New telegraph sunday, december 27, 2015binder1

Prophet warned us against disaster, says Nnewi gas fire victim

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SUNDAY Sunday, DECEMBER 27, 2015 Vol. 2 No. 676

Sanctity of Truth

/newtelegraph

2016

N150

@newtelegraph1 www.newtelegraphonline.com

Ethnic unrest looms

Ebube Nwagbo

My thoughts on marriage }33

}4

lIt’s Biafra or nothing - IPOB lIjaw Youths pledge support lBuhari should shelve dictatorial toga - OPC lBiafra died 45 years ago - ACF

$2.1bn arms deal

Don’t hang me - Jonathan before trial lEFCC moves against Ag. PDP BoT Chairman, son }5

NEWS Adebanjo blasts }4 Obasanjo: Your govt killed Bola Ige

FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL

NLC, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS CONDEMN POLICY

lMass protest imminent as scarcity bites harder

}5

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Contents | 27.12.15 BODY & SOUL

Unique entrepreneur Banker turn events manager, Kemi Otegbade, who towers above many, exploits her unique height in her current profession

}24

POLITICS

High point of 2015 Politics, anti-corruption war and insecurity were the major highlights of the out-going year

}15

BUSINESS

Tollgates No rehabilitation of bad roads, no tolls payment

}47

FAITH

Cost of Bible It takes 38 years and costs N1 million to translate a copy of the bible into one Nigerian language

}39

SPORT

Twins basketball stars John and Joseph Luka are twins’ basketball stars who are poised to take the game by storm in Nigeria in the nearest future

}53

Magazine

Christmas in the cities Unlike in yester years, more people are celebrating Christmas in the cities instead of village

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SUNDAY

Editorial

W

Time to fix Ore road

orks minister, Babatunde Fashola, is a veteran of many battles.As governor of Lagos State for eight years, he was never afraid to take the bull by the horns. Once his mind was made up, he crushed any obstacle, human or material, that stood on the way to development.

Oshodi, once dreaded as the den of criminals and another name for gridlock, was turned to a smooth alley that welcomed the best of entrepreneurs and entertainers.

President Muhammadu Buhari must have been so impressed that he picked Fashola to head three powerful ministries put together as one in this new era of change. The ex- governor is Minister of Works, Power and Housing. That sounds tough but he was so chosen to get things going.

The going is really tough.

The minister recently addressed a press conference where he announced government’s plan to bring back toll gates which were dismantled by the government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo following the introduction of fuel tax. As part of renewed efforts to increase earnings, road users will have to bear part of the burden of maintaining Federal Government highways across the country.

This disclosure by Fashola will surely attract reactions from Nigerians, especially the opposition. Paying more at a time when most Nigerians are complaining of harsh economic environment does not sound attractive for now. There is this lingering suspicion that pronouncements are so easily made without consulting with stake holders.

While we allow the minister freedom to address the world, there is need to make the people believe that this government of change is also a listening administration. It is in this regard that we ask Fashola to drive down to Ore from Lagos as part of his job as Works minister. The taste of the pudding is in the eating. A Works minister must be on the move. During his tenure as Minister of works under President Ibrahim Babangida, Major General Mamman Kontangora refused to fly around the country. His conviction was that he needed to feel what other users were going through.

And to a large degree, roads received

the necessary attention.

Driving down to Ore from Lagos will be the tonic Fashola needs to get cracking for there are so many roads begging for attention. Moving from Calabar to Itu is an experience that has kept many in Cross River State wondering if indeed they are part of the country. The Enugu -Port Harcourt Expressway is highway to the coffin for it is easier to die on that road than in the hospital. Ibadan to Ife is not any better.

This is Yuletide, that is why we want to single out Sagamu to Ore for starters. There is a huge population moving towards that axis. Travellers by road to Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta,Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Benue states respectively are condemned to ply that route. After going through the madness called Lagos- Ibadan Expressway, motorists begin a tortous journey that keeps them on the road hours on end. The trip from Sagamu to Ore is a nightmare.

While the vehicles quake due to the pot holes that litter the journey, passengers are in pains having to sit down for days going through a journey that ordinarily should take an hour. It is not a sight to behold, seeing children wailing while a long stretch of vehicles paints a picture of a country whose leaders do not care about the plight of the citizens.

Mr. Fashola can do little to rehabilitate that road before the end of the year. However, that is not an excuse to stay away. We urge him to make a quick trip to see things for himself.

This is not the time to make speeches and address the press. Nigerians want action. For decades now, it remains the same old story. When Mrs Diezani Alison Madueke made her first trip as Works minister in 2007, she wept on that road. Eight years after that famous flood of tears, compatriots are still wailing on the the road. Many have gone through traffic accidents.

Our roads need urgent attention. We expected Fashola to declare an emergency on all Federal roads. Talking about retolling the highways does not appeal to many at this time when so much money that should have been used on the roads were diverted to personal and political pockets.

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Funke Egbemode

Managing Editor, Business & Strategy n Yemi Ajayi

Managing Editor, Publication & Operations n Emeka Obasi

Managing Editor, South n Emeka Madunagu Managing Editor, North & Abuja n Laurence Ani

Editor n Ayodele Ojo Editor, Sunday n Juliet Bumah Editor, Saturday n Waheed Bakare Deputy Editor n Tunde Sulaiman

Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam Asst. Editor, News & Politics n Biyi Adegoroye

Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed Sales/Circulation Manager n Oyebanji Abiodun Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

3

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

Congratulations!

Osagie Ehanire

MINIster of stAte for HeAltH

My family and I, join millions of Nigerians to felicitate with you on your recent appointment as the MINIster of stAte for HeAltH

by His excellency, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces of the federal republic of Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR).

Wish you a successful tenure in office.

Signed: Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu

Former Governor, Abia State.

4

SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

2016: Ethnic unrest looms •It’s Biafra or nothing- IPOB •Buhari should shelve dictatorial toga- OPC •IPOB has right to self-determination- IYC •Biafra died 45 years ago- ACF

Biyi Adegoroye and Tope Ogunbanke

T

he Independent Peoples of Biafra has condemned Federal Government’s continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, despite being granted bail by two courts, stating that no amount of intimidation, killings and harassment will sway them from their cause.

The group said that the continued detention of Kanu after his two successful bail applications by both a Magistrate and a High court, was an indication that President Muhammadu Buhari “is a dictator who does not believe in diplomacy and rule of law.”

Speaking to one of our correspondents, the National Coordinator of IPOB, Mr. Chidiebere

Onwundiwe, said that the spate of events and government’s failure to address the issues they raise, point to the fact that Nigeria is a lawless country, which has no regard for fundamental human rights.

Onwundiwe said that they are at liberty to ask for self-determination, and no one should try to intimidate them.

“We have waited for 90

days since his detention and no one should blame us if we embark on any action from now on. We are keeping the plans in the wraps. We shall not disclose it to anyone,” he said.

Asked why he has not chosen the path of referendum to seek for the state of Biafra, he said the group abhors bloodshed, but has adopted the street option because, “Buhari too is a dictator who does

L-R: Senate President Bukola Saraki, President Muhammadu Buhari; FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, and Permanent Secretary (FCT), Dr. Tope Ajakaiye during Christmas homage to the President by FCT residents led by the Minister at the Presidential Villa

not have any democratic tendencies. On our part, we don’t want to be in Nigeria, hence they should allow us to go.”

Another member of the group, Emmanuel Power, said that the Federal Government should be prepared to build more prisons for Biafran youths in the New Year, because “we would go the whole hog.”

“A number of us have been killed; we have been reduced to nothing. We are discriminated against in the area of education and appointments and all.

Our children who score 60 per cent in JAMB (UME) cannot gain admission, whereas, in the North, those who score 30 per cent march into the universities.

“This is unacceptable.

The youths of this nation are not happy and with the way things are going, more trouble lies ahead.

All we need now is total freedom. Release Nnamdi Kanu and allow us to go our own way, otherwise, nothing will stop us from sustaining this struggle,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Ijaw Youths Congress said that the protest by the pro-BIAFRA agitators and other ethnic unrest in different parts of the country clearly show that there is something fundamentally wrong with Nigeria as presently constituted.

The IYC’s spokesman, Eric Omare, expressed support to them in their current moves.

“The IYC is in solidarity with the pro-BIAFRA

Adebanjo blasts Obasanjo: Your govt killed Bola Ige Biyi Adegoroye

F

ourteen years after the gruesome murder of the then Justice Minister and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige, Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has laid the blame of the incident squarely on the door steps of the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo, who ruled between 1999 and 2007.

Speaking to Sunday Telegraph in Lagos Saturday, Adebanjo reminisced on the December 24, 2003 murder, stating that: “The Federal Government of that period murdered Chief Bola Ige, and incidentally, instead of confessing, they passed the buck, accusing Ige’s political associates of the murder.”

He wondered how

“the Number one Chief Law Officer of the Federation at that time could be killed in his house in such a ridiculous manner, when all the six security aides attached to him vacated their duty posts at the same time and investigation into the murder was bungled.”

Adebanjo, in an exclusive interview, recalled that that period in Nigeria’s democratic history during the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo, was characterised by massive high profile politically-motivated killings, when the likes of Chief Harry Marshall, Aminasori Dikigbo, Chief Dipo Dina and Chief Funsho William were felled by bullets. He lamented that all the murders remain unresolved.

“These were sad incidents in our political

history for such persons to have been killed in such questionable circumstances. To worsen matters, in the case Chief Bola Ige, they even accused Chief Abraham Adesanya and me as his possible killers, instead of focusing on thorough investigation into the matter,” he said.

The killers, he said, were not only smart but they also diverted attention from the main issue.

He argued that accusing Ige’s associates of killing him was a very feeble jibe, because the mere fact that politicians in the same party disagree on principles and ideologies does not culminate into political assassination.

He said that regrettably, Ige’s political allies failed to sustain his dreams were compromised, hence they failed to sus-

tain the battle, having allowed personal interest and self-aggrandisement to becloud their judgment, He also accused the media for lauding Obasanjo, and “praising him to the high heavens,” despite the fact that all these murders occurred during his tenure. “You media are praising him to high heavens, what has he done? The sad part of it is that even the All Progressives Congress refers to Obasanjo as a navigator. It is sad,” he said.

Speaking on the same issue, leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, said that government’s failure to arrest and prosecute Ige’s murders underscored the porosity of the system, absence of justice in this country.

“It shows that there is

a serious problem in our system. It shows that many people in this country are not safe, because I have never seen a country where the number one citizen on law will die like that without finding justice to it. It is unfortunate.

If Bola Ige could be killed and the killers have not been arrested and prosecuted 14 years, then we still have a long way to go in terms of safety of lives and property in the country.”

Adams appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that the murder of Chief Ige is investigated because it leaves many Nigerians with sad memories. “It does not speak well of the nation that a sitting AttorneyGeneral of the Federation was killed and nobody is held accountable for it,” he said.

agitators in their quest for self determination as their struggle is in all fours with the Ijaw and Niger Delta agitation. We strongly believe that the way forward for Nigeria is for Nigerians to sit down and honestly negotiate the continuous existence of Nigeria on fair and generally acceptable terms. We cannot pretend that all is well when the foundation of Nigeria is fundamentally wrong.”

Also speaking in the same vein, the Oodua Peoples Congress leader, Otunba Gani Adams, condemned Kanu’s detention after court orders, noting that everyone cannot remain silent in the face of unhealthy developments in the country.

He said Buhari “must adjust as a democratically elected president, and avoid a situation where he would be using tactical military ways to detain anybody because what happened to Kanu can happen to anyone.”

Adams added, “Kanu did not steal Nigeria’s money. He was using his radio to canvass for Biafran nation, which one way or another, can make government to raise eyebrow. But the continuous detention of Kanu is like just detaining one person out of 35 millions of Igbo people. Detaining Kanu does not even make sense to stop Biafra.

“They should realise that Kanu did not start the agitation for Biafra. We still have Ralph Uwazuruike, who has many executives.

Even within the top hierarchy of people who believe in Biafra, we can count thousands of people. So, detaining Kanu because he runs a radio programme does not reduce the determination of Igbo people.”

The Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF) had said that the issue of Biafra was settled in 1970 after the Civil War, adding that it is unfortunate that 45 years after, some elements are now busy instigating the innocent youths in the SouthEastern states to stage “an irresponsible protest when Nigerians are now united in a democratic system of governance.

The National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, advised the Igbo youth and indeed other Nigerians to channel their energy, resources, talents and time into useful ventures that will promote unity and development rather than allow themselves to be used for what he described as a futile agitation.

5

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015

$2.1b arms scandal: Jonathan tackles Sagay over comments Emmanuel Onani Abuja

F

ormer President Goodluck Jonathan has finally broken his silence over the controversy surrounding the $2.1 billion arms deal, which occurred while he was in office, taking offence to comments made by a legal luminary, Prof.

Itse Sagay (SAN) that he should confess his involvement in the scandal before he is arrested.

This is coming on the heels of moves by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arraign a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ex-Minister of Defence, and Acting PDP BoT Chairman, Dr. Haliru Bello Mohammed, before a Federal High Court in Abuja over the same scandal.

However, reacting through a statement issued

by Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, his former Minister of National Planning, Jonathan faulted Sagay over the statement, saying that as a respected learned scholar, he should know that one does not hang a suspect on the pages of newspaper or via social media until he or she is found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

“One should expect the re­spected learned scholar to know that you don’t hang a suspect on the pages of newspaper or via social media until he or she is found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction,” the statement signed by Dr. Su-

laiman quoted the former president as saying.

Sagay, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, had advised Jonathan to secretly confess all he knows about the arms deal, to which his name has been linked by the man who replaced him at Aso Rock, President Muhammadu Buhari.

Sagay, however, acknowledged that the case of the former president being arrested relating to the arms scandal is a “sensitive one”, adding that his concession of defeat to Buhari dur­ing the March 28 presidential election does not make Jonathan a hero, as one good action cannot correct several evil deeds.

But Jonathan said the statement credited to Sagay on December 23, 2015 that tended to vilify him on the ongoing arms scam is not only unfortunate but unprofessional.

“Accordingly, even where the learned jurist feels passionate about such a sensitive but sensational issue, he should know the right route to the villa rather than taking such prejudicial position.

“It is high time our legal luminaries confined themselves to the noble eth­ics of their profession than toeing the path of some mischief politicians.

“And we pray that when the report of his Committee finally comes out, it will reflect and incorporate the noble principles of rule of law, fair hearing and impartiality so as to meet the ir­reducible

News

•As EFCC moves against PDP Ag BoT chairman, son

minimum standard expected in matters of this nature.

We also pray that it may not end up dashing, rather than raising the hopes of average Nigerian in the vintage APC fashion, as with most things these days,” Jonathan said in the statement signed by Dr Sulaiman.

Meanwhile, Sunday Telegraph learnt from highly places sources at the EFCC’s headquarters, Abuja, that barring any change, Mohammed and his son, Abba, will be arraigned on Tuesday or Wednesday.

One of the sources, who craved anonymity, said a four-count charge border-

ing on alleged money laundering, has already been filed against the duo.

Specifically, the anti-graft agency is alleging that the former PDP chairman’s son allegedly received N600 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in the name of a company.

It maintained that the said amount was part of the $2 billion earmarked by the immediate-past administration, for the procurement of arms, to defeat Boko Haram in the North East.

“All is now set for the prosecution of a former Chairman of the Peoples

Democratic Party and exminister of defence Haliru Bello Mohammed and his son, Abbah Mohammed, for their alleged role in the diversion of funds meant for the procurement of arms in the office of the National Security Adviser.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has already filed charges against the duo at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

“Though the matter is yet to be assigned to a specific judge, the former minister and his son are most likely to be docked on a four-count money laundering charge on Tuesday, December 29

or Wednesday December 30,” the source said.

A former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), is already standing trial over alleged misapplication and diversion of the $2 billion meant to procure arms.

Apart from Dasuki, the EFCC had arraigned other prominent personalities in connection with the arms purchase deal, including a former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, ex-Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, as well as founder of Daar Communications Plc., Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

Bank customers waiting to collect money from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), in Gwagwalada, Abuja…PHOTO: NAN

Fuel subsidy removal: NLC, Human rights activists condemn policy •Mass protest imminent as scarcity bites harder Onwuka Nzeshi, Yekeen Nurudeen and Tunde Oyesina ABUJA

T

he Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday reiterated its opposition to the removal of subsidy on petroleum products by the Federal Government, saying it would only support policies that would not bring hardship on the masses.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachickwu, had last Friday in Port Harcourt announced that the Federal Government would no longer fund the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) also known as fuel subsidy but that Premium Motor Spirit ( PMS)

would sell for N85 per litre as from January 1, 2016.

Kachikwu explained that the Federal Government could no longer afford to subsidise the product because of the fraud that has been associated with the operation of the scheme. He said the scheme was no longer sustainable given the fact that government’s earnings have been dipping on a daily basis.

But General Secretary of the NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo Esson told Sunday Telegraph in a telephone interview that organized labour in the country was still opposed to the removal of subsidy on petroleum products. He, however, would not confirm if the union would mobilize workers to protest against government action

as it did three years ago.

“We are opposed to the removal of subsidy in the sense that if prices of crude were to rise and that the country cannot sell the product at this price that has just been announced. That’s where the subsidy issue will have to re-emerge.

“We have not discussed anything about removal of fuel subsidy. If given the price currently and there is no subsidy that is understandable. That’s different from withdrawing or removing subsidy from the fuel,” he said.

Esson said that the labour union had no problem with the reduction of price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N87 to N85 announced last Friday by the

Federal Government. He said that NLC had always maintained that there was no need for increase when the international price of crude oil was crashing.

He noted that decision of the Federal Government to reduce the fuel price from N87 to N85 was in line with what was trending internationally adding that the decision was in line with the global market.

“We are taking a positional line along that the crisis in the downstream sector is occasioned by the fact we have continued to pursue an import dependant policy and we needed to ensure domestic refining.

“Whatever the government can do to get the refineries to produce and

produce optimally; it is something that is welcomed. We don’t want to live by promise; we want to see it happen. Therefore, our own interest would be going forward what is actually happening in the refineries,” he said In a related development, a rights activist and the President of Public Interest Lawyers League, Kayode Ajulo yesterday condemned the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

Speaking with Sunday Telegraph in Abuja, Ajulo who is also the National Secretary of the Labour Party, noted that it t is full of deceit to remove subsidy.

“If they want to remove subsidy, they should hands off from the fuel price, they can’t be removing fuel subsidy and still be pegging the price. If we want to have a

free market, let’s have it.

They can’t be saying that they are shying away from responsibility and at the same time trying to take the gain of the responsibility they are shying away from.

“In Goodluck Jonathan’s time, we resisted it, but those who were with us then, are the ones doing it now, saying they want subsidy because they are in power, this is very uncharitable. Where is the trust that you will abide by whatever you say,” he stated.

In his reaction, Abudul Mahmud said it is strange and anti people, coming from the government and a party when in the opposition, said there was nothing like subsidy. “For them to do a 360 degree turn is bad.

It is shameful and it does not speak well of the presCo n t o n pa g e 14

6

SUNDAY

The Sunday Magazine SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

C

Chijioke Iremeka elebrating Christmas in various cities across the land is a fast becoming a fad for many city dwellers. Gone are the days when people had to defy all odds just to travel to different villages to spend a few days, celebrating Christmas.

In those days, Christmas fun-seekers are ready to spend their year-round savings in one week and go back begging.

In most cases, they have to sell their personal belongings at motor parks to pay their way back to the cities, especially when the Shylocks in the transport industry had jerked up the fares.

Many subjected themselves to various degree of pressures just to be in the village. Some also have lost their lives and valuables in road accidents in a bid to get home for the Christmas or return to the cities.

For instance, just before the peak of Christmas holiday travels, the Police and Federal Road Safety Corps had put the total number of road accidents so far this season at 3,200 – with a number of lives lost.

Sometimes, many, who left the cities for Xmas in most cases, did not get to their destinations the same day. This was also the case of those, who travelled to the Eastern part of the country on Monday, who had to sleep at Asaba because they could not beat the Niger Bridge traffic.

However, some view such experiences as part and parcel of the joy that comes with Christmas, especially when they gather together to recount their ordeals.

“Part of the Christmas fun is driving in the traffic, seeing your friends travelling at the same time, telling stories and booking appointments,” said Ifeanyi Okaro.

But in recent times, the story is fast changing, as people are getting wiser, especially with the financial harmattan haze, sweeping across the country.

While some Christmas fun seekers are headed for different villages, others are going to the cities, where they see different aspects of life. It’s that same happiness that keeps some city dwellers in the cities for Christmas that the rural dwellers are seeking in the cities.

Do they find happiness doing this?

“Oh yes, the season is all about being happy and celebrating the birth of Christ, which one can do anywhere.

I’m taking my family to Cross River State for the Calabar Carnival. I have not witnessed it. I have been going to the village but I have to be in the city this time,” said Sola Ogunbunmi, a fun seeker.

Just like Ogunbunmi said, many people will be heading to the ancient city of Calabar to witness the Carnival billed to take place on December 28, 2015.

Calabar is a city, where both Nigerians and non Nigerians flock to during festival periods. Many in the villages are struggling to go there too. Thus, this year’s Christmas celebration is no exception to the emerging order. Many are staying back in the cities to celebrate their Christmas and, perhaps, the New Year. Again, the beauty of Christmas celebration lies in its preparation.

People derive a lot of joy preparing for Christmas and in some cases, they don’t pay more attention to the ‘Christmas Day’ the way they prepare and talk about it.

A tour of different cities in Nigeria will give one more insight on what

Christmas in

Nigerians shopping for the season at Oshodi market in Lagos…yesterday

the celebrations are like in the cities.

Many people change the looks of their houses and vehicles to depict the festive season.

Lagos State, for instance, is one of the cities, where such preparation speaks volumes.

Usually, Lagos Island is the most decorated part of Lagos State during the season. The bridges are well decorated with Christmas trees and lights, which make night life and activities in the area most desirable.

The decoration and the ambience help

to whet people’s appetite. Of course, huge shopping is one the things that remind people the nearness of the Christmas.

Different shopping malls are filled to the brim with customers. Shoppers and travelers are on the lookout for what to

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

Sunday Magazine

While some Christmas fun seekers are headed for different villages, others are going to the cities, where they see different aspects of life. It’s that same happiness that keeps some city dwellers in the cities

the cities Bags of rice for Christmas at Daleko market, Mushin, Lagos …yesterday

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

buy and where to take their children to for sightseeing and other attractions.

Beaches are about the most visited places in the cities, especially with beach parties and boat cruise. One will be wondering what men do in cities during Christmas. It’s safe, therefore,

to say that the mood of Christmas in Lagos State is very celebratory.

Apart from that, many ‘comedy shows’ are fully booked and that natural ambience that those who travel to the village streams seek after, is also experienced in the cities, which gives the city dwellers

the good memories of such celebration.

But one trend in this year’s celebration is low key preparation due to low income for all. The economic situation in the country has truly redefined the celebration of the 2015 Christmas.

Celebration of the 2015 Christmas in the city appears the emerging reality with the harsh economic situation in the country. Usually, when Christmas is around the corner, many people take to mass shopping in preparation for the season but no thanks to poor cash flow in the system coupled with fuel scarcity in the country, this has not been the case this year.

These are actually redefining the Christmas. Transportation fare has long, tripled. The dwindling economy is fast changing the way and where the Christmas and New Year are being celebrated.

Also, as part of the things to prepare and guard against this festive period in the city is security to prevent the kind of horrible incident that took place last week in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where a gang of armed robbers operated at Emenike, successfully raided a milk warehouse, abandoned their tow vehicles and fled the scene with tow hijacked vehicles after injuring two persons.

Apart from the harmattan breeze sweeping across the streets of Port Harcourt, and inflicting all kinds of ailments on residents, much of the population is focused on the Yuletide. There was no other place where this festive fever is higher than a warehouse opposite Eco Bank, where both wholesalers and retailers buy gifts, toys and general merchandise that cast people in the mood of the moment.

From the first week of January, there has been a long line of buyers, especially hawkers who sell toys and other wares.

A shopper at a popular boutique in Lagos, Anne Chidiofor, said there is very little money in circulation compared with last year and preceding years. She works with an airline company as a support staff and got many bonuses before.

She said she is not likely to shop luxury gifts for her family as she was able to do in previous years. Of course, such

PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

a person is not talking about travelling to any village.

In the past, those who dared it, travelled and got stuck at the park. Few days to Christmas day, residents of the Federal Capital Territory were still lamenting what they dubbed “Cashless Christmas”.

For residents of the Capital city, who are known to be fun loving, this year’s Yuletide might be might be celebrated on a very low key, considering the general outcry of paucity of funds.

A visit by Sunday Telegraph to various markets and shopping malls that are usually boisterous with trading activities during the festive period revealed that there is little or no economic activities compared to previous years.

A trader at the ever busy popular Nyanya market, which is located at the outskirt of Abuja, who identified himself as Michael Emeka lamented what he called ‘poor patronage’ of his wares.

Narrating what he further described as “bad market” situation, Emeka, who sells cosmetics and sundry households items, lamented that unlike other years, Christmas time is usually a good business time for them. However, he explained that this year, many of his regular clients all complained of inadequate funds to enable them make large purchases.

A pensioner in the FCT, Mr. George Akinteruwa, who spoke to Sunday Telegraph on his preparations for the festive season, said he hopes to rely on the goodwill of friends and neighbours to celebrate the event due to non-payment of entitlements of pensioners in the FCT. Though other activities that characterise the season such as fireworks otherwise known as ‘knockout’ usually done by the youths, cultural dances, and church activities (Christmas Carols) have held in the possibility of celebrating the season in grand style is not in sight as many people prefer marking the event low key.

However, in Enugu State, a number of places that attract fun-seekers’ attention, include Polo Park, Puma Park, Shoprite and pine forest among other places.

8

News Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

F

ormer governor of Ekiti State, Engr. Segun Oni, has fired broadsides against the man who replaced him at Government House, Ayodele Fayose, describing him as a ‘tragedy’.

In an interview with reporters on Christmas Day in his Ifaki, Ekiti country home, the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a rare display of outrage, condemned Fayose for predicting doom for his own country and its people.

He maintained the doomsday/end-time predictions

SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Fayose is a tragedy, says Oni could not have emanated from someone who meant well for Nigerians.

Fayose had, last week, promoted advertorials in selected national dailies, making 20 unsavoury predictions about Nigeria which should be expected next year.

Oni maintained that the corruption, which occurred during Goodluck Jonathan administration, including the alleged stealing of arms fund, was “the biggest looting anywhere in the world”, noting that the ongoing anti-corruption fight was not

selective.

The APC chieftain explained the probe of suspected looters of public treasury couldn’t have been extended to those who were not in government, saying it was proper and logical to concentrate on picking up only those who held positions in trust for people but abused such during the last administration.

According to him, Fayose had failed to realise that Ekiti was part of Nigeria and that whatever affected Nigeria would certainly affect Ekiti.

Oni’s words: “That guy (Fayose) is a tragedy because if he does not see any good for Nigeria. How can he see something good for his own (Ekiti) people? So, he is a tragedy. He is not doing himself any good because he is exposing his inner self.

“You are making 20 predictions and all of them are about woes for Nigeria and your state is part of Nigeria, and he has not turned around to make predictions here for goodness about the people he is governing which means what he

L- R: Deputy Chancellor Lagos Diocese, Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos, Hon. Justice Adedayo Oyebanji; Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Most Reverend. Ephraim A. Ademowo; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Chancellor, Lagos Diocese, Justice Adesola Oguntade; Deputy Chancellor, Asaba Diocese, Justice Sybil Nwaka; Mrs. Joy Ebeledike and Mrs. Sade Adetiba, during the 2015 Christmas Service at Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos. PHOTO:TONYEGUAYE

Prophet warned us against fire disaster - Nnewi fire victim

Pamela Eboh Awka

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staff of Chikason Industries where several people were burnt to death in a gas explosion on Thursday has lamented that the fire incident occurred two days after they completed a fast carried out on the orders of a pastor.

The staff, who spoke to Sunday Telegraph on condition of anonymity, said the tragic incident occurred after they concluded a twoweek fasting and prayer to avert the disaster.

He said, “The prophet did not specify which of the factories would be affected, but that made every worker to participate actively in the prayer sessions. He had warned the chairman of the group of the impending doom.

“I don’t know why all these bad things are happening now. Our chairman is a very good man who is so passionate about the

welfare of the downtrodden even at great personal cost.

Last time two of his fully loaded trucks just disappeared out of the face of the earth, those vehicles carried items running into millions of naira. That one is yet to be resolved and now this fire disaster.”

Meanwhile, those who escaped with burns have been transferred to Orthopedic hospital in Enugu as the Madonna Hospital, where they were earlier rushed to, could not handle their degrees of burns.

Another pathetic story of the disaster was the death of a family of four with the exclusion of the father. It was gathered that the family was on their way to their home town for Christmas when they stopped by the gas plant to refill their cylinder.

They had their car parked in front of the gate while the wife entered the company to refill her gas cylinder.

While she was gone, the husband whose name could

not be ascertained left the children inside the car to buy recharge card before the explosion killed the wife inside while the children were all burnt inside the car.

Burnt children’s shoes were seen inside the car.

When Sunday Telegraph visited the site of the incident on Saturday, relatives of victims were seen combing the bushes around the factory to see if they could recover the corpse of their family members who were still missing.

The relatives of the missing victims said they decided to comb the bushes when they heard that many people died while attempting to run away from the vicinity of the gas plant when the explosion happened.

Mrs. Amaka said: “I cannot just believe that my maid who I sent to refill gas at the factory is gone forever. I am in a deep sh..t; what will I tell the family of the girl? I just brought her from the village last three months with the promise

to sponsor her education, I have gone to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi mortuary where the corpses were deposited but my maid was not there.

“Will I just go and tell the parents that their daughter is dead without the corpse?

I am finished”.

Some others whose cases might not be too different from that of Amaka, but refused to speak with Sunday Telegraph, were full of tears, while they were busy searching the bushes hoping to find the remains of their relatives that have been missing since the incident occurred.

Sunday Telegraph learnt that the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu in company of his council of titled chiefs yesterday visited the site of the accident. A spokes person for the royal father, Chief Dan Ulasi told journalists that Nnewi has never experienced such level of devastation in its entire history.

wants for the people he is governing is what he wants for the people of Nigeria.

“His church is a church of retrogression and people should not follow him.

Anybody who cannot envision goodness cannot dispense goodness and that is why Ekiti is in trouble.

“For a half full glass of water, if your leader says it is half full, it is an expecta-

tion that it will be one day full. If your leader says it is half empty, it is an expectation that it will one day be empty.

“I will not allow such a person to lead me, I will not allow such a person to lead me because he has no goodness in him and he has no expectation of goodness and he has no prayer for goodness.”

Kalu condoles with Lamido, Emefiele, mourns victims

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ormer Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has expressed sadness over Thursday’s gas explosion at an industrial complex in Nnewi, Anambra State, describing the sad development as a colossal loss to the nation.

According to Kalu, who was devastated by the incident, the huge loss of lives is worrisome and painful.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “The scores of lives lost in the unfortunate gas explosion in Nnewi is devastating and shocking.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the deceased at this sorrowful moment.

May God rest the souls of the victims.”

The former governor, while commiserating with the government and people of Anambra State, prayed God to give the victims’ families the fortitude to bear the loss, praying for a quick recovery of the hospitalised.

Similarly, Kalu also con-

doled with the Lamido of Adamawa, Alh¬aji Barkindo Muspha, over the death of his mother, Hajiya Adda Gombeji, who passed on at the age of 87, saying that the roles of a mother cannot be overemphasised in the life of a child.

Kalu urged the paramount ruler to take solace in the fact that his mother left behind a good legacy for her family members to uphold, sympathising with the government and people of Adamawa State and Adamawa Emirate Council.

In another development, Kalu equally empathised with the Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who lost his mother, Madam Alice Emefiele at the age of 94, acknowledging the significant roles a mother plays in the family.

While condoling with the Emefiele family, he urged them to sustain the exemplary qualities of their matriarch, and prayed God to grant the departed soul eternal rest.

Dogara seeks prayer for Buhari, wants Nnewi fire probed Philip Nyam Abuja

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peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has urged Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders in the country to enable them deliver on their promises.

He also expressed optimism that despite the many challenges bedevilling the country today, Buhari’s administration is determined to surmount them.

Dogara made these declarations during a Christmas service at Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Gwarangah in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, quoted the speaker as saying: “We should all pray for the president for divine wisdom and also all

leaders because when they do well, our people will do well.”

According to the statement, the speaker explained that, the present crop of leaders emerged as a result of persistent prayers of Nigerians of all faiths who prayed for change.

He noted that in recent weeks and days, “many people have been asking where the change is? What is the future of this country?”

Dogara told the congregation that Nigeria is not the only country facing some challenges in the world.

“Europe is struggling with refugees and Arab countries are in turmoil while some countries are even failed states.”

Here in Nigeria, the greatest challenge is that of drop in revenue and income distribution, which Dogara said are problems that were inherited.

Co n t o n pa g e 10

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

Two killed,scores injured in Ekiti bank robbery Sulaiman Salawudeen ADO-EKITI

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nine-man gang of daredevil robbers last Friday struck a first generation bank in Okemesi Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, killing two persons, including a private security guard named Mathew and a 53-year-old carpenter, Ayo Alawod.

The robbers, who reportedly arrived the bank at about 5.30 pm, wearing no hoods, shot sporadically to scare people away, before they blew down the bank’s entrance with dynamite.

According to eyewitness accounts, the robbers had occupied the entire stretch of Odo Ese Street in the town, paralysing commercial activities for nearly an hour the operation lasted.

According to an eyewitness, who spoke with jour-

nalists in Ado Ekiti, the capital Saturday, those who had queued up to use the ATM machines were first marched inside the bank hall by four of the robbers, while the other five positioned themselves at various spots outside.

The eyewitness said the robbers calmly went about their operation while they held the staff and customers hostage and carted away a large sum of money, believed to be in millions of naira.

Alawode, whose shop was located beside the bank, was shot in the head and died instantly while the guard, Mathew, died on the way to the hospital.

About 10 other people, hiding in different places, were said to have been hit by bullets and have been taken to various hospitals for treatment.

Methodist Church joins Aregbesola’s campaign for tax payment

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ethodist Church of Nigeria has called on the people of Osun to pay tax as it is evident that the Rauf Aregbesola administration has demonstrated a high capacity to utilize the state’s meagre funds for development.

The church also commended the administration for its zeal to develop the state in the face of the meagre resources. The church team, led by the Arch Bishop of Ilesa Diocese and Bishop, Ilesa Diocese, Most Reverend Amos Akindeko, during a courtesy visit to the Governor in Osogbo called on God for a more prosperous Osun.

The church stated that the Governor needed to be applauded by all for the way he is expending the little resources accruing for development in Osun, praying God to further inspire Aregbesola in his drive to develop the state to an enviable status.

Lay President, Methodist Church Nigeria, Ilesa dioceses, Reverend James Olusegun Morakinyo, before the prayer session for the state and the governor, held that Aregbesola has kept to most of his campaign promises in Osun.

He recounted the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), 13-month salary, state-of-the-art school buildings, road construction and rehabilitation among others as examples of promises kept by the Aregbesolaled administration.

According to him, “When you came and said you were going to employ 20,000 youths, we thought it was not possible. But when you came, we just saw them marching on the road; those who would cut road verges grasses, those who would teach, those who would do other things, and even the road traffic people. We saw them.”

EUF congratulates Yahaya Bello

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epresentatives of various Ebira interest groups made up of professionals in Lagos State have come together under the umbrella of Ebira Unity Forum(EUF) to congratulate Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Governor-elect for Kogi State on his victory at the polls.

At a recent meeting held at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Staff Club, the members pledged their total support for the in-coming administration.

They were also unanimous in their resolve to do everything humanly possible to

ensure that peace prevails in the three senatorial districts of the state during Bello’s tenure and beyond.

Furthermore, efforts are on by the group made of retired military officers, aviation experts, bankers, business gurus and media practitioners to brainstorm on the policy direction of the government.

These encompass the critical areas of security, massive infrastructural development and agriculture. Other sectors include education, healthcare delivery, tourism, job-creation and revenue-generating strategies; to keep the state afloat.

News

Ortom, Akume, Ugba task Benue on education Cephas Iorhemen & Cheke Emmanuel LAFIA MAHURDI

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overnor Samuel Ortom has called on the people of the state to embrace education as it remained the surest solution to ignorance, poverty and disease.

Governor Ortom who made the call while addressing hundreds of people across the state who came to celebrate Christmas with him at his home in Gbajimba, advised parents and guardians to ensure that their wards go to school as that would empower them to build careers and aspire to any position in life.

He urged youths of the state to accord elders respect so that they could also grow, stressing the

Gov still cleansing Suswam’s mess - Akume

need for the people to return to agriculture as oil revenue from the federation account could no longer sustain the state.

Governor Ortom thanked former Governor of the state, Senator George Akume for the immense support he provided for his emergence as governor and thereafter, assured the All Progressives Congress leader in the state that he will not disappoint Benue people.

Earlier, Senator George Akume commended Governor Ortom for his efforts despite what he described as the terrible state the economy was in when he assumed office.

He called on the people to be patient with Governor Ortom as he was still

cleaning up the mess left behind by the immediate past administration.

Senator Akume urged the governor not to be distracted by the opposition who had vowed never to see anything good in his administration.

