Saturday 9th September 2017

Nigerian Economy Remains under Great Threat, US Warns Udoma: Steps taken to reflate economy got the nation out of recession Ndubuisi Francis, Paul Obi and Udora Orizu in Abuja The United States military yesterday warned that the Nigerian economy remains under great threat following the surge in criminal activities in the

Niger Delta and the threats by militants to resume bombing of oil facilities in the region. The rise in lawless activities around the Gulf of Guinea was also identified as another threat to Nigeria’s economy. The warning from the

Commander of the United States Naval Forces in charge of Europe and Africa, Admiral Michelle Howard, is coming amid a ray of hope by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that Nigeria was now out of economic recession with a growth rate of

0.55 per cent. Howard, who was speaking while presenting the US Presidential Medal of Honour to Nigeria’s Deputy Military Attachee to the US, Navy Captain Kolawole Oguntuda, at the Naval Headquarters in

Abuja said: “Oil extraction and production accounts for 75% of Nigeria's revenue with the vast majority of oil infrastructure existing off shore or really close inshore. So terrorism, criminal networks, illegal bunkering with damages of oil pipeline directly

threatens Nigeria economy. "That is where navies come in. I, as the commander, regards the Nigerian Navy as a key regional partner in securing the Gulf of Guinea and I seek to strengthen our relationship by assisting in Continued on page 8

Dangote Mulls Offer for South Africa’s Largest Cement Factory ...Page 8 Saturday 9 September, 2017 Vol 22. No 8178 Price: N250

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Reprisal Attack on Jos Community Claims 20 Police re-arrest runaway ritual killer in Plateau

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos and Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt No fewer than 20 persons were

hacked to death in the early hours of yesterday when suspected Fulani gunmen invaded Ancha village, in Miango district, a community in the neighbourhood

of Jos, Plateau State, leaving at least nine others severely injured in the wake of it. This is even as the state’s Police Command has re-arrested and

paraded, Ifeanyichukwu Maxwell Dike, the alleged ritual killer that escaped from police custody in Port Harcourt, River State, after raping and killing an eight year

old girl for rituals. he was arrested for killing a girl Parading Dike, the outgoing for ritual purpose, leading to the state Police Commissioner, Peter dismissal of the Policeman that Ogunyanwo said: “He had escaped from Port Harcourt after Continued on page 8

Stop Dividing Our Party with False Statements, APC Tells Atiku Asks Aisha Alhassan to resign

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Onyebuchi Ezigbo The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned leaders of the party, especially former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, to desist from making “misleading statements aimed at causing division within the party.” The National Vice Chairman of the APC (North West), Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, who gave the warning in Abuja yesterday, also came down hard on the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Aisha Alhassan, by demanding that she should quit the federal cabinet, for pledging allegiance to Atiku. On the same day, the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, said the public disclosure of loyalty to Atiku by Alhassan should not come as a surprise because she had never shared President Muhammadu Buhari's beliefs or ideology. In the warning, seen as APC’s first major reaction to the scathing criticisms leveled against the ruling party and President Buhari by both Atiku and the serving minister, the National Vice Chairman of the party described the action of the two top party members as

not only misleading but also unbecoming of their status. He said that Atiku's claim of being sidelined by the ruling party and its administration, despite his contributions to electoral victory in 2015, was misleading and not factual. Abdulkadir, who addressed journalists yesterday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, said the statement credited to the former Vice President was capable of causing division in the ranks of the party and government. Abdulkadir said: "By virtue of his office and his age, Atiku is qualified to be a statesman but when you reach that stature and age, there are certain things you have to come to terms with, which is to exhibit a high sense of decorum in your conduct. You have to guard what you say, how you say it and when you

el-Rufai: She never believed in Buhari's Ideology

Continued on page 8

Army Commences Military Operation in S'East to Curtail SECURING THE WATERWAYS… The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas presenting a souvenir to the Commander, US Naval Forces Threats … Pg 10 L-R: Europe/Africa, Admiral Michelle Howard during her courtesy call on the CNS at the Naval headquarters in Abuja ..... ...yesterday

Country Music Legend, Don Williams Dies at 78 ... Page 10

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Dangote Mulls Offer for South Africa’s Largest Cement Factory Firm valued at $792 million Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote is reportedly considering counter-offers for PPC Group Ltd. that could signal a bidding contest for South Africa’s largest cement maker, according to people familiar with the matter, according to reports by Bloomberg. Dangote Cement Plc sees a bid for the Johannesburg-based company as a way to accelerate expansion outside its home market of Nigeria, said the people, who asked not to be named as the matter is private. PPC will consider any rival offers to the joint approach by Canada’s Fairfax Financial

Holdings Ltd. and domestic rival AfriSam Group Pty Ltd. and present them to shareholders in early October, one of the people said. PPC shares jumped 2.9 per cent to 6.38 rand as of 3:30 p.m. in Johannesburg, on track for the highest on a closing basis since April 25. That values the company at 10.2 billion rand ($792 million). LafargeHolcim Ltd., the world’s biggest cement maker based in Jona, Switzerland, and Germany’s HeidelbergCement AG are also monitoring PPC’s situation, the people said. Titan Cement Co. SA of Greece is also looking at the

South African company, according to one of the people. The cement makers’ interest was sparked after Toronto-based Fairfax offered to buy 2 billion rand of PPC’s shares and support a merger with AfriSam earlier this week, the people said. The proposal “significantly undervalued� the business, PPC said at the time. Spokespeople for Dangote, LafargeHolcim, HeidelbergCement, Titan, Fairfax and PPC declined to comment. The future ownership of PPC is up for grabs after merger talks with AfriSam failed for a second time last month following

two-and-a-half years of on-off negotiations. Both companies have been struggling with high debt levels, which Fairfax offered to resolve with its unexpected entrance to the saga this week. The Toronto-based company said it would recapitalize AfriSam, enabling it to settle outstanding loans, and buy 2 billion rand worth of PPC shares at 5.75 rand each. PPC’s current share price of 6.38 rand suggests investors expect a higher offer to emerge. The Fairfax proposal would give the Canadian company a stake of more than 30 percent

stake in the combined entity, said two of the people. The value of the bid would rise when savings generated by sharing PPC and AfriSam infrastructure are taken into account, they said. The Public Investment Corp., the biggest shareholder in both PPC and AfriSam, would prefer a higher cash component of more than 6 rand a share, the people said, adding that Fairfax hasn’t ruled out increasing its offer. Aliko Dangote, who has interests in sugar, flour and packaged food businesses as well as cement, has a net worth of $11.4 billion, according to the

Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Dangote would be open to a sale of all or part of its cement operations in Pretoria-based Sephaku Holdings Ltd. unit to win regulatory approval for a takeover, two of the people said. Separately, PPC said it had reduced capital expenditure targets for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. The company sees spending of as much as 900 million rand in year through March 2018, rising to as much as 1 billion rand the following year, PPC said in a presentation to investors on Friday. The cement maker also said debt would probably fall

on the matter on September 18, during which the views of Nigerians would be collated. According to him, 13 public hearings have been earmarked for the exercise in various parts of the country, with youths

as the targets. The youths, he added, “have the largest population in the country and hence, it is their perception on the subject of restructuring that is of paramount interest to the committee.�

STOP DIVIDING OUR PARTY WITH FALSE STATEMENTS, APC TELLS ATIKU say it because what is expected of you as a statesman is nothing but factual. "More importantly, there should be some decorum in what we do. People who have attained those high privileged positions should know that they have attained certain status in the society and cannot afford to talk anyhow." Speaking on the complaint by Atiku that he had been neglected by the party, Abdulkadir said such a position was not correct, considering the level of his access to Buhari and the party. He also disagreed with the former Vice President's charge that the ruling party had not been holding meetings as required, insisting that there was at least two major high level meetings that had Atiku and President Buhari in attendance. According to Abdulkadir, whose North-west zone produced President Buhari, the area Atiku should be most concerned about is success or otherwise of the current APC-led administration. “The reason is that the Northwest is the most populous zone in terms of the APC membership and in terms of electoral victory. That is apart from having seven APC state governors, and 20 out of the 21 senators in the zone are from the APC,� he said. He said, Atiku, like many others, made certain contributions to the 2015 elections but that the bigger picture which Atiku gave was not correct. In terms of electoral value, Abdulkadir said that the Northwest zone held eight presidential

campaign rallies during the 2015 presidential election but “Atiku did not attend any.� "Of recent, Atiku made some statements that created an impression of the failure of the party and the President Buhari-led government. At that level, good party members, especially of his status, should not be seen to be making public statements even if those criticisms are factual, whereas in this case, some of these statements were misleading and incorrect. "These statements give an impression of a crack in the house and in the party or that the party is not doing all that which it ought to. As leaders, we shouldn't be seen as joining issues in the public domain but since he has made a public statement, the public is entitled to get the other side or be told the truth,� said Abdulkadir. On the outburst by Aisha regarding the 2019 presidential election, the APC chieftain said the minister should have respected her principal by not making her statement public. He said that the president was not going to act in a spontaneous manner, “rather, it should be the minister that will have to resign based on moral grounds.� Commenting on the issue of Buhari's alleged promise not to go for second term, the Vice Chairman said: "Whether Buhari has said that he would re-contest or not is immaterial; what is material is that a serving Minister should not be seen making public statement suggesting that they are not on the same page with the team because she

is a member of a team.� El-Rufai: Alhassan never believed in Buhari In a related development, the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday said the public disclosure of loyalty to Atiku by the Minister of Women Affairs, was not a surprise because she had never shared President Buhari's beliefs or ideology. El-Rufai, who made this remark while answering questions from journalists in the State House, described Alhassan as a former student union activist, who failed to support the aspiration of Buhari for presidency prior to the 2015 general election. According to him, Alhassan had never been in Buhari's political group, neither did she vote for him at the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which held in Lagos in 2015 but was only offered a cabinet position because of the president's magnanimity, as well as her influence on the party in Taraba State. "The Minister of Women Affairs, Jummai Alhassan, had been in the student union. In the APC, she has never been in the Buhari camp. She did not support our candidate during the national convention. She didn't vote for Buhari during the primaries. But out of the largeness of the president's heart and to encourage women in politics, he felt that even though she was never a supporter of his politics nor his beliefs or ideologies, but because of what she had tried to do in Taraba, he felt she had earned being

nominated as a minister. "Many in Buhari camp did not support her appointment as minister but he overruled everybody because that is how he is. He tried to be inclusive. He considered every Nigerian his own son or daughter and he nominated her to be minister. Her comments are not surprising. She has never been a supporter. She has never believed in Buhari ideology. So, I am not surprised and as a Nigerian, as an individual, she has every right to express her views and support whoever she wants. "But what I am saying is, Nigerians should not be surprised or shocked. This has always been her position because from time, she has never supported Buharism or what Buhari stands for. Being part of Buhari's government is a different thing because government sets policies and if you are a minister, you execute the policies. You can execute those policies while pursuing a different brand of politics. And it is okay. There is no problem with that," el-Rufai said. The governor added that Alhassan's continuous retention in the cabinet of Buhari remains the president's exclusive preserve, observing that this administration is not a political cleavage and hence, the minister may retain her position despite her political views. On the protracted clamour for restructuring of the country, el-Rufai said the committee set up by the APC on restructuring, which he chairs, would commence public hearings

NIGERIAN ECONOMY REMAINS UNDER GREAT THREAT, US WARNS economic security and enhancing regional stability." Speaking, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral IbokEte Ekwe Ibas assured that the Nigerian Navy was ready and capable of containing threats posed by the Niger Delta militants. "We actually don't need people from outside to tell us how strategic Nigerian Navy is in securing our environment, maritime space and the Gulf of Guinea. "The maritime environment has seen a spate of piracy attacks, robbery, especially last year. We also saw some elements of resource theft, including illegal fishing in our waters, human trafficking, arms trafficking as well as drug trafficking, not to mention waste dumbing and environmental concerns. "The strategic role Nigeria plays is what has brought in America. For the threats you mentioned in the Niger Delta, one thing I want to assure you is that so long as human beings exist, there will always be conflicts, and once there are conflicts, there would always be ways of resolving those conflicts. "For Nigerian Navy, we will continue to build our capacity and

capabilities to enable us contain such threats," Ibas stated. On securing Nigeria's maritime territory, the CNS added: "If Nigeria is the main concern to look at in the sub-region, Nigeria therefore becomes an important country for those who have interest in this region, to come and have conversation to see how they can enhance the maritime law enforcement agencies, in this case, the Nigerian Navy in particular, to see how we can make the maritime environment secured and promote trade and prosperity in the region. "US government has always been offering us support. The sea do not belong to any particular individual, they are global commons, and transnational crimes that occur, means that from one country to the other, your security can be compromised if the sea space is not properly governed. "So, for US, wherever they have interest, they are ready to provide the needed support. And I think it stands for Nigeria also, where we have to ensure that the Gulf of Guinea is secured, including the security of neighbouring states.� Udoma: Steps Taken to Reflate Economy Got Nigeria Out of Recession

In a related development, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma has declared that the steps taken by the federal government to reflate the economy through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) culminated in the country exiting recession in the second quarter of 2017. Udoma, who was a guest of Arise TV, the broadcast arm of the THISDAY Media Group, recalled that earlier in the year, the Buhari administration unveiled its flagship programme - Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) - "that sets out strategy for the next four years on what we intend to do to get the economy firstly out of recession and on to a sustained diversified inclusive growth." According to the minister, the target was to achieve a 7 per cent growth by 2020, adding that focusing on the five execution priorities of the ERGP helped in seeing the economy out of contraction. Udoma added: "The steps that we have been taking to reflate the economy, to make it easier to do business, focused on the five execution priorities - stabilising the macroeconomic framework, agriculture, transportation, power

and energy and manufacturing. These are things that have helped to get us out of the recession and those are things that are going to get us into the path of sustaining it.� The Budget and National Planning Minister said the administration was taking some measures to ensure that the economy takes a firm footing. He said: "What we are trying to do basically is to diversify the economy. It is true I do agree that at the moment we are dependent on one commodity - crude oil. That is something that we inherited and our plan is to move out of that dependency, but to move out of that dependency, we need the resources from crude oil and that is why we have a lot of initiatives in the Niger Delta to try and get oil production back. "Yes, we are dependent but our plan is to move out of that dependency and therefore we are putting a lot of resources on agriculture and agriculture has been moving up, production has moved up. We are putting a lot of resources as well as to get manufacturing going, and in the 2017 Budget, we allocated funds for special economic zones in each of the geo-political zones of Nigeria.

REPRISAL ATTACK ON JOS COMMUNITY CLAIMS 20 was guarding him, but he was rearrested today in a house in Barkin Ladi, here in Plateau State.� Dike, who said he travelled to Jos in a lorry after escaping from Port Harcourt, added that he had spent three days in Plateau State before he was re-arrested. An elated Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed, confirmed the arrest of Dike and has mobilised to ensure the return of the suspect to the state. The attack on Ancha village, THISDAY gathered, brewed from a week of tension resulting from a misunderstanding between the natives and the Fulani residing in the community over the death of a Fulani boy. The natives, who claimed innocence of the boy’s death, blamed it on cult activities. They had however appealed to the Fulani for calm, promising to investigate it. However, before the investigation could be completed, the Fulani who perhaps became hesitant pounced on Ancha, leaving at least 20 dead. A villager in Ancha said the gunmen invaded the community at about 1:45 am when his kinsmen were fast asleep, and attacked the people randomly, adding that the attack lasted for over an hour without resistance from the community and the security men, until the gunmen completed their mission and disappeared into nearby hills. Also speaking, President of Irikwe Development Association, Mr. Sunday Abdul, who confirmed that 20 persons were killed in the raid, said the association had condemned the killing of the Fulani boy and were already working hard to unearth the perpetrators before the sudden reprisal. He said the Fulani boy was killed last week in what looked like a cult attack. “We immediately strongly condemned the act and got some of suspects arrested. This was further followed by a meeting with the security agents, the Fulani and the natives for reconciliation; the representatives in attendance assured us that they were going back to promote peace. “But to our greatest surprise, some group of Fulani men swooped on Ancha village and killed 20 persons at once; this is one too many. Let’s even assume this is a reprisal, do you kill 20 for one?� Meanwhile, condemning the attack, the Police Commissioner, who placed the death figure at 19, said they were suspected Fulani in reprisal, “who went from house

to house killing innocent people.� He said, the Fulani had written to the Police to complain that one of their boys was killed, beheaded and buried in a shallow grave in the bush, adding that the boy had ran away from home after committing a mischief, and that after three days his headless body was found in a nearby bush. Ogunyanwo said the police quickly swung into action and arrested five persons in connection with the murder, but he did not expect anyone to take the laws in their hands to go on reprisal after reporting to the Police and investigations had commenced. He said the police recovered 11 expended shells of 7.6mm ammunition and one live ammunition from the scene of the attack, adding that a complete unit of Police had been dispatched to the village to forestall further breakdown of law. The re-arrested undergraduate of University of Port Harcourt escaped on Monday, August 21 after he was paraded by the police command and he had made confessional statement to journalists on the murder of eight-year-old Chikamso Victory for rituals threw the police in Rivers State into confusion. Confirming the re-arrest of Dike, a 200-level Physics undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, stated that the command had launched a nation-wide manhunt leading to the success. An elated Omoni said Dike was re-arrested by the police in Barkin Ladi community in Plateau State on Thursday. Confusion had enveloped the Rivers State Command as a suspected ritual killer, Dike, escaped from police detention shortly after he was taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Port Harcourt. Twenty-three-year-old Dike was arrested at Eliozu Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers on Saturday, August 19 by men of the Okporo Police Station. The police had said Dike abducted one eight-year-old Chikamso Victory, his niece, with whose parents he was residing at the same address. Nnamdi explained, “The little girl was abducted, defiled and killed, while her vagina, eyes, tongue and breast were removed and put in a polythene bag. The suspect was going to dispose off the body, when he was arrested by the local Vigilante that suspected his movement.�

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SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

Yemi

Adebowale

07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

My Heart Bleeds for Rochas Okorocha’s Imo State

T

he last six years have been traumatic for the good people of Imo State. No governor has inflicted this much pain on these people as being done by incumbent Governor Rochas Okorocha. The actions and inactions of this man often leave many disheartened. The latest from calamity Okorocha was the ruthless demolition of the famed Eke-ukwu Owerri Market, in spite of a subsisting court order. Justice S.I. Okpara had restrained his government from demolishing the market, pending the determination of a suit filed by the stall owners, but Okorocha ignored the court’s order. Hundreds of soldiers and policemen were deployed to pull down the market and pummel protesting traders. By his action, Okorocha demolished the honest means of livelihood of these hapless people in the name of a dubious urban renewal project. A 10-year-old boy, Somtochukwu Igboanusi, died during this attack on harmless civilians. This is certainly a crime against humanity. People in positions of authority must not be displaying shameless impunity as Okorocha does. He demonstrated a high disdain for the rule of law and the lives of his people. This governor has suddenly forgotten that political power is ephemeral. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria was on point when it described the Okorocha administration as “dictatorial and lawless.” It also demanded that the governor and his lackeys be prosecuted for crime against humanity. HURIWA said: “Those who occupy government positions and believe that they will be there forever

Okorocha

are deluding themselves. The bloodshed that happened in Owerri will not go unpunished, particularly for the perpetrators and those who deployed the heavily armed soldiers.” For the OurMumuDonDo group, the demolition of the market “depicts the stark decrepitude in which our nation has been plunged into, and the patent impunity being displayed by people in positions of power.” Many regard Okorocha’s so-called urban renewal project, which resulted in the demolition of the market as a charade. The spokesman of the Concerned Imo Indigenes in Abuja, Sam Obaji, puts it fittingly: “What we are witnessing in Imo today is a

self-interested and uncoordinated urban renewal project that consists largely of the demolition of private properties and transfer of recovered plots of lands to cronies for private development. We believe that a responsive and responsible government would undertake a process that minimises hardship and disruption to the economic and social life of the citizens. We are very angry at this uncivilised, reckless, thoughtless and disrespectful model of governance. Henceforth, we will fight the governor to stop him from further destroying life and livelihood in Imo state.” The demolition of Eke-ukwu Owerri Market aside, Imo people have been living under a fascist regime in the last six years. Okorocha’s authoritarian administration is characterised by dictatorial power. Many will not forget in a hurry the senseless demolition of buildings in Owerri last year. It is also pertinent to note that Imo, under Okorocha, has become a failed state, with its government unable to meet its basic responsibilities to the citizens. Facilities in the health, education and other sectors have collapsed. In Okorocha’s Imo, civil servants have been going without salaries for years. Retirees are also wallowing in poverty, due to enormous unpaid annuities. All these have resulted in so much poverty in this largely “civil servant” state. The limited resources of this state are being squandered amid poverty. A good example is when this governor suddenly crops up with an aircraft, said to have been acquired with the funds of the suffering masses of the state. He then went

Rampaging Governor Yahaya Bello Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is now on the list of governors paying half salaries. With a backlog running into several months, this governor decided to pay half salaries for August to enable civil servants celebrate Sallah. It is heart-warming that the Kogi chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress led by Onu Edoka has refused to allow this impunity to go unchallenged. Edoka said: “Workers in this state have suffered total hardship

since the coming of the present administration. Over 70 per cent of workers cleared during the staff audit are yet to get salaries of between 17 and 20 months. Despite the huge money collected by the state government in the last 20 months, it is a pity that workers are not being paid by Bello.” He also wants Bello to explain to the people of the state how he spent N38 billion, comprising bailout funds, the first tranche of Paris Club refund

(N12 billion) and the second tranche (N6 billion). If the state’s wage bill is N2.9billion, as confirmed by this governor, then N38 billion is more than enough to pay the salaries of these workers for 12 months. This is aside Kogi’s monthly allocation from the federation account. Bello has a lot of questions to answer about Kogi’s finances. The NLC must continue to pile pressure on him until he confesses.

Abducted University of Maiduguri Staff I sincerely hope that the Buhari administration and its security agencies have not forgotten that three staff of the University of Maiduguri are still in the dungeon of Boko Haram. They were the ones spared and abducted after the terrorists killed 69 oil explorers and their security details in Borno State on July 25. Today is day number 47 of Dr. Solomon Yusuf, Mr. Haruna Dashe and Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim in the

chambers of the terrorists. Tears have been flowing uncontrollably from their family members since the abduction. For these family members, it is even more painful that the said moves to rescue their loved ones are not yielding result. For how long shall these people and their families continue to wallow in pain? Our gallant soldiers must raise their games and pull out these men from the cells of Boko Haram.

Playing Politics with Recession Exit It is good that this country is technically out of recession, but the celebration by some members of the Buhari band amounts to insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians. There is no correlation between exiting recession and the economic realities on the ground. These entertainers know very well that the exit from recession would not automatically translate to better life for Nigerians. Under Buhari, this economy has suffered a massive compression. Inflation is creating tension in homes across the nation, while over 4.5 million Nigerians have lost their jobs in the last two years. These have resulted in dwindling consumer demand and sliding industrial capacity utilisation. The 2015/2016 forex crisis and the delay by Buhari to remove fuel subsidy amid falling forex revenue de-

capitated our industries and led to massive retrenchment. Our marginal 0.55 per cent GDP growth in the second quarter of 2017 is a testimony that it would take this country several years to exit the economic crisis created by this government. The NBS stated in its latest report that food price pressure continued into July as all major food sub-indexes increased, with food inflation in the country rising by 20.28 per cent year-on-year in July. According to the NBS, this represents the highest yearon-year increase in food prices since 2009. We need to persistently remind Buhari that two years after his election, inflation rate rose from about nine per cent to about 17 per cent and unemployment from 7.5 per cent to 14 per cent. Poverty is growing while

youth agitation is increasing. Former CBN Governor, Charles Soludo noted that in two years of Buhari, “business confidence remains very low at -29 while competitive index has remained low. Our sovereign credit ratings have worsened, while workers’ wages have dramatically shrunk with high inflationary pressure. What people don’t understand is that when workers are owed and are paid in arrears as done in many states, you have effectively reduced their nominal wages for the year. Paradoxically, Nigeria’s rank on the corruption index remains unchanged at 136th position, while its ranking on the Fragile States Index has worsened.” This is food for thought for us today.

about celebrating, with the impression that this was capable of turning around the fortunes of the state. The impact of Imo Air is yet to be felt. The amount paid for the “tokunbo” aircraft is also still a closely guarded secret. I really can’t understand the sense in this investment. The whole arrangement is looking suspicious. For example, the state has no commercial airline licence. As a result, the aircraft was transferred to Dana Air, to run its Lagos-Owerri and AbujaOwerri routes. It is unfair to invest the limited funds of the traumatised people of Imo State in this manner. Obviously, the struggling masses of Imo State have no business with air travel. So sad that funds that ought to have gone into improving the lives of the masses of the state have been diverted to the acquisition of an aircraft. Okorocha should go back and read the “love letter” written to him last year by former Governor Ikedi Ohakim. The letter encompasses all that is required to put a bit of smile on the faces Imo people. The section where Ohakim criticised the senseless demolition of buildings in Owerri is germane. Just as Ohakim noted, the hapless people affected “were neither given adequate notice nor was compensation discussed/paid before bulldozers were sent to destroy their properties.” Ohakim added: “There is so much unruliness in the state with government officials showing the lead. Your Excellency, there is a built-up anger over the way the people are being displaced from their business locations, more so as this reminds them of the indiscriminate revocation and reallocation of lands in Owerri. “You and I know that given the current economic situation in the country, this is the most inappropriate time to destroy the houses of people or destroy structures that house their means of livelihood without adequate alternative arrangement. Agreed, multiple lane roads are desirable but it should not be achieved by suddenly throwing hapless citizens into homelessness, joblessness and excruciating economic pains from which they may never recover.” Okorocha should reflect deeply on the messages of Ohakim and other good people of Imo State, implement the suggestions and take pragmatic steps to ameliorate the suffering of the people of this state. As a first logical step, he should auction this unnecessary aircraft and use the money to reduce the agony of civil servants.

A Word for Abiola Ajimobi I thought Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State would spend his remaining 19 months working to pull the people of the state out of the poverty his six-year administration plunged them. The reverse has been the case, with this governor dipping into one charade or another. His latest jest is spending millions of Naira to enthrone several comical firstclass traditional rulers (Obas) in Ibadanland. This action, obviously aimed at humiliating the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has brought so much opprobrium on Ajimobi in particular and the state in general. The governor’s decision to snub the court case challenging the enthronement is sickening. It was nice seeing 12 of the Ibadan high Chiefs turning down the dubious gift. My dear Ajimobi, my plea to you today is to learn to rise above pettiness, end actions aimed at destroying the history and tradition of Ibadanland and focus on improving a state whose progress you single-handedly retarded. At present, Oyo State is also in a mess over months of unpaid salaries to civil servants, who have been turned into beggars. Ajimobi is accused of squandering the bailout fund meant to clear outstanding salaries. The state’s NLC Chairman, Waheed Olojede said unpaid salaries had pauperised the workers, adding that their productivity, diligence and absolute commitment had also been affected. It is a shame that Ajimobi reneged on previous agreement on how to settle the salaries. Oyo State has no business being in a mess if well managed. But this has not been the case. Ajimobi is only interested in frivolities.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

TRIBUTE

Williams

Country Music Legend, Don Williams, Dies at 78 Yemi Adebowale with agency report

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on Williams, the American Country Music Hall of Fame member whose imposing height and warm, reassuring voice earned him the nickname “Gentle Giant,” died yesterday after a short illness. An internationally popular country star, Williams recorded dozens of hit songs, including “Tulsa Time,” “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good” and “It Must Be Love.” He was 78. “In giving voice to songs like ‘Good Ole Boys Like Me,’ ‘Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good,’ and ‘Amanda,’ Don Williams offered calm, beauty, and a sense of wistful peace that is in short supply these days. His music will forever be a balm in troublesome times. Everyone who makes country music with grace, intelligence, and ageless intent will do so while standing on the shoulders of this gentle giant,” Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said in a statement yesterday. Born in Floydada, Texas, on May 27th, 1939, Williams was raised in Portland, Texas, where he learned guitar from his mother. Initially performing in Corpus Christi in a duo called Strangers Two with singer Lofton Kline, Williams and his partner met singer Susan Taylor and formed the folk-pop trio that would be called the PozoSeco Singers. Based in Nashville, the trio earned two Top 40 tunes, “I Can Make It With You,” and “Look What You’ve Done,” in late 1966. After the group disbanded, Williams returned to Texas to sell furniture in his father’s store before returning to Music City to embark on a solo career. “Cowboy” Jack Clement signed Williams as a songwriter to his Jack Music publishing company, where he recorded demos for songwriter-producer Allen Reynolds, who later went on to helm projects for Crystal Gayle and Garth Brooks, among many others. When other artistes proved reluctant to record Williams’ songs, Clement signed him as an artiste to his JMI Records, releasing his first country single, “Don’t You Believe,” in 1972. In 1974, the label issued “We Should Be Together,” which became the singer’s first Top Five hit. Later that year, he scored the first of 17 Number One singles with the romantic “I Wouldn’t Want to Live If You Didn’t Love Me.” The visionary Clement also shot some of the industry’s first-ever music videos for Williams’ early hits. In 1980, Williams, who had quickly gained an overseas following, was named Artiste of the Decade by the readers of the London-based magazine, Country Music People. That same year, he reached the pop Top Forty with the tender “I Believe in You,” Between 1974 and 1991, of the nearly 50 singles he released, first on Dot, then ABC/ Dot – which would become MCA– then Capitol and finally RCA, all but three reached the Top Ten. In 1976, Williams became an Opry member, and was crowned CMAMale Vocalist of the Year in 1978, with his version of Danny Flowers’ “Tulsa Time” earning CMASingle of the Year. In 1981, he

Williams

joined Emmylou Harris on “If I Needed You,” a Top Five duet that would introduce the masses to the work of songwriter Townes Van Zandt. In the late Eighties, Williams quit touring after suffering back problems but soon picked up, with several hits for RCAuntil 1991’s “Lord Have Mercy on a Country Boy” ended his streak. Williams was consistently an international ambassador of country music, earning a massive following in Europe, especially in the U.K. and Ireland, as well as Australia and Africa. In addition to his recording career, Williams appeared in the 1975 Burt Reynolds films W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings and 1980’s Smokey and the Bandit II. He later name-checked Reynolds in the 1982 Bob McDill-penned hit, “If Hollywood Don’t Need You (Honey, I Still Do),” which was one of the many singles co-produced by Williams with longtime collaborator Garth Fundis. In 2004, he released his My Heart to You LP for Sugar Hill Records; although he staged a 2006 farewell tour, he came out of retirement in October 2010, the same month he was inducted into the Country

Music Hall of Fame. By that time, he had released more than 35 albums. His most recent studio album, Reflections, was released in 2014. He retired from touring for good two years later. Williams’ songs have been recorded by country superstars Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack, as well as rock legends Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton. Just one day before he turned 78, last May, tribute album Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams was issued. Atestament to his widespread and long-lasting influence, the LP featured performances of beloved Williams hits by Alison Krauss, Chris Stapleton, Pistol Annies, Brandy Clark, Keb’ Mo’, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Lady Antebellum, songwriter Roger Cook, Dierks Bentley, John Prine and Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires. Aspecial tribute to the longtime Grand Ole Opry member was also performed on the Opry stage just days after that album was released. That same month, the concert CD/DVD package, Don Williams in Ireland: The Gentle Giant in Concert, was released, featuring an onstage performance from the Emerald Isle.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

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COMMENTARY

THE POLICE: FRIEND OF FOE ?

Olusola Adegbite argues the police force, as presently constituted, is a huge embarrassment

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he tale of the Nigeria Police has become a tale of one week, one trouble. If a set of policemen are not beating up an innocent lady somewhere in Bayelsa all because she wore a tattoo, it would be that some other of their colleagues are ganging up to brutalise a young Nigerian, for simply asking them not to shunt the queue at an Ondo ATM. Sometimes, it is the most bizarre, as it happened recently in the case of a police prosecutor conniving with a rapist to destroy a rape case, and went as far as demanding for 5% of the settlement money, or in the most extreme cases, it is that which is beneath a human being, as it was in the case of the police inspector, who all for ďŹ lthy lucre wilfully assisted a man who raped and butchered an eight-year- old to escape from detention. SufďŹ ce to say that the long-list is scary, and so despicable have the police become, that the Force has since successfully overtook kinapping, becoming Nigeria’s number one problem and the greatest threat to her national security. When President Muhammadu Buhari lost the 2011 general election, he was drenched in tears, lamenting how he was so over-prepared to transform the country. It was a pitiable sight. This drama and other subsequent factors, later collaborated in dumping the 2015 electoral victory on his laps. With the hurricane that his electoral victory was, many had thought that what would follow would be immediate and massive reforms across the many corrupt agencies in the country. As a matter of fact there were high hopes that amongst the dirty list, the Nigeria Police, an agency of the federal government that had become a pigsty swimming in corruption, would be the first to be purged. After all how do you mount a successful anti-corruption war, without starting with a dismantling of the police? But rather than reform the police, what did we get? The usual behaviour. Like the proverbial Ostrich that buried its head in the ground, the president stuck to the familiar script - nepotism, ethnicity, prebendalism, favouritism, and morbid sectionalism. When Nigerians questioned the wisdom behind the appointment of the current Inspector-General of Police, who was then an Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) when there were several ably qualified Deputy Inspector-Generals (DIGs) ahead of him, the answer was that he was the most intelligent policeman of his time. And here is the quality of Mr.IG’s intelligence... As at today, the Nigeria Police is the most disgraced, ridiculed and despised of all federal agencies. Since this IG came on board, no sensible reform has taken place in the police, except for a regurgitation of the same obsolete moves of previous governments in recruiting 10,000 policemen, scoring an own-goal by pouring so-called new wine into a wine-skin that should have been discarded. No new thinking, no new

POLICEMEN LOOK MISERABLE, OUR POLITICIANS LOOK OVER-FED, YET WE WANT THE COUNTRY TO BE SAFE. WHO ELSE WILL MORTGAGE SECURITY, IF NOT THE MISERABLE POLICEMAN?

idea, no new direction. So disgraced is the police that a once enviable uniform no longer attract any value. Get to anywhere and you see people bragging about how there is nothing they have not offered as bribe to the Nigerian policeman at checkpoints. People talk of policemen as having become so low that they collect things as insulting as banana, biscuit, egg-roll, kulikuli, gala, dodo-ikire, lacasera, vijumilk, bread, wedding rice, and any other despicable thing you can think of. Policemen collect bribes and even give ‘change’, without any iota of shame. Sometimes they are even deceived with used wraps of edibles, thinking it is money. The average policeman is poverty clothed in a garment, looking tattered, hungry, and angry, and it is in the hands of these ones that our so-called responsible government has placed the lives of its people. They are the rehearsal lines of upcoming comedians. If a policeman is not fighting at a beer-parlour, another would be somewhere gunning down a relative of the deceased at a burial, and that is if a SARS team have not abandoned their duty to go settle the quarrel between a husband and a wife. Policemen look miserable, our politicians look over-fed, yet we want the country to be safe. Who else will mortgage security, if not the miserable policeman? While the president is busy insulting those who asked him to come back to his country, his policemen have become errand boys to every Tom, Dick, and Harry. Every school drop-out turned overnight millionaire, or lousy hip-hop artiste now has a police escort. So bad is it that no one is shocked to see a policeman carrying the bag of the wife of a motor-park chairman. What country lives like this, and expects anyone to take her seriously? It must be said, that it is criminal for a government that has so failed its people in a matter so proximate to life as security, to still further remain silent in the face of daily police brutality. While the people may remain as victims, the same renders the government as accessories after the fact. This government may give as many excuses as it wants, it may deploy as much propaganda as its imagination can toil, but the lives of the hundreds of innocent Nigerians that had been lost as a result of its dereliction of duty will remain an ugly lamp-post. What Nigerians want are massive reforms, and not empty letters about friendship with an abusive police. It is a shame that after two years of this government in power, and with all the boast about ‘change’, Nigerians will still be under the yoke of this kind of police force. I don’t know about you, but for me the police are not my friend. Adegbite, a Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, is currently at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, New York, United States

AKWA IBOM CHURCHES AS PARASTATAL Governor Udom Emmanuel is doing a remarkable job, writes AnieďŹ ok Macauley

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euben Abati, a former Special Adviser on Media to President Goodluck Jonathan is a man who ordinarily should command our respect based on his intellectual capacity. To some writers and journalists however, Abati is an amiable persona but to others he is a study in controversy. Instances abound where Abati courted controversy over his bad verses, making his readers to wonder if our man has gone gaga. A case in point was sometimes in April 2017 when the Big Brother Naija, a reality television show, ended in South Africa and Efe emerged the winner. Writing about the programme, Abati left the positive parts of the programme and descended so low to the point of demeaning womanhood in Tboss. According to him “Tboss and the other girls kissed and got groped by the boys on live television putting their upbringing to shame‌I have seen better breast Tboss. I am not too sure those private jet owners will be excited by your fluffy South- looking, slightly bigger than mangoes breasts. If the same men see bigger assets, I mean those interesting Ojiakor-like ones that look like papayas, pineapples and water melons, they will not send private jets, they will deploy submarines and fighter jets! And that’s why you got N500k in the end.â€? That a veteran journalist and former media advisor to the president of a country could come this low, shows that all the negative media image that Jonathan had was because someone was not doing the job for which he was hired. Not surprising that on Tuesday, September 5, bereft of any reasonable opinion to fill his column in THISDAY and Vanguard newspapers, Abati took to disparaging Akwa Ibom

State Government on an already settled issue and of course, on what he knows virtually nothing about. He chose to ignore the industrial action by the National Association of Resident Doctors , the flood that have ravaged Benue State where scores have been sent to their early graves and rendered others homeless, in addition to students staying at home because of the strike called by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). To Abati, these are no issues. While I don’t hold brief for Reverend Peter Richard of St. Paul African Church, Eket, because every organisation has rules in which members must adhere strictly to and failure to abide by such codified norms may meet with severe sanctions. It is however disappointing that a man in the calibre of Abati could brazenly and shamelessly appoint himself as the media and legal aide to Inibehe Effiong, a Facebook baby lawyer young enough to be his last child. Hear him, “Inibehe Effiong whose interventions in public arena are usually informed, incisive and learned should sue Rev. Peter for his malicious and defamatory allegations.� Such attributes are laughable if weighed on a scale of reality. While not subscribing to the Richard’s method or otherwise in the handling of Effiong’s saga, it must be noted that Richard is human, an Akwa Ibomite who also has the right to support the development efforts of government if he so wishes. Well Abati may be excused for memory loss, because, at no time in the almost 57 years of independent Nigeria has CAN and PFN led by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor played a prominent role in the nation’s political dispensation like during the Goodluck Jonathan- led presidency. But, in

all that Abati saw nothing wrong because he was observing table manners. Furthermore, While Abati’s intellectual capacity could not be called to question, it’s rather surprising that he could not spare few minutes to do a research about the proposed lodge before mounting the rostrum to pontificate his ignorance on the cost of the lodge. It therefore begs the question who Abati wants to please. Is Abati more intelligent than the 26 members of the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly who painstaking considered the proposal of the new lodge and approved N1.2 billion as against Abati’s imagined N9.1 and N2.1 billion? Instead of vilifying the government of Akwa Ibomite State, methinks, the governor should be commended for upholding the tenets of democracy by not gagging the protesters and for opening up the political space for freedom of expression. As an Akwa Ibomite, I feel obliged to challenge Mr.Abati to show us his contributions to the course of Akwa Ibom before sermonising further on how and what projects, Akwa Ibom Government should embark on. Our Abati, who has lived all his life in Lagos, further goofed when he said “the problem with many of the governors across Nigeria is the Lagos syndrome. They have lived in Lagos and worked all their lives in Lagos; when they go back home to become governors or whatever, Lagos never leaves them‌ in the process they create contradictionsâ€?. To me, if this is what happened to Abati after leaving Lagos for Abuja as presidential media aide, I can then understand why President Jonathan brought in Chief Femi Kayode to cover the contradictions created by Abati and why press releases were always the same

English except dates. Governor Udom Emmanuel loves God and would not condescend to giving glory to mundane things as Abati would prefer. Unlike Abati’s contradiction theory, Emmanuel since assumption of office as governor has given good account of himself largely due to his international exposure beyond the boundaries of Lagos. The recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics disclosed that apart from Lagos, Akwa Ibom is second in attracting foreign direct investment to the tune of over $52 billion. In terms of industrialisation, the first ever syringe manufacturing company in Nigeria with an installed capacity of over 400 million syringes annually has been established in Akwa Ibom. The first toothpick and pencil factory in Nigeria is in Akwa Ibom; the first Coconut Refining Company is in Akwa Ibom, and many more. The state government, in spite of recession, is constructing over 700 kilometres of roads across the state, most of them have been inaugurated. It is also pertinent to remind the likes of Abati and his ilk that Udom Emmanuel is pursuing vigorously the establishment of Ibom Deep Seaport in Ibaka where contract for the 55km superhighway access road has been awarded. Abati should be reminded that insulting the sensibilities of the Akwa Ibom people with a warped write up cannot stand in the way of the people in continually supporting the governor they voted for. I will like to remind Abati that instead of contradictions in Akwa Ibom, we have cohesive and harmonious relationship with the governor who is working beyond the campaign promises. Macauley wrote from Abuja

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INSIGHT

What happens next?

