Saturday 14TH July 2018

Nigeria’s Economy Still Vulnerable to Oil Shocks, Says IMF Predicts 2% GDP growth in 2018 Obinna Chima in Lagos and Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated that despite the relief higher oil

prices and short-term portfolio inflows have provided to Nigeria’s economy, the country remains vulnerable to oil price and production shocks.

A team from the multilateral

FIRS rakes in record N2.5trn in 6 months institution made these observations after a visit to Nigeria, just as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) said that it grossed a total of N2, 529,615,174,601.25 from

various taxes between January and June 2018.

The IMF team led by Senior Resident Representative and Mission Chief for Nigeria, Amine Mati, visited Nigeria

between June 27 and July 9, 2018 to discuss recent economic and financial developments, update macroeconomic projections, and review reform implementation with top

government officials.

The mission in a statement yesterday urged the federal government to take urgent Continued on page 6

Agbaso Loses, S’Court AďŹƒrms Oye as APGA's National Chairman‌ Page 14 Saturday 14 July, 2018 Vol 23. No 8486

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Obasanjo: Leaders Reactions Now, Not Different from When They Were in Uniform Dambazau leads FG delegation to Tambuwal, vows to arrest slayers Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto and Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Former President Olusegun

Obasanjo, apparently making a veiled reference to President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, said the way leaders react to issues now in Africa was not

different from when they were in uniform.

Also yesterday, the Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau

(Rtd), led a federal government delegation to Sokoto assuring that government would deploy adequate security personnel in areas affected by security

challenges.

Obasanjo spoke in Abuja during one of the sessions at the ongoing 25th anniversary and annual meetings of the

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

The session with the theme, Continued on page 6

Ekiti Votes Today: Fayemi, Olusola in Two-Horse Race Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

After two months of rancorous campaigns, the people of Ekiti State will today file out to elect a new governor that will succeed Ayodele Fayose.

The election is expected to be a fierce battle between Kolapo Olusola of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

For most of yesterday, tension remained very high in Ekiti State, with voters bitterly divided between the two leading candidates.

Fear of violence was palpable, considering the rancorous campaigns before the poll. The allegations by the PDP that the APC was working to rig the poll dominated discussion across the state.

But the police and other security agencies have assured

the people of maximum security, urging them to troop with confidence.

To ensure adequate security and safety of lives and property, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris approved the deployment of 30,000 personnel for Ekiti election.

The personnel comprises Police Mobile Force (PMF) units, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), the Special Protection Unit (SPU), the Anti-Bomb Squad (EOD), Conventional Policemen, the Armament Unit, personnel of FCID and the Sniffer dogs section.

Four Policemen and two others from other security agencies will be on duty at each polling unit throughout the state. The Police Mobile Force (PMF) to be headed by a very Senior Officer will provide security at the collation centres.

Also on ground are two patrol surveillance helicopters, Five additional Armoured

Pinnick is the Only Recognised NFF Chairman, Says FIFA... Page 8

Personnel Carriers, 10 Armoured Personnel Vehicles and 250 Police patrol vehicles.

According to the police,

restriction of vehicular movement in and out of the state will commence from 12-midnight yesterday,

KOLAPO OLUSOLA

till the end of the election.

However, those on essential duties on genuine course will be granted passage.

Today’s election is also expected to be another litmus Continued on page 6

KAYODE FAYEMI

Strength: Backing of incumbent governor Fayose Perceived as humble and a common man Enjoys support of working class Comes from Sothern Senatorial that is yet to produce a governor

Strength: Enjoys Federal Might with huge war chest Rich political experience Strong understanding of the workings of government having served as governor Strong leadership skills

Weaknesses: Lacks political experience Perceived as a stooge of Fayoses

Weaknesses: Perceived as elitist Failing during his ďŹ rst term keeps recurring

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T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY JULY 14, 2018

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T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY JULY 14, 2018

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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ ˜ ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΀

PAGE SIX EKITI VOTES TODAY: FAYEMI,OLUSOLA IN TWO-HORSE RACE test in terms of strength and struggle for political space and dominance between Fayose and Fayemi.

Fayose trounced Fayemi in the last election held on June 21, 2014 and this election avails the ex-Minister the veritable opportunity to take a pound of flesh.

As at press time, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had distributed sensitive materials like forms EC8A, EC8B and EC8E that would be used for the conduct of the election.

The Commission’s Public Relations Officer in Ekiti, Taiwo Gbadegesin said that the materials had been distributed to the 16 local government areas under heavy security cover.

He said a total of 6,000 youth corps members and other 3,000 ad hoc staff were recruited for the election.

“We distributed the materials in the presence of representatives of political parties and security.

The vehicles that conveyed them

to the councils were heavily guarded.

“They were not only guarded but were tracked and put on serious ICT watch to ascertain that there were no diversions or compromises on the way.”

The mood across the state portrayed that of determined people ready to troop out today to cast their votes for their preferred candidates.

PDP’s candidate, Olusola, is a 50-year old Professor of Engineering and current deputy governor of the state.

Though, he may have little knowledge of the dynamism of Ekiti politics, being backed by Fayose, a two-term governor and experienced politician, is an impetus for the realisation of his governorship ambition.

Olusola traversed many towns and villages, seeking the votes of Ekiti electorate.

His campaign promises were anchored on the continuation of the six cardinal programmes of his principal - qualitative education, infrastructural

development, health services, stomach infrastructure, human capital development and women development.

Added to these is that Olusola hails from Ikere Ekiti in Ekiti South senatorial district. Ikere is the second largest town in the state and it falls within a district that has never produced the governor since 1999.

This sentiment has percolated deeply into the psyche of the people and it may help the PDP candidate.

APC’s Fayemi is an old horse, determined to reclaim the seat he lost to the incumbent four years ago.

Fayemi campained with the 8-point agenda he instituted during his first term. These are good governance, human capital development, infrastructure, tourism development, qualitative education, good healthcare delivery and commercial agriculture.

PDP Accuses APC, Fayemi of Importing Fake

Policemen, Ballot Papers Meanwhile, the PDP has alleged that the APC and its candidate in the Ekiti state governorship election, Fayemi, are importing thugs from Imo and neighbouring states, in fake police uniforms to unleash terror on voters today.

The party also alleged that officials of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting (NSPM) and those of INEC were colluding to print matching sensitive voting materials including ballot papers with similar serial numbers to enable scientific rigging of the election for the APC. Similarly, the PDP said it had discovered plots by the APC to use the compromised policemen to offer each voter N10,000 ‘ritual money’ at polling centers to vote for the APC. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP questioned why the police personnel detailed to Fayose

were stripped to five while invading APC governors, such as Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello are individually allowed to move around the state with squads of over 50 policemen and soldiers.

The party said it was aware of plots to detail the fake policemen to PDP strongholds to harass voters, cause confusion, and in the process smuggle in counterfeit result sheets to aid their planned declaration of false results.

"Our party also knows how the duplicate ballot papers were produced with the recently installed SDD German Machine in the Lagos factory under direct supervision of some officials (names withheld) who are to deliver them to Fayemi.

"What the APC and Fayemi do not know is that we have been monitoring their movements and we have the identity and scheduling of the fake policemen as well as details of the couriers and movement of the duplicitous ballot papers.

"They do not know that we already discovered the security errors in the fake police uniforms and we have adequately made such known to the people of Ekiti State, who are now fully rallied to expose the impostors and directly bring them to book with every intensity and energy available in a democracy.

"Consequently, the PDP cautions the fake policemen and the couriers of the duplicitous ballot papers to note that nobody will come to their rescue when they face the wrath of the people.”

PDP said the recent invasion of the state and manhandling of Governor Ayo Fayose had toughened the people in their resolve to defend their will with every legitimate tool within the ambit of the law.

KAYODE FAYEMI Deemed stubborn and uncompromising Reviled by civil servant

OBASANJO: LEADERS REACTIONS NOW, NOT DIFFERENT FROM WHEN THEY WERE IN UNIFORM "Are African Development Finance Institutions Living the Vision of the Founding Fathers?

Insights from a Founding Father", was moderated by the Lead Writer, Financial Times, William Wallis.

Obasanjo expressed apprehension that leadership challenges in Africa could trigger a replay of the 'Arab Spring' on the continent.

He said: "The present realities of our leaders, some of them who have been in uniform are still there as leaders today. The way they are reacting to issues now is not different from when they were in uniform.

"I am a bit worried. I am worried because whatever we may think about our problems, my worry is about the youth anger and frustration going into explosion in any of the countries of Africa.

"If we can learn a lesson from the Arab Spring, demography should not be a disaster. It should be an advantage.

"Leaders must be realistic

and aware of innovations and new technology around them."

Responding to a question on how Africa can break the barrier of under-developnent, he said: "We need to be the architects of our own fortunes.

One of the things I wanted to do when I came out of prison and became president was to get debt relief.

"Many people told me it was not possible. But at the end we achieved it. When the international community sees that you are doing the right thing, you are doing what you are supposed to do, you will have sympathy, they will support you.

"We did what the international community wanted us to do without much promptings from them and then they took us seriously.

"One of the problems that I faced as president was the people who had retired and there was no money to pay them. Some of them were dying at pension offices and

all that. Then, we decided to introduce the Contributory Pension Scheme. The last time I was told it had generated huge sums of money," Obasanjo said.

Dambazau Leads FG Delegation to Tambuwal, Vows to Arrest Slayers The Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd), yesterday said that the federal government would deploy adequate security personnel in areas affected by security challenges and ensure that perpetrators of the crime are punished.

Also yesterday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, apparently making a veiled reference to President Muhamnadu Buhari, said the way leaders react to issues now was not different from when they were in uniform.

Dambazau spoke when he led a delegation of the federal government on condolence visit

to Governor Aminu Tambuwal and people of Sokoto state over the killing of 39 persons in Rabah Local Government Area of the state by bandits on Monday, this week.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari was disturbed by the gruesome attack on innocent citizens and promised to go after the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

"President Buhari joins people of Sokoto to mourn the sad incident that led to the deaths of several people and displacement of others," he said.

He disclosed that new strategies would be introduced by beefing up security in the affected areas with a view to dealing with the bandits.

"Measures to track the perpetrators have been put in place, and they will surely face the wrath of the law," Dambazau promised.

He condoled with the Government and people of

Sokoto State over the incident and prayed against future occurrence.

Responding, Tambuwal thanked the delegation for the visit, saying it was an indication of the government's concern about the plight of the people.

Calling for improved security in the region, Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), who was a former governor of Kebbi State, alleged that “these bandits are operating in Zamfara forest, where they carry out nefarious and barbaric killings of innocent people over a period of two years.”

Aliero added that “they moved with motorcycles that carried up to three people, numbering about 30 motorcycles in all, – meaning that the armed men were up to 90.

“The bandits sent two people to the village to buy food for them and the villagers observed that the emissaries were armed and they were interrogated by the villagers and found to be

bandits similar to the ones operating in Zamfara. The villagers apprehended and executed the two emissaries.”

Senator Aliero also stated that the bandits sent advance notice to the villagers that they were coming to retaliate the killing of their people.

He added that the chairman of the local government area and the village head alerted the law enforcement agencies on this notice of the bandits.

According to him, “Security was provided for a period of five days, after which they were withdrawn; immediately the security agencies were withdrawn, the bandits moved in and started killing indiscriminately using AK47 riffles.

“The situation now is that most of the villagers have left their homes out of fear and many are still stranded in the bush – not to mention the injured ones still at the hospital and others rendered homeless.”

the N1,783,507,851,353.99 total tax revenue realised in the corresponding period in 2017.

The amount indicates that the Service had realised 75 per cent of its total target for the year, which is an improvement in the corresponding period of 2017.

Director, Information at the Ministry of Finance, Hassan Dodo disclosed in a statement that a report on the revenue performance by the agency, submitted to the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, confirmed that the N2,529,615,174,601.25 has an increase of N746,107,323,247.26, representing 42 per cent, when compared to the N1,783,507,851,353.99 total tax revenue realized in the corresponding period in 2017.

An analysis of the total amount showed that N1,168,627,365,306.67 was collected as Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) as against N636,170,585,753.57, resulting in a variance of N532,456,779,553.10.

From the Company Income Tax (CIT), the FIRS realised a total of N680,093,730,362.25, which was N128,151,996,465.68 more than the N551,941,733,896.57 in the previous year.

The Value Added Tax (VAT) yielded a total of

N536,525,540,228.39 in the period under review, which was N68,841,756,240.06 more than the N467,683,783,988.33 realized in 2017.

The Education Tax brought in N77,191,051,329.11 compared to the N58,868,372,910.79 in 2017, showing an increase of N18,322,678,418.32 The revenue from Stamp Duties was N7,492,592,658.35, which was N2,346,472,953.70 higher than what was realised in 2017 from Stamp Duties which was a total of N5,146,119,704.65.

The FIRS said it realised N1,006,543,151.07 from capital Gains Tax , an analysis of which showed that the amount was N64,916,270.95 more than the N 941,626,880.12 in 2017.

From NITDEF, a total of N9,249,618,573.91 was realised, resulting in an increase of N736,357,883.29 when compared to the total of N8,513,260,690.62 in 2017.

The Consolidated Tax Revenue for January to June 2018 was 49,428,732,991.50; an amount that was higher than the N54,242,367,529.34 by a total of N4,813,634,537.84.

With continuous revenue generation strategies, the FIRS expressed optimism that its efforts will have significant outcome, particularly in increasing revenue for 2018.

NIGERIA’S ECONOMY STILL VULNERABLE TO OIL SHOCKS, SAYS IMF action "on a coherent set of policies to reduce vulnerabilities and increase growth over the medium term remains."

It predicted that growth would pick up to about 2 percent in 2018, weighed down by lower than expected oil production and relatively weak agriculture growth.

Specifically, the multilateral organisation noted that although “higher oil prices and portfolio flows, have helped strengthen fiscal and external buffers, the outlook for 2018 remains challenging, as private sector lending remains low while foreign exchange inflows are mostly short-term.”

Precisely, the IMF recommended specific and sustainable measures to increase the currently low tax revenue - including through avoiding new tax exemptions - and ensuring budget targets are adhered to even in an election year.

According to the IMF, this process should be supported by keeping monetary policy tight through appropriate monetary policy tools that will help contain inflationary pressures and support a move towards a uniform marketdetermined exchange rate.

It pointed out that moving ahead with structural reforms

was needed to invigorate inclusive growth, particularly in the power sector where it noted that faster progress would be needed to ensure financing shortfalls in the sector are met in a sustainable manner.

The statement added: “Higher oil prices and short-term portfolio inflows have provided relief from external and fiscal pressures, but the recovery remains challenging. International reserves remained stable at about $47 billion, supported by some convergence in existing foreign exchange windows, and despite some reversal of foreign inflows since April.

“Inflation declined to its lowest level in more than two years. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded by two percent in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of last year.

“However, activity in the non-oil non-agricultural sector remains weak as lower purchasing power weighs on consumer demand and as credit risk continues to limit bank lending.

“Corporate tax collection efforts improved but revenue shortfalls and the late adoption of the 2018 budget impede its implementation.”

However, the Washington-

based institution noted that revenue from higher oil prices in Nigeria was limited by net losses from retail fuel sales while non-oil revenue has remained below expectations, with yields from tax administration measures including the Voluntary Asset Income Declaration Scheme (VAID) and increased tax audits - yet to fully materialise.

It stated that current public spending in Nigeria had remained in line with expectations, stating that carryover from 2017 to 2018, helped increase capital spending in the first four months of 2018, despite delayed approval of the 2018 budget.

It added: “Lower yields have kept interest payments within the budgeted envelope, but the federal government’s interestto-revenue ratio is expected to absorb more than half of revenues this year.

“Reforms to improve the business environment are progressing, including through identification of priority investment projects and the adoption of the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) - a legislative landmark for private sector development.

“The implementation of the Power Sector Recovery Plan is advancing through a mini-

grid policy and regulations on eligible customers and meter asset providers.

“Under current policies, the outlook remains challenging.

Growth would pick up to about two per cent in 2018, weighed down by lower than expected oil production and relatively weak agriculture growth.

“The fiscal deficit would narrow slightly, with higher oil revenues offsetting increased spending, including those planned in a supplementary budget. Inflation would pick up in the second half of 2018 as base effects dissipate and higher spending and supply constraints in agriculture put pressure on prices. “Increased oil exports would keep the current account in surplus, helping stabilise gross international reserves even if the current pace of foreign portfolio outflows continues.”

FIRS Nets N2.5trn in 6 Months Meanwhile, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) grossed a total of N2, 529,615,174,601.25 from various taxes between January and June 2018.

The N2,529,615,174,601.25 is an increase of N746,107,323,247.26, a 42 per cent rise when compared to

T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY JULY 14, 2018

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͟Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC;

NEWS

Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁĚ&#x161; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com

LAST RESPECTS...

L-R: Mr. Joe Egbarin ; Ms. Nneka Oritsemeyinmi Egbarin; Mrs. Chinyere Egbarin; Mr. Obiajulu Egbarin; Dr. John Abebe, husband to the daughter of deceased, Mrs.Bolajoko Abebe; during the funeral Service in honour Late Mrs. Esther Justina Omare Egbarin held at Church of Assumption Falomo Ikoyi Lagos yesterday.......... Ë&#x203A;

Bakare: I Met Buhari for Sending High ProďŹ le Delegation to My Mumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Burial Says meeting unconnected with Adeosun OmololuOgunmade Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039;

The Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, yesterday in Abuja said he met with President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa to thank him for dispatching a high profile delegation to the funeral of his mother penultimate weekend.

Bakare emphasised that he did not meet with the president along with the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, as widely reported by different media platforms yesterday.

Various media platforms had reported that both Bakare and Adeosun met with Buhari behind closed-doors after the juâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mat service because both of them were seen together in the Villa.

The reports had created the impression that both personalities met with the president over the alleged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate scandal involving the minister.

But Bakare in a swift reaction, described the reports as very cheap, explaining that he only met the minister at the lobby of the Presidential Villa after which she went to attend a different meeting while he himself went to see the president.

He added that the impression created by the reports was that the minister had brought him to the Villa to meet the president on her behalf whereas they both arrived the Villa at different times.

Bakare said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The story published by some social and print media today

is both and sensational journalism.

Hon. Min. Kemi Adeosun and I arrived at the Villa at different times.

We met at the corridor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She went on to see someone else in the Villa and I went into a closed door meeting with PMB alone to thank him for sending a powerful delegation to my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home-going celebration. This is the truth. The impression being created is as if she ran to me to speak to the President on her behalf. This impression is erroneous and false.â&#x20AC;?

Earlier, the presidency has debunked reports that Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly and Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, met together with President Muhammadu Buhari at State House, Abuja, Friday.

Earlier, the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement, said the claim that both personalities simultaneously met the president was â&#x20AC;&#x153;far from the truth.â&#x20AC;?

According to the statement, Adeosun was in the State House in connection with the Annual General Meeting and 25th Anniversary Celebration of African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK) scheduled to hold on Saturday in Abuja and would be attended by Buhari.

Furthermore, Adesina said Adeosun only coincidentally ran into Bakare whom he said was on a scheduled visit to the State House to see the president, explaining that they only exchanged pleasantries.

He also said the pastor particularly thanked the minister for finding time

to attend his motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funeral which took place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, penultimate weekend adding that Adeosun had seen Buhari no fewer than three times earlier this week, and had no reason to meet with him again yesterday.

According to him, the statement was necessary to put issues in proper perspective, and equally dispel speculations and assumptions.

Speculations about the meeting of Bakare and Adeosun with Buhari was the fallout of an online mediumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report at the weekend that the minister who graduated from London East Polytechnic at the age of 22 in 1989, failed to comply with provisions of the NYSC Act which made it compulsory for every Nigerian graduate at home and abroad to participate in one year

mandatory service to the country before he/she could work anywhere in the country.

The Act does not only prescribe one year of imprisonment or N2,000 fine for anyone who evades the scheme but also stipulates a three-year jail term or N5,000 fine for anyone who forges NYSC certificate.

The report had stated that whereas Adeosun who returned to Nigeria from London in 2002 failed to observe the scheme but rather proceeded to work in different places and in 2009.

The report also said that when it dawned on her that she might run into trouble, she allegedly procured a forged certificate, claiming exemption that is only obtainable by those who have exceeded 30 years of age upon graduation.

Pinnick is Only Recognised We Must Reverse Negative NFF Chairman, Says FIFA Indices of APC, Atiku Vows Confirms Qatar 2022 World Cup host Emmanuel Ugwu Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; have the greatest economic decline in Duro Ikhazuagbe Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;ĂĄ The controversy surrounding the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was put to rest on Friday afternoon in Moscow as FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, maintained that Amaju Melvin Pinnick, remained the elected President of the federation.

The world soccer body also confirmed Qatar as 2022 World Cup host which will take place between November 21st and December 18th.

Infantino, confirmed yesterday at the final Press Conference on the 2018 World Cup in Russia that football leagues around the world had been informed on time for them to adjust their calendars to suit the tournament.

Infantinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position is a veiled warning that Nigeria may be banned from the football any moment following the decision of Sports Minister,

Solomon Dalung to install Chris Giwa as NFF president following his interpretation of Supreme Court judgment delivered on April 27, 2018.

That same ruling by the apex court was interpreted to have restored the Federal High Court judgment in Jos that set aside the September 30 election that elected Pinnick in Warri Dalungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Media Assistant, Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, had said in a statement a fortnight ago that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN) requested the Sports Ministry comply with the Supreme Court ruling.

In response to a question on the situation in Nigeria at the final Press Conference to cap Russia 2018 World Cup, Infantino insisted Pinnick was the elected President of the NFF. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigerian Football Association has a President, his name is Pin-

nick. He has been elected; we have been very clear about that already, sometime ago. I have heard this issue came up again. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The situation is very clear. We have statutes, we have regulations, there can be no interference in the running of the association, of course, and for this reason, Pinnick is working here in an official capacity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is the President, he is the President for FIFA, he is the President elected by the members of the Nigerian Football Association and that is the end of the story. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And if any external body thinks that they can change the situation, then of course Nigeria would risk to be banned like itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in other countries as well, because we have processes, democratic processes, and they just need to be respected and it is a very clear cut and simple case, as far as we are concerned.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;And we have made this very clear and if it is necessary we will make it clearer, maybe you can help us by transmitting that message if it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come across yet clear enough.â&#x20AC;?

Before yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pronouncement on the NFF crisis, THISDAY learnt here in Russia that FIFA had earlier written to federation requesting for detailed report on what was happening at the Glass House but Pinnick was reported to be delaying the letter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He (Pinnick) knows the implication of the response to FIFA letter.

He did not want Nigeria banned and so was delaying for a possible intervention on the crisis by the Presidency in Abuja,â&#x20AC;? revealed the top Nigerian official here in Moscow.

With Infantinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pronouncement on the situation at the NFF, it is now a matter of days for the FIFA hammer to descend on Nigeria.

A former vice-president and frontline presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar yesterday said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had recorded only negative indices in every aspect of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic, social and political affairs and time had come to reverse the trend.

To put the nation on the positive path of development and national cohesion, he said that all patriotic Nigerians must come together and rally round a leader with the capacity to reverse the negative indices.

Atiku stated this at Umuahia where he came â&#x20AC;&#x153;to conferâ&#x20AC;? with the leadership of Abia PDP and party delegates and other members of the party on his ambition to pick the presidential ticket of the PDP in order to save Nigeria from the APC maladministration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is insecurity and now we

the history of Nigeria,â&#x20AC;? he lamented, adding that over 11 million Nigerians were out of jobs while businesses and commercial activities were nose-dividing.

According to the former VP, â&#x20AC;&#x153;it has become imperative for us to put our heads together and elect someone to reverse the negative trends before the country is completely destroyed.

Atiku who arrived in the Abia capital city after touching down at Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri, was received by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters both at PDP secretariat where he conferred with party leaders and at Michael Okpara auditorium where he had an interactive session with party members.

He assured that he was ready and possess what it takes to lead Nigeria out of the morass the ruling APC, had dragged the country into, noting that he would renew the country and put it back on the path of progress.

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JULY 14, 2͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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Yemi

Adebowale

The Provocative Executive Order on Corruption Let me say it straight away: The Executive Order No. 6 on the Preservation of Suspicious Assets Connected with Corruption and other Relevant Offences signed last week by President Muhammadu Buhari is outrageous, unconstitutional, undemocratic and targeted at opposition politicians.

The contentious Order 6 says: “Without prejudice to any law or existing suits or any other rights arising out of or in respect thereof, all assets of any Nigerian citizen within the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, or within the possession or control of any person known to be a current or former government official, a person acting for or on behalf of such an official, any politically exposed person or any person who is responsible for or complicit in, or has directly or indirectly engaged in corrupt practices and other relevant offences, are forthwith to be protected from dissipation by employing all available lawful or statutory means, including seeking the appropriate Order(s) of court where necessary, and shall not be transferred, withdrawn or dealt with in any way until the final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of any corruption related matter against such a person.”

Most of those to be affected by this Order are opposition politicians battling with corruption cases in various courts.

For me, it amounts to impunity and lawlessness to issue an order targeted at specific people. This order is also subjudice because those targeted have ongoing cases in various courts.

Just imagine a man who has not been convicted by a court of law, having his assets seized while the case is still on.

This is preposterous and must not be allowed to stand in a democracy. It is impunity for Order 6 to indicate that the Attorney General, who is implementing it, will only seek the approval of a court “where necessary” before seizing suspicious assets. The approval of the court should be mandatory in all cases, not optional.

The conclusion of the highly distinguished and cerebral founder of Proshare, Olufemi Awoyemi, aptly captures the infamy of this order. He said: “Section 1(c) (ii) of Executive Order 6 gives the AGF the power to from time to time, to publish the list of all assets protected by the Order. This provision offends Section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which embodies

The usurpation of the judicial powers of the Courts under Section 6 of the Constitution via the Executive Order is an aberration of our constitutional democracy and the Rule of Law. It is humbly submitted that the Executive Order 6 has failed the test of constitutionality and is invalid, null and void the fundamental right of every person to presumption of innocence. The AGF lacks the constitutional vires to determine who is corrupt or which asset is derived from corruption. While the AGF, investigative and prosecutorial agencies may form opinion on the culpability of persons for corrupt practices, only a court of competent jurisdiction can make a finding on criminal culpability.

“The usurpation of the judicial powers of the Courts under Section 6 of the Constitution via the Executive Order is an aberration of our constitutional democracy and the Rule of Law. It is humbly submitted that the Executive Order 6 has failed the test of constitutionality and is invalid, null and void. I urge President Buhari to resist the destructive impulse and perception to return Nigeria to the dark era of military dictatorship. It is no longer tenable for a President under a democratic dispensation to seek to rule by draconian Decrees or through the route of executive orders; and in this case, on matters which in all considerations are subjudice in a narrow sense; but in the main lends to an abuse of court process.”

Another noticeable thing about this Order 6 is that it is an obvious continuation of the cold war/power show between the Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and the EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu. Malami had always wanted power to fully determine how this crooked war against corruption is fought. Evidently, Order 6 was his agenda. Our AGF got all the powers he

Kemi Adeosun, This Game is Over On Wednesday, I carefully listened to the analysis of a former Director of Mobilisation at the National Youth Service Corps, Anthony Ani, on the Kemi Adeosun NYSC exemption certificate saga. I am convinced that the game is over for our finance minister. “The certificate of exemption purportedly issued by the NYSC to Adeosun is fake”, declared the former NYSC director on television. Ani was in charge of deployment of corps members.

He explains further: “The NYSC cannot issue that kind of certificate.

We could not have issued that type.

Brig. Gen. M. I Tsiga was the DirectorGeneral of the NYSC in September 2009 but curiously, it was Brig. Gen. Yusuf Bomoi, who purportedly signed the one belonging to the minister. The certificate that I saw, if it is the one that they are talking about, the one I saw online, it was not issued by NYSC. I don’t know who issued it. It was not is-

sued by NYSC because what I saw there, the signatory to that certificate was our DG (Gen. Bomoi) who left in January and Gen. Tsiga took over from Gen Bomoi.

Tsiga was a sitting DG even as of that September 2009. So, I don’t know where her certificate came from but NYSC cannot make that kind of mistake. The NYSC that I served, I know can never make that kind of mistake.”

Ani said it was impossible for the NYSC to have issued a certificate of exemption to someone who graduated below the age of 30: “So, even if you graduate at the age of 20 and you are in the United States and you have not made yourself available to be mobilised, whenever you come back, even if you are 60 years, you have to undergo the NYSC.” For me, this is a straight forward case.

Let’s even assume that Adeosun possess a genuine NYSC exemption certificate, it is obvious that she was under 30 when

had always desired in this Order.

It was specifically stated in the contentious Order that “the Attorney General of the Federation shall have power to coordinate the implementation of this Order and to enlist the support of any enforcement authority, or any other person or entity as may be required or permitted by applicable law in order to give effect to this Executive Order; the authority of the Attorney General of the Federation to preserve Assets pursuant to this Order shall extend to any person who is under investigation in accordance with applicable law in connection with having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or howsoever in support of any corrupt practices or other relevant offences by any person whose assets are protected pursuant to this order.”

Again, Order 6 is a total duplication of the EFCC Act which contains several provisions regarding temporary or permanent forfeiture and how the forfeited assets have to be administered transparently, but the power to grant such temporary or permanent forfeiture resides with the court.

Criticism of Order 6 pours. It is heartwarming that patriots have refused to be intimidated. According to the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), “the executive order is possibly a politically tainted move to crush opposition politicians, take over their assets over nebulous charges and make them financially impotent to confront the incumbent President in the next year’s general election in which the incumbent plans to run.”

The Enugu Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), after its 17th Synod, expressed worries about Order 6, “because it came into effect when the country is planning an election and when the fight against corruption seems lopsided.”

For the opposition PDP, Buhari’s Order 6 “is a travesty of justice and rule of law, as it vehemently seeks to hijack and usurp the powers of both the legislature and the courts and vest it on himself so that he can use same at will, as a political instrument, to haunt, traumatise, harass and victimise perceived political opponents.”

My points have been clearly made.

Presidential Order 6 is an absurdity.

Progressive forces must challenge it in the court of law. This lawlessness must not stand in a democracy.

Just 12 Executive Bills in 3 Years Twelve Executive Bills in three years. Yes, that’s all the Executive arm of government at the federal level has to show for over three years in government, yet, it claims to be passionate about the socio-economic turnaround of this troubled country. These bills, apart from the statutory budgetrelated ones, were sent to the National Assembly at the rate of four per year. Of all the 12 bills presented by the Executive in three years, only two are linked to the anti-graft chant that brought the Buhari- government into office on May 29, 2015. It is obvious that the federal government has been very busy fighting a skewed corruption war instead of coming up with bills that will help overhaul the system and actualise its promised change. What a country!

Warnings about Decline in Food Supply Nigerians are already paying more for staple food because warnings about drop in food supply were never engaged.

Recall that FSDH Merchant Bank analysts warned that the country risks further decline in food supply, which could lead to upsurge in food prices if the herdsmen/ farmers clashes across the country remain unchecked. The report stated: “FSDH Research observes that the agricultural GDP growth rate in first quarter (Q1’ 2018) recorded the lowest growth rate in the last 18 quarters since 2014. The insecurity challenges in the food producing states in the country may be responsible for this development. If the trend continues, food supply may drop leading to escalating prices. Thus, both local and imported food prices may place upward pressure on inflation rate.”

Amnesty International gave a similar warning, stating that thousands of farmers had been pushed out of their farms by rampaging herders, thus putting Nigeria’s food security at risk. Prior to all these warnings, prices of staple food had been on the rise due to dwindling supply. Just check out the prices of essentials like Beans, Rice, Gari, Semovita, Yam, Plantain and Maize, and you will understand what I am talking about. Most families across our country are struggling to feed twice a day.

The resurgence in attacks by herders has compounded the food supply challenges.

A responsible government would have engaged all these warnings a long time ago.

Unfortunately, right now, we don’t have a responsible government in Nigeria.

The Ruins of Gandi Village

Residents of Gandi village and some nearby communities in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State are still burying their loved ones. Unknown gunmen attacked Gandi on Monday, killing and maiming. As at the last count, 39 bodies had been picked and buried in Gandi, Tabanni, Gidan Barebari, Akuzo, Dankilawa and Buronga. Governor Aminu Tambuwal who attended one of the burials offered little succour. His speech was the usual rhetoric by government officials. An Internally Displaced Persons camp has emerged at Gandi Model Primary School on the outskirts of the town with hundreds struggling for food and other basic needs.

The traumatised villagers have refused to return to their homes because they are Adeosun convinced that government is incapable she graduated. So, she was not entitled to of protecting them. The unending killings an exemption certificate. It was frauduacross Nigeria have finally berthed in Sokoto State. For how long shall Nigerians lently issued and this is corruption.

Adeosun should honourably step aside. continue to bury their loved ones? The Buhari government has evidently failed All those involved in this shenanigan Nigerians. I believe Nigerians know what must be punished. to do in 2019.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 14, 2018

SUPER SATURDAY JOHN EHIGUESE At 60, My Life Remains Work in Progress John Ehiguese, CEO of Mediacraft Associates, is a survivor, strong-willed, intelligent, hard-working and in every respect, a self-made man. While his age mates were boys, he was already a man. Ehiguese started taking care of himself from age 15, thus, developing a strong sense of self-reliance, an inner strength that he finds himself always drawing from, to survive. He speaks to Adedayo Adejobi about his travails, success, and how he feels turning 60

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inishing secondary school at 15, John Ehiguese had to work because there was no money to further his education. Too young and completely unprepared for that experience, he didn’t understand the import, but the whims of life put on his weak shoulders the full responsibility of his sick father at age 20, after his mother died, a responsibility he shouldered single-handedly for over 25 years until his father died in 2005. He Survived four years at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, without a single sponsor – and yet turning out with the first and only distinction in his department – a record that stood unequalled for 25 years.

What about how Ehiguese enrolled for an MBA at the Lagos Business School in 2003, while in full-time employment, with a wife and five children, all in school? What about being ‘forced’ to start Mediacraft Associates in late 2003 without any capital or sponsor – and nurturing it to one of the most reputable PR consultancies in Nigeria today? Amazingly, Ehiguese survived the odds.

As a child, choosing a career path was a big deal for him, as his choices were always changing at different points of his formative years. At one point he wanted to be a police detective, at another point a creative writer, and then a surgeon. He can tell you for a surety, Public Relations wasn’t on the bucket list!

At the beginning of his 10 years, he was just a regular child from a comfortable, middle-class home. But things took a turn as the worse when his dad developed severe health challenges that eventually led to losing his job. The family fortunes nosedived and they all, especially John, had to adjust real fast.

He recounts that the most difficult thing that ever happened to him and how he dealt with it: ‘‘My mother’s sudden and unexpected death happened in 1978.

I was just 20 years old at the time, the first child, and unprepared for the shock. I guess at that time, I didn’t quite understand its full import.

But as with every adversity in my life, I had to pick up myself and move on. When my mother died, I was forced to take up full responsibility for my dad at that tender age.

That was a cross that I carried for a very long time, and it taught me the meaning of responsibility very early

in life. Perhaps one of my greatest regrets in life is that I never got a chance, and the resources, to take good care of my parents while they were alive, as I would have loved to. They sacrificed so much for me, especially my dad.’’

