Saturday 16th September 2017 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

FG Hands Over 35km Apapa-Oworonshoki Expressway to Dangote for Repair Gives 10-year tax incentive as recompense for road rehabilitation Bennett Oghifo in Lagos, Chineme Okafor in Abuja and Alike Ejiofor in Lagos The federal government has handed over the Apapa to Oworonshoki end of the

Lagos - Ibadan Expressway, a 35 kilometres long highway to the Dangote Group to rebuild using concrete, and as well getting a recompense in the form of 10-year tax holiday, the Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Mr. Babatunde

Fashola, has disclosed. Speaking at the Businessday Road Construction Seminar yesterday in Lagos, Fashola, explained that the contract for the road network comprising Creek Road, Liverpool Road, Marine Beach all the way to

Mile 2, Oshodi, Oworonshoki, to the Lagos end of the Toll Gate on the Ibadan Expressway was signed with the Dangote Group on September 12, 2017. Fashola, said to encourage the Dangote Group to embark on the project which the government is

still waiting for its designs, the government has approved an upward review of a tax incentive to the group to 10 years. "I am pleased to inform you that, we have just concluded an agreement using the tax incentive order to hand over

the Apapa area comprising Creek Road, Liverpool Road, Marine Beach to Mile 2, Oshodi, Oworonshoki to the Lagos end of the Toll Gate on the Ibadan Expressway to Dangote Group Continued on page 8

In Seventh Consecutive Decline, Inﬂation Drops to 16.01% in August ...Page 10 Saturday 16 September, 2017 Vol 22. No 8185 Price: N250

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South East Governors Proscribe IPOB, Reaffirm Commitment to United Nigeria DHQ declares IPOB terrorist organisation No cause for panic, Masari tells non-indigenes Steer clear of Rivers State, Wike warns Igbos in Kano reject Kanu and his group We'll not run away from Igboland, say northerners in Enugu Obasanjo urges Buhari to dialogue with Kanu Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu, Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt, Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia, Paul Obi in Abuja, Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano and John Shiklam in Kaduna

Governors of the South-east zone rose from an emergency meeting in Enugu yesterday and proscribed all activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the region, even as they appealed to

President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw the military from the zone. On the same day, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) formally declared IPOB a terrorist organisation, while

former President Olusegun Obasanjo urged President Muhammadu Buhari to dialogue with IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. In an eleven-point communique issued at the end of the meeting in which

they reviewed the prevailing security situation in the zone and its attendant consequences, the governors insisted that they would no longer tolerate the separatist group. They asked IPOB and all

other aggrieved groups to articulate their position on all national issues and submit to the Committee of Governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Continued on page 8

…Northern Governors Pledge to Sustain Peace, Salute Residents for Non-violence Governors of the 19 northern states have greeted residents across the north for being nonviolent in the face of clashes between members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Soldiers in Abia State which endangered some northerners living in parts of the South-east. The governors, who spoke through Kashim Shettima, Governor of Borno State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors' Forum Continued on page 8

FROM UGANDA WITH LOVE… R -L: President Muhammadu Buhari; wife of Uganda President, Mrs. Janet; wife of Nigerian President, Aisha and President Yoweri Musveni during the Ugandan GODWIN OMOIGUI President's visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja …yesterday

Buhari Leaves Nigeria Tomorrow for UN General Assembly in US ... Page 15

T H I S D AY SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž Ëœ ÍšÍžËœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍż

PAGE EIGHT SOUTH EAST GOVERNORS PROSCRIBE IPOB, REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO UNITED NIGERIA Assembly members from the zone through the chairman of the South-east Governors' Forum, David Umahi of Ebonyi State. In the Communique which was read by Umahi, the governors also noted that the entire zone including the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly members reinforced their commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria. "All governors of the south east zone are to ensure compliance in their respective states," Umahi said. They insisted that police be allowed to perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order. The governors also reinforced their desire for the restructuring of Nigeria where all national issues will be discussed and amicably settled to achieve justice and fairness to every Nigerian. They also reiterated their earlier position that the November 18, 2017 gubernatorial election in Anambra State must hold contrary to the order by the now proscribed IPOB. The governors noted that they had taken concrete steps to protect lives and property of both indigenes and non-indigenes in the zone, adding that they are in touch with the Northern Governors Forum, who they said have equally assured them of the safety of "all our people living in the north and we have also planned for exchange of visits between the governors to reinforce the confidence of Nigerians in this respect". They reassured Nigerians that full investigation on all allegations of killings, maiming and other unlawful conduct in the zone within the last couple of days have commenced, adding that they are in agreement with the security agencies that appropriate action be taken against anyone found culpable. The governors therefore advised all residents of the zone to be law abiding and go about their normal businesses as government of each of the states remained committed to protecting everybody. Those who attended the meeting were Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Willie Obiano (Anambra), Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state and chairman of the forum, and Prince Eze Madumere, Deputy Governor of Imo State. Others include the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo; former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State and Vice President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof Chigozie Ogbu and Prof Joy Ezeilo representing the Human Rights Community. Umahi said the leadership of IPOB was invited to the meeting but could not attend. DHQ Declares IPOB a Terrorist Organisation The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has declared IPOB a militant terrorist organisation. The Director of Defence

Information, Major General John Enenche said â€œthe antics of IPOB clearly indicate that it is not a peaceful organisation.â€? He said: "The Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) group which has posed to be a security challenge in the Country, has been metamorphosing from one stage to the other. "After due professional analysis and recent developments, it has become expedient to notify the general public that the claim by IPOB actors that the organization is nonviolent is not true. Enenche added that IPOB illegal activities includes the formation of Biafra Secret Service and Biafra National Guard, unauthorised blocking of public access roads and extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks. He listed their other offences to include possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov, cocktails, machetes and broken bottles among others on a military patrol on 10 September 2017 and physical confrontation with troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB actors at a check point on 11 September 2017 and also attempts to snatch their rifles. "From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation. "Therefore, parents and particularly unsuspecting residents of the South east and other Nigerians should advice their wards to desist from joining the group, he said. Steer Clear of Rivers State, Wike Warns IPOB Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the state government would not tolerate any attack on other Nigerians living in the state by members of IPOB or any other group. The governor also declared that Rivers State belongs to all those who live in it, saying that the state heartily welcomes any Nigerian who resides in the state and carries out lawful businesses. In a state broadcast yesterday on the security situation in the state, Wike said: "Rivers people fully subscribe to Nigeriaâ€™s corporate existence and its indivisibility. As a people, we shall continue to support the unity and peaceful co-existence of all ethnic nationalities and work towards actualizing our collective aspirations for a just, inclusive and progressive nation. "Rivers State belongs to all those who live in it. Therefore, we shall not tolerate any attack by any group on other Nigerians living in Oyigbo or any other part of the State. We warn troublemakers those who are bent on causing violence on others to steer clear of Rivers territory. "Nobody should take our hospitality and peaceful disposition for weakness, as we are capable of dealing decisively with any situation that threatens peace and serenity in the State." He called on Rivers people to be vigilant and not allow themselves to be used by anybody to foment trouble in

our State. IPOB has been enmeshed in conflict with members of the public and the police in Rivers State, especially in the Oyigbo axis of the state since Tueday. The police have confirmed the death of an anti-riot police officer when suspected members of IPOB attacked a police post in the area. A mosque was also destroyed while people believed to be of Northern extraction were allegedly molested. The police arrested and arraigned 32 persons for their alleged involvement in the violence unleashed by suspected members of IPOB. Most of those arraigned were remanded in prison. No cause for panic, Masari tells non-indigenes Also yesterday, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State called on non-indigenes in the state to focus on their legitimate endeavours, assuring them that they have no cause to fear for their safety. The Governor, who spoke against the backdrop of the heightened tension between the Nigerian military and some irredentist militants in the South Eastern part of the country, said Katsina State was safe for every resident regardless of their religious, ethnic and regional background. "Let me once again call on and reassure our fellow Nigerians from outside Katsina, who chose to live among us in pursuit of their livelihood, to go about their lawful activities with hope and confidence in the belief of our ability and willingness to give adequate protection to everybody without prejudice to any group. "We will lead in accordance with the oath of office we swore to uphold, which is "to treat all manner of people without fear or favour, ill will or affection. This national covenant is in rhyme with our age-long slogan of "Katsina is Home of Heritage and Hospitality. "We make bold to state without fear of contradiction that Katsina is the most peaceful state in Nigeria, where differences in background are non-issues as far as the indigenes are concerned. It is in our religion and culture to treat our guests with no less decorum and hospitality as we would ourselves. Accordingly, we will not fold our arms and allow anybody or group to breach the peaceful ambience Katsina State is famed for. "Let me urge our people to live by these ethos and disregard any information which is capable of breaching the peaceful ambiance in the state. We should regard all Nigerian as brothers and sisters. While we are at it, let us not forget to always seek God's intercession for our various challenges through regular prayers for the nation and our leaders," said Masari in the statement signed by his media aide Abdu Labaran Malumfashi. Igbos in Kano reject IPOB, Kanu The Kano State chapter of Igbo Community Association yesterday disowned Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB.

Addressing reporters at Igbo House Kano, the President General of the association, Chief Ebenezer Chime said: "We unequivocally state that we dissociate ourselves from the activities of IPOB and its leader Nnamdi Kanu." The Igbo leaders also encouraged their members not to panic based on assurances from security agencies. "We want to use this medium to condemn in the entirety the avoidable crisis happening in Abia State. In as much as we will not dwell on apportioning blames or asking for who is right or wrong, we are strongly advocating for peace and unity in the land," he said. JNI Calls for Calm As Igbos Close Shop in Kaduna The umbrella body for Northern Muslims, the Jama'atu Nasril Islam, (JNI) under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, has cautioned Muslims against any form of revenge over the IPOB crisis. The JNI in the statement signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar on behalf of the Sultan, said all Jummat Mosque Imams had been advised to use the Friday prayers to pray for peace and unity of the country and to charge their congregation not to react in any way to what is happening in the South East. The statement appealed for calm and expressed the believe that government would tackle the situation adequately. Most Igbo traders in Kaduna did not opened shops yesterday for fear of being attacked. Those who had earlier opened their shops eventually closed and returned home following uncertainty over their safety, even though security personnel were seen patrolling the metropolis. â€˜Python Dance Not Meant to Intimidate Citizensâ€™ The Minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Danbazzau has reassured Nigerians that Operation Python Dance was not meant to intimidate citizens, but rather, to ensure that law-abiding citizens are protected. The Minister, who disclosed this in Jos, Plateau State yesterday, said he was in Jos on a fact finding mission and also on solidarity visit to the government and people of the state over the fracas in the state on Thursday night. He said: â€œI donâ€™t know the details of that Operation Python Dance; probably the minister of defense will be in a better position to explain that. But I want to believe that the essence is not to intimidate but to ensure that law-abiding citizens are protected. And we want to assure you that nothing will be done to harass law-abiding citizens.â€? On the reprisal in Plateau, Danbazzau said, â€œOf course, it is the responsibility of government to protect the lives and property of the citizens; and we are happy that the governor of the state has done just that.â€? Meanwhile, the Governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong has confirmed that two persons died

â€ŚNORTHERN GOVERNORS PLEDGE TO SUSTAIN PEACE, SALUTE RESIDENTS FOR NON-VIOLENCE called on residents across the 19 northern states to permanently sustain the peace saying no law abiding Nigerian deserves to be punished for the mere fact that he or she happens to be living or doing law economic and social activities in any part of the country. In a statement emailed to journalists by Shettima's Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, the governors acknowledged that they were aware of spill

over concerns in Jos, Plateau State, but they were also aware of the rapid step taken by their colleague, Simon Lalong of Plateau State who immediately declared dusk to dawn curfew that restored peace. The governors however noted that despite the patriotism displayed by residents, their administrations had since placed security forces on alert to tackle any unforeseen attempt to cause breach of security.

They called on all residents to, irrespective of tribe and religion, see themselves as equal Nigerians who have the same rights to freely live in any part of Nigeria as provided by the Nigerian Constitution which the governors are under oath to preserve, protect and defend. The Governors also called on all Nigerians to support and promote peace and coexistence, maintaining that the collective vision to have a greater and

prosperous Nigeria can only be actualised under an atmosphere of peace and stability. The northern governors commiserated with Nigerians affected by the violence and called on northerners operating in any part of the country to remain law abiding and calm saying they share in their concerns and will continually take lawful measures to support them under any circumstance the northerners find themselves.

in the Thursday night reprisal, adding that the report reaching him also indicated that several others were injured and are being treated in some hospitals across Jos. The governor stated this at a meeting with community and religious leaders resident in the state, which held at the Rayfield Government House, following the fracas that engulfed Jos Thursday night. Lalong assured citizens of his administrationâ€™s commitment to peace and stability in the state, saying that all non-indigenes in Plateau state were safe and urged them to go about their legitimate businesses without fear. â€œThe incident took us by surprise. I call on community and religious leaders to caution their wards at home as any culprit arrested would not go free as nobody is above the law.â€? We'll Not Run Away from Igboland, say Northerners in Enugu Despite the tensed atmosphere in the South-east, northeners living in Enugu State yesterday vowed to remain in Igboland as their security was not threatened. The northerners insisted that they were at peace and not under any threat to run away from the state following bloody skirmishes between the Nigerian army personnel and members of IPOB. Speaking to newsmen after their Jumat service at Owerri Road Central Mosque, Asata Enugu, the Deputy Chief Imam, Murtala Mohammed said Muslims in Enugu were at peace with their hosts in the state. "There is no problem, we are happy with the people. Every day I encourage my people to stay in peace and shun anything that will lead to violence," Mohammed who spoke through an interpreter said. He expressed gratitude to the Enugu State government for ensuring daily security surveillance of the areas occupied by northerners. "May God bless Nigeria and Enugu state," he prayed. He however called for increased security surveillance around Abakpa, especially along Liberty-Nike Road, saying that some hoodlums attack their brothers selling wares at night along the axis. He said the attackers were criminals and not pro-Biafra agitators. Obasanjo: Buhari Must

Meet Nnamdi Kanu In a related development, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised President Buhari to meet with Nnamdi Kanu â€œbefore violence between the army and separatists escalates into a full-blown conflict.â€? Speaking to Newsweek in London, Obasanjo said that the heavy-handed tactics of the Nigerian state against pro-Biafra activists had not succeeded, and a more conciliatory approach was needed. â€œI donâ€™t see anything wrong in Buhari meeting with Kanu. I would not object to that; if anything, I would encourage it,â€? Obasanjo said. â€œI would want to meet Kanu myself and talk to people like him, people of his age, and ask: â€˜What are your worries?â€™ not only from the South-east but from all parts of Nigeria.â€? Ozekhome: DHQ Declaration on IPOB not JustiďŹ ed by Law, Constitutional Backing Human Rights Activist and legal luminary, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN yesterday said the Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) declaration of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) as a militant terrorist organisation is not justified by any law or constitutional backing. Ozekhome also took a swipe on the federal government and the military for treating herdsmen with kid glove, where displaying a penchant of hatred and bias for other groups. He said: "I do not believe the istances cited by the Defence Headquarters justify declaring IPOD a terrorist organization. "The last time I checked, I can't remember any of such organizations operating in the country being declared terrorist organizations." He added that "the herdsmen who go on rampage daily, maiming, raping, killing, those responsible for the Agatu massacre, "Shiites massacre, Southern Kaduna progrom, indiscriminate killings, brazen quit notices givers, across Nigeria, etc, have never been arrested, prosecuted, let alone being proscribed and stigmatized as terrorist organizations. "We must surely have and operate two sets of laws for two sets of peoples in Nigeria. Nigeria, we hail thee. A government should be seen to be fair to all component parts of Nigeria," Ozekhome submitted.

FG HANDS OVER 35KM APAPA-OWORONSHOKI EXPRESSWAY TO DANGOTE FOR REPAIR for construction using concrete on Tuesday, 12thSeptember 2017," said Fashola. He further stated: "We have also just concluded and signed an agreement with NLNG to construct the Bodo â€“ Bonny Bridge at the cost of N120.6 Billion with NLNG and Federal Government sharing the cost 50-50. The contracts were signed on Wednesday, 13thSeptember 2017. "We inherited a tax incentive policy for individuals to benefit from tax remission, to recover investment made in public infrastructure like roads, which other members of the public can utilise. "This government has thought it fit to review the five-year limit on that tax order to a ten-year period to sustain private investment in road infrastructure, because it is a long-term asset," he added. Continuing, he stated: "As for the agreement with Dangote, we are now awaiting the design of the 35km stretch excluding the portion that has been

completed, about 7km, by the previous administration around Mile 2 area. From the design, we will determine the cost and the scope of works which we hope can be executed quickly. As this government promised, we will solve the Apapa and Port congestion problem." Fashola equally noted that the government would restore toll plazas on Nigerian roads it is currently reconstructing. He noted that the fares for the toll gates could be paid using cards to minimise instances of cash payments. "We have also concluded traffic surveys on 51 major highways and now have current traffic data on these roads and we can project vehicular traffic movement for tolling and concession purposes. "We have concluded preliminary designs for the plazas, and we are now looking at how to incorporate technology such as using contact cards, installing fibre optic, using GSM to enable people pay with minimum use of cash," he explained.

AUGUST 16, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER9

RingTrue

Yemi

Adebowale

07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Musings on Operation Python Dance

n the last one week, the menacing pythons of the military have been dancing dangerously in the South-east and heating up the polity. The Abia State government had to quickly impose a curfew to avert a total breakdown of law and order in the state. Honestly, this military operation is absolutely unnecessary. The federal government should be courageous enough to call it off because this country can’t afford this deliberate escalation of tension. For me, the objectives of this operation can be achieved in a more decent way without creating tautness in the country. This motor park tout called Nnamdi Kanu and his clueless IPOB brethren can be tackled and disarmed intelligently. It is a fact that most of those teaming up with IPOB see it as an opportunity to express their anger at the marginalisation of the South-east by the Buhari administration. Demands of this nature require a lot of tact and diplomacy; it is better handled by decent leaders. Unfortunately, miscreants are now exploiting the genuine demands of the Southeast to cause mayhem in this beautiful region. These reprobates are incapable of reasoning that millions of Igbos live in other parts of Nigeria. I am pleased that other Nigerians

Unfortunately, miscreants are now exploiting the genuine demands of the South-east to cause mayhem in this beautiful region. These reprobates are incapable of reasoning that millions of Igbos live in other parts of Nigeria. I am pleased that other Nigerians are preaching against reprisal attacks are preaching against reprisal attacks. This is the only way to disgrace violent people. I am a firm believer in the corporate existence and indivisibility of this beautiful country. We must all consistently remind the federal

government that uprisings of this nature can be disarmed with wisdom, good governance, good leadership and dialogue. Instead of this brute force, President Muhammadu Buhari has to practically show that he is father to all and all the tension will go down. The truth that must be told is that Buhari has spent the last 28 months stoking our fault lines. The impact of his “why should I treat them equally” statement is still reverberating. There has been no speck of equity in all of Buhari’s appointments to date. This is a big shame because it stokes agitations. According to the words of wisdom of former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, Buhari must stop being a sectional leader and take the moral high ground. Ezekwesili, who supported Buhari in 2015, urged the President to act as a true leader by showing love to all. She added: “It is tragic that you, our President, Buhari, has deliberately or inadvertently alienated a segment of the people you lead. It is tragic. The leader of a country cannot be friends only of those he/she likes. No. That is not leadership. “The leader builds up groups. Not divide. You cannot lead only those that

Obaseki and Troubled Edo Retirees The Edo State Government issued a statement this week on its traumatised retirees who have been perpetually on the streets of Benin protesting huge unpaid pensions, gratuity and other entitlements. The humdrum statement was not categorical about how the backlog of entitlements would be paid. It also failed to address issues raised by the pensioners. For example, the seniors want Obaseki to account for the Paris Club refunds meant to offset part of the liabilities of the pensioners and civil servants. On the distressed local government pensioners, Obaseki’s statement created the impression that he has very little to do with their unpaid claims. Perhaps, this governor needs to be reminded that he is still the sole signatory to the joint account of the local governments.

These retirees are still being bashed as was the case under his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole. Obaseki has to rise and change the narrative of Edo retirees who are going through hell, by ensuring that they experience genuine “change”. Today, I want Obaseki to reflect on the open letter by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, which states: “SERAP is concerned about the persistence of considerable levels of poverty to which Edo pensioners have been subjected. We note that your government has a legal obligation to promote and protect the rights and dignity of all pensioners in Edo State, consistent with your expressed commitment to social development, human rights, equality and non-discrimination.”

Still on Calamity Rochas Okorocha

Obaseki

Buhari’s Retinue of Media Aides One of the numerous things I find absurd about the Buhari administration is its retinue of media aides amid financial challenges facing it. The list keeps growing by the day, in spite of the President’s promise, on assumption of office, to cut the stifling cost of governance. As at the last count, there were seven of such aides, howling different tunes with all sorts of funny titles. The long list includes Femi Adesina, Special Adviser, Media; Garba Shehu, Special Assistant, Media; Tolu Ogunlesi, Special Assistant, Digital

and New Media; Lauretta Onochie, Personal Assistant, Social media; Bashir Ahmad, Personal Assistant, New Media; Sha’aban Sharada, Personal Assistant, Broadcast Media and Naziru Mohammed, Personal Assistant, Television Documentary. No wonder there was so much confusion in the information flow concerning Buhari’s medicals abroad. Our President also has a large number of bloggers, journalists, and media analysts, all working for him at the Buhari Media Centre. This is the first time in the history of this

worship and swear by you. You are the leader. You must carry the burden even of those that detest you. It is the lowest form of churlishness that is unbecoming of a leader to send signals that you dislike anyone of the groups you lead. A leader is a winner. When a winner acts like a loser, things go wrong in their kingdom. Real leaders build a bond with all their people. Worst is when a leader makes enemies of most because he abhors the action of one or a few. That is not leadership! That is ethnic prejudice. A real leader does not suffer from the destructive disease of ethnic prejudice. It endangers his/her people and real leaders cannot bear such.” It is not too late for Buhari to amend his ways and allow peace to reign in our dear nation. Genuine patriots must call Buhari to order, so as to pull our lovely country from the precipice. IPOB reprobates can be better managed. Buhari must show remorse and engage decent Southeast leaders on building a united Nigeria. As a first step, our President has to ensure equity in the distribution of resources and must respect the constitution of this country, particularly with regard to Federal Character, in his appointments. Let’s start seeing eggheads from the South-east heading key federal departments and agencies. The South-east must get fair and decent treatment in the Nigerian nation.

country that a President would have such a large number of media aides. What is Buhari trying to achieve? Use these media aides to manipulate the public and change opinion about the government? The best way to attract positive public opinion is through people-oriented policies and programmes. I still can’t comprehend how limited public fund is being used to pay a retinue of media aides amid fiscal crisis. Buhari should be seen cutting the cost of governance as promised.

Governor Rochas Okorocha has glaringly turned Imo State into a family business and personal property. His family members are occupying virtually all the key positions and getting juicy contracts in the state. This governor, who is inflicting so much pain on the people of the state, has his son-in-law, Uchej Nwosu (married to his first daughter) as his Chief of Staff. Okorocha is already scheming to impose Nwosu as the APC gubernatorial candidate come 2019. The governor’s youngest sister, Ogechi Ololo, is his Deputy Chief of Staff/Special Adviser Domestic Affairs. Okorocha’s wife, Nkechi, is in charge of “Amnesty” in Imo State with a huge war chest. His second daughter, Uju, is on the Governing Board of the Federal College of Education, Omoku. Okorocha’s eldest sister, Mrs. Geraldine Obina, is the owner of the firm that collects all market fees and fines in Imo State. The governor’s eldest brother, Gerald, collects dues from all motor parks in the state. His younger brother, Okey, is in charge at Imo Transport Company. His brother, Jude is in charge of revenue from sand dredging, and any laterite excavation pit in the state. When he was asked to nominate Imo’s representative in the federal cabinet, Okorocha picked his in-law, Professor Anthony Anwukah (married to his second daughter, Uju). Anwukah is the Minister of State, Education. This is nepotism of the highest order. The people of Imo State have simply entered a “one-chance” bus.

Battle for 2019: Sour Epistles of Aisha Alhassan, El-rufai I have spent the last 10 days reflecting on the acidic epistles of the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan and Governor Nasir el-rufai of Kaduna State on the battle for the 2019 presidential election, which, surprisingly, is already gathering momentum. This administration still has about 19 months left of its tenure. It is a disgrace that most of our political gladiators are only interested in who becomes president, governors and lawmakers in 2019, instead of strategising on how to pull the nation out of the political and economic crisis threatening its survival. The last 26 months have been horrendous for Nigerians, with unprecedented inflation, massive unemployment, hunger, raging insecurity, violent agitations and all the negatives. So, what has Hajia Alhassan done in the last 22 months since her appointment as Minister of Women Affairs to curb difficulties facing Nigerian women? I doubt if she can point to any tangible thing. What about the green snake called el-rufai? To what extent has he gone in his beloved Kaduna State to curb challenges facing his people? Your guess is as

good as mine. The state has been in turmoil in the last 28 months of el-rufai, with numerous ethnic, religious and economic crises. For me, these fiery characters are not in a position to pontificate to Nigerians on the man we should vote for as President in 2019 or who should stand for presidential election. I am not sorry to say that they have no iota of credibility or attainment which our dear nation is in dire need of. I have not stopped laughing ever since el-rufai said Buhari was fit to contest in 2019. He remarked: “As far as 2019 is concerned, my position is that the President is looking very well, he is recuperating very fast. My hope and prayer is he will contest in 2019.” This is sheer hypocrisy. He was obviously mocking Buhari. El-rufai wants to be seen working for Buhari, whereas the motive is sinister. I have never been a fan of this man because of his political antecedents. El-rufai changes allegiance at the drop of a hat. I can’t forget his nasty 30-page memo to Buhari and how he suddenly recanted when the President returned alive from his medicals. Many will also not forget in a

hurry how he severally punched Buhari in 2003, saying, “I wish to remind General Buhari that he has remained perpetually unelectable because of his record as military head of State… His insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity and his parochial focus are well known.” Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was apt about this Kaduna governor when he said: “Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological… A leader must know the character and ability of his subordinates. Character wise, Nasir has not much going for him… My vivid recollection of him is penchant for lying, for unfair embellishment of stories and his inability to sustain loyalty for long…” As for Hajia Alhassan, she should have decently resigned from Buhari’s cabinet before declaring support for the 2019 presidential ambition of her godfather and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. Passing a vote of no confidence in Buhari, while she is still a member of his cabinet is preposterous. I watched her on television

Hajia ALhassan

posturing at the FEC meeting on Wednesday. The pomposity of this woman is legendary. It is obvious that her open support for Atiku is just a mere hero-worshipping. Alhassan needs a crash course in humility.

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NEWS

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CONSOLIDATING THE ECONOMY... R-L: Mrs. Hajara Adeola, Managing Director, Lotus Capital Financial Services LTD; Mr. Demenongu Yanfa, Deputy Director, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Ms. Patience Oniha, Director-General, Debt Management OďŹƒce (DMO);Hajiya Binta El-Rufai and Rukaiya El-Rufai. during the SUKUK pre-oďŹ€er Road Show with Investors by the DMO in Kaduna State.

In Seventh Consecutive Decline, InďŹ‚ation Drops to 16.01% in August Ndubuisi Francis Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă”Ă‹ Latest figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicate that inflation rate dropped further to 16.01 per cent in August, signifying the seventh consecutive month of decline since January 2017. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures inflation increased by 16.01 per cent (year-on-year) in August 2017, indicating a 0.04 percentage points drop over the rate

recorded in July (16.05 per cent). According to the Ă‘BS: â€œThis was 0.04% points lower than the rate recorded in July (16.05%), making it the seventh consecutive decline in the rate of headline year-on-year inflation since January 2017. The urban index rose by 16.13 per cent (year-on-year) in August 2017, down by 0.09 per cent points from 16.04 per cent recorded in July while the rural index increased by 15.91 per cent in August, from 16.08

per cent in July. The NBS' report stated that on a month-on-month basis, the headline index rose by 0.97 per cent in August 2017, representing a 0.24 per cent points decline over the rate of 1.21 per cent posted in June. â€œOn a month-on-month basis, the headline index increased by 0.97 per cent in August 2017, 0.24 per cent points lower from the rate of 1.21 per vent recorded in June," the report said.

Food inflation, it added, increased by 20.25 per cent year-on-year in August, down marginally by 0.03 per cent points from the 20.28 per cent recorded in July. But on a month-on-month basis, the report said food sub-index increased by 1.14 per cent in August, down by 0.38 percentage points from 1.52 per cent recorded in July. â€œFood price pressure continued into July as all major food subindexes increased. The food index

increased by 20.28% (year-on-year) in July, up by 0.37% points from the rate recorded in June (19.91%),â€? the report said. Food price inflation increased by 20.25 per cent (year-on-year) in August, down marginally by 0.03 percentage points from the rate recorded in July (20.28 per cent). Also, on a month-on-month basis, the food sub-index increased by 1.14 per cent in August, down by 0.38 per cent points from 1.52 per cent

recorded in July. The â€˜â€™All Items less Farm Produceâ€™â€™ or Core sub-index, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce eased by 0.10 per cent during the month of August to 12.30 per cent points from 12.20 per cent recorded in July. Similarly, on a month-on-month basis, the core sub-index increased by 0.93 per cent in August, 0.07 per cent points lower than the 1.00 per cent recorded in July.

Power: TCN Boost Supply in Lagos Bayelsa Govt. Approves N1.3bn with New Mobile Transformer for Purchase of Textbooks

Buhari Leaves Nigeria Tomorrow for UN General Assembly

Chineme Okafor Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă”Ă‹

Omololu Ogunmade Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă”Ă‹

To enable it transmit more electricity to distribution load centers in Ejigbo, Jakande Estate, Igando, Ijegun, Ijedodo, Oke-Afa, Idimu, Ikotun, Bolorunpelu, Shasha, Agodo, Egbe, Abaranje, Murtala Mohammed International Airport areas of Lagos, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Friday disclosed that it had commissioned a brand new 1x40MVA 132/33KV mobile transformer which would raise the capacity of its Ejigbo transmission substation to 200 Mega Volt Amp (MVA) from 160MVA. A statement from the General Manager, Public Affairs of the TCN, Ndidi Mbah, in Abuja, explained that the inauguration was performed by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by the Minister of State-2, Power, Works and Housing, Suleiman Hassan, on the sideline of the recent 19th monthly power sector stakeholders meeting in Lagos. The new mobile transformer,

according to Mbah, had also been energised, and is one of the three transformers earmarked for the Ejigbo substation. The statement quoted the Interim Managing Director (IMD) of TCN, Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed, to have said that installation works on the two other transformers had reached advanced stages, and that the installation of the 2x100MVA 132/33kV transformers were being done by the Project Monitoring Unit of TCN. The new transformers, the statement added, would replace the old 2x30MVA transformers in the station and on completion add 140MVA transformer capacity to the station, to bring the overall load capacity of the Ejigbo substation to 340MVA. Meanwhile, following the outbreak of fire at a 1x150MVA 330/132/33kV power transformer in its Jos transmission substation, the TCN has also been forced to divert about 30 megawatts (MW) of electricity it usually supply to Bauchi from the Jos transmission substation to its Gombe substation from where it would now supply Bauchi.

Emmanuel Addeh Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă‹

The government of Bayelsa State yesterday approved N1.3 billion for the purchase and supply of textbooks to schools in the state. The approval of the funds to enhance the free education programme of the state came just as the government expressed delight on Friday for coming third in the National Examinations Council Examinations (NECO). Commissioner for Education, Mr. Markson Fefegha, said the Governor decided to grant the request, including printing the books as part of his commitment to quality education for all Bayelsa children. Fefegha also pointed out that the State Executive Council had approved the review of the lopsided posting of academic and non-academic staff in primary and secondary schools in the state. He said a committee to make recommendations regarding funding of primary schools, had been set up as the government had decided to employ teachers by next year.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, outgoing Chief Press Secretary to the governor said that the â€œmassive investment of the Bayelsa government has continued to produce great fruitsâ€? The statement added that the government was excited over the emergence of the state as the overall third best in the latest NECO results released by the examination body on Thursday. The Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Charles Uwakwe who announced the release of the results in Minna, Niger State, had said Bayelsa came third with 84.52 percent behind Edo 84.61 percent and Ekiti 85 percent. â€œThe cheering news is coming few weeks after Bayelsa also emerged as the fifth best state in the May/June 2017 WAEC examination. â€œThe result released by the exam body showed clearly that candidates from Bayelsa did well in core subjects such as English and Mathematics as well as in science subjects.

President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow leave Abuja for New York to join other world leaders participating in the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 72). The president, according to a statement by his chief spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari would participate in general debate at the event during which he would also deliver what he described as the countryâ€™s national statement. Citing the theme for the session: "Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet," Adesina said Buhari would also join other world leaders at the welcoming reception to be hosted by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and as well hold a bilateral meeting with the UN scribe. Furthermore, Adesina who said Buhari would have a lunch meeting with the President of the United States, Mr. Donald Trump, along with other world

leaders, also said Nigeria would participate in high level meetings on "Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: Building Momentum for Change;" a meeting of the Commonwealth heads of government, and another event organised by the African Union (AU) with the theme: "Roadmap on the Demographic Dividend: from Commitment to Action," among others. "At the events, President Buhari and members of his delegation will strive to project Nigeria as a strong moral force and responsible member of the international community. "Nigeriaâ€™s commitment to global peace, security and development will also be reaffirmed and where necessary, the need for increased international cooperation in the fight against corruption. "Other priorities for the Nigerian delegation at UNGA 72 include: strengthening human rights institutions; the rule of law; support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as a result of terrorist acts and recent flooding, and mitigating the effects of Climate Change.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

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COMMENTARY

NIGERIA AND OPERATION PYTHON DANCE There is urgent need to restructure the federation, argues Emma Nwosu

t is ethnic and religious domination that is at the root of the Nigerian condition and it is mainly a problem of leadership. Apart from Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe (ceremonial President of the First Republic) and General Aguiyi-Ironsi (ďŹ rst Military Head of State) both of whom made every concession to the North, for national unity, as well as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who made effort to carry all parts of Nigeria along, Nigeria has been in short supply of detribalised leaders. The ultimate solution is to decentralise the Nigerian federation into regions with the critical mass of people and resources to take their fate in their hands, as was the case in the economically successful First Republic. The January 15, 1966, coup dâ€™etat was largely a reaction by socialist intellectuals of the Nigerian Army to (one) rising corruption and nepotism in federal government, even in the Armed Forces; (two) the deployment of force and guile to further the ambition of the Northern Peopleâ€™s Congress (NPC) to bring Northern minorities and the rest of Nigeria under its political and religious domination and (three) NPCâ€™s capitalisation on intra-party crisis to imprison Chief Obafemi Awolowo and to destroy the Action Group in the Western Region, which constituted its most formidable opposition. Six more coups dâ€™etat or so and long periods of military dictatorship, which ran the country aground, followed. A similar totalitarian tendency is again playing out, from the Northernisation of security services, the Presidency and the National Assembly, through to the avarice of political office holders, to the rising aggression towards opposition and dissent. President Muhammadu Buhari, who operated in the theatre of Western Region crisis of the First Republic, that largely triggered the January 15, 1966 coup dâ€™etat and also in the coup dâ€™etat of July 29, 1966 and its aftermath and had been military head of state, should know better and can do more to stabilise Nigeria. Right now, the government might be courting the disintegration of Nigeria by the deployment of force in the East and, in particular, against Nnamdi Kanu and his Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) on the pretext of routine military exercise, code-named Python Dance, which had better been called off. But routine military exercise should not be contested, so why call this one off? Without any incident of armed rebellion in IPOB activities, the involvement of the army is premature. Nnamdi Kanu and the leaders of IPOB have made it clear that they are ready to die for the emancipation of their people but would never take up arms against Nigeria. Shooting and manhandling of civilians started one week before the September 15, 2017 official commencement of that exercise, betraying the true nature of the campaign, which is bound to be resisted. Python Dance that will end up in extra-judicial killing will make things worse. Most Nigerians have come to believe that the agitation by IPOB and Niger Delta militants and other groups are not baseless and have, more or less, come to agreement on the fundamental issues to be addressed for Nigeria to move forward, by way of political and economic restructuring of the federation. The general perception is that the All Progressives Congress-led federal government is not eager to address these issues. Therefore, some aggrieved sections of

THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION IS TO DECENTRALISE THE NIGERIAN FEDERATION INTO REGIONS WITH THE CRITICAL MASS OF PEOPLE AND RESOURCES TO TAKE THEIR FATE IN THEIR HANDS, AS WAS THE CASE IN THE FIRST REPUBLIC

the country are bound to key into the resistance and there will be a conflagration that can stretch government and precipitate balkanisation, fuelled by the fear that other agitators would be suppressed one after the other and had better acted together. Moreover, if the horrific Nigerian Civil War could not deter the agitation for self-determination, which is a universal civil liberty, then these fundamental issues must be irresistible and nothing other than change of attitude, from combat to dialogue and negotiation, could save Nigeria. Python Dance would rather swallow it. Moreover, if, after 50 years, the same people who were at the vanguard of Nigerian independence struggle and in the forefront of domestic investment, education, sports and everything that makes the society tick are again demanding to leave the house they built, like a man running away from his home, you must know that the matter is serious. The toad does not run in the afternoon for nothing, nor will a man lightly abandon the house built by his sweat and blood. Why not test their agitation by referendum when the chance is 50: 50? Or, would Nigeria collapse if they left? If so, they deserve attention and not disdain! Do you know that Nigeria would have fared much better, politically and economically, if the Aburi Accord of January 1967, to reconcile the Eastern Region to the Nigerian federation, after the hostilities of 1966, had been implemented - even if modified with mutual respect? But the federal government chose to levy war on the region which threatened to secede on account of its repudiation by Gowon! The rest is history. In place of the Aburi Accord, today, we have the report of 2014 National Conference. Why not treat it? Furthermore, the abrogation of the competitive regional and fiscal structures of the First Republic, the transfer of all essential resources and legislative powers from federating units to federal government and the redistribution of federal revenues and offices in favour of Northern constituencies by the military establishment, in the greed of oil boom, cannot be sustained if Nigeria is to move forward. It seems that they never thought that crude oil, like coal, would ever decline. We are now saddled with a bloated bureaucracy that consumes more than 70 per cent of public revenues and an imperial federal government and Presidency that constitute a noose on the citizens and the states, rendering the country unproductive but obsessed with avarice for oil revenues and bedevilled by laxity, massive corruption, unemployment, militancy and crime! It should have been clear that such a bogus, aberrant structure, foisted by Decree 24 of 1999, as the 1999 Constitution, would soon be resisted, given the dearth of detribalised leadership. Operation Python Dance should be called off - if it cannot be conducted with equanimity, as is already evident. The first step to resolving agitations in a democracy should be restitution and dialogue with the aggrieved parties at the appropriate level of state or federal government. In this case that an entire region is involved, the appropriate level is federal government which should not be too big for its citizens. Let us address fundamental issues to reposition Nigeria and stop toying about with symptoms till the patient dies. Otherwise, even after IPOB, agitation will not cease in the country due to injustice.

