Don’t Hike Fuel Price, PDP Warns FG Kachikwu: We have a presidential directive to keep petrol price at N145 per litre Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday told the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government to perish the thoughts of hiking
the price of petrol from the already exorbitant N145 per litre, because such “will not only be criminal but inhuman and completely unacceptable.”
On the same day, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, promised that the pump price of petrol across Nigeria would
remain unchanged at N145 per litre, adding that there was an existing presidential directive that it must remain at that rate. The opposition PDP in
a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, alleged that the federal government had been lying to Nigerians on
Atiku: I'm Not Financier of Miyetti Allah… Page 11
oil-related issues “while using the NNPC to bandy figures with intentions to arrive at APC’s predetermined agenda to increase the price of fuel.” It further stated that the Continued on page 6
Saturday 6 January, 2018 Vol 22. No 8297 Price: N250
www.thisdaylive.com TR
TODAY'S WEATHER
ABUJA 16°C-33°C
MAIDUGURI 15°C-35°C
UT H
& RE A S O
ENUGU 22°C-34°C
N
KANO 11°C-33°C
LAGOS 23C-31°C
PORT HARCOURT 20°C-30°C
CAN to FG: Act Decisively against Fulani Herdsmen to Stop Attacks Buhari tells police to tighten security, IGP assures of end to carnage Catholic Bishops: President’s response to Benue killings inadequate Miyetti Allah: Slayings unfortunate and condemnable Omololu Ogunmade, Senator Iroegbu, Paul Obi and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson
Ayokunle, yesterday urged the federal government to act decisively on the menace of Fulani herdsmen before it turns into a civil war. Continued on page 6
Aluko Defends Buhari, Says President Has not Abandoned Ekiti Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Contrary to the position of Governor Ayodele Fayose that President Muhammadu Buhari had abandoned Ekiti State since he came to power, a former Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Gbenga Aluko, yesterday said the 24 appointments recently allotted to the state negated the governor’s position. Aluko also assured aspirants on the platform of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) that Buhari won’t rig the Ekiti State governorship primary in favour of any aspirant. Aluko, who has been Buhari’s political ally since 2003, said he knew the country’s number one citizen was too disciplined and cautious to rig the primary in favour of any aspirant. Speaking in Ode Ekiti during an interaction with 2,600 delegates across the 177 wards, Continued on page 8
Military Claims Factional Leader of Boko SECURITY ON THEIR MINDS… Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari after a meeting with Haram, Mamman Nur, Fatally Injured… Page 10 L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja… yesterday godwin omoigui
ZZZ DFFHVVEDQNSOF FRP VDYHWRGD\
2
T H I S D AY ˾ ʹ˜ ͰͮͯͶ
T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY JANUARY 6, 2018
3
4
T H I S D AY ˾ ʹ˜ ͰͮͯͶ
T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY JANUARY 6, 2018
5
6
T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž Ëœ ͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀
PAGE SIX
CELEBRATING AFRICAN FOOTBALL WITH AITEO-CAF AWARDS‌ R-L: Mr. Jerry Rawlings, Former President of the Republic of Ghana; Mrs. Ella Peters; Mr. Benedict Peter, Executive Vice President of Aiteo Group; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of Nigeria, and Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana at the Aiteo-CAF Awards 2017 held at the International Conference Centre in Accra, Ghana‌ on Thursday night
CAN TO FG: ACT DECISIVELY AGAINST FULANI HERDSMEN TO STOP ATTACKS Also yesterday, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) said the response of President Muhammadu Buhari to the massacre of scores of innocent people in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State by Fulani herdsmen on Monday was inadequate. On the same day, Buhari ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to tighten security across the country, just as the IGP pledged that the level of wanton destruction of lives and property in Benue State would no longer repeat itself. Ayokunle, in a statement by his media aide, Adebayo Oladeji, said the herdsmen had been moving from community to community killing innocent farmers with impunity. He said: “They (herdsmen) have killed more people than the Boko Haram sect and almost displaced more people than Boko Haram. We are now at a breaking point in our patience and toleration of this impunity. "While the government has taken the battle to Boko Haram, the Indigenous People of Biafra, the Badoo boys, the Niger Delta Avengers and other groups, the government has not shown any willingness to checkmate the murderous Fulani herdsmen. This to us is a betrayal of the confidence reposed in this government by Nigerians when they voted them into power." Ayokunle also wants to know why the intelligence units of all security apparatus in the country had not been able to discover the sources of supply of ammunition to the herdsmen. He stated: "The Customs and the Immigration services together with the Police have a case to answer. Who are the suppliers of these weapons? If the murderous herdsmen are foreigners, as it is being claimed in some quarters, why did they allow dangerous foreigners into our country to come and kill us? Our government has a case to answer too.
"We are therefore tasking the government of the day; the Executive, the Senate, the House of Representatives and all security agencies to rise up to their responsibilities and we equally call on all stakeholders to come together for a solemn assembly that would address all these things and come out with lasting solution to these senseless attacks." In its own reaction, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) said the response of President Buhari to the Benue massacre was inadequate. Buhari had ordered security agents to apprehend the herdsmen responsible for the killings but the President of CBCN and Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama, told THISDAY that the failure of the President to take proactive measures was responsible for the persistent orgy of violence by the herdsmen. "We have intelligence units that should be on the ground sniffing around to prevent crisis of this nature. That this happened again shows that there is negligence somewhere; seemingly, there is little being done. "Proactive measures are not top priority; we only focus on reactive measures when the harm had been done. We are saying ‘prevent the horse from escaping,’ but this is not being done. "Proactive and reactive measures must go hand-in-hand. This is where I feel there is inadequacy; we don't do much of proactive measures," Kaigama said. The CBCN President also expressed sadness over Buhari’s silence on the gruesome murder of a traditional ruler, his wife and two others in Kaduna State on Tuesday. He said the situation whereby security agencies keep silence while herdsmen continue killing people across the country, portends great danger that might have ripple effects. Kaigama said the omission of the menace of herdsmen by President Buhari during his New Year broadcast had
made matters worse. “As an individual, the President has the capacity and disposition to bring this herdsmen crisis to an end. The church will continue to preach peace and unity among citizens, as peace remains sacrosanct if Nigeria is to develop,� he said.
Buhari Tells Police to Tighten Security, IGP Assures of End to Killings
that there is general breakdown of law and order in different parts of the country in view of recent mindless and unwarranted killings in Rivers, Kwara, Benue and Kaduna States on January 1 and 2, Idris disagreed, claiming instead that Nigeria is well secured. "Obviously, I think Nigeria is well secured. You have to be frank with us," he submitted. Further questioned on why police prefer to be reactionary instead of being proactive, the IGP emphasised that he had deployed a senior police officer to Benue State, claiming that the conflict was only the fallout of communal disagreement as against apparent wickedness being exhibited by herdsmen in protest against the implementation of anti-open grazing law recently signed by the state government. "There are so many measures. For instance, in Benue, we are going to deploy more units to support the efforts the Police are making in the state to ensure we have adequate protection for the communities and members. Of course, we are assuring that this will not repeat itself," he said. Probed further if the arrest of an online publisher by men of Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) was not on his orders in view of an unfavourable publication of the medium against him, ldris said: "Anyway, I don’t need to send anybody but whenever you commit an offence. It is our duty to ensure that we respond."
Meanwhile, President Buhari yesterday in Abuja ordered IGP Ibrahim Idris, to tighten security around the country, just as the IGP pledged that the wanton destruction of lives and property in Benue State would no longer repeat itself. After meeting with the President yesterday, the IGP said he had redeployed a Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) to Benue State on Thursday to collaborate with the Police Commissioner and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in the area with a view to bringing insecurity in the state under control. Idris said: “As it has always been the President's tradition, he ordered me to take charge of the security situation in the country and ensure that insecurity is effectively addressed. "Of course, every time we meet with the President, he gives a charge. He said that we should go and take care and ensure that we tighten our security. Any time we meet Mr. President, you know the area of discussion is how to have effective security of the nation." "You know I deployed my DIG there (Benue) yesterday (Thursday) and you know we have different stages of police. You have the AIG in Benue, Commissioner of Police in Benue and all of them are putting their heads together to see how we address this issue of community problems in Benue." Confronted with the perception
In a rare and bold move, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore has condemned the killings in Benue State, allegedly carried out by Fulani herdsmen. The group also called on the security agencies to arrest the perpetrators of the
government controlled price. He added that the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), an agency responsible for review of products pricing templates, would review its pricing template on petrol to ensure that pump price at N145 per litre is sustained using the necessary means. “There are social media commentaries implying that when we met with the committee set up by the Senate President to review the causative factors of the fuel scarcity and find solutions, there was a statement credited to me that said that price might be increased to N180. No such statement was made; no such plan is intended,� said Kachikwu. He then added: “I needed to clarify this, because sometimes, some of these rumour mongering all add to the difficulties NNPC had in terms of being able to control price speculation. The president mandate on this issue is very specific: we are not increasing price from N145.� The minister explained that the essence of the meeting (Senate) was, “to find mechanisms to ensure that fuel queues
do not come back to Nigeria; that there is a wetting of all the stations so that product is available at every time for Nigerians; that we deal with the problem of private marketers that had pulled out from participation, so that they can participate effectively in the supply of petroleum products in the country, all within the parameters of N145 per litre pump price.� He stated that being speculative about the development was hurting Nigerians whom he said had, “already gone through a very difficult Christmas period,� adding, “We are working night and day to try and find solutions.� “It is not a political issue; people should step out of that goal post. We want to provide succour to Nigerians, we want to provide product at N145, that is the presidential mandate; that is the Federal Executive Council mandate; nobody is having a deliberation on that,� he said. Speaking on the sale of petrol above N145 per litre cities apart from Lagos and Abuja, the minister said: “I think it is very important to make this go
Miyetti Allah Condemns Bloodbath, Wants Perpetrators Arrested
ugly incident and bring them to justice. The National Publicity Secretary of the association, Alhaji Yusuf Ardo, in a statement yesterday described the killings as unfortunate and condemnable by all. He emphasised that the association was for peace, love, unity and harmony in the country, stressing that it would have never support violence anywhere in Nigeria. Ardo stated: “We are peace loving people, we believed in love for one another. Any Fulani pastoralist that
doesn’t believe in peace is not part of us.� The association called on all Fulani pastoralists living in Benue and other part s of the country to remain calm and be law abiding citizen. It also urged the federal government to look into the causes of the crisis in states like, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau states so as to have a lasting solution in those areas, particularly the issues of anti-grazing laws and others involving Fulani pastoralist in the country.
ALUKO DEFENDS BUHARI, SAYS PRESIDENT HAS NOT ABANDONED EKITI Aluko said the appointments of 24 Ekiti APC chieftains into federal boards, agencies and parastatals by Buhari, confirmed that he has tremendous respect for the state in particular and southwest in general. “President Buhari loves Ekiti and what the PDP has been saying that the state has not gained anything from his government was rather nonsensical. “Ekiti never enjoyed such massive appointments since 1999; so we have to be grateful to President Buhari,� he said. He said he had traversed all the wards to meet with the delegates to sell his agenda for the party and Ekiti and that he could boast of over 50 per cent supports that propitiously puts him in a good stead to be able to defeat any contestant. “I have been President Buhari’s political associate since 2003 when it was not even political safe and wise to support any other party other than the Alliance for Democracy in the South-west. I knew him to be too disciplined and those thinking of his interference in Ekiti primary should bury such thought. “We did primaries in Edo, Ondo
and Anambra and I think the party tried his best to ensure transparency and whoever thinks he will be imposed is wasting his time. “Aside from this, I am the only aspirant who has built a vibrant industry in Ekiti. The industry worth over N1.5 billion generates jobs for over 100 youths.� On Fayemi’s rumoured governorship ambition, Aluko said: “It is still at the realm of rumour and I don’t deal with conjecture. Fayemi has not openly declared, so it is still a rumour. “Fayemi is a former governor and now a Minister and I don’t think he will be afraid to declare openly that he is interested and if he eventually declares, we will all go into the race as one big lovely family,� he said. Aluko exuded confidence that his party would wrest power from Fayose in the coming election. “Dr. Fayemi presented himself for a reelection in 2014 and was deprived of that right, because the government of that time didn’t give a level playing ground but the coming election will be different and APC will record a landslide victory,� he boasted.
universally clear; we are actually looking at steps for those who have breached these processes, what we can do to penalise them and also set very stiff penalties for those who go to sell above N145.� “Going forward, after the recommendations, there would be very massive enforcement; very firm position on this issue; very firm tracking of product in this country. Nobody deserves this sort of up and down in terms of product supply in this country. “I want to make that very clear, there is no discussed intended price increase issue; price is N145 per litre at the pump price; it remains that; nothing has changed; there is no mandate to increase that. But we are working very hard, to see that, working with those price parameters, we can provide Nigerians with refined petroleum products all the time, avoid fuel queues and ensure that our business partners in the private sector participate actively.� He said no petrol station was allowed to sell petrol above the N135 to N145 per litre band the government approved,
and that the law will be applied against marketers that have disregarded this. On the review of the pricing template by the PPPRA to accommodate the sale of petrol at N145, Kachikwu, said: “PPPRA regulates the template and helps us monitor importation into the country so that we are sure of the volumes that come into the country and all that. The template has always been an issue, because as prices change in the international market, some of these templates become questionable. “There are two lines over this template - there is the actual cost of landing the product on the template and there are other ancillary charges, dealing with logistics, profit margins for the operators and all that, which are the below the line elements. “As part of this committee’s work, we are also reviewing that template to see whether there are things we need to do, all to help us ensure that we can accommodate sales at the N145 per litre window. That is also going to be looked at. PPPRA is working on that and it is heading a special committee on it.�
D O N ’ T H IKE FUEL PR ICE, PDP WA R N S F G lingering fuel crisis and its attendant black-market price were only a ploy by the APC to justify their intended hike of petroleum prices. “The APC Government has completely become numbed to the sufferings of Nigerians to the extent that it no longer cares in imposing more hardship on our people. Instead of putting more burdens on the people, the APC Government should come out clear on the sleazes in the oil sector under its watch, particularly the shady oil subsidy payouts and illegal lifting of N1.1 trillion worth of crude using unregistered companies. “Any increase in fuel pump price would be an indirect tax on Nigerians to fund APC interests and considering the pains Nigerians have suffered under this inept and unfeeling Government, this intended hike will be callous," it said. The party recalled that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had in December informed Nigerians that the NNPC had been paying subsidy on fuel. The PDP said the federal government had refused to tell Nigerians who the beneficiaries were, the amount involved
and who authorised the payment, because of the inherent corruption in the deal. “It is now clear to all that this APCcontrolled government will never act in the interest of Nigerians. All the actions and policies of APC, in their close to three years in office, have been targeted against Nigerians and there are no signals that they will change. “We therefore urge Nigerians to reject this plot to raise the prices of petroleum products even as they gear towards using the next election to end the misrule of the APC, " the PDP said Kachikwu: We Have a Presidential Directive to Keep Petrol Price at N145 Per Litre The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources has said the pump price of petrol across Nigeria would remain unchanged at N145 per litre, adding that there was an existing presidential directive that it must remain at that rate. Speaking yesterday in Abuja, Kachikwu, also disclosed that there would be a massive clampdown of petrol stations across the country that have continued to sell petrol above the
7
T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY JANUARY 6, 2018
< % . ) * @ , ! " ! ! ! " # $ %
! % # # &' # ( ! ) " " * "
( ! $ + ! ) , !!
-. / % * 0 1 % % - . 2 0 ) $ 3 ! % % ) 4 5 ! !
% , ! ! 6 !
) + 67 8 " 9" % #66:&& % ; < !! : = " ) )>( .+7>?< ) * @ A %
8
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜
NEWS
News Editor Ă’Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ Ă‘ĂŒĂ&#x; ͸΀͚͚͞ͿͽΠ΀͚͸ Ě™sms only) Email Ă‹Ă’Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹Ë›Ă™Ă‘ĂŒĂ&#x;̜ÞÒÓĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×
CELEBRATING SPECIAL CHILDREN... L-R: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; wife, Gimbiya; daughter, Chimel and others as he cuts his 50th birthday cake with some children of the Abuja Children’s Home. He subsequently hosted all to lunch and shared food items
Military Claims Factional Leader of Boko Haram, Mamman Nur, Fatally Injured Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri
The military has claimed that it fatally injured one of the notorious leaders of the Boko Haram terrorist group, Mamman Nur, in a bombardment around the Lake Chad. Mamman Nur, who controls a faction of the Boko Haram, is second in notoriety to feared leader Abubakar Shekau. He is believed to hold sway along the Lake Chad axis, which has recently emerged the new deadly haven of the terrorist group and, perhaps, their major base, after the capture of the Sambisa Forest in December, 2016. In a statement by the military
authority, yesterday, Mamman Nur was said to have been injured in an ongoing bombardment of his enclave. The statement by Col Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director Public Relations of Operation Lafiya Dole (the military counter-insurgency operation in the North-East), said: “Ongoing artillery and aerial bombardments of Boko Haram enclaves in the Lake Chad region by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole has continued to yield positive results. “Currently an evaluation report of the ongoing operation indicates that a major factional leader of the terrorists group, Mamman Nur has been fatally injured in
the bombardment as he and his sub commanders fled from the onslaught.� The statement added: “Several of his foot soldiers have also been killed by troops, while many of the insurgents who escaped are now surrendering to Republic of Niger Defence Forces, following the Amnesty granted the insurgents by the Government of Niger Republic.� Curfew Remains in Borno Curfew in Borno State to remain unchanged for another week to conclude the ongoing massive onslaught on Boko Haram, the government announced yesterday. Many that had thought the curfew, imposed on the state
since the massive onslaught on Boko Haram insurgency, would be relaxed were surprised when the government announced an extension of the time by two hours on Tuesday with the promise to go back to the old regime on Friday. But instead of the reversal to the old regime, the state government came out with an announcement that the situation would not change for the next one week. The state government, in a statement yesterday evening by Dr. Mohammed Bulama, Commissioner for Information, said the decision to keep the ongoing curfew time was reached on the advice of the military and agencies in the state.
The statement read: “The Borno State Government, again on the strong advice of the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, hereby announces the extension of the rescheduled curfew time earlier announced (8:00 pm to 6:00 am every day), by another one week. In other words, the prevailing curfew regime is to now last until Friday, 12th January, 2018. Bulama explained that: “This is to give the Armed Forces sufficient time to complete the on-going special operation launched against Boko Haram terrorists which, we have been assured, has recorded resounding successes.� He said: “Government once again deeply regrets the under-
standably difficult situation this development will inevitably create as well as the great inconvenience the general public will suffer, but rest assured that this decision was taken to safeguard our collective security and well-being.� He asked “all indigenes and residents of Borno State to see this temporary measure as part of the necessary sacrifice we all have to make in the interest of peace, stability, development and progress of not only our dear State, but Nigeria as a whole.� He said: “The understanding, support and cooperation of the general public are highly solicited in the observance of this curfew timing, please.�
Over 1,000 Candidates Contest FG Seeks Partnership with Delta Council Polls Today Rivers on Security Omon-JuliusOnabuinAsaba Local government election takes place across the 25 local government areas of Delta State today, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) poised to clinch most of the chairmanship and councillorship positions in contention. A total of 1,089 candidates are vying for different chairmanship and councillorship seats in the 25 local government councils on the platforms of the 16 political parties, including the PDP and the APC. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is apparently the only party among the about 16 political parties that fielded candidates for the exercise. The PDP carried out an aggressive state-wide campaign in the
countdown to the election holding today, and observers have described as unprecedented, the seriousness the party attached to the process. The PDP, led by the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and the state party chairman, Chief Kingsley Esiso, former governors, Chief James Ibori and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, as well as serving, and past, national and state legislators were all involved in the campaign that lasted for several weeks. Governor Okowa, who was present and led the campaign at all the rallies held in each of the local government headquarters, did not mince words that the party’s interest was beyond today’s voting exercise as it was actually meant to test-run its electoral machinery towards 2019 general election.
Nevertheless, leaders of the APC, including the former deputy national chairman of the PDP, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, the state chairman, Mr. Jones Orhue, and the 2015 APC governorship candidate, Chief O’Tega Emerhor, have vowed to surprise the PDP at the council polls today, as the party attempts to show its readiness to wrest power from the PDP in the state in 2019. Nevertheless, the Delta State Electoral Commission (DSIEC) has asked the electorate to turn out en-masse to cast their votes for candidates of their choice without fear of molestation, but warned that there would be no room for all forms of electoral malpractice, including rigging, violence, the use of thugs and snatching of ballot boxes.
Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The Federal Government has called for partnership between it and the Rivers State Government to tackle security challenges in the state. The Minister of Interior, Lt General Abdulrahman Danbazzau, spoke yesterday at Government House Port Harcourt when he visited Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, over the New Year tragedy at Omoku that claimed the lives of 17 persons in the hands of yet-to-be-identified gunmen on their way home from the cross-over service. Danbazzau said he was in Rivers State at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari to assess the security situation in the state.
On behalf of the President, he commiserated with the Government and people of Rivers State over the killings at Omoku. "Rivers State is important to the country, particularly when it comes to the issue of the economy. It is very important that the Federal Government partners with the state to see how any security gaps can be closed for adequate protection of lives and property," he said. Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that there is an orchestrated plot to create the impression that the state was unsafe through the promotion of targeted cult killings. Wike said the security agencies in the state know the cult kingpins
terrorising flashpoints in the state. He said: "The Security agencies have the profiles of all cult kingpins in different parts of the state and they know their locations. "There is no wisdom in the politicisation of security. Insecurity can affect anybody. You can never know the next victim of insecurity." He urged the security agencies and the Federal Government to deploy personnel to cult flashpoints in the state to forestall repeated attacks by cultists. "In every system, the security agencies know the flashpoints. Here we requested for the strengthening of security around these flashpoints, especially areas with high prevalence of cultists. "
9
JANUARY 6, 2 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
RingTrue
Yemi
Adebowale
07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com
Lessons from Late President Harry Truman
T
aking responsibility is still a big issue with President Muhammadu Buhari. He is obstinately shifting blame for all the failings of his administration. Those around our President should encourage him to read about the life and times of the late President Harry Truman of the United States. Truman, who served as the 33rd President of the United States (1945–1953), had a sign with the inscription, “The Buck Stops Here” on his desk in the White House. This was meant to indicate that he would not pass the buck to anyone else but accepted personal responsibility for the way the country was governed. The phrase further refers to the notion that the President has to take the decisions and accept the ultimate responsibility for those decisions. Throughout his tenure, responsibility was never passed beyond Truman’s office. He was persistently plain-speaking. Truman assumed the Presidency during the waning months of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War. One of the deadliest decisions Truman took was approving the dropping of nuclear bombs on Japanese cities, which effectively ended the 2nd World War. Despite the horrendous death of at least 129,000 people, most of whom were civilians, Truman took responsibility for the action. It remains the only use of nuclear weapons in the history of warfare. Our dear Buhari also needs to read about how Truman effectively implemented a Marshall Plan that resulted in the rebuilding of the economy of Western
Unfortunately, our President is still into buck passing, almost three years after emerging as leader. Buhari has spent almost his entire tenure blaming his predecessors and saboteurs for the flaws in government. In his New Year speech, he blamed saboteurs for the stinging petrol scarcity across the nation Europe after the 2nd World War 2. This is the meaning of taking responsibility. Unfortunately, our President is still into buck passing, almost three years after emerging as leader. Buhari has spent almost his entire tenure blaming his predecessors and saboteurs for the flaws in government. In his New Year speech, he blamed saboteurs for the stinging petrol scarcity across the nation. I was so depressed. His business is to fix the problem with all his executive powers and not telling Nigerians Mungo Park stories. If there are indeed saboteurs, Buhari has all the constitutional powers to crush them. At his level, it does not make sense shifting blame to marketers. Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, was apt when he called on the Buhari admin-
istration to end the current fuel scarcity in the country rather than buying time and passing the blame. In his statement titled, “Blame passing: The New Year Gift to a Nation,” the playwright recalled that before the current fuel crisis, other challenges, requiring an immediate fix, had begun to monopolise national attention, relegating to the sidelines the outcry for a fundamental and holistic approach to the wearisome cycle of trauma. Buhari has clearly failed to actualise virtually all the promises his administration made to Nigerians. Refineries are not working 100% as promised, new ones have not been built, petrol price did not come down, rather, Nigerians are paying an unprecedented price for this product. His school feeding programme never took off in the real sense of it; three million jobs have not been created as promised, instead, about 10 million Nigerians have lost their jobs in the last 31 months. Buhari has failed to crush Boko Haram within three months; he has failed to provide uninterrupted electricity supply while the N5000 stipend to 25 million unemployed youths did not commence. His war against corruption is a jaundiced one, while the majority of Nigerians wallow in hunger, disease and poverty. Herdsmen, armed robbers and kidnappers are still killing and maiming with impunity across our nation. So, our President has to take responsibility and take practical steps to reduce the suffering in Nigeria. He must take
Horrific Tales from Kanama, Gamboru-Ngala, Mafa In the last eight days, Boko Haram has continued its reign of terror unhindered in Kanama, Gamboru Ngala and Mafa. Reports from the affected communities are depressing. Last Saturday, the terrorists confidently took the fight to a military base in Kanama, headquarters of Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State. Five soldiers and a mobile policeman were killed during the attack. About 30 soldiers and two mobile policemen are missing. The spokesperson, 3 Division Nigeria Army, Colonel Kayode Ogunsanya, confirmed the attack but was economical with the casualty figures. However, Yobe State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmalik Sunmonu confirmed that there were casualties on the side of the military and police. He said: “Details were sketchy till this (Saturday) evening when search and rescue operation in the Area discovered the bodies of one of our Sergeants and two soldiers. As at this (Saturday) noon, two of our PMF boys and 30 soldiers were missing. Kanama/ Guliba/Gulani are problematic.” Earlier last Saturday, scores of civilians
were killed in Mafa when the terrorists ambushed firewood traders in the village on the outskirts of Maiduguri. A vigilante, Umara Modu confirmed the attack, saying, “different Boko Haram gangs ambushed us at different locations. More than 50 people, mostly those chopping firewood which they normally sell to support their families, were killed. They carted away many trucks belonging to the firewood mongers and set ablaze the rickety ones.” On Wednesday, Boko Haram continued its unrelenting attacks by bombing a mosque in Gamboru-Ngala, killing 10 worshippers. These terrorists are still roaming freely in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, slaying and injuring hapless Nigerians. For how long will this administration continue with the delusion that the Boko Haram fighters have been decapitated? For how long will this country continue to bury our gallant soldiers in hundreds? For how long shall we continue to bury innocent civilians in thousands? For how long shall this mess continue? These are pertinent questions begging for answers from the Buhari administration.
Buratai
responsibility for these failings and be courageous enough to rejig his cabinet, which is dominated by dead woods. One of such dead woods is junior Minister for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu. I watched him on television on Thursday, as usual, lamenting about the poor state of our refineries. That’s what he has been doing for almost three years without taking any concrete step to remedy the situation. Kachikwu has no business staying a day longer in this government. Two other documents I really want Buhari to spend quality time reading meticulously are the New Year messages of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria. These messages aptly capture the situation in our dear nation. I doubt if those around the President would allow him to see the newspapers that published them. I have spent quality time reading the messages and these are my takeaway. First, the NLC noted that the All Progressives Congress government ruined Nigerians and pushed more workers into poverty and wretchedness in 2017. It stated that the deplorable economic conditions in 2017 were captured by the statistics recently released by NBS, which indicated that over four million Nigerians lost their jobs in the first nine months of 2017 alone. The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said: “The APC government has failed to fulfill its promise of creating three million jobs annually. It has chastised and ruined Nigerians through its policies. Rather than working to create jobs and improving the conditions of workers/Nigerians in general, leading elements in the ruling APC government, like Governor Nasir el-Rufai have been taking measures to further chastise and ruin Nigerians by throwing tens of thousands of workers into the already saturated unemployment market and wretchedness. “For us in the Congress and for the majority of working people in Nigeria, the hope placed on the capacity of President Buhari to bring about positive change is being undermined by his government’s inability to address the infrastructural deficit and other related problems in the oil industry, such as making our existing refineries work at optimal capacity by refining products for domestic consumption.” The TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama, and Secretary-General, Musa-Lawal Ozigi, added: “The TUC states here unequivocally, that workers have not only lost their jobs in millions but many even committed suicide when they could no longer fend for their families. Families die on our roads, yet, they tell us our roads are not as bad as some Nigerians claim.” Buhari, with all manner of Executive powers residing in his office, the buck should stop on his desk. This New Year, he must learn to take responsibility for all the failings of his administration and take pragmatic action to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.
Softly, Softly, Pastor Tunde Bakare These Pentecostal “men of God” will never cease to amaze me. They always think everybody is stupid. Well, the fault is not theirs. They have succeeded in hypnotising so many people. The latest of such charade called vision from one of these “men of God” is that from the Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, who wants us to believe that God told him to run for Presidency. The Lagos-based cleric who spoke during the watchnight service at his Latter Rain Assembly said God gave him the instruction in the early hours of Monday but had not told him when the “appointed time” to run for the presidency would be. Bakare remarked: “In my study around 4am on Sunday morning, God told me
‘you cannot bring your political career to a close; there is still more to do. Run for Presidency. I will do it at the appointed time.’ Joseph (in the Bible) did not contest an election; yet, he became the prime minister of Egypt. Why must I worry myself about where to get the resources for the task? Your own duty in this assignment is to pray along with me. When it is the appointed time, He (God) will do it. When He tells me the time, you will hear about it.” Bakare said that he was unfazed by the daunting task that his aspiration might pose, expressing confidence that once the Lord had spoken, it was left for God to perform it. My dear Bakare, please, pursue your presidential ambition without dragging
God into it. Enough of these humdrum prophesies. This brand of politics will not take this country anywhere. You have all it takes to run this country. You are immensely qualified for this job. Present yourself and your programmes to Nigerians. You don’t have to introduce sentiment into it. Stop telling us preposterous stories about God telling you to run. Pastor Chris Okotie told us a similar boring story few years back, when he contested for the Presidency with his Fresh Democratic Party. Bakare, adding that God had not told you the appointed time to run for Presidency is simply hypocritical. You simply want to test public opinion before deciding to run or not to run.
Bakare
10
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜
NEWS
In Brief DPR Seals NNPC in Awka
The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR has sealed the Nigeria NationalPetroleumCorporations,NNPCmegastation.Awka, overthesales of adulterated fuel.THISDAYgathered that oďŹƒcials of DPR stormed the mega station on a tip o, after subjecting the fuel being sold to motorists to test found that it was heavily adulterated. A source who witnessed the selling of the station toldTHISDAY that, "I was there to buy fuel when the oďŹƒcials arrived. After testing the fuel, they decided to seal it the station, and we were told that the fuel we were scrambling to buy was adulterated and capable of causing damage to vehicles. A motorist who gave his name asMrChikwenduUnahwhileinteractingwithourcorrespondentconďŹ rmed that after buying fuel from the mega station on Friday, he discovered that his car engine started jerking and shortly after, it parked up. "It was a stroke of luck that I was already close to my house at Udoka estate before the car ďŹ nally parked up. I am waiting for my mechanic to come and pick it up for repairs."
Community to Pay for Buhari's Form
FOR SECURITY... L-R: The Garrison Commander, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Brig. Gen. Lasisi Adegboye; Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi ; and Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Enugu, Mr. Ayodele Adeshina, during an inspection tour of the new state Headquarters in Enugu, yesterday
Omisore, PDP not Morally QualiďŹ ed to Criticise Me, Says Aregbesola Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
The Governor of Osun state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said that the former Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, and his People's Democratic Party (PDP) lacked the moral and political integrity to fault his government's achievements. The governor said that the legacies that he was leaving behind in the state surpassed those of previous administrations in the state. Aregbesola made the statement while addressing a gathering during a New Year party organised by the leadership of Yoruba Patriots
Movement (YPM) in Ila-Orangun, Ila Local Government Area of the state. He said the state under his watch had in the last seven years witnessed tremendous turnarounds, compared to what he met on ground on assumption of office seven years ago. The Governor, responding to a statement credited to Senator Iyiola Omisore that his administration has failed the people of the state, stated that Osun was almost run aground when Omisore and the PDP government were in power. Aregbesola berated Omisore for being unabashed in spite of the obvious gross incompetence of his party that left Osun in a deplorable
condition, saying it was unfortunate that a questionable personality like him could still go ahead to fault a government that had revived the already comatose system. He challenged Omisore and other PDP loyalists to tell the whole world the achievement recorded when they were in government in the state. Aregbesola expressed displeasure at what he described as 'incompetency and bad governance' the seven and a half years of PDP administration in the state, saying Osun would have turned to a state of pride among the comity of states if not backwardly governed by the PDP.
The governor also described the seven and a half years of the PDP rule in the state as a 'complete waste', noting that Osun would have collapsed if not being rescued by God through him. He described the circumstances of his emergence as 'necessity', saying he came to government at a time the people of the state not only needed drastic change but also good governance. Aregbesola called on members of the opposition parties, particularly those castigating his government unjustly, to come to the public and defend what PDP achieved while in government.
Military to Storm Bayelsa Town After Beheading of Security Operative
'A'Ibom Contributes Over 40% to Buhari Achievements’
EmmanuelAddehinYenagoa
OkonBasseyinUyo
The military is set to move into Ndoro community in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, after the alleged beheading of a plainclothes security operative in the area. It was learnt that residents had already started fleeing the area as a result of the apprehension generated by the action reportedly carried out by suspected militants. The movement of the military personnel, including the army and the navy, THISDAY gathered, had already been approved by the state government after series of meetings with stakeholders. Aside the security chiefs, officials of the military high command, leaders and stakeholders Bayelsa State Government, also present at the meeting was the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Fred Agbedi. The deceased security personnel was said to be negotiating with the hoodlums to submit their arms to the authorities when he was lured and allegedly mauled down by the criminals. A resident of the community, Mr. Henshaw Ebi, confirmed to journalists yesterday that the
security official was negotiating with a militant leader in the area to surrender their arms when the incident occurred. “The community was thrown into apprehension and people began to flee in droves since the lifeless body of the ‘security emissary’ was seen in the community without his head. The victim cannot be identified because he is in plain clothes. “The fear is that the military might come after those responsible any moment from now and invade the community. The community has been deserted as we speak due to fear of imminent manhunt for the militants behind the dastardly act,’’ the resident said. But the Bayelsa State Government, in its reaction to the development, urged the fleeing residents to return, maintaining that there was no cause for alarm. The government called on fleeing members of the community to return home as the situation had been brought under control. Commissioner of Information and Orientation in the state, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said in a statement that it was resolved that the military should move into the community and restore order, while the government would begin a peace process.
