Saturday 9th December 2017

Adeosun: Allegations against Gwarzo Weighty, Ministry in Possession of Incriminating Records Says suspended SEC DG peddling falsehood, vows to resist intimidation Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun stated yesterday that the suspension of the Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mounir Gwarzo, was in order,

and that the ministry was in possession of incriminating records against him.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the minister, who broke her silence, since she suspended Gwarzo on November 29, 2017, said Gwarzo's suspension was connected to financial

misconduct, and had nothing to do with his alleged refusal to stop the forensic audit of Oando Plc. She also said that she would not bow to any form of blackmail from anybody over the issue.

Adeosun said Gwarzo's suspension followed proven

Denies stopping forensic audit of Oando Plc

cases of financial misconduct, unlawful carting away of sensitive documents, in addition to his unsatisfactory response to queries served him.

She wondered why Gwarzo could resort to peddling falsehood, “when in fact, he was given a right of fair hearing

through an administrative query.”

Adeosun, who disclosed that the forensic audit of the oil firm would continue unhindered, said: "The Federal Ministry of Finance would like to place on record that Gwarzo’s suspension is in line with the Public Service

Rules (PSRs), to allow for an unhindered investigation of serious allegations of financial impropriety against him.

"Some of the allegations with documented evidence include the awards of contracts to companies Continued on page 6

Court Stops EFCC from Freezing AITEO’s Accounts ... Page 8 Saturday 9 December, 2017 Vol 22. No 8269 Price: N250

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US, Switzerland Sign Agreement to Return $621m Abacha, Alamieyeisegha Loots US takes custody of money, including parts stashed in the UK, France, Jersey Alex Enumah in Abuja The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami,

on Thursday at the Chatham House, London, disclosed that he had signed two agreements, on behalf of the federal government, with

Switzerland and the United States of America, respectively, for the return of $621 million looted funds.

The funds were said to

have been looted by former head of state, late Sani General Abacha and the former Bayelsa State Governor, late Diepreye Alamieyeisegha.

Malami said: “Just four days ago, in Washington DC, I signed two agreements on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with Switzerland and

the United States of America, respectively, for the return of previously looted funds. The Continued on page 6

In Make or Mar Chairmanship Election, Secondus is Frontrunner

PDP delegates storm Abuja to revive party Bode George withdraws, Dokpesi says he’s still in the race Northern caucus insists on chairman from South-west Jonathan: I have no preferred candidate Yemi Adebowale in Lagos and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja After surviving leadership crisis that almost crippled it, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will today continue its great revival at an elective national convention in Abuja, during which a new leadership is expected to emerge, to steer the party into the 2019 elections.

However, one of the chairmanship aspirants, Bode George made a surprise withdrawal from the race yesterday, blaming his action on the failure of the party to uphold micro zoning.

This elective convention is a make or mar event for the party, because if it fails to get this particular act right, it may head back to political doldrums.

With the withdrawal of George, eight aspirants are now locking horns to clinch the national chairmanship position, the party’s most coveted trophy. Yesterday, the Screening Committee of the party cleared all of them as suitable for the position.

Chairman of the committee, Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu, subsequently presented

certificates of clearance to all of them at the party’s National Secretariat located in Abuja.

In the race for today’s chairmanship election are Prof. Tunde Adeniran, a former Minister of Education; Prof.

Taoheed Adedoja, another former minister; Mr. Jimi Agbaje, the former Lagos state governorship candidate of the party in the 2015 election and Uche Secondus, a former acting national chairman of the party.

Others are Otunba Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun state; Chief Rasheed Ladoja, former governor of Oyo state; Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, a media mogul; and Chief Akintayo Akin-Deko.

As part of last minute strategic alliances for the election, Secondus had his chances bolstered, yesterday morning, with the leadership of the South-east caucus adopting him for chairmanship.

From available statistics, the former acting national chairman looks set for victory.

THISDAY gathered that the optimism is based on an alliance reached between the South East and the South-South Continued on page 6

ALL FOR THE SARAKIS …

L-R: President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra-Leone GODWIN OMOIGUI during Saraki 's daughter's wedding reception held at the State House conference hall, Abuja...yesterday

INEC Confirms Dates for 2019 General Elections ... Page 8

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Court Stops EFCC from Freezing AITEO’s Accounts Alex Enumah in Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, gave an order restraining the federal government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from freezing the accounts of AITEO Eastern E & P Company Ltd, or taking actions aimed at crippling the operations of the business.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole gave the order following an ex-parte motion brought and argued by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN. The motion ex-parte, dated November 23, 2017, was brought pursuant to Order 26 rule 8 of the Federal High Court Rules and was filed on behalf of the plaintiff (Aiteo) by Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and

other senior lawyers.

The ex parte application is seeking, "an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants jointly or severally, either by themselves, agents, operatives, privies, servants, aides or through any persons howsoever from interfering with or obstructing the business operations, activities and undertakings of the plaintiff, either by way of embargoing or

freezing any of its accounts or obstructing its activities in any way or manner whatsoever.�

It also prayed for “An order of interim injunction restraining the defendants, jointly or severally, either by themselves, agents, operatives, privies, servants, aides or through any persons howsoever from relying on, activating, making use of, registering and or applying/

enforcing the ex parte restraint order dated 19 October, 2017, made in suit Nos: 82/17, in the Matter of Benedict Peters (alleged offender) and Nnenna Peters and five others (third parties), etc, by the Crown Court, sitting at Southwark, United Kingdom, Coram, His Honour Judge Beddoe, to disrupt, distract, frustrate, meddle (with), hinder, impede the business operations,

undertakings, negotiations and activities of the plaintiff.

Delivering ruling on the motion, Justice Kolawole ordered the federal government to maintain the “status quo ante bellum�, pending the determination of the motion on notice dated 23rd November, 2017, filed by the plaintiff against the defendants.

place in the affairs of the nation.

Jonathan also reiterated that he has no preferred candidate, stressing that he is prepared to work with all those that would emerge as new leaders, in the interest of the party and the nation.

The message reads: “As the father of the party, ex-President Jonathan is prepared to work with all those that will emerge as members of the new NWC, to ensure that the party regains its pride of place in the affairs of the nation. “The former President is pleased with the dedication and enthusiasm of all party members towards building a strong PDP and wishes all participants successful deliberations, as they seek to freely elect members of the National Working Committee that will lead the party for the next four years.

“Dr. Jonathan is impressed with the level of preparations for the convention, especially with the number of candidates and the spread and vibrancy of the campaigns, which has established a new paradigm for intra-party elections, in the country. “Contrary to speculations and permutations by some interest groups, Dr. Jonathan has never discussed or plotted with others against the ambition of any of the candidates, as is being falsely reported by those who are adept at spreading negative stories against the immediate past President. “The former President is therefore optimistic that the convention will produce a positive outcome that will help the PDP consolidate its position as the party with the best democratic ideals in the country.�

Continued on page 52

IN MAKE OR MAR CHAIRMANSHIP ELECTION, SECONDUS IS FRONTRUNNER zones of the party which from all indications have the bulk of the delegates that would vote to elect the next chairman.

The leadership of the South East caucus met yesterday morning to adopt Secondus.

The zone in a statement said: "We are very conscious of the personality of who becomes the national chairman of our great party for the next four years.

Based on the foregoing, we have unanimously in our today's stakeholders meeting, here in Abuja decided that we will back an aspirant that has character and content. In this circumstance, and without prejudice to the rights of other aspirants to this national chairmanship position, credible and transparent election, we have decided to back and vote for Prince Uche Secondus for the position of national chairman of our great party.

"We have also agreed to vote the following positions zoned to the South east, Col Austin Akobundu for national organising secretary; Hon Ude Okoye for youth Leader; Alphonsos Gerald (Deputy financial secretary).�

Secondus had earlier been endorsed by South-south governors and the entire Southsouth caucus of the party.

However, he would have Adeniran to contend with today, following the decision of leaders of the party from the North to back a South-western candidate.

The group of northern elders, which included Professor Jerry Gana, former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau and former speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Margaret Icheen, after a meeting of the PDP Northern Elders and Leaders Forum urged northern delegates to vote for only aspirants from the South-west zone.

Sources said Adeniran enjoys the support of the Jerry Gana-led group and that he would get a bulk of the votes of delegates from this region.

However, the campaigns leading to today’s election was bitter and intense, resulting in sharp division among party members.

It means that whoever emerges the national chairman will face a daunting task of not only shepherding the party towards an election that is barely 14 months away, but also will spend considerable time trying to reconcile warring members and political enemies who may constitute obstacles in the run towards the election.

The national leadership of the party had zoned the office of the national chairman to the southern part of the country. However, it refused to micro-zone the office to any of the three geo-political zones in the southern region.

Apart from the support he is getting from the South East, Secondus has also received solid backing from the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, who has thrown everything into the game to ensure that the state produces the next national chairman of the PDP. Secondus came into the race without much fun fare but it is believed that his confidence is based on his short but eventful reign in office during which he tried to revive the party by refocusing its agenda and setting the foundation for reforming its affairs.

According to his campaign office, Secondus’ experience and disarming human relations are the most potent ingredients for him now because of the urgent harmonious environment the party would need immediately after the convention to confront the challenges ahead.

It said that as a committed loyal party man, who has held virtually all critical positions in the party at various levels of the party structure, Secondus stands out well-equipped more than anybody in the race at this time to take the party back to power.

"Secondus' clear understanding of political party administration, his firm grip of the party's workings, are clearly his biggest strength as the party is poised to take its rightful place in the polity and to quickly save Nigerians from the obvious lack of direction the APC government has subjected the country into in the last two years."

Adeniran was, until a few days ago, being tipped to clinch the position. He was said to be enjoying the support of some prominent leaders of the party, especially from the north. The former minister is seen as a credible personality who is without blemish.

But along the line, he had cause to petition the leadership of the party, alleging bias in the manner in which the whole chairmanship race was proceeding.

However, Adeniran's campaign organisation addressed Journalists last Thursday and expressed confidence that the process would be fair and transparent.

George: PDP Now Headed for Self-Destruct One of the chairmanship aspirants, Bode George yesterday made a surprise withdrawal from the race, blaming his action on the failure of the party to uphold micro zoning.

Addressing journalists yesterday night at his campaign headquarters in Abuja, George also blamed the alleged monetisation of the chairmanship race, saying that the PDP is on the verge of self- destruct.

"Let me make it abundantly clear that I, Olabode George, did not step down for anybody. I will not step down for anybody but what I am doing is to withdraw from the race on principle and against the observed wrong.

"I listened to my younger brother on television and I feel that he has insulted my people of Yoruba. I demand that he tenders apology to the

Yoruba race for insulting them on a national television."

He alleged that Wike had yesterday questioned the contribution of the South West to PDP in terms of electoral value since the Obasanjo administration, which will qualify it to insist on picking the chairmanship slot.

Dokpesi Disagrees with Endorsement by Edo PDP In a related development, another chairmanship aspirant, Dokpesi has said that there was no truth in a report that the Edo state chapter of the party had reached a decision to give block vote to any aspirant.

Addressing journalists yesterday evening, Dokpesi said that he had not dropped out of the race for the Chairmanship elections at the PDP Convention, as was erroneously being peddled.

"It is now very clear that some PDP members, masquerading as leaders are hell bent on sabotaging and inflicting several damages on the well-organised and victory-bound aspiration of High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi.

"The position of this campaign organisation is that only delegates to the Convention can and will decide the fate of all aspirants on the floor of the Eagle Square and Convention grounds on Saturday, 9 December, 2017.

"Raymond Dokpesi has not and will not withdraw from the race for any reasons whatsoever," he said.

Jonathan says he has no preferred candidates Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan has sent a goodwill message to members of the PDP, as they prepare for today’s national convention.

In the message released by his media adviser, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, the former President expressed his optimism that the convention would produce positive outcomes which would help the party regain its pride of

US, SWITZERLAND SIGN AGREEMENT TO RETURN $621M ABACHA, ALAMIEYEISEGHA LOOTS first Agreement with Switzerland will involve the return of $321 million traced to Nigeria's former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, which has been the subject of intense diplomatic horse-trading and negotiations over the last two decades. “The second agreement, with the United States of America, sets out the roadmap for the eventual return of sums in excess of $300m currently in the custody of the US Government following Forfeiture Orders by American courts and which relate to monies stashed away in the United Kingdom ($1.6m and 21.7m Pounds), France ($145m) and Jersey ($299m) respectively, by certain interests including a former Governor of Nigeria's Bayelsa State, Mr. Diepreye Alamieyeisegha and the Abacha family, among others. “We are happy to have concluded these agreements, as they help to reinforce the principle that the present administration in Nigeria will chase and recover every single penny rightfully belonging to the people of Nigeria no matter how long it takes.�

The agreement is coming barely few days it signed a tripartite treaty with the US, Switzerland and the World Bank on the repatriation of about $321m said to have stolen by Abacha and starched in foreign countries.

The AGF, who expressed joy over the agreements signed with the governments of the US and Switzerland, noted that the MoU would help to reinforce the commitment of the present administration to chasing and recovering every single penny rightfully belonging to the people of Nigeria, “No matter how long it takes�.

Malami said he chose to draw attention to these agreements in order to demonstrate the core theme of his topic, which is that every campaign against corruption, oftentimes, involves both domestic and international dimensions and will therefore benefit from significant pressure from, and active collaboration, by international State and non-State partners, the media and civil society. “Given the reality of modern financial systems, money moves

across borders, particularly from developing countries, practically at the speed of light and its tracking has therefore become a matter beyond domestic competences and good intentions�, the minister said.

He said the Buhari administration, determined to tackle corruption frontally, passed new laws and amended existing ones in order to provide the necessary legal basis for their initiatives and make it easier for them to work with international partners. “We are therefore currently pursuing legislative initiatives to pass the Proceeds of Crime Agency Bill, the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Bill, as well as a Bill to create autonomy for the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency. While this legislative process has certainly slightly slowed down some of our initiatives, it is however necessary that the anti-corruption campaign must be waged on the basis of the Rule of Law�, he said.

The AGF stated that as

part of efforts to encourage a citizen-centred approach to the fight against corruption, the Nigerian government introduced a Whistle-Blowers policy as a component of the anti-corruption war.

He said the programme, despite its initial challenges, had proven to be a huge success, resulting in several recoveries by the government, including the famous seizure of $43 million plus cash discovered in a flat in Lagos on 12th April, 2017. “The government's focus on the reform of the tax system, apart from raising more funds, is also based on the fact that citizens are more likely to monitor the use of their resources when they directly contribute to it, unlike the situation where oil revenues had frequently been mismanaged due to low accountability thresholds.

A 9-month Tax and Assets Declaration Amnesty is currently in place under the Voluntary Assets and Incomes Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) in order to increase the tax net�, he said at the Chatham House.

ADEOSUN: ALLEGATIONS AGAINST GWARZO WEIGHTY, MINISTRY IN POSSESSION OF INCRIMINATING RECORDS related to him and members of his family.

"It should be noted that Gwarzo was queried by the Ministry on 3rd November and he responded on 7th November, 2017. His response to the query was deemed unsatisfactory and further investigation was ordered. " Based on the evidence from that further work and creditable reports that documents were being unlawfully removed from SEC, as well as consultations with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the decision was taken to suspend Mr. Gwarzo.

"At the meeting on Monday, 27th November 27, Mr. Gwarzo was asked to clarify some of his responses to the query issued, which were not consistent with documentary evidence. From that interaction, Mr. Gwarzo became aware of the strong likelihood of his suspension. " It was thereafter that Mr. Gwarzo prepared the memo, which has been circulated in the media."

The minister added: "It is instructive to note that Mr. Gwarzo personally delivered the memo using SEC staff seconded to the office of the minister, in breach of normal procedures for the receipt of mail.

"The copy of the memo in the possession of the minister was delivered with a message that any action against Mr. Gwarzo would result in same being leaked to the press. It was this threat of blackmail that strengthened the resolve of the minister to suspend Mr. Gwarzo and allow the Administrative Panel of Inquiry to proceed with its probe."

She affirmed that the insinuation of an instruction to discontinue with the Oando case was false, adding that this could be corroborated by the other parties at that meeting and by subsequent events.

As a one-time key player in the capital market before her appointment as a minister, she said the integrity of the market was paramount to her, adding that she would do everything to preserve the market integrity.

"The integrity of the capital

market is vital to the growth of the Nigerian economy and must be managed in an orderly and transparent manner to ensure investors’ confidence. Its leadership must maintain and be seen to maintain the highest standards of integrity," she stated.

Contrary to Gwarzo's allegation that he was suspended because of his decision on Oando Plc, the minister said the original decision taken by SEC on October 20, 2017 to suspend the shares of Oando Plc and conduct a forensic audit, was approved and endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The SEC team, led by the suspended SEC DG, she said, presented adequate evidence to the Minister of Finance and her team, that Oando Plc had a clear case to answer with regard to infractions of the ISA which the minister said she gave him her nod.

Gwarzo's problem was triggered by an online report over an alleged financial misconduct perpetrated by him.

The report alleged among others, that Gwarzo applied and collected the sum N104.8 million as severance package at the end of his appointment as Executive Commissioner at SEC, a position he occupied for two years and four months.

The request, the online medium said, was made via a memo dated May 26, 2015, and was referred to Mr. Chukwuogor Frana, acting head of the commission’s Legal department, for consideration and advice.

Responding in a memo dated May 27 2015, Frana advised against honoring the request made by Gwarzo, arguing that the fact that he remained in the employ of SEC disentitled him for a severance package.

Citing an extract of the SEC Board meeting held on July 11 2002, Gwarzo had argued that he was entitled to a severance package.

Adeosun had on November 29, 2017 announced the suspension of Gwarzo, from office, to allow for an unhindered investigation of several allegations of financial impropriety leveled against him.

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CEREBRAL EXCELLENCE ...

L-R: Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko(AAUA), Orator, Dr. Owonibi Olusola, Registrar, Mr. Micheal Ayeerun, convocation lecture keynote speaker, Prof Toyin Falola of University of Texas, Austin, and VC AAUA , Prof Igbekele Moses Ajibefun at the 7th convocation lecture of AAUA

INEC ConďŹ rms Dates for 2019 General Elections, Says it’s 434 Days to Go ! !

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Friday confirmed that the Presidential and National Assembly Elections will hold on February16, 2019 while the Governorship, state Assembly and Area Council Election in the Federal Capital Territory would take place on March 2, 2019.

The chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu confirmed the dates at the induction retreat for Resident Electoral Commissioners held at the Le-Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. “The date for the 2019 general

election has already been fixed. This means that from today, we have exactly 434 days to the Presidential Election and National Assembly Election. It is important to always remind ourselves of this date and to be tracking and appraising our preparations. “All participants at this retreat should be aware that as today, the 2019 general elections to begin with the Presidential and National Assembly Elections on 16th February 2019 are exactly 434 days away. “These will be followed by the Governorship, State and Areas, State Assembly and Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory on 2nd March

2019�, the INEC boss stressed.

According to him, so far 3,630,529 new voters had been registered, adding that the exercise would continue until 60 days to the 2019 general elections. He however expressed concern over the management and the low rate of collection of the Permanent Voter Cards.

Prof. Yakubu equally disclosed that no fewer than 167 political parties are indicating interest to contest in the 2019 general elections. “So far, the Commission has received over 120 applications from political associations seeking registration as political parties. “Already, there are 46 registered

political parties and recently a court of law ordered the Commission to register one more association as political parties. “The expansion in the number of political parties and possible independent candidates as contained in the proposed constitutional amendments now awaiting the concurrence of State Assemblies mean that we need to think fast and place properly especially in the management of the ballot,� he stressed.

Reaffirming the determination of the Commission, Yakubu said “Our desire is to entrench a truly democratic system for all citizens and not a plutocracy open only

to the rich. “Violence, hate speech and inducement of voters are criminal activities punishable under the laws,� he said, stressing the need for INEC family to hold regular meetings to discuss these unwholesome practices.�

He charged the State Resident Electoral Commissioners to demonstrate a high sense of personal integrity, ethical conduct and impeccable standard of behavior and prudence in managing resources.

The Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini had said that the theme of the retreat “Political and Institutional Contexts for the conduct of free,

fair and credible elections as well as operational planning and monitoring tools were apt both in content, significance and topicality.

He expressed optimisms that the decisions reach at the retreat would be a road map to obtain fair and credible elections comes 2019.

Also speaking, the Country Director of UNDP in Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Bwalya, said INEC had become a pace-setter in elections management in West African sub region.

He urged the commission to address the issues of violence, poor internal party democracy, low levels of accountability and transparency within political institutions.

2019: We'll Print Buhari Campaign Posters, Says Enugu APC

Adewole Advocates Direct Funding for Primary Health Care Centres

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Enugu state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday pledged to print the campaign posters of President Muhammadu Buhari for the 2019 Presidential Election.

The party's Kano State chapter had during the president's official visit to the state earlier in the week not only endorsed him for a second term, but also pledged to buy his nomination form.

But in a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the party in Enugu, Mrs. Kate Ofor, the party expressed delight with

the massive endorsements for the president, noting that he had earned them.

The party noted that its support for the president was based on his uncommon integrity quotient, avowed commitment to the country and selfless service in all his years as Minister of Petroleum, GOC, Head of State, among others.

"These qualities of his are internationally acclaimed, hence the seamless flow of foreign direct investment under his regime.

"We are in league with Kano APC and wish to complement their efforts by electing to print

posters for Mr. President's bid for the 2019 presidential election. For it is our conviction that by then the solid infrastructural projects Mr. President is laying must be pronounced," she noted.

The party said it was not in doubt that development projects going on in the land like Enugu-Onitsha, Enugu-Port Harcourt, 2nd Niger Bridge, Onitsha and Water Scheme, Standard gauge railways of Western, Eastern and Coastal Corridors and those in the pipeline like revamping Enugu Coal and ongoing projects across the country are tangibles which will dot their posters.

The Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole has said that “Decentralised Facility Financing�

(DFF) was the best financing model for Primary Health Centres (PHCs) if Nigeria must achieve health for all by the year 2020.

He also pointed out that 80 percent of health problems in Nigeria could be solved at the Primary Health Care level of the health system if adequate attention was given to service delivery at the state and local government levels.

Adewole stated this yesterday while on a One- day facility inspection of three PHC facilities funded in three different ways to test run

the Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP) in Nasarawa State.

He said the inspection was part of a mid-term review of the implementation and the impact evaluation of NSHIP in the three pilot states of Adamawa, Nasarawa and Ondo to decide on which funding method is best for the management of PHCs in the country.

He listed the three models used by the projects to include: Result Based Financing (RBF), Performance-Based Financing (PBF) and Decentralised Facility Financing or Direct Facility Financing (DFF) as against a non- NSHIP facility otherwise known as Business –as- Usual

facility.

While being conducted round the 13 staffed PHC center in Andaha Akwanga Local government Area, being funded under the PBF model, the Minister said he was impressed with the healthcare service delivery and management of the center.

Also inspecting the non- BPF 10 staffed facility at Wulko, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area (LGA), the Minister observed that the facility was bedeviled with numerous challenges ranging from lack of skilled personnel, basic essential drugs, inappropriate drug storage facility, poor hygiene, low morale and poor work ethics bordering on absenteeism, etc.

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Scary Sleaze Charges against Nigerian Governors’ Forum

T

he Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the umbrella body of the 36 state governors in our dear nation is undoubtedly neck deep in the management of slush funds for its members.

The sting operation being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on the payments made to consultants by the NGF, after collecting the Paris Club refund, has left many depressed. The so-called commission paid to the ghost consultants that negotiated the Paris Club refunds, was warehoused with the NGF, dominated by “Change” governors, and subsequently found its way to accounts connected to many of them. This is aside the fact that large chunk of the Paris Club refund of over N1 trillion paid to our governors is stashed in different questionable bank accounts not connected to government activities.

The latest slush fund of the NGF discovered by the EFCC is worth over N10 billion. Preliminary investigation revealed that the money was fraudulently diverted by the NGF under the usual guise of paying consultancy fee. The anti-graft agency was in court last week and the Federal High Court in Abuja approved the temporary forfeiture of seven accounts which the EFCC alleged were used by the NGF leadership to launder the N10 billion strongly believed to have been derived from the proceeds of the Paris Club refund.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, who approved the temporary forfeiture, gave seven days to the account owners to file an application which must be served on the EFCC. As usual, nobody came forward to challenge the latest forfeiture order obtained by the EFCC. This is another clear case of money laundering by some of our governors. Few months back, another Federal High Court in Abuja ordered an interim forfeiture of N500 million and $500,000,

Yari

alleged to have been laundered by the Chairman of the NGF, Governor Abdul Azziz Yari, using the usual NGF ghost consultants. The sums were recovered from the two firms by the anti-graft agency, before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave the interim forfeiture order on June 30. Nobody from the affected firms came forward to challenge the interim forfeiture order.

Also this year, the EFCC obtained another interim forfeiture of N1.8 billion paid to additional set of ghost consultants by the Yari-led NGF. In fact, one of the consultants allegedly confirmed to EFCC detectives that he did not do any job for the NGF. This particular fictitious consultant had $3 million transferred into his account by the NGF from the Paris Club repayment to states. This forfeiture order was also not challenged. By my calculation, a whopping N38 billion must have been paid to the ghost consultants from the N766.53 billion

released to the governors as at October.

It was gathered that virtually all the governors nominated ghost consultants for the fees paid out to the specialist by the NGF. This is evidently a money laundering arrangement.

Many will be shocked to know that the only consultant known during the process of negotiating for the Paris Club refund was one Bizplus GSCL Consortium. EFCC investigators also confirmed this. When the first tranche came out, the NGF allegedly caused the Central Bank of Nigeria to pay N19.4 billion into its account for supposedly onward payment to BizPlus as consultancy fee. It is scandalous that immediately the money entered NGF’s accounts, all sorts of ghost consultants emerged.

The EFCC stated in its report on the latest recovery: “N10bn of the N19.4bn paid to the NGF account by the CBN was fraudulently disbursed to the seven accounts of companies and individuals, who were not part of the said BizPlus GSCL Consortium. Substantial amounts from the fraudulent disbursements into these accounts have further been laundered to some other accounts or withdrawn as cash. The NGF had agreed to pay success fee of two per cent to BizPlus GSCL Consortium. But upon the success of the recovery, rather than stick to the two per cent fee, the NGF caused the Central Bank of Nigeria to deduct five per cent, amounting to the N19.4bn.”

I have been earnestly waiting for what Zamfara governor has to say about these skullduggery allegations.

I am also traumatised that Governor Yari is still showily parading himself as the Chairman of the NGF despite the terrifying corruption allegations against the leadership of the NGF. This is clearly not the “Change” Nigerians voted

Boko Haram and the Sack of General Ibrahim Attahiru The removal of the Theatre Commander of the counter-insurgency operation (Operation Lafiya Dole) in the North East, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru over persistent embarrassing attacks by the terrorists, is comical. Replacing this military commander is not the solution to this sagging war that has claimed thousands of innocent lives in the last 30 months. Attahiru is not the only one responsible for these failings. The appointment of a new commander is just cosmetic. We are losing too many soldiers and territories to these terrorist; a much more drastic action must be taken by Buhari.

The truth that must be told is that these terrorists are still roaming unhindered in many communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. They still hold territories and control at least three local governments in Borno State, from where they launch attacks on soft and hard targets. Our gallant soldiers are willing to fight, but they are ill-equipped and ill-motivated. Army Chief, Tukur Buratai recently confirmed that troops on the war front had not been paid operational

allowances for three months. So, where is the motivation to fight Boko Haram? Where is the high-tech equipment to tame the terrorists? This is why Boko Haram strolls into military formations and kill soldiers with ease. The Buhari administration must show sincerity in this war against Boko Haram by first sacking Buratai and other service chiefs who have obviously failed our gallant soldiers. If our President is desirous of progress, he has to retire those in the top hierarchy of this war and appoint fresh hands. The likes of Gabriel Olonishakin, Buratai and Sadique Abubakar are doing what they consider their best, but it is just not good enough for this war. They must make way for new hands in the interest of Nigeria. I have also persistently clamoured for the return of South African and Israeli mercenaries. We all saw their impact when the Jonathan administration used them. Buhari came and unwisely sacked the mercenaries. This country must employ the best fighters from anywhere in the world to end this trauma called Boko Haram.

for. This association of governors is under investigation for paying billions of Naira to ghost consultants, yet, Yari and his colleagues have refused to respond. The EFCC has spent several months trying to retrieve huge public fund paid to the ghost consultants by the NGF. In sane climes, this Zamfara governor, who leads the NGF would have resigned. It is so sad that many of those who promised us “change” are now enmeshed in corruption allegations.

Musings On Our $1.5 Million-Worth Malaysian Specialists It is now over three weeks since the Federal Executive Council announced plans to hire foreign consultants from Malaysia to set up three focused labs aimed at aiding the execution of its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). The FEC also approved N458 million for the exercise, equivalent to $1.5 million, to be undertaken in three months and will comprise of the pre-laboratory, laboratory and post laboratory stages. I had refrained from commenting on this repugnant contract, hoping that it was just a dream. I was expecting that there was an error somewhere and that it would soon be corrected. Well, after over three weeks, I have to face the fact that it is not a dream. This contract is real. So, the federal government has contracted Malaysian experts, to aid the execution of our quivering Economic Recovery and Growth Plan?

Precisely what would they be doing for $1.5 million that Nigerian experts are incapable of doing?

According to the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, the Malaysian consultants will help us conduct some pilot laboratories for the ERGP in agriculture and transportation, power and gas and manufacturing and processing. The key objective of the labs to be set up by the Malaysian experts, states that they would help identify all relevant key stakeholders from the public and private sectors that are crucial to the delivery and implementation of the ERGP. The labs will also be used to mobilise private sector investment to finance specific capital projects. The consultants, according to Udoma, will help Nigeria build capacity and review/re-evaluate the ERGP and sectoral plans against set targets and progress. The labs will also identify gaps in the current economic system and the key success factors.

I took the pain to highlight what the foreigner experts would be doing, and honestly, I don’t think we need imported specialists to do all these for us. This is the height of ineptitude in government. Nigeria has some of the best brains (within and outside the country) for jobs of this nature. Engage the stupendouslybrilliant Olufemi Awoyemi of Proshare and he would deliver within weeks. There are so many of his quality within and outside Nigeria. It is a big shame that this government can’t see these brilliant Nigerians and went ahead to approve $1.5 million for these imported experts. Why waste our forex amidst scarcity and hunger in our land?

Attahiru

What’s Happening to Ogoni Clean-up?

The much-talked-about clean-up of Ogoni land is fast turning into another big fraud.