The Problem with the Raising of Women

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eople say women hate women the most, all the time. They say women are women’s greatest enemies and not men. Well it’s true that women hate women, it’s true that we say bad stuff about each other. It is also true that women set standards for other women to meet, and get mad when they are not up to the standards of other women. Now before you get mad, you need to understand that this is only a certain class of women. Majority of women who act like this are insecure about themselves, they then make themselves feel better by pulling other women down. Now you may start to wonder, ‘why are women so insecure?’‘Why do women hate each other?’ Of course there is a reason women hate each other and this has a lot to do with the way women are being raised in our society. Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, a popular writer and also a feminist said on Beyonce’s popular song, ‘Flawless’ – â€œâ€Śwe raise girls to see each other as competitors, not for jobs or accomplishments which I think could be a good thing, but for the attention of men‌.â€? This is the major reason women hate women. Raising women to compete for the attention of men is basically placing men in a high position, as though they are trophies, and definitely, competitors do not like each other because they all want the same thing, hence the jealousy and hatred. If you look at the major reasons some women express dislike for other women, it often relates to men. For example, Ayesha Curry getting dragged by women for saying she likes to cover up and not expose her body the way some other women prefer to. This was in fact a very hilarious reason to get mad at someone, especially because she was talking about her own personal preference and not setting standards for other women. But she still got dragged, and that was because quite a number of men praised her for that. Amber Rose on the other hand posts naked pictures and gets dragged, majorly by men. But guess who comes to her rescue, women. Why? Because she was getting dragged by men. The only logical explanation for the two scenarios is ‘jealousy’. The women who dragged Ayesha Curry did so because they felt like she was better than them for doing the supposedly right thing by covering her body, and was therefore being praised for it. If we observe closely, the women who dragged her support women liberation, but they somehow still feel affected by what conservative people feel about them, which makes them insecure. They want to be seen as ‘okay’ but are scared other women could be seen as their better, so their ‘liberation’ isn’t really liberation, it’s more like consolation. They seek equality, but pull everyone who does not share the same belief with them down, they claim to speak for everyone, and meanwhile they only listen to their own voices. While Amber Rose got support because she was speaking for this so-called liberal women. She got support because she wasn’t threatening, there was nothing to be jealous about

and because men didn’t appreciate her. If men had given her a round of applause and probably called her ‘wife material’, trust another group of women to be after her tail. This is not to say that Amber Rose also got dragged by a few women. I’ll call them ‘non liberal’ and of course, we already know what that is about. All of this does not in any way mean that men are the devils, it only means that the society is flawed. This simple explanation is the same reason Yvonne Orji got shamed by some women for remaining a virgin and Amber Rose is praised for organising the slut-shame movement. It is the same reason makeup artists get praised and Alicia Keys gets insulted for going to the Grammys without makeup. The only solution to this is to change the way girls are raised. Teach them to not depend on the attention of men, help them to learn to put themselves first and be comfortable in their own skin, tell them marriage is not the most important thing, teach them to be independent as men are. If these changes aren’t made, women will continue to see each other as competitors, men as trophies and continue to hate each other. And for the women who are adults already, learn more about liberation. Understand that people have the rights to make their own choices, whether or not the choices suit you or whether or not you believe in the choices. Feminism is choice, not another way of imprisoning people and making them do your bidding, so you can feel less bad about yourself. Feminism isn’t about you, it’s about everyone. Bimbo Ajao, bimboajao@gmail.com

Family Size and Corruption

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he way it stands today, Nigeria cannot conceivably eliminate what is labeled in the mainstream media as “corruption.â€? What the country is doing at the moment to confront this poorly-deďŹ ned malaise is empower stooges to chase opposition ďŹ gures and conďŹ scate their properties and, in every conceivable way, this would surely lead to a war of retribution sometime soon. Moral corruption is one aspect that nobody wants to tackle because, in Nigeria, morality is either absolute or relative depending on one’s religious beliefs. Thus the idea of “secularâ€? corruption as public-ofďŹ ce kleptocracy is the one that causes so much frenzy

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: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

in the media, but stealing from the public purse is actually considered an obligation if it is couched in religion. Or how does one explain the apparent conict between not stealing from the public purse and the injunction to increase family size by the working man in order to further the case of religion? Even jobless young ones are told that “doors would openâ€? if they just get married and start a family for the good of religion. Imagine that someday these young ones truly ďŹ nd employment in the account sections of some unwieldy local, state, or federal establishments. Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna

Oil and Niger Delta Militants

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t was reported recently that some groups in the Niger Delta are threatening to resume blowing up of oil facilities. What a shame. It is sad that despite information on social media, some of us still do not know that soon, oil will become history. Over time, I have observed the activities of these our so-called freedom fighters in the Niger Delta and I find out that they are just there for selfish motives. In spite of the monies being pumped into the region, poverty and underdevelopment is visible everywhere Niger Delta militants should stop holding Nigeria to ransom. Our compatriots in the struggle should look beyond the power of the gun and be innovative and creative. They should create new grounds for the betterment of our people. They should also be very careful not to play politics with the lives of the people. Nigeria is for us all. Kelly Umukoro, ANEEJ

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NEWS

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

FOR THE ECONOMY... Deputy Managing Director, FBN Merchant Bank Ltd, Mr Yekini Adepoju, Executive Member, Alusrah, Prof AbdulRasaq Kilani, Hajia Maimuna Bello, President Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, Ms. Patience Oniha, Director-General, Debt Management OďŹƒce, and Mr. Oladele Afolabi, Director, Portfolio Management Department, DMO, Mr. Demenongu Yanfa, Deputy Director, Central Bank of Nigeria and Mrs. Hajara Adeola, Managing Director, Lotus Capital Financial Services LTD, during the N100bn SUKUK pre-oer roadshow with investors by the DMO in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday

Army Commences Military Operation in South East to Curtail Threats to National Security Paul Obi in Abuja In a move perceived as a strategy to tackle separatists' agitations in the South East geo-political zone headlong, the Nigerian Army said it will next week commence military operation in the five Igbo land states to curtail agitations and other national security threats. Tension and agitations spearheaded by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu have continued unabated in the zone, where the call for Biafra Republic has gained some level of acceptance and momentum following perceived marginalisation by the present administration. To this end, military hardware

and sophisticated weaponry were shifted to the South East early this week, in what appears to be preparations to confront Kanu led IPOB and other agitators. But speaking to journalists in Abuja, Army Chief of Training and Operations, Major General David Ahmadu explained that the operation was in continuation of previous military exercise in the zone, geared towards national security and provision of security in the region. He stated that the operation code named "Exercise Egwu Eke II, (Python Dance II) was to be conducted in 82 Division Area of Responsibility, covering Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. The exercise is scheduled to take place from

Friday 15 September to Saturday 14 October 2017. "As you are all aware, a similar Exercise nicknamed Egwu Eke I, (Python Dance I) was conducted from 27 Nov – 27 Dec 16 within the five South Eastern States of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo." Ahmadu contended that "the objective was to effectively contain the reported cases of kidnapping and other vices prevalent in the South East region every Yuletide season. "The effect of the exercise yielded tremendous results as law abiding citizens in the area celebrated the Christmas festivities of 2016 in safer environment than what it used to be." "Building on this achieve-

ment, Exercise Egwu Eke II has become more expedient due to the mindless assassinations (even in religious places), attacks on security personnel and theft of weapons, kidnappings, armed banditry and violent agitations by secessionist groups, amongst other crimes that have recently bedeviled the region. "The need for troops to be exercised, refreshed and imbibe the requisite skills to cope with these emerging security challenges within the 82 Division Area of Responsibility in aid of civil authority necessitates this exercise. "Furthermore, in actualising the COAS vision, of having a Professionally Responsive NA in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles, Exercise Egwu Eke

II becomes highly desirable in conjunction with Sister Services and other security agencies to ensure success." Ahmadu stressed that "during the exercise, emphasis will be placed on raids, cordon and search operations, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check points, patrols, humanitarian relief activities such as medical outreach and show of force to curb the rising threat to national security in the South Eastern part of the country. "It is pertinent to mention that the security, safety and well-being of innocent and law abiding citizens of the states mentioned above have been adequately factored into the planning of the exercise. "Thus, the rights of individuals

as enshrined in the constitution would be respected and safeguarded" To fortify military establishment against possible threats, Ahmadu told journalists that the exercise would expand the Nigerian Army reach within the South East zone. He said: "Additionally, Exercise Egwu Eke II is also conceptualised to transit into real time operations thereby fulfilling both training and operational objectives of sharpening operational skills of personnel as well as providing an avenue to conduct operations against violent criminals and agitators when called upon. "As precursor to a peaceful ‘ember’ period and yuletide, provision has already been made for the smooth conduct of the exercise."

Ex-President Jonathan at World Peace ASUU, FG Reach Fresh Urges Leaders to Avoid Ego Agreement...May Suspend Strike Forum, Former President Goodluck society while ego destroys it, ex- fires, should tell us where to place our that uncontrolled spread of small SenatorIroegbuinAbuja The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Federal Government have ended their meeting early hours of Friday, reaching fresh agreement that may lead to the suspension of the industrial action. The agreement is coming after 15 hours of marathon meeting between both parties at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Abuja from 12pm on Thursday and ended 2:20 am on Friday. An accord was reached by the Federal Government with the striking lecturers to commence the payment of salaries shortfalls as well as the quarterly revitalisation funds for universities immediately. To this end, Union has agreed to consider the federal government’s offer and suspend their strike. However, this will come after

ASUU communicate the decisions to NEC and reconvene a meeting with the government within one week with a view to calling off the strike. The National President of ASUU, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, who spoke to journalists after the meeting, said the union would come back after one week to take its final decisions. Ogunyemi said that even though the leadership of ASUU had accepted federal government's proposal, it would present it to its members and get back to the government in a week. “Now we have some concrete proposal that we will take back to our members for consideration,� he said.

Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, asserted that the striking universities lecturers’ demands had been addressed.

Jonathan has urged world leaders to aspire to meet their social obligations to those they govern as a means of minimising conflicts and attaining a more peaceful society. The ex-President also charged those who lead others to always adopt a conscience-based approach rather than resorting to the dictates of their ego which, according to him, had brought untold hardship to humanity across the ages. Dr. Jonathan gave this advice in key note address entitled ‘Conscience Based Leadership: The Secret to Global Peace and Security’ which he delivered Friday at a World Summit holding in Kuching, Malaysia. The Summit jointly organised by the State of Sarawak and Junior Chamber International (JCI) had in attendance 700 young leaders from 102 countries. Noting that conscience builds a

President Jonathan further said: “The best leadership flows from inspiration and not from power or force of arms. You can only inspire people when your leadership is governed by your conscience and the support of the led. “Power-centric leadership is ego based. Looking at human history in the last 100 years, you would notice that ego-based leadership has brought untold hardship to humanity and set us back decades. On the contrary, conscience based leadership has again and again, been shown to be the only type of leadership that can engender world peace, progress and unity.� Jonathan reminded leaders that a recent report on the Global Peace Index indicated that the cost of creating and containing violence in 2016 alone stood at $14.3 trillion which was about 12.6% of world GDP. “If anything, this colossal effort which is directed at fighting already lit

priorities. That would be concentrating our efforts on those deliveries that make our people human, keep them safe and cater to their happiness, rather than spending so much, just to show our might. Jonathan also used the opportunity to highlight what his administration did to build a peaceful society, especially in the areas of education, promoting democracy, economic empowerment and youth entrepreneurship as well as successful mediations for peace in the West African sub-region. He said further: “I had made the point that giving our youth the right education, providing job opportunities and business skills will help the world become more secure and peaceful. But beyond that, nations can significantly reduce conflicts through limitations placed on arms. “There is no gainsaying the fact

arms and light weapons had been responsible for the sustenance of major conflicts in Africa and other parts of the world.� “If leaders were to match their words with action in meeting their obligation to the people, there is no doubt that we will be moving closer to the peaceful world we all dream of. But how can we attain that state when those dictatorial traits including ego, authoritarianism, supremacy battle, fight for territories and the tendency to distort existing order, which threaten global peace and cause wars, are still very much with us? “Let me reiterate, therefore, that there is no better way of achieving global peace and security than submitting ourselves, as individuals, young people, political leaders, organisations and other members of the human race, to the dictates of our good consciences."

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

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NEWSXTRA

In Brief Killing of Nigerians in South Africa

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has condemned the extra-judicial killing of Nigerians by South African nationals as well as OďŹƒcers of the South Africa Police. CDHR frowned at the recent deaths of two Nigerians by the South Africa Police after they were tortured and subjectedtoinhumanetreatments.InastatementissuedbythePresident, Malachy Ugwummadu yesterday, the body claimed that no fewer than 116 Nigerians were believed to have been killed in South Africa unjustly in the last two years out of which 70 per cent of the killings were perpetrated by the South African Police. It also stated that the killings of the Nigerians and several others before now were barbaric and condemnable, adding that it was indeed unfortunate that avoidable deaths of Nigerians as a result of xenophobic attacks had continued in South Africa without any reasonable reprieve and check.

Court Remands Suspected Boko Haram

PARTNERING FOR PROGRESS... L-R: Executive Secretary, NCMB, Engnr Simbi Wabote congratulating the Group Managing Director, MG Vowgas Nig Ltd, Mr Godwin Izomor, after the tour of the Vowgas fabrication and Shipyard, in Port Harcourt‌ recently

Malami Dismisses Alleged Probe of CJN, Others over Corruption From Alex Enumah in Abuja

There seems to be no end in sight in the frosty relations between the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, with the former denying report insinuating it leaked classified information from the EFCC on the alleged probe, on corruption charges, of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen and other prominent Nigerians. Media reports stated that the EFCC had alleged that the office of the AGF leaked classified information concerning the purported investigation of the CJN

and others by security agencies over corruption. But a visibly angry AGF yesterday not only denied the allegations but also took a swipe at the sponsors of the report, describing it as, "the unfortunate and unbecoming innuendo by certain persons and agencies which sought to accuse my office of leaking what was termed as classified information to the public." In a statement signed by comrade Salihu Isah, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the AGF, the Minister wondered how the EFCC could accuse the AGF of leaking a document that did not exist in the first place. "The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar

Malami, SAN has been drawn to a report in the media space insinuating that the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, GCON and other former and serving government and judicial officers are under investigation for alleged corruption. "This office therefore wish to state categorically, but with absolute repudiation, that it did not at any time leak such information to the media as wrongly alluded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The pertinent question to ask is since the EFCC has publicly denied that the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria is not under probe or investigation; is it then possible for the same EFCC to have forwarded any classified information on a non-existent probe

or investigation of the Honourable CJN to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation? "It also goes to show that the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation could not have leaked non-existent classified information on an equally nonexistent probe or investigation,� said the statement. The statement further adds that the AGF strongly frowned at any unsavoury attempt or conspiracy to drag his office and that of the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria into petty squabbles in the midst of burning national issues. Malami also reaffirmed what he described as his, "deep respect for the distinguished person and office of the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Detainees Escape with Police Ries Man Impregnates Wife’s Younger from Umuahia Anti-Kidnap Cell Sister, Kills Baby Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia The Abia State police command has been outsmarted by several suspects who escaped from police custody and made away with two AK 47 rifles, leaving the police perplexed and frantically searching for the fleeing suspects. The development was disclosed yesterday by the state police commissioner, Mr. Leye Oyebade while briefing journalists at the state command headquarters. He said that the suspects escaped from the anti-kidnapping section of the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) located right inside the state command headquarters in Umuahia. Though he did not give the number of suspects that escaped from detention, it was gathered that over a dozen suspects made their way out of police custody at about 1.30am last Saturday. The CP said that the rifles which the suspects took away were kept outside the armoury for quick response to emergencies,

adding that the fleeing suspects apparently took away the guns to facilitate their escape. According to him, the suspects escaped from detention due to the negligence/abandonment of duty post by the officers who were scheduled for duty on that fateful night. However he said that three of the escapees had been rearrested. He gave the names of the recaptured suspects as Emeka Ukaegbu, Kingsley Anyim, and Chijioke Chukwu, adding that one of the missing rifles had been recovered. “All the officers involved in the act of negligence/absence from duty have all been taken through the force approved disciplinary action process and dismissed from the force, and will be prosecuted soon,� Oyebade said. The dismissed officers include four males and two females. It was learnt one of the female officers fainted when she sighted a television camera during the press briefing.

Emmanuel Addeh inYenagoa One Moses Otimba, a 47-year-old man from Ogbogoro community, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State , has been accused of impregnating his wife’s younger sister, Joy Matthew and killing the baby. He was said to have allowed her carry the baby for nine months ,before asphyxiating and burying the five-day-old beside the sea shore in Yenagoa. Otimba, the police said, took 18-year-old Joy to a traditional birth attendant where the baby was born, before he, along with the teenager collected the baby five days later, moved across the Swali bridge, killed him and buried him in a shallow grave. Two months later the young girl was said to have confessed to her mother who reported the incident to the police. The two suspects were paraded yesterday by the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Asuquo Amba, at the command’s headquarters in the state capital. Amba said policemen from Yenagoa

Police Division arrested the suspects, who confessed to the murder. �Mr. Moses Otimba, male, 47, impregnated one Joy Matthew, 18, a younger sister to his wife, Glory. The pregnant Joy was delivered of the baby by a traditional birth attendant at Amarata, Yenagoa on May 8, 2017. �On May 13, 2017, Moses, Joy and the baby left the birth attendant and went across Swali bridge where Moses took the baby from her mother (Joy), went down the river shore, snuffed the baby to death and buried him in a shallow grave.� Amba said Joy, who claimed to be under the influence of �some spirits�, disclosed the incident to her mother some months after the act. He added that the police visited the scene of the incident , stressing that by the time they got to the scene, the currents of the river had washed off the child’s body. �The suspect, Moses Otimba, has confessed to the crime and Joy Matthew has also confessed on her alleged involvement in the murder of the baby. Investigation is ongoing�, the police chief said.

Three suspected Boko Haram computer specialists have been remanded in FederalPrisons,Koton-Karfe,Kogi Stateincludingtheonewhoprepares charmsforthem. ThethreesuspectswereremandedinprisononFridayby a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Lokoja. The three suspects are, Abdullahi Habib Audu, Bashiru Yahaya and their native doctor, Ahmed Momoh for belonging to the terrorists group. In his submission, the prosecuting counsel,MohammedAbajiofthestateMinistryofJusticetoldthecourtthat the accused and others now at large who were members of the outlawed terrorists’ group (Boko Haram) were arrested in June, this year following intelligence report. He said that the accused were arrested by Joint team of operatives of the NHHSS and STATT and troops of the Nigeria Army and Directorate of State Security (DSS). other electronic components used for their nefarious activities.

Warri Refinery, PPMC,Tank Farms Saved

The quick intervention of ďŹ re ďŹ ghters on Thursday night saved the epileptic Warri ReďŹ ning Petrochemical Company (WRPC) and Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC) as well as some privately owned Tank farms from being razed in an inferno set o by a fuel loaded tanker at Ubeji in Warri South Local Government area of Delta State.The raging ďŹ re howeverconsumed a building, 12 stores and properties worth millions of naira with residents feared trapped by ďŹ re as the incident occurred at the only entry and exit to the Itsekiri community. Security sources told THISDAY that the truck marked XA 331 LTD, had departed not far from one of concentrated private tank-farms in the area when it tumbled on the badly damaged IďŹ ekporo-Ubeji Road at about 8.30pm, resulting in the ďŹ re which spread to the razed road side property. The incident occurred along the only road between the concentrated tank farms at IďŹ ekporo and WRPC, PPMC location at Ekpan.

Man Defrauds Using Lagos Deputy Gov.

A middle-aged man, Adamu Aminu was on Friday arraigned before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate Court for fraudulently collecting N1million from anunsuspectingvictimforabogusorphanagefalselyclaimedtobeowned by Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule. Aminu (45), whowasarraignedbytheLagosStateGovernmentonafour-countcharge before Chief Magistrate Oluyemisi Adelaja, was said to have perpetrated the crime sometime in August in Agege area of the State. In count one, the defendant(Aminu)allegedlyconspiredwithothersnowatlargetocommit felony to wit obtaining money by false pretence, an oence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law Cap C17,Vol 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015. In count two, the defendant and others at large.

UN 72nd General Assembly

TheUnitedNationGeneralAssemblywillopenits72ndsessiononSeptember 12 at 3p.m at the UN headquarters in New York. According to a statement issued by the United Nations Information Centre in Lagos yesterday, the Assembly’sannualgeneraldebate,whereHeadsofStateandGovernment and other senior national representatives would gather to present their viewsaboutpressingworldissueswouldopenon September19-25.Italso stated that the general debate would be followed by a high-level plenary meeting of the general assembly on the appraisal of the UN Global Plan of Action to CombatTraďŹƒcking in Persons, which would take place from September 27-28, when high-level representatives were expected to assess achievements and challenges in the implementation of the Plan of Action.

A' Ibom PDP Set for LG Polls

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akwa Ibom State chapter is set to participate in the conduct of the local government elections to be conducted by the Akwa Ibom Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC). Accordingly, the party has oďŹƒcially released for members the timetable and guidelines for the smooth conduct of the local government primaries of the party in the state ahead of the November 11, 2017 local government polls. The move by the PDP to conduct the local government primaries followedrecentreleaseofelectionschedulebytheAKISIECwhichďŹ xedthe conduct of the local government elections in the state for the November 11, 2017. BrieďŹ ng newsmen at the state party secretariat, Uyo, the state Chairman of PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo said the party had begun to sale of nomination forms at the party oďŹƒce in Uyo while screening of aspirants would commence on the 9th and end on the 10th of September.

CAC Celebrates 9th Anniversary

ChristApostolicChurch(CAC),GateofHeaven,Idafa,Ikorodu,willtomorrow, September 10, 2017 celebrate to its 9th anniversary and thanksgiving service at its church auditorium, 12, Femi Akinpelu Street, Idafa-Maya, Ikorodu,Lagosby10am.AccordingtoastatementbyChairman,Mediaand Publicity of the anniversary, Mr. Olusoji Daomi, the theme is “The Prince of Peace�. Activities to mark the anniversary commenced September 4, 2017 with a week-long soul-winning revival programmes between 5pm – 7.30pm with Zonal Superintendent of CAC, Shomolu Olaleye, Pastor S.T. Idowu as Guest Minister and Pastor J. A. Gbolahan as the host pastor. The celebration which will climax tomorrow with Thanksgiving Service has been harvest of miracles, signs and wonders.

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NEWSXTRA

Crisis Imminent Without Restructuring, Warns Ohaneze

Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The President General of apex Igbo organisation the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo has warned that Nigeria may be heading for a serious crisis if the clamour for the restructuring of the country was not given a deserved and urgent attention. However, reacting to the clamour by ethnic nationalities in the country, the presidency on Friday kicked against calls for restructuring, saying ordinary Nigerians needed food to eat and not constitution review or restructuring. The Ohanaze boss who spoke in Abuja on Friday at a live political program on African Independent Television AIT said, "Unless we restructure this country, we will slide into an uncontrollable crisis" Nwodo said that Nigeria had all the potentials of a world power given its growing population but stood to lose out if the right administrative structure was not given to her. "Nigeria is a world power, but if it continues to be wrongly administered, it will continue to be a laughing stock" The President General reiterated his earlier stand that Ndigbo remained the most marginalised in the country despite their commitment to the nation. Nwodo lamented that the country's body politic was insensitive to the plight of Ndigbo despite their overwhelming contributions to the socio- political and economic development of the country. Nwodo regretted that the Nigeria system as currently constituted killed endeavor and discouraged productivity. Speaking on how best to go about the restructuring, the Ohaneze boss suggested a revisit to the 2014 National

SERVING THE LORD... L-R: (Senior Cathedral Steward, Brother Kayode Davies; Sir Hon Justice Duro Adebiyi; Lay President Diocese Of Ereko, Bro.Gori Ogunyemi; Bishop Diocese of Ereko, Rt.Reverend Joshua Olukayode Adeogun; Presbyter /First Cathedral Administrator, The Very Rev Ade Ademilua; Snr.Circuit Steward, Brother U Muiwa Solanke and Circuit Steward 11, Brother. SinaThorpe during the induction Service of Very Rev Ade Ademilua , Ereko Circuit Conference which had Nigerians from all sectors and headed by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria. He said that resources used in the conference should not be wasted just because some people did not like the administration that set up the conference. On the advantages of restructuring,

Nwodo examined the declining importance of oil as a major source of revenue. He gave examples of the Netherlands and California both of which built their strong economies out of agriculture and human capital development and maintained that restructuring was the surest way

PANDEF Commends N’Delta Agitators for Reversing Threat Sylvester Idowu inWarrio

An elated Chief Edwin Clark led Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) yesterday commended the coalition of Niger Delta Agitators for rescinding its earlier decision to attack oil facilities by September 10 and vacating quit notice to Northerners and Yorubas from the region. The group expressed delight that the patriotic act of the Agitators was in deference to the appeal by Chief Clark led PANDEF. According to a statement by Coordinating Secretary of PANDEF, Dr. Alfred Mulade, the act of the

coalition was patriotic noting that there was no alternative to peaceful resolution of the grievances which had bedeviled the region for so long. "PANDEF is delighted to note the patriotic act by the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators ( CNDA) to rescind its earlier decision to destroy oil and gas facilities, and vacating the quit notice issued against the Northerners and Yorubas, in deference to the appeal by the Chief EK Clark- led PANDEF. "By heeding the voice of reason of the National Leader of PANDEF, Chief EK Clark, when he made the copious appeal to CNDA, it is very instructive that

there is no alternative to peaceful resolution of the grievances which have bedeviled the region for so long", it added. PANDEF therefore expresses its determination, more than ever, to provide the desired leadership and purpose for the sustainable peace and development of the region as had been variously maintained and canvassed by Chief Clark. "It is worthy to also note the goodwill and attention PANDEF enjoys across the region, and from the standpoint of the Federal Government's adoption of the 16 -Point Agenda for the development of the Niger Delta region.

Enugu Partners Chinese Firms on Industrial Hub Enugu State Government yesterday rewarded in its investment drive with the presentation of a N300 million cheque to three communities of Ogwofia Owa, Enugu Eke and Akama Oghe by Lion Business Park Limited as compensation for the economic crops and structures on the 2000 hectares of land acquired for the development of industrial hub in partnership with Chinese investors. The Lion Business Park industrial project birthed by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration was

designed to create a manufacturing and integrated industrial hub in Enugu State and the South East geopolitical zone and facilitate Chinese manufacturers’ entry into the state to feed the Nigerian and African market through existing sales channels of Onitsha and Aba in partnership with Nigerian business organisations. Presenting the cheque, Ugwuanyi who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, stated that the project was in line with his administration’s determined efforts to attract direct foreign investments to the state,

disclosing that the State Executive Council approved and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the group of Chinese Investors for the establishment of the Industrial Market, to be known as Lion Business Park. The governor commended the company for the prompt fulfillment of the compensation aspect of the MOU and also expressed gratitude to the people of the three communities “for their wonderful understanding, partnership and cooperation in the entire process�.

to attain fastest economic growth for Nigeria. Countering the position, Special Assistant to the President on Media, Garba Sheu stated in Abuja while addressing the Northern Inter-faith and Religious Organisation for Peace, who marched to the Villa in support of the armed forces who had been battling the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east for the past eight years. He said that God had answered the prayers of Nigerians by healing

the president and for bringing the country's economy out of recession. Sheu noted that, "every day we are reading one resolution or communique from one group or the other asking government to give us a new constitution or do restructuring. "First of all, we need peace, without peace there cannot be any development. Ordinary Nigerians want peace so that they can go about their lawful activities. Ordinary Nigerians want food to eat. It is not constitution or

restructuring that will put food on the table, it is better economy and this is what the president is doing to ensure that the resources of the country are well managed. "Situation in which a few people in the past had pocketed our resources and shared among themselves that period is over now. The president will make sure that whatever is available to the people of this country goes around the country and is equally distributed by," he added.

Flare Out: FG to Create 36,000 Direct, 200,000 Indirect Jobs Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Federal Government yesterday, disclosed that through the planned stoppage of gas flaring, 36, 000 direct jobs as well as 200, 000 indirect jobs would be created in Niger Delta region alone. The Special Adviser to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta/Coordinator of Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh, made this disclosure in Gelegele, an oil bearing community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo, during the inauguration of water project in the Ijaw community. Boroh, who said plan had reached advance stage to put an end gas flaring in the country through the National Gas Flaring Commercialisation Programme, disclosed that the flare would be harnessed for both cooking, electricity and other industrial use in the 48 flaring sites already identified in the first phase. The Amnesty boss who did not give effective date for the commencement of the programme, said an approval had been given by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the National Gas Flaring

Commercialisation programme. "I want you all to know that the government is quite disturbed about the health and environmental impact of gas flaring and is working hard to put an end to this very soon. "Through this programme also, six million households would have access to a clean and renewable energy," he said. Boroh however said the programme would be private sector driven, pointing out that the President remained committed to the development of the region just as he stressed that there were other areas which the government would also partner with the people. According to Boroh, the people were expected to be active participants in the Modular Refinery and Pipeline Security and Monitoring Scheme, both of which modalities for its implementation had reached advanced stage. "For the pipeline security scheme, it is going to be community-driven. The community People where we have these oil installations and facilities are expected to drive this process. The modalities for these are still

being worked out. "For the modular refinery which is also going to be private driven, it is being initiated in order to put an end to the menace of illegal refinery. The blue print on this will be out soon," he stated. He said the amnesty programme which was at the reintegration phase, had achieved its short and medium term objective, and was being restructured towards all-inclusive human capacity development agenda. Earlier in their address jointly presented by the Ama-Okosuwei of Gelegele-Gbene community and the Ijaw National Congress (IYC), had called for the establishment of amnesty office in the community. The address which was read by Chief Robinson Ogunkoru, also appealed for pipeline surveillance slot for INC in Edo as well as provision of skill acquisition center in five Okay clan of Edo. They also demanded for the inclusion of other genuine agitators who were not captured in the amnesty programme and the proper direction and coordination of programme and policies for the existing ex-agitators.

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS pg. 20 SPYGLASS pg. 21 AUTO pg. 26 GLOBAL SOCCER pg. 29 WRITERS WORLD pg. 34 FASHION FILE pg. 46

Eyo Bassey I Used My Mom’s House as Loan to Start Payporte

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER SEPTEMPBER 9, 2017

PLUS

We Have Payporte Offices in US, UK and China Rising from a poor background, having lost his father at a young age, working hard and dreaming big was not an option. Watching his mother toil for a meagre salary fuelled him to envision a happy, successful future which led him to found Payporte. Eyo Bassey, astute and futuristic; brave and entrepreneurial understands the craft of e-commerce. Single-handedly, he has created a proudly Nigerian e-commerce brand that is setting standards for competitors. Young, suave and intelligent, he become one of the most promising CEOs to emerge from Nigeria. He speaks with Azuka Ogujiuba about his brand, the opening of the Payporte offline store, and what makes him tick

Bassey

B

riefly tell us about yourself My name is Eyo Bassey, I’m the C.E.O of Payporte, Nigeria’s preferred online store. I’m a software developer, a tech entrepreneur, and I’m currently running some internet businesses, and Payporte is one of them. I’m happily married with three kids. How was growing up for you like? Childhood was very rough; I lost my dad when I was 11 and my mum tried her best for my siblings and me. I couldn’t do a lot of things that my mates were doing because I was on the streets hawking one thing or the other. I once hawked in a bank called Bank of the North, now Unity Bank. Did these challenges make you to work harder and be successful? Yes, they did. I became very enterprising at a very young age. My mum also inspired me because as a civil servant, her salary couldn’t do much. She was earning N240 at the time my father died and half of that went to my school fees. This made me very determined and I made sure I worked hard to support my mother.