“Do not be bothered governor; majority of our people are with you. The people appreciate what you are doing and are supporting you. You are doing quite well. Those opposing you are in the minority,” he said.

Senator Akume also sued for unity, particularly within the Minda geopolitical axis, calling on the people to stand behind their son, Governor Ortom, to succeed as that will be of the great benefit to the entire

area. Meanwhile, the prices of essential commodities in Nasarawa State have skyrocketed. Transport fare and prices of essential commodities especially foodstuff witnessed sharp increases during the Christmas celebrations in Nasarawa State.

Our Correspondent, who went round some markets in Lafia, the state capital and other towns like Akwanga, Doma, Keffi and Karu, reports that a bag of rice , which sold at between N9,000 and N10,000 before Christmas, now costs N10,500 - N11, 000.

A ‘mudu’ of beans, which sold at N300, is now sold between N350 and N400, while a gallon of cooking oil which went for N2, 000 is now N3, 500.

L-R: Proto Presbyter Methodist Church of Nigeria Trinity, Tinubu, Very Reverend Stephen Adegbite; Methodist Bishop of Tinubu, Right Reverend Oladapo Babalola; Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche and Bishop of Evangelism and Discipleship, Right Reverend Edoka Amuta, during the 2015 Chistmas Service at Methodist Church of the Trinity Tinubu Square, Lagos.

PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Group plans to put Nigeria on e-commerce world map Philip Nyam ABUJA

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n e-commerce platform designed to connect Nigeria to the West world via e-commerce and to showcase its potentials will soon be launched in the country by WesternMall.

WesternMall is an e-commerce platform designed to create a hub for person to person trade between Nigerians and people in Europe and USA. Representative of the company, Mr. Nosa Idehen, who disclosed this in

Abuja, said: “We are starting one transaction at a time and the goal is to put Nigeria on the map for international trade using the internet.

“There is also the avenue for local sales from person to person in Nigeria. This comes with the added safety check which we provide by not allowing third party communication.

“All items listed on our website pass through our warehouse to ensure that it is as described by the seller to maintain a safe and hassle free environ-

ment.

“The auction sales option allows for users to place items that they do not have need for anymore on WesternMall and allow users to bid on it, the highest bidder goes home with the item”.

The essence of the platform according to WesternMall is to also giving Nigerians the opportunity to earn extra income through this avenue.

“As craftsmen, tailors and other skilled people who have exportable items can list it on WesternMall and earn income

in forex when interested users of our site in other locations visit and carry out transactions.

“We handle the logistics and all they need to do is get their item ready and send to our warehouse on purchase. This arrangement also applies to people outside Nigeria, as they have the opportunity to sell safely without the fear of being scammed as we moderate all transactions. “So through WesternMall an individual in Dagenham (UK) can sell to someone else in Kafanchan (Nigeria) very easily”.

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

Nnewi explosion: FG to provide medical aid for victims

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he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Saturday said the Federal Government would provide medical items to aid the speedy recovery of victims of the Nnewi gas explosion.

The South-East Coordinator of NEMA, Mr James Eze, said this after visiting victims of the explosion at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu, and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), ItukuOzalla, Enugu State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the explosion, which occurred on Thursday, led to the death of six persons while several others sustained burns.

Eze said that the government would further equip the Regional Burn Centre at the National Orthopedic Hospital in Enugu.

``NEMA commends the staff of both federal hospitals for their commitment to duty even in this festive season. ``The three victims in the Regional Burn Centre at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu, and the pregnant victim at the Intensive Care Unit of UNTH are in stable condition and responding to treatment. `` The agency would assist these health institutions with medical items to improve their services as well as help in the speedy recovery of these victims, especially those at the burn centre,’’ he said.

Anambra Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Akabuike, who also visited the victims, said Gov. Willie Obiano sent him to reassure the hospitals that the state government would pay the medical bills of the patients.

Shiites: Zaria residents hail army for liberating them Ibraheem Musa KADUNA

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he residents of Gyellesu in Zaria, where the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem El Zakzaky lived, have expressed happiness over the demolition of the Shiite leader’s house and the caging of the Islamic sect because they can now go about their activities in peace.

Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, on Saturday, the spokesperson of the affected communities, Idris Mohammed Baba, said the Shiites had held people in Zaria and Sabon Gari Local Government Areas of Kaduna State hostage by running a parallel government in the country for over 20 years.

The communities also said that the Shiites had in May 2015 declared 24 youths persona non grata for challenging their activities in Gyellesu community.

Narrating their ordeals in the hands of Shiite followers for over two decades, Baba said,‘’at a point, Shiite boys threaten to kill me. There is one notorious Shiite boy call Ali, is the leader of El-Zakzaky’s notorious boys who accompanied him anywhere he goes. ‘’ He said, ‘’We are happy over military action against Shiite’s movement in Zaria because we have fresh air now blowing in our areas. Before, we can’t grant interview to the world about Shiite’s activities, but now we are sleeping with our two eyes closed.’’

The spokesman said that the Gyellesu community had written several letters to the governments about ungodly activities of Shiites but no single action was taken. ‘’We no longer report Shiites to police because they will never honour police or security invitation. These Shiites are authority unto themselves, they don’t respect authority, security and so on. ‘’

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP), Mr Olukunle Iyanda; member, Prof Adigun Agbaje; former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, after a consultative meeting on the forthcoming political economy summit in Abeokuta…on Saturday

Bayelsa polls: Southern Ijaw Chairman refutes claim of attack

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PDP writes INEC over rescheduled primaries, seeks protection for voters, others

he Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government, Chief Remember Ogbe, has, in strong terms, debunked claims by the Bayelsa State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) that Governor Seriake Dickson assaulted him at the government house after the Governor lost the election in Southern Ijaw in spite of what APC called a ‘spending spree to win Southern Ijaw.’

While describing the report as wicked and malicious, Chief Ogbe said nobody ever attacked him. He averred that the story of attack on him was a figment of the imagination of the opposition, concocted by its governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva to smear the credentials of Governor Dickson with the target of tarnishing the governor’s hard earned reputation as a non-violent politician.

“The good news is that Bayelsans cannot be swayed by the APC propaganda be-

Dogara seeks prayer for Buhari, wants Nnewi fire probed CON TINUED FR O M PAGE 8

In another development, Dogara, expressed sadness over the death of several Nigerians caused by a gas explosion in Nnewi, Anambra State.

While calling for a thorough investigation into the incident, which occurred on Christmas Eve leaving several others injured, the

speaker said this is one incident too many that have claimed lives of innocent Nigerians.

He therefore called for a thorough investigation to ascertain the root and immediate cause of the explosion in order to avert a reoccurrence.

“It saddens me that at a time when we should be celebrating, some people

have been thrown into needless mourning. This incident must be investigated to find out what exactly happened and how to stop it from happening again,” the Speaker said.

Dogara commiserated with the government of Anambra State and the families of the deceased and prayed for a speedy recovery for the injured.

cause the public knows that Sylva and the promoters of APC in the state are merchants of violence, while Governor Dickson and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have in the past three years, restored peace and prosperity to our people,” he said.

Chief Ogbe said as the supplementary election in Southern Ijaw draws closer, the APC is getting more desperate in their sinister bid to capture Bayelsa by hook or crook. He, however, expressed confidence that PDP will win Southern Ijaw because Bayelsan in general and Southern Ijaw in particular, have rejected Sylva and APC. He wondered why the APC would claim that the governor was angry for losing election in his council, when there was no election at all in the first place, saying that Southern Ijaw was riddled with violence and turned to a theatre of war by the APC. “Election materials did not get to the polling units.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were kidnapped and these were the reasons INEC cancelled the process and fixed January 9, 2016 for the election. So, how could the governor be angry with me for not delivering? This is the height of APC desperation and the discerning public must be weary of them,” explained.

Chief Ogbe enjoined the people of the area to remain steadfast with the PDP, stressing that Governor Dickson would provide more democracy dividends for them when re-elected.

‘‘Southern Ijaw is the stronghold of PDP and Dickson. Our party controls the grass roots, produced all the councilors, all members of the state House of Assembly, and a member of the National Assembly. The Speaker of the House, Chief of Staff to Governor, commissioners, many appointees and above all, our leader, Chief DSP Alamiesiegha hailed from Southern Ijaw, so it is a win, win situation for PDP,’’ Chief Ogbe said.

Meanwhile, the PDP in the State, yesterday, in Yenagoa, raised the alarm over the rescheduled governorship election in Southern Ijaw LGA. The State chairman of PDP, Chief David Serena-Dokubo Spiff, in a letter to INEC chairman, Prof.

Mahmoud Yakubu, said the alarm became necessary because the issues of security of lives and electoral materials, which caused the shift of the exercise have still not been adequately addressed.

He suggested that adequate arrangements should be put in place within the next couple of days to ensure security for voters, INEC adhoc staff, including youth corps members and materials, because since lives have already been lost, “it is crucial to take steps to ensure that more lives are not lost.”

The letter entitled: “Rescheduled Governorship Election In Southern Ijaw Local Government Area Of Bayelsa State – The Position Of The PDP,” and dated December 6 reads: “The PDP, Bayelsa State, wishes to register its concern over the decision to conduct the governorship election in

Southern Ijaw LGA, SILGA, Today, Sunday, 6th of December, 2015.

“Our position is based on the fact that, the issues of security of lives and electoral materials, which caused the shift of the exercise from yesterday, have still not been adequately addressed. For emphasis, yesterday’s orgy of violence perpetrated by APC thugs in the full glare of security agents resulted in the loss of 5 lives.

“From information, the majority of the indigenes of Oporoma, headquarters of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and some other communities, are still taking refuge in the forest and swamps as a result of the heavy gunfire. The security situation has been confirmed to be even worse in the creeks and other communities in the area.

“The situation is still so tense, with gun shots heard in parts of Oporoma and other major communities in the Local Government Area, making it clearly impossible for any peaceful election to hold. It is, therefore, our position that, adequate arrangements be put in place within the next couple of days to ensure security for voters, INEC adhoc staff, including Youth Corpers and materials, because lives have already been lost, it is crucial to take steps to ensure that more lives are not lost.

“It is hoped that, INEC, the security agencies and other stakeholders take this genuine fear into consideration, so that, the people of Southern Ijaw can freely exercise their civic responsibilities.”

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015

OPINION Selective persecution of Jonathan and his men I

Mukaila Ade Adebayo

n the eight years of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government, from 1999 to 2007, the only government thief that Nigerians heard about was former military ruler, General Sani Abacha. Obasanjo personally carried cutlass, literally speaking, pursuing the ghost of Abacha everywhere around the world.

Startling revelations of loot under the late general came up, but in all of Obasanjo’s anti-corruption war and up until today, every evil of that era was heaped on Abacha. Tons and tons of Nigeria’s stolen wealth were traced to some foreign accounts, directly linked to Abacha, and successive Nigerian governments have been struggling to recover all the looted money.

The Obasanjo government set up the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa panel, and armed it with the mandate to address the ills of the past in Nigeria’s national life since independence and make recommendations for possible atonement. As would be expected, the probe passed off largely as an inquisition into the activities of Abacha and his men, and sparsely into the military governments headed by incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, who were also generals of the Nigeria Army.

Whereas the Oputa Panel did extensive grilling of Abacha’s men, both Buhari and Babangida turned their backs on the panel.

They treated invitations extended to them to appear before it with contempt and disdain, ignoring all allegations made against them individually and against their governments. The scornful attitudes of the two former military leaders made nonsense of the Oputa Panel and turned it to mere theatrics, so much that the piles of its reports and recommendations ended as artifacts, in whatever shelf the Obasanjo government may have kept them at the Presidency.

That the Obasanjo probe was selective and targeted only at taking a pound of flesh of the ghost of Abacha was as clear as daylight. And Nigerians too knew why Obasanjo went ferociously after Abacha

and his men. The late general had reined Obasanjo almost into an early grave, after finding him guilty, along with several other persons, in what was generally believed to be a fathom coup. He had been condemned to death but the sentence was commuted to life sentence and was still serving his term at Kaduna prisons when the Abacha government ended with the maximum leader’s sudden death inside the Aso Rock Villa. It was the anger of his molestation that Obasanjo nursed all through his eight years in government, tenaciously pursuing the evils of the man who had tormented him.

Were Abacha to be alive during the Obasanjo days in government between 1999 and 2007, what would happen might not be any different from what the Buhari government is doing now in its probe of its predecessor, the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his men. Whereas the Buhari anticorruption war may not be easily seen as a vengeance probe, like Obasanjo’s against the late Abacha, Nigerians are beginning to see through the current drive as selective persecution of Jonathan and his men.

The point must be quickly made, however, that Nigerians want an end to corruption.

Nigerians are generally agreed that corrupt public officials must be fished out and punished. Nigerians believe in the philosophy of Buhari that if we do not rise up against corruption and kill it, corruption will kill this country and ultimately, kill us as a people. To that extent, Nigerians are hugely in support of Buhari pursing looters of our treasury.

But two things must be avoided in the way the Buhari anti-corruption war is being prosecuted, so that it doesn’t go the way of Obasanjo which, over time, lost its credibility and largely seen as a mere vengeance war against the ghost of Abacha.

One, Nigerians have demanded severally that the probe must not begin and end with the Goodluck Jonathan administration. The Buhari government should make no mistake to discountenance this critical demand. Nigerians have also reminded Buhari that in probing the supposed ills

of Jonathan and his men, it must also not jettison whatever little strides made by that government in all the critical sectors of governance. This is the only way the Buhari government will be seen as not only demonising Jonathan in a desperate bid at winning back his waning and rapidly diminishing public sympathy and support over the long delayed expectation to start delivering on its many campaign promises to the Nigerian people. As things are steadily turning, it is almost appearing as though Buhari had decided on his earlier promise to probe only the Jonathan administration; just as all the obvious legacies of the Jonathan government are being systematically criminalised.

As the cost element of the Jonathan era is being scrutinised, the courage put into liberalising the business of the power sector by unbundling the sick and mafia-captured Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to allow for private participation should equally be acknowledged and sustained. For decades, several governments since the collapse of the Second Republic government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari had grappled with the problem of systemic decay in the power sector. Although no disclosure had ever been made of how much military regimes since Buhari in 1983 till Abacha in 1998 sank into electricity that was never available, the Obasanjo government spent $16billion without trace, yet the sector recorded no tangible improvement.

Obasanjo made desperate attempt to sell off the PHCN, but he was frantically resisted by the workers. He succumbed to their threats, after we have lost essential Bola Ige in the bargain. The Obasanjo efforts just couldn’t fly and were thwarted largely because of the manner that his government used in mindlessly sacking the workers of the Nigeria Airways without any immediate plans to pay their entitlements.

The road rehabilitation projects under Jonathan include the Dualization of Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja highway, the KanoMaiduguri highway and the rehabilitation of Onitsha-Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Benin-Ore Shagamu Expressway, Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Ex-

pressway as well as the construction of the new Loko-Oweto Bridge over River Benue in Nasarawa and Benue states.

Again, Jonathan laid an education development plan that, if further improved by succeeding governments, will help in assuring development of the sector. He had what he called Improved Girls’ Education Programme, under which his administration constructed 13 special girls’ schools at strategic locations in the country. In the educational disadvantaged areas of the North, the government built at least 64 Al Majiri model schools to give education to children of indigent parents and established federal universities in states that had none across the six geo-political zones of the country. These are aside the massive refurbishment of existing infrastructure in our tertiary institutions.

Current revelations that seem to point to alleged mishandling of state funds by some aides of Jonathan may, indeed, have the tendency of assailing his leadership character, but as governance is a continuum, the Buhari government must resist the temptation of throwing away the baby with the bath water. Any good project done, or which might be ongoing, should be retained and sustained for the good of the country while the not-so-good should be scrutinized to determine if they could be improved on. That is the way to go, in order to create for this country a sustainable development plan that tomorrow’s governments can follow. The current selective persecution of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his men represent, in the view of many ordinary citizens, a distraction, diversion and a resumption and continuation of an ugly legacy of Olusegun Obasanjo who spent so much time, enormous energy and resources demonising Abacha for jailing him. The selective persecution of an administration and its head, who had no political prisoner, no exile and who ensured that his government remained largely focused and accountable to the Nigerian people, demand a rethink.

•Engr. Ade Adebayo, a retired Company Executive, lives in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Putting Mare Festival on global stage

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Femi Adepoju he entire Idanre community in Ondo State was agog penultimate Saturday when tourists and personalities of note thronged the hilly ancient town to mark the 2015 edition of the annual Mare Festival.

The event which has found a place in global tourism agenda kicked off in the morning with a keenly contested Marathon race after which a Mountain climbing session began.

In his address at the event, the state Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko said the determination of his government to make the state a cynosure of all eyes via its tourism potentials is fast yielding results.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Kola Ademujimi, the governor said that the initiative of the government to draw attention to one of these potentials is the annual Mare Festival which is celebrated in Idanre, adding that over the years, it has attracted tourists worldwide to celebrate the rare gift of nature in the ancient town.

Mare, according to the governor, is a deliberate attempt of the government

to establish a festival around the scenic beauty of the hilly town of Idanre, celebrating nature’s gift and providing a viable destination for tourist while showcasing to the universe the culture and heritage of Ondo State.

Presenting the welcome address earlier at the Idanre Hill Resort, venue of the opening session, the State’s Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade said the festival improves annually adding that government has domesticated the event to empower the youth in the community and also train the local mountain climbers and develop them to world class.

He said it is the plan of government to see that in no distant future, youths in the area participate and compete favourably with world climbers.

Shortly after the opening session, winners of the Marathon and mountain climbing competitions were presented with their prizes by the newly appointed Commissioner for Special Duties, Culture and Tourism, Femi Adekanmbi and some traditional rulers present at the event.

The event moved to the Olofin Anglican grammar school later where Star

acts, Paul Play Dairo, Tuface Idibia, Ara, O.D.D, Samba, Iyalode among others spiced up the final session of the event as they took turn to thrill guests.

The event was one of its kind. The Idanre hills are bound to stupefy the regular caller, let alone a first-time visitor.

As the car rolled into the ancient Yoruba town, the mountains came into view, solid in their majestic essence, intimidating in their sheer splendour, so that the writer-poet was a mere human addition to the wonders of God Almighty as we negotiated the busy road to Methodist High School, Idanre.

There are mighty mountains elsewhere in Nigeria—Abeokuta’s Olumo Rock is one—but is there any other place in the world where an entire community so naturally and richly walled by mountains, creating a linear settlement that is as unique as it is engaging? The houses were built on solid rock, backed by solid rock, and oxygenated by nature, so the fact that we were on December 13 when the country generally is cold meant that everyone was in sync with a favourable weather.

There was no space within the Methodist High School and the splurge of

regular police, mobile police, Army and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC) would naturally direct us elsewhere. Some of us found a spot within spitting distance from the school. The human traffic was heavy, and security personnel were having a hectic time controlling the surging crowd, each soul seemingly wishing to gain the best view of the stage mounted at the mouth of a mountain.

Also on hand to add pep to the event were the state’s cultural ambassadors, among whom are actors Bimbo Oshin, Yemi Blaq, Funsho Adeolu, and Jibola Dabo. This year’s event had the theme: Inspiring Mare for Greater Opportunities.

Some of those opportunities include the need to increase the content and internationalise the festival by inviting foreign participants as done in similar events in the country. This will enable the state to earn foreign exchange and give further expose to the festival. Also, it has the chances of increasing tourists’ attraction to the state and grow capacity of hotels and others resorts in Akure, the state capital.

•Adepoju writes in from Akure

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sunday Mail DECEMBER 27, 2015

You have a right to be heard! Send your letters and photographs to sundayletters@newtelegraphonline.com.

Letters should not be more than 200 words and must have the name and address of the sender

Why terrorism’s ravaging Nigeria

Dear Editor, Nobody can be sadder than me about the scourge of terrorism in France. Nobody can be more sorrowful than I am about the Boko Haram insurgency. But I am extremely concerned also about the issue of causes. Why was the peaceful Boko Haram community of Mohammed Yusuf attacked in 2009 by the presidency of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (GEAJ)? One implication of terrorism in the world is that powerful people should be conscious about the repercussions of their actions, keeping in view counter-terrorism.

World rulers must search their minds about the origin of terrorist groups the world-over. African Traditional Religion (ATR) has suffered terribly from Christo-Islamic terrorists. The religion has been totally wiped-out in many communities throughout Africa. In Yorubaland, Nigeria, where ATR is still fairly alive, holding several of its festivals entails preparation for confrontation with Christian and/or Muslim fanatics. The Boko Haram insurgency resulted from intra-Muslim squabbles. The resolve of the current President, Muhammadu Buhari (PMB), to “defeat Boko Haram” indicates where he belongs in the Muslim-Muslim divide. At his inauguration as the President, he paid homage to “Shehu Usman Dan Fodio,” a jihad warrior. Through Fodio, the Sokoto Caliphate and many Emirates were established in northern Nigeria. The Boko Haram secluded lifestyle means cessation of allegiance to the Caliphate, which PMB cannot countenance. Very many Nigerians were not aware of the religious politics behind the Boko Haram insurgency.

Why did GEAJ use CAN against Boko Haram? PMB may be financially incorruptible, but religious corruption is not less serious than financial corruption.

• Pius Abioje, University of Ilorin.

Treasury looters’ travails, Buhari’s dilemma

Dear Editor, One has to be in President Muhammadu Buhari’s shoes to understand his dilemma. If you don’t harass these high profile ‘suspected’ treasury looters and make them vomit the loot they’d deploy this same ill-gotten wealth as a veritable armour to torpedo the system and drive it aground, so things can continue the way they have always been. And if we say, as some have been advocating, that the President should stop arresting past government officials who are deemed to have looted the treasury, and instead allow the unfettered hands of the law to take care of them, two years, four years, even 10 years from now, no one single case involving these people would be decided. If we are going to rein in corruption or have it totally crushed in this country, we need a no nonsense iron-willed personality like Buhari on the driver’s seat; a man who’d not allow himself to be encumbered with the niceties of the law, undemocratic as it may sound. With the damage that several past administrations had inflicted on the nation, all that should concern us now shouldn’t be the method adopted

by Mr. President to get those who had cornered the wealth of this nation to return them. If in the process of looking for our stolen money Buhari declares anyone guilty even before they are tried in the law court, good and fair. Let him go ahead, so long as he can retrieve the money from the looters. It is evident the type of people who are currently not having it easy with Buhari even without waiting for the law court to tell us so. Buhari was elected solely to help the country clean the Augean stables. To do so requires toughness, stepping on toes and, this is where some people are not comfortable with the president, breaching some so called legal niceties. Instead of calling the president names or trying to demonize him, the best we should do is pray for him that God will guide him in the onerous task of giving us a changed country.

•Sly Edaghese, Lagos.

The call of nature...

DPR’s painful jerrycan ban Dear Editor, It seems that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has surreptitiously outlawed the use of generators powered by Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS). Most filling stations in Abuja refuse to sell PMS into jerry cans allegedly upon directive from DPR. Fuel attendants even insist that the generator tank or the generator itself is hauled to the petrol station. The rationale behind DPR’s directive seems to be to prevent hoarding, dangerous storage, and illegal sale of PMS by black marketers. Nowhere do the laws criminalise the discharge of a reasonable quantity of PMS into reasonably sized jerry cans for private use in generators. The aim of the DPR to prevent hoarding and unlicensed sale of PMS by black marketers is laudable but it needs to be modified to avoid punishing innocent Nigerians who need PMS to power their generators. It is, however, doubtful that the DPR directive is supported by law. A perusal of the extant laws such as the Petroleum Act Cap P10, LFN 2004 and the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, LFN 2004, which regulate the sale and distribution of petroleum products indicate that what is prohibited is the sale of PMS without a licence. Also prohibited is the storage of PMS in a commercial or dangerous quantity without a licence and adequate storage facilities. Nowhere do the laws criminalise the discharge of a reasonable quantity of PMS into reasonably sized jerry cans for private use in generators.

In fact, despite the best efforts of DPR, fuel hawkers still sell fuel because they circumvent the ban on jerry cans by dragging generators or generator tanks to the petrol station or they buy petrol in motorcycles. The petrol is later siphoned out of the generator or motorcycle and sold. The appropriate approach for the DPR would be to focus on finding more ingenuous and effective methods of halting the illegal sale of PMS. The blanket prohibition of discharge into jerry cans at filling stations only serves to encourage black market activity.

• Chukwukasi Anaekwe, Abuja, FCT

PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Nigeria and her friends Dear Editor, History is repeating itself as Great Britain insists on helping Nigeria remove “causes of insurgency.”

What are the causes? They are politicisation of religion, politico-economic disorder and indiscipline which create mass abject poverty and prevalent discontent. Why, for instance, can Nigeria not stick to rotational presidency that was conceived to forestall political crisis among the federating units? Why did successive regimes neglect electoral reform aimed at producing an electoral commission whose officers are not handpicked by the partisan President, and can, therefore, deserve reasonable confidence? Great Britain was the first Western nation to outlaw the Slave Trade (1807). Those behind it, led by William Wilberforce, did it for the love of Jesus Christ and humanity, and not because the trade was no longer profitable or advantageous as some people have alleged. Jean Reeder Smith and Lacey Baldwin Smith (1980: 406) are apt that “England felt the need for suppressing the trade not only among its own people but also, for commercial reasons, among the other European nations.” The next sentence explains: “Legitimate trade could only be developed after the more profitable and much easier slave trade had been eliminated.” Obviously, as long as the Slave Trade persisted, hardly would any other form of trade be possible except weapons, including gunpowder. Check it out, Wilberforce and “the Clapham Sect” that fought for the abolition of Slave Trade in British Parliament, leading to the 1833 emancipation, were committed evangelicals; at most, they did it to be able to spread the Gospel. In the spirit of “the Clapham Sect”, Britain “set up naval patrols and persuaded or forced African rulers to outlaw the export of slaves.” Clapham, according to John Stott (2006: 26), “was at that time a village three miles south of London.” There resided several members of “the Clapham Sect”, including Wilberforce himself.

Their parish rector was the famous John Venn.

Today’s Great Britain should champion how Nigeria’s rulers will respect the rule of law and reason, and uphold fundamental human rights, including religious freedom as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitutional secularity.

•Pius Abioje, University of Ilorin

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

Execut ve

Industrial fishing in Nigeria is capital intensive. How did you access the seed capital required for the business, even to the point of becoming president of Nigeria Trawler Owners Association?

Well, I cut my clothes according to the material I have. Yes, anything that has to do with acquiring a trawler is capital-intensive because we deal mostly with other variables. Fuel and vessels increase the cost of our production as well as human capital.

I was able to raise the initial capital from personal savings.

How do you cope with being a mother, lawyer, fisherwoman, farmer and entrepreneur? How many hours do you sleep in a day?

Everything depends on effective time management, discipline, upbringing and above all, the grace of God. Irrespective of the discipline your parents instilled in you, you have to discipline yourself. When it comes to time management, I have trained my body to be an alarm clock. No matter when I want to go to bed, I must get up by 5am. Once it’s 5am, sleep flies out of my eyes. This I achieved over time. Also, it depends on what you focus your mind on. As I’m sitting now, I have my activities for the next three months planned. I know where I will be at any given point in time within these three months. If any of them is conflicting, I know how to juggle it. More importantly, when I’m in my farm, I shut down my law practice, fishing exercise and maritime business among others. At this point, the farm takes 100 per cent of my attention and vice versa. Most of us think that some activities are more important than the others. No, each of them deserves equal time.

I have a friend in Kenya, very hard working. She comes from a poor background and was the only person that could go to school. She said to me that when she finished schooling, she would get a good job and if not, she would marry a rich man.

Unfortunately, fortune didn’t smile on her.

When she finished, there was neither any job nor rich husband, and it then dawned on her that life is what one makes of it. She remembered that she was baking birthday and wedding cakes free for people and decided to do that for a fee. Today, her bakery is so big that she can employ anybody that can add value to her business. Her factory is known all over Africa. So, if she was looking for a white collar job and downgrading that business, would she have been an award winner today? We should appreciate what everybody does for a living, with the exception of robbery. Finally, the desire to get to where nobody has got, the hunger to provide employment for people, the hunger to distinguish oneself in one’s chosen profession encouraged me to coordinate my activities well.

What exactly do you do at 5am, when the rich are supposed to be still rolling on their beds?

Well, at 5am, I pray and stay still to clear my head and prepare myself for the challenges of the day. I’m a great thinker. After my prayers, I lie still and think. Between 5am and 6am is time set aside for my God and myself. Then I get ready; think of domestic chores, because I’m in charge of my home. If I have to be in the court, by 9am, I’m already there. I don’t joke with time.

As far as I’m concerned, there is nothing like African time. Time is discipline; if you are meant to be somewhere at any point in time, try and get there five minutes before and not after.

What are your recreational activities?

Two virtues that I’m denied of are waiting and socialising; though I’m getting better.

I’m not the party type and God gave me wonderful family members that understand that aspect of me. But what I do for

I dance azonto with my children

–Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi As a schoolgirl, over 40 years ago, Chairman, Nigeria Maritime Conference and Exhibition (NIMAREX) and ex-President, Nigeria Trawler Owners Association, Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi, the second daughter of eight children of His Royal Highness, Igwe J.B.C Onyema of Ogbaru in Anambra State, had her eyes on becoming a seasoned lawyer. She followed that instinct and it paid off. Today, she is the Principal Partner, Margaret Onyema and Co; CEO, Uptown Solicitors; Chairman, MORBOD Group; Council Member, Nigeria Ship Owners Association; Chairperson, Women Corporate Directors Nigeria; and an IWEC awardee. She talks on how she started her maritime business, her childhood upbringing and lifestyle in this interview with CHIJIOKE IREMEKA recreation may not impress other people.

However, listening to music, going to comedy shows like AY, Alibaba and others because I like to laugh at good jokes. I like to dance but not the type that will interest you. When my four children are around (three boys and a girl) in my room dancing their Azonto, we all dance together but that ends within the confines of my bedroom.

We have good fun in my room. It doesn’t get to my living room. I read a lot and like going to local markets like Oyingbo and Epe (in Lagos). I find Epe market relaxing.

When I have any visitor from abroad, one of the ‘must go’ areas is Epe market. It’s hard to believe but whenever I want to go there, I dress like one of the market women, which I am. I negotiate prices with them. It’s quite relaxing and I enjoy myself doing that.

At Epe market, there is nothing in that sea that you don’t get to buy there, be it crocodile, fish, everything.

F o r

someone like me, I like to move around, see things, know their prices and see the local fishermen as they come in to discharge their catch. During vacation, I try to be in a good place with my children alone. I cook and give them three square meals on a daily basis. This is the moment we treasure so much in life and I always look forward to. I like going to the farm too, sitting and watching the birds smile, watching the seeds I planted germinate. This is my own way of relaxation, otherwise, I have a feeling that even when I am sleeping, I work.

What are your hobbies?

People wonder how I find time to farm despite my business activities. But they fail to realise that whatever one does for pleasure is no longer a labour, rather a hobby. So, I enjoy seeing green leaves all around me. I like to see nature and I get them in farming. When I harvest my cassava, I use them for tapioca.

Do you engage in any sporting activity?

I used to like taking a long walk on a daily basis until an okada (commercial cyclist) knocked down a woman doing a similar thing with me. I got wiser. So, I reduced

the number of days and areas where I walk.

I like to swim too. When I was younger, I liked playing squash, but I believe age is slightly catching up with me. Squash is getting more strenuous for me.

What’s your favourite meal?

I’m not a food person. There are few delicacies I like and fortunately, they are all Nigerian foods. I like breadfruit. As a student in Britain, breadfruit was usually my last meal before going back to school. On my way back, I would eat it from airport down to my house, courtesy of my mum. I also like vegetables, water and fruits.

You spotlighted your upbringing as the major factor that shaped your life. Could you share some of these outstanding childhood aspects of your upbringing with us?

My parents believe in education. Education for them is not going to school to secure a first degree alone. After your first degree, you go for a second degree. Thank God for their wisdom as that was a good foundation for children. As a result of that, we all studied professional courses. For me to study Law, I had to earn a degree in philosophy to broaden my reasoning, according to my father. Then, I wasn’t happy because I was young and ready to go, but we were lucky to have them as parents. My mum was the disciplinarian in the family. She always had the stick. She wouldn’t take nonsense from anybody. She brought us up trimmed and neat, and there is no better finishing school anywhere in the world than my mother’s finishing school. She instilled these virtues in us. She would send you on an errand and give you time. If by chance, you spent more than the time allocated, you would explain to her why it was so. These are the virtues that have affected each and every one of us in our chosen professions.

PROFILE State of origin: •Anambra Profession: •Lawyer, entrepreneur Previous: •Ex-president of Nigeria Trawler Owners Association (NITOA)Former Current: •Chairman, Nigeria Maritime Conference and Exhibition (NIMAREX) •Partner Margaret Onyema and Co; •CEO, Uptown Solicitors; •Chairman, MORBOD Group; •Council member Nigeria Ship Owners Association, •Chairperson Women Corporate Directors Nigeria

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

B’Haram kills 16 persons, abducts six in Borno attack Ahmed Miringa MAIDUGURI

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L-R: Head, Retail Banking, Skye Bank Plc, Nkolika Okoli; winner of N1, 000,000, Kazeem Saheed Owolabi; Relationship Manager, Ajose Adeogun branch of the bank, Ololade Awoyomi and Relationship Manager, Usman Olalekan, at the sixth cheque presentation to winners in the ongoing ‘Reach for the Skye Millionaire Reward Scheme’ held in Lagos...Wednesday

FG to check abuse of incentives by investors – NIPC

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rs. Uju Baba, Executive Director, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), on Saturday said the Federal Government would ensure proper use of incentives provided to investors.

Fielding questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Baba said the incentives were provided to stimulate private sector investment from within and outside the country.

“This is part of efforts to provide enabling environment for the growth and development of industries and inflow of foreign in-

vestment. This will also stimulate the expansion of domestic production capacity. It is hoped that the incentives will help revive the economy, accelerate growth and development and reduce poverty,’’ She said.

The director said the incentives will cover all the sectors of the economy, adding that, the nature and application of statutory, export and other incentives had been simplified.

“Because some of the investors are misusing the incentives, the federal government has decided to put in place measure to ensure proper use,’’ she said.

Meanwhile, Baba also said

that more than 100 foreign investors had visited the country between June and December, saying that Nigeria remained an investment destination in Africa.

She, however, said that the investment business was slow, adding: “Because we are going through post election period, government activities have slowed down to certain extent and that affects the investment climate.

“Many investors are coming on exploratory visit to find out what Nigeria can offer to them. So, from June to December 2015, we received more than 100 exploratory visits.

She said that since the ap-

pointment of ministers by President Muhammadu Buhari, the country had received different set of investors.

“They are no more on exploratory visit, they are coming to the commission to facilitate meetings with the various sectors and ministries,’’ Baba said.

He said the investors had confidence in the country’s investment climate despite the challenges they may encounter.

The director called on the investors to go through the commission for proper legal framework as the present administration was more concerned with rule of law and due process.

Saraki condoles Lamido, Emefiele, mourns victims of gas explosion

•Ikpeazu commiserates with Obiano, Chikason Chukwu David abuja and Igbeaku Orji

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Umuahia

he Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, yesterday, expressed grief over the deaths and injuries recorded as a result of the gas explosion at Nnewi, Anambra State on Christmas eve.

Saraki, in a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, commiserated with the families that lost loved ones in the inferno and wished those that were hospitalised quick recovery.

“I am especially saddened that so many innocent Nigerians died and others were injured in cir-

cumstances beyond their control on a day they were putting finishing touches to preparations to celebrate the Yuletide.

“It is most unacceptable that whole families and destines were wasted in this horrible manner due to avoidable circumstances. Clearly, this unfortunate incident could have been avoided if necessary preventive measures were put in place and safety rules applicable to such highly combustible operations were faithfully observed,” Saraki stated.

The President of the Senate called on the police and the Anambra State Government to thoroughly investigate both the remote and immediate causes of the incident so as to prevent

future occurrence, urging the relevant departments in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to strengthen their safety awareness campaign, monitoring exercise and enforcement of regulations across the country to safeguard lives and property of citizens.

In a similar development, Saraki also commiserated with the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji. Barkindo Mustapha, on the death of his mother, Hajiya Adda Gombeji, at the age of 87.

He further expressed sadness over the death of the mother of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Madam Alice Emefiele who died at 94.

In the same manner, the Governor of Abia State,

Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, also commiserated with his Anambra State counterpart, Chief Willie Obiano, and the owner of Chikason Group of Companies, Chief Chika Okafor.

He also extended his heartfelt condolence to the families and relatives of the victims of the inferno and to the good people of Anambra State.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Godwin Adindu, Governor Ikpeazu described the incident as very painful and unfortunate and regretted that such mishap could happen at a time when the entire world was in festive mood.

He noted that the incident has spoilt the celebration for the Anambra people and Nigeria in general.

ixteen people, including children, were killed, six others abducted and several houses and shops were burnt down, when suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Kimba village of Biu in Local Government Area of Borno State.

A resident of the area, Ibrahim Buba, who fled to Biu town, told our correspondent on phone that the insurgents, who came to the village at about 7:00pm on Friday started shooting and setting houses ablaze, killing 15 people including children and abducted 6 people.

He said, “As I am speaking with you now, we all fled the village because they killed 16 of our people, including my brother before they abducted six others” Also confirming the attack, a security source from Biu, who does not want his name in print said on Friday December 25, 2015 at about 19 hours, some Boko Haram insurgents attacked Kimba village, killing 15 people, set ablaze houses and shop, while six others abducted.