IN THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION Aaron Ossai writes that INEC is doing its best towards the next general election

n April 27, 2017, in what can be described as voluntary strict adherence to the provisions of the law, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) embarked on continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria. It was the ďŹ rst time in the history of the nationâ€™s electoral system. INEC said the exercise was aimed at giving ample opportunity to Nigerians that attain the constitutional age of 18 and other eligible persons to have their names on the votersâ€™ register. There is no doubt that there canâ€™t be a credible election without a credible votersâ€™ register. It is thus inexplicable why previous INEC leadership failed to conduct continuous votersâ€™ registration, as prescribed by the electoral act, which would have produced near perfect register. Even the immediate past chairman of the commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, was no exception, despite his pristine overall performance. Before the 2015 general election, INEC under him registered voters for a maximum of 11 days in any given state of the federation. Some state had only four days for votersâ€™ registration! That was why, partly I think, most voters said they couldnâ€™t receive their permanent cards before the general election. Thus, the decision by the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC to commence a registration process that would run continuously for almost two years into the next general election is indeed commendable. There would be enough time to ensure all eligible, and desiring voters get registered. More importantly, there would be sufficient time to guarantee a clean

and credible voters register. At least names of Mike Tyson and Bill Clinton would not possibly creep into our votersâ€™ register as they did during the tenures of Jega and Yakubuâ€™s predecessors. However, some electorate have complained that the registration centres were far from their places of residence. These are mostly people who live outside their local government headquarters, which are the designated areas for the exercise. I really felt concerned when I first saw the report about this (and by the way, I still do). It is a naked truth that most communities in the country are several miles away from their local government headquarters, which may ultimately result in discouraging some eligible persons from expending their hard-earned resources on such a gruelling adventure. But in a country that has been battling with the ugly pangs of a crippling recession, the decision to limit the exercise to the local government headquarters is a well-thought out decision that balance the demands of the law, the eligible voters and that of the nationâ€™s struggling economy. The electoral umpire, Yakubu has said, is currently spending zero kobo on personnel to register voters at local government headquarters, since its staffers in those areas are doing the work. However, INEC doesnâ€™t have workers at the polling units. So it will need to spend about N1.379 billion every day to pay hoc staff in the 119,973 polling units. Imagine! More than one billion every day, in this hash economy where other important sectors are competing for attention.

Furthermore, I found out that INECâ€™s approved budget for the whole of this year canâ€™t even pay for the workers needed at the polling units. â€œThe provision for CVR (continuous votersâ€™ registration) in the commissionâ€™s 2017 budget is N1, 216b for all Voter Registry Departmentâ€™s activities, including off-season elections that have become regular since the 2015 general election,â€? Yakubu said. That falls below the N1.379 billion needed for the daily wages of ad hoc staff. While access to register by all eligible persons is crucial to election credibility, expanding the continuous voters registration exercise to the 119,973 polling units in the country would have also cost INEC the sum of N137.4 billion in a country whose 10 months financial releases for all capital projects of federal government was N635.7 billion in 2016. Besides proximity, some have also complained about the failure of some of the DDC machines. While it is not something new for mechanical devices to sometime malfunction or fail to work as in the some reported cases, it was however assuring that INEC said it was thoroughly proactive by making sure such inept machines were replaced immediately. My major concern on the exercise, which was a great fulfilment of the law as it also met the yearning millions of Nigerians who craved to be part of the electoral process, was the question raised on the location of the registration centres at the local government headquarters. In the past, votersâ€™ registration was only tied to elections. It was only conducted intermittently rather than continuously as enshrined

in the Electoral Act despite the fact that the credibility of a democratic election largely depends on a credible and regular updated votersâ€™ register. That is why many stakeholders have commended INEC in bringing about such cutting-edge changes aimed at ensuring credibility and transparency in all elections. Extending the registration to the 8,809 registration areas (ward level) nationwide, as some have suggested, would have meant INEC coughing out not less than N21 billion to carry out the exercise, while at the local government headquarters level, the entire cost is not more than N463 million per quarter. In the past when registration held at the ward level, complaints of inadequate Direct Data Capturing Machine, poor power supply and faulty machines, among others, had characterised the exercise. Moreover, the exercise only lasted for few days. However, INEC should pay attention to the complaints in some states that the exercise is at a snail-speed, in comparison with other states. Media reports had it that Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Osun States have an average of only 30 voters registering daily. The figures, if true, sure pan into insignificance when compared to the ones from other states. Nevertheless, INEC has done well for starting this process two years ahead of general election and making it continuous. It is therefore the duty of the rest of us to ensure we register, collect our cards, and wisely use it to select those we want manage our collective wealth. Ossai is the editor of Abuja-based National Trail Newspaper

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INSIGHT

The road to peace?

Dangote Presidency will Unite Nigeria

Tourism and National Development

ourism is a veritable instrument for socio-economic development as it impacts directly on the economy through the provision of resources and income that could be deployed to enhance economic growth, accelerate development and reduce poverty. Similarly, it is a good public relations mechanism through which a city, state or country could attract needed foreign investment. Having come to term with the socio- economic beneďŹ ts of tourism, all over the world, tourism has now become very important that today it is a major source of income for many countries as it affects the economy of both the source and host countries. Tourism is also an important mechanism for social exchange and identity building at all levels. Currently, the rate of tourism development has increased across the globe. Multinational investments in hotels, resort complexes and infrastructure, together with major heritage conservation projects are catalysing significant social changes, environmental changes and re-shaping new regional and international relationships. In contemporary time, tourism can be clearly defined as the new socio-economic game changer. The economic potential of tourism is remarkable, with direct and indirect impact on employment. Similarly, it is a good public relations mechanism through which a city, state or country could attract needed foreign investments. The MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index report of 2016 indicates that based on air traffic, Bangkok in Thailand tops the table of top 10 most popular destinations of international tourism with 21.47 million tourists. Cities like, London, Paris, Dubai and New York City are also top touristsâ€™ destinations. In spite of accounting for 15% of the world population and the fact that some of the fastest growing economies are domiciled in the continent, the potential of Africaâ€™s tourism remains untapped as it receives only about 3% of world tourism. And while tremendous opportunities exist to further expand tourism across the continent as expected revenues that would be accrued from this sector can make up for double the amount of donor aids received from developed countries or international organisations, lots of challenges are still militating against these. These challenges mainly have to do with poor infrastructure and unimaginative governance. Nevertheless, some African countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt and South Africa are making wave as famous tourist destinations. However, in Nigeria, tourism is still in its infancy considering the large accumulation of resources which are yet untapped and the institutional structure which is yet to be regulated to compete favourably with other fast growing international and continental tourism destinations. This is largely due to years of the oil boom and over dependent on the revenue from the sale of crude oil for

actualisation of plans and projects of successive administrations in the country. So, putting it succinctly, the country operates a mono economy. With its dwindling economic fortune, the country has to explore other avenues to sustain the economy as well as provide necessary dividends of democracy for the citizens. One of such ways is through the development of the tourism sector which has been explored and still being explored by nations globally to generate the needed revenue to drive their economies. One of such countries as already mentioned is Thailand. Available data indicates that the country made over $60 billion from tourism in 2016. Nigeria is abounding in various tourists sites scattered all over the country as well as cultural festivals which mirror the lifestyles and heterogeneous nature of the people who occupy the space called Nigeria. In the Northern part of the country, the Yankari Game Reserve, Argungu fishing festival and different Durba displays, among others, are popular touristsâ€™ attractions. Ikogosi Warm Spring, Erin Ijesha Water fall as well the Osun Osogbo festival and a lot of other sites and festivals are famous in the Southwestern part; in the South-south there is the Calabar Carnival, staged every yuletide period to reflect the influence of Christianity on the historical town, where Mary Slessor, a Christian missionary eradicated the killing of twins. Tayo Ogunbiyi , Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

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 NATIONâ€™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

n my hometown in Benue State, relaxing in a beer garden or at home or just lounging underneath the lush canopy of a tree, someone is likely to comment that Aliko Dangote trusts Idoma people so much more than our nearest neighbours, the TIvs. Someone knows someone who knows the cousin of someone who is â€œdoing wellâ€? because Dangote trusts him with some business details. Basically, Aliko Dangote is a â€œnon-discriminatorâ€? in the Nigerian context. The gist in Idomaland is not different from those in other tribal localities spread across Nigeria. Mr. Dangote has a virtue that most seasoned politicians lack. Aliko Dangote is a uniďŹ er. This is why a Dangote presidency would calm a lot of frayed nerves across

the land. On the plus side, also, Aliko Dangote would be in a good position to convince investors about the viability of reviving Nigeriaâ€™s moribund industries because these investors know that he has experience in manufacturing. The once behemoth textile industries are rusting away in Kaduna, Michelin Tyre has ďŹ‚ed Port Harcourt because government is over-charging on gas supply. Nigerians still consume cow skin hide (ponmo) with gusto and thus leather factories cannot blossom in Ibadan, etc. It is about time Nigeria gets a president they love and one who the world can trust because of his antecedents. Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna

Benue Flood and IDP Camp OfficialsUnite Nigeria

was not surprised after hearing that the ofďŹ cials at the Internally Displaced Persons Camp for the ďŹ‚ood victims in Benue State have been caught while trying to divert relief materials for the victims of ďŹ‚ood. The ofďŹ cials in question might have taken after the ongoing administration in the state, which is an

expert in diverting things, meant for the Benue public. According to Greeting FM, 105.7 Abuja, the State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has set a committee to investigate the incident. Let me at this point applaud the state governor for his prompt action against the unfortunate event. Nevertheless, I must as well advise that if the officials in question are found guilty after the investigation, they should be disgraced publicly. Their names and pictures should be published in all the national dailies as those who have been caught trying to divert the relief materials for the victims of flood in Benue State. Awunah, Pius Terwase, Mpape, Abuja

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NEWS

In Brief SAN: Supreme Court Defers Conferment

TheSupremeCourtonFriday,announcedthedefermentoftheprestigious rankofSeniorAdvocateofNigeriaSAN,ononeofthesuccessfulapplicants Oluwatoyin Ajoke Bashorun, pending the outcome of investigation of petition made against her. Bashorun was the only female among the 30 successful candidates recently announced by the Legal Practitionersâ€™ Privileges Committee, for conferment of the title on Monday 18, 2017. However,astatementsignedbytheChiefRegistraroftheSupremeCourt / Secretary of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, Hadizatu Mustapha yesterday said LPPC rising from its emergency meeting held on September 15th, 2017, took the decision pending further investigation against her by a special committee to be set up by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, justiceWalter Onnoghen. According to the secretary, paragraph 12(2) of the LPPC Committee Guidelines 2016 provides room for petition to be written and ďŹ led with the CJN /Chairman of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee within 18 days of the publication of the list of successful candidates to be awarded with the SAN title. â€œHowever after the announcement more facts have emerged touching on the eligibility of one of the otherwise successful applicants.

NAMA to Keep Airspace Open

HONOURED FOR SERVICE... L-R: Senator Mudashiru Hussan; Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi ; Chairman State of Osun House of Assembly Committee on Information and Strategy, Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye and Special Adviser to Osun Governor on Legislative Matters, Hon. Ipoola Binuyo, during a Public Lecture and Award to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Democracy at NUJ hall, Iyaganku, Ibadan...yesterday

Stanbic IBTC, NIRSAL Launch N50bn Agriculture Finance Scheme t 500,000 direct jobs to be created Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja

To diversify the revenue base of the country especially through agriculture, Stanbic IBTC and the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), yesterday launched a N50 billion agricultural finance scheme. It is believed that the finance scheme would generate 500,000 direct jobs for Nigerians, while also providing smallholder farmers access to loan. The Managing Director, Stanbic IBTC, Dr. Demola Sogunle, at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), stated that the landmark agreement was the beginning of the march towards

diversification of the revenue of the country. He stressed that Stanbic IBTC was coming forward as the first bank to subscribe to the vision, mission and the commitment of NIRSAL. He also commended the management of NIRSAL for the commitment and dedication shown, saying those attributes were very rare within the public sector. According to him, "Nigeria economy is to a large extent diversified looking at the components of the GDP. The problem or what is not diversified is the source of government revenue, which is concentrated in oil and gas. So, government revenue is not diversified and external earnings of Nigeria are also not diversified, 75-80% concentrated in oil and gas."

Sogunle explained that Stanbic IBTC was a member of Standard bank, adding that Standard bank had about 54% holding in Stanbic IBTC. He said Standard bank was the biggest banking group in Africa by virtue of total asset, by virtue of market capitalisation, by virtue of customer base. He noted that, "Stanbic IBTC being a member of Standard bank is a major connection between whatever we want to do in Nigeria and the second largest economy, South Africa. "The biggest bank in the world by virtue of balance sheet, customer base and every other attributes you could think about is based in China, it is called ICBC. ICBC has 20% equity stake in Standard bank. By virtue of that, it means that ICBC has 20% of 54% in Stanbic IBTC. You can see the connection between Nigeria, South Africa and China.

That nexus is very important to Nigeria in terms of going forward." Sogunle revealed that after holding meeting with NIRSAL, "we went through our own risk management, risk acceptance criteria and we came up with a product programme to tow aide of N10 billion. This is just phase one of the journey which is to turn agricultural total value chain of that sector to something that will be attractive and something that can generate revenue for the country. "Internally, we have agreed that every agricultural project we are going to finance, one of the things when it comes to risk acceptance criteria, we have to check the eligibility of that venture. We have to test it for NIRSAL eligibility, it means we have also started to change our risk acceptance criteria to align with that of NIRSAL.

UN, CJTF Move to Stop Use of Child Soldiers Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

The United Nations and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) on Friday signed an action plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children in the armed conflict in the North East. The CJTF, is a youth vigilance group established by the government and people of Borno State at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency to tackle the militants. The group, which is made up of volunteers, has been accused alongside the warring Boko Haram sect of recruiting children in the

ongoing insurgency in the North East. In order to set the record straight, the group signed an action plan with the United Nations supervised by the Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Usman Durkwa at the Pinnacle Hotel, Maiduguri In a similar development, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, and UNICEF in Nigeria welcomed the signing of action plan with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria. In a statement in Maiduguri, the UN said the action on the part of the CJTF, a local group formed in 2013 to

support the Nigerian security forces in the fight against Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria and to protect local communities from attacks by Boko Haram, progressively expanded over the years, is commendable. The statement read: "In 2016, the CJTF was listed in the annexes of the Secretary-Generalâ€™s Annual Report for Children and Armed Conflict for the recruitment and use of children. "Following the listing, UNICEF, in its role as Co-chair of the United Nations Country Task Force for the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on grave violations against children, has been work-

ing with the group and Nigerian authorities to develop the Action Plan signed today." It further said: "Through the Action Plan, the CJTF commits to put in place a number of measures to end and prevent child recruitment and use. Identifying and releasing all children within the groupâ€™s ranks and instructing its members not to recruit or use children in the future are examples of such measures. "UNICEF and partners will support the Nigerian authorities in providing reintegration services to all children released under the Action Plan."

Cholera: Borno Death Toll Hits 44 Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

Death toll as a result of cholera outbreak in Borno State has risen to 44, the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Haruna Mshelia revealed on Friday. The outbreak which has become a yearly occurrence in the troubled state, hit hard at internally displaced persons

(IDPs) camps, where many of the death and affected victims were recorded. Mshelia, who addressed a press conference, said to combat the disease and prevent future outbreak, vaccination would immediately commence in four local governments that have been identified as flashpoint. He said the vaccination was to

ensure the disease did not spread to other areas in the state after recording almost 2,000 cholera cases within two weeks. Mshelia said: "We are embarking on vaccination as from Monday to ensure will stop Cholera from spreading. "The vaccination has 80 per cent protection and anybody above one year can take. A total of 1926

cholera cases were recorded after the outbreak at Muna IDPs camp which later spread to Dikwa and Monguno." He disclosed that the vaccination exercise would be carried out in Maiduguri, Dikwa, Jere and Monguno worse hit by the outbreak. He attributed poor hygiene and sanitation among IDPs to the cause of the outbreak.

TheNigerianAirspaceManagementAgency(NAMA)hasassuredtravelers that it would not close the airspace in response to the planned strike by labour over the government's decision to concession Lagos and Abuja airports.TheagencysaidfollowinganemergencymeetingbetweenNAMA management and representatives of Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Aeronautical Information Services Association of Nigeria (AISAN) and the National Association of AirTraďŹƒc Engineers (NAAE),wheretheissueoftheproposedstrikeactionbytheUnitedLabour Congress of Nigeria (ULC) scheduled to take eďŹ€ect from Monday, September18,2017wasdiscussed,theaboveunionsdissociatedthemselves from the said strike. "It is pertinent to inform the general public that while NAAE denied membership of the United Labour Congress, AISAN and ANAP whose members are in NAMA have assured the agency of their decision not to join the strike. The agency therefore wishes to reassure the general public of full compliments of air navigation service provision throughouttheperiodoftheintendedstrikeifittakesplace,"NAMAsaidin a statement signed by its management.The aviation unions representing the workers have expressed their objection to the planned concession of the airports, saying that workers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria was being carried along by the federal government.

Group Condemns Crackdown in Sâ€™East

TheCommitteefortheDefenceofHumanRights(CDHR)hascondemnedin strongtermstheongoingmilitarycrackdownintheSoutheastcodenamed: â€˜Operation Python Danceâ€™ as a grave assault on Nigeriaâ€™s democracy.The group in a statement issued to THISDAY yesterday by the president, Malachy Ugwummadu called for caution on the use of military might to suppress civil agitation. It noted that regardless of how it appeared expedient, it oďŹ€ended the sensibilities of citizens in democratic society. It further stated that the exercise, considered in all ramiďŹ cations, was akin to unnecessarily fanning of the embers of militarism either through deliberateorunconsciousmotives,whichportendimminentsignalscapable ofunderminingofthecountryâ€™sdemocracybydesperateandill-motivated political opportunists within and outside the democratic space. It added: â€œCDHR is therefore deeply concerned that the deployment of maximum hardwareandpersonnelinresponsetothegrowingcivilagitationbyagroup of individuals pursuing secessionist agenda. This may further heighten tension with potentials of degenerating into a full-blown siege capable of precipitatingthemushroomingofsplintermilitantgroupingsandplatforms whose uncoordinated agenda could pose more daunting consequences for the polity. Nevertheless, CDHR frowns at uncivil and undemocratic means of agitation including the use of force, coercion and all forms of violence by any group of individuals or section of the country.â€?

Team Anambra Wins Gold

Anambra State Chess team onThursday won gold and ďŹ ve silver medals at the ongoing 3rd National Youth Games holding in Ilorin, Kwara State. The team had played against 19 other states at the Senate Building of the University of Ilorin before emerging victorious. In reaction, the Director of Sports for Ministry of Youth Entrepreneurship and Sports Development, Joseph Umudu expressed joy at the victory and commended the coacheswhosehandiworkearnedthemedals.TeamAnambraalsosecured a consoling bronze medal from the cricket game.

Science and Technology Museum To fast-track the development of science and technology in the country, the federal government has resolved to establish science and technology museum. Receiving the report on the establishment of the National Science andTechnology Museum (NSTM) in his oďŹƒce yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Science andTechnology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu said that the museum was a unique project, stressing that if utilized, it would serve as a catalyst for scientiďŹ c and technological development of the country. He stated that, "our ancestors understudied and understood their environments which culminated in their domination of territories and kingdoms to produce artefactsâ€™ such as Ife Bronze, Nokculture , Benin historical walls and artefacts and Igbo â€“Ukwu artefacts through their creative deployment of science and technology." The minister urged Nigerians to key into the museum project especially at the states level, saying it would enable the youths to utilise and deploy science and technology for sectoral development of the nation.

Clementina Ayah Dies at 107

The death has been announced of Mrs. Clementina Ayah, a prominent womaninAkumazi,Umuocha,DeltaState.Untilherdeath,shewasmother -General of the Catholic Church in Delta State as well as the Ezenne of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Akumazi Umuocha. While on earth, she was involved in charity works and the upliftment of women. She is survived by ďŹ ve children, many grandchildren and great grand children.

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

NEWS XTRA

NLC Calls for Retraining of Military Personnel Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the retraining of the military to make them more responsible in handling of security issues across the country, especially the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). To this end, the President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in a statement yesterday by, charged the military authorities to retrain the officers and men on the contemporary ways of handling security challenges.

Wabba also condemned the recent military invasion of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abia State Council Press Centre in Umuahia. Against this backdrop, he urged the security agencies to act with caution, without escalating the already charged atmosphere in the country. Part of the statement read: “While we applaud the federal government for the steps taken so far by security agencies to secure lives and properties of all Nigerians in all parts of the country,

it is important that the agencies, including the military should not act in any manners that provoke situations that ultimately strengthen the cause, capacities and popularity of the advocates of disunity and inter-ethnic strife. “It is unaccepted that journalists carrying out their legitimate functions can be so dastardly attacked as has been reported of the incident in Umuahia during a security operation by the Nigeria Army. It is the duty of journalists to report, including taking pictures, audio and video recording of incidents

anywhere in the country as part of their professional calling. The attack on them, especially at the secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Umuahia is not only unacceptable but unnecessarily provocative. Although the Nigerian Army has issued a public statement to apologise to the NUJ and the affected journalists while promising to investigate the incident and ultimately discipline the military personnel involved, we advise that the military high command should re-train its officers and men on contemporary ways

of handling security challenges in a country under constitutional governance." “We also advice the federal government to handle the on-going agitations, which is fast developing into unimaginable inter-ethnic violence that is spreading to some parts of the country as has been reported of Jos in Plateau state, Port Harcourt in River State, Aba and Umuahia in Abia State with utmost dexterity in the interest of peace, unity and collective interest of the entire country and her citizens. "Culprits of threats to our

national integrity, nationhood and sovereignty must be apprehended and tried in accordance with extant national laws and international conventions without taking any further steps that will create another mayhem; as we have been contending with in the north east," he added. The NLC also advises that the governors as chief security officers of their states, must be made to take responsibilities for the growing security challenges that ultimately threaten the collective interests and unity of Nigerians.

PDP Group to Send Delegation For Atiku’s Return Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

FOR MOTORABLE ROADS... L-R: Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr Mobolaji Balogun; Commissioner for Works, Kano State, Hon. Shehu Haruna Lambu and Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola,SAN, during the Road Construction Summit 2017 organised by Lafarge Africa Plc and BusinesDay Conferences with the theme," The Economics of Innovative Solutions to Road Construction in Nigeria", at the Intercontinental Hotel, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday

Illegal Importation of $9.8m GM Maize Alarming, Group Laments Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has described the illegal importation of genetically modified (GM) maize worth $9.8 million into Nigeria as alarming. The group expressed worry that this incident might just be a fraction of other undetected arrival of unauthorised foods into Nigeria, including those of the genetically modified varieties. The Director of HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja stated that Nigerians should be alarmed at these incidents because whoever imported the GM maize might have done so due to the preponderant attitude of government that Nigeria was open to GMOs, stressing that this was an indication that more GMO foods and products might have slipped into the country undetected. According to him, "we read the report of the press conference by the Director General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) at which he decried the importation of genetically modified (GM) maize into Nigeria. News reports had earlier announced that

a vessel named Diamond Harbour, arrived the ENL terminal of the seaport at Lagos with 25,750MT of maize worth $3.7m at the current market value of $144.29/MT. Two days later, another vessel named Zola berthed at the same terminal with 42,900MT of maize valued at $6.1m." The group queried, “What happened to Nigeria’s pre-shipment procedure? These GMOs should not have been authorised to head to Nigerian ports in the first instance.” HOMEF has been strident in demanding the banning of GMOs in Nigeria. The organisation believes that Nigerian farmers can meet the food needs of Nigerians if they were supported with extension services, processing and storage facilities as well as adequate rural infrastructure. The group urged the agency and the Nigerian Customs (NCS) to ensure that the illegal consignments were impounded and destroyed, adding that NBMA should equally conduct market audits to ensure that crops, foods and feeds that had genetically modified traits had not been sneaked into the country. Meanwhile, the National Assembly has assured that it would

review the existing Acts and the relevant sessions of the law in tune with the biotechnology to ensure that the biosafety agencyperform its role effectively. The Chairman, Senate committee on Environment, Sen. Remi Tinubu disclosed this in Abuja at the 3rd National Biosafety Conference, with the theme; "Biosafety, Paving way for Safe and Sustainable Environmental Management, Agricultural Development and Economic Recovery." Tinubu who was represented by Sen. Sulaiman Hunkuyi noted that the National Assembly remained a willing tool and ready to partner in pushing the agency to the next stage of development and also to protect the general public. She added that, "technology generally has made the world a global village. The GMO, biotechnology and other such very important key aspects of technology into our existence has made it too important to relinquish into the background every little detail at any given point in time. Hence, with that one will not discount the opportunity of being on our toes to look at the existing Acts and the relevant sessions of the

law to review it in tune with the technology, in tune with the stages of development with other world global state in that sector. "So, in this respect, in my own opinion, we have to be on our toes to deliver what is required, specifically in bio-security to our nation, bio-security to our people and indeed the entire population," Tinubu stressed. On is part, the Minister of Environment, Usman Jibril, said the only way to achieve economic growth, food security, sufficiency and sustainable environment was innovation of self, smart, scientific and technological means of maximising available resources to increase food and fibre production. He assured of the federal government's determination to partner with all stakeholders in exploring use of relevant technology that would provide adequate food for Nigerians. Jibril stressed: "As a demonstration of government's commitment, the NMBA was established to enable Nigerians benefit maximally from the practice of safe mordern biotechnology. This is the newest agency under the ministry and this is an agency that is constantly under attack.

Tuface Leads Others to Makurdi Mega Music Tour Excitement is at a very high level in Makurdi, Benue State capital, as Idoma-born music icon, Innocent Idibia, a.k.a. Tuface, prepares to lead five other top artistes to perform at the city's edition of Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour billed for Saturday. The show will be held at the Royal Choice Inn, Makurdi, and it would feature have six music stars performing, with four Nollywood icons in attendance as show anchors and celebrity guests. Globacom, in a statement issued

from its head office in Lagos on Friday, said that Tuface would be leading stars such as Timaya, Phyno, Korede Bello, Di'Ja and Katch to entertain guests at the show. According to the statement, two Nollywood actresses, Juliet Ibrahim and Mercy Johnson Okojie would anchor the show, while Nollywood legend, Kanayo O. Kanayo (KOK), would make celebrity guest appearance alongside his Kannywood counterpart, Sani Danja. DJ Tops will man the juke box to supply danceable tunes.

"Makurdi show is going to be of the same high standards as those of the other 20 locations where the Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour has been held. All plans have been put in place to make the evening a memorable one for our teeming subscribers in Makurdi and the adjoining towns and villages who will be coming to be part of the fun", the statement said. The company assured that, "the Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour has in the last five months raised the bar in the nation's entertainment

industry and there is no dropping the ball as far as the Makurdi show is concerned. It is going to be a spectacular experience for the audience, especially when their own son, Tuface, will be leading the pack". On his part, Tuface said: "I feel nostalgic and at the same time excited going back to base in Makurdi to entertain my people. Nothing dey happen nao! You know there is no place like home and I trust everybody on this tour to give it to the people hot".

The National Coordinator of the People's Democratic Party Renaissance Group; a group of patriots in the party, has disclosed in a press release that it will send a high profile delegation to woo back former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other prominent leaders who left the party. The national coordinator of the group, Chief Chyna Iwuanyanwu has called on the former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other PDP Chieftains in political exile to answer the call to National duty by returning to the PDP where they properly belong. Chief Chyna Iwuanyanwu a known political Apostle of the former president stated that the exit of some of those who were the architect of the political misfortunes of Atiku Abubakar in the PDP and the high profile conspiracy in the APC to politically extinct him by the same forces now gathered in APC

the former vice president had no business whatsoever in the APC. While appreciating the circumstance which compelled Atiku ‘s exit from PDP, Chief Chyna Iwuanyanwu stated that with the olive branch being waved and the magnanimity of the present leadership of the PDP, the coast has been cleared for Atiku’s triumphant return. The national Coordinator of the PDP Renaissance Group stated “Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been in political wilderness, in a strange land, co habiting with strange bird fellows who are ideologically incompatible with his patriotic vision for Nigeria and his democratic antecedents and credentials.” Chief Iwuanyanwu noted that with the recent resolution of the crisis that nearly consumed the PDP, the leaders and members of the party have learnt great lessons and are totally committed to taking the party back to the vision of the founding fathers of the party, one of whom is the former Vice President.

Osinbajo Inaugurates Presidential Council on SDGs Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday in the State House, Abuja inaugurated the Presidential Council on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the event, the vice-president said the implementation of SDGs would empower girls and women, and also bridge the gap on gender inequality. According to him, the implementation of the SDGs would have impact on Nigerian cities as well as the quality of lives of those who live in them. He also said failure to achieve the SDGs would have "existential implications" for both the current and unborn generations, pointing out that achievements of the goals would equal a quantum of socioeconomic leap for Nigeria. "We are, therefore, in a real sense, a generation at the threshold of history, saddled with the responsibility of bringing about the change that will alter our development trajectory for the benefit of our people and planet. "The Presidential Council on SDGs will provide policy direction for the implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria, and ensure that there is coherence at the national and sub-national levels. This council’s work will be crucial for resource mobilisation, prioritisation of interventions, periodic assessment, as well as the overall oversight of SDGs implementation," Osinbajo added. In her own speech, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, recalled that Nigeria joined other United Nations (UN) member-states to adopt the SDGs at the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September

2015. Describing the SDGs framework as a global platform for poverty eradication which has 2030 as its deadline, Adefulire said SDGs is an independent and inter-related agenda "meant to galvanize development planning and execution worldwide" in the next one and half decade. She said the Council inaugurated by Osinbajo would leverage on multi-stakeholders' partnerships for accelerated progress on SDGs, adding that the council would provide strong political leadership and oversight function for the implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria; create opportunity for multi-level and multi-stakeholders consensus building, representation, partnership and feedback; lead resource mobilisation efforts for the attainment of the SDGs; periodically assess, monitor and review SDGs progress against pre-determined set of indicators; convene meetings of the Council at least once a quarter and appoint sub-committees, clusters and working groups as may be deemed necessary from time to time. Present at the inauguration were Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Barnabas Bantex; representative of the Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on SGDs, Senator Attai Aidoko Ali, Acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Habiba Lawal, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, his counterpart in Health Ministry, Isaac Adewole; Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Baba, representative of the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Samuel Sawyer, and Chairman of the Private Advisory Group on SDGs, Tonye Cole, among others.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

BUSINESS ISSUE

Oando Reaﬃrms Commitment for Value Creation to Shareholders Oando PLC Nigeria’s largest indigenous energy solutions provider listed on both the Nigerian and Johannesburg Stock Exchange successfully concluded its 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM), in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state Goddy Egene writes

hareholders voted unanimously in favour of all resolutions passed including a vote of confidence in the management of the company. The vote of confidence was evidently borne from the company’s ability to manoeuvre the cyclical nature of the sector by adapting quickly to continued low oil pricesfollowing its record loss in 2014. Oando initiated a five-pronged restructuring program in 2016 of Growth in its upstream division; Deleverage, through divestments resulting in a net debt reduction to N218 billion as at half-year 2017; and Profitability by focusing on its dollar denominated earnings. This plan has enabled the Group reduce its debt profile by over 40% as noted by the Wale Tinubu, GCE, Oando PLC, at the AGM. Oando has kept its promisemade in 2015 to shareholders,to return the company to profitability. In its full-year ended December 31 2016 financial statement, it declared a 3.5 billion naira profit-after-tax; in the first quarter ended March 31, 2017, it posted a 1.7 billion naira profit-after-tax and most recently in its half-year ended June 31, 2017, Oando posted 4.6 billion naira profit-after-tax. “As your management team we assure you that our main focus will continue to be geared towards sustaining your company’s profitability and ensuring adequate return for you our esteemed shareholders. Our story has always been one of resilience, innovation and growth, and I assure you that we are fully committed to positioning your Company towards sustained growth.” Tinubu said. Commenting at the AGM, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, HRM Oba Michael A. Gbadebo noted that despite the challenges, the Company was on course towards becoming Africa’s most respected oil and Gas Company. He said, “As we pursue our vision to be the most respected African oil and Gas Company, we are experiencing a period of restructuring for sustained growth. We will continue on our aggressive reduction of debt to create a platform for long term profitability, while

Wale Tinubu

driving growth via our dollar denominated upstream and downstream trading businesses. Cost reduction will remain key to us and we will ensure disciplined execution of our corporate initiatives towards achieving long term profitability and guaranteed returns for all shareholders.” In 2016, Oando partnered with a consortium of Helios and Vitol Investment for cash proceeds of $210 million in its downstream business. This cash injection into the business / economy was made possible at a time when everyone thought it impossible to bring foreign investment to the country. Commenting on the transaction, Oando PLC’s Group Chief Executive, Wale Tinubu, said: “Despite global economic headwinds, we have taken the proactive approach to establish a strategic partnership which will leverage Oando’s sector dominance, considerable local knowledge and expertise; together with HVI’s international, and technical capabilities. This partnership will reinvigorate Nigeria’s downstream sector and create one of Africa’s largest downstream operations. We are extremely confident in the success and potential returns this alliance will deliver.”