The inauguration was done in June 2016 amid pump and few months later, the federal government did another groundbreaking for the construction of the integrated contaminated soil management. The oil spills in the area had destroyed the soil and the people’s source of water. The rate of pollution in Ogoniland is expanding, while the obliteration of the fertility of the soil in this area has adversely affected food production. The contaminated water is also the source of numerous health challenges in this hapless community. As I write this piece, construction or clean-up of the area is only on paper. Nothing concrete is happening.

Ogoni youths, under the aegis of the National Youth Council of Ogoni People, are getting set for a fight. President of NYCOP, Young Npkah, warned that the federal government should be ready to engage the people in a fresh legal and internationally-recognised opposition over the delay in the clean-up.

“We are two years away from that sugarcoated innuendo of the clean-up of Ogoniland.

And sorrowfully today, nothing has taken place. Not even a grain of sand, a tea-spoonful of our polluted waters or a leaflet has been cleaned,” remarked Npkah.

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People added: “If by the end of December this year, we did not see anything that convinces

us that the government is ready to commence the clean-up, we will go back to the trenches and embark on a peaceful campaign against the federal government, until government match its words with action.”

Many will agree that anything built on trickery will not last. This is why the federal government is now getting reproach from all direction on this clean-up issue. This government has conspicuously shown that it is not sincere with the clean-up of Ogoniland. It is very sad to note that the four-year tenure of this administration will elapse without any progress. This is the tragedy of the Nigerian nation. But for how long must this continue?

Udoma

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

NEWS

In Brief New Born Baby, Boy Die in Boat Mishap

Tragedy struck in Wushishi town of Niger State on Friday morning whenanewbornbabyandhisunclediedinaboatmishapontheriver Kaduna.Thebabydiedafewminutesafterdelivery.Itwaslearntthatthe motherofthenewbornbabyhoweversurvivedtheaccident.According to an eyewitness, the mother of the new born baby, her husband and the young boy were traveling fromTungan Samia village toWushishi generalhospitalwherethewomanwasexpectedtoputtobed.They were said to have embarked on the journey in a canoe which also reportedly was carrying a motorcycle. Mid way through the journey it was gathered that the woman went into labour and subsequently deliveredthebabyadevelopmentthatmadeoccupantsofthecanoe todecidethatamotorcyclewhichwasalsobeingconveyedtowushishi intheboattobeoffloadedforfearthatthesmellofpetrolcouldaffect thenewbornbaby.

Lagos Housing Festival Begins

REVIVING PDP...

L-R: Former Minister for Aviation, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze; Senator Abdul Ningi; Dr. Eddy Olafeso; Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and former governor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, during an Inspection at Eagle Square for the Preparation of PDP National Convention, in Abuja

Bandits Attack Bullion Van, Cart Away Millions in Asaba Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Asaba, the Delta State capital and particularly the Koka/Ibusa Road Junction on the Benin-Asaba expressway, was on Friday thrown into pandemonium as mid-day armed robbery attack on a bullion van took place practically unchallenged.

The bandits according to eye witness account laid ambush on the vehicle conveying undisclosed amount of money from Onitsha in neighbouring Abambra State to an undisclosed location.

The robbers were said to have intercepted the vehicle when the driver was negotiating the turnoff on Ibusa Road, which ironically is often manned by hordes of policemen.

There was sporadic shooting between the hoodlums and the

police escorting the vehicle with scared motorists, commuters, traders and others scampering for safety.

Although, no life was lost in the incident, the hoodlums reportedly succeeded in making away with the cash after ripping open the bullion van with bullets.

The police escorts were said to have taken to their heels following fierce shooting by the bandits, who overwhelmed the cops with superior firepower.

"It was like a scene in one of those foreign movies where the actors engage in gun battle. The hoodlums came in with about three cars and intercepted the bullion van at the junction. They started shooting and innocent people took to their heels to avoid being victims of stray bullets," a source said.

Even vehicles on the expressway

had to quickly detour as a result of the attack with nobody to challenge the daredevil gang, eyewitnesses said.

An eyewitness accounts claimed that policemen attached to the van initially returned fire but that the criminals apparently had superior fire-power as "the officers soon disappeared from the scene, giving the bandits an unfettered access to the cash stocked in the bullion van."

Confirming the story, the state police command spokesman, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka (a DSP) said that the police was already intensifying investigation into incident, which described as unfortunate.

"It was unfortunate that some banks are still using bullion vans without bullet proof despite repeated warnings by the police,"

Aniamaka said sadly.

He however said no life was lost and none of the police escorts sustained any injuries during the operation.

Although no conclusive statement could yet be made, the spokesman noted that internal connivance could not be ruled out considering what played out.

"Who informed the hoodlums that they were carrying cash through that route? It is quite unfortunate that banks are still using configured bullion vans without bullet proof, subjecting their personnel and police escorts to unnecessary risk."

A similar incident occurred few months ago on same Benin-Asaba expressway, with bandits attacking a bullion vehicle conveying money from the branch of a bank in Asaba.

TheIslandEditionoftheLagosHomeandPropertyFestivalwilltakeplace atCircleMallLekkitodayandtomorrow,accordingtotheorganisers.

TheIslandhousingfestivaliscomingafterasuccessfulhostingofthe MainlandSeriesonNovember25and26attheIkejaCityMall.Theevent attractedenthusiasticpropertybuyerswhoenjoyeddiscounteddeals fromtheexhibitors. Interestingly,thetwo-dayfestivalwasgracedby YemiSolade,SholaKosoko,SaheedBalogun,andLizzyDa-silva,whoare brandambassadorstosomeoftheexhibitors.Thecarparkwasfilled withmanufacturersandretailersofbuildingmaterials,homefurniture specialists,andhomeautomationserviceproviders.Exhibitorswere alsogiventheopportunitytotalkabouttheirbrandsonstage.

21.8% Tested for HIV in N’East

TheNationalBureauofStatistics(NBS)hassaidthatatleast21.8per centofpersonsintheNortheasthavebeentestedforHIVinthelast12 months and the result made known. A Statistician with the National BureauofStatisticsChiomaIkemakholammadethedisclosureyesterday ataonedaymeetingonthedisseminationofthe2016/17MICsreport oftheNortheastbytheNationalBureauofStatisticsincollaboration withUNICEF,heldattheChartwellHotelandSuitesinBauchi.Shesaid thatthe2016/17MICssurvey bytheNationalBureauofStatisticsNBS wasthefifthroundincollaborationwiththeNationalPrimaryHealth Care Development Agency and National Agency for the Control of AIDS,NACAaspartoftheglobalMICsprogramme.

MDCAN Donates N.2m to Kogi Members

MembersoftheMedicalandDentalConsultantsAssociationofNigeria (MDCAN) Federal Medical Centre Lokoja chapter has donated the sum of N200,000 to the newly employed doctors following failure ofKogiStategovernmenttopaytheirsalaries.Deliveringthecheque yesterdaytotheChairmanofNigeriaMedicalAssociationDr.Godwin TijaniinLokoja,hesaidithaddawnedonthemthattheyoungdoctors hadbeensubjectedtountoldhardshipdespitetheirvaluablecontributionstothehealthcareprogrammeofgovernmentandpeopleofKogi State.HelamentedthatthenewlyemployedDoctorsweresuffering andurgedorganisationsandindividualstocometotheiraidsothatthey couldgivetheirbesttothepeople.Hestressedthatmostofthenewly employedmedicaldoctorwerefacingserioushardship.

Dynamic Club Donates to Nasarawa IDPs

DPR Seals Fuel Station Woman who Inserted Hot Metal over Price Hike in Girl’s Genital Dragged to NHRC

As part of its effort to bring succour to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)inhardtoreachcommunities,theDynamicMinds2013Clubof NigeriaonFridaydonatedreliefmaterialsto1,118InternallyDisplaced Persons(IDPs)atGurkuInterfaithRelocationcampinMaraba,Nasarawa State. ThePresidentoftheclub,Mr.EddyNwokoyesaidtheclubwas committedtoexecutemoreprogrammesandprojectsthisyearand the relocation camp was selected to benefit from its programmes.

He recalled that the Club, as part of its activities in 2016 donated to some visually impaired students of Government Secondary School inKwali,AbujawithinstructionalmaterialsworthN.6million.Nwokoye noted that the donation was to enhance the educational capacity of thestudentswhoconstitutetheSpecialUnitBandoftheSchoolbut werevisuallyimpaired.

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Mediation as Alternative to Litigation

Four fuel station in Benin City, Edo State capital, were yesterday sealed by the Department of Petroleum Resources for selling petroleum products above the official approved prices.

The move according to the department came after it was discovered that most filling stations were dispensing the products at higher prices Mr. Enelama Victor, Head of Downstream, Benin Zone, led the operation round parts of Benin City yesterday.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the monitoring exercise, Mr. Enelama said the current hike in prices of PMS in parts of the country was largely due to the unwholesome activities of racketeers and middlemen hoarding the products so as to tarnish the image of the federal government.

Mr. Enelama stressed that the federal government had not increase the prices of the products and the

distribution chain of the products

by DPR was still being maintained, adding that more petroleum products were still being loaded to all the depots across the country.

He noted that the department was already tackling the menace of racketeers and middlemen merchants in the industry, including the withdrawal of licenses from marketers who engaged in product hoarding and other unwholesome practices.

The Benin zonal boss of DPR downstream also assured that government would ensure that the distribution chain of petroleum products were not altered by marketers.

He further cautioned motorists and other consumers not to panic as government had no plans of increasing the products Though some filling stations visited in Benin were dispensing PMS at the government approved pomp price of N145 per litre, many were seen selling above the approved price.

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti A Non-governmental organisation, Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPI), has called for the arrest and prosecution of one Mrs. Esther Abgundu for allegedly inserting hot metal in her five-year-old niece's vagina .

The woman was said to have committed the act on the premise that the victim allegedly ate out of her daughter's food.

According to a petition by the JDPI, Catholic Diocese of Ekiti and addressed to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Abgundu had allegedly earlier peppered the girl's private parts after allegedly beating her up in an incident that drew emotions.

The victim, Aondoaver Sewuesi, the JDPI added in the petition to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) signed by its Director, Reverend Father Emmanuel Akingbade, "is a niece to Mrs. Abgundu and they reside together at Ijelu-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State."

JDPI said the incident occurred on November 26th, 2017, adding, "The victim was babysitting the baby of the respondent (Mrs. Abgundu) and in the course of feeding the baby, the victim took a spoon of the baby's food and ate."

The petition reads: "This annoyed the respondent so much that she inserted pepper in her private parts.

The respondent further put a knife in the fire and inserted the hot knife in the victim's private part, and equally impressed the hot knife on the outer part of her private part. Still not satisfied she was beaten mercilessly and urged not to cry aloud."

JDPI said when it received the report of the incident, its officials visited the community as well as the traditional ruler, Oba Isaac Adetoyinbo Ajayi, saying "the Elejelu of Ijelu-Ekiti confirmed the report and further informed us that he has notified the Divisional Police officer of Ilupeju-Ekiti of the incident and the latter sent officers to arrest the respondent a day after the incidence was reported at the palace."

StandingConferenceofMediationAdvocates(SCMA)inconjunction withLagospractitionersandmediationadvocates(FOTEFAPartners), havepresentedmediationadvocacyasanalternativedisputeresolution (ADR)duringaconferenceheldatthehighcourt,LagosIsland.Speaking during the conference themed, “Business and practice of mediation advocacy,� Justice Atinuke Oluyemi revealed that mediation was an alternative dispute resolution which should be readily embraced as analternativetolitigation.“Mediationshouldbeembracedasameans ofconflictresolutionagainstrunningtocourt.Mediationisawin-win thing.Ratherthangoingtocourtandprolongingissuesformonthsand years,theseissuescanratherbesortedoutinaroundtable,wereissues areamicablysortedoutinfewhoursoratmost,fewdays.

ECOBA Honours Ehigie, Ilube, Olotu

EdoCollegeOldBoysAssociation(ECOBA),LagosBranch,willtoday, honoursomeofitsdistinguishedoldboys,fortheirvariousachievements andcontributionstodevelopmentinthecountryandtheworldatlarge.

Theeventcomesupat5:00pm,attheMetropolitanClub,KofoAbayomi Crescent,VictoriaIsland,LagosLeadingthepackofdistinguishedold boystobehonouredisFormerMD/CEOofNigeriaAirportsAuthority andPrincipalGeneralStaffOfficerinthePresidency,AirViceMarshal JoeEhigie(Rtd.),whoisbeinghonouredwiththeLifeTimeAchievement Awardandanotherexcellingoldboy,theUnitedKingdombasedDr.Tom Ilube,inthefieldofCyberTechnologyandEducationalPhilanthropy.The event to be chaired by Mr.Victor Odozi, Former Deputy Governor of theCentralBankofNigeria(CBN),willhaveasGuestSpeakers,Chief AmechiObiora,andaDirectoroftheEkoHospitalwhowillbespeakingon HealthandAgeging,andAmbassadorVincentOkobi,onPublicSpeaking.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY DECEMBER 9 2017

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Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

IMPERATIVES OF WATER TRANSPORTATION IN LAGOS The state government is investing in water transportation in order to free the gridlocked traffic, writes Tayo Ogunbiyi

L

agos is the undisputed economic nerve centre of West Africa, with every potential to become the third largest mega city in the world after Shanghai and Mumbai.

Today, many mega cities of the world depend on diverse initiatives for socio-economic growth and development. For obvious reasons, Lagos has great potential to develop its water economy to a highly competitive level. If this is done, ďŹ shery, tourism, water transportation and the likes would immensely beneďŹ t. Since 25 per cent of the state’s landmass consists of water body, it is not surprising that the present administration in the state is poised to put in place right strategies that will make various water-related enterprise in the state ourish signiďŹ cantly.

As part of the present administration’s plan to encourage and improve water transportation, the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode recently inaugurated three newly acquired executive boats by the state government, with a pledge to totally explore the tourism and economic potential of the waterways in the state for the overall benefit of all.

While launching the boats at Caverton Jetty in Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Governor Ambode reiterated his administration’s commitment to the implementation of the integrated transport management system designed to scale up water, rail and land transportation, saying that the grand plan is to divert at least two million passengers on the waterways daily thereby reducing traffic on the road.

According to the governor, the boats and four Jet Skis recently acquired by the state government to ensure safety and fight crime on the waterways were prelude to major plans to fully activate the potential of water transportation, while in coming months, the state government would take delivery of additional seven commercial ferries, among other plans for the sector.

Similarly, the state government recently ordered the procurement of seven additional ferries, while also doing a lot to encourage private sector operators to take over terminals and also to procure more of their own boats and ferries.

Much emphasis is particularly being placed on safety of the water ways. This is why lots of channelisation and dredging are being done in order to make the waterways safe and secure for all stakeholders. Consequently, by the first quarter of 2018, there would be visible evidence of government’s renewed investment in this sector. As more private sector interest becomes really noticeable, this would in no small measure help to complement government’s huge investment in the sector.

There are also plans to connect water terminals and the roads, especially in places such as Badore, Ajah, Mile 2, Badagry, Ikorodu and other places where there are terminals.

It is important to stress that while the maintenance and sustenance of the boats had been outsourced to specialists

IN ORDER TO ENHANCE SAFETY ON THE WATERWAYS, MORE JET SKIS WOULD BE DEPLOYED ACROSS THE STATE TO AID RESCUE OPERATION IN CASE OF EMERGENCY AND ALSO HELP TO FIGHT CRIME

to ensure proper usage, more private investors with interest in the sector are, however, still required to partner with the state government in order to fully optimise the numerous potential that abound in the sector.

On its part, the state government is ever willing to embrace more creative and strategic enterprises geared towards improving the unlimited potential of the state’s waterways. Presently, government has identified about 30 commercial routes on the state’s waterways for dredging and channelisation, while 10 jetties spread across the state were being constructed, among other ongoing plans for the sector.

In order to further strengthen various water-economy related reforms and initiatives, the Ministry of Justice is currently working on legal plans to enforce relevant laws guiding the waterways to ensure compliance with safety standards and checkmate any illegal activity by operators.

Similarly, in order to enhance safety on the waterways, more Jet Skis would be deployed across the state to aid rescue operation in case of emergency and also help to fight crime. Each of the Jet Skis has the capacity to carry two divers so that in case of an incident on the water, there is a Jet Ski that will move divers fast to the incident scene while the rescue boats are coming behind, thereby aiding rescue operation. Aside legal and other efforts aimed at boosting safety standards of the waterways, plans have been concluded to license 10 new operators for better efficiency and smooth operation.

Perhaps more importantly, recent procurement of relevant sophisticated machines by the government is an indication that the process of ridding the state’s waterways of debris and hyacinth as part of the holistic plan to further boost water activities relating to the waterways, has earnestly begun. It would be recalled that for a long time hyacinth, otherwise known as aquatic weed, had been a major source of concern with attendant challenges to the waterways in the state. A seasonal threat, water hyacinth had brought about damage to propulsion system of boats thus affecting waterrelated activities.

The machines were, therefore, acquired to tackle the challenges posed by water hyacinth and other such water threats, by taking away debris and hyacinth from the waterways. The new machines act like an underwater lawn mower and cut the vegetation, as well as collects and store weeds and debris, while it is fitted with a pick up conveyor at the forward end which can be lowered up to six feet deep into the water for effective cleaning of the waterways. This initiative heralds the clean-up of the state’s waterways, thus preparing the ground for other innovative activities of the state’s development plan to transform the Lagos waterways to world class standards.

Ogunbiyi is of the Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

LESSONS FROM SOKOTO

Ochapa Ogenyi writes that the seat of the caliphate is a friendly and accommodating place

I

grew up in Otukpo, Benue State, during the independence era to regard Sokoto as a very far-ung place, may be a city in the Middle East! This perception was not helped by the popular Nigerian saying that whatever you are looking for in Sokoto could be found in your Shokoto – meaning why go too far to Sokoto when what you are seeking is within you. During a recent, ďŹ rst-ever visit to Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate, I discovered that this long-held notion was not only misplaced but a complete fallacy! Sokoto is just a mere 45 minutes away from Abuja by ight, 10 minutes shorter than Abuja to Lagos!

So when I was just settling for a long flight haul from Abuja to Sokoto on that fateful morning of Tuesday, November 7 2017, the Pilot announced that we should get ready for landing. That was my first sweet discovery.

But more were to come.

Another myth that gave way was the age-old impression that Sokoto, being the seat of the Caliphate and home of the great Prophet Shehu Usman Danfodio, would be soaked with an overbearing air of aristocratic arrogance by the populace, especially given the once-popular ‘born to rule slogan’, which was adopted by the Federal Roads Safety Commission. What I met there was different.

The people were very simple, humble and unassuming. From the common people on the streets to the highly Very Important Persons, everyone was simply approachable, friendly and accommodating.

Here are some examples. During the period of the visit, Mallam Shehu Mallami,Sarkin Sudan Wurno, Nigeria’s former Ambassador

to South Africa and scion of the dan Fodio family, marked his 80th birthday. It was a very low key event held at one of the Sultan’s meeting rooms. There was no lavish display of wealth and no live band. The streets were not closed. No foreign wine or drinks were served; it was just local drinks, rice and tuwo.

Such is the simplicity and general disposition of the people in Sokoto that Nigeria’s former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the Turakin Sokoto, until recently lived in a very modest, simple, old one-storey building in the Kofar Atiku area of Sokoto. The house, located in the heart of the talakawas settlement is so simple and without a fence; you then wonder if it belonged to a former President of Nigeria. The road to the house is not tarred and the environment is ordinary. Shagari’s old mate Mallam Mohammad Basulube, who still lives in the Kofar Atiku quarters, told us that the former president was very reluctant to relocate to the Sama Road house at the government reservation area (GRA) which the Obasanjo government built for him as it did for other former presidents a few years ago.

I was so far more surprised when we also visited the house of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Premier of the North and Sarduanan Sokoto, along Diori Hamani Road, Sokoto. Though the building was recently coated with new paint, the building stands as one of the biggest manifestations of honest and incorruptible leadership, integrity and true service of any Nigerian leader ever. For a man who was Premier of the Northern Region, which presently comprises 19 states of the country, the Sarduana’s modest three-bedroom bungalow

is a big lesson for today’s leaders in modesty, trust and integrity.

Before you start rushing to conclusions that these were the attributes of yester-years politicians, you may wish to know that the present leadership of Sokoto State has learnt a lesson or two from both Shagari and the Sarduana.

Unlike in some states, it was not difficult to meet the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, the Mutawallen Sokoto, when our delegation led by the Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah arrived Sokoto. Thirty minutes upon arrival in Sokoto, we were ushered into the modest Government House in Sokoto to meet with the governor who himself just returned from a journey about an hour earlier. A similar meeting with another important dignitary, the Bajinin Gwandu, Alhaji Shehu Ambursha, was arranged with just a mere phone call. Yet another example is our own Hon. Minister of State – Aisha Abubakar, a Sokoto Princess who is so simple in every sense: her dressing, open door policy, humility and comradely relationship with her aides. Don’t be surprised if you meet this unassuming princess of the caliphate at Wuse Market or Sahad stores doing her groceries.

Sokoto is such a peaceful place that police road blocks are a rarity. In fact, it is anathema to see “area boys� fighting there.

The Sakwatto people are traditionally very friendly people. The family of my next door neighbour in Abuja, Alhaji Bello Tambuwal, a retired federal director are so friendly that we share most things in common, our religious backgrounds notwithstanding.

I was also very impressed with the cleanliness of the environment. Naturally, because of the long dry weather, trees have been planted along major streets in the city centre.

But beyond that, the streets are generally clean, may be second only to Calabar. Food is quite cheap here! A bag of 50kg Attajiri Rice costs a mere N11,500. The same quantity costs N16,000 in most Nigerian cities. And if you are a lover of fura and kilishi please visit Sokoto. I am still relishing the sack load of the kilishi delicacy that I brought from there!

Nigerians may also have a lesson or two to learn from the maintenance culture of the Sokoto people. Take the case of the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria, which was established by Sir Ahmadu Bello as Premier of the North. Despite daunting challenges, the company which was incorporated in 1962 and commenced production in 1967 is still in production with a rated output of 500,000 tonnes per annum. Surely, industries that are finding it hard to operate under the prevailing climate should please visit the CCNN and learn from them.

All this is not to say that the streets of Sokoto are paddled with gold. Certainly not. For instance, the magnificent Giginya Coral Hotel could do with a little renovation and better management. Something needs to be done to urgently take the teeming unemployed youths off the streets and I look forward to Sokoto assuming its old status as the major trading hub in the region.

Ogenyi is a Director with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment

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INSIGHT

2019 in view?

When will Nigeria’s Mugabes Resign?

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imbabwe’s President, Robert Mugabe ďŹ nally resigned from ofďŹ ce after his former political allies and the army took steps to get him out of ofďŹ ce. The resignation signiďŹ es an expected end to dictatorial and undemocratic rule in Zimbabwe. To point thoroughly to the level of highhandedness and autocracy displayed by Mugabe, he unanimously sacked his Vice-President, Emmerson Mnangagwa. It was the sacking that led to the military takeover which ďŹ nally forced Mugabe out and made him bow to civil pressure.

The 93-year-old man had been in power since the country’s independence on April 18, 1980. Many described his resignation as a victory to Africa. In fact, The Punch editorial argued that his resignation “is good for Zimbabwe, (and) it is excellent for Africa.�

Even with all these, I am surprised seeing Nigerians making much jubilation over the ‘victory’ as if it is uhuru already. Thousands of Nigerians are making commentaries praising the Zimbabwean army for a job well done, saying the resignation symbolises the end of dictatorial and kakistocractic regime in Africa. As I will not disagree with their claims, where they get the moral rights to make all these assertions is the source of concern. In Nigeria, the set of people parading themselves as leaders are not in any way better than the brutal Mugabe. Any person that has properly studied the leadership and governing style of Nigeria will not make an attempt to dispute this fact. Even though we are made to understand, by virtue of several provisions in our constitution, that we operate a democratic government, we know in reality that what obtains in this clime is far away from democracy. It is unarguable that the key features of democracy are periodic election and the rule of majority. Mugabe had been contesting and “winning� presidential elections in his country even without the people’s legitimacy since 1980. It will interest you to know that Mugabe has made himself eligible to contest the August 2018 presidential election despite being very close to his grave. Reports have however shown that election rigging, killing and persecution of political opponents, chronic hatred for criticism and serious totalitarianism are what kept him in power till the point of his resignation. Without much imagination, it is crystal clear that self-imposition of himself on the people and gross violation of his subjects’ fundamental rights are against the tenets of democracy.

All that featured in Mugabe’s too many years of misrule are equally prevalent in Nigeria up till today.

As a people, we are still being governed by people since our birth in 1960. We cannot deny the fact that it is the set of people leading us even before Zimbabwe gained her independence that we still call leaders till this present moment. It was the men that ruled us in different offices decades ago that are still ruling us till today. To buttress my point, it will be apt to figure out that two Heads of State that ruled during the military

era are still ruling ( not governing) us since our return to democracy. The yesterday’s governor is today’s minister.

Today’s minister is tomorrow Senate President. One time VicePresident, tomorrow’s President. One time local government Chairman, today’s House of Representative member. That is how the rigmarole continues that there is no iota of difference in our ruling cl ass. Yesterday’s PDP, is today’s APC. No difference. The same people governing us in the past are those still in power today, even till tomorrow despite the provisions of periodic election in our constitution. Then, tell me, how are we different from Zimbabwe, how are they different from Mugabe?

Do we talk of our Mugabe-like leaders’ sheer abhorrence for political criticism and disrespect for fundamental rights?

Till today, political killings and persecutions are still prevalent in this society of ours. Election rigging is still the order of the day which makes the same set of people remaining in power as many of them lack the legitimacy of the people.

In the final analysis, let’s hope a day is coming when our leaders that have clung to power for too long doing virtually nothing will honourably resign and allow citizens with fresh but progressive political ideologies and the zeal to deliver Nigeria from eternal damnation. We have our own Mugabes too, let them resign now!

Festus Ogun, Olabisi Onabanjo University

Teachers Without Knowledge: What Remedies?

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chools, especially universities, are the very bastion of learning and researches. And, a solid and functional educational system in a country is the pivot and bedrock of development in that country. In the ďŹ rst republic, our universities were rated among the best in the world. And citizens of other countries ock to them to acquire university education.

As there is a correlation between functional school system, economic and technological progress, our economy boomed, then. The western region had surfeit of cocoas, which its government would export to foreign countries to earn revenue. The eastern and northern regions exported palm oil and groundnuts to other centuries, respectively, too.

The rot in our educational system set in with the ascendance of rascally and morally bankrupt politicians and soldiers into the loft of power in the country. So, now, not only is education neglected but also other sectors have suffered monumental neglect. Consequently, the

T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMI ABOROWA DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS HENRY NWACHOKOR, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GENERAL MANAGER PATRICK EIMIUHI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

quality of education obtainable in the country nosedived to an abysmal level.

Nigerian schools have become buildings where no real learning takes place.

A number of factors are at the root of the dysfunctional state of our schools, chief among which is the government’s criminal neglect of education in the country. Did past successive governments in Nigeria abide by the UNESCO prescription of 26% of budgetary allocation for education? In my home state, in the recent past, teachers downed tools for a long period owing to the non-payment of their salaries by the state governor, then. That singular industrial action crippled the school system and altered the school calendar in the state. Teachers are told that rewards for their services await them in the celestial abode after their earthly demise. Is this statement not a proof of our collective insensitivity to the plight of teachers?

As these teachers are with low-morale, they cannot teach their pupils and students effectively at their optimal capacities. Again, in order to augment their poor salaries, they moonlight during working hours instead of teaching their pupils and students school subjects in classrooms.

But more worrisome is the fact and revelation that thousands of primary and secondary school teachers in public schools across the country are bereft of knowledge. Most teachers in many states of the federation are bumbling illiterates, who got their teaching jobs through political patronage, clannishness, nepotism, cronyism, and the factor of consanguinity.

In Kaduna State, recently, a majority of the primary school teachers flunked a test for primary four pupils. And Governor El Rufai has threatened to sack them all.

What is happening in Kaduna State is a reflection and mirror of the parlous state of education in the country. Our school system has collapsed with its devastating effects. Owing to the erosion of moral values in our country, rich parents do hire surrogate candidates to write such examinations as NECO and SSCE for their children instead of urging and encouraging them to study for their examinations.

Chiedu Uche Okoye, Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 9, 2017

SUPER SATURDAY

TIMIPRE WOLO Mother Taught Me to be Daring and Believe in Myself Young, cerebral, and undeterred; a dreamer and an achiever. She is more than that: she has facilitated international scholarships, SME loans and training to help about 400 young Nigerians dream and achieve their goals. Meet Timipre Wolo. An optimist and motivator, she awards scholarships and mentors girls at the Internally Displaced Persons’ camps through her Centre for Gender Equality, Education and Empowerment (CGEEE) and her company, TFN Energy Limited, an oil and gas firm. With a Bachelor’s degree in Law and a master’s degree in Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, the silent achiever and innovator shares her enthralling success story with Adedayo Adejobi I’m Gifted with Extraordinary Grace I Have a Determination to Be a Change Driver A Loss and a Dream

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rowing up in the oil rich but highly impoverished Niger Delta region, Timipre recalls her fascination for development and her resolve to bring this to her people someday.

She dreamt of being a lawyer and owning a company, but was almost disillusioned by the loss of her mum at an early age of 12. The loss of her hard-working mother took a toll on her family and left them to depend on her civil-servant dad’s lean salary. Timipre, however, stayed resolute and determined to make mum proud.

Some of her making-mum-proud moments included representing her school in competitions and breaking the record of being the youngest prefect. Her resolve also drove her to take on a 12-hour night-shift job as receptionist at 16, while doubling as a Law Diploma Student.

“I wanted to help lighten the burden on my father who was committed to seeing all five of us get university education,” she pointed out.

She later gained admission to study Law at Ambrose Alli University.

In her final year in the university, serving as the first elected female vice-president of the National Union of Bayelsa State Students, she was accepted and sponsored to attend the United Nations Youth Assembly at the United Nations Head Quarters, New York. An opportunity and experience she described as “divinely orchestrated turning point” for her.

Timipre did not stop making her late mother proud even though she moved to Scotland for a Master degree in Oil and Gas Law at the University of Aberdeen. She found an innovative way to support herself in school.

“I had noticed that there was no single Nigerian restaurant in the whole of Aberdeen so I saw opportunity for a new business amidst the growing Nigerian community there. I started a food business which included delivery services.

The catering project was a stroke of ingenuity, the kind of inspiration which I can only attribute to my mother,” she admitted.

How She Blazed the Trail Upon obtaining an LLM, with Commendation, Timipre returned to Nigeria and began

her career in private legal practice while also running the Greener Nigeria Initiative, a non-governmental organisation she co-founded with focus on the environment. In 2010, she joined the Legal Department of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) for capacity development in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria and was subsequently appointed Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary.