This experience marked a watershed in his life. He shares how he overcame the most influential experiences in these words: ‘‘The drastic downward turn that my family’s fortune took when my dad fell ill and eventually lost his high-profile job as a very senior executive in Mobil in 1969, just as I was entering secondary school, was a big life lesson to me. Especially the fact that he made a number of wrong choices that apparently aggravated his problems. I have all my life consciously tried to avoid making similar mistakes. A key turning point was when I finished secondary school at age 15 and had to go and work because there was no money to forward my education immediately, despite my very good grades. I was too young and completely unprepared for that experience. But it taught me very early in life to take charge, and responsibility, for my life.”

When he juxtaposes growing up today and his own time, he unambiguously had this to say: ‘‘Oh, growing up, life was a lot less complicated; there was still a great deal of innocence. For example, everything I got was on merit. I didn’t have to know anyone or pull any strings. Back then, a good name was still a prized possession. I finished secondary school at age 15 in 1973 and started working in Lagos six months later. The following year, at 16, I rented my first apartment. And that itself was a particularly interesting experience because I paid for the apartment four months before it was finally ready, and I was not issued a receipt. But when it was time, the landlord just traced my name in his diary and handed me my keys. Just like that!

“Things are a lot different now, this generation tends to be driven more by expediency than by any set of values, shortcuts have become more attractive, there is an uncomfortable proliferation of the hedonistic mindset among the youth, and the role of the family as a strong support system for growing children is fast being eroded. Things have changed a great deal today. A lot of the experiences that we had growing up would sound like fairy tales to young people today. We were brought up to talk in a ‘proper’ way – for example, to make sure that we spoke clearly and correctly, and to speak politely to our elders, especially our parents.’’

For food, he ate just about anything. He has never really had any special food preferences, even now. For fun, he was obsessed with reading novels, and was very much engaged in sports, especially table tennis.

As a teenager, these popular phrases remain ingrained in him till date: “I can think of a few that were tied to the value systems that we lived by then; ‘a good name is better than silver and gold’; ‘hard work is a sure road to success’; ‘show me your friends and I will tell you who you are’; ‘slow and steady wins the race’; and so on.’’

When quizzed on the best gift he remembers receiving as a child, his face lit like a happy child, ‘‘my letter of admission into Federal Government College, Warri, in January 1969.

I remember that my late dad treated it as a special gift – both to him and myself.’’

About 1980, he taught himself how to drive with his friend’s Volkswagen Beetle and later acquired his first car, again VW Beetle which he bought in 1987 for N700!

After high school graduation, his dreams and goal was a natural progression, unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out that way for him.

The fortuitous occurrence of him gaining admission to the Polytechnic, Ibadan, to study Mass Communication in 1978, kick-started in him, a serious thought about a career in Communications, particularly in Advertising or Public Relations. It no doubt seemed a logical choice, given what he was studying. Although, he doesn’t’ seem to have had any regrets whatsoever.

As a consummate professional burdened and passionate about the business of perception, he gives an analysis of how PR Business changed in the past few years: ‘‘The practice of PR has not only changed, it has indeed been significantly disrupted, especially by the coming of the internet, and specifically social media. The media forms

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY14, 2018

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SUPERSATURDAY Every man must define what ultimate life success means to him. For me, I am still on that journey The hardest part was the constant fear that something could go wrong along the way, that they could fall victim to some negative influences, either through peer pressure or some other external factors like the internet. Thank God that didn’t happen. My most important success has been in raising my children well.

And the greatest frustration for me has been the neartotal erosion of merit in our society today. It is almost impossible to get anything on merit any longer – you have to ‘know’ somebody, or be prepared to ‘share’ money.

No society can truly develop that way. And for me, it is sad, very sad

have changed, the information consumption habits of the audiences have changed, and so naturally has the skill set required to function effectively in that space. It’s a whole new world out there. And even with all of that everything is still evolving.’’

If a youngster who is passionate about plying the perception building trade, meets John Ehiguese, be sure to expect this line of advice: ‘‘Be prepared, both in terms of training, and the right attitude, especially a learning attitude. You’ve got to be ready and willing to learn new things, continuously. Plus, you must invest in honing your communication skills, both oral and written. That is not negotiable.’’

Insight into life and marriage seems to have prepared and changed his paradigm, as he shares the story behind meeting his wife: ‘‘She was working with a friend, and I met her on a visit to his workplace. She was attractive, good-mannered, and was from the same Itsekiri ethnic stock as my mother. Those were my initial attractions; other things followed as we got to know each other better. There wasn’t really a formal engagement as such. We just went through the comprehensive marriage rites in January 1990. We got married formally on January 13, 1990. I say ‘formally’ because we already had a child at that time. I was 32 then. It was just a small family affair. I have never been a fan of big parties and celebrations, even now. We bought our first house in 2007.’’

He tells the reporter what makes his spouse special and the success of raising his children: “She is very loyal and strong. And she has done a great job of bringing up the kids, who are mostly boys. Any parent out there would understand what I mean. I think that we haven’t done too badly, given that they have all turned out well, each holding his or her

own pretty well. They all have a university education, and my youngest child – the only girl – will be graduating from the university in a couple of months from now. The best part was watching them go through all the stages of growth – the struggles, the pains, the changes, the small victories, all of that.

I believe very strongly that one of the most profound human experiences is observing a child grow.

“The hardest part was the constant fear that something could go wrong along the way, that they could fall victim to some negative influences, either through peer pressure or some other external factors like the internet.

Thank God that didn’t happen. My most important success has been in raising my children well. And the greatest frustration for me has been the near-total erosion of merit in our society today. It is almost impossible to get anything on merit any longer – you have

to ‘know’ somebody, or be prepared to ‘share’ money. No society can truly develop that way.

And for me, it is sad, very sad.’’

When asked what the feeling is like at 60 and the thoughts of a succession plan, these were his words: ‘‘It’s strange, but I really don’t feel like 60. Nothing extraordinary, I must tell you. When I was much younger, 60 used to look so far away. But now it’s here, and it’s not such a big deal. A few changes though: my body is beginning to tell me things, my energy level is no longer as it used to be. And as you grow older I guess you tend to become more contemplative and retrained in your actions.

But in all, I am thankful to God for reasonably good health, for a great family, and for sundry blessings. There seems to be a lot that still needs to get done. My life continues to be work in progress. We’re working on it. It’s not easy in this environment, but that does not mean that it cannot be accomplished.’’

Given what life has dealt him, does he feel fulfilled, yes, but he feels he is still on a journey, even at 60: ‘‘Given what life has dealt me, I don’t think I have done too badly. Yes, there have been some mistakes made, some regrets, but there have also been some victories and successes. In all, it has been a jolly good ride so far, with its own fair share of ups and downs.

Every man must define what ultimate life success means to him. For me, I am still on that journey. And loving every bit of it!’’

For those who know JE as he is fondly called, he’s always been a workaholic. But he seems to be gradually slowing down now. He said: ‘‘I have tried to reduce my work hours, and I plan to spend more time travelling and visiting with my children who live in different parts of the world.’’

At 60, he looks forward to a long life, in good health, successful children and a good legacy all-round.

Given what Life has Dealt me, I Don’t Think I Have Done too Badly

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͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

WHO SPEAKS FOR THE FULANI BOY?

Much more could be done to improve the lot of the Fulani boy who rears cattle, argues Okezie Victor Ikpeazu

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ike every other Nigerian, I am deeply appalled and genuinely concerned over the horrific and merciless bloodletting being unleashed on the citizenry by the Fulani herdsmen. The truth is also evident that Nigeria’s security architecture as presently constituted is at their wits end or pretending to be, over whose mandatory responsibility it is to clinically nip the herdsmen jigsaw in the bud.

In the light of these realities however, my narrative in this endeavour will seek to slightly differ as I draw and zero in on what I consider a historical neglect, which I am persuaded to believe has become the albatross of the herdsmen menace.

The ingredient of my sincere submission therefore is anchored on the disdainful and serial neglect of the Fulani boy by the national government and multiplicity of our Fulani nationality elites who as it were would have written their names in gold by advocating a change in the way and manner their nomads tend to cattle. “Change they say is the only constant thing in life”. If providence smiles on you, the expectation is that you will generously pass it on to some members of the society you represent.

As I script this piece, some of our Fulani brothers globetrotting and bestriding blue-chip companies, will gratefully recall their frightening past which was bleak and fraught with hopelessness, until God turned the hand of the clock.

We delight in the vanity and fantasies of playing tin-god and Lord of the manor, while our growing Fulani young ones are indoctrinated and radicalised into believing that their destinies and chances of making the much expected difference is foreclosed. At best, they are conscripted and charged to maim, kill and destroy perceived political and business enemies. And by extension, host communities, whose farmlands and source of livelihood they end up destroying.

Islam we were told, is a religion of peace and it beats my imagination why these virtues are not being inculcated in this young and upcoming adherents. No argument or explanation will rationalise the violent response of a herdsman and his collaborating traducers to every assumed or established cattle theft in any host community rather than toeing the noble path of peaceful settlement. Our enlightened Fulani brothers should therefore soberly look inwards, swallow their pride and strategically seek to jointly establish how the interest of their herdsmen brothers can be best promoted without having to keep constituting a nuisance here and there. Indeed, whatever and however the herdsmen act, is usually deemed to have dovetailed from the dispositions and insinuations of their elite leaders. Their elite therefore, have urgent need to change this deception through a deliberate and resolute determination to end the catastrophic orientation of their herdsmen kins. The sophisticated arms and ammunitions possessed and deployed by the herdsmen are certainly procured and availed to them by some persons above their intellectual background and capacity. My joy will know no bounds if pay masters of that rustic Fulani boy is provoked by this honest and sincere submission into accepting his obvious failure for not doing enough to better the life of these Fulani boys rather than this despicable delight of using them to make us the laughing stock of the world community.

Let us be pertinently mindful of the truism that nobody has the monopoly of violence and people will naturally react most times in dimensions and proportions with horrific consequences when pushed to the wall, and silence they say, may not always be cowardice.

Herdsmen in exchange for their cows also access foods cultivated and produced in other parts of the country. If at every slightest

MY JOY WILL KNOW NO BOUNDS IF PAY MASTERS OF THAT RUSTIC FULANI BOY IS PROVOKED BY THIS HONEST AND SINCERE SUBMISSION INTO ACCEPTING HIS OBVIOUS FAILURE FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH TO BETTER THE LIFE OF THESE FULANI BOYS RATHER THAN THIS DESPICABLE DELIGHT OF USING THEM TO MAKE US THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY

provocation those consuming the cows are heartlessly decimated, one wonders who will be left to consume the cows.

The middle belt states, largely held to be the major contributors to Nigeria’s food production needs, have become the most affected in the ongoing disregard for the sanctity of human life. Recall the identifying acronym of Benue State, as “the food basket of the Nation”. It is evidently not for nothing given their richness in agricultural products which include but not limited to mass production of yam, rice, beans, cassava, sweet potato, maize, soybean, sorghum, millet, sesame, cocoyam, etc.

My science oriented background has taught me to know and rightly so too that their soils are generally characterised by tropical ferruginous types derived from crystalline rocks with an appreciable quantity of ferromagnesium minerals.

The farming cultivation and production comfort in this regard is that the area allows for participation in both the grain-based and the yam based economies derivable from the Northern part of Benue and the yam cultivation based economies of the South. This advantageous ecological position permits and facilitates year round farming activity, contrary to the shifting cultivation which obtains in the South-East.

Interestingly too, choice of farmland in the Agrarian Tiv enclave is determined by proximity to the compound, the implication of which is that compounds are part and parcel of the farms with provision for kitchen gardens where large proportion of the vegetables are grown.

Consequently therefore, our Tiv brothers reside in their farms, making any herders dislodgement colossally disastrous.

Plateau State, which is currently reeling from the heartless massacre of over 200 souls for unsubstantiated case of missing 300 cows, is highly condusive for the cultivation of varieties of fruits: tomatoes, vegetables, onions, sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes. Studies have shown that Benue, Nasarawa and Jigawa are the largest producers of sesame. Down South, the Easterners and their Western counterparts, are still adding taste and value to our economic well-being, following from their constant cultivation and production of palm oil, cocoa, cassava, yam, plantains, bananas and so on.

I sincerely empathise and share in the president’s desire for us to proffer a workable and nationally accepted recipe to the herdsmen malady. But first he may have to begin by showing enough commitment in terms of roundly condemning these murderous monsters with a view to winning the people’s confidence in his ability and sincerity to restore peace in the Nigerian polity. The contradictory claim of saying that herdsmen are Libyan militias and in the same vein advising Nigerians to give up their ancestral lands to foreigners for ranches is too suspicious to be desired. I have to humbly observe that some of the positions so far churned out were not well panel-beaten with a view to conscientiously accommodating all shades of opinions.

First was grazing reserves and routes which are not anything different from cattle colonies as latter bandied. The multiplicity of angst and rejection which greeted the idea of cattle colonies and reserves as initially advanced took us back to the drawing board.

Acquisition of lands for ranches as currently being considered ultimately involves giving up of lands. But the note of caution is that the peculiarities of states in matters concerning land must be seriously considered and accorded its well-deserved priority attention in any peace-anticipated policy formulation for dealing with this matter in our country today.

Dr Ikpeazu is the Governor of Abia State

DISCOVERING THE GLOBAL POVERTY CENTRE Umar Jibrilu Gwandu argues that the Brookings report on poverty is incredible “In India there are two great evils. Trampling on the women and grinding the poor through caste system” - Swami Vivekananda.

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ashington D.C-based Brookings Institution’s report published on June 19th, 2018 sparked another global debate on the veracity or otherwise of the use of projected statistics to discuss socio-cultural human phenomenon bothering humanity. The report titled “The start of a new poverty narrative” claims that Nigeria now tops the rank of nations with highest number of extremely poor. According to the report “Nigeria has already overtaken India as the country with the largest number of extreme poor in early 2018, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo could soon take over the number two spot.”This means that Nigeria is now the global poverty capital.

The report asserts that “at the end of May 2018, our trajectories suggest that Nigeria had about 87 million people in extreme poverty, compared with India’s 73 million. What is more, extreme poverty in Nigeria is growing by six people every minute, while poverty in India continues to fall. In fact, by the end of 2018 in Africa as a whole, there will probably be about 3.2 million more people living in extreme poverty than there are today.”

Some Nigerians who accept whatever “experts” from the foreign scene publish about the country accepted the report hook, line and thinker. In the same vein, as soon as the report was published

many took the public sphere discussing the palpable implausibility in “new poverty narrative”.

For instance, all those who cared to go through the blog where the report was published will not miss to notice the torrent of condemnations the report generated. This is because the report fails to satisfy the curious minds, in view of lack of an elaborate discussion on the methodologies and modalities used by the Institution in coming to its conclusion. There was no specification as to the number of towns and villages visited in the nation and what poverty indices were used in determining level of poverty in the countries alleged to be poor.

The report is marred with absence of discourse of any scientifically-proven research procedure adopted in the study. One of the commentators on the report’s blogs, Frank Humphrey, did not hide his doubt about the report when he wrote, “The speed of the fall in the Indian poverty headcount shown in Figure 1. is highly implausible. The authors may wish to revisit the x-axis, the data or their model”.

Another comment by one who chose to be identified as BradB noted that “the article gives the statistics in persons per minute in the earlier paragraph - the negative stats, and then switches to persons per second later in the article - for the positive stats. Are you serious Brookings?”

The thoughts shared by individuals including the two above may not be unconnected with their knowledge of global poverty indices as presented by the World Bank. A closer examination of a similar

report in April 2013, the World Bank says India houses one-third of the poor people in the world.

Beyond the twin troubles of India - rape and racism, poverty remains the palpable feature of the incredible India. Contrary to the titillating and thrilling packaged images shown by the Indian media, a trip to the country will convey to you the veracity of a World Bank’s Report that India has the largest number of poor people in the world.

In a similar report in April 2013, the World Bank stated that “India houses one-third of the poor people in the world”. According to the report, the top five countries, in terms of numbers of poor, were India (with 33 per cent of the world’s poor), China (13 per cent), Nigeria (7 per cent), Bangladesh (6 per cent) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (5 per cent), which together were home to nearly 760 million of the world’s poor. Adding another five countries – Indonesia, Pakistan, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Kenya – would encompass almost 80 per cent of the extreme poor.

In 2013, the statistics showed that Nigeria had 53.2m inhabitants as poor while there were 250.8m poor people in India while.It is not uncommon to find homeless and extreme poor couples with their kid(s) spending days and nights on the streets of major cities in India. Poor Indians die daily in their shanties during monsoon and heat wave/ hot weather periods. The rate at which one comes across poor begging at hotels, and even airports of major cities of India is unmatchable with any place

in Nigeria.

How then can a US-based institution called Brookings come in only after five years to publish a report claiming that India was able to reduce 177.8m poor people, but Nigeria’s poor people increased with 33.8m? In “only” five years (2013-2018), there are 73m poor people- a reduction of 177.8m. This is to say that 35.5m people get out of poverty annually.

Incredible indeed. Brooking statistics indicates that every day 98,777 exit poverty, which translates to the fact that every minute an average of 68 people are getting out of poverty in the country. Is poverty a room that 68 people get out of the door every minute? What a miracle! What a Midas’ Touch!

How can this be replicated elsewhere, especially in Brookings’ new poverty capital, Nigeria?

An issue that keeps reverberating in my mind is that Nigeria was not the poorest nation in the globe when the country depended on foreign rice, but immediately becomes one of the poorest nations when the country is about to reach self-sufficiency in food production and consumption.

The like of Brookings should be a challenge to the federal government especially the National Bureau of Statistics to be up-to-date with their statistics on any issues in the country, and to be proactively releasing the data to world so that facts are readily available to those who may not have access to our local information and domestically obtained data.

Gwandu wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano

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͝͸Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC; Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Let the best win

Sizzling Fashion, Artless in Pitch

N

igerians love football. The passion for the game is such that each time the Super Eagles play the atmosphere is always electriďŹ ed and Nigerian supporters are one of the most adorable fans in the world. They drum, sing, dance and display such mien and ďŹ&#x201A;amboyance that even draws the opposing fansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; admirations. Whenever the national team plays, all the differences among the people vanish and such is the power of the game in unifying Nigerians irrespective of ethnic, political and religious differences. Therefore, when Super Eagles qualiďŹ ed for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup ďŹ nals the fans started praying, hoping and dreaming. The teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance in the build up to the tournament was not the best but a typical Nigerian fan still believed that Nigeria could make an impact. That was the level of patriotism and optimism.

It was a triumphant entry into the soccer fiesta in sizzling new robes and kits which earned them the title of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the most fashionable teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The captain, John Mikel Obi, and other players were talking tough and the social media was agog. John Ogu was also crowned King of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Shaku Shakuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dance style courtesy of the video he posted online and the BBC â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Focus on Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; programme which also featured him displaying his shaku shaku dancing skills. Conversely, the friendly games preparatory to the tournament lacked spark. The much talked about win over Argentina was against a team struggling to raise a team from the shadows of aging players. In World Cup, players and the team must be at their peak before praying for mother luck if the team must go far. This traits and quality the eagles lacked.

When the competition started fans were still in high hopes, hinging their optimism on that defeat of Argentina. But on July 16 that was shaken in Eagles 2-0 loss to Croatia in a below average shambolic display. The only notable player by virtues of his exploits in English Premier League side Chelsea and in the qualifiers, Victor Moses, was very ordinary and the only impact was to fall at the slightest touch even when he was in a good position to shoot on target. It took Ahmed Musaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s moments of brilliance for the Eagles to beat Iceland 2- 0 but against Argentina in the final group match they could not hold on even when the team was four minutes from holding the South American to a 1-1 draw and moving on to the next round.

All the same, there are some positive take homes from Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation in the tournament. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by Amaju Pinnick for the first time in a long while had got the arrangement correct. Though preparation for any competition may not be perfect, the resolution of the ever nagging issue of playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; welfare, bonus and other benefits was a great one. There was no known rancour in the team ether between players or between the players and the coach.

Nigeria found a capable hand in Gernot Rohr, the 65-year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; old German tactician who more or less built from the scratch. Moreover, this was coming at the backdrop of rancorous period which led to the unceremonious exist of Sunday Oliseh, the former technical adviser.

The goalkeeping department has become problematic area especially since Karl Ikeme who was outstanding in the post during the qualifiers took ill and was ruled out. But Rohr rose up to the occasion and gave Nigerians a worthy replacement in Francis Uzoho, the 20- year- old Deportivo La Coruna shot stopper. The Keeper did not disappoint.

However, there is still a lot of building to be done. The attack was blunt, midfield uninspiring and the defence was overstressed. In all the matches that the Eagles played they had the greatest number of uncompleted passes and gave away possession so cheaply more than their opponents. The transition of play from defence to attack was terrible and their defence of set - pieces was suspect. Nigeria no longer has midfielders in the mould of Austin Okocha, Sunday Oliseh or George Finidi. There are no longer top finishers like Rashidi Yekini, Nwankwo Kanu, Emmanuel Amunike, Dan Amaokachi or Victor Ikpeba. In defence, Nigerians can only reminisce the era of Uche Okechukwu, Taribo West, Celestine Babayaro, Stephen Keshi and Austin Eguavon. One thing is clear about the below average performance of the Eagles. Football is not played on the social media. The pitch is the cathedral where all players who merit it are consecrated. Players need to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;trendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the football field not on social media to hit a high in their career. Eagles could not dance â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;garalaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; talk more of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;shaku shakuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The players winning award in the dance style could not translate it to starlar performance in the pitch. They were artless when it mattered most. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fashionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; does not play the game; players do.

Oliver Ejike Uja, a research ofďŹ cer, wrote from Abuja

Axing the Trees and Environmental Degradation

P

eople with feelings in their hearts would be extremely touched by the degradation of the ambient environment that is going on in the regions lying off the shoulders of the Abuja-Kaduna expressway between Katari and the Kaduna end of the old toll gate stop. Across this axis of rural residences, local folks are busy with axes chopping away at young saplings that would form veritable arboreal cover for the landmass of these areas in the future.

We are, at present, unfortunate witnesses to a painful phase of history that would surely lead to long-term desertification and if we are silent then we are complicit in this scheme of environmental murder. The painful fact that strikes us here is that this sort of environmental degradation by axing saplings has a religious backing to it. When a people practice a religion that does not tolerate flexibility and modernisation then the way of life of these people in a modern setting would always be a source of conflict to other progressive-minded folks.

Thus, now, the recourse to an injunction in the religious book of a particular group of people that tells them that a basic tradecraft to keep the household running is felling trees and deriving income from this activity has always been a real threat to the environment that humans so heavily depend on. Environmentalists have fingered this injunction as a cause of widespread desertification in MuslimT H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R majority Pakistan and elsewhere. In EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE Nigeria and other countries of sub-Sahara DEPUTY EDITOR CHIKA AMANZE-NWACHUKU MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO Africa this injunction is being implemented DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE literally to its fullest.

CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI Thus, adherents do not care about EDITOR NATIONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN risk-factor analysis and they just get their MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE axes and cut down trees and saplings for sale as faggots. One lesson to learn from Christianity is that a message that centres on tree-cutting as tradecraft would be taken from a parable point-of-view and T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D other less-injurious sources of earning EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, incomes would be explored.

ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI This open-mindedness is the reason for DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE how Christian-based systems (boko in DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI Hausa) have modernised the world we SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH live in today; no wonder the anti-Christian ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO reactionaries see boko as â&#x20AC;&#x153;haram.â&#x20AC;?

CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of TO SEND EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΀

NEWS

In Brief ExxonMobil Workers Protest Sack of 860

There was pandemonium at Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN), an affiliate of ExxonMobil,QuaIboeTerminal (QIT) inIbeno Local Government of Akwa IbomState,Fridayasstaff of theoil major protested thesackof 860 spy policebythemultinational oil firmwithout anyentitlement.Theoil workers initiated theprotest at about 8amblockingtheMobil HousingEstateat Marina road, Eket Local Government of the state.THISDAYlearnt that the SupremeCourt recentlygavejudgement inacaseinstituted bythesacked spypolicefor their reabsorptionand payment of disentitlementsamong others.Someof theplacardsdisplayed bytheworkersread:“ExxonMobil sacked 860 Nigerianworkersafter over 22 yearsof slavelabour”; “ExxonMobil respect theruleof law”;“SupremeCourt of Nigeriaishigher thanExxonMobil.ExxonMobil complywithSupremeCourt Judgement”; “Calculated disobedienceof supremecourt judgement onitsemployeesis aninsult to theFederal Republicof Nigeria”,“ExxonMobil mastersof slave labour,“ etc.

‘We Won’t Forsake Dogara’

ROYAL AFFAIRS...

L-R: His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos; His Royal Majesty, Oba Adediran Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland; Author and Chairman, Scib Nigeria & Co. Ltd, Olola Olabode Ogunlana and Olori Olatokunbo Gbadebo at the Launch of two books: Out of the Black Pot and Selected Tales by Ogunlana at Civic Centre, Lagos on Thursday July 12 .

Agbaso Loses, S’Court Affirms Oye as APGA’s National Chairman AlexEnumah ÓØ ÌßÔË

Efforts by the Chief Martin Agbasoled faction of theAll Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), to assume leadership of the party, yesterday suffered another setback as the apex court affirmed Chief Victor Oye as the genuine National Chairman of the party.

A five man panel of the apex court in dismissing the appeal filed by Chief Agbaso-led faction, held that it lacked merit, and consequently affirmed the decision of the lower court.

The Supreme Court, in a lead judgment delivered by Justice Sidi Bage, upheld the decision of the Enugu division of the Court of Appeal, which had

onAugust 16, 2017, vacated the order of mandamusthatdirectedtheIndependent NationalElectoralCommission(INEC),to relate with and recogniseAgbaso as the authentic National Chairman ofAPGA. Similarly,the panel dismissed a second leg of the appeal marked SC/717/2017, whichwasfiledby the Deputy Chairman of APGA in Enugu State, Mr. Mike Alioke.

The court said its decision to affirm the two appellate court judgements that were delivered on August 15 and 16, 2017, with respect toAlioke’s appeal, was based “on need to do substantial justice without delving into technicalities”.

Justice Bage said the court was duty bound to look beyond “some technical

blunders” and determine the case on its merit.

“The issues are resolved in favour of the 1st Respondent”, he held.

The Agbaso-led faction had in the appealmarkedSC/718/2017,whichwas filed in the name of APGA, prayed the apex court to reinstate the order of a High Court of Enugu State which compelled INEC to recognise and relate with them as leadership of APGA. The trial Court had on May 22, 2017, issued an order of mandamus compelling INEC, Police and other authorities, to recognise Agbaso as the National Chairman of the party.

The order followed a motion that was filed by Alioke, who asked the

court to direct INEC and Police to recognise a resolution by stakeholders of the party to appointAgbaso as acting National Chairman in the face of what was claimed as vacancy in the office.

Some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had in October 2016, announced the suspension of Oye from the party for alleged gross misconduct.

Oye was suspended alongside the Deputy National Chairman (North), Alhaji Abubakar Adamu and the Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Uche Okogbuo, while Mr. Nwabueze Okafor (now late), was appointed as interim National Chairman.

NGO Slams N1bn Suit on Kano, NPA Sanctions Maersk, FG over Abandoned Toll Gate 2 Other Shipping Firms Senator Iroegbu ÓØ ÌßÔË pleted/abandoned Toll Gate over Truckers Strike

building erected by the defenA non-governmental organisation (NGO), ‘Nija Save Nigeria’ has sued the Kano State and the Federal Government of Nigeria for negligence over the toll gate at Naibawa, which has resulted in loss of many lives.

In a suit dated July 10, 2018, filed on behalf of Naibawa community by Messrs. Gordy Uche (SAN)&Co and obtained by THISDAY yesterday, the NGO, which fights injustice and maltreatment of Nigerians, sought for many reliefs including some declarative orders.

According to documents filed in the court, the uncompleted / abandoned toll gate at Na’Ibawa near Saadatur Rimi College of Education on Zaria Road was not only badly positioned but was abandoned thereby constituting a nuisance to road users some of who had already lost their lives.

They are therefore praying the court for a declarative injunction that leaving such death traps on the highway was careless act which had put people’s lives in danger and should be removed.

They are also praying for a declaration that the uncom-

dants at Na’ibawa constitutes an obstruction/accident risk and was responsible for the motor vehicle crash of the plaintiffs and the death of Abba Musa Gashash on the 12th day of May, 2018.

The plaintiffs also claim the sum of N1billion being damages against the defendants for the motor vehicle crash of the plaintiffs on the 12th day of May, 2018 and the consequent medical expenses and general costs of upkeep of the now disabled plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs are also asking the court to compel the defendants to immediately dismantle the said abandoned, dilapidated toll gate.

The petitioners averred that “there is an uncompleted, unpainted, no reflectors, no speed bumps Toll Gate at Na’ibawa, few meters to Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education on Zaria Road.

This Toll Gate has claimed many lives of innocent people and will continue to do so on a daily basis. One tragic example was a Bus full of women attending a wedding that crashed and all but one child died on the spot.”

Eromosele Abiodun

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) yesterday made good its threat to sanction shipping companies whose actions led to the recent industrial action by truckers in Apapa. The industrial action had resulted in severe congestions at the port, prompting the NPA to slam a 10-day suspension of service on four shipping companies. .The affected shipping companies whose suspension takes effect today are: Maerskline, Cosco Shipping, APS and Lansal.

The NPA said in a statement that it took the action as part of efforts to resolve the protest by truck drivers at the Lagos Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Ports, Lagos.

According to NPA, “The suspension follows the authority’s checks, which revealed that the four companies have failed to fully comply with the directive to acquire and operate holding bays as they have either failed to utilise their holding bays at all or do not have adequate capacity to handle the volume of containers that they deal with.”

The NPA noted that some of

the companies had also been found to import a larger number of containers than empty containers exported thereby making the country a dumping ground for empties.

“These conducts have contributed to the persistent congestion around the Lagos Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Port, spreading to other parts of the Lagos metropolis where truck drivers with no immediate business at the ports now park their trucks.

“At the expiration of this suspension, the authority will review the level of compliance to its directives and determine further actions. In addition to this, the NPA will henceforth embark on a regular compliance check of the operations of holding bays by shipping companies and terminal operators and defaulters will be sanctioned.

“Stakeholders have also agreed that while the call up system through the ports management as advised by shipping companies would remain in force, personnel of the Nigerian Navy will discontinue the issuance of call ups, even though they will remain on the traffic management team.

Constituentsof Dass/TafawaBalewa/Bogoro Federal Constituencyhave vowed that no level of intimidation,harassment,misrepresentationand outright threat fromanyquarter would makethemforsaketheir support and loyalty to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon.Yakubu Dogara.Speakingseparatelyat arallyheld Fridayto show their support for him,thesupporterswho weremostlyyouthsweredrawnfromthethree local government areasof Dass,TafawaBalewaand Bogoro that makeup theconstituency.Theysaid that theydidn’t know what democracymeant untilYakubuDogarabecametheir RepresentativeintheHouse.Various speakersat therallywhichheld inTafawaBalewatown,said Dogarahad built schools,roads,hospitals,markets,provided scholarships,water, electricity,etc,for them.Theydescribed himasadetribalised politicianwho had donewhat manypoliticiansinthestateand thecountryhad not and could not do for their people.“Wearehereto show our total support to the Speaker,Barrister Dogara,for all hehasbeendoingfor us.Weweretaught inschool that democracyisgovernment of thepeople,bythepeopleand for thepeople.But wedidn’t what that meant until Barrister Dogarabecame our leader inthisconstituency,” oneof thesupporters,Folmi BarnabasYale said.

New Code of Corporate Governance

The draft Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance put together by the Financial ReportingCouncil of Nigeria(FRCN) issilent onreligiousbodies, apparentlysignalingashift fromthecontroversywhichtrailed theprevious codesuspended bythefederal government,last year.

Thelaw,theFinancial ReportingCouncil of NigeriaAct,No.6 of 2011had prescribed amaximumperiod of 20 yearsinofficefor headsof registered churches,mosquesand civil societyorganisations.Itsenactment led the General Overseer of theRedeemed ChristianChurchof God (RCCG), Pastor EnochAdeboye,to announceaNational Overseer for RCCGNigeria onJanuary7,2017.Followingthesuspensionof thecontroversial code,the federal government wasto later removetheformer ExecutiveSecretary of FRCN,JimObazee,and appointed areplacement,Mr.Daniel Asapokhai.

SpeakinginAbuja,Fridayat apublichearingonthedraft NigerianCodeof CorporateGovernance2018,Asapokhai said thenew codewasdeveloped bya15-member technical committee,whichinvolved extensiveconsultativeand collaborativeengagement withawiderangeof stakeholdersand other regulators.Accordingto him,

Ugwuanyi Swears in Panel Members

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has sworn in a seven-man judicial commissionof inquiryto unravel theremoteand immediate causesof therecent civil disturbancesthat occurred inOgbozinneAkpugo AutonomouscommunityinNkanuWest Local Government Area of the state, which led to the death of the Traditional Ruler, HRH Igwe Stephen Nwatu, and destruction of property. Swearing in members of the commission chaired by a retired Judge, Justice Ben Agbata, at the Government House, Enugu, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, stated that the exercise was in keeping with his promise to set up a judicial panel “to determine the immediate and remote causes of the disturbances and to make appropriate recommendations”.

Lafarge Africa Rewards Customers

LafargeAfricahasrewarded itscustomersand keydistributorsfor excellent performance in the year so far. The customers were presented with prizes such as tricycles, deep freezers, a fully sponsored trip with spouse to Dubai, smart televisions, Laptops and others. According to a statement issued yesterday by the organisers, the Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa, Mr. Michel Puchercos, expressed appreciation to all the distributors for their remarkable performance. Puchercos said: “As our customers, you are at the heart of our very existence. If you do well, we do well; if you don’t do well, we don’t do well. Such is our symbiotic relationship. So we have also chosen this time to appreciate your performance so far this year.”

Govt Commiserates with Plateau NUJ

Plateau State government has commiserated with the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ over the demise of one of its members, Mallam Auwal Ahmed, publisher of Global News, describing it as a great shock to the media community in the state. State Commissioner of Information and Communication, Mr. Yakubu Dati stated this when he visited the deceased’s family residence in Jos, where he described the late publisher as a consummate media practitioner whose medium promoted peaceful coexistence in the state and beyond. He further conveyed the sympathy of Governor Simon Lalong to the immediate family Ahmed and entire journalists in the state, particularly the Independent Publishers. The Commissioner was accompanied by senior staff of the Ministry, including Directors of Administration, Information and Finance; Ishaya Turba, Theodorah Damulak and Semshak respectively, as well as Racheal Dayigil amongst others. Ahmed, who died on Friday morning, has been buried according to Islamic rites.

15

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΀

NEWS

PDP Leaders in Abeokuta for Crucial Meeting with Obasanjo EIyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja Uche Secondus-led Central Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some members of the party’s Board of Trustees arrived Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, yesterday night for a crucial meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo today.

One of the delegates, who spoke with THISDAY from Abeokuta last night, said they were in the state for consultation with Obasanjo, as part of their “on-going conversation with all stakeholders in the Nigeria’s project to save the country from the hands of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Former President Obasanjo, who before 2015 general election shredded his PDP membership card, recently stopped over at a rally by the party’s gubernatorial aspirant in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, throwing the supporters into jubilation.