Oando further divested 75% of its stake in its midstream business, Oando Gas and Power, to Helios Investment for cash proceeds of $115.8 million. Co-founder and Managing Partner of Helios Investment Partners, Tope Lawani said: “The completion of this transaction underscores Helios’ commitment to investing in businesses that deliver energy solutions to industries and consumers across the continent. We look forward to working closely with the OGP management team and other industry stakeholders to consolidate the company’s position as a premier provider of cost-effective and reliable gas and power infrastructure.” Oando also entered into a 94.6 billion naira Medium Term Loan agreement with a syndicate of Nigerian banks. Commenting on the transaction, Mr. Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, said “In a bid to return to profitability in 2016, I am happy to announce the successful completion of restructuring our overall debt profile into a N94.6 Billion Medium Term, 5 year consolidated facility, with a 3 year moratorium on principal. The company now stands diversified with higher weighted dollar denominated earnings, an optimised and restructured balance sheet with lower cost of capital and longer tenors. With the upturn in the global oil prices to levels above $50 per barrel, we now look forward to the successes of 2016, having ridden out the storm”. Speaking at the AGM on issuance of dividend, which some of the shareholders raised, Tinubu reassured shareholders that following the completion of the company’s strategic deleveraging initiatives, they have evolved into a leaner but more focused organisation with two core dollar earning entities with an assurance of returns in the near future. According to him, Oando scored significant operational highlights in the first half of 2017. The company through its upstream business, Oando Energy Resources, successfully realised N3.2 billion in net cash from the crystallisation of the corporate facility hedges (1,590 bbls/day) while in the second quarter of 2017, it successfully completed the sale of its interest in OMLs 125 and 134

to Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited for a profit of N4.6 billion.In June 2017, the company successfully realized N3.2 billion in net cash from the crystallization of the Corporate Facility hedges. In the downstream, Oando Trading (OTD), a key participant in international oil markets with a significant presence in the West African region, witnessed a 40% growth in traded volumes and a commendable 147% increase in turnover to N217.5 billion compared to N88.1billion half-year2016. The trading business lifted volumes exceeding 7.5mmbbls of crude and imported 610,000MT of refined petroleum products. Furthermore, the Structured Trade Finance lines in the business increased by N76.5 billion to N214.1 billion in total, from a total of 5 International and African banks. This allows the company to achieve greater trading capacity and in turn, more volumes. The GCE thanked the shareholders for their continued support of the Company in the challenging times. He said moving forward, the company’s focus is geared towards sustaining growth via its dollar earning upstream and downstream trading businesses, while continuing to provide the necessary support to its new partners in the midstream and downstream businesses.“In addition to our growth focus, profitability will be driven by focused cost and liquidity management, with significant selective oil and gas production initiatives planned for 2017,” he said. Tinubu also mentioned that “With security concerns in the Niger Delta receding, Nigeria’s economic recovery has been buoyed by a boost in oil output, while the legislative approval of certain segments of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) provides greater long-term policy certainty for the sector. Our returns underline our continued successful foray into the Upstream.” Speaking on the outlook for the company in the second half of 2017, Tinubu said: “We remain committed to optimising our overall production base, seeking unique profitdriven opportunities to further partner with international oil companies, while firming up our balance sheet to provide greater shareholder value.”

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS POLSCOPE AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER TRAVEL FASHION FILE

pg. 20 pg. 24 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 35 pg. 41

Ibitayo Jeje My Relationship with Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER SEPTEMPBER 16, 2017

PLUS

How My Husband Supported Me for 10 Years When I Was Childless Call her the female version of the legendary Juju crooner, Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi and you wouldn’t be wrong. She is a devoted purveyor of culture. With her one-of-a kind voice, many couldn’t imagine where highlife music would be without Ibitayo Jeje. What many don’t know is that the gospel highlife diva got her start in a church choir. The singer, entrepreneur and author looks back at various moments of her life, marriage, music and relationship with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo in this interview with Adedayo Adejobi

ow did you discover that you are a musician? I didn’t just discover that aspect of me by myself. Before I started singing highlife music, I used to do a bit of everything from Hip-hop, R&B and reggae in my subsequent albums. Someone heard one of my songs in the old album and asked if I had tried singing highlife music. Because I appreciate culture, I got interested and started researching and went back to the studio. One of the songs that I had recorded in highlife before I finally decided to give it a trial came out really nice and the feedback I got was fantastic. Then the journey started for me. I appreciate traditional music a lot. I love to listen to music with percussive instruments, guitars and the richness that accompanies such music. I got stuck and it’s been fantastic. I am not going to depart from it and at the same time I am not going to let it keep me in a box. I am going to (try) other genres

because I know I can do that. Even if you can hardly find any woman doing highlife; it’s not something I want to stop doing in a hurry. Your music tends towards spiritual songs. Is that deliberate? Yes. I won’t be doing only highlife music. I am a minister and a pastor’s wife. There are certain functions I attend and the genre would not really work for me, so I keep it very spiritual. I sometimes deviate from proper highlife and probably do worship songs. It’s usually very difficult because it takes a lot for you to be able to enjoy the music. There is so much that goes into it. On a day-to-day basis, I can’t keep carrying the whole crew out because it can be so expensive. Sometimes, I work with what I have, and in so doing, I adjust to make it what is acceptable. Well for me, music runs in my family. My father is a musician, minister and a pastor. So that also tailored the direction I went musically. While growing up, I went through a lot as a child and it was in the place of music I found peace and restoration. It was the place where God reassured me He would always be there for me. Music is a calling for me. Was your childhood exciting? I didn’t have the best of times growing up, but God was there for me. In secondary school, I remember we used to have a clique of those that didn’t know their fathers on time. I didn’t quite know my dad early enough. There were quite a number of us like that who didn’t quite have a relationship at that early stage with their fathers. I think that affected me in a way. But I was also surrounded by people who showed me love. The vacuum was filled. I have grown up to be strong. The Nigerian music industry has evolved over the years. Where is the place of true musicians in the global ﬁeld of play? Sometimes, I get a bit confused because at some point I feel we are there and we are not there again. For those of us who have gone outside the country, we see how people appreciate our music, embrace and celebrate us. In Nigeria, if you can just put some beats together and make it danceable, that’s it. You find out that a lot of people don’t really take their time to do professional music most times. I don’t

SEPTEMPBER 16, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS Obasanjo is Like Father to Me; Reason I Featured Him in My Video think that’s good enough. We need to give more attention to professionalism. I won’t do just any music. If I give a producer a song and it’s not there yet, I take it back till I get that sound. We need to do music more professionally. What was the first song you sang as a musician? The first song I sang was, ‘You need a man’. I had just finished secondary school. The song was the title of my album. The impulse behind the song was to preach good news to people. That’s the whole essence of the calling and the man I was talking about was Jesus. I got good responses and that encouraged me to work more. Can you describe your first time on stage? I am not a shy person – nervous maybe. But once I have the microphone and face the audience, I release myself and the Holy Spirit takes control. What evergreen song inspires you? I have quite a number of evergreen songs. But, ‘E no dey slumber’ ministered to me. The song constantly assures me that God was there for me. I waited on the Lord for the fruit of the womb for 10 years. When God finally did it, it was a confirmation he was there all the while. Funke Akinokun stands out with the way she praises God in different languages. Each time I watch her, it stays fresh. She inspires me. From the old stock, I listen to Ebenezer Obey as he inspires me to write. How did you cope during those years? It was a waiting process. It wasn’t so difficult because of the man I married. He understands the dealings of God and knew that it was a process that God had us go through. He was able to shield me from every external pressure. He was always there. I used to have low moments, but God’s word always gave me hope to move on. Are you fulfilled as a musician? I won’t say I am fulfilled yet. I thank God for where I am now. But I am still open to what God would have me become in the next 20 years. Ten years ago, I didn’t think I was going to write a book; but now I am. I know that I am evolving. I won’t say I’m fulfilled. Tell us about your book? My husband actually influenced the book. He influences lots of decisions I make. Six years ago, he told me I needed to write a book and immediately there was a confirmation within my spirit. There had always been a yearning for women. I feel there are many things women need but are not getting. Many of women are heartbroken, and need someone to talk to. The book pin-points things that can help women find solutions to problems they’re faced with. It answers some of the questions. A lot of women are not real. That’s one area the book addresses. If you weren’t doing music, what would you be doing? I have worked 9-5, done businesses and still do business. I cook. I have a restaurant and a studio. I am not a onebusiness kind of person. I try my hands on a number of other things. Music has come to stay and nothing is going take that away from me. How did you get to meet your hubby? My husband, Ayo Jeje, a pastor and politician, is a fantastic man. We met at the university. We are 17 years into our marriage. It was clear because at that time he was a pastor and my dad was also a pastor. I didn’t really like (the idea of marrying a pastor) because my dad was hardly ever around in the house. To start with, I used to look at my dad’s life and said no way. Along the line, I discovered he was a very different person. He was sold out to me; so I had no choice. It’s been fantastic. Just like every marriage, we’ve had our challenges over the years and grown in it. My husband is romantic.

In those trying times, did it ever cross your mind to quit? It crossed my mind to quit. It happened because I felt tired. It’s fine to get to that point because I am human. But what I do at that point is what matters. We decided not to quit, though we felt like. We made it work. Who is more romantic, you or your hubby? In some aspects, he is more romantic. I am more romantic than him in more aspects because he’s an Ekiti man. But we complement each other. He’s a fantastic lover. He’ll go out of his way to make me happy with surprises. How do you juggle being a pastor’s wife, a musician, a mother and an entrepreneur? It’s a lot of work, but that would also come back to the man. I married a man who understands what I do so when I am lacking in an area he is able to fill in. Not every man is able to do that for you. You have a robust relationship with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. What is the connection? The gift of a man will make way for him. Music connected me with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. My husband and I are like his children. We have a very strong relationship with him. He is like a father to us and we relate to him on that basis. So, getting him on the video was not a big deal at all. It’s what a father would do for a daughter. In your simplicity, you exude a great level of confidence and style. What is the secret? I like to be me. While growing up, I used to be very tomboyish. I am very comfortable wearing trousers and T-shirt. If you can allow me dress like that to a wedding ceremony, I’ll be very okay. People are not able to merge my social appearance with my regular appearance. But because I do showbiz, I have to wear make-up and dress up. It is weird for me. Outside work and family, where do you find your groove? I am not a very sociable person but people perceive me as one. I can be very private because I enjoy my quiet times. You can lock me up in a house for two weeks – just make sure there is electricity, television and music and I’ll be fine. I can listen to music and dance all alone in front of the mirror. I play a lot and enjoy my times with my band guys. If I am not working, I would rather be home. What major international artiste would you love to meet and collaborate with? It has to be Asa. In case you know her, tell her I would love to collaborate with her. I like her songs and her style. I could sing all the songs on her first album without stuttering. A global public figure you would love to meet? Barack and Michelle Obama; I love them. I love their simplicity. I love real people. Tell us about your upcoming concert. A lot of people have disturbed me to organise a concert. I finally agreed to do a concert this year and it’s going to be happening on the last Saturday of November at Intercontinental Hotel. So we are working. It’s going to be big.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Senator Ita-Giwa (Centre)

Buhari

Senator Ita-Giwa Brings Down the Oriental Hotel Ekanmi is a very classy and focused lady. On Sunday, she took her new-found passion for the climate to the Oriental Hotel where she - perfectly using dance, drama and storytelling, told the story of climate change. This was all the more poignant if you consider the fact that while she was strutting the stage, the people of Benue were suffering from the vagaries of the flood from the Benue River, all sorts of hurricanes with sexy names - Harvey, Irma were dealing several painful blows to some states in the United States. Mummy has decided to take the gospel of climate change to heart, pitting it side by side with her first love which remains the plight of her Bakassi people. She pulled in a large crowd of influential people, supported by one of my favourite banks – Heritage. She sweetly told the story of climate change in a beautiful ensemble of colours and out-of-this-world costumes. I was so thrilled that I sat glued to my seat and wishing that the show would not come to an end. Well done mummy, but who was that pretty damsel that danced by your left hand side? She was so demure and I kept winking at her, but looked like she did not see me. I am hoping that there will be another show so that I can better position myself to catch her attention. Kai. What a wonderful extravaganza! Well done, Ekanmi.

said, I expect responsible governance, fair play and justice. Anything short of this would amount to the rape of the people and nothing can be more painful than when you rape a people weakened by religious institutions and its symbols of social cohesion. I hope the governor is listening. Meanwhile in my own family, we have six pastors on both sides, 12 elders, one former witch and a Duke.

Sai Buhari: Ignore Them Pls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sir, how you are today and I hope the recovery is going according to plans? Do not forget to eat plenty vegetables and stay clear of the other room at least for the rest of the year. I have written you so many letters without getting a response from you. I am sure the very famous cabal has been keeping away my letters from you. I will not give up even as I send this one again because it is of a critical national importance. I am kneeling down in my bedroom, stark naked with mosquitoes feasting on my butt (no vex, no power for Shomolu for one month) and begging you not to LISTEN TO THESE PEOPLE ASKING FOR A SECOND TERM FOR YOU O). I am really begging you and will embark on a full prayer vigil that should last at least 30 minutes and will involve me not eating or drinking the whole time so that God will blind you and make you deaf to these enemies. You have done so much for us within the period of your leadership and seriously even in your absence the country did not implode and we even managed to come out of recession. The corruption battle is being waged fiercely, leakages have been blocked, the naira is firming up and the recent report by the Bureau of Statistics is showing steady progress. Although I do not like the way you are treating our Igbo brothers, ignoring them and making funny appointments especially the ones at the NNPC, you have still performed creditably well. You need this rest to go take care of your health. You need to midwife a credible transition, thereby writing your name in the books of glory. I know you are a great man and will not allow the shallowness that surrounds you to make you take a decision that would be inimical to your place in history. Do not get me wrong, a second term is your constitutionally guaranteed right and let’s forget what you might have said or not said about a second term during your desperation to get the Presidency. The best that can happen to you right now considering your age, health and present circumstances is not to run. Let me confess, I did not vote for you last time and if the contest this time is between you and our godfather – Atiku, you will get my vote but then again, that would be a very painful

Madam Taraba: Will You Marry Me? Command School Alumni Ever since you came into our consciousness with that your bold statement and your continued posture as it concerns your position vis-a-vis your support for this your one-in-town godfather, I have been making subtle investigations about your marital status. I really would like to marry you if you are available and if you are not, I will not mind going into strenuous negotiations with your husband in a bid to reach a mutually acceptable position that will see you resume as the newest Duchess of Shomolu. The reason for this my interest in you is simply because of your outright boldness and courage in an environment of sycophants and two-faced marabouts that pretend to be selﬂess while feathering their own nests. I am really not interested in the reasonableness or otherwise of your position but in the fact that you were bold enough to say what you said. Sweetheart, it takes a lot of courage to stand in front of a nation of over 100 million people to spew out such “crap” and own it. Lesser beings would have claimed “printer’s devil” but you stood ﬁrm o and even continued to make more annoying claims. You see why I have fallen in love with you because with someone like you in my house,

vote you will be getting. God will guide you and give you the wisdom to listen to this little voice crying from the darkness that is in Shomolu. Stay blessed sir. Re: Akwa Ibom Churches as Parastatals Dr. Reuben Abati is one of my favourite writers on the same class as Segun Adeniyi. Although if a gun is pointed at my head to choose one out of the two, I will choose Segun simply because he writes with less academic fervour than Dr. Abati. All the same, I still love reading the good doctor anytime I come across his write-ups. His article with the above title was a masterpiece. Apart from the information it contained, it beautifully illustrated the issue that bedevils my home state. The church is truly very central to the lives of our people. Everybody belongs to one church or the other while still practising the animist code which means witchcraft is still very influential in the lives of the people. Every family has a pastor and a witch. Some

all these yeye people ﬁghting for my Dukeship and throne - will have you to contend with. You will stand ﬁrmly by me, and profess your support for my reign even though I really have not done anything tangible for my people except go on social media and marry as many women that I can possibly marry. Seriously speaking sha, I think you should just resign because we are facing very serious challenges as a nation and really do not need this type of distraction. A serious political player is swearing by a leader for the sole reason that he is “my godfather”. You people are not just tired. I will rather vote for Biafra and join them rather than see an Atiku Presidency. What is it? Is it by force, must he be President at all costs even at 75 years? Abeg, you people should leave the stage and let the newer generation who really understand global economic and political dynamics take the reins of power and see what they can do with it. Madam, if our President will not be naïve enough to sack you, you sef go na. Abi how can you be serving two leaders or can you marry two husbands? Choose ye today who ye shall follow, Buhari, Atiku or me? You cannot choose all three of us. Choose today mummy.

families have more witches than pastors, while others share them equally. So, it will just make sense for any serious government to use its all-encompassing influence on the people as a vehicle for penetrative mobilisation and cohesion. Just like some others like Abiola, Jim Nwobodo and much more recently, Ifeanyi Ubah have used football as their own vehicle. So, in this instance, these pastors realising the desperation of the government to exploit the popularity of Christianity in the state have turned their pulpits to de facto ministries of information, corralling and herding the people towards the government. I really do not know what position to take on this matter as to the rightness or wrongness of the matter but to request the governor and his government not to take advantage of the gullibility of the people in serving them. The people swear by their pastors and their witches and any government with a stronghold of both symbols is literally holding the people by the balls. That

Clara Mshelia Whyte: A Desrved Shout Out Clara is more than a friend. She is a sister and a mother, a beautiful lady with features of the Shuwa Arab. Her eyes can melt Fayose’s heart and her skin laminates in the sun like the jewels that are locked up in the towers that hold the Queen of England’s crown jewels. It was her birthday during the week and she dutifully carried her handsome son – Jaden, aided by her husband, my brother, Uwem Whyte and dodged. I had reminded myself not to eat that day and had dared the floods that pervaded our Lekki area to her house and like the comedian who went virile during the Sallah break for not getting ram to eat as a result of his hosts turning to Christ, I was refused food, with Clara claiming that she was travelling. I began to pray that she bought Arik ticket for the possibility of cancellation was high and this would bring her back home to give me the food. But alas, I no see Clara o talkless of that her steward who I must say is one of the best cooks in this part of town. Anyway, I will not wish her happy birthday and a glorious life until she comes back and gives me my food and cake. Till then, I say may God bring you and Jaden back safely to me. I am waiting. Donald Duke: With Duke I Stand I will climb the mountain of Gilgal, holding a white flag and looking at the children of Nigeria drawn by the need for selfless governance, respect for human rights, equality and dynamic leadership and proclaim my stand for Donald Duke as my candidate for the 2019 presidential election. My position is borne out of the strong belief that Nigeria of today needs a leadership that can plug on the global economic trends, unlocking our tremendous potential as the largest market in black Africa that would grow wealth that will now cascade throughout the length and breadth of the country, irrespective of what part of the country you come from. I was in a brief meeting with Hon. Wale Oluwo, the Lagos Commissioner for Energy and the kind of ideas that were coming out of that young man’s mouth amazed me and evidently showed me just how youth and freshness will take us out of the morass of ethnicity and shallow, parochial politics. Donald is not my godfather o and I have no loyalty to him but to Nigeria. The man never even take my call since Chike Ogeah give am my number. I have met him only thrice in my life: once when he was governor and my great mentor, Albert Okumagba, took me to his office and the other times were when I greeted him during one of the charity events his wonderful wife organised and was supported by UBA. Apart from these, I can boldly say, that I no know the man. But his politics, outlook and zest for a new Nigeria as can be gleaned during his stint in Cross River and ever since, tell me very clearly that he symbolises a true new Nigeria. A Nigeria that will be technically savvy; a Nigeria that will give equal opportunities to all and sundry who have value to give and a Nigeria that will transform the over 75 million youths, who throng the Internet daily into an army of transformational wealth. Let’s look at this guy again.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍžËœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍż

SPY GLASS

OPEYEMI SARAKI

OPEYEMI SARAKIâ€™S NEW LIFESTYLE Opeyemi Saraki, a handsome and fun-loving man, is younger brother of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki. He is by all standards, one of the privileged members of the Saraki dynasty in Ilorin, Kwara State. Before now, Saraki, Managing Director, Kwara State Millennium Development Goals Initiative, was very popular in Ilorin and Lagos social circles. However, the amiable gentleman seems to be avoiding the social scene like the plague. Consequently, tongues are wagging about his current lifestyle.But Spy Glass gathered that his keeping a low profile might not be unconnected with his brush with the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. His encounter with the EFCC is said to have made him to be abstemious in some ways. Besides, he is said to have severed his relationship with some of his friends who allegedly abandoned him after what might be described as the EFCC onslaught. For now, the question on the lips of many is: Where is Opeyemi Saraki?

TONGUES WAG OVER BIMBO OKOYAâ€™S STATUS Bimbo Okoya is one of the beautiful daughters of billionaire businessman, Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya. Even if you have not met her, it is not unlikely that you know a little about her because she has always been in the news for so many reasons in the past years. In particular, many will still recall her celebrated wedding involving former husband, a Liberian, a couple of years ago. The wedding, which held at her fatherâ€™s expansive Oluwanishola Estate, along Lekki-Epe, Lagos, was the talk of the town for many months, as no expense was spared by the family to make it memorable.

with .... 08054680651 Indeed, it was the kind of wedding that many intending couples would have dreamed. However, that was the sweetest part of the story. Typical of many celebritiesâ€™ marriages, the couple soon parted ways due to irreconcilable differences. Surprisingly, three years after the collapse of the marriage, this beautiful damsel has refused to give another man her heart for keeps even though. Yet, she still possesses a stunning figure that leaves a lot of men drooling. While you keep wondering, when she will be hit by Cupids arrow again, a source disclosed that she is more concerned about how to grow her business.

OTUNBA SUBOMI BALOGUN SHINES BRIGHTER If there is one thing that many famous, successful and wealthy individuals often complain about, it is the fact that they donâ€™t totally enjoy the luxury of privacy. They are either being stalked by news hounds who want to know some things about their lifestyles to wet the appetite of curious readers or some hangers-on for personal advantage. Interestingly, here in Nigeria, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Chairman, First City Monument Bank, FCMB, has fairly carried on without so much intrusion into his private life. This, perhaps, explains why many are wont to say he is a mystery of sorts. Some of his business associates and contemporaries are said to claim that he is almost inaccessible. In fact, you can hardly catch up with him at public functions because he rarely honours such invitations with his physical presence. Nevertheless, one event this handsome, banking guru doesnâ€™t joke with is the famed Ijebu Ode annual festival known as Ojude Oba. He cherishes it so much that he always throws his weight behind it. Spyglass gathered that the last Ojude Oba was not an exception, as his bank remained the major sponsor of the festival. He reportedly shone like a thousand stars when he stormed the event in company of his beautiful wife in a chauffeur-driven sparkling white Limousine. Also, in attendance was the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, among other prominent sons and daughters of the ancient town. The name Otunba Subomi Balogun means many things to many people. To some, the name stands for courage,

tenacity, while it means inventiveness, brilliance and distinction to others. Balogun, a colossus in the Nigerian money market, is a man of excellence, integrity; he is also a trailblazer and pioneer extraordinaire in the sector. Although he was trained as a lawyer, he came into the financial sector just when the country was seriously in need of top intellectuals like him. In no time, he reshaped the industry and became a household name.

TONY ELUMELU, JIM OVIAâ€™S ORATORICAL SKILLS They are two of a kind and share a lot of things in common. Both Tony Elumelu, Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Jim Ovia, Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, are colossi in the banking sector. Indeed, these two banking wizards are a pride to their fatherland. Over the years, they have succeeded in positioning their respective banks among the top banks in the world. No doubt, their coming into the banking sector has been a blessing, just as they are a great inspiration to aspiring bankers across the globe. It is also a fact that both have got a lot to show for their sweats. All the comforts of life are at their beck and call. As proof of their success stories, popular Forbes Magazine featured them as being among the richest in Africa. Though the foregoing may amount to saying the obvious, what many may not know about these two giants is that beyond their respective feats in the banking sector, they are gifted with oratorical power. Spyglass gathered that Elumelu, who doubles as Chairman, Heirs Holdings, is a great thinker and orator. He is said to have showcased this God-given talent on different occasions in and outside the country, where he had delivered lectures to wide acclaim. Those who know him very well claim that he had begun to show evidence of a master of the spoken words from his university days. In the same vein, it was gathered that Ovia too is no less an impressionable orator. He mesmerises whenever he is given the opportunity to hold the microphone. Indeed, many love to listen to him talk at public functions.

TONY ELUMELU

BIMBO OKOYA

OTUNBA SUBOMI BALOGUN

WALE TINUBU

WALE TINUBUâ€™S DANCE OF VICTORY It was Sun Tzu, a Chinese military strategist, Taoist philosopher and general in the 6th century BCE, who said, â€œThe supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.â€? Armed with this knowledge, Wale Tinubu, CEO, Oando Oil, has remained unperturbed in the face of needless smear campaigns launched by some individuals in the industry. In the midst of the campaign he remained unperturbed and unruffled. Interestingly, Tinubu seems to be having the the last laugh now, as the shareholders of the company passed a vote of confidence in him during the recently held 40th Annual General Meeting, AGM, of the leading oil and gas company in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He is presently singing the song of joy and dancing the dance of victory. It was based on what a source described as â€œhis leadership qualities, business experience and his art of making money. â€? Talking about the decision at the AGM, the source further said: â€œThere was no question of a lack of trust in the CEO and his management team. Nobody ever doubted his ability to lead the company. But just like every other business, there must be some aggrieved elements who wonâ€™t like your style. But itâ€™s an internal thing and it has been fully resolved.â€? Tinubuâ€™s success story may not come as a surprise to those close to him because he has, over the years, shown evidence that he is well verse in oil and gas business. He knows when to invent, particularly in a shaky business climate. Tinubu has continued to show his wizardry, especially in the past two years that the oil business has suffered a decline around the globe.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

SUPER SATURDAY

My Story: From Sitting Room to Intercontinental Showrooms UCHE JESUS

Industrious, creative and adventurous, he left the shore of Africa to explore the fashion world of Asia, berthing in India, a land of colours, creativity and commerce. He went; he arrived and conquered. With insatiable desire to conquer more frontiers, he has returned to Africa, starting with Nigeria to do what has not been done before, open new vistas and add more spice to Nigeria’s effervescent fashion industry. Uche Jesus, the Creative Designer of Diamond Ark, is a visionary and a hard worker, bustling with ingenuity and unrestrained optimism, he speaks with Oge Ezeliora about his fashion brand and the marks he has made

hy did you choose to go into fashion? First, I was born into a fashion family. My mother was a famous fashion designer and event decorator in my town. I lost my father at a very tender age and my mother took over. She is a very hard-working woman. I was a decimal point in her fashion business when I was in school though I didn’t learn garment making from her because those days we saw fashion designers as less privileged people. My mother remains my source of inspiration. Her achievement as a local designer is a big challenge to me to do far better than her. She taught me to believe in my ability without begging and complaining. She is the wind beneath my wings. How and when did you discover this talent? Diamond Ark started in my living room in 2011 November. Today, Diamond Ark has established state-of-the-art showroom in Festac town, Lagos, Nigeria, with head office in Safdarjung city, New Delhi and the third showroom has also been commissioned. Everything started after my trip to India in 2007. The trip opened my eyes to what fashion designing is all about, I never knew that people can go to school to study fashion as a course. Indian fashion industry inspired me to return to India again in 2010 as a fashion student. I got admission into JD Institute of fashion Technology, New Delhi where I obtained diploma in fashion designing and garment manufacturing. Before my graduation in 2011, I had started making garments for people in my sitting room. I adopted Diamond Ark as my brand name during my last college fashion show. My plan was to move back to Nigeria and establish but some Indian models, friends and the director of the institute, Mr. Rc Dalal, who is my greatest mentor encouraged me to establish in India, register my brand with India government and build the first African brand in India. It was very challenging. I thank God for the wisdom and strength to overcome all the challenges. Why are you in Nigeria? I am a Nigerian; Nigeria is my home. I originated from Anambra State. I love my country. Nigerians are fashion crazy. Every event in Nigeria is a fashion carnival. Our men are best dressed men in the world. Our men are fashion conscious; both middle and first class people look fabulous at every gathering. Nigeria is the best fashion destination in Africa. We have an attractive and a promising market. Nigerian fashion industry is growing fast. I have seen the works of our home-based designers, they’re very creative. No matter how creative and how good I am abroad, there must be limitations. Top 100 Indian successful designers are based in India. Top Nigerian successful musicians and actors made their fame in Nigeria. I will have unlimited market in Nigeria and I want to also contribute to the growth of our own fashion industry. I have acquired so much experience from India’s fashion industry. I have built a good brand there. I have made Africans proud. It has been five years of positive stories; India’s leading newspapers have my success stories on their front pages. Our dear President Buhari was impressed with my record when he visited India in 2015. What were your challenges? Establishing Diamond Ark in India came with a lot of challenges. I put my trust in God. I worked hard day and night. I thank God for the passion I had. As a beginner there was psychological fear on how to convince people on what I could do. I was not sure if my designs will be acceptable. I was not sure if Indian fashion industry will welcome a foreigner. Above all, I was financially handicapped. I approached few people for sponsorship but help didn’t come from them. I have no option than to encourage myself and keep moving. I worked from home for six months before I was able to rent a space and within five years I was able to establish two showrooms in India and one in Lagos. Today, my focus is how to capture the Nigerian market and Africa in general. I give all the glory to God. I thank all my clients, fans, and pastors who have supported Diamond Ark with prayers. Special thanks to India and African community and the Nigeria High Commission in India for their great support.

Uche Jesus

Tell us about Diamond Ark Lifestyle label. Diamond Ark Lifestyle is a luxury fashion brand that specialises in men’s suits such as formal suits, wedding suits, Indo-Western and French suits. We also make all kinds of shirts like tuxedo, formal and casual shirts. We are highly professional in suit making. We use the best Italian and London refined woolly suiting fabrics and we pay careful attention to detailing and classic finishing that meet the global standard. Our creations are daring and fresh. Diamond Ark is renowned mostly for outstanding creativity in suits and shirts, classic fit tailoring, world-class finishing, quality and distinctive use of luxury and colourful fabrics, intricate embroideries and a gloriously rich Indian, African and Western aesthetic. It’s a best destination for quality party suits and blazers. Today, we are one of the fastest growing designer brands in India. Ever since, we ventured into fashion industry in India, we have developed unique styles of our own, reflect-

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ PTEMBER 16, 2017

SUPERSATURDAY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI WAS IMPRESSED BY MY FASHION SUCCESS IN INDIA

Uche in Daimond Ark materials ing g our creativity y in western g garments and ancient traditions of Indian and African craftsmanship p in a contempop rary y manner. Our understanding g of ancient designs g and the innovative use of traditional crafts has created a new classicism. We are masters in intricate hand embroidered and colourful suits. We are taking wedding suits to another level. What should we expect p ffrom the brand g going g into the ffuture? We are working g on a new collection soon. We are already y getting g g proposals p p for some styling y gp projects. j We will stock some major j retail stores in Nigeria. g We will be more in the face of the people p p from now. I p promise you y won’t g get tired of us. We will be doing gp phenomenal stuffs. Fashion is a lucrative business. Fashion has made me p popular. p It has connected me to kings g and queens. q It has given g me a name and personality p that can’t be ignored. g The business of fashion is full of fun and passion. What makes y your band unique? q What sets Diamond Ark apart p from other brands is our unique q eye y for details, creative designs, g quality q y fabric, and client satisfaction and most important, p the p proper p fits of an outfit on the wearer. We believe that a dress should follow the shape p of a man or a woman and not the other way y around. So basically, y the value of p products we offer to our clients sets us apart from the crowd. How will you describe African fashion? African fashion is the richest form of arts the world can ever know. Although g we have yet y to explore p our potential as we ought p g to but I do see African fashion taking over the fashion world. Did you y get any funding for your start-up? p No funding at all. I am self-made.

Ucche with lovely wife

I have seen the works of our home-based designers, g they’re y very creative. No matter how creative and how good g I am abroad, there must be limitations. Top p 100 0 Indian successful designers g are based in India. Top p Nigerian g successful musicians and actors made their fame in Nigeria. g I will have unlimited market in Nigeria g and I want to also contribute to the growth g of our own fashion industry. y I have acquired q so much experience p from India’s fashion industry. I have built a good brand there. I have made g Africans p proud. It has been five years of positive stories; India’s leading g newspapers p p have my y success stories on their front pages. p g Our dear President P Buhari was impressed with my record when he visited India in 2015 Surely, y I am building g a global g brand. My y plan p is to make Diamond Ark a leading g brand in Africa and also a major j p player y in g global fashion which requires q huge g funding. g I am working g hard to attract government g funding in order to actualise my dream. What do you love most about what you do?

Well, I took fashion designs g as a hobby y and what I love most about it is that my y designs g are unique q and different and they y are moving g forward and taking g me to places. p I engage g g in individual training g but I seek serious minded and focused trainees. What challenges g do y you think you will face y f in Nigeria g and do y you have what it takes to dominate the fashion industry? y First, I am not coming g to dominate the industry. y We have a lot of good g designers g who have branded their labels. Fashion, Nollywood y and our music industry y can never be dominated by y an individual. These industries have done well already. y I can only y contribute to their growth. g Diamond Ark Lifestyle y will work hard to be among g the leading g brands in Nigeria g and Africa in g general. My y biggest gg challenge g will come from my y clients. I have built a fraternity y of fashionistas that wants to look outstanding g at every y function. Diamond Ark has become a lifestyle y to many y and they y want to see new designs g and many y want to be the first to wear the newest design g thereby forcing g me to create new things g each day. y They y want to wear what is not available in the market. So, I must think out of the box daily. y I want to do exactly y the same thing g and maintain the same quality in Nigeria. Any y award or endorsement deal so far? f The brand has won so many y international awards; made costumes for Bollywood y films and the official costumes brand of Mr. India Global since 2013. In 2012, I was a jury j y member at the grand g finale of Mr. India Global. In 2013 January, J y I made the cover page p g of Hindustan Times newspaper p p which also attracted India Embassy y in Abuja j to feature me and few Nigerian g entrepreneurs in their 2013 India Republic p p Day y magazine. g The success the label recorded within this short period was

unprecedented. p Satyam y fashion Institute Noida and Film city y Noida invite me yearly y y as a motivational speaker p to inspire p their students with my y success story. y In 2013’s Noida Film Festival, I was the only y designer g nominated by y Asia Academy y of Film & Television ((AAFT)) as the guest g speaker p on Fashion in Film. I was a jury j y member at JJodhpur p fashion carnival in 2013. International Film & Television Research Centre India honoured and awarded ‘Life Membership’ p to me. South African Embassy y in conjunction with Women International Network (WIN) ( ) decorated me with ‘Universal Humanity’ y award in 2013. Some Bollywood y and Nollywood y celebrities have adorned Diamond Ark and I have designed g costumes for some Bollywood y and Nollywood y films. I am currently y working g for some African top p music stars, top p army y officers, diplomats, p politicians and so on. p Our mission is to be a leading g luxury y suit brand on the continent of Africa by the year 2025. Where do y you see yourself two years from f now? Two years y from now, I will be more famous in Nigeria; g the brand will expand p more to other cities in Nigeria. g I will be better than what I am today y because my y today y is better than my y yesterday. y y So, Diamond Ark will have more clients and more fans with more superior and luxury garments. What is y your advice to upcoming fashion designers? g Fashion is lucrative, it is full of challenges g but with hard work, smartness, consistency y and p passion you y will g get there. Be creative and always y tell your y story. y Each design g is a spiritual p jjourney; y p pay y more attention to g good finishing. g You don’t need millions of naira to start up p something g – don’t wait for your first client to locate you; y y rather be your y first client, be your y label, best model wear only your designs.