The following year, she was assigned the responsibility of leading the team tasked with fostering closer collaborations between the PTDF and relevant stakeholders in the industry. She became the youngest person to ever serve in the PTDF management team.

Her team was responsible for leading and formulating strategies for capacity development under the Fund’s Post Amnesty Policy, adopted as fallout of the Fund’s membership of a sub-committee of the Post Amnesty Committee set up by the Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2009. Timipre attributes her milestones at the PTDF to team effort and was renowned for her impeccable professionalism and attention to details.

Under her headship as the pioneer Head of the Fund’s Industry Collaboration Unit, Timipre championed several ground-breaking youth empowerment initiatives, one of which led to the award of scholarships to about 400 disadvantaged youths from across Nigeria to study at various institutions overseas.

Some of these initiatives included pioneering foreign undergraduate scholarship initiative that targeted 50 restive youths from oil producing communities and other parts of Nigeria in 2012; a Special Training and Educational Scheme leading to the award of 70 foreign undergraduate scholarships in 2013; an educational collaboration between the Fund and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) for 60 young Nigerians to study at undergraduate level in Norway in fields such as petroleum engineering, marine engineering, mechanical engineering and other oil and gas related

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ EMBER 9, 2017

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SUPERSATURDAY I HAVE A DETERMINATION TO BE A CHANGE DRIVER fields. Others were a partnership between the fi Fund and a fi financial institution to support 120 trainees of the Fund access SME loans to enable them set up small businesses in 2014 and a pioneer partnership with a United States university with the award of scholarships to 20 girls and 20 boys from very humble backgrounds in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

The young philanthropist’s penchant for innovation and quest to break new grounds led to her championing the fi first ever helicopter pilot training programme for the petroleum industry in Nigeria. Under the scheme, 20 young men and women selected from across Nigeria were fully sponsored to train as internationally certifi ified commercial helicopter pilots. After obtaining their licenses, Timipre played a key role in initiating PTDF pioneer job-creation partnership with the private sector.

This partnership culminated in employment of 15 of the young budding pilots into positions hitherto held by expatriates. Amongst them was Nigeria’s youngest pilot, Tosin Ajibola from Kwara State, and the fi first female helicopter pilot from Katsina State, Ruqayat Suleiman, along with three other young women from Ondo, Rivers and Bayelsa States.

Timipre Wolo is a goal-getter that set out to change the narrative. She went the extra mile to see young pilots get engaged after their training.

She explained, “The essence of training them in the fi first place was because there were identifi ified existing gaps in that area. Whereas helicopter is one means of transporting workers and supplies to the oil and gas rigs in the Niger Delta, most of these helicopters were manned by expatriates. Also, being part of their journey and seeing the transformation before my very eyes, I just could not bear the thought of them returning to Nigeria to join the already teeming unemployed youth population.”

Thriving in Male-Dominated Terrain Speaking on how she overcame the chall lenges of being the only representation of the South-South geopolitical zone and youngest member in a male-dominated PTDF managee ment team, she said she was too focused on the task ahead and was able to scale the hurdles because of her determination to leave an indelible mark.

“The truth is that when you produce results, nobody remembers your gender or where you come from. The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Management was very proud of the initiatives and conn stantly showcased them in the media. So many women in Nigeria and around the world have proven that given the opportunity, women are change drivers and I was determined to be one. I attribute my successes to being visionary, strategic, dogged, driven and most importantl, to God, who has gifted me with extraordinary grace.”

Honoured as an Achiever Timipre’s contributions to local content development in the petroleum sector as well as her service to humanity and leadership excellence has been recognised by internationn ally and locally. She was a fi finalist in the ‘Professional Achievement’ category of British Council Awards 2017 and was also recognised by the Commonwealth Youth Council. In 2015, she received the African Woman of Worth Award by the African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO) alongside two serving female deputy governors (Deputy Governor of Lagos State and Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State). In October 2015, she was listed as one of ‘Those who inspire Nigeria’ alongside President Olusegun Obasanjo, Wole Soyinka, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and others. Timpre has also been nominated in the ‘Career’ of the “Woman of the Year” Awards 2017.

Timipre Wolo

I have seen and experienced p firsthand, how education of the girl can impact p not jjust a family y or community but an entire nation, and that is what fuels my passion Her Metamorphosis: From Employee to Employer When the PTDF discontinued the special training and educational scheme in 2016, due to the economic recession, Timipre decided her assignment at the Fund was done and it was time to chase her professional dreams of starting her energy company. She believed she would be able to fund her passion. “One of the reasons I am very passionate about women being educated is that when you are educated, and you combine that with your faith, then you can take a leap and break any glass

ceiling,” she told ThisDay. Knowing full well that women are naturally averse to risks, she admits that it was a huge risk resigning from a well-paying job, but that she took it in faith, trusting that God who brought her that far would have her back. She noted, “I had to remain focused and dedicated to the goals ahead of me. My decision to start my own energy company is one of the best decisions I ever made.”

Her company, TFN Energy Limited currently helps girls from the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps through scholarships to cover fees, school supplies, feeding and some living stipends. She confi nfirms that this year alone, TFN Energy and CGEEE have awarded scholarships to fi five girls from an Internally Displaced Camp (IDP).

Timipre admitted, “Nothing is more gratifyy ing. If I was sitting down in my cozy offi ffice on the 10th floor of the PTDF Tower, perhaps these fi five girls would have become part of the statistics that got pregnant or married off as child brides. I am thankful for my PTDF journey as it helped me discover purpose through service. I have seen and experienced firsthand, how education of the girl can impact fi not just a family or a community but an entire nation. And that is what fuels my passion. I now know that this is part of the reason I am here because seeing these lives transform gives me an indescribable sense of satisfaction and fulfi lfillment.”

Her Mother’s Influence At a time and age millennials are focused on the mundane things of life, she has drawn strength from values of selfl lflessness, love and care. These she picked up from her late mother. She shed light on this: “I guess it is the infl nfluence of my mother. Prior to her demise, she would wake me up very late at night and speak to me about why it was very important

to have an education. She said it was the key to becoming whatever I wanted to be. She was a mother to everyone and we always had a lot of non-relatives; orphaned or underprivileged young adults whom my mum supported as head of the Teens Church at the Deeper Life Bible Church back then. Also my personal journey and experience so far has contributed to shaping me into the woman I am today; a multifaceted woman of virtue, faith and purpose.”

Timipre dedicates time to mentoring young women and girls through the CGEEE platform, and her non-denominational Christian Fell lowship, One Hour with the King which she founded in 2013.

“I take mentoring very seriously because if I had a mentor growing up, perhaps I would have avoided some of the pitfalls and mistakes I made. And so, I see the success of my mentees as my success too because they are a part of my journey just as much as I am part of theirs.”

She has a team of volunteers for CGEEE and organises trainings and mentoring sessions at the CGEEE Headquarters in Abuja.

“I have so many mentees around the world now so even though I don’t have any biological children yet, I feel so blessed to have all these young women in my life who look up to me and to be honest, I also draw a lot of inspiraa tion from them as well. One of my favourite quotes is ‘help others rise’. Greatness comes, not from a position but from helping to build the future,” Timipre noted.

Recently, she was appointed the 2018 President/Chairperson, Ladies in Oil and Gas Nigeria, hopes to work with the founder and other women in the industry to not only advance the cause of pushing for more opportunities for Nigerian women in oil and gas, but to achieve increased participation of women-owned businesses in the sector.

My Commitment Is to Help More WomenAcquire GoodEducation

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Plus

LOUD WHISPERS AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER TEENS CONNECT FASHION FILE VINTAGE

pg. 20 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 38 pg. 43 pg. 50

Yinka Davies

My Family Is Lively, Understanding, Crazy

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 9, 2017

PLUS

I Can’t Marry Someone Like Me – I’ll Kill Him Petite, eclectic, creative, energetic and with a powerful voice, Elfreda Yinka Davies is a singer whose singing prowess is enviable. Yinka, who is also an actress, dancer, songwriter and reality television sion shows judge currently plays the role of ‘other woman’ oman’ in the TV programme, Battle Ground. She tells Adedayo Adejobi why she misses late legendaryy Fuji music crooner, Chief Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, how she’s re-inventing her sound and what it feels like e being single, and waiting for the right man

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our album, ‘Black Chiffon’, with a signature track, ‘Owo’, featuring the late Chief Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, has remained evergreen. How did you strike the connection?

My talking drummer at that time helped me to get in touch with Barrister at that time. He went to Mushin to look for him because Bisade Ologunde (aka Lagbaja), then band manager to Colours, had told me to think commercially and so I was thinking of how to weave commercial sound with the kind of style I do. I went to my band, the 5&6, and ran the sound by them.

They tried it and said we should do Fuji. And the only person I know from my primary school days was Barrister and his song, ‘Owo’. When they found Chief Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, he told them to tell me to show up that he’s been waiting for me. When I first met him, he gave me my dossier. He remembered the day I had an accident, told me how he prayed for me and how he had wanted to meet me. Baba had been following me. I didn’t know whether to cry or smile.

Knowing full well that Barrister may not be familiar with Yinka Davies, how did the studio recording session go?

We had done the pre-recording

and we just wanted him to come and lay his voice in the studio dio and he came. So when he came to the studio to lay his vocal, he followed ollowed and was writing down his lines as he did in the 70s. I then told d him I wanted him to ad-lib. He asked inquisitively what was that. I then told him to keep singing and nd we thought of how to work it out.

Towards the end of the recording, ording, g we picked out his words. I loved e the sound. It was wow! I miss him terribly. And I made major mistake of not recording his video. The only one we did was when he was in the studio. And the one in n the studio the guy has lost the rushes.

So the one we have is dull. At the time we shot the video for Maami, at this time, he was at the hospital p so his younger brother took on the e part. Even Tunde Kelani wanted anted to shoot the video. We believed ved he was going to return and then do the video properly, but then he died.

You seem to have been off the radar. What are your commercial plans for music?

That you’ll have to find out. This particular year, I have been quite busy on TV but I have about four young producers who (I) have been working. We have ve some collaborations and it’s been quite interesting. This year y r I have done reggae, soul, and nd techno-house traditional song. ng. g You shall hear about them all soon.

I know women have asked men out so many times. But the thing is, let’s not all lie to ourselves: if the man is not involved with you, after some years he will leave you. Why waste my time when I know I’m the one looking for the man? No. I don’t want that. So coveting marriage is an anomaly for a woman; the man must come

DECEMBER 9, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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PLUS

Davies performing on stage

I Miss Late Sik Sikiru Ayinde Barrister

I bumped into the arts. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing there. It took a while for a host of us to realise that this is a business.

You never lose anything

You love the stage but seems to have moved to television as seen.

I have always loved the stage.

Television is quite superficial for me. It is ‘cut and action’. The largeness of the theatre cannot be compared. Your life begins and ends on stage. When you are done on stage, is like you are drained of life. You now have to find a way to get back to life.

The great Tina Mba is a witness.

Television is a miniature of the essence of art. Television is doing very well; they own the money, glamour and flamboyance. But that’s it. After that, what’s next?

You don’t come across as one who joined the arts with a view to becoming financially fulfilled.

I bumped into the arts. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing there. It took a while for a host of us to realise that this is a business.

You never lose anything. I haven’t lost anything. You take on a challenge and move on. The only time and thing you lose are when you lose yourself in the process of finding yourself.

The producers of Battleground seem to have you in the right role. For anyone who knows you, the role you play, Cissy Jack Badmus, is no departure from the real you. You have an idea what they were thinking or did they confer with you when giving you the role?

I have no clue. No clue whatsoever what they were thinking. I am, however, enjoying it.

Would you be taking on similar sitcom projects of this nature?

I’ll think about it. It is timeconsuming. I don’t have time for my work.

With you not having time, what would happen to Yinka Davies, the musician and the 5&6 band? Wouldn’t acting take all that from you?

Why should acting take all that from me? Although acting started before music for me but going forward, I’ll rather find a way to handle both. We are back. We are working at it. We are still doing our private functions, but it’s time to go global.

When you showed interest in the arts, didn’t your parents fret, especially at a time everyone wanted to become doctors and lawyers?

My family is a very alive kind of family. They are beautiful, quite understanding and very crazy themselves individually.

And collectively they don’t know when you are gone. My dad was a musician. I didn’t’ know. He would tell you straight away. I remembered he commented on Blackky’s song saying my voice was too loud. Can’t they find a way to tone down the sound?

I said, ‘Daddy, I’m trying.’ At that time, I was coming from the theatre and at the National Theatre they trained your diaphragm to be loud. But I am not as I used to be - very boisterous, very loud.

We criticise ourselves. We never see one’s work as good.

I am critical of myself, especially.

I do not know if that is what you call professionalism or perfectionism. All I know is if it’s not worth it, don’t try it. If it would not meet up to or even beat status quo, don’t do it. If I say it’s not up to my standard, I’ll be lying.

It would be evil to me to tell you that I allow the song to lead me.

It would be evil of me to cage the sound.

Could that be the reason why you haven’t done popular

music?

Yes. You can’t allow the sound. I don’t listen to music. I don’t listen to the radio because when the sound comes it has to be pure and I have to deliver it. It would be evil of me to cage it. It has to express itself the best way it knows how. And that sound, God owns it, I don’t.

Away from music, how do you see marriage?

Marriage is a covenant, an institution, and the foundation of life.

Do you covet it?

Well, you covet it. When you covet it, just don’t worry about it. Covet but continue; make sure your journey is smooth and as rough as it is, it’s smooth.

Are you on your way to marriage?

Marriage is honourable. Very honourable. I am too much into my work. Too intense. The sound; When I hear the sound, I don’t want anyone to look like me or marry someone like me. There’s no way. We can’t work.

I’ll kill him. When I see the man, I would know. But the thing is he has to be the one doing the looking, not me. No matter how much you look and say you know if the man is not saying yes, you are wasting your time.

Are waiting for the man?

I’m female. The man has to speak.

That’s his job. The man leaves and cleaves to his wife, not me. I don’t want to know who he looks like.

Once he comes and talks to me, I hear it and I’ll know it’s him. But that’s the institution really. I know women have asked men out so many times. But the thing is, let’s not all lie to ourselves: if the man is not involved with you, after some years he will leave you.

Why waste my time when I know I’m the one looking for the man? No. I don’t want that. So coveting marriage is an anomaly for a woman; the man must come.

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SPY GLASS

with .... 08054680651 ADEREMI AWODE

TOYEMISI WADA

FAROUK LAWAN

FAROUK LAWAN STILL IN THE COLD

Farouk Lawan is one politician many would not forget in a hurry. He was a four-term member of the House of Representatives for the Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency of Kano State.

While he was in the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly, he was always in our eyes and in the news for diverse reasons.

Sadly, Lawan, famously described as Mr. Integrity, exited the exalted chamber in a very controversial circumstance when he was alleged to have collected a $620million bribe from oil and gas magnate, Femi Otedola. The ugly development became a big blot on his political career, as many began to see his Achilles’ heel.

Since then, he is said to be striving very hard to regain relevance in the political circle. However, the more he tries, the more he literally gets stuck.

The diminutive politician, without a worry about his already dented image, reportedly attempted to return to the Lower Chamber in 2015 for the fifth time, but he was trounced and humiliated by a greenhorn, Sule Aliyu Romo, to represent Shanono/Bagwai Federal Constituency of Kano State at the National Assembly.

A proof that his power has been totally withered.

It was also gathered that he recently nursed the ambition of contesting for the number one position of Kano. However, the ambition died even in its gestation, reason being that he is no more a force to be reckoned with in the scheme of things in the state.

Such is the pathetic situation of the honourable’s political mĂŠtier, it was gathered. ‘‘Lawan’s supporters and friends have allegedly abandoned him, leaving him like flotsam and jetsam on the political sea,’’ a source said.

NTDC BOSS, FOLLYCOKER, UNPERTURBED

The Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, is not new to politics and political scheming.

Since his appointment, Coker, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, has initiated a lot of programmes that have further made the agency more attractive to the stakehold-

ers.

But it was surprising that some staff of the NTDC, a few weeks ago, staged a protest to complain about his style of leadership. It was carried out when he was away on assignment.

Contrary to expectation, the Lagos State-born politician and astute administrator is said to be unruffled over what a source described as “an attempt to embarrass him.�

The source further disclosed that it is the usual trick of the staff of the agency whenever they wanted to get at their boss. The same trick, it was learnt, had been employed during the administrations of former NTDC bosses such as Otunba Segun Runsewe, Mrs Omotayo Omotosho and Sally Mbanefo. “Coker is said to have particularly adopted a system that puts all processes under thorough checks, while he works on a model to plug all loopholes. The workers were said to have found the strategy to kick out bad habits in the system suffocating, so they decided to kick back with their usual antics,’’ Our source said

ADEREMI AWODE CELEBRATES DAD AT80

For Apostle Emmanuel Awode, CEO, Chemstar Manufacturing Company, Sunday, December 3, will go down as most memorable.

For long, he and his siblings, among other family members, had looked forward to witnessing the day the patriarch of the family would glide into the octogenarian club. So, it was a prayer answered when their father turned 80 before their very eyes.

In celebration of that moment in the life of their loving dad, a birthday bash was organised at The Grandeur Place, Billingsway, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, where Pa Awode was celebrated to high heavens.

Indeed, it was obvious that no one wanted to be left out of the event put together to celebrate Pa Awode. While the event lasted, his children, grandchildren and great-grand-children not only poured encomiums on the celebrator, but also shared with the audience some of the lessons they have left from him in their journeys in life.

With palpable joy, the Chemstar boss described Papa as a treasure.

BOLARINWA OLUWOLE HONOURED

Again, Asiwaju Bolarinwa Oluwole, a potentially great politician, shone like a glittering star, recently.

All it took to take the shine off his critics was the honour done him recently by the leadership of National Association of Polytechnic Students, NAPS. In recognition of his support and contributions to the course of students and youths development, he was awarded the Distinguished Personality of the Year 2017 by the respected students’ body.

Interestingly, the honour came for the 40-year-old at a time he is seeking to represent Remo Federal Constituency at the National Assembly in the next general election.

Bolarinwa, who is described as a man of the people, has a history of unflinching commitment to humanity and students’ welfare in the state. No wonder, during the ceremony, many students, especially students’ leaders, attested to his kind gestures and his struggles to facilitate and influence students and youths’ empowerment schemes.

ABIODUN ODUKOYA’S NEW DREAM Abiodun Adenegan Odukoya, the fashion entrepreneur has carved a niche for himself among fashion buffs.

The young man dream is to turn his passion into money making ventures and today he is achieving that with the launching of AB Rolling clothing.

As gathered by Spyglass, he is launching the clothing line ahead of his birthday on 25th December, while he acknowledged that AB Rollings was a bespoke and affordable clothing line that had come to alleviate the stress of fashion on all fashion enthusiasts.

It was gathered that AB Rollings is not just a fashion designing or designers outlet, rather, a fashion entrepreneurship. According to him, being rich

shouldn’t be confused with possessing panache but many a deep-pocket mistake extravagance for elegance. “You do not have to be extravagant to be elegant.

This is because in matters of grave importance, style, not extravagance, is the vital factor. It is what distinguishes the men from the boys, the pretenders from the pragmatists; it is what differentiates the commoner from the classical.�, and that’s what AB Rollings is known for.

Style becomes the essence of every man, according to the fashion buff.

Thus, like an emperor of immeasurable chic, his fascination with clean cuts and elaborate lines comes alive in his range of bespoke designs and brilliantly cut apparels. Although his specialty encompasses formal and informal male couture, female clothings, and will add kiddies as he launched.

There is no gainsaying Abiodun’s love for classy couture blossomed quite early in his youth; according to him, he developed a fascination with fashion when he was travelling all over the world. Over time they have based their dream on diligently satisfying the style needs of all people, not concentrating on just the elite and the big pocketed fashion lovers.

You could be forgiven for thinking he keeps the color palette of his fabrics defiantly posh and upscale as those he makes for his clientele. While his style looks swanky and effortless from a distance, closer, you will find that the artistry, obsessive attention to detail and fervor that goes into it are integral parts of his quest for perfection.

YEMISI WADA LOSES DAD At a time when almost everyone is making frenetic preparations for the Yuletide, beautiful Yemisi Wada’s plans may have been slightly shattered following the passing on of her 80-yearfather on Wednesday morning.

Her father, a former judge of the Lagos High court, reportedly died at his Parkview, Lagos home after a protracted illness. The deceased is survived by a wife, Mrs. Patience Folasade Adeniji (nee Aganga) and three children: Bayo Adeniji Jnr., Yemisi Wada and Bola Adeniji Benson who married the late TOS Benson’s son, Hewitt.

OLUWOLE

FOLLY COKER

ABIODUN ODUKOYA

22

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

EVENTS

T

heAwoniyifamilyofIletejuMopa-Amuro,KogiState,lastSundaymarkedthe10th anniversaryofthedeathoftheirlatepatriarch,ChiefSundayBolorunduroAwoniyi, Aro of Mopa and one of the founders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The anniversaryserviceheldatFirstBaptistChurchafterwhichformerDeputyGovernor of Kogi State YomiAwoniyi hosted guests to a reception. Photo: Julius Atoi

Chief S B Awoniyi’s wives, Mrs Florence Awoniyi and Mrs Omowunmi Awoniyi.

Yomi Awoniyi and wife Tokunbo

Chief Patrick Adaba (L) and A K Saliu

Former Governor of Kogi State Ibrahim Idris (R) and Eng Samuel Okwutu

Ado Shuaibu (L) and Prince Olusola Akanmode

L-R: Basorun Bola Orolugbagbe; Suleman Ramon-Yusuf and Olalekan Oyeleye

L-R: Kabiru Shuaib and Razak Isa Kutepa.

Traditional rulers and Mopa chiefs at the Church Service

23

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ ͷ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

EVENTS

L-R: Kola Ologbondiyan and Tunde Adeniran

L-R: Hon T J Yusuf; Hon Dave Lorhemba and Chief Tunde Olusunle

R-L: Senator Tunde Ogbeha; Otunba Lai Oriowo and Simbabi Ogbeha

Tayo Awoniyi (r) and wife Yejide

L-R: Adewale Omofaiye and wife Modupe

Elder Abraham Adavi; Richard Akanmode and Pastor Dayo Akanmode

L-R: Rev (Dr) David Daniyan ; Tayo Awoniyi and Rev Joshua Ige.

L-R: Barr Kola Taiwo-Ojo (L) and Mr Mike Abu’

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

by OMOLOLA ITAYEMI omolola.itayemi@thisdaylive.com 08054699602

TRAVEL&LEISURE

ATTWON Debuts with Tourism Statistics Debate Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄËœ ÞÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă— Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă’Ă‹ĂŽ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂŽĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ’ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă— Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁË› Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÎËÞË Ă’Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŁ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă—Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ëœ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă? ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë› Ëœ Ă‹ Ă?ÙÖÖĂ?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă— ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂŒĂ–Ă™Ă‘Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÚÒÙÞÙÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă•Ă? ÞÙ ĂŽĂ™ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂŒĂŁ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă— Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁ Ë› Omolola Itayemi ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?

O

n the 2nd floor of a brown 3-story building inAlagomeji area of Yaba, Lagos resides the Association of Travel and Tourism Writers of Nigeria (ATTWON) office and venue of the recent ‘Travel and Stats’, a discussion involving industry stakeholders and CEO, Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale.

Such discussions, however, rare in the industry are pivots of growing the industry and ensuring tourism becomes the new oil. The debate sheds light on issues such as the recent commitment of the NBS to the use of the Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA) framework for the aggregation of tourism stats for national GDP. Interestingly, NBS had chosen to apply the TSA framework from 2015 even though it has yet to be fully implemented. The TSA itself was recommended by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). It links all tourism and travel statistics in Nigeria with the national accounts framework before national GDP is calculated.

The Statistician-General, speaking through his representative, Mrs Lola Talabi-Oni, said: “Until recently, tourism data had been disaggregated and oftentimes fragmented. We have begun to build the structure to compile the Tourism Satellite Accounts. The NBS, according to him, had already established collaboration with such stakeholders as the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to build a system of tourism statistics that feeds into the TSA.�

He added that a broader platform would soon be established to function as a forum where other stakeholders can also put forward their contributions towards the development of a robust TSA. The TSA developed by UNWTO in 2008, adopts the basic system of concepts, classifications, definitions, tables and aggregates of the System of National Accounts 2008 (SNA 2008), the international standard for a systematic summary of national economic activity, from a functional perspective.

It allows for the harmonization and reconciliation of tourism statistics from an economic (National Accounts) perspective. This enables the generation of tourism economic data (such as Tourism Direct GDP) that is comparable with other economic statistics. Exactly how the TSA does this relates to the SNA logic of contrasting data from the demand-side (the acquisition of goods and services by visitors while on a tourism trip) with data from the supply-side of the economy (the value of goods and services produced by industries in response to visitor expenditure).

Seen as a set of 10 summary tables, each with their underlying data, the TSA includes inbound, domestic tourism and outbound tourism expenditure; internal tourism expenditure; production accounts of tourism industries; the Gross Value Added (GVA) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) attributable to tourism; employment; investment; government consumption; and non-monetary indicators.

A satellite account is a term developed by the UN to measure the size of economic sectors that are not clearly defined as industries in the national accounts. In this case, the TSA considers tourism as an amalgam of industries such as transportation, accommodation, food and beverage services, recreation and entertainment and travel agencies.

The implication of using a TSA is that it provides credible data on the impact of tourism and associated employment. It now becomes a

L - R: Adelola Adewole, VP Lagos Zone, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA); Annette Ibe, Director South West Zone, Nigerian Tourism Development Association (NTDA)); Lola Talabi-Oni, Technical Adviser, Nigeria Bureau of Statistics representing Dr Yemi Kale, Statistician General of the federation; Ayo Olumoko, VP Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, South West, (FTAN) & CEO Infogem and ,Ngozi Ngoka, VP South East, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) at the opening of ATTWON Creative Hub

veritable tool for developing sound economic policies related to tourism development. It also provides data on tourism impact on the balance of payments and provides information of human resource characteristics.

Before now, tourism in Nigeria had experienced a dearth of information on the increasing role of tourism in the national economy. It has, therefore, become necessary for there to be reliable data relative to the importance a§nd magnitude of tourism using the same concepts, definitions and measurement approaches as other industries.

The development of the TSA framework has been fuelled by recognition of the fact that its implementation will serve to increase and improve knowledge of tourism importance relative to overall economic activity in Nigeria.

It provides an instrument for designing more efficient economic policies relating to tourism and job creation. It will also create awareness among stakeholders directly or indirectly involved with tourism of the economic importance of this activity and by extension its role in all the industries involved in the production of goods and services. The interactive session also marked the opening of the ATTWON Creative Hub in Lagos.

DG NTDC, Folorunsho Coker speaking through his representative, Mrs. Annette Ibe, said: “There are other data banks from technologies used by banks, telecoms companies and airlines, among others, that could be used to crystallize our overview of tourism data. It will be by alliance and in our common interest, rather than by enforcement. This will get us where we want to be. Big data is the new oracle.

We need to speak to it to maximize benefits.�

While describing statistics as the overview that allows correction of strategies and policies, the NTDC boss commended the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for its commitment to using the TSA framework to ensure a more robust and realistic aggregation of tourism statistics in Nigeria.

He noted that the symbiotic relationship between government agencies is for the benefit of Nigeria, while opining that, “this is the first time statistic will capture Tourism and its

relevance to GDP. “The decision of NBS to use the TSA framework to ensure a more robust and realistic aggregation of tourism statistics in Nigeria is ground breaking. It is the beginning of what GSM did to analogue for tourism. The DG at NBS is a timely judge of the National data requirements and is on the crest of pronouncements that reinforce our statements that the transportation, hospitality and entertainment in tourism have been big business and need to be identified and separated.�

Emphasising the importance of appreciating the NBS approach to tourism data to be able to have robust conversations on the figures, Kale said that the contribution of tourism to GDP using the Supply and Use Table of Nigeria is a measurement of Tourism Value Added.

Though limited in scope being dated 2010 to 2012, the Supply and Use Table is still a useful way to evaluate the growth and trends of the tourism sector.

The contribution of tourism to GDP declined from 2.34% in 2010 to 1.77% in 2011 to 1.22% in 2012. Although transportation constitutes the highest contribution of Tourism to GDP, it declined from 70% in 2010 to just over 50% in 2012. On the converse, hotels and accommodation which contributed 20% to the tourism economy in 2010 grew to 45% in 2012.

He noted that though there were over 1000 hotels in Nigeria, very few were predominantly used by inbound tourists.

He revealed the NBS was “in the process of designing a template, in collaboration with other supervisory agencies and associations to further capture the composition and main growth drivers within this sub-sector.�

The rise of shared private accommodation for tourism purposes posed a challenge in monitoring necessitating “the possibility of incorporating this type of service within the Household Establishment Surveys that are conducted every quarter,� he said.

Explaining further, Kale said that soon, it would be possible to collect and disseminate indicators on occupancy rates, room capacity, bed capacity, total foreign guest nights and average room rates across the country.

A participant at the forum, the CEO, Nene-

Uwa Hub Ltd. Mrs. Nnena Fakoya-Smith revealed that her company had teamed up with Le Spinalist to conduct a basic research on how Nigerian’s perceive what Sustainable Tourism means and whether they are even aware of the emergence of the term.

Based on the findings, it was concluded that the gospel of Sustainable Tourism needs to be spread till everyone in the Nigerian Tourism industry is fully aware of the benefits of the concept which will help develop the Nigerian economy, environment and promote the cultural values of the host tourism communities.

Her research, she noted, underscored the need to use statistics to explain findings in the Travel and Tourism industry as well as being essential for record purposes and references.

It is apparent from the stakeholders present that there was some concerted effort by each group to derive some working data.

Federation of Tourism Associations in Nigeria (FTAN), Vice President South East, Mrs. Ngozi Ngoka spoke of the process through which FTAN South East had been able to gather tourism statistics - from taking head counts at bus parks to the number of guests lodged at hotels in the regions.“If we really practice tourism, we can stop urban migration and provide jobs which translate into economic growth. We at FTAN have all the anciliary businesses that support tourism,� she said.

Otunba Ayo Olumoko, Vice President South West and CEO, Infogem, in his opinion, said that the Federal Government showed adequate knowledge of what the tourism industry was adding to GDP. As a result, “the industry is submerged under so many industries. Tourism as an industry has not been taken seriously by the government. From the papers presented, NBS is giving different statistics from one aspect of the industry instead of collectively.�

One of the key stakeholders in the collection of data in the tourism industry, the National Association of Nigerian TravelAgencies (NANTA), through Vice-President South West, Mrs. Lola Adewole, said NANTA was already providing data to the collecting agencies and pledged the association’s continued support for collaboration on the TSA.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 9, 2017

25

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

Sour, not Sore, Grapes

EBERE WABARA

W

E kick off this edition with a juvenile blunder by DAILY SUN: “Alumni holds (hold) economic summit, science prize day in Imo” (Oriental News, November 29) Alumni hold, but alumni association holds….