He said: “Normalcy has since, returned to the village, as many of our men were deployed to the area to pursue the fleeing terrorists.”

Lagos holds first-in series interactive youth session T he Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development has concluded plans to gainfully engage youth across the state in what is designed to be the first-in series of interactive sessions.

Tagged: ‘Peace in the world: The role of Lagos State Youth,’ the session is billed for Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at the Onikan Youth Centre, and will be held in an atmosphere of fun and merriment.

According to the ministry, the interactive youth forum will provide a platform of interaction between the

youth and representatives of the state government.

The session will also afford government the opportunity to get feedback and clarification on its policies and programmes as it affects the youth.

Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Pharmacist Mrs. UzamatAkinbile-Yusuf, said the programme is aimed at promoting healthy youth development, massively sensitising the youth, engendering an actionable economic and political environment for the realisation of peace within the state.

Remains of madam Ojiekwe for burial

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he entire family of Ojiekwe in Amorji village in Umuopia autonomous community in Akokwa, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State is set for the burial of their beloved ‘Golden Mother,’ wife, grandmother, sister and aunty, Mother Edith Udunma Ojiekwe (Nee Obinali/ Alias General), who just passed on to the next realm of life.

According to Chief Israel Candidate Ojiekwe (Ogbuefi Chinyereugo Akokwa Akuzurumba Umuopia), who signed the burial an-

nouncement on behalf of the family, the burial, which is billed to take place on January 4, 2016 at Anglican Christ Church Umuopia, will attract men and women from all walks of life to witness the ceremony that would commits Nee Obinali to mother earth.

“The burial service will start by 10:00am and after which, internment follows immediately at Ojiekwe’s family compound. Also, condolence visits of all inlaws, and friends and well wishers will commence on January 5, 2016,” he said.

NLC condemns fuel subsidy removal

c o n d f r o m pa g e 5

ent ruling party.”

However, another civil rights activist and President, Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Development (VATLAD), Comrade Emmanuel Igbini, hailed the removal of the subsidy, saying that it was long overdue. Igbini, who described the removal of subsidy as an important milestone in the process of full deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, said the scheme was a massive fraud but has been protected over the years by those

who benefit from it.

There are indications that there would be mass protests across the country once the message sinks into the public consciousness that the subsidy on fuel had been removed even in the face of a biting fuel shortage and long fuel queues at most fuel stations across the country.

As at yesterday fuel sold for as much as N150 per litre at some filling stations in Abuja, while the product sold for as much as N200 per litre at the black market in the suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory.

SUNDAY

15

Politics SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015

When kidnappers target women in Bayelsa p.16 Jubrilla: Boko Haram almost excised Adamawa from Nigeria p.17

Ngige, Umeh Ekwunife renew battle for Anambra Central p.18

The Sunday Interview Ogunjobi: 2016 will be tough for Nigeria p.20&37

‘Entertainers need to project Nigeria on world stage’ p.38

Biyi Adegoroye Assistant Editor biyi.fire@yahoo.com © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Buhari

Jonathan

Audu

Politics, corruption, insecurity climaxed 2015

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Biyi Adegoroye igh-wired politics, insecurity- either in form of the Boko Haram insurgency, bank robbery and kidnapping ranked highest among issues which dominated the political landscape in the out-going year. The elections were tension soaked; having been further exacerbated by insecurity in the North-East.

From last year when the insurgents practically excised about 12 local governments from the country and hoisted their flag, the insurgency issue took the front burner, casting a thick gloom on the capacity and capability of the then Goodluck Jonathan administration to guarantee the most critical of its duties- security and welfare of its citizenry.

Still at a loss over the location of the over 200 kidnapped Chibok girls and a tag-rag army in search of weapons from all fronts, the nation was losing its citizens in the North-East in droves, while millions became internally displaced persons. Expectedly, many thought the doomsday seers would have it after all; that Nigeria would not survive 2015, but would break into smithereens.

But that only occurred in the realms of their imaginations, as the elections held March 28 and April 11, after a six-week delay which drew not a little condemnation locally and internationally.

Though it afforded the government a renewed vigor by the military to decimate the insurgents and reclaim many of the lost local governments, it was rather too late.

When the Presidential and National Assembly elections results were announced, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), polled 15,424, 921, to defeat incumbent President Jonathan who got 12,853, 162. The APC also won majority seats in the National Assembly and swept through the states like a cyclone.

Thus on May 29, the nation received a new fillip

with the inauguration of Buhari’s government, bringing to an end the Peoples Democratic Party’s 16 years rule in the country. The change of guards performed much more. It made a ruse of PDP’s boast to govern the country for 60 years.

Now in the saddle after several attempts at the top office, Buhari kept the nation in the quandary for months with his seeming inertial and inability to constitute his cabinet, until after the first 100 days. But the report of the transition committee and the three programmes of tackling unemployment, fighting corruption and addressing the nation’s power problem formed the fulcrum of his administration’s policy focus.

The war on corruption, however, has been at the vanguard of all the programmes, as he not only constituted the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, with Prof. Itse Sagay as Chairman, he introduced the Treasury Single Account and packaged a bailout fund for the states which have gradually become insolvent.

Anti-corruption war Bubari made no fuss about his anti-corruption as he declared that the international community has not only assisted in tracing all stolen funds, but expressed readiness to repatriate them to Nigeria.

From his party’s investigations, a quantum of N11.8 trillion was stolen and stashed in various accounts both locally and overseas. In its reckoning, the kind of massive looting of the treasury that took place under former President Jonathan underscored the seriousness with President Buhari is pursuing the probes.

A breakdown of the astounding figures said to have been looted are N 3.8 trillion out of the N8.1 trillion earned from crude oil (2012-2015) withheld

by NNPC, $2.1 billion from Excess Crude Account unaccounted for, Department of Petroleum Resources’ unremitted N109.7 billion royalty from oil firms.

Others, according to the party are $6 billion al-

legedly looted by some ministers of the last administration, 160 billion barrels of crude worth $13.9 billion lost between 2009 and 2012; $15 million from botched arms deal yet to be returned to Nigeria The party’s investigation also revealed that $13 billion of Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas dividends mostly unaccounted for, N30 billion in rice waiverand N183 billion unaccounted for at the Niger Delta Development Commission Expectedly, former Petroleum Minister, Diezeani Allison-Mudueke became the epicenter of the scam, but she soon traveled to London where she was questioned by local authorities and she is currently receiving treatment for cancer. Governor Adams Oshiomhole picked the gauntlet with the declaration that former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has a case to answer.

At state level, among those standing trial for corruption are former Governors of Jigawa, Adamawa and Imo states - Sule Lamido, Murtala Nyako and Ihedia Ohakim respectively.

Though the past governors had been admitted to bail but their trials areongoing.

But that was a tip of the iceberg was revelations of humongous N16billion arms scandal and mismanagement, (or re-looting) of the Abacha loot of was blown open. President Buhari has set up a committee to probe alleged corrupt practices in arms procurement for the Nigerian military under former Presidents Umaru Yar ‘Adua and President Jonathan.

The report indicated that a total of N643.8billion and another foreign currency component of $2.1billion intervention were made to the military sector within the period under review through the former National Security Adviser, Col, Sambo Dasuki (retd).

Figures from the office of the Special Adviser on Media, Femi Adesina show that “So far, the total CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

When kidnappers target women in Bayelsa Pauline Onyibe Yenagoa

I

n the out-going year, one common crime which assumed a disturbing level in Bayelsa State is profit kidnap.

This business seemed to be booming for the kidnappers after illegal oil bunkering business became less attractive to some in the state.

Since illegal bunkering is now dominated by the big “boys,” the middle class of criminals have resorted to kidnap although aided, according security sources, by some highly placed people in the state.

Recall that the Restoration Government under the leadership of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, has passed a bill into law prescribing the death penalty for kidnappers, up till now, the public is yet to see the benefits of the law.

Also the boys have seen it as a lucrative business when they demand for ransom running into hundreds of millions of Naira. After receiving millions from families of their victim, they disappear without any trace.

Although security agencies do arrest and parade some of them, after such parade, nothing is usually heard about them again. One of such cases was that of King Godwin Igodo the Ebenibe of Attissa kingdom in Yenagoa Local Government who spent about 29 days in the kidnappers’ den. After his release, a security outfit in Yenagoa paraded some of the suspects who gave useful information about how he was kidnapped how much was paid to them as ransom. But after that, nothing was heard about it again.

It has been going on like this unabated until the recent governorship election. So now every recent kidnap is attributed to the political tussle. It is common for the All Progressives Congress to accuse the Peoples Democratic Party and vice versa.

One of such high profile kidnaps was that of Governor Seriake Dickson’s younger sister who was recently kidnapped by unknown gunmen. Miss Nancy Dickson was kidnapped penultimate Saturday from her shop along Okaka Road in Yenagoa.

The 26-year old Nancy Tekena Dickson was abducted by four unknown gunmen who came in an ash colour Lexus jeep and whisked her away at about 2:50 pm.

Barely 24 hours after Nancy’s abduction; kidnappers also trailed the Commissioner for Local Government in the state, Sarafina Utazi along Otuoke road and kidnapped her. Up till now these two females are yet to be released.

Just recently the mother of Sampson Siasia, the Nigerian Under 23 coach, was kidnapped and later released, but not without some ransom paid. It was alleged that the kidnappers mistook her for the mother of one the of the governorship candidates in the inconclusive governorship election, because it happened in the heat of the campaign.

Another woman, 55-year-old Mrs. Adioyili Agidi, was reportedly kidnapped by a group of armed youths, who invaded her residence in Opume, Ogbia Local Government Area of the state. The gunmen struck at about 9a.m one Sunday morning in a speedboat, shot sporadically into the air to scare their victim’s neighbours before taking her away.

The peace of Odi town in the KolokumaOpokuma Council Area was violated, as unknown gunmen kidnapped the mother of former Bayelsa Commissioner for Local Government and Rural Development, James Dugo. It was learnt that the commissioner’s mother, Madam Comfort Dugo, was whisked away from her family residence by a three-man armed gang who stormed the town in a speed boat.

Though no group claimed responsibility for her abduction, it was learnt that

Dickson

the 68-year-old woman may have been kidnapped to fleece her son of undisclosed sum of money.

Also the mother of Elder Wilberforce Igiri, running mate to Chief Timipre Sylva, of the APC was kidnapped. The victim, Madam Ebifegha Dikoro, aged 100, was reportedly seized at about 1am at Forupa on the Atlantic fringe of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state and whisked away to an unknown destination.

The armed men were said to have stormed the home of the centenarian in three speed boats.

Though the spokesman of the State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, said that

Sylva

details of the incident were not available, the abduction of the centenarian sparked claims and counter-claims between the campaign organisations of Chief Sylva and Governor Dickson.

“The kidnap of the aged mother of the APC running mate is one of the latest in cases of kidnappings and sea piracy that has apparently overwhelmed the security agencies in the state.

“Recall that last year, the uncle and guardian of our governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, also died in the hands of the kidnappers,” he said.

Wilson Fyneman, Political Adviser to Governor Dickson, was also kidnapped from his residence in Sagbama along with

his personal assistant. Not too long after that, the Special Adviser to the governor on Power, Olice Kemenanabo was also abducted. Kemenanabo was kidnapped at his residence while returning from church.

Kemenanabo who is also the Managing Director of Bayelsa Electricity Company was abducted by three armed men after threatening to shoot him.

Two factors have been identified for the current upsurge in kidnapping in the state. One is the recent cancellation of pipeline surveillance contracts awarded to some ex-militants, while the other is said to be the rescheduling of the governorship election in the state.

Politics, corruption, insecurity climaxed 2015 CONTINUED from PAGE 15

extra budgetary interventions articulated by the committee are N643, 817,955,885.18. The foreign currency component is to the tune of $2,193,815,000.83.

The panel, Adesina explained, also observed that out of 513 contracts awarded at $8,356,525,184.32; N2,189,265,724,404.55 and €54,000.00; Fifty Three (53) were failed contracts amounting to $2,378,939,066.27 and N13,729,342,329.87 respectively.

“Interestingly, it was noted that the amount of foreign currency spent on failed contracts was more than double the $1bn loan that the National Assembly approved for borrowing to fight the insurgency in the North East.

The committee also allegedly discovered that payments to the tune of N3, 850,000,000.00 were made to a single company by the former NSA without documented evidence of contractual agreements or fulfillment of tax obligations to the Federal Government “Further findings by the committee revealed that between March 2012 and March 2015, the erstwhile NSA, Lt Col MS Dasuki (retd) awarded fictitious and phantom contracts to the tune of N2, 219,188,609.50, $1,671,742,613.58 and €9,905,477.00. The contracts which were said to be for the purchase of 4 Alpha Jets, 12 helicopters, bombs and ammunition were not executed and the equipment were never supplied to the Nigerian Air Force, neither are they in its inventory.

“Even more disturbing was the discovery that out of these figures, two companies were awarded contracts to the tune of N350, 000,000.00, $1,661,670,469.71 and €9,905,477.00 alone. This was without prejudice to the con-

sistent non-performance of the companies in the previous contracts awarded.

“Additionally, it was discovered that the former NSA directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to transfer the sum of $132,050,486.97 and €9,905,473.55 to the accounts of Societe D’Equipmente Internationaux in West Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America for un-ascertained purposes, without any contract documents to explain the transactions.

“The findings made so far are extremely worrying considering that the interventions were granted within the same period that our troops fighting the insurgency in the NorthEast were in desperate need of platforms, military equipment and ammunition. Had the funds siphoned to these non performing companies been properly used for the purpose they were meant for, thousands of needless Nigerian deaths would have been avoided,” Adesina said.

Dasuki has been charged to court along with all beneficiaries of the fund, but the disclosure and wanton theft of the nation’s funds drew wide condemnations among all Nigerians.

Constitutional lawyer, Fred Agbaje, described it as scandalously immoral, calling for the prosecution of all indicted persons not only at the nation’s high court, but also before the International Criminal Court for genocide and crimes against humanity.

While many Nigerians have frowned on the use of the nation’s defence budget to finance Jonathan’s re-election bid, not a few of them have called for the probe of former President.

Though he has been accused of witch-hunting the PDP, President Buhari has vowed that all

persons who stole the nation’s funds must return it, by all means. How this will turn out in the New Year remains to be seen.

Gale of sack Besides the war on corruption is the systematic sack of some key governors, senators and members of the House of Representatives and lawmakers at various levels. As at the last count, the elections of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, that of Udo Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and Dahiru Isiaku of Taraba State- all of the Peoples Democratic Party- have been upturned by the tribunals.

Former Senate President David Mark, Senator Chief Mao Ohanbuwa also lost their seats at the Appeal Court and is getting ready for re-run. Senator Buruji Kasamu was however, lucky as the appellant court overturned the decision of the tribunal to confirm his victory.

Of equal importance is the introduction of inclusive election to the Nigerian political lexicon by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmud Yakudu. The two governorship elections he conducted in Kogi and Bayelsa states- his litmus tests- ended in stalemate, with the former creating a constitutional lacuna, following the death of the winning candidate, late Abubakar Audu. It is one case that may drag to the Supreme Court.

With these highlights of the political activities which climaxed the out-going year, the facts are pointing to one direction - that political landscape under the dominance of the APC in 2016 will be tougher, and will not fall any short of shocking disclosures both in the probe, even as decisions expected from the pending cases would redefine the legal system.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015

Politics

Jubrilla: Boko Haram almost excised Adamawa from Nigeria Senator Mohammed Jubrilla, governor of Adamawa State, recently took some journalists on assessment tour of projects he has embarked upon in his past seven months in office. He spoke about some of his giant strides in road construction in Yola and Jimeta and his fight against corruption in the state.

JOHNCHUKS ONUANYIM was there and files this report We have seen the projects that you are currently executing and the question is how much have they cost the state government?

Since we came in, in terms of revenue allocation from the Federal Government, we got about N2.4 billion in June. In July it was about N2.2 billion, in August we received N2 billion, September N1.8 billion and in October N1.6 billion. We are waiting for that of November but l understand that it is going to be a little lower. Basically, we always borrow money to augment the payment of our salaries, not to talk of executing the developmental projects that we have embarked upon. The secret of what I do, which I wouldn’t want to mention because of some people is the fact of my background. During the campaign, it is important for the electorate to look at the background of those coming to canvass for votes from them, because I can assure you that if they had done that, some people who were on this seat would have run away from the state by now. When we came in, we met something like an empty treasury - nothing on ground. We have been taking loans since we came in, but God is on our side and like I said earlier, I came from the private sector - a businessman and politician. My own way of doing things is different from that of a politician or somebody who just wanted to be a governor, because there are some people who are not prepared but they just want to occupy offices. I did not become a governor by accident, I am sure of that. Even my friends called me all sorts of name believing in my ability to be a governor.

So, that is the propelling factor. This road construction, when we came in during the transition time, my Chief of Staff and I stayed one month in Abuja trying to make contacts with some construction companies because like I said road infrastructure is one of our major problems. Because all the infrastructures, health, water everything had collapsed in the state. So, we said road is very important. This is what can be seen physically. These are peopleoriented programmes which we can do and everybody will see physically, that is why we started with road.

But apart from roads, there is health, water, agriculture and education. So, we have to do a lot in these areas, but there area no resources, there is no time but if you have good intentions and you are contented, I want to tell you that if you are a governor you don’t need to steal money because

Jubrilla

money can only do limited things for one in life. But people take a lot of money, they cannot even spend. So, for me we are contented. We thank God for what he has done by giving us this position to offer selfless service to our people. That is my target and my focus and Insha Allah I will remain focused. I cannot give the statistics of kilometers of roads that we have done so far. We have flagged off about 35 roads between Jimeta and Yola and three contractors namely Tracter, Record and Tech a Chinese company are constructing them.

So, they are handling these roads network in the state capital and the contract sum as you have been told by my officer in charge of that project are N4.56 billion for Tracter, N1.4 billion for Record, N1.4 billion for Tech and another contractor called Mubi is N4.75 billion. These are the four contractors handling the road projects in the state. We have completed 35 of the 36 per cent of on-going road projects. As for one of the companies, when we came in they had not finished their project, and we felt that asking them to stop would translate to additional cost, and since we saw that they were doing a good job, we

asked them to continue and we paid them N308million already.

Given the dwindling oil price how do you intend to increase your revenue?

Let me start by saying that we all have to go back to Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), especially all governors in the Northern states. As we can see, oil price is coming down and the revenue from custom services has dropped drastically. In in Adamawa State, it is very unfortunate because you all know that Adamawa is one of the frontline states in terms of this insurgency, and this has so much affected revenue generation in the state. However, we have engaged a consultant to look at how we can improve on our IGR and we gave him one year. It is important to state here also that when you are talking about IGR, there are some measures you can take in Lagos State, even in Kaduna State which you cannot dare it here. In Lagos for instance, cemeteries bring in revenue to the state government. There are so many items you can collect taxes from in Lagos State, but here in Adamawa State the only way to have IGR is to go on these

corporate organisations, otherwise not much can be done. However, we are doing something, but I don’t want to speculate.

We just have to wait for the consultant to submit his recommendations on how to improve the IGR. But I make quick to say that Adamawa is not like other states given the fact that it is in the heart of Boko Haram insurgency. It is unfortunate but we have to do something.

The Numan Bridge, though a federal issue is in a state of disrepair, do you have a plan to repair it either by using state resources or contacting Federal Ministry of Works ?

Well it is not only Numan Bridge; the two brides before it are also bad. We have been to those areas and even reported to the Federal Road Maintenance Agency here, but you know there are a lot of things attached to bridge. At the state level you cannot just start repairing because they have their standards. That is what they told us and they promised to carry out the repairs. I think they have done the secCONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

Ngige, Umeh Ekwunife renew battle for Anambra Central With the recent nullification of Senator Uche Ekwunife’s election in the Anambra Central Senatorial zone, by the National Elections Appeal Tribunal in Enugu which ordered a re-run, PAMELA EBOH writes that the battle seems set for the trio of Chief Victor Umeh, Chris Ngige and Ekwunife

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olitics to some is like a game of dice which most times go the way of the smarter and the quick witted. That indeed has played out time and again in the political arena in Anambra State, where victory goes to the least expected person while deserving and public choice lose out.

The National Assembly election of March 28, 2015 in Anambra Central senatorial zone, like every other election conducted in the state, drew a large crowd and great apprehension as all the camps worked round the clock to ensure victory of their candidates at the polls.

The penchant for victory however, was not devoid of campaign convoy attacks and name dropping, but despite all that, the election came and went-by with the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Uche Ekwunife, declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, with a total of 93,000 votes against Chief Victor Umeh of the All Progressive Grand Alliance’s 79,000 votes.

Though Ekwunife’s winning figure earlier presented to the electorate was 105,000 against Umeh’s 79,000 votes, it was later to be reduced to 93,000 votes by the election petition tribunal sitting in Awka, the state capital. That act cast a lot of doubt on the authenticity of the final score and that was perhaps why the Court of Appeal where Umeh appealed after the judgment of the tribunal that upheld Ekwunife’s election saw it as a huge loophole and nullified the election and ordered for another election within 90 days.

The nullification may have come at a time the electorate least expected as people have moved on from post-election fever to their normal life and looking forward to another senatorial election in four years time.

However, with the nullification at the appellate court in Enugu on December 7, 2015, the dice is cast for another battle between Chief Umeh and Senator Ekwunife. The former may have thought that after the National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka on October 9, 2015 declared her winner, it was time for her to work towards fulfilling her campaign promises to the people of the zone.

Ekwunife had said: “It has been proved by the tribunal that I won the election convincingly because the people of Anambra Central zone wanted me there as their representative based on my track record. Umeh can now leave me alone to work”.

She had also boasted time and time again that even if the election was conducted 10 times, she would defeat Umeh over and over again. “I will beat Umeh silly even if the election is rescheduled ten times. I have proven track record and the people know that I am a better choice,” Ekwunife had boasted.

Since her venture into politics, she has no doubt proved her mettle as a dogged fighter and a goal- getter. Some notable politicians in the state have even referred to her as a man in a woman’s body. She dares where other women fear to tread and faces every daunting challenges head on with every weapon in his arsenal.

To Ekwunife, she has the will, resilience, energy, connection, financial power and followership to slam Umeh a second time, but that seems doubtful today with the absent of PDP at the center, to sway everything

Ngige

Ekwunife

Umeh

in their favour. So, will Ekwunife have a smooth ride back to the Senate?

However, with a warrior like Umeh in a second round or battle, it may not be an easy battle for Ekwunife as the federal might of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, are no longer there to buoy him to victory.

In the March 27 election with her political umbrella, PDP at the center, she moved with panache and air of invincibility. The party in order to ensure victory for their lineup of candidates brought out all their cache, including all round security personnel, money in foreign and local currencies, personalities of great influence on the electorate. The like former governor Peter Obi and other notable party leaders went to work to deliver all PDP candidates. Expectedly, the party won all the senatorial seats in the state and they were issued with certificates of return

by INEC. Umeh may have learnt salient lessons from his first journey to the political desert and this time like a Spartan boy, he is hand in glove ready to fight like a wounded lion.

Like his opponent, he is not a political neophyte. He has seen it all, both the good, bad, back-stabbings, name-calling, betrayals and the changing times of politics but in all of it he has remained standing as a shadow that never fails to manifest in person in court cases to stage a comeback.

Umeh is believed to have fought more court battles than any other politician in Nigeria and never failed to win in any. He may have no doubt in the process of climbing the ladder to the top stepped on toes, bruised, neglected and left some disciples behind which hitherto led to the calling for his head by some members of his own family, APGA. But, in time of war, it is expected that the members would sheath their swords in love and come together to fight for the common goal of the Igbo party.

The re-run election which will come up within 90 days from the day of nullification by the Court of Appeal, may be the litmus test that APGA needs to prove a point or be extinct from the political gallery.

It is not just a fight for Umeh alone; it is a collective fight for the entire APGA family as his win will mean having the party’s own representing them at the upper legislative chamber proudly flying their flag.

Umeh has said that he went to the tribunal to challenge election banditry and impunity and that anytime there would be election in the state, it is his desire that the people be allowed to cast their vote without molestation and intimidation.

He said: “Votes should be counted and recorded for every candidate and the winner will emerge from there. The process where people will use the Army, federal authority and power to over-run the people of Anambra State is unacceptable. I said I will not accept it anymore. That election was cancelled for the obvious reasons associated with it.

“Those who were celebrating that they won before will come back to face the people and I’m very happy there is a new regime in Nigeria. A regime that is intolerant of impunity. So when the re-run comes up, my opponent will no longer have any other advantage over other candidates. INEC on its part must be truly independent and neutral as well as the Nigerian armed forces.

“There will be nothing like the First Lady of Nigeria calling businessmen in Anambra State to deliver a particular candidate. It will no longer happen. There will be nothing like the President of Nigeria saying that a particular candidate must win, like it happened on the March 28 election.

These are the things I think I have been able to achieve with the nullification of the election. So anybody who says he/she is more qualified will go through the people again, let’s see what will happen, if she gets the votes like she has been bragging about that she will get and win, so be it but what I want is a clean process,” he said.

He said the South-East has not felt the presence of Ekwunife in the Senate. “She has been there for six months and even in these trying moments, she didn’t raise her voice.

The whole of the protests that ravaged Igbo land would have warranted that one senator

from the South-East zone to stand up on the floor of the House to draw attention of the Senate to the issues through a motion on a matter of urgent national importance.

“She did not do any of these. We need somebody who will go there and stand for our people. That is the difference I will make when I go to the Senate. Anything affecting my people, Nigerians will hear about it and I will invite the senate to take action to protect and preserve the rights of my people.

That’s the essence of being a representative, not going there to look for juicy committee where you can make money. That’s not what we are looking for. We are looking for quality, bold, courageous representation of the people, that’s it”.

Apart from Umeh and Ekwunife, other political parties now have another opportunity to try again. For the party at the center, this may be an opportunity for them to penetrate the electorate and sell the All Progressives Congress platform. At the moment, its candidate in the said election, Senator Chris Ngige may be having a better romance with his new portfolio of Minister for Labour and Employment. Hence, he may not consider taking a shot at the senatorial rerun. Perhaps, he may be angling for a bigger position like the governorship seat coming up in the next few years.

He stands out much as the best choice for the governorship position in his party as a known political figure and a former governor of the state, but whatever the outcome, party faithful say there is always be a solution.

Political pundits in the state say that the stage is set for a second round of summer slam for the big fishes in the political circle of Anambra Central senatorial zone, as they remain the center of attraction. At the moment Ekwunife has taken off on her stride for the electorate’s affection by employing the services of a known minstrel in the city of Awka, Izah Nwosu to promote her rererun ambition while Umeh on his part is already busy putting the round pegs in a C O N T I N U E D on PA G E 1 9

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Politics

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

ondary repair because the damage was so big. There was a time when cattle were crossing, one of the animals fell into the river and died there. That hole has been repaired. The bridge in Gwana is a soft bridge and it is about to collapse. We went there and we reported the situation to the Federal Government. Anything that has to do with the construction no matter how you want to do it is very expensive.

You heard the engineer saying that Mubi Bridge Work will cost about N4 billion.

You know in the past we in Adamawa State were victims of political victimisation. There Federal Government did not construct any road to Adamawa State.

So we have a lot of work to do, may be now that we are under the same party, we have made good relationship and President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that all roads will be rehabilitated. Apart from normal Federal Government works, we have what they call North-East Rehabilitation Committee and we have documented all our problems especially the ones caused by the insurgency. We have about seven bridges that were destroyed and in fact we have to rehabilitate two because they are very important otherwise it will cut our state out completely.

Your party the All Progressives Congress at the national level is fighting corruption and we were told that the former Governor, Ahmadu Fintri spent N22 billion within six days. How do you intend to address that?

Well, for me I will continue to do what is good, which is prayer. With prayers there is nothing God cannot do because it is God that gives position. So I want to rely on Him and secondly, like I have said I have a target and I will remain focused. Nobody can distract me, whatever fight or war; they will be doing that in Abuja not here. We are at the grassroots here, people are happy with what we are doing, so I will continue on this part; I will never join issues with anybody. I can guarantee you that those who may like to cause trouble we will soon stop it by the time they see a lot of good things happening in the state. In terms of investigation of things, this government is like the Federal Government, we don’t tolerate corruption and as far as this administration is concerned, we are accountable and we must be transparent to our people. There is nobody that is complaining about my administration.

It may interest you to know that two weeks to the end of last administration, the governor then had a quarrel with the chairman of Bureau of Public Procurement in terms of administration and bureaucracy attached. Since we were sworn in, we have reappointed him so that he would continue with the diligent work he was doing. We ensured that all these roads we have given as contracts were advertised and finally the tender board of the ministry chose the preferred bidders. The prices they gave were even lower than the ministry’s own. So, the selection process was transparent, due processes were followed. In fact I asked the Managing Director of Tracter, one of the companies that are handling our roads projects why their price is low; he said he has his Asphalt and quarry plant here. So the company is not like others that will still need to go and buy these things.

How have you been faring in the payment of civil servants salary and addressing workers welfare?

Regarding civil servants, let me tell you, earlier, the labour union came here and if I knew you will ask this kind of question I would have brought their chairman here, because we carry labour union along in whatever we do. So, the bailout we received was for civil servants’ sala-

‘Boko Haram almost excised Adamawa’ have what is called Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Agric Account where we have N200 million purely for agricultural business. We are also working presently on the modalities for that, they are small scale agric businesses one can start with N20, 000. We are also targeting widows in the state; at least 46 widows per local government will get a token of N20, 000 each to start business under the Ministry of Women Affairs. With N20, 000 naira, one can start a business here in Adamawa. Also with the scraping of NAPEP, they have sent 600 of motor cycles to us. These motor cycles can be use for delivering of goods; they can be used to sell water in the villages and for many things. Also, we have finalised recruiting what we called sanitation guards. One hundred youths were selected in the state capital to start their operation very soon.

They will be on stipend of N10, 000 per month; basically they will be working on weekends starting from Friday to Sundays.

Jubrilla

ries. You know Adamawa is a civil service state; it is not a business state like Kano, Lagos, etc. If you look after the civil servant you are looking after all the market people and once you pay the salary the man who is selling meat, grains and all the rest of it will also make money from their sells. I think this kind of question should be directed to the civil servants; I assure you that they will tell you that they are very happy with my administration. So, we don’t joke with their salary, we have paid almost N7.2 billion for their loans and what have you. This is what the former administration could not pay them for three years; it refused to pay their salary and allowances for three years up till 2015. I have paid all the allowances and they are extremely happy. Judiciary in Adamawa State is not left out. I have paid them three years arrears; I bought all the judges in the state brand new Prado Jeep. When we came on board we met a judiciary that has not worked for six months. We are planning to renovate all courts in the state, the bill of quantities is ready but we have not awarded the contract. We are planning to combine it with that of renovation of secondary schools under the UBEC-Judiciary project. This is part of our stomach infrastructure strategy you are talking about.

Concerning the local government staff salary which we have not paid, the labour union themselves requested that we should not pay it because of a conflict in figures. What is the treasury is not different from the figure of audited members of the local government staff.

So we agree with labour that we will not pay the money until everybody comes physically. We will go through each and everyone’s file before payment. Within the first NLNG money that we got, apart from taking N500 million which we put into the account for projects, we earmarked N500 million for other payments.

Presently, the money is in the account and we want to use it to finance micro credit scheme to small scale businessmen and we target 50 persons per ward. We have 226 wards in Adamawa State. If you multiply 50 by 226 you will find out the number of people that will benefit from that and the money would be giving in categories. Category A is N50, 000, Category B is 30, 000, Category C: is 20,000 naira depending on what you fill in the form and the type of business you will run. It will start very soon, may be after Christmas. We are currently working on the modalities. All the stakeholders in the state have been captured. We also

How do you handle the issue of ghost workers? What are you doing in the area of data capturing as a way of knowing the actual number of such workers and the amount of money that goes out every month? Secondly on the insurgency, we want to know what you have done in terms of supporting the Nigeria Police and the Army.

Regarding ghost workers, since we came in, we have been doing a lot of screening and data capturing and forensic auditing - that is fingerprints and what have you.

So, the local governments, is where we are having problem. In fact I am expecting the report of the screening in the local governments. I can assure you that we are going to surprise a lot of people, because some local government for example will claim they have 1,200 staff when we started the exercise, out of this, we hardly got 400, because we are doing the screening through physical appearance of staff.

Local government is where corruption really takes place in the state. And the local government staff are cooperating with our decisions. On the insurgency, I was fortunate to be a member of Seventh Senate, not only that I serve as Vice Chairman on Defense Committee. I was also a member of almost all the armed forces committees. So I know a lot about the issue of Boko-Haram and we are doing a lot in that area through building of synergy with relevant security agencies.

We don’t need to be talking about issues of security on the pages of newspapers because security issue is a special area that need secrecy.

Ngige, Umeh, Ekwunife and the battle this time C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 8

round hole for another round in the ring.

Though Ekwunife has some sizable number of mouths yapping in her favor, Umeh equally has his genuine followers who are ready to go to the moon to ensure his victory. For example, there is this opinion in some quarters that Umeh based on doggedness and self-drive will make a better representative not just for senatorial zone but for the Igbo people at large.

To Patrick Okafor, an ardent follower of Ekwunife from Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state, he said that the re-run election is mere for-

malities, adding that Ekwunife still holds the ace.

“I wish to borrow Uche Ekwunife’s statement that “No matter how many times the re-run is conducted in this state for Anambra Central senatorial zone, Ekwunife will defeat Umeh hands down. Umeh should have simply honorably accepted that a woman defeated him and wait for another opportunity.

“I do trust that woman’s pliability and hard work and I tell you she has massive follower ship in this zone. Forget what you may hear some politicians who are not worth their onion say against her. The result will again bring tears to the eyes of some people.

“We have started working round the clock

again to ensure her victory because I know that even though she is a woman, she will not only work to deliver but she will also remember the electorates that voted her to power,” he said.

A notable stakeholder in the politics of Anambra State who does not want his name in print acknowledged being an ardent supporter of Ekwunife. But he has a word for all the contenders. “Talk is cheap. We wait for action. I don’t want to say anything regarding the re-run election.”

With the stage set and the drama unfolding, everyone in Anambra State knows one thing- it is going to be a titanic battle which can swing in any directions.

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The Sunday

Ogunjobi: 2016 will b Former Vice President of the African Development Bank and immediate past Chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank, Chief Bisi Ogunjobi, in this interview with BIYI ADEGOROYE, looks the N6.08trillion 2016 budget and its possible impact on the nation in the New Year What is your reaction to the 2016 budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari, especially the fact that he is targeting about N1.8 trillion as non-oil revenue as against N820 billion from oil?

Generally speaking, I will call the budget a foundation laying budget, being the first one by this administration. It will show us the direction which the government intends to go. To your question, I want to say that the premise for the revenue structure is that government anticipates a further fall in the price of oil at the international market. Therefore, focusing more on non-oil sector will cushion any fall from the current $38 per barrel price and that depends on whether there is stability in the Nigeria Delta to enable us retain the current production level of 2.28 million barrels per day. The fear is that oil price may fall as low as $30 in the New Year. We have to also be sure that pipelines are not vandalized, that would be unrealizable.

The focus on N1.8trillion is a deliberate effort to look at internally generated revenue, it is also an indication of government’s readiness to broaden the tax base, look at how to ensure more people pay taxes and avoid tax evasion, without necessarily increasing the rate. Government therefore needs to raise awareness about the need to pay tax, especially with the current decline in the price of oil. You will recall that tax payment is a civic obligation, a serious responsibility and that covers not just Value Added Tax, but Pay As You Earn, Company Tax and duties. So the people must be assured that their taxes are well utilized and government must show projects that such taxes are extended on to galvanise people to pay, especially as the state level. If government is able to generate more internally, we will be better than we are now by this time next year.

The President also spoke about job creation, with plans to recruit about half a million in the education sector‌?

That is a significant innovation in the budget, because that will address the unemployment issue in the country and promote quality education. Do you know what it means to take such number of unemployed graduates off the streets? And on the other hand, if you go to many of our schools, you will see that the teacher-pupils ratio is far from impressive. There was this school I visited the other day, one of those schools with which we partner in our scholarship programme and we discovered that there were 128 students to two teachers!

What do you think can be achieved in that atmosphere? What happens if one teacher is sick? Definitely the school will be in disarray. The standard is that we should have 40 pupils par class and that must be retained. Of course, it should go beyond recruiting the people because

the fact that one is a graduate does not mean that he has teaching skill and psychology of education. That means that they must be trained through crash programmes to be very suitable for the job.

Another plank is access to cheaper and long-term financing through the Nigeria Export and Import Bank, how is this likely to grow the economy, in view of the existing cry over high interest rate?

The sources of loans from international organisations like the World Bank and African Development Bank are still very cheaper than what we have in the open market. The interest rates are lower and the duration quite longer. For instance, if you have an AfDB or World Bank loan, you may have a comfortable repayment plan of 40 years, with a grace period.

The problem is repayment because when the dollar appreciates, your currency depreciates, but since it is a long term project, it does not pose any problem. As the Director of Debt Management Office has clearly indicated that structurally, our debt is not unsustainable; hence we can borrow from foreign agencies for our infrastructural development which requires long term funding.

How do you see the ability of the government to deliver on its promises with the proposed budget of 30 per cent allocation to capital projects as against 70 per cent to recurrent expenditure?