My Mother Remains the Biggest Inspiration in My Fashion Forays

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

POLSCOPE

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356

The Gathering Cloud in Igboland

have been somewhat confused about the recent developments in the South East region of the country occupied by people of Igbo descent. My confusion arises from how to balance the actions of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mr Nnamdi Kanu and the reaction from the military. I have been worried about how the IPOB leader has been carrying on since he was released from prison on bail. He has literally broken all the bail conditions given him, prompting the federal government to head back to court seeking the revocation of the bail. Matters were not helped with the arrant nonsense of the disgruntled Arewa Youths who issued a quit notice to Igbo people residing in the north, to quit the northern states latest by October 1. IPOB had latched on to that action to raise the bar of its agitation for a country of their own, called Biafra. That was what led to the avalanche of hate speeches that have defined the nation’s conversation in recent times. But while the nation awaits the verdict of the court, whether indeed Kanu has breached the bail conditions or not, and decide whether to revoke it or not, the soldiers, under the command of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai were deployed to the entire south-east, according to them (soldiers) to contain the crimes of kidnapping, armed robbery and secessionist agitation. I believe the last reason is the driving motivation for the deployment of the soldiers in an operation code named Operation Egwu Eke (Operation Python Dance1). The symbol of a python is acutely predatory. The python is a dangerously wicked snake that does not spare its target. I do not understand the provocation that led to the deployment of soldiers to the south-east to exhibit “pythonic” (permit the inflection) attacks. In my own “bloody civilian” thinking, I would have thought that with the coming of October 1, the army, in pursuit of the territorial integrity of the nation, should have launched Operation Egwu Agwu (operation Lion Dance) in the northern states, where the Arewa Youths had triggered a needless national tension. The soldiers should have ensured the arrest of the Arewa youths who issued the threat, as promised by the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai. It smells suspicious to launch Operation Egwu Eke in a zone with no overt security threat, and launch no operation whatsoever (or at best Operation Lafiya Dole—Peace by force) in a zone that had issued time-bound threat to fellow Nigerians. Rather, the soldiers have literally descended on the IPOB youths with maximum hit. An unconfirmed video clip that went viral during the week showed how soldiers were dehumanising some arrested IPOB members, forcing them to lie down in dirty muddy water, stripped of their shirts. Surely a disturbing video footage which the army authorities have promised to investigate. This unevenness in federal reaction to the disquiet in the nation is what triggered the tension both in Aba, the commercial city of Abia State and in Port Harcourt, almost a stone’s throw from Aba. The arising clashes between IPOB members and the Nigerian army led to three deaths in Port Harcourt (including that of a Police sergeant) and several injuries both in Port Harcourt and in Aba on Tuesday. Three days earlier, IPOB had claimed five

Kanu of its members were killed when the army invaded the home of Kanu. The soldiers who denied ever killing anybody, argued that the IPOB members not only blocked the road, but also pelted them with stones and broken bottles, forcing them to fire “warning shots” during their “show of force patrol” in the town. Accusations and counter accusations! This is the same Aba city. A traditional battle ground. The town where in 1929, the women folk launched a mass protest against British oppressive policies in the famous Aba Women riot. However, whatever the argument of the pro-Biafra supporters is, it amounts to an affront to either block the road against soldiers and worse still, pelt them with broken bottles and stones. It is a naked invitation to chaos. Have the IPOB boys forgotten so soon the travails of the Shiite members in Zaria, December 2015? Is it not great folly to confront armed soldiers? Did the late Zik of Africa not say it is foolishness to argue with a man carrying guns? What is certain is that the South East in general is losing its peace. The clearest evidence of that was the declaration of a three-day curfew by the Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu last Tuesday, just as reports indicate that Kanu’s residence is under the siege of the military. Curfew was later extended beyond three days. Some reports said that Kanu is under house arrest with armoured tanks

surrounding his house. Surely, but slowly, the storm is gathering in the south-east. This is needless! The brazen show of force by the military is rather uncalled for as it could lead to escalated clashes between the IPOB members and the Nigerian army, with all the concomitant consequences. All these are avoidable. With the terrorist affliction in the North-east and the growing tension in the south-east, the nation’s leaders must do more than staple governance model to redeem the nation from the grip of avoidable upheavals. The IPOB Secessionist group had been craving for a break-up of the Nigerian federation. It is a sad throwback to the events that led to the Nigerian Civil War in 1967. Before IPOB, was MASSOB (Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra), led by Ralph Uwazurike. Although MASSOB was more like a pressure group, IPOB elevated the agitation to the form of a secessionist/selfdetermination group. And ever since IPOB debuted, the region had lost lot of its peace. For good or for ill, Kanu has become a major factor in the sociopolitical calculation in the South-east region. Although the majority of the Igbo elite and intelligentsia have not quite identified with the IPOB philosophy and demand, the politicians led by the five state governors, a forthnight ago, held a consultative meeting with Nnamdi Kanu over the latter’s quest for a referendum. The IPOB group had declared that the November 18 election in Anambra State would not hold unless the referendum is conducted. Kanu, seemingly drunk with his IPOB ideologies, nearly regards all Igbos who do not support his idea either as renegades or traitors. In more ways than one, the IPOB leader has raised the spectre of confrontation against the Nigerian state, including the floating of an unregistered radio station broadcasting from offshore, disseminating information that clearly challenge the sovereignty of the Nigerian state, not forgetting the affront of flying the Biafran flag within the Nigerian territorial space. In all, the Commander-in-Chief must, nonetheless, apply expediency and wisdom in handling the IPOB menace. It is like a tse-tse fly perching atop a man’s scrotum. A careless slam in order to kill the tse-tse fly could land the fellow in ICU ward in the hospital. The gathering cloud must be made to melt away. We cannot afford another such rain. Wisdom is a better part of valour. On his part, Kanu and his IPOB ideologies must take a deep breath in. The solutions to the problems of Nigeria do not lie in breaking up. The late Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu who led the first attempt realised the futility therein and declared that a second attempt is not necessary. Nigeria is bigger and better as one. What should be demanded is justice and equality. No ethnic group is superior to the other. We all have equal stakes in the Nigerian project. Kanu must rein in and disband his rag-tag militia and join hands with other nationals to advance the Nigerian brand, as every and any attempt to fractionalise Nigeria will not work, at least not now.

Imo 2019: Opara Activates Guber Plans Again

oliticians have a special kind of hope. The type that buoys their belief in their capacity to do the extra-ordinary. They are blessed with kilowatts of mega vision that enable them see what many others don’t see or see hazily. All you need do to confirm this is to listen to them, especially if they have an eye on a political office. I recently had one such encounter with Robert Opara, a traditional chief of Mbaise kingdom. For about 90 minutes he reeled out a four-year blow-byblow activity schedule. He speaks with so much confidence and conviction of his belief and programmes. “Governments exist to save lives”, he says, adding that, “as for me, the paramount desire will be to make Imo State work again”. That simply implies that the present Imo State is not working. “Imo has been in a coma because nothing is moving in the state, as there is no social contract between the government and the governed”, he affirms. Chief Robert Opara wants to govern Imo State come 2019. He had had a shot at the office in 2011, without occupying Douglas House. This time, Opara seems poised to make it into the governor’s seat; and he says he will turn Imo State into a production mill. His brain seems to be brewing many ideas ranging from establishing breweries, to shoe Opara factories, beverage factories, and resuscitating

the famous Ada Palms and the Paints factory established by the late Sam Mbakwe, the second republic governor of old Imo State. According to him, “I will get the private sector to drive the industrial initiative of the state and we will work towards establishing at least a factory in each of the 27 Local Government Areas of the state”. Opara who believes that the factories will not only stimulate massive commercial activities in the state but also grow the revenue potential of the state, by meaningfully engaging the youth which will in turn depopulate the labour market and thus radically drive down the crime index in the state. Even those who cannot be accommodated in the factories, Opara says, will be assisted through the SME platforms, just as women and youths will have separate and active empowerment programmes, even as he would introduce social security “no matter how small” to the vulnerable of the society. Lamenting the worrisome state of insecurity in the state, the Mbaise chief noted that under his leadership, there will be collaboration between the security agencies and the local communities, even though he does not believe in state police. His aversion to state police stems from the fear that obnoxious politicians could use it (state police) to intimidate and emasculate their opponents. Launching into the political arithmetic of his Owerri zone being the most appropriate to

produce the next governor of the state, Opara argues that the Orlu zone had produced Achike Udenwa and Rochas Okorocha while Owerri zone (which he belongs) had produced the late Gov Evan Enwerem, for just two years. He reasons that it is high time Owerri zone (with nine LGAs) collaborated with Okigwe zone (with six LGAs) in order to neutralise the Orlu electoral demography from 12 LGAs. He condemns, in strong terms, the alleged scheme by Governor Rochas Okorocha to hand over the governorship to his in-law, a serving commissioner, who is also from the same Orlu zone like the sitting governor. Opara who believes that the 2019 election will determine the political direction of Imo State, warns that any other mistake on the part of the electorate “will be catastrophic”. However, Opara has one major river to cross. He is a believer and an advocate of independent candidacy. “I strongly support the idea of independent candidacy”, he says, noting that “the Senate is already working on that amendment of the Electoral Act and I hope to be a beneficiary”. What if the plan for independent candidacy does not sail through? “Then I will kick myself into a political party and work within the system”, Opara announced. Opara who is latching on to his rich experience in the private sector and media industry, like an athlete, is warming up seriously for the contest.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

This Kind...These Kinds

EBERE WABARA

“L

IKE (AS) I said earlier....” (Front Page News and Analysis, Classic 93.7 FM, 7 a.m., September 12)

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER, of September 9 comes next with just two improprieties: “My grouse with (about) political parties in Nigeria” “...these are the kind (kinds) of people that turn me on.” “Togo at crossroads (at a/the crossroads)” “9 months after, el-rufai re-opens (reopens) tertiary institutions in ‘Southern Kaduna” (DAILY SUN, September 6) “We learnt Government (unnecessary capitalization) had promised to conduct thorough investigation on the death.” Eke-Ukwu Owerri Market governorship disaster: a thorough investigation into the death “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! “Salt Spring Resort has been redefined and renovated to provide excellent service.” A refreshing experience of paradise: provide an excellent service or provide excellent services Still on the above source: “We are poise (poised) to deliver uncompromise (uncompromised) quality product that will ultimately satisfied (satisfy) our esteemed customers. Come lets (let’s) give you….” (Full-page advertisement by Nanet Hotels Limited) What do we do with the subliteracy of advertisement copies? “Anger, protests, as deceased’s friends

point fingers at lawmaker” Get it right: point the finger at lawmaker THE NATION ON SUNDAY of September 10 endangered the English language on two occasions: “In most cases, the necessary environment does not exist for meaningful importation (impartation) of knowledge.” “Matters are not helped by students who are now distracted by things that have no bearing to (on) their studies.” “Gov. Aminu Tambuwal appears set to take the bull by the horn (horns) by declaring his interest in the 2019 presidency….” “Students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, are to cough-out (two words without hyphenation) a total of N5 million for repairs of damages (damage) they perpetrated during a demonstration in July last year.” ‘Damage’ admits an inflection only in reparative matters. “Now, It is the turn of the teachers, in the race for the coveted seat of vice-chancellorship, and boy, are the learned dons falling over themselves (one another) to out do (one word) each other (one another)?” When two fellows are concerned, we use ‘each other,’ but if it is more than two, it becomes ‘one another’, “Secret cult in the campuses” Always on campuses “Kano Pillars in trouble…yet to sign-on players” ‘Sign on’, a phrasal verb, does not require hyphenation. “Thus, cargo that have been certified okay here….” I certify that ‘cargo’ is singular. “Inconsistent government policies is globally disturbing….” Concord is one of the simplest things in grammar. Anybody who lacks this rudimentary knowledge has no business contributing to this most authoritative newspaper in Nigeria. You must develop your communicative skills first. “Banks impose a lot difficult conditions on exporters and even charged (sic) some ‘hidden’ fees before the disbursement of

these loans are (is) done… “CPC to clampdown on illegal microfinance banks” Once more, phrasal verb: clamp down (two words). “An acknowledged scholar, a distinguished statesman and a team leader per excellence” Get it right: leader par excellence. “Some countries have taken tobacco manufacturers to court for the damages their products cause.” The will to die: damage is uncountable, except in reparative applications for indemnity. “…what happened was that somebody filed a writ of summon.” This way (singular): a writ of summons; plural: summonses. “It is the Federal Board that is always guilty of that, because it is them who take riff-raffs as welfare officers.” ‘Riff-raff’, just like ‘stuff’, is uncountable. “Modern technology has reduced the world into (to) a hamlet where the inhabitants are their brothers’ keepers.” This way: brother’s keeper (fixed idiom), irrespective of the number of people involved. “The coincidence in the timing of all those sleazy gossips in soft-sell magazines and the beginning of his fashion parade….” ‘Gossip’, in this context, is uncountable. “More overaged players for youth soccer” Get it right: overage players. “Residents of some of the troubled spots in Libya in disarray” Witness to lexical mayhem: trouble spots. “…rummaging all the bags and ransacking every nook and corner.” Stock expression: nook and cranny. “The police requires (require) a redeemer who can uplift the Force from the battering it (they) suffered during the long years of militarization.” “I inquired from those that appear to know and they said that the president is (was) roaming the country in the name of campaigns.” “There is (are) no electricity, no security,

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

no water, no roads, no health facilities in Nigeria.” “Foreign companies will be falling over themselves (one another) to come and invest here if we get the 2019 elections right.” “...given the lame-duck posture of the opposition parties, the PDP simply held sway from the onset (outset).” “Reactions on (to) the Pope’s visit, however successful, were mixed in Egypt, a country inhabited by a predominantly Muslim population.” “Prior to the Pope’s visit, Egyptian Catholics have (had) opted out of the….” “The first part was published last week Friday.” Monday politics: either last Friday or Friday, last week. “Vigilante (Vigilance) groups, committed to….” Did you know that ‘twice’ and ‘thrice’ are outdated entries for two times and three times?

FEEDBACK

EBERE, I trust you are doing great! It has been quite a while I planned writing to encourage you after I read a couple of your articles since returning to Nigeria. Profound and brilliantly delivered in prosaic language that my perfectionist dad would have praised. Well done and may your ink never dry! Blessings always…. --Dr. Oby Ezekwesili I remember how we started off years ago at the defunct Daily Times where our professional skills were nurtured by such brilliant editors as Onyema Ugochukwu, the late Femi Sonaike, John Araka, Dapo Aderinola, and Ndu Ughamadu, among others. Along with such brilliant minds as Tunde Olusunle, the late Femi Olatunde, Hakeem Bello, (emphasis mine), Abiodun Raufu, Louis Okoroma and Yomi Ola to name a few, we worked extremely hard and had such great fun. --Segun Ayobolu

PERSPECTIVE

The Architect of a New Ogun Soyombo Opeyemi

ow fortuitous did the decision to go for a bank draft turn out to be! I had not used the monetary instrument in over two decades as far as I could recall. Then we literally went with our mats to Sabo, Yaba branch of the First Bank. Obtaining a bank draft was a whole day affair, in the era of tallies. The harrowing experience was exacerbated by the sheer volume of the patrons of the bank. So I was not prepared for any time-wasting this time. My plan was to apply for the draft and come back another day to pick it. But the bank official mumbled some words. “Did you say I should wait?” I asked. “Yes, you just need to wait for a few minutes!” Pleasant surprise! In less than 10 minutes or so, I was already descending the stairs of the Abeokuta branch of the First Bank, transported with joy! My mind raced immediately to our urban renewal efforts in every part of the state, especially Abeokuta vis-a-vis the earlier criticisms of the opposition. But these people said Amosun should have repaired and maintained the existing ‘face me I face you’ roads instead of constructing modern highways! Just like expecting the First Bank to continue the use of tallies or provide comfortable seats for customers in order to cushion the trauma of having to spend the whole day to obtain a bank draft! I must confess that I was jolted to the marrow when, upon the inauguration of the current government, I had the first-hand experience of criss-crossing Abeokuta. Why should a state capital look so ancient? The roads were so narrow that they could hardly accommodate pedestrians let alone automobiles, and the houses built so close to the roads such that a man in his bedroom could actually exchange handshake with passengers on these prized opposition motorways! Let me say in passing that the state capital is usually the first point of contact for investors and those who transact business with government. At any rate, the ongoing massive construction in other cities of the state has shut the mouths of critics. The gods are not asleep after all. Last December,

Amosu I saw some of these detractors cruising along the international standard highways in Abeokuta, such as the Ibara-Totoro road, Onikolobo-Omida motorway, Abiola Way, etc. I saw them also on the first overhead bridge. I had thought they would avoid the use of the modern infrastructure in protest and instead pass through their famous ‘face me I face you’ roads that were yet to receive the bulldozers. So the saying is true: Everybody likes good things! Some of their supporters threw night parties close to the illumination provided by the lights on Amosun roads. Yes, it is good to enjoy night life; the siege is over; the climate of fear has been removed. We all know what Ogun was before May 29, 2011. If Ogun State were a commodity quoted on the Nigeria Stock Exchange, its share price would have grown geometrically from early 2012 when Amosun succeeded in fighting insecurity, which had made the state a no-go-area for investment, to a standstill.

The number of industries springing up in the state in the last two years is phenomenal. The Business Day award to Ogun as Nigeria’s fastest-growing economy is a testament to the position of the gateway state and the value of its stock in the Nigeria Stock Exchange under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun. It’s not been a rosy story all along. No one would have anticipated that the practice of our so-called federalism would degenerate to the point that the Federal Government alone would corner such a gargantuan amount from the Federation Account while the pittance being shared by the 36 states would not be guaranteed. But for the financial re-engineering of the Amosun government, which is to ensure that the state depends less and less on the Federation Account, one could have imagined the crisis that would have resulted from the drastic fall in the monthly federal allocation. Whereas no government in the world (developed or developing) ever fulfils all its promises or achieves all its intentions 100 per cent – however well-meaning – Amosun continues to strive to ensure that all his programmes are substantially accomplished. Wherever possible, he can surpass expectations such as he has done in security architecture of the state; free education, which has led to remarkable increase in enrolment figures (he only promised Affordable and Qualitative Education); road infrastructure, which beats the imagination of all and financial sanitation, which has raised the IGR from N750 million inherited to a record 4 billion at some point without putting additional yoke on the people but just essentially blocking the drains in the old system and encouraging people to pay their tax in accordance with the extant law – this has inevitably led to regular payment of salaries in spite of the fall in the constitutionally-guaranteed income from the Federation Account and fulfilling our obligations to contractors and banks without any default or piling up debts for future generations as the won’t of some leaders. How can one forget the unprecedented investment in land-clearing equipment by this government in preparation for mechanised agriculture, the first of such quantum purchase since the creation of Ogun in 1976? Space will fail me to talk about the model Farm

Settlement Scheme that will soon be launched. Amosun couldn’t have made any major promise on power considering the stranglehold of the Federal Government on the sector, backed somehow by the constitution. But realising the hopeless situation of small scale businesses across the state, he purchased and distributed 500 transformers in one iconic gesture. I’m yet to hear of such quantum of supply by any government in Nigeria in one fell swoop. All these account for the popularity of Amosun in every nook and cranny of the state. Politics is already in the air. It’s so easy to forget that these ground-breaking achievements have been recorded in less than 3 years out of a mandate of 4 years! As can be seen, the above piece was written about three and a half years ago. Amosun is currently in the second year of his second term. It was my presence again at the First Bank to obtain a bank draft that drove me to the memory lane. And by a pleasant coincidence, the same Business Day had cast a banner headline the previous day, “Lagos, Ogun exceed other states, as 60% revenue generated internally.” (04/09/ 2017; front page). The news story read, in part: “Lagos and Ogun states are fast moving away from other states in the country in financial capacity, following their ability to generate over 60 percent of their revenue internally. The two states generated 73 per cent and 63 per cent of their revenue internally in 2016. This means that in the event of a failure or shortfall in allocation from the Federation Account, the two states can internally generate at least N63 out of every N100 needed monthly. Lagos and Ogun are closely followed by Rivers, Kano and Edo States, which generated 43 per cent, 38 percent and 35 per cent respectively of their total internal revenue...” This is another milestone achieved by the Ibikunle Amosun administration. And when you consider the fact that Ogun comes a distant 25 out of 36 states (and far behind those four states) in terms of the revenue it gets from the Federation Account, the achievements of the Amosun government become even more remarkable. Things can only get better in Ogun... Congratulations to The Modernizer, the architect of a new Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. – Soyombo sent this piece from Abeokuta via densityshow@yahoo.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍžËœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍľ

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

Manoeuvres Overtaking The next set of articles shall explain how to carry out manoeuvring exercises at low speed, with reasonable accuracy and safety by using reverse gear. Drivers should only reverse where it is safe, legal and convenient. When carrying out the manoeuvres to be discussed, other road users and pedestrians have priority. When reversing, you should turn round slightly in your seat until you can see the road clearly through the rear window. If you are restricted whilst reversing, may remove your seat belt, but remember to put it back on before moving off. Turn in the Road This manoeuvre, also known as the three-point-turn, is how to turn a vehicle around to face the opposite different when there are no convenient places for reversing into a side road. The procedure for turn in the road is explained below (see diagram). Bugatti at Frankfurt Motors Show 2017

Frankfurt Motors Show Opens, Focuses Electric Mobility Stori es by Bennett Oghifo

he 67th International Motor Show (IAA) is underway in Frankfurt. Two days ago, German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the IAA Cars 2017, which will, until September 24, provide fun-filled experiences to visitors, showing them the latest trends in cars and mobility. The real deal starts from today, September 16, when the IAA will be open to the general public every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The slogan â€œFuture nowâ€? focuses on the megatrends of connected and automated driving, electric mobility and the urban mobility concepts of tomorrow. A large number of world premieres and innovations will be unveiled. Visitors to the IAA can discover and experience yet more highlights, including passenger car demonstrations, activities to join in, test drives, an obstacle course (the â€œParcoursâ€?), special shows, symposiums and congresses, plus famous racing drivers and other VIPs at the exhibitorsâ€™ stands â€“ the IAA has something for everyone, according to a statement by the organisers, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA).

The IAA in ďŹ gures The IAA Cars is a superlative event every time. At the IAA Cars 2015 around 1,100 exhibitors from 39 countries presented their innovations on an area of 230,000 square meters. With 219 world premieres, it again enhanced its position as the leading international trade show for mobility. In all, nearly 932,000 visitors flooded onto the exhibition grounds in Frankfurt am Main. Their average age was 34. The main motivation for visiting the show was â€œseeing cars you donâ€™t see anywhere else.â€?

history and presents numerous classic cars. The popular model car collectorsâ€™ fair â€œAutomaniaâ€? on the first IAA weekend invites visitors into the fascinating world of miniature vehicles. It is regarded by enthusiasts and collectors of classic model cars throughout Europe as the number one fair of its kind. There will also be plenty to entertain the youngest visitors â€“ including the childrenâ€™s movie theater, a play area, and gripping competitions on the large serpentine Carrera model race track â€“ so the IAAâ€™s wide range of events provides lots of interest and fun for children and teenagers.

Climb in, join in, experience cars The IAA offers more than just looking at and sitting in new cars. Numerous brand new models from various makers will be available for test drives, including freeway driving and Frankfurtâ€™s inner city. An expert will be present during each test drive to answer questions and give advice. The challenging off-road circuit will set visitorsâ€™ pulses racing as experienced professionals drive them over extreme inclines, lumps and bumps, and pot holes in off-road vehicles and SUVs. The organisers said there would be many special shows, which would also centers on cars: â€œThe Wild 70sâ€? exhibition takes a journey through

History of the IAA The 67th IAA is not the 67th IAA in Frankfurt. Originally Berlin was the place where the public could see and admire new cars. The first German motor show was the â€œAuto-Revueâ€? with precisely eight motor cars displayed at Berlinâ€™s Hotel Bristol. Until 1911 there was an IAA almost every year â€“ in 1905, 1906, and twice in 1907. The exhibitions were interrupted by the First World War. After the end of the war, the IAA was initially a purely national event but it included motorcycles for the first time. International motor shows then made a comeback â€“ in Cologne, Leipzig, and Berlin, where the last show took place in 1939.

BMW PresentsExtraordinaryNewModelsofVehicles

MW is firing the starting gun on the brandâ€™s forthcoming product offensive with an extraordinary pageant of new models and concept vehicles at the IAA Cars 2017 show in Frankfurt am Main. The companyâ€™s stand centres on its expanded luxury class line-up, captivating studies and production models in numerous segments exhibited at a public trade fair for the first time. The new products unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt show highlight the status of BMW as a manufacturer of vehicles that transmit unrivalled levels of emotional appeal with their inspirational design, trailblazing innovations and the driving pleasure for which the brand is renowned. BMW is also showcasing the latest technological developments for the future of personal mobility, in which powertrain electrification, comprehensive digitalisation and other advances in the field of automated driving will play a particularly important role. Hall 11 at the main entrance to the Frankfurt trade fair site has been prepared for the shared BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad stand, and serves as a forum for current and future highlights of the product range. This is where the new products and features from all the brands will be presented under the slogan â€œThis is tomorrow. Now. Die Zukunft ist jetztâ€?.

BMW i Vision Dynamics

The exhibition space covers an area of over 10,500 square metres and has a circuit running around it that is about 150 metres long. This will give visitors to the Frankfurt Motor Show on 14 â€“ 24 September 2017 the opportunity to experience the new models in action too. The BMW Group offers a clear image of the electric mobility of the near future with the world

premiere of the BMW i Vision Dynamics. This four-door Gran Coupe study with pure-electric drive system combines electric mobility with the BMW brand values of dynamism and elegance. The BMW Concept X7 iPerformance, BMW Concept 8 Series and BMW 7 Series Edition 40 Jahre are all testimony to BMWâ€™s expanded presence in the luxury segment.

From A â€“ B: At the start, prepare your vehicle (see moving off article) and look around as you would when moving off. If the road is clear or there are no other road users nearby who are attempting to pass you, then move off very slowly and immediately steer full lock left, but once you vehicle is moving give another look to the left for other road users. In manual vehicle, use the clutch pedal to keep the car moving slowly. When you are about a metre from the left kerb, start turning the wheel back slightly to the right. As you near the kerb, push the clutch down and brake to stop. You should end up near to the kerb with the front wheels pointing a little right ready for the next part of the manoeuvre. When stopped, you may need to apply the handbrake, depending on the camber of the road. The camber of the road is the slope of the road towards the gutter. From B â€“ C: Select reverse gear and prepare the car for moving. Before reversing, look left along the road, right along the road, then out of the rear window. If the road is clear or there are no other road users nearby, move off very slowly and immediately, turn the steering wheel briskly to the right until it is â€˜full lockâ€™, while still looking out the rear window. When you have driven over the centre of the road, look over your left shoulder so that you can judge your distance from the kerb and turn your steering wheel slightly to the left and stop just before reaching the kerb. Apply the handbrake if needed to stop the car rolling. From C - D: Select first gear and get ready to move off. Before moving off, look right along the road then left along the road for other road users. When you are sure itâ€™s safe, look well down the road and move slowly forward turning the steering wheel to the left until you are in the normal or safe driving position. Straighten the wheel to end up on the right side of the road. Carry out the normal mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine and pull in and park on the right or continue on your journey. The turn in the road does not always need to be completed in three moves. This is dependent on the width of the road or the vehicle used. Every time you are steering, keep the vehicle very slow but the steering should be brisk. On busy roads make more frequent observations all round for other road users. If, at any of the points, other road users are nearby or are approaching so as to pass you then you must wait and allow them to pass. If they wait, then you must continue with the manoeuvre. At points A and B, you must go all the way across until close the kerb. This will allow other road users to pass by, if they want to, while you are changing gear and preparing to move again. In next weekâ€™s article we shall be discussing the reverse park or parallel parking manoeuvre. 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 Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) **Driver Trainer and Road Safety Consultant **Email: sdieseruvwe@gmail.com **Tel: +2348167814928

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Kia Produces New Cars

All-New Discovery SVX

Land Rover Reveals All-Terrain Champion, Discovery SVX at Frankfurt IAA Stori es by Bennett Oghifo

and Rover has revealed the All-New Discovery SVX, the ultimate Discovery for off-road enthusiasts seeking epic adventures. All-New Discovery SVX, launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show, adds extreme all-terrain capability to the Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) product triangle. SVX will sit alongside the acclaimed Range Rover Sport SVR and Range Rover SVAutobiography, which are hallmarks for outstanding on-road performance and supreme luxury, respectively. All-New Discovery SVX will be the first Land Rover hand-assembled by expert craftsmen

at the SVO Technical Centre in the UK when production begins in 2018, according to the automaker. John Edwards, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director, said: â€œSVO designers are embedded within the Land Rover team and have worked with our engineers to unleash their own passion for adventure to create another truly desirable and versatile vehicle in the Land Rover line-up.â€? All-New Discovery SVX embodies the design excellence and engineering integrity that are core values of every Land Rover, building on the legendary Land Rover all-terrain capability and adventurous spirit to deliver the ultimate in off-road performance and desirability. Since its global launch in 2016, the fifth-gener-

ation Discovery, built on Land Roverâ€™s strong, safe and light aluminium architecture, has won admiration as the worldâ€™s best full-size versatile SUV. That makes it the perfect base for SVOâ€™s first SVX vehicle. All-New Discovery is the first modern Land Rover to wear the SVX badge. Mark Stanton, SVO Director, said: â€œThe SVX product line gives us a fantastic opportunity to deliver the ultimate Land Rover all-terrain capability in a dynamic and distinctive manner, creating a rugged and versatile SUV that the whole family will love: effortless, unstoppable and connected, whatever the terrain. â€œDiscovery SVX is designed to reward offroad driving enthusiasts with the next level of all-terrain capability, without compromising comfort and practicality.â€?

ome and feel the excitement and thrill - as we celebrate some of the most outstanding additions ever to the Kia line-up at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, said the automaker in a statement, during the week. â€œOne special highlight is an exciting glimpse into the future - with the world debut of the Kia Proceed concept. This extended hot hatch is our vision of how the vibrant spirit of the pro_ceeâ€™d could be reincarnated and revitalised for a new generation of drivers - with a captivating design, bespoke cabin detailing, outstanding performance and more. Itâ€™s the pro_ceeâ€™d reborn, bursting onto the stage and more beautiful than ever before. â€œWeâ€™re also very excited to unveil the new Kia Stonic, which brings a bold design, dynamic driving and a fresh new agility to the compact crossover segment. Now is your opportunity to experience its sharp horizontal lines, intuitive features and advanced technologies for yourself. â€œYou can also look forward to the authentic gran turismo spirit, iconic boldness, premium quality and heartpounding performance of the new Kia Stinger. Get up close and marvel from all angles - both inside and out,â€? the statement said.

Nissan Gripz Concept: a Radical Sports Crossover

rossover pioneer Nissan has revealed a new concept car which points to an innovative new future for the marque. Conceived by designers in Europe and Japan, the Nissan Gripz Concept blends the ability and practicality of a compact crossover with the excitement and performance of a sports car. Infused with an exciting and adventurous feel, thanks to its radical design and advanced powertrain concept - the Nissan Gripz Concept is Nissanâ€™s next move as a game changer, and is a glimpse of how a future compact crossover from the pioneer of the segment might look. The Nissan Gripz Concept is designed as a

car with a dual personality; a vehicle that can handle the day-to-day commute and deliver a genuine adventure at the weekend. In the same way a cyclist will use a bike to get to work and then head out on that same machine for an adrenaline fuelled ride when the working day is over, so too can the driver of the Nissan Gripz Concept tackle the city streets during the week before enjoying a drive over a mountain pass on a day off. Inspiration Although maintaining a similar footprint to a compact crossover, the Nissan Gripz Concept has the silhouette of a sports car with a raised ride height, equipped to conquer more challenging driving conditions.

The Nissan Gripz Concept

A Marshal Under Siege

love Denzel Washington. He is my favorite actor and a delight to watch in whatever role he is cast. As a young actor, Denzel provided for me the inspiration to deliver on stage . I recall several times when I had to study him for inspiration especially when I was to be cast as Sizwe Bansi in Arthold Fuggerâ€™s Sizwe Bansi is Dead during my days as a member of Theartre15,at the University of Lagos. Without sounding immodest, one of my critics then at the University of Lagos, late Professor Femi Adetugbo who was then Dean, Faculty of Arts described our performance as the best he had seen, rivaling a similar performance he saw in the United Kingdom performed by professional actors. Although this piece is not about Denzel but his movies, Under Siege and a Man on Fire provides for me the title for todayâ€™s piece. If you are also a fan of his, then you must relish his performance in those movies. Like him, I was under siege and also came under fire, although a different kind of fire. I am sure you never heard that I was under fire. Not like the kind of fire Bovi and his crazy crew put themselves under whenever it is time for them to thrill Nigerians with back to back comedy by the very best the entertainment industry can boast of. My fire was not from the nozzle of a gun like the case of my colleagues in Aba, Abia state. Mine was ignited by some

SAFE DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

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

transporters who a fortnight ago laid siege on my command along the Jos-Zaria Road in Jos,the Plateau State capital. Incidentally, this happened while we were discussing with their leaders. Their actions threw me off balance bringing flashes of a discussion I had some years back with the former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka on what Nigerians really want. Let me bring you up to speed on some issues in contention. Top on their agenda was what they termed the regular mobile court sitting, the ongoing enforcement on speed limiting device which commenced nationwide in February after months of advisory enforcement that entailed subtle enforcement without arrest, ticketing but rather extensive advocacy and public enlightenment in keeping with the position of the various stakeholders who had asked for robust enlightenment.In summary they desired

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

worse in Nigeria. Proof of this abounds across FRSC commands. Even though most of these incidents occurred in commands outside my watch but I must say say here that there have been some bad cases earlier. Before I left Port Harcourt where I spent 12 months, I recall a case where construction workers mobilised under the leading of a uniformed personnel to mob and assault a patrol team, inflicting injuries on the team leader. His offence was that he stopped a vehicle belonging to a coloured driver who refered to himself as an expatriate. Even though he failed to stop, he still had the effrontery to drive into their site, instigate Nigerian labourers to mob and assault their fellow brother in defence of a coloured driver who they mistook for a white man. The incident in Abak was totally different. So too was the one which the Punch editorial rightly captured thus: In another incident in Calabar in January: Cletus Okune, a driver attached to the Cross River State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Peter Egba, was remanded in Afokang Prison in the city for allegedly assaulting two members of the FRSC. The Commissioner, according to newspaper reports, was not in the vehicle when it was impounded for a number of traffic offences, including driving without fastening of seat belts. But, on arrival at the scene, Egba reportedly ordered his driver to assault them. â€œThe Commissioner later joined in the beating and also used a stone to injure a colleague in the head,â€? Fidelis Eteng, one of the victims, said Egba denied ordering the assault.