Akwa Ibom State Government, Thursday, revealed that over 40 per cent of achievements recorded by the federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari were from the rich oil potential of the state. The State Government confessed that with the huge contributions from the oil income of the state to the federal purse, the government at the centre had not reciprocate same in terms of providing infrastructure for the people in the state. The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh who made known the feelings of the state, during an interview in Uyo, fumed that the State under the present regime experienced zero federal presence even in the area of infrastructural development. He said the present tempo of development which presents the state as a destination of choice and investors’ haven could only be achieved by a focused administration that prevents the high level of negligence of the federal government to influence its performance. The Commissioner said the industrialisation drive ,which was a key component of the five-point agenda of the state administration was still at the front burner, hence
the state government's decision to upgrade key facilities like road network and the International airport for improved service delivery. Already, he said the airport runway had been upgraded to category two to ensure landing, even in very difficult weather. The Commissioner warned against playing politics with development projects enunciated by the administration since coming on board in 2015. He scored the state administration high in areas of physical infrastructure, agriculture, human capital development and free education for children up to the secondary school level. The Commissioner noted the interest shown by the people of the state in agriculture development especially in rice, cocoa and cassava plantations to create wealth for themselves. He said in the current year the state would continue to embark on free and compulsory education, urging parents to encouraged their wards and ensure every Akwa Ibom child is allowed access to education. The Commissioner called for more supports for the administration as it strive to spread development projects across the three Senatorial Districts of Uyo, Eket and Ikot Ekpene.
IďŹ tedunu community of DunukoďŹ a Local Government of Anambra State has said it will make signiďŹ cant contribution to the purchase of President MuhammaduBuhari'snominationformforhissecondterm.Thetraditional ruler of the community, Dr Emeka Ilouno stated this on Friday during the groundbreakingceremonyofafederalgovernmentspecialistskillacquisition center by the minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige. The monarch said the community was ready to make ďŹ nancial contribution to Buhari's second term as a gesture of their support, and to also have a stake inhisgovernmentwhenhereturnsagain."Wewillsupportthepresidentfor asecondtermbecauseheisdoingwell.Weonlyneedthathetellsuswhenhe wantstobuytheform,"Ilounosaid.Thepresidentgeneralofthecommunity, Chief Samuel Nweke said the community will support the president for a second term, while also saying that Anambra would be glad to donate the minister, Dr Ngige as a running mate of President Buhari in 2019.
British National Donates Cameras to ATBU
A British citizen and the Curator of View 4 international Photography, Liverpool, Mr. Simon Mac Dougall, has donated digital cameras and equipment to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, (ATBU), Bauchi. Presenting the items to the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Saminu Abdulrahman Ibrahim, on Friday, Mac Dougall, who is married to a Nigerian woman, said the gesture was to assist students in expansion of their studies and practice in photography. Mac Dougall, a father of two, said: “I have an Anglo-Nigerian family, my wife is from Bauchi. My parents’ in-laws are Academic doctors at ATBU. I have visited Nigeria three times in two years. According to him, “This donation is because of my ATBU link with my family, a perfect opportunity to give back to ATBU for what they have done for my Bauchi family, collaboration for academic expansion.
OsinbajoAttendOsunRegionalYouthSummit The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo is expected to declare open the Osun State Regional Youth Summit on Tuesday, 9th at WODIF center in Osogbo, the State capital. Others expected include a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola AhmedTinubu, award winning writer,Prof.WoleSoyinka,Gen.AlaniAkinrinde,theOoniofIfe,ObaAdeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II among other top dignitaries. BrieďŹ ng journalists at the State Secretariat in Abere, the Commissioner For Regional Integration, Hon. Bola Ilori said the summit is to bring youths across the Western Region together to generate ideas that would take the region to greater heights. "The summit is to provide platform for the youths of western region, to come together and plan the future of the region. The script will be written by them on how this region will be by 20 years and that is why we call it "West 2040". So it is to involve the youths in the planning of how the region will be by year 2040.
Rahman Akinsola Declared Missing
The family of Mr. Abdul Rahman Akinsola, a 42 year-old, has declared him missing.Accordingtoacloserelative,HaleemHameed,Akinsolawholived at35,FashoroStreet,Surulere,Lagos,lefthomeonDecember18,2017and has not returned. Akinsola is an unemployed graduate. He also disclosed that the case has been reported at Mushin Police Station. He appealed to the public and anyone with useful information on his whereabouts to report it to the nearest Police station.
Professor Malami Leadership Center
In an eort to bridge the gap between Youths and the Government, the ProfessorSaniMalamiLeadershipandDevelopmentCenterhaslaunched its maiden edition of essay competition amongst Youths in Bauchi state. SpeakingtojournalistsatthecommencementofthecompetitioninBauchi Friday theinitiator/founder ofthecenterandarenownedscholarofMedicine at the AbubakarTafawa Balewa UniversityTeaching Hospital (ATBUTH), ProfessorSaniAbubakarMalami,saidtheobjectiveoftheessaycompetition is to create an avenue on how the Youths can be made to contribute their quota in national development pointing out that “Youths are the future leaders and there is the need to harness their potentials with the aim of preparing them for future leadership positions in the Nationâ€?.
Evang. Omoru Passes on
The death has occurred of Evangelist Amos Anyibieu Omoru of Orogun Kingdom,DeltaState,attheageof92.Renownedforhisevangelicalworks andservices,thenonagenarianwassaidtohavepassedonpeacefullyinhis countryhome,Igbuku-Orogun,onDecember2,2017.Inastatementreleased by Chris Erhi Omoru, on behalf of the family, noted that Pa Omoru was a devoutChristianwhospenthislifetimeontheevangelicalďŹ eld,havingbeen in the vanguard of the formation of the Anglican Adam Preaching Society (AAPS), famous for the spread of the gospel of Christ across Nigeria. Pa Omoruissurvivedbyhiswife,Mrs BeatriceUfuomanefeOmoruandseveral children, amongst whom is Chris Erhi Omoru, a transactional lawyer based inLagos.“HewasarespectedchurchelderintheAnglicanCommunion,and worked tirelessly for the expansion of the kingdom of God here on earthâ€?, the statement said, adding that “ it is our belief that he will be welcomed home by His makerâ€?, the statement said.
11
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜
NEWS
Benue Killings: Ortom Says He is Not Afraid of Assassination Threat Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State said yesterday that his life was being threatened by those who do not want implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in the state. He however said he is not afraid to make sacrifice for the sake of his people. The Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Terva Akasa, quoted Ortom as stating this Friday at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi, during a courtesy call on him by the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Makurdi branch. The governor affirmed that if it is not the will of God, no man has the right to take life or stop the ongoing implementation of the ranching law of the state. He told Benue people to remain steadfast till impunity is defeated in Nigeria, saying that no sacrifice is too big in the struggle to end the genocide being perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen in parts of Benue State. Governor Ortom said it is time Benue sons and daughters put away political differences and unite to speak with one voice against invasion and occupation
of their land which has left many people dead and property worth billions destroyed. He said the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law has come to stay and no amount of intimidation could make the state stop implementing of the legislation. The Governor expressed the hope that President Muhammadu Buhari would take further steps to stop the killing of innocent people and arrest those behind the genocide especially leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who had threatened to resist the law. Governor Ortom while appreciating the NBA for the consolatory visit said he was happy that he had not done the wrong thing by enacting a law that seeks to protect his people, stressing that it was a global best practice and that he and President Buhari also practise ranching. Earlier, Chairman NBA Makurdi branch, Mr. Emmanuel Agbakor, said the gruesome killings violate the right to life of Benue citizens as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. He chided the "total lack of concern exhibited by the President regarding the killings in Benue State," stressing that the
SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT... L-R: A representative of the Ibadan Elders, Chief Lere Adigun; one of the leaders of the Authentic Mogajis, Chief Abas Oloko; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; and Leader and Spokesperson of the Authentic Mogajis, Chief Olawale Oladoja,during a meeting of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee on the Ibadan chieftaincy dispute, being spearheaded by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, with the governor, at the Governor's OďŹƒce, Ibadan... on Friday. Photo: Governor's OďŹƒce massacre was worse than the flood incidence which caught the apt attention of the federal
government. While commending Governor Ortom for his efforts towards
ensuring peace in the state and for ensuring the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition
Law, Mr. Agbakor called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of actors of the heinous crime.
‘Atiku not Financier of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association’
Bello: With Paris Club Refund, N10b Borrowing, We Cleared Salary Arrears
Former Vice President Atiku Abubarkar has debunked claims by Chief Paul Unongo that he is the financier of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria. A statement, yesterday, by Media Adviser to Atiku Abubakar, Mazi Paul Ibe dissociates the former VP from the association, saying “Let it be known that though Waziri Adamawa is a Fulani, he is not a member of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria nor has he ever been a member. He has also never discussed about that group with Chief Paul Unongo. “Furthermore, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar enjoins that a thorough investigation be made into the killings in Benue, and that anyone found culpable be made to bear the full weight of the law.�
Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja
The statement said it was very disheartening that in this period of intense grief in Benue State, Chief Paul Unongo would choose to level these desperately sad and false allegations on the person of Atiku Abubakar, “whom he erroneously described as the chief financier of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria. “Yes, Waziri Atiku Abubakar is a Fulani and proud to be one and has never hidden that fact. However, the Waziri is a thoroughly detribalized Nigerian that would never favour one ethnic group over another.� The statement recalled that “Last year during the massive flood in Benue State which affected over 100,000 families, Waziri Atiku Abubakar, who holds the Tiv traditional title of Zege Mule U Tiv, donated cash to the Benue
State Government for the care of the victims. “This is fitting for a man whose Tiv traditional title means ‘the biggest shade of the Tiv people’. “It is strange that Chief Paul Unongo chose to neglect that act of love and care from the Waziri Adamawa to the people of Benue. Not only did the Zege Mule U Tiv make a financial donation, he also called on the Federal Government to do more to assist the flood ravaged communities.� The statement alleged that Unongo may be out to please his political associates, as it said “Having said that, it has not escaped our notice that Chief Paul Unongo is the Chairman, Governing Board of Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), a position he was appointed to in April of last year.
Akwa Ibom Governor, Emmanuel, Sacks Commissioner Okon Bassey in Uyo In a minor cabinet reshuffle, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udo Ekpenyong has been sacked by the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel. A two-paragraph official statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh yesterday, captioned “reshuffling of Akwa Ibom State Executive Council� was silent on the reason for the sack of the Commissioner. Only the Commissioner for
Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs who was seen as one of the cabinet members was removed with immediate effect out of the 17 Commissioners and two Special Advisers sworn into office on December 2, 2016. The statement reads: “Governor Udom Emmanuel has effected a minor reshuffling of his cabinet. By this development, the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Udo Ekpeyong, has been relieved of his portfolio with immediate effect. “The Government of Akwa Ibom State thanks Hon. Ekpeyong for his services to the state while serving
as a member of the State Executive Council and wishes him well in his future endeavours�. A source told Thisday that the removal of the commissioner may not be unconnected with the near scuffle he had with one of the top government officials on Thursday during a breakfast meeting in Government House, Uyo Thisday learnt that the State Governor had on January 4, 2018 invited PDP stakeholders from the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District for the breakfast meeting where the sacked commissioner had an encounter with another state official.
Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, yesterday said the state government had cleared all salary arrears owed civil servants in December, using the balance of N1.2 billion Paris Club refund released by the federal government and additional N10 billion borrowed by the state government. Bello who made this claim while answering questions from journalists in the State House, said while four months outstanding arrears were initially cleared before Christmas, the remnant was cleared thereafter. He disclosed that the state government had come up with a new device to track workers' punctuality in the state, pointing out that workers will henceforth be paid according to the number
of days he/she reports for duty. "In Kogi State today, we are up to date as far as salary is concerned. In the month of December, like Mr. President magnanimously assisted us with another tranche of Paris Club refund, our own figure was N1.2 billion and some other change on top. "We didn’t just stop at that. We borrowed up to N10 billion and we added November/December allocation to our figures and we were able to clear four months at a stretch before Christmas and some leftovers were cleared before this January in Kogi State. As you all know, the salary was very bogus and according to the figure we had, we were able to distribute it among these months, so glory to God as far as Kogi State is concerned. "Moving forward from this Janu-
ary, we have decided that we are going to make use of our clock-in device for every civil servant in Kogi State both at local and state levels so that that as you come to work and clock-in, that is exactly how your salary will be generated. "It is online. It is automated. So, nobody is going to cheat anybody. That is how we are going to go in the state. So, in Kogi State, civil servants, pensioners are all happy with this administration. Thanks to God and Mr. President for this magnanimity," he said. Bello who said Fulani residents do not pose any security threat to the state, said instead they had been instrumental to the arrest of criminal elements among them adding that the collaborative efforts among security operatives have helped to stem the tide of insecurity in the state.
El-Rufai Reshufes Cabinet John ShiklaminKaduna The Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has reshuffled his cabinet Spokesman of the governor, Samuel Aruwan explained in a statement yesterday evening that the changes were as a result of the vacancy created by the death of the late Prof. Andrew Nok who served as the commissioner for education, science and technology. Nok passed on in December last year following an illness. The exercise led to the dropping of a commissioner and the appointments of two new ones. The appointees, according to the statement, include Mrs. Ruth Geoffrey Alkali for the ministry of commerce, Industry and Tourism and Dr. Ibrahim
Hamza, the pioneer Director-General of the Kaduna Facility Management Agency (KADFAMA), for the ministry of water resources . Others who were assigned new portfolios include, Dr. Manzo Maigari who moves from the ministry of commerce, industry and tourism to the ministry of agriculture and forestry while Prof. Kabir Mato was moved from the ministry of agriculture and forestry to the ministry for Local government and chieftaincy affairs. Similarly, Ja’afaru Sani, was moved from the ministry for local government to the ministry of education , science and technology while Balaraba AliyuInuwa moves from the ministry of rural and community development to
the ministry of works , housing and transport. Hassan Usman Mahmud from the ministry of works , housing and transport was reassigned. To the ministry of rural and community development. Alhaji Shehu Balarabe, Commissioner for Stakeholder Relations in the Governor’s Office, is was also reassigned as a commissioner in the Fiscal Responsibility Commission. However, Umma Hikima of the ministry of justice, Suleiman Abdu Kwari, ministry of finance, Dr. Paul Dogo, Ministry of Health and Human Services and Muhammed Sani Abdullahi of the ministry of Planning and Budget Commission retained their portfolios.
12
͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
COMMENTARY
NEED TO FOCUS ON EXCELLENCE In the midst of missteps in the polity is evidence of measured progress, writes Mudasiru Adebayo Salami
W
e all have memories of 2017. Mine was full - from Commonwealth scholarship to becoming the father of an undergraduate; from several challenging surgical cases successfully managed, to humbling scenarios that constantly remind us of the need to stay grounded, and many other stories which only evoke praise to God almighty. Now come 2018. I made a resolution long time ago to focus my energy on the positive, as our time on this planet is finite, with so many impacts to be made. Negativity can only be a drag on our positive force to live doing great good to the citizens of this world. At the same time, we must derive some lessons from events around us. First, is a common ill in our society - lack of attention to detail. Many people submit work, reports and documents without paying attention to what is being submitted. Are all facts crosschecked and background information complete? Literally, billions are lost when messages are misinterpreted due to errors and many lives changed forever. In our communications, we should do away with meaningless abbreviations that belittle us –’because’ is never equal to ‘cos’. Go the extra mile, say it and do it right the first time. The next lesson is related, in choosing people to man positions like board member, we must turn a new leaf by ensuring a detailed vetting of curriculum vitae. Individuals need to be matched based on their expertise, experience and competence. A board is supposed to be the highest decision-making body of an organisation or agency. They carry out oversight functions and strategic thinking for a greater future. We cannot derive gold from iron, and therefore we can only expect the best when we put people in their best areas of strength. We also need to widen our target population with a more diverse pool beyond party men. Talents and diligent execution is not a party, tribe or religious monopoly. Diversity pays. A room where everybody comes from the same background and thinks alike hardly births innovation. Let’s embrace diversity and respect our differences. We can only be stronger and more successful when we do. And let’s remember that the world is dynamic. So, we should be sensitive to global changes and avoid business as usual in 2018. We can be more efficient and effective if we just ask ourselves the question daily - how can we do this better? Further, we must as individuals, organisations or nations, eschew wastage. The more the agencies we struggle to sustain, the more the resources are thinned out and the essentials compromised. The little we have can do just much.
DIVERSITY PAYS. A ROOM WHERE EVERYBODY COMES FROM THE SAME BACKGROUND AND THINKS ALIKE HARDLY BIRTHS INNOVATION. LET’S EMBRACE DIVERSITY AND RESPECT OUR DIFFERENCES. WE CAN ONLY BE STRONGER AND MORE SUCCESSFUL WHEN WE DO
Where is value for money when we keep increasing recurrent expenditure at a cost to development? Related to this, is a fervent need for social media detoxification by all of us. Remember the word ‘social’ comes before and define the ‘media’, hence we cannot spend all our time in finite enjoyment at the expense of future higher stations and achievements. Find out about the innovators and achievers of last year, they did not make that happen on social media. Let’s all control our use of social media to create more time for real enriching activities. Shakespeare or Rowling couldn’t have written so many evergreen books if they spend 50% of their day time on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp. Take the good from the media within a minimal defined time and engage the world more. Now let’s all rejuvenate our minds and redirect ourselves to focusing on excellence in all our domains and offices. Let the final arbiter in our decisions be that which supports and smell excellence. Let’s do things in new ways to ensure a greater today and tomorrow, for the future starts from the next minute. Let’s extinguish the flames of complacency and deficit in commitment to nation-building. Let’s all unite to fight for RESPONSIVE and RESPONSIBLE governance that is beyond primordial party or ethnic interests. Our loyalty is to the nation and the struggling masses. Let’s be great examples within our niche of influence far better than what we preach in our eloquent speeches. Let’s have more men and women of integrity rise to reawaken Nigeria. Let’s remain awake to opportunities in our environment which abound. Those who invested one million naira wisely in Nigerian stock exchange January 2017 could have ended up with N430,000 gain on some stocks based on the reported 43% return. That was in spite of recession, with the feat earning Nigeria the award of third best performing stock market in the world. Those opportunities and more, beckon, as our economy improves further this year. Focus on the positives and seek to make best use of opportunities, for they remain rare and hardly come knocking again. Opportunities abound in agriculture value chain, health sector, education, transport and virtually all aspects of human endeavour in a nation blessed with 180 million people. Seek, find and maximise yours. In conclusion, in the midst of missteps in the polity is evidence of measured progress. Change takes time and fortune. I am convinced a new dawn is birthing in Nigeria and globally. Lead the change, harness opportunities! Enjoy the striving! Dr. Salami wrote from Ibadan
MORE FOR MY PEOPLE
Tayo Ogunbiyi celebrates Lagos State’s defining moments in 2017
I
n Lagos State, the departed year was noteworthy in many ways. As we continue to bask in the euphoria of the New Year and ponder on the many possibilities it offers, it will not be out of place to reect on some of the feats accomplished by the state government in the previous year. In 2017, the Lagos State Government’s infrastructure renewal mission continued on a larger scale across the state. Aside, the several hundreds of roads that were rehabilitated and reconstructed, the Ajah and Abule Egba Flyovers, the redeveloped Berger axis along the Lagos- Ibadan Expressway, the completed Aboru link Bridge, among others, were some of the stimulating projects embarked upon by the state government in the previous year. Cheerfully and to the admiration and excitement of Lagos residents, the Ajah fly over bridge was inaugurated on May 19, by the state government. Incidentally, the Abule-Egba fly over bridge was also launched that same day. The two projects just go to demonstrate the resolve of the state government to upgrade infrastructure across the state. The Ajah Bridge is a particularly significant project because of its strategic importance to the economic growth of the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the rapidly developing Ibeju-Lekki-Epe axis. This axis will play a key role in the future prosperity of Lagos State as the home to many multi-billion naira private investments in the Lekki Free Trade Zone as well as the upcoming seaport and airport. The state government is irreversibly committed to making Lagos State an investment haven. This explains why it is putting in place top class infrastructure that will facilitate rapid socio-economic growth. While the Ajah project is aimed at easing movement of residents and commuters on the Lagos Island- Ibeju-Lekki areas with a view
to boosting the ease of doing business, the Abule-Egba Bridge is intended to bring relief to millions of commuters plying Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in Alimosho, Agege and Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Areas of the state. Another major highlight of 2017 in the state is the steady availability of LAKE Rice, the product of a joint agro-venture between Lagos and Kebbi States, in the market. This offers good tidings to Lagosians as it really helps cushion the effect of economic recession to a great extent. The availability of LAKE Rice is no doubt partly responsible for the fall in the price of the commodity across the country. Aside providing succour for local consumers, one major goal of the LAKE Rice Project is economic diversification and wealth creation. Presently, the need for economic diversification in our country cannot be over emphasised. This, indeed, is the exact time for governments at all levels to embrace every creative strategy that would fast track economic emancipation. It is, therefore, quite commendable that the Lagos and Kebbi State Governments are already leading the way in this direction. Another landmark attainment of Lagos State in the previous year was the several investments in public security. Being a cosmopolitan bursting city that rarely goes to sleep, Lagos, no doubt, has peculiar security challenges. Its special status as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria and, indeed, West Africa, understandably poses a threat to public security as diverse people from sundry parts of the world, and for different reasons, migrate into Lagos on a daily basis. With a population that is close to 24 million out of the nation’s estimated population of 180 million, security challenge in the state is peculiar and therefore needs peculiar solution. It is in view of this that the state government invested massively in public security in the past
year. In order to strengthen security and greatly reduce crime at the grassroots, the state government launched the re-branded Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, thereby creating employment opportunities for over 7000 Lagos residents. The state government made available a total of 177 salon cars and vehicles equipped with necessary communication gadgets, 377 motorcycles, 377 helmets, 4,000 bicycles, and metal detectors to the new improved Neighbourhood Safety Corps. The intent is to reinforce security at the grassroots. The move was another giant step towards enhancing security all over the state and a vital part of ongoing efforts by the state government to reform public security in the state. The corps is designed to provide a second layer of policing in order to ensure that all communities in the state are more secure. It will be recalled that Governor Ambode assented to the law that created the LNSC on August 15, 2016. Significantly, 2017 further consolidated the plan of the state government to transform Lagos into the entertainment hub of Africa. This was largely achieved through an increasing commitment to the ideals of T.H.E.S.E, acronym for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sporting Excellence. In 2017, Lagos hosted a few international and continental entertainment events. Similarly, the second edition of Lagos Street Party was held in Ikeja while Lagos equally had an astonishing showing at the 2017 edition of some famous international carnivals. The 2017 edition of the now famous One Lagos Fiesta (OLF) capped the entertainment milestone of Lagos in 2017. The event, as usual, held concurrently across the five major divisions of the state viz- a -viz at Agege, Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu and Lagos Island. The plan is to guarantee that every part of the state was given the opportunity to have a taste of the
exciting experience. One other major defining act of the Lagos State Government in the previous year is the strengthening of justice mechanism in the state. Towards this end, the first ever DNA Forensic Centre in the country, Lagos State DNA Forensics Centre (LSDFC) located on Lagos Island was launched. The centre is to address the sophisticated nature of crimes and criminals who are determined to escape the long arm of the law in the state. It was initiated by the state government to demonstrate its commitment to criminal justice reform. Equally, the state hosted the 2017 Lagos State Justice Stakeholders’ Summit from January 30-31, 2017 while also passing to law several bills such as the Lagos State Environmental Protection and Management Law 2017, the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund Law 2017, the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund Law 2017, the Lagos State Sports Commission 2017, Lagos State Kidnapping Prohibition Law, 2017, Hotel Occupancy Regulations, 2017, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Law, 2016, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (Amendment) Law, 2016, Local Government Election Tribunal (Amendment) Law, 2016, Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, 2016, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law, 2016, among others. As 2018 unfurls, Lagosians are certainly in for more beautiful moments. On-going projects such as the Pen Cinema Bridge, Oshodi Transport Interchange, reconstruction of the Lagos Airport Road, opening up of the Agege Stadium for continental football, improved tourism activities, among numerous others, are some of the initiatives that would no doubt transform the state’s landscape in the current year. Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos
13
͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
INSIGHT
Will there ever be an end?
The Stars Are Becoming Politicians
I
t is no longer news that one-time soccer star, George Opon Weah, is the President-elect of Liberia. There is something about stars and the profession of politics that just doesn’t seem to blend. The profession of politics appears to be conservative in nature. Individuals and citizens that have excelled tremendously over the years in politics are those have been known to emerge from backgrounds that are conservative and orthodox. Stars, on the other hand, are known to be “more free-râ€? in their life styles. Stars are liberal; they tend to exercise a lot of liberty in their way of life and are quite often not so conservative in principles, behaviour or way of doing things. Based on this fact, it is always a perplexing scenario whenever a star in any field, profession or venture, crosses over from his or her field and ventures out into the intricate and complex profession of politics. It was Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th president that defined democracy as â€œâ€Ś Government of the people, by the people and for the people.â€? With this definition, Abraham Lincoln appeared to be appealing passionately to all and sundry that the profession of politics should actually be a harmonious synergy between the governed and the governors , between the hoi-polloi and the few privileged aristocrats that wield power and influence over the masses. Politics should be a profession where the few that have the privilege of ruling multitudes of other people should be altruistic in their attitude while in political offices or while ruling, and should initiate and implement policies and programmes that are in the interest of citizens of every nation. Also, the masses should be actively involved one way or the other, every time, in the privileged process of secular governance. From time immemorial the profession of politics has always held an alluring attraction for many men and women. The reasons why many individuals venture out into the profession are diverse, and personal, but in many instances, glaring. Social prestige, power, influence and easy money, always constitute outstanding reasons why many people are easily attracted to the profession of politics. Over the years, however, and indeed in contemporary times, stars in various fields and professions, not minding their backgrounds and life-styles, have been venturing into politics. Consider these facts and examples. In Brazil, legendary football player, Pele, after retiring from a life of excellence in football playing, served as minister of sports in his country. In America, the name of Arnold Schwerzzarnerger rings a bell. Arnold Schwerzzarnerger, it was, who after acting in many well known movies, like Predator, Commando, Terminator, vied for office of Governor of California and became a two- term governor of the state. Intriguing as this might seem, it is worthy of note to know that in the same United States of
America, one of America’s late presidents, Ronald Reagan, had a background that is “coloured� with successful intrusion into the profession of movie productions, and acting, before venturing into politics at the presidential level. Senegal as a nation is another reference point. One of Senegal’s most well-known musicians is crooner Yousssou N Dour, with music albums that are listened to both in Senegal and in different parts of the African continent. In times past, the said singer vied for office of president of his nation – a star, aspiring to cross over into politics. Although Youssou N Dour lost out in the said aspiration, the fact that he was consoled with a ministerial appointment afterwards buttresses the reality that politics is a profession which stars have started becoming attracted to. In Nigeria, consider names like Desmond Elliot, Richard Mofe Damijo, popularly known as RMD, Bob Manuel Udokwe and Ini Edo. Then reflect on names like Julius Agwu, Yul Edoche, Segun Arinze, etc. These Nollywood stars, are either serving in one political office in time past, or have at one time or the other, vied for, or have expressed interest in a political office.
Patrick Adaofuoyi Ogbe, Asst. Chief Programme OfďŹ cer, National Orientation Agency, Garki, Abuja
Lake Chad and the Transaqua Project
A
s Nigeria gets ready to host the world in February this year to actualise what seems to be the project of the century, hope is about to be restored in the Lake Chad region. The gigantic transaqua project of diverting a little portion of the water the Congo River basin is losing to the Atlantic Ocean to save Lake Chad holds a lot of prospects to the region, ranging from electricity, afforestation, agriculture, transportation and economy. Ubangi River, which is a tributary of the biggest river in Africa and second only to the almighty Amazon in the world, River Congo has been identiďŹ ed as a potential donor since 1929 by Herman SĂśrgel, a German architect famous for his Atlantropa project. Since then, series of campaigns have been going on as the lake continues to shrink from about 25,000km2 in the 1970s to about 1,350km2 in recent times. The question that could not stop crossing the minds of most optimists is, could this be an-
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 PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com
other in the series of abundant attempts to restore the lake whose importance failed to be overstressed? The high level meeting is expected to have in attendance all of the presidents and heads of government of the member-states, namely Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic and Libya. Key partners hosting the conference are Nigeria, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). Expected donors include the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank and the governments of Germany, China, Canada and the European Union (EU). All that is required is the sum of $14.5 billion. The amount might seem huge but as you think about the figure, do no fail to remember the thousands of lives lost to the terrorism in the region which is also attributed to the shrinkage of the lake, the over two million hungry children in the region whose lives are at the border between this world and the other. Do not also forget the millions of hectares of irrigable land lost to the desert or the species of both plants and animals going on extinction simply because they cannot live while Lake Chad dies. Think about the plight of the millions displaced both internally and across the borders. Think about reclaiming the once dense woodland that existed in the past within the region, and the fish potential that the lake holds and the millions of hectares of land that could be used to provide food security to the countries in the region. And the electricity prospect the project holds. How about opening land lock countries like Chad and Niger to international commerce through canals? Or the actualisation of the over ambitious Great Green Wall? We hope the international community will not sit and watch the lake and its people varnish from the surface of the world. The project on the basis of its prospects actually worth its salt! Sadiq Muhammad Rijiya, Borno State
14
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜
Shakeup in FRSC, 109 Personnel Affected Sylvester Idowuin Warri
The Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) has redeployed 109 personnel as part of efforts to enhance its operational efficiency, according to the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem. In a statement on Friday, Kazeem quoted the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, as saying the shakeup was aimed at actualising the 2018 stategic goals of the FRSC in the National Headquarters. The redeployment exercise is coming barely five days after the promotion of 1,925 officers and marshals of the Corps, some of whom are affected in the shakeup. According to him, Deputy Corps Marshal Abubakar Ringim, who was recently promoted from the rank of Assistant Corps Marshal who was the Zonal Commanding Governor Udom Emmnanuel being decorated with the Armed Forces Emblem yesterday while the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Akapbio Officer of Zone RS3HQ, Yola is now in charge of Special Duties watches and Partnership in the National Headquarters. He said Assistant Corps Marshal Victor Nwokolo, formerly Head of Section, Special Marshals, is now the Head of Section, Command and Strategy Administration (CAS). Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) The Deputy Governor main- government for its prompt response Kayode Olagunju, who was the sustained matchet cut injuries. OkonBassey inUyo The Deputy Governor who tained that the state government’s to the humanitarian situation that Head, Policy Research and Statistics, Akwa Ibom State Government was represented by the Perma- renewed position on the matter befell the community noting that will now proceed on course at the has threatened to invoke more nent Secretary in his office, Mr. became imperative in order to curb the action was a further testimony Nigerian Institute of Policy and stringent measures to deal with Nkopuruk Ekauji donated building the spate of communal clashes as to the people-centric disposition of Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos. Kazeem said Assistant Corps those behind communal conflicts materials including cement, roofing well as intra-state boundary crises the Governor Udom Emmanuel Marshal (ACM) Stephen Maitiwith a view to bring an end to all sheets, ceiling boards and food which have become incessant in administration. He urged the people of the zumahs, formerly in charge of items such as rice, garri, beans as recent times. forms of crises in the state. He warned that in as much as area to continue to support the Administration and Training, is The Deputy Governor of the well as sewing machines among State, Mr. Moses Ekpo who re- other items to over 47 victims in the State Emergency Management State administration of Governor now the Zonal Commanding Agency (SEMA) is always prepared Emmanuel in its efforts to bring Officer, Zone 3, Yola. emphasized this while presenting the community’s brawls. Assistant Corps Marshal Kayode According to him, part of such to come to the aid of victims of development to all parts of the relief materials to the victims of last Fanola, formerly on course at NIPSS, year’s Boxing Day crisis between measures to permanently end natural disasters and emergency state. Columba added that the prompt takes over from Olagunju as Head Afaha Itak and Osuk Ediene skirmishes in the state will include situations, the issue of man-made communities in Ikono LGA said withdrawal of the certificates of disasters should be controlled presentation of the relief materials of Policy, Research and Statistics at government was worried about recognition of such village heads. to its barest minimum as they should not be seen as an incen- the headquarters. The FRSC spokesman said, Again, he mentioned that the amount to a huge distraction tive to cause more atrocities in such disturbances. anticipation of relief materials as Thisday gathered that the law enforcement agencies will be from developmental efforts. The Local Government Chair- “government’s gesture was just a communal clash which took instructed to treat perpetrators of place on December 26, 2017 led such clashes as violent criminals man for Ikono, Mr. Itoro Columba privilege and not an encouragement to the burning and vandalization hence should be made to face the while receiving the SEMA team for people to take laws into their praised the efforts of the state hands�. of 40 houses while seven people full wrath of the law.
REMEMBERING WAR HEROES...
A’Ibom Threatens Village Heads over Communal Feud
"Assistant Corps Marshal Godwin Ogagaoghene, former ACM Personnel at the headquarters, is now the Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO), Abuja. "Assistant Corps Marshal Shehu Zaki, former Zonal Commanding Officer, Lagos is now the Zonal Commanding Officer, Bauchi; Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu, formerly in charge of Zone RS4 Jos, is now Assistant Corps Marshal Motor Vehicle Administration in the National headquarters. "Assistant Corps Marshal John Meheux, former Zonal Commanding Officer, Ilorin, now Zonal Commanding Officer Zone RS2 Lagos while Assistant Corps Marshal Amauche Nwaka, former Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Manpower Development (MPD) now Zonal Commanding Officer , Zone 8, Ilorin. "Former Head of Federal Operations, Assistant Corps Marshal Aliyu Gunmi is to take over as the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Manpower Development in Training Department at the headquarters," Kazeem said. He added that Assistant Corps Marshal Olu-Mike Olagunju, formerly Head of Section, Command and Strategy, will now take over as the Commanding Officer of Zone 11, Oshogb o while Corps Commander John Babalola takes over Federal Operations from Zonal Head of Operations, Lagos. Assistant Corps Marshal Peter Kibo, who was until now the Zonal Commanding Officer of Zone 12, Bauchi, takes over as the Zonal Commanding Officer Zone 4, Jos. According to Kazeem, nine Corps Commanders, 17 Deputy Corps Commanders and nine Assistant Corps Commanders were equally posted and charged with new responsibilities.
Wamakko: I am Committed to Getting Youths Educated
Izunaso Empowers Special Osun to Pay NYSC Citizens in Imo, Marks New Year Members Allowance Arrears Amby Uneze in Owerri
Amidst the nation’s harsh economic climate occasioned by the raging recession, succour eventually came to the special citizens in Imo state when on Thursday, a Non Profit, Non-religious and non-governmental Organization, Kpakpando Foundation celebrated New Year for them and freely dished out gifts to ocushion their predicament. The Largesse (gifts) which cut across the 27 Local Government Areas and 634 autonomous communities in the state include: sewing machines, wheel chairs, grinding machines, cooking utensils, clutches, customized bags of rice and Generating sets. Founder/Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the foundation, Senator Osita Izunaso while doling out the items at his private residence in Owerri explained that and it was in line with the visions and mission of the Organization to make life more meaningful for the beneficiaries, promote economic self reliance among them and accord them a sense of belonging in society. Senator Izunaso who hails from Ohakpu, in the Oru west
council area and is the National Organizing Secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) said that the foundation established twelve (12) years ago, has the ambition to provide jobs to not few than 500 disabled persons annually across the state, adding that arrangement had been put in place to establish its offices in each of the 27 LGAs in the state. He expressed optimism that the President would soon assent to the bill on disability to put more smiles on the faces of all the disabled individuals in the country. According to him, the APC has made a provision in its constitution which now enables members of the disabled community in the country to have representatives at the state, Local Government and wards executive councils to smoothen the resolution of their numerous challenges. “We are here today to celebrate the new year which is a special year for the Kpakpando Foundation. This foundation which was established in 2006 has continued to attain greater height in realizing its objectives and I want you all to grow along with it. We will continue to touch many lives as we progress�, he assured.