I think the N1.8trillion capital allocation is significantly different from the past by about nine per cent. The recurrent expenditure last year was much higher than what it was in the past. But if you are talking about its ability to grow the economy that means government must invest in the real sector- the manufacturing sector. Today capacity utilisation is about 40 per cent, and for us to grow the economy, we need to increase capacity utilization above 50 per cent.

That means electrical power must be supplied, raw materials must be available and the necessary finance must be made available for the private sector in order to ensure growth in the economy.

In particular, the agricultural sector must be heavily invested in for the economy to grow. To a large extent, the foundation has been laid in the agricultural sector, all we need to do it build on it, deepen it, promote large and small scale farming and bring about innovations because that sector alone has the capability not only to feed the nation, but also to form source of raw materials and also export.

How do you see the issue of sectoral allocation to education, works, defence, health and others?

The President is placing emphasis on infrastructural development and that is why Power Works and Housing is taking about N433 billion, Transport N202 bil-

lion, Education N369 billion and Health N221 billion. In particular, the fact that Power, Works and Housing takes the lion share makes a bold statement about his target areas. But one fact remains that on the basis of the indices I mentioned earlier, 2016 will be tough, but the projections are doable, with commitment from all Nigerians and effective management of the economy. If you look at the budget, government is going to take over N1.8 trillion loan, which to mean is likely to be treasury-based. That is dangerous because it will crowd out the private sector, which has often been described as the engine of growth.

The nation’s infrastructural are said to be inadequate, how do you think government should address this in the next few years?

I think in that wise, completion of various infrastructural projects as itemized by the Minster for Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola becomes very important. We know there are quite a number of projects that have been commenced by the previous administration, they need to be completed, because there is an element of continuity, building on the foundation that has been laid in the sector. Projects like the Second Niger Bridge which the minister mentioned and the power projects which have been started like the ones at the Manbila Plateau and Zungeru in Niger State. I think it is better to complete all these projects rather than stating new ones. And all these should be factored into the projects the minister is talking about. I believe the emphasis on job creation and on quality education as well as providing some assistance or grants to students who are able to work on their own rather than waiting for government or the private sector for job, which are not readily available. I think this will engender innovations of the youths, particularly if the grants are targeted at small and medium scale enterprises. I think by and large the government is in the right direction.

The minister recently spoke about construction of housing units in each state of the federation. How feasible and affordable is this likely to be?

In terms of feasibility, I think one point that has to be emphasised is that if the state governments provide the required land and the Federal Government, through the Federal Mortgage Bank provides the funds, the possibility achieving this is quite high. I believe that the Federal Mortgage Bank, when it is restructured and recapitalised, can be a portent instrument to actualise this. The state should provide not just the land but also the basic infrastructure to make the place accessible to

Ogunjobi avoid the situation during in the Shehu Shagari era, where houses were built in inaccessible places, because of lack of healthy co-operation between the state and the Federal Government. We hope we have learnt from that experience.

For many years, you were in the African Development Bank and during your tenure, Nigeria made futile efforts to

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Trends that rocked 2015 fashion

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Bed, Work & Life Killer Whatchamacallit (9)

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Kemi Otegbade

Entrepreneur extraordinaire

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te o n s ’ r o t i d E

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e en as the battl the masses. Ev in the Northof s ng ri fe 2015 ges on eek in the year agit insurgency ra and the Biafra his is the last w days to the New agains y tr un co e th of e still rt e fiv pa w n , tly st er and exac in the Ea ospeca time for intr as a tators fuel the polity more fruitful 2016 so al s It’ . ar Ye for a es both pe against hope back at our liv tion as we look viduals. The high point ho nation. a di been the nation and as in as the general elections as s an individual, what have u?

A w ar the ye for yo ge of for the nation d low points of e goals you set ing a new chan an ld ra gh he hi il, pr d A th ge ish all held in exchan the baton was id you accompl this year? government as g party, Peoples Demo- D yourself at the beginning of rcent or r lin pe fo ru 50 e to th es n eved up betwee ore aggr hether you achi at you are DP) and the m cratic Party (P ll Progressives Congress W , what’s more important is th ur blessss A le r, yo t de un en co nt sive co well. Learn to there is always d an e iv al chants of itely see (APC). rolled by with g; you will defin And as the year s are sitting with hands in ething to be thankful for. m en the year, change, the citiz r the electoral promises so our wrap up edition for w with fo ie In g rv tin te ai in to w t an rnmen akimbo cover shibanjo gove e have as our ed events of the Buhari/O n from the doldrums it w i Otegbade, a banker turn among e tio Kem deliver the na long time now. a popular figur dness to anager. She’s a has been in for w point for the nation is m brities and has a single-minde ws her ro le However, the lo ued rise of the dollar ce eed despite the hurdles life th u a snippet succ yo s g the contin ve in gi ak ge m pa a, ir e food . Our fashion against the na difficult way styles that rocked in 2015. Th ing ak e things rather m th in of t left ou ze ns . fo r th e ci ti ar- and wine page is not while. th or w ns io sc at celebr Also, fuel your New Year ekson on Bed, city is getting Also keep a date with the M he wriggles w ss ho e ro se fiercer ac page to Work and Life ngler has put da s hi es bl the country ou tr e th om fr t per packand this ou in. It promises to be a bum m hi has not to enjoy.

06, I leave you he lp ed age untdown to 21 rd Tennyson: co e w s A in any lfred Lo the the words of A w a y with Smiles from the threshold of pha e be op ill “H w ing ‘it to alcome, Whisper le vi - year to rous a t e pier ’...” you a happy and a prospe I wish the ar! s u f - New Ye sa

Bed, Work & Life Killer Whatchamacallit (9)

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T

Kemi Otegbade

Entrepreneur extraordinaire SUNDAY

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Lacy Christmas

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Bed, Work & Life Killer Whatchamacallit (8)

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nes

Charity is my legacy

Va

-Rev. (Mrs.) Dele George

Contents 27.12.2015 COVER I have been as tall as this since I was 16

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FASHION Fashion staples we could not get enough of in 2015

T h e Te a m Vanessa Okwara (Editor) Wole Adepoju (Snr. Correspondent)

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Biwom Iklaki (Correspondent) Abiola Alaba Peters

BEAUTY ZONE

MY PASSION My fashion style is what I call mountain top style

Braids are usually the rave for women at this time of the year

Ugochukwu Nnakwe (Graphics) Edwin Usoboh (Graphics) +234 (0) 818 0515840, +234 (0) 701 110 1014 vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com, julietbumah@gmail.com

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GLAM DUDES To maximally enjoy this Yuletide season, it’s best you wear casual outfits

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Associates

BED, WORK & LIFE I feel sad when the angels are ready to work for a man and the man is not ready to appreciate the work of those tireless a n g e l s because they are not ready meh.

I actually understand t h e i r predicament

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Helen Paul

Eyitayo Aloh

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StyleSta ker

Body&Soul

Rita Dominic Sequin goddess Biwom Iklaki

R

ita Dominic is our style diva this week as she has us wrapped around her little fashion forward pinkie! Every time she steps out, we cannot but follow her with our eyes and wishing we could be that fabulous. This screen goddess keeps us enthralled time after time with her roles on the silver screen and off. Following her style choices on instagram gives us a glimpse into her beautiful heart as she shows off her friends and loved ones, not forgetting her gorgeous self.

In 2013, she totally slayed in a light blue lace caped gown which she wore at the Lead Actress Awards, in New York, USA. We followed her again to the AMVCA, 2013 where she brought on the Hollywood glamour in a champagne coloured custom satin dress

by Moofa, styled by Ebun Aboderin. She styled this look with a matching champagne turban, pearl earrings and a beautiful neckpiece with a touch of turquoise to match her turquoise clutch.

In 2014, she enlisted the help of Lanre Da Silva Ajayi to create a sequined and embellished red dress which she accessorised with a gold clutch.

We kept her in our sights again until she wowed us at the 2015 AMVCAs again working with Lanre Da Silva Ajayi and they came up with this red and gold patchwork patterned dress with a red belt. Rita Dominic takes no prisoners in her fashion choices and we love stalking her!

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

My height intimidates Kemi Otegbade is the Head Consultant, Heartlink Ventures Limited, a popular events, human resource and PR company. In this chat with VANESSA OKWARA, the banker turned events manager recounts how it all started

What was growing up like?

I am from Ilesha in Osun State, but was bred and brought up in Lagos. Both parents are from Ilesha. I went to Ilesha until we lost them. I know my family house, but rarely go there unless I have to go for events of relatives and friends.

I had my primary school in Lagos Island, and then the Methodist School, since we are Methodists in my family. I lost my dad when I was seven and I was the second to the last born. I have retentive memory and could still remember him very well. I remember things that were done from age three very well, so I remember my father very well. My mother had six of us and was very hardworking. Her good Christian values and disposition made us what we are today. I’m actually very proud of her. She was my number one role model. She made us to understand that we can get anything we want if we are determined and with good name without having to play pranks. She was a widow at 39 and she never remarried. I studied Business Administration and I served (youth service) in 1989.

From there, I worked in the banking industry for almost a decade -working in admin, legal, treasury and also in audit. The only department I didn’t work in was the foreign exchange. I left the banking industry as a Deputy Chief Inspector in 1999.

Just before I left the bank, I had established my company, Heartlink. When I was doing my Youth Service in Benin, I told myself that I would work for five years before I start working for myself.

I learnt a great deal about entrepreneurship from where I served and I told myself I would like to do my things my way. I’m very strong willed anyway, so I decided to do things on my own.

What made you want to be an entrepreneur?

I think it’s just God. That Youth Service year shaped my thoughts. I had always been doing events for years for free and I always helped friends to handle their events. The events business that I’m known for now, I had always done for years, even as a young girl growing up.

If any of my friends were to do an event, they would put the responsibilities of

organising it on me, even at short notice and I would still deliver. Right now, I do training for those who don’t know what to do with their future. We also do Human Resources (HR) in my company. When we recruit, I find out that people I talk to don’t even know what they want to do. So I think we should start mentoring youths from final year. It doesn’t matter what they want to study, they can always do something else. I also develop concept and projects.

Tell us about your company.

Playfully, we started off as a matchmaking company. That is where we got our name ‘Heartlink’. We eventually veered into other things. We’re into human resources, training, organising party, events and also projects. We take up projects, develop and nurture it. We organise birthday parties, wedding and public relations.

Then we moved to writing business directory, which we were doing simultaneously with recruitment. We were recruiting drivers, domestic staff and office staff - from junior staff to managing directors - we have recruited for various banks and oil servicing companies. Later, we cut off the domestic aspect because it was too strenuous. We were just providing the service to make an impact, but it could not pay our bills so we just stopped recruiting domestic staff and went for strictly office recruitment. We also do PR for individuals and we rebrand people in public office and celebrities.

What inspired the matchmaking?

Randomly, before I established the company, if I knew you and I had another friend and we talk deeply and they didn’t know each other, I would be able to know it’s likely that these two people would be friends and it would work out for them. When it comes to psychology, I’m deep and I can read people. In three regular interactions, I can tell a lot about you. So informally, we were able to officially matchmake some people and we had what we called Heartlink Club then.

We didn’t know them, they just registered, paid a token and they met themselves.

They just read the profiles and what the person wants and if you fit in, we got their contact. We were not putting their names and that was how we started and it worked. But it was getting a bit messy; we tried to put it on the Internet so that we just indemnify ourselves, but it didn’t work out. The person we paid ‘ate’ the money, we let it go but that did not stop

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

people - Kemi Otegbade our growth.

Could you talk about some of the portfolios you have handled?

We have worked with Federal Government agencies and state government agencies. We have done public partnership with Lagos State, Nigerian embassy in USA and UK too and we try to sell Nigeria to the world.

What is your staff strength?

Well, because we do events, it’s not all the time we need permanent staff. For now, we are just 8 or 10, but when we have an event like this project we are starting now, we will need like an additional six more till the project starts running on its own. So they will be on contract for like three to six months.

What has made your events company to stand out from the rest?

I’ll say it’s perfection. When I go to other people’s parties, you find out that I really don’t mind my business. I will be angry when I see people sitting for almost an hour and they have not been attended to.

I know that it is very important that you have ushers or protocol officers standing and checking at least four tables, somebody with eagle eye. Even in a hall of three thousand, I can scan at least five hundred people and when I move, I scan another five hundred because I have an eagle’s eye. I see everything since I’m tall and I will tell the person in charge of 50-100 that something is wrong. So what has made us outstanding is that we give attention to details. If I’m handling someone’s events, I make sure that everybody is well fed.

For instance, it is a sin to organise an event and not chill the drinks. In fact, it is an unforgivable sin not to over chill the drinks because the guests expect to have drinks that are cool rather than hot. I’ve gone to a Managing Director’s event and the drinks were just hot! It’s not nice at all because there are companies that make ice and they are not expensive to purchase.

So it’s all about having an eye for details and making sure your clients’ guests are satisfied.

What event is your company currently handling?

At the moment, we are launching a new project. We call it Celebrity Fan Date. It’s being promoted by Heartlink group and we have a page on Facebook. We are going to have an App where the public can have the opportunity to vote to be the winner to have dinner in a concert with a celebrity of their choice. We are not promoting one on one relationship, we do not want to spoil anyone’s steady relationship. If it’s a man that wins, they will sit together at the function, snap together, dance together and we will put the pictures on bill boards and all social media. So the winner is actually a star fan and indirectly, we might be creating another star. We are going to use stars, the old school, new school and legends.

We need more sponsors for this project, even as we are spending our own money on it as well. Then we are going to give a percentage of our income for the first one year to the Heart of Gold in Surulere.

That home is dear to us because they pick not only abandoned children, but children who are deformed that most people don’t want to see. So we pray people support us so that we can take something substantial to them. We are kicking it off in January.

What is the advantage of being a public figure?

The advantage is when you get to places,

people recognise you, they give you respect and a lot of people want to be your friend. But there is also some danger in it; everybody cannot be your friend, it’s not good. You earn friendship, people who are outstanding don’t have lots of friends so you don’t need too many friends. You can have associates, but friendship is different.

So I do not want to have plenty friends.

Do people find you intimidating by just looking at your height?

I will say some find it intimidating, some find it challenging and some are actually short standing beside me. When I was growing up, it used to give me concern because there were not so many tall girls.

When I went to Balogun Market, I did not see my size and you know Balogun Market is filled with our dear Igbo boys and they will start singing for me ‘Ogologo’ and it always made me cry. I didn’t go to the market anymore, so my mother would use a broom stick and measure my shoe size. I have been as tall as this since I was 16, so you can imagine what I would have gone through in my teenage years. I don’t know how I got my confidence back but now, I know I’m very confident. I just feel nobody is better than me. We just have different opportunities, but it grew gradually over the years. Now we have very tall women like Agbani Darego and I’m happy. Once I see them, I must take pictures with them because in my time, when I was growing up, I was outstanding and I didn’t know it was an advantage, I did not find it funny now, I even wear heels at times but not all the time.

Describe your fashion style.

Well, I just see some clothes and I know that this is me and I see some and know that this is not me. I also see people design and play with it and make it mine. I try not to wear what you can see in some other places. Because of the kind of work I do, we see people who are really well dressed, a lot of people I admire and I feel I shouldn’t be caught off guard. So with the height, it has made it look as if I’m more fashionable. They are not too expensive and I have one or two designer shops I use in Manhattan, USA. I’m not extravagant, I’m very sensible when it comes to money; there are so many things to be done with money. Once in a while, when I make good money, I pamper myself and give myself a shopping spree and the clothes I buy may last for 18 months.

Among celebrities, who do you think is a good dresser?

I like the way Aunty Grace Egbagbe dresses. I have copied a lot of her styles.

She is outstanding and I think she has grace and she has a style of her own. As for the guys, if I say male now, it could be my friends. I can’t even think of a male now, maybe because I take them for granted and I’m always in their midst, but I could say Chidi Mokeme and another woman is Rita Dominic.

You spot gold hair. Would that be your style signature?

Well, somehow I started spotting it 10 years ago. I publish and do a lot of writing.

I used to write for The Punch. I used to critic the movie industry and give grades for about one and a half years. There was no time to visit the salon. Then I used to go to Bobbies Salon and when you get there, you pick tally number and sit and wait for over five hours and I would want to cry; I would rather be sleeping or writing. It was like the weekend was not enough for me for the kind of things I did, it just wasn’t

funny and I was going between Lagos and Abeokuta so where was the time?

I used to have Anita Baker hairstyle but I could not get a good salon to my satisfaction in Abeokuta, so I just decided to cut it and because I was producing a beauty pageant, I was supposed to be fashionable at that time. But there was nothing to show that I was fashionable, so I just decided to colour it. I started with gold, sometimes, I toyed with red. It was a journalist that was interviewing me then, over 10 years ago that said ‘we love this low cut, why don’t you just keep it’. So I think they just built it for me and left it and since then, it has become conven i e n t a n d stands me out.

Who are your favourite designers?

In Nigeria I have two: Divine Endowment and Surliet. Some of the good clothes you see out there are made by those two. Divine Endowment is owned

by Mrs. Ayeni and Surliet is run by a Cameroonian. Some clothes I buy from America that are not my size, if you give it to her, it will be almost better than the original. She makes bridal wears and you will not know it was made here.

She makes Ankara too. She is not nice with charges and she is not nice with timing.

Once you can overlook that, you will be very proud. Those are my two designers in Nigeria. Then abroad, I use ‘Love to Dress’ in Manhattan.

Are you married and do you have kids?

Yes, I have two kids, lost one like 10 years ago so I don’t really like talking about family.

What are your plans for this Christmas season? What is your new year goals?

My Christmas will be spent chilling with family and friends but the office will be on vacation which means I will only attend to urgent official enquiries on phone or online. I will use the break to rest very well as we do not go on leave at all till end of the year.

New year goals, to start working out as in hit the gym. To kick off Celebrity Fan Date monthly series, to tidy up some strategic partnerships and draw closer to God.

Body&Soul

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Juliet Bumah +234 81 1 675 9770

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Killer Whatchamacallit (9)

Juliet Bumah

r. Keith drives into his house dejectedly. He had promised his father in-law, Ol’Major, that they would hang out that evening. He is a man of his words, since he’d uttered those words, he would have to keep them.

If not, he would have waited to meet the husband of the rape victim whom the police said was coming later that evening. It would have been an opportunity to talk about the stature and modus operandi of the rapist. According to the police, the victim’s husband was there when his wife was raped to death. He would have asked him if the rapist used sex toys or if he had a humongous whatchamacallit.

Of course, he doubts if the serial rapist could do such harm alone. It could actually be a gang rape, although the mono nature of the sperm found within the women gives lie to the gang-rape theory...or...could it be that they were sheathed and only one would not sheath? He got excited. Knowing that most sadists would force a man to watch his farm being tilled by strangers in order to magnify his ache, he feels he is nearer the end of the puzzle. The victim’s husband would probably have been forced to watch his wife being ravaged by the scum of the earth. He shivers, repulsed. He pities the man.

Nothing can emasculate a man faster than watching such horror and not being able to do anything about it.

He wonders at the intelligence quotient of the Investigating Police Officer. The ‘statement’ made by the victim’s husband is so shallow! It is so bland. Any idiot on the streets could have written that. He will have to make another scheduled visit to the police station to see the victim’s husband. For now, Ol’Major will not allow him a moment’s rest. He’s been calling ‘per minute’, wanting to know where he is. He wonders who is actually the nag between old major and the wife he is running away from, that is, his stepmother in-law.

You can’t be around OL’Major and be idle. He loves talking and hearing himself talk. He can’t stop talking about his service years, the Congo and the Nigeria civil wars. Thank God, Ellen, his daughter, Dr. Keith’s wife, didn’t inherit that talkativeness from his father. Ellen is actually shy, given to few words.

He smiles despite himself. It took him almost two years to convince Ellen to get married to him and since then, it’s been bliss. He looks forward to being with his wife and two kids, but first, he needs to wrap up these rape cases. ....

Mekson mulls over his prayer session with the pastor. It’s obvious the pastor has ‘powers’ and authority in the spiritual realm. The pastor had told him not to be afraid, that he had ‘cleared’ the way for him at the state’s CID that he wouldn’t have any problem there.

“If it’s not as I said it should be, know that I’m not the servant of my lord, meh. Go there with confidence.

I’ve cleared the way for you. Meh,

can you see it? The road is smooth.... oh how I wish you can borrow my eyes so that you can see what I’m seeing now in the spiritual realm.

The road is smooth. Meh, your journey will be smooth,” the pastor had said with a twinkle in his eyes.

He looked so angelic, despite his bejeweled appearance.

“Look, the angels have gone before you to clear the road. They are sweeping the pebbles away and packing them into a bag...oh meh, they are carting the many bags away...meh, meh, meh, you’re so blessed brother meh. I say, you’re so blessed. Give my lord a wipe brother meh,” he said suddenly and somehow, Mekson could see some men clad in white lugging heavy bags away from a road. He shakes his head suddenly and the picture disappears before his eyes. He wonders if he actually saw anything or his mind made it up.

“Brother Mekson, you have to appreciate my lord so that he will perfect what he has started with you.

After the whole thing, you will come for proper thanksgiving,” the pastor

had said, wiping sweat off his brow with one of his now obvious signature white face towels.

Mekson was convinced that the pastor was seeing visions.

“Brother Mekson meh, you know, some people miss their blessings because they are not prepared. I feel sad when the angels are ready to work for a man and the man is not ready to appreciate the work of those tireless angels because they are not ready meh. I actually understand their predicament. You know with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless society policy, I noticed that so many people are missing their blessings. So, I thought of it all meh and the spirit told me that it will be a sin to me not to make it easy for those whom my lord has blessed, not to get their blessings meh. I’ve made it simple for all to partake of these blessings meh. You know that this is the Yuletide season and the New Year is a few days from now. People want to appreciate my lord meh. It’s not easy from January to December, everyday blessings meh,” he said, opening a drawer beside his table.

Mesmerised, Mekson watched as he placed something carefully on his table.

It’s a POS machine!

“Appreciate my lord so that the road will remain cleared as you go to and fro the state’s CID tomorrow. Many people miss their blessings because they do not give. Give and you shall receive,” he thundered suddenly, startling Mekson.

Without thinking, Mekson pulled out his wallet and with shaking hands, handed over his debit card to the pastor whose pupils were dilated.

The pastor inserted the debit card into the POS and thundered, “Give, give to my lord. The measure you give is the measure you receive.

Give abundantly and receive abundantly. Give miserly and receive a miserly reward.”

Mekson punched a figure, he was so overwhelmed that he was not too sure of the figure he punched in. The slight beep and vibration in his pocket confirmed that his transaction was successful.

He was afraid to pull out his phone to check.

That was last night. He got home just before midnight, jumped into his bed and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. ....

Mekson stands with the DPO in the latter’s office. After his miraculous ‘release’ at the state’s CID that morning, Mekson is beginning to believe that the tidy sum he punched into the pastor ’s POS isn’t a waste after all.

Also, he’s trying to weigh the implication of what the DPO is saying.

“The suspect we arrested who told us that there was no rape incident during the robbery in your house suddenly started exhibiting signs of dementia, before we could get medical help, he died,” the DPO had said.

“Oh no! Why did he die? He should have proved that they didn’t rape their victims,” Mekson said sanctimoniously.

However, the DPO’s next statement throws him off guard.

“The police is working very hard to ensure that we reduce the crime rate in the society. We’ve deployed more men in the streets and our efforts are yielding desirable results.

My men arrested a suspect who confessed that he was the driver during the sad robbery operation in which you lost your wife,” the DPO said.

Mekson’s stomach churns! Will he get out of this alive? ****** Indeed, will he get off this hook?

Has May’s kinsmen sent her spirit to haunt him? You won’t know if you don’t keep a date with me here on Sunday!

•Send your observations to: julietbumah@gmail.com

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

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Rock braids in style W

Vanessa Okwara e all know African women love to look good; it boosts self-confidence and generally makes us feel great about ourselves. It also helps that we are quite versatile with hairstyle choices. We could rock a good bob, a perm, twists, afros, kinky, ‘didi’, Ghana weaving, dreadlocks, long and short weave and of course braids. This yuletide, we’ve seen quite a number of women with amazing hair styles of all shapes and colour but braids outnumber all the other types of hair styles African women opt for during this period.

At different corners and salons all over the country, women were seen doing all kinds of braids with different colours of hair attachments such as red, blue, green and even white.

There are quite variety of braids styles to pick from: Cornrows, box braids, jumbo twists, waist length Marley braids…you name it!

Braids are usually the rave for women at this time of the year mainly because of its durability and easy styling. There is no denying that braids are a lot easier to maintain: you need not worry about brushing or curling or straightening; you just tie them up and you’re good to go. Braids look lovely on

practically everyone, both young and old and it’s quite easy to manage especially with this year’s harmattan being so harsh.

Although it’s not so easy to sit for hours doing braids, but at the end, it gives you the African queen look that is utterly chic. So if you opted for braids for this holiday season, it is important you know how to take care of it to optimize its usefulness as you enjoy your holiday.

Follow these steps to care for your braids this harmattan as you get ready to rock more in 2016!

• Protect your hair at nightCovering your head with a satin headscarf at night not only keeps your edges looking fresh it also protects your roots from drying out when you sleep.

• Keep Your Scalp MoistGiving your roots a quick spritz of water weekly should take you no longer than a few minutes • Apply moisturizing and sealing product to hair such as homemade Shea butter to protect from hard UV rays • Wash your braids once every two weeks- You can always dry-wash your hair with a cloth, shampoo, and some water. Dampen a wash cloth with warm water and your shampoo of choice. Part you hair and wipe your scalp down in sections.

• Don’t pull too tightly when styling • Avoid constant up-dosconstantly styling your hair into high ponytails pulls at your hairline. This constant pulling weakens the hair along your hairline

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Body&Soul

•The caped heroines Lupita Nyong’ o became a heroine to many young ladies when she graced the red carpet in a regal red Ralp Lauren caped dress at the Golden Globe Awards, 2014.

She elevated the caped look and many designers incorporated it to their collections. This caped frenzy continued into 2015 and the fever caught our own actress, Ini Edo, who spotted it at the AMVCA 2015.

Here are a few more people who caught the bug.

Body&Soul

T •Romantic in lace goddess Where do you begin or end the talk about lace. It speaks for itself and so, remains timeless. Ever wonder why brides prefer them for their special day? This year, more beautiful designs came out and obviously inspired the designers with even more creative designs. There was no limit for styling lace, and it was worked into every occasion; work, party, wedding, date night, cocktails, you name it.

•High low stars Many ladies rocked the high low look and were eager to incorporate it to their everyday looks. From peplums to dresses, shirts and shirts were not left out.

•The ripped fashionista 2015 once again forgave the ripped denim and actually made it a star. We could see denim in otherwise perfect order, ripped at strategic points. These were paired with blazers and worn to work on casual Fridays or slinky blouses for a night out, while others spotted this look with a cami and kimono.

he year is finally drawing to a fabulous close in a few days. While we stay cozy in our season appropriate clothes and sip wine or tea, some will be perusing the fashion pages. So, let’s take a minute to recount the fashion staples we could not get enough of this year.

Biwom Iklaki

Trends that ruled 2015

SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

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•Jumpsuit diva Jumpsuits were an easy trend to sustain through the year.

What is not to love about a jumpsuit?

It is a onesie, much like a dress, no need for fussing over the look much after you have donned one.

Grab your jewellery, bag and shoes and you are out the door.

Do remember to wear your make up though, it was not THAT simple!

Editor’s current obsession

Bare ‘n’ fearless More and more celebrities hit the gym this year and were generous to share this lifestyle change on Snap chat, instagram and other video sharing sites. Could it have been so they could rock their looks, abs out? Ladies came prepared to show off the year with varying degrees of their abs on display. We totally look forward to the New Year for more inspiring looks.

•All white everything All white seemed to gain popularity more and more through the year. Formerly considered a taboo in favour of black because it is more forgiving to body ‘faults’, ladies seemed to throw all caution to the wind as they donned white from head to toe, unapologetically.

Go girls!

•Kimono inspired beauties The Japanese kimono inspired the fashion industry in 2015 and many designers incorporated it to their catwalks all year through. It was a way to dress up or down any outfit, depending on the fabric and details of the kimono.

Beaded ones to dress up, floral, fringed or sheer ones to dress down.

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

dude

Holiday dapper casuals

OF THE WEEK

Joy Nwokedinma

W

hen we think of holiday, what readily come to mind is outings, parties and just getting lazy around the beach. It’s also a time to go to the cinema and catch up on movies you have missed because of work or having fun with the kids at shopping malls and leisure parks. After a year of continual hustling and bustling, a little fun won’t hurt.

It’s definitely not the time for suits, ties or shirts and cufflinks but a period to dig out your shorts and t-shirts, jeans and polo’s and generally your casual clothes that will help you relax at lounges and bars catching up with old friends.

For you to maximally want to enjoy this yuletide season, its best you wear casual outfits so as to relax, unwind and recharge for the New Year approaching in a few days’ time.

You can feel at home whilst remaining expressive and attractive all through this period. Nice slippers or your snickers won’t be a bad idea to combine with the t-shirt and shorts and other accessories for the beach and leisure gathering and even to the shopping mall; giving you that comfort and a ‘ready to have fun’ look.

Christmas and New Year Holiday is a season of love; to relax and to make merry and catch up with friends. Why not do all of that looking good and comfortable at the same time.

His royal hotness!

Emmanuel Ikubese Mr. Nigeria 2014 Vanessa Okwara Ikubese is Mr. Nigeria 2014. The 25-year old Eupmmanuel handsome actor and model also emerged second runner and the most stylish of all the contestants at Mr. World

contest which took place in Riviera International Conference Centre, Torbay, UK of the same year. The Delta State born multi-talented entertainer made his debut in the entertainment industry as a talented actor, starring in a lead character in the MTV award winning drama series ‘Shuga’.

He also featured in the video of Tiwa Savages’ hit single ‘my darling’; where he acted as Tiwa’s husband. Since then, the entertainment radar has zeroed in on him as a star to watch.

As the year curtain draws to a close, Mr. Nigeria, Emmanuel Ikubese is the latest star to land an endorsement deal. He was unveiled as the brand ambassador of Brandy Almondia at a Press Conference held in Lagos recently and according to reports it is a mouth-watering endorsement deal.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

Body&Soul

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Don’t end the year in cancerous relationship

verything in life comes full circle.

The same thing should happen to a relationship heading nowhere. Are you stuck in a relationship that you’re just not happy in? Maybe you’ve been this way for awhile and you have made concerted effort to see if you could salvage what’s left of the relationship but it only gets worse? Either way, you know you want out but you can’t come up with the best way to approach this.

Well, the end of the year is the best time to review a relationship. Itemise the reasons why you think it’s not working and also the efforts you have made to save what’s left of it. If at the end of this review you still think the relationship does not have a future with you in it, I see no reason why you should carry a cancerous relationship over into a New Year.

However, if you are already married, still put in more effort to see how you can save your marriage. If all your attempts proved abortive, seek the help of third parties you know your spouse respects. Use the excuse of this festive period to invite them to your home and prayerfully see how they can help you resolve the seeming difficult differences between you and your spouse.

Anyway, having got that out of the way, if you are in a romantic relationship with someone and it is not going the way you originally intended it and you want to end the relationship, let see the best way you can break up without breaking legs, figuratively speaking.

It’s good to sound here that almost every break up brings a bitter- sweet taste to the mouth. This is because you

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CONNECT NG vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com had a wonderful time with this person at one time in your life and at first you sincerely thought it might work out with him or her, but unfortunately, the relationship keeps going downhill with no future in sight.

It seems getting into a relationship can be easy and sweet but the end feels you with trepidation. Whether you are scared of hurting the other person in the relationship or you are scared of their reaction, you know you have to make the decision but right now you

Tell the person you had a great time with them, but needs to move on since the relationship is not ideal with your dreams. Wish them well in their future relationship and move on with your life

are scared or a bit confused at the best way to approach the matter.

People have different ways they react to difficult situations and decisions. So it’s important to put into consideration your partner’s temperament and how he/she reacts to sudden unpleasant news like the one you are about to give.

Most ladies cry and throw tantrums when their boyfriends end their relationship. So if you are a guy who wants to end it with his girlfriend, it is important you consider the venue where you wish to do the break up. I’ll advise you don’t do that in a place that will attract public scene. It’s best you do so in the privacy of her own home or around her close friends or family who will comfort her while you are gone.

And if you are a lady, the reverse is advised. If your guy is the type that easily gets angry or show signs of being violent, then its best you do so in a public place rather than a private room or hotel where you can be easily raped or beaten up. To avoid being the protagonist in stories that touch, I’ll suggest you write a mail, send a text message or quietly call the person on phone and break the sad news.

Carefully plan out what you want to

say to your partner. Pick your words carefully; remember you once had feelings for this person. Do not set out to be cruel. Make sure you respect their feelings. It’s not necessary to go into details why you don’t want to continue this relationship but you may want to explain some of it. In all that you say, make sure you don’t put that person down or damage their self-esteem.

Tell the person you had a great time with them, but needs to move on since the relationship is not ideal with your dreams. Wish them well in their future relationship and move on with your life.

The main theme here is that you need to treat your partner with respect and exit the relationship gracefully. Guys, if you had the guts to ‘toast’ her, have the decency to communicate your breakup decision with her. If you once had a relationship with this person, I think it is childish to just ‘run away’. Communicate your decision to end it in any way possible (in person, phone, and text). Don’t just run away. End it now and pursue peace and happiness with revitalised vigour as the New Year approaches.

If you do this, you will stick out in the other person’s memory as a noble person, albeit in a sad situation. Also you will reduce a lot of stress from your life by making a clean break with your past as a New Year draws near. Making a clean break from that relationship will help you enter into the New Year feeling fresh with a clear conscience fearing no accusation. I wish you happy hunting in the coming year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS! •Send your views to the email above!

NLNG and the quest for literary excellence

t is not enough to tell a man what is bad, show him what is good – Yoruba Proverb I have been a part of the Nigerian Prize for Literature (NPL), organised

by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), from inception; right from the first press conference to announce the Prize, to the readings held for the inaugural shortlisted writers at the Ocean View, Victoria Island, Lagos. The only reason I was not at the inaugural award ceremony was that it was the same day I decided to quit bachelorhood but still, I was there in spirit. Not only did the manager in charge of the Prize at the time, Sienne Allwell Brown, acknowledge me in her speech, the speech was printed in the program where I was referred to as a new friend of the organisation. The only reason I have gone to this length to show my relationship with the prize is to make it clear why this piece should not be seen as another failed writer in the Diaspora condemning the literature at home. Literature is my passion and I feel a part of me is attached to this prize.

As it is the season of giving, NLNG has announced that a workshop will be held for writers around this time to help fill a noticeable gap in the literature of Nigeria. In its quest for excellence, the organisation, for the third time this year, did not award the Prize that has the highest prize money in the English writing world. I know that sounds mind boggling, but that is the fact as the Booker Prize is currently valued at $80,000. Yet, I think the Prize is yet to attain its full potential and the fact that the organisation chooses not to

award the Prize in certain years, does not seem to do anything to remedy that situation. Let us be clear, I do understand why they make their decision even if I do not agree with it. However, the constant question has been, how can we compete if we do not have the capacity and the resources? Literature and writing in Nigeria seem to always happen on the high speed. No one can live on writing in Nigeria and so you must squeeze it in between working the day job, queuing for fuel, taking care of the family and other jobs that does nothing to building the literary capacity.

Thankfully, the organisation is going out to remedy the situation and they are now organising a capacity building

workshop to help writers hone their craft and probably write the bestseller that will be good enough for the NPL. I am also happy that they have chosen to include Prof. Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo as part of the facilitators of the workshop. I have no doubt that she is one of the leading lights of modern literature from Nigeria and has a wealth of experience, both from the academia and professional writing, to share with all the participants at the event. The other two facilitators are foreign writers and I have nothing against this. Some have said there is a unique Nigerian style of writing that the foreigners may not know and all they will do is try to force a foreign writing style on Nigerians.

Nonsense. According to Prof. Femi Os-

No one can live on writing in Nigeria and so you must squeeze it in between working the day job, queuing for fuel, taking care of the family and other jobs that does nothing to building the literary capacity

ofisan, there are only ever two kinds of writing, good and bad. I will add that good and bad also knows no border and so as long as the strategies being shared by the foreign facilitators are genuine and can help stimulate new ideas that will take our literature in a positively different direction, you can sign me up for the workshop right now.

My only worry is that it is not a collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) or any other writing body. I know of the many waters that has gone under the bridge and I believe that there must be a close partnership with the writing organisations for the Prize to truly be representative of the country. We, the writers, must also not be seen as a band of complainants and so this venture by NLNG must be commended for what it is, a positive contribution towards achieving the literature of Nigeria every Nigerian can be proud of. …a man of peace passes I wrote this week’s piece with tear stained eyes for I was informed of the death of my father, Pa Samuel Olatunji Aloh. A very strong Christian warrior and a man of peace, dad painted our house white and it stood out on the street. Whenever anyone asked, he would say “My home is haven of peace to all.” He started all his letters to me with “From the Peace Chambers” and the logo of his construction company was a dove. A son can only grief the loss of a father while hoping to live up to expectations. I now live for that time of resurrection when I will see my father again.

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

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Wole Adepoju 07037763410

woleadepoju@yahoo.com

Dumebi, Emeka wed in Lagos

U Solace for Stella Damasus

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f course, little framed and beautiful Delta born, Stella Damasus Aboderin is one personality who has done very well for herself, especially as a successful actress who no doubt many look up to and wish they could be like her, based on the fame and all she enjoys as a famous figure.