The event was held at the prem-

ises of the Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo was said to be on his way out of his home located within the premises, when he saw the crowd and took time to say ‘hello’ to the gathering.

He refused to make any statement with regards to the activities, but said he was passing bye and decided to say hello and wish them well.

The former president had announced his withdrawal from partisan politics few years ago but maintained that his doors remained open for consultations by all Nigerians who desire the progress of the country.

Obasanjo later established the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM), which later fused into the African Democratic Congress (ADC), after which he said he would no longer be involved in its activities.

The ADC is one of the 39 parties, which recently formed a coalition to defeat Nigeria’s governing APC in 2019.

TOWARDS 2019...

L-R: Dr. Thomas Wilson Ikubese, Mr. Fela Durotoye, both presidential aspirants on the platform of Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN, Dr. Jay Osi-Samuels, national chairman of the party, Dr. Elishama Ideh, another presidential aspirant, and Alhaji Ibrahim Eyitayo Dan-Musa when the National Executive of the party held meeting with Presidential aspirants on the platform of the party in Abuja...recently

FG Commences Verification of A’Ibom REC Decries Poor Public Servants on Payroll System Response to PVC Collection Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government will from Monday, July 26, embark on the verification exercise of civil servants in the core MDAs to ensure that only authentic workers are enrolled into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

The exercise is designed to detect ghost workers and would be completed in two weeks.

The Head of Service of the Federation (HoS) Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita said yesterday that the documents of every employee will be authenticated

during the exercise, scanned and uploaded into the system.

The policy is in line with the implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) ratified by Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2017 to pave way for automated human resources platform.

Oyo-Ita revealed that over 330,820 employees from a total number of 486 MDAs had been enrolled and were being paid salaries through the IPPIS platform.

“At the end of the verification exercise, discrepancies will be

resolved to ensure that what is finally uploaded into the IPPIS platform has high level of data integrity,” Oyo-Ita said.

The HoS also revealed that her office and the Federal Civil Service Commission had submitted report on the fate of workers whose recruitment into the civil service many years ago generated controversy.

She said the fresh recruits had been screened and those who came in with authentic documents would be processed while those employed through dubious means will be weeded out.

Shehu Sani, Hunkuyi Group Dump APC JohnShiklaminKaduna The factional All Progressives Congress group loyal to Shehu Sani, senator representing Kaduna Central senatorial zone and his counterpart in Kaduna north senatorial zone, Suleiman Hunkuyi has finally dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) after a prolong battle with the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

Both Sani and Hunkuyi respectively belong to two of the three factions of the party in the state, known as “APC Akida” and “Restoration Group” which are opposed to El-Rufai’s politics and style of administering Kaduna State.

Chairman of the Akida faction, Tom Maiyashi and legal adviser of the Restoration Group, Ja’afaru Abas Ibrahim, announced the decision of the two groups to leave the APC at a joint press conference on Friday in Kaduna.

Maiyashi who spoke for the groups, said the decision to leave the APC was taken after wide and extensive consultations with stakeholders.

He said: “This joint Press Conference is the culmination of extensive reviews and consultations over the state of the All Progressives, Congress (APC) in Kadun State as well as in

the nation.

“As you will appreciate, groups such as ours that had been in the frontline of the efforts to keep our party along the lines of survival, accountability and integrity, will be diligent in ensuring that whatever steps we take, are consistent with our high sense of responsibility.

“We are satisfied that the positions we have arrived at are in the best interests of our members and the ongoing-efforts to create options and strategies that will rid our nation of undeserved and avoidable challenges.

“Members of our two groups have decided to leave the APC because it is incapable of accommodating and responding to well-meaning dissent, criticism and demands for inclusiveness and internal democracy”.

Speaking further, the two groups said the APC “has not lived up to the expectations of the millions of people who laboured to put it in power, as well as Nigerian who expected that it will usher in genuine change.”

The groups advised their teeming members to formalise their withdrawal from the APC. Although the two groups did not

disclose where they would pitch their tent, Maiyashi however, said discussions were going on whether with political parties that share their values and principles.

“We are engaged in serious discussions with parties which share our value and principles toward political collaboration that best suits our interests. In due course, we will make public the outcome of these discussions.

“We want to commend the resilience and commitment of our members in the face of institutionalised exclusion, marginalisation and abuse.

We urge them all to keep faith,” Maiyashi said.

OkonBassey ÓØ ãÙ

About six months to the conduct of the 2019 general elections, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Mike Igini, has decried the response of electorate in the state to the collection of their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC).

In an interview in Uyo, the state capital, Igini said the response of registered voters to collect their PVCs to enable them participate in the election of candidates of their choice was poor.

The REC hinted that a total of 132,078 voters’ cards comprising the old and new Permanent Voters’ Card had not been collected in the state.

He explained that out of the 127,267 new PVCs received by the commission and distributed across the state, only 12,881 have been collected, leaving an outstanding of 114,386; while out of 18,541 old PVCs, received and distributed, only 849 have been collected, leaving an outstanding of 17,692.

According to him, over seven million PVCs were yet to be collected nationwide wondering how the electorates would cast their votes less than 224 days to the commencement of the elections across the country without their PVCs. Igini frowned that even with the campaigns run in the media on the issue, many people in Uyo, the state

capital with the highest number of polling units were yet to collect their PVCs. He charged political parties in the state to employ the strategy used to persuade the electorates registered during the Continuous Voters’ Registration exercise to also remind them to visit INEC offices for the collection of their PVCs. “With respect to the level of Permanent Voters’ Card collection and registration exercise in Akwa Ibom State in particular, there are two broad categories: “We have the PVCs that we have produced prior to the 2015 elections up to the time of the commencement of the new Continuous Voter Registration on the 27th of April last year. These Permanent Voters’ Card of 2015 till date which we refer to as the old PVC, the level of turnout is very poor.

“In Akwa Ibom State, we still have a total of 18,541 old permanent voters’ card, out of which we have only distributed 849, leaving a total of 17,692 still uncollected. Similarly, of the new set of PVCs, it may also sadly interest you to know that out of the 127,267 PVCs, we have only distributed 12,881, leaving a total of 114,386 PVC uncollected in this state”, he stated.

Urging political parties and the candidates to begin to endear themselves to the electorates so as to secure their votes, he stressed that

there will be election in the entire polling unit in the state.

The REC warned that the practice of snatching of ballot boxes and result sheets would not be tolerated, and where such incidences were to happen, the elections in that place would be cancelled.

“As at today, we have barely six months to the 2019 elections. We have less than 224 days to the opening of the polls in the entire 2,980 polling units that are domiciled in the 329 wards of the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom state where election on the 16th February – NationalAssembly and the Presidential election will open and thereafter, on the 2nd of March we will be having the governorship and the 26 State Constituency election in Akwa Ibom.

“Here in Akwa Ibom State, the people contesting for office should do well enough to go and campaign, endear themselves to the electorates because in this state, there will be election in the entire polling unit.

“In this state, nobody should ever think of snatching of ballot boxes or ballot papers because anywhere that ballot boxes or ballot papers are snatched, it is immediately cancelled.

“No result can ever emanate from a polling unit(s) or wards or local governments where ballot papers or results are snatched and taken to anywhere to produce results that will ever be accepted by the commission,” he added.

Niger PDP: Teargassing of Fayose Rape on Democracy LaleyeDipoinMinna The Peoples Democratic Party PDP has said the recent teargassing of the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose by operatives of the Nigeria Police was a rape on democracy.

The party also said the police action was a violation of the “1999 constitution as amended” especially the provision which granted immunity

and protection to a serving governor.

The Niger state chapter of the party made these assertions in a protest letter sent to the Inspector General of Police Alhaji Ibrahim Idris through the Niger state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Yakadi.

In the letter presented by the State Working Committee led by the Chairman, Alhaji Tanko Beji, the party said

the violation of the constitution and especially the fundamental human rights of a sitting governor was totally condemnable asking “all Nigerians to rise against the trend before it goes out of hand.

“The way he was treated, and the withdrawal of his security men is unacceptable” the party said, adding that the police should immediately restore the security aides of the governor.

The PDP said in an election period the police should be seen to be fair and just to all the parties and should also provide the enabling environment for people to cast their votes without any form of intimidation or molestation.

The state commissioner of Police Mr. Yakadi, who received the letter from the PDP delegation promised to transmit the document to the Inspector General of Police.

16

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΀

NEWS

Obi Faults Implementation of UBEC A former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has faulted the implementation of the Universal Basic Education Commission’s programme, saying that contrary to the manner of its implementation that it was actually supposed to benefit all the pupils in the country, including those that attend private schools.

Obi, who made this observation during his visit to Madonna Academy, Iyiowa, Odekpe in Onitsha Metropolis, said he took special interest on how other African countries like Kenya and Rwanda he had visited in the course of school support implemented their own universal basic education policy. He called on Nigerian Government to strengthen UBEC to accommodate Nigerian children whether in private or public schools, contending that it was about time emergency was declared on education in the country.

“In Kenya, for example, money meant for schools are sent directly to the schools because allowing it to ;L-R: Ambassdor Toye Okanlawn;Chairman Fortre Oil Plc,Mr. Femi Otetola;Author of the book and Publisher Ovation Magezine International, Mr. Dele go through intermediary subjects it

IMMORTALISING MKO...

Momodu and Former Managing director GTBank, Mr. Fola Adeola during the public presentation and Launch of book written by Dele Momodu in honour of Bashorun MKO Abiola held in Lagos yesterday..........MUBO PETERS.

Oshiomhole Begs APC Leaders Not to Scuttle Buhari’s Reelection Bid Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has pleaded with party leaders to shun divisive tendencies which may threaten the chances of President Buhari at the 2019 presidential election.

He said those who were against the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari were the ones talking about legacy parties ahead the 2019 general elections.

Oshiomhole stated this when he received former members of

the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) led by the former Deputy National Chairman, Alhaji Rasaq Muse and the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, when they paid him a solidarity visit.

The APC National chairman appealed to all leaders of the party to discuss issues that would unite the party rather than disunity, stressing that after the merger that formed that APC, the respective parties had ceased to exist.

In a statement issued yesterday, Oshiomhole’s Chief Press Secretary, Simon Ebegbulem quoted him to

have said that: “Only those who are against President Buhari’s re-election will at the eve of election be talking about legacy parties.

According Oshiomhole, legacy parties were no longer in existence, adding that all the members must work to remove it from their heart.

“I know the present and we are looking at the future. When people form groups, I said it is not helpful.

Those are tools to cause disunity in the party and I have never believed in groups.

“I have also read the papers people say they are leaving the party

because of their own selfish interest.

Let see ourselves as children of the same father and not children from different mothers. We all have a duty to help President Buhari sustain the unity within the APC so that we can get the voters particularly now that people are sponsoring all sorts of people to go and embarrass the President and embarrass our party.

“I know our enemies will not succeed. I am appealing to people to work for peace, forget about legacy parties, let’s talk about the present and the future” he stated.

Debt: AMCON Takes Over Ramaphosa: AfCFTA Sigma Apartments will Drive Intra-African A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an order for Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to take over Sigma Apartments owned by Sigma Engineering & Construction Limited over a debt of over N1 billion.

Sigma Apartment is promoted by a former Minister of Sports and Social Development, Saidu Samaila Balarabe Sambawa. The order came on the application of AMCON, which claimed it exhausted all avenues of peaceful resolution with the obligor regarding the debt, but was left with no other choice.

Information on the website Sigma Apartments described the apartment as an epitome of refined living featuring 48 fully furnished service luxury apartments designed for those accustomed to the finer things in life. The apartment is located in the heart of Abuja metropolis midway between the northern and southern retail hub of the vibrant Abuja, downtown of Wuse ll. The site further describes it as a hospitality brand that provides extended stay accommodation for sojourners in Abuja.

The promoter of Sigma Apartments and his directors have had running battles with AMCON over their inability to settle the huge debt of over N1billion. But despite efforts to reach an amicable

settlement the talks broke down leading to the suit.

In compliance with the court order, and with the support of the Inspector General of Police, and his deputies as well as the court Bailiffs, AMCON through its Receiver, Mr. Babatunde Alabi took possession of the assets of Sigma Apartments, its right and in compliance with lawful authority.

AMCON under Ahmed Kuru, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, has maintained that there would be no sacred cows in its bid to recover the huge debts obligation of N4.8trillion in the hands of a few Nigerians. To deal with the situation however,AMCON has in recent times increased the tempo of its recovery activities using firmer resolution strategies as well as utilising the special enforcement powers vested by the AMCON Act to compel some of its recalcitrant debtors especiallythose that are politically exposed and business heavyweights to repay their debts.

AMCON therefore seeks the continued support of all wellmeaning Nigerians most especially the judiciary, the legislature and the security agencies to enable it carry out its mandate to avoid the tax payer from taking the liability of a few. Presently, only 350 Nigerians owe AMCON (indirectly the tax payer) over N4trillion.

Trade, Investment Ndubuisi Francis ÓØ ÌßÔË

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would provide integrated and diversified markets that would unlock Africa’s full productive capacity.

Nigeria is yet to sign into AfCFTA, which already has 49 African countries as signatories.

In a keynote address at the annual meetings and 25th anniversary celebrations of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in Abuja, Ramaphosa said that the AfCFTA held enormous opportunities for the growth of the economies of the African continent.

He stressed the need to address the continent’s infrastructure deficit and to pursue industrial development.

In his address, President of Afreximbank, Dr. Benedict Oramah welcomed the signing of the AfCFTA agreement by 44 African nations in Kigali in March, adding that it would accelerate the integration of Africa markets, foster regional value chains and promote dynamic competitive advantage

across Africa for certain kinds of goods and boost employment.

According to him, “It is important that the AfCFTA be thoroughly debated so that everyone would understand the opportunities it offered and the obstacles that needed to be overcome.”

In her address, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun said that continued infrastructure improvements and a focus on trade, particularly regional trade, would drive sustainable growth.

Adeosun commended Afreximbank for its role during the last global recession when it supported many African countries with trade support and lines of credit at a time others were withdrawing from Africa.

More than 100 speakers including Heads of State, ministers, central bank governors, heads of international organisations, business leaders, African and global trade development experts, and academics, are speaking during the four-day annual meetings and 25th anniversary celebrations.

to shedding of weight along many toll gates,” Obi said.

Speaking to the students of Madonna Academy, Obi who donated N1 million to them for infrastructure support, encouraged them to see education as a necessary companion in life. In his words: “I am where I am today because of education. I am here to reveal that truth to you as a way of encouraging you to see education as the best and necessary companion in life.”

Obi lamented the relative paucity of funds Nigeria budgets for education yearly and called for the reverse of the trend.

Presenting the vote of thanks, the Principal of the Academy, Mr. Nnamdi Nnodi recalled how Obi provided computers, buses, Internet, and all basic facilities to Anambra schools and thanked him for continued remembrance of the schools thereafter. He thanked Obi in a special way for constructing the road to their school when he was the governor.

Keshi Stadium: Dalung Challenges States to Emulate Delta Omon-Julius Onabu ÓØ ÝËÌË

Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung, has commended the Delta State Government for its commitment to sports development, and particularly for overhauling and upgrading facilities in the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba to world-class standard.

Dalung, who stated this after inspecting ongoing work at stadium, expressed delight at what he saw and urged other states to emulate the Delta State example in order to take sports development in the country to greater and enviable heights.

The minister and the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, were conducted round ongoing work on various facilities by the local organising committee (LOC) chairman, Mr. Solomon Ogba, and the Delta State Sports Commission Chairman, Mr. Tonibok Okowa.

Both the sports minister and the NAF president were also at the fundraising dinner held Thursday night at the Grand Hotel Asaba, where more than N500 million was raised towards the 21st African Senior Athletics Championship holding in Asaba from August 1st to August 5th, 2018.

The list of donors at the event included corporate bodies and individuals with Zenith Bank Plc leading the pack with a N300 million donation; Bube Dan gave N20 million, Levant Construction N20 million and Gomene N11 million.

Delta State House of Assembly supported the initiative with N7 (seven) million, the Federal Ministry of Sports gave N5 million among others while some corporate organisations and individuals made their donations anonymously.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, his wife, Dame Okowa, Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Minister of Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Mr Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, were among numerous dignataries that graced

the occasion.

Okowa in his remarks underlined the significance of hosting the African athletics fiesta: “In less than three weeks from today, athletes from 47 African countries, as well as officials will begin to converge on Asaba for this historic event; it is historic in the sense that though this is the second time Nigeria would be hosting this event, this is the first to be held outside Lagos, Nigeria’s sporting capital because in 1989, Lagos was the venue for the sixth edition of the competition.”

He disclosed that he accepted for Delta State to host the tournament being organised by the Confederation of African Atheletics (CAA) in conjunction with the NAF, saying, the championship provides “glorious opportunity to further our agenda to regain Delta’s frontline status in sports by hosting this event.”

According the governor, “Apart from being a dominant force in the National Sports Festival in the years gone by, Delta State has produced foremost international athletes such as Tony Urhobo, Maria Usifor, Violet Odogwu-Nwajei, Sunday Uti, Blessing Okagbare and many others. “However, in recent times it does seem like athletics is taking a backseat, hence, our young ones do not see much hope in pursuing a career in athletics; we believe this event has the strong potentials to reawaken the interest and consciousness of the upcoming generation and motivate them to strive for greatness in athletics,” the governor said.

He continued: “On our own, we have delivered on our promise; the Stephen Keshi Stadium is ready for the event; it was tough but, we got it done and the stadium is actually a beauty to behold.”

Also speaking at the fundraising dinner, the sports minister described Governor Okowa as “a performer” who saved Nigeria the shame of failing to host the tournament.

Dalung said: “If this type of stadium is replicated in every part of Nigeria, no Nigerian will pass through the Sahara (Desert) to look for greener pasture because they will be engaged.”

Plus

LOUD WHISPER GLOBAL SOCCER FAIRGROUND FASHION FILE SHOWBIZFLAIR

pg. 24 pg. 29 pg. 36 pg. 43 pg. 46

Abimbola Aboderin If NADECO Had Been A Bit Patient, MKO Would Have Become President

pg. 20

Biodun Ogungbo I Have Dedicated My Life to Neurosurgery and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Loving It

Chinedu Nebo

I Married When I was Barely 25, I Have Been Madly in Love for 46 Years

pg. 22

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 14, 2018

PLUS

I Have the Most Wonderful Woman Any Man Can Desire as Wife Highly cerebral, consistently stubborn once convinced about a matter and has been a focused person since early childhood when the fear of cane made him a compliant kid. Professor Chinedu Nebo met his wife who he fondly calls Ify in Scripture Union while in secondary school and as an undergraduate, he was ready to tie the nuptial knot with her. Today, apart from his love for God, he says his wife is his highest inspiration. He spoke with Charles Ajunwa and Ahamefula Ogbu

H

e catches the image of an unyielding person, the very tough type that makes one wonder if he has a soft side. Dressed in a simple jumper, he looked youthful, almost putting a lie to his real age. Asked if he had a romantic side or if it is always work all the way, his response was a stunning reversal of the expectation as he replied: “I have the most wonderful woman any man can have as a wife. Most wonderful! If there is anything called madly in love, we are madly in love. On June 16, we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. I have been in love with this girl for 46 years from when I was 19 years old in secondary school. We married when I was just barely 25 and she was 24. I was 25 years old when our daughter was born and she was born eight days before I got my Bachelor’s Degree. So we have been together that is why at this age that not too old, we have 11 grandchildren. So my wife has been a fantastic help. People say better half but I call her better two thirds because she is a woman of prayer and she loves her husband so much. We have peace at home at all times. You see, I came for this programme and we are here. Most of the places I go to if she is available we go together.

We are still much in love

and our children refer to us when they talk to each other or their friends as love birds. So yes, it’s not all stern face and everything out but there is a very soft aspect of it. I have the most wonderful family.”

Does the cupid’s arrow through his heart make it a seamless relationship without misunderstanding? Nebo beams a smile before admitting that, “Not that there wouldn’t be, every family, even twins who are identical occasionally have disagreements. But never any disagreements that would cause one ever to begin to insult each other or even to think that it was a mistake. For 41 years of marriage and every day, I thank God for the wife that I married.

I have never thought of anybody else as may be or could have been a better choice. Never!”

On childhood memories, he recalls being a cool and compliant child that always wanted to please his parents.

“God made me a compliant kid because I dreaded punishment. You see, any lash of the cane that I got was so painful. But it wasn’t so for my brothers. Sometimes I think they enjoyed being spanked.

For me, the first that lands I would cry.

The thing was so painful. I think they had a leather or rubber skin that they would just be taking the thing as if they were enjoying it. So I dreaded the cane and that

made me a compliant child and I had a passion to please my parents and the reason I wanted to be the best in my class so that Mummy and Daddy would be happy because I didn’t want to disappoint them.

“The first time that I refused to come back home was because I was so sick that term that I almost died. I would never forget that. I had this malaria and I was coasting as if I was dying or something like that and I was not in school for quite a while and for the first time I was not the first, I was not the second, I was the third for the first time in history. That day I didn’t come back, my parents had to come looking for me. How could I tell them that two people did better than me? Of course, that was just one term by next term I was the best student. I was a compliant kid because I dreaded the cane.

I avoided it. Occasionally, I did something wrong. Occasionally, intentionally too because there was one day my classmates after class we were going home and they went and started plucking mango on the European quarters in G.R.A. in Port Harcourt. I didn’t go with them, I got home somehow my mother heard that I was one of those who went and plucked mango. So she gave me ‘doctor do good’ treatment several lashes. Nothing I would say would stop Mama, she beat me hell.

“The next day, I said okay after school, since I had already been spanked, let me

now go and pluck the mango. Stupidly I went; the mango was in front of the house and the house was a white man’s house.

So I started throwing the stick for the mango to fall, I didn’t know that the man was stalking me and he caught me and you can imagine almost pissing on my knicker. I told him I’m sorry. Yesterday, people came here and plucked mango and I wasn’t there. I went home my mother beat me. I had already been beaten for the mango I didn’t pluck. He now said get out and thankfully, he didn’t beat me. He just threw me out of the place.

So children can do a lot of stupid things.

Yes, occasionally one would do something that the parents are not happy with. But generally, I was very obedient.

While some may see possessions as their greatest source of happiness, Nebo has a different value system and sees his best experience in life as “The first time I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

It was like I was coasting in the air. The thought of heaven is like I was already in heaven experiencing all kinds of things but also marital bliss. People would think that being Vice-Chancellor two times, minister, these things give joy. I think that one remarkable thing that I got being a Vice-Chancellor was high blood pressure.

So that is the reward I got from being a Vice-Chancellor because I gave my heart and life to it. So it’s not easy. All that glitters is not gold and uneasy lies the head

I have the most wonderful woman any man can have as a wife. Most wonderful! If there is anything called madly in love, we are madly in love. On June 16, we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary.

I have been in love with this girl for 46 years from when I was 19 years old in secondary school. We married when I was just barely 25 and she was 24

JULY 14, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

19

PLUS

Nebo

I Wanted to be the Best in My Class So that Mummy and Daddy would Be Happy that wears the crown. Those things don’t bring joy. They may bring momentary happiness and things like that and if you are seeing peoples’ problems solved a lot of joy. By the grace of God, I have seen so many lives transformed as a result of my leadership. So it gives a lot of joy but the greatest of all is this relationship I have with this unique wonderful wife that God has given to me. I couldn’t trade that for anything else. That one is a constant source of joy.”

On the flip side of life that has given him sadness, he waxed philosophical, saying, “Well, you know when you put in your best and it appears your best is not good enough. You have a situation where you have ideas that can flow and transform things and nobody wants to listen to you and nobody cares. For instance, we didn’t have an opportunity to do what we wanted to do. President Jonathan had all wonderful intention for the power sector and given more time I believed that things would have changed.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t complete the agenda we had. After not being in office, I’m still doing research on power and I’m getting results. So it’s not the office, it’s just that one could have done a lot more if you have the capacity and you have the backing of government to do that.

So I would say such things made me sad and sometimes looking at young people I cry that a lot wasting away.

“Brains being swept into the garbage on a daily basis because of the insensitive system we have. Not that I’m against quota system, there should be quota system to some extent. Where somebody scores four points or two points and gets admission and another person with 65 points cannot get because you are from a state where people are doing better. I think that kind of frustration makes one very sad and then when I look at those at the helm of affairs and seeing that most of them, beginning from the executive to the legislative both at the federal and state levels and I see a preponderance of mediocrity. I feel sad for the future generation. That we are mortgaging the future of this country, it’s like we have sold Nigeria to the devil but it’s my hope and prayer that God will change all that.”

Professor Nebo was once quoted as asserting that incompetence was worse than corruption, does he really mean that? Hear him: “Yes. I said it and I have no apologies for that. Incompetence is worse than corruption. Take it this way, if you are corrupt and you are intelligent and competent, it means that what you are supposed to do you are doing it. But

because you are a thief, you are stealing what you are not supposed to steal but you are still performing. But if you are ‘righteous’ but the brain is empty and you are incompetent, you don’t know what to do it means that resources you have, you can’t even utilise them for the good of anybody. So at the end of the day who performs better? Is it not the corrupt competent one that leads ahead of the incompetent corrupt one, so I think that incompetence is much worse than corruption. Corruption is horrible, it’s abhorrent, we should never allow our country to muddle up in the pod muddle of filth and stench of corruption. It’s the mother of all underdevelopment. Yes, but something is worse than that and that is incompetence, much worse than corruption but ‘wahala dey ’ when you add incompetence to corruption. When you add incompetence to corruption, it means that your steps will forever be recursive.

One step forward three steps backward.”

He relaxes by spending time with his wife “as we pray a lot, I spend a lot of time with my wife. We pray a lot. We sing a lot. We fellowship a lot and I occasionally have some good times with my friends, schoolmates my classmates but I spend a good amount in the service of the Lord. Thankfully, we have

children that are in different places. We can always go there spend a week, two weeks sometimes three or four weeks and then come back. But I spend a lot of time in ministry and that helps to unwind because it’s done of the presence of the Lord. I do exercise.”

Faith in God is his motivating factor as well as belief that the human mind can conquer any horrifying situations.

His philosophy of life is not to let selfpreservation stop him from doing right.

He feels posterity, not popularity that matters, a reason he sent cultists including children of his parishioners, generals and other influential people out of campuses as well as “removed a Dean from office because his son failed he went against the policy and the regulation of the faculty and the university and refused to reverse what he did. When they wanted me to sign N180 million certificates after I had gone and looked at everything they did in that Library (UNN) and it wasn’t worth up to N5m, I said no. When I found out that they had wanted to do it even without me, I wrote to the Central Bank Governor not to release that money.

At the end of the day, they still went and thankfully I had written and they couldn’t get that money. That Library was completed in my tenure.”

20

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 14, 2018

PLUS

Abimbola Aboderin If NADECO Had Been A Bit Patient, MKO Would Have Become President Accomplished and selfless are words that suitably describe Chief Abimbola Aboderin. Call him the face behind June 12 and you wouldn’t be wrong. He is indeed a man of unsung glory in Nigeria’s nascent democracy. In the wake of the recent national honour done to the late MKO Abiola, Aboderin, who is the Chairman, Icon Group, shares the untold story of his alliance with late MKO, Adedibu, Shehu Yar’Adua and Arisekola and his near-death experience during the June 12 struggle with Adedayo Adejobi

21

͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS I Raised N360m for MKO’s Election Campaign in 4 Days

Y

our late father was a very influential politician. Could that have spurred your interest in politics?

My father was the late Chief Olola Aboderin.

He installed the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, who once worked for my grandfather.

Being the sole agent of Shell for West Africa, my late father at a rather tender age, became wealthy and successful in petroleum business, and so he formed Ibadan People’s Party, which brought the likes of the late Akinloye and Adelabu to the fore. My dad was also a founding member of the Action Group and part of the delegation chosen by the Federal Parliament to represent Nigeria in England. Years later, my old man stopped politics and concentrated on his businesses. He spurred my interest in politics.

So, how did you meet the late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola?

I got to know him through my dad. When I finished my A ‘levels in England, I moved to have my first and second degrees in California. Prior to this, I came to my father’s house in Apapa and met him and Abiola at the waterfront. Abiola came to appeal to my father to please help him talk to the Yoruba’s because they were not happy with him being in the opposition NPN against Awolowo’s party. Knowing fully well that my father was powerful in the political sphere, Abiola came to him, and that was how I met him. I didn’t know who Abiola was at that time, but we spoke and we became friends.

When my father died in the early 80’s, MKO came for the burial. Later, I went to see him at ITT at Jibowu, Lagos.

Fortunately, again we met politically at Ibadan when he came to see late Baba Adedibu. Adedibu, Abiola and IBB were all my friends. Abiola called me and said his problem was the forthcoming convention. He knew he was going to win the election because people knew him but the convention was a problem.

I also met Abiola’s friend who doubled as his personal lawyer- Chief Abimbola Ajibola. Adedibu told me to go to my ward and let people know me so I started doing charity work and I got noticed by my people. They used to call me and Abiola’s lawyer the President’s men because it was assumed that Abiola was already the president. Anything Abiola wanted to do, I and his lawyer were always around together.

After Abiola told me of his desire to win the SDP convention, I geared up in full swing and went there as a special observer. With voting starting, there were fears that my friend Abiola was going to lose to the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was using Yar’ Adua’s political structure. I, with MKO and the late Adedibu headed straight to meet with General Yar’Adua in his house at the wee hours of the night, while voting was on-going.

For the records, the previously annulled convention was won by Shehu Yar’ Adua. Adedibu stood with Yar’Adua; he got his western delegates and won. For that reason and more it’s safe to say the late Shehu Yar’Adua owed Adedibu a huge favour at a time.

After the meeting with Yar’Adua, he finally asked Atiku to step down. That marked a watershed in Abiola’s life, as he coasted home to sweet victory at the convention in Jos. The following day, jubilation rented the air, as supporters, Adedibu, Abimbola Ajibola, I and Shina Peters who came to serenade guests gathered in Abiola’s house. The next day Abiola and the three of us went to Yar ’Adua’s house to thank him. Yar ‘Adua’s remark was simple and loaded. ‘That is all I can do for Nigeria,’ he said.

there. I had no choice than to stand by MKO. During the struggle, Abiola was alleged to have been hijacked by NADECO. What really happened?

He truly suddenly disappeared into thin air. Abiola was hijacked by NADECO and couldn’t be reached for over a week. One day, on the way to my office in Surulere, Lagos, I saw Abiola in a van. So I asked what happened to him. I was disappointed when I saw him because you can’t declare yourself king in the den of a lion. I have nothing against NADECO, but it shouldn’t have gotten to the extent of harassing MKO. Abacha is the person with power and Abiola was supposed to travel out of the country and declare himself president over there. When he was arrested, I remember Adedibu and Arisekola went to Abacha to plead for his release. The plan was to get his release first, and then fly him out of the country to have him declare over there, but it appeared they were a bit impatient. He would have become the President.

You said Babangida and Abiola were friends. Do you really think Babangida killed your friend by annulling his victory?

No I don’t know about that. It’s just unfortunate MKO died. They used to be friends in those days. They did contracts together. He was able to raise money for Nigeria through the World Bank when Nigeria was in problem in 1985.

Abioderin

Unknown to many, Abiola and Babangida were very good friends, but the issue of Vice Presidential Candidate caused the problem. The Babangida I knew was very much involved in Abiola’s political career.

People we don’t know just came to hijack the struggle; they don’t know how we got there.

Babangida according to Abiola gave two namesTofa and Maitama Sule to choose from as Vice Presidential Candidate In what particular ways were you instrumental to raising money for Abiola’s election campaign?

With the convention done and dusted, preparations for the 1993 elections moved into top speed, as the financial team, comprising Arisekola, Olona and Bisi Abiola was led by me. I got saddled with the task of raising N360 million in less than four days. Because Abiola trusted me, the cash I raised for the election was kept in my custody. Although Abiola was a wealthy business man but as a member of SDP, it was imperative to raise funds for the general election.

You also worked closely with Abiola’s wives. What roles did they play in the scheme of things?

As a friend, brother and a self-made man, anywhere Abiola went from Ilorin to Kano, Enugu, I was sure to go with him. In

a strategic move, Abiola divided his wives Kudi, Doyin and Bisi to the North, East and South respectively on the strength of their understanding of nuances of language, culture and customs in the North, East and Southern Nigeria. With this, he penetrated deeply into these regions. In all of this, I was simply rooting for a credible man to rule Nigeria.

The choice of selecting a Vice Presidential Candidate must have been a tough and frenetic one. What went down?

Choosing a Vice Presidential Candidate was a crucial period in Abiola’s campaign, as many interests and egos got bruised, leading to misunderstanding and feudal war amongst friends who possibly became sworn enemies. Babangida was a Brigadier general when I got back from the United States. I’d known him when he was a Major because I was doing business with the Army, Air Force and Police. Unknown to many, Abiola and Babangida were very good friends, but the issue of Vice Presidential Candidate caused the problem. The Babangida I knew was very much involved in Abiola’s political career. People we don’t know just came to hijack the struggle; they don’t know how we got there. Babangida according to Abiola gave two names-Tofa and Maitama Sule to choose from as Vice Presidential Candidate. On the contrary, Adedibu objected and rooted for Kingibe.

That was the beginning of the rift between the two of them. Babangida felt since Abiola was his friend, he should have gone for his options, and they didn’t handle it well. They went too far instead of sitting together to settle it, they allowed people’s interference to escalate the disagreement.

What role did you play after the June 12 election was cancelled?

I and Ajibola went to Ibadan and were listening to election results. Everyone was happy; people trooped in and jubilated over the results but it was annulled. Not too long after the election was annulled, we started the struggle against the annulment and followed him to High court, Abuja.

I and Ajibola almost died on our way to Abuja in the midnight with my driver.

Everyone slept off and a trailer was in the middle of the road around Makwa. But God saved us as we had to stop and sleep

Have you considered documenting your June 12 story?

I have a book on it called the story of June 12 which is yet to be published.

Nigeria is a beautiful place but they are busy stealing and not manufacturing. The few industries we had have closed due to poor management and infrastructure.

God has blessed us with all we need, but we must put them together and make it right. We have been blessed with natural resources. We have to set our priorities right. I know Buhari and Osinbajo; they are good people but it is not getting to the masses yet. The masses should be enjoying but majority are suffering.

What do you consider the big lessons for Nigeria on June 12?

Nothing good comes easy. We have learnt a lesson that together we can build a great nation; we need each other. All of us have something to contribute. All countries have good and bad people.

What shared nostalgic moments do you remember with Abiola?

We spoke a lot. He was a philanthropist.

First of all, I was disappointed when the election was hijacked after going through a lot. I just thought death can be a blessing in disguise, and that he had gone to rest after going through a lot. I was so sad all the struggle was for nothing.

What is your present relationship with Babangida?

I haven’t maintained a robust relationship with IBB, as we haven’t seen in a long time. When he was president, I only saw him once. I was close to him before he became president. It’s just that it’s a terrible thing he did to Abiola, but we must put that behind us.

You are impassioned about this country. What is the Nigeria of your Dream?

A country among the top 10 in the world, where we’ll love each other, work together, and have the fear of God. Accept my sincere condolences on the death of your cousin, Wale Aboderin.

What was the relationship between you both?

