Saturday 14th October 2017 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Emefiele Wins Forbes Award, Says Nigeria Good for Investment Kunle Aderinokun, Chika Amanze-Nwachuku, Obinna Chima and Nume Ekeghe, in Washington DC The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele has urged global investors to take advantage

of huge opportunities in the Nigerian economy, saying the environment is good for investment. Emefiele spoke just as Forbes Magazine, Thursday night bestowed on him the Forbes’ 2017 'Best of Africa Achievement' award on the

sidelines the ongoing World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington DC. Emefiele, in his remarks after receiving the award, told his audience that Nigerians are hospitable and good people, saying "that is why we make

bold to say Nigeria is good for business." He added: "There are very big countries in the world you will visit today and say you want to invest. The returns are not as high as you have in Nigeria. We want to invite you. That for me is the message we have here today.

Come to Nigeria, Nigerians will receive you. "Come to Nigeria, you will be happy in Nigeria. We are battling with unemployment in Nigeria, and that is the reason again the President called on the Federal Ministry of Agric, CBN, Minister of Employment, Labour

and Productivity, and some important stakeholders including the governors together and said there was a need to start thinking about how we can create jobs for our people through agriculture; that agriculture should not be Continued on page 8

Presidency: World Bank President's Comment about Buhari Twisted by Mischief Makers … Page 8 Saturday 14 October, 2017 Vol 22. No 8213 Price: N250

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Designate IPOBTerror Organisation, FG Urges International Community 45 Boko Haram members convicted, jailed 3 to 31 years Olawale Ajimotokan The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has called on Nigeria’s international partners to designate the

Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a terrorist organisation. This is coming on the heels of the conviction and sentencing of 45 Boko Haram members to between 3 and 31 years in jail,

following the conclusion of the first phase of the trial in Niger State. The minister made the call for the designation of IPOB as a terrorist organisation in an article,

entitled ''Thwarting Terrorism in Nigeria'', which appeared in the United States Washington Times newspaper yesterday. Mohammed argued that IPOB’s actions qualified the

group as a terrorist organization in most jurisdictions. “The terror lays bare their opportunism. They masquerade as a separatist movement, yet they endanger the very people

they claim to represent. In reality, IPOB cares about IPOB and nothing more,” Alhaji Mohammed said. Continued on page 8

Igbo Leaders Storm Presidential Villa, Allege Marginalisation of South-east Buhari: I gave South-east four substantive ministers , North has seven ministers of states Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Igbo leaders, led by Deputy Senate President, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu and the PresidentGeneral of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo socio-cultural group, John Nnia Nwodo, yesterday met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock and alleged perpetual marginalisation of the South-east region. The delegation comprising governors and deputy governors from five states of the zone, National Assembly leaders and ministers from the South-east, urged the President to address their plight, during the meeting held behind closed door. Answering questions from newsmen after the meeting, Nwodo who said the group had a blunt and fruitful discussion with the President, said successive governments Continued on page 8

S/EAST LEADERS TAKE MARGINILISATION TO MR. PRESIDENT… L-R: Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi; President, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Foreign Aﬀairs Geoﬀrey Onyeama; President Muhammadu Buhari; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige; as Buhari receives in audience Stakeholders from the South East in State House, Abuja ...yesterday

Sack of INTELS: We Acted in Accordance with the Constitution, Says NPA… Page 54

T H I S D AY SATURDAY OCTOBER 14, 2017

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017

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Presidency: World Bank President's Comment about Buhari Twisted by Mischief Makers Request made in presence of three southern governors, says Gov. Shettima Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri The presidency yesterday deplored scathing criticisms which accompanied the disclosure by World Bank President, Jim Kim, that President Muhammadu Buhari asked the bank to concentrate its developmental agenda only on Northern Nigeria. A statement by the president's chief spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said those who twisted the comment of the World Bank's

chief did so for "vile purpose" to create the impression of the president's search for unfair advantage of the North over the South. According to Adesina, the president had earlier reached out to G-7 in Germany to solicit its support for North-east devastated by Boko Haram and also requested for similar support from World Bank the same year in view of the region's peculiar situation. He said the particular request on behalf of the North-east

was borne out of concern for the region in view of acute devastation done to it by insurgents. He added that the president would address the need of every region without given any advantage to one over the other. The statement read: "Those who specialise in a deliberate twisting of information have wailed and raged endlessly on the news item credited to the World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, who disclosed in Washington DC,

United States of America, that President Muhammadu Buhari had requested a concentration of the Bank's intervention efforts in the northern part of Nigeria, particularly in the North-east. "The ignorant and mischievous people, who twist everything for their vile purposes, are making it seem that it was a calculated attempt to give the North an unfair advantage over other parts of Nigeria. "The truth of the matter is that President Buhari, right from his first week in office in June,

2015, had reached out to the G-7 in Germany that Nigeria needed help to rebuild the North-east, which had been terribly devastated by insurgency. "He said the country would prefer help in terms of rebuilding of infrastructure, rather than cash donation, which may end up being misappropriated. In concert with governors of the region, a comprehensive list of needed repairs was sent to the G-7 leaders. Presidency: World Bank President's Comment about

Buhari Twisted by Mischief Makers "Also, during a trip to Washington in 2015, and many other engagements that followed, President Buhari sought the help of the World Bank in rebuilding the beleaguered North-east, which was then being wrested from the stranglehold of a pernicious insurgency. It was something always done in the open, and which reflected the president's concern for the region.

of developments in our place. We talked about IPOB as a symptomatic consequence of the continuous marginalisation of the South-east over a long period of time. Understandably, our children are restive and we want to make sure that the federal government is responsive to the issues that have cumulated in the quintessence of these agitations. "We did talk about the issue of devolution of powers, the constitution, the paucity of the states and local governments in our place and the President has asked that he be given time to look at this more holistically. There is no reason for me to doubt them because this is the first time I have had this interaction with him. I have the feeling that he spoke to us very frankly," Nwodo submitted. A statement issued later by the president's chief spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, over the meeting, added that the President told the delegation that he came to government with clear conscience, pledging that a substantial part of counterpart funding from the Chinese government would be deployed to fund infrastructural deficit in the region. On allegation of underrepresentation of the Igbo in his government, Adesina

said the President told the delegation: "I gave South-east four substantive ministers in the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Investment, Science and Technology and Labour. Seven states in the North got ministers of state and of the two ministries headed by your sons. I cannot take any decision on foreign policy and investments without their input." He said the president promised the leaders that he would visit the states in the zone soon. Present at the meeting besides Ekweremadu and Nwodo were: Chairman of the Southeast caucus in the National Assembly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Governors of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, his Abia and Ebonyi States counterparts, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and Dave Umahi while the governors of Imo and Anambra States, Rochas Okorocha and Willie Obiano, were represented by their respective deputies, Eze Madumere and Dr. Ikem Okeke. Others were Ministers of Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geofrrey Onyema.

Continued on page 34

IGBO LEADERS STORM ASO ROCK VILLA, ALLEGE MARGINALISATION OF SOUTH-EAST had abandoned infrastructural developments in the region, resulting in what he described as infrastructure deficit. According to him, the emergence of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) which has been campaigning for the secession of the South-east from Nigeria was a product of the region's marginalisation. He said the situation had continued to make their youths restive. Nwodo listed issues they tabled before the President to include cases of abandoned major roads such as Enugu-Onitsha, Enugu-Port Harcourt, Aba-Ikot Ekpene roads, in the region, which he said were no longer

motorable. He also said the delegation called the President's attention to infrastructure decay in the main airport in South-east, Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu as well as the need to dredge the River Niger, reticulate gas pipelines in South-east and devolve powers to the states. He said the President in his response, requested for time to comprehensively examine their complaints, pointing out that he was frank in his expressions and they had no reason to doubt him. "We had a frank and robust exchange. We discussed problems of the South-east and as Head of State, he is the final repository of an appeal for the resolutions

of those problems. We went into great details about each of those problems and l have confidence that they will give it the attention they deserve. "We dealt with problems of development in the South-east, basic capital projects which have for a very long time been neglected not just from this government but for a very long time, major arteries of federal highways in the South-east have been in complete state of disrepair. Enugu-Onitsha, EnuguPort Harcourt, Aba-Ikoti Ekpene roads are virtually impassable. "We talked about the inland waterways and the dredging of the River Niger. We talked about the reticulation of gas pipeline

on the South-east. We export gas from the South-east to other parts of the country, but there is no reticulation of the pipeline and industrial clusters in the south east. "We talked about the only international airport we have in the South-east which has very bad infrastructure in terms of the buildings. We got assurance from the President that he will deal with each of those problems. “Like I have said, these problems have been there overtime and we have had several presidents. It didn't just happen in the last two years. But we expressed the desire that he should be able to address them. "We came here for the issues

NIGERIA GOOD FOR INVESTMENT, EMEFIELE TELLS FOREIGN INVESTORS seen as business that is meant for the poor, that you can make money from agriculture. "Countries that have progressed have done so because they took the agriculture sector very seriously. We are determined to make agriculture the sector where people make money and we have decided to put in place the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP). "Before we introduced the ABP, farmers go to farm rice and all the yield they were getting was one to 1.5 metric tonnes per hectare. After we started the ABP, today we are beginning to see farmers getting yield as high as eight metric tonnes per hectare, reducing their costs and making it possible to make their money in rice cultivation. "We have seen that there is a need for us to thing about how do we improve the wealth of our rural community. We started that journey and through rice, we have achieved that. The Nigerian government is confident that through agriculture, the wealth of our people can be boosted. And that is the journey we are on. "We want to invite all of you, our friends and foreign investor friends; I heard the President of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) talked about the fact that there are foreign investors that are interested in agriculture in Nigeria. We welcome you. Come, Nigeria will receive you." Furthermore, Emefiele commended Forbes for finding him worthy of receiving the prestigious award, just as he thanked Nigerians for standing by the Central Bank during the difficult times. "I say difficult times then, although I make bold now to say we are out of it. Like you all

know, the last three years have been tumultuous not just for Nigeria, but the global economy, arising largely from the external shocks that hit, particularly the commodity exporting countries. "The shocks no doubt led to the plummeting of Nigeria's reserves as crude oil price fail to a point where it dropped by February 2016 to as low as $28 per barrel. If you compare this price to the time when it averaged $100 per barrel for five straight years from 2009 to middle of 2014, you will all agree with me that we have gone through a lot. "Another shock that hit Nigeria like other countries was the United States normalisation to the point that in the last quarter of 2016, about $40 billion left emerging and frontier markets back to US," he explained. According to Emefiele, geopolitical tensions also affected flow of funds, including Nigeria, which he said climaxed when the country recorded negative growth. The country also saw inflation hitting it badly, adding that the monetary policy committee felt that at that level, something needed to be done. This, he said made the Central Bank to introduce some reforms. "And I must say that in six months, we have seen about $10 billion in inflows into Nigeria as a result of the opening of that window (investors' and exporters' window). We feel so grateful to them (foreign investors) for showing the confidence in Nigeria again," the CBN governor added. He stated further: "Our climate is good, let us fold our sleeves and begin to feed ourselves again, and save our reserves for some of those items that we cannot produce as a country. And that

has led to where we are today. We are delighted we put forex restriction on 41 items. "We were castigated and I was reading in the Economist magazine that what we did was to just move around the home and pick items including toothpicks. I think it is important to know what we are doing. If you go to China where they are producing the toothpicks, those things can be produced in a place that is less than a quarter of a room. Bamboo is what is used in producing toothpicks. And there is a company in Nigeria today producing toothpicks, creating jobs for our people. "That is what is found in the spirit of Nigerians. A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a toothpick that is being produced by a Nigerian. That toothpick is stronger than the one that is being imported from China. But I think as far as we are concerned, it is about creating jobs for our people. Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava. We were importing starch and glucose. " Continuing, he said: "Nigerian companies that could produce starch and glucose would go to companies that needed starch and glucose and all the companies were telling them was our stock levels are high. They said they would visit them when their stock levels go low. But unfortunately, their stock level did not go low until we imposed the FX restriction on these items. "Today, companies that require starch and glucose for their pharmaceuticals and formulations patronise Nigerians. This has created jobs for us. That is the spirit of Nigerians. This is part of the reasons the President said we needed to patronise Madein-Nigeria and I am happy that

we are doing this. But I think it is also important that we thank everybody, particularly Nigerians. "Yes, we have just managed to exit the recession with a fragile growth of 0.5 per cent; we have seen inflation trending downwards, we have seen exchange rate and reserves looking stronger and firmer. But I think we are determined to continue to push further to see to it that Nigeria returns to its historical growth path. 0.5 per cent or two per cent is not the historical growth path for Nigeria. Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, Forbes Business Solution, Mike Furlong commended Emefiele for this contribution to the Nigerian economy. Also, the President/CEO, Florizelle Liser, CCA commended Emefiele for the award, saying members of the council were delighted with his efforts at the CBN. "Many members of the CCA represent some of the largest companies and some of the SMEs as well as African companies. We have as many as 19 companies that are members of the CCA and all of our members are really pleased that you have led the effort in economic recovery in Nigeria. We see that things are turning around now and we just want to let you know that those efforts are noted by the business community. "We also are happy to see the work that is being done on the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria and we believe they are going to pay off. Many of our members welcome it as an opportunity to see how they can trade more with Nigeria and invest more in Nigeria. So, we thank you for your efforts," she said.