Is it true that the capital with which you started Payporte came from your mum? Yes, my mum used her house, the only thing she had as collateral to help me secure a N15 million loan from the bank to kick-start my business. Apart from God, my mum is my pillar and she still stands by me and encourages me to date. What were your fears at the time you started Payporte? Every business involves risk; but with Payporte, I actually underestimated the risks involved in setting up an online and e-commerce business in this part of the world. As time went by, we were determined and we had the numbers cut out for us, in terms of the future of e-commerce in Nigeria – that always kept us going regardless of the bumps along the way. What encouraged you to not give up? I was convinced about e-commerce and I was convinced about doing it in Nigeria. I was also very passionate about it and of course, I was also convinced by God. So with regard to what kept us going, we knew e-commerce was just getting started in Nigeria. We had a prospect of over 100 million people every week on the Internet in Nigeria

and those were our potential customers. We also have an average of 35 million people every day on the Internet. Even if we were to attend to 10 per cent of that which is about 3.5 million people, we wouldn’t even have the capacity to attend to this market. So, we knew that if we were able to get our acts right, to overcome the bumps along the way, we were sure that it was very good business venture to get into. The numbers have always and still look very good to us and that’s why we are still in the business. What makes your brand different from other e-commerce brands in the country? Basically what makes us different is the fact that we studied the market, and we are truly a Nigerian brand. So, we clearly understand what the market is looking for. Payporte is known for its low prices; our goods are very affordable. Payporte is known for its ‘1k Store’ every Monday; so people can buy things for as low as N1,000. We’ve been running this for almost a year. Every Wednesday, Payporte also runs the ‘Happy Feet’ – our promo for shoes. These are the stores where we get to sell goods at unbelievable prices. So pricing is one of our differentiating factors. Another factor is prompt delivery; other

I was convinced about e-commerce and I was convinced about doing it in Nigeria. I was also very passionate about it and of course, I was also convinced by God. So with regard to what kept us going, we knew e-commerce was just getting started in Nigeria. We had a prospect of over 100 million people every week on the Internet in Nigeria and those were our potential customers. We also have an average of 35 million people every day on the Internet. Even if we were to attend to 10 per cent of that which is about 3.5 million people, we wouldn’t even have the capacity to attend to this market. So, we knew that if we were able to get our acts right, to overcome the bumps along the way, we were sure that it was very good business venture to get into. The numbers have always and still look very good to us and that’s why we are still in the business

SEPTEMPBER 9, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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PLUS

Uriel hangs out with Ebuka and Payporte Boss, Eyo Bassey

How I Made Payporte Household Name in NigeriaPayporte market players came up with the Market Place Model. Market Place Model being that people come and lease products on their site and they sell it; however, people don’t honour service level agreement, thus Payporte decided to do it differently. Payporte doesn’t just allow people to lease products on its site; it owns at least five pieces of each goods and keeps them in a warehouse. This is to ensure that the delivery of such products do not exceed 24 hours. Another differentiating factor is the Payporte team; they are very passionate and dedicated to their work. The average age of the typical staff in Payporte is 25 and they all put in their best to ensure that everything goes on well. What’s the quality of the goods in the ‘1k store’? The ‘1k Store’ won’t have stayed for one year if there was no patronage. Payporte is also known for quality. As a matter of fact, Payporte, as of January this year began to produce its own apparel. Eighty per cent of the apparels seen on Payporte are owned by Payporte. With this we are able to deal with the issue of standard. We have two operational offices in the US; in Philadelphia and LA, in the UK; Manchester, and in Guangzhou, China. All these are done so we are able to maintain quality and standard. And of course, all our goods are filtered through our quality control department that ensures that we maintain high quality. Are you starting an offline store? One thing we do in Payporte is that we always reinforce what has worked for us and we diminish what hasn’t. Two years ago, Payporte tried its first offline sales in Lagos, and in three days we sold what we haven’t sold in nine months – we thought this was because it was in Lekki so six months after, we took it down to the mainland, Ikeja to be precise and we made more than double of the sales we made in Lekki. We again thought it was because we held it in Lagos and decided to take it to Ibadan and that was the crisis. We had to create a schedule on how people would come in and go out because the whole place was flooded with people. So that was a major eyeopener for us. We were sure that people want Payporte’s products and want to interact with it in a different way and we listened to that. So we went ahead and came up with a road map to open five offline stores in Nigeria. Already we have two in Lagos, one in Abuja, one in Port Harcourt and one in Uyo. The Lagos offline store will be opened in a fortnight. We’ve put state-of-the-art facilities there that will enable people have an interesting and pleasant shopping experience. We are currently stocking the shop and it would be opened to the public. So basically, the offline store came from the

my mum used her house, the only thing she had as collateral to help me secure a N15 million loan from the bank to kickstart my business. Apart from God, my mum is my pillar and she still stands by me and encourages me to date feedbacks we got during our offline sales. What will you stock in your offline stores? The first offline store in Lagos will be stocked with fashion items and no gadgets for now. We will include gadgets and electronics in another two months. It’s located at Lagoon Mall opposite The Palms. What actually inspired you to sponsor Big Brother Naija? What inspired us is our burning passion to effectively reach out to our customers. One thing that kills e-commerce companies in Nigeria is inappropriate marketing techniques. When we came into the space, we heard that people spent almost N2 million everyday on marketing and it was scary. What inspired us was that we were looking for our customers where they are located. And we found out that they are located in sports and entertainment. We decided that Big Brother Naija would give us the bang and help us close up the gap massively on other market players. One thing a lot of people don’t know is that we have sponsored Big Brother before, even though we were not the title sponsor. As soon as we knew that was where our customers will be sitting, we joined them. We’ve been working closely with DSTV and Multichoice for two years to bring Big Brother to Nigerians. We were also involved with the content that was beamed to Nigerians. Also, we asked for Big Brother Nigeria. We didn’t want Big Brother Africa. We wanted it targeted at Nigerians. Payporte is a proudly Nigerian business and so we are looking for ways to impact young Nigerians. Fourteen housemates were in the house and we are grateful that we were able to impact their lives even as they brought killer entertainment to Nigerians. We are proud in Payporte for being associated in bringing this size of entertainment to this

side of the world. There was a backlash on Payporte for taking the contestants to faraway South Africa. Why wasn’t the house created in Nigeria? When we were told that the show will be staged in South Africa, we initially felt the way most Nigerians felt. So we took a tour to South Africa and on getting there, we found out that there was a history with Big Brother Naija there. Ten years ago when Big Brother was hosted in Nigeria, there’s was a power outage for four hours and as Payporte, we were not going to be associated with that. The English Premier League we watch – which is one of the biggest contents – is played in England and we watch it here. The world is now a global village, what is most important is that content is beamed to viewers and quality content for that matter. Nigerians deserve the best and Payporte went out for the best. One thing that Nigerians did not understand is the entire production was by Nigerians. Every equipment and gadget in the house was from Nigeria. The brooms used to sweep were from Nigeria and Payporte was involved in providing most of these things. The show was taken to South Africa for logistical reasons but that does not take away from the fact that it was a Nigerian show sponsored fully by a Nigerian company. By the way, this is the first time it would be sponsored by a Nigerian company. Does Payporte plan to sponsor the next Big Brother Naija or build a Big Brother house in Nigeria? We can build a house if we are able to get all the logistics right. The problem is not the house; we have finer houses in Nigeria. From the house where Big Brother was beamed, there’s an eight terabytes of fibre cable that carries data almost real-time from where the show is happening to Mnet office. We don’t have anyone that has invested in content infrastructure in Nigeria. People that have invested in content in Nigeria have studios at the most, then they bring an OB van and try to beam. But where we are, we have an eight-terabyte capacity with a fail over on microwave that beams this signal to over 51 countries. This is a wake-up call for content providers who are looking at investing in content infrastructure. Payporte is an e-commerce store, we can’t go ahead to invest in content infrastructure. On sponsoring the next Big Brother, of course, Payporte will bring Big Brother to Nigerians. We are going to bring it back better and bigger in association with our other partners, Multichoice and DSTV. Do you have challenges running an e-commerce store in Nigeria? Yes; there’s a monster in e-commerce called ‘pay on delivery.’ Someone

orders for something and clicks cash on delivery. The person had invested in the entire value chain: procuring the product, packaging the product and putting the product on the way to the address where it would be delivered. Only to get there and there’s no one to pick it up, or you call the person and he says he doesn’t want the product again. Who runs a business that way? Initially ‘cash on delivery’ was important because internet penetration was a problem, POS terminal weren’t working. There was an issue of trust and so on. If Payporte can bring the biggest show in Africa to Nigerians then Nigerians should trust us to be able to deliver their dresses, phones, gas cookers and more. Overtime we’ve earned that trust and we are grateful to Nigerians for trusting Payporte. With this we’ve been able to suspend and end cash on delivery. Another problem is that there are no e-commerce experts in Nigeria with regards to online retail business. People come with ideas from Germany on how to run e-commerce in Nigeria and they failed. They failed because the environment we find ourselves is unique. So finding the right hands and people to drive the business is a big problem. Human capital is a major problem. What is your most expensive fashion accessory? Basically, I have loads of shoes and the last time I checked, it’s almost 300 hundred pairs. No kidding, I have a room filled up with shoes; but my most expensive fashion accessory would most definitely be a wristwatch. I don’t know why they are so tiny but yet very expensive. What advice do you have for upcoming entrepreneurs? Firstly, as an upcoming entrepreneur, if your dreams are not bigger than you, if your dreams do not scare you, you have not started. The truth of the matter is you must be determined against all odds. The second year into starting Payporte, the country was hit with recession. What can be more challenging than that? So, Nigerian youths must be very determined and be sure they are doing what they are called to do because when the challenges come, what will keep you going is when you have a clear-cut vision. Once you are able to establish that, you are fine. Lastly, young people must be wary of friends. I’ve made sure that I’ve chosen my friends carefully and that has helped me. I drive my brand new car one day and someone tells me that I’m bigger than the car, that I should be driving the 2017 version. So youths should choose their friends carefully, be very determined and have dreams that scare them. They should also look for a mentor; your mentors can be miles away but study them, follow them closely and invest in them.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Olori Wuraola

Imohimi Edgar, New Commissioner of Police: Welcome My Brother I got a call from my new friend, Harry Ebohon, you remember him? I yabbed him some few weeks ago, the new kid on the block who always keeps his lunch away from me. I go soon catch am. Anyway, Harry who has simply refused to employ me in his Propetrol firm called to ask if I was related to the new Lagos commissioner of police and I stupidly answered in the negative. As the day wore on, the calls became more stringent as everybody including retired police officers wanted to know if my elder brother was the new CP in Lagos. By evening, I had moved my answer from no to maybe and my celebrity status began to climb with people sending me congratulatory messages and well wishes. Well, I no sure if his own Edgar is with an R or an L since mine is EDGAR. Anyway, he is my brother as I have begun to tell stories of a long lost brother who could not pass JAMB on time and ran to Sokoto to join police. Today, I move around with new-found confidence without fear for the many policemen who litter our roads all on revenue collection assignments under the guise of protecting us. No policeman has tried me since my ‘brother’ ascended the throne and I am gleefully awaiting any of them once they stop me and ask for my ‘patikula’ , I will just softly say my name is EDGAR, and watch as fear will catch them and smile as they scurry back into their holes. Already egbon has begun to show the kind of stuff he is made of by sacking OC Kidnapping for collecting bribe. Bro, is it possible to expand this policy for I have suffered in your people’s hand o? Or shey we should just give a general amnesty so that we can start afresh? How about drinks one of these days? When you are free, let me know so I can invite you to Blue spot. It’s one joint in Shomolu where you can eat pepper soup and drink beer to your fill for only N1,500. When you are ready, let me know. Welcome bro. Olori Wuruola: I Am Ready toTake the Risk Reports over the week quoted a prominent Ifa priest saying that any man that goes near the reported former wife of the highly respected Ooni of Ife, Ololri Wurola, would face three or more dire consequences. He would either die immediately, or lose his health or face diminishing business prospects. Well, as the Duke of Shomolu, I have looked at these consequences very carefully, called a big meeting of my advisers, while poring over various pictures of the ex – Olori, it’s beginning to look like I just might be willing to take up this challenge and if I die in the process which is the worst of the three, I will be remembered as a fearless, although stupid Nigerian. Seriously, if this report is correct, then it is totally unfair to seclude this very beautiful and charming lady from the pool. The lady is just too young and sweet to be quarantined like that. My fervent prayer is for those who have the powers to immediately assist us with the rituals and procedures that will cleanse her. According to the report, she has to go through a cleansing procedure with her new man to avoid all these dire consequences. A lot of people I have spoken to have said they do not believe in all these, but when I offered to get the Olori’s numbers to them, they would calmly refuse. You see, as a strong traditionalist and a title holder both in Shomolu and Afagha Nsit in Akwa Ibom, I believe in the efficacy of these things. Our culture and tradition must be protected by all and sundry and must not be scoffed at. If the Olori needs to go through these rituals as reportedly said by this Ifa priest, I think she should immediately embark on it even as I offer my assistance in standing by her. This, to me, is a major national assignment and I believe that if nobody else will do it, I should step forward and take the responsibility on behalf of all Nigerian men to cleanse our Olori. Since I missed the civil war, I feel this is an opportunity for me to contribute selflessly to nation building. I will carry that calabash, I will swallow the gin and eat the orogbo and walk naked into the stream, wrestle with masqueraders in the grove as long as I am assured that

Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar

Aliko Dangote

Biafra versus Cameroon Command School Alumni You know I have actually stopped watching the national football team play ever since Kanu and Okocha retired. The whole thing has really been a joke and before you guys start thinking one kind, it has nothing to do with the ongoing feverish attention we are all giving to European football. Can you imagine that Nigerians are actually literally killing themselves over these foreign teams? You can see the level of our national dementia. Well that is gist for another day. So today as I walk into my house, I see my teenage son, who normally is not interested in any other thing apart from his paintings and his mother. The guy dey really disturb activity for the other room. Small thing he don jump on the bed, leaving his room. I will soon deport him, na money to pay boarding fees wey no dey na him be the cause. Anyway, as I walked towards him, I noticed that he was captivated by the TV set and this caught my attention and I saw some people wearing green jerseys and running around. As I turned to walk away, you know at my age and level of stress you do not want anything to unnecessarily aggravate you because these Super Eagles people can certainly lead somebody to his untimely death with this their style of play. But the scoreboard caught my attention and I saw 4-0. I quickly asked Etekamba who was leading as I could not believe my eyes. He confirmed that it was Nigeria and that the match was about to end. The first thing on my mind was pity for my Governor who had promised $10,000 per goal. I am sure the bobo made that pledge after analysing the trend of past performances. I am sure he was so confident that by their pedigree he would not be dropping a penny, now he was faced with a huge bill of $40,000. You see, what big mouth can cause. I hear he has not slept since the match and has been going around with a frown on his face. Well, his luck abeg pay up o, na you give yourself assignment. Just as the nation went into a major jubilation, the list of the players was released on social media showing that about eight of the 11 players on the pitch were of South-eastern descent. The people Nnamdi Kanu wants to pull out of the country and another round of controversy erupted, muting our rare celebrations of footballing excellence. You see, all sort of lists have been paraded on social media that today we do not know which is fake and which is after taking all the risks, I will be rewarded in a way I would have to tell the Olori personally. So Madam, when you are ready, kindly call me. My number is on the top of the page, but to make sure your call goes through, kindly use the Ghana code before my number. That is +233, then dial my 9mobile number you will surely get me. Thank you. A fine lady. Kai. Sultan of Sokoto is An Igbo Man These are really interesting times. The other day, I was listening to an audio recording purportedly made by Nnamdi Kanu – this guy is everywhere these days, saying that Buhari was from Sudan. In another one, he claimed that Rochas Okorocha was Hausa. Me today o, I am also saying my own, Sultan of Sokoto is an Igbo man and you will want to ask me why. I have just been told that in his remarks to a group of Igbo leaders who visited him to celebrate Sallah, he had stated very succinctly that anybody who threatens any Igbo man in the north would have him to contend with. Statements and posturings

real. So I have to be careful as I delve into this matter. You know I am now a serious national commentator being taken seriously by a whole spectrum of Nigerians, including the Biafrans who will soon be leaving, so I must not be seen to be peddling fake news. But let us even say the list is authentic, does it not show what merit can do in a country with so many contending parts? The coach who I believe is not a Nigerian chose an ethnically blinded side. He did not care the part of the country the players are from but all that mattered to him was the skill they displayed and the value it would bring to his strategy and team. He was not interested in what tribes or which political party the players belonged to. He also did not mind which God you worshiped or if you were man or woman, homosexual or straight, bent or not. All that mattered to him was the skill he needed and if you did not have it, no Nnamdi kanu, or Mohammadu Buhari or Asiwaju would put you in his team, and if it meant putting all 11 Igbo players on the pitch to deliver the result, he would have done so. That is the lesson we should learn as Nigerians and that is what I think we should all take away. Meanwhile, Governor Udom, next time, kindly be quiet about the figure, just say something like, ‘I will give something per goal’ that way you can wriggle out and pay $100 per goal. See as Akwa Ibom people will now lose a whole $40,000 on a team that did not field a single Ibibio man. Such injustice! like this are what our leaders need to identify with to defuse tensions ethnic revisionists keep throwing up. We need these kinds of positive sound bites to counter shallow and opaque thoughtlessness. The Sultan is very powerful and influential not only in the north but also in the whole country and his firm stance against parochial tendencies of those who purportedly gave out these deadlines will go a long way in calming frayed nerves. Can the President follow this up by putting back his Igbo attire, the one he wore during the campaigns for another one week and touring the South-eastern part of the country, meeting the people on the streets, assuring them of their continued relevance in the scheme of things and redressing some of their grievances especially in infrastructure development and federal appointments? You sef, no dey help matter... I tire. Aliko Dangote: Why the Fear Na? I hear you are refuting claims that you could be interested in the presidency come 2019. But

JAMB registrar

why the fear? I really do not understand o. The presidency is your right as a Nigerian and I think you should go for it. Let’s do it; let’s not fear, there is nothing to fear. You need some level of political power to consolidate your gains economically especially as it concerns your avowed intentions of creating jobs and bettering the lives of Nigerians. Look, making money under any guise does not really count much when we are measuring key contributory indices. You have to go for this presidency o. Me I will not agree o. It is a must, in fact, it is compulsory. Your candidacy will float above all divides. You are a detribalised Nigerian. You are a success in business and you have the international reach to further draw foreign investors and much more important, you can speak Yoruba so why the reluctance? At this stage in your life, it is not Arsenal that should be your problem but the need to work assiduously for the betterment of your people. So come on, let’s do this. We are ready. No fear abeg, nothing go happen. N192b for Internet Data? The figure has just been announced, that Nigerians spend this huge amount on internet data monthly, and I am here calling myself an investment banker when people are putting umbrella on the streets selling recharge cards and making a killing. No wonder my friend, George Kalunta, who used to sell spare parts is now fully into recharge card selling. He must be smiling to the bank. What are we using all the data for? Further research shows that the top things we do on the net as Nigerians, is looking for sex, fraud, fashion and entertainment in that order. Furthermore, the crossdresser, Bobrisky was the most Googled Nigerian last year. All these tell you the kind of people we are. While them Nnamdi Kanu are busy risking their lives looking for the elusive Biafra, 75 million Nigerians are trolling the net looking for sex. See the people you want to save. But how manage these Etisalat people come enter wahala with the banks with this kind of figure only in Nigeria o? By the way the speed with which my data is finishing only God can unravel that one o. Me, I read the Bible online that is what I go to the net for o o, sex ke. Not me o. …. JAMB Again My attention has been drawn to my last quip about JAMB and its wonderful cut-off marks. I have been reliably informed that maybe I was not totally balanced in that write-up. So, I have decided to tackle the issue again if for nothing else but to clear my own confusion and ignorance. So I went straight to an article I once glanced through on the matter. It was something done by the highly respected commentator, Dr. Rueben Abati. He had in that write-up talked about a policy meeting in which over 1,500 education people attended to discuss the issue of tertiary education admission. In his opinion, it was very clear that we were facing a major collapse in the system with the politicisation and commercialisation of admission. He noted how some of these schools, especially the private ones had been admitting people arbitrarily and how schools like the federal one in Kano was admitting 50 per cent of its students only from Kano, blindsiding the policy that guides it. I have been made to understand that JAMB in trying to level the terrain and provide candidates with a secondary clearing house for admission has come up with this ‘hot’ policy. Well, I really have moved on after saying my bit. The whole thing still remains confusing and tiring for me o. From WAEC, to Jamb, to UTME to Post, UTME only God knows what. It is still very far from uhuru for our children. I no talk again, except to state categorically, that in my other write-up, I mistakenly stated that my JAMB score 30 years ago was 142. People have been laughing and yabbing me o. Na mistake o, it was actually 242 out of 400 and that got me into the University of Ibadan as an Ibibio man. Oya, Emeka please kindly take note.

21

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

SPY GLASS

with .... 08054680651 noise about it though. We gathered that he has thousands of students that are on his scholarship scheme while many widows and orphans are on his monthly payroll, so as to alleviate poverty in his environment.

OKOWA’S YOUNGER BROTHER, WISDOM, KEEPS LOW PROFILE

SEN. IYIOLA OMISORE

SEN. IYIOLA OMISORE JOINS SEXAGENARIAN CLUB Come Friday, September 16, Senator Iyiola Omisore, a former Deputy Governor of Osun Sate, will grandly glide into the sexagenarian club. For the brilliant engineer-cumpolitician who represented Osun East Senatorial district between 2003 and 2009, the occasion calls for sober reflection. As a result, the revered philanthropist is said to be planning a low-key celebration. Over the years, Omisore, who holds a Ph.D in Infrastructure Finance from the International School of Management, Paris, France, has demonstrated qualities of a good leader. No wonder, many have continued to beat a path to his door for both political and business guidance Omisore, who has just completed his DBA programme at the same institution, is described as an astute manager of resources whose attention to details, ability to simplify and proffer solutions to complex issues is uncommon. Iyiola started demonstrating qualities of forthrightness; keen intellect and uprightness which not only set him apart from his peers but prepared him for community leadership and service, right from his early life. In fact, today not many in his category are able to match him. Apart from being born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he also has blue blood running in his veins. He is the grandson of Lowa Omisore and his father is Oba David Olajide Omisore of Ayepe, Olode, Ile-Ife. Senator Omisore is also the grandson of Olufewara Kabiyesi Oba Titus Adetoba of the Oseganderuku ruling house in Ifewara where his mother, Princess Emila Adejola, ruled as regent until her death in 2006. He is an embodiment of intelligence who has made the pursuit of excellence his trademark. In fact, his patriotic zeal and engineering acumen was brought to play when he was in the Senate between 2003 and 2011. Although he is a man that has never known poverty all his life, he detests it with passion and will never allow it in the life of his people. His philanthropic gesture is legendary; he never made

Wisdom Okowa, younger brother to Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, had first returned to the country from his US base in the late ‘90s. Then, Preddy Wise, as he is famously known, was one of the hottest bachelors in town and was popular in the social scene. In fact, at some point, he was romantically linked with many beautiful girls in the movie industry. In particular, his relationship with star actress, Genevieve Nnaji, was highly celebrated in the media then. The affair was tipped for the altar, but it later collapsed like a pack of cards. To date, nobody seems to know what really went wrong between them. After his romance with the Imo State-born movie star ended, he could not be identified with any other girl, as many of them befriended him until he went back to the US. He, however, returned to Nigeria again in 2015 shortly after his brother became the governor of Delta. Thereafter, he quit bachelorhood when he married Blessing Ezeocha. Since then, he has been keeping a low profile. Indeed, he hardly attends parties or public functions these days. The light-complexioned young man has tried his hand at many pies, including floating a music label and a non-governmental organisation (NGO). This serves as his platform for providing quality education to the less privileged while also offering succour to the widows, all in the bid to complement the efforts of the state government.

HAKEEM BELLO-OSAGIE’S HAPPY MOMENT All it took for many to know that Hakeem Bello-Osagie, a former Chairman, United Bank for Africa, UBA, is not nursing any pains in his heart was the wedding of his beautiful daughter, Adesuwa, recently. Until that memorable day, many had erroneously thought that the brainy boardroom guru might not be inspired to engage in any loud celebrations after he lost his plumb position as Chairman of Etisalat Nigeria now rebranded 9mobile. But his critics soon knew better as he splashed his fatherly love on his daughter on the occasion to the admiration of all. The Edo State-born billionaire and his wife, Myma, last weekend, played host to A-list guests who came from different parts of the

country for the traditional wedding of his daughter, Adebutu and her heartthrob, Tope Adekoya, in Lagos. It was obvious to all that the bride’s father has a commanding sense of hospitality, as the gaily dressed guests were treated to continental, Chinese and local delicacies and expensive wines. Bello-Osagie started his career as a petroleum economist and lawyer, following his graduation from Harvard Business School. For more than three decades, he has been a key player in the Nigerian economy through his participation in several private sector businesses, particularly in the fields of energy, finance and telecommunications. He also has a range of other business interests in Nigeria. His wife is a brilliant legal practitioner. Her firm, Udoma Udo Udoma &Bello Osagie, otherwise known as UUBO, render legal services to a wide range of clientele, including major telecommunications organisations, insurance companies, capital market firms and power generation companies. She also sits on the board of various companies and acts as a trustee on the board of several not-forprofit organisations, including the African Leadership Foundation, the Growing Businesses Foundation, the African Wildlife Foundation and the Art and Business Foundation.

TOKUNBO MODUPE’S WINNING STREAKS Tokunbo Modupe, the head honcho of TPT, a Public Relations firm, is a sticker for excellence. In all his dealings, he comes across as a perfectionist. Also, in the eyes of many, he is a restless soul, who is always in quest of knowledge to make him stand out in his chosen profession. Against this backdrop, the Ondo State-born marketing communications expert is said to have been enrolled for a course at the prestigious Harvard University. It was gathered that Modupe is one of the top CEOs across the world who have been admitted for General Management Programmes, GMP, at the ivy institution. He is due to return to the country in November this year. His company has introduced a lot of innovations into PR practice in Nigeria over the years. Very creative, he often ‘shocks’ his clients with his professionalism and attention to details. Today, he controls many mouthwatering and juicy accounts, both local and international. At a time when most of his mates were traversing the length and breadth of the country for seem-

TOKUNBO MODUPE ingly non-existent jobs, Modupe, also the Chairman of 001 Events, was only interested in selling ideas. In the eyes of many, he was simply a loafer. Many had condemned him with their actions and inactions. He was unperturbed because he had a clear vision of what he wanted to do in life. With great zest and determination, fortune smiled on him after a few years as he was able to turn his beautiful ideas into money.

DAY SENATOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE FAILED TO SHOW HIS SKILL If you ask a 10-year-old to say what newly sworn in Senator Ademola Adeleke is known for, he or she will not have to think so hard to give you a satisfactory answer. The politician and socialite is known for his dancing skill, which became public knowledge after he won the bye- election on July 8, to represent Osun West Senatorial district. However, the light-complexioned senator from Ede in Osun State was prevented from displaying his dancing skill penultimate Saturday at Sefiu Iyiola’s night club, Options 24/7 Ibadan, Oyo State. It was gathered that his aides prevented him from dancing at the club’s re-launch party to prevent a recurrence of the last scene that went viral. Though he was said to have frowned at the step taken by his aides, he threw banters with the people at the club . Ademola is a father to Nigerian musician, B-Red, and uncle to singer Davido. The ever-bubbling senator started his political career in 2007 alongside his brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who died in April 2017. He ran for the by-election after the death of his brother. Ademola, as of April 2017, was a member of the All Progressives Congress, but he defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, after securing assurances from top members of the party that he would be the senatorial standard bearer of the Party.

ADEMOLA ADELEKE

PREDDY WISE

BELLO-OSAGIE

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

SUPER SATURDAY CharityWork Remains My Biggest Passion

OSASU IGBINEDION

Osasu

M G My Grouse with i hP Political li i lP Parties i in i Nigeria Ni i The Founder of The Osasu Show (TOS), Osasu Igbinedion, g is determined to help pp provide a better future for yyoung g girls g who have become victims of forced and early marriage and those subjected to female genital mutilations. Damilola Oyedele writes

H

er passion p for the well-being of the girl g child is evident. For her, the issue of child marriage g with its attendant consequences, q particularity p y in northern Nigeria, g is one that requires urgent intervention. Same p passion was responsible p for the decision to establish the Osasu Show Foundation in 2016, to run as the charity y arm of The Osasu Show (TOS), which berthed in 2015. “We realised at some p point that we were practically p y doing g more charity y works than interviews. So we created the foundation,” Osasu Igbinedion told this writer.

A Show and a foundation

She started The Osasu Show when she returned to Nigeria g in August g 2014, after studying y g in the United States. She ventured into advertising, g and admits making g ‘so much money’ y since it was the p political campaign season. Osasu, however, felt

discontented with the state of the affairs in the country. y “But I was still doing g charity y work because that is what I am p passionate about; that is where I believe my yp purpose p is; that is what g gets me out of bed in the morning. g So after a while, I asked myself, y ‘How do I bridge g the divide between me trying y g to get these politicians g p elected by y doing g their campaigns, p g and g giving g back to the p people p who are subjected j to poverty?” p y she said. TOS Foundation, formally y registered g in 2016, has a mission to improve p welfare and livelihood of women and y youths, especially p in rural communities through g the creation of p programmes g in education, economic empowerment p and capacity p y building g to fasttrack the eradication of poverty in Nigeria and Africa. The fervour in Osasu’s voice as she discussed her media work on TOS, reached its peak when she discussed some of the works p embarked upon p by y the foundation. She recalled with sadness, her visit to Agatu (in

Benue State), where she saw the aftermath of the horrors of the massacre unleashed on hapless p citizens by y marauding g herdsmen. “I saw sadness, so much brutality, y and injustice. j Women will tell you y how they y were raped p by yp people p who were meant to be protecting p g them. I am not jjust talking about the insurgents g now,” she said. Osasu also recounted her experiences p with child brides whom she encountered at Ngogo g g in Kano State, and lamented that many y of the g girls were denied the chance to choose if they y wanted to be married off. “Some of them had already y been abandoned by y their husbands who could not fend for them. So, we went there, spoke p to the Imams, to Islamic clerics, to teachers and their p parents and we spoke p to the child brides. The conversations helped p us in highlighting g g the importance of education,” she said. The Foundation currently y has 10 girls g from Kano on the list of its beneficiaries for scholarships, with plans to send more girls in

the area back to school. The Edo State-born Osasu, however, does not think educating g child brides would be the answer. She harped p on the need for the implementation p of laws that protect p the rights g of the girl g child, and protect p them from forced marriage or female genital mutilation. She has also worked to provide p succour for residents of the Internally y Displaced p Persons (IDPs) camps p in Area 1, Abuja j and Karma-Jiji j in the Federal Capital p Territory, providing p g them with learning g facilities, clothing, food items and funds for empowerment. “I was using g my y funds initially y for over ay year, it is just j the money y I make from my show, my y TOS network but lately y people p p from all over have been contributing. g Someone called us from London, said “we love the work that you y are doing g and we want to sent you y money” y and he sent N200,000 and someone sent N50,000 after the symposium. y p So we are happy that people are finally

THISDAY, THE SAT A URDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

23

SATURDAY “WHY I’M FIGHTING AGAINST CHILD MARRIAGE AND FGM” seeing g the work we are doing g and they want to support pp that,” Osasu said. The foundation on August g 25 held its inaugural g symposium y p in Abuja j with the theme ‘The New Economy y and Its Impact p on Less Privileged g Citizens’ to provide p a platform p for a critical reflection and interrogation g from a wider array y of participants p p on the Nigeria’s g corruption p perception p p status and anti-graft war, environmental degradation, g rising g inflation, poor p infrastructure, GDP, and the sorry y state of healthcare delivery system y and adult literacy. y As expected, p she has high projections for TOS and the foundation. “We have launched TOS TV network and our slogan g is news from Africa by y Africans. So, the show, the foundation, the network is an African entity, y but we will not limit it to Nigeria. g We are going g g to expand p to other African countries. We have already y done some works in Kenya y and Ghana and we want to do more elsewhere as well. “I believe that the image g the western world has given g Nigeria g is unfair. It is not a true reflection of who we are as a people. p p Something g needs to be done to change g that and that is where we come in as a show and as a foundation and as a TV network, to change g that brand image g that has been g given to us over the years y because we are a people p p who are innovative, extremely y hard-working, g and very y intelligent. g I think more of our p positive attitudes need to be showcased to the entire world so that they y know who we really y are and not just j black, corrupt, p diseased ridden p poor p people. p We are more than that and it is time we take our narrative into our own hands,” Osasu added.

Education

It seems Osasu has always y set her sights g on being g a media practitioner, p considering g her choices of courses for study y in the United States. A 2013 graduate g of Communication and Media Studies from Stonehill College, g Osasu obtained a master’s degree g in Corporate and Organisational p g Communication from Northeastern University, y in 2014, L-R: R Gabriel Igbinedion, Osasu and children before p proceeding g to the New York Film Academy y to study y Film/TV Producing. g areas and he failed in some other areas like She also g got the opportunity pp y to intern at the every y other human beings. g MGM studios in Beverly Hills. “So I don’t think it is necessarily y about the feeling g towards that, but what he was able to achieve as a person. p What is the record The Political Connection going g g to say y about him? What does he say y Osasu is one of six children of the former about himself? Is he happy ppy with his tenure? Edo State Governor, Lucky y Igbinedion, g and I think his feelings are paramount to mine,” his wife, Eki, and g granddaughter g of the she said. Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion. g She, however, believes she had a normal Political Ambitions childhood. While she does not hold any yp political “Our household is very y normal. I was ambition for now, it is obvious she would raised by y two loving gp parents. They y are g godp y rule that out. fearing g and they y ensure that my y siblings g and not completely “I don’t know what the future holds but I are very y grounded g and disciplined. p They y if it is left to me, I would stay y where I am in taught g us the importance p of hard work, the the business world and continue to make the importance p of having g a vision for oneself, a impact p I am making g today.” y plan and to work assiduously p y in achieving g She believes that the lack of ideologies g has it. Most important, p they y instilled the fear of made Nigeria’s g p political p parties to become God in every y one of us; going g g to church was g p which are solely y never an option. p It was compulsory; p y reading sort of interest groups, about politicians, p and not about g governance. our Bible was compulsory; p y being g obedient “The p people p in APC today y are they y not was mandatory y as well. So I think that in people p from PDP? The people p p in general they g y ensure that we are well-brought the same p PDP today, y some of them have even started up p children. to leave APC back to PDP. We have interest “My y mom has this ability y to remain calm groups p we don’t have p political p parties. in every y situation. I always y say y she is like the g Until we start to build political p parties p on glue of the family. g y We all call her for advice. ideologies, g nothing g really y distinguishes g Even my y dad, would call my y mom when he political p parties in this country. y The is g going g through g something g to ask, ‘What do our p Americans have the Republicans p who are you think I should do?’ She has God-given y g conservatives, while the Democrats are wisdom. I inherited a little fraction of that g need to know what from her. For my y dad, he says y more in silence liberals, so Nigerians they y are voting g for. than he does when he talks,” Osasu said as “If y you are voting g for APC, are they yp proshe described her p parents. poor? Are they p yg going g to implement p p pro-poor So how did she feel when her father was policies? If y p you are voting g for PDP, is it standing g trial for corruption p or when he is pro-rich p p policy? y What exactly y are we voting being g vilified by y the p press? people, p we have not been able to “I don’t think it is much of how I feel about for? As a p demand clear ideologies g from the political p stuffs like that because we have freedom of parties and I think that is why we are where p speech p in this country. y I believe that everyy we are today,” y She added. one is entitled to their own opinion. p If you y While she concedes that the APC may y do g get the chance to speak p to him, y you can have done a g good jjob in fighting g g corruption p ask him about his own feelings g about that. and insurgency, g y she feels the p party y has been As a g governor, he g governed to the best of his unable to properly manage the economy. ability and he was able to succeed in some

p g downturn on 16 y years of mismanagement g by y the PDP, does not cut it anymore, y par p ticularly y as campaigns p g for the 2019 general elections begin to heat up.

Hobbies

Osasu has yet to find the balance between

work and relaxing g as she considers working to be a hobby. y She, however, takes out time to read, and watch some television shows. “I am p passionate about my y work. So it is like when I am working, g I really y don’t know I am working. g I am always y working g literally even on weekends. I really y haven’t found that balance,” she admitted.

Osasu with Ooni of Ife Iffe

Posterityy Will Judge g My Father as Governor of Edo State

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

POLSCOPE

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356

Exit from Recession: What are the Lessons Learnt?

Canticles...