My late cousin Wale Aboderin and I had a good relationship. His death came as a shock to me. My father and his were very close. I still can’t get over his death.

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ , 2014

PLUS Biodun Ogungbo

I Have Dedicated My Life to Neurosurgery and I’m Loving It Biodun Ogungbo is one of the most charismatic medical doctors you will ever meet. Except you are told, you may not know that he is world class and a UK registered specialist in Neurosurgery.

He is also registered by the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council as a specialist neurosurgeon.This Medical Director of Brain and Spine Surgery Consortium Abuja, shares the challenges of practicing neurosurgery in Nigeria with Stanley Nkwazema

I’m always anxious for the day to break, to see who is coming to consult me and what I can do to help

Ogungbo

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͹ͼ˜ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS Neurosurgery is team work. It Doesn’t Matter How Skilled You Are “Nobody can afford ill health. This is why Nigerians need to get it to the consciousness of the government that they must invest in healthcare even if for themselves in the first instance. They can even do it for selfish reasons; in case they fall sick but that’s being selfish in a positive way. Instead of thinking ‘I have enough money for my family and I to go abroad in case we fall sick’. Because whatever they build locally will still make an impact on the whole nation. And truly in some medical emergencies, the most valuable resource is time.”

Some of his most challenging cases have been patients with brain tumors and strokes. “I have had cases of brain tumors in very delicate areas that require a different level of skill, expertise, and equipment. In many situations, we have had people that are in dire straits that they can’t travel out (due to pain, disability or in coma). So, they need to have their operations done here and yet we cannot totally provide everything that they need in terms of personnel, equipment and that is frustrating.

N

eurosurgeons are rare species in Nigeria with just about 74 for a population of about 180 million. Of the 26 accredited medical schools, only six offer Neurosurgery. In contrast, the total number of neurosurgeons in Japan exceeds 7,500, with 5,432 board certified and actively practicing neurosurgery. Japan also has almost 1,000 hospitals including 80 teaching hospitals capable of training doctors as neurosurgeons. As of January 2012, there were approximately 3,689 practicing boardcertified neurosurgeons for over 5,700 hospitals in the U.S.A. The challenges are indeed enormous in Nigeria, says Biodun Ogungbo, one of the 74 neurosurgeons we have in this country.

Ogungbo was indeed well baked for this job. After his MBBS degree at the University of Lagos, he proceeded to the United Kingdom where he trained at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and Newcastle General Hospital. Further training at Western General Hospital in Edinburgh and the Walton Center for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Liverpool followed. Since his return to the country, he has been actively supporting medical education in Nigeria. He also has a passion for helping people with neurology, spine and stroke challenges, though, greatly constrained by the difficult business environment especially for private medical operators in Nigeria.

He talks about his background: “I had my secondary education at Jubril Martins Memorial Secondary School, Iponri, Lagos State and thereafter proceeded to St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, for A levels and then to the University of Lagos for MBBS. I did my Houseman-ship at the General hospital Abeokuta and my NYSC at General Hospital Ijebu-Ode. After NYSC, I went back to Lagos and worked with some private hospitals before I decided to go for postgraduate training in the United Kingdom, where I specialised in neurosurgery.

“I had my training in what was called the Northern Deanery in England, which consisted of Newcastle General Hospital and Middlesbrough General Hospital. At that time, you had to train at these two hospitals to get the complete training. After that, I continued with my training and fellowships. I went for Vascular Fellowship at the Walton in Liverpool and Brain Tumor Surgery fellowship at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland. Once I completed my training and fellowships I returned to Nigeria.”

Why the interest in Neurosurgery?

Ogungbo said: “Interest in neurosurgery was not why I travelled abroad for further training. I actually travelled to train in trauma and orthopedics, but somewhere along the line fell into neurosurgery and everything else paled into insignificance.

When I discovered neurosurgery, I was completely at home with it, quite happy and comfortable, something like yes, this is it, this is what I would be happy doing for the rest of my life.”

He fell in love with Neurosurgery within two weeks of resuming at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford. “There was Christopher Adams, an excellent and exceptional neurosurgeon. He made neurosurgery seem so easy and after two weeks of working in that unit, I also thought it was easy because of the passion and interest.

When I wake up these days, I am very excited to go to work. Many times, I can’t wait for the day to break and see who is coming to consult me and what I can do to help. For me, it’s akin to being a detective, where you know that once you put the pieces together, you can get the full picture and if you have a picture, then you will know exactly what you are doing. I find it very easy; hence it’s enjoyable and makes me love what I am doing a lot.”

He never wanted to live outside the shores of this country: “I didn’t even have it in mind to travel out but at some point, while working in private practice, I

Ogungbo

When I wake up these days, I am very excited to go to work. Many times, I can’t wait for the day to break and see who is coming to consult me and what I can do to help. For me, it’s akin to being a detective, where you know that once you put the pieces together, you can get the full picture and if you have a picture, then you will know exactly what you are doing. I find it very easy; hence it’s enjoyable and makes me love what I am doing a lot realised I was not giving my best. Yes, you can go set up a hospital and start general practice but I think if one is honest, there are times when you know that you are out of your depth. Once I came to that conclusion, I decided that it was best I train as a specialist. Then, I knew I had to travel out for specialist training.”

To Ogungbo, there are mixed feelings when he remembers his days at the National Hospital. “I had a very interesting seven months at the National Hospital.

I would say it was both fascinating and frustrating in the same breath. But I was only able to withstand the frustration for seven months. I knew what I wanted to do, and for neurosurgery especially, when you have a patient, you can’t waste time while

they are visibly deteriorating. Hence, it was always impossible and very painful for me to fold my hands and say we can’t do this or we can’t do that, because of so many different issues.

“I honestly couldn’t continue that way.

It was either I close my eyes to the way or reasons patients are suffering or get out of the system and do it my way. So, it was better for my own sanity to practice neurosurgery my way. If I want to operate on someone now, I can arrange it without sweating buckets. It’s not that I have to wait until it’s my own operating day next week or we can’t do it because something else is happening in the theatre. For me, my patients are the number one priority. It doesn’t matter what else is going on.

“At the National Hospital, I couldn’t tolerate not being able to operate when I want to because it impacts on the outcome.

The outcome has always been and continues to be the most important thing.

I go to international conferences to present what I am doing and I need to stand up and say these are my results. And those results were dependent on getting good outcomes for patients. There is no way that you will go to a conference and say we did this number of operations but all the patients died because of PHCN, because there was no ventilator, etc. You can’t stand and say that. So, it was better for me to leave so I could create an environment that would give me the outcomes that I wanted for my patients. All public medical facilities in Nigeria have the same narrative. Doctors are constantly working with limited resources and improvising.”

Interestingly, Ogungbo feels one of the things hindering progress in Nigeria’s health sector is the lack of government commitment to healthcare. “There must be leadership from the top and that commitment must translate into proper funding because healthcare is not cheap especially tertiary healthcare. No matter how rich you are, you will lose every penny if you have a prolonged health challenge. Even people who are extremely rich will be prepared to spend the last penny to get a good outcome from stroke or cancer.

“Neurosurgery is teamwork. It doesn’t matter how skilled you are, even the cleaner, nurse, and physiotherapist or anesthetist can scupper the operation. You need to have a full team but that full team only matures with time and that’s the kind of journey we had. Nigerian healthcare has become a healthcare of improvisation because many times, you don’t have the right set of equipment for certain procedures so you adapt what you have or is available.

“More often than not, you don’t have them because they are quite expensive and if you invest in them, you might not recoup the investment. The cost of healthcare has so gone up astronomically that people can’t afford it but they still show up expecting to be given the best, first-class care and it doesn’t work that way.”

He has the answer to some of the problems: “I think what we are hoping for is to start with primary healthcare. We must get that right. We must also make the National Health Insurance Scheme work. Secondly, hundreds of Nigerian doctors working abroad are quite keen to come back home, but regardless of how well trained they are, if they don’t have access to patients, if they don’t have the right support, even with nurses or physiotherapists and other healthcare personnel, they will not be able to deliver the quality of care that they want to deliver.

“If we can get the basics right; if we can get our primary healthcare sorted; then a lot of things will fall into place. It is not so much about having big hospitals because we have had big hospitals that have failed actually especially in the public sector. Big hospitals with all the required equipment, expertise and manpower from abroad, with all the skill and expertise available that hospital has failed and some have now closed down.

“This is why in trying to reverse medical tourism, we must make sure that our primary and secondary healthcare facilities are properly sorted. Such that people who go to our tertiary healthcare facilities are people who deserve to be there. Otherwise, our big hospitals are busy treating malaria and typhoid fever.

“Almost all of our new patients come by way of referrals from old and or existing patients because we are not allowed to advertise, so we only depend on the word of mouth referrals of satisfied patients and it’s encouraging to us to know that our work is appreciated enough for satisfactory referrals. We also do an audit and follow up on our patients even after one to two years to ask how they are.

Every year, we call up our patients with particular conditions and ask them how they are, and consistently we have found out almost all our patients will come back again to do the surgeries here with us if the need arises. And these are people who have the means to travel abroad for their operations and treatments.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 14, 2018

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Adeosun

MBOK, ADEOSUN DID NYSC I do not understand all the noise, Adeosun and I did NYSC in Ogun State. We were both in the Sagamu Camp of the NYSC. I still remember her very well, she was one tall, dark and pleasantly mannered young lady, who had just come back from England. Not totally beautiful, but had passable gait enough to catch my interest for I moved on her. We used to walk around the camp at night staring at the Sagamu skies trying to count them since any attempt at kissing was ruled out. I never use to understand her cockney accent since me I went to the great University of Ibadan and came from Shomolu. Her accent intrigued me, while mine also intrigued her. We served together o. Her uniform used to sit very well on her, showing her great assets and which made my heart pound even though I could not touch since that was the policy. She was brilliant though and used to talk about the economy and how her ambition was to be a major policy maker in the country in economics and finance. Then the day we passed out came and in tearful hugs and finally the kiss which showed her very soft and succulent lips we bid ourselves good bye as she climbed into her chauffer driven Mercedes Benz and I in turn jumped on the molue that would convey me back to Shomolu. I have not seen her since then but I heard that Adenike Adeosun now runs a fast food joint in Ikoyi.

Ohhhhhh were you guys thinking I was talking about Kemi Adeosun?

Aghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!. No kill me o, wetin concern me with that one o. I no know University of East London, na Angus Memorial High School for Shomolu I go, na Segun George my paddy na him go that one.

BOLA TINUBU: AMBODE IS OUR MAN We have just come out of our congress here in Shomolu. Although we now have three factions with three different factional chairmen, we were able with bowls of well-made Afang soup washed down by Yemi Shodimu’s palm wine – you should try it. I will send some to you when you listen and agree to our resolution – agreed to present Akinwunmi Ambode for re-election. Let me write his name in capital letters so you don’t mistake it – AKINWUNMI AMBODE. We have heard rumours that you may not be very comfortable with his second term and this led us into a panic. We forgot our differences and called for an emergency meeting chaired by myself, The Duke of Shomolu and passed the resolution

Tinubu

Mary Alibaba

Bukola Saraki is Still Standing You see, my people, Bukola Saraki is still standing and with no immunity, he is facing all these allegations and harassment with the dignity. Only a distinguished personality like him can face all these. Those who have peddled all these allegations themselves are honourable people who fall in the face of the littlest of scrutiny.

See what happened with the grass cutting scandal, the NNPC, the primary School certificate, NYSC and a lot more. But then, the one that has been made to struggle, cry and face untold hardship and stress coming out of it all is the baba nla thief. You see in a country of barely literate but highly passionate electorates, it is those who control the media that control the narrative. They blur the issues with exaggerated conjectures, weaving logic on its head with the vast majority of the populace swallowing the toxic information with no ability to discern facts from hullaballoo. So, the one that has

gone through the whole judicial process up to the Supreme Court is the thief, the one that has not been indicted by any panel, committee or competent court of law is the thief, while the ones who sit in their palatial homes and control whole State Governors deciding who gets what with the Executive Governor reduced to nothing but dummies are the saints. The ones who stand and stare while major thievery is going on around them but stand on the pulpit of piety to proclaim their personal incorruptibility remain the guiding saints of our democracy. Mbok, this Bukola is a thief o, let him keep thieving because one day, like they always say, the real thieves would be thrown out naked in the village square with nothing but their leprous hands to cover their withered testicles in utter shame because no matter how long it takes, the truth always prevails.

My Lord keep thieving. God bless you.

to reach out to you on Ambode’s candidacy. All the people of Shomolu and even Bariga are solidly behind this resolution and as soon as we can get enough signatures, we will be sending a petition to you since you remain the almighty giver of life and careers in our state. We are taking this rumour very seriously and are pleading while hoping that this is not true and that you will once again endorse our son. Although he is from Epe, we have decided to look beyond that and

see the enormous work he has done in Lagos and will still do hence this our unanimous endorsement. That one sef no dey kuku take my call but nonetheless, is a good man. The jagaban let’s meet and discuss this issue at your leisure. Let there be no confusion, Ambode is our man.

MARY ALIBABA, HAPPY BIRTHDAY What most people do not know is that I am extremely close to this very beautiful damsel. She is my sister

Ita-Giwa

o. When legendary comedian came for her hand in marriage, she was confused because at that time, she was being wooed by Prince Andrew of the House of Windsor. Such was her dilemma choosing between the Royalty that is the British Royal Family and the royalty that came from the creeks of Warri. Choosing between the finest of champagnes and canapés and the harsh otapiapia and akara that was on offer on this side of the globe. She came to me in Shomolu for advice. Then I was not yet the Duke of Shomolu but had been just installed the Ajanaku of Morocco Road in Shomolu and my wisdom was legendary. People came from far and wide for advice. I was the one who advised MKO Abiola to run to France, I also advised Mandela to stay in prison one more year thereby bettering his chance at the Nobel Committee. So Mary was in good hands. After listening to her carefully, I chose Alibaba for her. Simply because I knew that Mary will not be able to cook all that English food and that she may really not understand the language. You know say na Calabar woman. I further advised her that Alibaba would better appreciate the Afang, ekpangnkukwo and Afia efere that she is an expert in and that if she try to cook those things in Buckigham Palace, it will cause diplomatic problem between both countries and remember na Abacha time we been dey. So I thank God she took my advice and forsook her title which would have been Princess Mary of Afangha Nsit, she has remained the very beautiful and elegant wife of my great brother. But you know, as our people be, since then, she has not even offered me the Afang soup that she has been feeding Ali wey make that one belle big like that. Any way, she is 50 this week and she has invited us to the launching of her NGO for the girl child and a major party at the MUSON. Me, I am looking for my traditional wrapper to nack go, meaning that I won’t be prostrating for any Yoruba elder during the party as I will not be wearing any underwear make I no cause massive disruption. I thank you.

FLORENCE ITA GIWA MARRIES MUDI Don’t mind me o. You know I can be crazy like this. The distinguished Senator will be chairing the book reading of my latest work at an event organised by the iconic Fashion designer. Na that why I put the ‘marry’ inside the matter, so that you guys will quickly read.

Shhhhhh, I never ask mummy yet but I know say she will agree. So, don’t tell her yet. Details later.

JULY 14, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

25

SPY GLASS

with BAYO ADEOYE .... 08054680651 email: bayoolunla@gmail.com

Dumo Lulu-Briggs Soars High

DUMO-LULU-BRIGGS.

When hunky politician and super rich businessman, Dumo Lulu Briggs, celebrated his 54thbirthday penultimate week, his plan was to host a few of his friends, close associates as well as relations.

However, the billionaire politician seemed to have under-estimated his influence and popularity among his people in Rivers State, as the birthday bash eventually turned out a carnival of sorts.

For those who graced the event, it was an opportunity to eulogise and pour encomiums on the man whose philanthropic gestures are legendary.

A source was quick to attribute the large turnout to his recent expression of interest to

contest for governorship in the state.

Interestingly, even as he pursues his political ambition, Lulu-Briggs , who owns Platform Petroleum and a couple of other choice investments in the petroleum sector, continues to preach against politics with bitterness.

“He believes he has what it takes to transform Rivers State into the Eldorado and unite the people who have been battered by political differences,” our source said.

Meanwhile, Dumo has continued to encourage and lift thousands of women, youths and children through his Foundation that provides scholarships to thousands of families in every local government of the state.

Amina Abubakar Bello’s Uncommon Gestures It is a truism that wives of states’ governors in Nigeria are fond of launching pet projects on assumption of office. Whether these projects have enduring values or not is another matter entirely.

However, one of the First Ladies who has chosen to be different is Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello, wife of Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello. As a Gynaecologist, she has chosen to make the delivery room of the Niger State General Hospital the platform of impacting on the lives of women in the state. How? She had obviously been seeking for an opportunity to make the state General Hospital better, in terms of service delivery to the indigenes. So, all she needed to swing into action was the victory of her husband at the gubernatorial poll in the state.

Spyglass gathered that as soon as her prayers were answered, she approached the hospital management and laid her cards on the table. According to information, she offered to assist with surgeries and delivery of babies free of charge.

When this humane gesture became public knowledge, many were not surprised. At every public discourse, they are quick to refer to her upbringing. Her mother, Fatima Abubakar, stayed true to her legal profession, even while her husband, General Abubakar Abdulsalami, was the Head of State between 1998 and 1999. Described as down-to earth, she loathes lording herself over the people. We gathered that this beautiful First Lady still prefers

to do some chores by herself to the chagrin of her numerous helpers. Call her a restless soul and you will be saying the obvious.

Nothing has changed significantly about her lifestyle, even now that she is the number one woman in the state.

Born in 1973 in Benin City, she attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, for her first degree in medicine. After the completion of her study, she did her residency at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH). Not resting on her oars, she went ahead to bag a Master’s degree in Public Health from Liverpool University, United Kingdom. Over the years, she has not only shown her class in the practice of public health, her exemplary contribution and accomplishments in the medical profession have been remarkable. She is very cheerful, humane, resourceful, tolerant, and exudes confidence wherever she finds herself. She likes to touch the lives of people, regardless of their backgrounds, religions, political affiliation and cultural experiences.

Bello is charismatic and energetic in pushing her vision, and in setting targets for a new social order. She has often demonstrated a consistency and attention to relevant issues. Her husband, known as Abu Lolo, was born with silver spoon. His family is considered as one of the richest in Nigeria with investment in oil and gas, real estate and many others.

Lagos SSG, Tunji Bello’s Hospitality

Toyin Kolade Celebrates Dr.Toyin Kolade, by all standards, is a successful businesswoman and socialite of note.

The beautiful woman knows her onion and commands deep respect from young and old, especially in the political, social and business circles.

She is also in tune with the modern trends in the fashion world. Call her a showstopper, and you will only be stating the obvious. The Managing Director of Fisolak Global Resources, Fisolak Royal Furniture and Arikay Oil and Gas recently celebrated her birthday.

Though it was low-key, her family, friends and business associates honoured her with their presence. She became a successful entrepreneur and millionaire at 21, having learnt the rudiment of doing business under her mother while growing up.

Last Saturday, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Tunji Bello, showed the world that he could go to any length to make his children happy in life with all that God has given him. His fatherly love came to the fore during the wedding of his daughter, Temitope to her heartthrob, Adeniyi, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Victoria Island. The wedding train later moved to Landmark Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos, for reception. The guests were wowed with Bello’s sense of hospitality, as they were treated to continental, Chinese and local delicacies and expensive wines.

Eminent Nigerians led by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, gathered to honour the SSG and his wife.

AMINA ABUBAKAR BELLO

Aiteo’s Boss, Benedict Peters’ Happy Moment Louise Hay said: “That’s the way life works: gratitude and appreciation just bring more goodness. Remember, everything we give out comes back. Gratitude has all sorts of little, surprising rewards.’’ Those that have come across the Chairman of Aiteo Oil and Gas attested to the fact that he is indeed a good man that would never leave his fellow man in distress. Today the good deeds are paying off with good rewards. Last week at the gala to round off the Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibitions that held in Abuja, Aiteo group was declared Indigenous Oil and Gas Company of the Year.

The event organised by London-based CWC Group and now in its 18th edition, the NOG is Nigeria’s most prestigious annual oil and gas industry event which draws key players across the Nigerian Energy sector. It is a viable platform for networking, sharing ideas, and exploring new opportunities and innovations in the industry. This year, hundreds of industry professionals were gathered from both the public and private sectors. Dignitaries at the conference included the Secretary-General of OPEC; Dr. Sanusi Barkindo, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr Maikantu Baru, and Chief Executives of major oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria. While responding to the award, Peters attributed the company’s emergence as the indigenous Oil and Gas Company of the Year to the depth of its human resources, and sustainable investments in the industry, and the Nigerian economy.

In the Corporate Social Responsibility arena, Aiteo gives back to the local communities in which it operates through grants and donations, seed capital and philanthropy. It has also supported several social investment projects, including special focus on supporting the study of Engineering in host communities and sports.

Spyglass also gathered that the billionaire last week dusted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when A Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the immediately release of his two seized London properties on the grounds that the said properties legitimately belong to him.

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 14, 2018

PERSPECTIVE The Unforgettable 1018 Days Drama Yusuph Olaniyonu

S

imon Kolawole, the founder of Cable Online newspaper is usually a jovial and jolly good fellow. He is capable of making jokes out of the most serious issues. As Editor of THISDAY where I also edited the Sunday newspaper, Simon would walk into my office and say, “Alhaji, Alhaji, Alhaji, how many times have you been to Saudi Arabia so that I can know the number of prefix I will put before your name?”.

By that time, I will be at alert to know what news story he had to share with me. If it is news about my state, Ogun, Simon will add that “I am always reassured that you people from Ogun State are the problem of Nigeria”. If it was a legal issue he wanted us to discuss, he would begin by saying “ we need to kill all lawyers in this country for us to develop”.

Then, he will later go into the substantial matter.

However, when Simon in a phone conversation sometime in July 2015, joked about a plot to “deal” with my principal, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the then newly elected President of the Eighth Senate, “for disobeying us and getting a position that we reserved for somebody else”, I knew there was trouble. Simon is not a politician or an establishment man, and may never be. In fact, in that expensive joke, he was passing an important message to me without giving away too much information.

Immediately, I informed my boss. Though he was opposed to our raising the alarm on this new threat, with the benefit of hindsight, I realized he knew what was going on but had a different approach to the issue. Early September 2015, when he returned from a foreign trip and I raised the issue with him at the airport, he was not surprised and it appeared I was telling him a stale news.

The Code of Conduct Tribunal Act remains the most dangerous legal instrument to deal with a political enemy because the provisions of its Section 2, sub-Section 2 clearly spell it out that anybody convicted under it will vacate his current position, forfeit the property said to be undeclared and get a ban of 10 years from holding any elective or appointive position. It was ingenious for the strategists of the Buhari administration to come up with charges against Saraki under this law. More importantly, our research indicated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had a hold on the CCT chairman, Mallam Danladi Umar and was ready to manipulate him to get judgement against Saraki.

The first signal that the expected case would have a lot of twists and turns was when on September 11 2015, a Wednesday, we read the 13-count charge on an online newspaper, Sahara Reporters, even before the defendant was served. By The following day, while we were all studying the charges as printed from the online medium, we heard of an attempt to serve the process through the then Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Sen. Isa Galaudu. This was a time when the Senate itself was on recess. On September 14, the case came up at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Utako, with the Tribunal chairman, Mr. Umar, threatening fire and brimstone. He actually issued an arrest warrant against the Senate President.

The defendant had less than 24 hours to assemble a legal team or study the charges. It was as a result of the latter consideration that many of his supporters and friends advised that the Senate President should not make appearance in the Tribunal on that first day in the Tribunal.

By that time, the Senate President had relocated to his guest house which shared a wall with the official residence of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase. The relocation happened as a result of the fire incident in the private residence of the Sarakis. The new location and the arrest warrant from Mr. Umar heightened the tension around the Senate President. Many of his friends, associates and supporters were afraid he could be arrested as the IGP was now his next door neighbour. However, Arase, a fine, brilliant and gentleman officer, refused to get involved in the politics of the CCT trial.

Unfazed, Saraki put together a legal team headed by former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN. Before the first appearance of the Senate President on September 22, 2015 at the Tribunal, a top source in government had boasted to me that Saraki would not be on the seat of the Senate President when the red chamber of the National Assembly would be holding confirmation hearing for ministers-designate. What became a confirmation of the thickening plot came from the first address of the prosecutor in the CCT case, Mr. Rotimi Jacob, SAN. Jacob told the Tribunal that he was sure the case could be dispensed off in less than three weeks.

According to Jacob, he needed three days to prove his case while the defence could take five days to make their submission. He said the Tribunal should just take the next one week to consider the submissions of the two parties and give its verdict.

This calculation by Jacob clearly indicated that the plan was to quickly convict Saraki, get him off the Senate President’s seat and prove that the establishment had once again taught a recalcitrant member a bitter lesson. The understanding of this plot must have led to the decision by Saraki’s legal team to

Saraki challenge the validity and appropriateness of the trial in other courts. And that led to the matter traveling from the Federal High Court through the Court of Appeal up to the Supreme Court.

Many thought the decision to challenge the case in different courts amounted to evading trial and that only a guilty man would not subject himself to due process. However, like a commentator wrote, there is no way a cockroach can be innocent in a trial organized by the hens. In any case, there were serious constitutional issues that had emanated from the trial which required higher courts to determine.

One of such issues arising from the provision of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act gave those of us in Saraki’s team some measure of confidence that the charges were filed in violation of its Section 3 (d). The section states that before a case is filed against any defendant, his attention must have been called by the Bureau to the inconsistencies in his asset declaration form and he must have been given the opportunity to make necessary corrections. It is only if he insists on the correctness of the entry that he can be brought before the Tribunal.

This provision had been applied in the Bola Ahmed Tinubu case when the defendant even belonged to an opposition party to the government in power. The Tribunal had in the Tinubu case ruled that “...On Section 3 (d), I feel compelled by the argument of the learned SAN for the accused. It is a condition precedent for referring a charge to this Tribunal that the accused ought to have been invited to either deny or admit the allegations against him. This is missing in this case as the complainant has no such evidence of a prior invitation”.

In that case, Senator Tinubu was discharged on this ground by the same judge and the same Tribunal handling the Saraki case. The Saraki legal team also believed that the issue of two members sitting in a three-member Tribunal raised a constitutional point on whether the Tribunal was properly constituted. The question to be answered here was: if there is a disagreement among the two members, what happens?

Eventually, the apex court gave a ruling which conferred unprecedented powers on the CCT. The Tribunal now has criminal jurisdiction and could use the provisions of Administration of Criminal Justice Act. Also, it was decided that two out of a three-member Tribunal is a proper quorum. Today, Saraki is being praised for patiently and consistently going through the entire judicial architecture to prove his innocence.

Thank God that he did not listen to the ceaseless flak coming from the mob on his desire to demonstrate faith in the nation’s judicial process.

From the beginning, the Senate President in his initial address to the court had made it clear that the case was

politically motivated and that he was being persecuted for emerging as Senate President against the wishes of some principalities in his party. He also said he believes in the ability of the judiciary to give justice to the ordinary person.

The trial proper had been an eye opener. Having witnessed the entire trial from the beginning to the end, including sometimes following up on discussions by the legal team or participating fully in other talks concerning the case, one will say that the Saraki case has on its own become a locus classicus case on the issue of asset declaration and an example of how not to prosecute a case. Throughout the trial, I was always wondering how the government hoped to get conviction with the shoddy investigation, unreliable evidence, missing gaps in its submission and the overall disregard for due process.

Two instances will suffice here. The government accused Saraki of anticipatory declaration of a property which he had owned and bought two clear years before he became Governor, just because a rival politician in what now appeared a loose talk, claimed he knew that the sale, in 2005, of all the government houses in the area where the property in question was located and that the property could not have been correctly filled by Saraki in a 2003 asset declaration form. The star prosecution witness was asked during cross-examination if in the cause of investigations, he conducted a search on the said property located in Ikoyi at the Land Registry. He answered that he did in the Lagos State Land Registry in Alausa. He was further asked if he knew about the Federal Land Registry, Ikoyi, where details of properties owned by the Federal Government are domiciled. He drew blank. He appeared not to have ever heard of the Federal Land Registry in Ikoyi.

As it was eventually proved, the Federal Government sold the property in question to an individual when Maj, Gen. Abdulkarim Adisa was Minister. The fellow sold it to Saraki in 2001 and Saraki became Governor in 2003. Yet, the prosecution had made so much noise about the property being subject of anticipatory declaration, Also, there was so much propaganda about Saraki collecting double salary from Kwara State and National Assembly.

Yet, throughout the trial, the prosecutor did not call any witness in support of the claim. It is the same way, that for over two years after the commencement of the trial, the investigators never visited all the property of the defendants being cited in the case. At every point, it showed that the prosecution obviously did not hope to get conviction based on diligent efforts to prove their case in the trial room. It relied on outside the court means to convict the defendant. Perhaps, the plan was to just humiliate the Senate President, use the case to incite Senators against him so that he could be impeached, damage his political future or rush him into a pre-determined judicial outcome.

The revelations from the Saraki case showed that the anti-graft agencies need to be overhauled. Its investigators require comprehensive training, home and abroad. There is need for diligent prosecution and so the agencies should not be rushing to court without being sure of their facts, case and witnesses. More efforts should be put into diligent prosecution instead of media trial and needless propaganda.

There should also be a plan to develop a body of expert prosecutors within the system who are employees and well motivated to do the needful in defeating the best defence lawyers. More importantly, the system should avoid getting into malicious prosecution and persecution.

On a personal level, I learnt the lesson that a man should always persevere, dogged and focused, particularly when you are sure of your case. Dr. Saraki’s case thought me about the need to remain calm in the middle of a storm and to always keep your gaze fixed on the ball. Throughout the period of the trial, the man never lost his cool. He would always look beyond the case. Sometimes, when we are struggling to contain the damage from the trial, he would instruct the media team to focus more attention on publicizing the good works coming from the Senate and suggest more ideas on what the Senate can do to address the problems confronting ordinary Nigerians.

He gives the same charge to all individuals, organizations, corporate bodies and governmental institutions whose representatives pay him official courtesy calls in his office. His consistent call is: Give us ideas, proposals and suggestions on how to address the issues you have raised here. He would tell me and my colleagues that we should not allow this trial to define his tenure as it was a passing phase. “What will be permanent”, he said, “is the positive contributions we make in terms of improved legislations, credible oversight and problem-solving, progressive and positive interventions that we make as an institution and as an individual”.

From what I witnessed in this just concluded and rested case, very soon, as we have the Saraki Versus Kotoye case as a locus classicus case in commercial law, the Saraki Versus FRN case will soon be a subject of study in the law school and faculties of law in the universities in the area of constitutional law, commercial law and criminal law, just as it will be cited for many years to come in court rooms.

––Olaniyonu is Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President.

T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY JULY 14, 2018

27

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž JULY 14, 2018

FAMILY HEALTH

When a Headache Needs Urgent Care

W

hen we have any kind of pain or discomfort in the head, we call it headache. This feeling could be mild and transient, medium and heavy, and can extend to excruciating pain.

Then medically, depending on the accompanying symptoms, it can be classified and graded.

Headacheis one of the commonestsymptomsexperienced by humans. In fact, it is quite unusual not to have at least an occasional headache. Why some people never experience headache is not known.

Headaches are usually harmless but can create concern abouttheirorigin.Veryoccasionallyheadachesareapointer to a serious disease such as brain tumour or stroke. This is why many people seek advice from their doctors and, in somecases,arereferredtospecialistneurologists.Normally the severity of the headache bears no relation to the gravity of the diagnosis.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just stress and nasty colds that cause headaches.

Cleaning your home or sleeping late can cause them too.

Nearlyeveryonehashadheadachepain,andmostofushave had it many times. A minor headache is little more than a nuisancethatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;srelievedbyanover-the-counterpainreliever, some food or coffee, or a short rest. But if your headache is severe or unusual, you might worry about stroke, a tumor, or a blood clot. Fortunately, such problems are rare. Still, youshouldknowwhenaheadacheneedsurgentcareand how to control the vast majority of headaches that are not threatening to your health. Doctors donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fully understand what causes most headaches. They do know that the brain tissue and the skull are never responsible since they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have nerves that register pain. But the blood vessels in the headandneckcansignalpain,ascanthetissuesthatsurround thebrainandsomemajornervesthatoriginateinthebrain.

Thescalp,sinuses,teeth,andmusclesandjointsoftheneck can also cause head pain.

10 headache triggers and their remedy

1.Relaxingafterstress

Youputin10-hourdaysfromMondaytoFridayandyou feel fine, only to wake up after a lie-in on Saturday with a poundingheadache.Whyisthat?Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sbecauseasthetension of the week subsides, your levels of stress hormones drop, whichcausesarapidreleaseofneurotransmitters(thebrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chemical messengers). These send out impulses to blood vesselstoconstrictandthendilate,whichcausesaheadache.

Remedy:Avoid the temptation to sleep in at weekends.

Morethaneighthoursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sleepat atimecanbringonaheadache.

Introducesomerelaxationtime,suchasayogaclass,intoyour workingweek,ratherthansqueezingitallintotheweekend.

2.Pent-upanger

Whenyouâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;reangry,musclesinthebackofyourneckand scalp tense up, causing a tight band-like sensation around your head. This is a sign of a tension headache.

Remedy : When you start feeling angry, breathe deeply and slowly. Breathe in through your nose and out through yourmouth,Thisshouldrelaxyourheadandneckmuscles.

3.Poorposture

Poor posture causes tension in your upper back, neck andshoulders,whichcanleadtoaheadache.Typically,the pain throbs in the base of the skull and sometimes flashes into the face, especially the forehead.

Remedy: Avoid sitting or standing in one position for a long period of time. Sit up straight and support your lower back. Consider using a special headset if you spend a lot of time on the phone, as holding a handset between your headandshouldercanstrainmusclesandcauseheadaches.

Youcouldalsoseeaphysicaltherapist,suchasanosteopath or Alexander technique practitioner. They may be able to help you identify and correct any posture problems.

4.Perfume

If you think housework is giving you a headache, you could be right. Household cleaners, along with perfumes and fragranced air fresheners, contain chemicals that can bring on headaches.

Remedy:Ifyouâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;resusceptibletoheadachesbroughtonby certain smells, avoid heavy perfumes and strong-smelling soaps, shampoos and conditioners. Use fragrance-free air freshenersandhouseholdcleaners,andkeepyourdoorsand windowsopenasmuchaspossibleathome.Ifacolleagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perfume is bothering you, put a fan on your desk at work.

5.Badweather

Ifyouâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;repronetogettingheadaches,youcouldfindthat greyskies,highhumidity,risingtemperaturesandstormscan allbringonheadpain.Pressurechangesthatcauseweather changesarethoughttotriggerchemicalandelectricalchanges in the brain. This irritates nerves, leading to a headache.

Remedy: Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not much you can do to change the weather.However,bylookingattheforecast,youcanpredict whenyouâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;relikelytohaveaheadacheandtakeapreventative painkiller a day or two in advance.

