osinbajo Attends Kagame's Inauguration

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has left the country for Kigali, the Rwanda capital, to attend the inauguration of President Paul Kagame.

The inauguration ceremony which is expected to be witnessed by several African Heads of State and Government, follows President Kagame's victory at the August 4 Rwandan presidential election. A statement by Laolu Akande, Osinbajo's spokesman, said the acting president who was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, would be back in Abuja later yesterday.

Three Injured as Building Collapses

No fewer than three persons believed to be workers on Friday sustained various degrees of injuries following the collapse of a section of a fourstorey building undergoing renovation in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.The collapsed building located along Sulu Gamabri road, Ilorin sent many residents scampering for safety. The incident according to THISDAY investigations, happened in the morning when the workers had resumed for work on the renovation of some part of the building so as to make it conform with the requirements of the state's Town Planning Authority.

THISDAY investigations further revealed that the injured workers were later rushed to a private hospital for urgent medical attention. "We thank God that it was not a very serious problem and there was no casualty", a man at the site said.The spokesman of the state police command, Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the incident however said that no life was lost.

IN OVERRIDING PUBLIC INTEREST...

Medic West Africa Show

Governor Wike supervises demolition of structure impeding completion of trans-amadi road

Alleged $350,000 Fraud: Firm Accuses FBI, US Congress, of Nonchalance Ugo Aliogo A Nigerian Company, Environ-Aid Technologies Limited has accused the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States' (US) House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary of ignoring letters of complaint it sent against one Jim Daniels-Nnah and his firm, Biowish TM Africa Limited.

Enviro-Aid had in 2014 sent letters to both agencies accusing Daniels-Nnah of $35,000 fraud.

The firm wondered why the US was yet to respond to their letters or take actions three years after they sent the petitions, alleging that Daniels-Nnah had acquired properties including luxury cars and homes from the loot.

According to the letters signed

by Environ-Aid's Chairman, Chief Chris Iheanacho, US based Biowish fleeced the former in 2012 under the guise of supplying and delivering some chemicals for environmental remediation.

Titled "complaint of stealing by conversion and obtaining of money under false pretences: petition against Biowish TM Africa Limited and Mr. Jim Daniels-Nnah," Iheanacho chronicled events that led to the alleged crime.

He said between September 2012 and February 2013, Environ-Aid carried out some business transactions with Biowish, whose office is located at 66, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, adding that they dealt directly with Daniels-Nnah, the chairman of the company.

Iheanacho said they were made to understand that Daniels-Nnah was either a US citizen or a person with a permanent resident status there and resided at 5064 Cedar Creeks, Houston Texas, 77056.

He said: "Daniels-Nnah had claimed he had an ongoing relationship with Procter and Gamble in the US and that he was going to obtain these chemicals from them and deliver to us but we are yet to receive them till date, despite our various demands and reminders to that effect.

"The sum of $350,000 was transferred to Biowish TM Africa Limited offshore account 2531597594, BBVA Compass Bank, Houston Texas in three tranches of $150,000, $150,000 and $50,000 on October 16, November 6 and December 12, 2012, respectively. These payments were made through our sister company, Enercon Nigeria Limited.

"Following the deliberate refusal of Biowish TM Africa Limited and

ICPC Arraigns A'Ibom Ex-Council Boss for Allegedly Embezzling N55.8m Bennett Oghifo The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged a former chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Ephraim Sunday Akpan, to court for allegedly embezzling N55.8 million belonging to the local government.

This is contained in a statement, yesterday, by the Spokesperson of the Commission, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa.

The Commission, in 24-count charge, filed before Justice Archibong Archibong of Akwa Ibom State High Court 4, sitting in Uyo, accused Mr. Akpan of abuse office while acting as Chairman of Mkpat Enin local government area, contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section.

Akpan, who was Chairman of the local government from June 2012 to June 2015 and later Caretaker Chairman of the same council from June 2015 to June 2016, was also accused of

collecting a bribe of N3 million from a contractor in violation of Section 8 of the same Act and punishable under the same section.

The Commission, while acting on a petition on alleged fraudulent activities of Akpan from a Non-Governmental Organisation called Centre for International Peace and Development in Nigeria, found out that the former local government Chairman allegedly used N55, 670, 000 of the council’s funds between June and October 2014 to build the ‘Godswill Akpabio Gas and Oil Academy’ which has been abandoned.

ICPC in the charge sheet told the court that Mr. Akpan allegedly offered bribes to some selected village heads in his local government to buy their support for the abandoned academy.

It further alleged "that Mr. Akpan, in his statement confessed to have awarded a contract for the construction of 14 solar-powered boreholes in 14 wards of the local government at the cost of N42, 500, 000 to a company called One Billion Trade, owned by his friend, Mr. Sebastine Essien, without the approval of the council.

Daniels-Nnah to deliver the said chemicals to us or even present to us any evidence of shipment for them, we proceeded to terminate our agreement with them and requested for a refund of the $350,000 which Daniels-Nnah also refused to pay...