YinkaKolawole in Osogbo
The Osun state government has directed all relevant agencies in the state to begin necessary processes and modalities for offsetting the arrears of the monthly stipend owe past and present members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who served (and are still serving) in Osun. The government also directed tax collecting agencies in the state to use all means necessary to obtain cooperation of professional groups in paying their taxes and enforce all relevant laws on taxation. The directive was contained in a statement issued and made available to journalists in Osogbo, by the Media Adviser to the Governor, Mr Sola Fasure, after the end of the weekly State Executive Council meeting, held at Executive Council Chamber, Governors Office, Osogbo. The Council frowned at the way and manner at which some professional groups in the state have not been cooperating with the state’s tax administrators, saying no effort would be spared in ensuring that taxable organisations and individuals are made to meet their civic responsibilities. The Council called on the
organisations and individuals doing business in Osun to begin to realise that taxation is the basis of government sustenance and that the State Government was fully determined to collect its revenue to the last kobo and bring the full weight of the law to bear on any defaulter. According to the statement, “Council examined the report on outstanding allowance of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, past and present, posted to Osun, and directed that the processes and modalities for offsetting the arrears be started immediately. “Council also received report that some professional groups in the state have not been co-operating with the state’s tax administrators. It condemned the act of non-payment of tax and urged the groups to cooperate with the tax agencies and obey the state’s tax laws forthwith. “Council urged all organisations and individuals doing business in Osun to realise that taxation is the basis of government sustenance and the State Government of Osun is fully determined to collect its revenue to the last kobo and bring the full weight of the law to bear on any defaulter.
MohammedAminuinSokoto Senator representing Sokoto Central Senatorial District, Alhaji
Aliyu Wamakko, yesterday said he is committed to getting the youths educated to all levels. Wamakko who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, spoke when the members of the Sokoto State Law Students' Association, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto state chapter, paid him a courtesy call. According to him, this is to make the young ones to become mature and productive, and become responsible members of the society. ''Human empowerment and development means a lot to me and I am always happy to see the people educated. '' Education is key to success in life and when you give education to the youths, you have developed the society in its entirety. ''Education is one thing that when you give it to anyone, he will become organised and live a decent life for the benefit of himself and the society,"he said. Wamakko posited that by giving education to the youths one is at war with illiteracy, idleness, drug abuse and other social vices, as well as crime. "That is why I am currently sponsoring hundreds of students
in Niger Republic, Benin, Uganda, Pakistan, Turkey and United Kingdom, among others." Wamakko promised to sponsor the members of the Association to the forthcoming annual cational convention of Nigerian law students in Lagos. He also accepted to be the Grand Patron of the Association, as well as sponsor the production of their hitherto moribund Journal. In a remark, the President of the Association, Abdulmumini Abdullah, said the visit was to seek his sustained fatherly prayers and support to the Association. The President noted that Wamakko had during his stint as the Governor of the state, approved the payment of the Law School registration fees for all the successful final year law students from the state before their departure to the institution. According to him, each of the benefiting final year law student from the state was then given about N350,000, courtesy of the gesture. "Wamakko has become a father to all the citizens of the state and the members of the association," he stated. He commended the lawmaker for his outstanding contributions to law making, peace building and sustenance of peace in the state and Nigeria, in general.
15
T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY JANUARY 6, 2018
JANUARY THANKSGIVING AND LAST DANCE SERVICE THEME:
FULFILLING PURPOSE
DESTINY
IN
7TH JANUARY, 2018
KIDNEY STONES DISAPPEARS AFTER LAST DANCE I bless God for the safe delivery of my granddaughter; mother and child are doing great. Also, I was diagnosed with kidney stones in the US in July, and got ready for the surgery. During October Last Dance, I tied my Last Dance to my healing, went to the hospital here in Nigeria two weeks after the dance, and it was discovered that the stones had disappeared. I give all the glory to God. RAA
HOLE IN HEART DISAPPEARS AFTER LAST DANCE I had a hole in my heart and I was scheduled to go for a surgery, after the dance surgeon Jesus Christ healed me. And so many awesome wonders God did in the lives of all our members, Holy Spirit just brought it to my mind. MULTIPLE BLESSINGS AFTER LAST DANCE During April Last Dance, I prayed to God to grant me multiple testimonies. Today, I thank God for blessing me with 2 years US visa, 10 years UK visa and a long term multiple entry visa into Schengen. I also thank God for blessing my company with divine change in our stream of income. SJ
The miracle is in the dance.
(ONE SERVICE)
EXAMINATION SUCCESS AFTER LAST DANCE At the beginning of this year, I prayed to God during a Thanksgiving Service to grant me the grace to begin and finish my ACCA examinations without failing any papers. As each examination diet came, I prayed to God to answer my prayer. I wrote my final paper in June and I was really scared about my result. During July Thanksgiving Service, I danced as if my result was out. By mid-July, God answered my prayer, the result was released and I passed my examinations. God answered my prayer request to pass all papers at once and I did not have a reference in all 14 papers. Praise the LORD. DS
16
T H I S D AY ˾ ʹ˜ ͰͮͯͶ
Plus
LOUD WHISPERS AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER TEENS CONNECT FASHION FILE COVER
pg. 20 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 38 pg. 43 pg. 46
Yinka Adepoju My Experience Working for Governor Ajimobi
18
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 6, 2018
PLUS
My Experience Working for Governor Ajimobi Candid, creative, and intuitive, the Director General and Special Adviser, Oyo State Signage Agency, Yinka Adepoju, wears many hats as a consummate grass-roots politician, public speaker, pastor, and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s outdoor advertising industry. He tells Adedayo Adejobi about his childhood, career, what it takes working for the Oyo State Government and the thrill of having his first grandchild
W
hat kind of a childhood did you have? I am fortunate to be born in a Christian family. My parents being Pa Daniel Adebisi Adepeju and Madam Christiana Adepeju Adekojo of blessed memory were both Christians of the St. Paul’s Anglican Church Odo-Ona Ibadan; I was baptised in the church. I was a member of the choir of the church during my childhood. I was one of the drummers in the church band. I schooled at Ibadan City Council Practising School. I was privileged to be at the prestigious Government College Ibadan from 1971 to 1975. I had a stint with the Oyo State government where I worked with the Ministry of Finance, the internal revenue division. I gained admission into The Polytechnic, Ibadan and studied Mass Communication; I graduated in 1985. From there I left for Lagos in search of greener pasture. By 1986, I was in the media. I served in NTA Tejuosho and Vanguard newspapers as an advert executive. I later joined an advertising firm, St. Georges Publicity in Ilupeju, and moved to Media Link Limited in 1987 - from a senior client service executive to being the commercial manager and after which I became the pioneer General Manager of the firm. I served under Kole Ademulegun and Babu Akinbobola. I had a good time there until 1995 when I set up my own company, and managed the company for about 19 years before being appointed by Governor Abiola Ajimobi as the Director General of Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency and now also the special adviser. What values and memories have stayed with you? I had very good value system especially as a child from a Christian home. I was a member of the choir and it was such a nice thing starting
that way. I remember an incident at Government College Ibadan where six of us jumped the fence to go to a night party and unfortunately, our principal and the school head boy had to come to the party to peep on us. We were seriously punished for going out of the school at night without an exeat. We cut grass for about one week. We were lucky not to have been expelled from school, and that taught me a good lesson. What were your best and worse subjects? Literature in English was my best subject followed by Agricultural Science. Because I had a teacher who was very fond of me - each time we were on the school farm, he cracked a lot of jokes and it made me develop an interest in agriculture. I loved poetry and prose and learned about Shakespeare and Wole Soyinka. I dreaded mathematics. What has changed in your time and now? Discipline in the real sense of it. How we talk, dress, address people around us especially the elderly ones. We were taught respect. I don’t see these values often today. Nobody cares about anybody. There’s no courtesy. Our young people only care about social media. Even in Christian homes, you need a persistent drive to have your children meet up with your own standards. I grew up with an Anglican background but as I grew up, I moved to Pentecostal, and to the glory of God today I’m also a minister of God in Foursquare Gospel Church of Nigeria. What we learn in Sunday school and from the pulpit have really helped us and it has formed part of the values we pass down to our children. I want to thank God for the kind of children He has blessed me with, they are doing well, and they have Christ in them because of the way we brought them up. My expectations are high because I’m a pastor; more so, I expect that all my children will serve in the vineyard of God.
Our young people only care about social media. Even in Christian homes, you need a persistent drive to have your children meet up with your own standards. I grew up with an Anglican background but as I grew up, I moved to Pentecostal, and to the glory of God today I’m also a minister of God in Foursquare Gospel Church of Nigeria. What we learn in Sunday school and from the pulpit have really helped us and it has formed part of the values we pass down to our children
JANUARY 6, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
19
PLUS
My Experience Working for Governor Ajimobi How do you balance the ministry with secular work? I am a child of God with the mind of Christ, and when you have the mind of Christ, your life is settled. Your integrity, honesty, faithfulness, loyalty are intact. There might be influences but with a mind of Christ, even when temptations come, you can stand strong. As humans, we are vulnerable to temptations, but if you are the type that prays fervently and you also devoid your mind of worldly things, success is yours. Balancing being a pastor and a government official has not been a challenge at all. It has always been a plus for me. But in every decision and action that I take, I think of God first in everything. With most media budget, especially in outdoor advertising being slashed by clients due to the recession, how do you strike the balance as a regulator between client and practitioner? Three years ago, outdoor advertising practitioners came to Oyo State because of the recession and the difficulty in business. As genuine as their concerns were when the board is not displaying, it’s occupying a space. So we struck a balance; there was a reduction in their rates. We reduced the rate for billboards that do not display and no campaigns on them. Our rates are quite appropriate and are fair enough. To sum it up, we like to listen to our business partners, and we also like to share whatever pain they have. Are you planning to go into politics at the expiration of your tenure? Now, I’m a technocrat in politics. I am first an advertising practitioner. That’s been my profession since 1985; 32 years of active practice in advertising has earned me a fellowship award. I am a fellow, and that’s the highest you can get to in any profession. In all my life, I have been doing advertising: I sleep advertising; I eat advertising. I’ve not done any other business than advertising and I’m very happy that I’m one of the very few senior advertising practitioners in Nigeria today. Having served two
terms, I’ve gained a lot in politics. I am a grassroots politician. I come from the south-west local government in Oyo State, ward 12 and to the glory of God, I have contributed immensely to the development of my ward, my local government. In the recent past, people from my constituency have suggested to me that it’s time for an election, but my answer has always been that it’s not yet time. By the end of this second term, through prayers, I will know what next step to take. The future will speak for itself. Even if I do not go into full-time politics, I still have my profession. Even at this age, I am not too old to keep practising advertising. You don’t retire from your own personal business at age 70 or 80. I can still go to the office, to share and inject my experience into the people behind me. Pastors are known to be very busy. How do you find time for your family? I plan my day and life. In the business that I do, I have my obligations that I must fulfil. Running an agency, when I have a work ethic, and I must follow that plan. I have obligations and assignments, all of this I must do. I do not allow anything to come between that because if I don’t function well as a leader in my secular assignments, I have failed. I am not a full-time minister. I do it on a part-time basis. But that does not in any way interfere with my secular job. I go to church with my family, and when I’m at work, they are at work too. God designed it that way and I have managed it well. My children are grown-ups and on their own now except the baby of the house who by the grace of God is a student at the University of Ibadan. How did you meet your wife? As a young man, my first job was being a cashier with Oyo State Ministry of Finance. The job took me to the bank regularly, and incidentally, she came out of school then and was in Oyo State Ministry of Health as a cashier. So, when we brought money to the bank to pay into the government’s account, we always saw each other. We got talking and the interest started developing. I gained admission into school thereafter, and also she gained admission. So, the relationship contin-
ued up to the time that we discovered the reality of life which was when we came together as husband and wife. When you look back, what have you learned in life? With Christ in our lives, nothing will rock the relationship, or make it shake because even in difficult times we still go back to Christ. We had some tough times, but because we developed the idea of praying, reading and sharing the word of God together, we comforted ourselves with the word of God. What will be your advice to young couples? My advice to them is to accept Jesus Christ as their lord and their saviour. They should also allow the Holy Spirit, to guide them; with the Holy Spirit everything about you is balanced. I have never regretted serving the lord and also accepting Jesus Christ as my lord and savior. He has been the motivating factor, he has been everything to me and I know that as many that are in Christ, they will continue to have that great experience. What do you owe to your strong spiritual inclination? I owe everything and whatever modest achievement I have recorded to God. I enrolled into a bible school and perhaps that opportunity also gave me more insight into the things of God and today I’m better off. I have my Bachelor in Theology and again I’ve been to the state of Israel, and Jerusalem and everything I learned and saw gave me this belief to be so strong in Him because I had good exposure to the things of God. Away from work sir, how do you relax? The little time I have, I spend with my family. There are times we go out to different restaurants, nice and interesting places. We do go out and we also party. Who is more romantic between you and your wife? I think that question should rather go to my wife; I don’t know. I don’t know if I am. How often do you take your wife out?
Your integrity, honesty, faithfulness, loyalty are intact. There might be influences but with a mind of Christ, even when temptations come, you can stand strong. As humans, we are vulnerable to temptations, but if you are the type that prays fervently and you also devoid your mind of worldly things, success is yours. Balancing being a pastor and a government official has not been a challenge at all. It has always been a plus for me. But in every decision and action that I take, I think of God first in everything We do that once in a while. How does it feel being a grandparent? It gives me great joy that God made it possible for me to see my children’s children. Incidentally, I was at the hospital when my daughter gave birth, immediately they went to the hospital they called me and the hospital was a stone’s throw from where I live. I was going to rush into the labour room when I had the cry of the baby but I was stopped. They asked me to wait so they could clean up the baby, and immediately they finished cleaning her, they handed her over to me. You can imagine my joy! I was the first person to carry my grandchild. Her name is Tamilore Iremide Olushola. I carried her and gave her a very warm kiss and said, ‘God, I thank you.’ It’s all fun and it gladdens my heart to see my grandchildren. What influences your sense of style and fashion? I was a television reporter and presenter. Later on I joined the newspaper and became an advertising executive and eventually, I ended up in an advertising agency. My job and career have supported my outlook in every form. Essentially for business, I wear suits and wear it a lot because that has been my way of life. But for social activities, I still put on my native attire. I like them when they are neatly sewn and well designed. They make me look good and fashionable. I try as much as possible to look good all the time whether I’m wearing English or native attire. Do you still play the drums? I did that close to 50 years ago. I was very active when I was in school. I have stopped doing that. Most times when you see me now, you see me on the keyboard. Although I’m not too good at it, I’m hoping that very soon, I’ll get one in the corner of my sitting room and I’ll sit down to play at my own time. You seem to love music. What kinds of music do you listen to? I listen to gospel music -worship songs and praises. I love soft music too, and the kind of music that you listen to and it makes meaning to you. I listen to Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade a lot.
20
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 6, 2018 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)
LOUD WHISPERS
Ita-Giwa
Ghost Appointments and the Federal Character Principle Well, it all started like a joke. I have a WhatsApp group that discusses politics and economy and in the group we have some very powerful people. Donald Duke used to be in it. But he suddenly ran away. I guess the cost of data these days for ex– governors is prohibitive. We have Senator Omisore, Senator Ewa Henshaw and one Aregbesola – hoping it’s the real one sha. Because the day I yabbed him small on this page, he sent a chat thanking me, so na him. Gabriel Ogbechie of Rain Oil is in the group but does not say anything, don’t know why though. But today is not for him. My Lord Chike Ogeah is a powerful contributor and then the former Chairman of Shomolu Local Government, my Lord Bagostowe, is a keen participant. Another silent listener in the group is my mummy, Senator Florence Ita Giwa. Aghhhhhh it is not about the group o, but the ghost appointments. Well, like I had said, it started like a small joke when someone posted a quote from the massively bold and wide-eyed FFK-who is not in the group – DSS please take note. He had as usual issued a scary statement on the appointment of one dead person on the just released list of appointees to various boards and parastatals. It started just like that and by the end of the day it had snowballed into a major crisis with seven other dead people making an appearance on the list. A lot of hue and cry and Nigerians, as usual, who were already annoyed by the lingering fuel scarcity, did not spare our President and his minders. Well for me, I have looked at the list very carefully and after due consultation with my people both dead and living have come to the conclusion that there is marginalisation of the Akwa Ibom people in this country. So even in death, we still will not have one representation? This is totally unfair, I have sent a petition to my fallen compatriots seeking an explanation as to their docility even in the nether world. Why for Femi Adeshina’s sake were we not represented on this list? Out of eight, none is from our geographical zone. This thing must stop forthwith, our own dead too must also be represented on any list that comes out going forward. Abeg, make I no cry. YUSUF Buhari – Hold Tight My Brother Me I don’t know how to play politics with the lives of our people, especially our young ones. Ever since the unfortunate bike accident, there has been an outpouring of love and warmth towards the first family and with the exception of some mentally challenged critics, most people threw political divides aside to send prayers and encouragement to the President and his lovely family. Even though I do not agree with the President on most of his policies and if he is not careful may not vote for him if he comes out for the 2019 election, I will throw all that into the bush and stand with him in prayers for the quick recovery of his handsome son. Almighty Allah will protect him and send his angels to guide
Ogeah
Yusuf Buhari
Tony Elumelu: TheAlumni Michael Command School Jackson of Our Time I only saw the picture. The picture of our only Mr. Elumelu in full regalia where he was displaying some wonderful Michael Jackson moves, complete with the globally admired crotch grabbing step. This epochmaking occasion was the end of year party the media-loving gentleman threw for his staff and friends. In the past one year, I have taken more than a passing interest in this gentleman. His front-page grabbing activities leave me with cautious admiration. Mr. Elumelu, I can say apart from maybe the President, grabs headline more than any other Nigerian. He was either eating lunch at the White House, addressing a group of scientists on the wonderful delicacy that is afang, grooming over a thousand young entrepreneurs on the delicate skill that is the moonwalking or gracing the world Economic Forum discussing his pet project, Africapitalism. Do I admire him? Who in his right senses would not? He is a hard-working and specially gifted
and lead him back to good health. As I am writing, I am reading a statement issued by the guild of private doctors or whatever they have called themselves, stating that Yusuf was on his way back to good health. No parent prays to find himself in this kind of situation, it must be very traumatic. Power bikes? No be me. My friend Kanu Ogbannaya is their President o. I see him dressed like an astronaut and he will just be revving the thing like a huge robot. Many times they have invited me to join. Me, from Shomolu, have I finished driving
gentleman with more than his own share of charisma. The only problem I have with him is the lack of mention of his Ekpoma roots. Some reference should be made to this ‘humble but very strategic’ beginning if for nothing else but to, at least, inspire the people at the grassroots. Back to the picture and party abeg, my spies tell me it was a fun fest, with Tony taking the dance floor and making Michael green with envy in his grave. Food was plenty, and I got some takeaway as I had instructed that I did not want just gist, but that I must also taste some Africapitalism food. Well, let me just say happy New Year to Mr. Elumelu and I hope you do not mind this gentle stroking? If he vex you, then I suggest you reach out to Dino Malaye for some small lessons in ignoring people like me. Looking forward to next year’s party and here is wishing you come out as Michael Jackson in full Thriller costume, and that would be a sight. Teheeeee
all the Keke Marwa around me? For my darling Aisha, I can imagine what you are going through right now, pele. Just reminds me of how my mum used to fret when I came down with malaria. She would just be shaking and crying and then she would give me enema. Kai, she even offered to give me this enema as a 48-year-old the other day; I was constipated from too much fufu. Take heart my darling, we are with you on this and the whole of Shomolu is holding hands with you as you fight this. He will recover my darling, don’t worry,
Waidi Akanni
God is on the throne. ABUJA, Are You Ready for Yellow Chilli Let me give you guys an exclusive I got by accident. I was chasing my friends Waidi Akanni, and Victor Ikpeba, the Prince of Monaco, when Waidi told me he was at the Yellow Chilli in Ikeja. Well, my people, that is where you get the best fisherman soup in Lagos and Victor, the amiable proprietor once told me when I asked why the food takes 20 minutes to prepare that if I could not wait then I was not his client. It is true, the soup is something else – story for another day. So, I moved in, even with Waidi begging me not to come. The guy doesn’t like spending money. I don’t even know what is wrong with him sef. Well, I moved in and Waidi was sitting there on a plate of fisherman soup. No wonder. I just grabbed the nearest wash-hand basin and dived into his food as he frowned like Hilary Clinton when she was privately told she had lost the election. It was at this point that Victor walked in and we started talking. He mentioned the berthing of this wonderful restaurant in Abuja somewhere in Wuse 2. As he talked I could see a lot of excitement in his eyes and I too was excited waiting for the usual offer of a fresh bowl of fisherman soup, which did not come. Well, I leave him to God. Anyway that is the scoop: Yellow Chilli would be berthing in Abuja. Details will be released very soon. For now, let me finish Waidi’s food. COMMAND ALUMNI – Nigerians kindly intervene This election of which I have thrown in my hat to be the winner is taking its toll on me. I am not sleeping again o, and even in the five minutes that I manage to sleep I find myself jumping out of sleep screaming, ‘I will not be Jonathan’. So my people we have promised to turn the alumni platform into a veritable vehicle for national economic development, corralling micro contributions into a vast pool of developmental wealth. Starting from command we will build a N1b fund and from there pull in as many alumni as we can find, creating jobs and opportunities for our people. So my people I am begging you people to reach out to your friends and family who attended Command to get them to vote for Edgar and Team. Apart from the reason I have stated above, how can Duke of Shomolu lose the very first and possible only election he would be contesting? Kai, I will have to go into exile and which country apart from Zimbabwe will take me? Please, my people, oya start working the phones, call, text your people and let’s have the votes. How I wish Nigerian politics was like this one. Come and see, no ethnicity, no voter inducement with loaves of bread, no thuggery, no violence, no building of statues, just plain issues. If you see the questions and debates, a lesser being will just run. This is what we are saying in this our country. But people no shame me – make the call o.
21
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀
SPY GLASS
MAMORA
SENATOR MAMORA RESCUED AT LAST! For Senator Olorunnibe Mamora, this is surely a happy moment for him as his dwindling political career was salvaged. The former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly was among others that their names were released the penultimate week for Federal Government board appointments. The senator, who only recently made his intention known to contest the number one job of Ogun State, was announced as the chairman of Abuja Investment and Infrastructure Centre. Spyglass gathered the appointment came at the right time, saving him from total political oblivion he had suffered tremendously until his name was announced to head the relatively unknown agency. Since he left the Senate he had been left in the cold while his political calculations had faltered. And it appeared his political adventure in Nigeria has been marked by uncertainties. We gathered that he may have given up on his hope as the political reality starred him in the face. But like a typical Nigerian politician that he is, the man has refused to give up. He took the bull by the horns and threw his hat into the ring for the number one job of Ogun State in 2019. However, a source confirmed that this is just a decoy to remain relevant in the scheme of things as he has no clout for the sensitive position. While many said it might amount to building castle in the air and yet another of his series of losses as his political party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC) has zoned the
with BAYO ADEOYE .... 08054680651 governorship ticket to Ogun West, while Mamora comes from Ogun East. It’s also a known fact that his godfather, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is throwing his weight behind Senator Solomon Adeola, otherwise known as Yayi, who is from Yewa. Since he left the Senate, representing Lagos East senatorial district in 2011, he has lost his political relevance with series of losses as his ambition to keep afloat floundered. Then he was considered as one of the few political gladiators not only in Lagos but in the entire SouthWest owing largely to his loyalty to Tinubu but since then he is yet to taste any of the dream political positions, even has his name featured prominently on some appointments’ list. Especially after he was dropped as a non-career ambassadorial nominee.
LAGOS BUSINESSMAN, TUNJI OWOEYE’S QUANDARY His family knows he detests negative publicity. His friends say he is gentlemanly. So also his business associates love him for being business-minded. But how did this gentleman reportedly find himself in an avoidable mess, which has now made him a subject of criticism? This is the story of Tunji Owoeye, a Lagos businessman and Managing Director of Elephant Group Limited, who is currently enmeshed in a controversy that is threatening the foundation of his business empire. Spyglass gathered that Owoeye, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria, is trying hard to wriggle himself out of a legal jigsaw over an alleged crime before a federal high court in Lagos. Owoeye, who is currently the Chairman, Board of Trustees of National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), is facing trial for importation of urea fertilizer components used in making Improvised Explosive Devices, an offence punishable under Section 47(1)(c) of the Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C. 45 Laws of the Federation 2004. This is the offence preferred against him in a criminal charge number FHC/207C/17 filed before the court in 2016 by Assistant Chief State Counsel, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, A. K. Alilu, on behalf of the
Attorney General of the Federation. It was also gathered that further proceedings have been adjourned until February 1, 2018. Owoeye, a former General Manager, Treasury and Banking Operations, Frontline Savings and Mortgage Limited, is a member of the Agriculture and Food Security Policy Commission of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), a non-governmental body saddled with the responsibility of strategic planning for the future of Nigeria.
CHRIS ERONDU’S STAYING POWER Sometime ago, Chris Erondu, a popular night club owner, took a bold and courageous step when he rebranded his popular night club, The Page.The decision to transform The Page into De Vogue was well thought out and the gains are visible to the blind today. Since the De Vogue literally rose from the ashes of The Page, Erondu’s image has further received a boost in nightclub/entertainment sector in the Ikeja area of Lagos. In spite of the current harsh economic situation in the country he has continued to dazzle his customers with top of the range services in a cool and welcoming ambience. He came into the industry when many had thought that the business climate was already saturated. But he deployed his creativity and came up with astounding concepts that instantly made him the toast of many While many of his contemporaries have fallen by the way side, he stands tall, growing his clientele. Certainly, there is something he is doing right with De Vogue.
WOLE MADARIOLA‘S HAPPY MOMENT
It was a day of praises recently when popular national security analyst and diplomacy scholar, Wole Madariola Olumide was bestowed with a top award in security alongside the present Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. The event held recently at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel was put together by Crimeworld Security Award to recognise prominent personalities that has contributed immensely to the security upliftment in Nigeria over the years.
WOLE MADARIOLA
TUNJI OWOEYE
BASHY KUTI
CHRIS ERONDU The Isreali-trained Weapon Expert who was equally the Guest Lecturer at the event delivered a paper titled: The Socio-Economic Impact of Kidnapping on developing nations Nigeria a case study. He was honoured with the award of ‘Special Recognition for Assistance to Security Agencies’, for all his support over the years which cannot be quantified. Other Prominent Security Personnel honored at the event apart from IGP Idris were former IGPs Mike Okiro and Solomon Arase.
BASHY KUTI EXPANDS COAST
The name Bashy Kuti is synonymous with fashion and style. This is no exaggeration, as the Managing Director of BKK has been faithful to his first love, fashion design, for many years with several credible awards to his credit. He opened his Ibadan outfit many years ago, while many branches followed in an effort to continue to meet up with demand of his growing clientele. Spyglass gathered that the creative designer would be opening his Abuja FCT office very soon. His London office is fully operational while Bkk clothes is gaining popularity among top socialities in the U.K. Over the years, this respected fashion designer, who launched his outfit about two decades ago, has won the confidence of the elite who, in turn, have rewarded him with impressive patronage owing to his creativity. Always as busy as a bee, his office is a Mecca to celebrities, top politicians and captains of industry. Kuti, who is renowned for his creativity, is a big collector of shoes and wrist-watches.
22
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 6, 2018
SUPER SATURDAY
Matthew Ashimolowo lives rent-free in a £1.1m mansion owned by the church
GOD DELUSION
Mega-rich Nigerian Pastors Living in Million Pound Homes Prey on Believers with Claims of Curing Deadly Diseases, Reports The SUN UK
P
Matthew Ashimolowo’s KICC makes £6.3million-a-year through worshippers donating from their salaries
astors Matthew Ashimolowo and Alex Omokudu live in sprawling seven-figure mansions while their huge congregations are told to hand over money often straight from their salaries.
Assembly (VPA) three years later. Today, the 53-year-old - who is called Daddy by his flock - owns a lavish £2million nine-bedroom mansion in leafy Hornchurch, Essex. The lavish gated mansion includes five reception rooms, a swimming pool, a sauna and a 250ft garden. Meanwhile, the preachers He also owns a second £600,000 property a lead services in which it is claimed people short distance away. have been cured of life-threatening illnesses Despite his luxurious lifestyle, his website some of them on the spot. states: “My wealth belongs to the people, The Sun found Omokudu continues to promote videos such as one claiming a young whatever I have I give out. People are suffering and need help.” boy had been cured of cancer while the pasMeanwhile, worshippers are effectively tor places his hands on him. His church has been warned by authorities about potentially leaned on to empty their pockets to ‘the God of VPA’. exploiting people with serious illnesses. The main church in Barking, East London, We witnessed worshippers being told “God is attended by around 5,000 worshippers wants you to give all your money to him” and warned about showing “disobedience to every week and lies within one of the most God” before being handed direct debit forms. deprived areas in the UK. VPA also operates in run-down parts of The pastors claim to share their wealth Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford and with those who need it but we can reveal Luton. the financial dealings which have seen them Our reporter attended a service at VPA’s acquire lavish lifestyles most worshippers can Barking church and joined thousands of only dream of. Pastor Alex Omokudu claims to be “heav- people repeatedly told: “Give your money to ily anointed with healing powers from God” God to get ahead of others”. The service started with a number of and his church takes more than £1million a year in donations from his devoted following. testimonies of people claiming to have Omokudu moved to the UK from Nigeria experienced miracles after praying to ‘the God of VPA’ and requests from those looking in 2002 and launched Victorious Pentecostal
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ NUARY 6, 2018
23
SUPERSATURDAY GOVERNMENTS MUST FIX AIRPORTS, ROADS, AND SECURITY PROBLEMS TO WOO TOURISTS…
Alex Omokudu owns a £2million nine-bedroom mansion in Hornchurch, Essex for help. One teenager about to sit his A-level exams was told: “When you enter that exam hall, God will fill your head with the answers”. The congregation was then read a passage from 2 Kings 4 in which a woman finds herself in debt and is told to collect empty containers from her neighbours which God fills with oil to sell. “Give your money to God to get ahead of others... give your money to God to get ahead of others” repeats the pastor. A number of similar phrases were repeated as the volume of the music grew slowly in the converted office block. The pastor added: “God wants you to give all your money to Him.. give all your money to Him. “There is no excuse not to give your money to God... he sees any money you have coming. You cannot hide money from God. “The church of VPA and Pastor Alex Omokudu will deliver you prosperity.” As the music built to a crescendo, direct debit forms emerged - and worshippers were told to come to the front and “pay your tithes”. But while vowing to serve the congregation who hand over £1m-a-year, Omokudu also personally takes an annual £102,000 in rent for the church they worship in. Our investigation found Omokudu bought the property for £1m with the help of a loan from London-based Kenyan national called Kennedy Kulei. The pastor - who previously described separation as a sin - divorced from his wife of 15 years Patricia last year and three months later married a Russian woman nearly 30 years his junior. He explained the decision to his followers, saying in an interview: “I have already remarried. I did not want to remarry but God said I should get out of it and consoled me.” Matthew Ashimolwo, 65, launched Kingsway International Christian Centre in 1992 from a rented hall. Twenty-five years later the church also has £16.4m in assets, £500,000 in the bank and rakes in more than £8m in revenue a year. Videos show him asking his worshippers to place their hands on parts of their body where they are afflicted by diseases before saying “every sickness and disease in your body I command it to leave you” before telling them “you have no sicknesses and diseases”. KICC - which mainly operates in Walthamstow and the recently-acquired ‘Prayer City’ building in Chatham, Kent takes £6.3m a year from tithing, where the congregation gives up 10 per cent of its salary. The church also has an army of 1,000 volunteers who provide it with more than 300,000 hours of free labour, worth more than £2m-a-year. But while claiming to ‘pass on his riches’ Ashimolowo - described as the church’s ‘founder, visionary and senior pastor’ - lives rent free in a £1.1m nine-bedroom home in Romford, Essex, owned by the church. Documents obtained by The Sun show the property was purchased by the charity with no mortgage. The Nigerian-born pastor lives with wife Yemisi, 58, who is
Alex Omokudu’s Victorious Pentecostal Assembly makes £1.1million-a-year in donations also a senior pastor at the church and believed to earn more than £60,000-a-year from her role. The couple owns a second £600,000 home in Grays, Essex, currently lived in by their son. Ashimolowo has previously been found by the Charity Commission to have used church funds to pay for a £120,000 birthday party for himself at a London hotel, an £80,000 new Mercedes and a £13,000 Florida timeshare. He was also paid around £50,000-a-year by the church for ‘pastoral services’ before the 2005 probe found he had flouted charity rules by being a trustee and paying himself a salary. he Charity Commission found there had been ‘serious misconduct and mismanagement’ of charity funds and told it to establish itself as a new charity with new trustees - which it did. More than £500,000 was also legally paid by the church to his own private companies including Matthew Ashimolowo Media Ministries which publishes books and DVDs of his teachings. Accounts show the publishing company raked in more than £2 million - making a profit of £877,000 - between 1999 and 2005 before it started filing less detailed financial statements under Companies House rules.