However, saying it has been a roller coaster in all spheres of her life will amount to sweeping under the carpet the agony and turbulence she has been through.

Stella brought to the fore her strength as a woman when she lost her husband, Jaiye many years ago as well as all she went through afterwards, even to her aborted second attempt at matrimony. Having had so much to battle with all these years, Celeb Lounge can reveal, solace may have started coming her way as she’s been very happy to see her kids grow and now making her proud. As it is the wish of every parent to have kids that will make them proud, Stella is now a proud mother going by the trait her first daughter, Isabella is showing and how promising she is.

It’s no news in some quarters that Stella has since started an inspiration-oriented program on radio station in the United States of America, where she resides, but the great news is that her less than fifteen year old girl, Isabella, has now become a co-host of the program with her mother on the radio show tagged, ‘Undiluted’.

Little Isabella, it was said, is listeners’ delight on the segment she anchors, ‘Listeners’’ choice.

John Abebe buries mother in-law

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lder brother to the late former first lady of the country, Stella Obasanjo, Dr. John Abebe and his beautiful wife, Yemisi also a medical doctor, have been role models to younger married couple as well as others who need good models to fashion their matrimony.

In the last forty-five years, the love birds have been married, although one may not be able to rule out challenges, but the fact remains that the marriage has been like one made in heaven as the husband is never found wanting in trying to please his wife and make her happy.

It was on this premise that John went out recently to give all the needed support to his wife of many years when the latter was performing the needed right to commit her mother to mother earth in a grand burial ceremony.

After a wake keep programme, a service of honour was held for the Abebe late woman, Emily Kikelomo David,

ndoubtedly, the families of Peter and Margaret Elumelu and that of Chief Williams (late) and his wife, Roseline Ikehadiashi all from the northern part of Delta State will still be basking in the euphoria of the successful wedding ceremony between their children, Chukwudumebi Frances and Olisaemeka Andrew that was held some days back in Lagos.

The journey into matrimony for the love birds started on 17th of this month at the Chevron Drive palatial home of the bride’s father at Lekki, where the traditional engagement was held. The engagement, which has orange and green as the dress colour code, was a fun filled event with Femi Alagbada and his Koko band spicing it up with dance-able tunes.

The next phase of the event was at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lekki, where Emeka and Dumebi were pronounced man and wife before family members, friends and well-wishers. Train of the society wedding finally moved to the reception venue, Imperial Arcade, also in Lekki, where the guests got treated to a great time.

Going by the status of the new couples’ families, privileged attendees had no issue coming, as high calibre personalities thronged the glamorous wedding.

High level preparations and coordination that ranged from exquisite decoration of the event hall to exotic drinks and food went into the event.

The popular younger brother of the bride’s father, Peter Elumelu who is House of Representatives member, Honorable Ndudi Elumelu, played a big role by being up and doing to ensure smooth running of the day.

Billionaire Chairman of UBA, who is also a younger brother to Peter, Tony Elumelu, also added spice to the day with his guests that include point man of UBA, Philips Oduoza, Fidelity Bank M.D Okonkwo. Several other guests present include: Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Chief Dayo Adeneye and wife, Caroline, city designer, Mudi, actor Emeka Osai and wife, to mention a few.

It was compered by comedienne, Mandy with a male co- host. at Yaba Baptist Church after which the train moved to Vaults and Garden Cemetery, Ikoyi, where the remains of late madam Kikelomo were committed to mother earth.

Passing away of Madam Kikelomo David at the ripe age of 92 can only translate to celebration of the deceased. Hence, guests were invited to a reception where they were hosted to celebrate a life well lived as well as bid her farewell.

Patrick Atuche spreads tentacles

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rilliant and articulate former Managing Director of defunct bank, Bank PHB, Francis Atuche, may no longer be in the news like it was during his days as the man at helm of affairs at the earlier mentioned banking institution. What is certain is that his impact as a banker, even at the apex can never be forgotten. Meanwhile, unlike his father who is under the spotlight, Patrick keeps a low profile but certainly not without making impact and nurturing his business interests.

His father, Francis, it will be recalled started out as a clerk in the banking world over 30 years ago and moved up the ladder gradually, till he became a notable figure in his field. The same trait could be said to have been manifesting in Patrick with what has been observed of him. With his hands in a number of pies that include media services, the young man has just made a move in delving into the fashion world to make a statement. Celeb Lounge can exclusively reveal that Patrick has just debuted a fashion store where he deals with sale of clothing materials for both genders.

The new addition to his businesses, Triem Couture, which is in the heart of Ikeja, gulped a huge amount of money but it’s since become a Mecca of sorts for big boys and babes who want to look good.

Otunba Onakoya escapes attack

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t’s no longer news that city businessman cum socialite, Otunba Babatunde Onakoya and his wife, Olayinka got en-

gulfed by an irreconcilable crisis that has since seen the wife move out of their matrimonial home and divorce has been initiated.

What may, however, be Otunba and wife of interest is how Otunba Onakoya was said to have escaped acid attack from his estranged wife recently and this is said to have generated a fresh round of rows.

Dependable sources revealed Otunba alleged the wife laid ambush for him with the aim of attacking him with acid, but the move was said to have been foiled by the security of Ijebu Ode Club where the lawyer had come to unwind. The matter was said to have taken a new turn as the man wrote a petition to the Inspector of Police about a threat to his life while leadership of Ijebu-Ode Club is also said to have banned the estranged wife from coming anywhere near the facility.

Don Jazzy pampers self at Chrismas

Not many felt he was pursuing a career worthy of contemplating when he decided to settle for entertainment as an instrumentalist, but Micheal Collins Ajere, better known as Don Jazzy, was resolute in his decision to please his heart, even as he had to cross many Don Jazzy hurdles.

Of course, he

had long gotten the big break and he’s been able to consolidate on his achievements. Having worked very hard all year, Michael, Celeb Lounge can reveal, decided to pamper himself for the festive period as he just picked an expensive wonder on wheels. Don Jazzy few days ago, coughed out millions of naira to pick up a brand new Lexus Gang and he’s been so excited about. Even members of his team have been flaunting the exotic automobile on social media.

Sylvia Edem, hubby make rare appearance

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outh-South born Sylvia Edem, as a young girl grew up in a Lagos-Ogun border town, attracted all and sundry with her immense beauty and this led her into opulence as well as fame when she was crowned Miss Nigeria, over a decade ago.

With her status upgraded and more sophisticated, even after her reign, she remained a toast that men would do anything to have. Sylvia eventually conceded her love to dark skinned dude, Chris Emechete and their affair was consummated in a modest but classy wedding and they have since both gone under as they spend more of their time abroad. It was however a pleasant surprise when the ex-beauty queen and her hubby stepped out in a rare form to savour the fun of Dele Momodu’s annually produced show, ‘Ovation Carol’.

The delectable couple was no doubt cynosure of all eyes as many caught a glimpse of them over and over again.

W h i l e Sylvia looked trim and radiant, her hubby complimented her Sylvia and with his dandy hubby looks.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015

Body&Soul

RazzleDazzle

Abiola Alaba Peters

with

Nollywood Actor, Yomi Fabiyi talks science at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic

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opular Yoruba actor, Yomi Fabiyi was at the Rufus Giwa Polythenic, Owo in Ondo State to deliver lectures to HND students of Science Laboratory Technology Department on the topics, ‘The science of talent discovery and opportunities for science students in the Nigeria movie industry’ and ‘The role of science in saving the Nigeria Movie Industry’.

“It is an honour for me to deliver a keynote address to the great students, impacting knowledge and sharing wonderful ideas with the science students of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic. It was such a great thing to do. Basically, it’s my own way of giving back to my fans. So I am happy and I enjoyed hanging out with the students,” Yomi said.

Also confirming the lecture and the good time the students had with the talented actor, the host lecturer, Mr. Adeolu Jose, said the school management and the students are proud and excited to play host to one of Nollywood’s best.

“We are happy, the students and the school management are proud to host one of Nigeria’s talented actor, Mr. Yomi Fabiyi. It is our pleasure to have him educate the science students on the relevance of entertainment in science,” he noted.

The lectures which took place on the 14th and 15th of December respectively, was witnessed by hundreds of students of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnics. The actor whose latest self produced movie will be available for public view from January Fabiyi 2016 is married to a British wife.

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Olamide didn’t steal our song -D’banj

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’Banj recently hosted some members of the press to an intimate private viewing of his long awaited visual EP, ‘An Epic Journey’. The press briefing, which held in Lagos, saw D’Banj mix and relate with members of the press in a more intimate manner.

Having joined the press to view his 30-minute-long movie, intrigued D’Banj took centre stage to speak with members of the press about his 10th year anniversary. While addressing the press, D’banj discarded rumours about Olamide stealing music from his camp.

“Olamide didn’t steal any song from the D K M ’ s camp.

He is a cool guy, we are

Olamide

good, all the rumours are mere work of detractors,” he said.

The press briefing ended at Slot’s retail store at the Ikeja City Mall where D’Banj spoke more on his endorsement deal and partnership with the electronic giant and both parties unveiled the DKM Slot machines that will be available nationwide in all Slot outlets from 2016. The DKM media slot machine is a device that enables people to buy original creative content in form of CDs, DVDs as well as digital content directly. This initiative aims to curb piracy and help to provide an active market for the creative industry.

D’banj said: ”When I signed with Slot, a lot of people didn’t understand why. It was more for me a partnership and we are coming out with something in 2016 which is the D K M media stand,” he said.

Edwin Usoboh 08028101185

Marriage is not my priority now -Ebube Nwagbo ctress cum business woman, Ebube Nwagbo, has disclosed she is not settling down anytime soon. When quizzed on her hopes for 2016 and if she will give marriage a chance, the CEO of a hair company made it known to RazzleDazzle that although her hopes for the New Year is high, marriage is not her focus. “Year 2016 is going to be a better and bigger one for me and I hope to do better than what I have done in the previous year. I want 2016 to come with different glory and make me a better person.

Marriage is not my priority right now, it is not the first on the list, I believe that happiness is the key to everything. I do whatever makes me happy, I’m a happy person and I like to remain happy.

My life is a script written out by God and I look up to God for directions”.

Speaking further on her hair business and what helped her to keep fit, the tall, ever smiling diva said, “I watch what I eat, gym and do more exercise, but because of my busy schedule, I always watch what I eat and it has been helping me.”

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Nwagbo

Oge Okoye’s plan for 2016 Jenifa’s Diary enters R

azzleDazzle recently caught up with tall, light skinned and long time Nollywood actress, Oge Okoye, for a brief chat. The tattooed actress, wife and proud mother, who always enjoy keeping her marriage on a low profile, has revealed to RazzleDazzle some of her top plans for 2016.

“I have great plans for 2016. Although it is something that is still in the making for now, I wouldn’t want to bring out something that is half baked, I want to do something special that will touch people’s lives,” she said.

When asked what the special package was, if it’s a movie or music, she said, “No I can’t do music, I’m not a good singer. I wouldn’t want to embarrass myself because I know I don’t have a good voice, but never say never because I don’t know the miracle that will happen tomorrow. As for the special package for my fans next year, let’s just keep our fingers crossed.”

fourth season

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ward winning hilarious and captivating sit-com on TV, Jenifa’s Diary, has shown that it has more than enough staying power to enthrall, entertain and satisfy audiences over the years.

The hilarious but topical TV series which stars Funke Akindele as the lead actress has not only returned to location to shoot its fourth season, it is richer with its trade-mark unadulterated humour.

‘Jenifa’s Diary,’ a spin-off of the highly-success- f u l m o v i e , ‘Jenifa,’ is also set to release it’s music video that combines the music and visuals glaringly that they compliment each other and creates fun.

The song is produced

by Fliptyce, with vo-

cals by Funke Akindele Music and K-lite. While the director of the music video is JJC Skillz and Director Q, both seamlessly infused aesthetic and style. The musical video also features cameo appearances by showbiz personalities including Sound Sultan, Laura Ikeji, Lolo Wazobia, May D, Asisat Oshoala, Kaffy, Gbenro Ajibade, DJ Switch, among others.

Jenifa’s Diary is about a wannabe village girl who finds herself in a university campus, and is determined to feel-among.

She is determined, relentless, creative, and rugged.

Her different experiences in the ‘big city’ also offer various lessons which viewers can definitely learn from.

Akindele

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Wine & Dine

Incredible pair for Yuletide cravings Ibukunoluwa Kayode

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ou can actually make some incredible pair with any wine of your choice to spice up the fun this yuletide with family and friends.

Your wine pair shouldn’t be stereotyped to only dishes.

The nuance of flavour in wine is rarely a match to cuisine as gutsy as pastries or what we call junk food. Though most wines will end up sulking in the background and ruin the flavour with sourness and bitterness. But one could say that wine is a finicky beverage. Fortunately, you can easily make some incredible pairings for your pastries. All you need to do is reach for the more unusual wines.

It’s obvious the season is not going to be all about rice and chicken, the pastries are going to find their way to the tables too. Here are few lists of pairing you can actually try out to celebrate the season memorably.

Cotton candy Wash down each bite with a carbonated wine that will further kick up the flavours of raspberry and strawberry. This pairing works because cotton candy makes us need something refreshing and wet to wash the “sticky” off. Lambrusco will do the magic with a little bit of sweetness, so when you put the two together there will be a “pow!” in the mouth.

Fries / Potato chips It doesn’t matter if it’s a Champagne or American bubble, as long as it’s made using the traditional method and has lots of tiny bubbles. Then it will be perfect with any sort of salty-fried potato things

you throw at it. Brut Sparkling, the traditional method bubbles have the highest carbonation of all the styles. This will properly cleanse the salty palate. Sparkling wine beats any soda/chip pairing and has the benefit of slowing down your munching just from the sheer intensity of the pairing.

Chocolate chip fudge brownies The only thing that is better than brownies are chocolate chip fudge brownies. The perfect wine to this addictive food must have both the fortitude and flavour to complement the intensity. For this, Ruby Port is the clear option.

Ruby Port is unlike other Ports. Ruby is freshly made and for this reason, it still has all the bold black and blue fruit flavours and tannin. The tannin in this wine will help scrape your palate, while the complementing sweetness (usually about 90 g/L RS or slightly less than a coke) will make sure that the wine doesn’t come across as bitter. When you put the two together, it will taste something like a fresh chocolate covered cherry.

Doughnut cheeseburger You ordered a doughnut cheeseburger and maybe even added some bacon to it. This is a masterpiece tastes and a bite in your mouth is desperately thirsty. Please don’t cheapen this experience with a coke. You need something that is sweetly rich in aromas and flavours, but dry on the palate. You need Pinotage, a South African hybrid grape that is the awkward child of Pinot Noir and Cinsault.

Despite the elegance of its parents, this grape produces massive wines that will even make an Australian Shiraz feel not worthy.

Jamaican festive jerk chicken Biwom Iklaki

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he Christmas is done and dusted, but the holiday festivities are yet to be over. for your table this New Year, consider this recipe the Jamaicans are known for, jerk chicken.

It is spicy and tasty and will make a new addition to your New Year table.

INGREDIENTS 1 kilo chicken 1 scotch bonnet pepper 2 cloves garlic 1 tablespoon ginger, grated 2 green onions 1 tablespoon thyme, chopped 1 tablespoon allspice 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon oil 2 tablespoons white vinegar 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon dark rum 1/2 orange, juice and zest 1 lime, juice and zest PREPARATION Marinate the chicken in the jerk marinade for a day turning a few times. Bake in a preheated 400F/200C oven for 40-50 minutes turning once in the middle. #KITCHENTIP Do not cut steaks right off the heat.

Give them time to rest so they can retain their juices

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

E-mail: editor.body-soul@newtelegraphonline.com

Colour Art

The little new year (1) O ne cold morning Maurice awoke from his dreams and sat up in bed and listened. He thought he heard a knock at his window; but though the moon was shining brightly, Jack Frost had been so busily at work that Maurice could not see through the thickly painted panes. So he crept sleepily out of bed, and opened the window, and whispered: “Who is there?”

“I am,” replied a tinkling voice.

“I am the little New Year, ho! ho!

And I’ve promised to bring a blessing to everyone. But I am such a little fellow I need somebody to help me distribute them.

Won’t you please come out and help?”

“Oh, it’s so cold!” said Maurice; “I’d rather go back to my warm bed; “ and he shivered as Jack Frost, who was passing,

tickled him under the chin with one of the frosty paint brushes.

“Never mind the cold,” urged the New Year; “please help me.”

So Maurice hurried into his clothes, and was soon out in the yard. There he found a rosy-cheeked boy a little smaller than himself, pulling a large cart which seemed to be loaded with good things. On one side of this cart was painted the word “Love,” and on the other “Kindness.” As soon as the New Year saw Maurice he said, “Now please take hold and help me pull;” and down the driveway and up the hill they travelled until they came to an old shanty.

“Here is where I make my first call,” said the New Year.

Maurice looked wonderingly at him. “Why, nobody lives

Crossword puzzle

here but an old man who works for us; and he hasn’t any children!” “He needs my help,” said the New Year; “for grown people like to be thought of just as much as children do. You shovel out a path to his door, while I unload some of my blessings; and the little hands went busily at work, piling up warm clothing, wood, and a new year’s dinner, the New Year singing as he worked: “Oh, I am the little New Year; ho! ho! Here I come tripping it over the snow, Shaking What type of music are balloons scared my bells with of?

Ans: Pop music! a merry din; So open your door What makes music on your head? and let me in.”

Ans: A head band!

Ellen Robena Field What has forty feet and sings?

Ans: The school choir!

Gags

Why did the girl sit on the ladder to sing?

Ans: She wanted to reach the high notes!

What is the musical part of a snake?

Ans: The scales!

Where did the music teacher leave his keys?

Ans: In the piano!

What do you tell someone you didn’t see at New Year’s Eve? Ans: I haven’t seen you for a year!

Why did Tommy put the January calendar in the refrigerator?

Ans: Because he wanted to start the year off in a cool way.

Photo speaks

‘Here and There’ - a painting of a tree standing in between two moments in time, by Children Art Club, to raise awareness to the evils of climate change. One tree shows the effects of climate change while the other flourishes from ‘green’ living

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

I wish I prayed more -Blackky You have been scarce on the social scene. What have you been up to all these while?

Do you know what I really like about Nigerians? If you do good music, they will keep loving you and supporting you. I performed ‘Rosie’ at one of the concerts two weeks ago in Lagos and people were singing the song even better than me that wrote the song over 25 years ago. I was like this song is old and yet even the young people that were not even born then sing along. This is the love I appreciate from the fans. I have been doing this for 24 years and the fans are still appreciating my music.

They have given me the ability to keep on doing what I desire to do with my talent and that is doing good music for them. So that is what I have been doing all these while and that is performing live in concerts. I am also working on a the new album.

When should we be expecting the album to come out?

We don’t have a date yet. I want to make sure that the music that we do is still the same vintage Blackky songs.

If you listen to Blackky’s ‘Bang belly’, ‘Rosie’, ‘Blackky’s Skank’, they’re the kind of songs that stand the test of time.

Years to come when Blackky is not on this planet, you will still be listening to the music. I write music that can outlive us and it takes a while to do that kind of music.

Twenty five years on and you are still relevant. What is the secret?

First of all, I believe it’s the Almighty God who gives the inspiration and the talent. Secondly, it’s Nigerians being able to show me so much love even after many years of doing music. My music is 24 years this year. Next year will make it 25 years. I think it is also the seriousness of the music I’ve played.

Also the ability to stay away from drugs, smoking and all the negative elements that artistes and musicians go into these days. I mean there is nothing wrong in doing it with moderation. But when you go overboard, such as womanising, drinking, cocaine, heroin, I wouldn’t be here by now so I had to have that discipline and the ability to remain humble, I’m just another human being doing good music.

What do you think has changed over the years in the Nigerian music industry?

What has changed is that there is no structure again. When I started, we had record companies like Polygram Records, EMI and Sony Music. We had all the record companies and it was organised. Everything had a structure.

You don’t just go on radio and play your compact disc (CD) like that. There is a way the record company will make sure your music is aired. If you are not signed on, you will not be played at all.

But right now, it’s like Jan-

In the 1990’s, then 24 year-old graduate of Sociology from the University of Lagos, Edward Inyang aka Blackky, swept the Nigerian music scene with his reggae hit track, Rosie. He became a superstar, with several other hit songs like ‘Blackky Skank’ to his credit. VANESSA OKWARA and EDWIN USOBOH caught up with the artist at an event and he was glad to recount some of his gains and regrets as an artiste kara market. People just walk up now and tell you they are musicians. All they do is to record their songs in a CD and go to a radio station and ask the presenters to play their song on air.

Can you compare today’s music and those of yesteryears?

From the kind of music we are listening now, there is no basis for comparison.

What we are listening now are songs that are reigning now and in two three months, you can’t even remember the artiste, the song or the lyrics. There is no more brand placement of the artiste and the music. If you listen to some artistes, and their music, you can remember their face, video and everything about the artiste. But now, it’s happening so fast. Everybody is talking about girls, alcohol and dancing at the club. Now, these kind of music don’t last that long.

If your music does not have that musical substance or the lyrics and content to drive it and artiste personality, it will soon fade away.

What do you think should be the solu-

tion?

I think right now, we have to go back to the basis. We need to go back to having record companies. We need to have a strong, functional PMAN -the association of musicians. This is because they are the ones that will protect the interest of musicians. We also need to get our younger artistes not to get carried away playing what they want to hear, but playing what they are inspired to sing. Right now, everybody is singing reggae and dance hall which is what I started like 24 years ago. It is the latest thing now, so everybody is running to dance hall. Nobody is ready to stay in a genre like Fela and grow in a genre like Afro beats. All the younger ones are interested in is to just play music ‘wey den go sell’. But it is more important to play the music that you are convinced in your heart that belongs exclusively to you.

If you must do collaboration with a new generation artiste, who would that be?

Aahhh! You want to trap me? What I can say is this: there are few artistEs that I appreciate because they don’t want to go the way everybody is going.

I don’t want to mention any names. I will do collaboration with artistes that are sure of what they are doing. I will not do collaboration with you because you are reigning, or so I will be carried along with your fans. I will do it because you are talented and we can bring our talents together and play good music.

S o

whoever is talented, focused and has got content in their music, I will be glad to walk with the person.

These days, we see a lot of endorsements. Has any organisation approached you yet?

Well, I’ve to wait for that time to come.

If you remember, when I was much younger, I had one of the first endorsements in Nigeria called the Malibu endorsement, but then endorsement was at the infant stage so I was one of the pioneers of entertainers’ endorsements.

It’s not the kind of endorsements artistes are having now. It is really mega now, but people like us are John the Baptist of today’s entertainment industry, clearing the bush with tiny endorsements. what I will say is this, I will have to be approached before I can say anything but what is important about these endorsements is that it helps to encourage the artiste who is not making money only.

Compact discs are not selling; everybody is doing free downloads, so if you have shows and endorsements, it keeps the artiste going. It is good so far the contracts signed are right and in order.

Is there anything you wished you could’ve done better, looking back at your career?

The only thing I could I’ve done better is maybe prayed a little bit more than I did. I also wish that our country would have been more stable. Why do I say that? This is because the biggest problem we have in the country is unstable economy. It keeps on sliding and the music industry is the worst hit. That is why we don’t have any structure again.

My biggest regret is that I couldn’t even do more for my fans when I started out because the industry was not ready for me.

Away from music, can you describe your fashion style?

My fashion style is what I call mountain top style. I don’t care for the socalled designers. I’m more of an artiste that is so down to earth, so I wear what I think works for me and that is as far as it goes.

You have hardly aged, what is your secret?

Don’t be deceived. The grey hair is somewhere in the inside but we’ll leave that for another day. The most important thing is to be at peace with oneself and not be greedy. Treat others as you expect to be treated and generally live a peaceful life.

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15 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

y Interview

be tough for Nigeria a bit frustrated. If you look at the World Bank, the United States is the largest shareholder and it has always almost produced the head of the bank, just like Japan has always produced the head of the Asian Development Bank. And I think this is the trend because it is a case of putting your mouth where your money is. So it is a big deal that we should all be excited about.

Of course, I had opportunities of discussing with Adeshina prior to and after his election, and we have maintained good relations. And it is important to see that the first issue he is focusing on is energy - lighting up Africa. He is embarking on a programme whereby in the next couple of years, about $55billion will be invested in energy- lighting up Africa. And that is going to be a driving force in changing the continent from being “the dark continent” to an active, a well-placed one and I strongly believe he is on the right part.

What are the likely benefits of the power projects?

Automatically, it is going to support the transformation of the energy sector in this country. Look at the Inga Dam in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is capable of supplying power to the whole of Central Africa and some parts of Africa. If that project is realized, it will have great effect even on Nigeria and you will see the inter-link between those mega projects and those which we have in other countries like Nigeria, Ghana and lead to the transformation of the country. Automatically, it will affect the capacity utilization of our industries.

Of course, he is not focusing on one source of energy- it is going to include coal, wind and refuse-besides hydro electricity.

produce the President of the Bank, how do you feel about the emergence of Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshina a couple of months ago?

I think it is a great joy to me personally that a Nigerian has finally become the president of the bank after about four attempts.

It is a thing of pride for this country, to the extent that as the major financier of the bank right from inception when Chief Festus Okotiebo, the then Minster of Finance,

became the first Chairman Board of Governors of the bank. Not only that, Nigeria is the largest single shareholder of the bank – more than 10 per cent - in addition to the Nigerian Trust Fund which was created to support other African countries way back in 1976 when Nigeria had the resources.

So for such a pillar of the institution not to have the opportunity of leading the institution, as far as I was concerned, I was

A number of people believe that Federal Government needs an Economic Management Team to turn the handle the economy.

What is your opinion?

It is a matter of style as to how you want co-ordination to take place in your economy. This is very fundamental to have effective co-ordination between one ministry and the other. Here we are talking not just about coordination but also co-operation between ministries, departments and agencies to ensure economic growth. In the past, we had co-ordination but there was inadequate co-operation among government’s ministries, departments and agencies, which made co-ordination much more difficult.

Towards the end of the year, there were these scandalous revelations about how over N16 billion ($2.1billion) arms deal scandal in the country. How do you thing

this must have affected the nation?

Yes, that goes to tell you that the President is right when he made fighting corruption his priority, because we know that corruption in its various forms is anti development. So I think there is no amount of efforts put on eradicating corruption that one can say is useless. But this means we should not just arrest the culprits and prosecuting them, we need a system which will make it more difficult for others to do. That is why we need to reinforce the institutions; it is very crucial. It is not just about arresting them; we have to make it very difficult for people to exploit the system. When people are arrested for corruption, evidence must show that those who are caught are penalized. Because when you have cases of impunity, when people commit such crimes and get away scot free, it emboldens them. That is why our law enforcement agencies should arrest, investigate, gather sufficient evidences linking with crime with the criminals and ensuring they get penalized for it. Most importantly, we must ensure that the opportunity by corrupt individuals exploit the system must the blocked.

You see, corruption is rather endemic in this country and indeed in Africa. The other day, ADB President, Dr. Adeshina said that the continent loses an average of $148billion to corruption every year. Do you know how that can translate to development? Do you know how many kilometres of roads, how many schools, hospitals and industries that can set up? Do you how many unemployed Nigerians that would take off the streets?

Right now, it is on record that unemployment rate in Nigeria is …

Government is currently merging ministries and planning to prune its work force…

Yes, that is one of the leakages we are talking about. If there are some ministries whose duties overlap like that of the Police Affairs and Interior, there is nothing wrong in merging them. As far as I know, there is no magic number in this regard. The Constitution does not specify how many ministries the country should possess. All we need is efficient service delivery by the various ministries for the development of the country. You see, the civil service is the engine room for driving government policies and programmes.

What is your impression about the proBiafra agitation in the country?

Well, I think it is part of the frustration in the country. People feel they are maginalised, that they are not getting enough from the central. To me issue we should dwell on is the fact that we are all Nigerians and I believe in the report of the National Conference that was set up by the last government. It set a platform to discuss all issues affecting the nation.

You have received a honourary doctoral degree from the Adekunle Ajasin University. How do you feel about this?

I am very grateful to the authorities of the university for this honour.

I think it goes to show that my simple efforts with the Bisi Ogunjobi Foundation, which has granted scholarship to over 700 students in the catchment area of Ondo State since 1991, and other activities have been taken into account. I thank the Visitor of the University too, for this great honour.

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

‘Entertainers need to project Nigeria on world stage’ car, a house and money. They take you on a nationwide tour, all expenses paid.

They just make you a star. Today is what the Igbo calls “Ike keta olie.” We have too many wasting talents all over Nigeria.

Celebrated musician and former lawmaker in Anambra State, Hon. Tony Nwanagor, (Tony Oneweek) in this interview with SUNNY NEME, speaks about how artistes can promote the nation’s image As a lawmaker, how were you able to touch the lives of entertainers in your constituency?

As a lawmaker, I instituted the Idemili North talent hunt competition, which held consecutively for three years, where we discovered music and comedy talents in my constituency. Notable among the winners is Kslim (Kosiso Onwuekwe) who was signed up by Now MUZIK, in collaborations with Tuface Idibia and Phyno.

During my years in the assembly, I related well with the upcoming talents. I had a live radio show titled Idemili North Kwenu, which harnessed, projected comic talents and sensitise my constituents on my activities as I served them.

What were the laws you supported for the promotion of the entertainment industry in your state?

When I was in the House, I confronted piracy by vigorously encouraging the enforcement of existing anti-piracy laws. It was indeed very difficult as there was little or nothing on ground to fight piracy in Anambra State.

It was as if I came from the moon. But I did my best within the prevailing circumstances.

I was invited to speak at most of the seminars and school functions. I made it a point of duty to encourage the youths to look inwards and reach out to their talents as a means of surviving quicker in a country with low employment opportunities.

You took the music industry by storm with your gyrations, when are we expecting another of such?

Gyration is a gift from God to me alone.

If not, why has nobody been able to take over from me effectively? It is just by His mercy that I am the Gyration Master. I will

Oneweek

perform till I die.

I will do plenty gyration songs when the time is right. My fans want me to release an album each year, but I appeal to them to give me some time. I appreciate their love.

Gyration helped me to win my election into Anambra State House of Assembly. Yes, while I was campaigning, people would ask me to sing. It was fun. To God be the glory.

Coming from the old generation of musicians, how would you access the music industry in Nigeria?

Nigerian music Industry is growing so fast. Our music is taking over the world scene. Our musicians are making money now. You know it is like football. The ones playing now are making the real money while the earlier guys laid the foundation.

It is the same with music. But if you are really original and dynamic, you will evolve and hold your side. I am happy with the industry, but I know it will get bigger and better. Look at the endorsements from mega

Community presents Obi to Obiano for recognition

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he Uke community in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State has presented its newly elected traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Charles Agbala to the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano for certification and formal recognition.

The new monarch who was presented last week emerged from a keenly contested election, came out tops from the votes cast by the delegates from all villages and quarters within the community last weekend.

He beat his other two rivals with 165 votes to 13 and 10 votes respectively amidst cheers. He was consequently presented to the chairman of the Idemili North Council, Mr. Idemobi by the Uke town union leadership, led by the President General, Emeka Enendu, who in turn yesterday took him before the state governor for formal recognition amidst cheers from his supporters, family and friends, at the Government House Awka.

The governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Chieftaincy and Town Union Matters, Chief Ikechukwu Onyeabo, commended them for carrying

out the selection process with limited rancor. He urged other communities to emulate them in the interest of their citizens, peace and progress in the state.

Chairman of the council, while commending Uke people for filling the gap peacefully, charged other relevant communities to toe same line to usher in lasting peace in the communities.

Enendu stated that the election of a new monarch was the height of a long tortuous process which had began with the announced final outing and Ofala of the immediate past monarch, late Igwe Nwabufo Ezeude last month.

Thereafter the seat was declared vacant and of all applicants, only three qualified for the position, and at the end of the open ballot system, Charles Agbala, a retired Director from the State Ministry of Lands and Urban Planning emerged victorious.

The new monarch while thanking the people for reposing confidence in him, appealed to everyone to bury the hatchet and join him in the arduous task of tackling all issue of underdevelopment squarely.

If you become a legislator at the national level, how would you want the country’s image projected better by our artistes?

Nigeria is not projected as much as it should be by our entertainers. Do you blame them? Perhaps not. Why? Because they are all self-made guys who don’t feel they owe Nigeria anything. So I believe it’s time for change in the entertainment sector. Government must involve entertainers in nation building. They have an enormous role to play. We must all be proud of Nigeria before we can be worthy ambassadors outside. As for lyrics and video clips? Hmmmm.. Some guys are desperate and can do anything to sell a record. We have plenty nudity, x-rated stuff, a lot of immorality. I sometimes wonder why the girls are nearly naked and the guys are in suits? They say that’s what sells and I am wondering. I think one can still make good music without talking trash. I guess everybody has their style.

Besides, that’s why we have the censor’s board. The problem is that getting a song banned has even become a marketing strategy. This is basically why the industry is condemned to doom. The world is drivcompanies. It is working. Creativity is pay- ing the industry to the limit of sin. Because ing well now. the world has embraced sin. The world is running away from God and embracing As a frontline artiste, what would you sin. Too bad. I try not to do a song I cannot describe as the missing link in our music listen to with my family. That’s my benchindustry today? mark.

Missing link? I will say proper labels.

There are no record companies in Nigeria. What is the difference between Tony OneNot even a single one. What we are doing is week the lawmaker and the artiste? ‘me and my family labels’ all over the place.

Tony Oneweek is the same person forever.

Where are the EMIs, Polygram and Sony What changes from time to time is my situarecords among others of those days? We tion and I simply adjust to suit that situation. need real multinational record companies I am jack of all trades and master of gyration to show us the way. Those good old days, the - from writing to acting, to singing, to polirecord label produces you and gives you a tics. Who knows what I will try tomorrow?

Cyclist shot dead, others injured during IGR drive

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t least one commercial motorcyclist was allegedly shot dead in Awka, the Anambra State capital over the weekend while scores of others escaped with severe bullet wounds in the on-going battle among some illegal revenue collectors allegedly sponsored by top government functionaries in the state.

The incident which has now spread from Awka to other parts of the state including Onitsha, Ogidi, Nkpor, Nnobi, Nnewi, Agulu, Ekwulobia, Oba, Ozubulu, Obosi and Ihiala is already being hijacked by some groups.

These groups, according to our sources were highly motivated and buoyed to unleash untold harm on any real or imaginary targets by the presence of security agents on their entourage whenever they set out their daily operations.

One severely injured motorcyclist appealed to Gov Willie Obiano, who he described as “action man” to come to their rescue from those he called “heartless money mongers controlling the Okada/ Keke transport in the state”.

The young man in his mid twenties who gave his name as John Ugwuoke (alias ‘Little Johnny’) from Igboeze in Enugu State and father of two said he was shot and badly wounded in November in Awka, alongside others because they refused to purchase two different IGR daily receipts from two of the many feuding private revenue collectors.

Speaking from his hospital bed, he noted

that the only language those people understand was money. “Because when we tried to explain to them our plight and tendered the daily N100 receipts we had obtained that fateful morning at different locations within the capital city, they got infuriated that we ‘have not been buying their tickets all along’ and started beating us mercilessly”.

He said that some paid, others who tried to run away were shot at close range as confusion broke out and people started running in all directions for their dear lives.

From there, the gun-trotting revenue collectors allegedly drove out in a flash, it was later we learnt they went to invade the office of the Road Transporters Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), along the Enugu-Onitsha Highway who issued the offending receipt. He said that it was the deputy state chairman of the RTEAN, Comrade Joe Nwabueze who was contacted by a younger brother of one of the other injured and detained motorcyclist that went round the entire state in search of them and secured their bail.

Nwabueze told journalists who went for clarification that RTEAN is the only trade union empowered by federal laws to supervise the welfare and matters concerning commuter transport in the country. He urged Gov Obiano to wade into the crisis and weed off highly placed individuals in his administration who were allegedly fueling the shady fraudulent revenue collection syndicate for personal benefits.

Faith

SUNDAY

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

Sermon Last straw that broke the enemy’s back - Osagie p.43

News Gospel music not for commercial purposes, says Cleric p.41

Interview I’m an apostle in the market place -Pastor Emmanuel p.40

TAI ANYANWU HEAD, RELIGOUS DESK titus.anyanwu@newtelegraph online.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

It takes 38 years to translate a Bible

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Tai Anyanwu ast Sunday, a young minister of God, Bolaji Idowu, had berated fellow Pentecostals saying, “after blasting in tongues, we tend to forget our head.”

Apparently, the minister did not mean any insult. He was actually trying to explain the scriptural passage in the book of Proverbs 3:5-6: “... And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

According to the Pastor’s interpretation; ‘lean not on one understanding’ means trust in God and not in self. Invariably pointed the passage did not necessarily enjoin Christians to jettison their understanding of issues. It should allow their good grasp of things to come into play concerning all matters, he said.

An interesting scenario cropped up at a recent press briefing by the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), to announce plans for BSN’s 50th anniversary slated for February 8, 2016.

In case you don’t know, BSN exists to translate, publish and distribute the Holy Bible into different Nigerian languages and make it available to Nigerians. It also has to raise funds for its activities and organise relevant programmes.

“We desire to translate the Bible into all Nigerians languages reported to be over 500; but we are being constrained by lack of funds. It cost a minimum of N40 million to complete a Bible translation project. That is why we need funds,” Olaleye explained.