"We are concerned that DanielsNnah is using his legal status in the US to evade justice by hiding under the shield of another country and refusing to honour the Nigeria Police' invitation for an interview.

"It has also come to our knowledge that shortly after we transferred the $350,000 to Daniels-Nnah, he went ahead to acquire some exotic motor vehicles and also an expensive real estate in the US. We fear that he might have misappropriated our funds for these purchases, hence, his inability to refund the money to us.

"We believe we have been scammed and Daniels-Nnah believed that he is untouchable because he is in the US. We urge you to kindly use your good offices to launch an investigation into this matter with a view to enabling us recover our $350,000 and ensure that Daniels-Nnah is made to answer for his crimes."

The Nigerian government through the Attorney General of the

Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), had requested the extradition of Nnah.

The request which was contained in a letter marked HAGF/Ext/08/14, was made pursuant to the provisions of the extradition treaty between the governments of the USA and United Kingdom (UK) of December 22, 1931, which is applicable to Nigeria.

However, a report attributed to his lawyers, Okoye & Partners, alleged that Iheanacho did not meet up with a fee of $500,000 which was agreed upon as the fee for distributorship of Biowish products in Nigeria, adding that he only paid $350,000.

The law firm said it was agreed that Iheanacho be refunded the $350,000 paid in the form of products of equivalent value.

It said: "Due to the regulated nature of the products, they could not be imported without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which application process was delayed due to Iheanacho's companies being unable to provide proper warehousing.

Already, the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has filed for the extradition of Daniels-Nnah.

Strange Disease in Kogi: Death Toll Rise to 62 Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The Kogi State Government yesterday confirmed that about 62 people have been killed by a strange disease in Kogi West senatorial district of the State.

As at last Thursday the death toll was at 50.

Already more affected people with the strange disease were transferred to Kogi State Specialist Hospital for proper management.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday on the latest development on Friday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Health Dr. Saka Haruna said information reaching the ministry showed that unknown disease had continued to claim the lives of some children and adults for the past few weeks in Koloke, Okuna, Isanlu-Isa and adjourning Hausa-Fulani communities, all in Yaba-West Local Government Area of Kogi State.

“So far, about 62 people have been killed by this mysterious disease.

When I visited the affected communities with my team, samples taken from some of the victims were sent

to Federal Teaching Hospital Irua, Edo State, for definitive investigation, which turned out to be negative for Lassa Fever.

“On arrival at the community, we interacted with the locals and samples were taken from their water sources and food supply.

It was discovered that the people affected showed common symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting and stooling. Few of the patients however had Hematemesis and Hematochezia.

“Those found still manifesting the disease were transferred to Kogi State Specialist Hospital for proper management where an empirical diagnosis of Food Poisoning to rule out Gastroenteritis was made. They are, however responding well to the instituted line of treatment. ” Dr. Haruna, however, said Governor Yahaya Bello, had expressed deep concern over the incident and has directed that all the patients be treated at no cost and also charged the State Ministry of Health to conclude investigation within the shortest possible time and prevent further spread of the disease.

More than 300 leading healthcare companies will be joined by thousands of industry experts and professionals at Medic West Africa 2017 from 11-13 October in Lagos. The event, organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions and taking place at the Landmark Centre, will showcase thousands of the latest healthcare, laboratory and IVD technology, products and services and will provide some exceptional networking opportunities for dealers and distributers, buyers, laboratory experts and clinicians. Ryan Sanderson, Exhibition Director, Medic West Africa, said: “For industry suppliers there is a unique opportunity to showcase theirlatestproductsandequipmenttothousandsofpotentialbuyersand increase market share. In fact, there are exhibitors from 32+ countries and will include such leading names as GE Healthcare, Erba Diagnostics, Swiss Biostast, Siemens, DCL Laboratory and Mindray. For industry professionalsthisisachancetomingleandnetworkwithfellowspecialists and healthcare end-users.”There is solid backing for the event from many tradeassociationsandgovernmentagenciessuchastheNigerianMinistry of Health (MoH), the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria and the Quality in Healthcare in Nigeria (SQHN). Dr Jide Idris, Commissioner of Health, Lagos State said: “Medic West Africa is a platform that contributes to the development of healthcare professionals by exposing them to new equipment, technology and knowledge enrichment.”

Oxfam Wants Support for Workers in N’East

The Humanitarian Ambassador of Oxfam International, Bimbo Akintola, has called for increased support for humanitarian workers in North-east of Nigeria in order to enable them discharge their worker effectively.

Akintola gave the advice in line the commemoration of the International HumanitarianDayonAugust19 aimedatrecognisinghumanitarianworkers worldwide. Akintola in a statement made available to THISDAY said: “On this special day, I would also like to express my appreciation for the humanitarian workers in North East Nigeria, who are providing life-saving assistance for millions in need. I hope gradually their work will cease to become a necessity, as peace comes to Nigeria, and the community’s affected by violence are able to go back home and resume their lives.”