Speaking about his wealth in an interview this year, Ashimolowo said: “Money is called currency because it flows to where it is celebrated, to wherever it is respected and showed it is needed and can be handled well. “Anything God blesses me with I just use to bless others. I don’t stack it somewhere.” But when Sun Online attended his church, a run-down converted cinema in Walthamstow, East London, more than 10 miles from Ashimolowo’s plush home, the service felt more like a sales pitch. The sermon, entitled ‘The Power of the Tithe’, listed 14 reasons why worshippers should donate 10 per cent of their income to the church. Ashimolowo told the congregation: “If you do not pay the tithe, it is like you do not really trust God”. He labelled the money an “insurance against Satan” and warned of the dire consequences of non-payment. The millionaire - estimated to be worth around £6 million by Forbes magazine in 2011 - says refusal to hand over hundreds of pounds a month will be seen by God as “disobedience” and result in it making “impossible for him to release your harvest”. Courtesy: The Sun UK
24
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž UARY 6, 2018
POLSCOPE
with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356
SoMuchBloodontheLandscape Canticles... B u h ari a n d th e L ove of t h e D ea d
I
t must have been a sad New Year for many families across the land. From Kaduna, through Benue to Kwara, down to Rivers, it was one tale of bloodletting or the other. The coincidences of the killings are as befuddling as the intents. It is difficult to understand the motifs of the killings. Perhaps only that of Benue State where thirty three people were slaughtered by suspected Fulani herdsmen can be understood as a reaction by the herdsmen to the anti-grazing law passed by the Benue State government last November1. Like the attack on Agatu community, in the same Benue State, the latest attack cries of injustice to the high heavens. The owners of the land passed a law that open grazing is no longer allowed in their land, given that the grazers have in the past, unleashed tons of violence on their people, unchecked. And then the grazers retreat and relaunch another attack killing 33 people in one fell swoop. And the same usual government hollow mantra of: “we shall do all we can to bring the perpetrators to justice�; “government will leave no stone unturned (whereas they do not even sight any stone let alone turn them)�; “no effort will be spared in enforcing the security of lives and properties etc. etc.�; are reeled out by government representatives, whereas they know that truly and truly nothing will be done beyond the weightless statements they are making. In this latest attack, the Minister of Interior, Maj-Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) represented President Buhari in paying condolence to the Benue State Governor, Mr Samuel Ortom, who had shouted himself hoarse as he helplessly wailed and wondered why the law enforcement agents, all along, had not arrested the herdsmen who now go about with sophisticated weapons. Right from when Agatu community was razed down with over 400 people massacred, since February 2016—almost two years now, not one person has been arrested and prosecuted as a result of the pogrom visited on the community. How can a set of people suddenly wake up and launch attack on defenceless and innocent people in a land where there is law and order? Is it because those who could do something about this menace are the kith and kin of the marauders? Where is the Chief of Army Staff? Where is the Minister of Defence? Where is the IG of Police? Where is the Chief of Air Staff? Where
Dambazzau, Minister of Internal Aairs
is the DG of SSS? And above all, where is the C-in-C? All of Whom as from the same region. Why are they all silent in the face of this wicked oppression? The IPOB menace was not even half as annihilative before the Nigerian state rolled out tanks to crush them. Why are the Fulani herdsmen therefore being pampered? They recently struck in Plateau, in Adamawa, in Taraba, Kaduna States etc. And wherever they strike, they leave behind long trails of blood and tears. It is not enough to condole victims whenever the assailants strike. Nigerians would prefer that those who perpetually threaten their lives are nabbed and jailed. Nothing else will suffice. Not empty talks and promises. The Fulani do not own Nigeria more than the Idoma! The governor and people of Benue must resolve not to shift ground on the law they have passed on not allowing open grazing in their land. It is within their right! Sadly too, the case in Kaduna where a monarch and his wife were murdered on New Year eve bespeaks of the same brainless attacks by the suspected Fulani herdsmen. It does appear that there is a daily depreciation of the value of human life amongst these people. They even value their cows more than human life. Were it not so, there would be some restraint to moderate the frequent thirst for blood among the herdsmen. In the case of Kwara State, where churches and worshippers were attacked on New Year eve, in Ilorin, the state capital, saw many female worshippers returning from the Crossover service raped, with their phones and purses snatched. Church buildings and other properties were destroyed and vandalized by miscreants believed to be religious extremists. Ilorin has often been a hotbed of religious unrest. The much we heard from the state was a tepid statement from the state governor condemning the attacks and ordering an investigation. That is the end of the story. Trust me. Nobody will ever hear of the outcome of the so-called investigation But the worshippers in Omoku, Rivers State were not as lucky. Seventeen (some reports say 20) of those returning from the Crossover service were shot dead. Some were even dragged out from their homes and shot dead in the presence of their wives. Omoku, is one community in Nigeria where life means nothing. People are brutally killed with valueless spirit. But this is usually during or around election times. During the 2015 elections, Omoku was like a killing field. Many who were killed were beheaded with the assailants going away with the heads of their victims. That it is happening at a time there is no election readily in sight bespeaks of the depth of violence the community has sunk. Already, Governor Nyesom Wike has placed a bounty of N200million on the head of the killers. I doubt if that will solve the riddle of mindless killings in the Omoku community in particular and in Rivers State in general. If you add to these overflowing wells of blood, the killings orchestrated by Boko Haram in the North-east and by kidnappers across the land, then one might fear that soon, River Niger would get crimsoned by the blood of innocent Nigerians. Let the killings stop!
W
hen would the newly-appointed board members to Federal Government agencies be inaugurated? The dead are yet to confirm the venue and the time. The inauguration will take place soon as they are agreed on those details. What do you mean? Exactly what I said. I spoke English.
What kind of stupid English did you speak? I am talking of appointed Board members and you are taking us to the morbid realm. It is not me that is taking you to the morbid realm. It is our President. Or did you not hear that he appointed (folding each finger as he counts) one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight men into various Government agencies and parastatals? Or did you hear that he has replaced the names of the dead Nigerians so appointed? Come on, don’t be cheeky my friend. Everybody knows it was a mistake. The presidency has even apologised. So why are you over-dramatising the human error? After all, to err is human and to forgive divine. What kind of apology is that? In a country where unemployment is rising so faithfully and dutifully, a country where over four million jobs have been lost in the last two years, a country where companies are shutting down and even those who are employed cannot be paid, leading to suicide, then a government is unabashedly announcing the appointment of eight dead persons when the living are itching to be employed. Awwwww, take it easy. The government has said the list has a history and that‌ (cuts in, raising his palm, like a traffic warden) Please spare me that nonsense.What kind of history? Why did you not ask them if the list also has a Geography? They explained that the list had been drawn up two years ago. And that at the point of releasing it, they could not check to edit and update it. Why would a list even last in their hands for two whole years? What were they doing with it? Is that not the narrative of the incompetent and the weak? Only in Nigeria will such a faux pas be explained away in such vexatious negligence and everybody will carry on as if nothing was wrong. The next thing they will say now is to set up a committee to investigate when and how the people affected, died without official notice to the secretary to the government of the federation. And a few millions of Naira will flow Buhari out. That’s how we roll! You are being unduly comical. It was an error, and it’s been acknowledged. Let the nation move on. What kind of error? Did you not hear one presidential appointee, Prof Itse Sagay, a SAN for that matter, defend the action, asking whether President Buhari should have gone knocking from door to door to ascertain who was dead and who was still alive before making his appointments? Is that the tone or language of a government that is apologetic? Itse Sagay, is neither the spokesman of the government nor of Mr President. So, you will do well to ignore such side and off-record commentaries. Ok, do you know that over 70 per cent of the said appointed dead people died at over 75 years old? In a country where the youths are idling away because of joblessness, a government that is devoted to growing the economy is thrusting government business into the hands of septuagenarians and octogenarians? People who are already in the Departure Lounge of life! What fire do such people yet have left in them to drive government business in a modern world driven by technology and stiff open market competition? I am sure the likes of Edwin Clarke and Balarabe Musa would have also made the list if they were not vocal voices in the opposition camp. You know experience is not what you can buy in the market. Many of these people you are referring to are doyens of administration and‌ (cuts in) You mean analogous doyens? Look, the point to make is that these experienced people know and understand how government works.They understand the intricacies and nuances of bureaucracy.They are a lot more careful, unlike the rash and rave of younger folks who are ‌ (cuts in again) It is this “nuances and intricacies of bureaucracyâ€? that has put Nigeria where we are today. The old crooks who are never willing to let go, or allow the younger folks to step in‌ they have perfected all the tricks in the book on how to circumvent the Nigerian system. They know all the short-cuts to fraud and all the untraceable password to the public till. They are why Nigeria is where she is. I think you should free your mind. President Buhari means well in looking for people who can deliver. It is unfortunate that death had claimed the affected persons. No doubt, there are many able and intelligent Nigerians that will soon be appointed to replace those who have joined their ancestors. I want you to first admit that President Buhari has an uncanny love for old people like him. That was how he went to appoint an 82-year-old papa, Sylvanus Nsofor, as Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States. Is it that Mr President does not trust the Nigerian youth? How can you say that? Who else but Buhari has ever appointed a 40-something year old as Minister of Finance? Or how else can a youth be, if not a Kemi Adeosun? Do you know that the likes of Kayode Fayemi, Rotimi Amaechi, Abubakar Malami , Mrs Aisha Abubakar, Femi Adesina, Garba Shehu etc., are all very young people? Look, I don’t care how much defence you mount for Mr President. Go and tell him that it is bad enough that his appointment pendulum is often tilting to the old and the weak, yet it will be damn unpardonable if he finally starts looking into the club of the dead to appoint. Stop overplaying the point. It was an error and it won’t happen again. Please let the dead rest in perfect peace.
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 6, 2018
25
EXPRESSION
MEDIAGAFFES
‘Yesteryear’ Uncountable
EBERE WABARA
O
VERHEARD: “I am going down”. Get it right: I am going downstairs “Akinjide, others lash Ibadan elders” (THE NATION Headline, December 22) The elders were not flogged, but cautioned hence lash out (at somebody/ something—with words/blows) “Music stars of yesteryears” (DAILY TRUST, December 23) ‘Yesteryear’, just like ‘heyday’, is uncountable. “The privileged invitees, who showed up to rejoice with this well-connected individual….” (THE NATION ON SATURDAY, December 30) Social scene: privileged guests (not invitees), which is a warped Nigerian creation. “Police arrest 51 over Xmas violence” (SATURDAY PUNCH Headline, December 30) Replace ‘over’ with ‘for’. “Two cousins killed in Ondo road crash as mob burns car” (Leadership, December 25) Just ‘vehicular’—not road—crash? “It is antithetical to democracy for the minority to have its say and wants to have its way.” (Source: as above) The minority cannot have their (not its) say. “...to that extent shall we congratulate its authors for (on/upon) hearing the deafening cry of Nigerians for an affective legislature.” “…were simultaneously a continuation of the power-bloc struggle in Nigeria and unanticipated fallouts from that struggle.” ‘Fallout’ is uncountable. “…appeal to the discredited tactics of past times also wreak havoc on the procedural sanctity of the democratic path.” Notes of disquiet: pastime. “AU has always been a helpless onlooker as other do-gooders from Europe
BY
and America flock to these troubled (trouble) spots with relief materials.…” “The reduction in the number of road accidents and casualities….” “This way: casualties. “Why fight, especially since we all are groping in the dark.” A poser: can we grope where there is light? So, why not just groping? “FG sets to fill vacancies in Civil Service” Get it right: FG set to…No loose thinking! “…ask questions or demand for their credentials.” Delete ‘for’ from the extract. “…never mind that ‘saboteurs’ have since done their worst by returning Nigeria back to darkness.” Yank off ‘back’ in the interest of morphological sanity. The Ijaws, Urhobos, the Itsekiris, the Ilajes are killing each other (one another).” “Jonathan is back on (in) the saddle of the country’s leadership” “The readiness of the President and his vice to acquiesce to (in) Senate’s decision.…” “The time when one ethnic group and the multi-ethnic political prostitutes and the favoured can walk roughshod over the rest of the country have (has) gone forever.” “Security reports indicated that the strategy of vicious robbery operations are (is) hatched at the chambers of hotels.” “Specifically, the crisis in the community bothers (borders) on the refusal of majority (a majority) of the people….” (THE GUARDIAN, December 27) “Ethical status of PCN worry (worries) pharmacists” “The committee has since submitted its report, while the public awaits the government’s white paper on it.” Education: simply the white paper. The next four improprieties are from
VANGUARD of December 27: “As a result (a comma) Nigeria’s role in (on) the continent has been a critical one.” “Instead we saw belated efforts when the chicken has (had) come home to roost.” “Someday when the history of Nigeria, with regards (regard) to its bureaucracy….” “Dignitaries at (on) the occasion included….” “UNILAG alumni meets” Our alumni meet monthly or the alumni association meets monthly. No mix-up. “They hardly acknowledged each other’s presence, talkless of (let alone) engaging in courteous exchanges.” “State, council relationship: Chairmen pick hole (holes) in 1999 constitution” “For that, you need an experienced sailor, not an oars man with an ‘L’ plate number.” From the master: number-plate “So we now gathered in my house at (on) Victoria Island….” “Western delegates have stabbed us at (in) the back.” “You better (had better) come to Jos, Plateau State” The next five faulty lines are from THISDAY of December 27: “Most observers are agreed that the national question has become more aggravated under the present regime. ‘More aggravated’ sounds illiterate. ‘Aggravation’ means to make worse. “That calm has returned to the troubled spot is superficial…” When the bell tolls: trouble spot. “The tendency in most of the analysis is…” Singular, analysis, plural: analyses. “I cannot handover (hand over) People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to INEC….” ‘…the combatants are expected to sheath their swords and fall into line.”
ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948
(THE GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY, December 31) Noun: sheath; verb: sheathe. DAILY TRUST of December 28 circulated four solecisms that bordered on carelessness: “They equally advocated for a national conference….” Delete ‘for’ in the interest of lexical orderliness. “Unions, others commend FG over payment of NITEL workers’ entitlements” (Leadership, December 25) ‘Commend’ takes ‘for’ (not ‘over’). “Polls: Plateau police assures of readiness” (DAILY TRUST, December 25) Two dimensions: the word, ‘police’, admits only plural verbs. ‘Assure’ must function with ‘somebody’ or ‘oneself’. So, Plateau police assure residents of readiness. Wrong: “Give me meat”; Right: (Give me some meat) Wrong: “Your son has been there since”’; Right: (Your son has been there for some time). Wrong: “You know Chidi now”; Right: You should know Chidi. Wrong: “Adanma, wait now for Chibuike”; Right: Adanma, please wait for Chibuike.
FEEDBACK
Several TV reporters today (last Tuesday) reported that many have casted their votes. Is ‘casted’ the past tense of ‘cast’? (08034966391) No sir, ‘cast’ is ‘cast’. With the plethora of faux pas by users of English language, can you through your column inform readers that a dictionary is not the sole authority on usage of words? Can the curfew in Kaduna be from “6 in the morning to 6 in the evening” as repeatedly read on Radio Nigeria? Is this not another goof? (Tony Ike Okoh/08097872801/PH) Yes.
PEOPLE2PEOPLE...with Oke Epia
Random Rhapsodies for the New Year
T
he timing of government’s ghost appointments ensured that both the living and the dead crossed into the new year in Nigeria. However, what started as eerie conversations sparked by the mortifying release from the SGF office, of the Boss Mustapha, (a celebrated replacement for the shame-sunk grass-cutter) quickly evaporated into a gruesome reality with the gravely disturbing killing of scores of citizens in Benue, Rivers, Kwara and Kaduna States by both ‘known’ and unknown gunmen. Who does not know of the marauding exploits of nomadic gun-wielding herdsmen all through 2017 and before? Or don’t the cultists’ suspects in the rivers of blood live among us? Maybe the N200million bounty declared on the heads of the Omoku gangsters is to immolate the spirits behind the resurgent blood-letting cultists; and that would be good business for local dibias, exquisite exorcists, and their expatriate collaborators in the queer world of medium. On a serious and very sad note, the dastardly killings rankle to no end: the brutal hacking of innocent worshippers exultantly exiting the ethereal realms of a cross-over service is simply unforgiveable; the dreadful slaying of a monarch and the complete annihilation of his household including a pregnant wife can only be thought to be a scene from a horror movie; and the horrendous carnage visited on Guma in Benue is only a brusque reminder that it is one thing to enact a law but another to stop those who have openly declared disobedience to it. And we are being told that sorting the ‘processes’ will address the unending clamour for restructuring! Even though it all seems like dejavu, the grand appointer of both the living and the dead was prompt in issuing a vague condolence dirge this time, unlike the uncanny mute mood adopted in series of past horrors. In the spirit of the season however, we can perhaps expect some recompense for the slain souls; and it does not have to be as generous as the board mishap nor as miserable as the vacuous attempts to defend the reprehensible. Apprehending and bringing the damned masterminds of these yuletide killings to book is a minimum expectation- whether they are cultists, herdsmen or huntsmen. The blood of the murdered innocents cannot continually be spluttered in vain. In much the same way the sweat of the tormented living should also not be in vain. If it was in 2017 and before, God Almighty will not allow it to be so in 2018. You don’t have to say amen. The pain of being a citizen of
PEOPLE2PEOPLE WITH
OKE EPIA Telephone (sms only): 07059850016 Email: resourceman.oke@live.com. Twitter: @resourceme
Buhari
the Federal Republic of Nigeria constitutes a contribution to the collective agreement for any prayer of liberation. But we must take the quest for freedom beyond the humping and thumping at prayer houses and religious grounds. Even the Bible says faith without works is dead. Get up from the ashes. Take off the sack-cloth. Ignore the bruises. Brave the odds. Ride the storms. It may be rough but don’t forget, it takes the tough to keep going. I know we have heard this before but it is good to hear it again as we start off on a new year. But we must not be hearers only; there is a time to act. And that time is now. Our collective destiny has been jeopardized and twist-
ed for far too long by vampires commanding the political scene. We now need to put an end to that. This resolve must go beyond mere agonizing to deliberate organizing. Mind you, this task cannot be trusted to the old brigade who has been integral and instrumental to the derailment of our collective and individual destinies as Nigerians. Forget those meaningless political slogans, opportunistic posturing and propagandist blind-folding employed to deceive impressionable minds and prosecute cash-laden hash tags of division and hate. We must determine that it will not work this time as it did in 2015 and before. The truth is that the political cabal (whether in or out of power) and their external enablers and collaborators are just a bunch of greedy bones unrepentantly intent on advancing their selfish interests and securing the future for their children and generations unborn. The earlier the younger generation realizes this, the better for them; and the more hopeful the horizon can light up. But can we trust the ‘tweeting children of anger’ who care less about PVCs (Permanent Voters Cards) but more about their PRR (Permanent Ranting Rights) on Twitter and Facebook with the desired change? If only they can transfer the influence they wield in the virtual world into actual spaces, our leaders would not contemplate using the disingenuous guise of ‘hate speech’ to want to shush their mouths. With a PVC in hand, the value of your PRR will be premium and you will be taken much more seriously on those cloud-based advocacies. Enough is enough is a slogan. It is now time to translate that to action. It means you should start to dust up your voter’s card if already registered. If you are not, please find the INEC registration team and do the needful. If you can’t find them at designated centres, go to their offices: take no excuses; bug the officials until they have your name on the voters’ roll and issue you a voter’s card. And importantly, be sure your registration is not inconclusive by going out to vote on election day. There will be several of such this year – Ekiti and Osun- are examples. Voting on Twitter and Facebook is futile. Meanwhile, thanks to the ubiquitous social media and of course folks in the mainstream media: the buzz and razzmatazz churned out concerning the ill-advised Gestapo arrest and detention of online publisher, Daniel Elombah by the notorious SARS unit of Ibrahim Idris’s Police Force, ensured his release from custody. But this is a matter for another day. Happy new year, friends! ––Epia, Publisher of OrderPaper NG, tweets @ resourceme.
26
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜
ESSENTIAL SKILLS with STEPHEN DIESERUVWE (Director General, Delta State TraďŹƒc Management Authority (DESTMA)
Defensive Driving – System of Car Control
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Alfa Romeo Giulia Doubles Up in Evo Car of The Year 2017 Stories by Bennett Oghifo
I
talian marque is the only manufacturer to scoop two spots in evo’s top ten list of the best cars of 2017. Powered by a 510hp, 600Nm BiTurbo V6 petrol engine, the rangetopping Giulia Quadrifoglio was crowned evo’s ‘Supersaloon of the Year’. Capable of doing zero to 62mph in just 3.9 seconds and with a top speed of 171mph, the Giulia Quadrifoglio is the most powerful Alfa Romeo ever created for road use. James Disdal, road test editor at evo, commented: “The glorious Giulia Quadrifoglio,
the Supersaloon that’s shot through with the soul of a supercar.� Meanwhile, the Giulia Veloce, which sits just below the Quadrifoglio in the Alfa Romeo Giulia line-up, was shortlisted in the top ten as evo’s ‘Sports Saloon of the Year’. With perfect 50:50 weight distribution, the Giulia Veloce blends sporty Italian styling with driving comfort and outstanding performance, thanks to its 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine partnered with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. David Vivian, evo contributing editor, said: “We all agree that the Giulia Veloce
looks and feels as if it benefits from all the special parts and effort that went into creating the terrific Giulia Quadrifoglio... making it the best all-round sports saloon you can currently buy.� Andrew Tracey, Sales and Marketing Director for Alfa Romeo, said: “The acclaim just keeps on coming for the Alfa Romeo Giulia this year. To have two models in the Alfa Romeo Giulia range recognised in evo’s Car of the Year 2017 is a huge achievement for Alfa Romeo and is testimony to the passion and dedication that went into building a beautiful sports saloon with outstanding performance and sector-first technology�.
Kia Motors to Reveal All-electric Concept Car at CES 2018
K
ia Motors will unveil a new all-electric concept car and present the brand’s vision for future mobility at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Combining Kia’s design strengths with a highly efficient battery-electric powertrain, the new concept represents the next step in the brand’s ongoing journey to electrification. The concept also features a never-seen-before human-machine interface (HMI) and an advanced new ‘motion graphic’ lighting system, previewing the potential for these technologies for market introduction in coming years. Technologies to take Kia ‘Beyond Autonomous Driving’ Alongside Kia’s new concept, the brand will reveal a range of new in-car features and innovations at CES 2018. Kia’s interactive ‘Beyond Autonomous Driving’ exhibits combine existing and future technologies to outline the company’s plans for vehicle autonomy and mobility, supported by the introduction of upcoming autonomous drive technologies. Kia will present three interactive, cockpit-style exhibits designed to show how the company will incorporate new technologies to enhance communication and interaction between occupants and vehicles. These include new advanced driver assistance technologies and pioneering HMI
Electric Kia Soul
functions, as well as the world’s first in-car 5G connection. “Virtual reality, self-driving cars, and full vehicle connectivity were all once considered technologies of the distant future.As they rapidly become a reality, Kia is exploring how to adapt
these new technologies for its customers. At CES we will share our strategy and vision for future mobility, and exhibit a range of advanced technologies that our customers can look forward to,� said Dr. Woong-cheol Yang, Vice Chairman and Head of Hyundai-Kia R&D Center.
System of car control or the System is the fundamental foundation on which all defensive and advanced driving principles are built. It is the process which drivers adopt whenevertheyareapproaching,drivingthroughorpassing a hazard, e.g., junctions, cyclists, brow of a hill, potholes, bends/corners or any hazardous situation, for which you make a mental process or possibly do something physical with the car controls. AccordingtoRoadcraft,UK’sPoliceHandbook,asystem ofcarandmotorcyclecontrolissplitintofivephases–information,position,speed,gearandacceleration,represented by the acronym IPSGA. The system is quite simple and shouldbeconsideredinthesameorderwheneveradriver is approaching or negotiating a hazard on the road. Brief explanations of the phases are given below: Information – On approach to a hazard, the information phaserunsthroughtheSystemanditoverlapsalltheotherfour phases.Whendrivingwetake,useandgiveinformation.We takeininformationthroughobservation,lookingorscanning tothefront,sideandrearofyourcar;weuseinformationto formulate a driving plan of how we intend to deal with a hazard; and we give information to other road users by a wide range of signals available to us – direction indicators, flashingheadlights,horn,brakelights,handsignalsetc.The informationphaseisageneralthemerunningcontinuously throughout the application of the system by taking, using and giving information. The taking, using and giving of Information is, arguably, most important and surrounds (anddrives)thefivephasesIPSGA.Itmay,andoftenshould, be re-applied at any phase in the System. Position–Onapproachtoahazard,weshouldplantotake upanappropriatepositionontheroad,whichisoptimised for safety, visibility and correct routing. Speed – On approach to a hazard, you need to consider whetheryouneedadjustormaintainanappropriatespeed. Thiscanbeattainedviaexplicitbrakingoracceleratorcontrol (engine braking), and plan to always being able to stop in thedistanceyoucanseetobeclearonyoursideoftheroad; Gear–Onapproachtoahazard,youneedtobeattheright speed,beforeselectingtheappropriategearformaximum vehiclecontrolthroughthehazard.Asystematicapproach to a hazard means braking for the hazard, coming off the brake,beforegearchange.Forautomaticvehicles,thisphase is already taken care of by the automatic mechanism of gear change. Acceleration-Forclearingthehazardsafely,youneedcorrect amount of smooth acceleration to negotiate and leave the hazard. Drivers should always remember to consider all thephasesofthesystemonapproachhazardseventhough you may not need to use every phase for all hazards, other thaninformation,ineverysituation. Ashighlightedabove, the information phase spans the System, so you need to constantly reassess and if a new hazard arises consider whether to return to an earlier phase of the system. Fromtheexplanationsofthefivephasesabove,inpractice aspresentedbyBristolAdvancedMotorists,itcanbebroken down as follows: 1. The purpose of the System of Car Control is to prevent road collisions by providing a way of approaching and negotiating hazards that is methodical, safe, and leaves nothing to chance. 2. It promotes concentration, careful observation, early anticipation and planning and a systematic use of vehicle controls to maintain stability in all situations. 3. Itisapplicableinallcircumstancesandprovidesthemost effectivewayofdealingwithanunpredictableenvironment. 4. Above all, it provides time to react to hazards. TheSystemisusedwheneverahazardrequiresamanoeuvre. Ahazard is something which requires a change in speed, direction or both. The benefit of applying a systematic approachtodrivingistoreducethesimultaneousdemandson thevehicleandthedrivermentallyand/orphysically.Thatis, theSystemseekstoseparateoutthephasesofamanoeuvre intoalogicalsequencesothatthevehicleandthedriveravoid beingoverwhelmedbyhavingtodotoomuchatthesame time. Thesystemprovidesthefoundationforalldefensive andadvanceddriving.Ifalltheattributesandphasesofthe System are used sequentially and intelligently, it provides a logical and flexible structure for dealing with all hazards. Insummary,usingthesystemofcarcontrolallowsyouto negotiatehazardsinawaywhichissimple,safeandleaves nothing to chance, thereby reducing road traffic crashes. Stephen K. Dieseruvwe
Director General, Delta StateTrafďŹ c Management Authority (DESTMA) **DriverTrainer and Road Safety Consultant **Email: sdieseruvwe@gmail.com **Tel: +2348167814928
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜
27
Porsche Decorates its Macan with Awesome Racing Liveries
P
The new BMW i3
New BMW i3s Traction Control System for all Future BMW, MINI Models Stories by Bennett Oghifo
T
he BMW i3 sets standards worldwide for driving pleasure in a purely electricallydriven vehicle. Key factors here are not only the increased output of the motor in the new BMW i3s, but also the innovative traction control system adapted specifically to the instantaneous power deliver of the BMW eDrive system. Presented for the first time in the new BMW i3s (270 Nm at 0 rpm, 135 kW/184 HP, power consumption combined in European NEFZ test-cycle*: 14.3 kWh/100 km;
CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km), the system improves traction and driving stability in adverse weather and road conditions when pulling away, in active Brake Energy Regeneration phases and when accelerating out of tight corners. At the heart of this innovation is the control system’s 50-times-faster routine,madepossiblebecause–unlikeconventional driving stability systems – the control process is now calculated directly in the powertrain instead of in a remote unit requiring long signal paths. This development provides further evidence of BMW i as a pioneer of innovative technology within the BMW Group. “With their high levels of torque
and instantaneous responses to every movement of the accelerator, electric motors already make significantly higher demands on driving stability systems than conventional power units,� explains Peter Langen, Head of Chassis Development at BMW. That’s why the BMW engineers developed a new type of system geared squarely to the demands of electric mobility. The positive impact of these shorter control cycles is not reserved for purely electrically driven cars; indeed, this innovative traction control system also optimises traction, driving stability and driving dynamics in vehicles with combustion engines.
orsche is paying tribute to its proud motorsport heritage with five special Macans sporting racinginspired liveries. To showcase the special models, Porsche selected five iconic locations in Singapore that represent an integral part of the country’s history, while spotlighting its diverse culture and heritage. Representing Holland Village is the Martini Racing livery, one of the world’s most timeless and iconic. Then for Armenian Street is Rothmans design, paying tribute to the Porsche 956 that debuted at the 1982 Le Mans. Likely a favorite among enthusiasts is the “Pink Pig,� which represents Chinatown in Singapore. This unique livery features a pink body colour with labels for each of the body parts of pig, according to butcher-style cuts. The Salzburg design is represented by Ann Siang Hill, with red symbolizing the color of the Porsche 917 KH, the first Porsche to secure the first of 19 impressive Le Mans victories. Lastly is one that all motorsports enthusiasts will notice, even from far away: the Gulf livery. Iconic Porsches to wear the blue and orange color scheme include the 1970 and 1971 Le Mans World Champions, and the orange and blue Porsche 917 star car in Steve McQueen’s legendary racing movie, Le Mans, in 1971.
New Mercedes-Benz G-Class Has More control, Comfort
E
very G-Class has to conquer the SchĂśckl. Mercedes-Benz uses the 1,445 metre high local mountain near theAustrian city of Graz as a test track. The 5.6 km route includes gradients of up to 60 percent and lateral inclinations of up to 40 percent. During the development stage, a “Gâ€? has to endure a good 2,000 strenuous kilometres on this very demanding course. The new G-Class masters the route with noticeably more control and comfort. The primary goal of development was to make the new G-Class even more effective off-road. The G thus remains a true G – thanks to its standard ladder-type frame, the three 100-percent differential locks and LOW RANGE off-road ratio. Its suspension is the result of collaboration between Mercedes-Benz G GmbH and
T
Mercedes-AMG GmbH. The result is an independent suspension with double-wishbone front axle in combination with a rigid rear axle. During development work, the engineers had the task of fighting for every millimetre, because off-road capability also means maximum ground clearance. The raised axle with independent suspension decisively contributes to this, and additionally increases the stiffness of the body with a strut brace. Agile off-road as well The components of the double-wishbone front axle are directly fixed to the ladder-type frame without a suspension subframe. The attachment points on the frame of the lower wishbone in a Z-direction are positioned as high up as possible. This arrangement ensures good driveability beyond the asphalt. New Mercedes-Benz G-Class
BAUCHI/ABUJA KO LAHIRA
he above titled according to my Hausa language teacher means,’’ get to my destination or heaven calls. It is the common slang among a handful of commercial drivers within my Zone comprising Plateau,Benue and Nasarawa States. These drivers, like I wrote last week are excessive speed freaks who indulge in speeding above the prescribed speed limit of 90km/ph for buses and taxes on the express and 100km/ph for private vehicles. When the Federal Road Safety Corps commenced the 2017 end of year patrol and assigned me along the Jos Hawan Kibo Forest route, I knew I was in for a hard time because of this notoriety among some drivers who ply this route and other routes such as Jos- Bauchi ,Jos- Abuja,Jos- Kaduna or Jos -Zaria whose common slang is ;Bauchi ko lahira,or Abuja ko lahira ; meaning –get to my destination or heaven calls. So I was not unmindful of the mad and irresponsible driving that has become the daily trend on these busy corridors which keeps my operatives especially those at Hawan Kibo,Garaku,Keffi,Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon among others on the toes daily in the event of a possible road traffic crash. I was however optimistic that the extensive advocacies and public enlightenment that the Corps has embarked on in the Zone especially in Plateau where my sister from the other mother, Corps Commander Patricia Emordi
SAFE DRIVING with
JONAS AGWU
amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa (Corps Commander) Corps Public Education OďŹƒcer Federal Road Safety Corps. + 2348033026491
holds sway as Sector Commander will make a huge difference. I was therefore not shocked when during one of my monitoring, I accosted a suicide driven driver who overtook me few kilometres after the marraraba jama’ roundabout and three other vehicles, just at the tip of a narrow bridge after Vom which almost resulted in a crash. It was at this point that I trailed him and was able to accost him just before Makera military checkpoint along the Jos Hawan Kibo road. The speed at which he was driving was crazy and was further complicated by the reckless overtaking which almost caused a crash that could have claimed multiple lives. I don’t know if I should bore you with the drama that ensued shortly after his arrest. For the sake of a better understanding of the mannerisms of such drivers, the man immediately alighted from his bus and lay prostrate on the tarred road pleading for forgiveness to the excitement of my military colleagues who were so helpful in effecting the
arrest through the checkpoint based on my request. When I asked why he was pleading and laying prostrate on the tarred road, he said it is because he was over speeding. The side attraction was when the passengers whose safety I was concerned about all crowded pleading I should for their sakes let the driver off the hook which of course I didn’t having witnessed within my area of coverage some avoidable road traffic crashes which had claimed lives including the one that claimed the live of a father, mother and two daughters, leaving a son unconscious That singular ugly incident is the reason why I am doing a follow up to last week’s piece which was titled ‘’ tears and blood on Christmas’’, hoping that drivers will repent from irresponsible driving. While the Christmas eve like I wrote was saddening, the new year eve had its fair share as two reports from Gombe and Lagos Ibadan painted a horrific picture of deaths and injuries. From Gombe State came the report of about 15 lives lost at a fatal crash that occurred on 30th December 2017 along the Gumel-Gugungu. Among the 15 lives lost were mothers and their little children. Excessive speeding was identified as probable cause which explains why the FRSC in Gombe charged drivers to shun excessive speeding, overloading and imbibe vehicle maintenance. On the LagosIbadan, about five people died while13others sustained various degrees of injuries on Sunday few hours to the crossover service to herald 2018.
Two vehicles according to the Corps and 18 persons were involved in the crash which was caused when a commercial bus coming from Ibadan to Lagos lost control and veered off the and collided with a trailer that was parked by the road. The commercial bus driver absconded shortly after the crash according to FRSC. As we gradually settle in to return to our various destinations, I must again remind us that there is a clear link between speed and fatalities. Speeding is one of the main factors of fatal road accidents. The risk of death for instance amongst pedestrians when hit by a car traveling at 45-50km/ph is four times higher. We must note that driving at excessive speed like we must often do, decreases the amount of time that a driver has to avoid a crash. Excessive speeding affects your reaction and ability to avoid certain ugly situations. Excessive speed affects your thinking and braking distance which when summed up amounts to your overall stopping distance .Always remember that the higher your speed, the longer the braking distance which affects your reaction in the event of a crash. This why Speed limits are posted on our highways to guide us. I know there is the need for the appropriate speed limits on specific routes to adorn our roads like it is in other climes but since your vehicle has an speedometer, driver should be guided by even though this is the second shocker I learnt here which is another practice among drivers who indulge in covering the speedometer of the vehicle with a handkerchief so the passengers will not know the speed at which the vehicle is travelling.