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t sounds good and cheering hearing that after nearly two years of gnashing of teeth, Nigeria has finally exited recession. But it sure will feel better if Nigerians know this exit for a truth, as it relates to the rhythm of lifestyle that comes their way hereafter. Political patrons, especially from the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) are already beating their chests in celebratory mood, as if the fragile margin of GDP growth (0.55%) automatically translates to better life for Nigerians. No, it does not! It is not yet Uhuru. We may be out of recession, but we are certainly not out of the woods. Since Tuesday that the news broke, Nigerians have been suffused with loads of statistics from the Statistician General, Dr Yemi Kale, to prove that we have exited recession, albeit in cautious strides. Dry statistics, are what they are: abstract, and mean very little to the ordinary man on the street. Perhaps what sounded rather comical and undue propaganda was the statement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) claiming that the exit from recession was a manifestation of a promise fulfilled by the President Mohammadu Buhari-led government. Haba! Was the exit from recession one of the campaign promises? Indeed was there recession before Buhari mounted the saddle? Was it not Buhari’s Finance minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun who in July 2016, (more than one year after Buhari became president) declared that “technically we are in recession?” So how can waddling out of recession therefore become a matter of a campaign promise kept? What is more germane is being mindful of the actions and inactions that landed us in recession. It is the consciousness of this that will stay us out of economic harm’s way hereafter. Yes, I agree that the previous government under former President Goodluck Jonathan grossly mismanaged the economy, what with the mega looting that took place under his administration, yet the present government was not proactive enough in arresting the economic misery it inherited. Hardly will any government survive the degree of economic malfeasance that took place under the previous administration. However, the Buhari forex policy at the beginning only helped to worsen a bad case. Many investors, uncertain of what will become of the economy simply flew their hard currencies back home and the Nigerian economy began to gasp for forex fresh air. That explains the high cost of the US Dollar and other foreign currencies. By the time Jonathan left office, the economy was already in a comatose state. Loans were being used to pay salaries, just as the mindless stealing of public funds continued unabated. The huge financial war chest required for the 2015 elections did not help matters. The Jonathan administration was desperate and thus became rather reckless in literally burning the content of the treasury so as to win the election. But yet lost. The same scenario is beckoning. The 2019 elec-

Adeosun

tions are peeping from the horizon. The temptation to deploy public funds to win the election at all costs is there. But as they say in Christendom, God forbid that affliction will arise the second time. It is good that the lesson of economic diversification has been learnt. The feast achieved in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors are credited to have pulled us out of the recession. Indeed, it will be foolhardy to continue to put our faith and trust on crude oil export. The global collapse of the price of crude in the international market has proven that crude oil is like an ogbanje product: not reliable. Depending wholly on it is like putting all one’s eggs in one basket: an uninsurable risk. Those versed in economic matters have described our economy as being in a state of stiflation. The threesome components of which are unemployment, inflation and declining GDP. Nigeria is yet suffering from the first two. We have only managed to crawl out of the third component. The high unemployment level is quite worrisome, especially among the youth. As at June this year, the youth unemployment level had risen to 47 per cent. This is as worrisome as it is dangerous to socioeconomic order. This directly means that national productivity will be low, with as many such people in the labour market. It is even worse when we realise the steady population growth in the country which is not proportionate with the economic growth. Related to the above is the malaise of inflation. With the ever-rising cost of goods and services, especially foodstuff, and low purchasing power of the people, life is bound to be like what Thomas Hobbes describes in his book, Leviathan as, “Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”. And that should explain the rising cases of suicide in our society. Many Nigerians are yet living below a dollar per day. It is bad enough that millions of people are unemployed and wallowing in frustrating economic conditions. Yet it is worse that even those in employment are owed many months of unpaid salaries by their employers, many of whom are also gasping to coping with the ill winds of austere economy. All these have combined to crash the spending power of the people, thus causing trading margins to shrink. The economy must be related so the spending power of Nigerians will grow. The more people can spend, the more money will circulate and end the misery of poverty. What is the use of a government policy that impoverishes the people and makes life and living hard? The lesson to learn therefrom is that every government must learn to save for a rainy day. The era of wild expenditure by governments at all levels must be forever gone. Those lengthy convoys of governors, heralded by BMW motorbike outriders must ever remain as our ugly history. We can no longer afford to live large like Arabic princes whereas we are economically flighty and decrepit. We must learn “to cut our coats according to our cloth”. Federal and state governments must make conscious efforts to support and grow the informal economy by encouraging SMEs to be productive, because in so doing, they (SMEs) suck off lots of idle hands from the job market. Relatedly, the FDIs (Foreign Direct Investments) must be encouraged deliberately to grow. Foreign investors must be wooed and provided enabling environment to operate. The manufacturing sector must be assisted to regain its breath. The textile industry, for instance, has all the potential to grow the Nigerian economy, what with the huge population of over 180 million people. That is why also, the monetary policies of the government must consciously bring down the interest rates charged by banks. It is no use allowing banks to declare humongous profits at the end of every financial year, while the real sector is gasping and shrinking. In all, it is gratifying to note that despite the rising ululation of exiting recession, President Mohammadu Buhari has expressed cautious optimism by demanding that until the ordinary Nigerian begins to experience the trickle-down effect of getting out of recession, it is yet an unfinished task. More than politics and religion, the economy is one social variable that binds everybody together. Everybody buys from the same market, the only difference being the varying purchasing power of the people.

Yes, Our Unity is Not Negotiable, But… s it true that our unity has long been settled and no longer an issue for a fresh negotiation? Of course yes! But why are you asking? Is it not worth asking seeing how skewed the country is configured? Who configured it?

Don’t ask me. Go and ask Lord Lugard. My brother, we have waxed together as one disparate entity. We have been cobbled and ever so shall we remain, like the snail and its shell. Hmmm, but that must require that every part of the country must be treated with equal respect and regard. It will be vexatious to treat some people as firstclass citizens and others as third-class citizens or adjunct folks. Yes, that is an abiding national ethos. Didn’t our old national anthem capture it when it said “though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”? I am not talking about things written on paper. I am talking of real life and practical situations where this so-called brotherhood is demonstrated Wait, wait, wait, don’t tell me you are a member of IPOB, where that fellow, em… em… thingamabob has brainwashed some hot bloods to think Biafra is the shortest route to a better life. You look and sound like a suspect. Be careful, the army is already monitoring the kind of conversations going on in the public space. But if I may ask, have you noticed a deficiency in this demonstration of brotherhood? Need you ask? Is it not self-evident everywhere you turn in this country? The indices of this inequality are just everywhere. Even the one-eyed man knows and sees it. I don’t know what you are talking about. Is there any month that federal allocation was denied any state or section of the country? Ehn? Tell me! Okay, let me give you just one recent example. About ten days ago, President Buhari announced a major shake-up in Buhari the organogram of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Fifteen top positions were affected. Out of the 15 positions, ten, yes ten, were given to northerners, three to South West, and two to South South. Not a single slot went to the South East or Middle Belt. Is this the best way of demonstrating the brotherhood you talked about with glee? What is worse, the section that got the lion share of the positions does not have a single drop of the crude oil. The section of the country that produces all the oil was given a measly slot of two positions. What is the rationale? And if I may ask, what did the people of the Middle Belt or South East do to have been denied even a single slot each? Hmmmmm, don’t forget the president is also the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources. And so… (cuts in) And so what? Is it in doubt that he is the Minister of Petroleum Resources and that that chap called Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu is just a figure head placed there to dilute the sectional concentrate in the corporation? Just answer my question: why was no man or woman appointed from the Middle Belt or from the South east? If the latter is being unduly punished because of Nnamdi Kanu, whose sin are the Middle Belters paying for? I have warned you before of the new malaise called hate speech. Beware, the soldiers have become like George Orwell’s Big Brother, the silent listener to every conversation. Any day they invite you, I am not part of it-o. You are dodging the question and choosing to intimidate me. I refuse to be intimidated. I insist that every part of this country is equal. There is no superior section or citizens. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. A government that promised a change from the old and awkward ways of the past which did not grow us as a people, cannot be seen to be promoting the very same vices it so vigorously campaigned against. If salt loses its taste, then… (cuts in) Do not forget that the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He can do and undo. He is the al… (cuts in again) Never! How can an elected president have the power to do and undo? No! I say no! He is guided by the provisions of the constitution. More than that, political expediency will demand that there is evident balancing in his actions in such a way that no section of the country will feel left out or neglected. Well, those issues you are raising are purely political matters. You never can tell the available facts that guided such actions. What is not in doubt is that Mr President means well and is determined to service the bonds of unity binding every section of the country. We are tired of those smooth-flowing grammar. We need action. We need restructuring. That is the clincher to all these imbalances. The lawmakers must wake up and do the needful. May God help Nigeria.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

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EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

‘Evidence’: Count, Non-count

EBERE WABARA

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LEASE note that “evidence” is both countable and uncountable, but, in a law case, we correctly say or write: a piece of evidence/ pieces of evidence, some evidence/enough evidence/a mass of evidence, etc. We cannot afford to have the mediocre. The mediocre cannot teach/ communicate is correct. “Reoccur”, like “reoccurrence”, is Americanism; “bus station” is Briticism while “Motor Park” is Nigerianism. “Hostguest” is Briticism while “invitorinvitee” is Americanism. Usage is king. Keep smiling! Did you know that ‘write me’ as contained in the Saturday PUNCH of September 2 is American English, while the formal (standard) form is ‘write to me’? “Round-the clock news from around the world” Adjectival entry: Round-the-clock news “Ajimobi commissions (auspicates, inaugurates, opens, establishes, launches, initiates, unveils…) Asejire water plant, 17 years after” The verbal context of ‘commission’ here is utterly wrong and shows a poverty of vocabulary. I do not understand why journalists keep fumbling ridiculously and lousily with this word every day despite innumerable corrections here! “Katsina PDP: Why late (the late) President Yar ’Adua’s close associates are defecting to APC” “It is in the interest of the nation (Nigeria is a country—not a nation, by the way) that the press should at all time (times) expose corrupt officers….” “…to the consternation of majority (a majority) of the citizens who look up to such businesses to serve public needs.” “Administrator advocates more scholarships for indigents” When did ‘indigent’, an adjective, become a noun?”

BY

“People who cannot read or write and who have never seen the four walls of a secondary school….” Education Today: the walls (not four walls)! “Right sizing the civil service: A more realistic approach” Spell-check: rightsizing DAILY SUN of September 4 fumbled on two occasions: “These big masquerades (masqueraders) entered the world and destroyed sacred….” Once more, masqueraders wear masquerades, masks, etc. “Man remanded over (for) alleged killing of wife” THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAGAZINE of September 3 disseminated just two solecisms: “…in this piece pays tribute to one of Africa’s notable poet (poets) as he enters the winter of life.” “Small business start ups tips” Get it right: start-up tips “Its (It’s) been 7 years since you left us but memories of you lingers (linger) in our hearts.” (Full-page advertisement, The PUNCH, December 6)) “Congratulations…for (on/upon) participating in the National Growth Challenge September to December 2015…sponsored by….” DAILY TRUST of September 4 comes next: “Borno reviews 24hrs (sic) curfew” and “Igbo community in Kano elects new officers” This way: 24-hour curfew/24 hours’ curfew. The community elected officials (not the otiose ‘new’)—if they were old officials, you re-elect! “Japanese diplomat arrested over (for/in connection with) fire at DRC embassy” “Torching (Touching) lives of orphans through sports” THE NATION ON SUNDAY of August 27 disseminated four infractions: “Campaigners accuse Shell over (of) weapons” “Aregbesola, Tinubu, Oritsejafor pay last respect (respects) to…” THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER, of August 17 also circulated four improprieties: “FG

hands tanker drivers 48hrs (48 hrs’) ultimatum to relocate from MMIA” By the way, what difference would it have made spelling out ‘hours’? “In its stead comes a mind-blowing display of opulence that has suddenly taken a firm root among the elite and nouveau riche….” Singular: nouveau riche; plural: nouveaux riches “Before now, weather forecasts from NIMET were never taken serious (seriously) because….” Lastly from THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER: “As part of the build up (build-up) to the event….” The PUNCH of August 16 published a few mistakes: “At least one person was feared killed on Thursday morning when a 12-man armed bandits (12-man gang of bandits) struck at….” ‘Banditry’ involves the deployment of a measure of violence with sharp objects/instruments/ weaponry during robbery. So, ‘armed banditry’ is sheer verbosity! Of course, robbery and armed robbery “Trump condemns crack down (crackdown) on Cairo protesters” Lastly from the Back Page of The PUNCH under review: “…whereas they are kept at arms’ length.” Friday musings: arm’s length “…said that the aforementioned are (were) the younger generation of leaders who failed the nation.” (DAILY SUN, August 14) DAILY SUN of August 7 goofed three times: “State of emergency has restored normalcy in (to) North” “NIMASA alerts ships (ship owners, you mean?) on (to) danger spots” The Guardian of August 6 committed copious offences beginning from its front page; “Besides, the state government on Sunday began the fumigation and clearing of drainages in six areas of the Maiduguri metropolis….” Conscience, nurtured by truth: ‘drainage’ is uncountable. “Bank of England’s rate policy may highten (heighten) inflation” “Maid set ablaze dies in hospital,

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

as police pledges (pledge) justice” Now The Guardian Editorial: “They may not have triumphed in their efforts to (at) nation-building....” “Your wise counsels and dogged commitment to the progress and unity of this nation has (have) remained exemplary.” ‘Counsel’ is a non-count noun. “Some alleged without proof that Tinubu was the force behind Bamidele in his determination to confront Fayemi….” (THISDAY, August 3). If the word ‘allege’ means ‘to assert something without any proof’, then delete ‘without proof’ from the extract!

FEEDBACK

“MEDIA Gaffes” is the editor’s purgative. I agree with you that politicians run “neck and neck” (not neck-to-neck), but may also run “headto-head.” (Kola Danisa, 07068074257) The “Social Circuit” in THE NATION described celebrity stylist Veronica Odeka as “most sort after.…” It should be “sought after” (Credit: as above) MY brother Ebere, “celebrator” or “celebrant”, like “enquiry” or “inquiry”, is becoming similar in United States and United Kingdom. In the future, the word “celebrator” might be outdated because it also refers to a special beer, dopplebuck beer, and with apology, a satisfied “sex life” using a Clito-vibrator! Latest research by Jose Carillo, February 2013 citing authorities in lexicography/American Heritage DIC (AHD), has overtaken Merriam Webster/Oxford online definitions of “celebrator”. However, current Oxford dictionary also defines “celebrant” (American English) as someone celebrating something e.g. a party. “Celebrator” is omitted. But will it be old-fashioned? Time will tell. Cheers! (Sunny Agbontaen, Benin City, 08055162531)

PERSPECTIVE

Andy Uba: A Date with Destiny Henry Uzoma

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olitics is a house built with bricks of assumptions; it is an easy house to build and anybody can build it. Its construction is subject to the law of the bricklayer; put one brick on top of the other and a house is built These assumptions however, rest on two fallacies: that politics is an art of the attainable and success in it takes no more than the knowledge of bricks and mortars. Those who accept these assumptions as self-evident however, get frustrated when one plus one adds up inexplicably to four. Politics is not a monument, an Ogbunike cave chuckling at the ravages and passage of time. It is merely a series of experiments in responding to people’s social views, beliefs and expectations in how they feel at one time or the other, their individual and collective interests can and ought to be served. It is this desire, the urge to serve and contribute to the socio-economic emancipation and political development of Ndi-Anambra in particular and Nigeria in general that drive the man, Uba. Like the scientist, Archimedes, he wants a firm spot to stand in order to move the world. Andy Uba’s profound ethical disposition, sound philosophical

Andy Uba belief, deep sense of loyalty, compassion and dedication to his fatherland even as a committed member of the diaspora community endeared him to the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who consequently appointed him as his Special Assistant on Special Duties and Domestic Affairs where he served impeccably until 2006 when he

thereafter, contested and won the 2007 governorship election in Anambra State but was compelled to relinquish the position by a court order due to his enormous respect for the rule of law. From the 7th Senate, Uba has remained a notable player in the nation’s political calculus. His contribution to the success of the 7th Senate was exceptional and worthy of note. He served as the Chairman Senate Committee on INEC (Independent Electoral Commission) charged with the responsibility of amending existing electoral laws to achieve a free and fair elections nationwide, where he and his committee worked tirelessly engaging INEC, civil organisations and other stakeholders to secure some comprehensive amendments to the 2010 electoral act which gave more stability to the administrative structure of INEC by making them more independent. One fact his traducers cannot dispute is that Uba does not seek power to enrich himself. This probably underscores his appointment as the Senate Committee Chairman on Public Account by the present 8th Senate. As a testimony to Uba’s political sagacity, Chief Perry Opara, the National Chairman of the National Unity Party in his support for Uba’s candidacy for the November 18 governorship election in the state said, “Uba will be a bridge builder between the South-East

and the rest of Nigeria. He will bring peace and stability to Igboland and be a link to the federal government in attracting federal presence to the South-East zone and Anambra in particular”. As a fallout to the recent APC primary in the state for the governorship election, various concerned APC groups are calling for the cancellation and rejection of the “Winner” as according to them, his emergence is suspicious and he is incapable of securing an electoral victory in the election given his known pedigree, being associated with ignoble roles in the past and also the fear of mortgaging the coffers of the state to his political godfather since at this material time, Anambrarians do not need a beggar or a godson whose eyes would be fixed on the collective till. One thing that cannot be taken away from Uba is his dedication as a realist and a reformer who can bridge all gulf, level all mountains and put a lamp in every tunnel as exemplified by his selfless stewardship to his constituents and the nation at large, his most compelling trait is the passion he evinces and enkindles for his people as evidenced in his articulation of ideas and solution delivery templates. Uba has come to be seen as a modern-day phenomenon whose corpus requires a large canvass. –Henry Uzoma, Writes from Awka

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

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

Pedestrian Crossing

Jaguar XJ present steering wheel

The future steering wheel

Jaguar Presents Sayer, Voiceactivated Steering Wheel Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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aguar Land Rover is revealing the intelligent and connected steering wheel of the future, known as Sayer, during the inaugural Tech Fest at Central St Martins art, design and technology college in London, UK, the automaker said in a statement. “This steering wheel concept lives in your home and becomes your trusted companion. Sayer is the first voice-activated artificial intelligence (AI) steering wheel that will be able to carry out hundreds of tasks. Sayer could signal your membership of our on-demand service club. A club which offers either sole ownership or the option of sharing the car with others in your community. “Imagine a future of autonomous, connected and electric cars where you don’t own a

single car, but instead call upon the vehicle of your choice where and when you need it. That’s a future vision Jaguar Land Rover is exploring with Sayer, the connected steering wheel that could be the only part of the car you own.� Need to be at a meeting two hours away from home by 8am tomorrow? Simply ask Sayer from the comfort of your living room and it will work out when you get up, when a car needs to autonomously arrive at your door and even advise which parts of the journey you might enjoy driving yourself. A beautifully sculpted piece of art, like every Jaguar Land Rover product, Sayer owes its name to one of the most prominent designers from Jaguar’s past, Malcolm Sayer, who worked for the British marque between 1951 and 1970. Explore the future with Jaguar Land Rover

at Tech Fest 2017. About Tech Fest 2017: Technology with Heart ‘Technology with Heart’ is the theme of Jaguar Land Rover’s inaugural Tech Fest, an event that explores the positive role technology is playing in reshaping the automotive industry and beyond. The free-to-enter festival takes place at the internationally recognised Central Saint Martins art, design and technology college in London. It is open to the general public from Friday, 8th September until Sunday 10 September. The event will be packed full of innovative exhibits and interactive displays that demonstrate how technology is being used to make a positive difference. Attendees can fast forward to the future and glimpse a world where cars drive themselves and vehicles are shared, not owned.

Turbocharged Engine, Crossover-inspired Design for Kia Picanto X-Line

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ia has announced details of the all-new crossover-inspired Picanto X-Line ahead of its public debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). A statement by the company said following its premiere on 12 September, the new addition to the Picanto range goes on sale across Europe from the start of Q4 2017. The all-new X-Line variant further broadens the appeal of the Picanto, Kia’s smallest car, combining all of its best qualities with a new look which draws inspiration from Kia’s popular crossover and SUV model lines, including the Sportage and Sorento. The rugged design is highlighted by contrast colour packs andraisedgroundclearance(to156mm,15mmhigher thanthestandardPicanto),whichalsogivesthedriver a clearer view of the road ahead. The new derivative benefits from Kia’s 1.0-litre T-GDI (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) engine, making it the most powerful Picanto ever. MichaelCole,ChiefOperatingOfficerforKiaMotors Europe, commented: “We launched the new Picanto in Europe earlier this year and it is already outselling its predecessor. Year-on-year, Picanto sales in the first half of 2017 grew 23% to 31,827 units, and globally it is one of our best-selling vehicles. The all-new X-Line will add to that momentum.� Design gives the Picanto SUV attitude While the new Picanto featured a bold and energetic design when it was launched earlier this year, the all-new X-Line variant introduces a series of rugged new design cues. Incorporating Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille, the X-Line boasts more imposing, SUV-style bumpers with metal-look skidplates at the front and rear, for a more confident and go-anywhere appearance. Unique to the X-Line model, the grille and fog lamp surrounds are finished with lime green highlights (silver highlights are also available), while black cladding around the wheel arches enhances the visual effect of the raised ground clearance. 100 ps 1.0-litre T-GDI engine – the most

All-new Kia Picanto X-Line

powerful Picanto ever The all-new Picanto X-Line is powered by Kia’s three-cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDI engine. Previously only available in the cee’d model family and new Rio, the lightweight, compact new engine is available with a Picanto variant for the first time. Aswellasofferinghighefficiencyandlowemissions, the lightweight nature of the new T-GDI engine perfectly suits the Picanto’s direct handling character. With minimal mass over the front axle, the more powerful engine ensures the Picanto remains fun to drive. The 1.0-litre T-GDI engine produces 100 ps at 4,500 rpm, and 172 Nm torque from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. The most powerful engine yet to be offered on the Picanto, it allows the X-Line model to accelerate from 0-to-100 kph in 10.1 seconds. The new engine is capable of 4.5 L/100 km, with CO2 emissions from 104g/km(combined,NewEuropeanDrivingCycle).

The new 1.0-litre T-GDI engine is also being introduced to the sports-inspired Picanto GT-Line, with identicalperformanceandpowerandtorqueoutputs. Third-generation Picanto: Quality, technology and versatility The Picanto X-Line is fitted with many of the features available across the rest of the Picanto range, including 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels, aluminium pedals, LED daytime running lights and fog lamps, shark-fin antenna, and keyless entry. The large 7.0-inch ‘floating’ touchscreen HMI (human-machine interface) houses navigation with 3D maps, and Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ for full smartphone integration.Arear-view parking camera and wireless smartphone charger and USB port are also available on X-Line models. Like the Picanto GT Line, the Picanto X-Line is fitted as standard with a sporty D-cut steering wheel.

Pedestrian Crossings Pedestrian crossings provide a safe place for people to get from one side of the road to the other. Crossings are either ‘controlled’ or ‘uncontrolled’.At controlled crossings, both the drivers and pedestrians are given instructions. At uncontrolled crossings pedestrians have to decide for themselves when it is safe to cross, relying on the courtesy and consideration of drivers. There are several types of pedestrian crossing - School crossing, Zebra, Pelican, Puffin, Toucan and Pegasus. In each case you must try to identify the crossing early and use your Use the MSPSL or hazard routine. When approaching a pedestrian crossing you must always be on the lookout for pedestrians, especially children and elderly people. Be prepared to slow down and stop if there are pedestrians about. When pedestrians are on the crossing, they always have priority. Do not beckon on pedestrians to cross, allow them to make their own decisions. By waving to a pedestrian you could be inadvertently exposing them to a danger that you have not seen; for example, there may be another vehicle overtaking illegally. You must always be on the look-out for people near the crossing and be prepared to stop to allow them to cross. It’s dangerous and illegal to park or overtake within ten (10) metres of a pedestrian crossing. We will be discussing zebra crossing in detail, as it appears to be the most common crossing in Nigeria. A zebra crossing is a path across a road marked with black and white stripes where pedestrians may cross. Look for people standing near or moving towards on approach, and try to work out in advance whether they are likely to cross. You must give way when someone has moved onto a crossing. Never accelerate towards a zebra crossing hoping to beat the pedestrian to it. Approaching a Zebra Crossing Check your mirrors when you see a zebra crossing and approach with care. When pedestrians are waiting on the pavement at a zebra crossing and obviously want to cross, slow down and stop to let them cross. You must give way to anyone who is already crossing and anyone who has stepped on the crossing. Do not wave pedestrians to cross, as there could be another vehicle coming in the other direction. When approaching a zebra crossing, reduce your speed in good time and scan either side of the crossing to see if anyone is walking up to or is standing at the crossing. Remember to use the MSPSL or hazard routine on the approach to the zebra crossing. Courtesy Be prepared to pull up if someone is standing next to a crossing and it’s obvious they want to cross the road. Never wave pedestrians across the road as other vehicles may not be so willing to allow them to cross. When you are waiting for the pedestrians to cross the road never “rev� your engine. Imagine the pedestrians being very young or elderly, “revving� your engine could give them a fright and force them to hurry across the road. Show some patience and surely you will be rewarded by the pedestrians who have crossed the road with a smile or a wave. In next week’s article we shall be discussing turn in the road, which is, turning a vehicle to face the opposite direction. For further explanations or clarification on the articles in the Essential Skills of Driving column, consult the author. Stephen K. Dieseruvwe

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

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Cheki Confab: ‘Improved Sales not an Isolated Event’

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The Ne Mercedes-Benz dealers in Africa at Weststar Associates’ training

Weststar Associates Hosts Global Training for Mercedes-Benz Dealers Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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n collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Headquarters, Daimler AG, Weststar Associates (authorized general distributors of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the Nigeria), recently held a one-week product training on its premises. A statement by Weststar said participants included dealers, as well as representatives from various African countries such as Gambia, Rwanda and Ghana. The product training which was organised

by Daimler AG, was jointly coordinated by Abdul Ligali, head trainer, Weststar Associates and Uwe Strauss, certified global trainer for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. The primary focus of this year’s training was to equip sales staff, customer relationship personnel and other Mercedes-Benz dealers with technical knowledge needed for the incoming products to be launched later in the year; some of which include the new S-class, the X-class and the recently launched GLA and GLC. Speaking with one of the trainees, the Marketing director for Akagera Business Group in Kigali, Rwanda – Roopak Gorajia stated, “It was quite an exciting experience, getting

to interact with professionals from different countries while learning about the new Mercedes-Benz products and analyzing various African markets.� Since inception, Weststar has organised technical and non-technical trainings for staff, dealers, and customers in order to expand the knowledge base of all employees and meet the various needs of customers. An in-house training department was formally set up in 2012 to accommodate more trainees with over 2000 participants attending various categories of trainings such as drivers’ trainings, product trainings, sales trainings, customer service relationship trainings, etc.

he 2017 edition of Cheki Dealer Conference and Awards, which held in Lagos recently witnessed a convergence of car dealers, seasoned industry experts and automobile corporates like UBER, TOTALandAXAMansard, who partnered with Nigeria’s leading cars website to provide sales solutions to car dealers, to help them improve sales. Mr. Gbenro Dara, Chief Executive Officer, Cheki. com.ng, a platform notable for providing a safe and conducive marketplace for car buyers and sellers, affirmed that the event was borne out of a need to sensitise and engage with its dealers, as well as providing networking opportunities, whilst learning from seasoned industry experts. Speaking on the significance of this year’s theme, “Maximizing Sales Opportunities in a Recession�, Gbenro noted that the event was targeted at sharing useful consumer insights with its dealers, in order to help them understand things that car buyers consider important when checking out cars. These insights would help dealers to be more strategic in pricing, taking and posting pictures of their cars in order to reach targeted buyers on the platform, and ultimately, increase their sales. According to Sunil Parab, the Keynote Speaker at the event, “transparency and right pricing are critical factors car dealers must consider, adding that quality and swift responses to leads are crucial factors in winning the potential buyer’s interest.� The MD of WOW Motors International Limited also spoke on “Improving Sales with After Sales Relationships� and stressed that despite the recession, car dealers can increase sales by not allowing generated leads get away without conversion. He explained that including perks, like great service experiences and follow up, go a long way in winning the heart and loyalty of existing customers and potential buyers.

Mamah Replaces Okemuo as Luxury Bus Owners’ Leader

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he Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria has elected the son of Prince Chukwuemeka Mamah, to lead its national executive committee made up of mainly chief executive officers from various inter-city transport firms. Mamah replaces Sir Dan Dollars Okemuo, who served for two terms of four years each. Mamah thus becomes the second new-generation CEO to drive the association since Ekene Dili Chukwu, Chisco, Young Shall Grow, Izu Chukwu, Ifesinachi, Ekesons, G. U. O., C. N. Okoli, and others, blazed the trail in the sector, in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Mamah, who is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ifesinachi Industries Nigeria

Ltd, was elected, along with other executive members at the 6th Annual General Meeting of ALBON held at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos on Thursday. During the keenly contested and peaceful elections conducted by a committee headed by Chief Cyril Udoye of Young Shall Grow Motors Limited, he polled 18 votes to beat his opponent, Chief Joseph Ejiofor. For the post of 1st Vice President, Chief Anthony Ekwosimba of Ekwos Associates{WA} Ltd, was elected after earning 17 votes, six votes more than his opponent, while the offspring of another first generation transporter, Nonso Ubajaka of Izu Chukwu Transport, was elected the 2nd Vice President.

Out-going National President of the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria, Sir Dan Okemuo (middle), congratulating his newly elected successor, Prince Emeka Mamah and with them is the new 1st Vice President, Chief Anthony Ekwosimba‌ recently

WHAT IS A STOP SIGN?

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am not a lover of tennis unlike football which has always remained a past time for me. Even when my darling and favorite club,Arsenal, gives me all the good reason to put a call through to my doctor and request for a standby nurse and a state of the art ambulance in the event that my team tortures me like they do always, I still love them even with an induced heartache and loss of appetite. Like Arsenal, the super eagles are almost like my darling team even though as a Nigerian, I am stuck with them for life although a fortnight ago they shocked me when they whitewashed the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon four goals to nil and followed this superlative performance during the second led in YaoundĂŠ, the Cameroun capital where they were held by the same Lions to a draw which was as good as a win. This piece is not about my darling team and our economizer coach-Arsene Wenger , who would rather save money for the board than buy players unless they come very cheap which makes me wonder whether he is truly French or an Ibo man from my small village called Amasiri in Afikpo local government area of Ebonyi State. Neither is this piece about our own Super Eagle. It is also not about tennis either, even though the event of June 9, 2017 involving tennis star, Venus Williams flashed through my mind when the thought of this piece was being considered. It was on that day that the black American super

SAFE DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

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

star who looks more like someone from across the Niger was involved in a crash in Palm Beach Gardens,Fla that resulted in a fatal road traffic crash as reported by the New York TimesVenus Williams was involved in a car crash in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.The crash which was investigated by the Palm Beach Gardens police said in a report on the crash that Williams was at fault.�� The accident happened as Williams’ car was crossing an intersection around 1 p.m. at around 5 miles per hour, when another car ran into it, the report said. It said Williams was at fault for “violating the right of way’’ of the other vehicle, which was being driven by Linda Barson, 67. Her husband, Jerome Barson, 78, was injured and died two weeks later. According to the police report, witnesses told investigators that Williams ran a red light in her Toyota S.U.V. just as Barson’s car entered the intersection on a green light�. Like I said, he crash flashed my mind on Sept 1,

2017, when I was on board an AirFrance aircraft in Paris awaiting clearance for takeoff to London. As my flying habit is, I had requested for a window seat to enable me wave bye to Paris during takeoff and even while flying. While waiting ,I peeped through the window to look at the ever busy traffic of vehicles and planes at the Charles De Gaulle InternationalAirport when my eyes caught a very interesting and exciting but scenario on the tarmac .For me, the few minutes we spent was some form of tutoring on safe driving .On the tarmac was a stop sign which I keenly watched as all vehicles, both utility and heavy duty vehicles approached the stop sign, slowed down and stopped. Even when there was no on-coming vehicle, each vehicle stopped. This driving habit was the same. The event of June 9, 2017 involving Serena and the Sept 1, 2017 attraction I enjoyed prompted me to focus on today’s topic. I know most of us who drive will probably take me for a joker as some would boast that they know everything but my worry is our level of compliance when we approach a stop sign or even when we get to a traffic light where the stop lines mandates us to stop behind it. The September 1 event also brought to the fore my experience when I visited Cape Town in South Africa some years back and observed how they roads were adorned with stop signs at every road junction and how motorist obeyed them unlike what we do here in our clime

While reflecting on the traffic decency at the Paris Airport, I recalled that the driving behavior is a reflection of the French government intervention put in place to promote safer roads. The measures include . The measures include a plan to reducing the speed limit on some single-lane roads from the current 90km/h to 80km/h, banning of the use of headphones connected to mobile, legal alcohol limit for new drivers reduced from0.5 grams per litre to 0.2 grams per litre. This measure was particularly aimed at the 18-24 age group, in which alcohol was responsible for a quarter of deaths between 2011 and 2013. The government also improved enforcement by increasing the number of safety camera at lights and made existing safety cameras bidirectional. There were other far reaching interventions and I am excited that our government action is following this pattern which should ,with the compliment of the private sector drive appropriate intervention measures to trend road traffic crashes. According to the Revised Highway Code, the stop sign is a prohibitory sign.�� it is octagonal in shape(8sided sign),with red border, and yellow or white inscription and border respectively. The Highway Code mandates that at any time you see the stop sign, you MUST come to a complete stop.� The stop sign is a road traffic sign, signals and markings put in place to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow. The traffic signs are erected at the side of or above roads to inform or give instructions to road users. They vary in shapes and colour according to the revised Highway Code�

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

FAMILY HEALTH with

Stomach Ulcer in Man

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he human body is very delicate and the slightest misadventure in your feeding pattern or harmful exposure to harmful conditions, and even accidents can cause damage and erosion of the linning of the gut. The stomach is the most exposed part of your digestive system, any food you eat or ingest must be processed in the stomach for digestion and ultimate absorption in the appropriate areas of the gut. It is therefore filled with various digestive enzymes and juices to aid this process. Stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach. Ulcers can also occur in part of the intestine just beyond the stomach – these are known as duodenal ulcers. Both stomach and duodenal ulcers are sometimes referred to as peptic ulcers. A number of symptoms are associated with stomach ulcers. The severity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the ulcer. The most common symptom is a burning sensation or pain in the middle of your abdomen between your chest and belly button. Typically, the pain will be more intense when your stomach is empty, and it can last for a few minutes to several hours. The most common peptic ulcer symptom is burning stomach pain. Stomach acid makes the pain worse, as does having an empty stomach. The pain can often be relieved by eating certain foods that buffer stomach acid or by taking an acid-reducing medication, but then it may come back. The pain may be worse between meals and at night. Nearly three-quarters of people with peptic ulcers don’t have symptoms. Stomach ulcers are common. Other common signs and symptoms of ulcers include: r #VSOJOH TUPNBDI QBJO r 'FFMJOH PG GVMMOFTT CMPBUJOH PS CFMDIJOH r 'BUUZ GPPE JOUPMFSBODF r EVMM QBJO JO UIF TUPNBDI r XFJHIU MPTT r OPU XBOUJOH UP FBU CFDBVTF PG QBJO r OBVTFB PS WPNJUJOH r CMPBUJOH r CVSQJOH PS BDJE SFåVY r IFBSUCVSO CVSOJOH TFOTBUJPO JO UIF DIFTU

r QBJO UIBU NBZ JNQSPWF XIFO ZPV FBU ESJOL PS take antacids BOFNJB TZNQUPNT DBO JODMVEF UJSFEOFTT r TIPSUOFTT PG CSFBUI PS QBMFS TLJO

EBSL UBSSZ TUPPMT r WPNJU UIBU T CMPPEZ PS MPPLT MJLF DPGGFF HSPVOET r When to seek medical help It is important you see the doctor if you have any of the symptoms above and if over-the-counter antacids and acid blockers relieve your pain but the pain returns. r WPNJUJOH CMPPE m UIF CMPPE DBO BQQFBS CSJHIU SFE or have a dark brown, grainy appearance, similar to coffee grounds r QBTTJOH EBSL TUJDLZ UBS MJLF TUPPMT r B TVEEFO TIBSQ QBJO JO ZPVS UVNNZ UIBU HFUT steadily worse. Causes Peptic ulcers occur when acid in the digestive tract eats away at the inner surface of the stomach or small intestine. The acid can create a painful open sore that may bleed. Your digestive tract is coated with a mucous layer that normally protects against acid. But if the amount of acid is increased or the amount of mucus is decreased, you could develop an ulcer It could also occur when the layer that protects the stomach lining from stomach acid breaks down, which allows the stomach lining to become damaged. r BO JOGFDUJPO XJUI )FMJDPCBDUFS QZMPSJ ) QZMPSJ bacteria r UBLJOH OPO TUFSPJEBM BOUJ JOåBNNBUPSZ ESVHT /4"*%T TVDI BT JCVQSPGFO PS BTQJSJO m QBSUJDVMBSMZ if they’re taken for a long time or at high doses r *U VTFE UP CF UIPVHIU UIBU TUSFTT PS DFSUBJO GPPET might cause stomach ulcers, but there’s little evidence to suggest this is the case. 4UPNBDI VMDFST BSF VTVBMMZ DBVTFE CZ )FMJDPCBDUFS QZMPSJ ) QZMPSJ CBDUFSJB PS OPO TUFSPJEBM BOUJ JOåBNNBUPSZ ESVHT /4"*%T These can break down the stomach’s defence against the acid it produces to digest food, allowing the stomach lining to become damaged and an ulcer to form. r " CBDUFSJVN )FMJDPCBDUFS QZMPSJ CBDUFSJB DPNNPOMZ live in the mucous layer that covers and protects tissues UIBU MJOF UIF TUPNBDI BOE TNBMM JOUFTUJOF 0GUFO UIF ) pylori bacterium causes no problems, but it can cause JOåBNNBUJPO PG UIF TUPNBDI T JOOFS MBZFS QSPEVDJOH BO VMDFS *U T OPU DMFBS IPX ) QZMPSJ JOGFDUJPO TQSFBET It may be transmitted from person to person by close DPOUBDU TVDI BT LJTTJOH 1FPQMF NBZ BMTP DPOUSBDU ) pylori through food and water. r 3FHVMBS VTF PG DFSUBJO QBJO SFMJFWFST 5BLJOH BTQJSJO as well as certain over-the-counter and prescription QBJO NFEJDBUJPOT DBMMFE OPOTUFSPJEBM BOUJ JOåBNNBUPSZ ESVHT /4"*%T DBO JSSJUBUF PS JOåBNF UIF MJOJOH PG ZPVS