Citibank Chairman Bags Honorary Degree

The Chairman of Citibank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso has received an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from Aston University for his outstanding contribution to business and society. The awardwaspresentedbytheuniversity'sChancellor,SirJohnSunderlandat the conferment ceremony recently was attended by Clare Short, former UK Secretary of State for International Development. In his address at the occasion, Mr. Cardoso highlighted the importance of graduates having mentors to guide them in their careers, particularly encouraging women graduates to do so with organisations increasingly embracing the goal of gender parity. He also urged graduates at the ceremony to engage in life-long learning and to prepare for the digital revolution set to transform the world of work. Cardoso, a career banker and development policy expert, started out in banking with Chase Manhattan and became a member of the founding team of Citibank Nigeria in 1984. Following an exemplary career in banking and business, Mr. Cardoso went into public service in 1999 as the pioneer Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget for Lagos State, the economic nerve centre of Nigeria, when the country returned to a democratically elected government after many years of military rule and economic mismanagement. A highly unusual career move for a business person at the time, Mr Cardoso said he felt it essential to contribute one's knowledge and experience to bringing about reforms that were needed, and other notable professionals in Nigeria have since been encouraged to follow his lead.

Jehovah’s Witnesses 2017 Convention

The 2017 Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses with theme: “Don’t Give Up” will commence in August and last till December 25.The three-day event which will hold almost every weekend will feature resources that will assist everyone to remain strong and resolute in their service to God in the face of overwhelming contemporary challenges. The 2017 convention which will be presented in over 20 Nigerian languages has about52-parteventswhichincludebriefdiscourses,interviewsandshort videos. According to a statement made available by a spokesperson of Jehovah’s Witnesses Convention for Lagos and Ogun states, Mr. Ademola Adeagbo, one segment of a three-part feature film entitled Remember theWife of Lot will be shown each afternoon. New members who have completed basic Bible study programme would be baptised every Saturday, even as a highlight of the convention that would inspire hope is the Pubic Bible Discourse with the theme: ‘Never Give up Hope!” will be delivered on Sunday by 10:20am. Mr Adeagbo also states that the series of 300 conventions, scheduled to hold in more than 30 locations throughout the six geographical zones of Nigeria will begin on the weekend of Friday August 18 and will be presented in more than 20 Nigerian languages including Pidgin in addition to English, French and American Sign Language.

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˜ ˞ AUGUST 19, 2017

NEWSXTRA

N30tr: Several Firms Found Culpable in Revenue Fraud, Senate Committee Claims

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

The Senate Joint Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff, and Marine Transport has claimed that it has found several companies culpable in its ongoing investigations into revenue leakages amounting to about N30 trillion in Nigerian Customs Services (NCS) and other agencies.

The committee also said its investigations have led to the recovery of more than N120 billion from some of the companies.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Hope Uzodinma, in a statement issued Friday, said the committee had resolved to direct the NCS to issue Demand Notice (DM) to the culpable firms, to make sure the monies were returned to the Federal Government.

Uzodinma who did not list the names of the affected firms, noted that companies found to have been involved in round tripping and money laundering, would be charged to court with immediate effect. “The committee has also

resolved that companies that fail to appear before it despite the window of opportunity to appear before it Monday next week, would be made to face the full wrath of the law,� the Chairman said.

He listed the companies to include A-Khenal Integrated & Logistics Ltd, Don Climax/ Skyaim, Gagsel International, Africa Tiles and Ceramics, Dana Group, Network Oil & Gas, IBG Investment Ltd, BUA International Ltd, Huawei Technologies, Indorama Petrochemicals, StarComms

Plc, African Industries and African Wire and Allied.

Uzodinma further noted that the committee has taken the first batch of 61 companies, out of over 2000.

It should be recalled that the committee, at its initial hearing, alleged that revenue worth over N30 trillion has been lost to activities of a cabal at the ports who connive with officials to carry out the infractions in daily transactions at the ports, commercial banks, shipping companies, terminal owners and operators

2019: Stop Heating Up the System, Okowa Tells APC Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has cautioned members of the opposition parties especially the All Progressives Congress (APC) against making wild and unsubstantiated allegations about his administration's programmes and activities, saying he would never resort to propaganda on the government's achievements which were glaring for even the critics to see.

According to him, malicious fabrication in the media just to discredit a widely accepted and well-performing government because of interest in 2019 could onlyheatupthesystemunnecessarily and undermine peace and security.

"We have observed in recent timesthecontinuedmisinformation dished out by some leaders of the oppositionAll Progressive Congress (APC), in the state, in whichtheyhavepaintedpictures thatareatvariancewiththerealities ongroundaboutourprogrammes andprojects,bothcompletedand ongoing," he said.

While maintaining that his administration had remained

people-centred in line with its prosperity-for-Deltans mantra, he assured that he would not be distracted from that set vision notwithstanding the spate of partisan criticism and malicious propaganda being peddled by opposition politicians.

Speakingwithnewsmenatthe Government House yesterday throughhisChiefPressSecretary (CPS), Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, the governor debunked insinuationsinsomequartersthat the last tranche of the Paris Club refund might have been misapplied by the state government.