DESIGNATE IPOB TERROR ORGANISATION, FG URGES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY Using the words of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, such as “If they fail to give us Biafra, Somalia will look like a paradise compared to what will happen to that ‘zoo’ (Nigeria).” “I don’t want peaceful actualisation of Biafra”; “We need guns and we need bullets”; “If they don’t give us Biafra, they will die,” the minister explained that IPOB is a terrorist organization like ETA in Spain, the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, and the PKK is in Turkey, all of whom are proscribed by the U.S. State Department. Mohammed stated that the Buhari administration would not make the same mistake as the previous government “by allowing terrorists to capture land.” “The government reiterates its appeal to its international partners to proscribe the organisation, and in doing so, starve it of the funds which gives it sustenance. Nigeria has just defeated one preventable terrorist insurgency. This one must not be given the chance to get a foothold,” the minister writes. 45 Boko Haram Members Convicted, Jailed 3 to 31 Years

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Kainji, Niger State, has convicted and sentenced 45 Boko Haram members to between 3 and 31 years in jail, following the conclusion of the first phase of the trial during which 575 Boko Haram suspects were arraigned. In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Information and Culture said the court also discharged 468 suspects who had no case to answer. Thirty-four cases were struck out while 28 suspects were remanded for trial in Abuja and Minna. The Court ordered that the 468 discharged persons should undergo de-radicalization and rehabilitation programmes before being handed over to their respective state governments. The trial commenced with the formal remand by the Court of 1,669 suspects for a period of 90 days, with the court ordering that they be arraigned within the specified period or released unconditionally. The Court adjourned the trial of other suspects to January 2018.

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TALKING DEVELOPMENT... Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun (second from right) with other Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors, during the G-24 Ministers and Governors Meeting at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group in Washington D.C. ...yestetday GODWIN OMOIGUI in Washington

Infrastructural Devt: FG Urges W'Bank, IMF to Raise Investments in Renewable Energy Kunle Aderinokun, Chika Amanze-Nwachuku, Obinna Chima and Nume Ekeghe in Washington DC Nigeria has requested the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to scale up the provision of and access to renewable energy in order to deliver development results and meet global climate goals. Nigeria’s position on renewable energy and regional integration was presented by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, during the G24 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Washington D.C., United States.

Adeosun stated that scaling up renewable energy was a “win-win area” to deliver development results and contribute to the global climate goals. She said: “We have a major energy infrastructure gap to meet the needs of industrialisation. Providing access to energy to all parts of Nigeria, both urban and rural, is a priority. If we succeed, we estimate that this could unleash the development potentials of two-third of our population of 180 million.” The minister added that generation of renewable energy was a financially attractive option for reaching rural populations. She further emphasised the need

for business models from other countries to serve as a template in the provision of affordable energy. While canvassing the reinforcement of regional integration process by the World Bank and the IMF, Adeosun said the process would boost trade between countries and serve as a potential growth driver. “We believe that part of the solution must be regional, multicountry initiatives on infrastructure development. Though complex and often not easy to undertake, there are also successful cases of such projects. “For instance, a coastal super highway from Lagos to Dakar in West Africa would cut across

11 economic territories. Another Trans-Sahel highway from Northwest Nigeria to Mauritania would provide access and boost economic activities of land-lock countries like Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali,” stated Adeosun while speaking on behalf of Nigeria and 30 other countries during the G24 Ministers and Governors meeting. On her part, the IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, advised low-income countries to be very cautious in dealing with investors, noting that there was a huge surge yields on the path of investors. Also, the Chief Executive Officer of the World Bank, Kristalina Georgieva, urged developing countries

to look at other sources of finance rather than dependence on the Paris Club. Georgieva said it was imperative for "us to maximise finance for development and also critical for us think of comparative strength for significant finance to flow into developing countries.” On energy deficiency, she counselled developing countries to identify what could be done to create favourable environment for renewable energy. In a communiqué at the end of its meeting, the G24 Ministers and Governors urged the World Bank Group and the IMF to continue strengthening their assistance in

improving domestic resource mobilisation and enhancing its contribution to inclusive growth through progressive tax policies, as well as more efficient and better targeted public spending. The Body reiterated the importance of scaling up infrastructure investments to achieve sustainable development goals. “We welcome the support of the IMF, the World Bank and other international Financial Institutions in increasing the efficiency of public investments in infrastructure, as well as their impact in improving connectivity, including at the regional level, and addressing distributional and climate objectives,” it stated.

FG: Ignorance Responsible for Army Halts Operation as Furore over High Cancer Mortality Rate Purported Lethal Injection Grows Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu The Federal Government has said ignorance was mainly responsible for the high mortality rate for cancer patients in the country, insisting that adequate diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer would improve the survival rate of patients with the disease. The Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole who spoke at the 1st Nationwide Go Pink Day ball and official flag off of breast cancer initiative and intervention fund by Breast Without Spot (BWS) in Enugu said so many cancer patients had lost their lives as a result of poor awareness. Prof Adewole who was represented by the Cancer Control Coordinator of the ministry, Dr. David Atuwo however disclosed that the Federal Government was

working hard to address the problem by increasing awareness on the management of cancer. The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who was represented by the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu state, Chief Alex Ogbonna, Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Cecelia Ezeilo and the former minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo expressed delight with the launch of the BWS initiative, noting that early detection of the disease would save so many lives. They extolled the activities of BWS led by Prof Ifeoma Okoye in driving the cancer project which according to them had a high cost implication in treatment and as well beyond the reach of most people. Also speaking, the Media and Public Relations Manager of Pfizer, Ngozi Ushedo said the company would always support awareness

programmes on cancer in order to reduce its mortality rate. "This collaboration is aimed at providing increased awareness on breast cancer and reaching out to the government to take action against the disease. Pfizer will continue to support awareness programs on cancer as early detection and treatment can help in reducing the number of deaths. We are committed to fostering hope in the fight against breast cancer in our communities," Ushedo said. The founder, Breast Without Spot, (BWS) Prof. Okoye said the fear of being stigmatised and out of pocket payment continued to drive away early detected cases from the hospital and contributed to increasing deaths from the disease. She said that many citizens suffer untold hardship due to late stage cancer and treatment failure.

Emmanuel Addeh in Purported

Apprehensive students fleeing their schools following rumours that the army had allegedly commenced forceful vaccination of school children in Bayelsa were injured yesterday in Yenagoa, the state capital. Many unverified messages were also being circulated on social media in the capital, warning parents to ensure that their children were safe since some soldiers were allegedly moving around schools, forcing school proprietors to allow them have access to their pupils. But the Spokesman of 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, stationed in Yenagoa, Captain Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, told journalists that the army was not conducting any such exercise and urged the public to shun rumourmongering. He said though the military as

part of activities earmarked for the period of Operation Crocodile Smile II, intended to include community relations activities like medical outreaches, but it had yet to start. The army assured that when the time comes, the targeted recipients of the medical outreach would be informed, calling on the public to always verify information before acting. But the response from 16 Brigade, which is anchoring the operation in Bayelsa was not enough to douse the growing panic as parents and guardians began withdrawing their children and wards over the alleged “killer” vaccine. Following the stampede, the Bayelsa government also ordered the immediate closure of all activities pertaining to children’s health in all schools in the state. Among those injured were two

students who were said to have been run over and injured by a moving vehicle while rushing to get home during the panic, but were said to be recuperating at a hospital in Yenagoa. Many schools, both public and private, especially in Agudama, Akenfa, Opolo, and Okaka were also shut as a result of the hullabaloo, while many parents were seen with their children in the streets. In suspending any health-related programmes in schools across the state, the Bayelsa government said it had become necessary to take the action to calm the tension that was building in the state. The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel IworisoMarkson, who announced the suspension at a joint press briefing with his health counterpart, Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu, described the rumour as “deliberate misinformation.”

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Adebowale

ͮ͵ͮͯͱͷͲͮͳͰͯ yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

The New Super Brat Called Maikanti Baru

he Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Maikanti Baru, is a clear example of our skewed system that throws up brats as public servants. Our famed anti-corruption Czar, Muhammadu Buhari is responsible for the largest number of such brats in the 57-year history of this country. Buhari has given Nigeria the likes of Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami; Women affairs Minister, Aisha Alhassan; Customs boss, Hammed Ali; EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu; Army Chief, Tukur Buratai; suspended NHIS boss, Usman Yusuf and the famed grass cutter, Babachir Lawal. These little monsters, who have no regard for due process and the rule of law, now dominate ministries, departments and agencies at all levels. They are encouraged to act recklessly by their godfather. These features of brats were evident in Baru’s response to the grave allegations against him by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu. After Kachikwu’s memo accusing Baru of not adhering to due process in the award of contracts by the corporation and acts of insubordination, the NNPC GMD

powers to regulate or approve contracts awarded by the corporation.” Baru’s response was shamelessly silent on other pertinent issues raised by Kachikwu, mainly the appointment of senior executives of NNPC without the knowledge of the Board. Baru followed up on Tuesday by alleging that Kachikwu’s memo was aimed at inciting Nigerians against him.

Baru

brazenly described the NNPC Board as inconsequential. For Baru, the corporation’s board chaired by the Minister of State for Petroleum is redundant because “it has no

The NNPC GMD has simply elected what laws to obey and what laws to flout. We need to remind this little monster called Baru that the 1977 Act establishing the NNPC and the Companies and Allied Matters Act both provided for a Board for establishments of this nature and the Board must have a say and must approve vital decisions taken by the management of the corporation. The Nigeria National Petroleum 1977 Act, CAP N123, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, Section 1 (2) deals with the control of the NNPC and provides that its affairs shall be conducted by a Board of Directors. According to the Act, “the affairs of the Corporation shall, subject to Part II of this Act, be conducted by a Board of Directors of the Corporation.” This means that contracts can only be referred to the President

Aisha and Zahra Buhari’s Kinked Outbursts First, it was the President’s daughter, Zahra who raised the alarm about the poor state of State House Clinic. She specifically called out the Permanent Secretary in the State House, Jalal Arabi to provide answers to why simple drugs like paracetamol, syringes and hand gloves were not available, leaving patients and staff to individually source for those items. “More than N3 billion budgeted for state house clinic and the workers there don’t have equipment to work with. Why? Where is the money going to?” Zahra queried. Few days later, her mother also spoke out against her husband’s wretched State House Clinic that had gulped billions of Naira, stating that a situation where constructions were going on in the health facility that cannot boast of a syringe was not good enough for the country. Aisha recalled that she was sick recently and was advised to travel abroad because of the poor state of the clinic. The President’s wife said she had to patronise a private hospital owned by foreigners when she was told that the x-ray machine in the State House Clinic was not working. Aisha added that the budget allocated to the clinic must be accounted for by the head of the clinic. It is disheartening that Aisha and Zahra are only speaking out against low-quality health facilities at the State House clinic, established to take care of few people - the President, Vice-

President, their families as well as staff of the Presidential Villa. These few aristocrats also have the option of access to the best private hospitals in Nigeria and abroad if the State House clinic fails to deliver. This was seen in the manner Buhari hurried abroad to take care of his ailment. For me, Aisha and Zahra should be more worried about the poor facilities in federal teaching hospitals, federal medical centres and other public hospitals patronised by millions of Nigerians instead of showboating. Those who patronise these public hospitals have no option of foreign medicals. Virtually all these federal health facilities are in comatose. Patients even provide generators for operations in some of them. X-ray and other vital medical machines have all packed up in most of these federal hospitals. Aisha and Zahra did not speak out when the Aso Rock Clinic got more capital vote than all the 16 teaching hospitals in Nigeria in the 2016 budget. These ladies are only concerned about their own Aso Rock Clinic. It is also scandalous to hear Aisha asking the Medical Director of the Aso Rock Clinic to account for all the money so far budgeted for it by the Buhari administration. I am shocked that Aisha is unaware that the buck stops on her husband’s table. Buhari has to account for the failings of the Aso Rock Clinic. In addition, Aisha’s husband has to account for the failings of federal teaching hospitals and

Zahra Buhari

medical centres across the nation. Buhari has to account for the over N6 trillion 2016 budget and N7.2 trillion 2017 budget. The outbursts of Aisha and Zahra were all just about the comfort of the first family. There is nothing in it for the struggling masses of this country.

through the Board. Unfortunately, President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have been granting approvals for NNPC contracts and JVC funding without the Board’s endorsement. This is corruption. Power-drunk Baru, who is evidently being protected by powerful forces in the Presidency, is averse to any Board providing oversight functions to the management of NNPC. He reports to these powerful forces in the Presidency. This is why Kachikwu and his NNPC Board are not privy to the decisions taken by NNPC. Baru simply walks straight to the President. We can all now see that Baru’s shenanigan is state-sanctioned. This man has access to higher authorities and has sheepishly decided to ignore a Board that is obviously too weak to assert itself. Genuine patriots must rise and help Kachikwu fight this incongruity in the NNPC. This is a fight against impunity. Regrettably, virtually all our human rights activists have gone voiceless amid unprecedented impunity in our dear country in the last 29 months. Most of them are now government contractors and pro-government activists. The lawyers among these activists are busy running after briefs from the EFCC. We must rise in this season of anomy and tackle this impunity. The skewed Board of the NNPC also weakened Kachikwu. The Board is slanted in favour of the cabal running Nigeria. The composition of the Board is also contrary to the Federal Character law. Just glance through the list and you will weep for mother Nigeria. Buhari, who has sworn to defend the Nigerian constitution, approved the following men as NNPC Board members: Tajuddeen Umar (North-east), Maikanti Baru (North-east), Abba Kyari (North-east), Mahmoud Isa-Dutse (North-central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal (North-west), Mallam Yusuf Lawal (Northwest), Ibe Kachikwu (South-south), Thomas John (South-south), and Pius Akinyelure (South-west). This is clearly a crooked Board. Allegations of insubordination and illegal contract award aside, for me, the biggest challenge facing Baru, which our anti-graft agency should focus on, is the alleged nonremittance of over N6 trillion revenues by Duke Oil, a subsidiary of NNPC. I am happy that our lawmakers are digging into this. The Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating revenue leakages in NNPC’s affiliates, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe said the probe would span January 2016 to 2017 and predicated on the apparent inability of DPR to enforce compliance of remittances into the Consolidated Revenue Fund. It is scandalous that this Nigerian company is registered in Panama while its head office is in the United Kingdom but does business in Nigeria. There are speculations that Duke Oil has never produced audited accounts since inception. Duke Oil has clearly been lifting Nigeria’s crude oil in a manner that is not transparent.