“Jonathan dismisses Abdullahi’s book as ‘sore’ (sour) grapes, full of lies, gossip” (THISDAY Front Page, December 2) “One on one (One-on-one) session with Atiku Abubakar” (THISDAY Back Page Headline, December 2) “Herdsmen kill four (4 preferably for headline discipline) policemen as army (the army) repel attacks on Numan” (Source: as above) “After some uncertainties at the beginning of the season (a comma) Arsenal fans are becoming optimistic that the Premier League title is still achievable after enjoying run (a run) of victories in recent weeks.” (Global Soccer, December 2) “Is anti-graft war still on course with alleged relooting (re-looting) of recovered loots (loot)” ‘Loot’ is uncountable.

(DAILY SUN Your View, December 4) “If there will be crisis (a crisis) in PDP (a comma) it won’t be as worse (bad) as the one we have surmounted….”

(DAILY SUN Politics & Power, December 4) “EU, AU Summit: Harnessing partnership potentials (potential or potentialities—never ‘potentials’ because it is non-count). (DAILY SUN OPINION Page Headline, December 4) “Cattle rustling: Masari launches animal tracking (animal-tracking) device” (Arewa News, December 4) “Lagos clamps down on walkways

BY

(walkway) traders, hawkers” (News around the city, December 4) “The seven bank chief executives currently being investigated by the EFCC for their alleged racketeering roles in the current pension fund scam have been placed under security watch to forestall them escaping outside the country.” A rewrite to save time and space: The seven bank chief executives being investigated by the EFCC for their alleged racketeering roles in the current pension fund scam have been placed under security watch to forestall their escape from the country. The copious blunders in the extract remind me of inflectional Middle English!

“Assailant, vigilante member die in gun duel” Get it right: vigilance member. Alternatively: Assailant, vigilante die in gun duel.

“INEC official arrested over ‘missing’ ballot papers” Truth in defence of freedom: ‘arrest’ takes ‘for’—not ‘over’!

“Woman arrested with AK-47, 148 live ammunitions” The last word in the extract is uncountable. The Old English (Anglo-Saxon) period is gone!

“This will remove the possibility of passing the bulk (buck)” No pedestrian English.

“The organized private sector took the bull by the horn recently….” For a better society: take the bull by the horns.

“Britain handed over the reigns of power to the politicians.” Modern English: reins of government.

“One even wonders why government did not adopt that method from the onset (outset).”

FEEDBACK

Re: Growing grammatical challenge I write in response to your request asking for elucidation on the frequent grammatical errors observed in our dailies. I must thank

you for taking pains to highlight these challenges; for which reason, some expressions people come across in our dailies had been taken to be correct not knowing that most of these expressions represent a wrong use of the language (grammar-wise, in particular).

There are reasons for such wrong expressions and a few of them are as follows: 1. Poor reading culture; 2. Writers adapt the language to their prevailing localities for ease of communication and understanding; 3. Recycling of expressions come across in the dailies without knowing how poor such expressions are; 4. People hide under the cover of ‘English as a second language’ to commit grammatical murders; 5. People not well tutored in the use of grammar; the backbone of any language; 6. Poor editing of works, from working for long hours; 7. Proliferation of emergency media houses with the possible engagement of hacks to do hatchet jobs; 8. Undue attention to the issue of return on investment (ROI); 9. Attention not paid to the need to engage the services of qualified graduates of English language to crosscheck all the edited works in the quality evaluation department (QED) of the media houses; 10. An enduring local stereotype which takes grandiloquence and long speeches to mean grammar; 11. Disregard for and a poor grasp cum application of the basic rules of grammar; 12. Underrating of the growing sophistication of the readership regularly treated to grammatical menu of poor quality; 13. Differences in language between expressions in good novels and newspaper expressions; 14. The prevailing socio-political system conditions the use and type of expressions much in vogue;

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

15. People do not have access to high quality materials to read; 16. Growing socio-economic pressure occasioning distractions and inability to pay attention to laid-down rules governing good expressions; 17. The uncritical attachment to some authors or writers whose works are taken to be beyond reproach.

18. A piece of work is not deserving of accolades (however well it is presented) if only informative and not roundly didactic.

A kind of error which derives from not taking a holistic view of the overall functions which any piece of work is supposed to perform; 19. The possibility that a commercial balance between payment and value for money is not considered an integral part of the equation; 20. Things stagnate and nothing works or thrives in the absence of any motivation.

Reward for greater accomplishments is enough incentive to do more. In that wise, the internal mechanisms which are needed to give the quality of work the necessary tonic or elixir should be activated at all times; 21. Failure to see a piece of work as a part of us; and by the fact of being a part of us, part of our growth. Therefore, every piece of work is a growth factor; 22. Being unaware of the fact that all about our works reflect our personality types and therefore are our unique selling points (USP).

Mr. Wabara, the above is the extent to which I can contribute to the discourse.

Please, consider for publication in your esteemed column; with the hope that media outfits would benefit from the points raised; and readers made to have value for their money!

––L. N’Obode (081 6123 6077)

INSIGHT

Transforming Women for Gender Equality in the Corporate World Amina Oyagbola

I

n a society, the importance of women in every aspect of life is one that cannot be argued. Be it the work space or home front, the woman is often recognized as an embodiment of hope, intellect, diligence, responsibility and above all, versatility.

While some may argue gender disparity where the woman is not seen as befitting and appropriate for certain roles in the society or work space, it continues to be a lingering battle between the genders.

In recent times, however, women have begun to exude more authority and power in the society, clearly and gradually displacing the belief that the female gender cannot be seen beyond catering for the home as its major capability in life. Even though women are gradually becoming empowered, there is still a huge gap.

The challenge is to ensure gender equity and equality in the treatment of women especially in the work place so they can contribute to national development.

In the corporate world for example, there are still very few women in leadership or decision making fora. There is insufficient diversity and inclusion at all levels. Discrimination still exists. Women are still under-appreciated on their jobs and little or no attention is paid to creating the enabling environment for women to thrive; or make gender equality a CEO priority.

According to Ghanaian Scholar, Dr. James Emmanuel KwegyirAggrey, ‘If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a

Oyagbola

family (nation). The message here is that women should have equal access to education and equal opportunity in the workplace. Ban Ki-Moon, former United Nations Secretary General said; ‘Investing in girls and women is likely to prevent inter-generational cycles of poverty and yield high economic and societal returns. Empowering women can

change everything.” The Nigerian woman has proven her capability and competence in all spheres of the society. This is evident in certain leadership, political and managerial positions that have been successfully handled and transformed by women for the better.

The issue of gender equality and awareness in the workplace can best be addressed by putting in place processes, activities and initiatives that will build their confidence in the corporate world and ensure readiness for leadership roles.

Several NGOs have initiated programmes to equip the young career women, who have just begun their profession, to build capability and achieve success. It is important that these targeted training and mentorship initiatives are imbibed early in their career journey for maximum impact.

One of the leading mentoring programmes in Nigeria is Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) founded in 2008 by Mrs. Amina Oyagbola. WISCAR has instituted a structured and strategic 12-month mentoring programme for young career women that will enable them to achieve their aspirations.

Following recognition of the lack of an institutional framework that provides inspiration, motivation, guidance and support to professional women to assist them in navigating their differing career pathways, the WISCAR ideal was birthed. The organization realized that in Africa generally and Nigeria specifically, professional women have an urgent need for access to strategic guidance and support during their professional and corporate careers.

To successfully transform an individual, the personal, interpersonal and organizational competencies must be developed. WISCAR aims to promote the emergence of a highly motivated and talented female work force who are not only valuable role models, but are agents of positive cultural and policy changes within their respective organizations who will contribute to building a better nation.

To unleash the largely untapped potential of women, WISCAR is supporting existing efforts by the Nigerian Government to achieve the sustainable development goals.

WISCAR is encouraging the development of female empowerment through an established mentoring network offering strategic guidance and support to young women. This mentoring network combines personal and cultural sensitivity with international know-how.

The progression of women in the workplace is largely an achievable goal. It needs to be made a CEO priority and deliberate steps need to be taken to build the pipeline, ensure gender diversity and change attitude of men. WISCAR, in 10 years has shown commitment and resilience and is working systematically towards this in the national interest. Gender equality is both a moral and economic imperative.

Closing the gender gap must be a central part of any strategy to create a more sustainable and inclusive economy and society. We must put our collective brain power to work for all of us.

–––Amina Oyagbola , Founder Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR).

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

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

TraďŹƒc Signal and Road Markings

The Lamborghini Urus SUV

Lamborghini Launches Urus SUV Stories by Bennett Oghifo

T

wenty-five years after the legendary LM002 ceased production, Automobili Lamborghini launched the Urus this week in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, again creating a new class of Super SUVs. In advance of the Urus world premier Automobili Lamborghini looks back on its SUV legacy in order to recall an extraordinary automobile.

The black LM002 (chassis #12231) from the Lamborghini museum, entirely-restored by the classic department Lamborghini Polo Storico represents Lamborghini’s original SUV creation: the LM002 is widely considered as the father of luxury SUVs. Turning heads in sophisticated city streets, the LM002 was equally at home in dirt, gravel and snow.

The LM 002’s development started as a project to develop a high performance off-

road vehicle for military use at the end of the 1970s, with the name of Cheetah. Lamborghini engineer Giulio Alfieri resurrected the project in 1981 with the LM 001: an innovative concept with a rear-mounted engine, followed by the LMA prototype with a front-mounted powertrain. The final production model of the LM002 was first presented at the Brussels Auto Show in 1986, consolidating the final design: the V12 engine from the Countach Quattrovalvole provided a 5,167 cc capacity and 450 hp at 6,800 rpm.

In an aluminum and fiberglass body, with four-wheel drive transmission, transfer case and three self-locking differentials, the SUV could exceed gradients of 120%. Reaching speeds of more than 200 km/h, the LM002 was equipped with specially-developed Pirelli Scorpion tyres, allowing ‘floating’ capabilities across soft surfaces such as sand, and highly durable in hot conditions. The production of the bodies started in a company

near Bilbao (Spain).

Then the semi- assembled parts were shipped to Sant’Agata Bolognese for completion with the powertrain, mechanical parts, finishing, testing and delivery. A luxurious interior matching the individual needs of the customer completed the LM 002.

The LM002 attracted significant attention when launched, as a vehicle unlike any other, with performance to match its super sports car stablemates as well as significant off-road capabilities and an imposing design and presence. A total of 300 were produced from 1986 to 1992.

Like the LM002, the Urus will create a new Super SUV class of its own, with exceptional power and torque, distinctive design and a very significant presence. The Urus assures exceptional road-going dynamics, performance and luxury and like the LM002, has exceptional capabilities on off-road terrains, including sand.

InďŹ nity Tyres Inaugurates New Facility in Lekki

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igeria’s leading tyre, battery, and premium automobile accessories brand, Infinity Tyres Limited has opened its new full-fledged branch at Lekki. The facility is located at Heyden Petroleum filling station at VGC roundabout in Lekki. The branch commenced operations on 2nd December 2017 and offers its valued customers leading global tyre brands such as Goodyear, Pirelli, Ceat & Infinity. It also offers premium range Exide and Infinity Batteries.

The branch also offers the newly introduced premium quality solar and standby power solutions under Eastman brand.

The facility offers computerized wheel balancing, alignment and Nitrogen air. As an inaugural offer, Infinity offers 25% discount on tyre services with attractive discount on Tyres and Automotive Battery sales during this festive month. On every purchase of Tyre & Battery Infinity assures confirm gift to its valuable customers.

Traffic control signals are devices placed along, beside, or above a road to guide, warn, and regulate the flow of traffic, which includes motor vehicles, tricycles (keke), motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and all other road users.

Red - A red signal light means stop. Unless a sign shows otherwise or vehicle/ pedestrian traffic does not permit, you may, after stopping completely, turn right.

A red arrow signal light means stop until the green signal or green arrow appears.

Amber (Yellow) - Amber light is a warning that the light is about to turn red. Slow down and stop, never accelerate to “make the light�. When you see the amber light, you should stop, if you can do so safely. If you are already in the intersection when the light turns amber, you may continue through.

A flashing amber signal light warns you to be careful. Slow down and be especially alert whilst you proceed.

Green - A green light means go. You can only turn left if you have enough space to complete the manoeuvre before any oncoming traffic or pedestrian becomes a hazard. Vehicles turning left must always giveway to those going straight from the opposite direction. Green arrow signal light means go, but first you must giveway to any traffic or pedestrian still in the intersection.

Road Markings Road markings are a traffic sign in the form and design of a marking on the surface of the road. They have the same standing as upright signs. Road users must obey these road markings. Some of the very common road markings are: - Single or double continuous white lines along the centre of the road means all traffic must keep to the right of the line (except in an emergency or for access).

- A broken white line along the centre of the road. This divides two lanes of traffic travelling in opposite directions. You must not cross them unless it is safe to do so.

- Double broken white lines along the centre of the road alert drivers to continuous white lines a short distance ahead. As a driver, you must not cross them unless it is safe to do so.

- A broken white Give way line crossing the right-hand lane. A white triangular Give way symbol may also be provided with the Give way line. A driver must give right-of-way to any traffic on a major road ahead. The Give way line usually appears with an upright Give way sign.

- A continuous white Stop line crossing the right-hand lane. The word STOP may also be provided with the Stop line.

A driver must come to a complete stop before entering a major road. The stop line sometimes appears with an upright Stop sign.

Box Junction Where stationary traffic would be likely to block a junction, a yellow box may be marked on the road, covering all or part of the junction. You must not enter the box if your exit is not clear. If turning left at the junction, you may enter the box to wait for a gap in the oncoming traffic, but only if the left-turn exit is clear.

Stephen K. Dieseruvwe

2018 Lexus RX 350 interior

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

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

27

AUTO Hyundai Launches 2018 FIFA World Cup Fan Competition

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2019 Kia Sorento

Kia Motors Unveils 2019 Sorento Stories by Bennett Oghifo

K

ia MotorsAmerica (KMA) today unveiled the refreshed 2019 Sorento SUV at the Los Angeles InternationalAuto Show. Refined, rugged and roomy, the Sorento remains as capable as ever, but touts a number of visualandfeatureenhancements,insideand out. Aside from new front and rear fascias, which help achieve a more sophisticated appearance, the cabin is now decidedly more upscale and integrates newly-added technology, including DriverAttention Warning,[i] Lane KeepAssist1 and QuantumLogic™ Surround Sound. In addition, the Sorento now pairs its available 3.3-liter V6 with a new 8-speed automatic transmissionforanevensmootherandmoreseamless driving experience. “In the highly-competitive crossover category, the Sorento is a clear example of how world-class design

and craftsmanship are executed,� said Orth Hedrick, vicepresident,productplanning,KMA.“Ourpopular utility now ups its game even further with enhancements in styling, packaging and content, making it even more attractive to shoppers seeking a premium level 3-row SUV.�

Standard luxury features and amenities continue to be available across five trim levels – L, LX, EX, SX and SXL. Eye-Catching Exterior Beautifully proportioned, the Sorento retains its refinedandruggedexteriorlook,whichwasestablished when the vehicle underwent a complete redesign for the2016modelyear,andwasinmanywaysinspiredby thehighlyregardedCrossGTconceptunveiledin2013.

But a subtle facelift now gives Kia’s popular crossover a tighter, sharper appearance. The revised front-end is headlined by a more artfully detailed radiator grille flanked by a new headlamp configuration, which

offers full-LED lighting on upper trims – SX and SXL. Thecrossover’sfamiliaricecube-stylefoglampshave also been redesigned featuring projection bulbs for EX and SX trims while SXLenjoys the more distinctive LEDs. The Sorento’s front fascia wears a newly sculptedbumperdesigntoachieveamoreaggressive overall expression.

The rear fascia of the crossover has also been enhanced with a new bumper design, sleeker taillamps (LED bulbs for EX trim and higher), revised liftgate and a sportier muffler tip. And the Sorento’s muscularbodyridesatopthreenewlydesignedwheels, rangingfrom17to19inches,dependingontrimlevel.

Enhanced Cabin Spacious and sophisticated, the Sorento’s cabin maintainsapremiumlookandfeelthankstoanarray of upgrades and enhancements, including a new, more tactile steering wheel, new shifter knob and a revised instrument cluster with improved graphics.

yundai Motor Company, South Korea’s largest automaker and a proud FIFA Partner, has announced the launch of the “Be There With Hyundaiâ€? slogan competition for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.

Football fans will be invited to submit potential team slogans on FIFA. com for each of the 32 national teams competing in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.

The submission window runs from December 4, 2017 to February 28, 2018.

In April, three finalists for each team slogan will be revealed and a fresh round of online voting will kick off to determine the 32 individual winners.

The winning slogans will be prominently featured on each of the 2018 FIFA World Cup national team buses used to travel to and from World Cup matches. The fans responsible for creation of the winning slogan of each team will be rewarded with an exclusive Team Bus Convoy vehicle experience. Each winner and guest will travel to Russia, where they will ride in an official Hyundai convoy vehicle accompanying the team bus convoy and watch them compete in a selected 2018 FIFA World Cup match. “We are thrilled to invite 32 true football fans as our guests at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia with this special slogan competition, ’Be There With Hyundai,� Scott Noh, head of Hyundai Motor’s Brand Strategy Group said. “As the FIFA World Cup’s official automotive sponsor, we are committed to providing fans with unique and memorable experiences like this, just as we are committed to caring for our customers by ensuring special and rewarding Hyundai ownership experiences the world over.�

Jaguar Land Rover, Red Cross Celebrate International Volunteer Day

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n Jaguar Land Rover’s largest ever volunteering activity, more than 150 employees have taken part in the company’s first ‘Mapathon’ event plotting roads, rivers and buildings across a sprawling area in the Kurigram District of Bangladesh using satellite imagery. The event marks International Volunteer Day and celebrates a 64-year partnership between Jaguar Land Rover and the Red Cross.

Jaguar Land Rover employees join a global community of volunteers mapping areas where humanitarian organisations, such as the Red Cross, are helping vulnerable people. Bangladesh was chosen to support the Red Cross’ work in the area to implement disaster risk reduction activities and increase resilience of communities.

Chris Thorp, Responsible Business Director said:

“Each year, disasters kill nearly 100,000 people and affect or displace 200 million more globally. Many of these places are not on any map, making them hard to reach in emergencies.

By taking part in today’s Mapathon, our employees are helping the Red Cross to provide life-saving support to the vulnerable communities in Bangladesh, harnessing the talent of Jaguar Land Rover employees to create genuine social impact.�

Duringthetwo-hourevent,usingtheHumanitarian OpenStreetMap Team Tasking Manager, each volunteer was allocated a square of territory to trace through satellite images and outline features such as buildings, roads and rivers. The maps produced are open data, and Red Cross and other non-governmental organisations can use the maps when they respond to crises.

JLR on Project Hero

DRIVING RISK BEHAVIOUR- TYRE BLOWOUTS

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AB UCHEAGWU is a friend,a brother andacolleaguewhosecontributionshave richlyimprovedmyknowledgeontyre care and the challenges it poses to road safetymanagementinourcountry.Since our paths crossed some years back, he has been a mentor I will never forget in a hurry.Agood number of the materials I share with you are courtesy of SAB. Today, as I continue our look on driving risk behavior, I wish to share this rich material from him on tyre blowout as a follow up to lastweek’sfocushopingthattravelerswillgetneeded safetyinformationpreparatorytotheDecemberrush.

Tyre blowouts are among the major causes of fatal accidents that has claimed the lives of different categoriesofmotoristsandaswegraduallyawaitthis year’s Christmas celebrations usually characterized by increased irresponsible driving, many more may still die due to tyre blowout. That is why this focus should be of serious concern for motorists planning to travel this season and even beyond this coming festive season. This piece will raise awareness on the major but preventable causes of tyre blowouts and how they can be prevented.

Letusbrieflylookatthemajorcausesoftyreblowouts which most people are not aware of and so are very negligent about. The major cause of tyre blowout is incorrect tyre inflation, especially under-inflation.

Under-inflation causes two things that lead to tyre blowouts; It causes undue flexing of the tyes as the vehicles speeds along the undulating surface of the road. This causes a separation between the internal materialsusedinmakingthetyreandtherubberflesh thatholdsthematerials.Thisseparationweakensthe tyre.It also causes an increase in what is known as ROLLINGRESISTANCE(RR)asthevehiclemoves.

SAFE DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

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

The increased RR generates a tremendous amount of heat. This heat, together with the separation of the internal materials of the tyre as stated above, leads to an explosion or blowout.

Incorrect tyre inflation could also cause accidents in other ways. When a tyre is incorrectly inflated (over inflation or under-inflation), it makes a partial contact withtheroadsurfaceandsodoesnothaveafirmgripon thesurface.Withoverinflation,theedgesofthecontact patch(thepartofthetyrethatshouldbeincontactwith theroadsurface)donottouchtheground.Whilewith under-inflation, the crown (the middle portion of the tyre) of the contact patch does not touch the ground.

Soeitherway,youhaveanimpartialcontactofthetyre on the road surface and so less grip.

Thisimpartialcontactcouldcauseaccidentsinvarious ways:Sincethetyresdon’thaveafirmgripontheroad surface, it prolongs the stopping distance when the brakes are applied in an emergency and this could makethevehiclecrashintotheobjectitwantstoavoid.

It could also lead to loss of control of the vehicle when speeding. This is more with over-inflated tyres.High vehiclesliketrailers,tankers,etccouldlosetheirbalance

whentheyhitabump,pothole,orwhi;edescendinga sharp bend. The situation can be likened to someone with one leg shorter than the other- over-inflation representing the longer leg while under-inflation, the shorter leg. When given a push, such a person can easilyloosebalance.Nowonderthesevehiclesfalland loose brakes easily when subjected to abnormal road conditions like bumps, potholes and bends.

My friend SAB conducted a study at Orile Tanker park few years back and the study revealed some shockingresults.Observationsatthetankerpark,Orile showed that most of these vehicles have a combination of over-inflated and under-inflated tyres. To our greatest surprise, most of those with under-inflation weredeliberate.Accordingthedrivers,thosetyreswere weak and if properly inflated, they could burst. This is another dangerous ignorance at work. Using weak tyresisenoughbadnews.Under-inflatingthemmakes matters worse. Under-inflation, as explained above, will actually accelerate their likelihood of bursting.

In fact, if you trace the causes of most accidents, you may discover that incorrect tyre inflation is directly or indirectly implicated. It is important to note that a tyre that is correctly inflated will handle bad roads, speed andotherroadconditionsfarbetterthanonethatisnot correctlyinflated.Thesewillresultindrasticreduction in road accidents. Correct tyre pressure is such a vital issueinreductionofroadaccidentthatAmerica,aswell assomeotherdevelopedcountries,madeitlawthatall vehicles manufactured from 2008 must be equipped withAUTOMATIC TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (ATPMS). This device monitors tyre pressure situation every second and alerts the driver through a monitor on the dashboard about any tyre that has incorrect pressure in it so that the driver will take action before it is too late.

Thesecondshockwastheblunderprevalentamong vulcanizers.An experience he had with a vulcanizer paints a grim picture of the danger all motorist could befacingondailybasis.‘’Myvehiclehastyrepressure specification of 35 psi by the manufacturer. One day, I drove into a vulcanizers shop to pump up one of my tyres.Afterpumping,thevulcanizergot35psireading on his pencil tyre gauge. I checked with my dial tyre gauge to confirm his reading and got a whooping 60 psi. I asked him to check again with his own gauge’’.

Again he got 35 psi while mine still read 60 psi. Why the huge differences in reading? Who was right?

There was yet a third blunder among vulcanizersMost vulcanizers use the worst tyre gauge-the pencil gauge-thatmalfunctionseasilywhensubjectedtoheavy usage.How?Thesegaugehasacaliberatedpistonthat is pushed by air that comes out from the tyre when connected to the valve stem. The extent to which the piston is pushed depends on the pressure in the tyre.

The higher the pressure, the farther the piston will be pushed and the higher the reading. On fortunately, with heavy usage (as in everyday application by the vulcanizers), the hole through which air passes to activate the piston can be constricted by dust coming out from unprotected valve stem of the tyre and also bytherustduetomoisturefromthedampaircoming out from the tyre.

With the air passage so narrowed, the amount of air passing through it no more corresponds to the air pressure in the tyre and so a faulty reading results.

Worse still, when this happens, there is no way the userwillknow.Itwillstillbegivingreadingbuthighly incorrectreadings.ThatwasthecasewithvulcanizerI hadtheencounterwith.AfterIexplainedtohimwhy his gauge was the one at fault, he did not agree saying he had been using the gauge for long and never had any problems with it. Because of the seriousness of the issue, I had to prove to him conclusively that he was wrong and endangering the lives of innocent road users.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

FAMILY HEALTH

Eects of Hot Temperature on the Body

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he recent hot winds that have brought in very hot temperature is of great importance. At this time of the year, one would expect the cold dry harmattan winds to be around, but the climate change that is threatening the world, has not spared Nigeria. The usual set pattern in weather has been merged with wild unthinkable conditions. Therefore, the recent onslaught of extreme hot weather is of great importance.

The human body also is sensitive to the degree of hotness and coldness of the environment. This is the external temperature.

The make up of the body makes it very sensitive to extreme changes in temperature. This could lead to various malfunctions in the body. Therefore it is important that we do all possible to ensure we are protected during situations of extreme environmental temperature.

Adverse eects Some might like it hot, but extreme heat can overpower the human body. Climate change promises to bring with it longer, hotter summers to many places on the planet.

Heat exhaustion is a relatively common reaction to severe heat and can include symptoms such as dizziness, headache and fainting. It can usually be treated with rest, a cool environment and hydration (including refueling of electrolytes, which are necessary for muscle and other body functions).

Heat stroke is more severe and requires medical attention—it is often accompanied by dry skin, a body temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, confusion and sometimes unconsciousness. But when sustained heat waves hit a region, the other health ramifications can be serious, including sunstroke and even major organ damage due to heat.

How do humans cope with hot, hot weather?

The two ways we cope with heat are by r QFSTQJSJOH BOE r CSFBUIJOH So is it the heat or humidity that is the real killer?

The humidity is a huge factor. If you have tremendously high temperatures and high humidity, a person will be sweating but the sweat won’t be drying on the skin. That’s why it’s not just heat but the combination of heat and humidity that matters. That combination results in a number called the apparent temperature or “how it feels�.

Obviously there are thresholds for both temperature and humidity above which we see an increase in death.

The other major factor in terms of temperature that causes both mortality and morbidity is the temperature it falls to in the evening. If the temperature remains elevated overnight, that’s when we see the increase in deaths. The body becomes overwhelmed because it doesn’t get the respite that it needs. The effect of heat on our bodies varies with the relative humidity of the air. High temperatures with high humidity make it harder to lose excess body heat. This is due to the fact that when the moisture content of air goes up, it becomes increasingly more difficult for sweat to evaporate. The sweat stays on our skin and we feel clammy. As a result, we do not get the cooling effect of rapid evaporation.

While evaporative cooling is very effective in dry climates, there is a major drawback. That is the rapid loss of water and salts from the body through sweat. This can be fatal in less than a day if they are not replaced. It is common to lose a quart or more of water through sweating each hour in harsh summer desert conditions. Commercial “sport drinks� are designed to help people in these situations rehydrate and replenish lost mineral salts. It is easy and inexpensive to create your own equivalent drink without the unnecessary food coloring and sugar that the commercial drinks often include to make them more appealing to customers. Diluted lemonade with added salt can satisfactorily serve the same purpose.

Most people have the ability to physiologically acclimatise to hot conditions over a period of days to weeks. The salt concentration of sweat progressively decreases while the volume of sweat increases. Urine volume also reduces. In addition, vasodilation of peripheral blood vessels causes flushing, or reddening of the skin because more blood is close to the surface. That blood brings heat from the core body areas to the surface where

Most people have the ability to physiologically acclimatise to hot conditions over a period of days to weeks.

The salt concentration of sweat progressively decreases while the volume of sweat increases.

Urine volume also reduces.

In addition, vasodilation of peripheral blood vessels causes ushing, or reddening of the skin because more blood is close to the surface. That blood brings heat from the core body areas to the surface where it can be dissipated easily into the environment by radiation

it can be dissipated easily into the environment by radiation.

Hot weather Hot weather and high humidity increase your risks by slowing the transfer of heat to the air around you. When you produce heat that raises internal temperature, your heart rate increases and vessels expand to bring more blood to the outer layers of skin, where the heat is released.

The body’s normal core temperature is 37-38C. If it heats up to 39-40C, the brain tells the muscles to slow down and fatigue sets in.

At 40-41C, heat exhaustion is likely - and above 41C, the body starts to shut down.

Chemical processes start to be affected, the cells inside the body deteriorate and there is a risk of multiple organ failure.

The body cannot even sweat at this point because blood flow to the skin stops, making it feel cold and clammy.

Heatstroke - which can occur at any temperature over 40C - requires professional medical help and, if not treated immediately, chances of survival can be slim.

The best method of cooling people down is to immerse them in ice water or apply ice packs to the groin and armpits where crucial arteries are located - but it all depends on how long the body has been at an elevated temperature. Humidity - the amount of moisture in the air - is critical in determining how much we can sweat out.

Who is the most vulnerable to extended high temperatures?

We know the risk factors for dying from heat are urban dwellers who are elderly, isolated and don’t have access to air conditioning. Obese people are at increased risk as are people on certain medications.

And people who are exercising or working in the heat, who don’t meet those criteria, can be at risk.

Some medications can make the body more susceptible to extreme heat: A study showed that diuretics for high blood pressure and beta blockers—a number of studies showed that people taking them could be at increased risk.

There are some studies that have shown that certain mental health medications may impact a person’s ability to deal with the heat. But that’s a difficult one to get at. When you look at the number of people who die in a heat wave and the number of people who are taking those medications, the numbers can get pretty small pretty quickly.

with

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

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

Illnesses from excessive heat Heat exposure causes the following illnesses: r )FBU FEFNB JT TXFMMJOH XIJDI HFOFSBMMZ PDcurs among people who are not acclimatized to working in hot conditions. Swelling is often most noticeable in the ankles. Recovery occurs after a day or two in a cool environment. r )FBU SBTIFT BSF UJOZ SFE TQPUT PO UIF TLJO XIJDI cause a prickling sensation during heat exposure.