6.Grindingteeth

Grindingyourteethat night(themedicalnameisbruxism) makes your jaw muscle contract, causing a dull headache.

with

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com 08053372356

weakness, numbness, or seizures r )FBEBDIFT UIBU BSF BDDPNQBOJFE CZ B QBJOGVM SFE FZF r )FBEBDIFT UIBU BSF BDDPNQBOJFE CZ QBJO BOE tenderness near the temples r )FBEBDIFT BGUFS B CMPX UP UIF IFBE r )FBEBDIFT UIBU QSFWFOU OPSNBM EBJMZ BDUJWJUJFT r )FBEBDIFT UIBU DPNF PO BCSVQUMZ FTQFDJBMMZ JG UIFZ wake you up r )FBEBDIFT JO QBUJFOUT XJUI DBODFS PS JNQBJSFE JNNVOF systems.

The problem gets its name because the headaches tend to come in clusters, with one to eight headaches a day during a one- to threemonth period every year or two, often at the same time of year. The pain always strikes one side of the head and is very severe.

The eye on the painful side is red and watery, the eyelid may droop, and the nose runs or is blocked

Remedy: Your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth while you sleep.

7.Brightlights

Bright lights and glare, especially if flickering, can induce migraines. This is because bright and flickering lights boost thelevelsofcertainchemicalsinthebrain,whichthenactivate the migraine centre.

Remedy : Sunglasses are great at reducing light intensity, andyoucanweartheminsideandoutside.Polarisedlenses can also help to reduce glare.

At work, adjust your computer monitor or attach a glare screen.Youmaybeabletoturnoffcertainlightsormovethem.

If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, change where you sit in the office. Fluorescent lighting tends to flicker, so if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re able to, substitute it with some other form of lighting.

8.Foodtriggers

Your turkey and cheese sandwich and small bar of dark chocolatemightbeatastylunch,butbewareoftheheadache thatcouldfollowit.Allthesefoodscontainchemicalsthatcan bringonamigraine.Otherculpritsincludeagedcheeseslike stiltonandbrie,dietfizzydrinks,andprocessedmeatsandfish.

Remedy: Keep a migraine trigger diary and once you suspect a certain food may be the cause of your headaches, eliminate it from your diet for a couple of months to see if you get fewer headaches.

Ifyouâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;reconcernedaboutavoidinganyfood-relatedtrigger factor, see your GP or practice nurse or ask to be referred to a dietician for specialist advice. Remember to eat regularly, because skipping meals can bring on a headache.

9.Sexheadaches

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s astandingjokethatheadachesareusedasanexcuseto avoid sex, but for many men and women, coital headaches thatcomeonattheheightofpassionarearealanddistressing problem. Doctors think sex headaches are due to pressure building up in the head and neck muscles. The headaches can happen during foreplay or just before orgasm, and can last for a few minutes or up to an hour.

Remedy: Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re inconvenient, but these headaches are usuallyharmlessanddonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tmeanyouhavetoavoidsex.Take a painkiller a few hours beforehand to block the headache.

10.Icecream

Doyougetasharp,stabbingpaininyourforeheadwhen you bite into an ice cream cone? Then youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re susceptible to icecreamheadaches,causedbycoldmaterialmovingacross theroofofyourmouthandthebackofyourthroat.Icelollies and slushy frozen drinks have the same effect.

Remedy:Thegoodnewsisthaticecreamheadachesdonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need treatment. In fact, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re over in a flash, rarely lasting more than a minute or two.

When to be Concerned : When to worry about a headache. You can take care of many types of headaches by yourself, and your doctor can giveyoumedicationtocontrolmostofthetougherones.But someheadachescallforpromptmedicalcare.Herearesome warningsignsforwhenyoushouldworryaboutheadaches: r )FBEBDIFT UIBU GJSTU EFWFMPQ BGUFS BHF r " NBKPS DIBOHF JO UIF QBUUFSO PG ZPVS IFBEBDIFT r "O VOVTVBMMZ TFWFSF iXPSTU IFBEBDIF FWFSu r 1BJO UIBU JODSFBTFT XJUI DPVHIJOH PS NPWFNFOU r )FBEBDIFT UIBU HFU TUFBEJMZ XPSTF r $IBOHFT JO QFSTPOBMJUZ PS NFOUBM GVODUJPO r )FBEBDIFT UIBU BSF BDDPNQBOJFE CZ GFWFS TUJGG OFDL confusion, decreased alertness or memory, or neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances, slurred speech,

Types of headaches : Tension-type headaches : Occurring in about three of every four adults, tension headaches are the most common of all headaches. In most cases, they are mild to moderate in severity and occur infrequently. But a few people get severe tension headaches, and some are troubled by them for three or four times a week.

Thetypicaltensionheadacheproducesadull,squeezing painonbothsidesofthehead.Peoplewithstrongtension headachesmayfeelliketheirheadisinavise.Theshoulders and neck can also ache. Some tension headaches are triggered byfatigue,emotionalstress,orproblemsinvolving the muscles or joints of the neck or jaw. Most last for 20 minutes to two hours.

If you get occasional tension-type headaches, you can take care of them yourself. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, other brands) and nonsteroidalanti-inflammatories)suchasaspirin,naproxen (Aleve, other brands), or ibuprofen (Motrin,Advil, other brands) often do the trick, but follow the directions on the label,andnevertakemorethanyoushould.Aheatingpad or warm shower may help; some people feel better with a short nap or light snack.

Migraine:Migrainesoccurlessoftenthantension-type headaches, but they are usually much more severe. They aretwotothreetimesmorecommoninwomenthanmen, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s small consolation if you are among the six to eight per cent of all men who have migraines. And since a Harvard study of 20,084 men age 40 to 84 reported that havingmigrainesbooststheriskofheartattacksby42per cent, men with migraines should take their headaches to heart.

Neurologistsbelievethatmigrainesarecausedbychanges in the brainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blood flow and nerve cell activity. Genetics play a role since 70 per cent of migraine victims have at least one close relative with the problem r $IBOHJOH XFBUIFS SJTJOH IVNJEJUZ IFBU r -BDL PG TMFFQ PS PWFSTMFFQJOH r 'BUJHVF r &NPUJPOBM TUSFTT r 4FOTPSZ USJHHFST CSJHIU PS GMJDLFSJOH MJHIUT MPVE noises, strong smells r %JFUBSZ USJHHFST r NJTTJOH B NFBM r BMDPIPM FTQFDJBMMZ SFE XJOF r DIPDPMBUF r OJUSBUFT JO DVSFE NFBUT BOE GJTI r BHFE DIFFTF r BO JODSFBTF PS EFDSFBTF JO DBGGFJOF r .4( PGUFO QSFTFOU JO "TJBO BOE QSFQBSFE GPPET

Cluster headaches: Cluster headaches are uncommon but very severe headaches, and they occur five times more often in men thanwomen.Althoughanyonecangetclusterheadaches, the typical patient is a middle-aged man with a history of smoking.

Theproblemgetsitsnamebecausetheheadachestendto comeinclusters,withonetoeightheadachesadayduring a one- to three-month period every year or two, often at the same time of year. The pain always strikes one side of the head and is very severe. The eye on the painful side is red and watery, the eyelid may droop, and the nose runs or is blocked. The attack starts abruptly and lasts for 30 to 60 minutes. Most sufferers become restless and agitated during the attack; unable to sit still, they pace, jog in place, orbeattheirheadagainstawall.Nauseaandsensitivityto light and sound may accompany the pain. Inhaling pure oxygen can help the attack.

Testingheadaches:

Modern medicine depends on tests to diagnose many problems.Formostheadaches,though,agoodold-fashioned historyandphysicalwilldothejob.Infact,CTscans,MRIs, BOE &&(T CSBJO XBWF UFTUT MPPL OPSNBM JO UFOTJPO UZQF headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches. Still, these tests can be vital in patients with warning signs or other worrisome headaches.

-JWJOH XJUI IFBEBDIFT 'PS NPTU PG VT BO PDDBTJPOBM headacheisnothingmorethanatemporaryspeedbump JO UIF DPVSTF PG B CVTZ EBZ &WFO TP NPTU NFO DBO FBTF UIF problemwithsimplelifestylemeasuresandnonprescription medications.Relaxationtechniques,biofeedback,yoga,and acupuncturemayalsohelp.Butforsomeofus,headaches BSF B CJH QSPCMFN -FBSO UP SFDPHOJTF XBSOJOH TJHOT UIBU call for prompt medical care. Work with your doctor to developaprogramtopreventandtreatmigrainesandother seriousheadaches.Anddonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tfallintothetrapofoverusing medications; for some gents, rebound headaches are the biggest pain of all.

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

14.07.2018

Serena vs Kerber: Who Goes Down?

France Stand between Croatia and History

PAGE. 32

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͟Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC;

2018 World Cup â&#x20AC;Ś 2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś 2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś 2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś 2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś 2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś

France Stand between Croatia and History â&#x20AC;ŚBelgium, England seek third-place consolation Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁ ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? ʨĂ&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x;Ă&#x161; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;ĘĽ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? ͚ͽË&#x153; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? ĂĄĂ? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2039;ĂĄĂ&#x2039;ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x17E;ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? ͚ΠΠÎ&#x20AC; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?

A

loaded team thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rarely had to exit second gear France and another that expended more energy than anyone in the tournament -Croatia, will meet for the 21st World Cup championship.

The matchup was set Wednesday, as Croatia outlasted England in extra time at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, the venue for the title game. France was a favourite before the tournament and will remain so on Sunday, in part because of its depth and talent, and in part, because it will enter the final so much fresher. But the resilient and indefatigable Croats wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be an easy out.

The strength of both sides is the force and flair of their midfield and flanks, where stars like Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Golo KantĂŠ and Kylian MbappĂŠ, and Croatiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Luka Modri and Ivan Rakiti have put their stamp on this World Cup. This is the third all-European final in the past four World Cups, and Croatia, a debutant at this stage is the 13th nation

to reach a World Cup final.

Les Bleus came to Russia facing high expectations, especially after losing the Euro 2016 final on home soil. Nothing less than an appearance at the Luzhniki on Sunday wouldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been acceptable. And they came through, although not in the high-flying fashion that their talent and potential might have suggested. Coach Didier Deschamps has opted for a balanced and conservative approach, as France has gradually taken control of games and found a way to score only the goals it has needed.

And several have come from more unlikely sources - centre backs scored the quarterfinal and semifinal winners.

While the 19-year-old MbappĂŠ has furnished some memorable, highlight-reel moments, for the most part, France is more clinical than creative. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been enough to book a trip to Moscow without much trouble, surviving a tough knockout-round road featuring Argentina, Uruguay, and Belgium.

While France has never looked like it was in too much trouble, Croatia seems to be in trouble constantly. The Vatreni were close to missing out on Russia altogether, as former coach Ante a i was fired just a couple days

before their last scheduled qualifier. But they won 2-0 at Ukraine to book a playoff place and eased past Greece last November.

The talent is there, starting with the versatile, cerebral and relentless Modri , whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a massive part of Real Madridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three consecutive European titles. And Croatia looked fantastic during this World Cupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group stage. But the knockout round has been an unprecedented grind, with inferior opponents (on paper) taking them to extra time in all three games.

Croatia now has played a full 90 minutes more than France. But it has also been tested in a way Les Bleus have not. If Croatia can clear one more hurdle, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make history.

Only top-tier countriesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the ones that develop talent and contend for titles consistently have won the World Cup. No â&#x20AC;&#x153;golden generationâ&#x20AC;? has ever done it.

Croatiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first such generation made the semis in â&#x20AC;&#x2122;98, but then it failed to qualify or get out of the group stage for 20 years. This is the second, and this is their chance.

Meanwhile, Belgium and England meet for the second time at this World Cup as they compete for third place in Russia. The

Red Devils were beaten by France before Croatia bettered the Three Lions after extra time to set up todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s showdown.

England have a good record against Belgium, winning 15 of their 21 meetings against the Red Devils. The two nations have met twice at World Cups, with a 4-4 draw in 1954 and a 1-0 win for the Three Lions in 1990.

It, however, remains to be seen if Roberto Martinez opts to rotate his squad or stick with a first-choice XI but Thomas Meunier is available again after missing the semi-final loss to France.

Nacer Chadli was ineffective in the position on Tuesday, while Mousa Dembele failed to impress in only his second start of the tournament.

Gareth Southgate could also shuffle his pack after the disappointment of missing out on the final. The likes of Jamie Vardy, Gary Cahill, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could all come in.

Kieran Trippier was nursing a groin injury in the closing stages against Croatia so may well not be risked for what is effectively a dead rubber.

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL Group Stage France France France Round of 16 France Quarter Finals France Semi-Finals France Group Stage Croatia Croatia Croatia Round of 16 Croatia Quarter Finals Croatia Semi Finals Croatia

Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;

Croatia celebrates their winning goal against England at the Semi-Final

France, Croatia Previous Meetings

Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?

r 8PSME $VQ " MFHFOEBSZ QFSGPSmance by defender Lilian Thuram, who scored both goals, lifted the hosts into a long-awaited first World Cup final with a 2-1 semifinal victory in Saint-Denis.

France overcame a second-half red card to defender Laurent Blanc and went on to win the title.

Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?

r&VSP %BWJE 5SF[FHVFU TDPSFE UIF equaliser in the 64th minute to help Les Bleus to a 2-2 draw with Croatia in the second game of the group stage.

Antoine Griezmann â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 goals Kylian MbappĂŠ â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 goals

Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă?

NAME

COUNTRY

Harry Kane

England

GOALS 6

Mario MandĹžukic â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 goals Luka Modric â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 goals Ivan Perisic â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 goals

Denis Cheryshev Russia

4

R. Lukaku

Belgium

4

Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă?

C. Ronaldo

Portugal

4

Artem Dzyuba

Russia

3

Diego Costa

Spain

3

France â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1998, 2006 Croatia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Never

Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?

FRANCE 1998 FIFA World Cup 1984, 2000 UEFA European Championship 2001 and 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup CROATIA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; None

Kylian Mbappe

France

3

Edinson Cavani

Uruguay

3

Yerry Mina

Colombia

3

1930 1934 1938 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018

FRANCE 2-1 1-0 0-0

Australia Peru Denmark

4-3

Argentina

2-0

Uruguay

1-0 Belgium CROATIA 2-0 3-0 2-1

Nigeria Argentina Iceland

1-1

Denmark (3-2 PKs)

2-2

Russia (4-3 PKs)

2-1

England

Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?

Uruguay Italy Italy Uruguay W. Germany Brazil Brazil England Brazil West Germany Argentina Italy Argentina Germany Brazil France Brazil Italy Spain Germany ???

Ă&#x201C;âĂ&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?

Today Belgium

v

England 15:00

Sunday France

v

Croatia 16:00

31

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Kylian Mbappe

From Bondy Babysit to World Cup Star

A

lot has happened in a short space of time for Kylian Mbappe.

Aged 19, he is lighting up the World Cup for France, scoring twice in their 4-3 victory over Argentina in the last 16.

It is the latest step in a remarkable rise for a player who was celebrating passing his French high school exams just three summers ago.

In less than two years he has become a double Ligue 1 title winner and a regular for France and Paris St-Germain for whom he is expected to sign permanently this summer for 180m Euros.

Mbappe spent his formative years developing his skills at AS Bondy in the north-eastern suburbs of Paris. The club are experiencing a surge in popularity and are inundated with new members wanting to follow in the footsteps of Mbappe.

'Kylian was born into football' AS Bondy's senior team play in the 10th tier of French football, in the "Excellence" division of the League of Paris ile-de-France but they have a very successful youth system. Players who have passed through their age groups include Sevilla's Sebastien Corchia and DR Congo international Fabrice N'Sakala.

Until only three months ago, Mbappe's father, Wilfried, was one of the sporting directors at the club looking after the age groups from under-10s up to under-17s but he has had various roles over 25 years at AS Bondy.

"You could say that Kylian was born here at this club. He was here as a baby when his father was a player and a coach. He was always here and learning about football, even as a toddler.

"When we played games, just before kick-off you'd see a two-year-old walk in with a ball and he'd sit with us to listen to the team talks. I think he's the player here who must have heard the record number of pre-match team talks," said Atmane Airouche, President of AS Bondy.

"He was born into football and sport. His father was a youth leader, working with children in the local area and then he was brought in to AS Bondy. He only left us three months ago but his imprint will be here forever. He gave 25 years of his life to us. And his mother is also a big influence. She was a very good professional handball player," he added.

Antonio Riccardi, U-13s coach at AS Bondy, said that "His father is like my second father so I knew Kylian as a baby but the first time I coached him was when he was six years old.

Just a few months after he had started playing here for the debutants age group you could

He was born into football and sport. His father was a youth leader, working with children in the local area and then he was brought in to AS Bondy. He only left us three months ago but his imprint will be here forever.

He gave 25 years of his life to us And his mother is also a big influence. She was a very good professional handball player tell he was different.

"Kylian could do much more than the other children. His dribbling was already fantastic and he was much faster than the others."

'He had posters of Ronaldo on his wall' "Kylian would always think about football, always talk about football, always watch football and if he wasn't doing that he'd be playing football games on the PlayStation.

"He'd even turn his living room into a football pitch. When he was young I used to take Kylian home from training and I'd babysit until his mother got home from work.

"He always wanted to play in the living room! The sofa or the table would be the goal.

He'd say: 'Don't tell my mother, don't tell my father because they don't want me to play here. Please don't tell.' So we used to play and I kept that secret for him. Luckily he never broke anything," Riccard said.

"He was a big fan of Cristiano Ronaldo.

They were the posters on his bedroom wall, but he was a fan of lots of great players. He didn't follow a particular team but he was a fan of many top footballers. Ronaldo was definitely his childhood hero though," he added.

"He only thinks about football and that's what makes the difference compared to others.

"Other players think that once they've signed for a club or gone to Clairefontaine they've achieved something, that they've arrived. But no, the hard work is only just starting and Kylian knew that. He'd play anywhere.

"If he came here now and fancied a game he'd just play even now he's a pro. All he

thinks about is the game," Airouche noted.

'The others went out partying, he went to bed' Mbappe agreed to sign for Monaco at the age of 14. He is said to have turned down every other Ligue 1 side, plus Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

He made his first-team debut for Monaco on December 2, 2015 as a late substitute - in the process breaking former France striker Thierry Henry's record to become Monaco's youngest player at 16 years, 347 days.

Mbappe was one of the stars of the Under-19 Euros in Germany in 2016, scoring five goals, including two in the semi-final. The top scorer at that tournament was Jean-Kevin Augustin, who has just left PSG to join German side RB Leipzig.

"Kylian was always enthusiastic. You have to work hard when you have a talent like he does because if you don't, others that are less talented but are working hard can catch up.

"In Bondy there were no real moments of difficulty for him because he was far better than the others. But I know that in Monaco the first year was difficult for him because he had a coach that didn't like him very much.

Today that coach is no longer at Monaco and Kylian is in PSG and the national team.

So it was the coach who was in the wrong," Riccardi said.

"We went to watch him at the under-19 final, which France won. We met him outside the stadium and we were shocked that he didn't want to go partying with his team-mates. Instead he wanted to go straight home.

"To him, he had achieved his goal to be European champion and was already thinking about his next goal: going back to Monaco, getting into their team, winning more titles.

"I remember when Monaco became champions he was the only player on the pitch who didn't have a mobile phone with him during the celebrations. All the others went out partying, he was the only one who went home to sleep. That's what is so great about him.

"Other professionals should learn from Kylian. You've never reached your goal.

Work harder and harder every day," Airouche said.

'He has the maturity of a 40-year-old' Mbappe often posts on social media about his family and is very close to his father, Wilfried, and mother, Fayza. He passed his high school exams in science and technology management, combining his studies with his football development.

"He's a little boy from Bondy who loves

football and respects people. That's what we give to our children here. He loves his town, he loves this club, he still talks about it to this day. He's always behind us and when he gets the chance to see the little ones here he does it.

That's why lots of people like him because he is simply himself.

"He is a young man who seems to have the maturity of a 40-year-old when he speaks.

That's his personality. Generous, respectful and when he comes here he's always just a boy from Bondy and a boy from ASB," Airouche said.

"Kylian's personality - when you see him speaking at 18 but sounding like he's 30, talking with phenomenal maturity - is because of what his parents gave him. They're people that always had their hands on their hearts, they helped a lot. Not just their children but the children here at the club, for them it was the same," he added.

"He's the same now as he was back then. If he came here now he would say hello to all the young players here, he would give all the coaches a hug, he would take a ball and play with the others.

"We still call and text each other and it's the same easy-going conversations that we had when I was his babysitter. He will never change because his education is so good.

Behind him he has his parents, who are fantastic people. He has a great family unit.

He believes in family and he doesn't want to let them down," Riccardi said.

'Talent? Nobody has come close' "A move he used to do as a kid that he still does now in the 'passement de jambes' (the stepover). It was his trademark as a boy. From seven or eight years old he was doing that.

"He was the best player I've ever seen in 15 years coaching here. Nobody has even come close. In Paris there are many talents but I'd never seen a talent like him. He was what we call a 'craque' (the best)," Riccardi said.

"When he was little he was always the smallest but he had technique and vision in the game that most children just don't have.

That's why when you see him now you notice he has amazing senses. He's got eyes in the back of his head. He knows how to anticipate where the ball will go.

"Here, he never played for his proper age group, he always played with older children because there was no point leaving him with kids his own age. He'd just get bored.

"Physically that was tough because he was small, but he had the talent that made the difference. He was a phenomenon. Then suddenly, he grew up. I remember not seeing him for a while and then when we met up again he was suddenly as tall as me," Airouche said.

32

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͟Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC;

2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś 2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś2018 World Cupâ&#x20AC;Ś2018

Mikel Obi

Steadfast in the Midst of Pressure Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁ Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? ʨĂ&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x161; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?âĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? ͺ͸͚Î&#x20AC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x;Ă&#x161; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;ËŞĂ? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x;ĘĽĂ?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x17D;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x203A; Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ&#x2DC; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;ĘľĂ&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ě&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄ Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă? Kunle Adewale

K

idnapping of famous footballersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; relations is not something new and it's not peculiar to a race or continent-from Europe to America and Africa, we've witnessed players and their relations

abducted.

In May 1994, in the build-up to Brazil's ultimately successful World Cup campaign, Edevair Souza de Faria, father of star striker, Romario, was picked up by kidnappers as he left the bar he owns in Rio de Janeiro.

Robinho was playing for Brazilian side Santos when his mum, Marina Silva de Souza, was targeted in 2004. Six gunmen jumped over a wall at a relative's home in a Sao Paulo suburb where Marina was enjoying a barbeque and bundled her into the boot of their car. He endured 40 days of agony before Marina was released after he paid a ransom - believed to be ÂŁ50,000.

Days after Kakha Kaladze's ÂŁ11million

move to AC Milan from Dynamo Kiev in 2001, Georgian gangsters kidnapped his brother, Levan, a medical student, in a Tbilisi suburb. Kaladze and Georgia teammate, Shota Arveladze initially refused to play for the national side until Levan was released, but with the boycott having little effect, the pair returned to the international set-up. Levan's body was found in a shallow grave on the outskirts of Tbilisi five years later.

Former national team captain, Joseph Yobo's elder brother, Norum was seized at gunpoint in Nigeria as he made his way home from a nightclub. The kidnappers demanded a ÂŁ5,000 ransom but it is not known whether the money was paid, but Norum was released after12 days.

As traumatic as the above scenarios could be, it cannot be compared with what Mikel had to go through in Russia, as he could not share his problem with his teammates and coaching crew so as not to destabilise the team in their quest for a knockout ticket

ahead of Argentina.

According to the Super Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; captain, he was informed about his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kidnap about four hours before Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final World Cup match against Argentina.

Mikel told The Guardian UK that he received the shocking news while travelling on the team bus to the stadium in St. Petersburg.

He, however, admitted that although he was distraught by the news, he had to put it aside and play the match. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was emotionally distraught and I had to make the decision about whether I was mentally ready to play. I was confused. I did not know what to do but, in the end, I knew that I could not let 180 million Nigerians down. I had to shut it out of my head and go and represent my country first. I could not even inform the coaches or Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) staff and only a very tight circle of my friends knew. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was told that they would shoot my dad instantly if I reported to the authorities or

told anybody. I also did not want to discuss it with the coach (Gernot Rohr) because I did not want my issue to become a distraction to him or the rest of the team on the day of such an important game. As much as I wanted to discuss it with the coach, I could not,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Condemning the kidnapping of Pa Obi, Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, said the emotional and psychological trauma caused the player and his father was unimaginable and went on to commend the former Chelsea star for his show of patriotism during the match following his courageous display of loyalty to the country despite the sad news of his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s abduction.

Dalung described Mikel as a brave player who did not allow the sad news to distract him from putting in his best for the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is very unfortunate that on the night Mikel Obi was playing for Nigeria, kidnappers decided to emotionally traumatise the young man by kidnapping his father. I can

33

JULY 14, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

8 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World

Mikel disposes Harry Kane during the Wembley showdown

I was emotionally distraught and I had to make the decision about whether I was mentally ready to play. I was confused. I did not know what to do but, in the end, I knew that I could not let 180 million Nigerians down. I had to shut it out of my head and go and represent my country first

Mikel… Displayed rare courage Pa Michael Obi

imagine what was going on in his mind while he was playing for the country knowing that his father was unsafe somewhere in the kidnappers’ hideout.

“It is disheartening to know that on the night the players were putting in their best to qualify Nigeria for the second round of the World Cup, evil men had in captivity, the father of one of the team’s greatest players.

We salute Mikel Obi for his courage during the game,” Dalung said.

It was indeed not the first time Mikel would be displaying such a courageous act.

In 2011, Mikel, then playing in the English Premier League side, Chelsea was listed in the Blues side that would take on Stoke City only for news to filter in that his father had been kidnapped in Jos but the former Lyn Oslo player showed rare courage by still starring for Chelsea in the game.

He did not only play in the game against Stoke but put up an above-average performance which belied the fact that his father had been abducted.

Mikel was told about the situation by the then Chelsea manager, Andre Villas-Boas and his agent, Shittu after training and he still turned out at Stoke with only one of his team-mates - Salomon Kalou aware of the situation.

"I was actually having a massage when the manager sent for me, I went to his office and he said, 'There is a situation, your dad is missing'. I didn't know about it, obviously.

My family didn't want to tell me until after the game," Mikel said then.

He then asked for time to absorb the news but he told Villas-Boas he still wanted to play.

"I was shocked, Villas-Boas asked me what I wanted to do, and I told him I needed a couple of hours to speak to my family and my agent. I told him I would like to play the game because I wouldn't want to let my team down, let the club down and obviously let my family down. I think if I didn't play that game; my mum would be very sad with me. I spoke to my mum before the

game and she told me to go out there and be strong. I don't think my team-mates really know about it at the moment," he added.

"I told Didier Drogba about it and before the game I told Kalou because he is a very good friend. But I didn't want everyone coming to me saying, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry'. I just wanted to get on with it," he said.

Though, the world had witnessed players displaying rare courage in the past-former Guinean international, Titi Camara was set for a game for Liverpool when the news of his father’s death was broken to him in the dressing room at Anfield but still went on to play the match and even scored the lone goal in Red’s win.

Yet, it could not be compared to what befell Mikel, who does not know the fate of his father. After all, there is an African saying that, ‘a dead child could better be imagined than a lost child’.

One only hopes it would be the last time Mikel would be faced with a kidnapping ordeal.

Dalung… Salutes Mikel's courage G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE WAHAB AKINTUNDE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR CHIKA AMANZE-NWACHUKWU THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE

34

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΀

GLOBAL SOCCER\\OTHER SPORTS

with KUNLE ADEWALE 08111813082

Wimbledon 2018

Serena Targets 24th Grand Slam Title against Kerber

S

erena Williams will face Germany's Angelique Kerber for an eighth Wimbledon singles title after both won their semifinals in straight sets.

The American former world number one overpowered Germany's Julia Gorges 6-2 6-4, while Kerber beat Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-3.

Today's final will be a re-match of the 2016 showpiece, which Williams won.

Williams will be seeking a recordequalling 24th Grand Slam title and her first since giving birth in September.

Williams won 87 per cent of points on her first serve against Gorges, who managed just 59 per cent.

Williams was in control from the outset

against 13th seed Gorges, who was making her Grand Slam semi-final debut.

It was the first time at this championship that the American had faced a player ranked in the top 50 and she stepped up with a powerful display that also showed better movement around the court than in previous rounds.

Gorges, who had spent more than 10 hours on court before this match, the longest of any of the semi-finalists by around two and a half hours, was put out of her misery on centre court in just 70 minutes.

"It's crazy. I don't even know how to feel because I literally didn't think I'd do this well in my fourth tournament back," said Williams.

"I don't have anything to lose and I feel I can play so free. That's what I'm doing. This is not inevitable for me, I had a really tough delivery and multiple surgeries and almost didn't make it to be honest. I couldn't even walk to my mailbox, so it's definitely not normal for me to be in a Wimbledon final. I'm enjoying every moment."

Williams only returned to the Tour in March, having "almost died" giving birth to her daughter last September.

Despite her maternity break, she is now into a Grand Slam final for the 12th consecutive year.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Kerber reached her second Wimbledon final with a commanding performance

Lagos International Badminton Classics ÏÜàÏÝ ʥ ßÖã ͹΀

StarTimes Splashes More Millions on Subscribers More Nigerians have continued to benefit from the ongoing StarTimes millionaire promo, with nine million Naira already given out to subscribers in the last two months.

This is coming amid angry reactions to a recent price increment by other Pay TV providers in the country.

So far, nine million Naira in cash have been given out to nine lucky subscribers, 45 people have won 43-inch TV sets and one year free subscription dished out to 180 subscribers.

Lagos-based Vulcaniser and 43-yearold father of five, Oyegoke Sunday, who won one million Naira expressed his joy at his emergence as a winner.

According to him, he had no dreams of ever winning such an amount from any company. While speaking emotionally to newsmen, he thanked the company for coming through for him and other Nigerians in such difficult times and promised to stay loyal as a customer.

According to the company’s Public Relations Manager, Mr. Kunmi Balogun, “The promo will run for a total of 14 weeks. With nine weeks down, five more lucky subscribers will take home N1,000,000 weekly until July 31, while 20 customers will get a brand new 43inch StarTimes TV set.”

He added that “to qualify, existing subscribers are required to pay for one month subscription on any of our bouquet while new subscribers who buy and activate new decoder are automatically entered for the draw.”

So far, 180 subscribers have also been awarded one year free subscription with a total of 100 more to be picked to enjoy the free subscription in a weekly draw conducted under the supervision of the National Lottery Commission of Nigeria.

StarTimes have continued to deepen its dominance in the Nigerian market with innovative moves while constantly adding engaging content in entertainment and sports, towards expanding its market share which have seen it grow its subscriber base exponentially.

against an error-prone Ostapenko.

The 11th seed saved a break point in game six before breaking the Latvian's serve in the next game.

The 30-year-old then gained an early break in the second set on her way to the victory.

"It is such a great feeling to be back in the final and to play on Centre Court is always a great experience," said Kerber.

"I'm happy and proud to be in another Grand Slam final, I will just try to play like I did and just focus on my game.

Jelena is always fighting until the last point, hits the ball really hard, and I was trying to stay focused. It was quite tough but I'm happy to be through."

The 4th edition of the Lagos International Badminton Classics will kick off from July 1821 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

The event is being facilitated by the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Sports Commission and organised by the Lagos State Badminton Association.

Winners of this year’s edition will go home with more money as the prize money of the championship has been increased from $20,000 to $25,000.

No fewer than 22 countries had registered to participate in this year’s edition, amongst whom are Jordan, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, Israel, Ivory Coast, Benin Republic, Czech Republic, India, Malaysia and Nigeria, the host country, while 193 players across the world would be competing.

Sunday, July 15, has been set aside as the arrival date, while a badminton umpire course has also been fixed for July 16 through 18 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium's Administration Conference Room, while the tournament proper serves off on Wednesday and ends with an elaborate final ceremony on Saturday.

Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, said the government of Lagos State has made all arrangements to ensure a smooth organisation of the Classics.

He disclosed that the host state has 12 dependable stars among the players representing Nigeria in the Classics. Top among them are Anuoluwapo Opeyori and Godwin Olofua, ranked number 1 and 3 respectively.

Serena and Kerber

Football Dance Competition Debuts in Lagos Content Marketing Manager, StarTimes Nigeria, Abosede Adewara; N1million prize winner, Oyegoke Sunday and a representative of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Ibukunoluwa Bamidele during the cash prize presentation to Oyegoke at StarTimes office in Lagos

GOtv Boxing Night 15

Joe Boy Won’t Last Three Rounds, Boasts Ghanaian Challenger Ghanaian boxer, Nathaniel Nukpe, who is billed to fight reigning African Boxing Union (ABU) lightweight champion, Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph, for the title at GOtv Boxing Night 15, on July 29, has declared that his Nigerian opponent will not last three of the 12-round contest.

The bout is the biggest of the seven lined up for the event holding at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan.

Nukpe, who bragged that home support will not be to the benefit of the Nigerian opponent, said: “I am not coming to Nigeria for a jamboree. I mean business. I will crush Joe Boy. I am coming to take the belt.”

Others on the card includes a national light welterweight challenge between ABU welterweight champion, Olaide Fijabi and old foe, Kazeem Ariyo; and national cruiserweight clash between Michael Godwin and Idowu Okusote.

Also scheduled is the international light middleweight contest between the explosive Akeem Sadiku of Nigeria and Franc Houanvoegbe of Benin Republic.

The event, sponsored by GOtv and Bet King, will be beamed live on SuperSport in 47 African countries. The best boxer at the event will go home with a cash prize of N1 million alongside the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy.

The Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Sports Commission has endorsed the maiden Football Dance Competition scheduled to hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium from August 29.

The event, which was supported by the Lagos State Football Association, is designed for talented amateur footballers to showcase their creativity with dance and get rewards.

Speaking at a media briefing to herald the competition, Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Tandoh said the football dance event would enhance sporting activities from the grassroots and showcase teeming youth who are gifted in the round leather game.

Tandoh explained that the commission decided to support the organisers because the football dance competition which encourages mass participation is in line with the sports agenda of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to make Lagos an Africa’s sports hub.

"The most important thing is the objective of the event. The objective tallies with the vision of the governor in creating a synergy between tourism, hospitality, entertainment and sporting excellence. So for us it is line with what we are mandated to do and that is why we are supporting it. The football dance competition will give a lot of youth opportunity to be discovered and who know we might see good players coming out from the event," Tandoh said.

35

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 14, 2018

TRIBUTE Ezinne Nzewuihe: Our Mother, Her Story Kelechi Omeni Nzewuihe

N

o matter how old a child is, he is still a baby to the parents particularly the mother and it is always good to tell sweet stories about our parents when we are alive to bid them good bye from this world to higher Glory. We all love a good story when we see one.

For the family of Omeni Nzewuihe of Mpama Egbu, in Owerri , this is certainly the best time to tell the tell the story of their mother, Ezinne Victoria Ugwuakanma Nzewuihe who passed on to higher glory recently at the age of 73.

Interestingly, Kanma as she is fondly called, certainly did love a good story. She was good at telling good stories too, often pausing and gesticulating, to make the point sink and as she is being bade by we will tell her story, though we may not be able to do justice to the tales in such a short time. Many here know parts of her story.

Even many of our friends seated who had come to say bye could tell a version of our mother’s story.

Anyone that had any contact with her during her lifetime could tell a story about her and there may be few here who know parts of the beginning; a lot knows a huge chunk of the middle, and some know part of the end.

I will however attempt to tell the whole story about the woman whose life whose story is that of going from grass to grace, that of a humble beginning, that of life of sacrifice, care and love, an independent woman with a heart for charity.