Cardinal Okogie’s Scolding of Pentecostal Churches The unbraiding of Pentecostal Churches by the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Okogie, during an interview last week, was thought-provoking. Top of his conclusion was that there was no godliness in the decision by some churches in the country to have as many branches as possible. Apparently referring to multiplicity of branches of Pentecostal churches, the patriarch of the Lagos Catholics described such branches as “mere business centres”. He declared: “The mushrooming of churches has not elicited commensurate level of godliness across the land. In order to bring us together and to get sanity back into this country, the fear of God must be number one. For example, I heard that one of my colleagues, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, said that he would love to build churches everywhere so as to make it easy for worshipers to walk to them. But for me, that is a useless statement. How can you say you will build churches everywhere? What kind of churches are you talking about? Those who are pastors are traders and a good number of them are businessmen. Such churches in most cases

are more like business houses.” Okogie simply hit the nail on the head. Pentecostal churches hardly aim to build affordable health centres or schools on every street in Nigeria. They hardly aim to build or equip public hospitals/schools or provide water for all on every street. The majority of their members can’t afford the few schools built. They just aim to have branches on every street and make money to sustain the posh lifestyle of their founders. This is neo-slavery. Most of the churches are set up to milk their gullible followers with wild imaginary miracles. Charismatic and smooth-talking Pentecostal preachers are worshipped by mesmerised followers who cringe under them. These power-dressing pastors simply want money from their followers to sustain their posh lifestyle. Just look around you and you will see Pentecostal pastors flying around in private jets and driving around in limousines, while the majority of their followers wallow in abject poverty. They drive the best cars and live in the best houses. These entranced members contribute money to buy posh aircraft and cars for them. I can’t forget the

presentation of 2014 Rolls Royce Phantom to the General Overseer of Christ Royal Family International Church, Lagos, Bishop Tom Samson, in March 2016 during his 50th birthday celebration. Samson had set tongues wagging back in 2014 when he got a N80 million stretch hummer limousine from an undisclosed church member. So many Nigerians have fallen for Pentecostal scam. Come to think of it, if they are really doing the will of God, this country would not be in this mess. Something is clearly wrong somewhere. Despite the multiplicity of churches, there is still so much corruption, hunger, disease, poverty, unemployment, wickedness, witchcraft and frightening man’s inhumanity to man in this country. Notwithstanding the array of churches and mosques, this country is dominated by morally-bankrupt people. Nigerians spend too much of their time praying and running to churches and mosques, instead of working and being their brother’s keeper. This is why we have remained a third-world country. Countries dominated by religious zealots hardly develop. In my

Okogie

dear Nigeria, churches buy premises of failed factories and convert them to churches. Can these churches create jobs and pay taxes? We can’t continue like this. We should be talking about building cottage industries, schools and health centres on every street, instead of churches and mosques. Things have just got to change.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY OCTOBER 14, 2017

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COMMENTARY

NLNG LITERARY PRIZE: MATTERS ARISING Nats O. Agbo urges publishers to invest in young writers

ast Monday, October 9, 2017, the advisory board of the 2017 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, an initiative of the Nigeria Liqueﬁed Natural Gas (NLNG) unveiled Ikeogu Oke, a writer, poet and journalist as winner. His work, The Heresiad, dusted 183 others, with Tanure Ojaide’s work, Songs of Myself: Quartet and Ogaga Ifowodo’s A Good Mourning, as its closest rivals. Indeed, the contest between the last three works was so close that the panel of judges, made up of Ernest Emenyonu, Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Michigan-Flint, USA, Dr. Razinat Mohammed, Associate Professor of Literature at the University of Maiduguri and Tade Ipadeola, poet, lawyer and winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2013 as well as the external judge, Ghana’s Professor Abena P.A. Busia, toyed with the idea of a joint award, as was the case in 2007. But as Professor Ayo Banjo, chairman of the advisory board observed, a joint award would have reduced its significance. He praised the judges for picking the best three entries because “poetry competition for the prize is always very fierce and very interesting”. A measure of the thoroughness of the judges’ work could be gauged from the revelation that the three judges and the external judge, though working independently, arrived at the same conclusions about the winning entry. Ikeogu Oke’s victory did not come as a surprise to people who are familiar with his works. Some of his works are Salutes Without Guns, The Tortoise and the Princess, The Lion and the Monkey, In the Wings of Waiting and Where I was Born. As Professor Emenyonu, who is the chairman of the panel of judges observed, “Oke’s poetry collection reveals a conscious, /deliberate manipulation of language and philosophy in the style that reminds us of the writings of great Greek writers of Homeric and Hellenistic periods.” What surprised people at the world press conference was the revelation that the aspect of literary criticism, which attracts a princely sum of one million naira, did not produce a winner. That aspect of the contest, which is open to lecturers in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, requires that a contestant submits three of his works that were published three years before the year of the contest. Ridiculously, only five entries were received. Out of the five, three of them published their essays in 2010, meaning that they either could not read or comprehend the guidelines. The two entries that complied with the guidelines were, however, very poorly written and could not be recommended for the award. How did the Nigerian University system degenerate to this

A MEASURE OF THE THOROUGHNESS OF THE JUDGES’ WORK COULD BE GAUGED FROM THE REVELATION THAT THE THREE JUDGES AND THE EXTERNAL JUDGE, THOUGH WORKING INDEPENDENTLY, ARRIVED AT THE SAME CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THE WINNING ENTRY

level where lecturers are unable to write publishable essays? Only a few years ago, The Guardian Literary Series, which formed the contents of two books, attracted quality works from the likes of Ernest Emenyonu, S.E. Ogude, G.G. Darah, Biodun Jeyifo, Kalu Uka, Ezenwa Ohaeto, Olu Obafemi and several others. Today, the university system is unable to produce lecturers with the zeal to excel in literary criticism. This writer finds it ridiculous and astonishing that lecturers in Nigeria have not taken this contest seriously. As a member of the advisory board, Jerry Agada, observed, it appears as if the lecturers want the NLNG to teach them how to eat the food it had prepared for them. Some might argue that the prize money of one million naira is the reason for the lack of interest in the contest. That may not be true because the broader picture is beyond money; the recognition should be the ultimate consideration of every contestant. Others wonder if the contest was given adequate publicity. The NLNG sent letters to the appropriate departments in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education; in other words the publicity was adequate. The lukewarm attitude to this aspect of The Nigeria Price for Literature is evidence that some people are yet to appreciate the roles being played by the NLNG in revitalising interest in Literature. Erstwhile established publishers have not been encouraging young writers in Nigeria; instead they are recycling old titles like King Solomon’s Mines, Chike and the River, and a host of other books that are out of the shelves in other countries. Publishers should key into the NLNG Literary Prize by investing in young writers so that more quality creative works can come out of their fertile minds. The NLNG Literary Prize has reinvigorated interest in Literature, especially with about 2,000 published books submitted for the contest in 13 years. The 2017 edition of the contest alone generated 184 entries. As Professor Emenyonu noted, “the seriousness with which the NLNG literary prize is received by the teeming population of writers in Nigeria is a sign that the expectations of writers swing beyond the prize itself to that of portraying their creativity.” An elated Kudo Eresia-Eke, General Manager, External Relations at the NLNG, said: “We at NLNG are proud of this additional achievement. National and international interest in both the prize and process are increasing and this is good for the prize and for Nigeria.” onojagbo@yahoo.com

BATTLE FOR OKE MOSAN GOVERNMENT HOUSE The governorship race in Ogun State is already on, writes Chinwe Ugwu

s the count down to the 2019 general election begins, permutations on who takes what has heightened in the polity and the players are strategising and consulting to keep in touch with the trend. In Ogun State, the entry of a serving senator from Lagos State into the race to the Oke Mosan Government House, Abeokuta, is giving sleeplessness nights to a horde of aspirants. Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, better known as Yayi, and representing Lagos West Senatorial District, has changed the narrative in the competitive race to the Ogun Government House. Although, Senator Adeola represents Lagos West Senatorial District and has served and represented Lagos at different levels in the past, he actually hails from Ogun West Senatorial Zone of Ogun State. A dynamic and colourful politician, Yayi is from Yewa in Ogun State but has lived almost all his life in Lagos. It is a known fact that in the run to the 2015 general election, the senator, then a member of the House of Representatives representing Alimosho federal constituency of Lagos State attempted to contest for the Ogun West Senatorial District seat but local intrigues frustrated the process, compelling him to return to Lagos and emerged as a senator. The difference between 2015 and now is that, then, Yayi felt that he had garnered enough experience working for people outside and therefore he needed to replicate that at home for the benefit of his people. But some people were sceptical whether he was a Lagosian or a true Yewa man. Now, these questions have been fully addressed and conversely, the generality of the Ogun people are beckoning on the senator to come home and give the state a taste of the ‘Lagos touch’ that has made the Centre of Excellence a reference point in infrastructural and human capital development, at least in the last 10 years. He has been certified a true “son of the soil” and if ongoing consultations are anything to go by, Senator Adeola would soon let the cat out of the bag and “contenders” will be separated from the “pretenders”. Most of Adeola’s opponents have laid claim to

the fact that the Senator is coming from outside the state and should be treated as an outsider. But this does not hold water because particularly in the South West, many renowned politicians have gone to Lagos to horn their political skills before returning home to their states to serve. Chief Clement Awoyelu was a member of House of Assembly in Lagos before returning to Ekiti to become a senator. Ogbeni Rauf Aegbesola was Works and Infrastructure Commissioner in Lagos under the leadership of Bola Tinubu before coming home to contest for governorship in Osun State. Senator Jide Omoworare from Osun State was the Majority Leader of Lagos State House of Assembly and a host of other examples. So, this cannot be a stumbling block. It is therefore not surprising that even without a formal declaration of his intention to vie for the coveted position in the state, endorsements from key stakeholders have begun flowing in torrents. Due to his widely acclaimed generosity and philanthropy, the acronym, Yayi has within a short time become a household name across the length and breadth of the state. This has indeed ruffled a lot of feathers in the political equation in the state and some of the stakeholders are already running helter-skelter trying to strategise and realign their alliances. The senator has floated a formidable political machinery that is grassroots’ inclined and is winning supporters. Indeed facts have emerged that right now, he is in firm control of at least 12 out of the 20 local government chairmen in the state. Similarly, it has been confirmed that so far majority of the former commissioners who served under Senator Ibikunle Amosun in his first term have dissolved into the Yayi campaign train and are shoring up support for the Lagos groomed politician. The latest addition to the Yayi gubernatorial project is the endorsement from the Ogun Central Senatorial Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Kunle Adesina, who has openly declared support for Senator Adeola as governor of Ogun State come 2019. In making his thoughts on Adeola’s gubernatorial interest known, Hon. Adesina had said it was only fair and just that

Ogun West aspirant be given the ticket for governor since the position has over the years been monopolised by Egba (Central) and Ijebu (East). The endorsement of Senator Adeola by the likes of Hon. Adesina is simply re-echoing the feelings of the elders of Yewa from Ogun West, who have agreed that it is their turn to produce the governor of the state having been marginalised for several years by other zones. Of course, there is no battle without bruises and Senator Adeola may have to cross many rivers to get to the desired target. First, he has to manoeuvre his way through the understanding between the Yewa and Egbado people, who analysts believe must harmonise their positions to arrive at an acceptable agreement as to who takes a shot at the governorship. From all indications, the pendulum is pointing towards the side of the Yewa’s and if it eventually happens, Yayi may just but emerge as the preferred candidate because from the array of aspirants so far, no one appeals to the generality of the people of the state more than him. Secondly, the huddle of the incumbent Govenor Ibukun Amosun is immense. Amosun has already shown that he is not disposed to the aspiration of Yayi and may likely endorse a different person. But Adeola’s personality and wide acceptability among the low and the high in the state will change the course of the game when the time comes. Of course, it is an open secret that in as much as the governor may not be in support of Yayi, two political juggernauts are equally routing for the man that may be governor come 2019. An evergreen politician and former governor of the state, Chief Segun Osoba and the indefatigable national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu are solidly behind Yayi. When leaders of this ilk, whose pedigree is beyond reproach are lining behind an aspirant, it means such a politician has something to offer. Thirdly, if Adeola eventually emerges the candidate of the APC, he may have to contend with candidates of other parties especially the PDP, which has been wounded and is strategising

to stage a comeback. Some of these aspirants include former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Sabur Bankole; former governor, Mr. Gbenga Isiaka, who is said to be supported by former Governor Gbenga Daniel and Senator Buruji Kashamu, who represents Ogun East; Keshinton Adebutu and former Senator Akin Odunsi who are all angling for the governorship. These are indeed formidable opposition, but Yayi has over the time shown that he is a bulldozer and can take on any opposition. So, what makes Senator Adeola thick? Yayi is a self-made man, who from a humble beginning braced the odds to become a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A bold and audacious leader, he learnt his politicking the hard way and at a very youthful age was part of the struggle to actualise the June 12 Presidential mandate freely given to the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola by majority of Nigerians. His rich political career started to blossom when he contested for the House of Assembly seat into Lagos State House of Assembly in 2003 and won to represent Alimosho Constituency 02, for two consecutive terms, under the auspices of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now All Progressives Congress (APC). At the State Assembly, his impact was felt by the House and his constituents. Due to his efficiency and competence, he moved up to the House of Representatives in 2011, where he again became a shining light star. As Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Adeola left indelible imprints in the House and has become a reference point to effective oversight in the lower chamber. His exploits in the House propelled him to the Senate in 2015, where he has in the last two years proved that a golden fish has no hiding place. He is presently, the Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Communications and is also a member of Senate Committees on Interior, Finance, Science and Technology, Marine and FERMA. Hon. Ugwu is the Executive Director, Centre for Reform Education Initiative

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INSIGHT

There is need for more investment...