It also takes a minimum of 38years to complete a Bible translation; and at the end of the day, the BSN heavily subsidizes some copies of the bible while some are distributed freely.

In the words of the Executive Secretary of BSN, Dare Ajiboye: “For our 50th anniversary, plan to donate 100,000 copies of the Bible free to the less privileged Nigerians if funds are available. This will cost us N50 million. We therefore call on Nigerians to partner with us to fund this noble project.”

Some might be wondering now and asking; with the level of economic hardship, hunger stricken Nigerians would appreciate food or Bible more?

It is indeed suggestive that it would make more sense to the hungry man if the millions earmarked for free bible donations are deployed to feed the poor in society.

Mr. Olaleye, however, believes that if you give a man food, you feed him once. “But when you teach him how to feed himself you feed him for the rest of his life. The Bible is a manual that gives direction on how to deal with every issue and circumstances of life.

That makes good knowledge of the word of God an invaluable possession,” he explained.

It might shock you to know how much a copy of that bible lying idle in a corner of your room costs.

“It cost as much as N1million, ex-

cluding distribution cost.

So, we usually do this to ensure that the word of God is made available to Nigerians. An average person cannot afford a copy of the Bible,” Ajiboye added.

“And if the Bible is not subsidised, it will mean that we will go back to the age when only the church and the rich people can afford the Bible.

As part of the events marking the BSN’s 50th anniversary, a special Bible called The Legacy Bible would be introduced.

According to Olaleye, it is a special parallel of five translations - English, Yoruba, Efika Igbo and Hausa; the first of its kind in Africa, and would have the translation history of the Bible in each of the four Nigerian languages.

“It comes in high quality leather cover measuring 452x410 mm with 1,768 pages and five ribbon markers enclosed in a special wooden box.

“Such Bible can be an enduring legacy which a father can bequeath to his first son or daughter as a case may be,” he added.

Dare Ajiboye said that it would not be too much if anyone give the BSN N1 million to possess a copy of the Legacy Bible considering that such money would go a long way to provide more bibles to the less privileged.

Or the most important gift he would give to his child is the Legacy Bible.

So, at your level, what is your take?

Would go for a copy of the Bible, N1 million or free food donation? Would you not lean on your understand or not jettison your own understanding.

Ajiboye

Familyfora empowers 50 widows Tai Anyanwu

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ot less than 50 widows heaved a sigh of relief when Familyfora, a nongovernmental organisation committed to the well-being of the family, put smiles on their faces, in Lagos last weekend.

The event tagged ‘Comfort the Widow’ organised in conjunction with End-Time Gospel Society, Festac Town, Lagos, put into the pockets of the widows and other disadvantaged women some start-up capital as well as taught the recipients some skills to enable them earn means of living.

Some of the skill acquisition programmes organised through the three-day duration of the event include soap making and toilet wash production.

There was also free eye test, gift items and seminars sessions to sensitive the women on how to tackle the challenges of widowhood and move with life with more courage.

The programme featured renowned resource persons like

medical experts at Rikky Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Mrs. Frances Omeziri; Dr Chikodi Onyemkpa, the President of Family For a Ministry and Convener, Rev. Mrs. Nneoma Comfort Ahamefula, and Pastor Mrs. Chinyerem Abajue.

Speaking at the occasion, Rev. Ahamefula, explained that her short experience as a widow had thought her to often endure hellish experiences in the society.

For this purposed, he said she was inspired to impact upon their lives in her own little way to reduce their sufferings.

She stated that God gave her the vision to reach-out and gladden the hearts of his daughters whose life and destiny Satan thinks he has caged with sadness and mourning.

According to the convener, the 3-day fellowship was aimed to create a fresh atmosphere of joy and gladness, hope, vision, restoration, confidence, trust in God’s unfailing love and capacity to deliver on destinies.

“One of the seeming weapons

of intimidation in the hands of the devil is lack, sickness and possibly death and God intends to restore families and destinies and banishes the prospect of depression, delusion and deceit from the homes present here today and those who will hear about the things that God is doing.

“As we are gathered here today as widows, divine word based exhortation, skill training, health checks and care, as well as possible rejuvenation of wardrobes of the daughters of Zion would be prominent,” she said.

Ahamefula said her organisation offers the skill acquisition training to ensure that every daughter of Zion, who the enemy has been deluding with lack and idleness, can find something to do to earn sustainable income for their respective families.

She commended the partners, sponsors and contributors who allowed themselves to be used by God for the purpose.

CO NTINUED O N PAGE 42

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Faith

I’m an apostle in the market place -Pastor Emmanuel

The General Overseer of Calvary Bible Church, Pastor Olumide Emmanuel, spoke on the 20th anniversary of the church as well as the issues relating to the ministry, in this interview with TAI ANYANWU Did you envisage the church was going to come this far when you took off?

Well, whatever God does one knows it will definitely grow from the scriptures and covenant relationship. We expected we’d grow and expand but we couldn’t have known where we’d be at every point or turn. In some aspects, what we are seeing are really mind-blowing but in some, we know we could have done better.

But through it all, God has been grateful to us.

Great in what and what?

For instance, when we started in a rented apartment, it took us three months to raise the fee. When we look at the caliber of people we had, it was like will anything good come from us. A plot of land sold for N400, 000 and when he heard N1.6m, it was like all the monies in this world.

The first set of lands we bought was for N70, 000 per plot. We got four plots at N280, 000. It took us over one year to raise the money.

To look at where we are now is a miracle. However on the number of people we have, we believe we have what it takes to attract more people.

We are like by now, we should have more people. But you know there are many dynamics to that.

Are we ready to pay the price?

Can we handle them if they come?

There are environmental and logistic issues. Like I tell people there are two ways to look at a thing for balance. You look at the people ahead for inspiration and those behind to be grateful to God. There are people who started before us but do not have a church to look after again today. So for that, we are grateful to God. Is it that the numerical challenge has to do with the fact that you are hardly around as an itinerant preacher?

Well, I don’t think so necessarily. We are a kingdom church. On an annual basis, we reach out to 10,000 people based on verifiable statistics. We go to bus stations, prisons, hotels and football pitches. The 10,000 are not here because we are a kingdom church. It is not about our seating capacity but impact-capacity. The Kingdom is not about that but we also want those sitting to be more.

Many people have difficulties defining you. They wonder if you are a General Overseer, businessman, common sense coach or itinerant preacher When you start, you are an individual. Then you get married

and become a husband. When you have children, you are a father.

You are the same person but your title changes by virtues of your responsibilities and roles. So, that is the challenge with defining me.

I always tell people I am an apostle in the marketplace. God has raised me to raise kingdom believers and ministries. For those in the church, there is no confusion at all about that.

The difference about church and kingdom is that church says ‘just come and be part of us’ while kingdom is about going forth.

So, we are not interested in drawing people that will just seat and not make a difference in their world.

I will just say I am an apostle in the marketplace. I am more than a church man.

When you started the real estate business, many wondered if you were leaving ministry for business. Can you explain the rationale behind it?

Well, they will come to understand more with time. When you pioneer something, you face that challenge. The challenge with the church in Nigeria is that we have more understanding of the church than the kingdom. When somebody receives a call now, the first thing they do is to start a church.

But God could be calling them to start ministries.

There are many evangelists pastoring. Many who should be in different ministries are sitting down in churches. The Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin and Benny Hinn of this world did not have a church. They imparted the world running ministries. It is not about how many people you could seat.

So, when we went into the estate business, it was because many Christians say the earth is of the Lord but do not have a plot of land. If the earth is of the Lord, why can’t He give Christians lands? We came to a place where we realised that faith is about lands.

I came into an investment understanding at a time, took the church on that journey and we began to grow. Whoever owns the land determines the faith of the land.

If you were born in Pakistan today, you are going to be a Muslim. Why? It is because whoever

Emmanuel owns the lands owns the faith.

That was how God told me to connect people to own territories.

That was what inspired the real estate issue. It was to inspire believers to own territories so that they can have influence for God. We have made home owners and estates for believers. But in the last two years, I have left the business and church for younger ministers to run.

If you were to start all over today, what would you do differently?

When we started out, there were a lot of things that we believed affected the way we did ministry. So, I would change my methodologies. It took me years to realise that the message is the same but the methodologies are different. We were too rigid when we started.

There was a time I didn’t believe that women should preach. Sometimes when I came to the pulpit, I was busy emphasizing on wearing weavons and trousers. Even though we were trying to make people holy, we were scaring people away. I remember we refused to borrow money in the name of church that situation would change now.

Some people were willing to give us musical equipment on installment but we refused because we said we didn’t want to owe. If we had accepted, it would have boosted our music and drawn more people. So, I will just change my methodologies and mindsets.

In those days, I would have joined those criticising bringing comedians to church. I will be at the forefronts. But I understand better now. We have never com-

promised on integrity and standing for God but we are evolving in our methods. We have had to learn from making mistakes.

Have you outgrown Wisdom for Singles conferences?

No I have not. In fact, next week I am doing Wisdom for Teenagers.

It is not that one is not doing these things again but one is busy and the scale is changing. We are using different strategies now.

At this stage, I have raised people that should do what we used to do so that we can do what they cannot do. In those days, I was everywhere with publicity. My face was always in the media. But now, one is busy.

From November 2 till date, I don’t think I have spent up to five days in my house. I came back yesterday and by Monday, I am off again. So, the time is not there. I have handed over the church and business to people. I don’t have to be here for the church to run.

What made you hand over a church while you are still alive?

It is because I don’t run a church but a kingdom. People have asked me what I will now be doing after handing over the church. They have told me to make the Senior Pastor Deputy something but I am not bothered. It is not my church.

It belongs to God. It is not a family business. If I need money, I just ask if we can afford it or not. I don’t even know how much we have in the account.

And that does not bother you?

Why should it? If I want to know all that, it becomes micro-managing. You just die before your time

doing that. The reason people do that is because they don’t run church like a kingdom. It is only the pastor and his wife that are signatories. They carry the offering and go with it. So, they cannot leave it for others.

It is like what is happening now in Nigeria. If the PDP had won, we won’t hear what we are hearing now. They would have just covered up. But another party took over and we are seeing all the mess created. So, it is like in many churches too. They don’t want to hand over to someone that will expose them.

That means a succession crisis will not be a challenge here?

Of course, there won’t be. For over a decade now, everybody knew who will take over from me.

We have another Resident Pastor also in the waiting. God forbid, if anything happens now, there is no wife that will fight church or a mother that will say we started the church together.

In 20 years, we have not had a breakaway because we allow people to display their talents. There can be visions within visions.

When people leave, we celebrate them. We also support them if we can.

You must have a large heart, do you?

No, I don’t. It is just the way it should be. I am not a superhuman or special man. It is the other people that are in error. Jesus raised 12 people and said they will be greater than him. We all want our children to be greater than us. We understand biology but not spiritology.

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Faith

Araraume boosts evangelism in Imo Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

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o advance the propagation of the gospel of Christ, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, has donated a brand new Hummer bus and cash gift to the Holy Family Commandery 564, Saint John’s International, Isiala Mbano Council Area of Imo State.

Araraume, a member of the Knight of St. John’s International, made the presentation during the church’s harvest at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Osu in Isiala Mbano.

Cash gift was also donated as support to the Commandery for the building of a hall.

The gesture, our correspondent gathered, was in redemption of an earlier pledge the senator made to the Commandery.

Ararume explained that the ultimate goal of the donation was to boost evangelism and the spiritual development of church faithful in the area.

The ex-senator who represented Imo North from 1999 to 2007 expressed happiness at the progress of work done at the church site, saying that he is confident that donations would be judiciously managed by the building committee.

Ararume, however, commiserated with the Commandery on the demise of their President, late Sir Ajaegbu, who he said, was alive when the pledge was made.

Gospel music not for commercial purposes, says Cleric

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orshippers at the King of Kings Evangelical Ministries were recently treated to a special service whose highlight was the launch of gospel music album and books by the host pastor, Pastor Evans Mozurunyem.

The special occasion took place on Sunday, December 20, 2015, at the church auditorium, Kilometer 15, Badagry Expressway, by Osun Bus Stop, Lagos.

Dignitaries, eminent ministers of God, church members and invited guests graced the occasion.

Earlier on, Pastor Mozurunyem, who is renowned for his love and passion for praise and worship, gave the congregation a taste of his new offering by giving renditions of three songs from the new album, including “God of Mercy” and “Let it shine upon my life.”

He however took the pain to inform the church that gospel music releases were not for “commercial purpose but a message of deliverance to the world.”

His words: “God gave me this commission. This is an injunction of God; His directive to me.”

The preacher of the day, Bishop Miracle William in his sermon also attested that the “music is full of messages that blessed,” and had called for all to support the good work of Pastor Mozurunyem in a sermon titled “What You Make Happen For Others God Will Make Happen For You.” The three books were titled “Overcoming Forces of Discouragement,” “Quenching the Fire, Stilling the Storm,” and “Over and Above.” The new album, Karisma and E-Gospel, released under Evans Ministries International Music were his first recording efforts but he was certain they are not going to be the last. “For as long as God continues to inspire me and the spirit of ministering in songs continues to come upon me, the songs will continue to unfold with time,” he told Sunday Telegraph.

The highlight of the occasion was the formal unveiling of the new works which were supported by the invited guests and church members alike.

A visibly elated pastor Mozurunyem could hardly contain his joy.

“It is one of the most wonderful days in my life, one of my happiest days, celebrating the books and the songs in the album that I packaged. I thank God for what he has done,” he said.

While emphasizing the purpose of the books and the music which he said “are for the purpose of the kingdom, for the gospel of Christ,” he avowed that the message in them are God’s power unto salvation and that whosoever believe in them will be lifted and be blessed.

Cutting of the 6th anniversary thanksgiving cake at the church recently

Ebenezer Methodist Church moves to permanent site in style

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Stanley Ihedigbo

site.

t was dream come true as Ebenezer Methodist Church, Akowonjo, Lagos North Dioceses, moved to its permanent

The elated members of the church celebrated the occasion along with their annual festival of praise attended by dignitaries, ministers of God and other churches.

Speaking at the event, a Presbyter in the Methodist Church Nigeria, Very Reverend Chukwuemeka Solomon Ikpeama, commended the ministers and members of the branch for achieving what may have seemed impossible, judging from the population of the branch.

“I feeling very elated because today is a wonderful day in my life; and this is my first born as a church; because while I was serving in the church circuit office, that was when we proposed to have this church.

“There were so many challenges, we have not even finished building the circuit church and other things we need to do at that time,” he said.

The Presbyter said that he stood his ground that Ebenezer Methodist Church must be built since some residents in the area had organised house fellowship.

“I thank God today that it has become a wonderful church, it has got its own building and it is moving on very well. I know as a church, they will go places,” he added.

The Presbyter enjoined the members not to relax pointing out that they had just started a long journey and that there was need to complete building.

“I encouraged them that the spirit they have started with, they should continue with that spirit and not relax, they should not rest knowing that God will

bless them when they involved all their resources for the things of God,” he added.

The acting Presbyter of Christ Church Circuit, which the Ebenezer Church belonged, Reverend Ejim Chukwu, said that his heart was full of gladness to see his labour and efforts come to be of reality.

His words: “It was a dreamcome-true because when we started the laying of the foundation, we didn’t have money.

In 2012, when we started, the circuit has nothing in its bank account, meaning that, they do not have up to a million naira to purchase the land.

“And by the 2014, in the month of November God gave us this place and on May 2015, we laid the foundation of the church building.

And it was like it will never come to pass and we continue praying, talking to people and to the glory of God, things have come to be. It has come to be a success and a life project that somebody who started the project has seen it is a huge success,” he said.

He urged the members to continue to trust God, because God does not disappoint those who trust in Him. The wife of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Conference Secretary, Mrs. Alice Opoko, added that: “I am happy to see what God is doing in Ebenezer Methodist Church and being a small church, they started well and there have been a lot of developments so far in the church.

We give God the glory and we are happy to be part of it.”

She advised the church’s women’s fellowship to always put God first in all they are doing in life, and to respect their husbands.

“I am encouraging every woman in this country to pray hard because of the way things are

changing. We need to also pray for our leaderships including the president, so that God will be merciful and change things for us in Nigeria.” The Minister in charge of Ebenezer Methodist Church, Evangelist God’swill Uchenna Okafor, said,” This is moment of mission accomplished and I don’t know how to express my gratitude to God for making this day a fruitful one for me and the members of the church.

Now, I can say like Simon said in the book of Luke, after Jesus was dedicated in the temple, he said, now that I am free to go.

“So, by the grace of God, I have accomplished one of the great tasks I had ahead of me, being the minister of the church. The Lord has really helped with this wonderful and dynamic congregation for six years.

“The task has just began and I the Lord who led us this far will see us through. We have a lot of thing to accomplish together, evangelism beyond boundary and without limit. So, we are going to embark on aggressive evangelism in order to meet our expectation here. We really want to ensure that, this community is for Methodist through Ebenezer Methodist church.

He added,” Nigerians have been clamouring for change, I want to say that the only change that ever will happen, is that change through Christ,” he said.

He added: “Until we are changed on the side, nothing will change outside. I call the ministers of God to arise to the true change which only can happen through the word of God. Let us preach and teach sound word of God, and let us be practical as well.

“By so doing, things will begin to change in the country. Nigeria is a very large country indeed in which only God can decide it and can decide it only when we have prayed,” he submitted.

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Faith

Songs to stifle our sorrows Firm Faith: Right Reason Most Rev. Emmanuel A. Badejo

fradebadejo@yahoo.

0803 949 4219 (SMS only) The psalms of Christmas “For God so loved the world that he gave us his only son so that all those who believe in him might be saved.” These golden words from the gospel might as well form the signal tune for the entire Christmas season. They are probably second in importance only to the phrase that exposes the eruption of Jesus Christ in the world. “And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” That indeed is the fact of the incarnation. But long before the New Testament expressions, came the Old Testament passages that announced his coming. A shoot shall spring from the root of Jesse... (Is. 11:1). Anyway, God intervened in the world because it belongs to him along with all it contains. The psalms that communicated that message ought to allay our anxieties when we are confronted by the evidence of evil and the power of the devil in our world. “The earth and its fullness belong to the Lord, the world and all that dwell in it. He founded it upon the ocean and set it firmly upon the waters” (Ps. 24: 1-2). The son of God born for us called himself the Good Shepherd. That personalized title turned Psalm 23 into probably the most quoted Psalm in Christendom. “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want, fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose, near restful waters he leads me to revive my drooping spirits... “(Ps. 23: 1-2) The song of Mary The “Magnificat” of Mary, the mother of Jesus, should really be acclaimed the first Christmas carol ever. It was composed by Mary under the stress of the sudden realization that God would actually mix with man to secure salvation. All the human assurance Mary could count on were the words of her

cousin, Elizabeth who herself was dependent only on the promise of God to remove her shame from among men. No doubt these days we are often in such situations whereby we lose our equilibrium and doubt God. When Mary hastened to see Elizabeth her cousin, she chose to go God’s way to see her, whom the angel proposed to her as evidence of God’s power and goodness. It was her encounter with Elizabeth that “brought out the best in Mary” and made her compose those beautiful verses. They ought to still speak to us today when we are tried and tested as a beautiful Christmas carol should. “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God my saviour. He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness, and people forever will call me blessed...He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up those who are downtrodden...”

(Lk. 1: 46-55). These are the kind of sentiments that will always be necessary for survival in our fickle human condition.

Can we find a better expression of it than what Mary, visited by the angel and overshadowed by the Holy Spirit expressed?

The “Magnificat” is therefore both a song and a prayer which expresses the efficacy of the incarnation in this holy season.

The song of Zechariah Prophet Zechariah could simply not comprehend what the angel said to him about bearing a child. The prognoses were that bad and so he expressed his strong doubts. “How can I believe this? I am an old man and my wife is elderly too” (Lk 1:18). Zechariah got into a lot of trouble for his retort, perhaps more chastised than Mary for the same offence.

Thus, Mary’s character of being “blessed by God among women” thereby makes more

meaning. Zechariah was struck dumb. However when he eventually recovered from his troubles he composed one of the most beautiful canticles which should also be top of the charts among all Christmas carols. “Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel for he has come and redeemed his people....

This is the work of the mercy of our God who comes from on high as a rising sun, shining in those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death...” (Lk. 1:” 68-79).

The Canticle of Simeon The canticle of Simeon is the song of victory and fulfillment of the hopes of those who patiently waited for Jesus’ coming. Simeon simply confirmed the words of the prophet Isaiah about those who wait on the Lord. “... those who hope in Yahweh will renew their strength. They will soar as with eagle’s wing; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and never tire” (Is. 40:31) By the mere emergence of Jesus in the temple the pains of Israel were assuaged.

His presence gave Simeon the old prophet the inspiration to speak the words that now form the classical night prayers for Catholics all over the world: “Now O Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, for you have fulfilled your word and my eyes have seen your salvation which you display for all the people to see. Here is the light you will reveal to the nations and the glory of your people Israel” (Lk. 2:29-32). Such canticles and songs are excellent Christmas carols because the reality of the savior’s birth began that very moment when Mary said to the angel Gabriel: “I am the hand-maid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said”.

All events and activities that followed that “yes” from Mary certainly form part of the story of his birth. In that same way must these canticles open up our hearts and lives in a big “yes” to God, such that makes the saviour come down and his love join heaven and our earth together. Merry Christmas to everyone!

Familyfora empowers 50 widows CONTINUED F R O M PAGE 39

“Most of the materials and equipment used for this event came from the benevolence and commitment of different individuals and organisations, who freely donated cash, gifts, skills, equipment, materials, goods etc. as God laid in their hearts, in response to our calls for this collective duty to God. Our prayer is that God will reward their obedience and sacrifice and cause everything positioned to thwart their blessings to be broken and destroyed.”

She implored the participants to rejoice and apply their hearts and mind to the teachings, training and exhortation that were passed on them during the three

days exercise. “Our desire is all that you received, will make maximum impact of change in your lives. Also, after this event, you will become unstoppable and determined to become victors and conquerors in the race of life.”

She therefore called on individuals and the government to pay more attention to the widows in the society by supporting their cause through financial support. “It is our sincere hope that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation can take over from here in the lives of these women to find out ways and means to enhance their various economic engagements, so as to foster better and more

prosperous homes for a better society.”

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Perpetual Okoye who lost her husband about ten years ago commended the organisation for the wonderful programme.

She noted that widowhood has been a serious problem among Nigerian women, noting that, the ill-treatment against widows should be looked into, so that they would have sense of belonging. “It is a serious case being a widow in Nigeria because the kind of ill-treatments meted out on them is unbearable. When my husband died initially, life was very difficult.

It seemed that everyone had deserted me. “

Insight

Rev. Femi Akinola www.thehebrewsng.com

01-790 3163; 0808 584 5864

The God of possibility “D

uring the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!

It is I. Do not be afraid. Lord, if it’s you. Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water. “Come,” he said.” Matt 14:25-28 (NIV) By faith, Peter walked miraculously on the word of Jesus, “come” despite the turbulence of the water. You always have to be conscious of the fact that the challenges of life are sure and cannot be over-emphasised, however, the Bible says victory is on our side. It does not matter what your position is, what matters most is your trust in God. Beloved, you can still sing for joy and praise God concerning that issue if only you believe. Faith is the spiritual substance that bridges or links humanity to divinity.

“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Mk 10:27 (NLT) “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you” Jer. 29:11(KJV).

It is your duty to believe what He has declared concerning your life. Since faith is spiritual, it is that which separates boys from men and it is the determiner of the final outcome of your present situation. The thought and counsel of men concerning your life challenges will only aggravate your condition; you started your survival journey from your mother’s womb and what you are passing through has an expiry date. Let your faith agree with the word of God that your breakthrough is still possible. Are you delayed in marriage, career, childbirth, in business or have you been rejected by men, denied promotion and sound health in 2015? No matter how bad your condition is, there is an author that knows your frame and He can rewrite your ugly story.

Do not be part of the pity party but the praise party.

You can see His glory if you only believe. You must refuse to see the challenges but the possibility of that life threatening battle. The seeming end of the road you are seeing

is only a bend that leads to another way. It is erroneous to conclude now that you cannot rise or make it again.

The Bible says, “The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come.”

Proverbs 4:18(GNT)” I want you to know that you can still sing a new song concerning your marriage, career, health, job and business because our God is awesome and His ways are marvellous.

Do not let fear and doubt imprison that generational project God has placed in your hand. God will only show you the glorious end of your destiny journey. It is the ingredient of faith that makes the journey of life pleasant.

Once your heart can believe it, then you can handle it.

I want you to be rest assured that your possibility is attainable before this year comes to an end. Then, this requires the following inputs.

1. Step out in faith: there is a process between seedling and a tree, a fetus and a baby. Don’t dare or despise the days of small beginning, neither should you write off anybody because God is the lifter of man.

2. Believe in His Word. The word of God can chart a new course and direction for your life. Peter’s initial defiance to the Master’s instructions almost caused him his destiny but for that he believed. Are you a believer or a ‘Thomas’?

Luke 5:3 3. Ask God to open your eyes because His direction makes things cheap and possible - Gen. 13:10. The eyes that look are many but those that sees are few; when God opens your eyes, you are automatically set on your journey into the miraculous.

4. Give what others cannot give so as to get what you want. The quality of your giving determines what you will receive; after all input equals to output. One of the condiments of a sweat-less victory in life is sacrificial giving.

God bless you and Happy New Year in advance.

Believe in His Word. The word of God can chart a new course and direction for your life. Peter’s initial defiance to the Master’s instructions almost caused him his destiny but for that he believed

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Faith

Last straw that broke the enemy’s back Taming your Emotions Bishop Lawrence Osagie www.powerlineministriesinc.org mail:powerlineministries@mail.com

0806 325 0667

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he blood of the son of God represents the last straw that broke the back of the enemy.

The Bible says without the shedding of the blood there is no remission of sin and if there were never any remission of sin, man remains in misery and frustration. But the day the blood of the son of God touched the earth, he said “It is finished.”

Everything about remission, disgrace, shame, sickness, dead dreams and things that could frustrate your life, dreams and destiny were finished because the blood of the son of God touched the earth at a price, as a token of the sacrifice that was paid for your victory in life.

Due to the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross nothing can stand between you and your victory anymore; barrenness, poverty, destruction and death cannot stand, for the Bible says; they overcame him, the enemy, by the blood of the

lamb and by the word of their testimonies.

When I think of you, I see an over-comer, I see a winner, and I see a victor not a victim. I see the one that is going over to the other side. I see the one that will sit on the throne of his destiny. As an overcomer, you need to understand the key reason why a believer can boast. You can boast because the blood of Jesus never fails and that is the blood that is speaking before Jehovah on your behalf, on behalf of your job, marriage, children and your dreams. The blood speaks constantly.

When Jesus went to hell to take the keys of hell after three days and came back to the earth in resurrection power, He met with his disciples and after dialoguing with them, he gave them the keys of hell and death and he said: “Behold I give you power over every power of the enemy, the power to cast the devils; power to thread upon serpents and scorpions.

He said nothing shall by any means hurt you. He didn’t stop there. He knew that there was still job to do. The job was not finished, he had not yet delivered the price and the token of his blood to his father, and he needed to ascend to heaven back to the throne to give the report of his exploit on earth.

Jesus ascended triumphantly back to heaven. He was received back and when he saluted the father who stood by him in time of travail, in time of tribulation, in time of suffering on earth he presented the blood of his sacrifice, the blood of our redemption, the price that he paid for your freedom and liberty and God declared on the throne, every enemy of your soul have become your foot stool; they are all come beneath your feet, sickness, poverty, death, fear and terror are all under your feet. Not by your own power, nor by might but by the blood, the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God that was slain. *If this teaching has blessed you, you can actually get more of it. Join our insightful fellowship at the Powerline Bible Church Glass House, Odolowu Bus Stop, along Mile 2-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos.

Why some people cannot show kindness Marriage & Family Intimacy

Bishop Charles Ighele holyspiritmissioninc@yahoo.com

07066579379/09098845521

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n my last write-up, I talked about a dog which bled to death because it refused to allow its owner (a boy) to attend to it while it was injured.

The dog was hurting but refused to accept any comfort from its owner. The dog was rather biting him at every attempt made to help it from hurting and dying.

Just like the dog, some of us have injuries we are carrying and until we deal with those hurts we may not be able to show kindness. Whenever we try to reach out to others, it will be to bite and hurt them.

One of the rules that have guided my life over the years is the golden rule given by Jesus in Matthew 7:12; “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them…”

I believe this rule is a perfect basis for the spirit of kindness to be displayed to others from our lives.

I remember a Christian woman who was extremely harsh to

It will be very wrong to deal with somebody else just because you passed through such a road her daughter-in-law. She will look for every avenue to pick a quarrel and was a source of constant pain to her young son’s wife. Even though she was a Christian, she did not exhibit the gift of kindness. Much later we discovered that when this woman was young, her inlaws were also very wicked to her. They gave her the horrors and troubled her at every turn.

One would expect that after facing such horrors, she would embrace her daughter in-law and save her the pain. Instead she did the exact opposite.

Are You From A Harsh Background?

Many of us must have come across people who are naturally harsh. No matter how kind they want to be, every action and words come out harshly.

Some of us know people who

only think of themselves. They will step over anyone on their path without a backward glance. Some of us reading this might even be like this - trying to show kindness but instead showing harshness.

If you have old hurts that have not been dealt with, like that little dog, you will reach out to bite instead of giving out love. Many people that are very harsh have most likely gone through a difficult background or a harsh upbringing. Some have never received kindness so they do not know how to give it out. Some have been maltreated as maids and domestic staff so their natural reaction is to ‘bite’ and lash out at their domestic staff. Some have been molested and abused so they lash out at their spouses and those who want to show them love.

Releasing the bottled up feelings through harsh words or harsh reactions to the closest person you feel you can release them to, is not the best way to handle your past hurts or old hurts. It will be very wrong to deal with somebody else just because you passed through such a road. At those moments when you were being mistreated, you never liked any second of it. In the same manner, no one will like to be treated so harshly.

The of

Oracles God

Frank Oboden Olomukoro frankolomukoro@yahoo.com

0703 362 1866

Happy Christmas

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ever before in the history of mankind has the whole world tuned-in to a single form of celebration as it has today with Christmas. And over and over again, the manner and conduct of the festivities have proven to be effective means by which the devil gains control over the lives of people and drags them into spiritual blindness and damnation (2Peter 2:1-2).

Soon, the festive season will be here again. Many churches, Cathedrals and homes will be decorated with Christmas trees, holly wreaths, and mistletoe.

In the same vein, department stores, shops, hospitals, hotels will be adorned with Christmas lights and echo with the sound of Christmas carols; postboxes and exchanges of greeting cards will be the order of the day.

Almost universally, all religion inclusive, shoppers will pack the high streets, gift-hunting for their friends and loved ones. It’s a great swell time also for the young children especially, who look forward to receiving gifts from ‘Father Christmas’ or Santa clause who supposedly visits them once in a year with his specially adorned benevolent, bigger-than-life father figure attire. The familiar exchanges of greetings in this season is also in tune to this religious Christmas festival. “Happy Christmas” to all and as sundry, cut across all religious barriers and the response is equally infectious.

Christmas, as traditions has made us to understand; that it is the commemoration of the nativity of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem Judea. But the questions we would want to ask with answers from the Bible, the only authority that has the answers to everything life and death and beyond, Christmas, is it really the “Birthday” of Christ. Most readers, when faced with these facts, simply say: “I don’t see what difference it makes,” and continue with their Christmas preparations.

Millions of professing Christians insist that, regardless of what pagan practices might lie behind the origin of Christmas, they celebrate the festival to honor Christ.

That is the pattern of Satan, the devil. He thrives on falsehood, on camouflage and the subtlety of lie as truth. Heathen practices cannot be Christianize and presented as truth and expect God to accept what He is not the originator. No matter how much the celebration worldwide of Christmas is made to fit the sacred mould, it will never feed the soul and bring about the regenerated change.

That is why such festivals as Christmas with worldwide populist acceptance is nothing but a worldly feasts, the reason why sinners do not come to the altar for their salvation, to be possessed with the spirit of the celebrated Christ, rather we have millions turning and drifting farther away

from the very life and divine nature of Christ that is being celebrated.The Christmas feast ought to make men and women Christlike if indeed He is the focus and reason for the celebration.

You must be born again and filled with the Holy Ghost at Christmas.

But why not?

We must stand by the word of God and not by popularly accepted opinion. Scripturally, God isalways known to be in the minority not with the majority.

Besides, we should be able to challenge assumptions that cannot be authenticated by scripture. The Word of God only is the absolute, not traditions. The Word of God over rules church creeds and dogmas. We should be able to challenge deeply held beliefs and question traditions that has been in existence manymany years before we were even born and compare with the Bible if it actually authorized such beliefs and traditions. If not, we must have nothing in common with such populist traditional Festivities and celebrations. We are created to please and worship God, not religious institutions. In questioning traditions, we should not be afraid of what we will find out. Failure to probe and investigate, implies that the cursed darkness of ignorance had blighted our life and wemust fall into the pit with these blind leaders who have foisted on the masses, these damnable doctrines.

We must fight and earnestly contend for the truth which was once delivered unto the saints.

(Jude 3) The commemoration of this annual festival of the observance of the birth of Christ as instituted by church tradition will amount to nothing in bringing about desired spiritual change in the life of the ardent seekers of God. This is true because the church system makes the Word of God of noneffect since the power in the word of God is substituted for the traditions of men which carries no power, no life but sensuality and death. It is not farfetched therefore why Christmas is devoid of the deep soul searching drive and change into godliness, righteousness and the power of Holiness.

Rather, the Christmas season is the time of year with the greatest number of parties and celebrations, and also the time of year with the highest suicide rate. The crass commercialism associated with the Christmas season and Christmas related sales are the key component of yearly profit margins for most retail sales operators. That is why retailers try to get the public “in the mood” to begin Christmas shopping early by the beginning of November with familiar Christmas carols and music blares from the public address systems of malls and shops in Nigeria and across the globe.

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Faith

Captivity is not forever

Our Daily Manna

Mystery of Anxiety

Bishop Chris Kwakpovwe

ourdailymanna@yahoo.com

08023421513, 08073146863 (SMS Only)

I am a ‘no flying zone’!

Demonic bats must die

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ats ‘showing’ parishioners with faeces and urine at a Nortfolk, UK church appear to have “more rights than the worshipping community”, a vicar said.

A 300-strong colony of Natterer’s bats built their nests in the roof of St. Andrew’s church in the city of Holme Hale but could be removed as they were a protected specie.

Rev. Stephen Thorp said the bats were “off-putting” and had made couples to look elsewhere for their weddings. The church hopes that new ultrasound technology will cause them to relocate. The Holme Hale colony, near Swaffham, is thought to be one of the biggest in England. The beats tend to fly within the body of the church where their waste (excrement) can then damage furnishings and sometimes irreplaceable objects of international significance. The bats can also restrict the use of a church for worship or other community functions. Possible solutions to drive away the bats include the use of strong, artificial lighting to create “no fly zones” within the church and ultrasonic signals. “We don’t want to kill or harm the bats in any way, but we do think it’s fundamentally wrong that human beings and bats should be forced to share the same indoor dwelling space,” said the Pastor. And what the Holy Ghost is saying to a user of today’s devotional is that like these bats, the devil and his demons are determined to share your life with the glory of God. Satan wants to dwell in your life, business, career, family or academics alongside your God, Jehovah God! Satan knows that your body is a temple of the Holy Ghost but he will do everything possible to get a part of it. Arise, and through today’s devotional, declare to the devil that enough is enough! My life is a NO FLYING ZONE. I belong 100 and 1% to our THREE FRIENDS (the blessed Trinity). Like Jesus said in today’s 1st devotional verse 30, “you have no part or portion in me.” “Pack your load and go in Jesus name.”

PRAYER POINTS: Take any song of worship as led now.

1. Pray about today’s word generally as led now.

2. Jehovah God, I surrender my life TOTALLY to You again 100%; have Your way and your way alone in my life in Jesus name 3. Jesus Christ said: Satan had NOTHING in Him. I declare today and decree further: Satan PACK EVERY LOAD AND NONSENSE from my life, family and ministry today in Jesus name.

4. Repent from any way in which you have given the devil an inch or any space in your life, family and ministry.

5. I decree: Concerning the following areas of my life, ONLY

THE GLORY OF GOD WILL BE SEEN. You demonic bat confronting my God for ownership of my life, pack your load and go in Jesus name (Now mention areas of your life where it seems that Satan wants to have control and pray seriously).

6. Pray about today seriously and any other issues(s) affecting your peace.

BASIC SCRIPTURES: John 14:25-31, Jeremiah 31: 11-14 “Impossible” belongs to fools!

The great Napoleon of France, one of the most successful war general that ever lived, once declared to his conquering troops: “IMPOSSIBLE” is a word found only in the dictionaries of fools. Reject it. “No wonder his exploits were nearly limitless! As the year 2015 ends, it does not matter how many of your prayer points of January have been answered or not! Between now and 11.59pm of December 31st, wonders can happen and they will happen concerning your life, family and ministry! Don’t lose faith!

Don’t quit trusting! Don’t lower your expectations!

There is a sound of the abundance of the RAIN OF LAUGHTER in your house! Yea, I can hear it! I hear angels singing again their awardwinning song: “THERE IS NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD” –Luke 1:37. Remember that most great inventions/breakthroughs in the world today, were considered impossible by men or were vehemently resisted! Beware of those who stand aloof and greet each venture with reproof. The world would stop if things were run by men who say, “It can’t be done.”