The most common peptic ulcer symptom is burning stomach pain. Stomach acid makes the pain worse, as does having an empty stomach. The pain can often be relieved by eating certain foods that buer stomach acid or by taking an acid-reducing medication, but then it may come back. The pain may be worse between meals and at night. Nearly three-quarters of people with peptic ulcers don’t have symptoms

stomach and small intestine. These medications include JCVQSPGFO "EWJM .PUSJO *# PUIFST BOE OBQSPYFO TPEJVN "MFWF "OBQSPY PUIFST CVU OPU BDFUBNJOPQIFO 5ZMFOPM Peptic ulcers are more common in older adults who take these pain medications frequently or in people who take these medications for osteoarthritis. r 0UIFS NFEJDBUJPOT 5BLJOH DFSUBJO PUIFS NFEJDBUJPOT BMPOH XJUI /4"*%T TVDI BT TUFSPJET BOUJDPBHVMBOUT low-dose aspirin, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors 443*T BMFOESPOBUF 'PTBNBY BOE SJTFESPOBUF "DUPOFM can greatly increase the chance of developing ulcers. r -JGFTUZMF GBDUPST It used to be thought that stomach ulcers may be caused by certain lifestyle factors, such as spicy foods, stress and alcohol. There is little hard evidence to confirm that this is the case, but these factors may make the symptoms of ulcers worse. )PXFWFS JU JT UIPVHIU UIBU TNPLJOH JODSFBTFT ZPVS SJTL of developing stomach ulcers and may make treatment less effective. Diagnosis Your doctor may suspect you have an ulcer, based on your symptoms. They will want to know if you’re UBLJOH OPO TUFSPJEBM BOUJ JOåBNNBUPSZ ESVHT /4"*%T BOE NBZ UFTU ZPV GPS BO )FMJDPCBDUFS QZMPSJ ) QZMPSJ infection. You may be referred to hospital for a procedure to MPPL JOTJEF ZPVS TUPNBDI B HBTUSPTDPQZ r 5FTUJOH GPS ) QZMPSJ JOGFDUJPO If your doctor thinks your symptoms may be caused CZ BO ) QZMPSJ JOGFDUJPO UIFZ NBZ SFDPNNFOE POF PG the following tests: 1. urea breath test – you will be given a special drink DPOUBJOJOH B DIFNJDBM UIBU JT CSPLFO EPXO CZ ) QZMPSJ your breath is then analysed to see whether or not you IBWF BO ) QZMPSJ JOGFDUJPO 2. stool antigen test – a small stool sample is tested for the bacteria 3. blood test – a sample of your blood is tested for BOUJCPEJFT UP UIF ) QZMPSJ CBDUFSJB BOUJCPEJFT BSF proteins produced naturally in your blood and help to à HIU JOGFDUJPO UIJT IBT OPX MBSHFMZ CFFO SFQMBDFE CZ the stool antigen test *G ZPV UFTU QPTJUJWF GPS ) QZMPSJ ZPV XJMM OFFE USFBUment to clear the infection, which can heal the ulcer and prevent it from returning. 4. Gastroscopy In some cases, you may be referred for a gastroscopy to look inside your stomach directly and see whether you have a stomach ulcer. The procedure is carried out in hospital and involves QBTTJOH B UIJO åFYJCMF UVCF BO FOEPTDPQF XJUI B DBNFSB at one end into your mouth and down into your stomach BOE à STU TFDUJPO PG UIF TNBMM JOUFTUJOF EVPEFOVN You may be given a mild sedative injection before the procedure and have your throat sprayed with a local anaesthetic to make it more comfortable to pass the endoscope. The images taken by the camera will usually confirm or rule out an ulcer. A small tissue sample may also be taken from your stomach or duodenum, so it can be UFTUFE GPS UIF ) QZMPSJ CBDUFSJB A gastroscopy is usually carried out as an outpatient procedure, which means you won’t have to spend the night in hospital. 5. Upper gastrointestinal series. Sometimes called a barium swallow, this series of X-rays of your upper digestive system creates images of your esophagus, TUPNBDI BOE TNBMM JOUFTUJOF %VSJOH UIF 9 SBZ ZPV TXBMMPX B XIJUF MJRVJE DPOUBJOJOH CBSJVN UIBU DPBUT your digestive tract and makes an ulcer more visible. Treatments If you have a stomach ulcer, your treatment will depend on what caused it. With treatment, most ulcers heal in

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

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

a month or two. *G ZPVS TUPNBDI VMDFS JT DBVTFE CZ BO )FMJDPCBDUFS QZMPSJ ) QZMPSJ CBDUFSJBM JOGFDUJPO B DPVSTF PG BOUJCJPUJDT BOE B NFEJDBUJPO DBMMFE B QSPUPO QVNQ JOIJCJUPS 11* is recommended. This is also recommended if it’s thought your stomach VMDFS JT DBVTFE CZ B DPNCJOBUJPO PG BO ) QZMPSJ JOGFDUJPO BOE OPO TUFSPJEBM BOUJ JOåBNNBUPSZ ESVHT /4"*%T *G ZPVS TUPNBDI VMDFS JT KVTU DBVTFE CZ UBLJOH /4"*%T a course of PPI medication is recommended. Your use of /4"*%T XJMM BMTP CF SFWJFXFE BOE UBLJOH BO BMUFSOBUJWF painkiller may be advised. "O BMUFSOBUJWF UZQF PG NFEJDBUJPO LOPXO BT ) receptor antagonists, is occasionally used instead of PPIs, and sometimes you may be given additional medication called antacids to relieve your symptoms in the short term. You may have a repeat gastroscopy after four to six weeks to check that the ulcer has healed. There aren’t any special lifestyle measures you need to take during treatment, but avoiding stress, alcohol, spicy foods and smoking may reduce your symptoms while your ulcer heals. Treatment for peptic ulcers depends on the cause. 6TVBMMZ USFBUNFOU XJMM JOWPMWF LJMMJOH UIF ) QZMPSJ bacterium, if present, eliminating or reducing use of aspirin and similar pain medications, if possible, and helping your ulcer to heal with medication. Medications can include r "OUJCJPUJD NFEJDBUJPOT UP LJMM ) QZMPSJ *G ) QZMPSJ JT GPVOE JO ZPVS EJHFTUJWF USBDU ZPVS EPDUPS may recommend a combination of antibiotics to kill the CBDUFSJVN 5IFTF NBZ JODMVEF BNPYJDJMMJO "NPYJM DMBSJUISPNZDJO #JBYJO NFUSPOJEB[PMF 'MBHZM UJOJEB[PMF 5JOEBNBY UFUSBDZDMJOF 5FUSBDZDMJOF )$- BOE MFWPåPYBDJO -FWBRVJO The antibiotics used will be determined by where you live and current antibiotic resistance rates. You’ll likely need to take antibiotics for two weeks, as well as additional medications to reduce stomach acid, including a proton pump inhibitor and possibly bismuth TVCTBMJDZMBUF 1FQUP #JTNPM r .FEJDBUJPOT UIBU CMPDL BDJE QSPEVDUJPO BOE QSPNPUF healing. r 1SPUPO QVNQ JOIJCJUPST ‡ BMTP DBMMFE 11*T ‡ SFEVDF stomach acid by blocking the action of the parts of cells that produce acid. These drugs include the prescription BOE PWFS UIF DPVOUFS NFEJDBUJPOT PNFQSB[PMF 1SJMPTFD MBOTPQSB[PMF 1SFWBDJE SBCFQSB[PMF "DJQIFY FTPNFQSB[PMF /FYJVN BOE QBOUPQSB[PMF 1SPUPOJY -POH UFSN VTF PG QSPUPO QVNQ JOIJCJUPST QBSUJDVMBSMZ at high doses, may increase your risk of hip, wrist and spine fracture. Ask your doctor whether a calcium supplement may reduce this risk. r .FEJDBUJPOT UP SFEVDF BDJE QSPEVDUJPO "DJE CMPDLFST ‡ BMTP DBMMFE IJTUBNJOF ) CMPDLFST ‡ SFEVDF UIF amount of stomach acid released into your digestive tract, which relieves ulcer pain and encourages healing. Available by prescription or over-the-counter, acid CMPDLFST JODMVEF UIF NFEJDBUJPOT SBOJUJEJOF ;BOUBD GBNPUJEJOF 1FQDJE DJNFUJEJOF 5BHBNFU )# BOE OJ[BUJEJOF "YJE "3 r "OUBDJET UIBU OFVUSBMJ[F TUPNBDI BDJE :PVS EPDUPS may include an antacid in your drug regimen. Antacids neutralize existing stomach acid and can provide rapid pain relief. Side effects can include constipation or diarrhea, depending on the main ingredients. Antacids can provide symptom relief, but generally aren’t used to heal your ulcer. .FEJDBUJPOT UIBU QSPUFDU UIF MJOJOH PG ZPVS TUPNBDI and small intestine. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications called cytoprotective agents that help protect the tissues that line your stomach and small intestine. Risk factors In addition to taking certain pain medications, including aspirin, you may have an increased risk of peptic ulcers if you: r 4NPLF 4NPLJOH NBZ JODSFBTF UIF SJTL PG QFQUJD VMDFST JO QFPQMF XIP BSF JOGFDUFE XJUI ) QZMPSJ r %SJOL BMDPIPM "MDPIPM DBO JSSJUBUF BOE FSPEF UIF mucous lining of your stomach, and it increases the amount of stomach acid that’s produced. r )BWF VOUSFBUFE TUSFTT r &BU TQJDZ GPPET Alone, these factors do not cause ulcers, but they can make them worse and more difficult to heal. Complications -FGU VOUSFBUFE QFQUJD VMDFST DBO SFTVMU JO r *OUFSOBM CMFFEJOH #MFFEJOH DBO PDDVS BT TMPX CMPPE loss that leads to anemia or as severe blood loss that may require hospitalization or a blood transfusion. Severe blood loss may cause black or bloody vomit or black or bloody stools. r *OGFDUJPO 1FQUJD VMDFST DBO FBU B IPMF UISPVHI QFSGPSBUF UIF XBMM PG ZPVS TUPNBDI PS TNBMM JOUFTUJOF putting you at risk of serious infection of your abdominal DBWJUZ QFSJUPOJUJT r 0CTUSVDUJPO 1FQUJD VMDFST DBO MFBE UP TXFMMJOH JOåBNNBUJPO PS TDBSSJOH UIBU NBZ CMPDL QBTTBHF PG food through the digestive tract. A blockage may make you become full easily, vomit and lose weight.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

09.09.2017

Sam Vincent Beating the Odds

TITLE CHASE

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Beating the Odds Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă– ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂžĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă– Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ—Ă™Ă“Ă–Ë› Ăž Ă’Ă‹ĂŽ ÞåÙ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĚŽ Ă“Ă”Ă‹Ă˜Ă“ Ă—Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă‹ Ă’Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ě‹ Ă“ĂŽĂ‹Ě‹Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă“Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ÞÙ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–ĂŁ ĂœĂ&#x;ĂŒĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ě‹Ă™ĘĽ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁË› ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă?ÙËĂ?Ă’ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ åÙ×Ă?Ă˜ËŞĂ? ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ëœ ËŞ Ă“Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă— Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÙÎÎĂ?Ëœ Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă— ÞÙ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ͺ͸͚Ϳ Ă?ĂœĂ™ Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ™Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜ ÒÙ×Ă? Ă?ÙÓÖ Ă“Ă˜ ÍşÍ¸Í¸Í˝Ëœ Kunle Adewale ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?Ă?

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he June 13 federations’ general election in Abuja ended in controversy as most of the 33 federations complained of discrepancies. In the Nigeria Basketball Federation, while Musa Ahmadu-Kida’s faction was conducting an election in Abuja, Kano was the venue of the Tijani Umar’s faction’s election 24 hours before the general election, with both claiming to be the genuine president. As a result of the rancour within the basketball family, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) refused to recognise any of the factions. However, for communication purposes it deals with Ahmadu-Kida’s faction. The world basketball governing body indeed asked the Nigeria Basketball Federation to resolve the disagreement that followed the June 13 election conducted for the federation alongside other 33 associations under the supervision of the sports ministry and the Nigeria Olympic Committee. FIBA made its position known via a letter sent to Kida and Umar and signed by its Secretary General, Patrick Baumann. A group led by the Umar who served as the NBBF president until the dissolution of the boards of federation held a splinter election on June 12 in Kano ahead of the government- approved one of June 13 and since then, both sides have laid claim to the NBBF board. Even though the Kida-led board was inaugurated on July 21 in Abuja by the country’s sports minister alongside other federations, both sides have continued to lay claim to the leadership of Nigeria basketball. The letter stated, “FIBA is not entirely satisfied that either election was carried out in accordance with the FIBA General Statues. Consequently, pursuant to Article 9.10 of the FIBA General Statutes, FIBA cannot recognise either election.� It was in the midst of the turmoil that head coach, Sam Vincent led the Nigerian basketball team, D’Tigress, to the 2017 AfroBasket in Bamako, Mali. The team emerged the new African champions after beating defending champions, Senegal, by 65-48 in the final played at the

Sports Pavilion in Bamako. The head coach of the Women’s Senior National basketball team was never in doubt of D’Tigress having an impressive outing at the recently tournament. Prior to leaving for the competition during D’Tigress’ last warm-up game against Raptors at the Indoor Sports hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, despite suffering 78 points to 65 defeat, the coach was optimistic. He believed there was a marked improvement in the way the team played as they were able to reduce the 16 points deficit in their earlier 71 points to 55 loss to just 13 in less than 24 hours. “I feel great, the ladies are working hard, we got a good training camp in Florida. We have a solid local training camp and I feel we have good players here who are ready to compete. I feel good about our chances going into the tournament. “Defensively, we have to be better, offensively, we have to

get a little bit sharper. The good thing is that the tournament is not starting tomorrow. We still have about seven days and by the time we actually play the game, we will be a little bit sharper than we were tonight,� he said. The 54-year-old who led D’Tigress to their second Afrobasket title in 2005 was never in doubt in the ability of the players to bring back the title. “I definitely feel we can do it again. I feel like this is a great team that we are putting together and now we just have to focus on the last four or five days before we head to Mali, so I feel good about our chances,� Vincent had said before the team’s departure. On arrival in Bamako for the competition, after the team’s first training session, an optimistic Vincent said the team had enough talents and experience to stand tournament and true to type the team did not disappoint. “I like the way the team is working right now. We feel good about the roster. The players are experienced and we have got post players, shooters and we are solid on defence,� Vincent had said. Born in 1963 as James Samuel Vincent, the retired professional basketball player won the State of Michigan "Mr. Basketball" award in 1981, the first year the award was given. He attended Lansing’s Eastern High School, where he scored 61 points in one game as a senior, breaking the previous city scoring record of 54 set by Magic Johnson at Everett High School. He was awarded the Sporting News All-America honors in 1985. After graduating from college, he was selected by the Bolton Celtics with the twentieth pick of the 1985 NBA draft. He played two seasons for the Celtics, winning an NBA Championship ring as a reserve in 1986, before joining the Seattle SuperSonic, who promptly traded him to the Chicago Bulls for Sedale Threatt.

Victor Ochei Wheelchair Basketball Championship Gets October 22 Date

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he 2017 edition of the Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Championship will hold from October 22-28, organisers of the event have said. For the past six years, the ex-Delta State Speaker has funded the championship, which has produced many stars for the country. He had also sponsored Nigerian Wheelchair Basketball teams to various international competitions, including the Rio 2016 Olympics Games qualifiers in Algeria, where the country fielded both male and female teams. According to the president, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria,(WBFN) Bukola Olopade, he said despite the dwindling economy situation in the country Ochei says he would continue to stick to his promise of using the wheelchair basketball to change the life of many physically challenged people in Nigeria and some African countries.

Olopade, added that the 2017 edition, which is the sixth in the series, will witness the introduction of wheelchair basketball challenge. “The wheelchair basketball challenge is one of the several new things we are going to introduce in this year’s edition. It will carry its own prize money. We will hold a world press conference by the end of this month to officially announce the package,� Olopade stated. He commended Ochei for his continuous pledge to empower special sports athletes in the country. Some of the players also praised Ochei for his continuous love for special athletes, especially when he is no longer in government. “It is not common in Nigeria for people to continue sponsorship of a sporting event when they are no more in government. But Ochei has stuck to wheelchair basketball, which is commendable,� one of the players said.

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SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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

NPFL Finale: Brand New Champion, Old Problems, Bright Future

Enugu Rangers celebrating last year's NPFL victory

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After one-and-a-half solid seasons with the Bulls, he was selected by the Orlando Magic in the 1989 NBA expansion draft, and he finished his NBA career with the Magic in 1992, scoring 3,106 points and tallied 1,543 assists during his seven-year tenure in the league. Shortly after retiring, Vincent worked at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Walt Disney World. During the late 1990s, he coached basketball in South Africa, and he has also coached in Greece, Netherlands, Nigeria and the NBDL. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, he led the Nigerian women's basketball team to a 68–64 victory over South Korea, which was the first ever victory by an African nation in an Olympic women's basketball contest. Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday congratulated D’Tigress on its victory at the 2017 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Tournament in Mali and consequently qualifying Nigeria for the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain. A statement by his chief spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari joined other sports-loving Nigerians in saluting the heroic performance of the victorious D’Tigress over their Senegalese counterpart in the final of the 2017 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Tournament on Sunday. “The President commends the players for displaying uncommon strength, confidence, skill and dexterity in their victory over the defending champions. “President Buhari urges members of the team and their handlers to remain focused and dedicated even as they prepare for greater glory to Nigeria at the forthcoming FIBA World Cup. “The President assures the team, its managers and the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) of his support and that of the Federal Government to ensure that they excel against other top competitors in Spain,” the statement said. Also, the factional President of the NBBF, Umar, has sent a congratulatory message to the officials and players of D’Tigress for winning a third Afrobasket Championship title in Bamako, on Sunday. Umar, expressed his delight at the commitment of the Aisha Mohammed-captained team at the championship, after they ended with a 100 per cent performance winning all their games.

“The determination of the players and officials of D’Tigress at the Afrobasket Championship in Mali tells a lot about the character of the team. They have just set precedence for other national teams in other sports in Nigeria, to remain focused even in the midst of political instability in any of the sports federations. Athletes should at all times not be involved in leadership tussles by sports administrators. With an enabling environment, they should get the job done.” Umar also reiterated his readiness to engage the Ahmadu-Kida group in a final reconciliation as directed by world basketball body FIBA before the end of November. He urged the men’s national basketball team, D’Tigers, to take a cue from the performances of the women’s team to go all the way to Tunisia and win the Afrobasket Men’s Championship, especially as they would be playing as defending champions. Buhari on Wednesday hosted the victorious national female basketball team, D’Tigress, before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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

he Nigerian Professional Football League season draws to a close today with a firsttime champion guaranteed to emerge. After 37 grueling games, the shootout for the crown is between Plateau United and MFM FC. Just one point separates the two sides, so this is far from decided. On paper Plateau have the advantage as they host off-colour defending champions Rangers, while MFM travel to mid-table El-Kanemi. If there was ever a time the church-owned MFM needed fire and miracles from the heavens, now is that time. Not only do they have to beat El-Kanemi away, they would need Rangers to do them a favour by getting a result in Jos. Many would probably say Plateau deserve the title after leading topping the table for much of the season, but MFM, who ironically barely survived relegation in their maiden appearance in the topflight last season, have had a brilliant season themselves. May the best team win. OLD PROBLEMS Poor sponsorship - clearly, poor sponsorship remains a sad problem despite the stability and improvement the league has enjoyed in recent years. Star Lager remains the one big local brand behind the league, while TV broadcaster Supersport, who have been a heavy financial backer of the NPFL in recent years, have opted to scale down their role. Most of our other big brands involved in football still rather sponsor the English Premier League, even at a time of economic recession when we desperately need to build local industry. Somebody needs to tell our captains of industry that that is an illogical business strategy that will only serve to shrink their own businesses over time. Go figure. Poor remunerations - listening to the legendary Etim Esin on radio this week, he spoke about how as a player in the local league in 1987 he was given a 505 Evolution with full options (then a favourite of society’s rich) as part of his package by his club. At the time he was only a teenager. 30 years on and the league has gone backwards in terms of remunerating players. I have always argued that this needs to change because without good player wages the league would be starved of the stars it needs to pull in large crowds. Sparse crowds - while the football quality is clearly improving, sparselyfilled stadiums remain demotivating for players, fans and sponsors. There needs to be carefully orchestrated programs that ensure the league is woven into the lifestyles of fans such that it becomes a part of them and not just a nationalistic duty. Staff turnover - the turnover of players and coaches is still a huge worry. Players also disappearing midseason to scout for contracts overseas must be discouraged. The league must do more to protect coaches from trigger-happy egocentric administrators who dish out all sorts of incredulous ultimatums to coaches

whenever results don’t go their way. The League Management Company should make it standard for coaches to have tough severance packages in their contracts. Unpaid wages – the problem of unpaid wages remains a huge one for the league. Ahead of this weekend players of Shooting Stars went on strike to demand that their outstanding wages be paid. While there has been some improvement from last season, this remains an sore point that diminishes the progress the league is making. Poor officiating - this above all else this is probably the biggest problem the league has. This affects the integrity of the league and negatively impacts everyone from players to fans and sponsors. Of particular concern is that there are still unacceptably few away wins. Many blame officiating, with some saying this creates a mentality problem for traveling teams who see away games as almost unwinnable. The LMC must reserve the stiffest sanctions for erring referees. BRIGHT FUTURE Stability - in spite of the above problems, it is clear there are many positives. Top on my list is the stability in the league. The fixtures were handled smoothly and there were comparatively fewer controversies. Even when there was a problem with the broadcast company and many feared that this would disrupt the games, the LMC marched ahead seamlessly. TV content - in the new season, and as a fallout of the problems with Supersport, the league is in the process of setting up its own TV production arm to record its games. This is the practice in the most advanced parts of the world because TV content drives sports revenues. Total control of the production of the content is critical to the financial success of the league. The game - the quality of the football has also been on the up. Who can forget the stunning goal scored by MFM’s Sikiru Olatunbosun against Rangers? The footage went viral around the world and was even named the CNN Goal of the Week. More players also had goals that would look stunning wherever they are scored in the world. Lai Mohammed - I think the most significant contribution to the future of our league came from the minister of youth and culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed recently. His stance that local brands sponsoring foreign leagues and clubs should be made to pay a 30% tax on their sponsorship fee for the development of the local league is bang on the money. Leadership - in spite of the numerous odds they have faced, the LMC leadership of Alhaji Shehu Dikko, ably supported by Honourable Nduka Irabor, continues to keep the league on an upward trajectory. These guys are far from perfect, but increasingly they have more among us believing again that it is only a matter of time before the league returns to the heights it reached in the 70s and 80s. Media - the media looks to be waking up to its responsibility to promote the league. There are many more stories about the NPFL in our newspapers, television and radio sports programmes as well as on social media. You suspect that this has more to do with the stability and consistency in the league than a matter of enlightened self-interest. There is still way too much focus on European football and many times these stories dwarf the local news. But there is progress, and long may it reign.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍˇËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

Liverpool Storm Etihad to Begin Title Chase Ă’Ă? Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?Ă? ÞÒÓĂ? ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă• Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĚ‹Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ʨâÞĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă? ÞÙÎËã˪Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ Ă•Ă“Ă?ÕÙʼ ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂšĂ™Ă™Ă–Ë› ÓÞÒ ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? ĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?ÓÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ùà Ă?ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă•Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ě‹ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă“Ă–Ă?ËŞ ĂžĂœĂ“Ăš ÞÙ ÞÙÕĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ

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iverpool could hardly be in higher spirits as they set out on the short trip to Manchester City this afternoon hoping to make a strong case for their Premier League title prospects. Pep Guardiola’s City and neighbours Manchester United, together with champions Chelsea, have already been installed as the trio most likely to contest the title, but optimism is surging on Merseyside after a free-scoring August. A 4-0 thrashing of a compliant Arsenal side before the international break means Juergen Klopp’s side has seven points from nine during an opening period in which they also safely negotiated a Champions League playoff against Hoffenheim. What is more, Liverpool’s transfer window business has been hailed as some of the best amongst the leading clubs. Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah was rated by number-crunchers at the CIES Football Observatory as the bargain of the summer from Roma and a goal on his debut plus strikes against Hoffenheim and Arsenal have quickly endeared him to Anfield’s faithful. The deadline-day signing from Arsenal of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a player Klopp believes can become a Liverpool great adds more firepower to an attack already boasting Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino and which will soon be further boosted by the return from injury of Adam Lallana. The rising stock of midfielder Jordan Henderson, who has captained England twice in the past week, and a superb goal for teenager Ben Woodburn on his Wales debut means the continued uncertainty surrounding Phillipe Coutinho and his desire to join Barcelona is a manageable distraction. No wonder pundits are taking Liverpool seriously. “I didn’t fancy Liverpool before the season started but they’ve made some decent buys and kept Coutinho which is a boost for them,� former Manchester United great Ryan Giggs conceded this week. “After the business they’ve done I’ve probably changed my mind and they will be in the mix.� Liverpool have a strong recent record against City, winning four of the last six league clashes between the sides and last lost to them in the league three years ago. Last season, Klopp’s side took 20 points from their matches against Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, City, United and Arsenal - more than any other club and the recent demolition of Arsenal maintained their form against the big clubs. City, who also have seven points, have match-winners everywhere though, even if they will be without former Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling who was sent off for overcelebrating a last-gasp winner against Bournemouth last time out. While Sterling’s absence will be a blow, Guardiola’s options are so numerous that Sergio Aguero was only a substitute against Bournemouth and he is likely to return. Defensive worries remain despite a

Philippe Coutinho outspaces Kun Aguero huge summer outlay and 50-million-pound right back Kyle Walker will return from suspension with the unenviable task of trying to stop the rampaging runs of Mane, a battle that could determine which of the two title rivals will be celebrating. Meanwhile, City face an injury concern with the club's medical team concerned over a fresh problem for Vincent Kompany. The City captain has been stricken with a series of calf problems over the last three seasons and was limited to just 11 appearances in the Premier League in Pep Guardiola's first season in England last term. The worst of those injury woes could be over however with the Belgium international starting and completing each of City's opening three games of the new campaign. However, the 31-year-old was absent from training with his club on Wednesday as a result of a calf problem picked up while on international duty. While City's medical staff do not see it as a serious problem, they are wary of his injury history and will continue to assess the centre-half ahead of the lunch-time kick-off at the Etihad Stadium. Kompany remains a hugely important player for Guardiola following City's failure to bring in another centre-half during the summer transfer window. While the club spent ÂŁ130m in strengthening their options at full-back, the club's interest in West Brom's Jonny Evans, Southampton captain Virgil van Dijk and Real Sociedad's IĂąigo Martinez amounted to nothing, leaving City with the options of Kompany, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala as their only senior centre-halves. Doubts over Kompany will act as a major boost to Liverpool's chances of leaving the Etihad with something. While they have their own problems in attack, their front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino has already proved to be

a deadly combination with Kompany's organisational skills in the City backline vital to keeping the trio quiet. Guardiola has experimented with playing three at the back and a flat back four this season with Kompany, Stones and Otamendi all featuring as the first choice combination. Leaders Manchester United, who have a 100 per cent record and are yet to concede a goal while scoring 10, travel to Stoke City for today’s late kickoff. Promoted high-flyers Huddersfield Town, who have also kept three clean sheets and are level on points with Liverpool and Manchester City, play at bottom side West Ham United on Monday. Arsenal, who have lost their last two games, should avoid slumping to three defeats in a row when they host Bournemouth today. Champions Chelsea are at Leicester City on the same day.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍˇËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

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Drew McIntyre earned the NXT Championship with his victory over Bobby Roode inside Barclays Center. But the undefeated Scot’s night didn’t end there, as Superstar Adam Cole, along with NXT newcomers Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly, made their presence felt in the closing moments of TakeOver

Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys

SuperSport Takes Centre Stage as WWE SummerSlam 2017 Hits New Height The annual World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) SummerSlam event may have been a franchise to wrestling lovers in North America and other western world but the recent partnership with SuperSport has taken the global event to a new height. In this report, Femi Solaja, who covered the week-long event looks back at the gains it will be to Africa in the years to come Dateline was Friday 18th August 2017, and the venue was Holiday Inn Brooklyn Down Town in New York. Battery of cameras and top media representatives awaited the arrival of prominent WWE talents for the ritual pre-event interviews but at the end of the session which lasted a little over two hours, all the participants left the arena fulfilled. Why? SuperSport recently threw its hat into the ring and passionate wrestling lovers in 50 sub-Sahara region can now enjoy live coverage of the contest. It was a historic moment that offered a rare opportunity to teeming viewers to follow the proceedings as it happens. At the same time, almost all the WWE stars present at the conference room expressed their excitement as the platform offers them a unique opportunity to expand their followership and give teeming fans the chance to follow the event from the comfort of the their homes. Before now, wrestling fans in the subSahara region had to rely on delayed broadcast or old actions as the only platform to be abreast with the wrestling world which has moved far into the digital world especially in the advent of social media. Most of the top stars expressed their excitement of the possibility to expand their popularity to other continents via a major satellite television provider, DSTv. Early last month, WWE and SuperSport, Africa’s premier sportchannels provider, had announced a new multi-year agreement to broadcast WWE programming live for the first time in more than 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. "It's a welcome development not only to our prime sport, but it will allow me to expand my coast. It will be a great honour to return to Africa and dazzle my fans out there," the WWE Champion and Indian born super star, Jinder Mahal responded with excitement of the proposed initiative. In his own remarks, master of free style kicks and Japanese star, Shinsuke Nakamura, noted that SuperSport involvement was an added value to the height WWE had attained over the years and a welcome development to break new grounds. "It's an opportunity to make our sport the most popular if over 50 countries in Africa can gain assess to what we do live. In Far East, especially my country, Japan, WWE has become very popular and it has been a motivation to young lads out there and same will be the situation for potentials in Africa," noted Nakamura whose main asset is his physicality.

The trio of New Day composed of Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, who interestingly have a Ghanaian root all spoke with excitement and ready to flow with SportsSport/WWE partnership. "Aside our winning formula, it's a great honour to see our exploits being televised live to African homes. The project will re-awaken youths on the continent to embrace the sport just as our followership will also increase," responded Big E on behalf of the trio. In his own reaction, Nuufolau Joel Seanoa better known by ring name Samoa Joe said "it has always been a great honour for me to compete outside USA and coming to Africa or have a lot of wrestling fans watch our events live is great privilege for us to expand our coast," he responded. It was not a surprise when shortly after the event in New York, DStv and GOtv customers all enjoyed the show as SuperSport aired WWE's top shows Raw and SmackDown including WWE specials, WrestleMania and SummerSlam. "We are aware that the WWE Executives are excited to get their foot print on the continent of Africa. Imagine 50 countries and new audience and they are indeed happy to be involved in bringing new wrestlers out of the continent. "A lot of stars that we have met here spoke about being motivated by the exploits of previous generation of wrestlers and it will be a good investment if through SuperSport, young and talented Africans are motivated to break into WWE circuit. "Although it's a long time project and we hope in the next couple of years, through SuperSport, a lot of Africans can feel the excitement that goes with the sports every Monday night and can also catch up with relay telecast much later in the day," SuperSport Communication Manager, Clinton van dear Berg explained after the event. To get the one-week long entertainment started, the organisers treated all stakeholders including SuperSports delegation to a welcome party tagged SummerSlam kickoff event featuring WWE 2k18 and WWE Supercard. At the ceremony, top stars like AJ Styles, Alexa Bliss, Bayley, Bobby Roode, Braun Strowman, Cesaro and Sheamus, Dean Ambrose, Finn Balor, Jinder Mahal, Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Sasha Banks, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt and The New Day. The high point of the event was the live performance and Deejay performance by foremost American rap artist, Snoopadelic popularly known as Snoop Dogg. The

rapper got all attendees on their feet all through the show. The next day was a historic visit to 'One World Observatory' It is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the sixth tallest in the world. Where WWE super stars like Charlotte Flair, Seth Rollins, AJ Styles and Nikky Bella were on hand to make impaired children fulfill a life time ambition of one-on-one meeting with WWE stars. The emotion meeting was awesome as the stars freely interact with the lads and rewarded them with quality gift items. Later in the evening marked the beginning of real action at the Barclays Centre as the the much anticipated NXT TakeOver event got underway. This might the first time in Kickoff Show history where the crowd chanted all through the the night of brawl and entertainment. One of the main heros of the night was arguable the flamboyant Japanese female wrestler, Kanako Urai, fondly called Asuka who survived a painful tornado suplex against formidable challenger, Ember Moon from Texas in the NXT women's championship. The feat thus means Asuka, a graphic designer and video game journalist holds the record of longest reigning female champion in 30 years for 504 days but only second longest behind Fabulous Moolah. In the other events of the night, Adam Cole, Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish left new NXT champion Drew McIntyre lying to close out the show and perhaps usher in a new era of NXT. The next day also witnessed the much anticipated clash of WWE Champion Jinder Mahal who defended his tittle against Nakamura. The Japanese-born Nakamura had entered SummerSlam with a ton of confidence after beating Cena, but he was at a disadvantage due largely to Mahal's penchant for stacking the deck in his favor with the presence of The Singh Brothers. It was his first defeat in star match parade. The bout and many others to follow clearly indicate the excitements MultiChoice through SuperSports plans give Africans in the coming years especially when WWE decides to stage the contests in some countries in Africa. Only DSTv, MultiChoice's digital satellite TV service in Sub-Saharan terrain, noted for providing various bouquets offering general entertainment, movies, lifestyle & culture, sport, documentaries can make this dream come true.

US OPEN

Keys, Stephens Eye First Grand Slam Two African American women, neither of them named Williams. Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens will square off for the final Grand Slam title of 2017 at Flushing Meadows, a maiden Grand Slam title is up for grabs, and it will be a life changing moment for the winner. No one could have predicted this final at the start of the tournament, Keys and Stephens both brought good form into New York but both have only just recently returned to competitive actions after frustrating injury setbacks. After all the setbacks, both will leave everything out on the court today in what should be a highly competitive final. This match-up will features an interesting contrast in styles, the extreme power of Keys up against the incredible athleticism of Stephens. It was Stephens won the only previous match between the pair in straight sets in Miami of 2015. Who will step up and rise to the occasion? A fourth different Grand Slam winner of the season will be crowned at the US Open today after Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens made it through to the final. With four American women lining up in the semi-finals of a major for the first time since 1985, it was the much heralded next generation of stars who advanced into the showpiece, but the journeys of Stephens and Keys have been anything but straightforward. The pair have been regarded as the future of women's tennis since bursting onto the scene as teenagers and having now reached their first Grand Slam final they will give the US its first All-American final since the Williams sisters in 2002. Stephens did her part first, ending Williams hopes of a third Grand Slam final of the year with a three-set victory in the opening semi-final on Arthur Ashe Stadium - coming through 6-1 0-6 7-5 and she was joined by Keys who had a more routine 6-1 6-2 triumph over CoCo Vandeweghe. While both finalists have endured their share of injury frustrations, it is Stephens story that surprises most. At the start of the year she was working as a reporter for the Tennis Channel and was in the midst of an 11-month lay-off due to a foot injury that required surgery and as recently as three months ago had her in a protective boot. She returned to the courts at Wimbledon and suffered a second round exit before an early defeat in Washington left her with a lowly ranking of 957 as recently as a month ago. Playing under a protected ranking, Keys' runs to the semi-finals of both Toronto and Cincinnati have brought her back inside the world's top 100 and her victory over Williams take her into Sunday's showdown on the back of a fairy-tale run of 14 wins from her last 16 matches. "I have no words to describe what I'm feeling, what it took to get there," she told the crowd in her on-court interview. "It's just a journey. I have no words. When I started my comeback, if someone told me I'd make two Grand Slam semis and a final, I would probably have passed out. "It required a lot of fight and a lot of grit. I just worked my tail off and ran down every ball. We played some incredible points in the third set. I am honoured to play at the same time as one of the greats of the game. She is the most graceful, the most elegant player." Vandeweghe had no answer to Keys' power and the 22-year-old blasted 25 winners on her way to a 6-1 6-2 victory that her own injury problems behind her. "I'm still shaking. I think I played pretty well tonight," Keys told the crowd. I knew I had to rise to the occasion and I'm just really happy to be in the final. I couldn't feel better than I feel right now. "Sloane is a new person right now, she's really loving being out on the court again and she's obviously playing really well. "I'm really excited we get to play each other in a US Open final. It's pretty cool to say." The final promises to be an almost perfect match-up between the all-court prowess of Stephens and the fearsome hitting of Keys as the potential of both finally bears fruit. It's been a long journey for the pair, who are close friends off the court, and having initially made their mark as teenagers, today one will get to crown that journey with a maiden major.