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FAMILY HEALTH with

Stomach Ulcer in Man

ous atural foods are of such tremendous help to the human body. They are endowed with enormous amountt of ody nutrients that help the human body in building, maintain and protect. bles These include fruits , vegetables ake amongst all other nutrients that make d by up the essential nutrients , needed the human body. n to It is therefore important that we pay attention um these super fruits and vegetables, and get the maximum benefits from them. ents The body needs a variety of the following 5 nutrients als - protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins and minerals ive. from the food we eat to stay healthy and productive. scle, Protein - is needed to build, maintain and repair muscle, ans blood, skin and bones and other tissues and organs in the body. ntial Good food is important for us . Food is essential for our bodies to: r EFWFMPQ SFQMBDF BOE SFQBJS DFMMT BOE UJTTVFT SL r QSPEVDF FOFSHZ UP LFFQ XBSN NPWF BOE XPSL UJPO r DBSSZ PVU DIFNJDBM QSPDFTTFT TVDI BT UIF EJHFTUJPO PG GPPE PWFS r QSPUFDU BHBJOTU SFTJTU BOE Ă HIU JOGFDUJPO BOE SFDPWFS from sickness. Food is needed by the human body for energy, to repair and build cells and to prevent sickness and heal from it. While it is possible to obtain nutrients in a scientifically controlled manner, common food is the most efficient way of obtaining energy and nutrients Protein - is needed to build, maintain and repair muscle, blood, skin and bones and other tissues and organs in the body. Foods rich in protein include meat, eggs, dairy and fish. Carbohydrate provides the body with its main source of energy. $BSCPIZESBUFT DBO CF DMBTTJĂ FE JOUP UXP LJOET starches and sugars. Food rich in starches include rice, maize, wheat and potatoes and food rich in sugars include fruit, honey, sweets and chocolate bars. Fat -This is the bodyâ€™s secondary source of energy. Fat actually provides more energy/calories per gram than any other nutrient, but is more difficult to burn. Food rich in fats are oils, butter, lard, milk, cheese and some meat. Vitamins and Minerals - Vitamins and minerals are needed in very small amounts and are sometimes called micronutrients, but are essential for good health. They control many functions and processes in the body, and in the case of minerals also help build body tissue such as bones (calcium) and blood (iron ].In addition to the above nutrients Fibre and Water are also essential for a good healthy diet. A Balanced Diet To stay healthy we not only need all of the above 5 nutrients in our diet but we also need them in the correct quantities . This is what we mean by a balanced diet. The consequences of not having a balanced diet are numerous: if you do not eat enough protein, you XJMM OPU CF BCMF UP HSPX QSPQFSMZ JG ZPV EP OPU FBU enough energy containing foods (eg carbohydrates and GBU ZPV XJMM GFFM WFSZ UJSFE BOE JG ZPV FBU UPP NVDI energy containing foods you will become overweight. Many people in the developed world eat too much of some types of food, for example a lot of saturated fats, and become overweight. Obesity is becoming a big problem in the developed world. One third of all Americans are obese. Being obese has serious health implications including increasing your chances of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, having a stroke or getting a number of forms of cancer. In the developing world, on the other hand, many people suffer from: Hunger, or under nutrition, whereby they do not have enough food or Malnutrition, which means â€˜badly nourishedâ€™ and is as much about what you eat as how much. Malnutrition is characterised by inadequate intake of protein, energy and/or micronutrients and by frequent infection and disease. r &BU TUBQMF GPPET XJUI FWFSZ NFBM Staple foods should make up the largest part of a meal. These foods are relatively cheap and supply a good amount of energy and some protein. Staples include cereals (such as rice, maize, millet, sorghum, wheat and barley), starchy roots (such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava and yams) and starchy fruit (such as plantains). However, staple foods are not enough to provide all the nutrients the body needs. Other foods must be eaten to provide additional energy, proteins and micronutrients. r &BU MFHVNFT JG QPTTJCMF FWFSZ EBZ These foods provide a person with the proteins

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, Í¸Î€Í¸Í˝ÍťÍťÍżÍşÍťÍ˝Íž

Apples Why theyâ€™re super: Apples are the richest fruit source of pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to lower fi fib blood pressure, redu reduce cholesterol, decrease the risk of colon and breast cancers, and maybe even lessen c the severity of diabet diabetes. How to enjoy them: them Try throwing a few slices on your favorite sandwich or toss with field greens, sandw toasted pecans, and a light vinaigrette for a delicious salad. With so many varieties available, youâ€™ll never get bored finding new ways to incorporate them into your y yo ur daily diet. Avocados Why theyâ€™re super: Just one half of a th medium-size medium-s avocado contains more than 4 fiber and 15% of your recommended grams of fib fi daily folate intake. Cholesterol-free and rich in monounsaturated fats and potassium, in monoun avocados aare also a powerhouse for heart health. How to enjoy them: Use avocados as the base for a creamy homemade sandwich spread, or add ad a few chunks to your favorite salsa sa alsa for a simple and delicious way to dress up grilled chicken fish. grril illled d chi hick ken n or fi sh h

Foods from animals and ďŹ sh should also be eaten as often as you can aďŹ€ord them. They supply goodquality proteins, vitamins and minerals and extra energy. They will help to strengthen muscles and the immune system. These foods include all forms of meat, poultry (birds), ďŹ sh, eggs and dairy products such as milk, sour milk, buttermilk, yoghurt and cheese. If insects, such as caterpillars or grasshoppers, are part of your diet, they also provide good nutrients

needed to develop and repair the body and also to build up strong muscles. They are good sources of vitamins, minerals and fibre and help to keep the immune system active. Legumes include beans, peas, lentils, groundnuts (including peanut butter) and soybeans. When eaten with staple foods the quality of protein is increased. Legumes are a cheaper protein source than animal foods, such as beef and chicken, and should be eaten every day, if possible. r &BU BOJNBM BOE NJML QSPEVDUT SFHVMBSMZ Foods from animals and fish should also be eaten as often as you can afford them. They supply good-quality proteins, vitamins and minerals and extra energy. They will help to strengthen muscles and the immune system. These foods include all forms of meat, poultry (birds), fish, eggs and dairy products such as milk, sour milk, buttermilk, yoghurt and cheese. If insects, such as caterpillars or grasshoppers, are part of your diet, they also provide good nutrients. r &BU WFHFUBCMFT BOE GSVJU FWFSZ EBZ Vegetables and fruit are an important part of a healthy and balanced meal. They supply the vitamins and minerals that keep the body functioning and the immune system strong. Below are some very good vegetables and fruits that gives natural nourishment to the body. Beets Why theyâ€™re super: Beets are loaded with antioxidants and have been found to protect against cancer, heart disease, and inflammation. Naturally sweet and full of fiber and vitamin C, beets make a delicious and nutrient-packed addition to any meal. How to enjoy them: Try finely grated raw beets in your salads or roast them along with sweet potatoes and parsnips for a colorful and flavorful side-dishâ€”just keep in mind that certain cooking methods (like boiling) may decrease their nutritional value. And donâ€™t forget about the leafy green tops, which are rich in iron and folate, and can be prepared much like their cousins, Swiss chard and spinach. Sweet potatoes Why theyâ€™re super: Need a beta-carotene fix? Just one medium sweet potato packs over four times the recommended daily amount. These tasty tubers are also rich in potassium, inflammation-fighting vitamin C, and vitamin B6, which may prevent clogged arteries. How to enjoy them: Boiling sweet potatoes may cause some of the water-soluble vitamins to leach out, so try them baked, roasted, or cubed, and added to soups or stews. If you need a boost of fiber, make sure to leave the skins on. Walnuts Why theyâ€™re super: One-quarter cup of walnuts supplies 90% of the daily recommended amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which aid in everything from maintaining cognitive function, to improving cholesterol and blood pressure. How to enjoy them: Toss a few toasted walnut halves on your oatmeal (another heart-healthy superfood) or try them on your favorite salad for a tasty crunch. Yogurt Why itâ€™s super: Yogurt contains probiotics, which are bacteria that live in the intestine, aid in digestion, boost the immune system, diminish bad breath, and are even associated with longer life spans. A 1-cup serving also supplies one-third of your daily calcium requirement, as well as 14 grams of satisfying protein. How to enjoy it: Opt for low-fat or nonfat versions to minimize saturated fat, and try substituting plain yogurt for a healthier alternative to sour cream. Lactose intolerant? Look for soy or rice milk varieties.

Spinach Why itâ€™s super: Powerful antioxidants in spinach have been found to combat a variety of cancers, including ovarian, breast, and colon cancers. And itâ€™s good for the noggin: Research indicates that spinach reduces the decline in brain function associated with aging and protects the heart from cardiovascular disease. Although it contains relatively high amounts of iron and calcium, oxalate compounds bind to these minerals and diminish their absorption. How to enjoy it: Spinach has a mild flavor, so spice it up with garlic, olive oil, and onions. Pumpkins Why theyâ€™re super: This hearty, fiber-rich squash is packed with beta-carotene (converted to vitamin A in the body), which reduces the risk of developing lung cancer. The antioxidant activity of this vitamin combined with potassium, which may help prevent high blood pressure, makes it a nutritional superstar. How to enjoy them: If you prepare a whole squash, toast the seeds for a delicious snack containing hearthealthy fats. The sweet taste and moist texture makes it ideal for desserts. Papayas Why theyâ€™re super: Trying to get more vitamin C in your diet? One cup of papaya cubes supplies more than 100% of your daily requirement, as well as a hefty dose of potassium and folate. It is also a good source PG WJUBNJOT " BOE & UXP QPXFSGVM BOUJPYJEBOUT UIBU protect against heart disease and colon cancer. How to enjoy them: Savor the rich, buttery flesh of this tropical fruit in smoothies and salads, or simply scoop it out of the shell with a spoon. Oranges Why theyâ€™re super: Just one medium orange (think tennis ball) supplies all your daily vitamin C, which is a dynamite immunity booster and cancer fighter. And consuming vitamin C is best done in its natural form: Italian researchers also found that test subjects had greater antioxidant protection after drinking orange juice versus vitamin Câ€“fortified water. Plus, this sweet and tangy fruit is a good source of fiber, potassium, calcium, folate, and other B vitamins. How to enjoy them: The tangy taste of oranges makes a great combination with other strong flavors, such as ginger and honey. Put them on salads, or use them in marinades and sauces for meats. Flaxseed Why itâ€™s super: Not only does flaxseed lower blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack, but it is also a rich source of lignan, a powerful antioxidant that may be a powerful ally against disease and certain cancers, especially breast cancer. Just 2 tablespoons of ground seeds (which are digested more efficiently than whole seeds) contain about 20% of the recommended daily fiber* intake and more than 100% of the recommended intake for inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids. How to enjoy it: Add ground flaxseed to baked goods for a nutty flavor or sprinkle it on top of your favorite cereal. Itâ€™s also delicious when blended with yogurt and fresh fruit for a tasty smoothie. Cranberries Why theyâ€™re super: Cranberries are renowned for protecting against urinary tract infections, but did you also know they may improve blood cholesterol and aid in recovery from strokes? Cranberry juice has also been shown to make cancer drugs more potent. How to enjoy them: Although available frozen yearround, enjoy these tart and tangy berries fresh during their peak season from October through December.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ë¾ JUNE 16, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

NORTH LONDON DERBY

PAGE. 29

16.09.2017

Sloane Stephens

From Obscurity to Limelight

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍż

From Obscurity to Limelight Ă™ ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂšĂ&#x;Ăž Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ Ă–Ă™Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ĂžĂ?ĂšĂ’Ă?Ă˜Ă? ĂžĂ™ Ă?Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ëœ Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ™ ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă? ÍžÎ ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă”Ă&#x;ĂœĂŁ Ă–Ă‹ĂŁĚ‹Ă™ĘĽ ĂžĂ™ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă‹Ă— Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœË› Ă™ĂĄĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ ĂžĂ’Ă? ÍşÍźĚ‹ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĚ‹Ă™Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ?Ă‹Ăž ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă– ĂžĂ™ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă–Ă™ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă•Ă?ĂŽ ĂšĂ–Ă‹ĂŁĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă’Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ ĂžĂ™ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă‹Ă—

t the end of July Sloane Stephens was ranked 957 in the world, but will move up to No 17 after winning her maiden Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows. Unseeded Stephens produced an emphatic display to dismantle fellow American, Madison Keys and win her first Grand Slam title at the US Open last Saturday. In the first All-American final since the Williams sisters played each other for the title in 2002, Stephens ran riot to win 6-3 6-0 in a surprisingly one-sided encounter on Arthur Ashe Stadium, to join 2009 champion Kim Clijsters as the only unseeded women's champions in the Open era. "It's incredible," said Stephens. "If someone told me when I had surgery that I would win the US Open, it's impossible I would say. Coming back, just being able to keep it all together, this journey's been incredible and I wouldn't change it for the world. I should just retire now. I told Maddie I'm never going to top this. Things just have to come together and the last five or six weeks they really have. I just have to say thanks to my team because in the toughest times we stuck together. This one's for all of us." Keys, playing with her right thigh heavily strapped, made 30 unforced errors, as a clinical Stephens, who made just six errors in the entire match, closed out the contest in just 61 minutes and become the fifth lowest-ranked woman to win a Grand Slam title in the Open era. Keys fought back tears as she said: "Sloane is truly one of my favourite people. To play her was really special. Obviously I didn't play my best tennis and was disappointed but Sloane being the great friend she is was very supportive and if there's someone I had to lose to today, I'm glad it's her." Born March 20, 1993 In Platation, Florida, to Sybil Smith, who, in 1988 as a swimmer at Boston University, became the first African-American female to be named First Team All-American in Division I history and John Stephens, a professional American football player. John Stephens was killed in a car accident on September 1, 2009, just before the start of the US Open. Sloane Stephens attended her father's funeral in Louisiana, but

she remained entered in the US Open. She started playing tennis at the age of nine, at the Sierra Sport and Racquet Club, in California, where her mother and stepfather introduced her to the sport. Two years later, Stephens relocated from to Boca Raton, Florida, where she began training at the prestigious Evert Tennis Academy. A year later, at the age of 12, Stephens stepped up her training once again by joining the Nick Saviano High Performance Tennis Academy, and switching to online-based home-schooling, which allowed her to maximize her time spent on the court. She graduated from high school in 2011and currently splits time between her home in Florida and Los Angeles, where she trains at the USTA training center at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. She stated that her favorite surface is clay when she entered the 2012 Wimbledon Championship. Everything about her however changed last Saturday when she won her first Grand Slam. â€œIf you told someone this story, they'd be, like, 'That's insane'â€?, Stephens said. Just 69 days after returning from an 11-month injury lay-off, and six weeks since her ranking dropped to 957, Stephens became only the fifth unseeded woman to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open era. And she later revealed it was boredom as much as nerves that threatened to upset her equilibrium during the 48 hours between semi-final and final at Flushing Meadows. "I was literally in my room twiddling my thumbs,' she said. "I was looking at car reviews last night on Auto Trader, like literally. That's how bored I was. I didn't have anything to do." Stephens admitted that the nerves finally took hold as she stepped out onto Arthur Ashe Stadium - but a little over an hour later her eyes were bulging as a cheque for $3.7m (ÂŁ2.8m) was handed to her and she was announced as a Grand Slam champion. She said: "There are no words to describe how I got here, because if you told someone this story they'd be, like, 'that's insane'."

Stephens headed into the crowd to embrace her mother after clinching victory

'There is no positive to not being able to walk' It is four years since Stephens first grabbed worldwide headlines when she beat compatriot Serena Williams in the Australian Open quarter-finals. The likes of NBA stars Shaquille O'Neal and Dirk Nowitzki, and singer John Legend, congratulated her on social media, and a star had seemingly been born. In the event, progress was harder going until 2016 when she won three titles, cementing her place in the top 30 and apparently on the up. A right foot stress fracture halted that momentum, forcing her to withdraw from the US Open last August, and she would not return until Wimbledon. Surgery followed in January and for the next 16 weeks, Stephens was on crutches and unable to put any pressure on her foot. Just a month before Wimbledon, she was still wearing a protective boot. "There is no positive to not being able to walk and being on one leg," said Stephens. That's not fun for anyone." Finally, Stephens stepped back on court in July - and first-round defeats at Wimbledon and in Washington were entirely predictable. Her ranking plummeted to 957. What followed was, in her words on Saturday night, "insane". The victory over Keys was her 15th in 17 matches, the kind of form shown by someone vying to be number one rather than avoid slipping outside the top 1,000. "When I had surgery, I was not thinking that I would be anywhere near a US Open title," she said. "Nor did I think I was going to be anywhere near the top 100." 'Sloane's been amazing with adversity' Sybil Smith made her tournament debut in the player box for the final as her daughter made history. "It was nice that we got it right for the two weeks, and I came out with the title," said Stephens. It is eight years since Stephens attended her father's funeral on the eve of the US Open, after he died in a car accident in Louisiana. Estranged from the family, John Stephens had been a running back in the NFL for the New England Patriots, the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. But it was her mother, Sybil, an all-American swimmer, who brought up Stephens, and that included introducing the nine-year-old to tennis. "Obviously my whole life my mum has been very supportive," said Stephens. "She's been in my corner the whole time. "I have had a lot of ups and a lot of downs - and some really low downs - and throughout that, my mum has been there 100 per cent with me." Inspired to play tennis?

SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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

Congrats Plateau United, But Beware Of Your Success

Plateau United Captain lifts the 2017 NPFL trophy

The champion looked shocked when she received her cheque

It was at a tennis academy in her native Florida that Stephens learned the game, and also where she met Laura Robson as an 11-year-old. The British number four, 23, was clearly moved on Saturday night by seeing two of her friends and contemporaries on the US Open presentation stage, posting on social media: "Who's cutting onions?" Robson might use both women as inspiration for her own struggle back up the rankings following injury. Stephens has spent as much time in 2017 as a TV presenter on a US tennis channel - what Keys described as "her second job" - as she has on court, helping fill her time during the 11-month injury lay-off. Describing herself as in "a sad place", the television work proved to be a boost to morale. Paul Annacone, ex-coach of Pete Sampras, worked with Stephens for eight months in 2014, and again on her TV work this year. He believes the extended break from tennis had some benefit. "I think it has helped Sloane become more focused and realise that the window is closing, ever so slightly," he told BBC Radio 5 live. "That's allowed her to go on court with a much more relentless ability to compete and deal with adversity. I think historically she has got a little bit nervous in stages, and then when adversity has set in she's struggled a little bit to compete through it. This summer, Sloane's been amazing with adversity." The semi-final victory over fellow American Venus Williams in New York took her record in three-set matches this summer to 8-0. 'He should have got a hat-trick' Stephens will not be short of family and friends, including Keys, to celebrate with in New York. Her coach, Kamau Murray, and team have exuded calm, happily posing with fans in the public plaza at Flushing

Meadows earlier in the week. It is unlikely Serena Williams joined the party eight days after giving birth to her first child, but the 23-time Grand Slam champion posted her support on social media before the final. "There are no words to describe how proud and how happy I am," Williams said on Twitter. One person absent from the player box on Arthur Ashe Stadium was Stephens' boyfriend, Jozy Altidore, a former forward for Sunderland in the Premier League, now leading the line for Toronto FC. Otherwise engaged in MLS action against San Jose, he revealed that he found out the result of the final from his mother in the stands at half-time. Altidore then scored twice in the second half of a 4-0 win. "That's really good," said Stephens, before adding: "He should have got a hat-trick. It would have been such a good day. Goodness."

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

lateau United made history last Saturday when they became champions of Nigeria for the very first time. A deserved 2-0 home win over defending champions Rangers at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos ensured they converted 34 weeks at the summit of the Nigerian Professional Football League table into their most important piece of silverware ever. Winning the NPFL title is always a close race, and for back-to-back seasons now the champions were decided on the final day. Lagos-based MFM FC were just a point behind going into the last round, meaning that Plateau needed to win to be certain of the crown. Having been virtually invincible at home all season; winning 16 times and drawing twice, it was expected they would get the job done. Against arguably the biggest club in Nigerian football history however, none would have been surprised if there were some late drama. In the end a truly special opening goal by Emeka Umeh and a late finish by substitute Benjamin Turba made certain that the trophy would return to the beautiful highland state for the first time since Might Jets’ triumph 45 years ago. Congratulations to the Peace Boys and to the governor of Plateau State Simon Lalong for the support the team received throughout the season. As far as our league goes, triumphant teams have usually been those heavily backed by state government resources, and Lalong did his fair bit. The club showed their appreciation, maybe a bit too much, when Lalong led the victory celebrations. Not only was his Excellency quickly handed the trophy to hoist, he left the arena with it shortly after; largely denying most of the players the joy of posing for photographs with their long-awaited prize. It also meant the TV viewing audience missed the raw emotions in the celebration of the players which helps make moments of triumph a huge deal in international sports. The governor must however note that we are extremely poor at dealing with success in this country. Success quickly gets into our heads and we begin to misbehave until we fail. Last season Rangers practically fell to pieces after their first league triumph in 32 years. Rather unwisely, they sold their best player Chisom Egbuchulam for peanuts to a backwater league in Europe and unsurprisingly finished 13th on the table this year, even flirting with relegation at some point during the season. Imama Amapakabo, the coach that snapped the spell, was shown little respect before being sacked. Not only was he owed a backlog of wages (N58.7m by his own account), his pleas for the strengthening of the squad fell on deaf ears. 2015 champions Enyimba suffered the same fate, finishing 10th in 2016. Plateau

may want to learn from the duo or they could just be battling relegation next year. So Plateau, keep your best players and coaching crew, and give them significant raises for a job well done. Not only do they deserve it, they need the motivation for bigger battles to come. The biggest of such battles will be their maiden campaign in the CAF Champions League next year. Prize money for winning the continental competition currently stands at $2.5m or N898.7m at today’s exchange rate. That is good cash for a club like Plateau, in addition to the invaluable promotional value playing in Africa would give the beautiful state. But those rewards have to be labored for. Rather than sell the club’s best players there would be a need to add a few top players to strengthen the squad. If the club can get to the group stage of the Champions League, that would mean a prize money of at least $550,000 (N197.7m). That kind of money should cover whatever additional costs go into strengthening the team. It would also make the club even more competitive in the new NPFL season. Good job NTA and Supersport Courtesy of national broadcaster NTA and longtime league broadcaster Supersport, the country got to see the season finale live as Plateau and MFM dueled openly for the crown. NTA’s involvement in the live broadcast of the league after over a decade is a development that must be encouraged as this means an explosion in the number of eyeballs watching the league. This would further pressure owners, officials and fans into doing the right things, and this can only be great for the league. If this is continued next season, and I believe it should, it would also make the league more attractive to fans and sponsors. Those pitches, dang! The downside to beaming the finale live was the quality of the pitches on display. Neither the Jos pitch nor the El-Kanemi pitch looked any good for the grand finish to the season, and that’s putting it mildly. In a manner of speaking, pitches are like the clothes people wear to an occasion; no matter how good-looking and brilliant they are, they must be properly dressed. You don’t have to dress expensively, just decently. Those pitches looked like Baba Sala straight off the set and into a cocktail party at the Transcorp Hilton. This is not so much a maligning of those behind these pitches, but a call to action. Ours is an insanely competitive and increasingly shrinking globe and we need to raise our game; invest in dress it up a wee bit. Continental football comes to Lagos! Just two seasons ago, MFM joined the premier division for the first time, alongside city rivals Ikorodu United, and ensured that top-flight football returned to Lagos for the first time in a decade. The church-backed side battled relegation in their maiden season, but bounced back this year to go within four points of the title. Their reward is Champions League football, and our reward is that the continent’s finest are coming to Lagos. It cannot be a day too soon.

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London Derby: Chelsea Seek Revenge against Arsenal Ę°Ă?Ăœ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ™ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă—Ă—Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă–ĂŽËœ Ă˜ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă“Ă™ Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă‹Ă? Ă’Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă‹ ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ™ ĂžĂ‹Ă—Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽ ĂœĂ“ĂŽĂ‘Ă? ĂžĂ™Ă—Ă™ĂœĂœĂ™ĂĄË› ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă? Ă’Ă™ĂĄĂ?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă™ĂšĂžĂ“Ă—Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂœĂ“ĂŽĂ‘Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂž

rsene Wenger is confident Arsenal can pick up the points they want at Chelsea on Super Sunday, and says mentality will be key. Arsenal face a Chelsea side who have won their last three in the Premier League after their opening-day defeat by Burnley at Stamford Bridge, while the Gunners have won two and lost two of their opening four games. Wenger, speaking to Sky Sports, says Arsenal must not be too obsessed by their opponents, and knows they must perform better defensively following their 4-0 defeat at Liverpool three weeks ago. "It's an important game for us," the Arsenal manager said. "The way we deal with that on Sunday will have an importance on our season. But it's very early. I'm confident that away from home we will get the points we want, but certainly mentally for our team it is important to play well and get a positive result. "As always the key is to be much better defensively than we were at Anfield, and to be much more dangerous going forward. By not being too obsessed by our opponent and not to forget to play our football. Chelsea had a surprising early defeat but after that they have responded very well, to beat Tottenham and Leicester away from home. Overall since their first home defeat, they have played three difficult teams and won their games, so it looks again like they will fight for the Premier League." Alexis Sanchez returned to the starting line-up for Arsenal on Thursday, scoring a fine goal in their 3-1 win over Cologne in the Europa League group stages. Wenger says the Chile international is getting back to his best, and once he is physically fit again, will be starting every game. "It was never a mental problem, because Alexis loves the game and loves to play," Wenger said. "He came back, I gave him a long breather, over four weeks holiday, because he had not had decent rest in recent years. "Then he got injured, and now he is coming slowly back to his best physically, in the second half you could see that. His physical performance against Cologne was better, and he is slowly coming back to his best. "The supporters, of course, can sometimes be disappointed, but as well they acknowledge the performance on the pitch. That's what they want from their players first. Alexis is a guy who turns up on the pitch and performs for the club when he plays. I think he's very close now to his best, and when he will be back completely physically, he would be starting every game." Arsenal's dealings in the transfer market were heavily criticised by fans, but Wenger says the club are happy with their business, and also insists the transfer market does not reward sides like Arsenal who attempt to balance spending. Wenger said: "You have to live with all kinds of opinions, but at the end of the day you have to make decisions, rational decisions, and these decisions are guided first by the sportive interests, but as well by the financial respect of your balance sheet. "That's what we do, we try to combine both. That is not easy because the transfer market is completely deregulated for clubs who live the way we live. So you have to be shrewd. "We brought in (Alexandre) Lacazette and (Sead) Kolasinac and we are very happy with both of them, and we kept most of our players." Meanwhile, N'Golo Kante has identified his France international team-mate Alexandre Lacazette as the key to Chelsea stopping Arsenal on Sunday. Arsenal spent a club-record ÂŁ52million to buy Lacazette in July from Lyon, where he found the net 100 times in Ligue 1.

Coquellin stops Victor Moses The 26-year-old has adapted quickly to the Premier League too, scoring in wins over Leicester and Bournemouth. And Kante, who impressed on his first Champions League appearance in Tuesday's 6-0 win against Qarabag, said: "I think maybe in England, you donâ€™t know him very well. "But in France, he was a very good goalscorer who scored for many, many years and he will be a threat for Sundayâ€™s game. "We have to be ready to stop him but the most important thing is the team and we need to win." Another big match in the Premier League this weekend is the Manchester United Everton encounter as the Merseysider travel to Old Trafford in attempt to get their domestic season back on track. Mourinhoâ€™s men dropped points for the first time this season last weekend after a trip to Stoke City resulted in a 2-2 draw. It was the only time this season that United looked suspect in defence and the Potters took advantage with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scoring a brace. The Bet365 Stadium, however, is renowned as a difficult ground to go to and pick up three points. In their only other home game this season, Stoke shocked everyone by beating Arsenal 1-0 when new loanee signing Jese scored the only goal. Mark Hughesâ€™ side is one to watch this season for upsets. Everton, on the other hand, have had a difficult start to the season. They may have beaten Stoke at Goodison, but theyâ€™re yet to win another game after defeats to Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspurs while picking up an important point against Manchester City. It remains to be seen after a decent summer whether Ronald Koeman can utilise his new group of players and gel them together quickly. If the Dutch manager can make them click in the opening months, thereâ€™s no reason why Everton canâ€™t challenge the top Premier League clubs. Michael Keane will return to Old Trafford where he came through as a youth graduate before Louis van Gaal agreed to sell the player to Burnley. It was under the management of Sean Dyche that Keane became an England international and earned a move worth approximately ÂŁ30m to Goodison Park. Moreover, Keane was a target for United before Mourinho opted to sign former Benfica defender Victor Lindelof. The Everton defender will get a good reception at Old Trafford on Sunday. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho has said Wayne Rooney will be welcomed as a "real legend" when

he returns to Old Trafford. England's record goalscorer left United to return to boyhood club Everton this summer after 13 successful years with the Red Devils. Rooney, who since returning to Merseyside has retired from international football, is also the highest scorer in United's history and this Sunday returns to the club where he scored a record 253 goals in 559 appearances. Mourinho expects the Old Trafford faithful to show the 31-year-old the appreciation he deserves, but the United boss hopes supporters put that welcome on hold during the match. "I think that he will get the welcome that he deserves," the Portuguese said. "I think sometimes in this country the word 'legend' comes too easily. That's not his case, he's a real legend of the club. The number of appearances, the number of goals, the number of trophies - I think clearly he's one of the most important players in the history of Manchester United. And I think the stadium will show him that respect that he deserves, I hope before the match and after the match, not during the match." Ronald Koeman's men have conceded eight goals in defeats to Chelsea, Tottenham and Atalanta, with that three-match losing streak the tail-end of a five-game winless run. While Everton have threats in their armoury, they know better than anyone what a handful Romelu Lukaku will pose. Signed from the Toffees for an initial ÂŁ75mil-

Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ ĂžĂ™ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ 17/04/02

Chelsea

3-1

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16/24/09

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3-0

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16/24/01

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15/19/09

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2-0

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15/26/04

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14/05/ 10

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2-0

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14/22/03

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6-0

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13/23/12

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13/20/01

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lion over the summer, the Belgium striker has netted six goals in as many games in a seamless start to life at United. "I think he came to us at the right moment - at a good age, with a good number of years of experience in different clubs in the Premier League," Mourinho added.

Fixtures TODAY Crystal Palace v HuddersďŹ eld v Liverpool v Newcastle v Watford v West Brom v Tottenham v

Southampton Leicester Burnley Stoke City Man City West Ham Swansea City

12:30 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 17:30

SUNDAY Chelsea Man Utd

Arsenal Everton

13:30 16:00

v v

ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Man Utd Man City Chelsea Watford Tottenham HuddersďŹ eld Burnley Liverpool West Brom Newcastle Arsenal Stoke Southampton Brighton Swansea Everton Leicester West Ham Bournemouth Crystal Palace

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

10 8 3 4 4 2 1 0 0 1 -1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -2 -6 -7 -7

10 10 9 8 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 0 0

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍż

ËşËş

L-R: Akinola Salu, General Manager, GOtv; RaďŹ u Ladipo, President of NBB of C; Jenkinns Alumona, Managing Director, FlyKite Promotions and Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing and sales, MultiChoice Nigeria during the GOtv Boxing Night 12 Press Conference held at The Regent Hotel, Joel Ogunnike Street, Ikeja, GRA...recently.

Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua

Rangers: Gov. Ugwuanyi Inaugurates 10man Panel of Inquiry

Joshua Backs Fury to Rediscover Passion

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

Anthony Joshua expects Tyson Fury to rediscover his passion for boxing because he will â€œfind peaceâ€? inside the ring. Fury has not boxed for nearly two years, since ending Wladimir Klitschko's world heavyweight title reign, due to issues concerning mental health, anti-doping and his boxing licence. Asked if he expected Fury to return, Joshua told Sky Sports: "In my heart, I do. It's all we know. It's what we've given our youth to, and our young adult life to. "You can have a year or two off through mistakes and complacency but, deep down, it's all you know so you'll always come home. The boxing ring is where he will find peace." Fury is still waiting for the resumption of his hearing with UK Anti-Doping, after being charged with "the presence of a prohibited substance", before his boxing future can be resolved. The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed to Sky Sports that, as of Thursday, they had not been notified of a new start date. Meanwhile, Joshua will next defend his IBF and WBA gold against Kubrat Pulev at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on October 28, and rates his next opponent among the most dangerous rivals in the division. "My biggest threat is two people," Joshua said. "My next challenger, because if I make one slip-up it all goes wrong, Kubrat Pulev. "Loads of experience, really good jab, he's always kept himself at world title level. He's very talented, in that sense. "Deontay Wilder is making noise in the States and that's a fight that people want to see. So Wilder is a threat, as well. "I can't let myself down. I'm capable of beating everyone - this is my ego talking - but I've got to keep my feet firmly on the ground."

Following the recent dissolution of the Board and Management of the Rangers Management Corporation, among other decisions, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State yesterday inaugurated a 10-man Administrative Panel of Inquiry on Rangers International Football Club, â€œto carry out a diagnostic investigation of the problems of the Clubâ€?. The panel which comprises state chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association and Nigerian Medical Association (NBA); Auditor General of Enugu State; representative of Nigerian Football Association; Chairmen of Enugu State Sports Writers Association and Rangers Supporters Club, Stateâ€™s Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, among others, has Prof. Agu Gab Agu and Mr. Kennis Ngene as Chairman and Secretary respectively. Gov. Ugwuanyi while inaugurating the panel, stated the measure was in keeping with his earlier resolve to â€œensure the total revitalization and repositioning of

the Club for future challenges especially, in the light of the internal strife and the mismanagement of the Clubâ€?. The governor regretted that the ugly development had continued despite his administrationâ€™s best efforts and interventions, saying that it almost resulted in the Clubâ€™s relegation from the Nigerian Premier League during the just concluded 2016/2017 season. According to the governor, the panelâ€™s terms of reference are to â€œinvestigate and identify all the factors responsible for the continuing crisis in Rangers FC and recommend appropriate measures to curb them; articulate a road map for Rangers FC; determine and recommend appropriate amendments to the Rangers Management Corporation Law that would align it with the road map and specifically enthrone robust governance structure with clear reporting lines in keeping with international best practices and transparent accountability frameworkâ€?. Other terms include to â€œinvestigate any other relevant matter(s) that may come to the knowledge of the panel in

the course of the inquiry, not covered under paragraphs (1) â€“ (3) above and generally, in the light of its findings, make recommendations which the panel may consider appropriate for the total and sustainable revitalization of Rangers FCâ€?. The governor appreciated the Chairman and members of the panel for accepting to lend their services to the state and to the teeming fans and supporters of the Club and expressed confidence that they will deploy their wealth of experience, knowledge and competencies in the discharge of their duties effectively and satisfactorily. Responding on behalf of other members of the panel, the chairman, Prof. Agu thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve the state in that capacity, noting that Rangers FC means more than a football team to the Igbo people. He assured the governor that they will deliver on their assignment in record time to ensure that the club receives the practical surgery it needs to bounce back to winning ways.

GOtv Boxing Night 12

Boxers Declare Readiness for Battle Nigerians boxers scheduled to participate at GOtv Boxing Night 12, holding on October 1, at the Indoor Sports of the National Stadium, Lagos, have vowed to put up stellar performances against their respective opponents. Boxers scheduled for the seven fights lined up for the event boasted that they will see off their respective opponents. Each boxer, especially those fighting foreign opponents boasted that they will win comfortably. The event will feature four international bouts, including an African Boxing Union welterweight title defence between Stanley Eribo of Nigeria and Tanzania's Ramadhani

Shauri. Also scheduled is a Commonwealth Africa lightweight title fight between Oto Joseph and Dillon Yule of South Africa. All action Olaide Fijabi, the West African Boxing Union light welterweight champion, will defend his title against Ghana's Bilal Ibrahim, while Nigeria's Waidi Usman will take on Tanzania's Juma Fundi in an international featherweight challenge duel. Also in the light welterweight, Rilwan â€œBaby Faceâ€? will go up against Christmas Tombraye. Another lightweight clash will see the showy Rilwan Oladosu take on Samuel Opaogun. In the light heavyweight division, Kabiru Towolawi will take on Akeem Adebayo.

The event, tagged the â€œIndependence Dayâ€? edition, is the biggest ever boxing show in the history of the sport in the country. Boxers will earn a total of N20 million in prize monies. The traditional Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Cash Prize for the best boxer award has been increased from N2 million to N2.5 million by the sponsors. GOtv Boxing Night 12 will also be the first time that runners-up for the prize will receive cash rewards. The runner-up will go home with N1 million, while the second-runner-up will win N500,000. The announcements were made at a press conference addressed by the sponsors and organisers, Flykite Promotions.

Edo Boy Vows to Retain ABU Title Reigning African Boxing Union (ABU) light welterweight champion, Stanley "Edo Boy" Eribo, has vowed to successfully defend his title when he

fights Tanzania's Ramadhani Shauri at GOtv Boxing Night 12 on 1 October. Speaking in Lagos on Friday, Edo Boy said the event slated to hold at

the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, will see him at his best. "Shauri will regret accepting to fight me. The ABU title is important to me.

Fanz Championship Season 4 Kicks off With a cash prize of N2 million and a Community Project worth millions of Naira at stake, 16 teams of three players and a celebrity coach will begin an engaging contest that will last for over 13 weeks in Season 4 of the Fanz Championship. Fanz Championship Africa is a quiz format gameshow for football followers and lovers showing on national TV. Handled by selected celebrity coaches, the teams each week will compete and

trade tackles on football knowledge and exciting back kick goals. Questions are asked in three categories : lifestyle, business and entertainment, the team with the least goals crashes out every week. The Fanz Championship is a novel and entertaining social service platform to reward intelligence in Nigerian youths. According to the Chief Organiser, Mr Abiodun Oshinibosi, "The project is meant to tell the world that Nigerians can do it better. It is a global show.

We chose the best coaches who are equally mentors for each team. It is a unique contest organised by fans for the enjoyment and rewarding of fans across Nigeria." The Fanz Championship is packaged by Abelinis Limited, it has Ultima Studios as its Technical Partner and supported by MTN Nigeria. Players registered for the competition via the dedicated app for Fanz Championship Africa Season 4.