No wonder Oswald Sanders said, “Eyes that look are common. Eyes that see are rare.”

In fact, in 1899, a U.S engineer declared that, “Everything that can be invented has already been invented.” The telephone was later invented the following year! Then a government official wrote the following about the new telephone discovery: “The telephone has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication.” The world resisted him and the rest is history! What would have happened if the world believe that MM- “Mad Memo?” there would be no digital GSM worldwide today! Learn to develop the force of patience!

Ask those who built the great Pyramids of Egypt and they would secretly inform you that, if was by patience that the quarry became a pyramid. It was by patience that the great Coliseum of Rome was built! Never say, “NEVER” because with God all things are possible!

Yes, IMPOSSIBLE,” or “FAILED DESTINY” are from fools. I prophesy: “You will lend well and never as a failure because something great is about to happen.” Amen

Bishop John Ogbansiegbe 0803 341 6327 (SMS Only)

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he word of God declared as follows: “When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, our tongue with singing, then said they among the heathen, the Lord had done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad,” - Psalm 12:1-3.

The word captivity is suggestive of limitation and imprisonment. It is a state of being kept a prisoner, or being confined in a place. It means to be in a form of bondage. It means to be restrained. When a person is tied, subjected or subjugated by anything that is captivity. A loss of freedom or to anything is tantamount to captivity.

In view of this definition therefore, any ugly situation or discomfort standing against your progress is captivity.

There is spiritual captivity, there is also physical captiv-

ity. There is financial captivity, marital captivity, health captivity and captivity of the womb.

When you are facing and experiencing hardship and poverty despite your efforts to get out of it, that is a type of captivity. When you are experiencing persistent delay in conception, despite all medical solutions and therapy that is a type of captivity. When you have tried your best to pass a particular examination or interview without success that is a type of captivity.

Nobody is happy over any form of captivity. Captivity carries with it sorrow, pain, frustration, depression, agony and melancholy. The worst thing that can happen to anyone is to be in captivity without knowing the way out of it.

As you are reading this article, the Holy Ghost is telling you that there is a divine arrangement to get you out of that captivity. There are angelic machinaries set in motion to

get you out of that yoke. I prophesy to you now that, every captivity around you shall be turned to freedom and celebration in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Bible recorded thus: “or when the Lord turned against the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.” It was like a dream, because it was a divine surprise. They thought it will be a captivity of three to five years, but it lingered for seventy years. They prayed, fasted and waited, yet all to no avail. While they were praying King Nebuchadnezzar died, they rejoiced thinking that their salvation was at hand, but his son Belshazzar took over and said to them, “If my father whipped you with whip, I will whip you with scorpions.”

They lost every hope of freedom from their captivity. That was why, when the Lord turned against their captivity, it was a divine surprise. As you are reading this message, the Lord is releasing an anointing for total freedom upon you now in the name of Jesus. The Lord shall give you a divine surprise package. Your miracle shall locate you. Your miracle shall be like a dream in the name of Jesus.

Entrance of God’s ord is life (8) Just believe Pastor Joseph Folonusho

rlpm2007@yahoo.com

08020838591

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ntrance of God’s Word is Life (8) The servant of the LORD in Deuteronomy 6:24-25 says, “And the Lord commanded us to do all these Statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us.”

The good Lord can only preserve you in his spoken word, which is his faith released to you, when you have acted or believed the same faith.

The scripture says, this is your righteousness received.

Your response to the faith of God, the positive action you take when his word comes to you is the sacrifice of righteousness you have given.

Your labour in the Lord is your sacrifice, which is your belief. At this point, the righteousness of God is your righteousness.

Your belief in the faith of God draws, and makes the righteousness of the Lord your righteousness. You must be

Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe careful not to draw righteousness outside the faith of the Lord.

Remember that the faith of the Lord is forever settled in Christ Jesus.

He is the only faithful Son of God, because all have sinned and fell short of the standard of God except Christ, the Son of man.

The scripture says, in the last days, God the Father has spoken through his only son, Jesus Christ to the world.

We can only draw acceptable faith of the Lord from Christ Jesus. He is the only way, the only truth, and only life of the father of glory, the Jehovah of over creations.

Therefore, Christ is the faith of God to the world; and in this faith is the righteousness of God to those that believe.

Romans 3:22

“Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.”

Therefore, all faith outside Christ provide unworthy righteousness. Let not your belief be rooted in faith outside Christ. That is, your labour should not be outside the Lord’s faith.

In Isaiah 64:6, the scripture says: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

Rag means shame. Righteousness outside Christ’s faith brings shame.

Christ on the cross took shame from the lost. We the lost has returned as prodigal son to the father of the faithful Son. We cannot live again in the faith that draws righteousness liken to rags.

Our glorious garment is the righteousness we receive through our labor or action on the faith of Christ, the Son of God. In Job 29:14 the scripture says: “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.”

The righteousness in the faith of Christ would surely cloth you, and you will never be put to shame, unlike that of righteousness from the faith outside Christ.

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Faith

You must go spiritual to recover Hour of Deliverance Pastor Isaac Adelugba

08058023548

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he spiritual realm is as real as the physical environment. It is very superior to the physical environment.

Any evil or wrong things done there against an individual, the person must be earnestly go spiritual to prevent the manifestation physically. Just as physical theft and robbery are real, spiritual theft and robbery are more than real.

Before you read on this message, I want you to praise God with: Psalm 136:1-26 “136 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: Even an heritage unto Israel his

servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.”

Thief Satan has been called a thief. He and his demons are thieves that embark on physical and spiritual theft.

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”- John 10:10 There is nothing that they cannot steal. All that he and his agents do steal, the tokens of the entity they want to steal and destroy.

A lot of people are in a disadvantaged position because Satan is stealing from them in the dream. You need to close your eyes and pray the following prayer points.

Spiritual robbers from the kingdom of darkness assigned to be stealing from me in the dream, die by fire in the name of Jesus.

Angels of the Living God, search all over the world and recover for me all my stolen materials in the name of Jesus.

Satanic warehouse harbouring my stolen items, release them in the name of Jesus.

Gravity of grace Word of Life Bishop. Moses Kattey moseskattey@yahoo.co.uk

0808 770 7486

Introduction What determines the names people answer and the names given to their children? In one African country, I was preaching in a very large congregation and asked those whose names is Grace to indicate. To my greatest surprise, I saw one retired civil servant of almost 70 years old or thereabout and a boy of about seven years of age. Not a lady or a girl is called Grace in the whole congregation. About three ladies bear the name Mercy. Why? Could it be that Christians are ignorant of the gravity, the seriousness or the power and efficacy of the word Grace? I remember when I was a university student in the late 70s. I was in a vehicle going to attend student Christian Movement Conference. We chattered a Luxurious bus and on the way somebody shouted “Praise God, Praise God” and a boy answered. I did not know that someone

could answer Praise God. I was thrilled and resolved that my first child (boy or girl) would be called Praise God. I was not married at that time. Later when I married I called my first child, a baby girl, Praise God, I was happy that each time a person called her name, consciously or unconsciously, God is Praised!

I lost that girl after one year and I vowed that PRAISE GOD will never vanish from my house. The next child, a boy, was named PRAISE GOD. I had reasons for giving names to my children.

In one counseling session I asked a lady why she was answering Mercy. She was suffering so much that her name did not match her experiences. I was surprised when she told me that her parents had about four children who died as children and they had none again. The parents went to a spiritualist (native doctor) who predicted that the parents would have

another child. That happened to be this Mercy for her parents told the native doctor that the evil spirit should have Mercy on the family. The Mercy she was called was a prayer to evil spirit to have mercy on the family, not Mercy of God. These series of article is an attempt to examine the meaning of Grace, its GRAVITY or seriousness, the POWER of Grace and its efficacy, that is, whether GRACE itself has power and ability to achieve the purpose for which our Heavenly Father “created” or design it.

Why grace?

It is not very logical to discuss GRACE without examining MERCY. The proper title of this book/series should be GRAVITY & EFFICACY of MERCY AND GRACE. Mercy has been discussed in the series Aggressive Forgiveness. You may wish to refer to that book. However, to recap, mercies were designed to enable man not to receive the just punishment from God or a deity, or even an enemy. Mercy prevents us from having the desired punishment we deserve, while GRACE enables us to receive the favour and blessings we do not deserve in anyway.

MERCY FORGIVES AND REINSTATES AND GRACE PROMOTES THE UNDESERVED.

The Voice of Dominion

Bishop David Oyedepo E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

7747546-8 (SMS only)

Accessing the realms of next levels

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elcome to 2016, our year of From Glory To Glory!

Beginning from this month, God will be changing your levels supernaturally, from glory to glory, all through this year in the name of Jesus Christ!

As we begin this glorious month, I want us to know that every redeemed child of God is ordained for Next levels supernatural. Next Levels, in this context, connotes unending progress and advancement in every aspect of our lives.

As it is written: But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).

What this implies is that we are not permitted to have a better last year, month or yesterday. In other words, our journey in life is ordained to go “from glory to glory” all the days of our lives.

Let’s examine three scriptures that validate this truth: •The Bible says: Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (Matthew 11:11).

From the above scripture, we understand that of all born of women, which includes all the Old Testament saints, there is none greater than John the Baptist. Then the Bible says: notwithstanding, he (Redeemed child of God) that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (John the Baptist). That means, we as children of God carry greater potentials than all the Old Testament saints, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Daniel, Joseph, and other Kingdom giants in scriptures. As such, we are ordained to be greater than them. Therefore, we are destined for unending progress and there is no limit to the impact we are ordained to generate on earth.

•The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here (Matthew 12:42).

Jesus speaking in the above scripture said that though the whole earth came to listen to the Wisdom of Solomon, His own (Jesus’) wisdom is greater. In another account, Jesus said, “As My Father has sent Me, so send I you.” This means that inside every believer lies the redemptive capacity to operate in the realm of a “greater than Solomon” (John 17:18; 20:21).

•Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my

Father (John 14:12).

Every redeemed child of God is destined for greater works than Jesus ever did. That means we are ordained to produce greater exploits after the order of Christ; the kind that would keep speaking long after we are no longer here on earth, if Christ tarries.

However, though “next levels” is the heritage of the redeemed, it is not accessible by wishing.

Therefore, how do we access our realm of next levels?

•Redemption: This is our guaranteed access into realms of unending progress, because only the “just” is ordained to supernatural advancement on every side (Proverbs 4:18).

•Revelation of the Word: Putting God’s Word to work engenders our access to next levels.

However, until we picture unending progress in our mind’s eye as our portion, we cannot access or manifest same. Remember, no one ever arrives at a future he cannot see (Genesis 13:14-15; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Isaiah 60:1-3, 8, 22).

•Obedience of Faith: When we are committed to obeying every of God’s commandment, we commit Him to keep changing our levels from glory to glory.

For instance, obedience was the stronghold of Abraham’s faith.

We understand from scriptures that every instruction God gave to him was executed with timely, delightsome and stress-free obedience. No wonder he was changing levels supernaturally (Genesis 12:1-4; 17: 1-14, 24; 22:1-3; Philippians 2:8-9; Deuteronomy 28:1). Therefore, we need grace for timely and delightsome obedience for every instruction given to us by God or His ordained prophets, in order for us to keep changing levels all through the year.

•Tireless Stewardship: Tireless and productive commitment to Kingdom stewardship is another platform that will engender our continuous advancement in this New Year. “Kingdom stewardship” here implies serving God and the interest of His Kingdom.

When we do so, God empowers the giants in us to come alive.

Remember, no one rises higher in life than the quality of Kingdom stewardship he/she engages in. Again, we understand from scriptures that serving God and the interest of His Kingdom is a covenant platform that launches us into the realm of next levels.

For instance, in the parable of the talents in scriptures, the servants traded with their “pound”, returned with results and they experienced change of levels. Similarly, when we engage in spiritual stewardship, our enlargement, advancement and change of levels is guaranteed (Luke 19:13-19; Matthew 6: 33).

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Voxpop

Is it wrong for a woman to initiate sex?

•CHIGOZIE EVA ex in marriage is ideal. So if a woman should initiate sex in her marriage, it is not a bad thing, it strengthens the relationship. Most times, the man does not know what the woman wants but the woman initiating sex helps the man to know when the woman wants to have sex. It goes a long way in bringing both the man and the woman together and it increases communication which is good for the marriage.

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•MR ANTHONY n African context, a woman initiating sex is regarded as a taboo. It is believed that a woman who begs for sex is regarded as a loose woman or a commercial sex worker.

Such behaviour is only allowed when such woman is married.

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•MRS AGATHA t is not wrong because a normal relationship ordained by GOD in marriage, sex is approved. It is only proper that any of the parties can initiate sex. There is nothing embarrassing in a woman requesting for sex. Sometimes we have culture barriers that put women in the position where they think that initiating sex is out of place.

There is nothing wrong in a woman initiating sex.

•KELECHI OJE here is nothing wrong if a woman decides to make the first move or initiate sex. In fact, some men prefer their women to make the move first or just give a sign that she needs her man.

There is nothing wrong for a woman to initiate sex. Most men actually do not know when their wives are in the mood for sex; and it hurts when the man makes the move and the woman turns him down.

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•IGBOKWE UCHECHI t is not wrong for a woman to initiate sex because, most times, it is the man who asks for it. A gentleman might not want his lady to think he is all about the sex. So, he will not always ask for it and most men have a fear of rejection. So if a woman wants it, she should ask for it.

•OLUFEMI SEGUN o me, it is not wrong because sex is a mutual thing between the husband and wife. In a case where the husband is not in the mood for sex and the woman is, I see no reason why she should not ask her husband for it.

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•ROBINSON PATRICK OLU

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s a student of religion and ethics in the society, the question can be answered with a yes and a no. I say yes because in a Nigerian society, premarital sex is seen as a taboo but not exactly as in the days of our parents. So if a lady should initiate sex, it would be seen as lack of self esteem because we Africans attach so much to sex. I could also say no that.

It is not wrong for a woman to initiate sex because sex is a two way thing. It involves the mutual consent of the partners: male and female. It is therefore not wrong for a woman to initiate sex because she as a woman feels the urge and it has to be attended to.

•AGATHA NKECHI NDUKWE am of the opinion that it is not wrong for a woman to initiate sex in as much as the partner here id her husband. A man could see it as boring when he is the only one initiating it all the time and may look like a chore. So I think it is good for a woman to initiate the sex once in a while.

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•PRECIOUS CHUKWULOBE think it is wrong for a woman to initiate because as a woman, you should not allow yourself to become cheap unless you are a prostitute. If you are not one, then you should control yourself even if you want it so bad.

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•ANN NWABUEZE othing is wrong if a woman initiates sex considering the century we are in. Sometimes you just need to step up as a woman because most times if you sit around and wait for a man to do certain things, you find out that you are wasting time or it takes longer than its suppose to take. If saying what you want gets you what you want, I think it is perfect you do it.

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•JIMAIMA t is not wrong because if it is what you want I see no reason why you should not go ahead. It does not really matter who starts it as long as you both want it.

Most people might say it is wrong just to tag women who do it as whores but I sincerely see no reasons why a lady cannot initiate sex.

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•ANDERSON AKPAN t is not wrong for a woman to initiate sex because every individual whether male or female has a sex drive or urge to have sex. Sometimes, the woman’s urge becomes very strong and she wants to have sex. At a time like that, she can initiate sex. There is usually a peak period when the urge for sex is very high.

Some women experience it when they are pregnant while others experience it after their period. When she initiates sex at this period, she is only responding to the call of nature. So, nobody should see it as the prerogative of the male race to initiate sex.

•PASTOR SAMUEL ADENIYI do not think it is wrong but the woman has to be married. It could be in form of signs or gestures but there is nothing wrong with a married woman initiating sex with her husband.

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•RUTH CHIMENEM think it is wrong for a woman to initiate sex because if a girl tries to start sex with a guy, she will be seen as a loose person with no respect and regards for herself. A girl is meant to control her sexual urge no matter how much she wants to have sex.

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•MR HENRY think a lady can initiate sex because she has the same sex appeal as a guy.

So there is no law that bounds her from initiating sex.

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Compiled by Nwokedinma joiy

SundayBusiness 47

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

News

2016 Budget: How Buhari plans to stimulate economy

p.48

Everyday Business Youths partner Lagos on safety, security p.50

Interview

Nigeria-China cooperation is developing steadily, Consul General p.49

PAUL OGBUOKIRI HEAD, BUSINESS paulogbuokiri@newtelegraph online.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Government must build roads before collecting tolls –Experts According a former Minister of works in the Jonathan administration, Mr. Mike Onolememen, Nigeria is the only country in the whole world without a proper arrangement where both the government and the private sector participate in the management of road infrastructure. But PAUL OGBUOKIRI reports that Nigeria had never been comfortable with past attempts at tolling the roads because of their deplorable state

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inister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said recently in Abuja that the Federal Government will reintroduce toll gates so that revenue can generated and channelled towards sustaining and maintaining quality federal roads.

He assured that the revenue generated will be properly accounted for and judiciously used to improve the standard of the federal highways.

However, reacting to the news, stakeholders in the building and construction industry say government must first provide good road infrastructure before tolling them.

They said in separate interviews with the Sunday Telegraph that if the tollgates are reintroduced in the present deplorable state of the federal roads, government would have to contend with social upheaval that would arise from public rejection of the tollgates.

They said that the resistance put up by the communities on the Lekki-Epe axis against the introduction of tollgates on the LekkiEpe Expressway, is a pointer to how people can frustrate the toll policy if their welfare is not taken care of first.

According to the Managing Director, M.I. Okoro and Associates, Dr M.I. Okoro, the proposed road tax by the Federal Government will definitely provide the funds needed for the construction and maintenance of federal highways: “If there is no corruption. But for the tolling to commence successfully, the roads must be upgraded, so that the road users will see what they are paying for.”

He stated that even if government borrows the money to rehabilitate the roads: “It will be able to recoup such money in a very short time. On the other hand, where it does not have the money it can call in investors who will finance the projects and then collect tolls to recoup his investment.

That is the way to go.”

Speaking further he said that erecting toll gates on deplorable roads is an invitation to anarchy because people will resist. “What you had on Lekki-Epe road will be a child’s play,” he pointed out.

Managing Director and Executive Director Julius Berger Plc, Mr. Lubasch Detlev said the plan to introduce tolls on the federal highways is the best thing to ensure construction and maintenance of quality roads to global standards. He said there is no modern country in the world today where only the government funds its road infrastructure alone.

He further said that there must not be policy summersault for the policy to succeed.

Meanwhile, Sunday Telegraph learnt that a number of countries, including Ghana, are succeeding with road management arrangements. It was disclosed that in Ghana, willing contractors fund road projects and

Lekki-Epe expressway toll gate

over time government pays them back.

Sunday Telegraph further learnt that other ways of initiating good management of roads are the private finance initiatives and of course the Public Private Participation model, which was the initial arrangement Lagos State Government, had with the Lekki Concession Company.

Speaking also on the need for the Federal Government to develop the road infrastructure before toll collection, Real Estate Consultant and Managing Director of Cornerpiece Properties, Mr. Chima Iwuagwu said there is cause to worry if Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola intends to take the example of the controversial Lekki-Epe Expressway to the federal highways.

The Lagos Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in a communiqué issued last week from its 2015 end-of-year Congress, called on the Federal Government to repair roads across the country before reintroducing the toll gates.

The communiqué, which was signed by the chairman of the council, Mr. Deji Elumoye, asked for major repair of federal roads across the country in the interest of the citizenry, before the planned re-introduction of toll gates on highways in the country by the Federal Government.

In a recent call on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, reintroduce toll gates on the nation’s highways, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki said: “…It is clear that government alone cannot fund road construction. It is therefore important to reintroduce toll gates along major highways in the country...”

He further urged the Federal Government to commence immediate rehabilitation of the federal highways across the country.

Before the Obasanjo administration removed the toll gates on the federal highways, the toll gates were initially manned by officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, later private firms were used to collect the tolls. In all, however,

Fashola

allegations of fraud and poor remittances to the coffers of government were rife.

It was also alleged that the toll gates were given out as political patronage by the government in power for its loyal party men, friends and associates.

Despite the fact that motorists were paying millions of naira daily as tolls on the roads, the federal highways were becoming deplorable, without any attempt to rehabilitate them.

The private toll collecting firms, the ticket officials at the tollgates and officials at the Federal Ministry of Works were smiling to their banks, thus, by the time the gates were pulled down, it was welcomed by Nigerians.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 48

48

BUSINESS/NEWS

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Paul Ogbuokiri he highpoint of President Muohammadu Buhari’s budget speech on Tuesday was his assurance to local and international investors and businessmen that despite the negative impact of the global economic uncertainties and pressure on the economy in recent times, Nigeria was still open for business.

The President announced that his government plans to spend N6.08 trillion in 2016 with a revenue projection of N3.86 trillion.

He said the budget seeks to stimulate the economy, making it more competitive by focusing on infrastructural development; delivering inclusive growth; and prioritizing the welfare of Nigerians.

“We believe that this budget, while helping industry, commerce and investment to pick up, will as

SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

2016 Budget: How Buhari plans to stimulate economy a matter of urgency, address the immediate problems of youth unemployment and the terrible living conditions of the extremely poor and vulnerable Nigerians,” Buhari said.

According to him, 500,000 unemployed graduates will be employed as teachers by the Federal Government. This is even as N300 billion was earmarked in the budget for such expenses captured under ‘Special Intervention Programme’.

A breakdown of the budget shows how government intends to pay the N5, 000 sti-

pends to the ‘extremely poor’ as well as feeding for school children promised by the Buhari in his budget speech to the joint session of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

President Buhari said that, “… through the office of the Vice President, we are working with various development partners to design an implementable and transparent conditional cash transfer programme for the poorest and most vulnerable. This programme will be implemented in phases. Already, the compi-

lation of registers of the poorest persons is ongoing. In the coming weeks, we will present the full programme, which will include our home-grown public primary school feeding and free education for science, technology and education students in our tertiary institutions…”

Meanwhile, results of trading on the floor of Nigerian stock exchange on Wednesday indicate the President’s budget speech may have fresh life into the Nigerian economy as the barometers of equities listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange

L-R: Chairman, ATON, Gbemi Oyeneyin; Deputy Commissioner of Police, DC Abiodun Odude; PRO, ATON, Eno Essien; Vice Chairman ATON, Air Commodore Pat Udabor (rtd); and Deputy Comptroller Customs, DC T. O Fawole; at the official launch and stakeholders conference of Association of Telematics Operators of Nigeria at Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers, which held recently

Weak naira will boost exports, say experts

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Chijioke Iremeka conomists and financial analysts across the world say Nigeria’s low Naira will boost her export, which in turn will hasten recovery for the her economy. They added that Nigeria’s economic recovery would still be delayed till late 2016.

According to the Associate Managing Director, Financial Institutions Group for Moody’s, Jean-Francois Tremblay, low naira would help, saying that would at the long run foster Nigeria’s economic recovery towards the end of 2016, when the situation is expected to stabilise.

He said, “We have to keep in mind that Nigeria does not have the luxury that some oil producing countries in the gulf region have, by having huge funds that they have accumulated over the years that they can use and keep up spending to sustain the economy.

Nigeria has, obviously, modest resources and has no reverse to speak of and therefore, they opted to use currency devaluation as a leeway to manage the situation.

“While it does that to effectively protect its own fiscal position and

credit worthiness, of course, tradeoffs, who found themselves on the wrong side would critically criticise the situation. In this case, with the depreciation of the naira, high inflation rates and interest rate are kept very high to contain further rising inflation and household consumption has been highly affected,” he said.

He noted that the Nigerian economy is in a tough spot right now as a result of the low oil price environment, saying that its general impact affects the economy and the banks. “This rises from the policies that the government is putting in place to deal with the situation. What I have in mind, particularly, is the devaluation of naira and investors no longer have confidence in the economy as they delay investment in country.

“The consumption is low and the country intends to spend less, contributing to neutral force dimension, and resulting to low economy growth, low long-term growth and that of the banks. So, for

the time being, the banks will still go through a rough path but in the long return, towards the end of the 2016, the situation would stabilise.

Again, I think that low naira would deeply help export at the long run and contribute to recovery,” Tremblay said.

According to CIA World Fact Book, Nigeria ranked 23rd largest economy in the world in terms of nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the 22nd largest in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), it further indicated that the country was previously hindered by years of mismanagement, but economic reforms of the past decade have put Nigeria back on track towards achieving its full economic potential.

The report reads: “Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa; its re-emergent, though currently under performing, manufacturing sector is the third-largest on the continent, and produces a large proportion of goods and services for the West Africa sub-region.

Nigeria recently changed its

economic analysis to account for rapidly growing contributors to its GDP, such as telecommunications, banking, and its film industry.

“Nigerian GDP at PPP has almost tripled from $170 billion in 2000 to $451 billion in 2012, although estimates of the size of the informal sector, which is not included in official figures, put the actual numbers closer to $630 billion.

The GDP per capita doubled from $1400 per person in 2000 to an estimated $2,800 per person in 2012 with the inclusion of the informal sector.

It is estimated that GDP per capita hovers around $3,900 per person.

“In 2006, Nigeria successfully convinced the Paris Club to let it buy back the bulk of its debts owed to the Paris Club for a cash payment of roughly $12 billion. According to a Citigroup report, Nigeria will get the highest average GDP growth in the world between 2010 and 2050. Nigeria is one of two countries from Africa among Global Growth Generators countries.

(NSE) appreciated further on the presentation of the 2016 budget

by President Buhari.

The duo indicators show additional 0.71 per cent to market capitalisation and All Share Index.

The market, which has been trending downward for over eight months that dragged equities return to negative of 22.33 per cent year to date, added N131 billion in the last two trading days.

At the end on Wednesday treading market capitalisation which resumed at N9.189 trillion closed slightly higher at N9.255 trillion.

The All Share Index also grew by 189.58 points on Tuesday to close at 26,918.22 points from 26,728.64 basis points it opened.

However, it had been forecasted that growth of the Nigerian economy will ease to 3.2 per cent this year, the slowest pace since 1999, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists. But the government expects it to accelerate to 4.37 per cent in 2016.

Similarly, the International Monetary Fund forecasts the growth rate in 2016 to slow to 4 per cent, down from 6.3 per cent last year.

Other highpoints of the budget is the capital expenditure, which unlike the current spending on public sector salaries and pensions, will more than triple to N1.8 trillion, meaning its proportion of the budget will rise to 30 per cent from about 15 per cent this year.

In reaction to this, Razia Khan, London-based head of Africa research at Standard Chartered Plc, said: “It is a big improvement from what we’ve seen in recent times.”

Surprisingly, however, the budget is based on a crude oil benchmark price of $38 per barrel, two dollars below the current price of $36 a barrel. Government also hopes to achieve a production target of 2.2 million barrels per day in 2016.

Deficit will be financed by a combination of domestic borrowing of N984 billion, and foreign borrowing of N900 billion totalling N1.84 trillion.

“They are borrowing much more than in the past and are going to carry a bigger debt burden,” said Ayo Teriba, Chief Executive Officer of Economic Associates, an advisory firm based in Lagos.

“I would have sought alternatives to fund the budget, such as opening up to foreign investors,” said Teriba, he said on telephone to Sunday Telegraph.

While the budget targets N3.86 trillion revenue in 2016 and projected N2.22 trillion deficits (equivalent to 2.16 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP).

Almost N1.4 trillion will be spent on debt service. That’s more than threefold the N370 billion set aside for education and six times the expenditure on health of N222 billion.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

Interview It is a known fact that China is a leading economy in the world, in fact the second largest economy in the world after the United States of America; do you see development in China dictating direction of things in the economies of Africa and Nigeria in particular?

The moderate growth the Chinese economy has recorded in recent years is deliberately being made to impact positively on Africa and Nigeria through the China-Africa Cooperation. This is aimed to position Africa to rise economically.

Meanwhile, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership. The relationship is based on the principles of political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchanges and mutual learning.

So if you closely study the entire China Africa relationship or in particular the China-Nigeria relationship, you will find out that it is mutually beneficial. China is bringing in the needed technology and investment to develop Africa and in turn takes home raw materials from Africa to feed her growing industrial needs.

Nigeria-China cooperation is developing steadily, Consul General Mr. Liu Kan is the People’s Republic of China’s Consul General to Nigeria. In this interview with PAUL OGBUOKIRI and STANLEY IHEDIGBO, he says Nigeria-China cooperation is developing steadily and that cultural industry cooperation is also attracting more and more attention. Excerpts China-Nigeria Cooperation in all fields is developing steadily, and cultural industry cooperation is also attracting more and more attention. I believe, as an important part of cultural industry, film industry will be a new area of cooperation we can develop.

As you are emphasizing on culture, what can Nigerians learn from Chinese culture?

China and Nigeria are both countries with long history and splendid culture. In fact, there are many similarities between these two cultures, such as attaching great importance to education and emphasizing family interdependence, family affection and friendship. Both Nigerian people and Chinese people are kind and peace-loving.

People from the two countries can learn a lot from each other, which would help achieve common development.

China floods Nigeria with manufactured goods, what does she take from Nigeria in return? Don’t you think the relationship between both countries is skewed in of favour China?

It is not true that China takes nothing in return from Nigeria in terms of trade.

Until recently when we were overtaken

by India, we were the highest importer of Nigerian oil. In fact we continue to compete with India for the first position since United States stopped buying Nigeria’s oil.

So our relationship is mutually beneficial economically and it is growing.

The film industry is one of the sectors that contribute to the growth of China. What is the value of the film industry in China?

In the past 12 years, Chinese film industry revenue has grown 40 times from one billion RMB in 2003, which translates to N25 billion in Nigeria money, to over 40 billion RMB , (about N1 trillion).

The number of cinemas in China grew from 1140 in 2003 to over 6200 in 2005, and over 700 million Chinese people watched films in 2003 while the number has reached 1.14 billion in 2015. Comparing with the past, Chinese made films have been improved quite a lot in both quantity and quality, some of the films have reached international level. I can tell you that the development of Chinese film industry is taking on good tendency in general.

Looking at the language differences between Nigerian and China, is there any possibility of cooperation between both countries in the film industry?

First of all, I believe cooperation between China and Nigeria has broad prospects.

China has developed rapidly in the past years. Similarly, Nigeria has also developed tremendously in recent years. Especially, the film industry in Nigeria has huge potentials considering her over 170 million population. Over the past 20 years, the Nigerian film industry has witnessed a rapid growth; the well known Nollywood now produces over 2000 films a year which is remarkable in global film market. Also, the Nigerian film industry has formed a unique development mode, most of Nollywood films are low-budget with costs between $15,000 to $30,000, and marketing through DVD sales and online promotion.

So the sector is a peculiar area China has deep interest in.

Chinese films are popular in Nigeria.

In recent years, many Chinese films and TV series are imported by Nigeria and translated into the local languages; they are warmly welcomed by local people and have accumulated a lot of fans in Nigeria.

As you know that cultural attraction is mutual, Chinese people have also become more interested in Nigerian films. Before we got our knowledge of Africa from Hol-

In which sectors are Chinese investing in Nigeria and how is it going to help in the drive of the Buhari administration to diversify the economy?

It is worthy to note that, economic development has been the first priority in China, whose purpose focuses on the people’s needs. People oriented development however, does not deny the importance of economic development and GDP growth, but that should satisfy the people’s material and cultural need and guarantee man’s allround development, which is the ultimate goal of development in China.

Kan lywood films, now we are looking forward to watching more films made in Africa such as Nollywood films. Our Consulate is working with Chinese related institutes to promote Nigerian films.

Which other sector of the Nigerian economy is China deeply interested in?

As you are aware China is heavily into the construction industry in Nigeria. We are involved in the construction of roads and the rehabilitation of your rail tracks.

We are moving in strongly into agriculture and solid mineral mining and oil and gas exploration. Chinese businessmen are engaged in one form of manufacturing activity or the other all over Nigeria, from electronics to automobiles and so on. Some of Chinese automobile companies have already taken advantage of Nigeria’s new automotive policy and have started to assemble vehicles in country. It is a growing partnership and because of the confidence China has in the future of Nigeria, Chinese investors are encouraged to invest in Nigeria.

It is believed that over 90 per cent of fake and counterfeit products in Nigeria can be traced to China and India. Are you not worried by this development?

I don’t know about the number of fake goods in Nigeria that can be traced to China, but the truth is that the Government of People’s Republic of China is against

faking and production of counterfeit products and will continue to collaborate with Nigeria to eliminate it. I think it is the handiwork of unscrupulous businessmen on both sides, but adequate collaborative efforts by both countries can put a stop to it.

The leader of China, President Xi Jinping participated in the recent 6th forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Johannesburg, South Africa. At that forum, he made pledges to Africa; what would Nigeria as a nation expect from that forum?

During the forum, President Xi Jinping said China will broaden and deepen the all -round cooperation between China and Africa. China-Africa Cooperation should not only be driven by economic and trade relations but also by cultural exchanges.

China is practically over-running Nigeria.

They are everywhere, including retail markets even to the point of being gate men in companies owned by Chinese businessmen in Nigeria. Is this a deliberate policy by your country to displace the West in Nigeria and Africa in general?

There is no policy to overrun the Nigerian economy. We insist that any Chinese citizen coming into Nigeria must have legitimate business to transact in the country and must obey Nigeria’s immigration laws, with regard to entry and taking up residency either for business or as a worker.

Again we advise our citizens to study Nigeria laws before making their business decisions to invest in the country. So, any of our citizens in Nigeria who goes against the law of the land, knows that when the long arm of the law catches up with him, he will face the music. As China wants its citizens and foreigners alike to obey its laws, so also Nigeria wants its own laws to be obeyed.

It is only an irresponsible nation or rouge nation that will send its citizens to go to other countries and flout their laws.

Government must build roads before collecting tolls–Experts CO N T I N U E D F R O M PAG E 47

There were no fewer than five tollgates from Onitsha Bridge Head to Lagos.

Other initiatives that had been introduced by past administrations for construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of federal highways, include the concession of the strategic Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to BiCourteny to reconstruct the 135 kilometre road at the cost of N86.5 billion and was to

run for 25 years.

Also the proposed second Niger Bridge, the gateway to the old eastern region was awarded to Julius Berger for construction on PPP arrangement at the cost of N117 billion. The Federal Government was to contribute 30 per cent of the project cost which will contribute the rest and recoup its money through tolls on the bridge for 25 years.

SUNDAY

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EverydayBusiness SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

MOMTAN lauds LASG over support for auto technicians

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otor mechanics and Technicians Association of Nigeria (MOMTAN), Agidingbi Branch has commended the Lagos State Government for empowering its members through training and other activities.

Speaking with Sunday Telegraph, at the end of the organisation’s end of year party, the branch Chairman, Engr. Oladele Oshopitan, said that the government has trained and empowered members of his association.

In his words: “All is well with the group and the state government, particular under the leadership of the governor, Mr. Ambode Akinwunmi, who has shown us kindness and love, and he is ever ready to support the artisans and technicians in the state.

“We want other states government to give good recognition to artisans in the country because they contribute to the development of the nation. All over Nigeria, car owners hardly get affordable services from the big automobile companies. I can tell you that we are the ones keeping Nigeria moving and with that we believe that we need to be recognised as stakeholders in the development of the country,” he said.

“Our association is growing higher every day and we thank God. Also, people are recognising our work and for me that is an achievement because when you are working, people are able to know what you are doing. If our clients bring work to us, we do it very well to their satisfaction without complaining, and it is a thing of joy for us as a group,” he added.

Yard Chairman of the Association, Engr.

Isiaka Balogun, said that God has shown them His love and mercies. He noted that as a group, they always come together every year to say thank you to God and share

Youths partner Lagos on safety, security

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Stanley Ihedigbo

limosho Youth Development Association of Nigeria (AYDAN) said it is partnering with the Lagos Government,the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and other agencies in the state to sensitize the residents on safety and security.

Speaking with Sunday Telegraph at Ikotun Market, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernment Relations of Lagos State, Dr. Mrs. Sodehinde Ibironke, said the partnership with the group was aimed at boosting the sensitization and public enlightenment of every community in the state, pointing to fire outbreaks for instance.

She said the frequent fire outbreaks in the state are alarming and it has become necessary to sensitize the people so that they know what to do when there is fire a outbreak and how to prevent it.

“Prevention is better than cure and with the state fire service together with the safety commission in the state, FRSC and the youths, we will be able to let people know how to prevent fire outbreaks and what to do when it happens.

On the role of the FRSC in the campaign, she said: “They are with us because when there is a fire incident, everything is at a stand still, which would reduce vehicular movement and that in turn affects people that may be trying to get to hospitals. At the end of the day life is lost in transit because they will not be able to have access to the service delivery they needed at that particular time. So that why we need the FRSC with us,” he said.

President of Alimosho Youth Development Association of Nigeria (AYDAN), Mr. Ogungbade Olawale Lateef, said: ”We are actually embarking on Alimosho safety and security awareness campaign, we know that during this

dry season, a lot of negligence from the people can cause havoc, that is why we partnered with Lagos State government Safety Commission, Federal Road Safety Commission and other agencies that is saddled with responsibility of safety, to sensitizes the people of Alimosho on safety and security of life.

“This is the right time for the campaign because a little mistake by somebody will wreck havoc and it is better to let the people know about how to prevent fire outbreak, so that they can avoid it.”

In his remarks, the Director of Lagos State Fire Services, Mr. Rasak Fadipe, said: “What we are doing today is sensitization and public enlightenment as par what is expected of us this season.