According to the governor, empowerment of the people through various entrepreneurial schemesremainedoneofthe"star projects"ofhisadministrationsince itsinceptionabouttwoyearsago.

"Ourgreatestconfidenceinthe support of our people is on our effort at creating entrepreneurs rather than job seekers", Okowa asserted."Inthelasttwoyears,over 6,000 entrepreneurs have been created through our job creation programmes and allied policies; and, the consequence of these is thatover30,000personsnowhave theirstorieschangedforthebetter."

Glo Laffta Fest Moves to FESTAC

HONOURING AN ICON...

R-L: Eldest Son of the Late Justice Obaseki, Mr. Edosa Obaseki; eldest great grand son of the late justice, Ajani, Mrs. Berverly Obaseki,Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Ikponmwosa Obaseki; Pa George Obaseki; First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Honorable Justice Osato Obaseki-Osaghae and Mr. Bob Osaghae at the funeral service of the late retired Supreme Court Justice in Benin City....yesterday

104 Snakes, Millipedes, Spiders, Others Were Bound for Luxemburg, Says FG

FG Deploys Nine Permanent Secretaries

Bassey Inyang in Calabar

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Government has disclosed that about 104 snakes of different species, gecko, lizards, millipedes, centipedes, spiders and hairy frogs impounded by officers and men of the Nigeria customs services were meant for Luxemburg as their final destination.

The animals which were smuggled into Nigeria from Cameroon, in three professionally packaged wooden boxes, were intercepted on July 24, this year at the Nigeria Inland Waterways (NIWA) jetty Calabar, by the Nigeria Customs Service, and handed over to the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), which also reported to the Federal Ministry of Environment.

Initial report had indicated that the impounded animals were bound for Lagos, Nigeria, buttheMinisterofEnvironment, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril, on Friday in Calabar, where his ministry handed over the species to the University of Uyo (Uniuyo), for keeps, disclosed that from the inscription on the boxes, it was clear that the animals were being smuggled through Nigeria to Luxemburg in Europe.

Speaking with journalists after the boxes were opened and examined, under the guide of experts in forestry and wildlife, from various government agencies, and the university, the

Jubril said the ministry officials were in Calabar having received reports that some unscrupulous elements smuggled some reptiles into the country.

Jubril said if not for the vigilance of the Nigerian Customs Service men the smugglers would have succeeded. “These are wild lives that are normally bounded by SATIS Regulation.Theyknewcertainly that they would not be able to get SATIS Permits, either in Cameroon or Nigeria.

So, when we got the report, we had to come to see things for ourselves. We can see that there are three boxes, and they were targeted to be exported to Luxemburg. It was a profession job; the way they pack the species,� Jubril said.

The minister said the species have been handed over to the University of Uyo, and that it was the hope of the ministry of environment that very soon the full report concerning the smuggled animals will be made available to Nigerians.

He stated that a lot was being done to ensure that Nigeria did not become a transit route for illicit trade in exotic species. “The federal government is already doing something. It has done something. If it has not done anything, the customs wouldn’t have arrested them.

So, the fact that they were arrested, and they did not go through means that something serious is happening,� he said.

The federal government yesterday approved the deployment of nine of the existing federal permanent secretaries to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA).

The exercise followed the posting of 15 permanent secretaries earlier in the week by Acting PresidentYemi Osinbajo.

The deployment was conveyed in a circular issued by the Head of Service of the Federation, (HoS) Mrs. Winnifred Oyo-Ita. A statement signed by Mohammed Manga, the Assistant Director, Media Relations Office of Head of Service, said that the processes for handing and taking over should be completed on or before August 25, except for deployments with specific taking over of assumption of duty dates.

Following the postings, Bamgbose A. Olukunle, is redeployed from Political Affairs Office, OSGF to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. William NwankwoAlo, formerly Political Affairs Office (OSGF), will take charge of Special Duties Office-OSGF from August 31, Nuratu Batagarawa, Service Policy and Strategies (OHoS), assigned Ministry of Defence.

She is to resume on October 8.

Christian Ohaa is the new Permanent Secretary FCT. He was formerly in charge of Common Services Office (OHoS).

AlsoAminu Bissala is leaving the Ministry of Trade and Industry to resume as the Permanent Secretary, General Service Office, OSGF from October 1.

Sunday Togo Echono moved from Communications to Education.

Others are Folasade YemiEsan, from Career Management Office (OHoS) to her new posting at Petroleum Resources,A.G Magaji, Interior to Niger Delta; and DrA.A. B Shamaki, Special Duties, OSGF, to Science and Technology from October 1.

Globacomhassaiditsnationwide mega comedy show, Glo Laffta Festwouldholdtomorrowatthe Golden Tulip Hotel, FESTAC, from 4.00 in the evening.

A release from Globacom enjoined residents of Lagos, especially those living around FESTAC and Amuwo Odofin area to troop out to enjoy the mega comedy show designed to check stress and sadness by promotingheartylaughters,happiness and general well-being.

The release further added that over a dozen top-notch comedians had been contracted to serenade attendees through sublime jokes, inimitable wit, pantomimes and wise cracks.