The spots are the result of inflammation caused when the ducts of sweat glands become plugged. r )FBU DSBNQT BSF TIBSQ QBJOT JO UIF NVTDMFT that may occur alone or be combined with one of the other heat stress disorders. The cause is salt imbalance resulting from the failure to replace salt lost with sweat. Cramps most often occur when people drink large amounts of water without sufficient salt (electrolyte) replacement. r )FBU FYIBVTUJPO JT DBVTFE CZ MPTT PG CPEZ water and salt through excessive sweating. Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include: heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, visual disturbances, intense thirst, nausea, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, breathlessness, palpitations, tingling and numbness of the hands and feet.

Recovery occurs after resting in a cool area and consuming cool drinks (e.g., water, clear juice, or a sports drink). r )FBU TZODPQF JT IFBU JOEVDFE EJ[[JOFTT and fainting induced by temporarily insufficient flow of blood to the brain while a person is standing.

It occurs mostly among unacclimatized people.

It is caused by the loss of body fluids through sweating, and by lowered blood pressure due to pooling of blood in the legs. Recovery is rapid after rest in a cool area. r )FBU TUSPLF JT UIF NPTU TFSJPVT UZQF PG IFBU illness. Signs of heat stroke include body temperature often greater than 41°C, and complete or partial loss of consciousness. Sweating is not a good sign of heat stress as there are two types of heat stroke - “classicalâ€? where there is little or no sweating (usually occurs in children, persons who are chronically ill, and the elderly), and “exertionalâ€? where body temperature rises because of strenuous exercise or work and sweating is usually present. r )FBU TUSPLF SFRVJSFT JNNFEJBUF Ă STU BJE BOE medical attention. Delayed treatment may result in death. r 8IBU BSF TZNQUPNT BOE Ă STU BJE TUFQT GPS heat exhaustion? r 4ZNQUPNT PG IFBU FYIBVTUJPO NBZ TUBSU TVEdenly, and include: 1. Nausea or irritability.

2. Dizziness.

3. Muscle cramps or weakness.

4. Feeling faint.

5. Headache.

6. Fatigue.

7. Thirst.

8. Heavy sweating.

9. High body temperature.

First aid for heat exhaustion 1. Get medical aid. Stay with the person until help arrives.

2. Move to a cooler, shaded location.

3. Remove as many clothes as possible (including socks and shoes).

4. Apply cool, wet cloths or ice to head, face or neck. Spray with cool water.

5. Encourage the person to drink water, clear juice, or a sports drink.

What are the symptoms and first aid steps for heat stroke?

Heat exhaustion may quickly develop into heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stroke include: r )PU ESZ TLJO PS QSPGVTF TXFBUJOH r $POGVTJPO r -PTT PG DPOTDJPVTOFTT r 4FJ[VSFT r 7FSZ IJHI CPEZ UFNQFSBUVSF First aid for heat stroke includes r 4UBZ XJUI UIF QFSTPO VOUJM IFMQ BSSJWFT r .PWF UP B DPPMFS TIBEFE MPDBUJPO r 3FNPWF BT NBOZ DMPUIFT BT QPTTJCMF JODMVEJOH socks and shoes). r 8FU UIF QFSTPO T TLJO BOE DMPUIJOH XJUI DPPM water. r "QQMZ DPME XFU DMPUIT PS JDF UP IFBE GBDF neck, armpits, and groin.

Do not try to force the person to drink liquids.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

Henry Onyekuru

09.12.2017

On the Watch List of Europe’s Big Boys

MANCHESTER DERBY PAGE. 29

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

On Watch List of Europe’s Big Boys Ă Ă?ĂœĂžĂ™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ăž Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?âÚÖÙÓÞĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă–Ă‘Ă“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă&#x;ĂšĂ?Ă˜ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă’Ă? Ă’Ă“Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ăž ͺ͟ ÞÓ×Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă&#x;ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă–ĂŁËœ Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă–Ă™Ă‹Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ–Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă’ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă‘Ă“Ă&#x;Ă— ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‘Ă“Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ě‹ Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ě‹ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă—ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ë› Kunle Adewale ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă?ÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă˜ĂŁĂ?Ă•Ă&#x;ĂœĂ&#x; ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?âÞ ĂŒĂ“Ă‘Ă‘Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă™ĂžĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž ÞÙ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?

H

Henry Onyekuru

enry Onyekuru has been impressive for Anderlecht so far this season, scoring eight goals in 15 matches, culminating in Catalan giants-Barcelona sending scouts to watch his matches. Aside from Barcelona, Manchester United, Fiorentina, Ajax, PSV, Southampton and Stoke City are also believed to have sent their scouts to see the player in action in the Belgian league. Onyekuru, however said he was flattered by stories linking him with top European clubs like Barcelona and Manchester United, but wants to remain focused in his current team.

The striker, who spoke exclusively to AOIFootball.com after netting the winner for Anderlecht in their Jupiler league game at the weekend in Belgium, said he would continue to work hard and improve on his game. “There is no real secret, I have a strong faith in God and he has blessed me to be able to do what I love and I’m just focused on improving myself, working hard and staying dedicated. It’s a blessing to be recognised by these clubs and of course, it’s flattering but I take everything one step at a time. I will focus on what is in front of me and for the next few months,� Onyekuru said The 20-year-old striker also expressed his delight in scoring his eight goal of the season, saying it’s always a delight to score the winning goal for his team. “It was a difficult match for us but I am happy we were able to win and I also got on the score sheet. I hope to continue scoring more goals for Anderlecht and hopefully, win a trophy or two in the season,� Onyekuru concluded.

Onyekuru is, however, unsure of a return to Everton in January, despite putting up impressive shifts at Anderlecht after joining the Toffees following his impressive display for Eupen last season where he netted 25 goals in 41 appearances.

After a quiet start, the forward has continued with the form that earned him a deal with the English side and has scored eight goals so far. However, the striker is still uncertain of a recall to Goodison Park in January. “I follow the path that is being drawn up for me. Wherever I go after New Year, I do not know either. Whether Everton has a contractual option to get me in the winter? Everything is possible. I'm their property, they decide. I have never said that I'm sure I'll leave Anderlecht. The most important thing is here and now. I'm happy and everything is going well.

What's happening in winter, we'll see,� Onyekuru told Het Nieuwsblad.

In a chat with THISDAY, former Nigerian international, and footballer’s agent, Waidi Akani opined that for Barcelona to send their scouts to watch Onyekuru, it means he has something to offer. “Barcelona has a very formidable scouting team. So, for them to have scouted him, it means he has a very great potential and future. However, that does not mean the club gets it right all the time. A move to a club like Barcelona would definitely be to the advantage of the national team coaches as he would be well-polished under the best coaches. “However, we cannot count on him for now because he

31

DECEMBER 9, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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

Libya Slave Trade: Stop the Crocodile Tears, Act to Save Our Own

Henry Onyekuru

We have known for some years now that young Nigerians desperate for what they see as a better life overseas have repeatedly opted to undertake the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean from Libya to Europe. Many have succeeded in their quest, but many more have perished in the stormy waters.

These tragedies have made global headlines for years, but when international news network CNN recently broke the news that some of these Nigerians were among Africans being traded as slaves in war-torn Libya, international outrage reached new decibels while our country’s image sank to new lows.

S Henry Onyekuru is yet to really prove himself for the country at any level. His game for the Super Eagles against Togo is not enough to judge him. Football is not a one-season game, so we should not get so excited thinking that we now have a good striker simply because he scored 24 goals last season for his Belgian club.

“He is still young, just 20 years old.

Maybe he should first be tried the Under 20 or 23 level and see what he can offer.

Football could be funny at times. With all the noise about him, he might just not fit into our style of football,” Akani pointed out.

Onyekuru can play across the front line; he favours the left as it gives him the space he needs to go through the gears, as well as come inside on his stronger right foot. His low centre of gravity, as he stands at about 5ft 9in, enables quick changes of direction, but his dribbling style really isn’t defined by it, unlike most players his size. He has good close control, but relies more on his speed and trickery, often looking like he has shown too much to the opponent before snatching it away.

In front of goal, Onyekuru is an improviser. He possesses good movement, especially when he has to spin in

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE 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

behind a full-back; he is often up and away before they even know it. When through, he can finish in a number of ways; though, like most speedsters, he seems to enjoy going past the goalkeeper.

There is a lot to admire about him, but he is still a teenager, so there are a lot of areas where he can improve. That is only natural. His aptitudes for the defensive side of the game, as well as his decisionmaking, are still undeveloped.

He is unashamedly direct - he will pick the ball up, accelerate quickly, and go towards goal. He also has shades of Arjen Robben - he plays mostly on the left, so he can cut in and shoot on his stronger right foot.

Surprisingly for one blessed with such pace, Onyekuru likes to come deep for the ball, rather than playing on the shoulder of defenders.

He is small of stature - 5ft 9in - but uses this quick change of direction effectively, bamboozling defenders, using his change of pace to get past his man rather than a barrage of step overs.

Perhaps, the biggest weakness in Onyekuru’s game is a streak of singlemindedness. It can manifest as overconfidence or as selfishness, but too often, he wants to go alone. He will often get the better of his marker, and opt for a shot from an angle rather than lay in a teammate in a better position centrally.

Onyekuru began his football career with the Aspire Academy in 2010, and graduated in 2015 joining their partner club, KAS Eupen and made his debut for Eupen in September of the same year in a 2-2 tie against Dessel Sport in the Belgian Second Division. He helped the team get promotion to the Belgium First Division A in his debut season.

After a successful season in the Belgium first division, Onyekuru finished as one of the top scorers in the league, attracting the attention of various big teams in Europe. He finished the 2016/2017 season as joint top-scorer with 22 goals, but the trophy was handed to his rival as he scored more away goals than Onyekuru.

He made his senior debut for Nigeria in a 3-0 friendly win over Togo on July 1.

everal major factors contribute to this debacle that remain unchecked, and the sad reality is that many more Nigerian lives will be lost or dehumanised in places like Libya. Firstly, the quality of life in our country has steadily sank to survival levels over the years. Secondly, our population is exploding at an alarming rate and we are now reaching frighteningly unmanageable numbers. Thirdly, and perhaps most significantly, is that culturally, we have managed to ingrain in our minds that everything good happens outside Nigeria, especially in Europe and America. Across different spectrums of our lives, we have abandoned the need to develop from within and instead embraced foreign alternatives.

For years now this column has preached the need for a thriving domestic sports industry and why the government and biggest brands should work together to ensure ours becomes one. We need to positively engage and reward our people, especially the young, otherwise we will continue to face these kinds of crisis.

Just look at the rising wave of crime and other problems in the country - the kidnappers, the ritual killings, the 419 scammers, the brutal robberies, the continued wanton spread of sexually transmitted diseases, the rising number of teenage mothers, the restive youth in our communities becoming militants or religious extremists etc. If we do not quickly create opportunities that engage millions of our citizens, then

we face being swallowed up by the resultant problems.

There is no better way to engage and influence a people to lead healthier and more disciplined lives than through sports. The more progressive nations know this and employ sports in a big way: not just to drive commerce, but to inspire better values in society. Rather than employing sports the same way, we are enslaving ourselves with our addiction to foreign sports. The popularity of the English Premier League is an example of this. It is amazing how from the most literate to the stark illiterate, from the young to the old, from the man in the village to the man on Banana Island, we Nigerians now define ourselves by what happens in football leagues continents away. Our TV and radio stations, print publications and social media hubs are suffused with stories and images of foreign sports and foreign sports icons.

These people fleeing Nigeria ought to be home earning a decent living from competing in one sport or the other. Those who are not athletes can still work in a variety of ways in the industry. Some can be officials, maintenance or security staff, managers of talent etc. When we throw our resources at foreign sports we contribute to withering Nigeria and the desperation of our people to flee our borders. Jobs and quality living that they should safely have at home are what they are now dying at sea to find in Europe.

Where are the sponsors for the NPFL?

32

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

Manchester, Merseyside Derbies Headline Premier League Matches ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ÓÞã Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‘Ă™ Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‘Ă™ Ă‹ Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÓÞÓäĂ?Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ–Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă˜ ÍšÍšĚ‹ĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ùà Ă?Ăœ Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœËŞĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ Ă‹ Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ě‹Ă’Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ě‹ĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă’Ă™ ÒÙåĂ?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă•Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ÒÙå Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă•Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ‹ĂŒ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ăš Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă™Ă–Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă‘Ă?Ë› Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă”Ă&#x;Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă Ă?ĂœĂžĂ™Ă˜ Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă— Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂŁĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ÞËÕĂ? Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž ĂžĂœĂ“Ăš ÞÙ Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ě‹Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ëœ Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂšĂ™Ă™Ă– Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂŁĂ?Ă“ĂŽĂ? ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂŒĂŁ Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă‹Ăœ

P

ep Guardiola's Manchester City travel to Old Trafford for the toughest test of their Premier League title credentials so far, while new Everton boss, Sam Allardyce bids to defy Liverpool's "Fab Four" as the northwest derbies take centre stage on Sunday.

City are eight points clear at the top of the table and victory at their fierce rivals could realistically end Jose Mourinho's hopes of landing the club's first league title since Alex Ferguson's trophy-laden reign.

Meanwhile, Mourinho believes both Manchester United and Manchester City have taken big steps forward this season.

The sides meet in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday, with United trailing Premier League leaders City by eight points in the table.

Mourinho feels his side have improved in his second season in charge but acknowledges City are also significantly better in their second campaign under Pep Guardiola. "We are a better team than last year, no doubt about it but I think City is also a better team than last season," Mourinho said.

When asked how good City are, Mourinho replied: "Very good."

The game is pivotal for United's title hopes as they attempt to halt the momentum of a City side who have dropped just two points from their opening 15 Premier League games and Mourinho acknowledged the derby represents a big opportunity for his United side but was keen to stress the game is still only worth three points.

"To me it is one more big match against one of the best teams in the country, the first against the second. It is a big match.

I don't need to know that a derby is something special for the people. For us, in the end, it is three points but honestly, I think for the people born in the city and feeling the colours, it is a good positive rivalry and a special match," Mourinho said, when asked about the magnitude of the game.

United's record signing Paul Pogba misses the derby as he begins a threematch suspension following his red card against Arsenal last weekend. Marouane Fellaini is a potential replacement for the Frenchman but is still working his way back from a knee ligament injury picked up while playing for Belgium in October.

Mourinho says Fellaini will be assessed today to determine his availability but Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Phil Jones and Nemanja Matic are all able to play.

"Zlatan is available. Jones is available.

Fellaini I have to wait until tomorrow.

Bailly is not available. Carrick is not available. Matic is injured but he plays," Mourinho said.

Indeed, Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is confident his side can put an end to Manchester City's winning streak on Sunday.

City will equal Arsenal's Premier League record of 14 consecutive wins with victory at Old Trafford, but head into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, their first since April.

United's 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow on Tuesday levelled a club a record of 40 games without loss at Old Trafford and De Gea believes his side can continue their impressive run on Sunday.

De Gea, speaking exclusively to Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry on Nissan Match Zone, said: "Can City stop United?

We play at home with the fans. It's a derby, we have confidence, we feel really strong and we want to win. The team is in a good

Fixtures TODAY West Ham Burnley Crystal Palace HuddersďŹ eld Swansea Tottenham Newcastle

v v v v v v v

Chelsea Watford Bournemouth Brighton West Brom Stoke City Leicester City

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

SUNDAY Southampton Liverpool Man Utd

v v v

Arsenal Everton Man City

12:00 14:15 16:30

Premiership Table Man City Man Utd Chelsea Liverpool Arsenal Tottenham Burnley Watford Leicester Everton Southampton Brighton Stoke Bournemouth Newcastle HuddersďŹ eld West Brom Crystal Palace West Ham Swansea

15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15

36 26 16 14 10 10 2 -1 0 -9 -3 -5 -12 -4 -8 -17 -9 -17 -19 -10

43 35 32 29 28 25 25 22 20 18 17 17 16 15 15 15 13 10 10 9

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Leroy Sane of Manchester City challenges Daley Blind of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Traord on September 10, 2016 in Manchester, England.

moment, we won two difficult away games so we have confidence and we know we play an important game. We really want to win."

Mourinho heaped praise on the Spaniard following last Saturday's 3-1 win over Arsenal, labelling De Gea as the best keeper in the world after he made a league record 14 saves against the Gunners De Gea admitted he felt unbeatable against Arsene Wenger's side last weekend as he secured a league-high ninth clean sheet for the season ahead of City stopper Ederson in second with seven.

United head into Sunday's game without midfielder Paul Poga, who was handed a threematch suspension after receiving a red card against Arsenal, and Juan Mata believes his side will miss the French international.

But while Manchester will be at the centre of attention on Sunday, up the road in-form Liverpool host Everton in the season's first Merseyside derby.

Liverpool have put their early-season problems behind them, topping their Champions League group with an avalanche of goals and climbing into the Premier League's top four, with five wins in their past six top-flight games.

After their 4-1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur

in late October, the focus was on the side's porous defence but the 'Fab Four' attackers have since dominated the narrative -- with 46 goals between them this season.

Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho have formed a fluid and devastating attacking group but they will come up against arch-pragmatist Allardyce, whose new charges are in the relative comfort of 10th after a tricky spell.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has pleaded with his free-scoring players not to get carried away after they hammered Spartak Moscow 7-0.

"We should not think it will be like this from now on until the end of our entire lives," he said.Elsewhere, Spurs desperately need to end a four-game winless streak in the league.

Tottenham, so long seen as the coming force in English football, suddenly look vulnerable after a disappointing run that has seen them pick up just two points from four outings.

Mauricio Pochettino's side have slipped to sixth in the Premier League table, a whopping 18 points behind leaders Manchester City and they have a fight on their hands to stay in the hunt for a top-four place.

17/ 27/04

Man City

0-0

Man Utd

16/10/09

Man Ud

1-2

Man City

16/ 20/03

Man City

0-1

Man Utd

15/ 25/10

Man Utd

0-0

Man City

15/12/04

Man Utd

4-2

Man City

14/02/11

Man City

1-0

Man Utd

14/25/03

Man Utd

0-3

Man City

13/22/09

Man City

4-1

Man Utd

13/08/04

Man Utd

1-2

Man City

12/09/12

Man City

2-3

Man Utd

12/30/04

Man City

1-0

Man Utd

11/23/10

Man Utd

1-6

Man City

11/12/02

Man Utd

2-1

Man City

10/10/11

Man City

0-0

Man Utd

10/17/04

Man City

0-1

Man Utd

Hot Shot Mohamed Salah Harry Kane Sergio Aguero Raheem Sterling Alvaro Morata Romelu Lukaku Gabriel Jesus Alex Lacazette Jamie Verdy Wayne Rooney Leroy Sane Anthony Martial

Liverpool Tottenham Man City Man City Chelsea Man Utd Man City Arsenal Leicester Everton Man City Man Utd

12 10 9 9 9 8 8 8 7 7 6 6

33

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

˺˺

L-R: Former Super Eagles MidďŹ elder, Mutiu Adepoju; Country Manager, Visa West Africa, Oluwakemi Okusanya and former Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final Draw Viewing Event center hosted by Visa, in Lagos‌recently

HallďŹ eld School students proudly display their certiďŹ cates at the end of a coaching programme by MP Tiger Tennis at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja

FIFA Club World Cup Exclusive on StarTimes As part of its commitment to broadcast sporting content to its growing number of subscribers, StarTimes is bringing the live coverage of the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup to the screen of football lovers.

The 2017 FIFA Club World Cup commenced on December 6 and will run till 16 December at the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Seven clubs will play a total of eight matches in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain’s Hazza Bin Zayed stadiums.

The all-champions football tournament, currently in its 13th edition, is a FIFA organised international club football tournament between champion clubs from each of the six continental

confederations, as well as the national league champion from the host country.

The tournament will be hosted by Japan and beamed live on StarTimes sports channels including sports focus and world football.

The Club World Cup UAE 2017 is featuring CAF champion, Wydad Casablanca from Morocco, Mexico’s Club World Cup veterans, Pachuca and New Zealand’s Auckland City.

Club World Cup holders Real Madrid will have the chance to defend their global crown and be the first club to win two consecutive titles after winning the UEFA Champions League in June.

According to the Brands and Marketing Director, StarTimes, Qasim Elegbede,

“We are glad to offer the only world club tournament on an exclusive basis to our subscribers in Africa. We are very excited because this is a unique opportunity for football fans to see the best clubs from each continent, including Real Madrid, play one against another.�

Elegbede further noted that, “The live telecast of these matches reflect the firm's commitment to provide the best sporting action to its subscribers at a very affordable rate. Football lovers can also enjoy the thrills and action of these games on StarTimes World Football Channel 254 or 245, sports focus or live on the StarTimes mobile app available for download on the app store.�

Lagos Schools Win GTBank Super Cup It was celebration galore for Lagos State representatives in the GTBank Super Cup as the duo of Ijaiye Housing Estate Grammar School, Ojokoro and Isale Eko Grammar School, Lagos Island emerged winners at the Agege Stadium on Wednesday.

The matches, which pitched the Lagos State Principals Cup winners against their Ogun State counterparts in both male and female categories to decide the overall champions for the GTBank Football Tournaments in 2017 saw the Isale Eko girls defeat their Ogun State

counterpart, Iko Gateway Grammar School, Idiroko, 1-0 in the girls’ category played earlier.

In the boy’s category, Ijaiye Housing Estate Grammar School got the better of Ogun State representative, Pakoto High School, Ayede-Ifo, 2-1 in a keenly contested game. To qualify for the Super Cup finals, it will be recalled that Ijaiye School boys defeated Ikotun Senior High School in the final of the GTBank Lagos State Principals Cup while Isale Eko girls beat Government Senior College, Agege. While in the Ogun State version,

Pakoto High School boys humbled Ipara Community High School, Ipara, as Iko Gateway girls dethroned Muslim High School.

Commenting on the significance of the competition in Nigeria’s educational framework, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, believes “the competition paves the way for youths to cultivate their sporting talents, whilst fostering and building a healthier lifestyle at a critical stage in their lives.�

GOtv Boxing Night 13

Free Bus Ride Excites Fans Fans billed to attend GOtv Boxing Night 13, holding on 26 December at the Landmark Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, are thrilled by decision of the organizers to provide free bus rides for those who buy tickets. The buses, which will be at the National Stadium, Surulere, will move ticket holding fans to the venue of the event and bring them back after the show. The event will feature musical performances by Small Doctor, Falz The Bahd Guy, Reekado Banks and Simi. Tickets for the event are available online at ariiyatickets.com, SLOT and Ebeano Supermarket outlets, Freedom Park and National Stadium, Lagos.

A fan Monday Akpochi, said he is particularly happy that the organisers have thought of the convenience of the fans by providing free buses. Another fan, Karimu Kawonise, who lives in Ajegunle, said he is delighted by the decision, saying it will make it really easy for fans going to the venue from

the mainland. “It is a very good thing. It means we do not have to worry about getting to the venue or returning to the mainland when the show ends. One must thank the organisers,� he said GOtv Boxing Night 13 will feature seven fights including two African Boxing Union (ABU) title clashes and a West African Boxing Union title defence along with two national title fights. In the lightweight category, Nigeria’s Oto “Joe Boy� Joseph will take on Egypt’s Abdulrahim Ahmed for the vacant African Boxing Union (ABU) title, while Olaide “Fijaborn�

Fijabi will attempt to win the light welterweight continental title when he confronts Kenya’s Michael Odhiambo.

Abolaji “Afonja Warrior� Rasheed will defend his West African Boxing Union title against Ghana’s Arye Ayitteh, The lightweight division will also feature Rilwan “Real One� Oladosu, who will fight Kehinde “Ijoba�Badmus

for the national title. Rilwan “Baby Face� Babatunde will square up to Chijioke “Painless� Ngige for the national light welterweight crown.

Two challenge bouts in the lightweight and super middleweight divisions respectively will see Rilwan “Scorpion� Oyekola clash with Jimoh “Hogan Jimoh Jr.� Lukman, while Matthew “Wizeman� Obinna will duel with Cosmos ‘Awosika� David.

Tickets for the event are available online at ariiyatickets.com, SLOT and Ebeano Supermarket outlets as well as National Stadium, Lagos.

Meanwhile, Abdulrahim Ahmed, Egyptian and Mediterranean lightweight champion, has vowed to defeat Nigeria’s Oto "Joe Boy" Joseph when they clash for the African Boxing Union (ABU) lightweight title fight at GOtv Boxing Night 13 on December 26.

The event, which holds at Landmark Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, will feature seven bouts.

from left Mr Yomi Bajela, Director, Administration and Supplies, Ministry of Education, Ogun State; Mr Jide Sipe, Deputy Manager, Corporate Communications and External Aairs, GTBank; Mrs Tomi Olanrewaju, Events and External Aairs, GTBank and Jimmy Sogbesan, CEO, Media Vision at the GTBank 2017 Super Cup ďŹ nal held in Lagos on Wednesday

Wichtech Tennis Championship Ends Today The fourth edition of the Wichtech Tennis Championship will come to a close today at the tennis section of Ikoyi Club 1938 after five days of intense tennis action.

This year’s edition drew over 60 participants who jostled for honours.

Sponsors of the tournament, CEO of Wichtech Industries limited, Dr. Chidoze Nwankwo, said in spite of the harsh economic situation in the country, the tourney would be a regular feature in the Tennis Section’s calendar. “The fact that the number of participants had increased since the beginning of my company’s sponsorship shows that value had been added to the competition and it would be a permanent feature in the tennis section,� Nwankwo said.

This year’s edition was fashioned around regular Grand Slam, as there was the men’s and women’s singles, mixed doubles and veteran singles.

In a chat with THISDAY, captain of the Tennis Section, Akeem Mustafa said the competition had so far witnessed impressive tennis as participants were well prepared for the competition. “We’ve witnessed some impressive tennis on display and most of the participants have shown unprecedented tennis artistry. But most importantly we had achieved bonding, socialisation and wellness,�

Mustafa said.

Hallifield Schools Students Bag Tennis Certificates Hallifield School students are gradually showing great potential in tennis with 15 of its students bagging a certificate from a coaching programme from MP Tiger Tennis in Lagos.

MP Tiger Tennis boss, Paul Moses described the students as budding talents after the end of the second session of the training at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja recently.

Moses, a United Kingdom Professional Tennis Registry certified coach, lauded the enthusiasm of the students who ranged from 6-12 years. “Hallifield Schools embraces sports and are giving more rooms to our students to participate in sporting activities,� Adebisi Obaloluwa, the Coordinator of Lawn Tennis Club at Hallifield Schools, said.

He enthused that more players would join given the significant progress that had been made since the programme began early this year, pointing out that apart from enhancing the fitness of the students; the programme had lots of benefits as some of the students could build a career in the sport.

Obaloluwa stressed that the avenue for students to rise to stardom had already been created by the school in sports and in all other human endeavours.

Six of the students; Tunmise Ayobanjo, Destiny Nebedum, Kamsi Ehenemba, Fendi Igbinigie, Farah Bush and Fayokunmi Semasa-Talabi bagged medals for their outstanding performances at the conclusion of the session.

Loveth Howell National Judo Championship Kicks-o Loveth Howell National Open Judo Championship will kickoff at the Ogbe Stadium, Benin, Edo State from the December 13, with bouts in the senior, junior and cadet categories for males and females.

The championship named after Loveth Howell, a former national champion will serve as a national ranking event for both judoka and referees. The former champion who represented Nigeria at several international meets before retiring and moving to the United States. She is currently the philanthropist on the board of the Nigeria Judo Federation, NJF. Meanwhile, NJF President, Timothy Nsirim, has promised that the current board will reorganize the sport in line with the international best practice module.

The President also described Winnie Gofit as the shining light of Nigeria Judo after she bagged a gold medal in the 70kg female category at a recent African Judo Invitational.

34

T H I S D AY ˾ ͷ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

35

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ

FOR THE RECORD

Ettah to UACN Staff: Let’s Live By the Dictates of Christmas

I

n the last 11 years, it has always been a great pleasure to send out a message at this time of the year to you all.

Writing this year’s message is a tad emotional for me, for understandable reasons.

The allure of Christmas has endured because the birth of Jesus not only brought divine intervention to mankind, but the subsequent sojourn of Christ on earth affected mankind in a way that no other birth had. His life was marked by love, compassion, sacrifice, grace and mercy.

A grateful world has continued to show remarkable remembrance and deep appreciation of a life of intense focus and commitment; a life that shunned the brazen quest for power and materialism and demonstrated a virtue that was genuinely divine and inspirational.

As we join the world to herald the season, we should be advised of the need to live by the dictates of the moment. As a Company, we have continued to undertake the tough but necessary decisions to reposition the business for improved Ettah and sustainable performance. The offer of unlock value through the realisation of rights for some of our subsidiaries have under-performing asset, create value progressed according to plan in the same through consumer resonating innovamanner that we are progressing with the tion and restructure the route to market current exercise by UAC. These actions architecture across the group remains in have been necessitated by the punitive capital cost our Group has borne of recent, sight.

We recently marked 10 years of UAC’S which has negatively impacted our results.

Goodness League, the Corporate Social So far, our focus on consolidating our Responsibility Initiative of the Company strategic initiatives to support growth to build on the rich legacies and achieveand working capital through equity calls,

ments especially in the educational sector.

The Goodness League’s intervention programmes especially the Schools Support Programme have led to resounding success and positive impacts on Legacy schools in the South West, North West, South South, North Central and South East geo-political zones. The Goodness League’s Free Weekend Classes for students in Lagos State have witnessed impressive turn-outs and testimonies of its positive impacts on the participating schools and the students.

As a Company, we have demonstrated that few things pay greater dividends than goodness and that the initiative is a worthy social investment.

As you are well aware, following my announced impending retirement from the Company with effect from 1st January 2018, Mr Abdul Akhor Bello will succeed me as the Group Managing Director/ CEO. Abdul’s choice revalidates not only the robustness of our Company’s succession planning but also the depth of the leadership cadre within the business. I urge one and all to extend the same hand of fellowship to Abdul to enable him drive our strategic agenda and our quest for sustainable competitiveness.

I will like to use this opportunity to convey my personal thanks in addition to that of my family to all of you for the support during my tenure as the Group MD/CEO. I am pleased and proud of the work we have done. I am confident that the Company is in able hands for what lies ahead. My optimism is further buoyed by the rich culture, talent, assets, strong

platform and resilience that will engender sustainable growth.

As things stand, UAC is well positioned for further advance in its growth and shareholders return agenda. Our businesses are at scale, multiple capital allocation opportunities exist and new growth engines/platform are being created.

Since 1879, UAC has been a long running story, in the last 11 years as your GMD/CEO, we wrote our chapter. As we are often reminded, “you may leave UAC but UAC never leaves you�. That will certainly be so in my case as I have spent more than half of my life at this great institution and immersed deeply in its values, ethos, culture and nuances. I have also been very fortunate in my career and grateful for how far I have come since October 3rd 1988.