As script writers and great historians will always tell us, every story begins

with ‘once upon a time’ and once upon a time lived one Sergeant Jacob Dozie Nwaneri of Umuihugba, Umuodu Owere and Regina Ndeakwa Amadi Okere of Obike, Ngor-Okpala was one of his wives.

On Friday, October 13, 1944, they were blessed with a baby girl, who was the first daughter of Dozie Nwaneri, named Victoria Ugwuakanma. Her name indeed was prophetic, Victoria denoting royalty and Ugwuakanma showing the futility of allowing detractors and haters determine your course in life.

Victoria indeed had a fairly royal beginning. Enrolled in Christ Church Elementary School where her academic excellence was stellar. Finishing top of her class and receiving accolades from her teachers and mates, she got accepted to Queen’s School Enugu, Elelonwo Girls’ and St Catherine’s Nkwerre, all very prestigious schools at the time. However, fate dealt a blow to her; her father became very sick, making it difficult for her to continue her academic pursuit.

This changed the course of her life forever.

But this is where her real story begins.

She was not deterred, but determined, intelligent, hardworking and an exceptionally gifted girl, who could not pursue her desire for further education (which, having watched her, would so easily have led her in a some excellent career path). She could not be persuaded to take a lower road to become someone’s secretary. So from the beginning, she did demonstrate a good level of independent mindedness and that sweet, non-confrontational stubbornness, which we all saw in her. These events led her on a different path. At the age of 16, she became married to Samuel Omenichekwa Nzewuihe of Umudozie, Mpama Egbu.

Mama loved history. Mama was an expert in tracing lineage. She made sure

we knew all those related to us, explaining every relationship in details through different generations. It is still a marvel to me how she was able to feed so many mouths with so little. Mama’s hard work paid off.

It is not so hard to see how much grace was upon her and how much she has been lifted in her lifetime: 9 children, 8 sons and daughters 23 in-law, 24 grandchildren.

In the last 21 years, mama has done this without her husband, who died at the age of 67 years in 1996. In life, she knew sorrow.

On the morning of Saturday June 9, our dear mother drew a final curtain on the earthly phase of her journey. She was sick for a very short period. At the time of her death she was 73 years old. Mama’s journey may not have been as long as we would have wanted; but she lived a very eventful life, she lived a happy life, she lived a life of charity and she did leave a mark, a legacy. In her own words, she saw it all.

Although mama’s academic pursuit was cut short by her father’s ill health, but in her children and grandchildren, she has acquired multiple academic and 24 professional qualifications: from engineering to banking, health sciences to management; law and behavioral sciences. Today she is a college professor.

Her name is also known in the political landscape of our state and beyond.

Furthermore, mama became a mother to many in the service of God, including priests and even Bishops. All of our friends called her mama, and she indeed was a mother to them all. In her lifetime she did a fair bit of traveling across several continents. But one of the most remarkable of these in her opinion was her pilgrimage to Jerusalem. To walk on the ground that Our Lord Jesus walked on was very humbling

Nzewuihe to her. It brought the reality of the Lord’s suffering and the veracity of several bible stories home.

She was never shy of talking about this, albeit with smile and assuredness. She chose her own funeral order and hopefully we all have done our best to honor her wish. Mama, this is new for us. We do not know how to live without you. We have never done it before. It will be tough. You thought us to trust God (whom you often referred as okacha ama - omniscient God); so we will trust Him for the courage to carry on, to show us a new path to continue your and papa’s legacy. We will not fail you. Just as birth marks the beginning of earthly journey, death marks the end of it. To the unbelieving, death may mean a hopeless end. But no matter what we think of it, it is an unavoidable event.

A Tribute to Mallam Adamu Ciroma Ahmed Raji

E

arly in my career as a young attorney, I had a sweet encounter with Mallam Adamu Ciroma, then Dallatun Fika.

The sweet and unique memories lingered in my memory for almost 3 decades after. I was cutting my teeth under the tutelage of the trio of Late Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, Late Dr. Hamed Kusamotu and Chief Tunde Olojo, via Shinkafi, Kusamotu, Olojo & Co. It was in a libel matter which was instituted by the firm on behalf of Late Mallam Adamu Ciroma against the Nigeria Tribune. The Tribune misreported the evidence of the late strong man of Kwara (Dr. Olusola Saraki) in the celebrated case of Saraki vs Kotoye.

It was reported that Dr. Olusola Saraki gave shares to Mallam Adamu Ciroma to secure the banking licence of Societe Generale Bank. This was contrary to the evidence on record. Mallam was peeved, hence the Suit. Initially, I was wondering what the issue was but when he explained the ethical issue involved as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), my respect for him soared. He lived and breathed integrity. He displayed patience and was always ready to go by the rules. After the victory in the trial Court and the Tribune’s appeal was becoming prolonged, he was always showing understanding for the process until the appeal was disposed of and he won. It was before Justice Yahya (J.C.A.) then at the High Court of Kaduna State.

Each time I went for the case, I would go to the Mallam’s house on Reeve Road where he would always give me dinner.

Before the dinner, we would both go to Bello Mosque very close to his house to observe Magrib prayer and we would both stay in the mosque till after Ishai. It was from him I learnt the culture of staying over between

magrib and Ishai prayers.

I noticed his deep connection with the Almighty without any display or airs. He was always modest and very polite. I was just about 30 years old, yet Mallam would sit with me in the car and drop me at my hotel on wharf Road. Despite my very young age, he never doubted my ability and he often told me that greater achievements are often recorded by the younger ones. He encouraged me and I gained a lot of confidence from my interaction with him. On one of my visits, and after the court proceedings, he sought to know if I was interested in accompanying him to Potiskum. I answered in the affirmative and pronto I joined him on the very informative and educative ride to Potiskum from Kaduna.

He spoke about life generally and his views of Nigeria and I am convinced that had he been privileged to rule Nigeria, perhaps the situation will be different today.

He was deep and very sound with a huge sense of justice.

I often recall one of his great sayings during the third term debate to wit: if they extend their tenure, can they extend their life span?

This saying remains a food for thought for both the proponents and opponents of the alleged 3rd term agenda and indeed a food for thought for all of us.

The great Patriot studied in the University of Ibadan where he distinguished himself.

He married a Yoruba lady of Egba extraction which clearly shows that he was a detribalized Nigerian in the mould of Gen. Obasanjo, Gen. Babangida, Late Umaru Shinkafi and a few others.

His politics was based on conviction and not mere passing convenience. He refused to be blackmailed into joining a sectional agenda when he was in the PDP. When some folks decided to be less honourable in handling the affairs of PDP, Mallam quietly and honourably withdrew and he stayed at the background.

While only God has no one to compare

Ciroma

with Him, the type of Mallam Ciroma is rare to come by nowadays. His passage is a major blow to the human race. The Nigerian nation has lost a huge moral barometer and an astute Statesman who will be missed

dearly.

May the Almighty Allah repose his gentle soul and reward him with Aljanna firdaousi.

––Raji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) wrote from Abuja

36

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΀

FAIRGROUND

Lancome Unveils African Women in Temple Muse

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

L

ancôme Paris celebrated African excellence utilising change makers in its My Shade My Power Campaign at Temple Muse, Victoria Island.

Following its success in The UK, The French leader in cosmetics capitalised on the influence of leading women in Nigeria while unveiling its Teinte Idole Ultra Wear Foundation available in 40 shades to the African market.

With 46 leading ladies, including three heroes who shared their personal stories, the campaign featured media pace setterBetty Irabor, a musician- Waje, a pilot/nurse/ beauty queen- Powede Awujo, and some of Nigeria’s notable entrepreneurs, and prominent ladies.

Temple Muse Africa’s Lifestyle Concept store was transformed into a Parisian oasis.

The spectacular night kicked off with Head International Make Up Artist- David Coranson Beaudu doing live demonstrations at the pop up space. Guests were welcomed by Parisian Chic styled hostesses, exotic cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

The MC- Eku Edewor announced to the buzzing, stylish crowd to make their way through a tunnel, to a transformed magical space draped in leaves, pink lights, and had #LancomeNigeria floating in the pool. Following her welcome remarks, Eku introduced the Business Development Manager, Sub Saharan Africa- Cyrielle Gbadja to do the honors of the unveiling.

Cyrielle welcomed the anticipating crowd once again and spoke about Lancôme celebrating black excellence with this historical campaign. Sharing the stage with the L’Oreal, Ella Afrique and Glam Brand Agency teams, who had a role to play in the execution of the campaign on stage, Cyrielle stated that Lancôme spends millions of dollars on research and development of black skin. This campaign is unlike any other Lancôme has done before as the African campaign focused on the diversity in beauty across various ages.

Having launched already internationally, the foundation is an addition to the Teint idole range of concealer, foundation stick created by the L’Oréal-owned brand, which also includes Teint idole concealer, foundation stick, and Teint Idole cushion.

Lancôme is at the forefront of the cosmetic industry as it is the only make up brand with a foundation that lasts 24 hours, has a matte finish, and has the most shades for women worldwide. All Lancome three axes products are available at Essenza stores and during one month at the Lancôme Pop Up at Temple Muse.

L-R: Chizor Malize, Uche Pedro, Betty Irabor and Funmi Victor Okigbo

Cyrielle Gbadja and Bola Balogun

L-R: Rita Eze, Ink Eze, Justice Jumoke Pedro

David Coranson Beaudu

Salamatu Gbajabiamila and Daughter

L-R: Ndidi Obioha, Betty Irabor, Chizor Malize and Ojy Okpe

L-R: Omoyemi Akerele, Titi Fowora, Mazzi Odu and Bola Balogun Derin Odugbesan-Thomas

37

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΀

FAIRGROUND

Elite Model Look Team Holds 11th National Casting

E

lite Model Management is consistently discovering the stars of tomorrow and launching the careers of young models dreaming of becoming one of the glamorous few represented by the most prestigious modelling agency in the world.

For the 11th consecutive year, The Elite team held various street scouting around Nigeria and toured Abuja, Port Harcourt and Delta State offering a unique springboard to the girls and boys who dream of becoming models.

The Elite Model Look team will be holding its 11th National Casting on July 14th at The Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, Nigeria.

A select jury of industry professionals, including a representative from Elite Model Look, will judge the contestants.

In the Evening of July 14th at a select location, Elite Model Look in partnership with Veuve Clicquot will be having a presentation and cocktail party to announce the Elite Model Look Nigeria 2018 Winners. Each finalist will have the chance to capture the attention of the jury.

The goal is not to find perfection but individuality. At its core, the Elite Model Look contest gives participants vital tools

to unlock their own potential, enabling each girl and boy to find their unique charisma and talents, setting them apart as models.

The Elite Model Look contest has discovered some of the most recognisable names in the industry, such as Cindy Crawford, Gisele Bündchen, Mayowa Nicholas, Davidson Obennebo and Victor Ndigwe.

At the end of this day, the Elite Model Look jury will select two winners, who will: Represent Nigeria at the Elite Model Look World finals r8JO B NPEFMMJOH DPOUSBDU XJUI #FUI Model Management The girl and boy winners will join the other national winners worldwide participate in the prestigious Elite Model Look World Final, with hopes of following in the footsteps of Fei Fei Sun, Ruth Bell, Vittoria Ceretti, Greta Varlese, Benjamin Benedek, Mayowa Nicholas, Victor Ndigwe and Davidson Obennebo all discovered by the Elite Model Look contest and propelled to fame.

Elite model look nigeria is sponsored by veuve clicquot, access bank, maybelline and sari’s signature, bella naija style. Elite model look is organised by beth model Mayowa management ltd.

ART X Lagos Exhibits during Macron’s Visit

A

RT X Lagos, West Africa’s foremost international art fair, curated a special exhibition of artwork during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the iconic New Afrika Shrine. The exhibition featured works by three of Nigeria’s leading contemporary artists - Victor Ehikhamenor, Abraham Oghobase and Ndidi Emefiele.

A lover of the arts, Macron is currently working towards making France more attractive to artists from all over the world with a particular interest in African contemporary art and talent. ART X Lagos Founder, Tokini Peterside, introduced the artists to the French President and the Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode.

The artwork on display covered a wide range of forms including photography and mixed media.

On the rare occasion of presenting his work to the French President, photographer Abraham Oghobase said: “Meeting President Emmanuel Macron and Governor Ambode, among other distinguished guests, was a fantastic and surreal experience. I was honoured to exhibit my work alongside Ndidi Emefiele and Victor Ehikhamenor as part of the ART X Lagos special presentation. “Ecstatic”

is a series that means a lot to me for its place in my early artistic journey as well as for how it connects me to the city of Lagos, where I was born, brought up and have lived for most of my life. I truly appreciate the hard work by all of the event’s organisers, especially the ART X Lagos team.”

Award winning visual artist and writer Victor Ehikhamenor, remarked: “What makes or mars a nation state is the range of its critical cultural output. In the past, Nigerian rulers and cultural promoters have neglected the visual arts and relegated their importance.

The addition of curated visuals by ART X Lagos to the cultural event during President Macron’s visit to the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos strengthens this belief in the value and importance of our artistic production. Thank you to ART X Lagos and the show’s organisers for this important moment in our contemporary history.”

The culture showcase was one of President Macron’s stops during a two-day visit to Nigeria focused on fostering bilateral relationships based on sociocultural interaction and cooperation. He also announced the launch of the African Cultural Season, scheduled to hold in France in 2020.

President Macron of France, Governor Ambode of Lagos State and Founder of Art X Lagos, Tokini Peterside at a special exhibition

PMAN Urges Buhari to Bring Killers of Innocent Nigerians to Book

T

he Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to bring to book the perpetrators of the recent Jos, Plateau State killings even as the body described the incident as ‘barbaric’.

In a statement signed by its national president, Dr. Gbenga Falope Jnr, PMAN cautioned Nigerians not to “play into the hands of these agents of disunity.”

Falope Jnr. Said: “We the National executive’s and members of the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) are greatly pained by the persistent violence and the total disregard for the sanctity of life in Nigeria by a group of hideously evil persons who have no iota of respect for humanity, decency and civilisation.”

PMAN according to Falope Jnr “are

greatly disturbed by the repeated acts of mass killings and destruction in various parts of the country.

We as musicians are agents of peace and these killings point to a grand evil design by enemies of peace and Nigerian unity who have desperately been trying to bring our dear country to a sorry point. We ask all citizens of Nigerians to be wary and not play into the hands of these agents of disunity.”

The artistes’ president appealed to president Buhari to make security of lives and property top priority as promised on assumption of office. “We condole with all who have lost someone in the various acts of terror especially the recent Plateau killings and ask President Buhari to sit up on the issue of security by bringing to book the perpetrators of these barbarous mass murder and their clandestine sponsors.”

Falope

38

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 14, 2018

TEENS CONNECT

the magazine for teenagers

with NKECHI IBENEME (08142358958) teensconnectmag@gmail.com

New Hall Int’l School Lekki, Marks 2018 Valedictory Services in Style

A

fter six eventful years of serious studies and grooming, New Hall International School Lekki dispatched a well nurtured set of graduates who are ready to take on the world. The Eaglets, who have been exposed to world class education and opportunities in their six- year sojourn in the citadel of academic excellence, were let out recently as the school marks its 2018 Valedictory Services in style.

Speaking at the occasion which coincides with the 10th anniversary of the school, the director, Mr Abiodun Agbaje, in reference to Henry Ford’s popular saying; ‘coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress and working together is success’, recounted the journey so far, “As we look back over the ten years with determination to create a school that will be a centre of excellence, with the aim to attain the highest level in the areas of academics, arts and sports within a truly inclusive environment; indeed, there was a beginning, and thankfully

there was also a progress and yes – undeniably we have been successful!”

He went on to enumerate the landmark achievements of the school, “Infrastructure wise, we started with a building, as many of you may know. But today, we can say that we have state-of-the-art buildings that compare with the best anywhere in the world. Our state of the art sporting facilities as well as our ultramodern hostel typifies home away from home.”

“New Hall is a household name in London because our artwork – a painting that showcases the rivers around our environment – that was exhibited during a program organized by the British Council tagged: ‘Rivers of the World’, came tops and was taken to London for exhibition. Our primary pupils have been doing fantastically. We came first in the spelling bee competition organized by Tasty Fried Chicken”, he said.

The director was full of encomium for the best graduating student, Master Ogunmola Daramola, for his sterling academic achievements; especially for clinching the first position in

the PZ-Cussons organised Chemistry Challenge in 2017. According to him, “this singular feat announced New Hall International School as a citadel of excellence where minnows are transformed into giants.” In the same breath, he commended another student, Adegoke Pelumi, who according to him, received the baton from Dara and also came out tops in the 2018 edition of the contest.

Speaking on behalf of his fellow graduating students, the valedictorian, Master Ogunmola Daramola, thanked the teaching and administrative staff of the school for the values instilled in them for the past six years. He was also full of gratitude to the parents for the sacrifices they put in to see them through secondary education.

He went on to thank his mates for the bond which they shared and admonished them to strife to make the school and their parents proud, “Thank you for teaching me that blood doesn’t make a family – love does. That’s what we are, a family bound by love. In that spirit, I plead with you that whatever happens after today will be the last leg of the much larger

20+- year journey called education, and to justify the efforts of not only yourself but the teachers and parents who invested so much in you, you have to finish strong.”

Dara, charged his mates to dream which according to him, will keep them grounded when the storms of life come calling, ”when the difficulties and hurdles of the future come, because they are coming, we must have something to draw strength from; something to remind us of the prize we are fighting for. We need to dream. The dream you have in your heart was put there because it is possible, and the world is waiting on you to make the impossibilities that will ridicule the realities of tomorrow”, he said.

The valedictorian ended his speech with a quote by Martin Luther King Junior, “Finally, remember the words of Martin Luther King: if you can’t fly, run, if you can’t run, walk, if you can’t walk crawl but whatever you do keep moving forward. I end like I began as once again the class of twenty eighteen says ‘gratias tibia’ - thank you!”

The Director, Mr. Abiodun Agbaje

L-R:Valedictorian, Dara Ogunmola receiving his prize for the best student in Cambridge IGCSE, Principal Primary, Mrs Chinedu Nkwontah

L-R: Primary Principal, Mrs. Chinedu Nkwontah,Head of School, Mr. Everett Bomgardner and College Principal, Mr. Adedeji Femi

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JULY 14, 2018 Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

Suzanne, Michelle: Stars in DiďŹ&#x20AC;erent Shapes Though stars are diďŹ&#x20AC;erent in sizes, yet its common characteristic remains the luminous elements that leave it shining even in the darkest dark. Suzanne Tsakma and Michelle Imogu happened to be among the stars that have been discovered in the planet earth with the power to illuminate their own world, Peace Obi writes

T

he Bridge House College, Ikoyi, in a recent graduation ceremony dispatched into the world over 160 graduates who by power of knowledge and diverse exposure through a global-based education; were sent to lighten up the world.

Among these stars are two prominent ones (Suzanne Tsakma and Michelle Imogu) whose academic performance, gifts and talents distinguished them among their contemporaries.

Standing tall in the crowd was Suzanne who along with the school choir rendered some numbers. The audience, who were obviously thrilled with the graduandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; performance, realised that it was a tip of the iceberg when she performed a solo titled, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is Me!â&#x20AC;? (From the greatest showman).

This performance from the 18-year old Suzanne saw the Shell Hall of Muson Centre that was filled to the brim with graduands, proud parents and other guests erupt in a shout of excitement and admiration.

Given her awesome presentation, one would think that Suzanneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next point of call after Bridge House College will be at a music academy/studio to further hone her talent and to fully pursue a career in music. But Suzanne, who finished as the Best Student in Information Technology as well as the Best Behaved Student for the 2018

Michelle

graduating class, has her eyes fixed on becoming a Mechanical Engineer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am attracted to the works mechanical engineers do; their innovative ideas can be used to change the world.â&#x20AC;? Tsakma who has always been a science student, said that her time at the BHC enabled her discover whom she is and what she wants to be.

On how she wishes to positively affect her generation, Tsakma said she

Suzanne

would like to go into public speaking in the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am from the northern part of Nigeria; I will like to be a motivation to young northern girls. In the north, education isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a popular choice for the girls. So, I want them to know that they can be great in life by taking advantage of formal education instead of going into marriage in their tender age.â&#x20AC;?, she said.

For 16-year old Michelle Imogu, it may be an understatement to describe

her as an intelligent girl. Imogu seems to be most comfortable in a zone often dreaded by many students. At the 2018 BHC graduation, Imogu was recognised for her love and determination to demystify the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;almightyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mathematics with award of the Best Student in Mathematics.

The young Mathematician did not only prove her mettle within her territory, Nigeria, but also earned herself an international recognition by obtaining the highest score in SAT. Called up the second time to the podium to be recognised and rewarded for not just her exceptional performance in the international examination but also for winning for herself a 65,000 Dollars scholarship to study abroad, Michelle who seems to be threading on a familiar terrain, said that she finished her secondary education with a similar award. On what she did differently, Imogu who wants to study electrical electronics, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really worked hard but BHC really pushed me to do more because I had done SAT but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t score as high as this. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My advice to the youths is that Maths requires a lot of focus and the best approach is to start from the basics.

Once you understand the basics, you can handle any other stage. And for the girls, I want to say, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to do science subjects. You can actually do better if you push yourselves to. Study hard and never leave out the God factor in everything you doâ&#x20AC;?, Imogu advised.

New Hall Intâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l School Lekki, Marks 2018 Valedictory Services in Style

The graduands

A cross section of parents and guardians at the event

Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from Pg. 38

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͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

41

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͟Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

World Cup Foibles

EBERE WABARA

V

ANGUARD COMMENT of July 3 offered readers the following misprints: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coming 25 years after the military junta (sic) led by General Ibrahim Babangida torpedoed the sovereign will of the Nigerian electorateâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śtheir efforts will never in vain (be in vain).â&#x20AC;?

From DStv Russia 2018 leaflet come the next two blunders: â&#x20AC;&#x153;World class (World-class) experts and â&#x20AC;&#x153;pre & post match analysisâ&#x20AC;? Connect with greatness: pre- & post-match analyses (take note of the vital hyphenation and plurality) DAILY SUN of June 21 takes over: â&#x20AC;&#x153;More recognitions awaits (sic) you sir.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Recognitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is uncountable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Management and staff of Wilangy Group wish to congratulate Dr. Onyishi for (on/upon) successfully completingâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;?

DAILY SUN Editorial of June 21 disseminated a faux pas: â&#x20AC;&#x153;According to the Customs Area Comptrollerâ&#x20AC;Śall commands were given the marching order (given marching orders) to ensure that all illegal routes used by smugglersâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;?

And this: are there legal routes for smugglers? So, yank off â&#x20AC;&#x153;illegalâ&#x20AC;?.

The next flaw is from South East News: â&#x20AC;&#x153;On his preparedness to replace Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe at the red chamber in 2019, Wabara said he has (had) all it takes to be at the Senateâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;These projects had been in (on) the drawing board for a while sinceâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? (DAILY Sun Editorial, June 20) â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unilever celebrates school pupilsâ&#x20AC;? (DAILY SUN headline flaw, June 19) â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;School pupilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;? I feel like throwing up. Gosh! â&#x20AC;&#x153;People want to introduce religious gymnastic (gymnastics) into politic (politics)â&#x20AC;?

Politics & Power of the preceding edition collects the baton: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rivers APC faction vows to submit delegates (delegatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) list for conventionâ&#x20AC;?

BY

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wike commissions (inaugurates) civil servantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; quartersâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Enugu first lady (First Lady) decries children (childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) molestation, urges loveâ&#x20AC;?

DAILY Sun Editorial of June 11 issued the following howler: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We decry the poor participation in the scheme by state governments and call on the workers in the affected states to demand for their rights from the governors.â&#x20AC;? When used as a noun, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;demandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; does not take â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;forâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Therefore, delete â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;forâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; from the extract. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The outcome of the meetingâ&#x20AC;Śhas given a lot of hope to majority (a/the majority) of members whoâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? (Politics & Power, June 11) â&#x20AC;&#x153;Governors elected under (on) SDP platformâ&#x20AC;?

(Full-page advertorial, DAILY SUN, June 11, signed by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation) â&#x20AC;&#x153;Russia donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t (doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t) dictate for (to) me, says Syrian president (President)â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dariye was found guilty and convicted on 15 out of the 23-count bothering (bordering) on criminal breach of trust andâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? (DAILY Sun, June 13) â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Botheringâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;borderingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is grammatical fraud and demonstrates poverty of language!

From DAILY Sun Editorial of June 13 come the next two inaccuracies: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NUC must do more to curb the springing up of illegal universities in (on) our shores.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the same thing (time), the action of the NUC was a little bit belated becauseâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;?

THISDAY Front Page of June 23 disseminated four flaws: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Barring any last minute (last-minute) changeâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;After series (a series) of consultations failed to secure endorsement (an endorsement) for a consensus list of aspirants yesterdayâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially flagged off (kicked off) the move to pick the presidential ticket of the PDPâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śwhere he had gone for an (a) haircut.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The judiciary is beginning to tow (toe) the line of the executive by throwing the law

overboardâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Asource close to Abaribe had also suggested that the arrest may not be unconnected to (with) his constant criticism ofâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Another feather to (in) your capâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;?

(Full-page congratulatory message by Heyden Petrochemical Limited, THISDAY, Saturday, June 23) â&#x20AC;&#x153;The journalist turned entrepreneur (journalist-turned-entrepreneur) shares his grass to grace (grass-to-grace) story withâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? (Source: as above) â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do not believe in acquiring property for the sake of bequeathing same (the same) to children.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a thing of joy for us, who believe only in excellence to see such award (an award) being made (given) to a person who truly deservesâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trophy Lager launches â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Raise a Trophyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (Raise-a-Trophy) campaign for Super Eaglesâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;FG orders security beef up (beef-up) at airportsâ&#x20AC;? (DAILY Sun Front Page Banner, June 19) â&#x20AC;&#x153;2019: APC battle readyâ&#x20AC;? (DAILY Sun Front Page Screamer, June 25) The ruling party is battle-read-y, hopefully!

DAILY Sun Editorial of June 28 circulated two lapses: â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śthe 36 states thereafter have increased their domestic indebtedness from N1.71 trillion as of (at) December 2014 to N3.35 trillion as at end of 2017.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Such funds should not be misappropriated or diverted to other use (sic),â&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? Voice of The Nation: expunge â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;to other use (sic)â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, which is encapsulated in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;diversionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;! â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sleep with strangers, lawmaker warns Russia (Russian) womenâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria no walkover, Messi warns Argentina (Argentine) teammatesâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Obituary announcementâ&#x20AC;? (Full-page advertorial by Alders league & friends, Vanguard, June 14) Get it right:â&#x20AC;&#x2122; obituaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is an announcement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śgives operators 30 days to obtain roadworthy (roadworthiness) certificatesâ&#x20AC;? (DAILY Sun Front Page Sub-headline, July 2)

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Insecurity and 2019 general electionsâ&#x20AC;?

(DAILY Sun Editorial Headline, July 2) Already dissected â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;ŚProf. Attahiru Jega gave similar (a similar) warning thatâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? (Source: as above) â&#x20AC;&#x153;Seeing what transpired at the convention ground where literarily (literally) compelled and blackmailed to pull out of the race following the emergence ofâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? (Politics & Power, July 2) From July 2 Back Page Public Forum of DAILY Sun flows this: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before the year ends, there will be more killings. Yes, more killings, and another round of blames, wails, sorrows, and tears. For how long will this (these) continue?â&#x20AC;?

The next three mistakes are from DAILY Sun Editorial of July 4: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have finally brought to a closure (close) the months-long sex-for-marks scandal involving one of its lecturersâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the same vein, female studentsâ&#x20AC;Śshould concentrate in (on) their studies.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The sexual harassment of students represents the height of personal indiscretion and an antithesis of (to)â&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria: Before the curtail (curtain) fallsâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, what is required is immediate military response against (to) the herdsmen.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;ActionAid hands-over (hands over) N35.5m livelihood projectsâ&#x20AC;? Phrasal verbs do not admit hyphenation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flag-bearer (standard-bearer) in the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti Stateâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? (Classic FM 97.3, 11.15 a, m. News, Tuesday, July 10) â&#x20AC;&#x153;But to put the matter in proper perspective (in proper perspectives or in a proper perspective, depending on contextualization)â&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;MFM GO commissions (inaugurates/ auspicates/launches) medical centre, hands over to MTUâ&#x20AC;?

POLITY

Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă?ËŞ Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?

Auwal Abubakar

T

he move by the House of Representatives to probe the finances of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from January 2018 till date is nothing but a desperate attempt by an exasperated House to politicise what should have been a simple routine of record-keeping done in a transparent and accountable manner that engenders public confidence or trust.

The direction that the House is coming from is understandable. Its destination is also very clear: to establish possible sharp practices by the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil corporation and to indict it in the event that it is culpable. Historically, the NNPC has been subjected to presumptive indictment for running what is considered to be opaque management of the oil sector, especially the earnings from the sales of crude oil and refined petroleum products, particularly, the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.

There are so many contending issues that yearn for obligatory resolution in the light of the critical roles that the NNPC plays as a bootstrap of the national economy.

Nigeria is essentially a mono-economy that runs on oil.

This has been the tragedy of the country for so many years now. Successive governments since independence had gravitated largely towards the oil sector, allowing the other sectors of the economy to suffer incremental neglect.

But the Buhari administration had, upon stepping in the saddle and confronted by an economic recession, decided and had, indeed, taken steps towards diversification of the economy.

However, diversification has not taken attention off the oil sector, which is seen as the real McCoy. It has become the exclusive preserve of the big, influential and well-connected players. After the presidential politics in Nigeria, the next most critical or significant politics is oil politics. This explains the seriousness with which issues involved in it are treated. There are vested interests to protect. There are cartels to service. And the common denomination of all of these nuances is pecuniary: accretion of petrodollars. It is the allure of the game, which if won, sets the winners on the path to prosperity. Hugging victory in the oil politics is tantamount to wishing poverty eternal farewell.

This is the reason dismantling the culture of occultism in the management of the NNPC and pursuing transparency and accountability in the public finance is a hard nut to crack. But if and when cracked, it will benefit from

Dogara, Speaker of the House an expected regime of openness and answerability. It is therefore preposterous to rationalise that the state of affairs presently in the NNPC is a product of the leadership of the current Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru. That is not and cannot be correct. Rather, there is a conscious effort on the part of Baru to reverse the trend to ensure transparent and accountable management of the NNPC. He has continued to do this while maintaining a delicate balance between what is and what ought to be.

I sincerely believe that Baru is not opposed to the idea of NNPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s books being taken through the mills or crucibles of scrutiny. What is reprehensible and objectionable is the deliberate impression being created in the minds of Nigerians that the NNPC is irredeemably steeped in untoward practices and licentiousness.

This then raises the question as to the nature of the motive behind the call for probe: was it genuinely intended

or was it intended for the outcome to cause a collateral damage to the current NNPC management and President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the substantive petroleum minister?

If it is to achieve the latter, to wit: damaging Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administration as it was deployed to damage Jonathanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government, then the probe may as well be a wild goose chase that may suffer from its inherent bad faith and dissipation of goodwill. Besides, the hurried manner in which the House had resolved to go about the probe is suspicious. The fear is that it may be impossible to get the true picture of the transaction trails or financial records if the probe is restricted to the volumes of crude oil sales by the NNPC from January 2018 to date. That was the point that Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano state) was making on the floor during the debate on the motion. He had argued that the time frame should have been expanded.

That the time frame was not expanded has reinforced the impression that the House of Representatives had its specific targets for vilification and had probably predetermined the outcome of its probe. The House had also resolved to investigate the yearly production output to determine the impropriety or otherwise of the claim of 2 million barrels of crude oil per day by the Corporation.

There is nothing wrong with this, though; the impression should not have been created as if the claimed figure is new and curious such that it presents a massive discrepancy with previous figures in comparative terms.

The crude production volumes have always hovered around that figure. When there was militancy disrupting crude exploration in the Niger Delta region, the figure had fallen to as low as 1.1 million barrels. But sans militancy, the figure has always oscillated between 1.8 and 2.2 million barrels per day. Nevertheless, the House of Representatives is encouraged to do its due diligent search to unravel what the figure truly is. The probe should not be conducted to drive the narrative that the recent under remittance to the tune of N100 billion to the federation account by the Corporation was responsible for the sufferings of Nigerians. This will be taking propaganda to ridiculous limits and pandering to sheer illogicality that veils the mismanagement of governments in the states.

Indeed, public sentiments against the NNPC and the leadership of Dr. Baru should not be ensconced in the appreciation of the issues involved in the management of crude production by the Corporation vis-Ă -vis the tendentious probe, as that would defeat the imperativeness of genuine intention to address the existential problems bedeviling our crude production management in the collective national interest.

Abubakar wrote in from Kano

JULY 14, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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FASHION FILE

MELANIN

The Celebration of All Skin Shades

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 14, 2018

FASHION FILE

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

The Celebration of All Skin Shades

F

rom the darkest of hues to the brightest of natural pigments of colours, luxe fashion house , HOUSE OF JAHDARA, presents its spring/summer 2018 edit titled , ‘MELANIN’.

“This collection is so dear to my heart . So, celebrating all skin shades in beautiful structural pieces in diverse style and cuts for every body. Overtime , I have heard people say “oh wow!, she is beautiful for a girl that is dark skinned. Every skin tone is beautiful,”says Adesola Adepoju. Creative director, HOUSE

OF JAHDARA. This collection truly celebrates all shades of skin tone from fits, cuts, to the attention to detail , our aesthetics that features fine cut out lines for that woman who wants to be classy, elegant and still retain her sexiness.

Credits Styling/direction @moashystyling Photography @adebayophotographer Makeup -@jaeohbeauty Hair @jordanolucut Models @tiffany.osh @stephanycharles

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΀

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... ͸΀͹ͽͽ͹ͻ͹΀Ϳͼ

From Left: Founder of Edo Development Organisation (E.D.O), Oswald Osaretin Guobadia, Founder, EDO Cinema, Adesuwa Osawe and the Honorable Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Osaze Osemwegie-Ero at the inaugural EDO Cinema screening in Benin City recently

Representative of ARM Trustees Limited, Mr. Ifeanyi Madubuike; Chairman, Mixta Nigeria, Mr. Eddy Eguavoen; Managing Director, Mixta Nigeria, Mr. Kola Ashiru-Balogun; and Non-Executive Director, Mrs. Nike Anani, during the Annual General Meeting of Mixta Nigeria in Lagos recently

Purple Girl Foundation Berths, Raises Hope for Societal Growth A new non-government organisation, ‘The Purple Girl Foundation’ has set out to improve girls’ access to education in the country.

The foundation seeks to make Nigeria stand side by side with countries like Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Argentina, which have more number of women educated than their men.

Speaking during the launch, President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs. Toyin Saraki noted that the initiative was commendable considering the role of girls who will turn out to be mothers and managers in the future.

Represented by former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Sarah Adebisi Sosan, she said that parents should strive to train their female children, urging community to join hands with government to ensure education for all.

“Now that election is by the corner, I would also urge the electorates to harp on education as their priority. They should be convinced about the education plan that political candidates have for them.”