Some of the A-listers include Nigeria’s foremost comedy export, Basketmouth; master raconteur, I Go Dye; the selfacclaimed Bishop of the Osusu Ministry Worldwide, Gordons; Uganda’s funniest man, Salvador; music-comedy exponent, Kenny Black; Nigeria’s king of caricature, Bash the Cash; and punch-line maestro, Acapella.

Since the mega show hit the

road on April 16, 2017, it has traversed 18 locations, including Port Harcourt, Abuja, Owerri, Warri, Yenegoa, Calabar, Uyo, Ibadan, Benin, Ijebu-Ode, Kaduna, Abeokuta, and Kubwa.

Globacom said the FESTAC edition of the show would come with all the paraphernalia of the hugely successful comedy brand.“Allthecomediansslated toperformonSundayhavegiven commitment to give their best.

Our subscribers should look forward to having a time of their lives,� Globacom said in the statement.

Topepuptheshow,Globacom willwowattendeesasitpromises to bring some of Nigeria’s best known entertainers to grace the show. The show will be anchored by Nigeria’s foremost actresses, Juliet Ibrahim and Ebube Nwagbo.

Giving a vignette of what funlovers are to expect on Sunday, Godwin Komone (Gordons) said it would be an evening of unlimited fun and laughter, urging Glo subscribers to come out en masse to enjoy themselves.

Illegal Bunkering: Navy Arrests, Hands over Vessel, Seven Crew to EFCC Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT on Friday arrested and handed over a vessel with its seven crew members to the Economic Financial and Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The NNS BEECROFT Commander, Commodore Maurice Eno, who made this disclosure inApapa, Lagos, said 300metric tonnesofproductsuspectedtobe illegally refinedAutomated Gas Oil (AGO) were found onboard.

He said, "NNS BEECROFT patrol team intercepted and arrested MT WOLOF around the Lagos Safe Anchorage Area (LSAA).

"At the time of the arrest,

MT WOLOF was loaded with about 300metric tons of product suspected to be illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and had seven crew members onboard.

"Investigationrevealedthatthe vessel had no document to support the product it was carrying.

"The sample of the product onboard the vessel was taken for laboratory test which the result indicated that the product did not meet the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) specification.

"Theresultdidnotalsomeetthe StandardOrganisationofNigeria (SON)specification.Inviewofthis, the vessel will be handed over to theEFCCforfurtherinvestigation and possible prosecution."

Eno reiterated that the navy in its renewed efforts to curb maritime domain of illegalities wouldnottolerateanyfraudulent activitiesinthenation’smaritime environment. ''TheNigerianNavyunderthe leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok Ibas has zero tolerance for illegalities in the Nigerian Waters.

"The navy therefore reiterates its drive to safeguard Nigeria's maritime domain from criminal elements. “I advise defaulters to desist from such act or face the wrath of the law and also urge citizens to give useful information with regards to person engaged in illegal act to the navy or other security agencies,’’ he added.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚Π˜ ͺ͸͚;

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NEWSXTRA

IPOB Embarks on Community Service, Repairs Umuahia Roads Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia

CONGRATULATIONS...

L-R: Aston University Chancellor, Sir John Sunderland and the Chairman of Citibank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso receiving an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from Aston University during conferment ceremony...recently

Buhari: Nigerians Protest in London Some Nigerians living in the United Kingdom yesterday night embarked on a procession and night vigil outside the Abuja House in London against the continued stay of President Muhammadu Buhari in the country.

The London Metropolitan police granted the group express permission to engage in a #Resumeorresign protest which commenced around 5 pm yesterday. The candlelight vigil and procession lasted several hours.

One of the protesters, Chidi Calito said it was aimed at forcing President Muhammadu Buhari to either resume work in Nigeria or resign as Nigeria's President.

Chidi also promised that a 7-day sit-out would be undertaken as a follow-up if Buhari refuses to vacate the official Nigerian property in London to return to work as soon as possible.

The protesters displayed various banners with inscription that read "Buhari:

Go Back Home." Another inscription read" "They Can't Fool All of Us." An unidentified male voice was clearly heard narrating the protesters' grievances. He warned that the protest was just the beginning of their desire to force the president to return home.

He lamented that Buhari had spent an unprecedented 105 days in London taking treatment fully paid for by Nigerian taxpayers: "This has never happened in our history.

The president is here taking treatment, when many Nigerians can't afford one meal a day. Those protesting that the president should resume were attacked in Abuja. This is a secure environment. Those who were beating protesters in Abuja can't do that here.

We have come peacefully to ask him to go back home.

We still have respect for president. We cannot have two presidents at the same time. But we are demanding he should go home.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday embarked on community service deploying its members to undertake repair of bad portions of internal roads in the capital city of Umuahia.

The Biafran activists for a start focused their attention on Aba road, which runs through the capital city but already riddled with pot holes due to the effects of rainfall and lack of maintenance.