But I am reminded of Tennessee William’s word “There is a time for departure even when there’s no certain place to go�.

So my friends, as we celebrate Christmas, I look forward to living a more quiet life, and being a better husband and parent. I will of course be watching and following the evolution and progress of UAC as a young pensioner, a shareholder and its ambassador. I sincerely hope in my leadership role I did not look down on any of you who looked up to me. God bless you all as I go in peace.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. –This 2017 UACN GMD/CEO’S Christmas Message is the last by Ettah, the out-going GMD/CEO

Swiss Government, UNODC Present Equipment to Rehabilitated Victims of Human Trafficking Bennett Oghifo

I

rregular migration is becoming intense among young Nigerians who seek better fortunes than they can get at home. They fueled by legitimate anger at frustrating efforts to get a life, particularly having been imbued with so much energy, zest and creativity that they fear would wane because of a repressive environment. These young people believe they are dying anyway and most have resolved to die trying to escape hopelessness, even if it means swimming across the Mediterranean Sea or crawling across the Sahara. Whichever way, they are always at the edge of disaster so it means zero to them to roll the dice and take a chance.

Recently, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with assistance from the Swiss Government presented some trade equipment to some rehabilitated and trained victims of human trafficking at the NAPTIP office in Lagos.

In an address presented on behalf of the officer representing the UNODC, the UN body expressed its delight at the presentation of equipment for victims of human trafficking who have successfully passed through the rehabilitation process of NAPTIP, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. “As you certainly know, the work of UNODC is guided by the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. “Nigeria has ratified both instruments and Article 6 of the Protocol, on the Assistance to and protection of victims of trafficking in persons states that ‘Each State Party shall consider implementing measures to provide for the physical, psychological and social recovery of victims of trafficking in persons, including, in appropriate cases, in cooperation with nongovernmental organizations and, in particular, the provision of material assistance; and Employment, educational and training opportunities.’ “Today, and in line with these provisions,

Handing over of equipment by the government of Switzerland and UNODC in Lagos‌ recently UNODC, with funding from the government of Switzerland, supports NAPTIP in implementing one of its core mandates (that is, the protection, assistance and rehabilitation of trafficked persons) by empowering thirty victims of trafficking with vocational skills equipment for catering, hairdressing, photography, tailoring, and bead-making. Each beneficiary is also provided with a generator as back up for electricity power supply in their business.â€? “Along with provision of such equipment, we spent the last two days delivering specialized training on Business Management. This aimed at providing basic knowledge that is necessary for successful business, to ensure economic self-reliance, within the family, community and society at large. Sessions also included coaching on customer relations skills that can assist to boost sales return. “Of course, UNODC, as much as NAPTIP and the government of Switzerland, expect that each of you who has benefited from this programme will take proper care of this equipment and maximize its use. We equally hope that NAPTIP will be in a position to monitor progress made thanks to these equipment and newly acquired skills.â€?

UNODC thanked the government of Switzerland and NAPTIP “for the fruitful

partnership under this project ‘Support and Capacity Building to NAPTIP on Strengthening Access to Justice and Victim Support’. The project started in June 2015. It will close next month and we are proud to list a meaningful series of achievements. These include: The establishment of a formal referral procedure in Lagos state to assist trafficked persons to access justice through formal and informal services; Capacity building to officers from NAPTIP and specialized institutions on access to justice for trafficked persons in Nigeria; Capacity building to officers from NAPTIP and NACTAL, the NGO coalition, on counselling and social work skills; And now the handover of equipment for the empowerment of 30 victims.� “So let me indeed sincerely thank partners for this continuous collaboration in the fight against trafficking in persons, and I use this opportunity to reaffirm UNODC’s commitment to continue to support the protection and assistance of trafficked persons as well as the eradication of such heinous crime.�

A representative of Switzerland appreciated the efforts of UNODC and NAPTIP for the organisation of the training, and the execution of the project “Support and Capacity Building to NAPTIP on Strengthening Access to Justice and Victim Support�. “This project is

implemented by UNODC in close partnership with NAPTIP who has taken, since inception, encouraging strides in addressing human trafficking issues. Let me also thank all stakeholders who work towards the success of this project, and the participants of the training workshop for their active participation.

The cooperation between UNODC, NAPTIP and the Swiss Embassy is one of the results of the expert meetings between the Swiss and Nigerian governments on migration issues.

Swiss and Nigerian experts meet annually in the framework of the Swiss-Nigeria Migration Partnership signed by the two governments in February 2011. The next experts meeting will hold soon, in January 2018.

The purpose of Swiss-Nigeria migration partnership is to work together more closely and in a comprehensive manner in the area of migration with the purpose to tackle together the challenges of global migration.

The objective is to develop common solutions to the challenges faced by both countries, and to better utilize the potential offered by migration.

Nigeria was the first African country with which Switzerland established a migration partnership. Since 2011, both countries have enjoyed an excellent and close collaboration on migration issues. Numerous projects and activities have been implemented so far in various fields, including the fight against human trafficking and migrants smuggling, capacity building in immigration administration and protection of vulnerable migrants.

Switzerland and Nigeria are also cooperating in the field of preventing irregular migration. A growing number of irregular migrants leaves Nigeria in search of a better life elsewhere. The need to escape difficult socioeconomic situations presents the illusion that the perspectives in the destination country is better.

This is not always true! Not when irregular migration routes have to be followed. Significant number of Nigerians following irregular migration routes get stranded in transit countries, die in the desert or the Mediterranean Sea, or become victims of criminal and trafficking networks.

36

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

FAIRGROUND with

The Accidental Spy Premieres

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

T

he producers of some of the biggest box office movies like 30 Days in Atlanta, A Trip To Jamaica and more, have brought to us another hilarious movie titled, ‘The Accidental Spy’, which premiered at the Silverbird Galleria recently. The event was attended by representatives of several media houses and celebrities.

The movie, ‘The Accidental Spy’ tells the story of an IT specialist, Emmanuel Prince, who gets blindsided by his cheating girlfriend. When Prince travels to London and signs up for a reality show to take his mind off his recent woes, he unwittingly gets caught in the middle of a plot by a powerful Nigerian criminal cartel.

A co-production of Peekaboo Productions and Corporate World Entertainment, the film sees AY and Ramsey Nouah, the award-winning duo from 30 Days in Atlanta back in the saddle with diversely talented cast, such as (L-R) Sexy Steel, Alexx Ekubo, Guest, Moses Inwang (Director- Sneeze Films) and AY Alibaba (The Wedding Party), Emma Oh My God (The Wedding Party), Rahama Sadau (TATU), David Jones David (Hotel Majestic), Bucci Franklin (Jemeji), Bryan Okwara, Hollywood actor, Miguel Nunez Jr. (Juwana Man), South African star, Thenjiwe Moseley (10 Days In Sun City), and British debutante, Christine Allado, to name a few.

In attendance were the cast of the movieOther celebrities were Alexx Ekubo, Yomi Makun (Yomi Casual), Chris Okagbue, Sexy Steel, Judith Audu, etc.

Speaking with the Executive Producer, Dalington Abuda, on the challenges faced and his expectations, he said, “It was a worthwhile experience, there were few challenges especially funding but that is Chris Okagbue Alexx Ekubo and Yomi Casual what every producer faces, but we were able to scale through. I am expecting the best, I obviously won’t settle for less so definitely the best. The Accidental Spy is a must watch.�

The Accidental Spy is now showing in cinemas nationwide. These are faces of the guests at the premiere.

Cordelia Ejakita

Tarhe

Ayo Makun and Lanre Makun Joy Abuda Irene Ejakita

L-R Lanre Makun, Miss Chioma and Darlington Abuda (Movie Producer)

Emma OhmyGod

Oshisko Twins, Judith Audu and her husband

Darlington Abuda

37

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

FAIRGROUND

‘Descent’ to Hit the Cinemas

“D

escent�, a conceptual movie mixed with action and thrill capable of rousing viewers to a state of elated bliss, is set to hit the cinemas on December 22. The movie, which is made up of an artistic fusion between Nigerian A-list actors and Hollywood actors, reflects action like never before seen in the history of Nollywood movies.

The director, Awal Abdulfatai Rahmat relayed his optimism about “Descent� being a box office success. He also asserted the fact that viewers would not be disappointed and that the movie would as well deliver the action thrill, and twist of comedy they are not going to forget anytime soon. “Descent� follows the story of Kalu Achebe (Zack Orji) and Andrew Morgan (Matt Stern) both underworld Dons who will do anything and everything to protect their families. They are tied to a twisted fate with Bongani Ndilovu (Phoenix Baaitse); humble farmer who simply wishes to protect his legacy; a thirst for vengeance and power.

Written by Bridget Phatudi and Awal Abdulfatai Rahmat and directed by Awal Abdulfatai Rahmat, Produced

by AQ Entertainment and McAwal

Zack Orji and Matt Stern

Productions, “Descent� stars Zack Orji, Matt Stern, Tayo Faniran (First runner up Big Brother Africa), Benedict Sebastian, JT Medupe, Chibuzor Nwakwo, Palesa Medisakwane, Andrew Stock, Phoenix Baaitse, Sheena Deeparian and Ahmmad Kawser.

The movie features family, love,

mother and child, the consequences of narcotics and arms dealing. The action thriller genre was shot in Johannesburg, South Africa. “Descent� has won a Recognition Award for Best Picture International Trailer and also at the 2016 completed Special Movie Award (SMA) in the Republic of Gambia.

Awal Abdulfatai Rahmat, the Director, is a talented young man of amazing prowess in his 30s, who is known for his trademark in conceptual content development. He has vast experiences in the media business development, TV content management, media marketing communication skills.

Weirdz Signs New Deal with Bail Music Company

T

he Bail Music Company, a creative talent and event management firm, has signed a talent management deal with music act, Osazee Moses Wilserhun, otherwise known as

Humblesmith

Humblesmith Release New Single, ‘Abakaliki 2 Lasgidi’

N

-Tyze Entertainment star artiste, Humblesmith, has released a new banger titled, “Abakaliki 2 Lasgidi�, featuring the ‘King of the Street’ Olamide. Known for his exceptional delivery of music, Humblesmith is gradually consolidating his street credibility.

Produced by MixtaDimz, “Abakaliki 2 Lasgidi� details the singer’s journey from Ebonyi’s capital city, Abakaliki, to the home of entertainment, Lagos, where he is on his way to write his name in the history book.

The release of this song is a great indication that the N-Tyze entertainment signee is not slowing down anytime soon the artiste said“Abakliki 2 Lasgidi is all about my journey to fame. I am not just telling my story, I am also giving my fans and music lovers generally a sound to enjoy and dance to. This is a gyration song; it is relatable, entertaining and energetic.�

When asked if the new release was the end-of-the-year gift from the singer for 2017, he said, “We never can actually tell.

I love my fans; they have been very supportive of me so far and that is why I am giving back to them with this music. There is an Instagram contest where people get to make a 59-second video, dancing to the song and posting it on their pages. At the end of the competition I’ll be picking five winners who will get $1,000 each.�

Speaking more on the contest, he said the winners would be chosen based on the videos with the highest real engagement.

Powered by N-tyze Entertainment, the contest will end on December 11, and winners will be announced the following day.

Humblesmith has blessed us with hit songs such as Osinachi, Osinachi remix featuring Davido, Jukwese where he featured Flavor Nabania, Na U featuring Harrysong and Focus. With over 11 nominations to his name, the singer remains a talent to beat.

Weirdz.

Weirdz’s signing with The Bail Music Company is a positive move primed to chart a new direction for his career whilst also helping meet his set targets.

Under the new deal, The Bail Music Company will oversee the entire business affairs on behalf of the artiste, as well as initiate, plan and execute various innovations aimed at propelling the career of the musician to a new level.

Speaking on the new development, the CEO of The Bail Music Company, ‘Lanre Lawal said the new move shows that the fast-growing company has taken the necessary steps in the right direction. “We are delighted to have signed a deal with one of the finest talents in the industry. With this new move, we believe we are in the right direction towards achieving our dream as a brand at the forefront of providing needed support

to help talents succeed in the highly demanding industry,� Lawal said.

On his part, Weirdz, who has just released his E.P entitled ‘Let Us Pray’, expressed his delight at joining The Bail Music Company. “I had offers from different brands but I opted for this because I trust in the capacity of the brand to help my music.�

38

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž DECEMBER 9, 2017

TEENS

CONNECT

– NKECHI IBENEME 08142358958 – (sms only)

going by the kind of stories we read on a daily basis.

Anger, when uncontrolled becomes devilish and often leads to regrettable yet irreversible actions like culpable homicide; the stories of which daily pervade our media space in recent times. One cannot forget in a hurry the celebrated trial of award winning South African athlete, Oscar Pistorius over the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp; because, she made him ‘angry’. In Nigeria, such stories abound that one does not even know which of it to talk about. However, a few known cases readily come to mind: Titilayo Omozoje Arowolo, a banker murdered by her husband, Ronke Shonde, also murdered by her husband, Oyewole Oyediran stabbed to death by his Lawyer wife while asleep, Bilyamin Bello, stabbed to death by his angry wife while asleep, and just last week, 28-year- old Maureen Adejo who was tortured to death by her ‘angry’ husband. These are just a few out of many reported

cases, who knows how many more that remain unreported till date.

Cases of people treating their domestic helps violently also abound.

We’ve heard of cases of madams making their wards to sit over a burning stove; because, they wet the bed and of others stamping their helps with hot irons; because, they stole and madam was ‘angry’.

Anger is a eeting emotion, but any damage done within that moment, is usually irreversible and sadly so. The fact that you are angry, which you have a right to be, does not permit you to launch an onslaught of verbal and physical abuse on the person that made you angry or worse still, transfer the aggression to an innocent person – there’ve been bizarre stories of parents killing or maiming their own children just to get at spouses who had made them ‘angry’. When anger assumes this dimension, it calls for an urgent need for a mental examination. Not everybody moving around in a nice dress is mentally

Blow B lo the whistle‌..

Whenever W h cases of domestic viol violence, sexual abuse or abuse of any kind happens to you or anyone you know, please, dial this number: *68 *6820# to report it immediately.

– by Sylvia Ignatius

More steps to financial freedom‌ Two weeks ago, we started a series on steps to financial freedom. Here are more tips: r 4QFOE XJTFMZ m :FT 4QFOE wisely. I know not a few teenagers will chuckle at this point. Apart from the fact that a good number of teens are spendthrifts, you will also wonder at how much disposable income you really have. Well‌.he that is faithful in little things will no doubt be great in big things. Instead of spending frivolously, you can invest on worthwhile things or even TBWF :PV XJMM CF BNB[FE BU IPX much your ‘small’ pocket money will amount to; if and when you save part of it. Talk of little drops of water that make an ocean. r (FU B IPMJEBZ KPC m *U JT BO FDPnomic waste to spend your holidays, especially long holidays idling away; watching television, visiting friends and chatting away on social media platforms. Now, nobody says you shouldn’t do any of these but, do not over indulge to the extent that that’s all you ever get to do. Apart from

BEEJUJPOBM JODPNF IPMJEBZ KPCT BMTP FYQPTF POF UP WBMVBCMF PO UIF KPC experience. This equips the teenager for future productivity. r 4FU HPBMT m #FGPSF B CVJMEJOH DPOstruction is undertaken, there must be an architectural design to guide the actual construction. Likewise, in building your life and finance, you must set a goal. A goal is a roadmap UP ZPVS KPVSOFZ UISPVHI MJGF "OZPOF that fails to plan plans to fail; therefore, goal setting is very vital to achieving a successful and financially free life. When setting your goal, ensure you set a smart goal; must be: specific, measurable, achievable and time bound. This way, you could assess your progress and be able to NBLF BEKVTUNFOUT XIFO OFDFTTBSZ r 1VSTVF ZPVS HPBM m " HPBM OP matter how smart is worthless if action is not taken towards its BDUVBMJ[BUJPO 5BLF QSBDUJDBM TUFQT towards achieving your set goals and never relent no matter the obstacles you may encounter along the way. t5P CF DPOUJOVFE

sound and certainly not everybody sitting or living with you is, either. We all need to watch out for the tell tale signs and scamper to safety before we fall victims.

For those who y o the handle at the slightest provocation, there’s a law which frowns at murder or manslaughter (whatever nick name lawyers call it) and which MUST take its full course whenever such a heinous crime is committed. Posterity will also judge such a person, leaving in its trail a stigma that will last beyond a lifetime. Above all else, is the God factor and the fact that there is going to be judgment after death.

How do you defend such actions when the time comes? Because of a eeting moment of ‘madness’, you stand to lose everything, is it really worth it?

Get angry if you will, but, don’t vent using your ďŹ sts or weapons or whatsoever that can cause another grievous bodily harm or emotional pain or even death. You have no such rights!

“

“

A

s humans, we have a right to get angry; why not? We are no saints. Even those that try to be saintly cannot achieve 100% sainthood because they live amongst fellow humans and have adrenalin pumping through their system. As long as you are breathing, you are bound to get angry once in a while. However, the ability to control oneself when angry is what deďŹ nes an individual.

From time, there have been stories of people who got killed or maimed because someone around them got angry. These sort of unfortunate stories have become even more prevalent and more widely spread since the advent of cell phones and social media.

In recent times, our media (traditional and new) have been awash with story after story of anger killings happening in the least expected place – the home. The home used to be a place of safety, but that is fast being eroded

Get angry, but ‌.

“Do not wait for things to happen – make them happen�. – Anonymous

Talk toJudy

Hi guys! My name is Judy. I am here to share your problems with you. Trust me to proffer solutions to those mind boggling problems you wouldn’t dare share with friends, siblings, parents or anyone else.

A lot of people; teenagers alike, hurt secretly with problems they can’t discuss openly for fear of being judged. You may hide your identity if you wish, but do write in and let’s discuss that problem. It is not healthy to bottle up problems. Moreover, problems shared are problems half solved. Or, you think no one

cares? I do care!

I will be here every week to help you solve that problem. But, I can’t, if you don’t talk about it, so do write in. you never know, what you call a problem may just be a normal growing up experience. *****Send your mails to: teensconnectmag@gmail.com. Subject: Dear Judy.

You can also like our facebook page: www. facebook.com/teensconnectmag. r0S WJTJU PVS XFCTJUF XXX UFFOTDPOOFDUNBH DPN

39

DECEMBER 9, 2017SS ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

Towards a better Nigeria Following the opinion poll conducted by TEENS CONNECT; teenagers lend their voices to the discourse on what the Nigerian government should do to make the country a better place:

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 9, 2017

ฮ ห อบอธอนอฟ หพ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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POLSCOPE

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 9, 2017

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356

Like an Angry Masquerade, Okorocha Canticles... is Knocking Everything Down Mainagate: When Will

I

t is Okorocha again! He is in the news, and as usual, for the wrong reason.

Last Monday, he swore in 28 new commissioners. One of them is his biological sister, Mrs Ogechi Ololo (nee Okorocha). It is not so much that Okorocha threw expediency aboard and appointed his sister into his cabinet, it is rather on the office/ ministry he had to desperately create for his sister: the ministry of Happiness and Couples’ Fulfilment. It is strange and banal.

But seeing the volume of criticisms the creation had attracted, the Imo government quickly tweaked the name of the ministry to read, Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment”, claiming it was printer’s devil. (Devil don suffer) In an era when governance is taking slimmer shape and lesser weight, His Excellency, Governor Rochas Anayo Okorocha is not only running a large cabinet, he is even creating more ministries, some of which are not only nebulous but outlandish.

But in defence of the creation of the ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment, the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Mr Nnamdi Obiareri argued that it is not only within the prerogative of his principal to create more and more ministries, as he dims fit, citing Sections 1 and 92 (subsection 2) of the 1999 constitution as amended, he pointed out that “What the Governor of Imo State has done, in creating the Ministry of Happiness and Couples’ Fulfilment, is to be able to assist Imo people to realise happiness which is the very primary essence of government”.

From Obiareri’s queer logic, it is to be understood that until now, Okorocha’s government had not achieved the “primary essence of government”, more than six and a half years in office! It means that all along, Imo people have not been happy; and that appointing her younger sister into such a “crucial ministry” will rewrite the experience of Ndi Imo. I am not surprised that Okorocha is just realising that he needs to reconcile with his Imo electorate. He had long disconnected from the people by whose authority he’s been in office.

How did he expect them to be happy when he forced the hapless and helpless pensioners to sign off over 60 per cent of their pensions and anything more than 13 months? How would such pensioners be happy with a governor who is riding roughshod over their finances and future?

How did he expect the poor traders at Ekeukwu market to be happy with him when he rolled out tanks and bulldozers to demolish the market from where the traders eke out their daily living? How did he expect the traders to be happy with a government that not only denies them their source of livelihood but also kills their children who dare to protest?

How did Okorocha expect the larger Imo people to be happy when he neglects the decaying infrastructure in the state and instead chooses to expend the whopping sum of N520 million on erecting eight, yes eight, statues in honour of South African President, Mr Jacob Zuma and co? And that is in a state where teachers and other civil servants are owed many months of unpaid salaries.

How did Gov Okorocha expect the people to be happy when he runs and exhibits high scale hedonism (like celebrating his birthday with an array of 27 cakes from across all the 27 local government areas of the state)?

And pray, how would the people be happy when Okorocha, in defiance of propriety has been appointing family members into choice positions in the state? Yes, blood relations are entitled to appointments too, but moderation and expediency must dictate some balance.

Okorocha presently has several members of his family in one position or the other in the state. It is even rumoured(?) that he has presently groomed the present Chief of Staff, his son-in-law, Mr Uche Nwosu, as his successor.

The younger sister he just appointed commissioner had also been (and remains) Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor on Domestic affairs in Government House.

It may well be that Okorocha has eventually realised that he has sinned on all fronts and come short of the pleasure of his people and has thus devised special means of making them smile a little by creating Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment. But how exactly is he going to do this? Did he merely create the ministry to accommodate his sister, so it can be in her CV as an ex-commissioner? Is the state financially stable to accommodate the bogey of another ministry with all the concomitant consequences? How exactly would that ministry generate and dish out happiness to the people?

Is it not from the policies and projects of the government that the people derive their well-being and happiness? Nigerians are eagerly watching to see what Mrs Ololo will do with her new tasks.

Gov Okorocha, in an attempt to help his sister, has set her on the eye of angry storm.

She has begun defending and defining her job description. According to her first public comment (on social media) embroidered with grammatical stress, “in a time were couple divorce is at an all-time high, I will use my good office to ensure couples in Imo will be fulfilled and serve as an example to the world.” Hmmmm. I know of no statistics that puts Imo State on the top chart of divorce.

Besides the flurry of grammar glitches, it shows that contrary to the blame on “printer’s devil”, the ministry is indeed targeted at couples.

Ololo may have also betrayed poor temperament in dealing with the public.

She seems foul-mouthed and determined to respond to every jab. In responding to a tweet which asked what the sin of the Imo people is, for them to be so embarrassed by Okorocha, she responded: “the SIN that your mama committed by not swallowing that sperm that was wasted on your production. Anofia, Onye beribe, zombie! “ So again, how does Mrs Ololo want to promote fulfilment among couples or purpose fulfilment among the people?

Which purpose are they even talking about?

It sounds like some Pentecostal Church revival theme. Nigerians wait for how she will make hungry and jobless couples happy and fulfil their purpose.

It may well end up as governmental experiment, from which the world will learn, if it succeeds. But until then, Okorocha comes across like an angry and disgruntled masquerade knocking everything down on his way to an inglorious end.

Okorocha

Malami Be Sacked?

I

heard that Mr. President would deal decisively with the Mianagate and punish all implicated persons when he returns from Jordan.

So is he still in Jordan? As we speak, he is in Daura, his town. Please ignore all rumours of President Buhari having an action plan on anything.

He is the typical Baba Go-slow or what some foul-mouthed persons call a push-and-start president.

Haba, be fair to Mr. President. If only you know the myriad of problems associated with governing this country, you will appreciate the little or much impact you are seeing. Or do you think it is for nothing that all of Fashola’s hair has gone grey within two years?

Stop defending them and giving excuses for them. Didn’t they opt to contest? Or did Nigeria suddenly become complex after they won elections? Look, it is a problem of being proactive. It is a disease of lethargy.

The President is too slow. He allows things to get irretrievably spoilt before he eventually acts. And it is hurting his public rating.

I think it is your own opinion. Many others believe that Mr President takes his time to boot, so to speak, and as soon as he is activated on any line of action, it is action all the way. You can see the example on the fight against corruption.

his entry into or exit from the country, the SSS gives him cover and protection, and he not only resumes work, he gets promoted and paid huge sum of N22million salary arrears, even though the Federal government denied the payment. Surely all animals are equal but some are more equal. Gosh… such a number one Law officer of a country having severely compromised his office, is no longer deserving of such high office.

Remember that all these were voluntarily confessed. Corruption is not only when money is stolen. This is a clear case of corruption. And more than two months after,

And that exactly is the example where he is failing most. Do you realise how long it took him to eventually sack Mr. Grasscutter, aka David Babachir Lawal and Ayo Oke, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and DG NIA, respectively? Malami And can you see also the way the all such persons are still in office, spending case of Abdulrasheed Maina is going from the public treasury…. Hey, what else is along with his cohorts like the Minister impunity and corruption? of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, the Can’t you see that these people in the Minister of Interior, Gen Abdulrahman notorious cabal operate with the Paulean Dambazau (rtd), the Head of Civil service, philosophy: If Mr president be for me, who Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita? By now, shouldn’t can be against me? the president have done something more No, no, no. Don’t go there. Mr President convincing that he is not on the same page belongs to no one and belongs to everyone. He with the Maina supporters? does not compromise on his integrity. Anyone But have you forgotten that as soon as found wanting on anything shall have to go the scandal broke, Mr President ordered for it. the immediate sack of Maina from the civil service? Did you not read that? Isn’t that the So when will Malami and co go for the proactiveness you are talking about? crime they have committed?

What is the crime and which court of law Complete the story. And Mr President has pronounced them guilty? Or do you think ordered a probe into how Maina got the National Assembly is equal to the Court reinstated in the service. And ever since, of law? a big can of worms has been opened and You see, it is such pedantic arguments the rot thereof spilling out, what has Mr that are slowing us down as a country.

President done?

You see this all-glaring case, and you are For the number one law officer of a country asking for court of law pronouncement? to carry himself to go visit a “fugitive” in a Yes, the court has to pronounce them guilty foreign land, expending public/government or innocent. It is called legal due process. That money for such a trip, and going along with is what the rule of law says. even the National Security Adviser of a Pray, whose money did Malami and co country, based on the advice of the DG, SSS; use in travelling to Dubai? Was it in pursuit all to go discuss with a man indicted by an of government interest or the pursuit of the agency of government who is fleeing from cabal’s agenda/interest? Nigerians are angry justice. just ponder on these things. Can you and fuming that some people believing that reconcile all the nonsense?

And then such a number one officer, returns they control Mr President and so can take the rest of Nigerians for a ride. They sell-short our to the country and takes it upon himself collective intelligence. to write letters and letters “directing” the Calm down! The law will run its full course. reinstatement of that same accused fellow, And I can assure you that anyone found guilty over whose head hangs a court order…. The would not be spared. Though it tarries, it shall chief law officer deliberately misinterprets a surely come to pass. Trust me! court judgment that faulted the manner of invitation to Maina by the Senate, and makes it How can I trust you with these weird look like the court absolved Maina. arguments of yours?

President Buhari is listening. When he Then they arrange for the quiet return of is convinced all due processes have been that same fleeing fugitive into the country followed, he will slam the hammer on the through an illegal route, as the nation’s gavel. And he will not slam amiss. immigration service does not have record of

DECEMBER 9, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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FASHION FILE

MORAFA SS18

“GRANDIOSITY” Collection

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 9, 2017

FASHION FILE

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

“GRANDIOSITY” Collection

G

randiosity refers to an unrealistic sense of superiority,a sustained view of oneself as better than others that causes the narcissist to view others with disdain or as inferior as well as to a sense of uniqueness.The belief that few others have anything in common with oneself and that one can only be understood by a few or very special people.

The first time Seun Morafa encountered it was years ago when a close friend of his started having grandiose illusions, “he felt like royalty,always “picturing” himself as a king. At first I didn’t understand until I realized it was a mental problem, although tragic,I from his big g drew inspiration p g

imaginations.

Grandiosity can mean superiority, royalty, elegance. I want anyone who ever wears any of these designs to be able to see themselves as someone of importance,value and self worth,” he declared About the Creative director Seun Morafa was born on the 25th of May 1991. He is from Ijebu ode,Ogun state,Nigeria.He is the Creative Director and Designer of the clothing label, MORAFA MORAFA is a menswear and women’s wear brand that deals with the production of the best Bespoke p tailored wears with

a perfect finishing of the finest and most exclusive fabrics The brand was founded by Seun & Ayo Morafa in 2014. located in Lagos and also in the United States.

Credits Photo/Creative direction: Adebayo Jolaoso Designer: Morafa Styling: Stylenorme Models: Taiwo Oshibote, Niyi Ayeni, David Adole, Chris Akin, Mayowa Olarinmoye, Amanda Obaseki Make up: Fisolami Sodei ind de Sodeinde

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍżËœ

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

Trustee, Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative (LAIE ),Mr Peter Boyo; Trustee, LAIE, Mrs Tolulope Akande Sadipe; Permanent Secretary, OďŹƒce of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Yetunde Odejayi; First Lady of Oyo State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi; Chairperson, LAEI, Prince Gbenga Oguntayo and Founder,LAIE, Dr. Ama Onyerinma during LAIE’s Gala and Award Night in Lagos recently

A cross section of LG Electronics representatives and Kuje General Hospital sta , during LG Electronics CSR donation to Kuje General Hospital in Abuja recently

P&G Strategy Raises Hope for Industrialisation Agenda Until recently, Nigeria has been languishing in economic recession which has affected its level of trade and manufacturing activities.

Among many other factors, the major influencers of the economic meltdown as identified by economists are Nigerians’s penchant for foreign goods as well as limited grounds to expand export earnings and production base as a result of heavy reliance on crude oil.

This is why government’s efforts to diversify the economy by encouraging and improving local production and promoting interest in made-in-Nigeria products suddenly received a boost.

The efforts and initiatives deployed to address the country’s economic woes might be paying off.

For instance, a report says that Nigeria has

LG Reaches Out to Abuja Community Multinational technology firm, LG Electronics, has strengthened its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, gesture in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as it blessed Kuje General Hospital with products to further improve health care delivery in the community.

The gesture is a continuation of the company’s CSR drive to improve quality of lives in its efforts to enhance health care delivery in the state.

Items donated to the centre included some units of All New Gencool Inverter Air Conditioners, Jet Cool Air Conditioners as well as numerous treated mosquito nets.