Ekundayo Seeks Medical Support to Salvage Career Former African Champion, Larry â€œThe Naturalâ€? Ekundayoâ€™s career is on the line, after breaking his hand in WBO International title contest. Ekundayo spoke with reporters in London this week, to update them after his recent brave title attempt. He told them that his career was on the line, unless he gets similar medical support that his British or American counterparts receive. The Nigerian boxer sustained a broken hand during his brave effort for the WBO Intercontinental title in London in July this year. If the funds can be found, he could be back in the ring, challenging for titles, before the end of the year. Ekundayo narrowly lost the bout in London, due to a contentious pointsâ€™ decision, against home town favourite, Gary Corcoran. Ringsiders at the prestigeâ€™s affair in London felt that the Nigerian was very unlucky not to win the bout, especially given the Briton continued use of the head. Despite this disadvantage, and suffering incredible pain from a broken hand, Ekundayo battled on, doing Nigeria proud and almost knocking his man out in the 10 rounds. The assembled dignitaries ringside, President of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, Dr Ladipo, as well as other assembled guest, all thought the son of the soil had done enough to claim the victory. The shame of this for Nigeria is that Corcoran is now well placed for a World title shot, which had the decision gone his way â€œThe Naturalâ€? would have been in line for. However, the fighter, who along with Olusegun Ajose, represent the best chance of international sporting success in the green and white of Nigeria, now faces an uncertain future because of the cost of repairing the damaged hand. Ekundayo told reporters in London, â€œI proudly wear our countries colours into the ring, and am happy to take the bumps and bruises boxing requires, so as to bring sporting glory to Nigeria. I hope the Government, or a prominent company or individual, can help me fix my hand so I can win a world title for Nigeria.â€? Ben Gray, the Commercial Agent for Ekundayo and Ajose said â€œI know many Nigerians are now really interested in boxing, because of the recent success of Anthony Joshua. I believe a lot of the countryâ€™s leaders are coming to support Anthony Joshua defending his title in Cardiff on the 28th of October. Given this interest, I hope that we can find someone to support the likes of Larry and Olusegun tooâ€?. He added, â€œNigeria has a wonderful opportunity to build on this interest in AJ and deliver a long-term sporting legacy, for itself and all its boxers. We are keen to speak with any individual, or corporation, who wants to be of help Nigerian boxers win Word Titlesâ€?.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍžËœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍľ

by OMOLOLA ITAYEMI omolola.itayemi@thisdaylive.com 08054699602

TRAVEL&LEISURE

Pomp and Circumstance at Ojude Oba Festival

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From left: Wife of the Founder of FCMB Group Plc, Olori Abimbola Balogun; Founder of FCMB Group, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun; Deputy Governor of Ogun state, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; wife of the Governor of Ogun state, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun; Governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, during this yearâ€™s Ojude Oba Festival held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.

he 2017 Ojude Oba Festival which took place on September 3, was in way unprecedented. It was an interesting gathering of illustrious sons and daughters of Ogun State coming home to celebrate festival. One had to arrive the festival venue as early as 7a.m to have a vantage position. With gadgets in pouch, strapped close to the body, one could now be sure to settle down. But as one did so, intermittent water droplets warned one that the heavens could open up and spoil the occasion. But as the ceremony got underway, the fear quickly dissipated. The different age-grades called regberegbe (male and female) turned out in their colourful attire to show off to the Awujale. Members of the regberegbe danced in praise of the Awujale, wishing him long life and continued protection during his reign. The regberegbe tried to outdo one another, turning out in different ways so as to be declared the best. The winners always went away with cash prizes. Gaily dressed horses mounted by equally resplendently out riders led the different riding families. The riders were the Baloguns of the different families. The Baloguns are descendants of Ijebu war heroes. Their entry into the venue was announced by intermittent gunshots which send people into a tumult. Ojude Oba is a Yoruba festival held in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. It is held annually the third day after Eid al-Kabir. The festival began over 100 years ago. Today, the festival is usually attended by over 250,000 people across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The festival is often sponsored by the incumbent Awujale, the people of Ijebu-Ode, individuals and corporate organisations. This year, the festival was sponsored by Globacom and First City Monument Bank. The festival is a platform for Ijebu sons and daughters to meet and interact with one another, explore the cultural heritage of the land and open their eyes to newer dimensions of cultural excitement. Giving her assessment of the event, the Iyalode of Egbe Obafuwa, Chief Bolanle Ogunneye, said that this yearâ€™s was more interesting than last yearâ€™s and attributed the increase in attendance to the Islamic public holiday. She revealed that the large turnout was in solidarity with the reign of and appreciation for the health and life of the ruling monarch.

For Hon. Kolapo Osun, the chairman of the Ojude Oba committee, the most spectacular aspect of this yearâ€™s edition was the increase in the number of regberegbe as newer factions have sprung up. Chief Kola Banjo, the Tunwase of Ijebuland and the Olori Omo Oba of Ijebu land, explained the significance of the festival to the Ijebu people and his contributions towards ensuring that each edition was a massive success. â€œI am an illustrious indigene of Ijebu land. I am from an ancestry that holds the history of this traditional event. The story was that the Ijebus were very strong and would not allow anyone come in through Ijebuland. Oba Adesinwase in 1952 accepted the British traders. He gave them permission to preach Christianity from the confines of his home and even allowed his children to attend church services. Odunuga and Kuku were brothers born an Ijebu legend and they were the first to ride horses in

thanksgiving to the Oba. That was the beginning of Ojude Oba. I am the Olori Omo Oba of Ijebu land and as such I would be involved, fully immersed in the festival. Every year, he said. Can Ojude Oba be sustained? â€œMany people know that I have been supportive of the Awujale. In the last 25 years, I have been prominent in the celebration of the festival. I am committed to promoting the festival and when the good Lord will think it fit to call me home, I will leave some words for my descendants to carry on this tradition. Younger members of my family are already taking words from me. I have been supportive in sponsoring my family to appear at the Ojude Oba festival. By birth, tradition and heritage, I owe the duty to take the baton and pass it down,â€? Banjo replied. Definitely, Banjoâ€™s closeness to the Awujale can lead to a lot of positive influence, including getting youths off the streets.

â€œThe Ojude Oba festival is not restricted to Muslims. It is for the Ijebu people in general and Ijebu people are a mix of religions. Ojude Oba is a national carnival. It has become universal. As the head of Christians, I have Muslim relatives. A few of us who rode on the horses are Christians. We are lucky in Ijebu land because we do not know the difference.â€? Will there be a repository for the Ojude Oba like some form of museum? He said:â€œI started the museum with the intention to expand it to a place of study of the history of Ijebu land. I have devoted a sizable part of my resources for the museum study centres. There are a lot of CDs of past Ojude Obas at the museum. Researchers for PhD studies have access to data available at the study centre. I am always proud to promote royalty because I am a blue-blooded son of Ijebu land. I am proud to say that I am a senior citizen of the land.

South African Embassy FetesWomen support of female empowerment, soland strength, South Africa came Itonidarity Lagos on August 25, on Womenâ€™s Day alongside partners to honour the role of women in the society. The National Womenâ€™s Day is a South African public holiday celebrated annually on August 9. However, the entire month of August is celebrated as womenâ€™s month. The month commemorates the 1956 march of 20 000 women to the Union Buildings in pretoria to petition against the countryâ€™s law that required South Africans defined as â€œblackâ€? under The Population Registration Act to carry a pass, that served to maintain population segregation. The first National Womenâ€™s Day was celebrated on August 9, 1994. The Federal Palace Hotelâ€™s doors opened to welcome guests and delegates led by Consul General, Darkey Africa; NANTA President, Bankole Bernard; Zom Chizura, John Omololu Olumuyiwa, Ayanda Mzulwini, amongst others. Oluwaseyi Adegoke Adeyemo of Inside Watch Africa compered the event. John Olumuyiwa, CEO Travelscope and travel ambassador reiterated the need to create a level playing field for women especially in Africa: â€œAfrica is the next frontier but in order for African women to be a significant part of that growth story we need to learn how to

Consul General of South Africa, Darkey Africa

collaborate to compete,â€? Olumuyiwa said. South Africaâ€™s consul general in Lagos participated actively in the struggle against Apartheid and is passionate about the struggle for equality at all levels. Discussing the struggle for equality in the South African government, he explained that womenâ€™s month had a deeper meaning for him. â€œ

The views of the generation of 1956 is about us being one society; a society constituted by both men and women and South Africa wants women to participate more in the government. At the moment, we are striving for 50/50 parity: women and men rights to be equal in terms of our policies, we already have women massed at the local and government level,â€? he said.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

EVENT

L-R: Inauguration of Central Executive Council of League of Anambra Professionals (LAP) took place at its secretariat in Surulere, Lagos. Picture shws FRon Left to Right Co opted exco member, Sir Nnamdi Nwigwe, Publicity Secretary, Barr. Emeka Nwadioke, Ex-Officio, Mr. Chike Nwegbe, Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Kasie Abone, President, Mr. Chijioke Okoli (SAN), Ex officio, Dr. Mrs. Katia Ekesi, Ex Officio, Mr. Willie Nzewi, General Secretary, Mr. Ben Okafor, Assistant Treasurer, Dr. NkiruIfekwem, Assistant General Secretary, Barr. Joe Nwokedi and coopted exco members, Barr. Obidi Alajuronye and Mr. Joe Anatune during the taking oath of office

League of Anambra Professionals Inaugurates New Executive Stories by Kasie Abone

he inauguration of newly elected Central Executive Council of League of Anambra Professionals (LAP) took place at its Surulere, Lagos State secretariat. LAP is non-partisan, NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) committed to rebuilding Anambra state into a first world harnessing her rich depository of intellectual and material resources. The elected executives inaugurated at the occasion to pilot the affairs of the council for the next three years include the President, Mr. ChijiokeOkoli, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); Vice President, Chief Elizabeth Jibunoh; General Secretary, Mr. Ben Okafor; Assistant General Secretary, Barr. Joe Nwokedi and Financial Secretary, Mr. Magnus Ekwunife. Others were Publicity Secretary, Barr. EmekaNwadioke; Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Kasie Abone; Treasurer, Ms. Stella Ozojiofor and Assistant Treasurer, Dr. Nkiru Ifekwem. Ex officio members are Mr. Willie Nzewi, Mr. ChikeNwegbe and Dr. Mrs.

Katia Ekesi, all past presidents of LAP. By the powers conferred on him by LAP constitution, the president of the sixth executive of LAP co-opted the following immediate past Vice President, Sir Nnamdi Nwigwe, Mr. Joe Anatune, Barr. K. O. P. Odidika and Barr. ObidiAlajuronye. Performing the swearing in ceremony, the founding president of the association, Dr. Ndi Onuekwusi charged the new executives to live up to the spirit of LAP which is to rebuild Igbo land for the benefit of future generation. Neglecting rebuilding Igbo Land for its future generation he added would amount to an act of gross irresponsibility. “There will be no future Igboness without a functional Igbo land.” He added. Speaking further Onuekwusi said he accepted the honour to officiate at the inauguration because he owed a moral and spiritual duty to not only LAP but to immediate past president, Mr. Willie Nzewi, the new president and all stakeholders. “We have come back to run the race we started. LAP will have its ups and downs but we will keep up. LAP is blessed with a large repository

of intellectual property and so I believe that Chijioke (Okoli) will succeed in reorganizing what has been done.” Continuing he said “what is most critical is to understand the DNA of LAP which is sacrificial heroism which goes beyond what you can think about when you are committed to achieving success in LAP.” Earlier in his speech which doubled as a farewell cum handover note, the immediate past president, Mr. Willie Nzewi described the seamless transition of power from his executive to Okoli’s team as ‘joyous’. Paying glowing tribute to LAP visioner, Dr. Onuekwusi, Nzewi said looking at LAP’s journey so far, it was clear it wasn’t a human creation but divinely ordained as a platform to achieve the aspirations of bringing the desired change not only to Anambra State but the Igbo nation as a whole. “LAP is not a human creation. There is something divine about LAP. Despite its challenges, it caught on. It is very strong in the minds of the people. LAP has evolved over time.” Advising the new executives, Nzewi admonished them to bear in mind that

serving people is a thankless job but “thank you is from the Almighty.” In his acceptance speech, Okoli said “there is huge enthusiasm about what we can achieve. What is involved to achieve the objectives of LAP is tremendous. If we play all very busy, who will do the job? It is because we are busy in our world that charlatans have taken us to where we find ourselves today. I hope to deploy my intellect to the running of LAP.” He charged his team to reinvent themselves in terms of the vision of LAP to provide leadership as well show the light to society. Speaking further he said “Igbo society is in an existential threat. No society can sustain itself in a situation like this.” Admitting that the task ahead is enormous Okoli expressed confidence that with single mindedness, his team would surely succeed. “The task ahead is difficult bit if we succeed in moving LAP to the next level, we will look back and be happy with ourselves. I believe with single mindedness, the sky will be our footstool. We won’t fail. In the unlikely event that we fail, it would not be for lack of trial.” He concluded.

Three Crown Milk, Lacasera Leverage CKC, Nnokwa August Meeting to Drive Brand Penetration

or the women of Christ the King (Anglican) Church, Nnaku Quarters, Nnokwa in Idenmili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, this year’s edition of the annual Women August Meeting was particularly eventful and exciting. The presence of Three Crown Milk team, from the stables of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria added colour to the event. The women, many of whom were witnessing such brand sponsorship for the first time were obviously thrilled. Positioned as a brand for women and family, the Women August Meeting provided a fertile platform for the brand to connect not only with women but also penetrate the rural market. Understandably women from across the globe of Igbo origin gather at their various local churches during the meet to discuss ways to advance development of their local communities. The last day of the program at CKC climaxed into double ceremonies, thanksgiving and investiture services. And for Three Crown brand, making an entry into the church to address the women on the health benefits was very strategic. The brand was represented at the occasion by its Regional Medical Detailing Manager East Central, Mr. Richard Ayeni and his Medical Detailing Manager Absents counterpart, Mrs. Juliet Maurice. Addressing the women, Mr. Ayeni used the occasion to educate the women on the health benefits of Three Crown Milk for women. According to him, Three Crown which is positioned on the premise of “Happy Mums, Happy Families” made from vegetable fat with not only unique attributes of pleasant taste but more importantly has low cholesterol content

Three Crown Regional Medical Detailing Manager East Central, Mr. Richard Ayeni and Medical Detailing Manager Absents, Mrs. Juliet Maurice addressing the women of Christ the King (Anglican) Church, Nnaku Quarter, Nnokwa in Idenmili Local Government Area, Anambra State during investiture cum Thanksgiving service to mark the end of 2017 August Meeting

with essential vitamins and minerals to enrich the body of mothers with the right nutrients to live a healthy and beautiful life. He added that the brand was the only milk brand that healthily takes care of mothers to enable them take better care of their families. To provide mothers with variety he added that Three Crowns Milk extended the brand to new products like 380g Powder, 14g Powder sachet and 55g Evap sachet to increase its portfolio in both Evap and Powder segments. His presentation was interpreted in local Igbo

language by Mrs. Juliet Moses for the benefit of the rural women who do not understand English. Mrs. Beatrice Anyika, who is the newly elected Vice President of the women thanked the Three Crown team on behalf of the church for their support and presence and assured them that the women would henceforth become the brands ambassadors. Another brand that also supported the event was Lacasera which made a generous donation of their products to the women.

Ministering at the church service on the theme “Shepherding the flocks of God,” Vicar of St. Stephens Anglican Church who presided over the service, Rev. Izuchukwu Ndubuisi, admonished the congregation to be patient and wait for Gods appointed time to bless them. Citing example from the life of David from the book of 1Samuel chapter 17, Ndubuisi noted that once its time to be favoured, everything else has to wait till its perfected. Earlier the president of Home And Abroad Women, Lady Ebele Ifeakandu while rendering account of her stewardship said that the objectives of the conference were to bring women together as one family for spiritual growth and interaction, educate women on how to live exemplary Christian lives as well as raise fund to support church projects. The church teachers wife, Mrs. Anthonia Anaedo, also admonished women to be God fearing, faithful to their husbands and raise their children in Christian ways. The climax of the church service was the investiture of women who are a shining example to their families and who had made outstanding contributions to the development of the church. Honourable Justice Ejim Ifeakandu was honoured with Life Member as a result of her numerous contributions to both the church and then community; four women namely Lady Njideka Geroge, Mrs. Christiana Ezenwa, Mrs. Nora Uchechukwu Uzodinma and Mrs. Josephine Chukwunonyelu Egwuegbe were honoured with Ezinne title while Mrs. Kasie Abone and Mrs. Uju Okpala were honoured as Ambassadors for Christ. The occasion was also used to raise funds.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ EPTEMBER 16, 2017

THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri SongandDancefor97%,PythonDancefor5%

read the statement by the former Deputy Director of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Mohammed Lawal with great amusement. Mr. Lawal, who is one of President Buhari’s lopsided recent appointees to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (AKA Northern Nigeria Petroleum Corporation) wants Nigerians to believe that former vice President Atiku Abubakar, has been plotting the downfall of President Muhammadu Buhari since 2014. I find the allegation laughable. Why, you may ask? Well, because it is silly for any ally of the President to say Atiku Abubakar plotted President Buhari’s failure. Does anybody need to plot the failure of a man who still calls Germany ‘West Germany’? Was it Atiku’s plot that made Buhari wait and waste six months before setting up a cabinet of square pegs in round holes? Atiku did not force Buhari to make promises he could not keep like making $1 equal to N1 or creating 3 million jobs per annum. Even before day one, didn’t Nasir El-Rufai warn Nigerians in 2010 that ‘if you ask Buhari, he will think that Blackberry is a fruit?’ A serial plagiariser who plagiarised Barack Obama’s and Charles De Gaulle’s speeches, who surrounds himself with the likes of Amaechi, who is still afraid of rats as an ex-general, needs no one to plot his failure! Just as you have an auto-correct function on your phone, so does President Buhari have an auto-fail function in his government. He does not need an Atiku to plot his failure! Let me cite an example: Two weeks ago, Benue State experienced a cataclysmic flooding of almost biblical proportions. Many pundits, including yours truly, appealed to the President to at least visit the victims of the flood to give them moral support. However, the President chose to ignore the 100,000 families that had been rendered homeless and I thank God that this same Atiku Abubakar who they claim is plotting the President’s failure was able to plot his way to donating 5 million to the suffering victims. But that is not where the story ends. President Buhari who refused to visit Benue shocked right-thinking people by visiting Kaduna even while the people of Benue (who coincidentally voted for him) had not had the pleasure of his visit. President Muhammadu Buhari is strong enough to visit Kaduna State to inaugurate a poultry but not strong enough to visit Benue to commiserate with humans. You visit with poultry but not people. Why does it seem as if this administration values animals over human beings? Recall that when Nigerians were facing possibly the worst food crisis in our history, Buhari’s minister of agriculture was more focused on importing grass for cows from Brazil. And even after herdsmen killed vast amounts

Since his swearing-in as President of Nigeria, President Buhari has not seen it fit to visit the Southeast, yet this is a man that said, “I belong to everybody, and I belong to nobody” (never mind that he plagiarised Charles De Gaulle. If President Buhari wants to end the Biafran agitation, he needs to, with urgency, retrace his steps and start acting like he is the President of Nigeria, and not the President of core Northern Muslims only. The day he makes this paradigm shift, will mark the day that separatist agitation will start to fizzle out. President Buhari does not need guns to quell any separatist movement. All he needs is guts

Buhari of people in Southern Kaduna, the APC Governor of Kaduna admitted to paying them compensation for their cattle killed. Perhaps the President would have postponed his visit to poultry chickens in favour of visiting paltry citizens in Benue. Can his handlers continue to blame Atiku Abubakar for these unforced errors? President Trump who we unfairly like to criticise in this part of the world has visited Texas twice to help out with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts and to project hope to his people. His office has equally announced plans to visit Florida after Hurricane Irma eases. And here our President is visiting poultry! And look at what is happening in the South-east. Do we blame Atiku for this avoidable crisis too? Until Nnamdi Kanu was arrested by Muhammadu Buhari, he was unknown to most Nigerians and these include Nigerians of Southeastern origin. The president actually created Nnamdi Kanu, made him a celebrity and gave him the power he has right now. Right now he has empowered the young man to do a lot more damage to him and his inept administration by making him a cause célèbre that even foreign diplomats go to pay homage to. What was Nnamdi Kanu doing before President Buhari had him arrested? Radio Biafra? How many people were listening to it? What President Buhari did by arresting Nnamdi Kanu was to turn him from a Bright Chimezie to a Michael Jackson without releasing a Thriller album! And to make matters worse, he has now initiated this unnecessary, ill-thought-out, ill-advised and ill-fated so-called Operation Python Dance 2 in the South-east. The US Army is in Texas and Florida helping hurricane victims. That is what I expect the Nigerian Army to do in Benue, where 100,000 families have been rendered homeless by flood, not doing a ‘Show of Force’ in a place that is in need of persuasion, not threats. Four days ago, suspected herdsmen killed 20 people in Ancha village in Miango district of Jos. If the army wanted to do a ‘show of force’, that would have been a good place to start. It makes no sense to do a show of force in a peaceful community when you have violence-prone communities all over Nigeria. Since when did the dictionary definition of intimidation change to ‘show of force’? Please let us call a spade a spade and not a big spoon. The injustices under the Buhari administration are just too glaring, too blatant and too obnoxious. Arewa youths gave their fellow Nigerians a Quit Notice and they get a song and dance from the Buhari administration. IPOB youths who did not threaten other Nigerians get Python Dance from the same government. How is that fair? Ignorance is a disease and the Buhari administration appears to be heavily inflicted by this disease. If not, they ought to have known that no nation on earth has

permanently put down a separatist movement by force of arms alone. History does not repeat itself. Men repeat history. The United States has 14 separatist movements. England invited her own separatist movements to form regional govt. in Ireland and Scotland. In the case of Scotland, they even threw in a referendum into the bargain! President Buhari could have defeated Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB and its separatist agenda if he had only been equitable and just in his management of Nigeria. Buhari’s appointments overwhelmingly favour the North. The military and security agencies are almost entirely in the hands of not just Northerners, but core Northern Muslims. The chief of army staff is a core Northern Muslim from Borno. The National Security Adviser is similarly a core Northern Muslim from Borno. The Chief of staff to the President is likewise a core Northern Muslim from Borno. The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is, you guessed it – a core Northern Muslim from Borno. The chief of air staff is a core Northern Muslim from Bauchi. The Inspector-General of Police is a Northern Muslim from Niger State. The Controller-General of Prisons is a core Northern Muslim from Kebbi. The ComptrollerGeneral of Immigration is a core Northern Muslim from Jigawa. The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service is a core Northern Muslim from Bauchi. The Director-General of the Department of State Security Services is a core Northern Muslim from Katsina. The Chief of Defence Intelligence is a core Northern Muslim. These are the appointments in the security agencies. Even if you are a core Northern Muslim, as long as you fear God, you can see that this list is obviously lopsided in favour of the core North. In fact, the President has even stopped pretending. At the last Eid-el-fitri, President Muhammadu Buhari discarded all pretences and addressed the nation in Hausa, the language of the core North. When you take into consideration his famous comment, to wit “the constituents, for example, gave me 97% cannot in all honesty be treated on some issues with constituencies that gave me 5%”, you can now see how alienated he has made the South feel from Nigeria. Since his swearing-in as President of Nigeria, President Buhari has not seen it fit to visit the South-east, yet this is a man that said, “I belong to everybody, and I belong to nobody” (never mind that he plagiarised Charles De Gaulle. If President Buhari wants to end the Biafran agitation, he needs to, with urgency, retrace his steps and start acting like he is the President of Nigeria, and not the President of core Northern Muslims only. The day he makes this paradigm shift, will mark the day that separatist agitation will start to fizzle out. President Buhari does not need guns to quell any separatist movement. All he needs is guts.

Reno’s Nuggets This week’s nugget is very special to me. It is directed at one Peter Odumosu, a man who has for weeks been going around social media spreading false and wicked lies about me to the effect that I stole government money. In this regard, he was helped by one Olumide Dada, a certain Dr. Yomi Ogunyemi and one Kola Arubayi who joined him to cast aspersions on my character that have no bearing on reality. To them I prayed to God whom I have served with what I believe is a pure conscience from my childhood, during my recent pilgrimage, that if their allegations against me are true, may God punish me and do so publicly. However, if they have falsely accused me, may God fulfill the word He confirmed in 2 Thessalonians 1:6. Congratulations guys, you made it onto my column in ThisDay newspaper. To all of you I say the following: If you see someone ‘flexing’, don’t hate or falsely accuse them of flexing ‘with other people money’. Instead, study what makes them flex. If you hate a successful person, you can NEVER attract what you hate. The Bible says, “He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed”-Proverbs 13:20. The main reason haters don’t succeed, is because they walk with bitterness instead of walking with God! #RenosNuggets And to Enebeli Theo, Adamu Usman Attaboh, Ogbonnaya Kanu and Ebi Warekromo, I say God bless you for coming to my defence without being asked. That’s what true friends are for. And for all those who sat on the fence, joking and exchanging banters while these people engaged in the vilest form of character assassination, I pray that in your own time of false accusation, you will have friends like Enebeli Theo, Adamu Usman Attaboh, Ogbonnaya Kanu and Ebi Warekromo and not friends like yourselves. In Jesus’ name I seal all that I have written here.

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NEWS XTRA

Dredging of River Benue Will Curb Flooding, Says NIMASA Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja As flood ravaged some part of Kogi and Benue State which rendered thousands of people homeless, the Chairman, Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), retired Maj. Gen. Jonathan India Garba has commended President Buhari on the move to dredge River Benue to tackle the menace of perennial flooding that had over the years wreaked havoc across communities in the state. The benefits of the proposed

dredging according to him, include reduced risk of flooding, greater federal presence in the state, improved navigability of the water ways, increased value of water fronts and greater economic activities along the River Banks. Garba, who gave the commendation yesterday in a statement issued by his aide, Mr. Adakole Ejegbudu, and made available to THISDAY in Lokoja thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his prompt response to the recent flooding in Benue State and its environs which he noted, brought

untold hardship to thousands of residents and destroyed property worth millions. He noted that the visit of the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to Makurdi at the instance of the President showed the Presidency’s commitment to the well-being of the ordinary Nigerians. He said people across the state have received the announcement of the proposed dredging of the River Benue with a lot of excitement given the many benefits they stand to benefit when the River is fully dredged.

"The excitement generated by this announcement is understandable given that the River which in times past was a very busy waterway utilised for transporting people and goods between locations as far apart as Buruku in Benue State and Numan in Adamawa State has become filled with silt and other materials and is consequently unnavigable for long stretches," he said. He commended the National Inland Waterways (NIWA) for its efforts in keeping the nation's waterways navigable.

According to him, they are committed to greater synergy with National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in the shared quest for the development and utilisation of the maritime endowments "We at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA ) are committed to fulfilling the mandate of the Cabotage regime in its four cardinal points which stipulate that vessels for coastal and Inland trade must be; built in Nigeria, owned by Nigerians, manned

by Nigerians and be registered in Nigeria. "We have demonstrated our commitment to this by recently unveiling the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy (NCCS ) and by the proposed amendment to the Cabotage Act of 2003 currently before the National Assembly." He said when passed into law, the amendment would strengthen the Cabotage regime to the benefit of Nigerians and also make the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund readily accessible to enable more citizens acquire vessels.

Wike Bags UN Global Human Settlement Contribution Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

SECURITY MATTERS... L- R: Anambra State Commander of Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Sule Momodu and Comptroller of Prison, Anambra State, Emmanuel Nwakeu at a recent meeting in Awka, Anambra State

Ijaw People Most Marginalised in Nigeria, Says Dickson Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, yesterday declared that the Ijaw people of the Niger Delta remain the most unfairly treated in the entire country. The governor who spoke when the leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide paid him a visit in his office in Yenagoa, urged them to continue to put the legitimate issues of economic marginalisation and environmental pollution affecting the region in the spotlight. Dickson called on the apex Ijaw youth body led by Mr. Roland Owelaemi to collaborate with the government in addressing the age-long problems of under-

development of the Ijaw nation by successive administrations at the federal level. “The Ijaw nation is oppressed in Nigeria, and those of us in positions should fight and protect the Ijaw interest. The weapons and strategy for the struggle must change. “For 60 years, there is no road to Bonny and Brass, where crude oil is lifted daily. No airport in the Ijaw nation, no oil company operating in the state pays taxes to contribute to the economy. "The IYC must continue to raise the legitimate issues without fear of intimidation. I expect you to mobilise and raise the consciousness of the people about the precarious situation we are in", said the governor. He expressed dismay over the

state of the region, in spite of its huge contributions to the economic growth of the nation and called on political leaders and those in positions of trust to protect the collective interest of the Ijaw nation. However, Dickson said that the struggle to emancipate the Ijaw nation was no longer about carrying weapons, “but through intellectual and persuasive means”. The governor argued that after 20 years of the creation of Bayelsa State there were no boarding schools and functional hospitals, until his administration came and changed the narrative. He also advised the youths of Ijaw descent to shun all forms of vices, including cultism and drug abuse.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Oweilaemi said Dickson had succeeded in giving the Ijaw nation a sense of direction, purpose and a respectable identity in the comity of ethnic nationalities. He called on the Federal government to allow the people of the region to establish and manage the proposed modular refineries in the region, adding that it is one way the people of the region would be compensated for all the degradation they had been subjected to. The youth leader reiterated the 90-day ultimatum to all oil companies operating in the Niger Delta to relocate their corporate headquarters to the region, in line with the directive of the federal government.

Body Completes Multi-million Naira Skills Acquisition Centre for Youths Chinedu Eze The Global Initiative against Illegal Migration (GLAIM), a non–profit making organisation focused on fighting illegal migration, has completed a multimillion naira skills acquisition, information and communications technology centre in Edo State. The non-governmental organisation, in a statement at the weekend, said the centre was established to train youths, widows and returnees/victims of illegal migration and human trafficking in various skills including ICT expertise. The organisation said the development would make it to develop youths that are not only ICT compliant but professionals with ability to design websites, repair computers hardware, develop computer software and apps, among other skills.

The Executive Director, GIAIM, Barrister Emmanuel Osime Obinyan, the founder of the initiative, said the centre would enable the organisation to empower youths with vocational skills for self-development and self-dependency, as an antidote against illegal migration. According to him, GIAIM has a plan to train at least 500 youths over the next two years, and it is focused on its goals of providing free computer training for every youth, empowering them through its various empowerment schemes. “Our vision is to train and empower them to start their own business. This will discourage the returnees from travelling back abroad. Our ICT department is fully equipped with adequate personnel and facilities to enhance learning and knowledge acquisition,” Obinyan said.

GLAIM was incorporated under Part (C) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 2004 and it was born out of the desire to compliment efforts by government and good intentioned individuals to fight the scourge called “illegal migration”. Obinyan said its vision was to have a Nigeria with hope alive, where every youth would be empowered. To support the eradication of illegal migration and human trafficking, the NGO said it believes in empowering the youth population, in order to stop crimes. On why the skills acquisition/ ICT centre was established in Edo State, the GIAIM ED, Obinyan, said, “We chose Edo State as our launching pad because our research has shown that the activities of illegal migration and human trafficking are rampant

in this area. From Edo State, we will launch to other states of the federation.” On the body’s core values, Obinyan said, “All our activities are based on inherent dignity and potential of Nigerian youths, who are the targets of human traffickers/illegal migration. We consistently uphold honesty and transparency in all we do and say, maintaining a high standard set for ourselves to achieve our ultimate goal. We work diligently and effectively to achieve our vision and goal. We collaborate with relevant government institutions, likeminded civil societies and international organizations. According to GIAIM, illegal migration as of today has silently claimed the lives of the working –age Africa youths in their attempt to seek better opportunities across the Mediterranean Sea.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has nominated Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for the SDGs' "Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award ". This award is for the governor's investments in the development of urban renewal programmes, housing and projects that improve the living conditions of less privileged persons. The "Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award " is organised by Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA). The group is supported by the United Nations Environment. In a letter of notification of the award to Wike , Secretary of Global Forum on Human Settlements and Main Representative to the United Nations, Mr. Lu Haifeng, said the award will be conferred on the governor at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on October 31, 2017. The ceremony will be held as part of the 12th Global Forum of Human Settlements at the United Nations Headquarters in New York between October 30 and 31, 2017. According to the Main Representative to the United Nations, Wike was being recognised for his great

commitment and contribution to sustainable cities in Rivers State. The group further lauded Wike for developing infrastructure in settlements in different parts of the state and ensuring that people have access to basic amenities. Wike was also applauded for constructing the Iriebe Medium Housing Estate, Rivers Quarters at the NNS Pathfinder, Quarters for Junior Staff of the DSS and facilitating the improved investment in housing by private investors. The Rivers State Governor also received commendations for investing in land reclamation/sand filling in Asari-Toru, Degema, Akuku-Toru and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas. A statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media informed that Wike has accepted the award. The statement noted that Wike pledged his commitment to further investments in the development of infrastructure and housing that will improve the living conditions of the people. Wike dedicated the award to Rivers people who totally support his administration's investments in the development of infrastructure and housing.

Consumers Relish Hollandia Choco Malt Drink The recent introduction of Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink to the market is beginning to generate consumer reviews as its popularity soars. The manufacturers, who stated this, added that “an effective product marketing has ensured awareness and visibility, but its functional benefits are best resonating with a youthful consumer segment that is fast becoming an army of brand loyalists. With consumers constantly looking for new and improved product values and experiences, Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink offers innovation as well as superior values that are exciting and attractive. “Convenience, delicious taste and instant or sharp sharp nutrition are at the core of the product values that has endeared the brand to consumers. Fondly referred to as 3-in-1 Yo!, Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink is the first ready-to-drink blend of chocolate, malt and milk in Nigeria. It provides instant nutrition within reach and can be consumed immediately after opening. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, and takes away the hassles and inconvenience involved in preparing choco-based beverage drink the traditional way.” According to Israel Oladele, a social worker with the Lagos State Hospital Management Board, a satisfied consumer creates value and loyalty, and will likely share his or her experience with other consumers. “I got to hear about Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink by word-of-mouth recommendation via social media

and decided to buy the product in a neighborhood shop in my area. The product recommendation came in timely as it has taken away the inconveniences associated with preparing a chocolate, malt and milk drink. Essentially its offer of sharp sharp nutrition means consuming the product has become a part of my daily nutritional requirement,” he said. Kelechi Onyedika, a student of the Philosophy Department of Lagos State University, emphasized the popularity of Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink amongst students of the University. He stressed that students have busy schedules and love brands that make life easier for them. “Product convenience is highly appealing and when you add instant nutrition to the pack, it becomes highly attractive for the average student. I do not have to worry anymore about beverage choices and nutritional value because Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink fits the bill and my lifestyle,” he stated. Adedayo Olumide, a brand consultant, stressed that it is common knowledge that individual preferences for products have their basis in a set of common factors such as convenience, features, quality and experiences. “Hollandia ChocoMalt Drink meets all these parameters because it guarantees convenience, has a delicious taste, offers instant or sharp sharp nutrition and is truly satisfying. These product values have ensured that the brand remains at the top of consumer.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

FASHION FILE

Levictoria

“The Prest Sisters Edit” by Zephans And Co

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

FASHION FILE

Levictoria “The Prest Sisters Edit”

About Leshoks he brands collaboration with Taje and Elisabeth Prest features pencil dresses, wide-leg jumpsuits, silky maxi dresses with peek-a-boo cutouts in vibrant prints and a lot more. Check them out.