At the Eastern Comfort portion of the road, IPOB members worked tirelessly yesterday to fill the pot holes with several trips of sand which they bought for the palliative work. Motorists and other road users were seen hailing the IPOB workers who mounted their flag and displayed banners bearing the photograph of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Speaking with journalists, the chairman of the IPOB committee on works, Chief Enyinnaya Madumere said that the group was touched by the plight of people using the bad roads hence they decided “to do something about it�. He said that materials used in repairing the roads were purchased with contributions from IPOB members. “We embarked on community service to show people that we care about them, that we are not violent and would always work for the interest of the people,� he said, adding, “we

believe in touching people’s lives positively�.

Madumere further explained that with the bad condition of the road it was becoming increasingly very difficult for motorists to pass through hence, “we can’t wait for government since our people are using the road, adding that “we will repair all the bad spots all around Umuahia�.

He said that they started the repair works at the railway crossing at old Umuahia which had been smoothened, adding that IPOB was encouraged by the appreciation of its community service outreach by the people.

The coordinator of IPOB, Umuahia zone, Okezie Anosike said that the road repair project was a continuous exercise because they were so many bad spots on the network of roads in the capital city and they needed to be repaired to ease movement of people. “We are touched by the sufferings of our people on the road,� he said, adding that a lot of man hours were being lost as motorists waste time as they maneuver their way out of the pot holes.

The IPOB Umuahia coordinator noted that IPOB cared for the people and if Biafra was eventually restored citizens would not be allowed as they would not be any failure of governance and neglect of social infrastructure.

South South Group Opposes Restructuring Ugwuanyi Commends FG’s Mr. Ambakedwrwmo, who Is it restructuring that will stop Siting of ICT University in Enugu Senator Iroegbu in Abuja was flanked by other members people burying money in septic Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has commended the federal government for the decision to site one of the six campuses of the proposed ICT University in Enugu.

Gov. Ugwuanyi spoke when the Honourable Minister of Communication, Mr. AbdurRaheem Adebayo Shittu paid a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu and addressed members of the State Executive Council (EXCO).

The governor told the Minister that the state was delighted at his mission to the state, “to promote the importance of ICT as a key tool for youth empowerment as well as the overall socio-economic advancement of the nation.�

The governor who was accompanied by the Minister and the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, noted that his administration had endeavoured to put in place, an ICT policy that envisaged a positive and prosperous future for the people of the State, adding that the state government would leverage on various ICT tools and solutions to create wealth and improve service delivery.

Ugwuanyi through the endorsement of the State Executive Council (EXCO) approved a land request presented by the Minister for the expansion of the University site located at the former Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) at Ibagwa Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area.

He equally applauded the Ministry of Communications for the efforts and initiatives it had so far taken towards the realisation of its broad mandate of building a knowledge-based economy using ICT as the key driver, saying that the Enugu State stood to benefit tremendously from the ICT University.

The governor pledged his administration’s “firm support and commitment to the successful implementation of programmes or initiatives by your Ministry or other agencies, designed to facilitate the attainment of our national targets and aspirations in the ICT sector�, adding, “Enugu State is strategically positioned to partner the Federal Government in ensuring the success and sustainability of the ICT revolution in Nigeria.�

Earlier in his address, the Minister informed the governor and other EXCO members that he was in the state on a facility tour of the site of the proposed first ICT University being established by the federal government to enhance ICT growth in the country.

Shittu who commended Ugwuanyi for his giant strides in Enugu State, disclosed that the University, whose campuses were being established in the six geo-political zones of the country, would be run as a Public Private Partnership venture, adding that a memo for the approval had been sent for the Federal Executive Council’s attention.

South South Reawakening Group (SSRG), the intellectual and professional body of elites in the Niger Delta region yesterday aligned with the position of former President Olusegun Obasanjo that what the nation required now was the restructuring of the minds of Nigerians and not political restructuring.

The group maintained that Nigeria's problem had nothing to do with restructuring but bad governance by the political leaders.

Convener of SSRG, Mr. Joseph Ambakederemo, at a breakfast media briefing titled "State of the nation: What are we restructuring?" organised by member of the group to mark his 56 years birthday in Warri, noted that those advocating for restructuring were doing so either for political gains or merely playing to the gallery since none had come out to say what shape or style it would take.

"Do we discard the presidential system of government for a ministerial system? Will it be total Balkanisation of the country with every state going its way? Or is it going to be regionalism? Does it just apply to the revenue sharing formula with fiscal federalism the main objective?" he asked.

Though contrary to the position of most civil society organisations and pressure groups in the Niger Delta including Chief Edwin Clark's PANDEF clamouring for restructuring, SSRG maintained that there was no need for such except the need for restructuring of the minds of Nigerians and the leaders.

of the group including Dr. Adebola Kiesha, Strategic Consultant and Messrs Tolbert Abidde, Lawrence Akpeti, said they did not see anything wrong with the structure of Nigeria now or in future.

"For us in SSRG, it is nothing but a wishful thinking and I want to assure Nigerians that in no distant time we shall hear of another lexicon that shall envelop us just as we have been drowned with the lexicon of restructuring.