Presenting the items, Head of Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Hari Krishna Elluru, noted that the initiative was in fulfilment of its commitment to enhance health care delivery services in Nigeria. “We have remained competitive while improving sustainability; we have enabled investment and innovations required to deploy new technologies and to safely and responsibly develop progressive products. We strongly believe that our donations here today will improve the service delivery in the hospital and provide the enabling environment for the patients.�

Also speaking at the presentation ceremony, Manager, Fouani Nigeria Limited, Mr. Morhaf Ghazaly, reiterated LG’s determination to impact the nation’s health sector.

He said, “It is my firm belief that the items being donated will go a long way in empowering this health facility as well as the people of this community in their quest to enjoy sound health by empowering the hospital staff to do their jobs more efficiently.�

moved up 24 places in the Ease of Doing Business ranking to emerge among top 10 most improved economies in the world in 2017 while its Gross Domestic Product, GDP recorded 1.4 per cent growth in third quarter of 2017.

More to reckon with is the amount of capital importation into the country which stood at $4.145 billion in the Q3 of 2017, more than double the inflow in the second quarter of the year as stated by National Bureau of Statistics and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Although the federal government has not relented in its effort to make the Nigerian economy a productive one rather than being consumption driven, the rate at which industrial raw materials are being imported into the country has continued to be a setback to this effort.

The federal government in the 3rd quarter of 2016 set up the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) to look into the various ways of enhancing business operations and to empower citizens through employment in the areas of sourcing and processing of raw materials, to bolster the overall growth of the economy and ensure that the nation becomes self-reliant.

Yet, statistics from the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) reveal that Nigeria spent N5.89 trillion on the importation of raw materials in 2016 alone, thus, bringing the total sum spent on the importation of primary raw materials into the country in seven years to N19.5trn. On the average, the country spent N2.79trn every year within this period.

This trend has continued to be a major hindrance to the manufacturing sector which

Artyrama Hosts Digital Art Gallery Africa’s premier online gallery, Artyrama is set to host an experiential digital art gallery, launching a collection of contemporary African art by 10 emerging artists curated by renowned art critic, Jess Castellote.

The art firm has also announced plans to host its first offline digital gallery which will avail guests and customers the privilege to physically experience its colossal digital catalogue.

The highly anticipated exhibition which holds today and tomorrow will feature original works created by a new wave of pioneering urban artists from across the country.

The event will showcase latest works of popular artists like Dipo Doherty, Ayobola Kekere-Ekun, Tunde Alara, Ifedoyin Shotunde, Promise O’Nali, Ken Nwadiogbu, John Madu, Abba Makama and Stacey Ravvero.

With exclusive original paintings and limited edition prints, the emerging artist theme has been explored in its broadest sense, the artists’ inspirations range from current day realities of living in Nigeria, nature, a re-imagined future and dreams.

Speaking on the programme, Curator and Art Critic, Jess Castellote stated: “The gallery is not a gallery in the traditional sense as it exists online, this pop up will be the first of many Artyrama exhibitions where each exhibition and location is curated around a theme.

Every piece of artwork on display has a strong concept and technique, which creates beautiful visual pieces to be enjoyed by everyone. “We have purposely selected a range of pieces for all budgets

to encourage the existing and new enthusiasts to be at the forefront of the new movement of contemporary art.�

Another attraction promised at the event is an Art Advisory clinic where interested guests will have the privilege to consult with art experts, talk through artwork and share industry insight on investing in art.

needed to source its raw materials locally to grow and for consumers to also enjoy affordable prices of commodities.

Realising that government alone cannot change the fate of manufacturers in the country, leading consumer product company, Procter& Gamble Nigeria, has continued to sponsor initiatives targeting sector growth, thus complementing the federal government economic development agenda.

The brand has committed over 500 million dollars to support industrialisation in the country. These funds have been deployed in the construction of her two manufacturing plants such that its produces its products close to consumers; there is localisation of manpower, and the growth of Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which is incorporated into the supply chain of the organisation.

Yudala Expands, Opens New Offline Store Online and offline e-commerce company, Yudala, is ramping up its investment in the retail segment of the economy as its announced yet another offline marketplace which is situated at its corporate headquarters in Gbagada, Lagos.

The new market will operate weekly and promised to offer shoppers variety of genuine products at their best prices.

According to the company, the new store which is open for business every Saturday has on display a wide range of product categories including cosmetics, home and kitchen appliances, computing, electronics, mobile phones, wines and spirits.

Others are fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) such as rice, vegetable oil, beverages, cereals and other items from a host of premium brands.

The market which was opened amidst pomp and ceremony attracted shoppers from different parts of Lagos State including Anthony Village, Oworonshoki, Bariga, Ikeja, Oshodi and Maryland.

Expressing his experience, one of the shoppers, Mr. Nathan Ikechukwu, said, “I came here with my wife specifically to get a feel of the marketplace which Yudala had promised. I was not disappointed. There were so many products to choose from and at very good prices too. In addition to buying some muchneeded items for Christmas such as bags of rice, oil and some wines; my wife was equally able to buy a number of cosmetics for herself. We will certainly be returning here next Saturday to get more items.�

The event was spiced up with performances from ace comedian Akpororo, supported by a strong cast of entertainers including Mr. Patrick, Laff Doctor, Memory Card, among others who were on ground to thrill attendees to an exciting time.

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T H I S D AY SATURDAY DECEMBER 9 2017

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NEWSXTRA

NNPC Lists NLNG Train-7 among Top Priority Projects for 2018

Chineme Okafor inAbuja After years of waiting on the sidelines, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Friday said it would concentrate most of its investment efforts in 2018 on some mega oil and gas projects including the Train-7 of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas Ltd. (NLNG).

NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, stated in London when he received an award conferred on him by Forbes Magazine, that asides the expansion of the NLNG train, the corporation would also concentrate its investment efforts on the Bonga South West/Aparo, Zaba-Zaba, and Bosi deep-water projects, as well as other critical gas projects and gas pipelines.

Baru, also said a possible divestment of the federal government’s equity in the Joint Venture (JV) and development of modular refineries were amongst the investments the corporation would undertake in the coming year.

A statement from NNPC’s Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja, contained this. It also noted Baru’s call on foreign investors to partner with the NNPC in these multi-billion dollar projects.

Recently at the World LNG Summit in Portugal, the Managing Director of NLNG, Mr. Tony Attah, stated that the company was making steady progress on the Final Investment Decision (FID) NLNLG Train 7.

According to Reports, the Train 7 would upon its completion increase NLNG’s annual production capacity from its current capacity of 22 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 30mtpa.

Notwithstanding, Baru, stated the NNPC would be aggressive in its investment plans for 2018, and would require international collaboration. “Our programme for 2018 is very aggressive and will require cooperation from the international community in supporting our activities through technical and financial collaboration,� said Baru.

He added: “Today, the confidence of investors is being restored, thanks to good governance provided by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. I therefore call on you all to utilise this golden opportunity made possible by our supportive president.�

He also stated that the NNPC had in the last three years harvested about $3.7 billion in alternative financing agreements from its business collaborations with international investors. He said this was aimed at sustaining and increasing Nigeria’s daily oil production.

According to him, the alternative financing approach had yielded positive results and improved Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Nigeria.

He equally stated that the alternative financing arrangement had deepened the participation of local banks in funding the upstream oil and gas sector considering that the funds were syndicated from both local

FOR SECURE TRANSACTION ...

L-R: Deputy Director, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Francis Wasa; MD, Global Accelerex, Mr. Tunde Ogungbade; Ex-Chairman, Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum, CBN, Mr. Emmanuel Obaigbona; Director, Marketing, Global Accelerex, Mr. Obiora Atuokwu and Executive Director, Operations, Global Accelerex, Mr. Stanley Peters, at the POS Innovation Summit held in Ikoyi, Lagos and international banks and lenders.

He commended the local and international lenders and the Joint Venture partners for their continued

faith in Nigeria and their support towards providing the funding.

On the Forbes award to him as the ‘2017 Africa Oil and Gas Man

of the Year’, he said: “This award is so special to me. It is an award to Nigeria which fills me with immense national pride. It also reinforces the

long-established and far-reaching impact of the NNPC in national, regional and global economic growth and stability.�

Dokpesi: APC Destroying Nigeria’s Falola Recommends Measures for Foundation for Growth Revamping Nigerian Varsities Emmanuel Ugwu inUmuahia

Chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Raymond Dokpesi has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of systematic destruction of the foundation laid by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the economic and political growth of Nigeria.

He stated this at Umuahia when he visited the state chapter of PDP to campaign for the votes of Abia delegates to the party’s national convention slated for December 9, 2017 at the Abuja the nation’s federal capital territory.

The media mogul insisted that contrary to the vicious propaganda of APC, a solid foundation for growth was laid by PDP during the 16 years the party was in power, adding that

instead of building on the foundation APC led administration has been busy destroying what it met on ground.

He noted that the APC government had been destroying the fabrics of national growth, unity and cohesion and “everybody is now weeping� after being deceived into accepting the deceptive change mantra.

Dokpesi also faulted the war on corruption as being waged by APC, saying that it was fraught with insincerity, double standard and pretence.

He cited the Maina gate to buttress the pretence in the corruption fight, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari, attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami and the minister of the interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzau were

all involved in the cover-up.

According to him, after accusing PDP administration of being clueless, corrupt, the APC had been manifesting all those tags as Nigerians have come to know that the ruling party lacked any clear vision or idea of what should be done to fix Nigeria.

He said that things had become so bad that APC controlled states “are experiencing retardation� while states run by PDP are doing far better thereby showing that APC could never perform better than PDP. Dokpesi, who was in Abia for the second time in his quest to become the national chairman of PDP, said that there was need to rebuild, rejuvenate, reconstruct and rebrand the former ruling party, adding that he remained the best qualified to reposition the party.

An updated and strategically laid out curricular, proper and appropriate choice of faculty members, positive, result-orientated drilling (mentoring), adoption of digital technology into teaching and research and introduction of entrepreneurial skills/vocational courses that were derived from a long analysis and reflections were the five measures Prof Toyin Falola of University of Texas, Austin recommended for preparing graduates for the workplace.

Falola made this submission while delivering the 7th convocation lecture at the Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), Akungba Akoko, Ondo State on Thursday.

The lecture was entitled, 'Nigerian Universities and Youth Empowerment'.

He called on the Nigerian universities to treat students properly and be responsible to their duties.

Falola also encouraged students, parents and proprietors of Nigerian university (both Private and Public) to learn and strive to be up and doing, and be responsible to themselves.

"It has been argued for the umpteenth time that many of these students lack purpose in life; have erred due to peer groups; are myopic; are unfocused; and have misplaced priorities. The university alone cannot attend to all these vicissitudes. Thus, the student themselves must be willing to change for good. In a similar vein, parents of these students must also be watchful of and conversant with their progress.

Proprietors of Nigerian public and private universities—federal government, state governments, and individuals— should also be committed to the funding of university education. They must realize that this education is a lifetime project and its benefits are not exhaustive," he counselled.

He also opined that alternative degree formats by making skills into vocationally oriented degree courses should be explored.

According to Falola who is also the Jacob Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities in many advanced countries in the world, skills like photography, fashion designing, shoemaking, graphic design and printing among others were already being taught as vocationally oriented degree courses.

Corruption: We Are Part of the Problem, Says CSOs

Ex-Minister Ofonagoro: Only Restructuring Can Ensure Nigeria's Progress

Adedayo AkinwaleinAbuja

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have admitted their complicity in the high level of corruption that has permeated the Nigerian society, saying they had helped the corrupt to build narrative.

The Convener of Say No Campaign, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu disclosed this in Abuja at the CSOs/media roundtable on the anti-corruption commitments of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Develop-

ment (Centre LSD).

According to him, “we need to run away from the narrative of the corrupt. We are part of the problem; we help the corrupt to build the narrative.

Somebody is arrested for corruption; it is civil society who will be saying that the government is selective. It is amazing that it is the civil society that will first standout. Is the man pleading his innocence? We are the one who under the guise of human rights come on presumption of innocence.�

He added; “It is important that the narrative of the corrupt is taking

away from civil society and begin to push that even if this government or any other government is selective, let that man go to court and proof his innocence. “My problem is not selectivism; my problem is your innocence. We need to reset that mindset that says that let the corrupt be the one to be saying I am not corrupt and the court is the place to do so. It is only in Nigeria that a criminal is seeking appointment with the president, to explain and give president information, what is the court meant for?� Nwagu asked.

Former minister of Information, Prof Walter Ofonagoro has called for the restructuring of Nigeria, saying that it held the key to Nigeria's progress and development.

The former minister who was a guest lecturer at Paul University, Awka, where he delivered the institution's 3rd convocation lecture said there was need to renegotiate Nigeria and run a post-colonial government, different from what the country was bequeathed by its colonial masters.

Speaking on the topic: the imperative of restructuring the Nigerian federation for greater stability, unity and peace, Ofonagoro charged President Muhammad Buhari to seek change, especially being one who is a product of change mantra.

He said, "My paper is no invitation to seccession, we are not talking about how to break Nigeria, but to make Nigeria better.

"Buhari came to power on the mantra of change and he should be amenable to change. We have to negotiate how to run a post-colonial

government, different from what our colonial master left us."

The former minister in his lecture went down memory lane, taking close look at each regime in the country's history and some of the policies fashioned out by them and how they affected the nation.

He accused top military officers as those against the restructuring of Nigeria, saying that they felt that having been bequeathed Nigeria the same way, they have the duty of protecting her and handing her over to the next generation the same way.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚;

49

Edo Govt., CBN Vote N500m to de-risk Agric Investments The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has inaugurated a nine-man committee to oversee the N500 million Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS) initiated in alliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to de-risk investments in agriculture in the state.

Obaseki inaugurated the committee headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Prince Joe Okojie, at the Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

He said the programme, which was set up by the Federal Govern-

ment through the CBN, was aimed at providing credit for agricultural transactions in the state, stressing that the scheme was critical to his administration’s agricultural initiatives.

He said members of the committee were selected based on their expertise and accomplishments, noting that it was not another avenue for political patronage.

He emphasised that the idea was to support large scale commercial agriculture so that their growth would stimulate and scale up activities of small scale farmers. “Time, experience and technology

are very important in agriculture.

We need to engage the services of consultants and experts to work with the committee and use the advantage of the dry season to our benefit,� he said.

Governor Obaseki said the committee members would serve as monitoring team and manage funds from the CBN to guarantee its judicious use by farmers across the three senatorial districts.

He stressed that government was not interested in agribusiness to start farms, but only interested in de-risking the process and creating an environment for entrepreneurs

to emerge and thrive.

He said that over N500 million was available from expected funds and the committee’s terms of reference include: to oversee and ensure equitable distribution of fund; promote an efficient and inclusive participation of key stakeholders; ensure proper monitoring and evaluation, guarantee integrity of each access to information; ensure fund usage by beneficiaries are in line with the terms of the scheme; monitor the impact and constantly look for ways to improve the probability of reaching the expected result of the scheme.

Be Security Conscious, DG Urges Corps Members Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Suleiman Kazaure has warned corps members proceeding to their places of primary assignment at different part of the country to be security conscious.

Kazaure, who was represented by the Acting Director of Corp Welfare and Inspectorate Department, Mrs. Josephine Okounghai, said this in Ikot Itie Udung, Nsit Atai Local Government Area on Friday.

He urged the 2017 Batch “B’ Stream 1 corps members that they were their own security operatives and should be security conscious as they were not immune to societal ills He encouraged them to make use of the security tips they received at the camp and warned against late night movement.

He charged the corps members to take their Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training seriously to facilitate employment opportunities on completion of their service year. “I am delighted with what I have seen so far and happy with the report rendered by the State Coordinator within a few months of his arrival here. “I want to commend you, and encourage you to do what you are doing and not get discouraged so that by the time you leave here, you would have left an undeletable

mark in Akwa Ibom “You are your number one security officer. A lot of bad things have been happening to people across the nation. “So you have to be very careful.

There are kidnappers and armed robbers crawling around and you know that corps members are not immune,� Kazaure said.

He challenged the corps members to build on their training and tutelage in the camp as they proceed to their places of primary assignment, and encouraged them to keep their hostels and environment clean.

He commended the State Coordinator of NYSC, the officials and the camp support staff for their efforts towards ensuring a smooth operation of camp activities during the period of the orientation exercise.

The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Oluwale Amusan, lauded the DG for his visit and revealed that 2,255 corps members, comprising 1189 males and 1066 females registered for the exercise He commended the 2017 Batch “B’ Stream 1 corps members, describing them as obedient, patriotic, respectful and diligent.

"All the corps members have been adequately kitted and I have observed considerable improvement in the quality of kit items and various sizes were available," he said.

Lagos, NGO Charge Retirees on Humanitarian Service EMPOWERING FOR SUSTAINANCE...

Omolabake Fasogbon

L-R: Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Sule Kazaure; Coordinator, NYSC Lagos State; Mohammed Momoh; MD/CEO, Gr8jobs, Omomene Odike; Head, Retail Banking, Diamond Bank Robert Giles; and Vice President, Business Development, West, Sigma Pensions, Mabel George, at the oďŹƒcial launch of the NYSC CV bank and job portal Sponsor by Diamond Bank held in Lagos, yesterday‌.

SUNDAY ADIGUN

The Lagos State Government has advised retirees in the state to see retirement as an opportunity to serve the community and give back to the society that has made them.

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adegbule gave the advice at a Christmas carol and send-forth service put together for 2016/2017 retirees by the Lagos State Education District IV. Represented by the Director, Education Resource Centre, Mrs. Kehinde Hazoume, the Deputy Governor while admonishing retirees from the district urged them to make good use of their experience as the reward for hard work is more work.

"I join others to celebrate your diligence, commitment and dedication to service, but be reminded that this

With New Factory, Unilever Buhari Felicitates with Nigeria set to Boost Economy Danjuma at 80 Vanessa Obioha After months of planning and re-strategising, Unilever Nigeria, officially opened its state-of-theart Blue Band factory at Agbara Industrial Estate, Ogun State. Built with innovative manufacturing technology, the ₏10 million factory complements government’s efforts at boosting local investment and making significant contributions to the nation’s economic growth and development. The factory unofficially started production in September.

During the launch, The Executive Vice President, Unilever Ghana Nigeria, Yaw Nsarkoh, said that the Blue Band factory was the latest addition to the various long-term investments Unilever

had made in Nigeria, which would not have been possible without the support of all its stakeholders. “Prior to the siting of this factory we have also had cause to exploit economies of scale and ensure consistent access to reliable sources of raw material input. I am delighted that the result of our painstaking efforts and the support we enjoy from our stakeholders has led to the commissioning of an ultra-modern Blue Band factory today,� he said.

Speaking further, Yaw said "to sustainably serve our consumers, the new Blue Band factory is equipped with the Fast Blending technology.

This technology uses 50% less energy compared to other manufacturing processes that utilise heat exchangers.

FTK Releases New Single 'Spending Money' Adedayo Adejobi

Twin musical brothers, Taiwo Falobi and Kehinde, croners of Gbesoke have hit the music scene again with their new single, “Spending money�, which music lovers and analysts say would be a potential hit.

Ever since the Falobi twins came into Nigeria’s Music three years ago, the talented duo known as FTK have captured the hearts and minds of fans and lovers of popular contemporary music, who have in turn responded to their

energetic music and dexterous on-stage presence with enthusiasm.

Their music is also a regular feature of radio airwaves, as well as online.

Falobi Taiwo & Kehinde are both undergraduates of Mass Communications at Babcock University.

Their double-barreled virtuosity is complemented by their ability to play instruments such as the guitar and lead live bands during their stage performances – especially at mega events such as the Star Trek extravaganza and comedy shows, among others.

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his good wishes to the General Theophilus Danjuma who turned 80 today.

Buhari in a message to Danjuma said the nation was grateful to the retired general for his numerous interventions in the political space to ensure peace, stability and secure a future of one nation. “On behalf of the Federal Executive Council, my family and all Nigerians, please accept my warm felicitations on your 80th birthday. “I share in the grace and joy that comes with this special day, having keenly followed your leadership trajectory over the years in selfless service to the nation, courageous military career and building a

versatile business empire. “As you turn 80 years, the meritorious role you played during the Nigerian civil war easily comes to mind, and as a nation, we are grateful for your numerous interventions in the political space to ensure peace, stability and secure a future of one nation for our children. “I believe your birthday is unique and memorable for the life you live in constantly looking out for the weak and vulnerable among us, which naturally inspired the TY Danjuma Foundation, and more recently, your acceptance to serve as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on North East Initiative,� the message said.

Glo-sponsored Professor Johnbull Adresses Get-rich-quick Syndrome Viewers of the TV drama series, Professor Johnbull, sponsored by Globacom, are billed for another interesting and instructive edition as a new episode of the series comes on air on Tuesday at 8.30. p.m. on NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV Channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes.

The show, which is in its fifth season, the new episode again draws the attention of society to another social malady which is at the base of so much indiscipline in the society;

the tendency, especially by the youth, to make money by all means.

According to Globacom, the episode entitled Get Rich Quick, dramatised the various ways youths compromise societal discipline and values by throwing decency and decorum to the winds in their quest to acquire wealth, adding, “For instance, it points out that most emergency road repairers are actually the ones who dig up the holes on the roads and pretend to be filling them up in order to deceive commuters to give them money�.

is a time you need to re dedicate yourselves to God and service to humanity. You have contributed in no small measures to the programmes and policy designed to realise the vision of functional and quality education in the state.

"I want you to know that this is the beginning of a new phase in your life, you may have retired but you should not be tired to continue to impact lives positively".

She further urged teachers to continue to cooperate with the government in the implementation of education programmes and policies in the state.

In her address, the Tutor General/, Permanent Secretary, Education District IV, Mrs. Lola Are Adegbite, congratulated the retirees and urged them to take good advantage of their new phase of life.

CHI Limited Honoured at 2017 Guardian Awards Chi Limited, manufacturers of juices, dairy products and snacks was recently honoured at the Guardian Manufacturing Excellence Award 2017 for its commitment to excellence driven by consumer focus, creativity, superior product innovation and strategic marketing.

The company said it through its Chivita Juices once again reaffirmed its consumer preference and leadership position by clinching the Beverage Manufacturing Company of the Year Award.

Chi Limited offers some of the most innovative fruit juice brands on the market shelf like Chivita 100%, Chivita Active, Chi Exotic, Happy Hour by Chivita, Chi Ice Tea and Capri-Sonne. Chivita Juices aren't just great tasting drinks that refresh the body; they are also the choice of the health-conscious.

Chi Limited’s world class, state of the art manufacturing facility deploys

the most advanced processing and packaging technology available anywhere in the world.

50

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î , 2017

VINTAGE

With Traders’ Rae, Ugwuanyi Gives Enterprise a Shot in the Arm Laurence Ani

onday, November 6, 2017, was a special day in the diary of events in the Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny in Rivers State. It was the day the Federal Government of though the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing interacted with the Major House in Port Harcourt Loosely fashioned after the UK National Sport Lottery, the Enugu State Traders Empowerment Scheme is proving to be a potent micro-economic spur. Its success derives in part from the fact that winners reinvest the N50,000 won into their businesses, and largely due to the transparency that has characterized the entire process since its launch in February.

Various economic indices showing the policy’s success have emerged since its launch in February, dousing scepticism some might have nursed about the programme that benefits one hundred traders monthly. Such statistics offer a strong sense of validation. Yet, none can be more reassuring than the personal experiences of individuals whose lives are impacted by social and economic policies.

For traders in Enugu, the raffl f e that produces one hundred winners monthly couldn’t have come at a better time. And you could, in fact, glimpse that on the beneficiaries’ faces. “I was very happy when I got a call that I had won fifty thousand Naira,� said Agbaedo Ignatius, a carpenter at Obolo Afor, beaming as he held his dummy cheque aloft and noting his surprise when he arrived and was issued a cheque for the amount. “My prayer is for God to bless the governor the way he always remembers the poor.�

It was a similarly ecstatic story for Ifeanyi Ugwu, a trader at Orie Orba Market, one of the 37 markets hosting the raffl f e. “This sum will help boost my stock of goods. You can’t imagine how happy I am,� he said, urging the writer to visit his groceries store to gauge how the earning has impacted his business. He had lately been exceeding the grace period to

Gov. U Ugwuanyi with the one hundredth winner of the Traders Empowerment rae

pay for items supplied to him on credit, prompting threats from the suppliers to discontinue such gesture. The fifty thousand naira raffl f e prize helped him offset previous deficits and gain fresh supplies.

For Ginika Omeke, a 26-year-old seamstress, the story was no less remarkable. Erratic public power supply means disruptions to her daily operations. Such disruptions are often costly as her customers, frustrated by the long wait resulting from the frequent outage, simply move to other shops whose owners have back-up power generators. Her determination to procure one with whatever little savings she could muster never came to fruition.

Until now. “The governor’s initiative will help businesses grow,� she said, flashing a demure smile. “This money would enable me to buy a generator and also some important materials that I could hitherto not afford.�

Ten months later, the initiative has been held in 10 markets across the state’s three senatorial districts and produced its one thousandth winner as the draw moved to Afor Awkunanaw at Garki Market, located on the southern fringe of Enugu metropolis on November 24.

And the beneficiary, Mr. Onyeka Ogbodo,

remains just as exultant as the raffl f e’s first winner had been. “The N50,000 cash prize will enable me to grow the stock in my shop ahead of Christmas. This is a huge surprise,� he said.

It is in light of this capacity to target and transform small businesses that Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s traders’ raffl f e programme finds its greatest appeal and resonance, a point underscored by a massive rally organized by traders few months ago in the governor’s honour. “The scheme was designed to empower our market men and women and also boost economic activities in the state,� the governor noted during the flag-off at Ogbete Main Market, Enugu.

The rally, said Mr. Temple Udeh, president-general of the Enugu State Amalgamated Market Traders Association, was organised to thank the Enugu State governor for his policies that have helped businesses flourish and in appreciation of the harmonious relationship he has so far had with traders in the state.

The traders who praised Governor Ugwuanyi for enthroning peace and security in Enugu State and working hard to end the fractious relationship that typically exist among leaders of various market unions, also pronounced a unani-

mous endorsement for him ahead the 2019 elections, saying that “nothing will make us change our stand�.

Although g some may y consider it absurd to laud elected offficials for p performing g their statutory y responsibilities, p however in a clime where the capacity p y to carry y out such function is on a perpetual p p decline the gesture takes on an increasingly g g y compel p ling g tone. The traders realize this too, a point evident in Udeh’s statement that p “traders have never had it so good�. g But more g good times lie ahead, ap pparently, p y with plans p for a credit scheme for traders being g contemplated p by y the Ugwuanyi g y administration. The g governor disclosed at a forum with traders held mid-year y that his administration is currently y discussing g with financial institutions and international corporations p on ways y of extending g easier and more convenient lines of credit and other facilities to traders in the state to assist them grow g their various businesses. Gov. Ugwuanyi g y also added that the government g is also making g efforts to upgrade pg the capacity p y of the Enugu g State Marketing g Company p y to arrange g special p import p services for traders in the state.

So the traders’ rafffle is by y no means a populist p p programme. p g It is consistent with the governor’s g vision to create wealth and boost p private enterprise p in the state which had long g lived with the unflattering g tag g of a civil service economy. y That, plus p the desire to transform Enugu g into the SouthEast region’s g economic hub are g goals the governor has p g pursued p passionately y since his inauguration, g a dream brought g closer to fruition with the landing g of the first international cargo g aircraft at the Enugu Airport p a little over one year y ago. g It’s worth stating g that the remarkable development p seen so far in Enugu g has occurred despite p the allocation from the federation account where it receives one of the least amount disbursed to states each month. The g governor in modesty, y attributes the state’s economic stability y to providence p as highlighted g g in his p popular p q quip: p “Enugu g State is in the hands of God.� But there is no doubt too that the impressive p indicators stem from p prudent deployment p y of resources and sheer g genius of creating g wealth. –Ani, fformerly y editor off ThisDay, y The Saturday y Newspaper p p and later Saturday Telegraph, lives in Enugu

QRC Abuja Alumnae Celebrates Friendship, Achievement Sam Ekpe

T

o celebrate the launch of its Abuja j Chapter, p former students of Queen of the Rosary y College g (QRC), Onitsha, Anambra State, last week, g gathered in Abuja j to enjoy j y a beautiful gala g and awards night festivities.

It was an evening g to remember for all who attended with the availability y of overflowing g food, drinks, and merriment for the QRC Alumnae, who alongside g their invited g guests, friends, and families g gathered to celebrate the glory g y and academic excellence of their Alma Mater, QRC. The event was graced g by y many y dignitarg ies including g Senator David Mark. The six awardees of the Selfless Service Award in recognition g for their contribution to the growth and development g p of the country y were Dr. Joy y Emodi, Justice Mary y Odili, Senator Hope p Uzodinma, Chief Gordian Oranika, Engr. g Chief Charles Mbanefo and Mrs. Marian Ali. Besides an evening g of fun and reunion, the event was a platform p to address issues concerning g students’ and teachers’ welfare, and p perhaps, p p proffer superior p solutions to the identified challenges. g The chairperson p of the Abuja j chapter, p Roseline Nwosu, in her welcome address said it became imperative p for the members to strengthen g unity y and friendship p that had existed amongst them for decades.

She said the national leadership of the

association, had during g the diamond jjubilee celebration earlier in October at the school premises in Onitsha, directed all state p chapters p to replicate p same to strengthen g bonds of friendship p and discuss sustainable way y forward for the school. “This, p perhaps, p informed our gathering g g as Abuja j alumnae members, so we could freely interact with each other and also discuss matters that concern our individual welfare and our former school, which we are all proud to be identified with,� she said.

She was impressed p that her former school mates had continued to blaze the trail in virtually y every y sectors of Nigerian g economy, which, according g to her, was a function of the good g education and moral training they received from the school.

Chairman of the occasion, Senator Mark, said he was impressed p with the strength, g unity y and love, that had existed among g the former school mates, which, he said, was responsible p for the individual and collective growth recorded thus far in the school.

He challenged them to keep up with the good work, as it will go a long way in bridging the gap between the ex-students and current students as well as the management. “I did not pass through QRC because it was not a mixed school, but I am very impressed with the concept and your achievements thus far, as well as the impact you have made in and out of the school. I am left with the only option of supporting you wholeheartedly,� he said.

Mark encouraged the ex-QRC students to freely approach him if need be, for him to help them in one way or another to achieve whatever laudable goals they have set for themselves and the school.

Emordi was grateful to God and the school for the educational foundation she received from the school, hence her commitment to any good course for the school.

She said the award was an encouragement for her re-dedicate herself to the service of God and humanity through education which, she said, is the bedrock of development.