Why the President Should Clear the Air

For the Good of the Girl Child When you invest in a girl’s education, she feeds herself, her children, her community and her nation -Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway

n December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognise girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. According to the United Nations, the international day of the girl child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulﬁlment of their human right. The vulnerability of the girl child especially in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be overemphasised. The disadvantages the girl child faces are too important to ignore really and truly. Education, access to medical care, gender discrimination, gender violence, female genital mutilation, trafficking, rape, lack of access to sanitary products, vaccination, among other serious issues. Education is the bedrock of any successful society but the perception in sub-Saharan Africa about educating the girl child is tantamount to wasting money. A girl child is perceived as inferior to their male counterpart and cannot hold a candle to the sun in terms of intelligence, brainpower and achievements. The crux of the issue is not about educating the girl child per se but the underlying argument that a girl will end up in her husband’s “house,” cleaning and making babies especially across religious and cultural quarters. According to a recent United Nation report, Nigeria still has 10.5 million out-of-school children, unfortunately and painfully the world’s highest number. Of this huge figure, almost the population of Czech Republic, 60% of the out-of-school children are girls. The reasons are not far-fetched. Early marriages, low perception of education for girls, poverty, internal conflicts, etc. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) manifests in various forms. Gender violence ranges from rape, female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual exploitation and trafficking, domestic violence, forced marriage, kidnapping, among others. Nationally, 27% of Nigerian women between the ages of 15 and 49 are victims of FGM. Domestic violence and rape are quite prevalent too. Even though the government (federal and states) have signed into law forbidding the afore-mentioned, there is a need for a stronger political will and consistent commitment to contain any form of violence against women to the letter. The African nay Nigerian girl child in some quarters, albeit traditionally, are perceived as

sub-human and should only be seen and not heard. Poignantly, access to medical care remains a major challenge. In some regions in Nigeria, early marriage is seen as winning a trophy to the girl child’s family. Unfortunately there are attendant health challenges which come with this old age tradition. Vesicovaginal Vistula (VVF), emotional trauma, high infant and maternal mortality rate, and lack of access to health care pose a serious challenge to the girl child. Since medical care is discriminatory to the girl child, there is a need for the government to implement a stronger policy framework around maternal health that will allow girls and women alike to have easy access to healthcare. Government should build more health facilities for women and enact a law that allows under-age girls to finish school (18+) before marriage. As we celebrate the international day of the girl child, government at all levels should begin to look inwards and proffers the needed help, laws and policies that will serve as a strong launching pad to safeguard the emotional, safety and social wellbeing of girls. Adeyemi Olofa, yolofa@gmail.com

he series of scandals that have engulfed this administration recently are beginning to cast a shadow over the administration. What is more, the deafening silence on some of these weighty allegations is making matters worse. President Buhari was roundly supported by Nigerians because of his vow to tackle corruption before it kills us among other things and recent events plus his body language have not quite lived up to expectations. This is not why we kicked out arguably the most corrupt administration this country ever had. The slow motion with which this government has handled sensitive issues - from delays in appointments to policymaking, despite complaints from all quarters, has proven to be a real threat to our development in that it has affected businesses and investments. It is imperative that this government understands that inordinate delays in making vital decisions make for a poor image of a government and the country it leads. Recently a letter to the President from the Minister of State for Petroleum where some

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

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

very damning issues were raised was leaked. Forty-eight hours after the news broke, there was no action whatsoever from President Buhari. In the said letter Minister Kachikwu accused Maikanti Baru, the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation of insubordination and award of contracts to the tune of US$24 billion, without due process among other allegations. That no proper actions have been taken, two months after the letter, beggars belief. With the president’s body language in the light of this, one is wont to believe the fight against corruption is a farce, and as peddled in some quarters – a witch hunt. I didn’t believe a day will come when I’ll have some doubts and questions about President Buhari’s war against corruption and his Presidency in general. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo submitted his committee’s report on corruption allegations against Messrs. Babachir Lawal and Ayo Oke upon the president’s arrival from London and a month after, there’s been no word on that. Something does not feel right. Is there a form of nepotism going on here? Why has Ibe Kachikwu been denied access to the president since his return from medical leave? Did the president see this letter? Was it intercepted by someone? If it was, who is that someone and what is/was his motive? This is the time to clear the air and act. The true test of President Buhari’s Presidency has just been presented and the way he handles this will determine a lot as his legacy is on the line here. Is the legacy he’s built over the years based on his modesty and integrity worth losing over some jejune decision? The president can’t continue to make bets in a burning house. This won’t-talk attitude will not even cut it this time around. It’s already one too many and this is too heavy to ensconce. The president must make a very firm decision on this. He should as a matter of urgency launch a thorough investigation into these allegations and make sure justice is served. In the same vein, the president cannot continue to hold the country to ransom with respect to Babachir Lawal and Oke – make your decision and let justice reign! Chiechefulam Ikebuio, chiechefulamikebuiro@gmail.com

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NEWSXTRA

In Brief Ogoni Clean-up Commences Soon

orethanyearafterthegroundbreakingceremonyoftheOgoniclean-upwas conducted by Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, and after exhausting several excusestoexplainwhytheclean-upexercisehasbeendelayedtilldate,the Minister of Environment, Usman Jibril on Friday assured that the clean-up of Ogoniland would commence soon. The minister gave the assurance in Abuja at a pre-pres briefing on the forthcoming 11th National Council on Environment taking place on Monday, October 16th at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He explained that the National Council on Environmentwasthehighestpolicymakingbodyontheenvironmentsector whichfacilitatesinter-governmentaldeliberationsandguidesconsultation on environment issues at all levels of government.

Obiano Employs 17 Corps Members

AnambraStateGovernor,ChiefWillieObianoyesterdayannouncedautomatic employmentfor17NationalYouthServiceCorps(NYSC)membersdeployed tothestatefortheironeyearnationalservice.Thecorpsmembers,comprising of 10 members of 2015 Batch 'B' and seven 2016 Batch 'A' corps members, were also rewarded with cash donations and laptops for distinguishing themselves during their service year.The corps member who came first in theCommunityDevelopmentServiceprojects,gotthecashsumofN200,000, plusalaptop,whilethesecondandthirdpositions,alsogotlaptopsaswellas cash sums of N150,000 and N100,000 respectively. Addressing the entire NYSCmembersinthestateattheDoraAkunyiliWomenDevelopmentCenter, Awka,thegovernorsaidtheawardswereinrecognitionofthe outstanding performances of the awardees in the course of their national assignment.

YOU' RE WELCOME ... Elder Statesman, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State at the Government House in Benin City, during the courtesy visit to the governor, on Friday

Court Orders Temporary Forfeiture of N1.4bn Paris/London Club Loan Found in Two Banks Davidson Iriekpen

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered temporary forfeiture of N1.4 billion, which was part of unrefunded Paris and London Club Loans, domiciled at Access Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) to the federal government. Justice Cecelia Mojisola Olatoregun made the order while granting an ex-parte application marked FHC/L/CS/158../2017, filed and argued before her court by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) through his lawyer, E. E. Iheanacho. Apart from the order of temporary forfeiture, the court also ordered the EFCC to notify whoever was interested in the said

money to appear before the court and show cause why the money should not be finally forfeited. The judge also directed the EFCC to publish the temporary forfeiture order in a national newspaper for the respondents or anyone who was interested in the money to appear before the court and show cause within 14 days why final forfeiture order will not be made. Listed as respondents in the suit are: Melrose General Services Limited: WASP Networks Limited: and Thebe Wellness Services. The EFCC in an affidavit deposed to by one of its investigators, Usman Zakari, stated that on May 26, 2016, the 36 states governors through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) engaged the services of consortium of consultants made

up of GSCL consulting and Bizplus Consulting Services Limited tagged 'GSCL Bizplus Consortium', for the purpose of verification, reconciliation, and recovery of over-deductions on Paris and London Club Loans on the account of states and local government between 1995 to 2002. The deponent stated that the consortium carried out the said assignment of verification, reconciliation and recovery of the said Paris and London Club loans on the states and local government between 1995 and 2002, and came up with a total sum of $6,483,282,424.61 as due for refund to the states. He stated that the report of the consortium dated August 31, 2016, showing a breakdown of

the debt profile state by state and over-deductions was addressed to the Minister of Finance. And that the report was submitted to the NGF. How stated further that following the report, the president approved an initial payment of the sum of $1.730,930.53, for the benefit of the various states. He also stated that in line with the request of the state governors, the Ministry of Finance through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), paid the sum of $86,546,526.65 and N19,439,225,871.11 (representing five percent of the approved initial Paris and London Club refund) respectfully into the GTBank Plc and Access Bank Plc accounts of NGF purportedly to defray consultancy and incidental expenses.

Jonathan Disowns Comments on Biafra, Dismisses 2015 Aso Clinic Probe Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed as false, an online report which claimed that the he delivered a speech in Texas, United States, where he spoke on the Niger Delta in the agitation for the state of Biafra. In a related development President Jonathan faulted media reports which claimed that the House of Representatives planned to investigate his administration over N11.1 billion State House Clinic budgets between 2015-2017 as he was not responsible for the implementation of 2015 budget and therefore would be the wrong person to answer

questions on provisions of a budget he was not part of. A statement issued Friday by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze stated that Jonathan couldn’t have delivered a speech in Texas since he had neither travelled to the U.S. since he left office in 2015, nor sent any representation to any event in the state. “We have just been informed of the text of a speech fabricated in the name of former President Goodluck Jonathan in which he was alleged to have addressed the issue of the place of the Niger Delta in the agitation for Biafra. This is pure

fiction which serves no purpose, other than probably massage the ego of the faceless writer. “The false report which is now spreading in the social media began this way: ‘Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebere Jonathan yesterday delivered a lecture at Texas, United States…’. "For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Jonathan has neither been to Texas since he left office in 2015, nor sent anybody to represent him at any programme in the U.S. state. “Our advice to those who engage in this kind of untoward behaviour is to repent and apply their creative

energy to productive ends, in line with the efforts to build the nation we all will be proud of,” he said. On the State House Clinic budget, he said, “The House of representatives resolved Thursday 12 October, 2015, to probe 2015-2017 allocations to Aso Rock Clinic and some media reports are needlessly dragging the name of former President Goodluck Jonathan into it. We had thought that the media should be the first to remind Nigerians that since Dr. Jonathan left office on May 29, 2015, he had absolutely nothing to do with the implementation of the budget for that year.

Nigeria’s Loots: Recovery Process Complicated, Says British Govt Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The British government has declared that it had no intention to keep Nigeria’s stolen money stuck in United Kingdom banks by some corrupt public officials. It however said the processes of recovering the stuck funds were time consuming and complicated. British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Laure Beaufils, disclosed

this to reporters on Friday at a forum organised by the management of the privately owned radio station, Royal Fm in Ilorin, Kwara State Beaufils was in the state in continuation of her familiarisation tour to some parts of Nigeria. While responding to question from journalists on whether Nigeria still had hope of recovering the loots, she said the funds were still stuck in Britain because all the legal

documents required had not been completed. She stated that, ‘‘There is more than hope, it will happen, the question is question of time and the reason for that is because these are very complicated legal processes, what will have to happen for the money to be returned; all the legal documents must be gathered and to be put in place and we have to make sure that all the money goes back and

goes back to the right place. "This process can be quite time consuming and complicated and sometimes there is also hiccups on the way .I think my message to you is the following. ‘‘First of all we are committed to return that money, there is no desire to keep that money, we can’t access it even if we want to and I expect that you will see some infrastructure flow back in the next few years’.’

Teenage Pregnancies Prevalent in Ekiti

Anon-governmentalorganisation,NewGenerationGirlsandWomenDevelopmentInitiative(NIGAWD),hasdisclosedthatdespitetheincreasingpractice of genitalmutilationamongresidentsthatteenagepregnancyisstillhighin EkitiState.Itdisclosedthat inspiteoftheprevalenceofgenitalmutilationin thestate,whichsomepeoplebelievedwouldcurbpromiscuity thatEkitistill recordoneofthehighestfemaledropoutsnecessitatedbyuntimelypregnancy inthecountry.NIGAWDfounderandExecutiveDirector,PrincessAbimbola Aladejare, lamented that 70 out of 100 girl child in Ekiti were circumcised, describing the scenario as exposing girls to various medical risks .

NAFOWA Trains 800 Women, Youths

Nigeria Air Force Officers Wife's Association (NAFOWA) has trained over 800womenandyouthsindifferentskillacquisitionandvocationalprograms acrossthecountry.inthelasttwoyears.Thiswasdisclosedbythewifeofthe ChiefofAirStaff,HajiaHafsatSadique Abubakarwhileinauguratingtheskill acquisitionandvocationaltraining for150women,widowsandyouthatAir ForcebaseinBauchionFriday.HajiaAbubakarwhoisalsotheNationalPresident ofNAFOWAsaidsinceMay2015over800womenandyouthhadbenefited fromthetraininginBenue,Kaduna,Brono,Lagos,PortHarcourt andBauchi State. She added that the skill acquisition training would be conducted in other states to empower women and youth to be self-reliance. According toher,thebeneficiariesweretrainedindifferentskillswhichinclude,fashion designing, make up, shoe making, computer, bead making, aluminum door fabrication, soap production among others.