28
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀
FAMILY HEALTH
Your Skin Mirrors Your Health Status
T
he human skin is the outer covering of the body. It is the largest organ of the human body. The largest organ in the body, the skin, is sometimes said to be a window into a person’s general well-being, because it can carry clues about the health of other organs. Changes in the skin, ranging from discoloration to new growth, may sometimes be early signs of more serious underlying health problems, dermatologists say. A handful of skin changes have been commonly associated with internal diseases. When people spot these signs, they might need to see their doctor. The skin has multiple layers of external tissue and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. Human skin is similar to that of most other mammals. Though nearly all human skin is covered with hair follicles, it can appear hairless. There are two general types of skin, hairy and glabrous skin. Because the skin interfaces with the environment, skin plays r BO JNQPSUBOU JNNVOJUZ SPMF JO QSPUFDUJOH UIF body against pathogens and excessive water loss. r *UT PUIFS GVODUJPOT BSF JOTVMBUJPO r UFNQFSBUVSF SFHVMBUJPO r TFOTBUJPO r TZOUIFTJT PG WJUBNJO % BOE UIF QSPUFDUJPO of vitamin B folates. r 4FWFSFMZ EBNBHFE TLJO XJMM USZ UP IFBM CZ forming scar tissue. This is often discolored and depigmented. In humans, skin pigmentation varies among populations, and skin type can range from dry UP PJMZ 4VDI TLJO WBSJFUZ QSPWJEFT B SJDI BOE diverse habitat for bacteria, and there are several bacterial present on the human skin. The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold. Good health often is reflected in an attractive, ZPVUIGVM BQQFBSBODF 4P ZPV NJHIU CF UFNQUFE UP blame aging and stress for facial lines, unsightly fingernails, or hair loss when, in fact, these flaws can signal underlying health issues. This starts by whispering, then it’ll start talking, and, if you don’t pay attention, it’ll start yelling and shouting, and then you’ve got an illness.
Everyone experiences dry skin from time to time. Usually it’s a minor nuisance caused by cold air or overly hot showers, but in some cases parched, layers three has Skin brittle skin is The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, provides a waterproof barrier and creates our a sign of deskin tone. The skin’s color is created by special hydration or cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin. Melanocytes are located in serious health the epidermis. The dermis, beneath the epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat problems. Hyglands. pothyroidism The deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is made of fat and connective tissue. and diabetes There are various tell tales physical signs that trouble may be lurking beneath the skin’s surface. can both leach What to look out for. moisture from Tell tale signs the skin, for Lines around the mouth: A primary concern for mouth, the around lines ageing is women many instance, as which can be caused by smoking. The effects can be lessened by regularly applying lip balm. can nutrient And quitting smoking, of course. deďŹ ciencies 4PSFT BSPVOE UIF NPVUI 4PSFT JO UIF DPSOFS PG the mouth may indicate a deficiency of B vitamins. associated Try introducing more whole grains into your diet, along with green vegetables and meat – all with a poor are full of vitamin B. Alternatively, you could try taking a vitamin B supplement. diet or eating PTTJCMF JOUFSOBM %SZ MJQT %SZ MJQT TIPX Q dehydration, vitamin B deficiency or you could be disorders low in iron intake. Hydrate your skin by drinking plenty of water. %SZ TLJO JOĂĄBNNBUJPO PO UIF DIJO 5IFTF BSF sure signs there’s a problem with the digestive system and bowels. Gently massaging in circles and pinching and releasing the chin can help with constipation. New growths People who see new growths on the skin should always have them looked at by a doctor, as they could be skin cancer, and are sometimes also a sign of internal disease or a genetic syndrome,
Forehead Horizontal lines on the forehead: This may indicate digestive issues. They can be combated by drinking warm water mixed with lemon juice first thing every morning. A pronounced frown line: A pronounced line between the eyes shows the liver is under pressure. This could be for physical, environmental and FNPUJPOBM SFBTPOT BO BMMFSHZ UP GPPET TVCTUBODFT or loss and grief . This leads to adrenal overload, known as burnout. Try gently massaging the area with circular moves. Pimples on the forehead: This could indicate internal symptoms, such as problems with the liver BOE TUPNBDI DPOHFTUJPO 3PCJOTPO TBZT i%SJOL plenty of water to flush out any toxins. You should also eat more liver-friendly foods, such as leafy green vegetables, and cut out processed foods, as well as caffeine. Rashes and patches on the skin In general, a rash that does not respond to treatment, and is accompanied by other symptoms — such as fever, joint pain and muscle aches — could be a sign of an internal problem or infection. A rash may also occur due to an allergy or signal a reaction to a medicine. A velvety rash on the back of the neck or around the arms, usually with a color slightly darker than the person’s normal skin tone, is a sign that the patient may have an increased risk for developing UZQF EJBCFUFT %BZ TBJE i8IFO * TFF UIBU * XBSO the patient to get their blood sugar checked, and watch their diet.� Less commonly, the velvety rash — called acanthosis nigricans — could be a warning sign of cancer in an internal organ, such as the stomach or liver, purple rash on the lower legs that does not respond to topical medication can be a sign of hepatitis C infection. r &BST BOE KBXMJOF Itchy ears: Itchy ears are often the sign of an allergy or low tolerance. Psoriasis and eczema here are signs that the person is depleted in vitamin % m UIF TVOTIJOF WJUBNJO <4QFOEJOH> NJOVUFT with the arms and face exposed will give the body WJUBM TVOTIJOF BOE QMFOUZ PG WJUBNJO % Acne on the jawline: Acne here may result from eating lots of dairy, sugar and refined foods, such BT CVSHFST DIJQT DSJTQT BOE à [[Z ESJOLT &BU NPSF fresh foods and replace fizzy drinks with water UP åVTI PVU UPYJOT &OTVSF UIF BGGFDUFE BSFBT BSF cleansed thoroughly. Acne around the jawline: Oestrogen is a friend to our skin, suppressing sebaceous activity, but when levels reduce as women get older, skin lacks lustre and you may experience acne cysts deep in the dermis and commonly found on the jawline and hairline. Try eating apricots, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and mangos as they all contain vitamin A to normalise the production and life cycle of skin cells. Changes in skin’s hardness and dryness
with
BOBO BODE -KAYODE
lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, ͸΀͸ͽ͝͝Ϳͺ͝ͽ͞
High blood pressure and kidney problems sometimes result in a thickening of the skin on UIF TIJO %BZ TBJE .PSFPWFS WFSZ ESZ JUDIZ TLJO could be a sign of hormonal problems, such as an underactive thyroid, she said. r &ZFT Bags and dark circles under the eyes are typically a telltale sign of one too many late nights (and not enough sleeping in). But if you’re getting plenty of shut-eye and still can’t shake the basset-hound look, you might want to take a look at your diet. &ZF CBHT BOE QVGà OFTT BSF DBVTFE CZ åVJE buildup in the thin, loose skin that sits below your bottom eyelid. Lots of things—from allergies to crying jags—can cause fluid to accumulate there, but one of the main culprits is eating too much salt. High-sodium foods promote water retention throughout the body, and the sensitive under-eye area is no exception. %BSL DJSDMFT VOEFS UIF FZFT %BSL DJSDMFT UIBU persist despite regular and restful sleep may be a result of food intolerances. Remove dairy and wheat from their diet and see if the circles lighten. Another culprit is alcohol – even in moderate amounts this can cause darkness around the eyes. Try to reduce alcohol consumption. %BSL DJSDMFT PO UIF FZFT 5IJT JOEJDBUFT B QPTTJCMF deficiency of iron in the blood. Try reducing the amount of stimulating drinks you have, including fizzy drinks, coffee and tea. White spots on the eyes: A series of white spots near the outer rim can indicate a chronic congestion of the lymphatic system. You should avoid lactose and cow’s milk products. r 4QPUT PO UIF DIFFLT i5IFTF DBO CF DBVTFE by not cleaning foundation away properly so the skin becomes congested. This might be from using a water-based cleanser that doesn’t remove make-up fully. Use an oil-based cleanser and take a break from wearing make-up to let the skin breathe. Skin r %SZ TLJO &WFSZPOF FYQFSJFODFT ESZ TLJO GSPN UJNF UP UJNF Usually it’s a minor nuisance caused by cold air or overly hot showers, but in some cases parched, brittle skin is a sign of dehydration or serious health problems. Hypothyroidism and diabetes can both leach moisture from the skin, for instance, as can nutrient deficiencies associated with a poor diet or eating disorders. Atherosclerosis, the narrowing of arteries that leads to heart disease, can affect skin as well—especially on the feet, legs, and shins. If the tiny arteries that carry blood to the extremities become blocked, they can deprive the skin of oxygen, producing dry, shiny patches. 4NBMM CVNQT VOEFS UIF TLJO :PV NBZ CF VTJOH too strong a product on the skin. Use the right cleanser. A milder one would be more suitable if you suffer from this. r %BSL QBUDIFT 5IFTF DBO CF DBVTFE CZ medication or illness so please see your doctor. Age spots, on the other hand, may be the body’s XBZ PG SJEEJOH JUTFMG PG UPYJOT &BU NPSF GSFTI GPPET drink more water and massage a small amount of castor oil on to existing age spots. Oily skin: Oily skin can be caused or worsened by your diet. Pay attention to your diet. As you get older, your skin produces less sebum. Choose the right cleanser to keep it under control and use a face mask regularly. Puffy skin: The skin may be trying to protect itself from a beauty product that’s too strong for it. %SJOL MPUT PG XBUFS UP IFMQ ESBJO UIF MZNQI TZTUFN r 8SJOLMFT Although wrinkles are inevitable, they also may be a sign of osteoporosis. Is your furrowed brow and grooved mouth ratting out your bones? Research reveals an association between wrinkles and bone health in early-menopausal women. The worse the wrinkling, the greater the risk of lower bone density. Most wrinkles are the result of aging, but excessive exposure to cigarette smoke or the sun can speed the process. It is advised that you pay particular attention , to your body, even though your skin is a very good and reliable telltale and alarm, that there is something wrong with your health. Indicators can be assured, if you do know that you are eating healthy food, do moderate good exercise , a living sensibly. %P OPU PWFSMPPL BOZ TJHOT BU BOZ UJNF BT JU JT easier to treat a disease or illness, if it is picked up early enough.
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2011
GLOBAL SOCCER A
WEEKLY PULL-OUT
ARSENAL ON THE MARCH AGAIN PAGE. 29
06.01.2018
Sunday Oliseh The ‘Governor’ of Sittard
30
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ;˜ ͺ
The ‘Governor’ of Sittard Ïá ãÏËÜÝ ÌËÍÕ˜ ßØÎËã ÖÓÝÏÒ˪Ý ËÚÚÙÓØÞ×ÏØÞ ËÝ ßÚÏÜ ËÑÖÏÝ ÍÒÓÏÐ ÍÙËÍÒ áËÝ ÑÜÏÏÞÏÎ áÓÞÒ ×ÓâÏÎ ÐÏÏÖÓØÑݲ ÒÓÖÏ ÝÙ×Ï ÚßØÎÓÞÝ áÏÜÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÙÚÓØÓÙØ ÞÒËÞ ÒÏ áËÝ ØÙÞ ÜÓÚÏ ÐÙÜ ÞÒÏ ÞÙÚ ÔÙ̘ ÒËàÓØÑ ÙØÖã ÒËÎ Ë ÝÞÓØÞ áÓÞÒ ÏÖÑÓËØ ÖÙáÏÜ ÖÏËÑßÏ ÝÓÎϘ ÏÜàÓÏÞÙÓݘ ÙÞÒÏÜÝ ÌÏÖÓÏàÏÎ ÒÓÝ ÍÖÙßÞ˜ ÍÒËÜÓÝע ÕØÙáÖÏÎÑϘ ÓØÞÏÜÚÜÏÞËÞÓÙØ ËØÎ ÏâÚÏÜÓÏØÍÏÎ ×ÏØ ËÜÙßØÎ ÒÓ× áÏÜÏ ÏØÙßÑÒ ÓØÑÜÏÎÓÏØÞÝ ÞÙ ÎÜÓàÏ ÞÒÏ ÞÏËײ
Þ ÒÙáÏàÏÜ ÍË×Ï ËÝ Ë ÜßÎÏ ÝÒÙÍÕ áÒÏØ ÒÏ ËØØÙßØÍÏÎ ÒÓÝ ÜÏÝÓÑØËÞÓÙØ ËÐÞÏÜ ÔßÝÞ ÝÏàÏØ ×ÙØÞÒÝ ÓØ ÍÒËÜÑϘ ÖÏËàÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ßÚÏÜ ËÑÖÏÝ ÓØ Ë ÚÜÏÍËÜÓÙßÝ ÚÙÝÓÞÓÙØ ÓØ ÞÒÏÓÜ ͺͿ ÛßËÖÓÐÓÍËÞÓÙØ˛ Ï ÒËÝ ÝÓØÍÏ ÞËÕÏØ ßÚ Ë ÔÙÌ áÓÞÒ ÙÜÞßØË ÓÞÞËÜÎ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ßÞÍÒ ÝÏÍÙØÎ ÎÓàÓÝÓÙØ˛ ÖÓÝÏÒ ÓÝ ×ËÕÓØÑ ÚÜÙÑÜÏÝÝ ËÞ ÓÞÞËÜΘ ÝÒÏÚÒÏÜÎÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ÍÖßÌ ÐÜÙ× ÜÏÖÏÑËÞÓÙØ ÝÞÜßÑÑÖÏ ÞÙ ÚÜÙ×ÙÞÓÙØ ÚÖËãÙÐÐ˛ Kunle Adewale ÜÏÚÙÜÞÝ
Sunday Oliseh
31
JANUARY 6, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
Oliseh charging on his players
F
ormer Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh, expressed excitement after recording a sixth straight Dutch second league win with Fortuna Sittard following a 3-1 victory over Jong Utrecht penultimate Saturday. The Fortuna manager posted on his social media handle that his team had qualified for a playoff spot for promotion to the top division. “Yes, we have qualified for the playoffs, to promotion! Wow, 6th consecutive victory yesterday vs Jong Utrecht 3-1, stay top of the league into the new year and automatic qualification for the playoffs”, he wrote on his Facebook account. “Only God can help wield such a miracle: From relegation struggle to playoff in 12 months.” The win took Fortuna Sittard back to the top of the Eerste Divisie table with 41 points from 19 games, one point ahead of NEC Nijmegen who have a game in hand. Fortuna Sittard will take on Jong Ajax in their next fixture on January 12, next year. Oliseh’s arrival at the club has culminated in a rise in form with Sittard’s who fought hard to beat the drop last season now in prime position to secure promotion to the top flight.
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
Fortuna Sittard was struggling at the foot of the Dutch second division when Oliseh called to inform that he was available for the vacant coaching position to the amazement of the club’s technical director, Charly Chudik, who expresse his surprised at hearing the voice of the former Nigerian international. The team seemed to be in a disastrous state in 18th place, so why would such a famous person be interested? And why would he get in touch instead of sending his agent, as it is usually done? "I received various offers after resigning from the Nigerian national team. A top club from South Africa, a club from Portugal and numerous national football federations approached me, but I wasn't interested. Family is the most important thing to me. I wanted to go to a place that would make me happy. Sittard is just 45 minutes by car from my home," he said in an interview with ELF Voetbal magazine. " Sittard, situated in Limburg close to the Belgian border, are a proud club of interesting heritage. They may have only won two cup trophies more than half a century ago, but spent long seasons in the Eredivisie and nurtured a number of quality players, including the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel. However, Fortuna were not fortunate at all following relegation in 2001, and went close to bankruptcy at least three times. Turkish businessman Isitan Gun took over in the summer of 2016 and saved them. "Without Gun, Fortuna wouldn't have been around these days. He brought stability to the club and appointed new people to the board," De Gelderlander journalist, Robert Husken, told ESPN FC. The 2016-17 season was tough in the extreme, though, and coach Ben van Dael was fired following a terrible run of just one point from nine matches. Oliseh was waiting for that opportunity to offer himself, and the club got a coach they could never have dreamt of. Now, as the first black African coach ever in the Netherlands, he has had to deal with a different situation. Fortuna played in front of empty stands in recent years, but Oliseh changed the atmosphere around the club almost immediately. He got off to a winning start at the magnificently Achilles'29 stadium, and proceeded to get some outstanding results. The 5-2 win over Ajax reserves, having trailed 2-0 at half-time, was especially memorable and fans started to flow back to the stadium. Sittard only lost five times in the second round under
Oliseh’s arrival at the club has culminated in a rise in form with Sittard’s who fought hard to beat the drop last season now in prime position to secure promotion to the top flight
the new coach and finished the season well above the relegation zone. One of the biggest critics of Oliseh’s appointment as Super Eagles coach, Tajudeen Disu said, “Oliseh is not the right choice for the Super Eagles coaching job. The team is bigger than him. He is just a business partner of the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, and that was why they were able to pay him five months’ salary upfront. Oliseh is not the messiah for the Eagles, but the present federation wanted somebody they can do business with.” Speaking on Oliseh’s rising profile with Sittard, Disu said the former Juventus of Italy midfielder definitely must have learnt some few lessons during his stint with the national team. “Of course, he is not a dumb. He would not have gone without taking away one or two things that he had added to his experience which he is using to his advantage at his club,” he added. Not much has however changed in Oliseh's approach at his Belgian club. During his spell with the national team he stripped Vincent Enyeama of the captaincy and forced him into international retirement. Curiously, that was the case at Fortuna, too, as veteran captain Ferry de Regt left the club in the summer, having fallen out with Oliseh. Assistant coach Tini Ruijs and goalkeeping coach Patrick Creemers left too, unable to work under Oliseh, which culminated De Limburger journalist, Patrick Delait, accusing Oliseh of installing authoritarian regime. "He behaves like a governor, and nobody dares to contradict him," he wrote. "By constantly sharpening internal relationships, the Nigerian is becoming a ticking bomb. He looks sympathetic on TV, but behind the scene, he is a wolf in sheep's clothing." So far, those pessimistic expectations
haven't come true. On the contrary, Oliseh has made a phenomenal start to the season, winning five games out of seven, including a the 6-0 triumph at previously unbeaten Telstar, the biggest away win in club history and only losing once. That is not the only record broken by Oliseh. Taking the previous season into account, Fortuna are on an unprecedented run of eight home wins in a row. Having laid solid defensive foundations, Oliseh is letting his team play an attacking brand of football, with 21 goals scored so far. Talking to ESPN FC, Delait Husken admits, "Oliseh is a good motivator who is very strict with his tactics. Fortuna play as a unit under him." Husken added: "Sunday is a nononsense coach who is very clear on what he expects from his players. Having such a star on the bench makes a massive influence on the team." Few pundits expect Fortuna to keep running and gain promotion, but the youngsters are starting to dream big. "The spirit of the squad is truly incredible. I have to calm the players at times, because everyone is so hungry,” Oliseh said recently. The turnaround has been phenomenal already and the Nigerian is making a name for himself as a coach. But the club will be wary, lest he be lured away from his home in Eupen after his contract at Sittard ends next summer. If he can gain promotion, though, managing such a tight knit team in the Eredivisie could bring some surprising results. Oliseh quit as Nigeria’s football coach after claiming violations of his contract and receiving too little help from the national federation for the crucial 2017 Africa Cup of Nations clash with Egypt.
32
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÎ€Ëœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ
Arsenal Begin FA Cup Title Defence ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă&#x;Ăš Ă?ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂ˜ åÓÞÒ Ă‹ ĂžĂœĂ“Ăš ÞÙ Ă™ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă’Ă‹Ă— Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁË› Ă’Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă˜ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂžĂœĂ™ĂšĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÙʼĂ?ĂœËœ åÓÞÒ Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă™ĂœĂŽ Ă‹ ÖÓʾÖĂ? Ùà Ă?Ăœ ͺͺ Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă‹Ă‘Ă™ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă— ÞÙ ĂŒĂ?Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš ĂžĂœĂ“Ă&#x;×ÚÒ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ ÍšÎ Í˝Î Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“ĂœĂŽ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞËÑĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ʨà Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?
Arsenal Players celebrating their 2017 FA Cup victory
H
owever, despite remaining undefeated throughout his previous 21 third-round ties, there have been plenty of scares through the years, and the boss is wary of the threat offered by lower league sides as the competition gets underway. "From my personal experience in the FA Cup, and I think I have a lot, this is maybe the most difficult round," he said. "It’s always difficult to start well in the competition and when you play away against a Championship team – it’s always very intense and the Championship teams are ready to face you. For them, it’s a big challenge and you have to maintain your concentration coming out of a very loaded and congested period over Christmas. That’s never easy." The Gunners are looking for a recordextending 14th FA Cup success, and far from moving down the list of priorities,
the boss believes the famous old trophy is growing in stature. "Yeah, I think contrary to what people think, the FA Cup becomes more and more important in every single country,� he said. “Why? Because it’s difficult to win this kind of trophy. "You have so many teams who want always to win a trophy. It becomes more and more difficult. I think we won it in style in a period where we were questioned." Meanwhile, Manchester City's players do not appear to share manager Pep Guardiola's concern about a congested fixture list as they prepare to host Burnley in the third round of the FA Cup today. Guardiola is worried that City have more matches than they can cope with as they compete for success in four competitions. His side played nine matches during December and face at least seven during January – if they reach the finals of the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, they will have played a minimum of 63 games by the end of the
FA Cup Games Live on SuperSport
T
he FA Cup, one of football’s oldest and most prestigious cup competitions returns to the big screen Live and in HD on SuperSport, exclusively on DStv. The third round of the competition kicks off with Liverpool going head to head with Everton and Manchester United taking on Derby County. Speaking on the return of the FA Cup, Mr. Martin Mabutho, the General Manager, Marketing and Sales for MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “It is common knowledge that Nigerians are some of the world’s biggest and most passionate football fans, with the biggest footballing competitions finding an audience in the country. The FA Cup is one of football’s oldest and most important competitions, and MultiChoice is thrilled to bring all of the excitement, live and in HD, to
our viewers across Nigeria. Our SuperSport channels have always been the home of premier and exclusive sporting events and the FA Cup is no exception, as we will be broadcasting over 60 games Live and in HD.� Reigning FA Cup holders Arsenal will begin their title defense at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, by 5pm whilst Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City are also involved in fixtures for the FA Cup this weekend. Speaking further, Mr. Mabutho said: “We remain committed to providing the best sporting content to our subscribers. The New Year is usually filled with top football fixtures highly anticipated by football lovers around the world and DStv viewers can rest assured knowing that they will have all of the best action from the Premier League, the Spanish La Liga and of course the eagerly awaited FIFA 2018 World Cup live and in HD, with the best coverage and commentary.�
season. Guardiola said after Tuesday's 3-1 win over Watford, a result that maintained City's 15-point lead at the top of the Premier League, that English football’s busy Christmas and New Year schedule was "going to kill the players". Yet midfielder Fernandinho and goalkeeper Ederson have both said they are happy to be playing so many games, and would gladly face Burnley this weekend, even though their manager is considering changes to keep senior players fresh. "I spent New Year’s Day at home with my child and my wife and I was fresh," said Fernandinho. "We will see what Pep is going to do but, for sure, every player is going to be ready if he needs them to play. "We are here, we are professional, and I don't like to rest." Ederson is likely to be replaced by Claudio Bravo, who has featured in all of City's League Cup ties this season, but the Brazil goalkeeper indicated that he is ready to play too. "All the players like to play games, so it is great we have so many matches," he said. "Also, the team are playing really well. "We had an amazing month in December. We are playing great football and we are getting good results so we are really happy." City have not lost a domestic game since they were knocked out of last season's FA Cup by Arsenal at the semifinal stage in April. They did, though, find it tough against Burnley in the Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium in October, needing two quick goals from Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane in the final 20 minutes to ensure a flattering 3-0 victory. City remain without striker Gabriel Jesus, who will be absent until February with medial knee ligament damage suffered during the 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on Sunday, while right-back Kyle Walker is a doubt after limping off against Watford with a groin problem. Midfielder David Silva has missed several recent matches to be with his young son
Mateo, who is seriously ill after being born prematurely. Indeed, Burnley manager Sean Dyche has indicated that he will rest several players after seeing their form slip over Christmas and New Year.
Ă&#x;Ăš ÓâÞĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? TODAY Fleetwood Town Middlesbrough Aston Villa Birmingham City Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Bournemouth Brentford Cardi City Carlisle United Coventry City Doncaster Rovers Exeter City Fulham Ipswich Town Manchester Millwall Newcastle Queens Park Stevenage Watford Wolverhampton Wycombe Yeovil Town Norwich City
v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v
Leicester City 12:45 Sunderland 13:00 Peterborough Utd 15:00 Burton Albion 15:00 Hull City 15:00 HuddersďŹ eld 15:00 Wigan Athletic 15:00 Notts County 15:00 MansďŹ eld Town 15:00 SheďŹƒeld Wed 15:00 Stoke City 15:00 Rochdale 15:00 West Brom 15:00 Southampton 15:00 SheďŹƒeld Utd 15:00 Burnley 15:00 Barnsley 15:00 Luton Town 15:00 Milton Dons 15:00 Reading 15:00 Bristol City 15:00 Swansea City 15:00 Preston North 15:00 Bradford City 15:00 Chelsea 17:30
SUNDAY Newport County v Shrewsbury Town v Tottenham Hotspur v 15:00 Nottingham Forest v
Leeds United West Ham Utd Wimbledon
12:00 14:00
Arsenal
16:00
MONDAY Brighton
v Crystal Palace 19:45
33
͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
GLOBAL SOCCER\\OTHER SPORTS
2017 aiteo-CAF Awards in Accra Ghana; Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Asisat Oshoala, H.E. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, NFF President Amaju Pinnick and Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Kweku Tandoh at the award in Ghana ...recently
Williams bows out of Australia Open
Quigg Excited about Valdez's Challenge Scott Quigg says his WBO title fight against Oscar Valdez is "99 per cent" agreed and hopes to make his name in America with victory over the highly-rated Mexican. Promoter Eddie Hearn is close to finalising a deal for Quigg to become the next challenger for the unbeaten WBO featherweight champion Valdez, with a likely location of the StubHub Center in California on March 10. Quigg was initially informed about the fight a month ago and expects to sign the contract in the next few days before flying out to Los Angeles to link up with trainer Freddie Roach. "For the last day and a half we've been negotiating and everything that we have agreed verbally, if that's put in the contract, then the fight's a go-ahead,"
Quigg exclusively told Sky Sports. "It's looking like it's going to be done and it's a fight that really excites me. "I've agreed to the terms, so it's now 99 per cent going to happen. Until that dotted line is signed, you cannot put 100 on it. "I'll be heading out to the Wild Card, linking up with Freddie and all the team. I've given all of them the heads up, and everyone's excited. We're looking forward to putting in the preparation, putting in the work, and going out there on the night and becoming a two-weight world champion." The 29-year-old fought for the first time outside Britain at the end of 2017, stopping Oleg Yefimovych in Monte Carlo in November, and cannot wait to mark his US debut against one of the hottest
talents in the States. "I've always wanted to fight in America," said Quigg. "It doesn't get much bigger than this, especially in the featherweight division as well. "Valdez is talked about as a future star. He's obviously making big noise now, but fighting in America, that's always what I've wanted to do. "It's a massive fight on a massive platform and it's one that I'm going to grab with both hands." Quigg sparred with Valdez on a number of occasions before his Wembley win over Viorel Simion last April and expects a memorable battle with the title holder. "We sparred four or five times and if the spars are anything to go by, the fans are in for a real cracker," he said.
Woods to Play in Farmers Insurance Open Tiger Woods will continue his competitive comeback at the Farmers Insurance Open later this month. The 14-time major winner underwent back surgery last April and was sidelined for almost 10 months. However, the 42-year-old returned in December at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas and will now play his first PGA Tour event for a year at Torrey Pines from 25-28 January.
He will also compete at the Genesis Open in Los Angeles next month. Woods made his PGA Tour debut at the The Riviera Country Club in 1992 as an amateur and his company now manages the tournament, which runs from 15-18 February. He has not taken part in the tournament since 2006. "To be able to play in an event that I used to come to as an amateur is a
dream come true," Woods said. Last month, the American said he would "love" to play a full schedule in 2018. "I'm continuing to progress and trying to get strong enough to where I can handle a workload again," he wrote on his website. "What that entails, including backto-back events, I don't know. This is all uncharted territory."
Formula 1
Williams Finalises Sergey Sirotkin 2018 Drive Williams are close to signing Sergey Sirotkin as the final piece of the 2018 grid falls into place. The team are finalising a contract with the 22-year-old, who established his credentials in a test in Abu Dhabi after the end of last season. The Russian, who has a reported budget of â‚Ź15m (ÂŁ13.3m), was faster than rival Robert Kubica after the team had fully analysed all the data from the test. Sirotkin and Lance Stroll would be the least experienced line-up on the grid. Sirotkin will be making his F1 debut as partner to a 19-year-old who has raced
for only one season. Williams had been intending to sign Kubica for a return to F1 seven years after the Pole suffered life-changing injuries in a rally crash in February 2011. But the team's interest in the 32-year-old cooled after he tested their 2017 car in Abu Dhabi alongside Sirotkin. Sirotkin has a bigger budget than Kubica by a factor of about two, but the team insist the decision is primarily performance-based. Although there is understood to be no impediment to the Sirotkin-Williams deal, no announcement is expected for
at least the next 10 days as the team take their time to complete the details of the contract. Meanwhile, Canadian Nicolas Latifi has joined Force India as test and reserve driver for the 2018 Formula 1 season. The 22-year-old will take part in what the team say are "a number" of Friday practice sessions, as well as the two official 'young driver' tests this year. Latifi - who finished fifth in Formula Two last season, winning one race - said: "I'm really excited about the opportunity and eager to show the team what I can do."
StarTimes Assures Nigerians of Memorable 2018 World Cup As Nigerians usher in the New Year, leading pay TV operator, StarTimes Nigeria has urged them to imbibe an attitude of love, peace and tolerance. In a goodwill message issued on Sunday, StarTimes Nigeria CEO, Justin Zhang noted that the basic necessity of a successful and peaceful nation is love and tolerance, urging
Nigerians to go into the new year showing love to one another. The statement said “In 2018, we should always remember that no community or nation can truly exist without love and tolerance. As Nigerians, we must love one another unconditionally in the New Year and beyond. We wish every Nigerian a
happy 2018 as we continue to live together in love and harmony.� The company also assured Nigerians of a memorable 2018, assuring it will broadcast all the 32 matches of the FIFA 2018 Russia world cup live and an improved entertainment, kiddies and religious content for the entire family.
Australian Open
Williams Skips First Grand Slam of the Year Serena Williams has decided not to compete at this year's Australian Open in Melbourne. The 36-year-old had been planning to try and defend the title she claimed last year, for the seventh time in her superb career. But, having given birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia in September, the 23-time Grand Slam champion has decided she is not quite feeling sharp enough to take part in the season's first major, which starts on January 15. The American showed plenty of promise in an exhibition defeat to French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in Abu Dhabi last week. However, she said on Friday morning: "After competing in Abu Dhabi I realised that, although I am super close, I'm not where I personally want to be. "My coach and team always said 'only go to tournaments when you are prepared to go all the way'. "I can compete - but I don't want to just compete, I want to do far better than that and, to do so, I will need a little more time." Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said: "The true champion Serena is has been demonstrated in the herculean efforts she has made over the past few months in her desire to play the Australian Open. "Serena transcends the sport in the way she approaches all aspects of her life and consistently gives her all in everything she does. "It was never going to be good enough for her to just compete, she wants to give herself the best chance to win. "I've been in constant contact with Serena and her team and know this is why she has pushed it and pushed it until the eleventh hour to make her final decision. "We all wish her the very best and I look forward to seeing her back on court this year, and can't wait to welcome her back to the Australian Open in 2019."
Injury Scare for Edmund British number two Kyle Edmund had an injury scare as he pushed world number three Grigor Dimitrov to three sets in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International. The 22-year-old needed treatment after he went over on his right ankle at 4-4 in the decider. He was able to resume but went on to lose 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 6-4. Edmund will now have the injury assessed before 2018's opening Grand Slam, which starts on January 15. With Andy Murray already out with a hip problem, Edmund is due to be the highest-ranked Briton in the men's singles. He crashed to the ground with a scream after being wrongfooted by Dimitrov during a rally. After seeing Edmund's distress, Dimitrov immediately leaped over the net and sprinted to his aid, helping the Briton to his chair. "At the end of the day it's health above all," said Dimitrov. "It's very unfortunate what happened. I've seen this too many times, I know the feeling and I really hope he gets better." Edmund's ankle was taped up and he appeared reasonably comfortable on his return to the court, but the momentum had gone and two games later the match was over. The Briton had looked solid in the opening set and had break points to go 4-3 ahead. Dimitrov saved both and in the next game the Bulgarian took advantage of a couple of errors to break for a 5-3 advantage, before serving out the set when Edmund netted a backhand. Edmund had to save two break points in the ninth game of the second set and, encouraged, he swept through the tie-break to deservedly level the match. The deciding set was equally close with Edmund saving two break points in his opening service game but he was unable to seal a first win in 14 attempts over a top-10 ranked player.
34
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀
PERSPECTIVE
APC Government: Turning Security Management into Political Circus Simeon Nwakaudu
I
have come to the sad conclusion that the APC Federal Government considers the maintenance of security as a form of circus - a show where they juggle the security architecture aimlessly for the purpose of political advantage. To this APC Federal Government, security of lives and properties starts and ends with propaganda. The centre stage of the circus is the Presidential Villa where Hyenas and “Hyenanas� gather to rub salt on the collective injuries of Nigerians. Over the last one month, criminals of various descriptions have overwhelmed the security apparatus of the country. There is no single zone without a major security crisis. Boko Haram has woken up, rejecting their technical defeat. This time to dole deaths on a daily basis in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and in some instances Taraba and Gombe States. It is for this reason that some governors gathered and agreed with the APC Federal Government to illegally fetch $1billion (N360b) from the Excess Crude Account to stem the wave of unpalatable killings and violence. In the North West, Kaduna, Zamfara and Kebbi States have been turned into the theatre of war for Fulani herdsmen and cattle hustlers. Hundreds have lost their lives and sources of livelihood. The case of Kaduna is a national embarrassment. Killings occur with the frequency of matches in the English Premier league. Traditional and community leaders are killed with reckless abandon. Need we talk about the badoo cultists of Lagos and Ogun States? They terrorize, kill and kidnap without control. In the middle belt, over 10 persons were murdered in Kwara a few days ago. The Bwari mayhem in Abuja claimed six lives while the invasion of Benue State by Fulani herdsmen is a national tragedy. In less than two days, over 50 persons were killed.