Credits Models: Taje Prest (@missvivacioust), Elisabeth Prest (@elisabeth.prest) MUA: Matilda (@amaebiere) Photog: Olanrewaju Ali (@olanrewaju_v) Location: (@TheEventRoom) Style Direction: Nkiru Achukwu (@duchesskiki)

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fashogbon... Í¸Î€Í¸ÍťÍťÍžÍşÍšÍ¸Í¸Î

Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahmon Ade Bello and President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Funmi Babington-Ashaye (both middle) with other council members of both Institutions during CIINâ€™s courtesy visit to the oďŹƒce of the Vice Chancellor in Lagos recently

L-R: Managing Director, Miniso Super Store, Mr. Chris Lee; Consul General, People Republic of China in Lagos, Mr. Chao Xiao-Liang; Co- Founder, Miniso, Mr. Ye Guo-FU; Co- Founder, Miniso, Mr. Junya Miya-Ke; and Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, at the grand opening of Miniso Super Store at Circle Mall in Lekki, Lagos recently

Firm Tightens Cyber Protection with New Solutions In the midst of cyber threats challenging sustainability of internet technology and e-businesses globally, Russian Multinational Cyber Security firm, Kaspersky Lab, has continued to upgrade its security products. The firm which has just announced new and upgraded internet security solutions boasted that its latest security products would protect modern households as well as help people care for their connected devices and every aspect of digital lives. The latest flagship consumer products would also be extended to cater for the security requirements of windows and

Prolight + Sound Fair holds in October As preparations for the second edition of the Prolight + Sound event hit top gear, operators in the event sector have been assured of a fruitful outing in Dubai. Billed for October 17 to 19, the fair which is one of the largest gatherings of entertainers globally, organisers of the programme have said that the activity would further boost Nigeriaâ€™s economic recovery, especially if emerging sectors such as light and sound were being proritised. Speaking about the fair, Country Representative of Messe Frankfurt and Head, Exhibition and Trade Fair Limited, Omon Itoya â€“Abanokwe, noted the growing demand for audiovisual technology to meet budding events; cultural, tourism and sporting industries would also support global and Nigeriaâ€™s economies to accelerate. â€œWhile Africa and Middle East are worldâ€™s fastest growing markets for audiovisual with the sector hitting $5 billion in 2016, the Prolight + Sound Middle East presents great prospects for players in Nigeria to expand their businesses. â€œThe event is a must for stakeholders, who want to grow their businesses because it presents stunning opportunities to expand business and network in the MENA region,â€? she stated. Stressing the high point of the programme, Abanokwue said it would feature products groups such as theatre, studio, auditorium, club, disco and stage lighting, Trussing and rigging systems, stage technology, stage machinery, lasers and special effects as well as audio, visual, data conferencing equipment, cables, controllers, connectors, switchers, communication systems, monitoring systems, audio networking, audio visual systems and technologies. It would also showcase TV and media technology, digital signage, video walls, LED and Display systems, projection systems and technology, lighting control and automation. The inaugural edition of the fair featured 37exhibitors from 11 countries representing more than 120 brands, with more than1,577 trade visitors from 50 countries passing through the hall at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Mac computers, smartphones and tablets running on android, Windows phone and iOS, whereby users are at liberty to choose a suitable solution based on their devices, activities that are affected on digital space and cyber awareness skills. Quoting the number of internet users globally to be around 3.7 billion according to Internet World Stats, General Manager at Kaspersky Lab Africa, Riaan Badenhorst, stated that only slightly more than half of Internet users protect all of their connected devices as revealed in a research carried out by the company. â€œWe believe that all internet users around the world have the right to be

protected against digital threats. That is why we have also developed a free security solution with an optimal set of security technologies for Windows devices in addition to our flagship consumer products, being able to provide world-winning protection for all platforms available to users based on their compatible choice,â€? he said. Badenhorst noted that the release of the free solution was part of the companyâ€™s activities lined up to celebrate its 20th anniversary. â€œThis year, we are celebrating an extremely successful 20 years in the IT security market. During all of this time,

US Consulate Partners Firms to Lift SMEs The United States Consulate in Lagos, in collaboration with Field of Skills and Dreams VTE Academy has reinforced its commitment to the Nigerian economy in its effort to encourage and support emerging entrepreneurs. As part of its endeavours to boost the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector which is believed to be important to the growth of the economy, the consulate, as a follow-up to a two-day training conference organised for emerging entrepreneurs earlier in the year, put together a business and entrepreneurship mentoring programme for 65 beneficiaries of the exercise. According to it, the essence of the activity was to monitor and evaluate participantsâ€™ progress and achievements so far, while also gaining insights into the challenges hindering the growth of their businesses. The follow-up exercise was anchored by prominent business leaders, financing institutions, entrepreneurship faculty and trainers, including the Academic Director, Owner-Manager Programme at the Lagos Business School, Dr. Henrietta Onwuegbuzie, and Chief Executive Officer of Field of Skills and Dreams VTE Academy, Mrs. Omowale Ogunrinde who tutored and enlightened participants with practical guidance on how to transform their businesses and drive profitability.

Speaking on the occasion, United States Consul General, F. John Bray renewed the US governmentâ€™s commitment in enhancing skills and capacity of budding Nigerian entrepreneurs. Bray said, â€œI made a commitment to you in March on behalf of the US government that we would do our best to support you on your journey to establishing successful businesses. I am pleased to learn that some of you have achieved a certain level of success since March. I am equally pleased that all of you here today, like the more established Nigerian entrepreneurs, are dynamic, forward-looking, and committed to the economic success of Nigeria.â€? Also speaking, Public Affairs Officer, United States Consulate General Lagos, Ms. Darcy Zotter, stated that the follow-up training became expedient in order to equip the entrepreneurs with enhanced set of skills and networks to help them as they strive to achieve business success. â€œI am pleased to see that many of the emerging entrepreneurs we trained in March have returned. We know that entrepreneurs can be made â€“ and arenâ€™t necessarily born. Entrepreneurial skills can be taught. The process of learning and honing their entrepreneurial skills is on-going. We hope that when they finish today, they will have a stronger network of supportive friends and mentors,â€? Zotter stated.

our mission has been to provide as many people as possible with reliable protection against cybercrime. And we are happy that users from now on will be able to benefit from an extended line up of consumer products. The new free security solution windows is the crown jewel on a comprehensive set of Kaspersky Lab free and freemium solutions for a range of different platforms. The engine in our free solution is the same as the engine in all of our personal products, while it provides users with basic high-quality protection against the most common threats, which is especially important for those who are not able to pay for a full-function solution,â€? he concluded.

SystemSpecs Ends Business with Foreign Partner Africaâ€™s leading financial technology firm, SystemSpecs has announced the end of its deal with a United Statesbased enterprise software company, Infor. According to the company, the step was taken to consolidate its position as a fully indigenous brand. SystemSpecs and Systems Union, erstwhile owners of SunSystems before its acquisition by Infor in 2006, had partnered to provide leading corporate organisations across Nigeria with software services that guarantee endto-end accountability for success and improved returns on investment. Speaking on the move, Head of SystemSpecsâ€™ Infor implementation team in Nigeria, Emmanuel Uzugbo said, â€œOur business relationship with Infor was rewarding to both organisations and the clients we served. However, the decision to end our partnership was informed by our strategic direction as an organisation and to consolidate our position as a fully indigenous FinTech firm developing and implementing innovative home-grown solutions from Nigeria to Africa and the rest of the world.â€? Until the partnership ended, the products of Infor which SystemSpecs sold and supported included Infor SunSystems, Infor Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), and Infor Performance Management (PM). Also speaking, Vice President, Infor Subscription Services, Keith Saunders said, â€œOver the past 12 months, Infor and SystemSpecs have been reviewing their current partnership agreement and their go-forward strategies for Infor Products. We are encouraged by the success of our homegrown brands, Humanmanager and Remita, and have chosen to devote our efforts to consolidate these.â€?

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

EVENTS

awyer,entrepreneurandaretiredseniorexecutiveofNationalCommunicationsCommission,Funso Fayomi,lastweekendmarkedhis60thbirthdaywithathanksgiving serviceatRCCGAromaofChrist,ApoResettlementArea,Abuja.Friendsandfamily Photos: Julius Atoi members were at the ceremony.

Funso Fayomi (the celebrant ) and his wife, Bola

Dr. and Dr. (Mrs) Steven Andzenge

Richard Olonishuwa and his wife, Yemi

L-R: Orebe Tope, Galadima Ibrahim, Sofolahon Ayo, Funso Fayomi, Mallah Usman and Mesele S.

L-R: Prince Olusola Akanmode and Femi Bello

L-R: Mr. and Mrs. Roland Ijejeme

Pastor Suberu Justus and wife, Pastor Modupe

Richard Akanmode and wife, Yemi

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

EVENTS

L-R: Pastor Yakubu Gontor and Mrs. Okala

Akin Osanaiye and wife, Dr (Mrs) Bukola

L-R: Prof Maxwell Gidado (SAN) and Tony Olaji

L-R: Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) Edetet Otu-Bassey

Pastor and Mrs. T. Adebisi

L-R: Pastor Ayodele Salami and Pastor Dele Bolade

L-R: Pastor Olusegun Rotimi and wife, Pastor Ayennike

Children and grandchildren of the Celebrant

T H I S D AY SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

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CUTLERY AND ROSES

ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ ĂŒĂ“Ă™Ă’Ă‹ Í¸Î€Í¸Î€ÍšÍżÎ€Î ÍżÍťÍż

Crossroads

First Impressions at Crossroads

ou may be forgiven if your first impression about Crossroads bar and restaurant in Eko Hotels & Suites ended at a simple glance. Truly, its simple amd serene outdoor decor does not instigate oneâ€™s curiosity to go beyond the glass door. Perhaps, this explained why I kept postponing my visit to the restaurant. To be sure, Crossroads didnâ€™t just open yesterday. Itâ€™s been in business for over two years. But I somewhat made a hasty conclusion that the interior will just be the conventional setting â€“ a serene ambiance, salsa or tejano music playing in the background with an array of Mexican cuisine. How wrong I was. My recent visit proved my first impressions were very mistaken. The moment you opened that door, you are transported to another world entirely. First, you will be captivated by the architectural design depending on the entrance you take for there are two ways to the restaurant. One is situated on your way to the lobby while the other shares the same hallway with the cafe and bookstore, right before the ATM machines. For my first visit, I took the door outside the lobby. At first, I wondered where the shiny circular staircase on the left side led to, then I looked ahead and saw the glass doors which automatically opened as I drew near. For a moment, I felt like a genie had just dropped me in the middle of a magical restaurant. Every piece of decor grabs your attention. From the darkly-lit restaurant with its fine dining set to the bar where a group of people were having drinks and watching a replay of the popularised boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor. A female waiter dressed in an orange shirt and grey trousers approached me, smiling. â€œDo you have a reservation ma or you want a seat?â€? â€œI will like to see the manager please.â€? â€œOK ma. I will fetch him. Kindly sit at the bar.â€? Two minutes later, the waiter returned. â€œPlease he will be with you shortly ma.â€? Another minute, she was in front of me again. â€œHe will join you now.â€? The manager, a tall, fair-complexioned man who had the serious look of a banker. arrived immediately. Then he smiled and grabbed a stool. I introduced myself and the next minute, he was off the stool, leading me to different parts of the restaurant. Crossroads is very big and spacious. The dining court is divided into two. The lower part is bigger while the elevated part which also shares some space with the band stand is smaller. A walkway leads to the kitchen where Chef Fernando and his team of local chefs are busy with the delicacies. The manager, Hicham El Gemayel stopped by a table and asked the guests if they were having a good time. He got an affirmative response. There were few people dining on this particular night. â€œTonight is less busy,â€? he told me. â€œCome

tomorrow. Wednesdays are very busy here.â€? We walked round to the bar, the longest bar so far in a Nigerian restaurant. Gemayel told me it has a seating capacity of 50 but when you add those standing, that figure adds up to 150. Gemayel hinted that there are plans to transform the decor separating the two dining courts to a bar. Right beside the bar is a mini lounge aesthesised with wood panelled walls, arresting furniture and funky lights. Gemayel called the lights the â€˜new generation lightsâ€™ because of its appeal to young fun lovers. Its setting is very similar to a club. On the tables are small candle decors. This is replicated on the dining tables. The name Crossroads is derived by the origins of its cuisine: Tex-Mex. Most Mexicans reside in Texas, US. The food menu boasted of Mexicans foods like the tacos and enchiladas. Drinks served in the bar vary but as a tradition, each diner gets a free shot of tequila. Everything about Crossroads has a distinct style. Gemayel pointed this out in the menu which pages are highlighted by a flowery borderline. Most of the decor and furniture are imported from Spain and France. The furnishings of the restaurant, he said costs the hotel $2 million dollars. The waiting room and restroom is located at the basement of the restaurant. He explained that, that was where the staircase led to but staff members use the elevator. However, on my second visit, I wasnâ€™t too impressed by the state of the restrooms. More attention should be paid to the cleanliness of the convenience particularly, the ladies. â€œJust come tomorrow with a date at 8p.m,â€? Gemayel insisted, â€œThatâ€™s when we open and we stay till two or three in the morning or whenever God says we should go. Itâ€™s another experience on its own. I will reserve a seat for you because it can be difficult getting a seat. About 80% of the seats are already reserved for tomorrowâ€™s night.â€? I needed no further persuasion. On Wednesday night, I was all dressed in my little black lace dress with my date, ready to dig in to the Belvedere Wednesdays. This time around, we used the other entrance. Outside it was a banner displaying an ad for the night as well as the opening time of the restaurant. Inside, we were greeted by a female hostess who confirmed our reservation and took us through the bar where a fashionable throng was clinking glasses, laughing, arguing or simply enjoying the bustle. It was difficult to assimilate the scenery before me. 24hrs ago, there were few people in this restaurant but now, it seemed like a ball was going on. There were no seats, not even the lounge could spare a seat. The band was playing. So the noise of the crowd combined with music sounded like a beautiful cacophony. The restaurant suddenly looked like a club. Gemayel came to greet me and my date and told me beforehand that he would be extremely busy but I should have a good time. The hostess finally took us to our table. My date and I spent the first few minutes absorbing our

environment. A middle-aged man who looked like a corporate top gun was just finishing his dinner. He seemed oblivious of the chatter around him. Beside us was a group of young ladies who must have finished dinner or just had only drinks. Behind my date was another group who seemed to be colleagues unwinding after a hard dayâ€™s work. At our extreme right, another group of beautiful girls was just having fun. It was hard for my date and I to hear each other. We had to lean across the table or speak louder. So it is not advisable to go to Crossroads on a busy night like Wednesdays if you want to have a quiet dinner. It took a while before we got a waiter to attend to us. Apparently, the restaurant is understaffed to serve their teeming guests. This calls for all hands to be on deck. So donâ€™t be surprised when you see Gemayel clearing the tables or the hostesses doing same. At a point, more tables and chairs were brought in to accommodate guests who kept walking in every minute. For instance, immediately the gentleman on our side left his table, a couple occupied it but didnâ€™t stay long. Perhaps, they couldnâ€™t go with the flow. Nevertheless, the seats didnâ€™t stay vacant for long as another couple occupied them. I ordered for a strawberry margarita drink while my date had a glass of sparkling white wine. For our starters we had fries and chicken ribs. The chicken was so juicy that we ordered for more. Gemayel had boasted of this earlier. The waitress was kind enough to put us through the menu, explaining the ingredients and taste of the various delicacies on display. I couldnâ€™t help but notice that the prices were as high as N17, 500 and as low as N1,200. We ordered for the Mexican green rice and Greek salad. The meals were brought in bowls since the table was already set. The green rice was very green in colour but very spicy. We decided to have a spongy cake for desserts. Itâ€™s like having an iced sweet cake. By 10 pm, the band stopped playing and the DJ took over. Credence must be given to Crossroads for introducing a new dining experience that blends beautifully with a club setting. But it was not always like this. When Crossroads first opened in 2014, an Italian expatriate was brought in to run the place but made no progress. For months, people just walked past the restaurant. Then Gemayel who has been in the hospitality business since he was 13 years old, took over the helm and turned things around. He is the Assistant manager of the hotelâ€™s Food and Beverage department and responsible for all the restaurants in the hotel. But due to his success with Crossroads, he became very famous as the Crossroadsâ€™ manager. If you ask him the secret of his success, the partly Brazilian manager will tell you, itâ€™s Jesus! As we finally took our leave some minutes before 11 pm, more guests were still arriving. The party just got started.

Spices Zainab Balogun Goes on a Culinary Journey The culinary world is not an easy one. As simple as some of its processes may be, it requires some level of training. No one understands this better than presenter, producer and actress, Zainab Balogun, who stars in the new production of EbonyLife TV, Royal Hibiscus Hotel, which is currently screening at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival. It is her second feature in EbonyLife films. In the movie, she played the lead character, Ope, a young disillusioned chef who works in a restaurant in the UK but had to return to Nigeria to pursue her true passion. For her role, Balogun admitted that she had to do a research on the culinary world. â€œI had to do a thorough research before auditioning for this role. What is it about chefs that make them unique? What is it about cooking food that makes you feel good? Itâ€™s the smell, the feel, the taste. I discovered that cooking looks easy but itâ€™s a bit complicated. I love to cook and I think Iâ€™m not bad at it.â€? Balogun also played the role of a caterer in â€œThe Wedding Partyâ€?. Who knows, she might surprise us with her own culinary business someday.

Balmoral Set for International Drinks Festival If all things go as planned, Lagos will play host to the first ever International Drinks Festival. Slated for December, the International Drinks Festival will pool the industryâ€™s top brands, professionals and consumers in a groundbreaking experience geared towards moving the drinks business forward in Nigeria. The festival will feature an exhibition of notable brands; Masterclasses with professionals in the field; and summits which will give the attendees opportunities to ask questions and interact with experts. The event will take place from the 1st â€“ 3rd December, 2017 at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos and is proudly sponsored by Balmoral.

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Guinness: Steadily Brewing Nigeriaâ€™s Socio-economic Development

with

KASIE ABONE 08057511558 (sms only)

The Guinness Nigeria Water Health Centre at Adigbe in Abeokuta, Ogun State

or a business that strictly adheres to global practice, upholds ethical principles, supports good causes, employs thousands, Guinness Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of Diageo Plc, will definitely occupy a pre-eminent position when the list of organisations promoting Nigeriaâ€™s socio-economic development is drawn. Since its incorporation in 1950, commencing with the Ikeja Brewery in 1963, the company has continued to expand its footprints on Nigeriaâ€™s socio-economic landscape. Through its compliance to corporate governance, the economic value that the company generates in terms of fiscal contribution to the government at all levels is noteworthy. Over the years, Guinness Nigeria Plc has made great strides in the area of community investment, especially through its Water of Life initiative, which provides safe drinking water to millions of Nigerians across several rural communities. The company has also helped in raising the standard of education across board through various youth empowerment schemes and capacity building initiatives that enable less privileged students to have access to qualitative education. Recognising that health is critical to economic development, and that without sound health, not much can be achieved; Guinness Nigeria Plc took the decision to make health one of its strategic sustainability pillars. Some years back, the company partnered with select tertiary institutions in Nigeria to improve eye health care. This informed the establishment of Guinness Eye Hospitals in three major cities â€“ Lagos, Onitsha and Benin. The company has continued to maintain these eye clinics as part of its commitment to promoting high quality healthcare in the country. Unemployment has been a socio-economic factor confronting Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. The company, in its strategic sustainability objectives, has

put access to gainful employment in its front burner to address this issue. Through consistent provision of direct and indirect employment, Guinness Nigeria Plc has significantly helped in reducing the growing rate of unemployment in Nigeria. Also, it provides an enabling environment, which directly provides employment for over 1000 Nigerians, thereby creating the necessary job satisfaction, and raising the standard of living of many people. In addition to direct employment, the company provides jobs for over 10,000 people working with various vendors, partners and stakeholders along its value chain. More importantly, Guinness Nigeria Plc, through its backward integration agenda, has demonstrated its dedication and commitment to promoting local content by leading its industry in the sourcing of its raw materials locally. Thus, this move has significantly helped in transforming the businesses and livelihoods of several smallholder farmers who grow the grains the company uses for its production. It is noteworthy that Guinness Nigeria Plcâ€™s direct and indirect contribution to job creation is essentially driven by purchases in industries such as agriculture, packaging and logistics, as well as induced employment in hospitality and retail sectors. Another area Guinness Nigeria Plc has scored a major point is in its fiscal contribution to the government. Since inception of its business operations, the company has continued to demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to promoting economic development through compliance with corporate governance that promotes economic development. In its 2016 financial year, it made payments to the tune of N13billion in taxes, including Value Added Tax (VAT), employee tax, corporate income tax, excise duties, among other taxes. With over 900 registered vendors, it has also contributed hugely to the growth of several businesses, with payments in excess of billions of Naira. Commenting on its overall economic contribution to the nation, Peter Ndegwa,

Presentation of Optical equipment to the management of Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria Plc reiterated the companyâ€™s commitment to developing the socio-economic development of the nation, while also lauding the present administrationâ€™s doggedness, resilience, and determination in bringing the nationâ€™s economy out of recession, as recently announced. He said: â€œWe are proud of our contribution to the Nigerian economy and we remain positive that as we grow our business, we will continue to extend our economic impact even further.â€? In December 2015, Guinness Nigeria Plc became the first total beverage alcohol company in Nigeria when it acquired the rights to distribute International Premium Spirits (IPS), including Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky and Baileyâ€™s liqueur in Nigeria. This was quickly followed in January 2016 by the acquisition of the rights to distribute McDowellâ€™s, a United Spirits

Limited (USL) whisky brand. In November 2016, the company invested N4.7billion in a spirits line for locally manufactured spirits which we commissioned in Benin. These strategic acquisitions and expansions have filled the gaps in the spirits brand base, allowing Guinness to compete across all categories of the alcoholic beverage market in Nigeria. Guinness Nigeria Plc, through its action and interaction with its critical stakeholders, some of which include: consumers, customers, suppliers, among others, have shown its strong belief in the socio-economic development of the country. Also, as a business that prides itself, following its great strides in the areas of peerless fiscal contribution and massive job creation, among other factors, Guinness Nigeria Plc has also displayed sterling leadership qualities through its self-regulatory initiatives that provide the benchmark for other industry players.

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MARITIME BITS with John Iwori.... Í¸Î€Í¸Í˝ÍżÍżÍžÍťÍšÍžÍź

L-R: Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Customs Area Controller (CAC), Tin Can Island Port Area Command, Comptroller Bashir Yusuf; Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Ibrahim Hameed Ali (retired); Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG), NCS Headquarters, ACG Abdukadiri Azarema, and the Public Relations Officer (PRO), NCS, Tin Can Island Port Area Command, Mr. Uche Ejesieme when Ali arrived in the command to inspect a rifle laden container imported into the country in Lagosâ€Śrecently

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Customs Area Controller (CAC), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba flanked by the Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, DCG Dauda handing over some of the hard drugs seized by the unit to an official of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagosâ€Śrecently

Heads to Roll as IMC on MAN Oron Begins Work Heads will roll as the interim management committee (IMC) set up by the Federal Government to manage Nigeriaâ€™s oldest maritime training institution, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State begins work. The IMC which has some key players in the maritime industry as members, including the President of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Mr. Greg Ogbeifun is headed by the erstwhile Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Adebayo Sarumi. Other members are the immediate past Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Captain Adamu Biu; former Rector, MAN, Oron, Mr. Olu Akinsoji; a senior lecturer in MAN, Oron, Dr. Kelvin Okonna; and a Director in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Danjuma Dauda. Effective and purposeful leadership eluded the premier training institution for about four years as two of its rectors, Dr. Joshua Okpo and Engr. Anthony Isiodu lost their lives in quick succession

RiďŹ‚es Import: CGC Fingers Terminal Operator, Shipping Firm As dust continue to raise over the discovery of another container laden with rifles in Nigeriaâ€™s second busiest seaport, Tin Can Island Port Complex, Apapa, Lagos, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Colonel Ibrahim Hameed Ali (retired) has fingered the concessionaire in charge of the terminal as having a hand in the importation of the prohibited item. He also fingered the shipping firm involved in the shipment of the prohibited cargo, pointing out that there was no way they would not be aware before the container was sealed at the port of origin. Speaking in Lagos in the wake of the discovery of the container laden with the rifles, Ali stated that there was no way the terminal operator who received the prohibited items would be innocent of its importation. According to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) boss, the way and manner the rifles laden container was positioned in the terminal on the day it was discovered, it was clear that the terminal operator was aware of its content since the cargo was not slated for physical examination on the day it was discovered by the service. He maintained that it was impossible for the rifle laden container to be at the spot it was discovered without the knowledge of the terminal operator. He also fingered shipping companies in the shipment of the prohibited cargo into the country, even as he pointed out that this was the third time the same kind of items would be shipped into Nigeria from Turkey. In order to avert a similar occurrence, the retired military officer who was the military governor of Kaduna State during his hey days in service said NCS would soon hold discussions with the Nigerian Shippersâ€™ Council (NSC) on how to handle shipping companies involved in bringing dangerous goods into the country.

in mysterious circumstances. The Sarumi led IMC was given a mandate by the Federal Government to restructure and arrest the dwindling fortunes of the academy over the years. The committee had last year completed its initial task but on the submission of its report to Amaechi handed a fresh assignment of executing its findings. This has sent tongues wagging in several quarters, as stakeholders in the maritime industry had expected a different committee or set of people to implement the report it submitted. The mandate was announced in Abuja penultimate Wednesday by the Minister of Transportation, Right Hon. Rotimi Amaechi while inaugurating the committee. THISDAY had reported the setting up of the six-man committee in January this year. Among other functions, the IMC is to advise the Federal Government on the best way to restructure and reposition MAN, Oron for better results. 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. Impeccable sources told THISDAY that as part of its mandate, the IMC has already frozen the accounts of the academy just as some names have been pencilled down for redeployment or outright dismissal from work. Academic and non-academic staff who have irregular employment and pending disciplinary cases in their secret files were said to be top on the list those that will be shown the exit door. Already, tension and fear of the known have gripped the academic community as no one is certain of the fate that awaits them as the execution of the IMC mandate enters the third week. Morale among the workforce is said to be very low as a cloud of uncertainty envelopes the academy.

Lawson Leads US-Nigeria Trade Council Delegation to USA The Chairperson for the Advisory Board of the US-Nigeria Trade Council, Mrs. Iyalode Alaba Lawson will lead a trade delegation to Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America (USA). The trade delegation is coming on the heels of her recent appointment into the council. Slated for November, 2017 the US-Nigeria Agriculture Business Investment Summit is expected to attract participants across the globe with some key players in Nigeria attending. The move is seen in some quarters as part of the policy and strategic efforts to improve trade traffic between the USA and Nigeria. It is on record that the Federal Government since President Mohammadu Buhari took the mantle of leadership on May 29, 2015 has stepped up the campaign for the diversification of the Nigerian economy with agriculture taking the centre stage. Not a few stakeholders in the maritime industry and beyond see the US-Nigeria Agriculture Business Investment Summit as an avenue to further promote the economic diversification agenda of the Buhari administration. Former USA Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS and presently, the chief executive officer (CEO), FEEEDS Advocacy Initiative, Dr. Robins R. Sanders is expected to give a keynote address and engage with participants at the summit. The organisers in a statement obtained by THISDAY said the summit is planned to promote business enterprise at SME and government levels between the USA and Nigeria; develop bilateral business partnerships, attract foreign investors; promote USA goods and services in Nigeria as well as promote Nigeria goods and services to the American markets. â€œIt would be an excellent opportunity

to weigh in on modern farming methods, fisheries, poultry, agric-tourism, aqua farming and the use of relevant modern technologies for large scale farming. Expected attendees will include business leaders, senior government officials, companies CEOs and executives, investors as well as ICT innovators in business and agricultural industries. There will be exhibitions from major agro-allied businessesâ€?, the statement added. In her remarks, the Vice President, USNigeria Trade Council, Mrs. Affi Israel Ibanga enjoined Nigerians to take full advantage of the investment summit by participating actively. â€œWe have a lot to gain by our active involvement in this summit. That is why I am using this opportunity to encourage everyone to come on boardâ€?, she said. On his part, the Executive Director/ CEO, US-NigeriaTrade Council, Mr. Titus Olowokere described the summit as a welcome development. According to him, since the President Mohammadu Buhari is championing the diversification of the economy, the summit could not have come at a better time. An entrepreneur and academician, Lawson is the proprietor of Lawson Group of Schools and Chairman, Abestone Microfinance Bank Limited. 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). The idea of the first female President of NACCIMA heading the delegation was not unconnected with the fact that Lawson is seen as a mentor, advocate, chair and supporter of the US-Nigeria Trade Council.

The situation is not helped by the fact that the staff strength of the academy is not only over bloated but also lopsided with those from Oron and Akwa Ibom State having an edge over those from other parts of the country. THISDAY checks revealed that no fewer than 849 persons are presently the employees of MAN, Oron. A breakdown of the figure showed that while 110 are teaching staff, 739 are non-teaching staff. In the same vein, while 504 are senior employees, 235 are junior employees. Not a few stakeholders in the maritime industry have wondered what the new Rector of MAN, Oron, Mr. Duja Effedua will be doing in the six months that the IMC is expected to implement its assignment. They also questioned the absence of a board for the academy since Amaechi took the reins of administration in Dipharima House, the corporate headquarters of the Ministry of Transportation, Abuja more than two years ago.

Masaya: EMC, FOU Zone C Synergy Curtail Smuggling The synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Eastern Marine Command (EMC), and the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C has succeeded in curtailing the activities of smugglers. Like its counterpart in the West, Western Marine Command (WMC), the EMC ensures that smugglers and other criminal elements do not turn the waterways into avenues of smuggling dangerous and prohibited items into the country. The FOU which is the intelligence arm of the NCS is divided into three zones, namely A, B and C with specific states under their jurisdiction. The mandate of FOU Zone C which has its headquarters in the Imo State capital, Owerri covers Imo, Abia, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States. It was gathered that following the collaboration between EMC and FOU Zone C, the activities of smugglers have been reduced drastically in recent times. Confirming the development, the Customs Area Controller, EMC, Comptroller Ajiya M. Masaya said officers and men of EMC have continued to collaborate with their counterparts in other commands, especially FOU Zone C to ensure that smuggling activities are reduced to the barest minimum. He stated that in the past, smugglers and other criminal elements used to capitalise on the loopholes in NCS areas of operations to perpetrate their inimical activities in the country. The Customs Chief pointed out that with the collaboration among the various commands, especially between FOU Zone C and the EMC, this was no longer the case. His words: â€œIn the past, once the officers and men of the FOU stepped up their operations on the land, the smugglers and other criminal elements resort to the creeks, rivulets, and waterways to smuggle in contraband into the country. In the same vein, whenever EMC stepped up our anti-smuggling on the waterways, most of these criminals resort to the land. However, with the synergy between FOU Zone C and EMC, this is no longer the case. Our officers and men are working hand-in-hand to ensure that no smuggler get away with their illegal and inimical activities. In fact, there is no more hiding place for smugglers to operate, whether on land or water.â€?

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FIFI DILLY

My Stress Level Doesnâ€™t Get to My Family Ă“Ă?Ă“ Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂŁĂ“Ă™ĂœĂ‹Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ–ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă?Ă“ Ă“Ă–Ă–ĂŁËœ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ™ ĂœĂ“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜ĂŁ Ă‹ĂŒĂ?Ă– Ă™Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă•ĂĄĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“ Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂŁĂ“Ă™ĂœĂ‹Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă—Ă™ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë› Ă“Ă?Ă“ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă—Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă–Ă™Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă‘Ă™Ă™ĂŽ Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă?Ë› Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?ĂĄ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Tosin CleggËœ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă‹Ă—Ă™ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă? ĂŒĂ™Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ‹Ă–Ă•Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂœĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă?Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă•Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ăš ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăœ Jamo Afrique was launched as a restaurant full blown restaurant but then I realised people just come to Jamo Afrique to eat and go out to have fun elsewhere. Then, I decided to re-launch my lounge in Jamo Afrique so they know they can come eat and drink and have fun with everything in one place. I have had Jamo Afrique for a year now. So, here you would enjoy your lovely Caribbean dishes, at the same time party and have fun, as there arenâ€™t any other lounge out there that serves our kind of dishes. And I think that stands us out. With God, everything will go on well. There is no business thatâ€™s easy and we are feeling the excesses of everything. We canâ€™t give up and just lay back that economy is bad. Economy is hard but we have to keep working smart to survive in this economy. Itâ€™s fluctuates; either itâ€™s good or itâ€™s bad. So, we have the good days and the bad days.

do catering where it isnâ€™t stressful and I donâ€™t have to worry about bills and taxes.

Balancing family and work I really donâ€™t know how I am doing it, but my stress level doesnâ€™t get to my family. It does not and a lot of people ask me how I do that. Once I leave the restaurant, I leave every work stress in there, and getting home to see my kids is a stress reliever. The minute they are all over me. I feel normal and good like my life is normal now. How I unwind Itâ€™s either Iâ€™m in bed with kids or travelling with my husband taking a week off. We often take short breaks to try to free ourselves of work stress and all that. My next line of action is expansion I intend to have branches, by the Grace of God. I will definitely expand and also add farming, as well to this business because without the food how will I cook? It makes more sense to grow my own produce instead of buying from third party.

I have a passion for Fashion, food Two things I have a passion for are the Fashion industry and the food industry. It could have been either of these two. And it could happen that I go into fashion later in my career. About my brand name When I wanted to open this restaurant, it was strictly going to be Nigerian food, like a full blown Nigerian food outlet but then my husband came and asked why I wanted to do only Nigerian food. It was then he said I stand out and do something different. And then we thought about it and said Chinese wonâ€™t work, pastries no, and what about Jamaican food and I thought who likes Jamaican food and he was like â€˜you would be shocked.â€™ â€˜Itâ€™s still African and Nigerians can relate to Jamaican foodâ€™ and we thought about the name and we named it Jamo Afrique i.e. Jamaican African. My social status has got nothing to do with me As thatâ€™s just an aspect of my

I wonâ€™t say I am a designerfreak I wonâ€™t say I go with the trend, but I love Nigerian designers and foreign designers, as well. Perfumes! Iâ€™m a perfume-freak. I cannot start naming the perfumes because I have a lot of them. I also love bags, shoes and more; if you follow me on Instagram you will know that. So, I wonâ€™t start mentioning names because I love all. FiďŹ Dilly

life, so I balance it well and for me nothing changes. When it comes to social aspect we do that and leave that. Then, when it comes to the real life, I am myself and it doesnâ€™t affect me or my family in anyway. Keeping up with the business Sometimes, I ask myself how I found myself here, but then, I

remember â€˜this is your passion and why are you giving up on it,â€™ then Iâ€™ll go on pushing. I ask myself if I want to be a failure or â€˜how do you fail with something thatâ€™s your passion?â€™ Really, when I think about that, then Iâ€™ll go home into my kitchen, as I am a chef, and Iâ€™ll remember itâ€™s my passion. Then that keeps on pushing me, but I have my moment when I just think about going to

For any restaurant or lounge, service is key And I always like to sustain what I have going like food, my service, my staff and a lot more because service is key. Thatâ€™s the best I can offer my celebrity friends and thatâ€™s what will make them come back over and over. My husband owns a record label so I love music I love Nigerian music and I love rap music.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍžËœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍľ

MY STORY GISTS â€˜MY WIFE AND Iâ€™ HITS NUMBER ONE SPOT Bunmi Ajakaiyeâ€™s first feature film, â€˜My Wife and Iâ€™ is breaking records at the box office in Nigeria, against all odds, after only the first week of its release. The Inkblot and Filmoneâ€™s collaborative effort last week was the number one movie in the cinemas despite, the presence of Hollywoodâ€™s Hitman Bodyguard. According to Moses Babatope, Executive Director at Filmone, â€œIt has been a long time since Nollywood recorded such accolade in the month of August. The last time was â€˜Half of a Yellow Sunâ€™ in 2014. This is indeed a big feat for Inkblot Productions and Filmone and especially for first rising director Bunmi Ajakaiye. Industry insiders believe â€˜My wife and Iâ€™ is on the verge of hitting 25 million in its first week. â€œThis hasnâ€™t been confirmed yet, but we will be sure to share the figures once we get it,â€? Moses Babatope said. The movie, which brings back the union of Ramsey Nouah and Omoni Oboli several years after their captivating display in Kunle Afolayanâ€™s Figurine, was written by head honcho at Inkblot Productions, Naz Onuzo who is also responsible for â€˜Out of Luck,â€™ â€˜The Arbitrationâ€™ and â€˜The Wedding Party 2.â€™

GIFTTY

Iâ€™m Not Boxed in Terms of My Type of Music Ă“Ę´ĂŁ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ĂžĂ™ Í˝Íž Ă™ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ?Ë› Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍ˝ Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ Ă’Ă? Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“ĂžĂŁË› Ă? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ ĂœË› Ă‹Ă¤Ă“ Ă“Ă˜ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă? ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ–Ă?ĂŽ ËŠĂ–Ă™ĂœĂ“ Ă™Ă•Ă‹ĂŽĂ‹ËŞËœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă‹ĂŽĂ™ ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă•Ă?Ëœ ĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŁĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă‘ Ë›

Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ăž ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Tosin CleggËœ Ă’Ă? ĂžĂ‹Ă–Ă•Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă?Ëœ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ?