Ortom Sack Benue SEMA Boss

TheBenueStateExecutiveSecretaryofEmergencyManagementAgency BonifaceOrtesehasbeensackedbyGovernorSamuelOrtom.Hissackwas announcedbySecretarytotheStateGovernmentAnthonyIjohor.TerverAkase, ChiefPressSecretarytoGovernorSamuelOrtomwhoconfirmedthesack of Ortese said he was removed for insubordination. The sacked Executive Secretarywhospokeonphonetonewsmendeclinedcomment, saying"no comments yet'. However, Ortese had been having a sour relationship with the Deputy Governor Mr. Benson Abounu who doubles as chairman, Flood ManagementCommittee.Bothhavedisagreedonissuesbotheringoncamp management especially on disbursement of money and relief materials.

Buhari Mourns Drowned Pupils

PresidentMuhammaduBuhariyesterdaysaidhewasdeeplysaddenedby the news of the tragic death of some students of Victory College, Ungwan Yelwa in Kaduna, who drowned in River Kaduna while on an excursion. The president'schiefspokesman,Mr.FemiAdesina,inastatement,saidBuhari's thoughtsandprayerswerewiththedistraughtfamiliesofthedeceasedand themanagementoftheCollege,addingthatthepresidentexpressedheartfelt condolencestothegovernmentandpeopleofKadunaStateinthisdifficult moment.AdesinasaidthepresidentprayedGodtocomfortfamiliesandfriends affectedbytheprofoundlossoftheyoungminds,andwishedotherstaffand studentswhoareinshockovertheunfortunateincidentaspeedyrecovery.

‘It's Time to Return Home'

TheExecutiveDirector,VictimSupportFund(VSF),Dr.SundayA.Ochochehas advisedInternallyDisplacedPersons(IDPs)toreturntotheirvariousrecovered communitiesfollowingthesignificantimprovementofthesecuritysituation inregionaslifeinthecampwasn'taholiday.He notedthatthoughtherewas muchtobedone,securitysituationintheregionhadsignificantlychangedand stabilisedandpeopleshouldreturnhome.Hemadethepleaduringadonation ofreliefmaterialsbytheNationalBiosafetyManagementAgency(NBMA) toVSF in Abuja. According to him, "following the successes of the security agencies(NigeriaMilitaryinparticular)andthesubsequentreconstruction of the region so far in the affected areas (communities), there was need for people to return home." He said.

Rhythm of Lagos Architecture

With a view to entrenching a culture of sustainability in Nigeria’s urban architecture to leave a legacy that would see future generations the initiators of Open house Lagos have planned a forum to realise it. According to the organisers, “the Open House project seeks to connect tourists and the local population to the architecture of specific buildings in the town - some ofthesebuildingsarenotusuallyopentothepublic.’ Speakingtonewsmen, OlamideUdoma-Ejorhsaid,‘thefirsteditionofOpenHouseLagostookplace inApril2016,withtheprimaryaimofencouragingtouriststoexplorethebuilt environment of Lagos.

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS pg. 20 SUPER SATURDAY pg. 22 AUTO pg. 26 GLOBAL SOCCER pg. 29 FAIRGROUND pg. 36 FASHION FILE pg. 41

Tolu Odebiyi

What I Learnt from Ibikunle Amosun to be Ogun Governor

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 14, 2017

PLUS

What I’ Learnt from Ibikunle Amosun to be Ogun Governor Chief Tolu Odebiyi, Chief of Staﬀ to G Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, may be warming up to receive the baton of leadership from his boss. b He is from Ogun West senatorial district. His father, Chief Jonathan di Odebiyi was minority leader in the Ode Second Sec Republic senate, representing th defunct Unity Party of Nigeria. In the 2015, 20 his ambition to become a senator was ttruncated by his party the APC. He speaks wit with Nseobong Okon-Ekong about his governorship governors ambition

s th the Chief of Staff to Governor Ibikunle Gov Amosun, How early do Am you get to ofﬁce? I get to work at 7 O’clock every morning O’c since I became Chief of sinc Staff to Governor Ibikunle Staf State. Even when I was Amosun of Ogun g S in Lagos, g I got g to w work at the same time. It g gives me time to assimilate a lot of things the day before g that have happened hap p and to have a clear idea of what is ahead of us before people p p sstart coming or before His Excellency y comes com in. By y the nature of my job, before I leave the office I try y to make sure that most things g have wound down. I leave leave between 6 and 7 office lea pm. My y role as the chief of staff manage His Excellency – is to ma manage g his h itinerary, his programmes and to oversee his immediate staff and make sure that things work seamlessly y and effortlessly around him and minimise minim any stress. You look out for your yo principal. If you y feel that certain things are not right, you step in. What gives you the competence to do this? My working in an executive y years y of work position. I had been the MD of a real p estate company. have been the MD of p y Ih Agbara g Industries. I have worked in the banking g sector when I first came back have worked abroad for to the country. y I hav have had global and local over 15 y years. I hav high level. Management, experience at very h

administration and oversight are definitely things that I have been able to handle effortlessly. To me, it is a matter of understanding what it is that we have to do and scheduling people in terms of priority. We have to understand the political dynamics of the environment. If you feel that granting an interview by His Excellency is not most ideal at a certain point, you find a way to pull it off. How do you deal with politics and governance? First of all, I was born into a political family. I am conversant with the political arena. It is also nice that you can bring in the confidence of the private sector to bear; the discipline that comes with the sector. It brings efficiency. Most important, you also have the understanding and the knowledge of the political environment. You should understand the needs and the expectations of the people to have access to you to be able to relate with you in order to reach their governor. I understand all these political dynamics very well because of my upbringing and also the nature of my job. How old were you when your father died? He died in 2002 in March. I am going to be 54 years in November. Would you say you have risen to prominence in Ogun politics as a result of your political heritage? I think it is a combination of everything. Let’s be honest with ourselves. If you have a good legacy and a good pedigree, it is

I think it is a combination of everything. Let’s be honest with ourselves. If you have a good legacy and a good pedigree, it is bonus. Having said that, character is also important. I always tell people that you may be the smartest person but if you don’t have character, then you don’t have anything. You may be an average person, if you have exceptional character, then you have everything. For me, character is everything

OCTOBER 14, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS

Odebiyi with Governor Amosun

What I Learnt from Ibikunle Amosun to be Ogun Governor bonus. Having said that, character is also important. I always tell people that you may be the smartest person but if you don’t have character, then you don’t have anything. You may be an average person, if you have exceptional character, then you have everything. For me, character is everything. I have had the opportunity to serve this government as a member of the Judiciary Service Commission for about four and a half years. I am sure the governor must have assessed my character during that time. I have also had the opportunity to run for the senate in the party. I have been an active member of this party. I have contributed enormously into the party. I am not in the party because I am seeking a position. I joined because I believe in the party. I believe there is need for transformation of this country. I think all the factors that I bring on board are responsible for my nomination as the chief of staff. Working as a member of the Judiciary Service Commission put you among a group of people, how was it possible for him to single you out? You will have to ask him that. The governor is an exceptional person. He is a manager of men. He knows exactly what he is looking for in terms of character. I was among people, but he has his way of asking to find out what kind of person I am. I feel that he must have seen something or he felt the need to bring me on board based on certain traits that he is looking for. I have had the opportunity to work with him and he is somebody I have respect for. I have admiration for him. I have learnt a lot from him. I can also say he is the one that really brought me into politics and I consider him to be my political mentor. He encouraged me to run for the senate, even though the party later asked me to step down. However, I continued to be involved because he is an inspirational person. You cannot work with Amosun and not be inspired. There are four things that you will learn from him. He is a man that is extremely compassionate. He genuinely cares for the downtrodden. He genuinely cares for the masses. He definitely wants to make a difference in their lives. Sometimes, when you are going on the street and he sees something he should act on, he takes action immediately. The other day we were travelling somewhere and he saw a young boy with a lump on his neck. Nobody even saw it. He just called on the radio, ‘stop, stop.’ Somebody, get the details of that boy, get his phone number and get his mother. That is compassion. He is somebody who is also extremely passionate. He wants to transform Ogun State. He is passionate about his job. He wants Ogun State to shine and that is one thing we share in common. The third thing is that he is spiritual. He is a man of faith. Before he does anything, he takes it before God. He is guided by the principles of his faith. To me, that says a lot. Number four is that he

is very hard-working. He is a hands-on governor. One of the challenges of managing a person like him is that sometimes you feel that you are not doing enough for him. Before you get up to it, he is already doing it too. It is not for frivolity. He just wants to get the job done and you can see from the transformation that he has brought to Ogun State. I am not kidding. There is nothing that you are seeing here that he was not actively involved in. Did you move with him from ANPP to CPC and now APC? I was neither in ANPP nor in CPC. I was a registered member of AD but I was not active. We had the ACN that later became part of the APC. That is when I came in What do you remember about your dad that you would say is serving you well now? First and foremost, he was a man of integrity. He was an exceptional human being. He was highly disciplined. He was well schooled. He did the right things. I think we owe people of that generation a lot. These are the traits that I remember. He was incorruptible, neat and had exceptional good character. Those are the values that I grew up with. Growing up, you were not even aware that you had any status. If you misbehaved, you would be disciplined right there in public. I grew up with very strong values but most of all what I picked up from him is his integrity. I have maintained my integrity and I try to be very thorough in everything that I do. I say what I believe is right. I try to look at things and try to do things methodically and make sure that they are done. You are the only son of the family. Were you pampered? When you have an only son, you want him to be a spitting image of you. You want him to do the right thing. I went to a private boarding school. You had to be upright. You had to button up. Those little things. He wanted you to be a good representation of him. He didn’t want you to be a slacker. He wanted you to be very disciplined. He wanted you to be respectful to people. It is not that he was unnecessarily hard, just that he wanted you to be well behaved. I look back now and I thank God. As a young person, I might think he was unnecessarily too difficult. I have five sisters. I might feel that they get away with a lot of things and I didn’t. The pressure was that of expectation. Even when I went to school, I couldn’t afford to do all the wild things other boys did. I was aware that there were consequences. I grew up carrying that burden with everything I do. Up till now, without him around, I feel the burden that I carry the name of the family and that I am the one upholding his legacy. People look at you with expectations. I told the governor at one point that of all the people that are contesting (to become gubernatorial flagbearer of the

APC in Ogun State) I carry more burden than everyone else, because my name comes with expectations. Many people remember my father when he was in the Senate and his eloquence and what he did in the senate. People are looking at me and already there is a benchmark of expectations from me that I have to perform. Add that to the expectations from my area. You have the expectation of His Excellency’s achievements. He has done excellently well. He is leaving a high benchmark that one has to exceed. By God’s grace, I have no doubt that I will do my best to continue from where the governor would have left off and we will get Ogun State to where we all hope it will be. Many see the chief of staff as wielding a great inﬂuence on the governor. How do yiou see that? We have been fortunate in Ogun State. We work as a team. It is a process-driven environment. The governor is the leader of the team. The deputy governor is the second leader of the team. If the governor is not around, I defer to the deputy governor for advice or guidance. To me, it is not about the position. It is to work together; to get the job done. Positions and titles are immaterial. What is important is: are we succeeding? You have a governor, who if he needs to move a table, he will move it himself. He will not wait for anybody. If you have a governor like that, how can you say you are anything? I just want to succeed. I want to do the best I can and present myself well. Would you agree that there is a feeling of disenchantment or alienation in Ogun State? There is no process of change without some kinds of distabilisation to the polity, in the first place. It will certainly affect some people. People have been so used to certain norms over the years. Another governor was there and everybody just ‘chopped’. At the end of the day, nothing got done. It is difficult when somebody comes and he is just making changes and you are still trying to see where you can fit in. He is not talking to you the way the former ones did. He just wants to get things done. It is taking a while, but right now everybody is commending him. There has been indolence over the years. People were paid for not doing anything. If you look at people that are talking negatively about him and you do a critical analysis of these people and where they are coming from, you will see that there is nothing that is bothering them than fear. Once you are successful, you are going to have enemies. People have been there before him, these are the same roads, they did not do anything even when oil was $100 a barrel. When Amosun came in, oil was $20, then went up to $30 and he has been able to use his financial acumen to engineer the state. He has increased the IGR from N700 million to about N6 billion. It is unheard of. That is what is unsettling some people.