Buhari Like the above mentioned states, there was a security infraction in Rivers State wherein 17 persons lost their lives at ONELGA. But in all the security infractions in the other geo-political zones and states, nobody politicised the issues. Indeed, only Rivers State is a PDP state in all of these. The PDP politicians in the other states, understanding the importance of security and the need to collaborate to build safer communities refrained from careless talk. However, the APC Federal Government and her media agents planned to use the Omoku massacre to play politics. Because Amaechi funded the APC campaigns, the
APC Federal Government provided the embattled Minister of Transportation with a platform at the Presidential Villa to spew utter nonsense and dance on the grave of the innocent Rivers people killed by unidentified gunmen. Amaechi addressing a press conference at the Villa on Tuesday asked Governor Wike to resign over the Omoku deaths. This is an unfortunate exposure of the quality of persons in this non-performing APC Federal Government; ministers who are blinded by hate and therefore cannot address issues objectively. Under our form of government, all security agencies are firmly controlled by the Federal Government. There is no state government that controls even the Civil Defence. That is why Nigerians asked for restructuring. For now, the President is responsible for the security of all Nigerians. The governors only support by providing logistics and financial support for the agencies. It is for this reason that Nigerians blamed Former President Goodluck Jonathan for the kidnap of Chibok girls. It is also for this reason that Benue leaders including Governor Samuel Ortom are blaming President Muhammadu Buhari for the inability of the security agencies to protect them. Why then would the scenario be different for Rivers State? Why would a failed Former Rivers State Governor be allowed to use the base of the Commander-in-Chief to insult the collective psyche of the grieving Rivers people? This is the height of insensitivity and unbridled cruelty. It is the worst form of emotional terrorism. The manner that the APC Federal Government has turned against Rivers people is unimaginable. It is sickening. On this Amaechi unfortunate issue, Governor Wike berated him for politicizing security, saying that his comment on the
Omoku killings is an indictment of security heads posted to the state by the APC Federal Government. He said while his administration has never influenced the posting of any security head to the state, it has always funded and provided logistics for security agencies more than any state government in the country “When you portray the state as insecure, you are driving away investors. No good man does that. By Amaechi’s logic, the killings all over Nigeria are being sponsored by the President “, he said. It is easy for Rotimi Amaechi to play politics with the dead. It is easy for him to exhibit heartless treachery every step of the way. But he must realise that Judas reaped what he sowed. Like his mentor Judas, Amaechi has reaped rejection from Rivers people. Security is at the heart of governance. The control of the levers of security management is critical to the protection of the citizenry. In today’s Nigeria, nobody controls the levers of security. The APC Federal Government merely plays “try your luck�. They issue directives and control postings of security personnel, but refuse to take responsibility for the total collapse of the nation’s security architecture. In Rivers State, Governor Wike has taken immediate remedial measures to improve security in the state. He has placed N200m bounty for information that will lead to the arrest of perpetrators of the evil act. Governor Wike will continue to work in defence of the Rivers people. The deadly schemes of the APC Federal Government and her agents in Rivers State will fail. It is only under this administration that the Federal Government uses her agencies to undermine the security of states. It has never happened before. This is the fundamental premise upon which the ugly change would be discarded in 2019.
Sanusi Celebrates with Visually Challenged People Ugo Aliogu
T
he Proprietress of Benchmark Montessori School, in Ikeja, Lagos, Alhaja Medinat Abiola Sanusi recently embarked on Medical Outreach in Ota, Ogun State to commemorate her 70th birthday and 50th wedding anniversary. Six cataract surgical operations were carried out and over 150 people were given free medicated glasses. It is a common clichÊ that it is good to be our brother’s keeper. But if we do self-examination, how often do we demonstrate the above statement. This is why the Managing Director of Cosmic Insurance Brokers, Dr. Teslim Sanusi and his wife, Alhaja Medinat Abiola Sanusi, the Proprietress of Benchmark Montessori School based in Ikeja, who have chosen the art of giving as a hobby deserve commendation. They are usually quiet, unassuming, humble, and to say they are an accomplished couple is an understatement. On Thursday December 21, 2017, Ota and its environment stood still for Dr. Teslim Sanusi and his wife, Alhaja Medinat Abiola Sanusi, when both of them, accompanied by their children and grand-children (both home and abroad), well-wishers and Lions club members stormed Ota during a medical outreach to the less-privileged in commemoration of the 70th birthday and 500th wedding anniversary of Alhaja Medinat Abiola Sanusi. Some of the activities carried out were free eye screening and treatment, provision of free eye glasses and cataract surgery, as well as lectures on diabetes and eye care. This is not the first time the Sanusis would visit this center, as her husband also carried out similar medical outreach when he turned 70 about five years ago. It is on record that LCIF Ophthalmic/Eye Bank Centre, State Hospital was commissioned 10 years ago when the celebrant’s husband (Dr. Teslim Sanusi) was the District Gover-
L-R: Alhaji Abiodun Adediji; beneďŹ ciary, Mrs. Amidu Taibat; celebrant, Alhaja Medinat Sanusi; and husband, Dr. Teslim Sanusi, at a medical outreach in Ota, Ogun State... recently nor 404B Nigeria between 2006 and 2007. In collaboration with the Ogun State government, he spearheaded the Eye Centre, the project many believed was unachievable. He did not only throw his weight behind it, but also ensured that the center was commissioned. The programme commemorating the twin event started on Monday December 18, 2017 with screening exercise to identify those who required medication for eye ailment, medicated eye glasses to correct eye vision or surgery to remove cataract. The family embark on the medical intervention to assist the less privileged with eye problems, who could not afford to fund such treatment. That Thursday morning, LCIF Ophthalmic/Eye Bank Centre was filled to capacity as over 150 people waited patiently for this medical intervention while those who had been operated upon earlier
on were also waiting for the bandage to be removed. It was a moment of joy. Throwing more light on the motive behind the Medical Outreach, Dr. Sanusi said it was his wife and children’s idea to reach out to the less privileged to celebrate the wife’s 70th milestone and 50th anniversary of a beautiful union so that the whole celebration would not be limited to elaborate ceremony and reception alone. He thanked the beneficiaries for honouring the family’s humanitarian gesture and prayed that God would continue to strengthen their vision. He implored the invited guest to always make giving to their fellow human beings a priority because God loves a cheerful giver. Among the beneficiaries of cataract surgical operation was Alhaja Shakirat Hassan, who hails from Sango Ota, Ogun State. In an emotional voice she said she
had been having eye problem for more than five years and claimed to have approached a humanitarian club in the area in 2015 but they couldn’t come to her aid. “I learnt about this medical mission from people and I came here without knowing anybody. If I want to do it outside, it would have caused me close to a N100,000. Where would I get such money? Regardless of the economic situation in the country, a family came out of their comfort zone to help, without knowing me. And with the surgery I have regained my vision as I can see clearly. What can I say? Alhaja Sanusi would live long in good health and prosperity. Her children would find favour in the sight of God and men. I am indeed very grateful.� And for Rev. Amos Babatunde Olojede, he couldn’t believe this was real as the Sanusis have demonstrated what to be one’s brother’s keeper. I have been having problems with my eyes for the past three years. I came to this eye center in 2014 and I was told that I needed medicated glasses after the screening but the problem continued. I learnt about this medical outreach through a neighbour and I came, screened, short-listed and my eye was operated upon. This would have cost me between N50,000 or N70,000 outside. I am still in shock that people who don’t know me can commit such resources to other fellow human being. If we have the likes of the Sanusis in this country, it would be a better place for us to live. For me, God is the only rewarder and He would reward them abundantly.� For the elated Alhaji Rufai Kehinde and Mrs. Amidu Kehinde, who were among those who benefitted from medicated glasses, they also thanked the Sanusi family. “As they have liberated us from darkness, we pray that darkness will not envelope them and their entire household.�
35
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Í´Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś
ËŞ
What Will Work in 2018 for Digital Journalism
BISI DANIELS bisi.daniels@thisdaylive.com Blog: www.bisidaniels.com, 08050220700
Kevin Anderson, international journalism and communications consultant with more than 15 years of global digital journalism experience, says 2018 can be a good year for news organizations – if they wholeheartedly embrace the audience-focused era.
D
igital journalism, also known as online journalism, is a contemporary form of journalism where editorial content is distributed via the Internet as opposed to publishing via print or broadcast. What constitutes ‘digital journalism’ is debated by scholars. But according to Wikipedia the primary product of journalism, which is news and features on current affairs, is presented solely or in combination as text, audio, video or some interactive forms like newsgames, and disseminated through digital media technology. Fewer barriers to entry, lowered distribution costs, and diverse computer networking technologies have led to the widespread practice of digital journalism. It has democratized the flow of information that was previously controlled by traditional media including newspapers, magazines, radio, and television. Some have asserted that a greater degree of creativity can be exercised with digital journalism when compared to traditional journalism and traditional media. The digital aspect may be central to the journalistic message and remains, to some extent, within the creative control of the writer, editor, and/or publisher.
The Online advantage In a fast-paced world that seems to be in a hurry, online papers have the advantage of serving news readily as it breaks. People no longer look for news or wait for it, it is served hot to them wherever they are on their mobile devices. Online papers report news a lot faster than regular newspapers, although oftentimes, the later have greater depth with rich background information and sometimes analysis. But that advantage also depends on how much time is available to the reader to take in all that. Online papers are updated regularly, while traditional papers are one a day in Nigeria. Without radio or television, one has to wait for the following day to be served or look for another round of news. Counting costs: Online papers save a lot of time and money for the owners and readers. There is no printing cost and they don’t require large staff members to operate. Online papers are environmentally friendly. Unlike print newspapers, you don’t have to worry about storage or disposal. The downside of all those advantages, however, is the ease the online platform provides for proliferation and pollution of the profession. It is so bad that out of the several online papers operating from Nigeria, only a few are reliable or even visible. Operating without checks and standards, many of them are sources of fake news. The problem here, and it is getting more complicated, is that no matter how false the news is, it gets readership and spread. The business model of fake news thrives on the demand for it. The consumer of fake news is a major cause of the proliferation.
Kevin Anderson Kevin Anderson’s clients have included Al Jazeera, India’s Network18, Reed Busi-
ness Information, CNN International and Trinity Mirror. From 2014 to 2015, he was a regional executive editor with Gannett, the largest newspaper publisher in the US. From 2006 to 2010, he held a number of digital leadership positions with The Guardian, and from 1998 to 2006, he worked for the BBC, including more than six years as the BBC’s first online correspondent outside of the U.K. In the write-up below, he points to publishers who have used data to improve their editorial and commercial performance and have begun to reclaim their relationship with their audiences from social media platforms Kevin writes: “Digital media leaders will be happy to see off 2017. Google and Facebook consolidated their hold on large parts of the digital advertising business, and both legacy and digital news organisations in several countries started to feel the pressure of The Duopoly. I think it’s important to take a “glass half full� view of these developments. Sometimes, it is just as important to understand what is not working so you can focus on what is. It is now clear that simply chasing scale – trying to outrace Google and Facebook to as many users as possible – isn’t a winning strategy. It has also become clear that digital display advertising is under severe pressure for media companies. Google and Facebook has tied up that business globally, with the exception of a few countries. In my work in Europe, North America and Asia, I found publishers and senior editors asking tough questions about their digital strategies. All that said, I think it’s important to focus not just on the challenges but also opportunities highlighted by strategies that are working. The Reader is King: One of the most important trends is the shift to reader revenue, shifting the revenue mix from being reliant on advertising to one that is focused on readers. As the World Press Trends report put it, the audience-focused
era has arrived. More than a simple change in the revenue mix, this shift in revenue has profound strategic implications that I want to unpack for a moment. Early in the year, the New York Times announced in its latest strategic review – Journalism that Stands Apart – that: “We are, in the simplest terms, a subscription-first business. Our focus on subscribers sets us apart in crucial ways from many other media organizations. We are not trying to maximize clicks and sell low-margin advertising against them. We are not trying to win a pageviews arms race. We believe that the more sound business strategy for The Times is to provide journalism so strong that several million people around the world are willing to pay for it.� The New York Times is not alone in pursuing this strategy. In Norway, Aftenposten doubled its subscribers in a year by switching from focusing on stories that got the most traffic to stories that engage subscribers the most. And for those who might be sceptical about getting audiences to pay, I would point to The Ananda Vikatan Group, a Tamil-language media group in India. They entered digital early, launching a website in 1997, but in 2005, they decided to switch to a digital paid content strategy because the website wasn’t paying for itself on advertising alone. That was more than a decade ago, and their digital transformation has continued, editorially and commercially. Over the past two years, they have increased digital revenue by 50 percent year-over-year.. Data is critical to your success: Another key element of the audience-focused era is an investment in audience data and the skills to use that data effectively. Aftenposten is using Facebook to drive subscriptions, and the smart use of targeted ads based on gender, age and location, and their data tells them that 20 percent of digital-only subscriptions through the social media platform. While in-depth pieces including their investigations are only avail-
able to subscribers, they find that pieces with high emotional content work well in attracting subscribers from Facebook. The Guardian announced earlier this year that it had increased its membership by a staggering 360 percent in a year from 15,000 to 230,000up to this July, and it didn’t stop there. They doubled membership from July to the end of November, announcing that they had a half a million paying members. They have attributed some of the growth to the “Trump Bump,� but they also have gathered a wealth of data on what topics that resonate with their readers, which is driving the communications that they use in calling upon readers to support their journalism and also guiding their editorial focus and investment. Build a direct relationship with your audience: The past 18 months have been a wake-up call about the challenges of being over-reliant on Facebook and Google to reach your audience, and many news organisations spent the year working to build or, in some cases, rebuild their relationships with their audiences. I have worked with news organisations that have seen 35 percent declines in traffic overnight after Facebook tweaked its algorithms. News organisations are working on connecting with readers directly. Social and search are still important on making first contact with readers, but a range of strategies including podcasts, newsletters, and push notifications via apps have become an increasing way to retain readers once they have a connection to your journalism. Aftenposten is experimenting with newsletters as part of their subscriber retention strategy. The Guardian is building a series of podcasts as part of its member benefit. News organisations that have embraced the audience-focused era have been able to continue to invest in distinctive journalism. They have used data to improve their editorial and commercial performance, and they have begun to reclaim their relationship with their audiences from social media platforms with a mix of products that connect their audiences throughout the day.
36
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜
FAIRGROUND
The Nigerian ‘Beverly Hills’ Christmas White Party
with
AZUKA OGUJIUBA
azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com
R
ichmond Gates Estate by Haven Homes in the Lekki Peninsula recently threw a Christmas party for its residents and as expected, the resident celebrities were not missing in action. Richmond Gates Estate is an emerging city for celebrities. With its quiet streets and cul-de-sacs, state-of-the-art security systems, 24-hour uninterrupted electricity, the estate is haven for celebrities. Built by Haven Homes, Richmond Gates Estate offers a quiet oasis for celebrities and expatriates with their families. With long years and experience in estate development, Haven Homes latest product, Richmond Gates estate, was built with celebrities’ vips and expatriates privacy in mind such that from the building to the winding driveways, the idea is to create a special area that will become an haven for celebrities convenience in the ever bustling Nigerian commercial city of Lagos. Situated in Lekki, with a standard recreation center and a shopping mall, Richmond Gates Estate is a paradise on earth. It boast of a standard swimming pool and gym. No stone was left unturned to make the estate feel homely and extraordinary in beauty and luxury. Nigerian A-List celebrities are already residents in the estate and many more are coming. Celebrities love their privacy and Richmond Gates Estate is doing what Beverly Hills is doing for Nigerian celebrities.
Annie (2Face) Idibia and Maybel (AY) Makun, both residents
Ufuoma Ilesanmi (GM Haven Homes), Tayo Sonuga (MD, Haven Homes) Welcome Banky and Adesua
Mr Banky and Mrs Adesua Wellington
Afolabi Oke (RGE Chairman) Ushers in Tiwa Savage, also a resident
Outgoing Residents’ Vice Chairman, Mrs Ajanaku drops a joke with other RGE Residents
Children were not left out in the fun, Uncle AY, also a resident entertains them
37
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜
FAIRGROUND
Lagos Grows Talents Comes to an End
T
he just concluded edition of the popular talent show “Lagos Grows Talent� saw 3 talented individuals win the ultimate cash prize. The audition for “Lagos Grows Talents� witnessed thousands of individuals troop in en mass to showcase their various talents at the biggest talent show organized by the Lagos State Government. The auditions which started on Tuesday 18th December 2017, held at five different locations within Lagos state- Victoria Island, Ikeja, Badagry, Epe and Ikorodu and ended on 21st December 2017. The auditions saw amazing talents and celebrity Judges like Toyin Abraham, Yomi Fash-Lanso, TY mix, Sotayo Sobola, Humble Smith, Caroline Danjuma and Alariwo judge individuals based on nothing but creativity and of course, Talent! At the end of the day, top 10 successful contestants were chosen from each location of the audition to perform at different centers of “One Lagos Fiesta�-an annual event, filled with riveting music and entertainment. Out of the 10 contestants, 5 successful talented individuals were chosen to perform at the Grand Finale of the “One Lagos Fiesta� which held at Eko Atlantic, in Lagos Island. The show was hosted by Media personalities and actress Olisa Adibua, Tee-AComedian and Toyin Abraham. After the end of a tough battle between the final 5 contestants, 13 Year Old Ishola Idris, a rapper, beat 4 other contestants to win the cash prize of 1.5 million naira. Onyekachi Alexander AKA Torna also a rapper came in second with cash prize of 1million Naira while Goualin Vidal AKA Skeleton, a contortionist came in third with the cash prize of 500thousand Naira. When asked how 13 year old Ishola felt, He said “I am very happy that I won,I feel very good, I feel nice. It was a tough competition and I receive the money,I will use the money to help my family because we are poor. My parents know about this and they support me. Governor Ambode is a very good Governor; I thank Governor Ambode for this opportunity. He is the best Governor� Also, speaking with Torna, the 1st runner up, he said “I am very happy right now, I am a boy of the people, I know what my fans want and I will always give them what they want. I really believed I was going to be the winner, but God knows why everything happened like that, I am just happy all the way. I thank GovernorAmbode for an opportunity
Governor Ambode and Alexander Onyekachi
Ishola Idris, Winner
2nd Runner Up, Goualin Vidal aka Skelenton
Humblesmith and Caroline Danjuma
Toyin Abraham
to showcase my talent as Lagos Grows Talent is a great platform for people like me who don’t have the means to showcase their talents. Governor Ambode is my daddy, I am a proud Lagosian, born in surulere and I’m always grateful.Lagos has impacted me a lot, as my parents couldn’t afford to pay my school fees. The cash prize is an opportunity for me to further my education. I owe it all to Lagos and Governor Ambode. He also thanked Governor Ambode for his passion for the Youths. The 2nd runner up, Goualin Vidal AKA Skeleton, a contortionist said “I discovered my talents
8 years ago and I feel happy right now even though I didn’t win. I thank Governor Ambode for this platform; he gave us the opportunity to prove ourselves to the world. I’m sure I deserve this position and I enjoyed myself� Also, speaking with the Governor of Lagos state, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, He said “I thank everyone for working towards the betterment and growth of Lagos state and I believe we would do more next year, Happy New Year� He also disclosed that consolation prizes and 200 thousand naira each would be given
to other contestants who made it to the top 10. The final leg of the “One Lagos Fiesta� also saw performances from artists like Davido, Wizkid, Olamide, Simi, Adekunle Gold, Ice Prince, Sound Sultan Perform some of their hit songs while DJs like Dj Jimmy Jatt, DJ Spinall and DJ Enimoney thrilled the crowd with good music. The ‘Lagos Grows Talent’ is an avenue to pitch uprising stars into the limelight, gives exquisitely talented individuals the platform to become the next celebrated personality in the entertainment industry.
WAPTV Rewards Nigerians With Nutri- Milk
T
o celebrate the end of 2017 and the commencement of 2018, wapTV has partnered with CWAY Food & Beverages to reward Nigerians with cartons of Nutri-Milk during the channel’s popular programme entitled Omonla on the Street from 18th December 2017 till 18th January 2018. The programme, Omonla on the Street, takes Omonla to different parts of Nigeria to interact with
people by asking their opinions on a wide range of issues, playing simple games, asking trivia questions, giving them riddles to solve etc. He then rewards the winners, as well as other respondents, with fantastic gifts. According to the Managing Director of wapTV, Wole Adenuga, “Omonla is well-loved because of his ability to bring smiles to the faces of everyone, regardless of differences in age, gender, ethnicity, religion or social class, while
conducting his Omonla on the Street segment. With this new partnership with Nutri-Milk, in addition to the natural joy which Omonla brings, lucky respondents will also receive the nutritious fruit-flavoured milk drink to share with their family and other loved ones during this festive season.� Omonla on the Street airs daily on wapTV; the multiple-award-winning 24-hour entertainment TV channel available on DStv 262, StarTimes 116, GOtv 102, StarSat 189 and MyTV.
Africa Creative Summit Coming Soon
O
rganisers of Africa Creative Summit have announced details of its upcoming event in Nigeria which will bring top players in the creative industry across the continent and beyond together to share expertise and do network. Currently organised in partnership with the Directors Guild of Nigeria,DGN, the Kaduna State Government and CAVS, the creative summit is expected to hold in the cities of Lagos, Kaduna and Asaba, in April, 2018.
Addressing the press about the upcoming event, in Lagos,during the week, the Convener, Brainz, representing Brainz & Lloyds International,a Dublin-based TV and film consortium, said the objective of the event is to enhance cooperation between foreign technical experts and home grown Nigerian creative professionals. This session is unprecedented being the first creative forum of its kind in the country. According to her, the summit intends to foster strategic alliances and solid business partnerships between
relevant businesses from around the globe. “We will focus on developing economic and technical creative side of entertainment relationships within industry. “We will also be addressing this constraint by having workshops and speakers which focuses on the technicalities of film, television, audiovisual, music, radio, entertainment Law and Creative investment.� “Workshops and speakers will be delivered by top players in this field who will be able to provide practical knowledge and skills as well as
valuable insights into how we can go about ensuring improvements in the Nigerian Creative industry,� she explained. Speaking further, Brainz said while the Nigerian film industry is steadily growing, there were still a lot of areas, talents and doors to be unlocked. One of the main constraints, she pointed out was the quality of technical and creative training in the industry. This, she said had resulted in a lack of depth and breadth which is essential to capitalise on continental and global opportunities.
38
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž JANUARY 6, 2018
TEENS
CONNECT From Me To You
– NKECHI IBENEME 08142358958 – (sms only)
T
What’s your new year resolution?
his time every year, people make resolutions and set new goals for the year. While some achieve and even surpass their set goals, many others fail to achieve theirs at the end of the year. To move forward and succeed in life, there must be a propeller; this can be external or internal. External propellers refer to the push we get from our parents, siblings, friends, relatives and the society at large. These external forces help in driving us towards success, but, sometimes fail to achieve the expected results. Failure occurs when; the expectation of the propeller is at variance with the goal of the propelled and because you really cannot beat an unwilling horse into submission, pressure from the external forces rather than propel the individual, weighs him/her down. Internal propeller is the driving force that emanates from the individual. It is the personal goal
and aspirations of the individual and his/her unwavering resolve to succeed. The bottom line is, no matter how hard other people work or push for you to succeed, more than 90% of the time, you only succeed when you apply yourself to succeeding. Any goal set by you is usually more easily achievable than one set for you by other people. In setting your goal for this year, ensure it is what you really should do, not what others expect you to do and certainly not because you are trying to ‘keep up with the Kardashians’ either. The ďŹ rst resolution you make this year should be to ‘keep true to self’. If you remain true to yourself in all that you do, your chances of success will be way higher than when you copy other people or try to be like them. You should also note that it is not just enough to set goals, but, you should set smart goals and work hard towards achieving them. A smart goal must be:
a clear and speciďŹ c vision of where you are going, you could derail along the line. Set your path straight and you would get to your destination fast and surely.
1. Clear and speciďŹ c – Without
5. Never give up - The road to
2. Phased, achievable and measurable - Set your goals in phases. Breaking your goals into phases makes them more achievable and measurable. 3. Written Down - Putting your goals in black and white helps you keep them in view. It also helps you to monitor your progress and to make adjustments where and when necessary. 4. Take a step - An idea, no matter how brilliant remains just that - an idea, unless put into action. Since the journey of a thousand miles begins with just a single step, achieving your goal for success will require you taking that single bold step of faith and before you know it, the rest would become history.
success is rocky and tough and certainly not for the faint hearted. The mantra of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Superstar, John Cena is ‘Never Give Up’, little wonder whenever he is in the ring, he doesn’t ever give up. No matter the beating he receives; he keeps coming back and coming back. Abraham Lincoln never gave up until he became the President of the United States of America; despite failing severally. The same will be said of President Buhari of Nigeria, he contested for the presidency for a record three times spanning twelve years and failed, but was elected on his fourth attempt. So, whatever obstacles you may encounter in your journey of life should be viewed as a lesson and used as a stepping stone to your success. No matter how diďŹƒcult it gets, do not ever give up! Winners don’t quit; only losers do. This year, resolve to be that person who doesn’t quit – a John Cena’s protĂŠgĂŠ Thank God we all made it to 2018. Happy New Year to you!
ͺ͸͚Ϳ 2017, though tough and rough economically, was an eventful year for Nigerians. Some teenagers shone like stars in the midst of it all. Teens Connect is proud to present the STAR TEENS OF 2017
Munachi Ernesst Eze
‌the Mathematics genius 16 year old Munachi Ernest-Eze shocked Nigerians when he won the highly competitive Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics Television Quiz Show for the second time. The two time time champion from Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, had earlier won the junior category of the competition in 2015 only to re-enact the feat at the senior category in 2017.
Jessey Uche-Nwichi ‌the Mathematics champion
13 year old Jessey Uche-Nwichi of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, beat all others and set a record by finishing with an impressive 115 points to emerge the overall winner of the junior category of the 2017 edition of the Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics Television Quiz Show.
Esther Benyeogo
‌the singing sensation 19 year old Esther Benyeogo, an undergraduate of University of Benin, beat 5,000 other contestants to clinch the star prize of N250m million management deal, N10 million cash and a brand new car at Africa’s biggest gospel talent show, God’s children great talent, season 7. At the 2017 edition of the annual competition organized by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David
Parish, Victoria Island, Lagos, Esther was voted the winner by judges and the viewing public as a result of her sensational performance.
Olaolu Olawuyi
– Tech wiz kid He refers to himself as a “CSS3 sorcerer and JavaScript fanboy, a Front-End Nerd, who does a lot of JavaScript and CSS while also doing some back–end stuff with PHP. And builds Themes for code
39
JANUARY 6, 2018 Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
editors like Atom and VSCode� – Olaolu Olawuyi is a 16 year old tech wizkid whose creation: Material Palenight Theme, a software development tool has been downloaded over 20,000 times by software developers. On how he feels about his invention and the next big thing for him, Olaolu has this to say; “Naturally, I feel good that am adding value to the tech world and by that impacting my generation. As for the next big thing, I’ve recently been devising strategies to help me escape the web for a while so that I can dive into Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence – I’ve fallen in love with it so much�. He sees himself as an established and happy software developer with international recognition, ten years from now.
Tishe Deji-Roberts
Regina Daniels
Seni Adekeye
It is often said that one’s talents will make a way for him/her. That has been the case of Nollywood’s teen star actress cum producer, Regina Daniels. Born on October 10, 2000, Regina started her career in acting as a little child. Now at just 17, she has joined the big league in Nollywood with an average earning of five hundred thousand (N500, 000) naira, per appearance. With the number of movies to her credit; some of which she produced herself, one is right to say that Regina Daniels who just recently gained admission into the university, is indeed the hottest Nollywood teen actress.
13 year old Olaseni Adekeye, a year 9 student of Grange school Lagos, represented Nigeria at the 2nd Africa (Confederation Africaine de Natation – CANA) Zone 2 Junior Swimming Championship, organised by Nigeria Aquatic Federation. The tournament which held at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos, in November, 2017, attracted athletes from four other African countries; Senegal, Guinea, Ghana and Benin. Seni did Nigeria proud by carting home three medals; one gold and two bronzes, in three races that he participated in.
‌..Hottest Nollywod teen actress
A star shinning on all turfs
‌‌. Rounded, conďŹ dent and focused
When Olaseni Adekeye named him as his role model during an interview with Teens Connect, it elicited curiosity and rightly so. But, a meeting with him proved he’s all that and more. Tishe Deji–Roberts is not your average kid on the block; he has his hands in so many pies and still maintains a GPA of 3.5 consistently out of a possible 4.0. TEENS CONNECT went in search of him and was awed by the confidence and fine demeanour exuded by this 15 year old, year 10 student of Grange School. He sees himself as a business mogul ten years from now.
Ogunmola Dara
Bukola Zuon
– One day governor, Lagos State 16 year old Miss Bukola Zuffon, of Awodi-Ora Secondary High School, Ajegunle, Lagos, proved that girls are indeed masters of the letters when she dusted 113 other finalists to emerge the overall winner of the 2017 edition of the Lagos State annual spelling Bee competition. By winning the keenly contested spelling competition, Bukola won a full scholarship, cash award of N1 million, plus N250, 000 and the prestigious ‘seat of a governor’ for a day.
“
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time – THOMAS A. EDISON
Nigerian contingent to the 2017 International Science Olympiad Five Nigerian students shone like stars at the 2017 Mathematics and Physics Olympiad at Morocco, Indonesia and Brazil. Three of the students; Okeke Williams Okechukwu, Nwachukwu Mmesomachi and Akpabio Edikan Idongesit , from Graceland International Schools, Port-Harcourt, competed in Mathematics and clinched gold, silver
and bronze medals respectively. While, Okoli Mitchell Chukwuebuka and Amaechi Ikechukwu Abua, both of Trinity International College, Ofada, Ogun State, who competed in Physics won bronze medal and honorary mention. All five champions were awarded scholarships by the Nigerian government.
Winners of the 2017 Idomie Independence Heroes Awards Roll call: r 1VBM %BWJE m *OWFOUFE B SBEJP TUBUJPO r &NNBOVFM "EFCJTJ 7BSJPVT JOWFOUJPOT r +PFM $MFNFOU *OWFOUFE JODVCBUPS GPS IBUDIJOH PG FHHT r ;VMLB .PIBNNFE m 4BWFE B HSPVQ PG DIJMESFO GSPN UFSSPSJTU BUUBDL r 6CPOH "LQBO 4BWFE UIF MJGF PG B OVSTJOH NPUIFS r "EFKPSJO 0MVXBUPCJMPCB 3FTDVFE B ZPVOH HJSM GSPN LJEOBQQFST r 0MBSFOXBKV 0MVXBGFNJ 0SHBOJTFT GPPUCBMM DPNQFUJUJPOT UP DBNQBJHO BHBJOTU crime r +PIO #MFTTJOH QSF UFFO "EWPDBUFT BHBJOTU DIJME BCVTF r 8FBMUI +PIO QSF UFFO 4BWFE B HJSM GSPN DIJME NBSSJBHF r $IJCVPZJN /OBLXF QSF UFFO 4BWFE IJT NPUIFS GSPN JNQFOEJOH EFBUI 4UBS Prize)
Nigerian contingent to International Science Olympaid
Indomie Independence heroes
“
– Winner, PZ Chemistry Challenge At the 2017 edition of the PZ CUSSONS Chemistry Challenge for Lagos State, about 3,000 students sat for the preliminary stage, out of which 130 of them qualified for the second stage; which was also a written test. The top 24 out of the 130 then moved on to the third stage which was a practical test. At the end of the three stages which were quite rigorous, the best 6 of the lot moved to the final stage which was conducted live on stage in a quiz format. It was out of these 6 finalists that the eventual winner emerged. Master Ogunmola Dara, an SS 11 student of New Hall International School, Lekki, scaled through all these stages to become the winner of the 2017 edition of the four year old Chemistry contest. For this feat, Ogunmola carted home: a trophy and a gold medal, N700, 000 cash, a laptop, N100, 000 cash for his teacher and N100, 000 worth of laboratory equipment for his school.
40
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 6, 2018
;˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
41
42
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 6, 2018
FEATURE
Members of the Admirable Friends Social and Charity Foundation (AFSCF) at the Okobaba Destitute Home in Ebute Meta Lagos . . .
Admirable Friends’ Time With Okobaba Destitute Ferdinand Ekechukwu witnessed a charity exercise by a group of individuals and writes that beyond material items and food supplies to the Okobaba Destitute Home is the need for government intervention
A
group of like-minded friends, under the aegis of Admirable Friends Social and Charity Foundation (AFSCF), recently visited the Okobaba Destitute Home at Ebute Meta in Lagos State. The visit brought excitement and momentary relief to its residents as it coloured their squalor with rays of hope. At the time of the visit, the condition of human lives at the home was terrible. Just like it had done in different locations in time past for over a period of nine years, the social and charity advocacy group supplied the destitute, mostly beggars, with food packs to over 2000 people. In addition to the food items were donations, in large quantity, of clothes, and other utilities and material items for shelter, pulled by members of the foundation whom are professionals in various fields including lawyers, bankers, engineers, doctors, etc. The materials brought by the foundation were single handedly distributed by its members to every persons within reach to avoid the goods being shared disproportionately. The essence of the charity work, according to the National President of the Foundation, Prince Ochuko Ejohwomu, was to mark their annual day for charity tagged ‘Time To Give Back To The Society’. “So its like a unique period for us we call it Time To Give Back To The Society”, he stated. In that deprived community are three groups: the group for the blinds, the group for lepers and the group for the cripples (handicaps). Majority of the destitude are migrants from the northern part of the country with most of them partially blind, some in state of full blindness and malnourished. In their poor living conditions there the population rises as one observed them giving birth inside this destitute camp. “We try to identify those ones that really need it and we give them food items and also clothes and toiletries. But we have also visited IDP camps in Edo State”, Ejohwomu claims. “When we got their it was really very pathetic and am thinking maybe our next event (its tenth anniversary) to be in Benin. Also we are going to revisit that IDP camp where you have about 4/5000 children living there.” Aside their annual flagship programme, which has seen them visit IDP camps, the foundation also, occasionally, engages in various kinds to touch the lives of the needy, like orphanages, in addition scholarships to the less privileged kids, and offsetting hospital bills for children in different wards, in orthopedic hospitals, and pediatric sections in different hospitals.
The foundation has also partnered with other charitable foundations in the course of their humanitarian drive as it looks forward to getting the support of the government towards their initiative so as to transcend whatever plans in place by them towards a positive goal. “What we have done is to partner with other charitable foundations like this. We have done with QMCs, we have done with UJAH, which is an Indian community,” Ejohwomu revealed. “But maybe in the future we would look at it and see how we can partner with the government. But for now ours is to gather like minds and you may not necessarily be a member of the association. But when its time to give, I believe if you have one or two things that you can give, why not give and put a smile on somebody’s face,” he added. Beyond the material items and food supplies to the home is the need for well meaning individuals and the government at various levels to support. “Its not by having so much to give alright. You may not have as much as the Dangotes to give. Now it is the mindset. If every Nigerian who is able to give one bottle of coke is able to do this, then I don’t think we will have people hungry on the streets. That’s what we are trying to prove that you don’t have to be rich to do good or to give,” Ejohwomu advised. During the charity exercise, the foundation’s national public relations officer, Engineer God’slove Iserhien, expressed concern on the need for government support and measures to assuage the situation of the place. “So there’s so much the government can do; there could be strategic partnership between the state and the federal government because most of them are from the north and they are living in the southern state, like Lagos. Lagos accommodates a lot of people. “So what the government need to do is to liaise most time with the northern states, they even have northern governors forum. Things like that, people like that, bodies like that should be reached. Let them come look for a way to bring solution to help these people. You can’t alleviate the poverty totally. “But by the time they engage most of the adults here into different skills like sewing, shoe making, hair making, enlighten them on how to be skillful and try and integrate them gradually into the society before you know it by five, six years the society might start absorbing most of the kids at the end of the day we might end up not making association of beggars,” Iserhien stated.