We are in harmattan season and fire outbreaks are always on the increase during this season. I thus want people to begin to be fire safety conscious and this will go a long way in preventing fire outbreaks in the state.

Physically challenged want policy on access to public buildings Paul Johnson

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entre for Public Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), a non-making profit, has called on the Federal Government to come up with a policy on planning of public buildings for easy access by the physically challenged, (other known as People With Disabilities) in Nigeria.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos recently, Chief Executive Officer of the Group, Mr. David Anyaele, said most of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies surveyed had no policy instrument in place to guide service provision to people with disability, adding that most public buildings were constructed without PWD in view.

He lamented that people with disabilities are prevented from enjoying some basic rights because of their conditions of physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments.

According to him, the data provided by the national population and housing census (2006) indicates that PWDs constitute 2.3 per cent of the total population of Nigeria.

The proportion of PWDs, who were 18 years and above at the time of the census was estimated at 61 per cent of the PWD population; and of the total figure, 53 per cent were male while 47 per cent were female.

“Majority of public buildings and offices in the country are lacking basic infrastructural facilities like elevators, cramps and maps, that provide access to all people with disabilities,” he said.

L-R: Vice Chairman, NEPAD Business Group Nigeria (NBGN), Chief Victor Oyolu; Chairman, NBGN, Chief Nike Akande; immediate past chairman, NBGN, Chief Chris Ezeh and Vice Chairman, NBGN, Chief (Mrs.) Eniola Fadayomi at the Annual General Meeting of the group, which held recently

Traders decry low patronage at Yuletide S ome traders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed disappointment over low patronage during the Yuletide season, attributing it to cash crunch in the economy.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited some of the Christmas `sales’ shops on Thursday, reports that the turnout of buyers was unimpressive.

Miss Faith Kolawole, a sales girl, said that since December 9, when the `sales’ started, patronage from buyers has not been encouraging.

She said that people would come, price and go without buying, adding that the `bad’ economy was affecting their business.

Mr Pius Ezenibe, one of the traders, said that he made more sales last year than this year.

Ezenibe noted that since many workers had yet to be paid salaries, the situ-

ation was also affecting businesses. ``I do not think I will be here much longer because business is very dull. ``I had expected that with the slash in prices more customers would buy; but that has not been the case,’’ he said.

Reacting to the complaints of the traders, Mrs Obiageli Achi, one of the buyers, said she observed that the sales were not real. ``I can’t see any sales going on here; the prices they are selling is still the same in the market; some goods here are even more expensive than in the market. ``For instance, I wanted to buy baby shoes I was told N4,500 while in the market the same kind of shoes go for N3,500; so, for me I can’t see any sales going on here.’’

Similarly, Miss Juliet Asemota, another buyer, said that the price variation was not significant.

According to her, the prices of goods on `sales’ platform need to be slashed to half of the initial price, in order to attract more buyers.

Mrs Nancy Davis observed that in Nigeria, the prices of most goods said to be `on sale’ were not attractive, adding that those that were half the original price, either had a defect or were not good enough. ``At this time of the year in countries like U.S. and UK, massive sales are going on and you get quality things even top designer wears at 50 per cent off or more. ``In Nigeria when there are sales, you wonder how much was the initial price before the sales because the prices are still on the high side. ``Those that are relatively cheap may have one defect or the other due to prolonged stay in the shop,’’ Mrs Davis said.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

Business News

Patients’ right to know (3) Clinical Consultant pharmacist

EMMANUEL A.NWANKWO agmerendis@yahoo.com

08148877648 (SMS only) 20) Patient have the right not to be intimidated by the medical and pharmaceutical world around them, patients should be empowered to speak out; 21) Every patient has the right to know that he/she is important for the Health care Team to thrive / progress Patients have the right to be encouraged to take an active role in staying or getting healthy; by telling those what things they need to do to stay healthy and proactive.

Examples of medical advice are No smoking, No drinking Alcohol (watch your alcohol intake), Must exercise, Avoid too much salt and sugar, Eat a lot of vegetable and fruits, Drink a lot of water, Avoid bad habits, the need to stay healthy and Patient must take part in his/ her treatment decisions. Parents, family members and guardian and

We Nigerians should be very well informed about our health and wellbeing because Medicine will not be of any use if the patients do not understand in their own plain language what, when, how, if and why it is necessary

those that you choose can speak for you if you cannot make your own decision.

THE AIM OF PATIENTS RIGHT TO KNOW IS TO ACHIEVE ZERO TREATMENT ERROR FOR PATIENTS 1.Safety (safe) of treatment and medication 2) Accurate (Accuracy in diagnose and accurate treatment Availability: Quality health care is available when and if needed; 3)Quality of care (get good quality treatment); 4) Time bound (when it is needed) 5) Treat patients as you treat yourself 6) Increased communication, awareness and sensitivity. The more we asks questions the more we know what is going on around us; 7) Service and professionalism:

Good patient care is what patients desire and deserve.

8) Creating a Healthier, happy and productive citizens; 9) Maintain highest level of patients care in all the above shows professionalism because room for error in treatment should be zero.

Patients have to be part of the solution.

Care givers must know that it is okay for patient to ask questions. It is very important that Health care providers to listen to the patients because patients go to them out of fear and Hope.

The fear is that something is wrong with them, but hope that it will set right by the care givers, creating a better patient outcome and that makes everybody is happy.

We Nigerians should be very well informed about our health and wellbeing because Medicine will not be of any use if the patients do not understand in their own plain language what, when, how, if and why it is necessary.

It is not possible in this article to list all of patient right to know, however this is just a start of this awareness series to the public and the patient’s right to know.

My counsel (questions and answers) Success Nuggets Victor Okwudiri 08037674300 (SMS only)

QUESTION: Hello, what do I do when I feel that I’ve tried my best in terms of academics but its not my best? Also what do I do when another person who took 1st and I took 6th feels that he’s the best and he feels that he is far better than me and starts insulting me and being so rude because I want to overtake him and he is getting stronger and stronger?

Ally (Lagos, Nigeria) MY RESPONSE: As regards your fist question, I’d like to start by stating here that it is good you are ambitious about your studies. Please keep it up. Now, to the point.

Your question shows that you know that what you call your best is not actually YOUR best, and certainly is not THE best.

Please take note of the emphasis in the phrase ‘YOUR best’ and ‘THE best’. The difference is that what is your best might not be the best obtainable in the world. So, even if you attain what you think is YOUR best, there are still heights to attain, which some (if not many) others have attained.

In this case, however, as you have sincerely noted, what you ‘feel’ is your best is really not YOUR best. You know that.

I want you to know that the first step to a solution is awareness of an existing challenge.

Given that you are aware of the challenge, and it gives you concern, you are on your way to a solution.

Now, as regards a situation like this, my advice to you is as follows: 1. Keep working at surpassing your ‘best’ per time. In this regard, I suggest to you the following: a) Be conscious of the fact that life is, or ought to be, a progression. So, always strive to progress; to go ahead of where you are per time. b) Be conscious of the fact that YOUR best is not necessarily THE best there is in the world.

So, if there is someone somewhere better than your best, it means that you can get better and you should always work towards getting better. c) Be conscious of the fact that the largest room in life is the room for IMPROVEMENT. Never forget this. So, as long as you live, you can never get to a point where you will not need to improve yourself. Complacency will, therefore, be a disservice to yourself. You must understand that change is constant. As such, what was the best yesterday may not even be good enough tomorrow. Indeed, what makes people relegated to irrelevance in life is the failure to change with the times.

Let me tell you why some people fail. Some people fail because they arrive too soon, and “to arrive too SOON is to arrive too SMALL.” I heard that from Dr. Pastor Paul Enenche. More so, as someone said, those who have arrived no longer travel.

Friend, in your academics and

in life generally, refuse the arrival mentality. Keep working at getting better. Even if you become ‘the best,’ start working at becoming better than ‘the best’.

2. Associate with people ‘seemingly better’ than you.

Before I expatiate this point, permit me to say that I used the phrase ‘seemingly better’ to underscore the fact that life is not a competition. Now, a detailed comment on the point.

I want you to note the following: a) ASSOCIATION brings ASSIMILATION. That is to say, as you relate with people closely, there is the tendency for you to take on their virtues, including excellence. b) The COMPANY you keep determines what ACCOMPANIES you. As such, if you keep company with people whose academic results are better than yours, your results will improve.

Friend, never get stuck in a circle where you are the greatest. The moment you attain that height in a circle, that circle is no longer suitable for you, and a continued stay in that CIRCLE may keep your life going like a CYCLE, without meaningful progress. The right thing to do is to move to a another circle with people ahead of you. You can keep relationship with people of your old circle as a mentor. As bitter a pill this might be to some people, it is the truth.

I, therefore, urge you to associate with people who are better than your best. That way, you will see that your best was not your best after all.

I hope to respond to the second question next week.

Happy new year in advance.

You will succeed.

NASS, IOCs commend Intels for quality service Paul Ogbuokiri

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he National Assembly has commended foremost logistic firm in Nigeria, Integrated Logistic Services Nigeria Limited (INTELS) for its quality service to oil companies operating in Nigeria.

The commendation came from the Senate Committees on Privatisation, Trade and Investments as well as the Marine Transporting and the House of Representatives Committee on Local Content.

Expressing its appreciation, the Senate Committee on Privatisation said: “The committee hereby commends your efforts in improving the ports, employment generation and your contributions to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.”

After its oversight visit, the Senate Committee on Trade wrote: “The committee wishes to commend you and place on record that it was impressed by your high performance in the following areas...”

The committee listed the areas to include equipment delivery, local content, human resources development and training, community-driven effort, provision of facilities and equipment for health and safety of workers, plans to build terminal for sale and hiring and commitment to develop a new oil and gas project for domestic and foreign markets.

This coming as the company disclosed in Lagos on Wednesday that it received not less than 183 commendation letters from clients and authorities between 2012 and 2015 Public Relations Manager of Intels, Mr. Isidore Sambol told journalist that the letters were received from oil producing companies, oil services companies, the Senate, the House of Representatives and government agencies.

A breakdown showed that a total of 82 letters which expressed satisfaction with the high quality of services provided by Intels Nigeria Limited and the dedication of its staff were received from oil producing companies within the four years under review.

Commenting on what qualified the company for the high level of commendations, the General Manager of Intels Nigeria Limited, Mr. Sascha Kuehl said: “Since its inception over three decades ago, Intels Nigeria Limited has continued to make remarkable and sustained efforts at remaining the best logistics services provider to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria and within the Sub-Saharan African region.

FG to review mining licences

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inister of Mining and Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi has disclosed that the Federal Government would soon review all mining licences, saying it is step towards government plan to overhaul a largely unproductive mining sector dominated by artisan miners.

The Minister in a statement on Thursday reiterated the determination of the Buhari administration to reduce Nigeria’s dependency on oil and boost output of solid minerals. The sector according records from the National Bureau of Statistics, currently contributes less than 0.34 per cent to the GDP. Nigeria, however, has the second largest deposit of bitumen in the world after Canada. It also has deposits of some gold and iron deposits but little seismic data exists as the government has focused on oil exploration in the past decades.

To make a sector 80 per cent dominated by artisan miners more efficient, Dr Fayemi said all licences would be reviewed by March 1, 2016.

“We will work with stakeholders to review existing licenses and bring them up to date where there are issues,” he said in the statement, his first policy comments since taking office last month.

“The period from today to March 1, 2016 should be considered an amnesty period to allow regularisation of papers.”

He said Nigeria had 44 known minerals including gold, iron ore, bitumen, zinc, tin and coal but authorities needed to get better data before deciding on a policy focus.

Nigeria has attracted few foreign investors to the mining sector due to a lack of roads, corruption and weak regulation.

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Business News

OPEC forecasts fall in demand for its crude

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he organisation will need to pump 30.7 million barrels a day by the end of the decade, OPEC said Wednesday in its annual World Oil Outlook. That’s 1.7 million barrels more than projected a year ago, and 1 million less than the group pumped in November.

The forecast underlines the struggle faced by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries as it seeks to defend market share against a surge in output from rivals such as the U.S. and Russia. While OPEC is slowly taming the expansion of competitors, the collapse in oil prices means the financial costs of its strategy are immense. Brent crude futures touched an 11-year low of $36.04 a barrel on December 21.

“Although lower oil prices continue to foster some demand growth, their impact seems to be limited by other factors,” the group

said. “The removal of subsidies and price controls on petroleum products in some countries and ongoing efficiency improvements will all likely continue restricting oil demand growth.”

The 30.7 million barrels of daily output needed from 12 of OPEC’s members in 2020 is about 300,000 a day less than required this year, when it repeatedly pumped above its production target before scrapping the limit altogether earlier this month. The supply total excludes Indonesia, which formally rejoined OPEC on December 4.

OPEC assumes that prices will

rise to average $80 a barrel in nominal terms in 2020, and $70.70 in real terms. Last year it had anticipated nominal prices of $110 and real levels of $95.40. That means the value of the group’s output in 2020 would be $218 billion less than estimated a year ago, when it first embarked on the policy to protect market share.

The organisation increased its estimate for global oil demand in 2020 by 500,000 barrels a day to 97.4 million a day. By then, fuel consumption in emerging nations will overtake that in the industrialized economies of the Organiza-

tion for Economic Cooperation and Development, it said.

The group cut forecasts for nonOPEC supply in 2020 by 1 million barrels a day to 60.2 million a day as “market instability” leads to reductions in spending and drilling.

Non-OPEC supply will still grow by 2.8 million barrels a day this decade, including 800,000 barrels of additional U.S. shale oil. OPEC said the outlook, which incorporated some data set in the middle of the year, was “clouded by uncertainties.”

The report also forecasts supply and demand through to 2040.

Non-OPEC supply will contract in the last two decades of the period to 59.7 million barrels a day, the group said. As a result, demand for OPEC’s crude will rise to 40.7 million barrels a day, expanding its market share to 37 percent.

Almost $10 trillion, in 2014 terms, will need to be invested in the oil industry through to 2040 to develop the required supplies, with $7.2 trillion of this in exploration and production. Producers outside OPEC will need to do the bulk of the spending, investing $250 billion a year.

El Nino drought: FAO warns of famine in Southern Africa

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outhern Africa faces food shortages as drought, exacerbated by the El Nino weather pattern, delays planting and stunts crops across the region, the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has said in an alert.

“The presence of a strong El Nino episode in 2015/16 raises serious concerns regarding the impact on food insecurity,” the FAO said in the alert, issued late on Wednesday.

Regional harvests last season were also badly affected by drought conditions, raising the spectre of back-to-back production declines of key cereal crops such as maize.

“In 2015 maize production, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of the total cereal output, declined by 27 per cent on account of adverse weather,” the FAO said.

“The steep contraction has resulted in a tight supply situation in the 2015/16 marketing year (generally May/April) and raised import requirements for most countries.”

Small-scale farmers in countries such as Malawi and Zambia are especially vulnerable as their plots are almost entirely dependent on the rain.

Maize prices in South Africa, the continent’s top producer of the staple crop, are near record highs in the face of rolling heat waves and poor rains over key growing areas.

The December maize contract, which expired on Wednesday, closed at 4,160 rand a ton, almost double its closing levels last year, according to Thomson Reuters’ data. It scaled a record high of 4,250 rand a ton on Monday.

The South African Weather Service said last week that temperatures would remain higher than normal and rainfall levels would be below average into the autumn season in May because of the El Nino, a warming of ocean surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific that occurs every few years.

L-R: Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Haruna Jalo Waziri; President, Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede; Titi Ogungbesan of the Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited (SISL); Dolapo Akanni; Bimbo Moronkola, and Idris Toriola, at the 2015 NSE CEO Awards where SISL received an award as the 2015 Best Dealing Member Firm at the NSE in Lagos

Fire risks: Nigerians caught up in China shows sign of economic Fiat Chrysler 570,000 SUVs’ recall stability

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Users of Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango in Nigeria will do themselves a whole lot of good by reaching out to their dealer to determine the fire safety of their vehicle as the manufacturers, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV said on Thursday it will recall 570,000 SUVs for fire risks in two campaigns linked to problems with vanity mirror wiring and a low-pressure hose.

Fiat Chrysler made the recalls at a time when its safety efforts are under scrutiny from U.S. regulators. Earlier this month, it agreed to pay another $70 million in fines for failing to report vehicle crash deaths and injuries since 2003.

The Italian American automaker said on Thursday it is recalling 477,000 2011-2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation in May to determine if vehicles serviced in a prior related recall were at risk for fires.

Fiat Chrysler said overheating was reported in 0.02 percent of vehicles serviced in the previous recall. Fiat Chrysler said if the re-

call procedure was “not followed precisely, may leave vehicles susceptible to a short-circuit, creating a potential fire hazard.”

Fiat Chrysler also said it was recalling 93,000 2015 Jeep Compass and Patriot SUVs to inspect and in some cases replace a clamp that secures a low-pressure return hose.

The company said clamps in some vehicles produced during a five-month period this year may be out of position, which could allow rapid loss of power steering fluid - a fire hazard. Owners may also have trouble steering.

The recalls cover about 413,000 SUVs in the United States, 32,000 in Canada, 16,000 in Mexico and 108,000 outside North America.

Fiat Chrysler said it is not aware of any related injuries or crashes connected to either new recall.

NHTSA earlier this month said Fiat Chrysler’s failure to report crash deaths and injuries since 2003 stemmed from problems in its electronic system for monitoring and reporting safety data, “including improper coding and failure to account for changes in brand names,” rather than intentionally withholding information.

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eaders of the world’s second-largest economy have signalled they’ll do more to prevent a sharp slowdown, including widening the fiscal deficit and cutting an oversupply of housing, according to a statement from a key planning conference. Authorities say growth can meet their target of about 7 per cent this year.

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg project a 6.9 per cent 2015 pace and 6.5 per cent next year.

China watchers have a tougher job of gauging the economy after losing two purchasing-manager surveys previously issued in the same month as the one being measured. The preliminary reading of an unofficial purchasing managers index from Markt Economics Ltd. and Caixin Media was scrapped in October, and a PMI from China Minsheng Banking Corp. and the China Academy of New Supplyside Economics was suspended this week.

Reports that showed no further deterioration contrasted with another New York-based survey this week that showed a worsening business climate.

Economic conditions deteriorat-

ed across the board in the fourth quarter, according to a private survey from China Beige Book published by research group CBB International. National sales revenue, volumes, output, prices, profits, hiring, borrowing, and capital expenditure were all weaker than the prior three months, the report said.

An unofficial forecast of the government’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index signalled a stabilisation this month.

Baidu Inc.’s December projection edged up to 50.2 versus an official reading of 49.6 in November. Numbers above 50 indicate improvement.

The company, which handles more than 6 billion searches a day, estimates readings up to three months ahead using data from queries. PMI will stay at 50.2 in January, and edge up to 50.3 in February, according to Beijingbased Baidu, which updates the projections around the 10th of each month. China’s official PMI hasn’t been above 50 since June.

Another index Baidu’s number crunchers compile from search data tracks interest in the products and services of smaller companies.

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SUNDAY

Akinwunmi Charity event lightens up Lagos

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he second edition of the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity MiniTournament will take place at the Campos Square, Lagos today, 27th December 2015.

The chief organiser who is the First Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation, confirmed on Friday that the programme, which first edition held with aplomb last year, will start at noon on Sunday.

Conceived as a special project to give back to the society, by an individual who is much in love with the young ones, the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Mini Tournament is the eponymous charity event organized by the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation.

Its objectives include rehabilitation of ailing ex-international footballers. Embedded therein also is a Courage Education Foundation (CEF) - a not-forprofit organization dedicated to the empowerment of the Nigerian child through the provision of quality education available to all Nigerian children irrespective of sex, faith or ethnicity, as well as Consolidation of The Future Stars Project - a grassroots football development program targeted at kids (mainly under 13 years of age) and hinged on the binary factors of sporting and academic excellence.

As it happened last year, several youth teams in different categories (male and female) have signed-up to showcase their skills at this year’s event, with NFF President Amaju Pinnick and Seyi Akinwunmi himself set to display in the veterans’ game that rounds off the programme.

Deputy Sports Editor Dapo Sotuminu daposotu@yahoo.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

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anchester United endured a miserable Boxing Day as they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Stoke City to leave manager Louis van Gaal on the brink.

The Dutchman finally pulled the trigger to drop captain Wayne Rooney to the bench after weeks of strongly criticised performances but, even without the England skipper, the visitors were torporous and suffered at the hands of a confident Potters team.

Bojan Krkic netted in the 19th minute after a disastrous backpass by Memphis Depay allowed Glen Johnson to tee him up, before Marko Arnautovic hammered home a thunderous shot from outside the penalty box just six minutes later.

It left United in tatters and, even after Rooney was brought on at half-time, Van Gaal’s men had no answers to Stoke as they fell to a fourth straight league defeat for the first time since 1961.

Arnautovic curled wide an ear-

Sport SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015

Stoke defeat piles pressure on Van Gaal ly free-kick but it was a calamitous piece of defending that allowed Bojan to tap Stoke into the lead. Memphis’s bizarre attempt at a defensive diving header presented the ball to Johnson,

who pulled the ball back for the striker to prod in, with David de Gea stranded.

And just six minutes later, Arnautovic doubled the buoyant hosts’ advantage in magnificent

fashion. The Austria international unleashed a fierce swerving right-footed effort that flew beyond a helpless De Gea after Bojan’s free-kick had struck the wall.

Mikel Obi: Hiddink will get Chelsea back on track

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helsea midfielder,Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel, is loving life under new manager Guus Hiddink and he is confident the Dutchman can get the reigning Premier League champions back on track.

Hiddink was brought in to replace Jose Mourinho after the Portuguese was fired following Chelsea’s dismal start to the season.

Former Netherlands boss Hiddink was in the stands to watch Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Sunderland last weekend and Mikel is pleased to be reunited with the 69-year-old after his previous tenure in 2009.

“He is still the same man. He likes to get involved in training, have a bit of banter with the players but at the same time it is all serious business and that is what we need,” Mikel told the official Chelsea website.

“He is always like a father figure to the team, speaking to the players individually, putting an arm around them and getting feedback from the team on what we think problems are and then trying to fix them.

“He knows exactly what he wants to do and he did it last time he was here and I think it is going to go the same way. He is going to demand a lot from the players, push everyone to the maximum in training so that when we get to the games we can perform well.

“In matches he wants his teams to react when you lose the ball, to press and recover it and then play and create chances, and create a lot of them to win games.

Man Utd Memphis Depay heads the ball under pressure from Stoke Glen Johnson

LMC pays salary of 53 players and Officials of FC Taraba

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hairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Shehu Dikko, has confirmed that players, coaches and other staff of FC Taraba numbering 53 have been paid one month salary by the LMC to enable them celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivities pending the resolution of their salary dispute with the government of Taraba State.

While confirming the remittance of the salaries directly to the concerned beneficiaries, Dikko said the payment came from the balance of the Basic Award and Merit Award due to the club for participating in the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

The 53 employees of the club who received the payment are made up of 34 players, registered with the LMC for the season and 19 officials who received the payment through their individual bank accounts.

“This payment was made pursuant to our letter to FC Taraba dated December 6th, 2015 and in line with the non-sporting sanctions imposed on FC Taraba since November.

“The LMC will continue to monitor the situation at FC Taraba and keep up the engagement with the State Government to-

wards an amicable resolution of the unpaid salary issues for which the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Congress endorsed the actions and recommendations of the LMC on the matter,”, Dikko stated.

The LMC had adopted nonsporting sanctions as against points deduction in dealing with the established cases of default in

payment of players and other club officials entitlements. Some of the non-sporting sanctions include the barring of implicated clubs from signing-on new players, seizure of proceeds from the sales of players and the money used to offset the indebtedness and barring of the club from participating in football competitions organised by the Federation amongst others.

Ogbemudia, Momoh to receive Edo FA awards F ormer Governor of Mid-Western Region, Brigadier-General Samuel Ogbemudia (rtd) will be honoured with a Lifetime Award by the Edo Football Association at a ceremony scheduled for the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, Benin City, on December 30.

According to the organisers of the Edo Awards ceremony- the Edo FA- Ogbemudia is being honoured for the sports policies, programmes and facilities he put in place as administrator, which helped in making the region, which later metamorphosed into Bendel and then Edo and Delta states, in becoming the best in sports in Nigeria.

Channels Television owner, John Momoh, will also receive an award for his massive support for football

at school level.

“The dominance enjoyed by Edo and Delta states is largely due to the structure put in place by Ogbemudia and he deserves to be honoured in his home state, Edo. Momoh has also given Nigerian kids a platform to realise their football potential with the Channels Kids Cup Football competition,” Edo FA chairman, Frank Ilaboya said.

Other sports personalities that would be honoured on Wednesday night in Benin City are in-form Watford striker, Odion Ighalo; U-17 World Cup winner Victor Osimhen, who also broke the U-17 World Cup scoring record with 10 goals; and Kadiri Ikhana, who led Enyimba to a record seventh domestic league title last season.

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sport

The Luka brothers: Nigeria’s basketball super kids

J

Dapo Sotuminu

ohn and Joseph Luka are identical twins from Kaduna State. They are the sons of a police Inspector father and a petty trader mother in Jos, Plateau State. They both play for Lead City University basketball men’s team.

Their prowess and exceptional basketball skills gave the Ibadan team the gold medal in the basketball event of the 6th Nigeria Private University Games held at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.

The final game against the Afe Babalola University was a total whitewash with John and Joseph making the difference.

Before the Luka brothers Nigeria had the Maduabueke twins, 18-yearold twin brothers Henry and Stanley from Lagos by way of Abia State, were at Holy Cross Regional High School as part of an international student exchange programme.

In just five months, the Nigerian newcomers have helped the Crusaders’ senior boys’ basketball team improve from a solid contender among class AA teams into one of the best high school hoops squads in the province. It was September 2012 that the pair left Nigeria to attend Holy Cross Regional High School in Surrey, British Columbia as exchange students.

If the pair of John and Joseph gets the desired support from the basketball

authorities in Nigeria they will attain greatness just like the Madubuekes.

While John is left handed, Joseph is right handed. The peculiar thing about the playing pattern of the twins is that they are both point guards who control the rhythm of the game, the pace and direction in a basketball game.

The twins are very good on the ball and they possess fantastic dribbling skills. Their greatest attribute is collecting the ball from their own half of the court and pushing upfront in mesmerizing fashion their hand glued to the ball to make the basket with a lay-up.

When the game is difficult for their team, John and Joseph are always at hand to tip the game in their favour.

They throw some shocking three point shots when least expected to separate their team from a close score line.

John pulls up the socks on his left leg, while the one on the right goes down.

It is vice versa for Joseph.

The 6feet tall players are always business like in their approach to the game whenever they are on court. They are

just 19 years old, which means they are still eligible to play for the Nigerian national Under-20 basketball team if the coach looks in their way for selection. The basic truth is that they are good enough to get call-ups to the junior national team as Nigeria has been presented with the rare opportunity to make use of such talented and exceptional players.

The twins, who are 200 level students of Physical and Health Education at the Lead City University said they came to the university on scholarship to get the opportunity of showcasing their talents to the world to see at the NPUGA Games, where they worked very hard to win the basketball gold, so that their profiles could be projected and they are grateful to God for making their dream come true.

The twins started out as excellent soccer players, way back in 2001 in Jos, Plateau State. But sometime in 2003, a basketball coach, Ishaku, approached them because of their height and suggested they try out their luck in basketball. In

Basketball is our life and we believe God will take us very far in the game, that is why He redirected our ways from playing football to playing basketball and there is no regret doing this

their first game under the tutelage of the coach, the twins were excited that they were applauded by a small crowd who watched their training sessions each time they shoot and made the basket.

They were convinced that they would do well in basketball and so they jettisoned the idea of pursuing a career in soccer.

Today as basketball players they are a force to reckon with in Nigerian basketball. Their dream now is to make it to the Nigerian junior basketball team and also secure scholarships to study in an American university of choice where they believe the better equipment, facilities and excellent playing conditions would make them world class basketball stars.

For them, the sky is the starting point.

Below are excerpts of the interview conducted with the twins at the Afe Babalola University, the venue of the Nigeria Private University Games after helping their team win the gold.

When did you guys start playing active basketball?

We started playing basketball in 2003 after a coach convinced us to switch from football to basketball. And in 2005/2006, we started playing active basketball for a team called Basketball For Peace Club a Jos-based organisation in order to promote peace in our

55

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY DECEMBER 27, 2015

If the home-based stars are constantly excluded from first class competitions, the league in Nigeria would be static and this is not good for development. We have good players in Nigeria community when the violence in Jos erupted in the city of Jos and nearby villages and they were consumed. Our parents are based in Jos, Plateau but our state of origin is Kaduna.

We had the first taste of basketball in secondary school in Jos from SS1.

Did you get the support of your parents playing basketball?

Yes, we got total support from our mum who encouraged us to go to training sessions, but we lost her in 2009 along the line due to poor health and when she died our father a Josbased police inspector ensured we didn’t lose interest in the game. He was very supportive as he talked to us regularly to keep working hard so that we can go far in the sport, as far as getting scholarship to study in foreign university to play the game.

I noticed that you like passing the ball to each other to do damage to your opponents.

Yes, we are best playing mates as we understand ourselves better on the court and we can read the game quick enough before the opponent map out their strategies. Most times during training sessions, the coach played us on different sides to see us do the drive in different courts while not playing together. The coaches always believe we were too good to play together. And during games when we play on the same side, we understand our patterns. My brother knows where I want the ball and he knows when to give me the ball to shoot and each time we do that, we make valuable points to the advantage of our team.

Anytime we are our own best playing mates.

John, you played in the NPUGA Games and won the basketball gold for your university. How do you feel about this?

I feel good about that being on the side of the best team in the competition. My teammates were so fantastic and the coaches were also supportive.

We worked very hard to get that far. While preparing for the Games, we trained twice a day working on winning strategies which worked out effectively. The purpose of coming to the NPUGA Games was achieved and we hope that the Nigeria Basketball Federation would hear about us and we can get invited to the junior national team We wont to prove ourselves worthy as players who can help Nigeria achieve its aspiration in Afri-

Nigeria’s basketball super kids

can and world basketball. If we get the opportunity to play in any American university basketball team, we shall move ahead to play club basketball so as to get top exposure and experience which we hope to bring back home to Nigeria to help our country and connect other young Nigerians to play the game in America.

What do you think about basketball in Nigeria?

The game is growing fast going by the impact being made the senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers and the women’s team, but despite this, there is no relative improvement on the game in the country as the basketball federation has insisted in featuring only foreign-based basketball players for major tournaments. This is not good enough, as those US-based players get bigger exposure to the detriment of home-based players. The coaches should endeavor to feature more homebased players in top competitions more than the foreignbased for better exposure for the home stars. If the home-based stars are constantly excluded from first class competitions, the league in Nigeria would be static and this is not good for development. We have good players in Nigeria.

Madubueke twins

Joseph, how do you see the synergy between education and sports?

The synergy between education and sports is the best for any young Nigerian to pursue because you will have something to fall back on when you cannot play active sport again or you are cut short by unwarranted injuries. That is why we have made up our mind to play good basketball alongside getting quality education so that when we are no longer playing basketball we can use our educational qualifications to get good jobs to take care of our family.

How do you spend your leisure time?

When we are not playing basketball, we spend our leisure time watching movies. And while not watching movies we relax and rest to get fresh for another basketball session.

Basketball is our life and we believe God will take us very far in the game, that is why He redirected our ways from playing football to playing basketball and there is no regret doing this. We were very good in football but God knew where we are going to be noticed and he showed us the way to play basketball. Our father is not too comfortable financially, but the family is not hungry, that is why we have decided to help our father train our younger ones in Jos, we are four boys and one girl. God is helping our father to pay the school fees of our siblings and they are doing well. We want to get to the top so as to give our family better life than what we have now.

John and Joseph Luka

Sport

BUSINESS Government must build roads before collecting tolls -Experts }47

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Sanctity of Truth

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2015

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}39

A holding charge is patently illegal under the constitution (Part 2) The Nigerian Project

ECHOES FROM LAST WEEK Last week, we discussed the illegality and unconstitutionality of holding charge. This is the second part of the series. This week, we shall restate the supremacy of the constitution with particular emphasize to the rights of the defendant as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the FRN, the United Nations Convention against Corruption, 2004 and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, 2003.

A HOLDING CHARGE IS AN ANATHEMA TO OUR LAWS (Contd.)

Mere Rules of Court, such as the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, that have constitutional flavor, are superior to provisions of the ACJA, let alone provisions of our “Kabiyesi” Constitution itself. Thus, in ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY VS. ANYAIBE (1996) 3 NWLR (part 439) 646 at 661, paras E – F, the Court of Appeal, coram Justice Katsina – Alu, JCA (as he then was), dilated: “Since the Rules have the force of law as the Constitution itself, it overrides the provisions of any other enactment which seeks to provide an alternative”.

Indeed, the intermediate court in NJIKOYE VS. MTN (2008) 9 NWLR (Part 1092) 339 at 369, paras F – H, illuminated on the impossibility of a statute limiting, regulating, or redefining powers already granted by the Constitution. “…the courts would disregard any statute that seeks to regulate and obliterate their judicial powers conferred on them by the express provisions of the Constitution, the supreme and ground norm of Nigeria. ….. An enactment will therefore be considered opposed to the constitutional provisions vesting judicial powers in a court if: it … purported to remove judicial powers vested in the court or redefine it in a way as to whittle it or limit the extent of the power vested or conferred on the court by the Constitution.”

These cases are extant and subsisting, and constitute the present law in Nigeria, as interpreted by the appellate courts. The above offending Sections of the ACJA are therefore null and void for their inconsistency with the Constitution, in accordance with Section 1 (3) thereof.

The pronouncement by the apex court of Nigeria has further underpinned this in the case of INEC V. MUSA (2003) LPELR-1515(SC), where the apex court, held, Per AYOOLA, J.S.C., that: “The acknowledged supremacy of the Constitution and by which the validity of the impugned provisions will be tested. First, all powers, legislative, executive and judicial must ultimately be traced to the Constitu-

A-G, LAGOS STATE VS. DOSUNMU (1989) 3 NWLR (PT 111) 552.

MIKE OZEKHOME san, ofr mike.ozekhome@yahoo.com 08094777755 (sms only)

tion. Secondly, the legislative powers of the legislature cannot be exercised inconsistently with the Constitution.

Where it is so exercised it is invalid to the extent of such inconsistency.

Thirdly, where the Constitution has enacted exhaustively in respect of any situation, conduct or subject, a body that claims to legislate in addition to what the Constitution had enacted must show that it has derived the legislative authority to do so from the Constitution. Fourthly, where the Constitution sets the condition for doing a thing, no legislation of the National Assembly or of a State House of Assembly can alter those Constitution in any way, directly or indirectly, unless, of course the Constitution itself as an attribute of its supren1acy expressly so authorised.”

Mahmud

NOW THIS The ACJA Act has breached every single pronouncement in the above cases and Section 35(4) and (5). In ABACHA & ORS. V. FAWEHINMI (2000) LPELR- 14(SC), the Apex court adumbrated, Per ACHIKE, J.S.C, that: “The Constitution is the supreme law of the land; it is the grundnorm. Its supremacy has never been called to question in ordinary circumstances”.

It is therefore submitted, that by virtue of the above extant and unreversed decisions of courts of the land and the robust provisions of 1(3) of the Constitution, sections

293-299 of the ACJA are patently unconstitutional, null and void, to the extent of their inconsistency with Sections 35(4), (5) an d 36 (1), (4) (5) of the Constitution. To argue otherwise is to insist that the, tail can wag the dog, or that a Baale can strip his superior Oba of his powers.

In our criminal jurisprudence, it is axiomatic that no court (the least, a Magistrate court), is permitted to ascribe its own meaning to the clear wordings of a statute, so as to bring it in line with, and to conform with, its own whimsical views of what the law ought to be. See the cases of A-G, FEDERATION VS. SODE (1990)1 NWLR (pt 111) 500;

BUSY BODY

AND THIS It is inconceivable, and is, indeed, sacrilegious, for the ACJA, to purport to empower a Magistrate Court to detain a Nigerian citizen for clear 28 days, when the very supreme law of the land, the grundnorm, which is the Constitution, has specifically provided for 48 hours (2days) maximum period of detention. May such judicial hara-kiri never occur in Nigeria. Those angry with the Constitution should first seek its amendment under section 9 thereof, not attempt to undermine its provisions with a mere Act. Oh, no, I have a better idea. Those who feel so inebriated and incensed by the current “corruption war” should not merely stop at clamouring for abridgement of citizens’ fundamental rights in a constitutional democracy, so as to “hasten” justice.

They should go further, genuflectingly, on the shrine of the “anti corruption” gods and goddesses, to request that any Nigerian accused of acts of corruption should simply be lynched or shot at sight, without even the need for arraignment and trial. They should insist that those not shot at sight, should be detained indefinitely till kingdom come. Infact, let them re-invent the wheel of our criminal justice system which has always been accusatorial and not inquisitorial, so as to presume a person guilty before trial. Let them abolish our cherished freedoms, liberties and fundamental rights with rule of might and Hobessian rule of the thumb. What is more, let the government dissolve the people and elect or appoint another one.

TO BE CONTINUED. LAST LINE Are you all reading and digesting this Sunday sermon on the mount of the Nigerian Project, by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, OFR? • Follow me on twitter @ MikeozekhomeSAN

By Aliu Eroje

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