There is no process of change without some kinds of distabilisation to the polity, in the first place. It will certainly affect some people. People have been so used to certain norms over the years. Another governor was there and everybody just ‘chopped’. At the end of the day, nothing got done. It is difficult when somebody comes and he is just making changes and you are still trying to see where you can fit in. He is not talking to you the way the former ones did. He just wants to get things done The truth is that for so many years his legacies will be there for people to appreciate. He did it effortlessly, and selflessly. He has been sacrificial in everything he has done for the state. How is your wife taking your involvement in politics? My wife is a pharmacist. She shares my vision and my interest. I have three children – a boy and two girls. I see my son in my situation as the only boy, but times have changed. These days, your children may even point the direction you should go. Have you kept a good relationship with the Awolowo family? It was such an exciting moment for a young person like me to accompany my father along with Papa Awolowo, Chief Ajasin and Chief Onabanjo on campaigns. I was a teenager in the Second Republic. I remember people shouting ‘up Awo!, up Awo!’. It was exciting. When I think about it now, I did not realise it then that somehow I would be drawn to politics. You don’t realise the seed you pass to young people at an early age. Gradually, as you get older those things have to germinate. The Awolowo, the Onabanjo and the Ajasin are part of my family. When Mama Awolowo died, I was the chairman of one of the committees for the burial. When Awolowo died, my father was the chairman of the burial committee. I have a relationship with the remaining children of Papa. I am, friend of the grandchildren. How do you relax? I enjoy sitting down with my people in my home town or my staff to discuss whatever issue there is. I am happy when they are happy. I like to go to my hometown in Iboro. It is serene, full of trees and calm. I also like to read a good book; perhaps biographies of people that inspire me. What book are you reading now? The Citizen’s Book on Governance by Adekunle Osibogun

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 14, 2017 with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Obafemi Awolowo

Awo’s Statue: Nothing Do Am Following the hullabaloo that has been going on about the recently unveiled Awolowo’s statue in Ikeja, I carried myself as a well-known busybody to see the statue and give my own comments to Nigerians. For those of you who do not know who Obafemi Awolowo was, well, no be me go tell you. Someone paid my school fees and it is only him I owe this information. Well, as I approached the statue, I noticed that Awo was seated. That was my first issue. Why would Awo be sitting on such a busy traffic intersection? They should have made him stand so that all those traffic offenders will panic and be orderly. Well, apart from that, a careful scrutiny of the statue showed a perfect excursion into the delicate art of sculpture. A lot of these critics do not understand art. The artist has the creative liberty to depict his subject anyhow he wants. His work is his personal testimony to his subject, the way he sees him and the way he visualises him and what message and story he wants to send to his public. So, all this noise about the statue not looking like Awo is just irritating noise of people who do not understand the delicate construct that is art. If I were commissioned to make the statue, I would have sculpted an Awo on his knees and in tears with a very skinny and gaunt look depicting his tears for what we have turned into and how we have rubbished his legacy of selfless leadership. I would have shown him in tears crying at the destruction of his legacy of an egalitarian society hinged on free and qualitative education. I would have shown him on his knees pleading to this generation to reconsider our selfishness and corruption, I would have shown him naked with just a tiny loin cloth depicting how we have raped the resources of our land and increased poverty to the point where if Awo woke up today, he would literally die of shame as to what we have turned the society into. So my people nothing do the statue except the fact that the artist in his work did not let the statue tell a story and that is why he is being vilified this way. His work is bland and just sits there in its true beauty but vacuous essence and not reminding us of any of Awolowo’s legacies except the fact that he wore shoes with lace on agbada. Wait for my own statue, it would not only show Awolowo, but it will combine all our founding fathers in tears, naked with nothing but loin clothes covering their shame and bound in chains, weeping for the soul of this country. A country that has gone to the dogs making nonsense of the huge sacrifices they have made for our nationhood. I will do like six of the statues and look for places of high population density within the six geographical zones that make up what is beginning to look like a joke of a country and strategically place them there, so that when our children ask us what the artist is trying to say with such a sorrowful and sad work, we would with shame re-echo Wole Soyinka’s very apt declaration that this generation remains a wasted one. Kai. Aisha Buhari and the Aso Rock Clinic When I read this piece where the First Lady – kai, the woman still fine sha - was complaining bitterly of the situation in Aso Rock Clinic, what came to my mind was her Husband’s coup speech when he took over government in 1983. In that earth-shaking speech, he had alluded to the fact that our hospitals had been turned into mere consulting clinics and immediately, I threw back the challenge to her doorstep. Mummy, what would you do about the situation and this time not just the Aso Clinic with their N3billion budget but to the whole consulting clinics that litter our nation? The challenge is now on you to use your huge moral capital to independently galvanise resources and support towards enriching

Aisha Buhari

Rotimi Amaechi

Command School Alumni Dapo Abiodun: Peace be Still I first heard that phrase from Pastor Chris Okotie when I was still a member of his church. It was his birthday and as usual, members had serenaded him with kind words, wonderful gifts and all they could do to show their love and respect for him. When it was time for the man of God to speak, he told us a story where the subject was told of the sad news of the loss of his whole family in a ship mishap. He sat on the beach and wrote the song which I cannot really remember the title but has become a legendary Christian hymn we all sing at times like these. But this phrase, PEACE BE STILL got my attention and has been my support when the vicissitudes of life hit me as they inevitably do. Nothing is harder to handle than the loss of a child. I can imagine the searing pain that would be Mr. Abiodun’s lot at this time, as he tries to figure out what has just happened. A lot of questions would be flirting with his mind, the answers he would be too afraid to confront. Images of the handsome lad hitting various milestones would be flashing through his mind. His birth, his first walk, his first tooth, his first day in school, all the dreams and plans now all gone with the sad loss of what could have been a wonderful legacy. As mourners throng his house sending their support, hugging and consoling him, shedding tears and generally trying their very best to hold him and give him the support he would need at this point, all he would be wishing for would be that alone time, where he can ask God some very deep questions. As the last visitor leaves, he will recede into the deep recess of his room, go to the corner and sit on the floor, staring blankly into space with a huge lump in his throat, he would be waiting for God to speak to him, to tell him why and what he did to deserve such

our hospitals for the betterment of our people. So you see a clinic with that kind of budget directly under your nose not having the basics, then come to Shomolu and see what our hospitals look like. Mummy, I tell you the level at which people are resorting to herbs and quacks for medical solution, you will not believe. So, your Excellency, no be to call press conference alone, what are you going to do about it? That is the question I am respectfully throwing at you. Let me suggest something, why not put a privately structured endowment fund, that would leverage on your popularity and raise private funds with the sole aim of sup-

pain. He will be wishing that like a bad movie he could roll back the tape and as tears stream down his face, he begins to quiver, aghhhh the pain just too much to comprehend. The hurt, the fear as he shakes, he feels the hot need to scream, to shout, to strip and just run as fast as his legs would take him. Kai, the loss of a child is the worse pain that can be inflicted on anybody. Aghhhh Dapo kai, be strong. Wherever you are, be strong. I know it is not easy but what can you do. You have to stand firm like the man you are and find strength. A lot depends on you, you cannot crack. This was one passing too painful. As I write, I stare at my system trying to imagine what he would be going through, but the truth is that you cannot feel the pain as much as he would be feeling because he is in the epicentre of this tsunami. All you can do is stretch your hand in fellowship as you send prayers of hope and joy everlasting towards Dapo this morning. I met Dapo only once at the opening of his Private Club in Ikoyi. Until then I only knew him by reputation and after that spoke to him twice on the phone so he is not my close friend by any stretch of the imagination, but who would not feel his pain today? Which man with a promising son would not share Dapo’s pain and tears at this moment? I feel perfectly his sorrow even as I am encouraged with that phrase, “peace be still” that like all things in life, there is a perfect explanation for this, it is just that we do not know and only God knows why. Egbon, hold on to your faith, this storm too shall pass and DJ Olu’s memory would continue to give you the kind of strength to keep building a strong legacy of love in this world. “Egbon ma fa ra le” only God knows why. You have our prayers. Peace be still my lord. Take care and God bless.

porting at least six tertiary hospitals across the nation while also building another six well-funded and well-run ones? That way, you would not need to go to any hospital run 100 per cent by foreigners to get your paracetamol. Let’s see some action from your side just this once and you would have written your name in the book of history. Oya mummy, let’s do this, ball is now in your court. God bless you. Rotimi Amaechi – Are You Sure You Said This? Dear Honourable, I was just thinking the other day that you have been kinda quiet and this is very unlike you. I am sure maybe

Gov. Udom

you have been on vacation. But anyway, I am just reading a report that quoted you as saying that only Odili can abuse your mother and wife and go scot-free. Well, I really do not believe you made this statement because nothing can be further from the truth and I am ready to prove you wrong. I know so many Nigerians that can carry out this national assignment and not only go scot-free but you will also send them bottles of champagne thanking them for the honour. In fact, I know 10. Should I start naming than? Ok, let me name a few, our President Buhari is one. In fact, you will even give him their full names so he doesn’t make a mistake when he is pronouncing the names. Another person is Ibrahim Magu. Make I continue? Make I stop abeg because I no believe that statement for all I know it could be fake news or that you were misquoted. You remain a great guy, I personally have missed hearing from you. What is the plan o. Let me know o. You know Wike has started warming up. How are we moving so that I start getting ready for action? Gov. Udom, Super Eagles and The World Cup My Governor, yes o he is my Governor. A lot of people think that because I am the Duke of Shomolu that I am from that place. I am a true-blooded Ibibio man from Nsit Ubiom In Akwa Ibom. I am a child of immigrants who came to Lagos in search of the golden fleece and settled in Shomolu, intermarried and today have produced a host of descendants with dual heritage. But that is story for another day. Well, Obong Udom had in the recent past promised our gallant boys the tidy sum of $10,000 for each goal scored hoping that the game would end in a goalless draw. But these boys decided to take up the challenge and I think scored about four goals which made my lord rush to the State House of Assembly to seek a budget readjustment to enable him meet this pledge. Well, this time around, we waited for a pledge. But it was total silence we got from the State House. So I placed a call to my Governor. Immediately, he picked the call, I said, “Ete, are we not pledging anything on this match? My humble suggestion: Let’s pledge like $100 for each goal so that even if they score 100 goals, we would not need to deplete the state budget and start looking for Dangote and the Paris Club to assist us.” My lord smiled and said I should not worry that he had everything under control and that Saraki was coming, that he would push that one to make the pledge guaranteed by the state Government. So my people, you see why we saw only one goal since the Akwa Ibom State treasury was firmly locked against the super Eagles, since we are still recovering from the last one. Anyway, we thank God o, those boys showed us the true essence of our being as a nation. They played in one accord not minding which political party or which region of the country the other player came from and in so doing, united us as a nation in this victory. Obong Udom I think we should do something mbok, nothing is too small for these boys have done well. Thank you my lord as you consider this plea. Jumoke Odunye: A Shout-Out I know say you will be shocked when you see your name on this page. Shebi I told you that it is me that write this column that you love so much and you said it is not my Joseph Edgar; that it is another Joseph Edgar. It is me abeg. How many joseph Edgars are in this country sef that went to school and have a title given to them by the good people of Shomolu? The only other one wey try small na Police Commissioner, even that one no fine like me. If you still doubt, then there is nothing I can do. How are you though? Please send the cup cakes now that I have proven that it is me.

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

SPY GLASS

JALAB ARABI

ASO ROCK CLINIC: PERM SEC, JALAB ARABI IN TROUBLE! The rot at the Aso Rock Clinic had been there for so long. It is either no one noticed it or no one was bold enough to expose it. But it took the intervention of the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, to draw our attention to the mess that the medical centre had become. The First Lady had called out the management of the clinic at a recent event, where she narrated her personal experience while seeking medical attention for an undisclosed ailment. In her outburst, nay angst, she practically accused the Chief Medical Director of the clinic of financial malfeasance and poor management. Almost immediately, all eyes began to turn in the direction of the CMD, who has since become the butt of criticisms. But a few days after what many have described as a national shame, some insiders hinted Spy Glass the outburst had been misdirected. Instead, the source pointed the finger at the Permanent Secretary of State House, Jalab Arabi. Arabi, according to the source, has been enmeshed in several other scandals, which had hitherto been under-reported. It was alleged that he was fond of toying with the sweats of workers in the house. The source revealed that salaries of doctors on internship are being owed for many months. It was also alleged that money budgeted for drugs have been misappropriated by Arabi. Speaking further, the source said no staff had been able to access the sum of N 21 million deducted by the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, so far. “He is so arrogant. He would have been booted out of this place but for his alleged closeness to the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. He sometimes refuses to carry out the order of the wife of the President and that of the VP’s wife. It will amaze you that both the wives of the President and Vice President fuel their cars from their pockets for official assignments as Jalal refuses to release funds for this purpose and nobody dares query him,’ added the source.

TALE OF A POLITICAL DESPERADO Typical of the average Nigerian politician, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Defence, had

with .... 08054680651 literally gone on a denial trip when he was seen romancing with the camp of the All Progressives Congress, APC, a party he recently had abused and vilified. He had waxed philosophical in some interviews he granted some newspapers, while trying to defend his new relationship with the same people he once tagged “enemies of progress.” While in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he had openly denied any good in the emerging opposition APC. Indeed its leadership and faithful had become the anvil of his vitriolic attacks. So, the initial shock expressed by political watchers in the land was not misplaced. However, recent events have confirmed that the Lagos State-born senator had a plan up his sleeves. He resolved to swallow his pride and go back to his odious vomit for personal reasons: to gain political relevance and prevent his career from total collapse. Just two years after the era of his former boss, former President Goodluck Jonathan, the former High Commissioner to Ghana is back and he is literally on his bended knees to get accepted back into the fold he once rebuked. Spyglass gathered that Obanikoro is romancing the APC stalwart so as to replace Senator Oluremi Tinubu who might not seek re-election to the Upper Chamber in 2019. But a source revealed that it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than the former Senator to succeed Senator Tinubu. The reason, he stated, has to do with trust issues. “His return to the Asiwaju’s camp is expected. Koro, as he is fondly called, is a desperate politician who would do anything to rescue his career from crashing, hence his new romance with the former governor and the APC stalwart. But be that as it may, he might be left in the cold for a long time to come as many have warned Tinubu to beware of him, “ our source stated. Obanikoro had represented the Lagos Central in 2003 before he left Alliance for Democracy in annoyance to pitch his tent with the then Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

OF IWO MONARCH AND CONTROVERSY It is doubtful if the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdurasheed Akanbi, would ordinarily like to court controversy. But since he ascended the throne in 2015, his name has almost become synonymous with controversy. Sadly, this seemingly undisciplined attitude seems to be gaining attention in the public domain. Already some of his actions and comical displays in public are said to be giving some of his subjects grave concern. They have thus nicknamed the 50-year-old monarch ‘King controversy’ . Not a few have forgotten how he humiliated one of the top and popular Chiefs in the town, Abiola Ogundokun, who was said to have contributed to his emergence as the king of the ancient town. The funky traditional ruler reportedly revoked the chieftaincy titles of Ogundokun, The monarch had earlier stripped Ogundokun of his traditional and social

titles of Basorun Musulumi of Iwoland, a member of Iwo Board of Trustees, Otun Balogun of Iwoland and Obanla of Iwo.