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˜ ˞ SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

WRITERS’ WORLD

How Book, Magazine Publishing Survive Digital Age

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

This article by Nick Coveney, followed by that of BBC’s Amol Rajan show traditional publishing only had a hangover and was not killed by digital publishing,

I

n 2010 Steve Jobs announced another killer product that would propel tech companies, publishers and consumers into an exciting new era. The iPad launched tablet devices into the consumer consciousness in a way which few would have believed possible at the time. Now with over 40 per cent of the worldwide population believed to own at least one tablet and 91 per cent smart phone, smart devices are here to stay. So why did so many book apps fail to work? In those heady days of early book app development, publishers commissioned developers in a landscape much more like the Wild West than you’d be believe possible unless you’d experienced it first-hand. We were in unknown territory which seemed rife with opportunity, but developer costs were extremely high - as were industry expectations - and consumer interest was practically non-existent. Which often led to digital ghost towns rather than the envisioned gold mines. I always characterise this period as publishing experiencing its awkward teenage experimentation with digital. There were many developers “courting� publishers, with publishers equally keen to prove their digital prowess to their authors and agents (and each other of course). This led to some expensive apps which flopped spectacularly in commercial terms. Was it good for you? No, it wasn’t good for me either. The ensuing relationships were often fraught with good intentions, angst and broken promises. They usually culminated in a bad consumer experience or an extremely mediocre one, doomed to eventual mothballing. In the years which have followed we have endured endless prophecies on digital disruption. Subscription would be the death of traditional bookshops/traditional bookshops are killing off subscription services. Websites rule/the web has failed. Now the tide has apparently turned yet again, and apparently, our old reliable e-book is dead, as readers experience “screen fatigue� or decide to embrace that most literary of social media phenomena, the “shelfie�, fuelled by an apparent craze in bookshelf shopping. One of the biggest challenges facing digital publishing is that as an industry we are not in control of consumer consciousness. We are now competing not merely competing with each other, but with other entertainment industries for the escapism choices of our consumers. In the digital space, publishers are not yet meeting an existing user demand for an innovative narrative experiences - because there isn’t a demand to meet. The human race evolved with literature, in its physical printed forms, at its heart for centuries. But for books to retain that central place in the future we need to claim the digital reading space. We need to experiment and explore to help consumers discover the new reading experiences awaiting them. Any digitally native reading experience is arguably going against learned behaviour. The rapid boom and gradual market consolidation of pure e-readers is a key example of this. Every aspect of a greyscale reader is designed to mirror the appearance and tactile experience of a physical book. They’ve now “lost their shine� and are no longer perceived as a trendy must-have. In other words - consumers have moved on. For a start, what press coverage like this fails to acknowledge is the huge market for cloud reading, now supported by almost every computer and all smart devices. Just because fewer people are seen reading on kindles doesn’t mean the market has disappeared. Phones and tablets offer alternative access to our e-reading or digital listening libraries. The digital download business is positively booming with 28 per cent growth last year.. Nor should we confuse a maturing and contracting e-book market with a dying one. Does this mean that digital is dead for book publishers? Of course not.

Across publishers of all sizes, there are still the tell-tale signs of an industry that’s cautiously experimenting with business models and content, learning and pivoting to support what works, and shying away from what doesn’t. To me, it feels as though we’ve woken from the digital hangover of the early ‘10s and found that we still have many more exciting, and commercial opportunities, to explore - but that we do need to be careful and considered in how we approach untested models and markets. What this means in practice, is that we have to experiment in a commercially viable way to bring our incredible world-class IP to life, through previously unexplored reading experiences. We will need to iterate in order to create new ways of accessing our content, and publishers will continue to innovate via projects. Some of these will fail - but we need to be taking risks, because if we don’t, our customers will follow the tech companies who do. HarperCollins UK is totally committed to working with the most exciting partners, such as Hopster and talkRADIO, to find wholly new ways to bring books to life digitally.

Magazines: How Print is Surviving the Digital Age Print sales have been declining for several years as readers find their content online - but now, something unusual is happening. When was the last time you bought a magazine? The answer is likely to depend on whether you prefer reading about Theresa May or Taylor Swift. Magazine sales have generally been falling since the day the inventor of the internet said: “Hey, why don’t I invent the internet?� But the latest ABC figures, released this week, show that sales of certain titles are actually going up. News and current affairs magazines are becoming more popular - but celebrity, gossip and fashion publications are still struggling. It’s a trend that Sarah Penny, editor of Fashion Monitor, puts down to the news agenda. “I think that we can all agree that the past 18 months have been pretty tumultuous within current affairs,� she says.

“With the likes of Brexit and Trump’s election, the unsettled nature of society drives readers to seek out factual news and understand the effects on the economy for themselves from reputable titles that have an authoritative voice.� The titles that seem to be benefiting from this Trump bump include The Economist and The Spectator. Between January and June this year both sold more per issue than they did in the same period in 2016. Take a look at some celebrity, gossip and fashion titles, and the opposite is true. In the early nineties Heat magazine was an absolute bible for showbiz news junkies looking for their fix of Big Brother and Britney Spears. But these days it’s more about Kylie and Kendall - and they tend to use Instagram rather than ink to connect with their fans. “Gossip and celebrity tittle-tattle is rarely something that requires detailed analysis - so it’s best suited to bite-sized content that zips around on social media,� says Ian Burrell, media columnist for the I paper and The Drum. “Once it’s out there, it’s quickly shared and readers move on to the next morsel. No-one wants to wait a week to read about it in a print magazine. Penny adds: “With the competition from digital media, vlogs, blogs and podcasts, readers are finding that their thirst for the content covered in the celebrity weeklies can be satisfied elsewhere for free and with ease online.� The way some quality newspapers and magazines have been able to survive in recent years is by introducing pay walls on their online content. Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator, wrote recently: “A big change is taking place in the market. There’s now too much writing online, and in an era of fake news, where you get your analysis from has never been more important.� “As newspapers and magazines are finding out, if you can publish writing that is consistently and significantly better than what can be found online, people will pay.� But many editors are struggling to strike the right balance between physical and digital content.

They are faced with the choice of either posting all their articles online for free so the magazine stays relevant, or charging readers money to protect the financial future of the brand. Earlier this week - US Vogue marked its 125th anniversary issue with a new interview and photo shoot with Jennifer Lawrence - one of the top film stars in the world. Sounds like a good read, right? But the whole interview was also posted online by the magazine, removing any incentive for a fan to buy a paper copy. “When you have major free news sites - such as Mail Online, The Sun and the Daily Mirror pumping out celebrity and entertainment words, video and entire photo shoots around the clock, it’s hard to see how a magazine is going to find it easy to charge readers for something that’s likely to be offering stale news and limited pictures,� Burrell says. “At best, a celeb mag will be bought as a treat for the reader, which makes it a dispensable purchase in comparison to the high-quality news analysis publication providing information that its readers regard as valuable and essential.� But as Burrell points out: “Many readers are hungry for a deeper understanding of the fast-moving changes in global news and politics rather than seeking to escape from it by burying their heads in celebrity gossip and entertainment stories.� Serious times call for serious journalism, and an extraordinarily frantic news agenda over the past year - with Brexit, Trump, a snap election, terror attacks and Grenfell Tower - has driven sales boosts for upmarket titles. This is because their intelligent take on events is a unique selling point. Whereas general-interest daily news has been turned into an almost universally available commodity by the internet, specialist journalism - from the unforgiving wit of Private Eye to the proud wonkery of Prospect - is still a service people value and think they can’t get elsewhere. The internet is full of celebrity drivel, so print magazines who focus on the rich and famous will need to find something unique if they are to retain paying audiences. That something is what editors are paid to conjure up.

35

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7even Interactive, Nigerian Ad Men Shine at Loeries

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KASIE ABONE 08057511558 (sms only)

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hen his agency work made the finalist of the Digital and Interactive category of the Loeries Award which held at Durban, South Africa, Emeke Ujbaja, one of the creative teams at 7even Interactive, a Lagos-based new generation advertising agency, was very hopeful. And when eventually the work was announced as winner of bronze Loeries at the hugely competitive creative award festival, Ujbaja’s feeling was out of this world. Ujbaja said he was shaking during the moments leading up to the announcement of the award. “I was very hopeful. But when the result was announced I was very surprised or would I say excited. I was shaking before the result was announced. We did a lot of work to ensure that we came out with good job. Winning makes me feel out of this world,� he told THISDAY. To him, the bronze medal was big deal given the status of such festival as Africa and the Middle East’s most sought-after award for the advertising and brand communications industry. The bronze medal was among over 241 Loeries awarded across 22 categories including five Grands Prix, 34 Gold Medals, 24 Craft Gold Medals, 76 Silvers and 102 Bronzes awarded for more than 3000 entries received. Nine Nigerian agencies X3M Ideas, Noah’s Ark, 7even Interactive, Image & Time, Adeptus Nigeria, EXP Marketing Nigeria, Insight Publicis, DDB Lagos including a leading advertising academy, O2 Academy, submitted entries. Of the nine, four new generation agencies’ works were among the 3000 on the final list that was dominated by South Africa among other African and Middle East countries. Top rated DDB Lagos and Insight surprisingly were conspicuously missing on the list. Three top-notch Nigerian admen, X3M Ideas creative egghead, Mr. Steve Babaeko, Noah’s Ark Creative head and the first Nigerian to win a Cannes Lions, Mr. Bolaji Alausa, and Peacock Media Managing Director, Adaora Adheke, were among the jurors.

L-R: The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II; Agbeniyi Adetola, a cobbler and beneďŹ ciary of Isedowo’s â‚Ś300,000 business grant; Franco Maria Maggi, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc at the unveiling of Goldberg’s Isedowo, a youth empowerment initiative, at the Ooni’s palace in Ile Ife, Osun State on recently

In his reaction, Babaeko, who proceeded on an annual vacation after the show described the festival as “a very organised award and an interesting outing� which witnessed many countries of Africa not only participating but made impressive outing. Babaeko who spoke to our correspondent on phone added, however, that there was need for diversification to give the festival a more international flavour. As one of the jurors he said the experience was most rewarding adding that technology played a key role in judging the creative works. “Technology plays a very key role here. It reduces the time we put at judging the works.� He also added that the award was

an eye opener for South Africa that serious competition is coming out of other African countries and the Middle East. “The quality of work from Africa and Middle East is improving,� Babaeko said. Speaking on his agency’s failure to win a Loeries, Babaeko who was upbeat enthused: “The good news is that X3M ideas and three other agencies that made it to the finals were new generation agencies. It goes to tell that the business of creativity is not about how long you have been in the industry; people just want to see your work. I am proud to say that the new generation agencies are doing the country proud. They are not just flying the flags of their agencies but also that of the country

as well. Not winning Lories, as always we love to win but not winning means that we don’t have to rest on our oars.� Having won a laurel at the Crystals, another big international creative awards festival, it was natural to expect that 3XM Ideas would come home with another medal, but Babaeko said though his agencies would always love to win but not winning means that they don’t have to rest on their oars but rather have to do more work. Loeries Nigerian representative, Marketing Edge, was also represented at the awards by its Managing Director, Mr. John Ajayi and Head of Marketing, Mr. Anietie Udom.

2017 Maltina Teacher of the Year Attracts Record Entries About 300 entries from 36 states and theFederal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja were received in this year’s edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award (MTOY). The figure is up from 176 recorded last year. The initiative, which is in its third edition, is organised by Nigeria Breweries Plc to reward outstanding teachers in secondary schools pan Nigeria. While disclosing the information, the company’s Corporate Affairs Adviser, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, also added that the panel of judges had met to commence assessment of the entries. Ekanem maintained that although hundreds of entries were

received, they were shortlisted and validated by the stringent project assessors after a thorough and painstaking scrutiny ahead of the assessment by the panel of judges. The panel of judges, chaired by Prof. Pat Utomi, also includes other distinguished members of the academia and one of Nigeria’s seasoned broadcaster. According to Ekanem, “the valid entries will now be subjected to further scrutiny and thorough assessment process by the panel of judges to pick the State Champions. From the State Champions, the 10 best entries will thereafter be invited for another round of assessment where the panel will

further subject the 10 finalists to rigorous scrutiny in order to determine the Maltina Teacher of the Year for 2017. On October 12, 2017, the winners will be announced and celebrated at a grand event in Lagos.� Like last year, the Maltina Teacher of theYear 2017 will receive N1 million plus N1 million every year for the next five years. The package also includes a developmental training opportunity abroad and a block of classrooms built at the school where the winner teaches. “It is our hope that through the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative, we can inspire this nation

to accord our teachers their deserved credit and bring back respect to the teaching profession in Nigeria,� Ekanem further stated. The initiative, with prizes worth N50 million annually, is executed on the platform of NB/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund. The Trust Fund was established in 1994 to contribute to the development of the educational sector in the country. Over the years, the company has used the fund to assist over 20,000 students, built over 250 classrooms and 22 libraries in both primary and secondary schools across 49 communities in the country.

Okunsanya now Visa’s New General Manager West Africa Oluwakemi Okunsanya has been appointed the new General Manager, West Africa for Visa Inc, effective September 1, this year. Oluwakemi joins Visa from MoneyGram International, where she was Head of Anglophone Africa. Oluwakemi is expected to lead the Lagos team of the global payment company to drive core business growth in Nigeria, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone. She will be responsible for overall strategy in the region, including building longterm relationships with clients, regulators and other key stakeholders to drive the

adoption of cashless payments. Speaking about the appointment, President, Visa Sub Saharan Africa, Mr. Andrew Torre, said: “We are excited to welcome Oluwakemi to the Visa team. She is a local manager with a proven record of success working with a broad range of stakeholders in the financial services industry, including with regulators and financial institutions. She is also a strong and successful people leader. Nigeria is one of the most enthusiastic and successful adopters of technology in Africa, presenting huge op-

portunities for us to digitise commerce and connect millions more people to the global economy. Olukemi joins us at a great time to help drive Nigeria’s move away from cash into more reliable, secure and innovative forms of payments.� Speaking on her appointment, Oluwakemi said: ‘Visa’s promise is to bring the benefits of electronic payments to everyone, everywhere. Nowhere is that a more exciting challenge than in Nigeria and the wider region, where we have a wonderful opportunity to combine technology and partnerships with a broad range of people

to drive truly transformation change in the way that the economy transacts. It gives me great pleasure to join the Visa team and I am looking forward to meeting with our financial institution, merchant and government clients to see how Visa can be a better partner and a catalyst for societal change here and across the region.� Prior to her leadership role at MoneyGram, Kemi had a ten-year stint with Zenith Bank, where her responsibilities spanned sales and marketing strategy, as well as management of the branch liability and asset portfolios.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

FAIRGROUND

The NOTES2NOTES Event

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

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he need to monetise one’s abilities can never be overemphasised. Same with music, as talent is just not enough. Here is the aim of #Notes2Notes, an initiative of Wilson Joel, CEO of Doxology Music, Lagos. This initiative came to fruition with its maiden edition last September at the freedom park, Broad Street, Lagos. Industry moguls, such as Steve Babaeko, Illbliss, Timi Dakolo, Praiz and more, were there to enlighten amazing talents how to monetise their music and make a great career out of their abilities. The event was a massive success with over 300 people in attendance. This year, the sophomore edition was held recently at the prestigious Eko Hotel and it was such an amazing time out there. This year we had Bizzle (The Plug), Olorisupergal, Musicmagnate, Wilson Joel and Masterkraft plus a guest, Wole oni. The event successfully made knowledge available in the area of studio recording, mixing and mastering, as well as the industry and the business view of music. We had over 150 people in attendance in an exclusive limited seating venue. Wilson Joel believes that a candle really does not lose anything by lighting other candles. The whole aim is to leave a healthy music industry in the hands of the coming generation. Hence, a guy who was also found on the street singing (SYLVESTER) was there to sing his debut single. Nigeria’s soul singer, BEZ was also there live. Nosa took us on a very sonorous version of the national anthem which needs to be heard all over the country. We also had Nigerian Saxophone sensation, Yhumie. We look forward to hosting the 3rd edition of #Notes2Notes in 2018 in a more vibrant, large and amazingly striking way.

Musicmagnate, Olori and bizzle at the event

A cross-seccession of participants at the event

Nosa

Bez

Musicmagnate

Olorisupergal

Masterkraft

Sylvester

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

FAIRGROUND

Future First Ladies: a Finishing School for Young Ladies by Artelier Lifestyle Consultants

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he Artelier Lifestyle Consultants-subsidised finishing school for young ladies has held in the past two years with very positive feedback. Last year, Artelier also partnered with the Wimbiz (Women in Management, Business and Public Service) and Titi the Dynamite (Inspiration 92.3 FM) to sponsor attendees. Besides being a finishing school, the event has evolved into a Coaching and Mentorship programme called “Future First Ladies�. This year, the school is scheduled to run for eight Saturdays from 30th September to 18th November from 10am to 2pm each Saturday. There will also be a graduation ceremony on the 25th, November 2017. This course is designed to

give the young ladies (“future first ladies� age 18 and above) a good foundation both spiritual and social, to equip them to become leading lights in their generation, fully rounded out and upholding values which are essential for lasting and holistic success. Sessions will include Dining skills, Carriage and Poise, Public Speaking, Dealing with Workplace Harassment, Style and Dress Sense, Dating and Marriage, Self Esteem and so much more. Some of the speakers this year are, Mrs. Folake AdeniyiAdeleye, Regional HR Director at Oracle; Mrs. Yetty Williams of Lagos Mums; Ms Unoaku Anyadike - Miss Universe, Nigeria 2016, among others. The course is subsidised and fees cover course materials, refreshments, lunch, books, gift samples and certificates.

Ngozi Princewill Utchay.jpg

Mo Abudu Goes Back to School

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ne of Nollywood’s most successful producers finds time to hone her filmmaking skills, while steering multiple projects. Mo Abudu, executive producer of Fifty and The Wedding Party, recently completed an intensive 3-week course for directors at the London Film School. Coming in the midst of a whirlwind period of production and promotion of two movies, The Wedding Party 2 (with the ELFIKE Film Collective) and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, the passionate creative was determined to carve out time for learning. “This is an incredibly busy year at EbonyLife, with several series launches on our TV channel, two new films and several other projects in pre-production. However, I felt that it was really important to continue my growth as a filmmaker, with a view to directing my first feature in the near future.â€? The course explored the fundamentals of filmmaking from script to screen, and is based on an exercise originally devised by FAMU, the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Czech Republic. According to Ms. Abudu, “The course was very practical and covered scriptwriting, visual language, choosing locations, working with actors, shooting, editing and post production. One critical area of learning for me was mise-en-scène the arrangement of everything that appears in the frame – actors, lighting, dĂŠcor, props and costumes. “Luckily, we had a great course leader, Udayan Prasad, the director of The Yellow Handkerchief (2008), a critically acclaimed independent film, starring Oscar-winner William Hurt, which was a remake of a Japanese classic of the same name. One of Udayan’s favourite sayings is, ‘It all begins and ends with the story’, something that I truly believe in,â€? said Mo Abudu. With a slate of new movie releases scheduled for 2018-19, Mo can’t wait to get started. “I have learned so much over the last few weeks and I am really looking forward to putting all of it into practice very soon.â€? The world premiere of The Royal

Mo Abudu at Film School, London... recently

Hibiscus Hotel (RHH) takes place on Saturday, 9th September 2017 at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Executive Producer, Mo Abudu

will be joined by Director, Ishaya Bako and the cast, including Zainab Balogun, Kenneth Okolie, Rachel Oniga, Jide Kosoko, Deyemi Okanlawon, OC

Ukejie, Lala Akindoju and Toni Tones. RHH has been highlighted by TIFF as a ‘Hidden Gem’, a film worth viewing by audiences at the festival.

The Countdown Begins

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hedieiscastasthecontestants in the 2017 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, MBGN pageant, have begun their camping preparatory to the contest. Recently, the finalists paid courtesy visit to Silverbird Group, co-sponsor of the pageant. On hand to receive them were Vice President of Silverbird Group, Guy Murray Bruce, Marketing Manager Ekulo Group, Emeka Oramadike, Miss Nnena Okonkwo and MediaAdviser to the Ekulo Group, Ingram Osigwe. Evans Industries Ltd, a member of the Ekulo Group, and manufacturer of Meditol medicated Antiseptic range of Soaps splashed variety of gift items on the visibly excited girls. The Ekulo team wished the competing queens well in the competition. Evans industries Ltd., cum Ekulo are cosponsoringthe2017MBGNwithSilverbird, while Meditol is the sponsoring brand. Mr. Ingram Osaigwe, Miss Nnenna Okonkwo, Miss Chinelo Nnopuechi and Mr Emeka Oramadike

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAYNEWSPAPER หพ ฮ ห อบอธอนอฟ

ฮ ห อบอธอนอฟ หพ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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˜ ˞ SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

PERSPECTIVE

APC, Police and Electoral Fraud Simeon Nwakaudu

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ach time allegations of corruption and fraud are levelled against the police and INEC in Rivers electoral process, the Rivers chapter of the APC rises up in their defence. This is understandable. The Rivers APC is not on the ground in the state. Unfortunately, the Rivers APC fails to address the issues raised. They prefer to rain insults on the office and person of Governor Nyesom Wike. Once again, the leadership of the Rivers APC has risen up to the defence of the police and INEC, over the Rivers East Senatorial District where the police certified and tendered results to the Election Tribunal, which formed the basis upon which Senator George Thompson Sekibo was removed from office by the Court of Appeal. The facts are clear. At the risk of repetition, let me outline them. Senator George Thompson Sekibo won the election through valid votes cast during the December 10, 2016 rerun election. The Independent National Electoral Commission declared him duly elected. Instead of contesting that result, the Rivers APC approached the police High Command for concocted results of the same election. The police manufactured results for Rivers East Senatorial District, using the same serial numbers as INEC. These results cooked by the police High Command were relied upon by the tribunal. These facts have not been controverted by the APC. Throwing tantrums cannot change this political robbery masterminded by the party, the Nigeria Police and INEC. APC’s penchant for lies has become an international embarrassment for Nigeria. However, Rivers APC’s ridiculous attempt to justify this daylight robbery of the mandate of the people of Rivers East beats all forms of logic. Are the leaders of the Rivers APC saying that the constitutional responsibility for the declaration of election results now rests with their allies, the police? Are they saying that serial numbers on INEC result sheets can be freely used by the police to manufacture results? These are questions that must be answered by the police, the Rivers APC and INEC. These are the issues that Governor Wike raised during his meeting with Okrika leaders and at the thanksgiving service in honour of Sekibo. “Remember, last year, I raised an alarm that INEC and police were planning to rig the rerun elections. We caught people printing INEC result sheets and reported the matter. Somebody was arrested. They sent the person to Zone 6 Calabar and granted him bail. Till now, they are yet to complete investigations into that critical matter. “INEC declared results. All of us know that if elections are held twenty times, Senator George Thompson Sekibo will win. INEC printed their own result sheets, same serial numbers, these people printed their own result sheets with same INEC serial numbers. You ask yourself, how did they get to know INEC serial numbers. Because they could not smuggle in their own result sheets, INEC declared the authentic results. “Unknown to us, they had gone to connive with the police. That tells you what they want to do in 2019. Thank God, they have alerted us. Instead of them to write INEC to give them the certified true copies of the result sheets, they went to the police. Police are now in custody of INEC results. Police certified their own and gave them.� At the service Wike reiterated that Rivers people would resist any attempt to use security operatives to rig elections in Rivers State. This position is in line with the constitutional responsibility of all well-meaning Nigerians to stop political armed robbers from stealing the mandate of the people. Without a doubt, the man facilitated by the police to represent Rivers East Senatorial District did not win. He is representing those who helped him to steal the mandate, not the senatorial district. Under the leadership of Ibrahim Idris, the police has become an enemy of the people. The police are now agents of the APC, using state power to promote crime against the people. On December 12, 2016, Rivers Special Anti-Robbery Squad Commander, Akin Fakorede, under the directive of Idris attempted to snatch the collated results at the Rivers East Senatorial District. Police operatives beat INEC officials, but were resisted by the people. When this mandate robbery attempt failed, the police High Command took a step never imagined. They colluded with INEC to cook up results outside of the authentic results declared at the collation centre. Rather than bring Akin Fakorede to justice, IGP Ibrahim Idris facilitated his promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police. As I write, Idris is enmeshed in the worst scandal ever to engulf as a police chief. The Senate Committee Chair-

Lai Mohammed man on Navy, Senator Isah Hamma Misau alleged that the IGP is neck-deep in promotion/posting racketeering and bribery. According to him, the IGP makes about N120billion IGP collected from oil companies, banks and private individuals who enjoy special protection from the security agency. While I am in no position to pass judgment on the weighty allegations of Misau against the embattled IGP, I want to say with all sense of responsibility that Rivers people know the ugly side of the Idris. During the December 10, 2016 rerun election, the IGP used the police to unleash mayhem. In saner climes, he would be compelled to step aside for independent investigations on these weighty allegations and other pending issues. In terms of performance, Wike remains Nigeria’s most outstanding governor in the area of projects delivery, payment of salaries and pensions and the empowerment of the people. The APC has refused to take up Wike’s challenge for an independent peer review between Rivers State and their governors in terms of projects and programmes for the good of the people. The APC must realise that power belongs to the people. Nobody will allow a group of failed politicians to use the security agencies to steal the mandate of the people again. Wike is focused on cleaning the mess of the APC in Rivers State. For eight years, the immediate past Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi squandered N3trillion that accrued to the state. He left four months of unpaid salaries and six months of unpaid pensions. Instead of developing critical infrastructure, he used the state funds to sponsor the APC at all levels across the country. Today, Wike is working around the clock to transform Rivers. Key road projects are either underway or completed in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Abua/Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Akuku Toru, Degema, Etche, Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Ikwerre, Emohua, Khana, Gokana, Okrika, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Oyigbo, and Tai Local Government Areas of the State. The Rivers State Government is reconstructing and furnishing 175 primary and junior secondary schools in all the 23 local government areas. In each of the local government areas, local contractors were engaged to execute these projects. These local contractors have in turn engaged different cadres of skilled and unskilled labour. Rural economies are also positively impacted. There is also the total rehabilitation and equpping of 13 general and zonal hospitals across the state. Add this to the upgrade and reconstruction of five major secondary schools in the three senatorial districts. These projects have been distributed to create jobs in different communities. As a responsible government, the Wike administration has made the greatest investment in security. It has funded security operations, logistics and supported the setting up of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army. With

Senator George Thompson Sekibo won the election through valid votes cast during the December 10, 2016 rerun election. The Independent National Electoral Commission declared him duly elected. Instead of contesting that result, the Rivers APC approached the police High Command for concocted results of the same election. The police manufactured results for Rivers East Senatorial District, using the same serial numbers as INEC. These results cooked by the police High Command were relied upon by the tribunal. These facts have not been controverted by the APC. Throwing tantrums cannot change this political robbery masterminded by the party, the Nigeria Police and INEC

close to 200 patrol vans and over 20 gunboats donated to the security agencies , the State Governmemt has continued to develop the state’s security infrastructure to meet emerging challenges. The state amnesty programme has been quite successful. As Nigerians, we are living witnesses that the present administration has weakened federal institutions such as the security agencies and INEC. These institutions have become rigging cartels, recklessly bold in their quest to defraud Nigerians. Their collusion to deny the people of Rivers East Senatorial District their preferred representation is a wake up call to other Nigerians. These electoral criminals have become emboldened and they may want to pull another stunt in 2019. For the people of Rivers State, Governor Wike has given them a charge....wake up and protect your mandate from political robbers, masquerading as police and INEC officials. Wike captures the situation thus: “Instead of bringing change as they promised, things are getting worse. They have introduced extreme fraud in the country, especially denying the people their mandate. “2019, they will not succeed. As far as we are concerned, we have no senator in Rivers East. The man going there has no capacity to represent us. All of us should be ready. We should be praying to God, but ready to fight. “Nobody should be afraid of the Police or Army, because liberty comes with a price. They have nothing to campaign with outside the use of security. I am ready to place myself on line, nobody will take Rivers State.� The APC has nothing to show for their 27 months in government, other than lies and propaganda. They have no achievements aside turning national institutions to centres of crime and fraud. It will take decades for Nigeria to recover from the unfortunate poor governance model, electoral fraud and corruption that APC has injected into Nigeria.

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SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

FASHION FILE

Zikora Collection by Leshoks

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

FASHION FILE

Zikora Collection About Leshoks eshoks is a casual brand that brings an urban twist to traditional looks. They also make custom traditional wears, including agbada, south-south, etc. They have participated in two fashion shows; Nigerian students fashion and design week (2016) and Redefinition fashion show (2017) where he emerged as male designer of the year and stylist of the year. This year, Leshoks is releasing its third collection named ZIKORA (featuring one of Nigerias finest fashion bloggers, Akin Faminu)

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About Zikora Adeola Shokunbi was in his final year at Covenant University, when he started working on this collection; “Almost throughout my last semester, I was thinking of who I’ll be and how I’ll be distinct when I get out to the real world. I used to say to myself that ‘no matter who you are, there’s something special about you’ no matter how little, that you can let the world notice in you. This definitely inspired my collection and when you look closely at each piece, there’s something special that will get your attention.” He reveals a friend decided to give him an Igbo name, ZIKORA (to the world). “I did my research and thought it was the perfect name for this awesome collection,” he stated. Credits Assistant creative: Esther Otubanjo (esta.lamar) Photographer: Ogaga Asamaige (asamaiige) Mua: Adeola Shokunbi (@deolashokunbi) Models: Akin Faminu (akinfaminu) - Ayotola Obajuluwa (@phitted_a) - Nkem Obata (nkemm_) Ginger man: Lanre Shonubi (@lanreshonubi) and Rebecca Adenuga (becca.cosby) Adebowale Shokunbi (shokkss) Leshoks (leshoks)

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ Π˜ 2017

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fashogbon... ͸΀͸͝͝͞ͺ͚͸͸Î

L-R: Commissioner for Finance Osun State, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji; Niger State Commissioner for Finance, Alh. R-L: Manager, Marketing & Sales, Sona Agro Allied Foods Limited, Mr. Sandeep Sharma presenting products gift to Ibrahim Balarabe; Deputy Governor, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Moses Ekpo; Permanent Secretary ,Federal Minisstudents of Sparkling Minds Educentre, Ilupeju, Lagos: Miss Moyinoluwa Adefuye, Master Elijah Olayinka and the Head try of Finance, Alh. Isha Dutse at the retreat on enhancing the eectiveness of Federal Accounts Allocation teacher, Mrs. Olufunmi Adefuye during the school’s visit to the company at Sango Ota, Ogun State recently committee (FAAC) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State recently

Mobile Phones: Separating Wheat from Cha The information communication technology market, especially the mobile phone segment has not stopped attracting new entrants since the advent of the Global System for Mobile Communication, GSM in 2001. This massive influx of different mobile phone brands has made it difficult to arrive at an accurate number of phone brands in the market. While it is a good thing that technology is advancing given the innovations with brands flooding the market almost on a daily basis, it is also worrisome to know that a lot of mobile phones being delivered to unsuspecting consumers are below standards. Although counterfeit phones may come cheap and attractive to many consumers as a result of the low cost, they may not be economical considering their negative effects. Such phones have durability challenge which will cause a user to spend extra money on another device sooner than expected. For instance, an expert and a university don in Tanzania, Dr. Kenneth Halila, noted that since substandard phones were usually not tested for compliance with industry safety standards, they were sometimes manufactured with harmful level of dangerous element such as lead. They usually have inoperable speakers, low-resolution camera, slow and old processors that result in poor network connectivity. Halila explained further that due to high radiation produced in low quality devices; this could affect the brain of a foetus and cause an explosion while charging. Such device may also affect the brain of users due to electromagnetic radiation, he added. It is on this note that Market Place arrived at some conclusions on key features that buyers need to watch for out for in a device before purchase. r$PNQBSF B IBOETFU UP BO PSJHJOBM POF Most expensive phones are made of high-quality materials. If possible, pair them with your handset and make a comparison. However, it is not an assurance that a phone is original if it looks like an expensive, high-quality phone. r(P UP UIF DFMM QIPOF NBOVGBDUVSFS TJUF BOE DIFDL UIF NBUFSJBM VTFE 5P CF sure of a phone’s originality, it’s better to check its website to know what materials were used for such a device and compare it with the device at hand. r$IFDL UIF TPGUXBSF VTFE BOE PUIFS TQFDJà DBUJPOT " QSPEVDU TQFDJà DBUJPO can be found at the back of a phone’s box. The specification should be compared with handset by going to settings about the phone. If the specifications

don’t match, it’s possible that such phone has been cloned. In case the box is missing, the whole specification can be viewed on the brand’s official website. A product’s specification can also be checked using a third-party app. Search and download Antutu Benchmark from Google Play. The logo is a red Android image with fire as a background. It will let user test a device’s speed and will later detect full specification of a phone and device’s name. If it displays another phone’s manufacturer’s name, then the phone

might be a clone r7FSJGZ UIF *.&* BOE TFSJBM OVNCFS For Android and other handsets, the IMEI can be found on the back of a handset but If the sticker has been tampered with, one can also find it in Settings. User can also dial *#06# on a device to display its IMEI. Once the IMEI is seen, go to Imei.info and input IMEI in the box and hit ‘CHECK.’ The system will verify the phone’s information. If it displays contrary information from the handset, then the device may not be

Firms Partner, Deliver Cheap Power to Businesses Cummins Power Generation and Power Gas Nigeria plan to reduce the cost of operations for manufacturers in the area of power generation which seems to be a major challenge in the manufacturing sector. The duo has inked a deal to replace diesel generators with gas generators for business operators and even domestic purposes which according to them, was a cheaper and environmentally friendly substitute for power generation in Nigeria. According to Cummins Power, the latest development was part of its efforts to stir economic growth as the manufacturing unit is a crucial sector that hold the nation’s economic efficiency. General Manager of Cummins Power noted that lack of adequate electricity needed to fuel the engine of the economy necessitated the need to devise alternative power source. “Diesel generators could be expensive to manage because of the amount of fuel it consumes and the resultant cost effect is extremely high. Besides, it could be dangerous for the environment because of the pollution it generates. By targeting to replace diesel and petrol backup generators,

we aim to reduce air pollution by 25 per cent. “The issue of environmental pollution in Nigeria is a time bomb waiting to explode as hundreds of people keep dying of air pollution either through petrol generator or car fumes. We need to know that particle matter and carbon monoxide are part of the most dangerous pollutants in the world and we are soothing through them in Nigeria. “Adopting gas-based generators can also be economically rewarding. At current gas and diesel prices, a gas-based generator can provide electricity from N30 per unit (kWh) compared to N145 per litre for petrol and N175 per litre for a diesel generator set,� he said. He added that the firm was working on multiple options to enable Nigerians accelerate gas generators’ adoption with a better operating cost when compared to a petrol or diesel set. The gas industry in Nigeria is growing fast. There is a strong economic incentive for industries and power generation companies to switch to natural gas. Nigeria holds the world’s ninth largest proven natural gas reserves.

original. Also, leading online travel agency, Jumia Travels in a recent release cautioned consumers to closely watch PVU GPS UIFTF GFBUVSFT JO B EFWJDF packaging (print quality and consistency), wires and plug to ensure that it is not loose, user manual to ensure that relevant information is written in the official language of the country where it is purchased, check the font for readability, regularity and similarity and pay attention to materials used to confirm that it is of high quality.