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Oluranti Idiat, who was represented, stated that the state would continue to come up with policies that would safeguard the right of a girl child to education, adding that the government was willing to support private Initiatives that pursue similar cause with money and voices.

Reacting to the report of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, which puts the number of uneducated girls in the country at 5.5 million with Nigeria leading the pack in

Africa, founder of the organisation, Mrs. Mary Akpobome stated that private institutions and individuals should rise up to the challenge and see the problems as that of the society and not government alone.

Stressing that female education was paramount to local and national development, as well as human, social and cultural development, Akpobome noted factors such as poverty, being orphaned, physical disability, ignorance of parents, leaving in remote or underserved

many girls as we can back to school for the benefit of their immediate environment and the country as a whole.

“For the first three years, we will focus on female students from indigent families in three pilot states in the country with an increased scope across Nigeria. We operate in partnership with relevant organisations, as well as select schools across different districts and local government to identify worthy beneficiaries of the scheme.

Nokia, China Mobile, Sign €1bn ATCON Shines at Network Transformation Deal Telecoms Award Information Technology and Consumer Electronics Company, Nokia and China Mobile have signed a €1billion ($1.17 billion) deal to support the Chinese mobile operator’s transition to a future-oriented network infrastructure, while providing seamless connectivity to more efficiently meet growing data traffic demand.

Under the one year frame agreement, Nokia will provide China Mobile with best-in-class, end-to-end technology solutions to enable a next-generation network for the age of the cloud and machine communications. It will also provide additional elements of its mobile radio access and core portfolio in addition to fixed access, IP routing and

Firm Appoints Regional Director for Francophone Africa, Egypt Radisson Hotel Group, has announced the appointment of Frederic Feijs as the company’s Regional Director for North Africa and Egypt.

Frederic rejoins Radisson Hotel Group, where he started his career in the hospitality industry in 1998, at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Brussels.

Frederic has held leadership positions across multiple countries and continents until his most recent position as Regional General Manager in French Polynesia.

In his new role, Frederic assumes responsibility for the group’s presence in Francophone Africa and Egypt and will play a key role in the evolution of the brand in these markets. Frederic will be based at the company’s Area Support Office in Dubai.

The Belgian national with extensive experience in Francophone Africa has also worked in Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Mali and Egypt in recent years with Radisson Hotel

locations as common excuses that restrict the girl child access to education, but said they were not insurmountable.

“You may want to ask why our attention is focused on the girls, it is because we know that when one educates a woman, one has educated the whole nation. Beyond this, educating the girl child translates to better health for the future generation, reduction in child morbidity and mortality.

This is why we are bent on bringing as

Group.

Commenting on the new development, he said “I am very excited to re-join the Group and I’m highly honored to lead the team in Francophone Africa and Egypt.

Our mission is to enrich the lives of our guests, team members and the community in this unique area and make every moment matter.”

Also speaking, the company’s Area Senior Vice President, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Tim Cordon, stated: “I am thrilled to announce Frederic’s appointment as he assumes responsibility for some of our key territories in Africa, one of Radisson Hotel Group’s core growth markets.

His past experience in this territory will play a significant role in strengthening our network in the region and increase operational synergies, for the greater benefits of owners, employees and ultimately our guests.”

optical transport, customer experience management, as well as its services expertise delivering the quality, speed and reliability needed.

The deal was consummated at Sino-German Economic Forum and signed by Vice President of China Mobile, Li Huidi and Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Nokia, Hans-Jürgen Bill .

Also present at the signing ceremony were the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel and the Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang.

Going forward, Nokia and China Mobile will work closely to define the products and services that will enable the operator to explore new opportunities in vertical markets. Both companies had signed a memorandum of understanding for research and testing of the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning capabilities of next-generation networks for the delivery of intelligent network optimisation and radio resource management.

The frame agreement builds on a longstanding relationship between the partnering firms in developing, trialing and deploying new technologies to enable seamless cloud connectivity and faster, more affordable internet access, meeting new demand while evolving networks for the future.

Commenting on the deal, President of Nokia Shanghai Bell, Mike Wang said: “This is a highly significant agreement with our longstanding partner that consolidates Nokia’s position as a leading provider of next-generation technologies and services in China.

We are committed to delivering industry-leading, end-to-end capabilities that will allow operators to dramatically increase performance, which will introduce new possibilities for networks of the future.”

For protecting and lifting telecoms investment in Nigeria, organisers of the Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards, GITTA, Instinct Waves, have honoured the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria ATCON, in the eighth edition of the award.

GITTA seeks to promote and recognise innovation and excellence in the Ghana ICT sector and has evolved and extended its reach to include companies which have taken efforts to innovate their business through the adoption of technology.

At the eighth edition of the award, which held at the prestigious Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Ghana, ATCON was honoured with the Telecoms Advocacy Award in Africa for its concerted effort in championing and advocating for an enabling environment for its members’ businesses as well as protecting their interests in the industry.

Receiving the award, National Treasurer of ATCON, Mrs. Aderonke Adeyegbe, appreciated the organisers for acknowledging the impact of the association in the growth of the industry, which is reflected in the overall economy.

She stated that such recognition would motivate the association to perform better by going extra mile in its advocacy efforts which so far has spurred an increase in the flow of Foreign Direct Investment to the sector and restore confidence in local investors.

“It would generally spur us to do more constructive and meaningful advocacies for the betterment of our members and sector within Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

We sincerely value this prestigious Award as it indicates that our efforts at removing all identified barriers to the continuous growth of the telecom sector did not go in vain.

“Our engagements with all relevant agencies to provide an enabling environment shall be reinvigorated in order to get government at all levels to make laws and policies that would further grow and develop the sector, so that Nigerian and Africans in general can reap the expected benefits of reliable and seamless telecommunications services”.

The award ceremony featured several exciting packages including extensive discourse bordering on ICT in Africa, industry networking as well as entertainment.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͟Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚͜

46

Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2018;

͸Ϳ͸͞ͺÎ&#x20AC;͚͞Ϳ͝Ϳ Ă?Ě&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ë? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2018;ĚśĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;

TOSIN AJIBADE

I Was Abused in My Previous Relationship Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; ËŤ Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;ËŹ Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;ĂŁĂ&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁË&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?ĂĄ Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁË&#x203A; Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂĄ ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Tosin Clegg, Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂĄ Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x17D; ËŠ Ă&#x201C;Ă?ʨĂ&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;ËŞË&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă?

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always loved the entertainment space s an undergraduate at the Lagos State University (LASU), all I had back then was my Facebook page to share information and stories. A friend later introduced me to blogging and told me where to sign up and from then, blogging took off.

The rest is history.

A

How I keep the blog up and running I read books and browse nuggets from my favourite authors online. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be honest to say, sometimes, it feels lonely inside but I allow the alone moments go and I get back up.

My ideal man is a man who loves genuinely Someone who supports me, respects me and will be ready to build with me and trust the process. Someone who can do all these for me and whom I can do all these for.

Growing up, family, education, childhood dream and mentors I was born into a family of eight. I have five siblings and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m the first. I had my secondary education in Lagos State Model College, Igbokuta and tertiary education at both Lagos State University and Pan Atlantic University. My mentors are Tara Fela Durotoye and Ayeni Adekunle while my role model is Mo Abudu. They have inspired me greatly in business. They have shown strength and courage even in the face of a new (media) generation which proves the importance of vision, mission and goal setting for a business. I aspire to grow my business and these people inspire me a lot to keep at it.

I unwind by watching movies Favourite colour is Purple and I unwind by watching movies. I love watching TV generally. My kind of music is soulful, Jazz, Râ&#x20AC;&#x2122;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;B, and soul.

I choose what I listen to depending on my mood.

I am humble and low-key That is who I am 24/7. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live my life to fit in. I am sort of a nonconformist which is why Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m identified as a misfit. I live my life to stand out from the crowd.

My thoughts on happenings in Nigeria Honestly, I am as affected as the next person. We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t keep â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;praying for Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fix Nigeria ourselves. I have been to several countries in Africa and they are doing well despite the challenges each country is facing.

Nigeria is seen as the giant of Africa, yet people in other countries mock us

because we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live up to the hype.

Public office holders and government officials travel the world and they see how things are done but replicating the things they see in this country seems like an impossibility. That really breaks my heart. What I can do on my part is to use my platform to disseminate both positive information to the public and the realities as well.

How I balance work and family needs I do my best. I understand the importance of family and really hold my family as my rock. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t joke with them.

How I came about MisďŹ t to Hero My book is about my journey from being an introvert to getting into the most people-facing industry the world over.

I was never prepared for the spotlight.

I grew up in a strict environment under the protection of my parents and there were rules which were not meant to be broken. As the first child, it was and perhaps still is a huge responsibility for me to keep up so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disappoint my siblings. The book details some of my struggles as a young business owner and my life as a regular girl to a social media maven. I follow my passion, despite the distractions, challenges, personal struggles, with a never-saydie spirit. The book talks about my entrepreneur journey, abuse from my previous relationship, social media tips and the creation of the annual event, New Media Conference. It has only nine chapters but is packed with lessons. It is a book everyone should get.

How my new book will help young bloggers in the industry A lot of young people delve into blogging and social media because of the hype or the attraction that comes with it, but they forget itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of work and dedication. They miss the important lesson of maintaining the brand to stay relevant. This book helps correct their perceived notions of the industry and also guides them to turn their passion into profit. I want to be remembered as that girl who was thought a misfit but ended up a hero.

How I manage frictions and jealousy in the industry Unbelievable as it might sound, I cry and remain calm about it. It will pass eventually.

I stay online most of the time And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s except when I am in transit or in a city with zero to bad WIFI. I have a team of people who work relentlessly to make sure work is done. Since I started the brand years ago, I have been able to put a structure in place where work goes on even when Ajibade I am not around.

47

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͟Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚͜

Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2018;

͸Ϳ͸͞ͺÎ&#x20AC;͚͞Ϳ͝Ϳ Ă?Ě&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ë? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2018;ĚśĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;

MY STORY CHIKA IKE LAUNCHES NEW BOOK, BOSS UP Ever beautiful and adorable Nollywood star actress, Chika Ike held a book signing and press conference over the weekend for her newly released book titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Boss Up!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; As we recall, the beautiful actress has been a major player in the growth of Nollywood since her inception and has grown to become a force to reckon with, starring in over 30 movies.

Boss Up, which is her first book, is a 41-chapter book that covers most of the obstacles we all confront â&#x20AC;&#x201C; fear, love, money, self-esteem and more. The book is a guide on how to overcome such obstacles, through some of the lessons and experiences of Chika Ike. Chika Ike has been known to be quiet and reserved but in this book, she goes all out to tell all of her deepest secrets and stories which cuts across different sections of her life, career, her marriage, family and a lot more.

CYNTHIA BASSEY Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Challenges Made Me Who I am Today Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă? ĂŁĂ&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Tosin Clegg, Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?

KEHINDE AJOSE, AUTHOR OF 5 COSTLY MISTAKES ENTERTAINERS MAKE, EXPLAINS BOOK The book â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;5 Costly Mistakes Entertainers Makeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is aimed at providing guidelines on how entertainers can avoid blunders and errors capable of negatively affecting their career in show business and personal growth.

Kehinde Ajose, an entertainment journalist and author of the new book unveils that he had to write the book to inspire entertainers on how they could break even and make the most of the career they find themselves in and place themselves rightly.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over the years, I had interviewed

many entertainers and watched them rising from grass to grace.

Amazingly, some of these stars plummeted due to some mistakes they made in the course of their careers.â&#x20AC;?

He listed them to include: unresolved legal battles, choosing wrong names, endless romance with controversies that often hindered them from rising to the top. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;5 Costly Mistakes Entertainers Makeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is his heartfelt contribution to the Nigerian entertainment industry and advised stakeholders in the industry to avoid these mistakes.

PAPA AJASCO RELOADED SEASON TWO TO BEGIN THIS MONTH After the Season One of the revamped Papa Ajasco Reloaded, titled Mr. & Mrs. Talented, which has been well-received by millions of viewers across Nigeria, even earning it a nomination as Best TV Series at the prestigious AMVCA, Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP) has announced that audiences are in for another joyous ride as the Season Two of Papa Ajasco Reloaded will commence broadcast on Tuesday, 24th July 2018.

The Season Two of the award-winning sitcom stars Papa Ajasco, Pa James, Mama Ajasco, Alinco, Miss Pepeiye and Ajasco; as well as a wide range of hilarious supporting artistes - Woli Arole, Francis Odega, Hafiz Oyetoro (Saka), Adunni Ade, Funky Mallam, Sanyeri, Akpan and Oduma, Mide Martins, Still Ringing, Babatunde Oyinbo, Kunle Coker, Melvin Oduah (Big Brother ex-Housemate) and a host of others.

Wale Adenuga Jnr., producer of Papa Ajasco Reloaded, also had this to say: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We truly appreciate the overwhelming positive response that the Papa Ajasco Reloaded Season One received thus far increase in the viewership ratings of the programme, outstanding praise from local and international media reviewers, and even a nomination as Best TV Series at the 2018 AMVCA. With the Season Two, we have gone even bigger in terms of the story, stars, crew, equipment and a perfect blend of other elements guaranteed to leave viewers highly entertained and informed week after week.â&#x20AC;?

Papa Ajasco Reloaded Season Two will be available to viewers across Nigeria as from 24th of this month, through selected TV stations as well as accessible to audiences worldwide via YouTube: waptvchannel.

H

ow did you start the business?

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a makeup artist. My makeup brand is called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Phronesys Signatureâ&#x20AC;?, which is the Greek word for wisdom. It started as a joke in school.

After school hours, I would call my friends and have their faces made-up and they always loved it. Later on, I decided to go to a makeup school and it has been from Glory to Glory. So far, I have worked with big brands in the Entertainment industry such as HipTV, AMVCA, Headies, the movie industry and more.

What other things are you into?

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a chef and I enjoy cooking a lot and this dream started a while ago. The CEO of Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ojahs in Calabar has been a blessing to me in many ways, as she taught me most of what I know today.

What has been your success story and challenges so far?

I have had so many success stories in my makeup business.

I have traveled, met some great people, and still meeting them. Also, the challenge has made me who I am today and has brought me this far.

Who are your role models?

My role models? The truth is I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any in my line of business but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m working towards being the best in the world.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your unique selling quality?

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just gonna talk about the catering aspect; I was trained and certified by Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;OJAHS. I have this special way of making my Egusi, Afang and pepper soups but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t intend revealing my secret.

48

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

EVENTS

T

he final funeral rites of passage were held in honour of the late Chief Meshack Emiola Ibidapo, who died recently in Lagos. The funeral Service was held at African Churh Cathedral Bethel in Lagos. While reception was held at Eko Club in Surulere, Lagos. Here are some of Photographs: Mubo the personalities that grace the occasion.

Secretary to Lagos State Government, Mr. Olatunji-Bello; daughter of the deceased, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello; wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; and the widow, Mrs. Jadesola Ibidapo

L-R: Mr. Samuel Ibikunle Ibidapo; Mr. Solomon Ibitayo Ibidapo; and Dr. Jumoke Ibidapo

L-R: Mr. Olakunrin; Mrs. Florence Saraki; and Madam Bolanle Adeleyin

L-R: Taiwo Feyisara Ero-Phillips; Madam Idowu Abraham; and Mrs. Funke Bamidele

L-R: Mrs. Debbie Ibidapo and Mr. Samuel Ibiyinka Ibidapo

L-R: Mr. Shadrack Ibirogba Ibidapo and his wife, Bose

L-R: Temitope Olatunji-Bello; Olamide Olatunji-Bello; Feyisayo Dawodu; and Yemisi Aladekomo.

49

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JULY 14, 2018

EVENTS

L-R: Dr. Ladun Ibidapo; and Mrs. Mojisola Aina Ibidapo-Ajayi

L-R: Mrs. Asha Abraham; and Mrs. Nkechi Okonma.

L-R: Mr. Sam Omaseye; Mr. Louis Odion; Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, The Nation Newspaper, Mr. Victor Ifijeh; and Mr.Goke Odeyinka

L-R: Hon Folake Oshinowo; Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas; and Mr. Tunde Oshinowo

L-R: Former Commissioner, Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Mr. Dele Alake and former Commissioner of Health, Lagos State, Dr. Lekan Pitan

L-R: Senator Lanre Tejuosho and Hon. Seye Oladejo

L-R: Mr. Goke Odeyinka and Mr. Aliu Mohammed

L-R: Mr. Bode Dawodu and Mrs. Joke Dawodu.

L-R: Mrs. Funmi Komolafe and Deputy General Manager, THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Kayode Komolafe

L-R: Editor-In-Chief Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye; Editor, The Nation News paper, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho

L-R: Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Mr. Femi Falana (SAN)

L-R: Mr. and Mrs. Koye Edu

50

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ

New showroom of Mercedes-Benz at Akin Adesola, VI, Lagos

MB Automobile Unveils Showroom in Strategic Location in Lagos Stories by Bennett Oghifo

M

B Automobile Services Limited, one of the authorised passenger cars dealers of Westar Associates Limited, has unveiled a world class, state-of-the art showroom

in Lagos.

Officials of the company said having the new showroom fulfills its resolve to establish a strategic point of sale location that appeals to customers and provide easy access and better customer service for existing and prospective high net worth

clients in Lagos, The new showroom is strategically located at 37, Akin Adesola, Victoria Island. It boasts of convenient parking space, world class comfort for clients and visitors and an array of latest Mercedes-Benz vehicle models are also on display.

Speaking at the official unveiling of the showroom, His Excellency, Mr. Ingo Herbert, the General Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria, applauded MB Automobiles Services Limited for its unwavering commitment to keeping the Mercedes-Benz brand alive. “I am personally thrilled and excited with the

unveiling of this showroom. This shows that the Mercedes-Benz brand is waxing stronger on a daily basis in the Nigerian auto market. This increase has been made possible by the uniformity of increased bilateral trades between Nigeria and Germany. This investment is no doubt a game changer for the Mercedes-Benz brand in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr. Benson Uwatse, Managing Director of MB Automobiles Services Limited, hinted that the need to constantly innovate and bring satisfaction to the varied customers of the Mercedes-Benz brand in Nigeria engineered the decision to unveil this new

showroom. He said: “This new showroom is specially designed to cater for all categories of our customers. Our customers are dear to us always. Our decision to give them the best of quality, comfort coupled with excellent service spurred us into the acquisition of this new complex.”

Mirko Plath, Managing Director, Westar Associates Nigeria Limited, highlighted that the opening of this showroom is indeed a milestone worth celebrating. He further buttressed that the company’s resolve to continually give the best to customers, propelled the sighting of the new showroom.

HowTechnology is Driving Urban Mobility:The Uber Example Lola Kassim

I

n many bustling urban cities around the world, policy makers and regulators are becoming increasingly focused on creating sustainable solutions that effectively address the rising vehicular congestion that these cities experience.

In Lagos, Nigeria, traffic and congestion is something inhabitants grapple with on a daily basis. According to recent reports made by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the population of Lagos State now stands at over 24 million - equivalent in number to 30 African cities combined. By 2050, it is estimated that the population of Lagos could top 35 million. These growth will no doubt put additional pressure on the city’s infrastructure. Perhaps a crucial question is: how will the inhabitants of Lagos get from point A to B? What transportation systems and infrastructure are needed to serve the rapidly burgeoning population?

Last year, Governor Ambode reinforced this sentiment in his plans to replace the yellow buses popularly known as “danfo” with a more efficient bus transport system in Lagos State. This is no doubt a positive development as it is indicative of an intention to reduce congestion and pollution, as well as pave the way for an efficient mass transportation system that would move Lagos faster towards its goal of becoming a Smart City. In envisioning Lagos as a Smart City, specifically within the transportation and mobility sectors, it is important to begin to think of a city where we have fewer vehicles on the roads and there is convenient access to other mobility options such as rail, waterways, air, etc., for people to move around.

We must also begin to think about the fact that fewer cars on the roads naturally means a decrease in carbon emissions and congestion.

This also means that places in cities previously set aside and designed around cars, such as wide roads for high traffic volumes as well as space-intensive parkades and parking lots, can be given back to the city and its people. What could this mean for a city like Lagos? Think of a greener, less congested, and more liveable city.

At Uber, we believe that a better future is within our grasp. One of our core objectives is to support and complement existing public transportation infrastructure. Through cars registered to use the Uber App, we are helping commuters cover the “last mile” of their journeys around the world. In cities like Amsterdam and London, for example, over 25% of Uber rides during morning rush hour go to and from local train stations, further establishing that people use Uber to complement existing forms of transportation.

We believe that shared mobility enabled by technology has the potential to contribute to better and more efficient cities.

This is why we are partnering with public transport providers and other app-based mobility solutions (such as car and bike sharing services) around the world.

In the near future, it will be entirely possible to complete certain journeys across cities utilizing many options made possible via the Uber Platform App. A rider’s daily commute could be completed using one or more options like a shared JUMP bike, uberPOOL or, uberX. While not all of these options are currently available in Africa - it does mean that some of the solutions to creating less congested cities already exist. And for a megacity like Lagos, this is

definitely a positive development.

Uber is expanding its offerings to help create a new future of transportation - one that reduces individual car ownership, expands access to transportation and helps governments plan future transportation investments. From bikes to pooled rides, we are always looking to offer more ways to get around without needing to own or buy a car.

A year ago at the first Uber Elevate Summit, we announced our initial partnerships with companies that make aircrafts, high speed chargers and manage major real estate portfolios. We also unveiled a collaborative plan with the cities of Dallas and Fort-Worth to create the first metropolitan area in United States with an urban aviation rideshare network. At this year’s Elevate Summit, our CEO Dara Khosrowshahi affirmed an upward shift in the mobility conversations saying: “We think cities are going to go vertical in terms of transportation, and we want to make that a reality.” With products like uberAIR we want to make it possible for people to push a button and get a flight - uberAIR takes that approach and our technology to new heights.

Technology is increasingly at the core of how people move around their cities and we must harness it to create sustainable options to drive transportation systems around the world. As Lagos, Nigeria and indeed the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa make the move towards enabling smart cities - technology will play a critical role in improving urban mobility.

Kassim is the General Manager West Africa, Uber and writes in from Lagos, Nigeria.

Kassim

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ

51

FG to Ban Importation of Haulage Vehicles

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Complete portfolio of Rolls-Royce cars

Rolls-Royce to Showcase Portfolio of Cars at 2018 Festival Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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olls-Royce Motor Cars will showcase its remarkable portfolio of highly bespoke motor cars in full for the first time in history.

The autocrafter in a statement said in addition to Cullinan, the Rolls-Royce of SUVs, the brand would present extremely rare expressions of Dawn, Wraith, Ghost and its flagship, Phantom, alongside a photography exhibition in a highly curated space on the Laundry Green adjacent to Goodwood House.

Cullinan The most anticipated motor car of 2018 will, for the first time, be publicly seen at this year’s Festival of Speed. An Arctic White Cullinan will stand centre stage on the Rolls-Royce stand trimmed with a finest Arctic White leather interior accented with Turchese highlights and meticulously crafted Silver Birch veneer. In addition, a Magma Red Cullinan will be driven in the First Glance parade.

In stark contrast to these pristine motor cars, two prototype Cullinans have returned from their punishing global programme to further prove their durability by assisting stricken vehicles on the hill climb course. Both have been adapted to

comply with FIAregulations and, for the Festival of Speed only, include roof-mounted light bars, heavy duty tow functions and ‘straight tow’ equipment allowing them to pull-start vintage vehicles.

Visitors may wish to examine these very special Cullinans, recognisable by their pre-production camouflage, as they still carry traces of sand from their recent journey through the Arabian Desert and salt from high-speed off-road testing at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Despite a concerted effort from the marque’s rigorous Test and Analysis collective to take Cullinan beyond what was thought possible through its gruelling testing programme, the cars returned home still Effortless Everywhere.

he federal government has instituted a mandatory certification of all haulage vehicles to be carried out twice in twelve calendar months.

Also, the importation of haulage vehicles exceeding 10 years from date of manufacture would be stopped with effect from 01/01/2020.

These are some of the outcomes of a ‘Stakeholders’ Forum for Haulage Operators in Nigeria’, which was held at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja, recently.

The forum was convened after the recent Road Traffic Crash (RTC) on Otedola Bridge on the LagosIbadan expressway where over 55 vehicles were burnt with multiple fatalities recorded.

The SGF’s consultative forum, which was attended by all stakeholders from the private sector and Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, was called to evolve an all-inclusive strategy that would bring about a lasting solution to the menace of RTCs involving haulage and other related vehicles on Nigerian roads.

Also endorsed at the end of the meeting, for immediate implementation is the compulsory installation of standard speed limiters in all haulage vehicles in Nigeria; Tankers without safety valves and the required number plates will henceforth be disallowed from loading; The Safe-To-Load programme would continue to be enforced by relevantAgencies at all loading points; Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant Agencies should immediately harmonise operating safety requirements at all Tank Farms; Periodic checks of haulage vehicles must be carried out at relevant loading points; and payment of National Transportation Allowance (NTA) and bridging claims to tanker operators will henceforth be contingent on compliance to minimum safety standards.

CarXie: New App For Launch

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new mobile driver-rider app, known as CarXie, is set for launch in the country.

Security of both driver and rider is the fulcrum of the app, according to the CarXie Operations Director, Chinedu Amadi, who unveiled the new product to the media in Lagos, recently.

Amadi said the CarXie app, which was developed in Nigeria in collaboration with foreign partners, would be launched at City Mall, Onikan Lagos on July 27. On the launch day, there would be a seminar on defensive driving, which is designed to enhance the driving skills of CarXie drivers and of other drivers.

He said, “CarXie, an innovative Mobile App is designed to fix your intra/intercity trips at the shortest possible notice by providing cabs that guarantee your comfort, security, safety and affordability. CarXie is born to ensure that Nigeria is a major and active player in today’s technology driven transport sector that is strategic to a smooth running economy.”

He said CarXie mobile app has been tested and that it is available in Google Play store andApples Store, stating that it has features that answer a number of Nigerian questions – “What challenges do we face

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when arranging our trips? Will the cab be functional and comfortable with a courteous driver? Can the Police or VIO stop and delay the cab (your trip) for ‘particulars’? Will the trip have an almost 0% possibility of having an accident? What of the security of life and luggage? “How do we ensure that no one chances the rider in terms of costs? What of the anonymity that is aiding the hydra headed crime that is called kidnapping?”

He said the app was conceptualised with features that make car theft and kidnapping impracticable, explaining that “a rider is expected to issue his Bank Verification Number (BVN), as a means of social identification, each vehicle is automatically tracked, and voice chats are possible during rides.

The driver and vehicle verification exercises are so thorough that they yield only courteous and comfortable service.

There are three tiers of supervision embedded in that CarXie offer to ensure quality and trust.”

CarXie, he said was another opportunity for Nigerians to patronise made for Nigeria goods and services; utilising international collaborations to deliver goods and services that are focused to address the needs of the Nigerian populace with reference to mobile transportation.

L-R: Consultant, Dukan George Limited, Angela Udoji; Director, Obiora Okafor; and Operations Director, Chinedu Amadi; at the press conference in Lagos to announce the introduction of Carxie Rider App, developed by Dukan George… recently

Cycling For Fitness Corrected

do not know if you read my confession last week on my phobia for cycling. After reading the piece over and over again, I realised the need to brace up as a man and as a road safety officer. Today, I am excited to let you know that I am now a born again cyclist. Last Saturday I took the first step of my rebirth by first inspecting my bicycle only to discover that the tyres are all flat.I followed my rebirth process by inflating them preparatory to my resolve to start cycling within my house and from there to my street and ultimately hit the neighborhood. If this does not sound like being born again as a cyclist, I dare you to emulate me and do as I say not as I do. We can at least increase gradually the cycling population and thereby make our roads safer while at the same time increasing our health profile.

As I round up my piece on cycling for fitness today, let me bring you up to speed on what I said last week about the United Nations resolution adopted by a consensus of the 193 member states on the imperatives of cycling. Like I said last week,the declaration invites all Member States and relevant stakeholders to celebrate and promote awareness of the bicycle.It also acknowledges the “uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation, fostering environmental stewardship and health.”

It also recognized that “the bicycle and the user fosters creativity and social engagement and gives the user an immediate awareness of the local environment” and that “the bicycle can serve as a tool for development and as a means not just of transportation but also of access to education,

SAFE DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

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

health care and sport.”

The resolution stresses that the bicycle is a “symbol of sustainable transportation and conveys a positive message to foster sustainable consumption and production, and has a positive impact on climate.”

The UN encourages Member States to “devote particular attention to the bicycle in cross-cutting development strategies and to include the bicycle in international, regional, national and subnational development policies and programmes.”It also encourages nations to “improve road safety and integrate it into sustainable mobility and transport infrastructure planning and design, in particular through policies and measures to actively protect and promote pedestrian safety and cycling mobility, with a view to broader health outcomes, particularly the prevention of injuries and non-communicable disease.”The campaign to create a World Bicycle Day was a goal of the World Cycling Alliance and the European Cyclists’ Federation.

I told you earlier why I shied away from riding. The major reason which was highlighted over four years

ago is the total absence of cycling infrastructure, law and safety programmes although those who live in enclosed estates can surmount this especially if you are privileged to live in a well developed estate with the necessary infrastructures. It is more than four years but I am yet to see concrete evidence of some of this challenges being tackled appropriately. Yet I must let you know that riding is fun and has so many benefits. It ranges from the social environmental, health among others.

Let me start from the health benefits which have compelled people like me to make walking and sometimes jugging a daily morning routine. According to the Policy document from where I lifted all of the benefits without attempting to paraphrase becauseoftimeconstraints,increasingpeople’sphysical activity through cycling can help reduce pressure on health services, personal cost and improve life expectancy. Globally physical inactivity is estimated to cause two million deaths every year representing between 10 and 16percent of cases of breast cancer and diabetes and over 20percent of heart disease cases.According to a study in the UK, while about 140 people are killed yearly while cycling around 20000 others die prematurely due to lack of exercise. The study estimates that cycling provides a net benefit which out weights its risk. According to a study by the Copenhagen City Heart Study notes that fast cyclist who spent no more than an hour a day on a bike had the best chance of avoiding premature death.TheBritishHeartFoundationnotesthataround 10000 fatal heart attacks could be avoided yearly if people kept themselves fitter doing exercises such as cycling stressing further that you live ten years longer if you can cycle at least 30minutes daily. There

are other health benefits such as helping to address obesityandoverweight,reduceriskofcardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer.

Cycling also improves mental wellbeing by reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Men aged over 50 who cycle for at least three hours a week have a 30percent lower risk of impotency than those who do little exercises according to a research by Harvard University. Getting children out of the car where they inhale up to a million times more vehicle emissions to use active transportation is the single most efficient way of improving their physical activity.

Let me now focus on the benefit of cycling with respect to our national road traffic crash reduction efforts. Out of the 20 countries in the global safest roads ranking all have planned and thriving bicycle transportationintheircities.Itisalsocommonknowledge that more people cycling and walking reduces victims per crash and takes more vehicles away from our urban centers. It is said that an increase in active transportation in estimated to reduce 500 fatalities per million inhabitants in cities such as London. Also the risk of fatality while cycling is just once every 32million kilometers (20miles) or over 800times around the world based on existing crash statistics in the US. There are other benefits to individuals besides health. Cycling can also save time especially while cycling in peak periods. In terms of cost cycling is cheap.Cyclingisaformoftransportationtoembrace in the face of the economic situation. Before I round up this piece which is mostly borrowed materials I must stress the need as identified for the necessary infrastructure to be put in place. Although the aim of the strategy is to get 15percent Nigerians cycling by 2017, one of the action points is for states and the Fct to commit 15percent of road transport budget to develop necessary local on road and cycling networks.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 14, 2018

POLITY Kola Lawal

Eye on Ogun Governorship Chief Kola Lawal (aka KLM), from Yewaland says he is the best man to replace Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Ogun State come 2019. Femi Ogbonnikan takes a critical look at his aspiration and chances

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overnor Ibikunle Amosun’s resolve to pick his successor from Ogun West is still alive.

On the long list of contestants of Yewa/Awori (Ogun West) extracts that have thrown their hats into the ring is Adele-Oba Kolawole Lawal, the current Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry. His popularity is growing on account of his strong grassroots appeal. He has also displayed a commitment to ameliorate the living condition of the people. KLM’s philanthropy is legendary.

Born 55 years ago, Lawal, fondly called KLM, who hails from Eyo Quarters, in OkeOdan, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, is presumed as “the beautiful bride” of the Yewa/Awori men, women and youths. Many have come out openly to indicate their intention to join the APC if KLM emerges as the governorship candidate, as he has proven to be the only one among the many that could take care of their needs.

To elders within and outside the leadership of the APC in Ogun West, Lawal represents a paradigm shift in charting a new path that is not only full of shining potentials but one that affords an unhindered expression of values and beliefs.

Thus, his political trajectory, starting as a one-time governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2011 to his current bid to govern Ogun State on the APC platform, is anchored on how a decent society should evolve, relative to the growth of the people.

Besides, Lawal, intelligent and imbued with Lawal clear vision and goals, belongs to a school of thought that preaches truth, equity, and justice.

His rise to stardom has always been marked by sheer providence. In his West African School Certificate Examination at Area Community High School, Owode-Yewa, in 1983, he made the overall best results in the entire Yewa

South Local Government Area of Ogun State. The same rare feat he exhibited during his Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND), both in Accountancy, at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State.

He is also a holder of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in management and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc)

degree in Banking and Finance from Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, respectively.

While working at ExxonMobil Producing Unlimited, he was among the high fliers promoted every two years.

Thus, his entry into the Ogun governorship race is unsettling and also sending jitters down the spines of his rivals. He has been tactical and relentlessly taking his message across to the people at the grassroots, An attestation to his acceptability has been the warm reception he has been receiving during his consultations across the length and breadth of the state. At a vantage position, Lawal, in his deft bid, has appointed a coordinator across each of the three senatorial districts, while the same has been replicated at the local government level, with two coordinators in charge of the council level.

From all indications, KLM is poised to realise his governorship ambition that kicked off in 2011 with a failed primary at the first attempt on the platform of the PDP and may eventually coast home to victory and would make history as the first indigene of Yewa, from Ogun West senatorial district to occupy the exalted office of the governor of Ogun State come May 29, 2019.

With his intimidating profile, KLM perfectly fits into the description of the much-touted “wizkid” that will take over the mantle of leadership from Governor Amosun.

He has had a 20-year stint with ExxonMobil Producing Unlimited where he rose through the ranks to the executive cadre. He is currently the President, Ogun State Council of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture. Also, he is an executive member of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

Owoseni

My Desire is to Rescue Osun from Foreigners Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

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he race to Oke-Fia Government House, Osogbo, Osun State after the September 22, 2018 governorship election, thickens daily. The various aspirants continue to intensify their contacts and politicking so as to get the ticket of their parties. One of such aspirant is a former chieftain of the ruling APC in the state, Hon. Ajishola Owoseni. He was a former chairman of the Olorunda Local Government Council between 1999 and 2002 and a former lawmaker in the state’s House of Assembly. Owoseni, who defected from APC to the Action Democratic Party (ADP), recently in the state, is now one of its governorship aspirants. This aspirant, who was in Kwara State recently to meet the Osun indigenes in the state on his plan to succeed Governor Rauf Aregbesola, said his love and commitment to rescue Osun State from the “hawks currently milking the state” led to his switch to the ADP. He added: “The current administration in Osun State has failed in meeting the needs of the people. For example, the current education situation of the state is worrisome to the lovers of education.”