YETUNDE KAKULU’S NEW MOVE Whatever has a beginning, the popular saying goes, must surely have an end. This is so true in the case of Yetunde Kakulu who has reportedly resigned her appointment from Keystone Bank, where she had a fruitful banking career. For those who have been following her story in the industry, taking the bold move must have been a tough decision. Her leaving, after 24 years of meritorious service in different capacities in the bank, had been foreseen, particularly after the bank was acquired by Sigma Golf-Riverbank Consortium over five months ago. In a chat with Spy Glass, a source said: “It is a known fact that top management staff will be relieved of their positions as soon as the new investors, Sigma Golf-Riverbank Consortium, acquired the bank last April. So, it is expected. She happened to be among the affected staff. I don’t think she has anything to worry about. She is brilliant and well vast in the industry, so she will definitely get another job.” Since Kakulu, who combines beauty with brains called it quits with Keystone Bank, not a few are desirous of knowing where the former CEO, Keystone, Uganda subsidiary, will berth.

NKECHI OBI’S ORATORICAL SKILL Her name rings a bell in the oil and gas industry, having put in many years in the practice. Indeed, when she talks, many fall over themselves to listen to her because of her wealth of experience. But if you think this is all about Nkechi Obi, Vice Chairman, Techno Oil, you will be underestimating the power of this beautiful entrepreneur. Penultimate Thursday in Lagos, Obi, who graduated with a B.Sc. degree in Economics from the Lagos State University (LASU) in 1988, proved to all that she is equally a great and charming orator. She wowed at the National Company of the Year event organised by Junior Achievement Nigeria, JAN, or secondary school students in Nigeria. Obi, whose company was one of the major sponsors of the event, held her audience spell-bound, as she shared her experience with the students on the occasion. She took them on a voyage around her growing up when she learned the business of selling textiles under the tutelage of her mother at the ever-bustling Balogun Market in Lagos. In her remarks as keynote speaker, she urged the students to develop the latent entrepreneurial skill that God had deposited in them. For Obi, the journey to the enviable height in the oil industry has been laced with thorns and roses. In the beginning, it was tough, but she held on to her beautiful dream. She started by marketing lubricants and later ventured into the sale and distribution of petroleum

YETUNDE KAKULU products. Over the years, she has sown in sweats, so it is not surprising that she is now reaping in bountiful harvests. From her humble beginnings, Obi was able to nurture Techno Oil as a leading indigenous oil and gas company in less than a decade. Her immense contribution to the sector has earned Techno Oil a dominant role in the distribution of petroleum products across the country. She is usually driven by an abiding quest to change the lives of her compatriots for the better. Besides, no one would tar her with the brush of a wheeler-dealer in her day-to-day business activities.

LEO STAN EKEH’S INTEREST By virtue of his rare accomplishments, Leo Stan Ekeh, owner of Zinox Computers, is one of the few businessmen who have written their names in gold. The string of industry awards that litter his ornate office is evident of his success story in the sector. So far, it can be said that providence has been fair to him, especially when you consider his intimidating resume, international connections and riches. He is one of the few Nigerian businessmen that rub shoulders with other businessmen around the world while his ICT company competes favourably with others around the globe. In fact, he is a glittering star in the business firmament. But Stan Ekeh is not known to pursue unrealistic dreams. How? For some time, he has been under pressure by his people who want him to contest for governor in 2019. They see him as the messiah who can rewrite the story of the 41-year-old state. To underscore the seriousness of their intention, they have reportedly made representations to him to hearken to their cries on different occasions. Spy Glass, however, gathered that the businessman has shunned all pleas for the simple reason that he was more passionate about his businesses scattered around the world. “The businessman has rejected the offer to throw his hat into the ring. He is not cut for politics, especially as it is being practised in this part of the world. Of course, he is not totally apolitical and has friends who are well placed in the Nigerian politics. But he only prefers to face his businesses. Don’t get me wrong; he is definitely not a coward and it is impossible for him to lose in any election. In fact, he has never lost in his business history. What I’ m telling you is final! Stan Ekeh is not contesting in 2019 and that is it!’’

NKECHI OBI

OBANIKORO

OBA AKANBI

LEO STAN

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 14, 2017

SUPER SATURDAY

HARVEY WEINSTEIN

The Many Women Who Accussed Weinstein of Sexual Misbehaviour

Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein’s accusers include household names who were still looking to establish themselves when the alleged oﬀences took place. Below are some of the allegations made public so far.

he Italian actor Asia Argento alleges that Weinstein raped her when she was 21. She told The New Yorker she had been invited to what she thought was a party in his Hotel du Cap-EdenRoc room near Cannes, but found herself alone with him. He changed into a bathrobe and asked her to give him a massage. She said she had reluctantly agreed, but that he pulled her skirt up and forcibly performed oral sex on her. She said she felt guilty about what she described a “horrible trauma” and for not fighting him off. She later went on to have consensual sexual relations with him, which she described to the magazine as one-sided and onanistic, because she believed he would ruin her career if she didn’t comply. “After the rape, he won,” she said. Lucia Evans, then Stoller, was an aspiring actor when Weinstein approached her at the Cirpriani Upstairs club in New York in 2004, she told The New Yorker. He arranged a meeting at the Miramax office, where she found herself alone with him. “He forced me to perform oral sex on him,” she said. “He’s a big guy, he overpowered me.” She told the magazine she blamed herself for not fighting harder and that she was still haunted by it.

Gwyneth Paltrow was 22 and had been hired for the lead in the Jane Austen adaptation Emma. She told the New York Times she had been summoned to Weinstein’s hotel suite, where he suggested she give him a massage. She said she refused and felt petrified. She confided in her then boyfriend Brad Pitt, who confronted Weinstein. Soon after, the producer warned her not to tell anyone else. “I was expected to keep the secret,” she told the newspaper. “I thought he was going to fire me.” During the release of Playing by Heart in the late 1990s, Angelina Jolie found herself in a hotel room with Weinstein, she told the NYT. He made unwanted advances which she rejected. “I had a bad experience with Harvey Weinstein in my youth and as a result chose never to work with him again, and warn others when they did,” she told the paper. Another anonymous actor claimed Weinstein had raped her. He changed into a bathrobe and “forced himself on me sexually”, the New Yorker reported. She felt “horror, disbelief and shame” and considered going to the police, but then thought about how much she could lose and decided “just to move forward”. She continued to have a professional relationship with him after the alleged rape. Mira Sorvino, who starred in several of Wein-

stein’s films, found herself in his hotel room at the Toronto international film festival in 1995. “He started massaging my shoulders, which made me very uncomfortable, and then tried to get more physical, sort of chasing me around,” the Mighty Aphrodite star told The New Yorker. She said she had managed to leave. Rosanna Arquette, who starred in Pulp Fiction, told The New Yorker she had been supposed to meet Weinstein for dinner at a Beverly Hills hotel to pick up a script, but on arrival was told to go to his suite. He answered the door wearing a white bathrobe and saying he needed a massage. She said he grabbed her hand and pulled it towards his penis which was “visible and erect … My heart was really racing. I was in a fight-or-flight mode”. She said she told him: “I will never do that”, and that he responded by telling hershe was making a huge mistake. She claims her career later suffered. Ambra Battilana Gutierrez, a Filipina-Italian model, was 22 when she was invited to Weinstein’s office in the Tribeca neighbourhood of New York. He lunged at her, groping her breasts and attempting to put a hand up her skirt while she protested. She went straight to the police. The New Yorker published an audio tape recorded when she was equipped with a NYPD wire tap.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 14, 2017

SUPERSATURDAY THE MANY WOMEN WHO ACCUSSED WEISTEN OF SEXUAL MISBEHAVIOUR

Asia Argento

In the recording, Weinstein begs her to join him in his hotel room. She refuses and asks him why he had groped her breast the day before. “Oh, please, I’m sorry, just come on in. I’m used to that. Come on. Please,” he says. “You are used to that?” Gutierrez asks. “Yes,” Weinstein replies, later adding: “I won’t do it again”. He also says: “Don’t ruin your friendship with me for five minutes.” Zoe Brock, a model and writer from New Zealand, then 23, accepted an invitation to Weinstein’s hotel suite at Cannes believing others would be present. When others left she found herself “alone in a remote hotel suite with Harvey fucking Weinstein,” she blogged. She alleges he took his clothes off and asked for a massage, forcing her to run to the bathroom to escape. “Harvey chased me, dick, balls and all, and banged on the door with his fists, pleading with me to come out”. She agreed to come out once he was fully dressed and then left. Katherine Kendall, who appeared in the film Swingers, told the NYT she had been 23 when Weinstein invited her to a screening which turned out to be a solo trip with him to a cinema. Afterwards, he asked if they go to his apartment to pick something up, where he went to the bathroom, came back in a robe and asked her to massage him. She said he told her “everybody does it”, but she refused. He left the room and returned nude. “He literally chased me. He wouldn’t let me pass him to get to the door,” she told the paper. Then he implored her to at least show him her breasts, but she refused. Tomi-Ann Roberts was a 20-yearold college junior working as a waitress when Weinstein set up an audition at his hotel. When she arrived, he was nude in the bath, she alleged in the NYT. He told her she would have a much better audition if she was comfortable “getting naked in front of him” as she might have to play a topless scene. She left, apologising, telling him she was too prudish to go along with it. Ashley Judd, a US actor who has starred in a string of box-office hits, was 20 when Weinstein invited her to the Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel for what she thought was a breakfast meeting. Instead, he had her sent up to his room where he appeared in a bathrobe and asked if he could give her a massage or if she could watch him shower, she told the NYT. She said her thoughts were: “How do I get out of this room as fast as possible without alienating Harvey Weinstein.” Emma de Caunes, a French actor, met Weinstein at a Cannes party in 2010. She told The New Yorker he had invited her to a lunch meeting at the Ritz in Paris. In the hotel room he disappeared into the bathroom, leaving the door open. “I was like, what the fuck, is he taking a shower?” she said. He came out naked with an erection and demanded she lie on the

Rose McGowan

Ashley Judd

Liza Campbell

bed, she said. He told her that many other women had done so before her, but she left and slammed the door. Romola Garai, a British actor who starred in Atonement and the BBC series The Hour, was 18 when Weinstein auditioned her wearing only a bathrobe at the Savoy hotel, leaving her feeling “violated”. She told the Guardian she “just tried to make out it was normal because as far as I was concerned it was a job interview. I knew something had happened to me that I didn’t like and that I felt belittled by it. But I didn’t feel like I had the right to complain”. Dawn Dunning was 24, attending design school and waitressing in New York when she met Weinstein. The aspiring actor was invited to a meal with him at a Manhattan hotel, but on arrival was told to go to his suite because he was running late at a meeting. She told the NYT she found him alone in a bathrobe behind a coffee table covered in papers he said were contracts for his next three films. She alleged he told her she could only sign them on the condition she had three-way sex with him. She laughed and he grew angry, she said, telling her: “You’ll never make it in this business. This is how the business works”. She fled, left acting and became a costume

Angelina Jolie

Mira Sorvino

Lauran Sivan

Dawn Dunning

designer. The actor Rose McGowan reportedly reached a settlement with Weinstein following a hotel room encounter during the Sundance film festival. She had recently had a memorable role in the slasher movie Scream which came out in 1996. Lauren Sivan , a former Fox News host, has alleged Weinstein trapped her in a closed restaurant and masturbated in front of her in 2007 after attempting to kiss her. Liza Campbell, a writer and artist, told the Sunday Times Weinstein had summoned her to his hotel room in London before telling her to get in the bath with him, which she refused to do. The French actor Léa Seydoux, who was awarded the Palme d’Or at the Cannes film festival for Blue Is the Warmest Colour, told the Guardian exclusively that Weinstein lunged at her and tried to kiss her on the lips in 2012 after a Paris fashion show they were both attending. “I had to defend myself. He’s big and fat, so I had to be forceful to resist him,” she said. The British actor Cara Delevingne alleged she was sexually harassed by Weinstein early in her career, detailing how he encouraged her to kiss another woman in his hotel room. After she refused and tried to leave,

Delevingne said: “He stood in front of [the door] and tried to kiss me on the lips. I stopped him and managed to get out of the room.” Sophie Dix, an English actor who was on the brink of a career in the British film industry in the 1990s, told the Guardian her trajectory was “massively cut down” after an alleged attack by Harvey Weinstein in a London hotel. Dix, who was 22 at the time, described the alleged assault as “the single most damaging thing that’s happened in my life”. British singer and model Myleene Klass, then 32, told the Sun newspaper that the Hollywood producer offered her a “sex contract” at a film festival lunch at Cannes in 2010 while working for CNN. Weinstein’s spokeswoman has said in a statement: “Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr Weinstein. Mr Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances.” Though he was unable to respond to anonymous allegations, of those made on the record “Mr Weinstein believes that all of these relationships were consensual”, the statement added. ––Culled from THE GUARDIAN of London