Motorola Unveils New Products, to Arrive Nigeria in October Motorola Mobility, a subsidiary of Lenovo has included two innovations to its range of products in the market. The new additions, moto x4 and moto z2 boast of newer exciting features that enhance user’s experience. The new fourth generation moto x offers a uniquely intuitive user experience, with smarter software, the latest camera technology, and a beautiful design. The x4 model comes with a smarter camera which has a detection feature, thus strengthen camera delivery. The new x model is powered by a 3,000 mAh battery and equipped with powerful performance capabilities, Protected by IP68-rated water resistant design which offers guard from accidental spills, splashes, and puddles, the latest also has Amazon Alexa integrated into it whereby users need not to unlock the device to operate it. It also comes with a wireless sound system, which allows users to connect up to four Bluetooth audio devices at the same time. The new moto z2 comes with a slim and metal design, dual 12MP cameras and a swift data speeds. With a 5.5� Quad HD AMOLED display guaranteed not to crack or shatter, the new moto z’s thin, polished design is reinforced with the strength of 7,000 series aluminum. The product also parade dual 12MP cameras, one monochrome and one color, which work together to capture quality photos and enable users to manipulate photo background or foreground. Just like moto z2 Play, the moto z2 force edition features the latest Moto experiences including night display and instant queries in Moto Voice and the front fingerprint reader. Its compatibility with Moto Mods also affords users the freedom to control their mobile experiences.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î , 2017

PEOPLE SEGUN ADETIBA

I Was Denied OON Award Because I Refused to Give Bribe For Segun Adetiba, an accomplished architect and businessman, success is about changing lives. Through various development initiatives, he has invested his resources in raising a new generation of Nigerians equipped to take their future in their hands. He turned 70 recently and in this interview with Olaoluwakitan Babatunde, he discusses a range of issues including what if feels like to be a septuagenarian, business, his many legacies and his expectations for Nigeria I have prospered, honestly, in that sense, I am fulďŹ lled; I have enough to take care of needs. If I am not retiring now, it’s because I want to impact Nigerians. So when you talk about prosperity I am on top. I am very wealthy and I believe you know that wealth transcends riche. I am very wealthy. My primary drive is not money but to make an impact on the next generation

Segun Adetiba You turned 70 few months back. It’s a landmark celebration, how does it feel being 70? reat! Especially when you have the drive to carry on making an impact.

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Now that you are 70, would you say you’re fulďŹ lled at this age; would you say that you’ve achieved all that you set out to achieve in life? Yes, but not quite. I would say I am maybe seventy per cent fulfilled but thankfully I’ve still got time to round that figure up. There is still time to finish up. All the years leading up to your 70th must have undoubtedly being eventful. What key events stand out for you as contributing to all you’ve accomplished in life? Well, I have been so privileged to have the grace of God to overcome many obstacles in life. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize it was grace until I turned 50. By the time I was turning 50 I joined Christ Embassy Church and with the lucidity of the sermons preached and by my understanding

and when they were done, they requested that I pay for the nomination. I minced no words in telling them to count me out if the only way I could get a national merit award was to pay for it. Then it’s no longer a merit award. I had only just received the Golden Mercury of Africa award for interior decorating shortly before then and that was a British award and I didn’t pay for it. So if an award coming from Africa then would require a payment, I was never going to be interested and they left. Perhaps if I had given to Caesar what belongs to Caesar then, someone would be calling me OON now. However, I am grateful to God because upon turning 50, I realised that true success does not lie in the number of awards you must have received but in how much of an impact you have made on the lives of the people in this world. So that gives me satisfaction because I have impacted so many lives. I have graduated more than 550 artisans on record that are all working all over the country now and abroad in various fields such as carpentry, machine section, spray printing and others. And my contributions in that regard have been recognized with a Men of Achievement Award – a continental award. The Nigerian Union of Journalists also conferred a merit award on me. I have in fact received so many merit awards. Having received all of these awards, I still of the same, I got to know that the grace of God had indeed been seeing me through all cannot shed the feeling that that there is along – even without my knowing it. In fact, a lot more work to do. I am not thinking about retirement now especially because I I got most of the awards and honours that I have ever received before I turned 50 and look at the graduates being churned out of our universities and many of them are still the one that would have capped it all was the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) unemployable without us having to train Award. However, because of my longstand- them. So at this level, having achieved so much, I think Nigeria still needs me to ing principle to never bribe people, more impact its youth so that we can all arrive so, as they had informed me that I was qualified for a national award, I stood firm at the place we ought to be in the comity of on my decision to not bribe anyone when I nations. was asked for a kickback and my name was Do you have any form of skill acquiexcluded from the list. The nomination for sition programs that you organize for the OON award was from Lagos State. Between the ages of 45 and 50, I was con- the youths? Yes, I have what we call the 7 Star tracted annually to build the state’s exhibiPlatform which we started last year and tion pavilion at Tafawa Balewa Square for through which we partner regularly the National Trade Fair. And Lagos came with Lagos State to empower youths first for all the five years in which I was responsible for the design and construction in with relevant skills. Last year, about 100 beneficiaries participated in the of the pavilion. It was at the fifth year that programme. Currently, we have about 45 they came to me in my factory to ask for of them who have got skills and certificates my thoughts on being awarded the OON of apprenticeship to practice in various and I told them I was okay with it. They trades - artistry, painting and more. And inspected my factory and interviewed me and brought so many questionnaires along indeed, we are set to do more.

It does appear that for you, life is really is not just about prosperity but about posterity I have prospered, honestly, in that sense, I am fulfilled; I have enough to take care of needs. If I am not retiring now, it’s because I want to impact Nigerians. So when you talk about prosperity I am on top. I am very wealthy and I believe you know that wealth transcends riche. I am very wealthy. My primary drive is not money but to make an impact on the next generation. Let’s roll back the years. I would say you grew up in an era we could possibly refer to as Nigeria’s golden age – the early years post-independence - what memories of that time do you have sir? Young Nigerians of the time were diligent - diligence in terms of their readiness to learn. People are happy working for their wealth but now people want to take the fast lane to wealth without putting in any work. At that time, Nigerians were more legacy-conscious. Today’s leaders do not encourage diligence anymore. The political leadership of this country has been very selfish. Those days, it took a lot to be a politician. Politicians of those early times had pedigree. Those days, the elite politicians were people with decent education. All of a sudden, things turned around. Now, someone can just rise up from a village somewhere, become a politician and vie for a top office. Federal Character principle also came in and turned things on its head. Even the Emir of Kano called for mosques to be converted to schools In the past, who would say such a thing and not stoke the ire of the northern populace? In the past, many northerners didn’t even put their children in school. They just sent them to Islamic schools but now I think with this trend if people continue like this and politicians have a change of heart it can be better. Let’s talk about your foray into the Quick Service Restaurant business with The Villa Kitchen. What gave rise to this? We want to standardize Nigerian food. We want to make sure that Nigerian food becomes staple foods in households abroad. This is the overarching vision that birthed The Villa Kitchen. I have found

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SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PEOPLE

Adetiba

that the catering profession is quite tasking and what we want to do as culinary ambassadors is quite big. It’s just like the Chinese that have popularized Chinese cuisine globally and we now have Chinese Restaurants everywhere in the world, we want to graduate Nigerian cuisine to that level soon. We want to perfect the tradition of making Nigerian dishes like Edikang Ikong, Oha Soup, Efo Riro, Egusi, Ogbono and much more, such that even if you are passing by in your car and you perceive the aroma, you’ll be compelled to come in and feed yourself. You have your hand in a lot of pies; I am wondering what that entails in terms of management capability. Well, in terms of management capability, over the years I have learned that when you’re involved in ventures you’re not exactly an expert at, you have to employ professionals, you have to gather skills and you have to make sure that those who possess the requisite skills are working on each product. That’s my philosophy and that has helped to reduce stress. Whatever I do now I like to do it professionally and I like to go by professionals who are experts in that field. Let’s talk about Pastor Segun Adetiba, you are a pastor, how has that experience been? I so much enjoy the pastoring and I think I owe my wealth, experience and my success to a coach, a trainer, a mentor, an all-encompassing gentle man in the person of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. You know at the age of 50 when I thought I had accomplished, I came to realize that those 50-years had actually been a waste. There was a rebound after the age of 50. My eyes were opened with the word of God. I was trained and I was privileged to be very diligent and I have the grace that pastor was directly involved with us at the time - unlike now that he has gone global. He was able to select few people at various times and train them. I am privileged to have been part of them. So pastoring is a mission accomplished. I found myself on the throne, I found myself on the mountaintop, and I came into reality that I have to train the people still in the valley. I have and will always be grateful to God and grateful to the man of God. I have been able to see that God loves me and directed me into the ministry of the Holy Ghost which is still functioning in me.

The highpoint for me is that I have been able to impact my world. I can’t count the number of people that I have graduated - the number of people that have become billionaires that trained under me and the number of industries that has been set up by Nigerians that I trained

So what do you consider the highpoint of your career so far? The highpoint for me is that I have been able to impact my world. I can’t count the number of people that I have graduated - the number of people that have become billionaires that trained under me and the number of industries that has been set up by Nigerians that I trained. I know you were president of the Furniture and Allied Product Manufacturers Association of Nigerian FAPMAN, are you still the president? Yes I’m still the president, have been telling them for some time now that they would have to start making plans for my retirement from the position. Elections have been suspended since I won the second term because they want me to carry on as president and truth be told I cannot be here forever. How long have you been the President? I became the president in 1997. And elections have been going on? Yes but I always come out tops but this time around I told them I don’t want to contest but they cornered me and said no election. So I am not enjoying it anymore and I think that during our Annual General Meeting (AGM) that is coming up, somebody else will be appointed. I know you once spoke in your capacity as FAPMAN President in the favor of the Federal Government enforcing the ban on

imported goods I advocated for ban on furniture but we lost members at the time. That is to show you that the success of this country is not only about leadership. In fact 50 percent of the success comes from followership. If you have quality followership, if you have diligent followership, definitely the leadership must be right if it’s not right it will fade away. So, when I approached the then General Olusegun Obasanjo that we needed to ban this thing and he agreed with me, members were telling me that it’s not right because they all import. Eventually we were able to win the heart of the federal government and they banned the importation of furniture, even up till now. When we make noise about smuggling, Customs will go wild with them and confiscate their goods but guess what, when they confiscate the containers they will still sell the goods to civil servants who will now open it up and sell at cheaper prices. These are the challenges still facing the industry up till now. But it’s getting better. How do you see local manufacturers faring in this turbulent economic climate? Under the then President Jonathan, we stated categorically that giving loans to manufacturers without steady power supply was akin to throwing money down the drain. At that time, they were not even considering grants, they were giving bailouts and the bailout went through the banks with collateral and I warned my members that if you use your collateral to get a loan on a very high percentage interest rate a crisis-ridden economy that has no infra-

structure to back production, you will soon be back to square one. In fact you will record deficits. The federal minister and President Jonathan were not happy with me and I was warned that if I know that I want to enjoy my old age I should keep quiet. I was able to tell them straight to their eyes that even if I keep quiet and Nigerians are not happy, the youth that are coming won’t be able to keep quiet. And it will not be opportune for them to warn you. They went ahead to give that bailout to my industry and they put the name of my company as the first beneficiary and I rejected it. They claimed to have given me fifty million naira then - which was of course a lot of money. They gave it to those who were ready to take it in my industry. Today, all of them have lost their collateral. Some of them have become distributors now and for others, their factories became empty warehouses. They sold out and now some of them are on wheelchairs. The stress was too much and they couldn’t pay back - even till now. Even now, you know that the smuggling of imported products is still on all over the place. Electricity is still not here. The interest rates have risen. So my advice for any manufacturer in Nigeria still remains the same. Politicians are still not serious. Manufacturers should do what they can and not take loans that they cannot pay back. The environment will not allow you to pay back and you can see AMCON is locking up and taking over warehouses and companies. And even the companies that they have taken over - can they manage it? No! They can’t. They will just use additional resources and waste it. So those are some of the key issues. Do you still believe in Nigeria? Wow! This is a great country. There is a silent revolution going on in agriculture, a lot is happening in skill acquisition and so much more is happening than ever before. Whistleblowing will continue forever and will sanitize this country. I want to tell you that it is no longer business as usual. Watch out - in this coming election you will see that the followership would have learned a lot of lessons and then you will see that the elections would no longer be about 75-year old men or 70-year old men. The youth are coming up. They are training and they are witnessing a lot of things and a lot of people are flowing into the church.

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VINTAGE

Issele-Uku Plans Grand Ine Festival to Showcase Obi Nduka’s First Outing Steve Nwamodoh

T

he Ine Issele-Uku which comes up on the 16th of September, promises to be Grand and more fascinating than it used to be. It is the first official new yam festival outing for HRM Obi Agbogidi Nduka (MNSE), the Obi of Issele-Uku; and so adequate preparations are being put in place to showcase the festival as a tourist attraction and something that could go for historical documentation Briefing newsmen recently after their recent meeting on the Ine Festival organisation, the Oligbo Consultative Forum (OCF), a body of Issele-Uku elite and professionals through their Alternate Chairman, Engr. Frank Mordi outlined a number of festive activities in the 2017 traditional celebrations timetable which had commenced since August 12. He however, posited that emphasis was more on the Ine Festival which would attract visitors, guests and tourists to the community on the 16th of September to savour the rich cultural heritage of the Issele-Oligbo people. He called on Issele-Uku sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to key into the programme to make the Ine Festival, the first after Obi Nduka’s coronation a huge success. Also speaking was the Chairman of Committee on Culture and Traditional Affairs, a former NNPC Management Staff, Mr. Isikwe Adigwe who said that the Ine Festival had been christened “Ine Onyimi�, meaning Festival of Joy. He said: “We are celebrating and so should not skid away from the track

of showcasing the culture and tradition of Issele-Oligbo in a joyous atmosphere.� The highly cerebral culture icon insisted that every aspect of Issele-Uku culture would be followed in detail, except a slight moderation where an aspect poses some form of violence to indigenes, visitors and spectators. “We will ensure that everything done is

strictly cultural in line with joyful celebration and not to be viewed in different light. Culture is the way of life of a people. Our people are known to be hospitable, lovable and peaceful. This is what we are going to portray to the world, and not something that will be viewed as barbaric. That is the modernization of culture we are talking

about, without undermining its essence�, he explained. Meanwhile, the Security Committee headed by Mr. D.O. Mordi had been mandated to come up with strategy to curtail criminal and sinister activities during and after the Ine Festival. He was asked to activate the involvement of all security agencies within the local government to ensure peace and order while the festival lasts. Equally, words were sent to relevant chiefs in charge of some palace societies to begin to prepare and put their groups in proper perspectives ahead of the D-Day. However, proper emphasis was made on the “Egwu Issoh, Egwu Opi, Ndi Asia and others, while the Osodi and Akamu chiefs are to prepare the Anasi Obi and other Royal wives for their performance on that day. On the issue of instilling peaceful atmosphere and order when the Obi enters his solitude mood (Iba Nzu) the week preceding the Ine Festival, a group known as the “Ndi Isekwute� has been asked to organize themselves for this task ahead of the Ine. Usually, this group of royal boys goes around town killing fowls wherever they perceived noise during this period. However, they had been cautioned not to be overzealous, but to caution people by giving them orientation ahead of time on the need to avoid noise during the “Iba Nzu� of the Obi, and to play the role of monitoring and ensuring there is no noise in the town within this period, rather than punitive killing of fowls outrightly as deterrence. This is to avoid violence or heating up the atmosphere that they seek to make peaceful. –Nwamodoh is the Personal Secretary to His Royal Majesty, Obi Agbogidi Nduka

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Alison-Madueke: Court Hears Final Forfeiture Application September 22 Davidson Iriekpen Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday fixed September 22 to entertain the application for the final forfeiture of four properties in Lagos, River State, and Abuja, valued at N2,611,592,199 linked to the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke and her associates. The said application was filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to get the properties finally forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria. In arriving at the date, the judge equally declared that same

day would be used to hear the response of the 3rd, 4th and the 6th respondents in the matter. Prior to agreeing on the date, counsel to the respondents, Emmanuel Bassey had informed the vacation judge that there was a pending application requesting that the EFCC should serve the respondents with the ex parte application which was used to secure an interim order of forfeiture of the said properties so that same could be responded to. Bassey further claimed that the request became imperative sequel to an order made by another vacation judge, Justice AbdulAziz Anka of the same court, wherein he declared that

the ex parte application be served on the respondents. However, counsel to the antigraft agency, ABC Ozioko, who stated that there was no such order mandating the commission to serve the ex-parte application on the respondents, argued that the companies involved had no directors and did not even exist. Ozioko added: "We have obtained an interim order in respect of this suit and the case adjourned until today for report and to also allow the respondents to show cause why the properties should not be finally forfeited. "But this morning, we were served with a motion on notice by one Mr. Nnamdi Eze Anochie.

"We ask for time to respond and to take the application for final forfeiture." Justice Anka had ordered that the four properties be temporary forfeited to the federal government for being proceeds of corruption. He made the order while granting an ex-parte application marked FHC/L/CS/1279/17, filed and argued before the court by counsel to the anti-graft agency, Ozioko. The respondents in the suit are: Mrs. Alison-Madueke; Mr. Donald Chidi Amamgbo; Chapel Properties Limited; Blue Nile Estate Limited; Azinga Meadows Limited; and Vistapoints Property Development Limited.

L-R: Vice Chairman, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Development Area, Prince Usman Hamzat; Seriki Fulani of Agege, Alh. Bello Danbaba, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal and the Chief Host/ Area Commander, Area "G" Ogba, ACP Nneka Anyansiti, during the police commissioner's town hall meet- ing on community policing sanitation of the people at Ogba in Lagos

SECURING LAGOS ...

Anambra: Police Arrest 26-Year-Old Army Deserter Who Trains Robbers David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Anambra State police command has arrested a 26 year-old Army deserter, Ebeje Nnamdi who went on AWOL(away without leave) from 20 Mechanized Battalion, Taraba State, thast specialized in training armed robbers. The Anambra State Police commissioner, Garba Umar stated this to journalists while parading 30 suspected criminals at the state police command. Umar said Ebeje who trains armed robbers and kidnappers

was trailed and arrested at his training ground after two of his trainees; Peter Ali and Ugwuokpe Nnaemeka, members of a six-man gang that specialise in operating on motorcycles, robbing fuel stations and killing policemen were also arrested. The commissioner said, “We arrested a gang of armed robbers using two motorcycles led by one Kenneth Chimezie, age 42, and following painstaking investigation and intelligence report, the suspects led police team to their trainers hideout where we apprehended Ebeje. “He was found to be a deserter

from 20 mechanised battalion in Taraba State, and had gone on AWOL in 2014. He is aged 26.� Umar also announced the arrest of another set of armed robbers; Sunday Chigbo and Onyebuchi Eweani in Ogidi community who were arrested with arms and a bag consisting of properties stolen from their victim.

Three kidnap suspects; Chukwudi Nwabundo, Obiora Madubueze and Chinaza Udeezue, members of a kidnap gang were also arrested, and their victim, John Ifediora of Umuganagu village in Oyi was rescued.

Lokoja Hosts Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour The Confluence town of Lokoja, Kogi State capital, will this today experience world-class entertainment as Globacom, lines up seven A-Listers to serenade the residents of the town at the Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour billed to hold at 4.00 p.m. at the Confluence Stadium Indoor Sports Hall. Lokoja home girl, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, will be joined by Ghollywood actress, Juliet Ibrahim, to anchor the show, which will have two Nollywood legends, Patience Ozokwor, a.k.a. Mama G, and Richard Mofe-Damijo making celebrity guest

appearances. Globacom, in a statement issued from its head office, said that a total of 11 entertainers had been commissioned to perform at the show, the 21st edition since the concert kicked off on April 15 in Awka, Anambra State. According to Globacom, music icons billed to perform at the show are the Marvin Records protĂŠgĂŠ, Korede Bello; dance hall master, Douglas Jack Agu, who uses the stage name, Runtown; Inetimi Alfred Odon, a.k.a. Timaya, and the company's latest brand ambassador, Innocent Idibia, also known as Tuface.

The quartet will be joined by the trio of Nabania crooner, Chinedu Okoli, alias Flavour, the rapper, singer and songwriter, Chibuzor Nelson Azubike, a.k.a. Phyno and the king of the streets, Olamide Adedeji , popularly known as Baddo. The company explained that the show "is a free show but to attend, subscribers have to use a credit of N2,000 for data or voice calls within a month. Once subscribers meet this criterion, they have to send SMS 'MUSIC LOKOJA' to a short code 207 and they will get a message inviting them to the show".

Heritage Bank, NIMASA Support Ita-Giwa’s Climate Change Initiative Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Chairman of the Environment Committee of the 2014 National Conference and leader of Seagull Carnival Band has received support from Heritage Bank and the Nigeria Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to stage a public enlightenment forum on Climate Change. The discourse with the theme, Climate Change: A Time for Action’ is scheduled to hold tomorrow, Saturday September 10 at the Ballroom of the Oriental Hotel in Lagos. Senator Ben Murray-Bruce representing Bayelsa East senatorial district in the National Assembly will be the special guest of honour, while environmental activist, and Chairman of the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) committee on awareness and fund raising will give a keynote address. Tracing the history of her commitment to environmental matters, the prominent leader of Bakassi in Cross River State confessed that she knew very little about the devastation of the environmental until she was given the responsibility to chair the committee on environment during the 2014 National Conference. She

said, “I had the privilege to work with many academics and seasoned environmental activists from the civil society. I humbled myself to learn quickly from them.� Ita-Giwa said she was happy when her state Governor Prof. Ben Ayade chose climate change as the theme for the 2016/2017 Cross River State Carnival. She told the journalists that interpretation of the carnival usually involved serious intellectual work. According to her, “it is easy to conclude that the street parade and the dance is all there is to the carnival, but that is far from the truth. There is fierce competition among the competing bands. What we have decided to do is to bring home salient messages on climate change as projected by my band, the Seagull Band. She said that management of the band had since come to appreciate the need to highlight the consequences of climate change on our fragile planet. According to her, the band had apparently adopted the advocacy for action on climate change, thereby disseminating the message to a wider audience through lecture and stage presentation to a discerning audience.

Hoodlums Shoot Reverend Father after Morning Mass in Lagos Rebecca Ejifoma Some yet-to-be identified hoodlums yesterday shot and wounded Rev. Father Daniel Nwankwo immediately

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after morning mass at the St. Thomas Catholic Church, Onilekere, Ikeja Lagos. At about 6:30am during early morning mass at the church, it was gathered that some unknown hoodlums posing as worshippers took part in the morning mass. After the prayers at 08:30am, they allegedly requested to have dialogue with Father Nwankwo, who heads the parish. The Rev Father who unsuspectingly granted the hoodlums an audience outside the church auditorium for a yet-to-be determined reason was shot at by one of the hoodlums who spoke fluently in Igbo language with a locally made pistol. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, in a press release, when the Rev Father raised the alarm, the hoodlums jumped over the fence and escaped towards an adjoining canal. The Rev Father was immediately taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for medical attention where he is currently being treated and under stable conditions. The Commissioner of Police Lagos, Imohimi Edgal, was at the scene and spoke with a witnesses who confirmed that three assailant, allegedly of Igbo background, who were not known to be members of the church, were seen having a conversation with the Rev Father before he was shot. The CP, who visited Father Nwankwo, spoke directly with him and confirmed that he was being given adequate medical care and he was recuperating fast.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ Π˜ 2017

MARITIME BITS with John Iwori.... 08057763164

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Customs Area Controller (CAC), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, Comptroller Mohammed Uba handing over seized medicaments to officials of NAFDAC in the spirit of inter-agency relationship, in Lagos...recently

L-R: The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello receiving souvenir from Ogun State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga in Abeokuta...recently

Abuja MoU: Why We are Embarking on Concentrated Inspection Campaign The Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African regions otherwise called Abuja MoU have given an insight into why it kicked off what it called a “Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC)� on Safety of Navigation. The secretariat of the organisation which is hosted by Nigeria said it was embarking on the CIC owing to its belief that members port state inspection have matured to the level where it can graduate to a higher level of inspection as it is obtainable in other regional MoUs. According to Abuja MoU which has the pioneer Director General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mrs. Mfon Ekong Usoro as its Secretary General, whereas the regular port state inspection is performed by each state acting alone but all submitting reports to the secretariat or directly to the automated information system, the CIC is port state inspection performed by a group of participating states or MoUs within

Battle for POF Gets to the Presidency The fight for the collection of the Practitioners Operating Fees (POF) has taken a new dimension with the one of the contending parties, the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) taking the battle to the Presidency. The POF has become a bone of contention among stakeholders in the maritime industry with licensed customs agents and other key actors taking different positions on the matter. Though there is no contention on the need to collect the POF but the argument on which organisation collects the POF and how much percentage has been on the front burner since last year. The NCMDLCA in a petition to the Presidency accused the Minister of Transportation, Right Hon. Rotimi Amaechi of indulging in illegality for attempting to collect POF despite a court order stopping the collection. The association also has an axe to grind with the Council for Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (CRFFN) as it pointed out that the Federal High Court had earlier dissolved its Governing Council as at May 24, 2015. It maintained that the court upheld the tenure of the Governing Council which elapsed on November 25, 2012. According to the petition which was signed by the National President, NCMDLCA, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, the collection of POF contravenes the statues that established the CRFFN. The letter from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the dissolved Council since November 2012 is clear. This is a negation of the ease of doing business campaign of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. The association flayed attempts by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to limit entrance to the ports to holders of membership card of the CRFFN. “The attempt was in contravention of the Customs and Excise Management (CEMA) Act which empowers only licensed customs agents to perform the function of processing documentation relating to import, export and manufacturing�, it added.

a specified time frame. The organisation in a statement obtained by THISDAY stated that the CIC was designed to focus on specific areas where high levels of deficiencies have been recorded by Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) in the region or where new convention requirements have recently entered into force. Continuing, the organisation which came into being with the signing of the MoU on October 22, 1999 said: “CIC requires that during a regular port state control inspection, the campaign subject matter/areas’ maintenance records and other applicable documentation are examined in more detail for compliance with the relevant international instruments for the period of the campaign. The campaign is usually conducted within a specified period of three months with all participating member states starting and ending the campaign at the same time�. In order to maximise its benefits, the Abuja MoU encourages member states to participate

effectively and efficiently in the CIC. It stated that sub-standard ships are identified during the CIC and made to take corrective actions prior to clearance to proceed on the voyage thereby reducing risks to safety, damage to the marine environment, life and property. “It is imperative for a successful CIC that participating member states achieve a high level of uniformity and harmonisation in inspection procedures and reporting. To achieve that, Administrations in all 22 States in Abuja MoU region should use the harmonised procedures contained in Abuja MoU Port State Control Officers’ Manual and the harmonized inspection report Forms. If your Administration has not complied, please do so as any weak link is often exploited by non-compliant vessels. Member States must not be complacent and must continue to strive to ensure that the Abuja MoU region rids itself of sub-standard ships�, it added. Giving further insight into the campaign which

US-Nigeria Trade Council Gets Advisory Board Chairperson A new chairperson for the Advisory Board of the US-Nigeria Trade Council, United States of America (USA) has emerged. She is Iyalode Alaba Lawson. Lawson is presently the first female President of NACCIMA. Announcing the appointment in a statement, the council said Lawson will provide leadership and overall guidance and direction in the programmes, policy and strategic efforts to improve trade traffic between USA and Nigeria. It also welcomes new members to its Advisory Board, pointing out that the members have been “truly exemplary in their individual and combined extensive expertise in business, commerce, academics, government and international relations�. According to the statement made available to THISDAY, Lawson has accepted to serve as the chairperson of the Advisory Board. An entrepreneur and academician, Lawson is the proprietor of Lawson Group of Schools and Chairman, Abestone Microfinance Bank. She has served in several positions in the private and public sectors. These include the Chairman Board of Governing Council, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Ogun State (MAPOLY), Fellow Institute of Directors (IoD), Justice of Peace (JP) and Council Member, Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC). It stated that it was excited to have her as a mentor, advocate, chair and supporter of the US-Nigeria Trade Council. The council added that Lawson would be attending the upcoming US-Nigeria Agribusiness (non-oil) Investment Summit and Exposition, November 16

to 18, 2017, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and will be leading the delegation from NACCIMA to the event. Other board members are the Elerinmo of Erinmo, Osun State, Oba Michael Ajayi; Former Chairman of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries and currently Managing Director of Critall-Hope Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Remi Bello; Managing Director, Intellectual Concepts, Ms. DeLois Babiker, and the Chair and Charles E. Merrill Professor, Morehouse College, Professor Juliet Elu. Others are Mr. Mohammed Audu, Mr. Onyebuchi Okafor, and Mr. Isa Mohammad Ari. The US-Nigeria Trade Council, USA is dedicated to strengthening and enriching the vehicle of investment and trade between the USA and Nigeria. It provides a bilateral forum on key economic, commercial and professional initiatives, as well as business opportunities of interest to American companies operating in or exploring business opportunities in Nigeria, as well as Nigerian companies planning trade ties and business expansion to the USA market. Its core agenda is built around three interdependent themes including the establishment of linkages, policy input and advocacy to increase bilateral trade and investment between USA and Nigeria; interchange with the American Business community on the resources that abound in Nigeria, generating trade, tourism and foreign investment in Nigeria; promote internationalization of Nigerian businesses, products and services to the USA marketplace. The board will among other things advise on programmes and organizational planning, and advocacy for public policy to protect private sector businesses.

started on September 1, 2017, it said the CIC is coordinated by the secretariat in conjunction with member states. “The secretariat produces a uniform questionnaire listing the number of items for inspection during the CIC period by port state inspectors. PSCOs will use the list of selected items to verify critical areas of the shipboard systems, some of which are related to documentation, operations, structure, equipment and crew familiarisation. Where deficiencies are found, PSCOs are expected to take inspection actions listed in the Action Taken section of our harmonized inspection report Form A. The results of the campaign are collated and entered into the information system where the data are analysed and reports generated. The outcome and analysis of the CIC reports will then be presented to the Abuja MoU Intersessional Management Working Group (ISMWG), Port State Control Committee and the Bureau prior to submission to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).�

Ex-NPA MD Gets Mandate to Restructure MAN, Oron The Federal Government has given a mandate to the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Adebayo Sarumi to restructure Nigeria’s oldest maritime training institution, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State. Sarumi who was the brain behind the successful implementation of the Federal Government economic reforms that led to the successful concessioning of the nation’s seaports in 2006 is expected to lead a team of five other professionals to supervise the restructuring of Nigeria’s premier maritime manpower development institution. The six man team has six months to accomplish the terms of reference given to it. THISDAY had reported the setting up of the six-man committee in January this year was to among other functions, advise the Federal Government on the best way to restructure and reposition MAN, Oron. The mandate given to the committee was sequel to the submission of its report to Amaechi earlier this year. The decision of the Federal Government is a clear case of reposing confidence in the report submitted by the committee in spite of the hues and cries in certain quarters. The Minister of Transportation, Right Hon. Rotimi Amaechi who dropped the hint while inaugurating the six-man interim management committee in Abuja, said the Federal Government had approved the implementation of the reports earlier submitted by the committee. His words: “To achieve the vision and objectives of establishing the institution, members of the committee are now transformed into an Interim Management Committee. We approached the Federal Government since May to give us the goahead to implement your reports and we got the approval of the President for the committee to implement that report�. The minister enjoined the newly appointed Rector of the Academy, Mr. Duja Effedua to work with the committee, pointing out that he could also act in that capacity after the assignment of the committee was over.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

50

Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă˜ Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‘

͸Ϳ͸͞ͺ΀͚͞Ϳ͝Ϳ Ă?Ě‹Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ë? ÞÙĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă?ÑÑ̜ÒÙÞ×ËÓÖ˛Ă?Ù×

PAPA AJASCO

I am Happy Changing Lives with Comedy ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă•Ă‹Ëœ ÚÙÚĂ&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă‹Ă? ËÚË ÔËĂ?Ă?Ă™Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ ÚÖËãĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ù×Ă?ĂŽĂŁ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂŁ Ăš Ăš ĂŁ Ăš Ă” Ă” Ăš ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?ĂĄ åÓÞÒ Tosin Clegg gËœ Ă’Ă? ÞËÖÕĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÒÙå Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞãÖĂ? Getting g to know Papa p Ajasco j y name is Abiodun Ayoy y inka, popularly p p y known as Papa p Ajasco. j I play p y the lead role in Papa p Ajasco j and Company p y and I work with Lagos g State Council for Arts and Culture. I’m a dancer and I studied Theatre Arts. I sing, g drum and I’m into technical construction too- setting g up p stages. g Apart p from that, I do other things g like joint j productions p and collaborate with a lot of people p p in the Yoruba movie industry. y After my y secondary y school education, I left for Ife to obtain a certificate in dramatic arts and later jjoined the Lagos g State Council for Arts and Culture in 1985.

M

Getting g the role of Papa Ajasco j I acted in one comedy y TV series then, by y a Wole Amele, and played p y the role of policeman, p and that was what the producer, p Mr. Wale Adenuga, g saw and he looked for me and asked if I could p play y the role of Papa p Ajasco j and I said ‘yes, y let me try.’ y I, too, have been reading g Ikebe Super p since my y childhood. So I got g the role and he asked what we were going g g to do about the bald head. So I said ‘let me be natural and cut my y hair and let’s see how it looked.’ And he saw me after I did that and was like, ‘wow, this is Papa p Ajasco’ j and ever since, I have been shaving my head in order to play the role. I have been acting g Papa Ajasco for almost 20 years y I have been acting g Papa p Ajasco j for almost 20 years y and yes, y so much has changed g about me so far; it has made me comfortable. I have my y own car and have my y own house. So, in the long g run, I will say y no regrets at all playing Papa Ajasco. Challenges g so far Majorly, j y I should have been involved in other things g outside Lagos, g but I can’t because of what I do with the Lagos g State Council for Arts and Culture, a job j I had before Papa p Ajasco j came in and doing g the g government jjob ain’t easy. y I have travelled wide, to US, Mexico and other places. Cast and crew of Papa Ajasco j Playing y g the role of Papa p Ajasco, j the first Mama Ajasco j died and another one came up p and that one travelled out and another came in. I think we have had three of them on board so y Alinco travelled to the far. And Boy US and we have a second one. Papa p James and I have been together g for so long g and that hasn’t changed. g Then the little Ajasco j was changing g g frequently q y because as he keeps p growing g the role may y not fit in again, g as he is supposed pp to be a short boy y character. The producer p changes g him and it’s been q quite nice working g with them. They have been cool-headed, as we

Papa Aj P Ajasco

have some characters who just j want to give the p g producer p problem. Call time is call time. Also, we have someone new playing Miss Pepeye now. The New Series, Papa Ajasco reloaded... It’s all about WAP Mr. and Mrs. Talented show. It teaches us that when God has p provided us something, g we shouldn’t use crooked ways y to g get it, if not it leaves us. And that’s Papa Ajasco himself trying y g to p play y coni conii way, y and a lot of things g happened pp thereafter. You will be seeing g jugging, j gg g dance and you will be seeing y g a lot of stars on board. Let my y fans out there g go and watch it as it would be very interesting. I’m used to the fame already y Some p people p will walk up p to me and say y ‘let me touch y your head sir’ and I will say y ‘touch it.’ They y will ask a lot of q questions like is it original, g is y your tummy y real and at times they y see hair on my y head and I tell them I always y shave it off because of the role of Papa p Ajasco. j In fact, any y time my y fans g greet me outside, I’m always y cheerful, I don’t show it even when I’m sick, or

something g is happening pp g to me. I will always y be there for them. I always y answer them and even up p till now the little boy crawling still knows Papa Ajasco. I have given back to a lot of people Watching g Papa p Ajasco j alone brings g families together. g Because I had one experience; p there was this woman who was on a wheel chair with partial p stroke, to be p precise, and she was watching g Papa p Ajasco j with her family and, all of a sudden, while she was laughing g g and all that, she g gradually y stood up p from the wheel chair. We have had a lot of experiences p like that. We have touched a lot of families like that in Nigeria. g Our comedy y is not only y for laughter g but for education too. So y you have something to learn in our drama. Starting g out I had a few mentors It was the likes of Ojo j Ladipo, p Baba Sala, and that was y years back when I started. I have been acting g since my y secondary y school days y when I was in a drama society y in school. I was trained by Ben Tomoloju and we were together

with Antar Laniyan y and a few others. Baba Hurbert Ogunde, g Ojo j Ladipo p and Baba Sala were my y mentors then and Baba Wande also. I have done other productions p aside Papa p Ajasco j and that was on NTA. It was called Sandra, and it was long g ago. g I featured in some Yoruba movies with a lot of big g Yoruba movie stars. But majjorly, y it’s been Papa p Ajasco j and Lagos g State Council for Arts and Culture. What made me exceptional The role that I play p y as Papa p Ajasco, j I never go g off it. I stick to it like my y life, and the name is what I cherish a lot, as I don’t want to tarnish the image. g The producers p will be like please p don’t tarnish the image g outside, saying y g anything y g I want to do should be clean and clear. In the next couple p of years, y I would retire and start my y production p outfit. I have been planning p g to do so and I pray p to God that everything y g should come out well. I will always y like to associate myself y with Wale Adenuga, g first of all, and then work with Tunde Kelani. But I have worked a lot with Tunde Kelani and these two I will always work with.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

MY STORY WAPTV’S OMONLA HONOURED AT WEST AFRICAN YOUTH AWARDS 2017 Omonla, one of wapTV’s hilarious presenters, was recently honoured, as he bagged a plaque at the 2017 edition of the West African Youth Awards (WAYA) which took place recently at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Lagos. A graduate of the renowned PEFTI Film Institute, Omonla received this award for his outstanding performance as an MC, dancer, actor and TV presenter with wapTV. Other award recipients include Maria Okanrende, VJ Adams, Toby Grey, Amb. Brig. Gen. Dr. Williams W. Wallace (Consul General of

Antigua and Barbadua to Nigeria), Alhagie Manka (Gambia), Graca Sanches (Cape Verde) and others. The MD of wapTV, Wole Adenuga, had this to say: “We are really proud of the great job being done daily by Omonla, as well as by our other exciting presenters – Veronica, Chief Olododo, Slimmy Tee, Eric and Mama Kwube. Their dexterity and creativity are well received by viewers, calling in from all over the world during our several live shows; and this is one of the many reasons why there is never a dull moment on wapTV.�

TOBI CLEGG

Hoping to Mentor Others Ă™ĂŒĂ“ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂ’Ă™ĂžĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂšĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂœËœ Ă“Ă˜ĘŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă“Ă¤Ă•Ă“ĂŽËœ Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁË› Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ăž åÓÞÒ Tosin CleggËœ Ă’Ă? ÞËÖÕĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž

VETERAN REGGAE MUSICIAN, ‘THE RAINMAKER,’ MAJEK FASHEK, TO CELEBRATE 30 YEARS ON STAGE All is now set for the 30 years on stage celebration of Majek Fashek. The celebration will also feature the official release of his latest work titled, “Weep Not, Children.� Briefing the media recently in Lagos, Majek’s Manager, Mr. Uzo Omenka Day, CEO, Miracle Day Management, said that the epoch making occasion billed for September 10 at the Ballroom of Oriental Hotels, Lagos would feature top artistes and celebrities such as Tuface Idibia, Cobhams Asuquo, Sound Sultan, Harrysong, Maleke, Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki), Osita Iheme (Pawpaw), Ayakata Bongo crooner, Chimuanya, Akpororo, Usbebe, among many others. Some of Majek’s costumes would also be auctioned to the public.