The Chapter media & protocol representative, Lady Chizoba Nwana, said the desire of the QRC Alumnae Abuja Chapter was for the attendees to always remember the event as a stress-free, relaxing, and fun filled evening. The Team Leader, Organizing Committee, Mrs. Nneka Ojuderi thanked everyone in attendance, the able media personnel and promised that the public should y look forward to more rewarding g definitely events by the QRC Alumnae, Abuja Chapter.

51

Î Ëœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PERSPECTIVE

An Open Lett e er to TaďŹ dan Kolawole Abiola

D

ear sir, today marks the start of what you warned me about on my first visit to you at the Port Harcourt prison. A warning you wanted me to pass on to your friend and my father Bashourn MKO Abiola and to your boss General Olusegun Obasanjo. You warned that for as long as General Abacha was in power, your collective days were numbered. You had utmost concern for your boss General Obasanjo and how well he would be able to hold out. Sir, guess what, he did pretty well – he even ended up being president of the Federal Republic for another two terms.

In the 20 years since you left, I have sat back many a times to reflect on our many discussions, especially the all-night tea drinking sessions in the study. Those days will forever remain with me. A real crash course in politics. It was a lot of learning for a 29 year old kid. But learnwell I did, as evidenced from the results of the 1993 June 12th elections.

Sir, I write with a really heavy heart from post events: annulment of the June 12th 1993 elections, your incarceration and the ultimate price you and your friend, my father, had to pay. The post annulment period, I will address in the upcoming documentary Hope Derailed, and I will thus limit this letter to post December 8th 1997 reflections.

Political parties The very first lesson learnt was the need to build a strong political party - one of disciplined leadership and commitment to democratic values. The party, you always emphasised, is the only legitimate organ to challenge the government of the day - one that serves as a check on the abuse of power and the true democratic hope of the people.

Unfortunately it has been very far from the norm in today’s Nigeria.

Our political parties are the most undemocratic institutions in the land.

They don’t stand for any political ideology but can be described as a mixed bag of political interests. We have numerous registered parties with zero internal democracy. We have political parties that merely serve as a means to an end rather

Musa Sheu Yar’adua than serve and build strong lasting institutions/parties. We have leaders that focus on how parties’ best serve their own interest at any given time. This rape of the democratic process goes down to all tiers of governance.

That said, the future isn’t all hopeless.

The political parties in the present day configuration have slowly but surely played themselves out of relevance. The political future is one in which the political parties will not deliver the candidate but one in which the credibility of the candidate delivers the ticket and the party, and not the other way round. The election of President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo and that of Senator Adeleke are a manifestation of this. With a very active social media to create reach and awareness, please expect a lot more of this. For now more than ever, integrity will count! In the not too distant future, the game will give equal opportunity to those committed to serve.

The tribe Since you left, Nigeria is no more WHOLE. We started with ceding the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon. The North East almost virtually lost to a dangerous fanatical cult disguised as religious liberators.

The tribe has gone from being Nigeria to Tribe IPOB, Tribe OPC, Tribe AREWA, Tribe BOKO (for the brief period that they were able to hoist their flag) and Tribe anything and everything in-between.

We have gone from being able to win a presidential election on a MuslimMuslim ticket to a present day reality in which religion is now potentially toxic to our future as a country. The leadership you entrusted our future in, the leadership meant to complete the bridge you spent your political life building, not only doesn’t appear to have the wherewithal not just to complete the job, but they have eroded the foundations you built and left behind. 20 years after the construction of the symbolic bridge out in front of the Shehu Yar’adua Centre, the bridge is leading nowhere. It appears what undoubtedly is a grandiose enough conference centre worthy of carrying your name has been mistaken to be the tribute, and not the symbolism of the bridge up front.

Governance I recall the think tank you put together to brainstorm and develop a blueprint, a road map for our beloved Nigeria.

The teams’ brief included the strategy, planning and execution; a road map. This included an immediate to do list - first 100days, 6months, first year etc. There was a clear thought process that also furthered with the Hope ’93 campaigns.

With the leadership, foresight and the strength of the political machinery you left behind, with the return to civilian rule in 1999, ‘The Yar’adua Group’ was unstoppable. The Obansanjo-Atiku ticket carried the day. The Group have been at the helm of affairs in one way or another at all tiers ever since. I’m sure there are a lot of questions you would like to ask your disciples on the state of the country you left behind, set against your goals and objectives. From the state of our Education, Agriculture, Economic Infrastructure (roads, rail, power etc.),

Security, Health, Religion, Ethnicity, Corruption, Unity and others. Watching from above, you are probably asking yourselves, “where did it all go wrong?�

Due to the lack of time, I will not be able to go into each one of the above with my thoughts but will summarize using Tunde Soyinka’s painting overhead. It really leaves plenty to think about.

The next 20 years In the 20 years since you have been gone, yes I am that many years older, but want to hope equally wiser. Today our 18 – 45 age bracket make up approximately 68% of the population.

There is a whole generation out there that weren’t born and or had not come of age 20 years ago that are now of voting age. A big chunk of them know very little about you, let alone what you really stood for and your role in making sure they live in a democratic Nigeria.

This isn’t just true of you, but applicable to many of our heroes as evident in the UNILAG riots after the ill-advised renaming of the institution by the President Jonathan administration. The dropping of history from the curriculum of our tertiary institutions sure hasn’t helped. Sadly, we have a generation that doesn’t know our history; a generation that has not “enjoyed� Nigeria in anyway shape or form because its leadership has totally failed it; a generation that increasingly questions its loyalty to Nigeria while building an ever closer identification to clan.

This same generation needs the next tier of your disciples to step forward and nurture, direct and create their future; a future in which we rise from a “collabo� of ethnicities to a united TRIBE NIGERIA. The future needs leadership that shares your dreams, hopes, aspirations, vision and foresight, driven by a love for country and loyalty to it; for the sake of our children - your grandchildren - and their kids to come.

Look forward, in shaa Allah, to my next letter.

God bless and as they say, I remain loyal. –Kolawole Abiola presented this piece at the Yar’Adua Center in Abuja on December 8, 2017

What hat Pie iece iec ece ce of In Information Inf nfo fo orm mattio on Di Did id Ti Tin Tinubu in nubu Gi Gif Gift ift ftBuhariinCoted ft Bu Buhari uhari in Co Cot Cote ote te e d’ d’Ivoire? ’Iv Ivo vo oir ire re? e?

Tunde Rahman

I

t was q quite g gratifying y g seeing g President Muhammadu Buhari display p y rare strength and character recently y in Abidjan, j Cote d’Ivoire’s capital. p Strength g because without betraying y g any y sign g of tiredness or weak kness, he was engaged g g in one bilateral meeting after another, lasting g well p past midnight g for the duration of the conference. And character as evident in the currency y and depth p of issues - some of them African-themed - he reportedly p y canvassed at the talks.

President Buhari was in Cote d’Ivoire for the jjust ended 5th African UnionEuropean p Union Summit which took place p from Tuesday, y the 28th to Thursday y 30th November. Buhari had entered the Sofitel Hotel venue of the conference from around 9.00am Wednesday, y the day y the conference offi f cially y opened. p And about midnight, g precisely p y 12.26am, that is Thursday y morning, g the president p was still on his feet. This writer saw him coming g out of a dinner hosted by y the Ivorian President Alassane Quattara and his wife in honour of visiting g heads of state and government and other heads of delegation, g g and entering g into another round of meeting g for multilateral talks with some heads of state at p past midnight. g The talks were on the sidelines of the conference and the All Progressives g Congress’ g National Leader, Asiwaju j Bola Tinubu, who was part p of his entourage g to the summit, was with him at some of these meetings. g Also on the entourage g were Bauchi State Governor Muhammed Abubakar and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart p Emmanuel Udom who attended a few of such talks. President Buhari

held back-to-back bilateral talks with Quattara, German Chancellor Angela g Merkel, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Vice President of Gambia Fatoumata Tambajang, j g with barely y any y little time between each meeting. He later attended the summit p proper. p Those round-the-clock meetings g underrscored two things. g One, having g such a whole day y non-stop p engagements g g showed that the president was truly y back to full health. He is fit, mentally y alert, active and agile. g As he moved from one meeting g venue to another, he carried himself sprightly p g y with the agility g of a 50-year-old. y President Buhari has his sights g on the p problems affflicting g Nigeria g and Africa. The raging g g issues plaguing p g g Nigeria g and Africa were the focal p points, and rightly g y so, at his meetings. g When he met the German Chancellor, the illegal g migration g of some Nigerians g to Europe p in search of elusive greener p g pastures and the new slavery y they y are being g subjected j to, p particularly y in Libya y dominated discussion. President Buhari was quite emphatic q p at the talks: this trend must be checked. The two leaders made a passionate p commitment to expand p discussions on how to stem the tide of such illegal g migration. g They y agreed g to strengthen g legal g migration. g At the talks, Buhari also spoke p of his g government’s commitment to securing g lives and property in Nigeria which, according to him, remains p paramount.

He said p prompt p attention was being gg given to gainful g employment p y of youths y in Nigeria g through g education and the acquisition q of skills and vocational training, g adding g that Nigeria g and Germany y could draw from their experiences to cooperate effectively in the

area of investing g in youths y for a sustainable future. On her p part, the German Chancellor commended Buhari for the g giant strides recorded by y his administration in revamping p g the economy, y promising p g to increase support pp for Nigeria g in dealing g with terrorism. Merkel disclosed that 58 German companies are at present operating p p g in Nigeria. g More compap nies have indicated interest in investing g in the energy, gy manufacturing, g agriculture g and construction sectors, she added.

The political p instability y in Togo g also seized ap part of Buhari’s attention. In his bilateral meeting g with President Quattara, Buhari expressed p the view that if the instability y was not averted, the Togo g problem p could have dire consequences q for the region. g He told the Ivorian president: p “We must have a solution in Togo. g The friends of the opposition pp and authorities must talk to them on the steps p to jjointly y take to achieve stability. y They y must work towards gaining g g the trust of each other.

There will be regional g consequences q for instability y in Togo g and this will surely come at a cost to development�. p These bilateral talks were held behind closed doors, with the p president supported pp by y jjust one or two other p personalities in some cases. In one instance, at the p president’s behest, Foreign g Affairs Minister Geoffrey y Onyeama y had to vacate his seat to allow Asiwaju j Tinubu take the lone seat at one of the meetings g in order to be with Buhari.

It was instructive that President Buhari and Tinubu had g graced most of the meetings together. g Asiwaju j was by y the president’s p side as he met with the Nigerian g community in Cote d’Ivoire at the Nigerian g Ambassador’s residence, barely two hours after

they y arrived in that country. y At the meeting, g President Buhari enjoined j Nigerians g in Cote d’Ivoire to be good g ambassadors. He said he brought g the two g governors in his entourage along g because he might g need their votes in future, hinting g at his presumed p second term ambition. At that interaction, Tinubu urged g the Nigerians g to help p in p preserving g the country’s y good g name in Cote d’Ivoire. He spoke p about President Buhari’s achievements in offfice thus far and his g good p plans for the country y going g g forward. It emerged g also that the bulk of the Nigerian g population p p in Cote d’Ivoire are mostly of Osun State origin in the South-west.

But p perhaps p the most interesting g bit of news for many y Nigerians g was Buhari’s comment about Tinubu. Speaking p g about Asiwaju at that meeting, g the president p said the APC national leader brought g him “a beautiful piece of information� of which he had been p oblivious. Tinubu had handed that p piece of information to the Nigerian g leader right g inside the Nigerian g Airforce plane p taking g them to Abidjan. j Buhari did not disclose the nature of the information Asiwaju j gifted g him. “I also thank our leader, Asiwaju j Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has brought g me a very y beautiful piece of information, which I was not aware p of until I sat down and read it this evening g (penultimate p Tuesday y night). g Thank y you very much for y your hard work and I will discuss that paper p p with you,� y he said.

But what p precisely y is that p piece of information all about? Well, only y President Buhari and Asiwaju Tinubu can answer the question. –Rahman is Special Adviser, Media to Asiwaju Tinubu

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î , 2017

POLITY

W/Africa’s First Trampoline Park: Upbeat Recreation Centre Launched in Lagos Bennett Oghifo

elebrities, influencers, VIPs and upbeat friends and family’s converged in Lekki on Saturday, December 2nd for the launch party of Upbeat Recreation Centre, a multi-purpose recreational facility and West Africa’s first trampoline park. Billed as a day of fitness and fun, the aim of the Launch is to bring people, corporate organisations and the Lagos community together in the world-

class facility to have a good-time, network, enjoy great music and entertainment and also celebrate active, healthy living.

Upbeat Recreation Centre was conceived during the most recent recession period.

Taking into consideration the state of the economy which also happened to be a time when the country had become more health & fitness driven there was a need to rethink the real estate offerings in the market, a need to diversify and key into the unique (to West Africa) and profitable market of recreational real estate.

The Upbeat Centre amenities include

Court Stops EFCC from Freezing AITEO’s Accounts

H

e also ordered the AGF and EFCC to come and show cause on December 18, why the reliefs sought by the plaintiff in the motion ex parte shall not be granted.

Kolawole directed the defendants to do this by way of affidavit depositions, within seven days of being served court processes filed by the Plaintiff.

The court also fixed December 18, for the hearing of the plaintiff’s motion on notice dated November 23, 2017.

The judge in his ruling agreed with the submissions of Ozekhome that the business operations of the plaintiff may be crippled if the ex parte restraint order made by the Crown Court, London on October 19, 2017 is allowed to be registered in Nigeria, before determination of the motion on notice: “The facts of the instant case by my assessment present a peculiar circumstance which this court needs to address. One of the facts is that by the Nigerian law, that is Foreign Judgement Fiscal Act, interim expropriating orders such as it is alleged to have been made by the

Crown Court in London are not registrable for the enforcement in Nigeria,� Kolawole held.

Arguing the ex parte motion earlier, Ozekhome, citing authorities, had urged the court to make a preservative order for maintenance of the “status quo ante bellum� in order to halt the defendants from taking any steps prejudicial to the business concerns and activities of Aiteo.

Ozekhome argued that if a preservative order was not made immediately against the defendants, to preserve the “res�, recent developments, show that the EFCC could spring up surprises by freezing accounts of the company, sealing it, etc, even before the motion on notice is heard. AITEO is a Limited Liability Company, a major player in the upstream sector of the Nigerian oil industry, as well as the joint/operator of oil mining lease (OML) 29, an asset which is jointly owned by it and the Federal Government, through the NNPC, which subscribes to 55% of the said asset.

The Defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

an indoor trampoline park, an outdoor basketball court, a Five-a-Side football pitch, retail spaces for lease and other fun and fitness facilities for leisure and training.

Upbeat Centre is an initiative of Uraga Real Estate Limited and an expression of their vision to transform people, spaces and lives in Nigeria by offering state-of-the-art and first of a kind services to the West African real estate industry and stakeholders.

Speaking on the completion of the project and future plans for the Upbeat Recreation Centre, Mrs. Moyo Ogunseinde, Executive Director, Uraga Real Estate Limited stated, “Statistically, Nigeria has a youth population of about 67 million, aged between 15 and 35 years. Therefore a viable market opportunity existed to cater to the youth through Upbeat Recreation Centre which

is truly a one-of-a-kind development in West Africa. The quality and design of the facility include sustainability and world class safety measures as well as the various activities which set it apart from any existing recreation facility in Nigeria and West Africa. Upbeat has set a bar of excellence in the real estate sports & recreation market. In particular the availability of a world class Trampoline Park is a great opportunity for expert level and budding gymnasts. Nigeria currently participates at approximately 10% in the Olympics, we have better chances of participating at up to 50% and winning gymnastic competitions by developing and training our athletes in world class facilities like Upbeat, giving Nigeria and West Africa the potential to produce gymnastic stars.�

L-R: Operations Manager, Upbeat, Mrs. Uyok Hanson; Executive Director, Uraga Real Estate Limited, Mrs Moyo Ogunseinde; and CEO, Uraga Real Estate, Dr. G.S. Yakubu, at the press briefing to unveil Upbeat, in Lagos... recently

L-R: Managing Director, HONDA Manufacturing Nigeria, Mr. Katsuhiro Murooka; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Financial Controller and Head of Human Resources, Ms. Roseline Hill; and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, during the Governor’s visit to the factory in Ota ...recently

L-R:Trustee, Compliance Institute, Nigeria, Mr. Abimbola Adeseyoju; Planning Committee Chairman, Mr. Raheem Owodeyi; President, Compliance Institute Nigeria, Mr. Pattison Boleigha; and Vice President, Mr. Buhari Isah, during a press conference to announce the first investiture and induction ceremony of CIN in Lagos...recently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Vice Chairman, Abuja Chapter, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN, Mrs. Bolaji Gambari; Council Member, ICSAN, Mr. Gbenga Owokolade; Registrar/CE, Mrs. Nkechi Onyenso; President, (ICSAN), Mr. Samuel Kolawole; Ag. Registrar-General/Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Corporate Aairs Commission (CAC), Lady Azuka Azinge; and Director, Incorporated Trustees, Corporate Aairs Commission (CAC), Hajia Saratu ShaďŹ â€™I, during a visit by ICSAN to the CAC in Abuja... recently

L-R: Representive, Sagbama Ekeremo Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, Hon. Agbedi YeiďŹ emone Frederick; Embariba 1V, Pere of Kumbowei Kingdom, Sagbama, HRM. king Jones Akadah (JP); and the Owei of Kubowei Kingdom, Chief Godfrey Turbo Okubogbain, during a courtesy visit to the Pere palace by Hon. Frederick, as part of familiarisation visit to his constituency, in Bayelsa State..recently

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î , 2017

Celebrating TY Danjuma’s Consistent, Persistent Philanthropy @ 80 Sufuyan Ojeifo “Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.�– Ben Carson

T

he first time I came in close contact with General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (retd.) was February 10, 2010 at the Protea Hotel in Asokoro, Abuja. It was on the occasion of the NGO consultative meeting organised by the TY Danjuma Foundation.

It was the first substantive interaction that the Foundation would have with actors from across Nigeria.

As politics editor of THISDAY newspaper in Abuja at the time, I had the privilege of attending the event, which report was given front page window treatment obviously because of the ramifications of what he said.

He read from a written text and also spoke ex-tempore on his wealth and the motivation behind the setting up of his Foundation.

What he read out was as instructive and important as what he said extemporaneously. The text of his speech reads in part: “The theme of this meeting is a crucial one for our country. Nigeria is currently going through a series of trials but most urgent are the abject poverty facing the country’s citizens and the weak state of our social sector, particularly the education and health sectors. “The Nigerian government, no matter how noble its intentions, cannot address these challenges on its own. In fact, in all developed countries, the implementation of social projects is never the sole responsibility of government; there are often strong collaborations between governments, Non-Governmental Organisations as well as the private sector. More so, the philanthropic sector in such countries is thriving, as wealthy individuals believe it is their duty to apply their wealth in supporting development projects. “In Nigeria, this is not the case. Structured philanthropic giving is in its infancy and some will argue that it has not commenced at all. This is unfortunate as Nigerian culture is rife with examples of benevolent giving at the community level. What we need to do now is look at how we translate what exists in our culture into sustainable practice. “Many people have asked me why I started a Foundation. I am now in my 70s and could have simply enjoyed retirement quietly; rather I have decided to embark on a new endeavour. The truth is, I have served Nigeria all my life in different capacities; and, late in my life, when I became a very wealthy private citizen, I decided to also serve my country through the channel of philanthropy. “Following my decision to establish a grant making philanthropic Foundation, I visited the Unites States, on a study tour of successful Foundations. Having no prior knowledge of Foundations, I was intrigued by the structure of these Foundations and how they operated. They were well organised, accountable, and credible. Most importantly, I observed that they were very influential and had succeeded in contributing significantly to the lives and wellbeing of their beneficiaries....�

The above was newsworthy. But what he said ex-tempore was more newsworthy.

It was, to me, the real McCoy. He said that after selling his ten percent stake in an oil bloc to a Chinese company, he became very wealthy. He claimed to have been confused initially, not knowing what to do with the money. And, for him, there were two things that he would not want to happen after his death: one, he would not want his children to fight over his wealth; and, two, he would not want the banks to steal his money.

He said the Foundation provided one of the ways through which the money could be ploughed back into society for human and societal development. The Foundation started out with intervention projects in Taraba and Edo states especially in the health and education sectors. It is to his eternal credit that he has engaged so far in other acts of generosity: donating to education causes, religious bodies, community development and even individual empowerment.

The second time I had a close contact with him was in the home of a very prominent Nigerian in Abuja. He came in gaily dressed.

With his face shining and his eyes almost characteristically popping out of their

sockets from behind his pair of medicated glasses, his gait confident and still militaryy like, he was ushered into the living iving g room of his host. Thirty minutes later, he was done and seen off to his car by his host. ost. He is said to be business-like in his interactions. actions. He is said to attend to issues without out much of ceremonies, always short and sharp like an Angel’s visit.

Apart from subsequent “contacts� ntacts� with him through media reports of his activities, at least two prominent Nigerians, ans, who are multi-billionaires in their own right, g have narrated to me how they y had, even in their Olympian heights, benefitted nefitted from Danjuma’s eleemosynary. He could be described in some parlance as a rich man who takes delight in blessing otherr rich people. p I understand he does that obsessively, essively, y not wanting any reciprocal gesture. sture. That raises a question about his kind nd of capitalist p who, rather than continue to amass wealth without giving back to society, y, has decided y to give, give, and give in all manner anner of ways.

Methinks Danjuma is an archetypal chetypal yp godfather. He does not want to owe anyone y a debt of gratitude. Rather, others hers should owe him, but not that he caress about being appreciated for his good gestures. ures. I was told by a friend and big brother er how he requested for a favour from Danjuma through his wife, Senator Daisy Danjuma. He said that even though he madee available his private jet to fly the general down to Abuja to intervene for him at a meeting with some powerful persons, he (Danjuma) insisted on paying for the cost of the aircraft movement from Lagos to Abuja and back to Lagos. Who can beat that? And for my friend and big brother, Danjuma and Daisy are Angels in human form.

Interrogating his act of generosity may not be a comme ci comme ça enterprise. It may require the rigours necessary to understand the innate humanity that motivates and propels him within the context of our social–political and economic complexities. But the truth is, Danjuma may have the wealth h of a Croesus; he has, thus far, not splashed his wealth with the sybaritic indulgence of the latee Saudi Arabian international businessman and billionaire, Adnan Khashoggi. Danjuma has the discipline and character to spend his wealth on good causes; yet he is not the richest Nigerian, despite giving out money as if he is the richest Nigerian. He is perhaps heeding the admonition of Mother Theresa: “Give, but give until iitt hurts.â€?

Now, it does not appear thatt it is hurting Danjuma yet, as he continues to give of himself to the service of humanity and God. And, it may not hurt him in his life and times, or put succinctly, in the remaining years that he has to live on earth, given the fact that, as a shrewd businessman, he is perfectly on top of his game. What should, therefore, be done is for people who crave the act of charity to up their ante so that, together with Danjuma who turns 80 on December 9, 2017, they can build a society that thrives on human and communal compassion. Many y happy returns, General! –Mr. Ojeifo, Editor-inChief of The Congresswatch magazine, sent this piece via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com

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Price: N250

MISSILE HURIWA to Buhari “With only few months to the end of his presidential term of office, the President has been unable, unwilling and refused to implement nationalistic military and law-based defence mechanisms to eradicate the increasingly threats to national security by armed Fulani herdsmen; Boko Haram terrorists and armed kidnappers.”

– Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) lamenting the rising insecurity under President Muhammadu Buhari.

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Introducing Ovation Books Via Dogara Yakubu

F

ellow Nigerians, let me confess that one of the fi first adages I learnt as a kid was “man proposes but God disposes.”

That is the story of our foray into book publishing at Ovation International. As prolifi ific as most people say I’m, I’ve never been able to write and publish a full length book. Yet I have at least more than enough materials to come up with about six voluminous books.

Many readers have pleaded with me to compile my Pendulum column into several books but for some strange reasons I’ve been procrastinating endlessly. My first collection was ready as far back as 1997, some 20 years ago, while I was in exile. It was edited by Dr Reuben Abati, who wrote a very powerful introduction, but it was never published. Since then, I have written hundreds of articles and essays. There was also a book written by Ohimai Godwin Amaize, my Presidential Campaign Coordinator, after my audacious Presidential contest in 2011, titled FIGHTING LIONS, but which has also not been published till this day.

But that jinx has now been broken, finally. fi As I write this, the biography of Nigeria’s Speaker, Federal House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Dogara Yakubu, authored by me and published by Ovation Books, is set to be launched on December 26, 2017, the day this quiet but effective leader turns 50 years on earth. I’ve encountered many leaders globally but Dogara Yakubu is in a class of his own. I feel so privileged to have worked with a fantastic team on this project and the end product is what I’m extremely proud of.

What started like a joke has virtually become a reality.

Life indeed is a mystery. I met the Rt. Hon. Dogara Yakubu in a most dramatic fashion in 2015. He had just gone through a very tough selection process to become the number four citizen in Nigeria, as Speaker, Federal House of Representatives. I received a message that he would love to meet with me as part of his efforts to reach out to media influencers and give out his own side of the story about the raging controversy surrounding his miraculous emergence. I was honoured to be so counted. I offered to visit him at home, or at work. But he chose to visit me in my hotel room in Abuja. For me, it was such a humbling experience.

Speaker Yakubu came and we bonded instantly. His humility was simply infectious.

He spoke from the heart and enlightened me on what transpired at the House the day he became Speaker. We never saw again until sometime this year when I got a message from Mrs Olubunmi Badejo who informed me the Speaker was trying to reach me. I also got the same message from Presidential spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina. This was getting serious, I soliloquised. I met with Mrs Badejo and she gave me a picture of what the Speaker wanted me to do. She said the Speaker believed I could publish a good biography on his journey through life so far.

This looked spiritual to me because the offer came at a time Ovation was just working on diversifying into book publishing by leveraging on our huge contact with African newsmakers.

I was particularly sad when one of the greatest

The first time Speaker Dogara Yakubu visited Ovation Publisher Dele Momodu in 2015

Africans of the 20th century, Chief Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez died two years ago in Belgium without any proper biography to his name. The closest anyone could get were the phenomenal editions Ovation published on his life in several volumes beginning with the one about his island in New York, another on his sprawling and ocean-going yacht named YEMOJA (sea goddess) and the edition on the monumental divorce case involving his American wife, Olufunmilayo Aduke, a landmark divorce fiasco in Scotland. I had tried strenuously to get him to agree to allowing me work on his fairytale life. Some of our greatest men and women seem to hate people prying into their private lives. Just imagine that there are no serious biographies on some of our icons. They come into this world, spend over 80 years, achieve so much, and depart and vanish into total oblivion. Apart from biographies, there are no books chronicling historic events and showcasing important places and destinations. I’ve always admired writers like Segun Adeniyi for making that uncommon effort to capture historic moments for us. Segun has inspired me so much and I’ve taken up the challenge to add mine to your library. Thanks to Dogara Yakubu, I’ve decided to cross the Rubicon.

To cut the story short, let me tell you how it all happened. After a meeting with the Speaker, we reached an agreement to work on his biography. I knew he definitely fi had a

good story to tell but I didn’t know it would be this captivating. The biggest challenge was going to be how to get him to sit still for hours of interviews and excruciating sessions. The only time he had was when I chased him to London and disturbed his brief vacation. We sat down daily and I was able to get him to pour out his heart to me and I was very impressed with his journey of faith. I was handed a long list of people to speak many of whom were very infl nfluential and powerful Nigerians. That was another tough aspect of the work. But we did not give up and today, the book is virtually ready. We give God all the glory.

It was a tough call and mission. I assembled my reliable and dependable team. Sola Ojewusi, Ohimai Godwin Amaize and Uzor Maxim Uzoatu readily came to mind because of our intellectual collaborations over time. We brought in more hands and the Speaker made the job a lot easier by providing us with logistical supports. We set out in earnest because we had just a few months to deliver a world class publication. We are delighted to present this book to the reading public.

I will like to thank the Rt. Hon. Dogara Yakubu for the confidence he had in us. We met a few times in Nigeria and London, for his interviews. We also spread our wings across Nigeria and Dubai. We are very grateful to all the wonderful friends and families of the Speaker who spoke to us and gave us

relevant information and old tales about our subject. I’m particularly grateful to the three former Speakers who met with our team at very short notice.

I must also thank the Speaker’s amiable wife, Her Excellency Mrs. Gimbiya Dogara Yakubu for her insights and inputs. I thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for graciously accepting to write the foreword. I also thank Their Excellencies, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, erstwhile Governor of Bauchi State, former Speakers Ghali Na’Abba, Patricia Etteh and Dimeji Bankole, Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun. Hundreds of Dogara’s colleagues in the House of Representatives and the Senate were also instrumental to the huge repository of information contained in this book and I am forever grateful to them.

But for the fact that it is practically impossible to mention all names here, I would have done so.

I am grateful to members of Speaker Dogara’s family especially Mama Kaka Saratu, his aged mother in Gwarangah, Bauchi State whose retentive memory helped me to define fi properly, Dogara’s upbringing. I appreciate Dogara’s siblings in Bauchi, Abuja and Gwarangah, his relations, the Gung Zaar, Commodore Musa Komo Rtd. and the great Zaar people of Bauchi State.

I also acknowledge the contributions of Dogara’s friends, mentors, especially the erudite Professors Joash Amupitan, SAN, Dakas Dakas SAN, Dauda Saleh, Suleiman Bogoro and Simon Yallams for their seminal contributions.

I must recognize the contributions of Rt. Hon. Dogara Yakubu’s offi f ce staff from the Chief of Staff, Hon. Jerry Manwe, his Deputy Hon. CID Maduabum, S.A. Media Turaki Hassan, Chief of Protocol Yakubu Ridi Tulu, S.A. Jolly Yakubu, Messrs. Ishaya Dangana, Murtala Jumma and Mr. Anuhu Mani.

The sterling roles of Mr. Gambo Hassan and Mrs. Olubunmi Badejo in making this venture a success cannot be overemphasized.

I equally cannot forget the efforts of Maxwell Jonge, John Balewa, Samuel Mbami, Ope Olotu, Jerry Asseh, John Pilaku and Seyi Fashina who travelled far and near helping to gather the information and data that assisted me in putting this book together.

All in all, I thank Almighty God for his unfl nflinching protection and support in ensuring that this work succeeded. Glory and Honour to His Holy Name.

I hope that this book would meet your expectations and give you uncommon insight into the unusual life of Speaker Dogara Yakubu. His story is spectacular. I will humbly recommend it to all those who have lost faith and hope in their dreams.

The Speaker is an example of God’s endless miracles. You need to enter this book right away in order to appreciate what God can do if we believe in Him. I expect this book to educate, entertain and inspire both the young and old.

The story of Dogara Yakubu is not yet finished. The epic is still unfolding. fi

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