"Again, in the SSRG, we ask, will this restructuring stop the cancerous corruption that has pervaded the entire Nigerian landscape? Is it the restructuring that will bring internal democratic norms into our political parties?

tanks, farm lands, in overhead tanks, and in cemeteries?

"Is it restructuring that will stop budget padding? Is it restructuring that will stop our teachers from becoming traders and turning classrooms into a marketplace? Is it restructuring that will stop the legislative arm from appropriating to themselves jumbo emoluments they do not deserve?" he asked.

The SSRG leader said the group's position is at variance with the clamour for the call to restructure the country adding "We see nothing wrong with the structure of Nigeria as it is today and in future, the problem with Nigeria is good governance and nothing more.

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MISSILE Obasanjo to Agbakoba ”Stop sitting on the fence; seek an elective position in the country. Late Chief Awolowo and great Zik were younger than you when they threw their hats in the ring. It’s time to take the hard road. Olisa, it’s time to jump down from the fence and the siddon look corner.”

– Former President Olusegun Obasanjo urging human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba to contest election instead of just criticizing.”

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

The Shape of The 2019 Presidential Election

F

ellow Nigerians, let me do a recap of my last column for the benefit of those who might have missed that important forecast of who and what may determine our next President. I will try to predict the principles that would guide how people are likely to vote in that election. Some names have surfaced as potential aspirants and candidates for this all important election that will likely determine what lessons we have learnt and what the medium term future portends for our great country.

The first of the serious candidates, naturally, is President Muhammadu Buhari, who is allowed by the Nigerian Constitution to seek a second term. But this right does not grant him automatic return to power. Indeed, the example of President Goodluck Jonathan is a sobering indicator of this possibility. Going by his old age and present state of health, it may be ill-advised for President Buhari to seek a second time when he is already crawling and groaning to finish this first term.

But, who knows, Nigeria is a country where the unthinkable continues to happen. Some vociferous aides of the President have started drumming it into our ears that Baba Buhari will run, come rain, come shine. Who are we to argue with them?

The second, is the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. He’s on my list of frontline candidates, not because he has indicated interest, but because he may get the nod of his boss to continue the good job he’s been doing, if the boss chooses not to run. That is if President Buhari can snub and ignore the ethnic jingoists and religious bigots who always prefer to play the race and religious cards above that of merit and competence. Since ill-health has deprived Baba of the stamina to showcase his true vision for Nigeria, it is not too late to tap into the massive goodwill that his Vice President has managed to garner in the last few months and cash in on his substantial equity in the Nigerian polity to revalidate the trust once reposed in this government and its “Change” mantra. The theory is that Baba’s last card should be his ability to rise above ethnicity and religion which have both combined to give him a bad name over time, advertently or inadvertently, by doing what seems right for the country, namely the endorsement of the Acting President to complete the work that the ticket was entrusted with. It is going to be tough to groom a new and acceptable successor in the next few months and he may as well go for a man who is already doing him and Nigeria proud.

Osinbajo’s headache would be how to discourage so many ambitious politicians within and outside his party. They include his former boss, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one of Nigeria’s most influential politicians. Barring any last minute change of mind, Tinubu is said to be gathering and garnering all his awesome strength and formidable arsenal in readiness for the epic battle ahead. The other major force within their party is former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. I doubt if he would jettison his spectacular ambition for anyone after hovering in the wings since 2003. For sure, at already over 70 years of age, this would be his last chance to grab that much coveted title of President and Commander-in-Chief. However, like Tinubu, Atiku has many foes who would rather die than see him at the helm of affairs in Nigeria.

Buhari Those are the top players in APC. There are other major contenders, just below the bigwigs I have just mentioned who are working hard to gain national appeal or build on what they already have. They include former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso; The Governor of Sokoto State Waziri Aminu Tambuwal; Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El Rufai; The Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha; The Senate President, also a former Governor, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and several others.

The election would be decided by the following principles, amongst others. The first hurdle would be who gets the tickets of the top two parties, APC and PDP. This will be a do or die affair. If Buhari decides to run, the party apparatchik would have no choice but to defer and concede to him in order not to subject him to possible humiliation. This may break the party into pieces. A few of the aspirants would be tempted to jump ship but PDP may be too saturated to accept and absorb more ambitious politicians. A third force may be on the cards but trust me, it won’t fly and it is likely to be a monumental misadventure.

The godfathers of Nigerian politics always penetrate the parties to decide who gets what.

Nigeria is controlled by some Mafia groups but at the highest echelon is the military fraternity. Former President Obasanjo seems to be the capo di tutti capi here because of his humongous international connections and networks. His robust knowledge of Nigeria is second to none. He enjoys incredible camaraderie with the silent power house, former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. And wherever Babangida goes, his protégé, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar crawls after him like a snail and its shell. By virtue of his sharp intellect, uncommon bravery and bottomless pockets, Lt. General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma holds some powerful aces.

There is no way they would not be adequately consulted by local and international stakeholders.

There are other distinguished members of the military Mafia. Let’s leave them alone for now.