PEFTI LAUNCHES MULTIMILLION NAIRA EXECUTIVE TRAINING ROOM The renowned PEFTI Film Institute has once again raised the bar and reiterated its position as one of the top complete training institutes in West Africa, with the launch of a multi-million Naira Executive Training Facility on its campus. The 52-seater, fully air-conditioned facility, launched on August 22, commenced operations with a Canon workshop, employing its state-ofthe-art High-Definition Projectors, Public Address System. The facility has sufficient parking spaces, and is powered by two soundproof generators. The Managing Director of PEFTI, Abiola Adenuga had this to say: â€œPEFTI has several classrooms with varying capacities, as well as a fully-equipped multipurpose hall, which can accommodate 1,200 people. This new Executive Training Class offers premium comfort and high-end equipment to discerning members of the public. PEFTI will also launch a series of short Executive Training Sessions for Television and Radio stations, Banks, Government agencies, Religious bodies, and other organisations who want to add value to their staff in a wide range of areas.â€?

ZEAK DROPS SPANKING NEW SINGLE, â€˜AFAM BU ZEAKâ€™ Budding singer and sensational rapper, Anuebunwa Francis Chijioke Nwabueze, aka Zeak, has released a spanking new single, Afam Bu Zeak, on his record label, SSYMA Records. Produced by Dalukes and mixed and mastered by Emmashyne, according to the artiste, Afam Bu Zeak is a rap song which chronicles his experiences and embodies everything about his identity, ambition and his strive for excellence. Faced with a critical decision of what next, he settled for his next best love, music and chose the path of rap. Zeak reveals that as an artiste, his core inspirations are drawn from the everyday happenings of life with his influences cutting across rap, hip-hop and reggae with greats such as Bob Marley, Fela, Dr. Sir Warrior and Tupac Shakur, Eminem, Sarkodie and Duncan Mighty. With this new single, Zeak says that he hopes to redefine the face of indigenous rap music and take it to a higher level. He released his hit single, I am sorry, using the moniker Baby Boy, a name which evolved into the Zeak brand. The track which was created in collaboration with hip-hop producer, Major Bangz, hit the airwaves in 2016 to critical acclaim.

ell us a bit more about yourself? Iâ€™m Gift Afele, the divine boy. Iâ€™m a musician and a graduate of Ambrose Alli University in Edo state where I studied Theatre Arts and Media.

What kind of music do you do? I consider myself a very versatile artiste, Iâ€™m not boxed in terms of the type of music I make, so Iâ€™ll say I do world music and by that I mean music that can be felt anywhere on the planet - good music. Who are your musical inďŹ‚uences? Lionel Richie, Wizkid, Fela, Ed Sheeran. I listen to a lot of music, good music, from the past and present. What kind of music do you do? Good African music, soulful music but relatable to by everyone. My fans should expect the best from me; I just put out a new single featuring Mr. Eazi â€˜lori Okadaâ€™ please check that out, itâ€™s available everywhere online. Where do you see yourself in ďŹ ve years? I see myself in a bigger and better place with my music and life in general. World Domination!

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍž, 2017

POLITY

â€˜Nigeria Facing Increase in Cases of Mental Health and Substance Abuseâ€™ Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

mental health expert has said there was ample evidence to indicate a rise in the cases of substance abuse and mental health in the country. Speaking to journalists during a briefing and tour of a new facility primarily established to cater for people in need of mental healthcare in Nigeria, Medical Director of Tranquil & Quest, Dr Otefe Edebi, said substance abuse and mental health cases were seemingly on the rise in the country. While making it known that the centre, based in the Lekki-Ajah axis in Lagos, offers various forms of psychiatric and psycho-

logical evaluations to individuals, families, schools and as well to organisations, he pointed out that indications point to an upward trend regarding prevalence. â€œGeneral statistics point out that about 20% of any given society in the world is likely to suffer from one mental ailment or the other. And that means that 1 in 5 of every society across the world has the likelihood of suffering from one mental issue or the other,â€? he said. Speaking further, he said: â€œHere at Tranquil & Quest, we have put together a team of highly-skilled, well-experienced professionals from various fields in mental healthcare, ranging from consultants, psychiatric nurses, psychologists and supportive

professionals on the business side and we all come together and our goal is to address the challenge of risings cases of substance abuse and mental health in Nigeria.â€? A branch of Tranquil & Quest International which has its headquarters in New Jersey, United States of America, Edebi said the modern and impressive facility is the realisation of the dream of the chairman and CEO, Dr Henry Bandele Odunlami, a US-based psychiatrist with over 20 yearsâ€™ experience in mental health. â€œThis is part of an initiative to bring to Nigeria world class mental health services. I dare say we are the first of our kind so far in Nigeria because we are a luxury-styled modern mental health facility. Although

there are many centres, we are designed to offer luxury even while people go through mental health treatment and we have come to add our quota to what mental health practitioners in the country are doing,â€? he added. Starting out 12 years ago as not a lot more than a dream along with one personnel, Tranquil & Quest International in the US is now present in five locations and well over 300 members of staff and counting, according to the medial director accompanied by top officials including Mr. Olukunle Adeogun, director of operations; Mrs Olubukola Hassan, director of Business Development and the finance director, Mrs Stella Adeogun.

Oluwo Seeks Bilateral Ties with Ilorin on Common Interest Stories by Hammed Shittu Ă“Ă˜ Ă–Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă˜

first class traditional ruler in Osun state, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi has called for bilateral ties between the people of Iwo and Ilorin in order to promote religious, economic and political interest of the two ancient communities. Oba Akanbi, who made the call in Ilorin, during his royal homage visit to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari at his palace, said that, â€œthere is no doubt that the two communities have the same ancestral ties and this should be protected for the common good of the two communities.â€? According to him, the ties between the two cities were broken for years and have cost them opportunities, hence, there was urgent need to reconnect so as to add values to the socio well-being of the two communities. He said, â€œOur ancestors were well versed and connected in Islamic knowledge. We were intimate brothers in Islam, kindness and

knowledge and, to attest to this affinity, Iwo is called Geri Malami while Ilorin is Geri Alimi, but the interaction between the duo is not cordial as before and this is one of the primary reasons for my visit. â€œIwo should be seen as Ilorin while I address Ilorin as Iwo from today. We are both bastion of Islamic knowledge and culture and that shall continue to be sustained as laid by the early scholars of the two states. â€œThe two Islamic states are divinely established to possess many identical features extending to names starting with letter I which stands for Islam, Iwo and Ilorin.â€? Oba Akanbi, who was accompanied on the visit by 10 traditional rulers and 20 chiefs, described Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Gambari â€œas an astute and true father, who sees to the wellbeing of his subjects and promote their political will through relevance in administering Nigeria.â€? In his remark, Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Gambari eulogised Oluwo of Iwo for his sense of history and understanding, promising unquenchable interaction with Iwo. Emir affirmed Iwo as a twin home to Ilorin, the closest and well connected to each other

on Islamic knowledge and teachings in the whole western region. He, however, assured that the Ilorin Emir-

ates was wholeheartedly ready for bilateral relationship with Oluwo and urged citizens of the two cities to be one like never before.

SON DG Attributes Adulteration of Products to Improper Monitoring

irector General Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Dr. Osita Aboloma has attributed faking and adulteration of products in the country to improper monitoring. Aboloma disclosed this in Ilorin at the presentation of Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificate to Polar Petrol Chemicals Limited. According to him, â€œI want the management of the company to deliberately synergise with the distributors, as experience has shown that adulteration, faking or any manner of tempering with the products is usually traced to improper monitoring and communication gap.â€? Represented by Group Head Chemical tech-

nologies of SON, Engineer Agboola Afolayan, Aboloma urged Nigerians to patronise made in Nigeria products, â€œas they can compete with similar products manufactured elsewhere in the world.â€? He said that, â€œThe commitment of the management of Polar Petrochemicals Limited to live up to its obligation and secret mandate to meet the yearnings of its customers in the provision of quality lubricating oil is legendry and worth emulating by all manufacturers in the country. â€œBy this certification, the companyâ€™s name and products are already in the SON website and can be accessed all over the world. The certification has also licensed the company to market its products beyond the shores of this country.â€?

L-R: Shepherd in Charge, Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Asetura Parish, Anisere Miran, Superior Evangelist Olufemi Elegah; Cape Elder Sister Peju Alegah; Lace Superior Elder Sister Ajoke Lawanson; and Mother Celestial Bridget Elegah, at the 50th birthday anniversary thanksging service of Olufemi Elegah, held at the church auditorium, Lagos recentlyâ€Ś recently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Chief Ashishana Ogunmah, Chief Omolaye Balogun and Chief Dan Majebi Ukana, members of the 38th Opoze Avinebe Age Group who were initiated into the Azebani Council of Elders in Igarra, during Aba festival at Igarra in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State...recently PHOTO: GBENGA UKANA

L-R: Specialist OďŹ„ine Marketing, Konga.com, Afolabi Akinwale; Chief Promoter, Science Teachers Game, Patrick Ochuba; Host/Brand Ambassador, Science Teachers Game, Isabella Akinseye; Head of Depertment, Sofftware, Systemtech Services Limited, Emmanuel Onwe; Sales Manager, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Limited Kelechi Obiukwu; and Group Head, Enterprise Solutions Unite, Fidelity Bank Plc, Zee Agetua, at the unvielling of Science Teachers Game, a reality show for science teachers in secondary school in Nigeria in Lagos...recently

L-R: Manager, Digital (Marketing and Analytics), FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Tuoyo Erikowa; Brand Manager,Akon Imoh, mother of the winner (2nd Position), Hannah Jonathan; 2nd position winner, Sharon Jonathan; Marketing Manager (IFT), FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Zatur Hassim; and Junior Brand Manager, Omobolaji Adewuyi; at the cheque presentation to winners of Peak456 Talent Hunt in Lagos...recently

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍžËœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍż

POLITY

Senator Tinubu: Hate Speeches, Quit Notices Hurt the Nigerian Nation

L-R: Secretary, All Progressives Congress, Lagos State, Hakeem Bamgbala; Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Wasiu Sanni Esinlokun; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Prince Tajudeen Olusi; and the Chairman, Surulere Local Government, Tajudeen Ajide, during the Lagos Central Senatorial District Town Hall Meeting.

Kunle Adewale

ate speeches and quit notices from one ethnic group to another are injurious to the health of Nigeria as a nation and capable of damaging the gains inherent in its diversity. Senator Oluremi Tinubu representing Lagos Central Senatorial District canvassed the position while speaking at the Town Hall meeting she held with her constituents yesterday at Arcade Hall, Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos. She described Nigeria as a complex country, but noted that her greatness lies in its diversity, the different groups that form the whole. A coalition of Northern groups called Arewa Youths had earlier issued a notice to Igbo in the Northern part of the country to quit the area by October 1, 2017, but following widespread condemnation, the group later rescinded the quit notice.

Senator Tinubu commended the Arewa Consultative Forum for prevailing on the youths to withdraw their hurtful call. â€œI also appeal to others to follow suit and take back any statements capable of leading to hostilities and apprehension,â€? she said at the 23rd Town Hall meeting with the theme â€˜Embracing our Complexity and Diversityâ€™. The meeting was attended by Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun; Secretary, All Progressives Congress, Lagos State, Hon. Hakeem Bamgbala; Lagos Central Senatorial Leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Mr. Olawale Edun; former House of Representatives member, Hon. Wale Oshun, and some White Cap Chiefs among others. She charged Nigerians to re-evaluate themselves and those around them to adequately benefit from the diversity of ideas and experiences, which are important for the development of the country. Senator Tinubu said Nigeria and other

states have a lot to learn from Lagos State, pointing out that Lagos â€œwith all the different ethnicities that make up Nigeria residing within her boundaries, has proven that indeed, it is possible to coexist peacefully. â€œThis is only possible because of the practise of all-inclusive governance by the Lagos State Government, and provision of opportunities for all regardless of ethnic groups, social standing or religion,â€? she added. The Senator told her constituents that since the last town hall meeting, 34 bills had been presented at the Senate while 30 bills and 15 motions were considered, including a motion sponsored by 108 Senators on the need for national unity and peaceful co-existence. â€œThe motion urged amongst others that we embrace patriotism and nationalism while shunning divisive comments. In contributing to the motion, I stressed on my ties to different ethnic communities, the importance of the different parts that

make up the whole, and how we all have something to contribute to the development of Nigeria,â€? she said. She also reported the progress made by the Senate so far on the attempt to amend the 1999 Constitution (as amended). At the constituency level, Senator Tinubu also spoke about her efforts towards getting jobs for some unemployed people in her constituency through the National Directorate of Empowerment. She also disclosed among others that the Lagos Senatorial District was included in Small Scale Business Enterprise Management Skills Training Programme organized by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) at Balikisu Iyede Street, Onike-Yaba from Monday July 17â€“ Friday July 21, 2017. The training was targeted towards artisans and ensuring sustainability of business practices. Calling for support for the ongoing initiatives of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to fully develop the state, Senator Tinubu said the Lagos of â€œour dream is closer than everâ€?.

Kehinde Yusuf Needs N400,000 Help to Live Ahamefula Ogbu

o Isiaka Yusuf, 52, nature has been most unkind by turning his erstwhile family into a financial wreck though he has never claimed to be rich. His family was a happy one that lived normally till six months after his twin children Taiwo and Kehinde were born. Yusuf, a recharge card seller whose wife is an auxiliary nurse tearfully narrated how a rise in temperature by Kehinde later left them distraught and fighting to save his life at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan since June 2011 for hydrocephalus ailment. Several trips to different hospitals and specialists over the years has drained their very lean resources before they were told that the boy needed N400,000 for corrective surgery for which he is now crying to the general public to help him out. â€œHe and his twin brother, Taiwo, were born normal but six months after being born on 19th of September 2009 at Iseyin

Kehinde Yusuf

General Hospital, Iseyin, Oyo State Nigeria, Kehinde had repeated high temperature prompting me and my wife to take

him to Ado-Awaye General Hospital, Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State where the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital who also doubled as the owner of Holy Land Hospital, Peller road, Iseyin, in Iseyin Local Government Area passed a drip via his head. Two weeks later my childâ€™s head started growing more than his entire body and he could not sit nor walk nor control his head since then. â€œHe had undergone two surgeries (one at the University College Hospital and the other at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital) and currently undergoing physiotherapy at the University College Hospital (UCH). â€œMeanwhile, his Doctor says he has to undergo a minor surgery on his legs and some other treatment estimated to cost N400, 000 or more even as we are yet to see any change in my child after spending fortunes on him since March 2010 as a result of which I have sold virtually all my properties to see him through. Before going to the University College Hospital (UCH) in 2011, I have taken him to about 10 different private and

trado-medical hospitals. I am now tired and seek the assistance of members of the public to help raise this fund to treat him or assist in taking him to any hospital in Western Countries for better and lessstressful treatment. â€œPlease help for Godâ€™s grace and I pray God showers HIS mercy, favour and grace on you abundantly as you help. May you never lack, Amen. â€œWe can be reached at No. 231 Ire Akari Quarters, Tose, Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, on 08022300344 or 08059001989. Our bank details are Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Account Number 0151945965, Account Name Kehinde Abdur-Raheem Yusuf or Skye Bank Plc Account No.: 1031284723 Account Name is Kehinde Abdur-Raheem Yusuf, His UCH Ibadan Hospitalâ€™s number is 1209980 for verification,â€? he appealed. Yusuf said though the ailment had made their lives miserable, he intended to do everything under his power to see that his son lives a normal life again and had no other means of accessing treatment except to appeal to kind hearted individuals for assistance.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

PERSPECTIVE

N100bn Sukuk: Achieving Financial Inclusion for Economic Growth Wale Suleiman

igeria recently joined countries igeria recently joined countries like the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Malaysia and South Africa when the Debt Management Office, DMO, launched the Offer for the N100 billion Sukuk- a non interest asset-based security. The Sukuk has a seven year tenor with a price of N1, 000 per unit. The minimum subscription is N10, 000, which is 10 units at N1, 000 per unit and in multiples of N1, 000 (1unit) thereafter. The rental payment would be made semi-annually while the redemption would be a bullet payment of invested funds at maturity. For those not familiar with this non-interest instrument, it may be useful to state that its main difference from the conventional bonds that are always on offer at the capital market is that it represents ownership interest in assets while bonds represent a pure debt obligation due from the issuer. In addition, the funds raised from Sukuk issuance must be used only for ethical purposes while bonds can be issued to finance any item that is considered legal. The sale of Sukuk represents the sale of the holderâ€™s interest in an asset while the sale of a bond is the sale of a debt. The Sukuk is an instrument structured in line with the tenets of Islam to generate returns for investors without infringing Islamic law that prohibits interest. Sukuks have become extremely popular since 2000, when the first Sukuk was issued by Malaysia, and many countries are tapping in to this huge source of funding to achieve financial inclusion and grow their economies. The success of the Sukuk has made it attractive to all segments of the investing public locally and internationally. All categories of investors, including retail investors, high net worth individuals, institutional investors such as commercial banks, insurance/takaful companies, pension funds, asset managers, private banks and others are keying in and taking advantage of its unique offer. Also, ethically inclined investors, cooperative Societies, religious bodies, state investment companies and foreign investors are increasingly finding Sukuk really attractive. The N100 billion Sukuk was unveiled by the Debt Management Office (DMO), in a nationwide

roadshow that started last week in Lagos and went on to Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano and Kaduna. The Director-General of the DMO, Ms. Patience Oniha, alongside officials of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in the delegation told stakeholders the debut N100 billion is dedicated to constructing and rehabilitating critical road infrastructure in the country. The roadshow was a commendable effort to sensitise Nigerians on the value of the Sukuk and how it is one of the avenues the federal government intends to raise funds for capital projects. The Sukuk will diversify the sources of government funding, offer ethical investors an opportunity to invest in governmentissued securities, achieve a higher level of financial

CHANGE OF NAME

Kemi Adeosun inclusion and serve as a reference for pricing Sukuk issued by other entities, especially

CHANGE OF NAME

D Z<Íł/Ez ,

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Í• ĹľÇ‡ ĹśÄ‚ĹľÄž Ç Ä‚Ć? Ç ĆŒĹ˝ĹśĹ?ĹŻÇ‡ Ç ĆŒĹ?ĆŠÄžĹś Ä‚Ć?

ĹśÄ‚ĹľÄž Ç Ä‚Ć? Ç ĆŒĹ˝ĹśĹ?ĹŻÇ‡ Ç ĆŒĹ?ĆŠÄžĹś Ä‚Ć?

private sector issuers. The N100 billion would be used to fund critical road projects across the country. The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, listed 25 road projects spread across the six geo-political zones of the country which the N100 billion Sukuk capital

will be used for. These include the Loko-Oweto Bridge, dualisation of a section of the AbujaLokoja road, dualisation of the Suleja-Minna road, the dualisation of the KanoKatsina road (phase 1), rehabilitation of the Onitsha â€“ Enugu Expressway, and the Enugu-Port Harcourt road (section 1-3). Others are the Ibadan-Ilorin Road (Oyo-Ogbomosho), Kolo-Otuoke-BayelsaPalm Road (Yenagoa Road Junction), Kaduna Eastern By-Pass and Kano-Maiduguri Road (PotiskumDamaturu). Stakeholders in the capital market have expressed optimism that this new product will open new opportunities and new investments flows following in the pattern set by other financial instruments such as the FGN Bond, Savings Bond being offered by the DMO. Analysts have listed benefits of investing in the Sukuk to include safety of investment, regular income which are tax free and liquidity as they will be listed and traded on The Nigerian Stock

Exchange and the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange Plc. The debut Sovereign Sukuk is for N100 billion with a tenor of Seven years, and has been certified as ethically compliant by the Financial Regulation Advisory Council of Experts of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The product is also useful as collateral to access loans from banks. Commenting on the N100 billion Sukuk, Maimuna Bello, president of Federation of Muslim Women in Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, described it as a bold initiative to cater for a critical segment of the country and urged the DMO to deepen its awareness drive. A former executive director of the NNPC, Ibrahim Waziri, who welcomed the development expressed the hope that the funds raised would be deployed to the listed projects, and stressed that as an ethical financial instrument, investors are assured of timely rental returns. â€“Suleiman wrote in from Lagos

SEPTEMBER 16˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INTERVIEW Okonkwo

Judiciary Must Quickly Resolve Anambra Central Senatorial Election Issue Dr Obiora Okonkwo is a member of the Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He contested the party’s ticket for Anambra Central Senatorial District in the 2015 election. In this interview, he speaks on why he is asking the court to declare him winner of the election and the reason the case concerning the PDP primary is still lingering on in diﬀerent courts. He spoke with Iyobosa Uwugiaren. Excerpts:

he case of Anambra Central Senatorial District has dragged on for too long. You are in court, seeking that Senator Uche Ekwunife’s name, who is joined in the pending suit concerning Anambra Central senatorial pre-election matters, be struck out. What are your grievances? By the time this case started, she was made a party to the suit. When she was in the Senate, she remained a party to the suit but on the judgment of Court of Appeal, which is the final court of jurisdiction for post-election for National Assembly, she was removed. That judgment was tested in the Supreme Court. And for that reason, it was obvious to everybody that she has left the party. She tried her luck and nobody will take it away from her. She is a politician, she needs to do all she can to practice the trade of politics. She has joined the APC as her new banner and she remained there. For that reason, we are telling the court that this person has lost the locus to remain a party to the suit. That is what it is, for you to come to court to seek for justice to defend anything against you, you should be able to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that you have an interest. And for the fact that she is just a party to the suit and a defendant, there is actually no relief from her own side. The only relief which is declaratory is coming from the plaintiff, which in this case, is myself. I want the court to declare me the winner of the primary, where we have the evidence starting from the affidavit and the panel members that came from the national working committee. We had waited for this, thinking that someone else might have seen reasons to know that there is nothing else to fight for in that case. We want the people of Anambra Central District to have a representation in the Senate. But the impression people have is that you… the plaintiff is afraid of the woman in question because you feel she might stop you from getting a favourable ruling. How correct or otherwise is this insinuation? If I was afraid of her in the matter, I wouldn’t have opposed her being joined as a party. The law is mandatory that she must be a party; so there is no other way this case would have gone. Every other thing could have been a matter of unnecessary imagination. There is no doubt about it; for someone who has gone to the House of Representatives twice and has been in the Senate, whichever way that she got there; and what she has achieved for herself politically, she is never any factor you must ignore. I do have my utmost respect for her. It is just that in this case, we believe that there is something to it that must have to come to a conclusive end, which is to declare that what transpired was that I won the primary. Why has the case dragged on in court for a very long time? The case is dragging on in court because this senatorial district is the toughest senatorial district in the whole of the federation. If you go to all the other senatorial districts, the big fight is between the APC and the PDP. It is only in Anambra State that you have PDP, APC and then a third party, which is APGA that was and remains the ruling party in the state. So it becomes a three-way fight unlike in other states. In that 2015 election, and for the fact that the former chairman of APGA was also a candidate, it made the contest

those in Abuja have accepted their fault, apologised and made amends by filing the affidavit in support of my cases. The problem has never been PDP in the state, because PDP in my senatorial zone never had any other candidate except me. They knew who they were working with and supporting, so the problem was not from PDP in the state and the PDP in the zone. We were all victims of the type of PDP we had in the past. The Supreme Court declined jurisdiction to listen to that matter. But even before that --- that was the time Peter Obi showed interest, and that was the time some people in Wadata House, the party national headquarters thought that they could present a new candidate. But the good news is that we are all working together to make sure that seat comes back to PDP and when it does, it is for no other person than my humble self.

Okonkwo

The law is mandatory that she must be a party; so there is no other way this case would have gone. Every other thing could have been a matter of unnecessary imagination. There is no doubt about it; for someone who has gone to the House of Representatives twice and has been in the Senate, whichever way that she got there; and what she has achieved for herself politically, she is never any factor you must ignore. I do have my utmost respect for her more interesting. The APC had the incumbent senator, Chief Ngige then, if you recall. Then you now have in PDP, former senators and people fighting for the ticket; it was very very tough. So the momentum and fight went into the court. While we were fighting for the seat internally, there was also an external fight. During the process, this matter was not resolved, the senator was disqualified and the seat was vacant. As soon as the seat was vacant, more gladiators came into the fight. Each and every one of them could only become senators in Anambra central through election. So, due to my previous pre-election matter, I was the only person who could become a senator in Anambra Central without an election. And the only easy way was to

make a declaration that I ought to have been the candidate of the party. So, now the answer is clear: they must have to hold me down and not let me escape out of that case. And that’s the only way others could have a chance. So, for every other fight any other party had in the election, I was at the receiving end. So you should help me thank God that I am still standing. I am not only fighting for those who are defendants in the suit but also for those who are not even parties to the suit. The truth of the matter is that his claim would have been right if I didn’t have a pre-election matter in PDP. If there was no valid pre-election matter, I believe PDP would not have had a candidate for that election. At that point, some people in PDP thought they could do anything and get away with it. They had an imagination that they could do a primary and have a new candidate. I think the matter is all clear now; INEC is a party to my case. And it is obvious I have a valid case and I have a pre-election matter and the wisdom there is only to think twice--if it’s worth wasting all the resources. I think what is best for everybody is to get my case concluded and move forward. Has the case in anyway changed your loyalty to PDP in Anambra State? I mean do you still believe in the party, especially going by the way you were treated by PDP in the past? Well for me, I believe only in God. But as for the PDP in the past, we all know the story and how we all operated; PDP of this moment has applied some wisdom in dealing with this matter. They have been considerate and I can tell you that we are all partnering for the future of this party. Will you support PDP in the coming governorship election? Surely, I am a stakeholder in the PDP in Anambra State and by the special grace of God, I will be occupying the senatorial seat of PDP in Anambra State. I am bound by all understanding to support my party in the forthcoming election in Anambra State. What it means is that you have forgiven the key PDP members who have frustrated you in this case? Yes, I have forgiven PDP as a party;

Does PDP stand a chance in the November governorship election in Anambra State, in view of the crisis rocking it in the state? Well, I think that there might have been stories of the past. Anyone following the story of PDP ever since the Supreme Court declared Senator Ahmed Makarfi as the party’s national chairman, knows that he has taken certain measures to reorganise and reposition PDP in Anambra State by appointing a one-time Minister of Health, one-time political adviser to the president of this country, one of the brains of the PDP to head a caretaker committee in the state. Ever since the caretaker committee started work, nobody can say that PDP doesn’t have a chance in the election. The only party to beat in this election is PDP, because Anambra has always been PDP predominantly. And the election they lost to APGA was not because APGA won but because PDP lost. The facts are there and the signs are there if you are following happenings in the state. This is the first time we have had a humanitarian candidate one month before the election. In 2013, the judgment by the Supreme Court to declare a candidate came one week before the election. In 2011 it came only few days before the election. This is the only time we are having a candidate within the electoral time table. I can tell you to put your ear to the ground, whenever PDP comes together in Anambra State, victory is guaranteed. Given your experience, would you support any amendment to the constitution to allow for all legal disputes regarding pre-election matters to be sorted out before the actual election? I am a very strong believer that all election matters must be concluded before any beneficiary of any election will be sworn into office. I’ll support any amendment to the constitution to affirm that. If we are able to achieve that constitutionally, we will have a whole lot of multiplier down the line; it is part of the cardinal reasons why we have pre-election corruption; someone might borrow money and pay for his name to be declared. If you get involved in tearing of forms, rigging of ballot boxes and other corrupt practices, there is a 100 per cent chance that you will not benefit from it. If it can be stopped, it will reduce a lot of stress for INEC and the police force. So, I am in support of it, and it must be done before the election. The matter is clear; they have done a whole lot of amendments on this election matter. Take for instance this case, after one year and a half, a judge just withdrew. I don’t think there is any reason for it; there has been no question or anything.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

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MISSILE Atiku on Boko Haram War

“The ruling government has failed on many fronts. Yes, there were successes but not comprehensive success because the Boko Haram miscreants are still very active, killing our people, and many local government councils in Borno and Yobe states are under their ﬁrm grip. People cannot dare go back to their dwellings.” – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar speaking on the ﬂaws of the Buhari administration.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Our Dear Army, Please Cool Temper

ellow Nigerians, let me confess my admiration for security forces generally. It is not just because of the cleanliness and crispiness of their uniform or the famed discipline that they imbue in their members. It is because I find their job too risky. I often wonder why any man or woman would voluntarily sign his or her death warrant. For me, they appear more like suicide bombers. As a toddler in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, I remember being told by older people that “soldiers are trained to kill” and we were told to avoid them. The myth flying around included that most of them were recruited without having much education. But as I grew up, I began to acquire a special fascination for them, especially the elite squads in the Navy and the Air Force. I would later interact with many soldiers at home and abroad. I love their uniforms, jackboots and in particular their menacing guns. I still imagine till this day what it takes to be a killer. We were told soldiers were regularly injected with special drugs that makes it impossible for them to have the milk of human kindness in them. But with time, I saw and met many soft-hearted soldiers. I used to tease them about what we were told as kids. I must say I became one of their fans and good friends. I visited our soldiers in Sierra Leone and Liberia and gave them my humble support and they were very appreciative of my modest contribution and inspiration. The reason for my preamble must be obvious to you all. I was seriously angry after seeing a video purportedly showing how our soldiers were brutalising fellow Nigerians and subjecting them to the worst indignities known to mankind. I’ve been praying that the videos were shot in outer space and not anywhere near Nigeria. But if what I saw very vividly actually took place on our planet and in this our dear beloved nation, then we’ve truly missed the road. I did not see any sign of weapons with these hapless victims of oppression and repression. At the very worst, even if as the military authorities claimed, that the soldiers were pelted with pebbles and stones, the treatment meted out to the personalities in the video is undeserved by any human being. How was the response from the military commensurate to that of the supposed hoodlums? Was it not an act of provocation in itself for soldiers to be engaging in drills in an area already soaked with tension? Let me stretch the argument a bit further. Whose idea was it to draft the soldiers onto the streets to intimidate Nigerians in areas where there was no war? How can anyone send soldiers to threaten a people who already feel marginalised and are saying so very resoundingly? What is wrong with empowering members of the Nigeria Police Force and especially the anti-riot police squad to tackle cases of hooliganism and even terrorism. Soldiers are meant to come out in open battle only in extreme cases where there is total chaos and mayhem. President Muhammadu Buhari has wittingly or inadvertently walked into the trap cleverly set for him by the Biafra secessionists. Kanu and company have read the President well knowing his proclivity for no-nonsense and high-handedness. If truth must be told, this is the height of intolerance on the part of the Nigerian State. I have not seen any Lawyer who believes in the legality of what our soldiers have done. Kanu may be reckless and irresponsible by promoting

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, received the Ovation International Publisher, Chief Dele Momodu and the Ovation Media Group Team, at the State House, Alausa, Lagos ...last night internecine wars and heating up our country unnecessarily but no one can deny him the right of expressing himself and agitating for his beliefs. What could have been done to him was very simple; send the police after him and get him rearrested for flouting his bail conditions. Some of his hard core loyalists and acolytes could be easily identified and kept out of circulation. For the past few months, Kanu has been raking and ranting but he has not fired a bullet. As a matter of fact, this government has unfortunately resurrected a man who was already on his way to Golgotha and at a time his bravado was becoming increasingly irritating to many of those who took him seriously initially. The staccato fashion of his argument was becoming boring and predictable. I really don’t know who misadvised our leaders into thinking they can fight all wars and win all. Believe me please, I know Nigeria a bit, it is a dangerous gamble. I’m aware that our President is a retired Major General, a man well known for his taciturnity, who packs his punches and loves to take on known and imaginary enemies. But we supported him because we believed Baba had transfigured into a born again democrat. The Buhari we supported was not the man who ruled with draconian Decrees from 1983-85 and was forced out of power and his detractors rejoiced openly and widely. The same Nigerians who praised you for beating your child would soon turn around to castigate you and ask why you’re so wicked. That is the reality of Nigeria. This particular case is even more precarious. Some Northerners had issued threats to the Igbos to quit their territory or face monumental reprisals. A few of the respected people in the North cautioned them but they were rebuffed with insults in a most vicious manner. No security arm ever tried to even invite them for any chat not to talk of arrests. The then Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, did so well by engaging different sections of Nigeria in peaceful dialogue and we were happy that the ticking bomb was carefully detonated. Just imagine what would have happened if he invaded parts of the North or East with soldiers blazing with guns and bayonets. He would have been accused of all sorts, including ethnic cleansing. Our President should be told in very clear

terms that the world has changed drastically in the last three decades. No leader can order his troops out in the streets to kill and destroy wantonly. We should not over-stretch our luck. Nigeria cannot afford a second civil war. Our economy is already in shambles. We should prosecute how to return to economic recovery urgently and resist the temptation of wasting our scarce resources on persecuting our fellow citizens. The videos in circulation tend to portray us as barbarians who belong in the prehistoric age. We’ve suffered enough negativity and should not invite the wrath of the world upon ourselves. Believe it or not, Nigeria may find itself in the bad book of War Crimes Tribunal. It is not impossible, no matter how long it takes. Mass graves have been reported in some parts of Nigeria with concrete proofs. Nigerians have been detained indefinitely in near solitary confinements without trial. This

are not the best examples to lay for our future. Many of those who should speak up against tyranny are too squeamish for obvious reasons. But it should not be so. I’m not a supporter of Biafra. I don’t have to be. I love and prefer a bigger, stronger and more prosperous Nigeria. But there are reasons for many Nigerians to detest Nigeria, today. They feel they have been horribly marginalised and treated like second class citizens in their own country. Their perception is that they believe all or most of the following things. Their children no longer attend the good schools for which the Igbos have become well known. The goods, some of which they even make themselves in Aba, have become only available for the rich. Infrastructure is sorely lacking for the most part. Where they exist, they are decaying and nobody is really attending to them. There are no new jobs and the few old jobs are being lost in droves. The state of healthcare is almost hopeless. Federal character has become a total charade. We can go on, ad infinitum, reeling out the litany of woes that our brothers and sisters in the South East believe is responsible for the unusually strident agitation that we are now witnessing. To be fair and charitable they do have cause to be aggrieved in many respects. Our government should address these issues instead of attacking those who disagree with them. One of the surest ways to do this is by education, information and public enlightenment to demonstrate that the position is not as bad as they feel. The social media is awash with facts and figures for and against the depth and seriousness of the so-called marginalisation of the South East. The next step would be to identify those issues which are of critical concern, proffer solutions to resolve them and then act on these solutions.

READ THE CONCLUDING PART OF THIS ARTICLE ON www.thisdaylive.com

A Standing Ovation for Governor Ambode In a country riddled with constant bad news, the example of good governance embodied by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, is sweet music to many who have followed his trajectory. He is one of the uncommon leaders in Nigeria who has redefined leadership and service. And he makes it look so simple. He is humble and modest as well and does not see power as an end but the means to achieving his dreams for a vibrant and resurgent Lagos State. For him, God has found it fit to place him in a position where he can improve the lot f his people and he has dedicated himself to doing so with little fuss but great vigour. I’ve had a few interactions with the amazing Governor as a journalist and can attest to the fact that Lagos is richly blessed to have yet another great governor who is determined to take the powerful State even higher. The Ovation Media Group recently partnered with Lagos State during the Lagos at 50 Celebrations and we produced a special edition of Ovation International magazine showcasing the giant strides and remarkable achievements of the State right from its inception to the present administration. I was greatly delighted when we took delivery of this collector’s item in London last Tuesday from our permanent printers in

Enfield, England, of over 16 years. I sent a message to the Governor two nights ago from Abuja and Mr Ambode responded promptly. He approved an appointment for the official presentation of the colourful publication. Our team which included myself, one of our Directors, Prince Damola Aderemi, the Editor, Mike Effiong, Deputy Editor, Dele Salako, as well as Our GM , Ovation Tv, Segun Adebowale, Editor at large, Ohimai Amaize and Ovation TV presenter, Daala Oruwari, representing our individual units namely, The Magazine, Ovation TV and The Boss Online, met with the Governor and a few members of his Team (as he fondly referred to them) which included the Attorney -General, Adeniji Kazeem, Special Assistant on Strategy and Information, Idowu Ajanaku and the Chief Press Secretary, Habib Haruna, in Lagos at the State House, Alausa last night. The experience of the presentation of the Special Edition was most wonderful and humbling. It was an opportunity for me to personally appreciate Governor Ambode for his impressive achievements and his great interest in the Ovation Group. I wish to thank our Governor for the great honour and look forward to more successful years ahead for him.

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