SINGER, ANNJAY EXPANDS HER BUSINESS VENTURES Months after the launch of her new venture, Annjay Hair, singer, songwriter, model and entrepreneur, John Angela Chioma, better known as Annjay, has announced that she would be expanding her operations. The singer, who also released a new single, Man No Be God, a few weeks ago, said she had expanded her operations to Port Harcourt and Abuja in addition to having sales outlets in several other cities. According to Annjay, this has become necessary due to the demand she has been receiving. “We recently launched our operations in Lagos and we were overwhelmed by the demand. To meet up, we decided it was best to open up shop in areas where the demand is highest,� she said. She also explained that in the months to come, she

would introduce a wide range of products to Nigerians and that these would include household items. “I believe Nigerians will benefit from our wonderful products. That’s all I can say for now, but the general public should take note of this, and keep their fingers crossed. But we hope things will improve soon in Nigeria, as many investors believe so much in the Nigerian market and in the country as a whole,� she added. On the music front, she said that her fans should expect more singles from her before the year ran out. Her new track, Man No Be God was released a few weeks ago to wide acclaim. She described the song as an inspirational track which seeks to encourage those who are going through one ordeal or another.

W

ho is Tobi Clegg?

Tobi Clegg is a Nigerian and a graduate of Mass Communication from Lagos State University and currently I’m a professional photographer.

Tell us about your brand? TL.C is my brand name which stands for Tobi Loba Clegg and it’s an entertainment company that comprises of photography, events and modelling. We cover any event through our photography; we also plan events and we have models for any event.

How long have you been doing this? I have been doing this for about two years now and the major challenge is getting people believe in us, as a new born in the industry. A lot of strings have to be pulled. But so far so good, we are on track. I’m really excited with where I am now even of its not where I obviously want to be, but in the next five years I see myself achieving most of my goals because goals never end so you keep achieving more. I also would want to be a mentor to others in future, passing down my skills and experience.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î , 2017

POLITY

StarTimes to Air FIBA AfroBasketball Qualifiers Duro Ikhazuagbe

A

s the Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) Africa men qualifying competition begins this week in Tunisia, StarTimes has concluded arrangement to beam live encounters of the competition. Tunisia will host Group A, which consists of Nigeria, the DR Congo, Cote d’Ivoire and Mali with the teams that finish in top two advancing to the final phase. While Nigeria is set to defend the African crown, DR Congo is aiming for a successful return to FIBA AfroBasket. Although Nigeria arrived Tunis with a completely new team from 2015, the defending champions emerge with arguably the most talented front court, which could be filled by NBA

player Daniel Ochefu of the Washington Wizards as well as Deji Akindele and Akin Akingbala. Question being asked, however, is if Nigeria can defend the FIBA AfroBasket crown. Analysts believe Nigeria is the favourite to advance from Group A, while the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, and Cote d’Ivoire are likely battling for whatever is left on the table. Two years ago, Nigeria upset the then defending champions Angola, to win their first-ever African title. Meanwhile, a new Federation board brought in a new coaching team, and the Nigerians will look to defend the title with a completely different team. Nigeria is facing the Ivorians in group A on September 9 in Tunis. Two years ago, the Ivoirians registered their worst result

ever in the history of the competition. Although the former African champions won two of their five games, they claimed a 12th-place finish. Mali often described as one of the most talented basketball nations in Africa will also be in Tunisia. However, Mali is yet to live up to their accolades, although they have promised time and time again to prove doubters wrong in Tunisia. Speaking on the 2017 FIBA African qualifying encounters, Brands and Marketing Director, StarTimes, Mr. Qasim Elegbede, said StarTimes is ever committed to delivering quality sporting content to its subscribers as basketball lovers can watch live the thrills and action on TV

and the mobile app. FIBA Afrobasket qualifying encounters will be enjoyed by African basketball fans on the StarTimes Premium sport channel. StarTimes has acquired the broadcast rights of some sporting events including the FIFA World Cup in over 48 territories in Africa, and other league games such as the Serie A, Bundesliga, French Ligue 1, Chinese Super League, Eredivisie and the Federation of International Basketball Association, FIBA, games. The pay TV Company also owns a featured content platform, with 480 authorized channels consisting of news, movies, series, sports, entertainment, children’s programmes, fashion, religion and more.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu Holds 23rd Town Hall Meeting

enator Oluremi Tinubu has concluded all arrangements to host her Quarterly Meeting with the people of Lagos Central Senatorial District as part of her efforts toward bringing governance to the people, promoting transparency and accountability. The 23rd edition of the Town Hall Meeting is tagged ‘‘Embracing Our Complexity and Diversity’’ is scheduled to hold on September 15, 2017 at Arcade Hall, Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos. “The interactive session shall be used

to evaluate, highlight and discuss the activities of the Senate and success recorded so far since the inauguration of the 8th Assembly. All members of The Lagos Central Senatorial District, Party Chieftains and Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Ward and State levels are invited. Please note that this event is strictly by invitation available at the Lagos Central Senatorial District Constituency Office and Offices of the Chairmen of LGA’s and LCDA’s,� said a statement from the senator’s office.

L-R: HRM Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, Agirilala-Ogbenuotesoro ll, the Ogoga of Ikere kingdom,Erelu Kemi Adewunmi, HRM Oba Alhaji Abdul-Mumini Adebayo Orisagbemi Attah of Ayede, Bashorun Sola Adewunmi and HRM the Oba of Umojo Ekiti.during the Adewunmi installation as Bashorun and Erelu of Ayede Town in Ekiti State...recently

L-R: The Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; Executive Chairman, Obijackson Group, Mr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi and Group Executive Director, Nestoil, Mrs. Nnenna Obiejesi, during a courtesy visit by His Royal Majesty the Ooni of Ife to Nestoil Headquarters in Lagos...recently

L-R; Sales Operations Manager Lagos 2, Intercontinental Distillers Limited, Tom Ohomele;Customer Service Manager, Ijebu/Abeokuta, Kunle Busari; Iyalaje Akile Ijebu, Chief Fausat Alatishe; Brand Manager, Eagle Schnapps , Gbemileke Lawal at the Ojude Oba 2017.... recently

L-R: Legal Officer, Superflux International, Amarachi Chibundu; ECO, Tokunbo Talabi; Security officer, UBA Plc. Ibrahim Gbanagbo; COO, Superflux International, Okonkwo; and the company Head of Marketing, Folake Akindele, during the presentation of (One Million Naira) to Ibrahim Gbanagbo, as a laudable act rewarded for returning the sum of $10,000 belong to a customer which he discovered at UBA, Oba Akran branch in Lagos‌.recently

L-R: Managing Director, Pladis Nigeria, Mr. Kwame Wiafe; winner of the grand prize of N1,000000, Miss Dinatu Ayuba; her father, Mr. Benjamin Ayuba; and Operations Director, Pladis Nigeria, Mr. Tayo Ilori, during the prize presentation in celebration of 125 years of McVitie’s promo in Lagos‌ recently

53

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ EPTEMBER 9, 2017

THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri What Buhari Told Aisha Alhassan About His Fears of Glásnost and Perestróka

I

t is no longer news that President Muhammadu Buhari’s minister for women affairs, Aisha Alhassan has publicly ditched him and hitched unto the advocate of restructuring, Atiku Abubakar. As she paid Sallah homage to him during the eid-el-Kabir holidays, she greeted the Waziri Adamawa as follows: “Your excellency, our father and our president by the grace of God, come 2019” And if anybody thought that Aisha was going to dial back on her comments, having been outed by a video released online, they were dead wrong! Instead of dialing back, she doubled down on her stance and told the BBC Hausa on Wednesday August 6, 2017 that: “Let me tell you today that if Baba said he is going to contest in 2019, I swear to Allah, I will go before him and kneel and tell him that ‘Baba I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me to serve your government as a minister but Baba, just like you know, I will support only Atiku because he is my godfather; if Atiku said he is going to contest.” First of all, let me say bravo to Aisha Alhassan for having the courage to say that the emperor is naked! Truly, Nigerians should not see Aisha as a traitor. Ever since the lion indicated that he was afraid of rats, it was only a matter of time for the lionesses to abandon him and find a real lion! And Atiku Abubakar is definitely a real lion. The type of lion that can lead the pride, and not a king of the jungle that prefers being far away from the real jungle in preference for a concrete one in London. Aisha Alhassan, is my new favourite person! She is the Dora Akunyili of 2017 who has the balls (forgive my poetic liberties) to tell an inept President the bitter truth. By openly telling President Muhammadu Buhari on BBC Hausa, “I will support only Atiku Abubakar”, she is actually telling him ‘Go. You have done enough damage!’ And it is wrong to see Aisha’s actions as a betrayal. If there is any betrayal, it is from President Buhari, not Aisha. In an interview with Reuters, she revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent posturing for a second term in office notwithstanding, the President had actually promised the inner caucus of his party before he was elected in 2015 that he would not seek a second term and it was on that basis that many of them supported him. Her exact words were: “In 2014/2015, he said he was going to run for only one time to clean up the mess that the (previous) PDP government did in Nigeria. And I took him for his word that he is not contesting in 2019.” Buhari’s own wife publicly rejected him for 2019 on the same BBC, now her namesake (you now know what name to give your daughter if you want her to be a strong woman) publicly rejects her husband. Buhari’s greatest sycophant, Nasir El-Rufai, publicly rejected him in a memo telling him he has failed, yet the President continues to wallow in his failure with his latest misadventure of cancelling the most recent Executive Council of the Federation meeting as if it is an ordinary appointment! But should we be surprised? The same way his closest aides rejected him in 1985 is same way his closest confidants are rejecting him in 2017. His wife, Minister and his sycophant! Personally, I believe the last straw for Aisha Alhassan was his cancelling of FEC in the midst of unprecedented national calamities and challenges because of an ‘extended holiday’.100,000 homes flooded in Benue. North Korea threatens ‘impudent’ people of Nigerian. ASUU/ Doctor strike and you cancel FEC meeting for extended Sallah? Yet you say you returned from London to ‘reposition Nigeria and make life better’? Is it by cancelling the most important meeting in Nigeria where government meets to decide the progress of Nigeria that you do that? If Nigerians want an ‘extended’ holiday, we have Wakanow website for that. We elected Buhari to cancel hunger in Nigeria, not to cancel FEC due to ‘extended’ holidays! It seems President Buhari does not yet know the type of humongous challenges we are about to face because of our failure to plan which is in itself a plan for failure. And it is not just President Buhari. Collectively, Nigeria as a nation appears to be blindsighted to the coming perils in the horizon. We continue with the wasteful pattern of state sponsorship for pilgrimages and give pilgrims concessionary dollar exchange rates as if a nation becomes great solely by prayer. We must end concessionary dollar exchange rates for pilgrims. If we should have special dollar rates it should be for manufacturers and the real sector. President Muhammadu Buhari keeps resisting the idea of restructuring and since the idea is one whose time has come, restructuring is already happening without his input. Atiku sees it. Buhari does not, hence the pendulum of power is shifting from the latter to the former. For instance, regionalism is already back in Nigeria. A state like Anambra is not waiting for oil money to be shared to it from a rent-collecting federal government in Abuja. Anambra has no time for that! By virtue of trading, manufacturing and of late a strong agricultural resurgence, Anambra is the richest state in Nigeria in terms of per capital per individual and Nnewi has more billionaires

Alhassan per square mile than ANYWHERE ELSE in Africa! You cannot be a millionaire and claim to be a big boy in Nnewi. Mba! Yet Anambra has no oil and Nnewi is no Port Harcourt! Many Nigerians may not know why President Muhammadu Buhari is against restructuring and wants to draw a red line against ‘hate speech’. The thing is that he alone gets to decide what constitutes hate speech just as his Chief of Staff Supreme Military Council, the late Major General (rtd) Tunde Idiagbon, got to be the only one to decide if a truthful comment was a crime under their infamous Decree Number 2 (the military version of his civilian ‘red line’). But the reason why Buhari is against restructuring and free speech is because he is a self-confessed admirer of the old Soviet Union. On May 10, 2015, President Buhari received a delegation from Taraba State, led, coincidentally, by Aisha Alhassan, and he explained his admiration of the Soviet Union thus: “In 1991, after coming out of detention, I was sitting at home and the Soviet Union collapsed. They were the world power fighting the western world. In technology, they were the first to go to space and they had intercontinental war heads than NATO. They had more sophisticated weapons.” President Buhari was disappointed that a nation he loved so much had folded up. Now do not forget that President Buhari is first and foremost a military man who has fought wars and planned and participated in military coup d’états. He thinks strategically. Now, ask yourself this question: Why did the Soviet Union collapse? Most scholars attribute the collapse of the Soviet Union to the reforms initiated by its last leader, Mikhail Gorbachev which are briefly summarised in two doctrines that he initiated in the ‘80s, namely, Glasnost and Perestroika. What are Glasnost and Perestroika? Glasnost means as a noun means: “a Soviet policy permitting open discussion of political and social issues and freer dissemination of news and information,” initiated under Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985. As a verb, it means: ‘the Russian word glásnost’ literally taken to mean openness’. Then there is perestroika. Perestroika means as a noun means: ‘The program of economic and political reform in the Soviet Union initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in 1986. Perestroika means as a verb means: ‘Russian word perestróka literally meaning rebuilding, reorganisation’. These definitions are from the Merriam-Webster dictionary and dictionary dot com and from their meaning we see that glásnost means openness and freedom of speech while perestróka means restructuring. Now you can enter the mindset of President Muhammadu Buhari and understand why he is against restructuring and free speech. Connect the dots people, connect the dots! While in reality, the Soviet Union was a dystopia, President Buhari remembers it as a utopia. To him, nirvana is the defunct Soviet Union and that nation of his dreams, the USSR, was, at least in his mind, brought down by glásnost and perestróka otherwise known as free speech and restructuring. Now that he finally has the opportunity to turn Nigeria into the nation of his dreams, the clamour for restructuring and openness has reached fever pitch and to him, it is like déjà vu. President Muhammadu Buhari believes that if he allows glásnost and perestróka in Nigeria, he will suffer the fate of Mikhail Gorbachev

and Nigeria will go the way of the Soviet Union, dismembered into multiple smaller nations. But the President forgets a number of things. You see, without glásnost and perestróka, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was headed for a very nasty implosion. The then US President, Ronald Reagan, in pursuit of his policy of ‘peace through strength’, had lured the USSR into running an arms race that it could not afford and which America could. As a result of the arms race, Gorbachev was unable to turn the energies of the Soviet Union to pressing domestic problems. There was a proxy war in Afghanistan, a country they invaded in December 1979 and occupied for a decade at a human cost of 15,000 Soviet casualties and 2 million Afghan civilian casualties and a financial cost of the entire budget of Nigeria for the last 40 years! Worse still was the fact that the growth of the Soviet economy was not keeping pace with her population growth (remind you of anybody?). So, it was not as if Gorbachev was being generous by introducing glásnost and perestróka. He literally had no choice. His country was collapsing under him and that is the same thing that is happening to Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari. President Buhari must not allow his phobia for glásnost and perestróka., stemming from his fascination with the defunct USSR blind him to a fundamental truth - there must either be a new Nigeria or there may soon be no Nigeria! His resistance to free speech and his new policy of drawing a red line against hate speech will not hold ground in a nation with 100 million Internet ready mobile lines! And nothing undermines a leader’s capacity to govern than when the leader makes unenforceable laws or threats that he cannot back up. In the same vein, to resist restructuring is to fight against an idea whose time has come! It is very clear that President Buhari’s fixation with the Soviet Union has kept him in an ‘80s time capsule. That is why he still refers to the unified nation of Germany as West Germany and that is why he still thinks that hate speech is any speech that is in opposition to government policy. Somebody must tell the President that the reason dinosaurs became extinct is because they refused to adapt to the changes in their environment! Like Gorbachev’s 1980’s USSR, Nigeria’s population is growing far faster than her economy. Our population grew at 2.6% last quarter while the economy grew at 0.55%. Only a Buhari administration will be shameless enough to celebrate such an abysmal record! And also, like the USSR of the ‘80s, Nigeria is caught in an intractable war with Islamic extremists. You may say to me that the Russian invasion of Afghanistan is different in nature from the war against Boko Haram and my response to you is that you ought to study Nigeria’s contemporary history deeply. History does not repeat itself, men repeat history! Boko Haram was not initially a violent sect. It was not until the Nigerian Government extra judicially killed its leaders, most notably Mohammed Yusuf that the group became radicalised and linked up with global terror groups. And today, just like with the USSR in Afghanistan, we are spending billions that we do not have fighting a war that is so difficult to win because the enemy relies on guerrilla warfare tactics. Boko Haram are like the mujahideen that fought the Russians to a standstill in Afghanistan. Russia’s Afghanistan campaign was what led to the rise of Osama Bin Laden and our killing of the pious Mohammed Yusuf was what led to the rise of the radical Abubakar Shekau. We cannot pay civil servants, we are taking loans from capitalists, socialists and communists left, right and center. Essentially, Nigeria will take loans from any nation or institution willing to lend her money, yet we just spent $593 million purchasing 12 A-29 Super Tucano military jets and other weapons from America because we must fight Boko Haram. But what does Boko Haram really want? Is it just to fight, kill and to destroy? No. They want an Islamic Caliphate essentially in the Kanuri dominated Yobe and Borno States and since Nigeria killed their leaders who were advocating for that idea peacefully, they have decided that they must advance their cause by force of arms. But what if they are genuinely invited to restructure Nigeria? If the certain states want to live under strict Sharia law, why can’t they if they will not impose it on others? After all, President Buhari himself once declared in 2001 that (and I quote): “I will continue to show openly and inside me the total commitment to the Sharia movement that is sweeping all over Nigeria.” I assure President Buhari that restructuring will take care of that desire that he has burning ‘inside me’! Can we not see that everyone, including Boko Haram (secretly) IPOB, OPC and Arewa Youth Forum rejoices when Nigeria scores against another nation in a game of football. That alone should tell a reasonable man that their problem is not Nigeria per se, but the fact that Nigeria is not also scoring in the areas of equal opportunity for everyone, in the economy and in government. Once we make the necessary structural changes to our polity and start to score in these areas, EVERY separatist agenda will end! And that is the only way that President Muhammadu Buhari can prevent the fate of the defunct USSR from befalling Nigeria.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

BUSINESS PEOPLE

Editor: Vincent Obia email: vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com Tel: 08054681757

How I Achieved Sucess Out of Joblessness John Ehiguese, Chief Executive Officer of Mediacraft Associates, loves writing and he is in a profession that offers him ample opportunity to do so. Also the president of Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria, Ehiguese shares his thoughts and living with Vincent Obia

J

ohn Ehiguese looks fulfilled. But what makes him really happy? He says it is the sense of purpose and ambition that comes from doing what he loves to do. This has helped him maintain a focus on hard work. It is not material things that give him the greatest happiness. The product of hard work, for him, is worth more than any luxury. “When you work and you achieve, it’s sweeter and more rewarding,” Ehiguese says. “It gives you more peace and a sense of contentment than when you have to cut corners and cheat. It is very important that we learn to pay our dues, in a manner of speaking, in every ramification and be ready to live with delayed gratification.” Ehiguese has enjoyed a successful career in public relations. He is not a blueblood from a wealthy family. But he is one of the star attractions of the PR industry in Nigeria. And he is right at home in his profession. “I got into this business because I thought it was a profession that was my natural endowment. PR is 80 per cent writing and I have very good writing skills. I felt at the point I was getting into this profession that this was an area I could do very well. I think, to a large extent, that has worked for me,” he says. Challenge Ehiguese takes a dispassionate position on life, a product of several years’ experience. “I started MEDIACRAFT from the scratch,” he explains. “It was an entrepreneurial journey that I wasn’t exactly prepared for then. I was forced to undertake it, because I left my previous job and I didn’t have another job. I couldn’t get another job and I had to survive and take care of my family. I said to myself, wait a minute, I can do this thing. I had been in private business before, although, I was trading then. It wasn’t something I really planned for. It was tough at the beginning because I had a family and I was also doing my MDA at the Lagos Business School. And I had zero capital.” He says, “I had to practically build the business from the scratch. It has its reward in terms of the learning curve, but it was also a very tough experience. It has

taught me to be very dogged, resilient, and tough.” The sense of success has helped him in develop lifestyle choices, and it adds relish to his day-to-day living. Before setting up Mediacraft Associates, Ehiguese had 20 years career experience spanning management consultancy, sales and marketing, advertising, broadcasting, and public relations. The ability to successfully take on the challenge set before him gives him a great sense of fulfilment. But that does not remove the responsibility to strive to constantly expand the frontiers of success, he believes. Success As Journey Ehiguese believes success is an expedition that should keep the successful constantly on a drive to achieve more. He thinks success cannot be an excuse for inaction. He says, “Success is a journey, not a destination. You are constantly, throughout life, aspiring for a higher level of achievement. The reason why you get up from your bed every morning is because there is something you are pursuing. If that thing is not there, you are dead. “So you must have a constant consciousness that you are reaching to higher levels of achievement everyday of your life. You set new goals and work towards achieving them. That is what makes life exciting and interesting.” To him, the world, especially Nigeria, is not a place for the weak-kneed. “The Nigerian business environment is very challenging for so many reasons, some of which are very obvious. But that should not deter people from embarking on the entrepreneurial journey,” he says. Turn-on Go-getters are a real turn-on for Ehiguese. “I like people who have a learning spirit, who are ready to learn new things and improve themselves,” he says. “People who have a positive disposition, who are always on the move trying to achieve new things, to learn new things, to do new things, these are the kind of people that turn me on. You can never have a dull moment in the company of this kind of people, and I find them particularly stimulating.”

I like people who have a learning spirit, who are ready to learn new things and improve themselves. People who have a positive disposition, who are always on the move trying to achieve new things, to learn new things, to do new things, these are the kind of people that turn me on. You can never have a dull moment in the company of this kind of people, and I find them particularly stimulating

Ehiguese

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SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

BUSINESS PEOPLE Having My First Grandchild Was A Life-changing Experience He admits, however, “There are not too many of them around.” Conversely, he says pretension is his single biggest turn-off. “What upsets me most about people is putting up a false appearance, what they call fake people. People who pretend to be who they are not. I am a very trusting person by nature, I trust you until you prove yourself otherwise. When people turn out not to be what you thought they were, it can be quite disappointing. I find people who put up a false image absolutely repulsive.” Disappointment One of the biggest disappointments Ehiguese has faced is the cruelty of being schemed out of a business pitch he felt he would win. It happened a few years ago and the client had picked two PR agencies. “We understood that we came second, but we were knocked out by politics. That was a very big blow for me. It’s alright if you didn’t do well enough. But to know that you did well, it can be very painful. Then my agency was relatively young and it was a big deal for us to have done so well at such a high level pitch. We didn’t know at that time that we were that successful.” But he took useful lessons from that experience. “One of the things I have learnt is to cope very well with adversity; I don’t allow it to weigh me down. I just move on, that’s life.” Private Enterprise The Edo-born PR-savvy says he is much happier doing things for himself, instead of working for others, and wishes he had started his entrepreneurial journey much earlier. Working for others, he says, is all well and good. But, “ultimately, everybody must aspire to work for himself at some point in his life. I would like to challenge, especially young people, not to be deterred by challenges they see around them, and also to be prepared to pay the price for success.” Ehiguese regrets not pursuing his PR business earlier. “I wish I started my practice a lot earlier. If I knew then what I know now, I would have gone into entrepreneurship much earlier. I think I would have done much better.” Why the reassessment?

My son, who is married, had a daughter in October last year. It was my first grandchild and it was a wonderful experience. I don’t know how to describe the feeling, when you know that this is a first generation from you that is starting Ehiguese

“What I find now is that a lot of the people I am dealing with are much younger than I am. The relationship would have been a lot better and smoother if I was at that level. If I started my business like 10, 15 years earlier than I did, by now I would fit in with people at that level much more. What is happening now is that a lot of clients are much younger than I am, and that makes interaction a little bit difficult,” he says. “Besides, there is so much to learn and so much to do that, quite frankly, I don’t think I have enough time. If I started earlier, I would have learnt a lot more and done a lot more.” First Grandchild Ehiguese became a grandfather in October last year and he describes that experience as most exciting. “My son, who is married, had a daughter in October last year. It was my first grandchild and it was a wonderful experience. I don’t know how to describe the feeling, when you know that this is a first generation from you that is starting.” He says becoming a grandfather, “also to a large extent changed my view towards life. Here you begin to

realise you are coming to terms with your mortality. I also realised that, you are no longer as young as you used to be. Your level of responsibility towards your offspring is more, because you are not only going to take care of children, but also grandchildren. It’s a whole new experience, a sobering experience, but a delightful one.” Work-life Balance At nearly 60, Ehiguese does not have all the energies of yore. As he grows older, he is more conscious of the need to balance his time and focus between work and family or leisure. “I actually do not have too much of an opportunity to go out with my family, but I do go out with my wife once in a while.” Their most recent outing was during his last birthday. “My wife and I, and two of our kids who were around, went out for a small family dinner,” he says. “So once in a while, we do go on outing, but not as often as I would have loved to. I think it is something one should do more often.” Disconnect Between Government and PR Industry Ehiguese regrets that a combination

of unfamiliarity with the domestic PR industry’s capacity and the practitioners’ failure to really market the industry to government is making it difficult for the country to optimise the benefits of public communications. “What we find is that a lot of people in government do not even know or believe that we have the resources and capability to deliver world class PR support for the work that they do in Nigeria. So they don’t even come to us,” he says. He believes, “There is competence in Nigeria. But I don’t think we have also marketed ourselves enough to government so that they are aware that we have these kinds of competences in the country. We are working on that, we are trying a lot of outreaches to government.” Advice Ehiguese is against the culture of instant gratification. He issues a stark warning to those with the tendency to seek shortcuts in life. “A lot of people in the millennial generation these days look for, what I call, the shortcut. And that should also be that if you look for shortcut you have a short life. People should be prepared to work to achieve success,” he says.

L-R: Ex-officio, PRCAN, Chido Nwakanma; Director of Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, and Guest Speaker, Tony Ojobo; PRCAN President, John Ehiguese; PRCAN member, Mrs Nkechi Ali-Balogun; and Chinda Manjor of Airtel Nigeria at the fourth PRCAN Breakfast Meeting in Lagos recently

Saturday, September 9, 2017

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MISSILE Shehu Sani to Buhari

“Everybody knows who the lion is. As regarding the hyenas, jackals and wolves, I think I will leave that for Mr. President to mention them, if he wants to. But, in general terms, these are the elements within the cycle of the Presidency who have personal interests, other than that of Mr. President. And, they are called in broader sense ‘cabal.’ These are the mafia that exists within Presidency.” – Senator Shehu Sani urging President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently fumigate the metaphorical hyenas, jackals and wolves in his cabinet.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

The Hurdles Nigerian Youths Must Cross by 2019

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ellow Nigerians, please, permit me to enlarge this subject as much as possible. Nothing is more crucial than getting the leadership of Nigeria right, as quickly as possible. Many have asked me certain questions, after reading my recent articles, which I intend to answer, in this epistle to my fellow citizens. Why did I support Muhammadu Buhari to be President in 2015? The answer is simple and straight forward. The then President, Goodluck Jonathan and his party, PDP, did not leave us much options and it seemed there was only one logical and rational way to go, no matter how unpalatable, Buhari and his APC. They seemed the only risk and gamble worth taking. Profligacy was at its highest. Corruption was rife. Insecurity was widespread, the economy was in shambles, the currency was in freefall and the malaise and rot was just all pervading. Buhari was himself attractive, not only because of his famed incorruptible stance but also as a stopgap, if only to arrest the deepening sense of gloom and doom in the polity. Buhari became an interlude. We needed a father-figure to rescue us from a rampaging foe. APC was not my party. Like me, majority of those who supported Buhari did so out of acute frustration. And, as with me, they did not belong to his party. They were encouraged by Buhari’s no-nonsense pedigree. Even if they did not consider him perfect, they believed he would be more disciplined, prudent and focused. The only thing we probably forgot was the fact that Buhari would never possess in a democratic setting the same powers he wielded as a dictatorial Head of State. We did not consider how encumbered he would be in his second coming. Buhari himself possibly underrated the magnitude of the rot at hand. He must have also ignored the avuncular influence of the ubiquitous Nigerian Mafia. He came and took his time on even the most mundane of things. This was his most fatal error. Picking his cabinet took forever. He did not seize on the huge popularity and excitement that catapulted and heralded him to power. He lost the uncommon opportunity to exploit that momentous zeal and giddiness that had engulfed Nigerians at the announcement of his victory. Some of us smelt the danger early and expressed our feeling earnestly and concretely. I wrote copiously about it in my desperate memos to the President. We were the ears of the government as itinerant journalists and our own ears were full from endless lamentations by the public. As if to make matters worse, the President had to battle for his personal life. He was outside Nigeria more than inside, this year, in particular. But we thank God for the miracle He has performed in the health of our dear President who is now back home with us and hopefully invigorated to embark on the arduous task ahead given the short period of time he has remaining in this his first term. Do I have regrets supporting Buhari? If the truth must be told, there have been periods I felt lost in the wilderness because of the pace, tempo and direction of governance. I was deeply troubled also by the manner a government of change carried on as if our situation was normal and tolerable. The methods and methodology

Dalung of this government appeared to be too similar to that of its predecessors. I found that bizarre. The amount of time, energy and resources wasted in fighting a war of attrition within the ruling party itself was rather atrocious, as if repeating the mistakes of Jonathan in the last days. But I won’t say I’ve totally given up on our government. There have been flashes of hope every now and then. It was good and refreshing that the President made use of one of his best weapons in-house, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, while he was away on medical vacation. Osinbajo was able to demonstrate to all and sundry that what is required to get Nigeria out of the doldrums is no rocket science but the ability to play less politics and do more of governing. His persona and abilities galvanised the economy. That we have “exited” the recession is in no small measure due to the policies and practices that he has put in place. His use of executive orders, rather than subsidiary legislation which can sometimes be cumbersome to pass and implement, was novel and, its significant practical effect is reverberating all over the economy. When the unity of Nigeria was tried and tested by some ethnic jingoists, the government did not rush to war but chose to dialogue with various groups like former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua did with the Niger Delta militants. The result is the relative peace and calmness we enjoy today. Another remarkable example of what is possible and feasible in our country is how Osinbajo has been able to crisscross Nigeria without any fear of reprisals wherever he visited. This has shown that the Buhari government has more to gain by reaching out to everyone with an olive branch rather than behaving

like warmongers. War has never resolved anything but rather torn peoples apart and made secret and silent enemies who would be awakened and galvanised to destructive action when the time comes! Will I support Buhari in 2019? Let me say I doubt. My reason won’t be on account of incompetence but because I don’t think it would be fair for men of that generation to continue to hold Nigeria by the jugular. What those who refer to Donald Trump’s age and that of his arch-rival, Hillary Clinton, fail to realise is that those candidates were groomed in a much sophisticated environment. Trump was able to build a business conglomerate while Clinton has had a spectacular and effervescent career in politics and leadership. Those would definitely count in their favour. The same cannot be said of our aged leaders here. Also important is the fact that America would always pick leaders based on merit and towering achievements but our old brigade would always revert back to antiquated and primordial religious and ethnic sentiments. Nigeria needs to move hurriedly from its present style and stereotypes that have held us down and sometimes even dragged us backward. We must seek and find agile, current and stylish leaders who understand the language and register of modern trends. There is no way anyone above the retirement age can fit that bill in 2019 no matter how hard. I say this with every sense of responsibility and not as a matter of personal prejudice. As I will continue to say, I admire President Buhari and believe that he had a monumental role to play in the emergence and continued existence of our nascent democracy. I know some would say age does not matter but I wish to insist that it does. If we can experiment with old age, and we have for far too long and unreasonably, with no commendable or commensurate results, there is no reason not to conversely encourage the young ones to come in, learn on the job, make mistakes and ultimately get things right. Indeed the same old brigade benefitted from this approach and opportunity given to them by their predecessors who were willing to hand over because modernity in that period had begun to make them relics. The position is more stark now because the advent of the internet and the satellite technologies and innovations that it has spawned has completely transformed the world. Our geriatric leaders would never have a clue about this new world that has left them way far behind. It is not just about social media as they seem to think. There is a lot more in terms of advancement in education, finance, power, health, infrastructure, philosophy, ideology and the like. This propensity by our leaders of yore to embrace youth, entrust leadership to them and adopt the new technologies are basic principles that we must try to enforce in the next dispensation. There is no longer a doubt as to what to expect in the older leaders but there is still a chance of remoulding the younger ones. My sermon is simple. Anyone above 65 should please enjoy his retirement with his family in tranquillity and perpetuity. At that age, he has already given his best to Nigeria. If his generation was so wonderful, Nigeria

would not have been in this peculiar mess. It is time for others to try. If they fail, age will soon catch up with them too, like it is already catching up with my generation, and those coming behind would have to take their own chance and opportunity. By fielding people in their seventies, Nigeria would have wiped out a minimum of 30 years of those between the ages of 40 and 70 and this is grossly unfair and very unfortunate. What that means is that the older generation is saying that there is no Nigerian from age 40 to 70 that can lead us. That notion is unacceptable and regrettable. Let’s now get down to brass tacks. There is nothing, Constitutionally, stopping those in their 70s and 80s aspiring to public office. Indeed it is their right to do so if they so wish. And if Nigerians, in our collective wisdom or stupidity, select and support them again, then that is their luck. Those who share my view that a new generation of leaders must emerge and be tested urgently have much harder work to do than those who wish to maintain the status quo. As I confidently expressed last week, the youths I see today want everything in a hurry and, if possible, without suffering for it. But there can be no gain without pain. The mind-set of entitlement must give way to that of selflessness and sacrifice. The authentic change-agents cannot sit with arms akimbo and await miracles. If our youths continue with the current attitude, the ancient generation will continue to lead and misrule while the modern youths will continue to wallow in servitude, self-pity and lamentations. It is a shame that the vibrant students’ union organisations we used to know have disappeared to all intents and purposes. The quality of Nigerian schools and educational curriculum has also dropped abysmally. What has further compounded the situation is the mass poverty which has impoverished the souls and minds of our nation and its people. The situation is so bad that we are mostly controlled by survival instincts. But we must not give up. No matter how much we think we can all “make it” (to borrow that cliché) individually, the road will still be long and tortuous. It is in our collective will and tenacity that we can achieve the Nigeria of our dreams. The older generations would always tempt us with the whiff of money but this would be tantamount to nothing but tokenism and folly given that, in any event, much of that money is from our common wealth looted from our collective treasury that should have been used to transform our lives more than a few pieces of silver can. Nigerians, young and old, deserve better than this cycle of oppressive benevolence. Nigeria will never know progress until we vow to seize the bull by the horns and do the needful. The journey is not going to be easy. The roads will be littered with thorns. The falcon may not even hear the falconer but try we must. The statement must be boldly made that we are children of a new generation and we know who we are, where we are going and how to get there. It is our future and not their future. They cannot tell us how to live it!. It is time for our youths to say “Yes, we can”.

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