Owoseni, who was a lecturer at Federal Polytechnic, Ede, before he ventured into politics, added that his administration, if voted into office, would work hard on a new education policy that would add value to the

Owoseni students of the state. On infrastructure, the former chairman said he would open up the rural areas so as to bring foodstuffs to the doorsteps of the people of the state.

He said: “The continuous concentration of infrastructure development by the outgoing government in urban centers will not bring even development to the state. If I become governor, I will take a giant stride by opening up rural communities so as to allow them to have a sense of belonging. This will enhance the socioeconomic and industrial development of the state.

Infrastructure development will be spread to various local governments and villages in order to bring government closer to the people.”

Owoseni also promised that he would provide loans to Osun indigenes so as to boost businesses in the state while youths would be taught skills that would make them self-reliant, thereby reducing poverty in the state.

While expressing disgust about the welfare of the teeming civil servants of Osun State, Owoseni said he would make prompt payment of salaries a priority so as to assist workers contribute to the economic development

of the state.

He said that non-payment of salaries and pensions have continued to have a negative effect on the well-being of the workers, noting that many of them cannot pay their children’s school fees.

On his political antecedent in Osun State, he said: “I contested for a political position in 1998 under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and won the chairmanship position of Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State.

In 1991, I contested for the House of Representatives. In 1996, I ran for the House of Assembly seat and won under the defunct Democratic Party of Nigeria.

“With my past experiences in politics, my various contacts and grassroots experience gathered in the past years, aiming at managing a state like Osun would not be a problem for me. I have a lot of friends and supporters across the 30 local government councils in Osun. All my life was well spent in Osun State. I know all the political terrains of the state. I know the problems on ground and this will be tackled if voted into office.”

While pledging his commitment to make Osun State viable and the envy of other states, Owoseni said if the ADP wins the September 22,2018 governorship election, the state would witness even development with government moving closer to the grassroots of the state.

53

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 14, 2018

POLITY

Akoka Pollution: Total Denies Neglecting Community Omolabake Fasogbon

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ew months after the reported incident of accidental fuel leakage at Total Filling station inAkoka area of Lagos State, which resulted in pollution of the water sources of some houses in the area, officials of the company have said they have since done all that was necessary to bring the environment to its original state, contrary to reports making the rounds.

Recall that some national dailies, not THISDAY, had earlier reported how some residents complained about being allegedly neglected by the owners of the filling station, despite the environmental and health hazards of the incident. Reports from various expert agencies, presented by the managers, indicated that the community can now go about their daily business without fear or concern. Besides, some dwellers in the area also acknowledged to THISDAY the swift and consistent response of the station managers towards the crisis which occurred on August 13, 2017.

Regardless, a resident, Ifeamaka Umeike, expressed dissatisfaction with the effort of the station, complaining that it had not yielded good result.

She told our correspondent that the company claimed to have done remediation but that the area was still polluted. “All we are saying is that the filling station should exhume and evacuate its fuel tank and replace it with new ones because the tank is still leaking.”

However, the company told our correspondent that they took the right steps and that they have also been fair to all since the inception of the crisis till date.

Various documents the manager presented to THISDAY showed the steps the company claimed it took to manage the situation, and how it liaised with relevant stakeholders, including the Akoka Community Development Association, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR and Bariga Police station in the remediation process.

They also presented a document they identified as the final certification reports declaring the area free and safe from pollution.

In a LASEPA document, sighted by THISDAY, which is dated June 11,2018, the community was declared free of water adulteration arising from petrol leakage from the station’s underground tank, following several tests.

They also presented another document they called proof stratification certificate of conformity, dated September 29, 2017, which indicated that the leakage had been fixed. In addition, the management of the station provided a document which details how they held several meetings with government agencies and landlords in the area where it was formally resolved that the station should provide the affected houses with alternative source of water, conduct medical evaluation of residents of affected houses in recognised government hospitals, as well as provide affected houses with new boreholes.

The dealer of Total Service Station, Akoka, Mr. Aleem Maruf admitted that there was indeed fuel leakage in the station premises but disagreed with the claim that the community was neglected.

He explained that “On August 13th 2017, we discovered that there was fuel leakage in one of our underground tanks after we realised that 600 litres of petrol was missing. Immediately, we notified Total headquarters and our station at Apapa, which swung into action without delay.

“We started by disconnecting all the water sources immediately. The situation was appropriately reported to Bariga police station after which we alerted and invited all stakeholders including officials of the LASEMA, LASEPA and DPR. They all toured the community and took samples from houses to determine affected areas as well as extent of damage.

By the end of the investigation, it was discovered that seven houses including the station were affected.

“Having done this, an agency, Terra Aqua Environmental Consultancy Ltd., commenced remediation exercise which started right from the station. We were advised by LASEPA to get tank for all the affected houses and supply them water regularly for the period of the remediation exercise.

We bought Geepee tank of 2000 litres capacity for all

affected houses and supplied them with government approved water four times in a week to ensure that they don’t lack water. We also made provision for medical check-up to be carried out at their convenience.

“By May 2018, the affected areas were declared free from pollution, hence, it was confirmed safe to drill new boreholes. As instructed by LASEPA, we have dug four boreholes while the 5th one is due for completion.”

Reacting to the claim of one of the residents, Ifeamaka Umeike, Maruf denied neglecting the community, stating that “On the day the sad incident broke, the lady in question was not around, she came back two weeks after we had cleared the environment and done the needful by law.

However, remediation exercise was still ongoing. She commended the station on the efforts taken so far and this is glaring in a letter she wrote to us.”

THISDAY sighted a letter dated 30th August 2017, which according to him, was signed by Ifeamaka Umeike where she (Ifeamaka) applauded the company’s swift action stating, “I have to applaud the fact that they (Total station dealer) swung into action quickly. They provided affected residents with tanks of water which they replenish periodically.

While the filling station is quite responsive, I am yet to see any action taken by Total Nigeria Plc.” Continuing, Maruf alleged that, “she came back to complain that her pipe connections has been polluted and I wondered how that could have happened because I had disconnected all the pipes in the affected areas when the leak was discovered while she was away. But I heeded and changed all her pipes again. Note that while other houses have 2000 litres of Geepee tank, I gave her house 7000 litres of Geepee tank with a pumping machine taking water directly to her apartment to fulfill her desires.

“Three days after, she came back to my office and asked me to change her washing machine hose which she claimed got contaminated by the leakage.

Without arguing, I set out for a new hose but she was discontented with eight different hoses I brought insisting they did not fit her washing machine. She eventually requested for a new washing machine and asked me to get her a 5kg washing machine

that cost 250,000 as against her 3kg type. She came back the second day to thank me and told me I was free.”

However, Ifeamaka denied these allegations, stating that it was Maruf who volunteered to buy her another washing machine to replace the 7kg, not 3kg or 5kg, machine she had, when he could not get a hose that was appropriate for her machine. Regardless, Maruf said, “She was doing all this after the remediation has been certified okay by the agency in charge. As a matter of fact, we have started digging boreholes, so far, we have dug boreholes in four houses, and the fifth one is ongoing. But she refused to let us dig in her apartment, but we eventually dug it with the intervention of security personnel.

“However, she still complained that the water is not neat, whereas, water from other houses where we dug the same borehole had no issue, so we suspected she was sabotaging our efforts, especially considering the fact that there is a government borehole in the same house producing potable water.”

Maruf also explained what led to the fuel leakage, as well as steps taken to avert future occurrence, adding that they were interested in making peace with all aggrieved persons, including the lady.

Two landlords confirmed that the environment was now safe. Mr. Razak Odufuwa, who claimed to be the landlord of house No 57, St Finbarrs College Road, Akoka, one of the affected houses, admitted that there was an incident but commended the reaction of the company which he said acted swiftly to mitigate the effect.

“Initially, when the incident occurred, our water was contaminated and unsafe to drink or for any other domestic purposes. The station was the first to alert us; they disconnected all the water sources and gave us alternative source of water while they correct the situation. As I speak, they have corrected the situation, dug a new borehole in my house and I now have clean water as you can see (drinking water from the tap).”

Also, another landlord, Olusegun Oladipo of No 61, St Finbarrs road corroborated Odufuwa’s claim, adding that the company responded beyond their expectations as their situation was now better than how it was before the incident. “We now have new borehole with cleaner water supporting the government’s commissioned water system.”

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Hon Yakubu Dati; Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Prof Sonni Tyodden; former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon (rtd.) and Governor of Plateau State, Hon Simon Lalong, during a visit of Gen. Gowon to the Governor , after the recent killings in the state

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); (2nd right), Senior Special Assistant to the President on IDPs, Dr. Mariam Masha (left), with School children of The Learning Centre, Maiduguri, during the Vice President’s visit to the school, established to cater for children orphaned by the conflicts in the North East Nigeria, in Maiduguri ...recently

L-R: Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport, Hon. Aminu Isa; Vice Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport, Hon Adekoya Adesegun; Managing Director Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Fidet Okhiria; Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Gbenga Ashafa; and Project Manager of Lagos to Ibadan railway modernisation project, Mr. Leo, at the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Land Transports oversight visit to the Lagos - Ibadan rail modernisation project , yesterday

R-L: AIG Tunde Ogunsakin; Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma, and Mrs. Chinyere Ogunsakin, during the presentation of candidates for Call To The Nigerian Bar at the International Conference Centre, Abuja ...recently

54

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 14, 2018

POLITY

L-R: Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Sultan Sa'ad Abubakar III

When Marauders Struck in Sokoto Bandits recently attacked Tabbanin Gera community and three other villages in Gandi District, located in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Mohammed Aminu reports that 39 persons including a village head were killed, while valuable properties were destroyed.

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t was a pathetic sight at Gandi Model Primary School, a temporary camp for victims of recent attacks on Rabah local government area of Sokoto State. Large number of families, mostly women and children looked forlorn, famished, hungry and dejected. Most of them were women who lost their husbands and family members during the attacks on their villages by bandits, who infiltrated their communities from neighbouring Zamfara State on July 9, 2018.

The few men at the camp were still in shock over the killing of their loved ones by marauders who unleashed mayhem on their communities. The heinous act has created fear in the minds of the people especially those living in the communities bordering Zamfara State. In fact, about 10,000 people had deserted their villages for safety and are currently living in four internally displaced persons camp in Gandi town.

Tabbanni Gera is a village in Gandi District of Rabah local government area, which is over 100 kilometres away from Sokoto the state capital.

The village is in a remote area and is located very close to Maradun and Bakura local government area of Zamfara State. Residents of the affected villages of Tabannin Gera, Alliki, Dankilawa and Birwanga, had reportedly received threat letters from the bandits few weeks ago, who demanded a payment of a levy before conducting farming activities.

A resident of Tabbani Gera, Malam Ali Na-Huro, told THISDAY that residents of the village and neighbouring communities were served notices by the bandits to pay various forms of ransom so as to be allowed to cultivate their farms. He revealed that the bandits on Monday evening, invaded the village with over 100 motorcycles, shooting sporadically, resulting in the loss of several lives.

He said that the bandits also set houses ablaze.

“I was in the farm working when the attack occurred. I counted more than 30 dead bodies. Some were drowned in the river while trying to escape. Many people were killed in my community including the village head and the chief Imam as well as women and children,” he said.

The Sarkin Rafin Dan Tassakko, a village in Goronyo local government area of Sokoto state, which is very close to the affected communities, Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Aliyu, told journalists that hundreds of people had been displaced in the attack in the area. Aliyu disclosed that over 200 farmers had abandoned their farms this year in his village because of the threats by bandits. According to him, over 70 people were kidnapped by bandits in the 17 villages under his district in the last two years. Aliyu revealed that the people of the area had paid about N100 million as ransom to the bandits during the said period.

He alleged that residents of the area see a helicopter that supplies arms to the attackers and also helps them to take their victims to a hideout.

Aliyu said: “Our people use to see a helicopter moving

to the suspected hideouts of the bandits deep inside the bush. We are suspecting that it ferries weapons and other things to them from a neighbouring country and at the same time also conveying some of their victims to hideouts during negotiation for ransom.

“This has been going on for years but no one from our representatives at the state or national assembly ever visited us. As I am talking to you, we have a significant number of them who fled to our community, majority of them women and children. They are not the usual bandits who use to attack us, kidnap people or rustle animals. In fact, these ones, their mission is to kill anybody on sight.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Police Command and Deputy Superintendent of Police, Cordelia Nwawe, in an interview with THISDAY, said the Command had taken adequate measures to forestall future attacks. She said more mobile policemen had been deployed to ensure the safety of people residing in Rabah local government area and communities bordering Zamfara state.

“What I can tell you now is that adequate measures had been taken and more personnel also deployed to that area,” she declared.

Thirty two corpses were given mass burial at Tabbanni Gera in Gandi district of Rabah local government area on Wednesday while additional seven were buried the following day in the area.

Addressing the families of the victims who are taking refuge at Gandi Model Primary School, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was in attendance at the burial, said this was the first time that bandits unleashed mayhem on villages killing 39 persons in the state.

He described the situation as unfortunate, saying government would continue to support security agencies to tackle the situation.

“These marauders entered Tabanni village from Zamfara killing 39 people without taking anything there. We currently have about 10,000 people that left their villages for safety in four internally displaced persons camp.

“Government will continue to work with all security agencies to ensure the safety of the people especially at this difficult time. “Our presence here is in order to sympathise with the victims of this unfortunate incident and give them the necessary relief materials in order to ease their suffering most especially at this difficult time,” he said.

The governor assured the victims that the state government would continue to provide all the necessary materials for their stay at the camp.

He pledged: “We will continue to supply relief materials and medical assistance, ensure speedy rehabilitation of the victims as well as ensure their safe return to the communities.

“Government is working with all security agencies in the state in order to arrest the situation as quickly as possible.

We are also in touch with the leadership of the security agencies in the country and in the next few days, more security

personnel would be deployed to that axis.”

Commenting on the incident, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulazeez Yari, who led governors of Niger, Jigawa Adamawa, Borno and Katsina states on a condolence visit to Sokoto State on Thursday, described the menace of banditry as an internal problem that requires collaborative efforts by northern governors to tackle the ugly trend.

Yari maintained that the bandits and perpetrators of such heinous acts live within the communities, saying governors must look inwards to curb the wanton killings.

“We have to look inwards to find a solution to our problem. This problem is within us because the bandits creating this menace are within us. They cannot survive without drinking, eating and all the essential facilities needed for survival.

“So, how are they getting them? This is a chain that we need to check. We are seriously concerned because Sokoto has been relatively peaceful despite being a neighbouring state to Zamfara state. This is indeed worrisome and a serious concern to all of us. “Despite sabotage from within and outside, We know that as leaders, if we come together, we can achieve more in maintaining peace and harmony in our states,” he said.

He posited that the primary responsibility of government is to maintain peace and security and as such leaders must do more to combat banditry in their areas. Yari said they were in Sokoto to commiserate with the bereaved families and people of Sokoto state over the loss of lives of 39 persons in Tabani village of Rabah local government area of Sokoto state. He therefore, prayed against future occurrences and called for God’s intervention in the affairs of the nation.

On his part, Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), said the federal government would deployadequate security personnel in areas affected by security challenges and punish perpetrators. Dambazau, who led a federal government delegation on condolence visit to Tambuwal and the people of Sokoto State over the attack, said President Muhammadu Buhari was disturbed by the incident and promised to go after the perpetrators of the heinous act.

“President Buhari joins people of Sokoto to mourn the sad incident that led to the deaths of several people and displacement of others,” he said. He emphasised that new strategies would be adopted by beefing up security in the affected areas with a view to dealing with the bandits. “Measures to track the perpetrators have been put in place, and they will surely face the wrath of law, “ Dambazau stressed.

55

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΀

NEWSXTRA

I’ll Continue to Speak against Injustice, Maladministration,Vows Abaribe EmmanuelUgwu ÓØ ×ßËÒÓË

FOR AFFORDABLE SHELTA L-R; Minister of State, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri; Hon. Minister of Power, Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola,SAN and Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo during the Opening Session of the Council Meeting on Day Four of the 7th Meeting of the National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development at the Banquet Hall, Gombe International Hotel, Yola Road, Gombe , Gombe State ...recently

Nearly 250,000 Protesters March against President Donald Trump’s Visit to London Nearly 250,000 activists descended on the streets of central London yesterday to protest Donald Trump’s visit to the UK, organisers said.

Protesters marched through the capital carrying placards reading “Dump Trump” and “Star Spangled Gobs***”.

Aerial images showed the streets of central London from Portland Place to Trafalgar Square packed with tens of thousands of people taking part.

Stop Trump, the group which organised the biggest march, said that there were 250,000 people taking part.

The day began with the unveiling of the Trump baby blimp in Parliament Square, which was crowdfunded by campaigners furious that Mr Trump was being welcomed to the UK. The balloon, which depicts Mr.

Trump wearing a nappy and carrying a mobile phone, was later pictured among the marching crowds.

Later, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed crowds at a rally in Trafalgar Square and was received with enthusiasm.

“We are asserting our right to demonstrate, our right to free speech,” he said.

Mr. Corbyn said Sadiq Khan deserved support and not condemnation. “Human rights belong to all of us,” he added.

Mr. Corbyn said the message of the demonstration was “one of solidarity”. He added: “When we unite together with common objectives, we can all win.”

The crowd applauded him warmly and chanted “Oh, Jeremy Corbyn”.

Into the evening, several protesters jumped into the fountain in the centre of the square to cool off and kids followed suit - splashing in the shallow water.

Braver members of the crowd climbed up to the top and protested from there.

While activists were making their feelings known in central London, the President was meeting with Theresa May at Chequers for talks on trade, Brexit and NATO. He later took tea with the Queen at Windsor Castle.

The leaders gave a joint press conference in which they stood sideby-side to shore up the relationship between the UK and the US. It came after Mr. Trump, in an interview with The Sun newspaper, launched into an extraordinary criticism of the Prime

Minister which overshadowed the second day of his UK visit.

The president savaged Mrs. May’s Brexit proposals and warned they would likely kill off any chance of a future trade deal with the US in a bombshell interview. At the press conference, Mr. Trump described the interview as “fake news”.

Between 3,000 and 8,000 people took part in the initial Women’s March which travelled from Portland Place to Parliament Square, arriving there for a rally at 2pm.

Many were seen carrying signs that read “I really care.

Do you?” and “Dump Trump.”

People were seen banging pots and pans together as they made their way along the protest route.

Turkey Explains Establishment of First Bank Restates Maarif Foundation in Nigeria Commitment to AgroAlex EnumahÓØ ÌßÔË

The Turkish Ambassadordesignate to Nigeria, Melih Ulueren has explained the reason why Turkey is pursing the establishment of the Turkish Maarif Foundation (TMF) in Nigeria.

Ulueren, who is barely two weeks old in the country, disclosed that Turkey seeks to bring on board the Maarif Foundation in Nigeria with a view to confiscating FETO-operated schools and providing better and quality education for Nigerian students.

He was speaking at a pre-press conference on the 2nd anniversary of the botched bloody coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which claimed the lives of 250 Turkish citizens.

Renowned scholar, Fetullah Gulen, who is currently taking refuge in the United States of America, has been fingered as the sponsor of the failed group.

The envoy, described the coup of July 15, 2016 as the worst incident in Turkey’s history, adding that the Fetullah movement was a terrorist organisation that had spread in more than 160 countries around the World, through schools, NGO’s, lobbyists, media outlets and companies.

The Ambassador-designate, stated that there was need to checkmate the indoctrination of pupils, particularly

in schools owned by FETO, hence the establishment of the Maarif Foundation in 2016, “aimed at assuming ownership of those schools operated

by FETO in different countries of the world and not to have them shut down”.

He said: “Turkey understands the needs of Nigerian students and their families. To prevent the closure of these schools, Turkish Maarif Foundation, a public foundation was established in 2016. The aim of Maarif Foundation is to assume the ownership of the schools but never to close them. Nigerian teachers will keep their jobs (with a probable reasonable increase in salaries). The Maarif Foundation so far took over the schools in a number of countries with a view to providing better education for students.

“Their actions in Turkey should be considered as a wake-up call for other countries. Through their educational efforts, they provide scholarships. Later, they specifically target these children whom they have provided with scholarships and indoctrinate them. Then, they encourage them to join the public service.

The aim here is to infiltrate the public sector so as to influence the politics in line with their agenda”, he said.

businesses Financing UgoAliogo

The Managing Director First Bank of Nigeria Limited and Subsidiaries, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, has expressed the commitment of the bank to continue in financing agricultural businesses and enabling farmers.

Adeduntan who disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at the First BankAgric Expo 2018 with theme: ‘Innovating for a SustainableGreenEconomy’notedthatthe event was indicative of their commitment to increasingly collaborate with public and private sector partners to fully restore the prime role of the agricultural sector as the mainstay of the national economy.

He also stated that following their priority as a continuous financier of credit worthy agro-allied businesses, their team of dedicated agricultural professionals specialising in various fields of agriculture are strategically located to identify and support agricultural enterprises.

Headdedthatthededicatedagricultural professionals cut across all regions of the country, with a suite of customised sector andcustomerfriendlyagriculturalfinancing solutions.

Adeduntan maintained that the bank had a large base of existing small, medium and commercial agribusiness clients across the country operating in all segments of the agricultural value chain covering primary production, storage, processing, packaging

and agro export, and others.

The First Bank MD further stated that in partnership with public sector institutions, the bank had supported several State Governments onAgricultural DevelopmentTrustFundScheme(ADTF), which he noted that it was an initiative designed to provide credit facilities to small scale farmers who do not have collateral.

According to him, “Under the federal government’s Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme for long tenured credit facilities to commercial agricultural enterprises - at single digit interest rate – First Bank has supported over 23% of all the enterprises supported by all the banks put together. The projects spread across input supplies, primary production, processing and marketing. Obligors include small, medium and large scale enterprise in the agricultural value chain.

“Honourable Ministers, you may recall that the Anchor Borrower Programme was an innovative product developed by First Bank, as it was then known as ‘Industrial End Users Out-grower Scheme’, which is now improved for enhanced delivery. With these experiences, First Bank worked immensely to support the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in actualising the efforts of reviving all the value–chains as envisioned by the federal government of Nigeria.

Fresh from detention, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe returned to his constituency and vowed that no amount of intimidation would make him keep quiet in the face of injustice and maladministration in the land.

Senator Abaribe gave the assurance that he would not stop to speak truth to the Muhammadu Buhari administration while addressing his constituents at Aba where two receptions were organised to welcome him back from detention and to commend him for his courage in speaking truth to the powers that be.

“We will not keep quiet. We will talk to make sure that Nigeria is safe for everybody,” he said, adding, “I cannot see a situation where the security apparatus of this country is in the hands of a section of the country and I will keep quiet. I must talk”.

The Senator, who represents Abia South in the National Assembly, had touched down at the Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri where he was welcomed by a huge crowd of supporters.

He then drove in a long convoy to the commercial city of Aba where he addressed his constituents at two different reception venues, first at Aba South local government headquarters and at CS Park where a socio-political group, Aba South Peoples Assembly received him.

The fiery Senator said he was happy to be received by the people, which according to him was a sign

that he was representing them well.

He expressed deep appreciation to all Nigerians across every divide that stood by him during his travails by praying and pressurising the federal government to let him go, adding that the media played a pivotal role in fighting for his freedom.

Defiant as ever, Abaribe lamented that the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had decided to hunt down all those that speak the truth, pointing out that the nation was in for “a very difficult situation” with a very intolerant APC government.

He lambasted the presidency for its inability to rein the rampaging herdsmen who had been allowed to have a free day killing people with impunity.

“The usual response(by the presidency) after every spate of killings is ‘I will bring the perpetrators to book,” he said, adding that the presidency had further betrayed Nigerians and abandoned them at the mercy of killer herdsmen by telling the people that it was better to give out their lands than dying.

“How can I keep quiet when people are being killed; how can I keep quiet when there are no jobs for youths? How can I keep quiet when there is injustice and marginalisation?,” he asked.

Abaribe explained that he was propelled to stand with the people and confront “a vicious government” because of his love for Nigeria, saying, “I am a patriot and what makes a patriot is to stand by your country”.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I,formerly known and addressed as OBADIAH CHINYERE PRISCA, now wish to be known and addressed as NWACHUKWU CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as OKOSUN IKEKHUAMEN, now wish to be known and addressed as OKOSUN SAMUEL OSEMEGBE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKAR IBRAHIM, now wish to be known and addressed as ABUBAKAR IBRAHIM ADAMU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKAR MOHI ISA, now wish to be known and addressed as ABUBAKAR MOYI. All former documents remain valid.

Zenith Bank Plc he general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as MRS AMAKA DONNA OCHONMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS AMAKA DONNA OKWUSOGU. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc he general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as ABALI NAFISAT, now wish to be known and addressed as NAFISAT ABUBAKAR. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as ATUYOTAN ADEBAYO JOHNSON now wish to be known and addressed as ADELOWO ADEBAYO JOHNSON. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS CHIMENEM ORLUNDA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BLESSING CHIMENEM OLUOHA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as ALHAJI ISIAKA now wish to be known and addressed as MOMOH ISIAKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS IMAOBONG MOSES USEN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IMAOBONG NSISONG NTA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS PERPETUA CHINEMEREM OKORIE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. PERPETUA CHINEMEREM AWGU. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS STELLA CHIDINMA OGBONNA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS, STELLA CHIDINMA EKEJI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as VICTOR DOGO MOSES IMOHI, now wish to be known and addressed as VICTOR IMOHI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as EZEDIKE AMAKA EMMANUELLA, now wish to be known and addressed as OBICHERE AMAKA EMMANUELLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

TR

Saturday, July 14, 2018

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MISSILE

HURIWA on Executive Order 6

“The Executive Order is possibly a politically-tainted move to crush opposition politicians, take over their assets over nebulous charges and make them financially impotent to confront the incumbent President in next year presidential election in which the incumbent plans to run” – Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria chastising the Executive Order 6 on the Preservation of Suspicious Assets Connected with Corruption, signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

My Epic Journey in the Forests of a Thousand Daemons

F

ellow Nigerians, let me put it as simple as possible, with God all things are possible. Mine has been a life of miracles, too numerous to mention, or believe by doubting Thomases. The story of my foray into the world and business of journalism is as dramatic as it is surreal.

My dream was always to be a teacher, marry a teacher, and live happily thereafter. But I couldn’t secure a teaching appointment and it was joblessness and desperation that drove me in a different direction. Though I bagged a first degree in Yoruba language from the then University of Ife in 1982, and completed a Master’s degree in Literature-in-English much later in 1988, it never occurred to me that I would eventually end up being a journalist, writer and publisher. This is why it is often said that “man proposes but God disposes.”

Only God could have re-navigated my route towards writing. And even when it all started, I never envisaged or anticipated that I would ever come this far. I started as a writer slowly from around 1982 and steadily from about 1986. By 1988, I had galloped to the level of a full-fledged reporter and Staff Writer at the Concord Newspapers where I soon discovered myself and distinguished my career in a jiffy.

From 1988-1990, I worked with the agility of a horse and fame and fortune smiled on me in a modest way. Though I had written articles mainly in The Guardian and Sunday Tribune newspapers, it was at the Concord newspapers that my career blossomed like a flower in full bloom. From my last duty post at Weekend Concord, I was poached by May Ellen Ezekiel, later known as Mrs Mofe-Damijo, wife of the madly popular actor and journalist, Richard Mofe-Damijo, both Publisher and Director respectively of Panache Communications Limited, owners of Classique magazine.

It was while in Classique that my Pendulum column was birthed. The idea to write a weekly column arose out of necessity when my boss, who wrote the celebrated MEE column was going on leave and left me to feel the vacuum in her absence. What was meant to be a temporary affair soon turned into addiction for many readers. I got hooked on it myself and wrote copiously on varying topics which I have since published on different platforms, including Fame, Global Excellence, The Sun and now Thisday.

I first mooted the idea of publishing my first collection of articles and essays with my dear friend and colleague, Dr Reuben Abati, and he agreed that I needed to put something together before the words vanished and evaporated. Thus my first selection was selected and edited by Reuben Abati. The first collection was ready as far back as 1997 and Reuben unleashed his power of poetic prose in its introduction and left it with me. And that was it.

Procrastination is a very bad thing. For 21 odd years, the book was left to ferment inside one old rickety laptop until I had the inspiration to publish it recently, and the jinx was finally broken. God finally used a very dear Brother, Sola Ojewusi, to open my eyes to the great potentials in publishing books. We had collaborated with another young Brother of mine, Ohimai Godwin Amaize, on the biography I produced on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, which was launched with fanfare on the occasion of his 50th birthday on December 26, 2017. That

seemed to have been the impetus needed to kick-start my book projects. Aside the first Pendulum collection, I had many other books in the pipeline, simply because I had several short articles to compile into many books. Since I had been writing an average of 50 articles per year, I already have a large reservoir of essays stockpiled. There was also a book, titled Fighting Lions, written by Ohimai Godwin Amaize, my former Presidential Campaign Manager, on that amazing experience, which had also gathered dust over time.

I drew great inspiration from my dear friends, Segun Adeniyi and Bolaji Abdullahi, who published and launched their books last year. My original plan was to finish a biography of Chief Moshood Abiola, and launch it on July 7 2018, the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Chief Abiola’s death. That also proved difficult.

But God’s time is always the best. I then decided to publish two volumes of Pendulum, one a bit ancient, and the other more contemporary.

I was determined to make that happen, by fire by force. I called Sola Ojewusi, and we went all

out. We were grappling with that when Ohimai came up with the idea that we should include his book since it would be very relevant in this season of political electioneering. I agreed and, pronto, I told him to update the book. I also decided to do some final editing on all the books, including those earlier edited by Dr Reuben Abati and my best friend, Prince Adedamola Aderemi. It was going to be a herculean task but between Sola and Mrs Molara Wood, nothing was going to be impossible.

And we made it happen.

We worked on very tight deadlines. While at it, President Muhammadu Buhari stole the thunder from our secret plans to honour Chief Abiola by dedicating the books to his memory.

But that for us was a welcome development that made ours even more necessary and compulsory.

We set up a powerful WhatsApp committee headed by the Yes Magazine Publisher, Azuh Arinze, and went to work. The rest is history. Sola headed to Dubai to produce some world-class books and returned triumphantly with what I’m sure would soon become bestsellers globally.

We launched the books at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 and it was just so beautiful and glorious.

Special thanks to all the wonderful people who defied all odds to throng the occasion. The Abiola family was well represented and it brought tears to my eyes as they spoke one after the other. We could not have asked for a better keynote speaker than Pastor Tunde Bakare, whose eloquent address was powerfully delivered. Mr Femi Otedola also set the place on fire with his witty and salacious anecdotes about Chief Abiola. Dr Doyin Abiola displayed the true stuff of a PhD holder and was wellapplauded for her presentation.

The launchers helped us to mop up the copies that we were able to bring in at such short notice. Our friends of several decades turned up in droves. I could hardly believe my eyes.

Many I did not know came, but I have since discovered their presence while reviewing the pictures and videos. What a great day and event it was and I remain eternally grateful to the best friends in the world.

The Options Before Kemi Adeosun I was elated when Mrs Kemi Adeosun was invited to serve the government of President Muhammadu Buhari as Minister of Finance.

Many considered her too young and too inexperienced for such a big portfolio, but I didn’t see anything wrong with the appointment particularly since I have championed the cause of youths in government forever and a day! The same young people who regularly complain about the non-inclusion of young people in government were the same gang that wanted to shoot her down. I didn’t know much about her other than the fact that she had served as Commissioner for Finance under Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State. I remember writing an article supporting her and encouraging President Buhari to let our youths learn through mistakes. No soul can be perfect without going through the furnace of life.

I ran into the Minister about two or three months ago at a society wedding in Lagos and she was the first to see and recognise me.

She practically jumped off her seat to greet and exchange pleasantries with me. She was full of thanks and appreciation for the brief article of support I wrote at the time of her turbulent appointment. If I had expected to meet a pompous and arrogant person, Mrs Adeosun totally disarmed me. I saw her for the second time at the Aso Rock Presidential villa a few weeks ago during the International Press Institute Summit which was hosted by President Buhari, and she took pictures with me, Mrs Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, now Managing Director of Arise News Television, and Mr Eniola Bello, the Managing Director of Thisday Newspapers.

Again, I saw a simple and humble lady who’s holding a very powerful position and I was excited for her.

You can thus imagine my shock and horror reading about the explosive stories about her National Youth Service debacle and how sad at the way the whole saga is ballooning and spreading like bushfire in harmattan. As always, I have watched with incredulity how mortals have fed voraciously on her unfortunate twist of fate. Social media seems to have turned us

Adeosun

all into saints who pontificate at the slightest opportunity. Many have said she should resign and get ready to go to jail; after-all, if this had occurred overseas, from whence she had emigrated to Nigeria, she would have done the needful by now.

Others, obviously more sympathetic to her, have argued that her mistake, or whatever you want to call it, is not as grave as being portrayed in certain quarters, and that Nigeria is not yet ripe for the kinds of standards people are advocating. In their view, we should never throw the baby away with the birth water because they ascertain that she’s been doing a good job stabilising the economy against all odds.

Yet there is still a third camp propounding the conspiracy theory that she’s being hounded and victimised by some powerful subterranean forces within the government who want to get rid of her for poking her British noses into the ugly Nigerian deals that are better left to the imagination. This is normal in a country where ordinary headache can be attributed to witches and wizards. It is in the same vein that I felt scandalised that the upright man of God, Pastor Tunde Bakare, who had only been keynote speaker at my book launch a few days ago was shamelessly dragged into the debacle by those who have no sense of propriety. Pastor Bakare had gone to the Villa to thank President

Buhari for the singular honour done to him when the President had sent a high-powered Federal Government delegation to attend his mother’s funeral in Abeokuta. As fate would have it, there was a chance meeting with Mrs Adeosun in the corridors as he was about to proceed to meet with President Buhari. Pastor Bakare and the Minister exchanged pleasantries like all normal beings and no more, yet the rumour mill has been agog with the tale by moonlight that the highly esteemed and revered Pastor had gone to see the President at the behest of Mrs Adeosun to intercede on her behalf. I know, and I am assured, that nothing could be further from the truth because not only was such a request not made by Mrs Adeosun, but the principle upon which Pastor Bakare stands are so well known that it would be unproductive to expect that he would accede to such a request.

As usual the Adeosun saga has become politicised. Politics often obfuscates serious issues in Nigeria. No matter our opinion in this hocus pocus, the final decisions are always taken at the highest levels. The Attorney-General would brief his principal on the implications of the controversial expose. The Commander-in-Chief would weigh the options to see if it is within his power to sack or pardon, or cause her to resign. None of these options would be easy considering the fact that Nigeria is very close to the next general elections and government may not wish to rock the boat.

Her silence, and resilience, has infuriated many people but only God knows what advice she is getting from the top. I would have expected she would address a press conference to explain her side of the story, with her lawyer close by, if her clarification is indeed viable or tenable.

There is nothing more to do than to either speak up and die or keep mute and postpone the doomsday. As for me, it is always a pity, each time a beautiful career is shot down and torn to shreds. But I also believe in probity and accountability in public life. May God help Mrs Adeosun through her ordeal as facts continue to unravel.

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