The youths of Nigeria who are desperate for inclusion in the political process still have

a long way to go. No one is going to hand the baton to them, just like that, on a platter of gold. They would have to wrestle tirelessly for it. None of those on the battle lines at the moment would be less than 55 in 2019. The youngest of them would still be aged over 50 at the very least, I believe.

Please, don’t write off PDP, and don’t rule out former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan yet. If you understand Nigerian politics a bit, you will appreciate the axiom of “one man’s meat is another man’s poison…” A Presidential game is ruled by big names, pedigree, experience, performance, loads of cash, raw emotion and sentiments. Sometimes it does not matter how bad the experience has been or how woefully the person has performed. Jonathan is therefore still the biggest name PDP can put forward today.

Despite the abysmally corrupt practices of his administration and the public odium that continues to trail it, some in the PDP still view Jonathan as the charismatic leader that they can rally around.

What makes the possibility of this nightmarish scenario becoming reality is the poverty and ignorance in our land. There are always more illiterates, jobless people, disoriented youths in every nation. The bourgeois and aristocrats may debate and argue all they like about the impossibility of Jonathan or any of his cohorts returning to power but they pooh pooh and ignore such a freakish occurrence at their peril.

In America, all the intellectual elites practically stuck out their necks for Hillary Clinton while the not so educated people pushed out their chests for Donald Trump. You will be shocked at how the same way the hatred for Jonathan got him sacked from power may be replayed in 2019, if APC mismanages the rabid sentiment some people have against Buhari. This theory is based on the principle of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend…”

I have said repeatedly, there are no rigid principles, philosophy and ideologies guiding Nigerian politics. Nearly all the bad guys in PDP have virtually migrated to APC without any remorse or repercussions. And the same people can still do their shifting cultivation anytime, almost effortlessly. Home, sweet home, they will be welcome. I’ve been in places where people were arguing for and against Jonathan. It is certain that all it will take for Jonathan or PDP to return to power is for APC to make some more wrong moves particularly, in their choice of candidate.

From the absurd, to the ridiculous, comes the prospect of Governor Ayodele Fayose, who says he wants to run, getting his party ticket and truly becoming a candidate. I leave the rest to your imagination but, again, Fayose’s stomach infrastructure propaganda propelled him like a shooting star to Ekiti Government House.

Who says the same hunger is not afflicting the vast majority of our national population. Such a policy may well resonate.

The other aspirants can be broken into the following categories. The military class.

Former Senate President, David Mark, is said to be interested. Like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, he has the financial muscle to kick-start a major campaign within PDP. It is not known if Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa is still nursing his Presidential ambition, this former military Governor is one of the most educated and refined Generals turned politician. His name has been

cropping up here and there.

The Governor’s Forum would wish to have one of their own in the presidential villa. Tinubu, Saraki, Kwankwaso, Sule Lamido, and current Governors Tambuwal and El Rufai, Rochas Okorocha, Peter Obi, Orji Uzor Kalu, would certainly be in the forefront as presidential or Vice Presidential candidates. Three men, many young Nigerians would love to see in the race, in one capacity or the other are the unforgettable former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke and former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akwabio. The infrastructure development they achieved in the past, when they had executive power, is their greatest selling point. Their biggest challenge is that their current level of performance, particularly Fashola and Akpabio, in the disparate roles that they have currently found themselves erodes into the considerable goodwill that they enjoyed as Governors. Donald Duke fortunately does not have such an issue as he has silently gone about his business in the private sector. The fact that he clearly does not see politics as a vocation continues to endear him to people.

What is clear is that these achievers have shown that they can’t perform much when they are bogged down by elaborate bureaucracy. There are whispers that the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode may be dragged into the race to assuage the feeling of the youths who seem tired of the old leaders. It is believed that he has displayed exceptional brilliance, capacity and vision in just over two years and that such a man is needed urgently to correct the infrastructure deficit in Nigeria. Nigeria can no longer afford to be saddled with those who lack the vision and the speed for development.

Now, don’t laugh. In case you’ve not heard of this arrangement, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has been under pressure to run the Presidential race.

The promoters of this idea believe Nigeria would never move forward until it is rescued from hard core politicians and run like a business.

Others have mentioned the UBA Chairman, Tony Elumelu, in a similar vein. It is believed that running a global bank in about 19 countries, like Dangote’s expansive businesses in 14 countries, constitutes great experience and exposure for both. Chief Moshood Abiola attempted this in 1993 and almost succeeded before his landmark victory was summarily and cruelly aborted. Many point to business guru, Trump’s, emergence as American President as the sort of miracle that could happen in Nigeria given the public’s increasing disenchantment with the establishment and the call for a new orientation and a business-like approach to government.

Nigerians are desperately seeking leaders who can perform and deliver and not mere representative of a tribe or religious sect. at the end of the day, the choice may well be a stark one. It could lead to a rosy or gloomy future. What is certain is Nigerians do not want failure again. That does not mean that they know how to avoid this. This is mostly true of the poor masses in who really lies the power to do and undo although they obviously do not appreciate this. At the end of it all, if we fail again, then we can only have ourselves to blame once more for our collective stupidity and potential doom. Finito.

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