43
JANUARY 6, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
FASHION FILE
‘The Quintessential Lace Woman’ My Q Lady’s New Collection
44
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž JANUARY 6, 2018
FASHION FILE
By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com
‘The Quintessential
L
uxury womenswear line, My Q Lady, has just released a new collection, just in time for the holiday season titled The Quintessential Lace Woman. As the name of the collection implies, each piece was inspired by the lace fabric Lace is delicate and beautiful yet strong and tenacious. These characteristics that epitomize the My Q Lady Woman. The lace woman is everything - a Boss, Mother, Mogul, Achiever and Nurturer. With the subtle blend of classy yet unique silhouettes, women will find multiple occasions to wear this luxurious collection to, as it suits
women of all shapes and sizes. The Collection is just right for the Quintessential woman - Choose your lace, for we are all Lace Women. Credits Brand : @myqlady Models : @latashalagos @francesigweonu Photographer : @mide_wey Makeup : @beautyby_nene Hair : @fjesam Creative Direction : @thestyle. concierge Location : Renaissance Hotel @ renikeja
45
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀
MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fashogbon... ͸΀͸͝͝͞ͺ͚͸͸Î
L-R: Assistant Category Manager, Skincare, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Enema George; Category Manager, Skincare, Adetoun Adegbite; Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Jide Idris; SA. on Primary Healthcare, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga; Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and Chairman ,House Committee on Health, Hon Segun Olulade, during the presentation of gifts to the first baby of the year, born at the Gbagada General Hospital...recently
Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ,NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside (left) receiving a birthday card from the Executive Director (Finance & Admin) of NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh during his 47th birthday celebration in Port Harcourt...recently
2017 in Retrospect: Market and Consumers 2017 has been a challenging year for both investors and consumers alike. For investors, both local and foreign, the story didn’t change much. It remained a tale of recession, lack of enabling environment and infrastructure, poor transportation network, poor access to funds, epileptic power supply and lack of government policies, among other factors. From the consumers’ corner, it would be hard to boast of a considerable improvement in their purchasing power. In the midst of these disabling circumstances however, it was a fruitful year in the marketplace. The year was a busy one characterised by major inventions, business expansions, breakthroughs but not without some downsides. Marketplace presents some key investments and innovations across sectors which combined to stir a growth in the economy, heavier pocket for investors and a better life for consumers. The list is not exhaustive, however, there were more worthy events. Year on year, the ICT market has never been boring. The sector which is a major driver of the Nigerian economy and invested hugely in the development of other sectors has never been stranded of innovations. Here are some of the products of the sector that found their way into the market and got consumers talking: In the just-concluded year Tecno boosted its offerings with a number of improved devices including phone pad 3, Techno Camon cx Air and more recently, Phantom 8. The phantom 8 device got the backing of phone enthusiasts especially with its dual back camera and design except for its daunting battery capacity. Apple also thrilled the market with IPhone 8, IPhone 8plus and the latest IPhone x, which is argued to be built with most advanced technology. Indian investors also tapped into the prospect of the sector with the launch of Fero Mobile. The brand which is fast becoming popular in the market has within one year of entry into Nigeria released not less than four devices including Royale X2, being the most recent. After contending with a major setback in 2016 due to exploding washing machine and faulty battery in Galaxy Note 7 to the extent that it was named one of the worst brands of the year, Samsung made a sudden rebound in 2017 with Galaxy S8 and Note 8.The entry of both devices quickly eradicated the negative impressions of the previous year and the brand now confidently competes with its arch rival, Apple.
The Infinix brand lost its place with the absence of durability feature and hard to come by accessories in the market. However, the brand is currently gaining some attention in the market with its 2017 arrivals including its latest flagship series, Infinix Zero 5 and Zero 5 plus. The year also saw the rebirth of iconic Nokia 3310, with new and advanced features. The device had already established a trust among Nigerians in its first coming so it did not take too long before it made waves in the market. Another major breakthrough that the year was noted for was the debut of the first made-in-Nigeria phone manufactured locally by AfriOne Limited. Although, the factory for the production of the said phone was officially opened in Lagos, not much has been heard of the device which is targeted at the middle income earners. Major development that also grabbed consumers’ attention was the return of Motorola. The new owners of the brand, Lenovo came and wooed the market with different range of products including Moto E and Moto C. Although, the launch came with much
hype, the devices didn’t really move the market. Zinox Technologies Limited also boosted indigenous efforts with 14-inch Notebook, GTX which was brought to the market alongside Microsoft Inc., Intel Corp., Ashour Corporation and Tecsync Technology Co Ltd. The device is argued to be the world’s slimmest notebook. 2017 was another outstanding year for multinational ICT company, Hewlett Package which redefined printing technology with pocket-size Sprocket Photo Printer. The innovation, well accepted by Nigerians allowed users to print photos from a smartphone or tablet virtually anywhere and is designed to bring back the excitement of printed photos. LG Electronics also didn’t fall off the radar in the year. Joining its range of products in Nigeria were Neochef microwave oven, LG Twin Wash Washing Machine and the all-New Gencool Air Conditioner. The year 2017 saw most banks upgrade their investment in information technology infrastructure to enhance their digital presence and reduce physical operations. Notwithstanding,
DuďŹ l Reaches Out to Orphanages During Christmas In the spirit of the season, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Noodles, has extended love to selected Orphanage Homes across the country. The firm which visited selected centres along with its Santa hosted them to an elaborate party and also blessed them with its products in large quantities. Speaking at the event, Group Public Relations and Events Manager of the company, Mr. Temitope Ashiwaju reaffirmed the company’s love for children as well as the less privileged and renewed the company’s promise to be there for them at Christmas and always. “The visit is what we do every year and I must say that it is wonderful to see that the children are smiling. This initiative also gives us the opportunity to spread some much-needed love and joy to these children and also identify their needs further. This visit is hugely important for Indomie and all that are involved,â€? Ashiwaju said. Receiving the crew, the Principal, Pacelli School for the blind and partially sighted children, Surulere, Rev Sister Jane Onyeneri, expressed the management’s delight at the
gesture as they considered the school appropriate for the surprise visit. She said, “We are grateful for this gesture. Every December, we look forward to receiving gifts from Indomie as they always add glamour and colour to our annual end of the year party and for this, we are always grateful.’’ Also, the Founder Hearts of Gold Children Hospice, Mrs Laja Adedoyin, commended the brand on the initiative that brought more happiness to the children. Some of the centres visited included Pacelli School for the blind and partially sighted children, Surulere, Wesley School for hearing impaired children and Heart of Gold Auspices also in Surulere. The team also visited Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care & Treatment Home, Akoka as well as Love Home Orphanage, all in Lagos. The company revealed further its intention to visit other centres including Little Saints Orphanage, Pacific Hall Special School, Bales of Mercy Orphanage, SOS Children’s Village and Baliz Orphanage Foundation.
there were branches expansion. Some of the banks that opened new branches in the country included Wema, Fidelity and Union bank. In the course of the year, Telecom Satellite Nigeria Limited also came on board with a pay-per-view TV–TSTV on October 1st. It was a major initiative that wooed consumers as a result of the flexibility and affordability hype that came with the offerings. It is still a shock till date as to why the company is not in sight. The food and beverage sector also had new offerings for consumers. For instance, Coca Cola Nigeria Limited added 3 variants to its Five Alive brand and improved its Eva brand with 50cl Eva Twist Bottle. Euro Global also came on board with Power Spirits Drink (bottle and Can) and Golden Choco. The retail arm also saw a significant increase. Marketplace observed that existing and new stores sprung up during the year. There were the likes of Miniso which opened new branch in Lekki Phase 2, LuLu Lingerie had its third store opened in Palms Shopping Mall in Lagos, Hubmart also came out with new outlet in Ikeja, Lagos, Spar increased it presence with a new outlet in Lagos, Yudala also enlarged its coast with 15 new wine outlets across the country. Aside the expansion of existing stores, there were also new entrants like Jendol in Lagos and Vanguard Store which is presently calling the shot in Osogbo, Osun State. In the transportation and aviation sector, not too much activities took place, however, there were moves by Dikko Nwachukwu, a serial entrepreneur, to set up Jet West Airline, the campaign went wild and viral but there are no signs of it taking off anytime soon. However, there were route expansion by existing airlines like Medview and Air peace airlines. GiGM.com also enhanced its platform with mobile application to avail commuters with advance and real-time information on its service. In the manufacturing sector, Lucky Fibres, makers of Nobel Carpet & Rug, boosted local capacity with its range of new and affordable floor coverings. It also impacted the beauty sector with ‘Lush Hair’ which was unveiled recently at the International Trade Fair. Other new investments which graced the $595.8m beauty industry were Epara Skin care and Stellarchem Nigeria Limited. The Arts Market also got elevated with the debut of Artyrama, an online African Art Gallery.
46
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 6 , 2018
COVER
Those Who Shaped
2017 Continued from Last Week Samuel Ajayi
Ali Modu Sheriff Former factional National Chairman of PDP The Spoiler Who Lost the Plot For the greater part of 2017, it was as if the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, was destined for the grave and a certain Ali Modu Sheriff, former governor of Borno State, would serve as the undertaker. Sheriff had emerged as a factional national chairman of the party slugging it out with the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mohammed Makarfi, who had the support of governors on the party’s platform. All efforts for Sheriff to step down
did not work. In fact, many believed, and rightly so, that he was a mole of the ruling APC in the PDP sent to perpetually keep the party in crisis. It took the pronouncement of the Supreme Court for Sheriff to be eased out and a new life breathed to the party. Since then, he has hardly been heard or seen in public. If there was one politician who played the role of a spoiler in 2017, it was Ali Modu Sheriff.
Senator Dino Melaye Kogi West Senatorial District A fighter on Many Fronts Senator Dino Melaye has a history of controversy. It seems it is his second nature and 2017, he did not fail to court controversy throughout the year. Earlier in the year, Melaye had shot a ‘selfie’ video in Yoruba language challenging anyone who wanted to fight him to come forward so he could take a double portion of punishment. Not long after that, Melaye claimed he had escaped an assassination attempt planned by his political opponents in the state. A local government chairman and a couple of others were arrested and charged to court with the presiding judge mysteriously dying earlier in the week.
Apparently being pushed by the state government who does not see eye to eye with Melaye, a recall process was initiated against the controversial senator but was dead on arrival as fictitious names were used to indicate that his constituents had signed on his recall. And when this was going, stories started making the rounds that he did not graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as he claimed. He had to start showing his certificate across any media he could lay his hands on. For Melaye, a year could not be busier than 2017.
JANUARY 6 , 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
47
COVER THOSE WHO SHAPED 2017… THOSE WHO SHAPED 2017… THOSE WHO SHAPED 2017… THOSE WHO SHAPED 2017… THOSE WHO SHAPED 2017…
Babatunde Raji Fashola Minister of Power, Works and Housing No Light for the man in Charge of Light Babatunde Raji Fashola, by Nigerian standards, did well as Lagos State governor for eight years between 2007 and 2015 but by now he would have realised, as they say on the streets, that talk is cheap. Fashola had claimed, in those giddy days of electioneering, when APC, his party, felt they had
answers to every of the nation’s problems, that any government that could not provide electricity for the populace had no reason to be in power. As if the president wanted him to prove his mettle, he was named as the minister of power, housing and works. A massive assignment no doubt and Fashola
has now realised that it is always easy to pontificate when outside the corridors of power where responsibilities are given to you. If there is one thing Fashola gave Nigerians in 2017, it is plenty of excuses. It will be in his best interest if some of the assignments are taken from him in 2018
Senator Adetunji Adeleke Osun West Senatorial District The Dancing Senator When he brother and former governor of Osun State, Isiaka Adeleke, died and rumour had it that he was poisoned, Senator Adetunji Adeleke, knew that he a date with history. He never wanted to leave PDP but the APC, his brother’s and his party, would not
give him the ticket. He moved to the PDP and the latter accepted him with open arms. And that was it. He cleared the election and it was the day he was declared the winner that he showed Nigerians that he had another great skill: dancing. Senator Adeleke, since he
assumed office, has never missed an opportunity to show his fellow citizens that King David would envy him when it comes to dancing. He can easily say 2017 was his year of dancing.
Rotimi Amaechi Minister of Transportation Big National Assignment, Massive Local Distraction The former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has a very big national assignment on his hands. He is the minister of transportation which means that he is in charge of the nation’s aviation industry, rail lines and waterways. But if there is any area Amaechi had made headlines more in 2017 than these sectors, it is in the local politics of his home state, Rivers. Amaechi has never hidden his
disdain for the current governor and former political associate, Nyesom Wike. Apart from this, Amaechi desperately wants to win Rivers State to show that he has a strong home base and he also likes to prove that he is the de facto political godfather of the state. But the battle has not been easy. Just recently, he lost another of his strong political associate, Magnus Abe, a senator, who decamped
to the rival PDP. Abe wants to be governor, Amaechi would have none of it. While the nation’s transport sector begs for his attention, Amaechi is more interested in his Rivers State local politics. But for his loyalty, rumours have it that he would, once again, be in charge of Buhari’s re-election campaign come next year.
Lawal Musa Daura Director-General, Department of State Security No Secret about the Secret Policeman If there was one year the Department of State Security, DSS, faced a lot of challenges and public spat, it was 2017. It started when it was discovered that the agency made some recruitment that was heavily lopsided facing a certain section of the country. Mainly, the year
saw many Nigerians questioning the intelligence capabilities of the agency in the sense that many expected skirmishes across that claimed hundreds of lives to have been nipped in the bud. Beyond this is the agency’s incessant spats with the Economic
Dr. Mike Adenuga Chairman of Globacom The Beat Goes On He is an enigmatic multibillionaire businessman who is both known and unseen. He is one of the continent’s richest men and he spent 2017 expanding his business empire,
especially in the area of telecommunications. His Glo network continued to grow during the year and his dream of underwater cable linking the rest of West Africa is on.
While many continue to criticise him for micro-managing such a massive business empire, the IjebuOde born business mogul seems to care less.
and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over the power of prosecution of those handed corruption charges with the EFCC claiming the DSS was not sharing intelligence materials with it. In 2018, Nigerians can only wish they have a more pro-active DSS.
48
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀
What I am telling them is that no more hope for them in APC. Nigerians should vote APC out of power. You see, the strategy of APC is always the blame game: ‘we did not promise this’; ‘we did not say we will solve this problem in two years‌’ Nigerians should not have anything to do with that party again. The only hope they have is PDP. You cannot compare what PDP has done and what APC has done. You cannot compare. The facts are there. It is not an issue of ďŹ ghting corruption just to victimise people. That is what is going on. So, I believe that Nigerians will not make the mistake of voting for APC again Nyesom Wike
Nigerians Shouldn’t Give APC Second Chance in 2019 Described as a man of the people, the generalissimo of the Peoples Democratic Party and Mr. Project in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike in this interview with Ernest Chinwo matter-of-factly said 2019 is the right time to sweep the ruling All Progressives Congress out of power. He also talked about Ali Modu Sheri, the recent PDP convention, and the chairmanship saga
Y
our two and a half years in ofďŹ ce have been widely acknowledged to be exceptional in terms of development across various sectors in Rivers State. What should people expect in 2018? They should not expect anything less. Rather they should expect improved performance on what we had in 2017. Just like when I made a broadcast to the state, I did say that after the New Year festival, there will be nothing to relax. We will continue to go to local governments and communities in the execution of our projects. Every local government will be carried along; every person will be carried along in this execution of projects. So we are not sitting to be carried away by what we have achieved in 2017. We think that it will be more robust, more focused in 2018. Is there a speciďŹ c area you will concentrate on? Of course; roads are very key. You cannot talk about the economy of a state when the road network is not in good shape. We also talk about education; trying to improve the quality of education of our children. You also talk about health. These are three key areas we will try to focus on in this 2018. We’ll also pay attention to agriculture. In this case, we are not going into agriculture as businessmen. We are
providing the necessary infrastructure to enable those who want to invest in agriculture to come down and also allow our people to be part owners of the investment. Rivers State has been in the eye of national politics with the APC’s determination to wrest the state from the PDP come 2019. What are you going to do to ensure that the state remains in the control of your party? If democracy is all about the people, if democracy is all about dividends, then the APC has no opportunity here in Rivers State. What will make the people vote for them? What projects have they attracted from the Federal Government? Not even a single one. So, why will people leave a party that is doing well for them to go to a party that in spite of these years, in spite of the huge resources they contributed to the emergence of the party at the national level, yet they cannot say this is what the state has achieved. So, it is impossible, even though we know their strategy has been to use security to intimidate the people but I think the people have the willpower to resist such strategy. Are you not bothered about the government using security agencies to wrest power from the PDP in Rivers? Like I have said, I am aware that, because they have no hope, their
entire plot has been based on how to use SARS to manipulate the election. But one thing I can tell you is that it will not be easy. And that is why we always shout to let the public will know. Not that we are afraid that we are talking about the consequences of that. When the people are resisting, what happens? That is violence. And they will turn around tomorrow to say there is violence in Rivers State when they the ones instigating that violence. Allow the people’s will; allow them to choose who will represent them. If you don’t do that and you want to intimidate them, the people will resist so, it will not be easy. In many states, the Paris Club refund was mismanaged. Tell us how Rivers’ own was spent. I don’t know which state mismanaged its own Paris Club refund. You see, a lot of people make accusations without facts to back them. So, I will not be in a position to say any state mismanaged its funds. First of all, Paris Club refund is my state’s money. I am the governor of the state and I told the people what I will do with their money if I am voted into power. Now, the problem in Rivers State may not be the same in another state. So, if in my state I have been able to pay salaries, you do not expect me to use Paris Club money not to develop the state in terms of infrastructure. As I speak to you now, I have not touched the last tranche of the Paris Club money because I felt that
having paid salaries up to December, this money will be used for projects execution. So every state has its own strategy and what it intends to use its funds for. So, it will not be fair for people to say some states mismanaged their funds. I do not think so. It is just that some people may not have information and when that is the case, it is for them to ask and not to make general statements that some state are mismanaging Paris Club refunds. Let’s assume somebody owed salaries for one year and is owing about N30 billion and you give him the Paris Club refund of about N10 billion. You cannot say he should use the entire N10 billion to pay salaries. He removes about N7 billion to start paying salaries and use the other N3 billion for other things. If you pay salaries alone and there no roads to pass, what happens? So, it will not be fair to say because he did not commit the entire N10 billion into paying salaries he mismanaged the fund because payment of salaries is not the only problem you have in the state. So, you need to balance. You will not neglect other sectors. What is your assessment of the APC-led Federal Government? Frankly speaking, Nigerians are Disappointed. Frankly speaking, I will say that from day one, I knew that the APC was not prepared to take over the reins of government. APC was formed just to make sure (President Goodluck) Jonathan leaves
49
JANUARY 6, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
INTERVIEW APC Plotting to Use SARS to Win Rivers Governorship Poll in 2019 office: it does not matter who or how. And that is why it takes them time to settle for governance. You must have to prepare yourself. So, the party was not prepared for governance. It was only prepared to take over the reins of power and that is what we are seeing today. Much as people are disappointed, I knew from the beginning that the APC will not offer Nigerians what they want; to take them to the El Dorado. I know that most of them in APC are just people who had grievances against Jonathan; therefore Jonathan must leave. It is a formation of people who do not have the same ideology. You can see the crisis in the party today. Never mind that PDP had its own crisis as an opposition party, but we have come out of it. But APC, a ruling party, cannot hold a convention since they came to power. It is unheard of; it has never happened. So, what are you telling Nigerians? What I am telling them is that no more hope for them in APC. Nigerians should vote APC out of power. You see, the strategy of APC is always the blame game: ‘we did not promise this’; ‘we did not say we will solve this problem in two years…’ Nigerians should not have anything to do with that party again. The only hope they have is PDP. You cannot compare what PDP has done and what APC has done. You cannot compare. The facts are there. It is not an issue of fighting corruption just to victimise people. That is what is going on. So, I believe that Nigerians will not make the mistake of voting for APC again. APC talks about PDP’s 16 years of waste and that seems to resonate with Nigerians. Don’t you agree? It is resonates with gullible Nigerians. Now if you say 16 years of waste, the majority of those who are in APC today were in PDP: some were governors for eight years, some were senators for eight years, and some were the speaker for eight years. Are they saying they could not achieve anything when they were in office? Bukola Saraki was in PDP; Kwakwanso was in PDP; Amaechi was in PDP, and many of others. In fact, 70 per cent of them were PDP members. So, how can they talk about PDP’s 16 years of waste? It is clear that when you do not have anything to offer, you start blaming people. You say you are fighting corruption, how many people have you convicted? So, nobody is interested in these stories. Nigerians are saying they prefer the PDP government. Tell me one thing Nigerians have benefitted under the APC? You have become the rallying point for the revival of PDP with many blaming you and Governor Ayodele Fayose for bringing Modu Sheriff to lead the party. What do you have to say? First of all, I don’t think I am the rallying point. I believe that every stakeholder has a role to play. All the governors came together and said that we must put our acts together. We must put our house together to see that our party bounces back. So every governor played a role. Other stakeholders also played a role to make sure that we came out the crisis. So, I want to commend all the stakeholders, the governors who came together to say this is the way to go. So, it has nothing to do with me as the rallying point. It is also not correct that I was one of those who brought Modu Sheriff. I always tell people that when you go to a meeting and issues are discussed, even if your own ideas were not accrued, the moment the majority takes a decision it becomes part of your decision. So, you do not come back to say you were not the one who suggested that. That is not leadership. So, yes we thought that Senator Ali Modu
Wike
Sheriff, based on his experience as former governor, a senator and former chairman of an opposition party, he had what it takes to lead the party. The mistake we did was that we did not run a background check on him and when we discovered it on time, we had to act. So, the issue is not whether you brought somebody or not. If you brought somebody and you found out that the person has no capacity, what would you do? That was what we did by making sure he was booted out of office. Until a few weeks to the convention, the chairmanship was zoned to the South-West. At what stage did your party jettison that arrangement? The zoning was not concretised. Mind you, that convention, then, did not take place. And a lot of things had happened. Circumstances came up. In politics, it is not one plus one is two. You have to look at the circumstances we are in now. It is germane that you take somebody who has what it takes to lead as the opposition party. And if you are doing that you won’t narrow it to a particular area. When you narrow it to a particular area, it means you have somebody in mind. So, some of now said, why not open this thing let the best hand come out within the South. That was what happened. When people made the allegation that I was one of the persons who denied the South-West the chairmanship slot – that’s not fair. Mind you, and that is what I tell politicians, you must keep your house in order when you want to fight a war. If your house is not in order, it may affect you. The point I am making is that I felt I know Uche Secondus very well. He has been a party person. He has been a chairman of the party at the state level for over eight years. From there, he became the Deputy National Chairman of the party. Who will be in a position to lead the party than such a person? Not somebody who will say I am one of the founding fathers of the party. There are many founding fathers. That you are one of the persons who founded PDP does not mean you can run the party. They are two different things. For instance, we are meeting and we say we want to form an association. Who will lead the associa-
If democracy is all about the people, if democracy is all about dividends, then the APC has no opportunity here in Rivers State. What will make the people vote for them? What projects have they attracted from the Federal Government? Not even a single one. So, why will people leave a party that is doing well for them to go to a party that in spite of these years, in spite of the huge resources they contributed to the emergence of the party at the national level, yet they cannot say this is what the state has gained from the APC. So, it is impossible, even though we know their strategy has been to use security to intimidate the people but I think the people have the willpower to resist such strategy tion? The mere fact that I am one of those who formed that association does not mean I can run the association. There are those who have the skills. Tell us about the party’s ongoing reconciliatory efforts. I think a governor is leading that committee – Governor Dickson of
Bayelsa. From what I hear, I think he is doing well and given the responses, even if they have not submitted their report, from what I hear, people are responding very well. This Fresh PDP that has opened a secretariat in Abuja, are we experiencing a replay of the New PDP saga? Some people are just looking for how to be relevant. Just mention those people. All the chairmanship aspirants have all conceded defeat, and some people are coming to say something else. You know it is very painful. They say Fresh PDP – what does that mean? So, for me, no attention should be given to them. Do you see PDP getting its act together to win next year’s election? Of course. We are doing a lot of things which I may not be able to reveal to you. So many things are being put together to make sure that we take over power in 2019. It may not be easy knowing how rash this government, who does not believe in democracy, is. What they believe is that they do everything and announce results no matter how the results are got. But what they fail to know is that Nigeria has passed that stage. When you do that, then you are pushing your luck too far. I believe that with what PDP is doing today I see the likelihood, and with the yearnings of Nigerians for the real change, because they cannot continue under this hardship, we have very big hope. The governors met and approved the President’s request to withdraw N1 billion from the Excess Crude Account to fight Boko Haram. Were you part of that meeting and what is your take on that? No, I was not at that meeting. My deputy was also not at that meeting. But let me tell you the simple truth. Money that belongs to everybody means that my state has a share. That you met and agreed does not mean that my state has agreed that you take part of our share. It is everybody’s money. When have you become governors to approve that you take money from Excess Crude Account? Why is it that governors will not approve that the money they are getting
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀
50
How I Plan to Make Rivers State Greater in 2018 is not enough so that they take money from the ECA to augment what we have in the federation account? Like I said, inasmuch as I am in support of fighting insurgency, the manner the N1 billion was taken from the ECA leaves much to be desired. My concern is that as important as that is, you know the problem in Ogoniland, the Federal Government has assured us that it is a major project: the people there are hungry and cannot eat because the land and sea have been polluted. I am not even talking about other Niger Delta communities. The Federal Government should show concern. While you want to fight the insurgency, we should also be able to show concern for our people in Ogoniland. When I read what Senator Ndume was saying I felt so bad. If Ndume was in our position, he would be one of those who would never allow that to happen. I know him: these are people who blow hot and cold because it affects him today. He forgets how he came to power as Senate Leader. When something suits them they defend it. When it does not, they come up with their numbers. Saying that only three governors did not support the ECA fund withdrawal is very insulting. He cannot sit down in his house and begin to insult people simply because he’s a senator. When he mentioned three governors, he was talking about three states. These are people who talk on behalf of their states and he reduced it to mere three governors. That is not fair. If Senator Ndume is from this area, he would fight. Who doesn’t know him? Now that it has affected him, what the government is doing is right. That is not the way to preach peace and unity in the country. Such people, with all due respect to them, cannot help this country. There are rumours that you are supporting Governo Aminu Tambuwal to be PDP’s presidential candidate in 2019. How true is this? Supporting him in which party? You see, people just plant stories. Tambuwal, in which party? Is he in PDP? At least somebody has to come to PDP first before you talk about if he has interest and if I am going to support him. Somebody is not in my party and you are talking about me supporting somebody who is a governor of another party. I cannot understand people. If you ask whether we are friends, oh yes, we are friends. I am not the type who will deny friends, I will never do that. But the point is that how do you support a man who is not in your party, who is in another party? The first thing he will do is to leave his party; secondly, he has to say he has interest in that before you talk about supporting him. Neither of these has happened and you say I am supporting him. As I speak to you, Sule Lamido has the interest to run. Shekarau, I hear is also running. Atiku is also running. They are all doing their consultations. I think this year a lot of things will play out for us to know. But if anybody tells you today that as the governor of Rivers State I am backing somebody, I think that person is not being fair to me. And you know me that if I am supporting somebody, I will not hide it. I don’t play hide and seek. The day I make up my mind that I am supporting Mr. Z, Nigerians will know I am supporting Mr. Z. What do you think of the N26 per litre being paid as subsidy by the government as revealed by the NNPC GMD? That again is the character of the government. That is why I say Nigerians cannot continue with this government. You said you have removed subsidy, now the NNPC GMD is coming out to say that government is paying N26 per litre. Who approved it? Was it appropriated by the National Assembly? You see each time they say one thing and later they do a different thing.
They have this tendency to believe that Nigerians will forget anything, that they have the tendency to forget; that Nigerians do not have the patience to withstand. That is the irony and why they do what they are doing: because Nigerians are not people that want to shed blood; they are not people that will want to say this cannot happen, we better die; Nigerians are not people who will want to face hunger. But they forget that it is pushing your luck too far. That alone is corruption. If indeed the Federal Government is paying N26 per litre as the subsidy, then that is corruption because you have told Nigerians there is no subsidy. So how did you come in? That is the question they have to tell Nigerians. Occupy Nigeria was because of removal of subsidy. When President Goodluck Jonathan wanted to remove subsidy, they resisted him. Labour too was involved. That is why I do not respect the leadership of NLC today. Now you have seen the truth of the matter: that they led you because they planned it against the government of Goodluck Jonathan. Now the same people, who were crying at the time, are now calling for the removal of the entire subsidy. So, what kind of system is this? And Nigerians will say nothing and remain at home. Now having removed the subsidy, you said the fuel will come. Yet Nigerians are suffering under the same system. There was public outrage that after it took two and a half years to appoint people to boards of federal institutions and agencies, the list of appointees included dead individuals. What do you think about that? That is calamitous! It is terrible. I can’t believe this happening. Obviously, people submitted the names from the states. If they were dead, they ought to have written to inform the Presidency about the death of those persons with a view to substituting them. Yes, Mr. President may not have time to read through all those names but that is the reason he has aides. It is not easy for Mr. President to look at one thousand and more names. But he has aides to be able to identify some of these things. I hear one of the dead persons is from
my state. That man died sometime last year. Assuming somebody from the state submitted his name, why not go back to make a substitution. That is how things are done. It is embarrassing to have on appointment nine dead people. How do you explain it? There were criticisms in the media about your recent gift of SUVs to Rivers State lawmakers. What are people really criticising? They are working for Rivers State. When I came on board, I said what I have done for judges; whether those who are judges of the state or the federal level, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal High Court or FCT, that you are from Rivers, you will get the same thing that those judges in Rivers State got. Are they not from Rivers State? They are representing the interest of state. The SUVs were given only to aid them in their work and it is not restricted to my party. I heard APC Senator Andrew Uchendu said I am not the one who started it. With all due respect, in the instance, he cited it was not given to every party. It was given even to members of the PDP. So, it was not true. What I did was to tell them not to talk about the party but to talk about the interest of Rivers State in the National Assembly. Now let me ask you: Assuming any of them is sick, can I save his life? Why? These are the kind of things we are talking about – simply because it is a car? Is this a problem? How does it affect development in the state? People always play politics with everything and it is not helping us. The way APC in the state has always done, they will never do this. They will never give to PDP. We have to show maturity in whatever we are doing and that is what we have done here. Have we not bought vehicles for House of Assembly members? What about the police, army, navy, air force and so on. I have built houses for the DSS. So, I cannot buy vehicles for our National Assembly members? What is your 2018 message? This year is a year of jubilation. It is a year of rejoicing. We will come out stronger this year than what we did in 2017. And I want to appeal to the
When I read what Senator Ndume was saying I felt so bad. If Ndume was in our position, he would be one of those who would never allow that to happen. I know him: these are people who blow hot and cold because it aects him today. He forgets how he came to power as Senate Leader. When something suits them they defend it. When it does not, they come up with their numbers. Saying that only three governors did not support the ECA fund withdrawal is very insulting. He cannot sit down in his house and begin to insult people simply because he’s a senator. When he mentioned three governors, he was talking about three states. These are people who talk on behalf of their states and he reduced it to mere three governors. That is not fair. If Senator Ndume is from this area, he would ďŹ ght. Who doesn’t know him? Federal Government to help me in fighting the issue of security and not to support people to compromise the security architecture of the state; Rivers State is important to this country. Therefore, the Federal Government has to support me to see that we fight crime decisively. Like they are supporting other states, they should also extend that support to Rivers State. We should not politicise the issue of security. I have supported security agencies in the state. I don’t know any state that can be compared to Rivers in terms of support to security agencies. I want to tell Rivers people to be hopeful that this year, to the glory of God, will be far better than 2017. You have a partnership agreement with Financial Times of London. Can we talk about that? We are trying to project Rivers State for investors to know that it is a state that is peaceful and resourceful. Financial Times agreed to partner us. As I speak to you, this year, by the end of this month if I am not mistaken, we will have an investors’ summit to be anchored by Financial Times in London. These are the kind of things we are doing to attract investors to Rivers State. You must have people to project you. Financial Times is read all over the world. I think it is a major breakthrough for us to partner such a leading media organisation to project Rivers State and its investment opportunities. No money is involved.
51
JANUARY 6, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
ENCOUNTER 2019 Presidency
Mbaka Goofed on Dankwambo - Muhammad Jibrin Harvard-trained management guru, top-notch banker and advocate of a transformed Gombe State, Muhammad Jibrin, tells Louis Achi that one of the 2018 prophesies of Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka which ‘positioned’ Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo as a worthy successor to President Muhammadu Buhari flies in the face of damning governance deficits under the watch of the governor
Y
ou are one of Gombe State’s key leading intellectuals. What’s really your conception of good governance as a tool for changing the human development story? Good governance is central to human development and social progression. The converse leads to retrogression and socio-political and economic stagnation. Good governance has eight major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society. Deficits in these areas give rise to conflict and set back human development. Deficits in these areas are the reasons for our developmental woes. You are a senior journalist. Go and research this submission. Good governance is not an esoteric project or process. It is epitomized by predictable, open and enlightened policy-making, a bureaucracy imbued with professional ethos acting in furtherance of the public good, the rule of law, transparent processes, and a strong civil society participating in public affairs. Poor governance (on the other hand) is characterized by arbitrary policy making, unaccountable bureaucracies, the abuse of executive power and widespread corruption. Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Catholic Adoration Church in Enugu is a fearless, outspoken cleric who speaks out often on political matters. You appear to disagree with a dimension of his 2018 prophesies which sees Governor Dankwambo of Gombe State succeeding President Buhari? This is pure fantasy. If the Catholic Rev Father is well apprised of the state of affairs of Gombe State, he will certainly not recommend Governor Dankwambo as a worthy replacement for the great President Buhari. Perhaps, some examples will show Rev. Fr. Mbaka the extent of the damage Governor Dankwambo has done to our state. It is a well-known fact that Gombe town had battled with lack of potable drinking water since independence. The previous administration of Senator Danjuma Goje took this as a priority and spent over N8billion to ensure the provision of water across the State and specifically within the metropolis of Gombe. Governor Dankwambo refused to make an annual budgetary spending of only N200m required to maintain the supply of water. Today, you will easily find water in the desert before Gombe State. Gombe State education system was adjudged one of the best in the country, with a state university founded by the previous administration being rated as
Rev. Mbaka
one of the top 10 state-owned universities in Nigeria as at 2011. As with the water project, he has neglected to continue with the required funding of the university. Today, the university and the entire education system is now in shambles and our class rooms are playground for idle students without teachers who have left en mass due to unpaid salaries. On the health sector, our hospitals, which were modernised and fully equipped are now mortuaries and consulting clinics. The international airport in Gombe that opened the entire North Eastern region to air travel - both passenger and cargo has been totally neglected. Just a minute, Father Mbaka has made several prophecies that came true. Many see his support for Buhari as one the game-changing dimensions that gave the throne to the current president. Are you saying he essentially goofed in backing Dankwambo for presidency? While Rev. Fr. Mbaka is well known for making ‘predictions’ some of which fall off the mark, we disagree with his particular fantasy
about Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, the executive governor of Gombe State. I am itemizing the governance deficits that make this prediction debatable. The international hotel that was built to cater for those travelling to and by Gombe has been neglected and taken over by animals. As I speak, Gombe State is struggling under a heavy burden of debt in excess of N100billion in local currency and another $100million in foreign currency. The debt service will remain a challenge for future administration. Despite the Paris Club refunds and bailouts engineered by the federal government and the Committee of Governors to assist state governments clear arrears of workers emoluments, pensioners from the state are dying, waiting to be paid. These are just a few examples to show to the extent Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, with all his accounting credentials, has wreaked havoc in our state in just six years of his maladministration. He has reversed the glorious achievements of the previous administration and destroyed all the good works of the Distinguished Senator Danjuma Goje. Finally, everyone knows Ibrahim Dankwambo’s
moral deficit will not qualify him for a position of an officer in the Church of Rev. Fr. Mbaka and therefore one wonders what Rev. Fr. Mbaka saw in such a man to recommend him as to lead our great country. There is more than meets the eyes. Perhaps, Rev Father Mbaka should come clean and tell Nigerians what his major motivation in making this recommendation. We are aware he only received a handshake from the frugal President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) when he last visited Aso Villa, and maybe more than a handshake from his darling Governor Dankwambo. I advise father Mbaka to travel to Gombe State and visit the state university, hospitals and water projects in Gombe town and all the other ten Local Government Areas of Gombe State and tell Nigerians his findings. The ruling APC within the week came out to disown Father Mbaka’s recent position on Buhari. Do you see this as a significant development, given his massive support for the president previously? I chose to restrict myself to Gombe State and Governor Dankwambo for now.
52
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Íž, 2017
POLITY
The BrewingTension in Okpella: Obaseki’s Proactive Steps Crusoe Osagie
F
rom Kaduna to Rivers and Benue states as well as other parts of the country, the stories of woe over the senseless killing of Nigerians abound. While the issues are not exactly the same, there is however a common narrative about the alleged failure of the governors of the affected states in arresting the issues at their early stage before they snowballed into full-blown crises. Crisis management experts contend that the best strategy to preventing crisis, irrespective of the scale, is the proactive approach. It is cost effective and less likely to lead to the loss of lives and property. The brewing tension in the quiet town of Okpella, in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, a solid minerals bearing community could become the hot bed for killings and counter killings if urgent steps are not taken. Newspaper men have had their share of the ‘fight’ with the advertorials and counter advertorials on the ownership of the Obu mine site located in Okpella, that have dominated the pages of newspapers in the past weeks, sponsored by both Dangote and BUA, both cement manufacturing companies. The lingering legal tussle between Dangote and BUA International Limited, is being followed keenly by stakeholders in the solid minerals sector and other stakeholders. Beyond the court hall where the Obu case is being adjudicated upon, the growing tension in Okpella could claim several lives, more so with the posture of one of the parties to the case, BUA International Limited. Worried by the failure of BUA to abide by a simple Stop Work Order and the likely consequences, the Governor of Edo State,
Mr Godwin Obaseki, with officials and personnel of various security agencies effected the arrest of staff of BUA Cement after shutting down the mine site, to prevent any crisis. Followers of the BUA-Dangote case commend governor Obaseki’s action, more so considering security intelligence that BUA is raising a militia as part of a grand plan to adopt extra-judicial means to continue mining activity on the Obu mine site. However, a few hired commentators on the issue have blamed Governor Obaseki’s action. Understandably, the commentators are paid and do not appreciate the bigger picture and the obligation of a state governor to his people in a matter that could throw the community into a theatre of war. In Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom is in the eye of the storm as Benue people protest the alleged killing of their people by suspected Fulani Herdsmen. No excuse or defence is acceptable to the people who have lost their relatives to the mayhem. Ortom is now being called all sorts of names over the issue. Some have even asked for his resignation. They say he is not proactive and cannot protect his people. Perhaps Ortom may have taken some proactive steps which were rebuffed by his detractors. All his efforts to prevent anarchy, whatever those efforts may have been, which might have been resisted and ridiculed are now completely drowned in the cries of distress that followed the killing of several Benue people. In Edo State, Governor Obaseki is now taking proactive steps to protect his people and prevent the state from becoming another killing field and people are coming up with various conspiracy theories and wild guesses and are ignoring the real
issue, which is the sanctity and safety of human life. To cast aspersions on Obaseki for his proactive efforts to protect the lives of his people in Okpella is senseless to say the least. Governor Obaseki is resolute about fulfilling his obligation to protect Edo people and will not be swayed by the cacophony of voices, knowing that he is the one that will be blamed should there be mayhem in Okpella tomorrow. So the governor is not listening to side talks, as he has said times without number that no amount of money is worth the life of any Edo man or woman. Many Benue and Rivers State people
blame their governors who are the chief security officers of their respective states and no matter how long the blame game lasts, the dead are gone. No amount of blame trade will bring them back. Obaseki has resolved to ensure that this is not the fate of Edo people in Okpella or elsewhere in Edo State. Very likely, if the issues that led to the various crises mentioned above were tackled by the governor and all the people without prejudice, at the early stage, the senseless killings might have been avoided. –Osagie is the Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy
R-L: Matron Essien G., THISDAY Sta Fawole Olusoji Olaniyi with his baby Kehinde, Chief Nursing OďŹƒcer Mrs. Ajao M.B., Mrs. Olaniyi with her baby Taiwo, and Dr. Ngozi Obi, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist presenting the gift to the ďŹ rst twins of the year (1/1/2018) at EMEL Hospital in Festac..recently
L-R: OPRS. Rapid Response Squad (RRS), DSP Akinwunmi Oke, Commander RRS, Olatunji Disu, and 2ic RRS, CSP. Samuel Awopetu during their inspection to Mile 2, Orile Aguda, Ajegunle and other parts of Lagos to ensure maximum security in during this festive period in Lagos ...recently
L-R: Celebrant, Modupe Adio; Vice Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), Mr. Seni Adio (SAN); and Chairman, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, during Modupe’s enrollment celebration as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, held in Lagos...recently
Celebrant, Mr. Seyi Makinde,his wife, Ominini; former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-West, Dr. Eddy Olafeso; during a thanksgiving service as part of activities celebrating Seyi Makinde’s 50th Birthday in Ibadan...recently PHOTO: Kunle Ogunfuyi
L-R; NBC Branch Chairman, Nigerian Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), Ali Ibrahim; Supply Chain Director, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC), Marcel Martin; Technical Director, The Coca-Cola Company, Ed Hays; NBC Branch Chairman, Food, Beverages & Tobacco Senior Sta Association, Solomon Makinde; and Managing Director of NBC, George Polymenakos, during a visit by Coca-Cola System Senior Leadership to NBC Ikeja Plant in Lagos...recently
53
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚Ϳ
POLITY
In Benue, Dreams Die First‌ Despite unheeded, chilling warnings, human blood owed freely when fully armed Fulani herdsmen invaded Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State, murdering over 50 villagers as they packaged their dreams in prayers and welcomed the New Year. George Okoh reports from Makurdi
T
he persistent crisis between the Hausa Fulani herdsmen and their host native Tiv community took a heinous dimension on new year day when a group of Fulani herdsmen stormed communities in Guma and Logo local government area of Benue State killing scores of people in a Gestapo manner. The killer headers brought a sorrowful end to over fifty on armed locals who were still celebrating the new year cross over night. According to a survival of the grousome attack Terna Acka the invaders came into Logo local government at about 10 am on new year’s day shooting sporadically as worshippers were coming out of church in Ayilamo, Turan and Gaambe-tiev areas of the council He disclosed that several persons were killed while many are still missing and several houses and property worth millions of naira had were also destroyed. While holding back tears,he also narrated how three members of the newly constituted Livestock Guards set up by Governor Samuel Ortom for the implementation of Anti-open Grazing Law were murdered. In the same day while the attack was going on in Logo,another group of herders in their hundred invaded Akor, Umenger and Tomatar in Guma Local government area, home country of Governor Samuel Ortom. killing and maiming any living object in sight. They left in their wake over twenty dead persons in a very gory state. The renewed crisis which is coming few weeks after similar skirmish in Ado and Otukpo local government area of the state which left over six persons dead and several people homeless with no source of livelihood as houses, huts and food storage berns were also destroyed by the invaders. Worst hit by the carnage were women and children most of whom have taken shelter at nearby forests and bushes. The invaders who were suspected to be Fulani mercenaries matched from Nasarawa and Taraba border villages to take on their victims without any resistance from the native Tiv inhabitants. And at the end of the invasion, lives, houses, huts, economic trees, farm seedlings and harvests were devastated, burnt and destroyed. Another victim Francis Akile who claimed that he lost his younger brother in the attack said tension was building up before the attack as they herders in numbers and their cattles in thousands were seen moving around and afraid to enter their communities due to the Benue state anti open grazing bill that was recently signed into law by the Benue state government. “They have been lurking around while threatening us that they will come in and graze whether we like it or not but surprising to us without provocation they came in on Sunday night macheting and killing my people� It was also gathered that in the aftermath of the onslaught, many are still missing while some are unaccounted for till date. When contacted on the situation,the member representing Makurdi,Guma in the House of Representative Mr Dickson Tarkighir regretted that youths, women and children were hacked down with machetes by the rampaging herdsmen who also destroyed farm yields and seedlings of the farming populace. “The situation is really pathetic because most of the affected people, apart from being displaced can hardly feed themselves�, he added. He said he is still in shock over the attack which he described as barbaric, inhuman and sad. “Why this,we were in the new year mood and celebrating a bumper harvest of last year when this marauding evil mercenaries came in and killed us en mass even as we have been relatively safe due to enforcement of the anti open grazing law� He said as a lawmaker in the National Assembly,he and other members from yhe state have been doing everything possible to bring an enabling environment devoid of
these heinous attack to the state. He said they have sponsored bills on ranching as the only solution to the menace of the herders. He called on the Fulani herdsmen to respect the laws of the land adding that the anti open grazing law was not targeting any body but was done to protect both the herders and farmers in the state. He called on the federal government to immediately bring succour to the communities affected. “As you can see this year farming season will be greatly affected and may even lead to farming as people in our farming community are leaving enmass out of fear of further attack.� Meanwhile, surviving victims of the invasion are still to overcome the shock of the nightmare that greeted them on new year day in Logo For Uja james of Ayilamo village who lost his cousins in the crisis, life would amount to nothing if the perpetrators of the atrocious crime on his family were not brought to justice. He recounted that the aggressors matched into the village from neigbouring Nasarawa state, armed with guns and machetes with which they slaughtered all those that were killed�. According to him, “It was around 3 am when we were woken from sleep by heavy foot match and shouting in the neighborhood and when most of us came out of our houses we discovered that the Fulani herdsmen have taken over our entire community burning and killing anything in sight�. “Our houses, hurts, farm seedling, food and economic trees were all destroyed in one fell swoop.� “In the mist of that confusion, one was left with no other option but to run for safety, it was in this confusion that they killed my cousins�. He disclosed that the slained members of his family were butchered and dismembered by the mercenaries who also ensured that all his farm produce and household items were not speared in the malignant attack. “What they have done to our community is highly condemnable, because we could not imagine what prompted the provocation and resort to violent attack and killing of women and children in such a manner�, However,the Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom while taking an on the spot assessment on the level of casualty on the attack at the Benue State Teaching hospital Mortuary where the corpses of the deceased were deposited expressed shock at the number of persons murdered. “What I have seen here is far beyond the report we received. Several innocent people have been killed. Women and children murdered with their throat slit open. Many
people are still missing while several houses have been destroyed. The whole of Guma and Logo have been turned into desolate lands. “The Security agencies in this country are aware of this because warnings were given out and this seem to be a tip of the iceberg�,the governor fumed. He frowned at the lukewarm manner the security agencies as well as the Federal Government is handing the issue and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rise up and give his people protection by showing that they are also, citizens of this country. “We have told our people to be law abiding but there is a limit the people can go. This is not fair and right and we cannot accept it�,Ortom decried. Some victims of the attack have been brought to the Benue state teaching hospital for treatment Anger As.Makurdi Resident Protest Meanwhile anger enveloped resident of Makurdi town as the staged a violent protest against government insentivity of government to stop the perennial attack. The protester carried placards calling on President Mohammadu Buhari to resign from office over his failure to provide adequate security for the state. In the cause of the protest,the entire Makurdi metropolis and other towns in Benue state were locked down in protest against the killings by suspected Fulani herders. The inaction of the federal authority and its security agencies to take proactive action to stem this needless killings of Benue people was also questioned. The protesters who block entrance point to the state around the North bank bridge,yagba village,wurukun and Apir had confrontation with security operative for hours. The protesters mostly youths were pelting stones on security men. Some cars were burnt down in the cause of the crises The state governor who went to the scene of the protest had to be turned back by his security when the irate youth refuse to listen to his appeal for calm insisting that president Buhari most come and address them. Governor Samuel Ortom while briefing reporters called for calm over the situation. He called on residents of the state not to take laws into their hands but most abide by the law. He disclosed that more casualties of the attack are still been brought to Makurdi. He confirmed that the carnage has been reported to the president “I have reported the matter to the president and we are expecting action. Some of the people we have evidence against are the leaders of Miyati Allah who.
have been threatening the state.We are calling on the president to arrest them immediately. He said the federal government should rise to it’s responsibility ‘if not the are saying Benue is not part of Nigeria The police in Benue state have however arrested six Fulani herdsmen who were arrested in connection with the invasion of the two local government areas and another one who was arrested for grazing in Governor Samuel Ortom’s farm and have been arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court presided over by Isaac Ajim. The six accused persons who were arraigned for criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire, anti open grazing, causing hurt with dangerous weapons and culpable homicide include Ibrahim Saleh, Jibrin Adamu, Magaji Yau, Ibrahim Abubakar, Useni Bala, Sabin Yau while Ibrahim Mallam was also arraigned for grazing on Givernor Ortom’s farm along Naka Road in Makurdi.According to the First Information Report (FIR), on December 31, 2017 at about 11:50pm, he Menga Mgande of Akor village in Guma local government area reported to the police at Gbajmba that on the same date at Aboh 3:pm, a group of Fulani herdsmen attacked heir village , shooting sporadically and in the process, killed 19 persons by severally injuring them with deep cuts all over their bodies. It added that during police investigation, six accused including Ibrahim Saleh, Jibrin Adamu, Magaji Yau, Ibrahim Abubakar, Useni Bala, Sabin Yau were arrested and further investigation into the matter revealed that the suspects had destroyed houses, crops and burnt down many buildings. The accused were also arraigned for openly rearing their cows within farmlands at Akor village in Guma Local Government Area thus contravening section 97, 329, 333 and 222 of the penal code law of Benue State and section 19(2)(3) of the open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law of Benue State 2017. When the case came up, no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction but prosecution counsel Edward Imoh asked for another date. The presiding Chief Magistrate, Isaac Ajim who noted that the court could not grant the accused persons bail because the charges against them were very grave adjourned the case till March 5, 2018 for further mention and ordered that they be remanded at the Federal Prison in Makurdi. Reacting shortly after the court proceeding, counsel to the accused, Barr. Almustapha Elegu said he did not raise any objection to the proceeding because there was no basis for it at the moment because at the appropriate time, the case would be moved to the High Court.
54
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚Ϳ
TRIBUTE
Tribute to Captain ‘Hosa, Dependable Leader and Rearguard, @ 60 Sufuyan Ojeifo
T
he Yoruba have a way of encouraging any man or woman to trudge on in battle. They could use the talking drum or verbal renditions to call on the hero or heroine to look back to see the rearguards. In epic plays, the ego of a protagonist in a war situation is mollycoddled by the chant of “wo ehin re wo; olori ogun, ko kehin ogun; wo ehin re wo.â€? Transliterated: “look at your back, leader of war, does not stay at the back; look at your back.â€? It is a call to see dependable rearguards and to rest assured. In a similar fashion in which the importance of having dependable rearguards is underscored, Afro music impresario, King Sunny Ade, sang a popular line for the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola when he crooned: “Ma a jo lo mo nwo ehin re Abiola, ma a jo lo, mo nwo ehin re‌â€? meaning “dance on Abiola, I am watching your back, dance on Abiola, I am watching your back‌.â€? In essence, Abiola, as a leader, was simply being assured of a rearguard support. Renditions of these kinds of nerveboosting lyrical vibes or chants could be emblematic or surrealistic, evoking a sense of fear and bravery at the same time, with the latter, intended to neutralise the former. They essentially assure and reassure. That is as far as verbalisation is concerned. But in realism, the man who claims to watch your back may do so after all; otherwise, he may do it for some quid pro quo considerations. It is a very rare occurrence for the rearguard to watch one’s back pro bono; and, where it happens pro bono, it typifies the deepest sense of altruism that is profoundly and truly divine. A small number of eminent persons have shattered that rarity across nation-states that comprise the global village, playing the role of dependable and altruistic leaders and rearguards at the same time. Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo belongs to this microscopic number. He is a quintessence of humanity, the kind that propels passionate support for other beings. Those close to him, including yours sincerely, would attest to his inimitable leadership and rearguard disposition, which finds anchorage on expansive and expressive humaneness. He finds it difficult to vacillate in meeting genuine requests. This compassionate bond explicates the air of fondness that permeates his circles of inter-personal relationships as summed up in the moniker: “Captain ‘Hosaâ€? by which he is popularly addressed in social, economic and community spheres. Captain ‘Hosa turns 60 on January 7, 2018. The diamond anniversary provides another opportunity for family members and friends to celebrate the “African Titanâ€?, with pomp and ceremony. At 54, the American Congress conferred on him the “African Titanâ€? award for being a voice of the Niger Delta people through a movie, which he single-handed sponsored, titled: “Black Novemberâ€?. A restless supporter of good causes with a heart of gold, he does not publicise his acts of munificence. Humble, quiet and inscrutable, he moves about without any air of superiority. His sim-
plicity is a product of his upbringing by his late father- clergy, teacher and community leader- Reverend Robert Amos Okunbo. A man of great integrity in business where the combination of discipline, hard work, focus, purpose and providence has brought him immense breakthroughs, Captain ‘Hosa’s success story is quite motivating. At 30, he retired from paid employment as an airline captain, who had booked more than 7,500 hours of flight time most of which was jet experience across continents, into the high risk security area of the oil and gas sector. Today, he has garnered many accomplishments in the area of marine security and provision of marine logistics through Ocean Marine Solutions (OMS) Limited, over which he presides as chairman. Family members and friends are poised to clink the good wine glasses in toast to his longevity in good health and his continuous demonstration of the can-do spirit in the years ahead. They would entrust him into the hands of the Almighty God, the ultimate source of wisdom, to make him a Solomon throughout his sexagenarian eon and beyond. Indeed, Captain ‘Hosa’s resilience calls for celebration; ditto his steadfastness in the face of daunting business challenges and unpredictable operating environments. Perhaps, the greater accolades should be accorded his ability to rebound from difficult situations. Now, the sum of his accomplishments is that he has conquered the air, the sea and the land. Having succeeded as a pilot, he retired into business on the sea with one of his companies acquiring about 42 seaworthy vessels. On land, a company of his is into multimillion dollar farming and agro-allied business in Edo state. By a dint of hard work, Captain ‘Hosa now has interests in a vast spectrum of businesses from energy, power, telecoms, aviation, property and real estate, hotel and hospitality, and entertainment to agriculture. Like Midas, everything he touches turns into gold; regardless, he consistently keeps his nose to the grindstone. He is the brain behind Hosyln Ventures Nigeria Limited, which was servicing the oil and gas sector with supplies of refinery catalysts used in major projects, including revamping and procurements. It also participated in the procurement of major engineering components for the Warri Refinery Turn-Around Maintenance in 1994. He also superintends over Hosyln Technologies Nigeria Limited, one of the first indigenous companies to execute engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract in Nigeria; completed and commissioned the early production facility for Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) at Ajoki Oziengbe South Field in 2001. Combining patriotism with service, his flagship company, OMS has been involved in the recovery, remediation, maintenance and security surveillance of the Escravos-Warri and Bonny-Port Harcourt pipeline segments, an enterprise that has resulted in the significant turnaround of the pipeline system from its once decrepit state in the past nine years to the current efficient and highly utilised level.
Captain ‘Hosa is chairman of CMES OMS JV Limited, an integrated energyrelated company with enormous capacity to provide financing and technical solutions to the upstream oil and gas sector, ranging from explorations to first oil for public and private indigenous oil companies. He also chairs PPP Fluid Mechanics Limited, Secured Anchorage Area (SAA) Offshore Lagos, Gyro Air Limited, Ocean Marine Tankers Limited, Wells Farms Limited, Hoslyn Habitat Limited (a foremost design, construction and landscaping company), Wells Entertainments Limited (involved in entertainment and movie production), Wells Carlton Hotel and Luxury Apartments, The New London Carlton (London), FEVA TV (the foremost black TV station in Canada), Westminster Security Solutions Nigeria Limited (a franchise of Westminster Group Plc UK), and Wells Property Development Company Limited (involved in the development of affordable houses for low-income earners, high net-worth individuals and office development). Besides, he is a nonExecutive Director in the board of NATCOM NTEL (formerly NITEL), Funds Electronics Transfer Solutions (provider of electronic payment solutions), and Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company Limited (core investor in Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Limited). For his outstanding contributions to the promotion of peace and good governance as well as development of his constituency, he was in 2007 honoured with the Justice of the Peace (JP). The University of Benin conferred on him a Doctorate Degree in Business Admin-
istration (Honoris Causa) in 2012. The Oba of Benin, in 2014, decorated him as a worthy ambassador of the ancient kingdom. He was nominated as the Vanguard Businessman of the Year 2016. Elbow grease to a dependable leader and rearguard! – Mr. Ojeifo, Editor-in-Chief of The Congresswatch, contributed this piece via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com
55
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜
CHANGE OF NAME
Payroll Fraud: Dickson Directs Implementation of Report Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, yesterday directed the implementation of the report of the State Committee on Civil Service Reforms in the state. Over 4,000 accounts belonging to civil servants had been suspended last year for suspected payroll fraud, following the report by the committee, while the state government instructed those affected to approach the judicial panel of inquiry to clear their names. The Governor said that the younger generation of unemployed graduates in Bayelsa could only be given gainful employment if the issue of the endemic payroll fraud was dealt with in a decisive manner. A statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Dickson on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, said the governor made the comment while speaking at an interactive session with Labour leaders in Yenagoa. According to the governor, while most of the older states in the country have a wage bill of N2 billion, Bayelsa State’s Wage Bill was over N6 billion (State and LGAs) because of the activities of some fraudulent people. He lamented that the state had the highest wage bill in spite of its low Internally Generated Revenue base which he said was N500,000
million per month on the average. “By the end of January, implementation of the reforms must commence. We should take out all the people who are falsifying their documents, those involved in fraudulent practices. Bayelsa cannot be for the payment of salaries to people who don’t deserve to earn them. “I want to build more roads, more bridges; clean up the payroll, so that we can clean up the space for the employment of young graduates. " The young ones must the employed so that they can earn their living. I don’t think they would be like the ones who would be employed and they go to Lagos and Abuja without working. “We want people who are productive, we should stop the sense of entitlement, the state payroll should be more than amnesty payroll and those who are employed must be trained and must be productive. “We want to employ more young people in this state, we have to take out the dead woods, we have to get out these to would wait to get alert without going to work, those without certificates. “If we don’t take urgent actions, this state will not be able to produce civil servants with the right ethos to compete with their counterparts in other states. We have to work hard to ensure that the state does not grind to a halt. We have to stop crooks from damaging our state.
“However, before we can employ our youths, we should take out all these people who are falsifying documents, those involved in fraudulent practices, those without certificates.� Dickson, who said that he would not fund the councils with monies from the state government, urged the leadership of the councils to have a workforce which they have the capacity to train, manage and maintain. “This January, I will not hear that any Council Chairman is not able to pay salaries. I will not also augment your salaries with state money. You are also at liberty to fire those that are not working. You employed them, you are the ones that can fire them.� Meanwhile, Dickson, has authorised the release of N5.6 billion Paris Club Debt funds received in the state in December to pay one and half months’ salary arrears owed workers during the peak of the economic recession in the country in 2016. The Governor stated that the state government received a total of N14.8 billion from the Federal Government, saying that the breakdown showed the state received N13.5 billion while the local government councils received N1.37 billion. Governor Dickson explained that the outstanding salaries arrears were a balance of half salaries he
paid for seven months during the recession in 2016.
CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as ISMAILA OLASUNKANMI , now wish to be known and addressed as ABOULAZEEZ ISMAILA OLASUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. ADEFEYIKEMI OMOYEMI OGUNJIMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEFEYIKEMI OMOYEMI KUTI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I formally known and addressed as YUSUF NAPIU Now wish to be addressed as LAWAL NAPIU and my date of birth was Ç ĆŒĹ˝ĹśĹ?ůLJ Ç ĆŒĹ?ƊĞŜ Ä‚Ć? 10/03/1997 instead of 12/11/1997. All former documents remain valid, the general public should please take note.
I, formally known and addressed as MR. ESHEMOKHAI FELIX OBABI, now wished to be known and addressed as ESHEMOKHAI FELIX OBANSON . All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
I, formally known and addressed as EDUN ESTHER OLUWABUKOLA now wished to be known and addressed as ISAJIMI ESTHER OLUWABUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as ETEREBITE AKHERE EDWARD, now wish to be known and addressed as ETEREBHE AKHERE EDWARD. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as OKETUNDE IDRIS, now wish to be known and addressed as OKEKUNLE IDRIS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as ANIE FRED ESSIEN,ANIETIE FRED ESSIEN AND ANIETIMFON FRED h KÍł ^^/ EÍ• now wish to be known and addressed as ANIETTIMFON FRED ESSIEN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
I, formerly known and addressed as OKEKPE JUAN IFEYINWA, now wish to be known and addressed as UCHENNA JUAN IFEYINWA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINADE KAFAYAT ADERAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BUSARI AKINADE KAFAYAT ADERAYO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MUSA ABDULAHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MUSA ABDULLAHI BABA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MR. AKINBAMI ABIODUN KEINZY, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. AKINBAMI ABIODUN BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly known and addressed as AMUDO EREK EKWUKWO now wish to be known and addressed as AMUDO EZEOCHA EKWUKWO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS URE CHIDINMA MUKOSOLU NKWOCHA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS URE MUKOSOLU UBAKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as FASHOLA ARO now wish to be known and addressed as ARO FASHOLA SULEMAN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS BILIKISU ADETUTU MABADEJE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS />/</^h dhdh D : Íł ISOWO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I, formally known and addressed as MR EDEMUYI OBASANJO, now wished to be known and addressed as MR KEFAS MATHIAS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I, formally known and addressed as OKETUNDE IDRIS, now wished to be known and addressed as OKEKUNLE IDRIS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note. I, formally known and addressed as ADETUNJI BEATRICE ADETOLA, now wished to be known and addressed as ATUNDE BEATRICE ADETOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.
Saturday, January 6, 2018
TR
UT H
& RE A S O
N
Price: N250
MISSILE TUC to Buhari “The TUC states unequivocally that Nigerian workers have not only lost their jobs in millions but many even committed suicide when they could no longer fend for their families. This is not the best of times in our country as Nigerians are subjected to various dehumanising conditions.� The Trade Union Congress in its assessment of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017
PENDULUM DELE MOMODU
dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com
Mr President, Man Shall Not Live By Power Alone
M
y dear President, please, permit me to wish you and your family a very happy new year. Let me also offer my words of prayers, and intercession, on behalf of your very handsome son, and his friend, who, according to reports, were involved in a terrible power-bike crash. I pray that God almighty will grant them full recovery and I believe my prayer is already answered because of my presence in the Holy Land of Jerusalem. Now to the business of the day. Kindly permit me to be as brutally frank as possible. As a stakeholder who made his modest contribution to your emergence as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I owe you nothing but the truth. I was not a member of your party when I volunteered to support your mission and ambition in 2015. I was elated when Nigerians succeeded in chasing away the profligate and reckless government of the PDP, led by President Goodluck Jonathan. I was one of those who unleashed terror on that government and I subsequently presented you with a compilation of my articles in which I criticised and advised the then President, free of charge. I never expected that our situation could ever get worse under the APC government that almost literally promised heaven and earth. But it has become evident that it is easier to govern by words of mouth than by force of action. It is indeed shameful that those like me who supported you so vociferously have become butts of jokes everywhere we go. Sir, I plead with you to ignore your acolytes who may be telling you that all is well in Nigeria. My unequivocal verdict, without any fear of contradiction is that things are very bad. While I will not, in all honesty, totally heap the blame on you, there is no doubt that your government has been less than competent. I’m reasonably convinced that you have not availed yourself of the abundant talents it has so pleased God to endow Nigeria with. Rather, you’ve chosen to saddle yourself with hungry lions and deadwoods that you’ve resurrected from penury and oblivion. Leadership should be about managing people and resources. Most of the people you are working with are already retired or tired and with little or nothing new to contribute. It is grossly unfair that it was very convenient for us to lampoon and scandalise Dr Goodluck Jonathan, yet most of us have remained funereally silent and unreasonably complicit in the evil that the current men of power are perpetrating and perpetuating under your watch. Unknown to you Sir, some people are merely using you to rule by proxy. There is no evidence of discipline in your team, one of the greatest things you preached so fervently about in your first coming as military Head of State. Your acolytes are virtually getting away with murder. Someone, somewhere, sat down with birds of the same feathers, to conjure and compile the most disgraceful list of political appointees ever and yet nothing has happened to those who brought such perfidious insults on our nation.
President Muhammadu Buhari Instead, we are being regaled with tales by the moonlight to gloss over serious maladies in the polity and damning treachery against our nation. No serious apologies. No penitence. Only some foolhardy cockiness from those who will repeat the same nonsense when tomorrow comes. Your Excellency, it has become very difficult, if not impossible to defend the excessive shortcomings of your government, please, permit my oxymoron Sir. We definitely want you to succeed but it seems some demons are desperately determined to make you fail by all means. The more your administration unravels, the more ridiculously hopeless it seems. You have waltzed from crisis to crisis instead of from glory to glory, as most of us expected. We thought you truly possessed the magic wand and talismanic effect to make all our problems evaporate and vamoose in a jiffy. We did not expect to be regularly mesmerised by impotent excuses galore. I sincerely doff my hat to your wonderful wife for her rare and uncommon courage. Regardless of what her detractors may say, she is the only insider who has been trying to say it as it is. Even if some of her critics feel she’s seeking for relevance in your kingdom, it is still within her rights. I’m sure that when the day of reckoning comes, you will remember and appreciate her timely warnings. Without mincing words, what Madam Aisha Buhari has been trying to tell you in clear terms is that this government is swimming in a big foul mess and that you should not be carried away by the fake adulation and false adoration you see all around you. There is no government in Nigeria that did not enjoy the services of praise-singers who disappeared as soon as the government itself collapsed like a pack of cards. Ask President Jonathan! I’m aware that your foot-soldiers are already warming up for the next election. I really do not know what they hope to tell and sell to the electorate this time, particularly after the colossal failure of the last three years.
I do not see how they expect to fund your campaign without resorting to the same type of extravagant jamboree we witnessed in the dying and last days of the PDP’s prodigality. As a result of your decision to contest again, you are being forced by circumstances beyond your control to compromise and capitulate on your known principles. Is it not better, and more profitable, to return home, triumphantly, with your reputation intact than to win a pyrrhic victory with everything you ever stood for wasted on the altar of vainglorious aggrandisement? What guarantees do you have that you will win the next election even if you agree to sell Nigeria to the political gladiators? Sir, I’m pleading with you in the name of God, the Merciful and all-powerful, that you don’t need two terms, or eight years in power, to prove your greatness. Nelson Mandela spent only one term in power and retired to superlative glory as the world’s most respected and revered and idolised statesman. Robert Mugabe spent about four decades in power, yet he returned home in total infamy and unenviable disgrace. It is a lesson of life that we must all learn, sooner rather than later, that man shall not live by power alone. I know my preaching is not likely to touch you and your hardened supporters but, at the very least, I want it to be on record that I spoke publicly, out of genuine love and concern, while you were being goaded on by those who stand to gain more if you win a re-election next year. For most of those asking you to continue, by fire and by force, it is always about their personal agenda and survival. They know their political careers would come to a shuddering halt and abrupt standstill should you fail in your bid to come back. In their desperation to come back at all costs, they are going to do exactly what PDP did, or even much worse. What moral authority would you then have to justify the continued detention and harassment of some of the PDP operatives accused of wasting government resources on Jonathan’s truncated re-election bid. Who amongst us can in good conscience say in the market place that you won the last election on pure merit and that no substantial government funding went into your campaigns. This year promises to be an interesting one. You will soon discover how treacherous human beings can be when some of those hailing you today as the authentic messiah begin to show you their true colours. Our country is bleeding dangerously while some over-pampered politicians can only think of winning elections by hook or by crook. The quality of your appointees in recent time points to how directionless your government has finally become. In a country overflowing with so many amazing brains and talents, it is incredibly shameful that those are your best representatives for our country. The easiest way for a leader to fail is to continue to attract those much worse than himself. Conversely, the best way to succeed is for a leader to recognise and attract and surround himself with those much better in all aspects
of human endeavour. This does not erase or take anything away from the leader but it actually enhances his personality and how he is perceived by everyone. The late sage of blessed memory, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was a veritable example of how a leader can effectively tap into the collective brains of some geniuses and add to his own in a way that makes him appear super-human. Nigeria has never been in short supply of whiz kids at home and abroad but Nigeria started dying when our leaders stopped respecting merit and preferred to enthrone mediocrity. The truth is mediocrity begets further mediocrity. The few good leaders in your government have not been able to display their wizardry out of fear and trepidation that some cabal would mark them out and hack them down so ruthlessly. It is a sign of the times, that the courage, astuteness and brilliance that made them stand out in the political crowd has suddenly taken flight and they are now little more than wimps in your insipid government. The bureaucracy in Abuja is enough to suffocate and disorientate any fertile mind. If I were in your shoes, I would consider that it is not too late to groom and propel some of the best brains in APC or even those living beyond the shores of Nigeria to succeed me. You do not need to look far in this regard but I will not make any suggestions today, lest it be misinterpreted that I am touting any particular individual as a worthy successor. I’m reasonably convinced that you have worked very hard and seem to have reached your peak. To God be the glory. In a country of nearly 200 million people, God has been too kind to you. Apart from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, no other Nigerian has been given a second chance so miraculously. You will be able to justify this unmerited favour by leaving Nigeria much better than you met it. The only way you can do that in the next remaining year is to sacrifice your own personal ambition and hand over the country to proven and tested modern and cosmopolitan technocrats. The world has moved beyond the backwardness that we are being saddled with in Nigeria today. The world expect us to be the true giant and leader of Africa not by words but in deed. My appeal to you is to urgently do a self-assessment to determine and decide on whether you are what Nigeria needs at this time and age for our country to join the comity of other nations in their march towards technological advancement, political stability, social security and economic prosperity. With all due respect, Sir, if your answer is yes to the above, you may go ahead and contest but if in all honesty, the answer is no, my prayer is that you will find the courage and selfless spirit to quit the stage while the ovation is loudest. That in itself would be a deserving legacy. I’m watching and waiting for your patriotic decision with bated breath. Thank you, Mr President, for your usual attention and kind consideration of my latest memo to you, albeit so early in the year.
Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja . All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com