T H I S D AY SATURDAY OCTOBER 14, 2017

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 14, 2017

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

NNPC: More Cans of Worms

EBERE WABARA

AILY SUN Front Page Banner infraction of October 5 welcomes us today: “NNPC: More can (cans) of worms” “Even a child in this nation knows that the police derives (derive) its (their) enabling and operational authority from the dictates of the Centre….” “In Kano, Police allegedly shoots (sic) tanker driver over bribe” “Nigerians would no doubt be happier to hear from the Nigerian Police what it is (they are) doing to enhance its (their) capacity….” “The ban on tinted glasses is even more reprehensible because the security benefits it can deliver is (are) far from certain.” “Gov, Reps demand his arrest over (for) inciting comments on 2019” “Aweek’s trail on the heels of pirates reveal (reveals) how Nigerians lose billions of Naira to the kingpin….” “Court remands Edo lawmaker in prison over unlawful possession of firearm” The lawmaker was remanded in custody—not in prison! “That is why the Presidency must show more leadership and tact before jumping into a battle just because it thinks it has the power to crush the enemy—real or imagined.” Jonathan versus Amaechi: the enemy—real or imaginary. “Nigerian scientists have failed woefully.” THE SUNDAY INTERVIEW: …have failed abysmally (not woefully) “Let me also make this point that our scientists have not done creditably well over the years.” No overkill: either creditably or well. “Insurgents await ransom, assure on ex-minister’s safety” ‘Assure’ is a transitive verb. It must take an object. (Thanks to Kola Danisa/07068074257 for this reminder and the next observation) “Restoring sanity on (to) the road should be

the first tangible step if he is serious about….” “The result was that what was supposed to be a consensus agreement willingly entered into by….” ‘Consensus agreement’? Next time, just choose one. “It was flurry of activities in Abuja last week.…” Aflurry or a hive of activity…. “The minister said government’s desire to licence (sic) a second carrier is born out of the…” General view: borne out. “Knowing fully well that Abacha was a key factor in the Babangida regime.…” Intelligent commentary: knowing full well. “What is good for the goose should be good for the gander.” Fixed expression: what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. “Some blind beggars on a street in Lagos Island” Beggars in a street on (not in) Lagos Island. “…Catholic cardinals who converged at (on) the Vatican for a three-day meeting….” “There has (sic) been threats of legal action, and a demonstration against Obanikoro in Lagos has been held.” Challenges of carpet-crossing: there have been threats…. “Manhunt begins for killers of award winning (award-winning) police chief.” “…writes (writes to) the president to intimate him of (to) the hardship ravaging the land.” “The civil servants have got pay rise, yet their purchasing power have (has) been decimated.” “The ITSC equipment was damaged early this week by a heavy rainstorm....” In the interest of telecoms, delete ‘heavy’-–which is contextually otiose, just like ‘heavy downpour’! “Every moneybag (moneybags) wants you to know when he is celebrating….” ‘Moneybag’ is the sac used in putting money, while the owner is a moneybags. “Aprofessional must update his knowledge in his chosen career otherwise he becomes a mediocre.” The way we write: otherwise he becomes a mediocrity or mediocrist. ‘Mediocre’

is an adjective that cannot function as a noun except in a collective manner (the mediocre). “The emergence of vigilante (vigilance) groups to combat the activities of men of the underworld is only symptomatic of lack of faith in the ability of the police to guarantee….” “NLC suspends siege on (to) First Bank, as NUJ lays siege to Daily Champion over nonpayment of six-month salary” “The assurance from the IGP is therefore supposed to act as a soothing balm.” Is a balm not supposed to soothe? Does it do the opposite? “…it will be much more so with one involving a police personnel.” ‘Personnel’ is a collective term. Use ‘policeman’, ‘officer’ or ‘cop’. “But how do we prevent hunger next year when politicians will engage themselves (one another) in a do or die (do-or-die) battle for re-election.” “VP condemns do or die politics” This way: do-or-die politics. “The race to Government House in Kano has began in earnest as….” Without any effort: The race has begun…. “…those who would have uttered (what?) them reduced everyone to spectators while they reached for each other’s throats.” Get it right: each other’s throat or one another’s throat (depending on context). “After all, as they say, ‘what is good for the goose is good for the gander’ ’’. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. “Knowing what to wear and how to compliment (complement) it goes a long way….” “The state, therefore, does not deserve the treatment being currently meted to it”. Classical expression: being meted out to it. “Chief of Naval Staff advocates for increased productivity via industrialization” When used as a verb, ‘advocate’ does not admit ‘for’. Let us avoid verbiage in headline casting: Naval Chief advocates increased productivity. “For the university to recommend that students should pay for the damages while they

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

have….” Acommon mistake: except in legalese, ‘damage’ cannot be pluralized. “…rather than investigating and finding out who were involved and check against future re-occurrence: Beyond recurrence, can an event yet to take place happen in the past? “…the university is pointing its accusing fingers in the direction of the lecturers.” True idiom: point a/the finger. No inclusion of ‘accusing’ or inflection of ‘finger’. “It is our belief that we members of the alumni association of our Alma Mata (Alma Mater) have unique roles to play in the restoration of sanity on our university campus.” It is…restoration of sanity to (not on) our campus. “Isn’t it funny that it is the beak with which a bird builds it’s (sic) nest that it uses to scatter it.” Possessive: its “…the AU summiteers concentrated almost exclusive (sic) on the political independence and liberation of countries in (on) the continent.” “Monday’s action, which started at dawn, was as a result of the breakdown of series of negotiations…” An agendum: a series of negotiations. “According to investigations, the deceased was said to be resting alone in his room at about 9.p.m….” Every reporter should be decisive based on timing which description to use: either at or about 9 p.m. The two cannot co-function. “According to the source, the institution has a very high percentage of failure in the last academic year.” Reported speech: the institution had (not has). “… that the authorities of the institution was (were) still waiting the result of the police analysis of the bomb”. “…in the next three years, its per capital income would have ...” This way: per capita income. “Then it was catalogue of misses for the Super Eagles.” In the spirit of Russia 2018 World Cup qualification: a catalogue of misses.

PERSPECTIVE

NNPC/Chevron Sponsors Deworming of 60,000 Pupils in Ondo James Sowole in Akure

he Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) /Chevron Joint Venture has commenced Mass Deworming Programme that will involve 60,000 pupils in Ondo State. The programme, which would cover pupils in three local governments of Idanre, Okitipupa and Owo Local Government areas. The deworming programme was flagged off at St Paul Mega Primary School, Odode Idanre in Idanre Local Government at a programme witnessed by stakeholders in the local government, the State Ministries of Education and Health and the wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty AnyanwunAkeredolu. The programme was the second phase of the deworming exercise as the first phase was implemented in 2013 during which 80,000 pupils were dewormed in Akure North, Akure South and Ilaje Local Government Areas. Speaking on the occasion, the General Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Mr Esimaje Brikinn, said the exercise is one of the initiatives through which the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture seeks to uplift the health and development of Nigerians especially the children. Brikinn, who was represented by the Director of Government Affairs, Senator Gbenga Aluko, said that deworming exercise, targeted at a total of sixty thousand children is designed to make them healthier as the parasites (worm) which snapped their energies are destroyed. He said that the joint venture decided to embark on the deworming programme for children below the age of 12 years as the ailment has assumed an alarming dimension which required a concerted effort from all relevant stakeholders.

Akeredolu

“In this programme, the target children would be given safe and effective medicines produced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Limited to eliminate infecting worms while there is also a health education aspect to ensure that children are taught how to avoid re-infection through personal hygiene.

Brikkin also disclosed that Chevron had been using the strategic investment of the joint venture to add values to the live of the people in the country mostly in the war against the spread of HIV/AIDS. “For example, in helping to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, we directed $5 million of the $30 million we

contributed to the Global fund. “In 2008, to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to Nigeria’s National Agency for the Control of AIDS in support of AIDS treatment programs. “In 2015, Chevron committed an additional $5 million to Nigeria through the Global Fund to support prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV”, he added. Speaking at the flag off ceremony, Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu observed that the deworming exercise would help grow the health statues of the school children while soliciting for proper hygienic environment among the people. Mrs. Akeredolu who commended the contributions of the joint partner venture (NNPC/Chevron) to the development of the health sector of the state, also pleaded personal hygiene among the school pupils. She emphasised the need for a continuous collaboration between the government and the private sector in order to achieve qualitative health care delivery for the basic hygiene of children in the state. The State Commissioner for Education, Mr Femi Agagu said the deworming exercise would help the children to develop well and boost their learning capabilities in the society. “This great intervention from NNPC/ Chevron Joint Venture will give each of these pupils the opportunity of a good future because the future of a child depends on sound health and education” Also, his counterparts from the Ministry of Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, aurged that worm infestation was a leading cause of ill health among school age children mostly in developing countries. Mr. Adegbenro, however, solicited the need for the children to be deworm every three months in order to improve their health wise and growth.

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

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

Turn in the Road

Coscharis Ford assembly plant, Awoyaya, Lagos

Coscharis Ford SKD Plant in Lekki Has Produced Over 600 Rangers Stories by Bennett Oghifo

he newly built FordAssembly Plant in Nigeria being managed by Coscharis Motors Plc., has capacity to produce over a hundred units of the sturdy Ranger daily. President/CEO, Coscharis Group, Dr Cosmas Maduka CON, stated this at the official media launch of the facility yesterday. The newly built Assembly Plant, Maduka said “is the first-ever Ford Assembly Plant in Nigeria and indeed the entire Sub-Sahara Africa. “It has been a long wait from when we first announced in November 2015 that we had commenced physical structuring of the new Plant sighted on a piece of land of more than 14 Hectares within our Lekki Group head office in Lagos. Thus we are thankful to God that the day has finally come when you all shall witness the actual process of production taking place right here, in the Plant.

He said, “At the moment, our focus at the Plant is to rollout the Ford Ranger, which is a multipurpose mini-truck that serves well for both work and leisure. As you are all aware, Ford has a global standard for all of its products including the Ranger. “Therefore, Ford’s certification of our facility and output is a confirmation that every single Ranger that rolls out of this plant is indeed “Built Ford Tough’’ from which we’ve rolled out over 600 units from this facility since we started operation; some of which are on display outside. But we will not rest on our oars as we are sure to wax stronger into the future with the introduction of other great Ford variants into the assembly line.” The assembly plant, he said is a capital intensive project, “which also involves huge financial, technical and human resources commitment. Therefore the fact that we have ventured into it headlong underpins the level of confidence and hope we have for the future of the Nigerian automotive industry. This is to underscore the

human capital opportunities that stand to be delivered in terms of employment and by extension the multiplier effect on the economic development of our dear country, Nigeria. “Indeed it is a dream-come-true. Coscharis Group has been a great believer on the possibilities that lie ahead in this our great Nation and we have shown courage by the actions that we are taking in investing in the future of Nigeria.” The unveiling, he said “Is to showcase another initiative from our great organisation, Coscharis Motors Plc., to further create value as a leading player in the automotive industry in Nigeria, in response to the clarion call of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the NationalAutomotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP). “This is also to appreciate the confidence that the globally respected iconic brand, FORD, reposed in us as their exclusive official representative in Nigeria to roll out the very first Ford Assembly Plant in Nigeria. This milestone marks another first in the evolution of our company towards remaining timeless in its relevance.”

Technology, Refinement for New Range Rover

ore than ever, Range Rover represents the pinnacle of luxury travel, making every journey a treasured experience whether driving or being driven. Conceived nearly 50 years ago for the country set to use on the estate and then drive to the townhouse, Range Rover has continuously evolved to lead the world around it, remaining the peerless luxury SUV. Today technology drives the new Range Rover’s next major step, with new levels of consumer technology and luxury complementing its refinement and desirability. The exterior design has evolved, while heightened comfort and new consumer technologies have been added to the cabin. Comfort-enhancing functions transform the travelling experience for the driver and passengers. The front seats feature 24-way movement thanks to the new seat frames, with wider and deeper foams as well as heated arm rests. In the rear a completely redesigned cabin and seating layout create a tranquil sanctuary with no compromise to the rear load space. If you’re working while being driven, up to 17 connection points including domestic plug sockets, USB, HDMI and 12-volt power are all available, along with convenient storage for the business traveller. The cabin is tailored for relaxation with luxurious seats offering 25 massage programmes thanks to Hot Stone massage technology within the seat backs. Wider, softer seats offer sumptuous comfort.

Interior of new Range Rover

Reclining by up to 40 degrees, they make the most of the additional 186mm legroom (now 1,206mm in total) and can be deployed at the touch of button. The exemplary comfort extends to heated and cooled seats, plus heated arm, foot and calf rests. For additional convenience and personalisation, all seat functionality can be controlled via a smartphone app, whether inside or outside the vehicle. Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover

said: “Our customers are very clear about what they want from any new Range Rover. ‘Don’t change it, just make it better,’ they tell us, so everything we’ve done has been about enhancing our flagship SUV. After nearly 50 years the fourth-generation Range Rover is the finest so far, ensuring the original luxury SUV remains the choice for discerning customers the world over.”

This manoeuvre, also known as the threepoint-turn, is how to turn a vehicle around to face the opposite different when there are no convenient places for reversing into a side road.The procedure for turn in the road is explained below (see diagram). From A – B: At the start, prepare your vehicle (see moving off article) and look around as you would when moving off. If the road is clear or there are no other road users nearby who are attempting to pass you, then move off very slowly and immediately steer full lock left, but once you vehicle is moving give another look to the left for other road users. In manual vehicle, use the clutch pedal to keep the car moving slowly. When you are about a metre from the left kerb, start turning the wheel back slightly to the right. As you near the kerb, push the clutch down and brake to stop.You should end up near to the kerb with the front wheels pointing a little right ready for the next part of the manoeuvre. When stopped, you may need to apply the handbrake, depending on the camber of the road.The camber of the road is the slope of the road towards the gutter. From B – C: Select reverse gear and prepare the car for moving. Before reversing, look left along the road, right along the road, then out of the rear window. If the road is clear or there are no other road users nearby, move off very slowly and immediately, turn the steering wheel briskly to the right until it is ‘full lock’, while still looking out the rear window. When you have driven over the centre of the road, look over your left shoulder so that you can judge your distance from the kerb and turn your steering wheel slightly to the left and stop just before reaching the kerb. Apply the handbrake if needed to stop the car rolling. From C - D: Select ﬁrst gear and get ready to move off. Before moving off, look right along the road then left along the road for other road users. When you are sure it’s safe, look well down the road and move slowly forward turning the steering wheel to the left until you are in the normal or safe driving position. Straighten the wheel to end up on the right side of the road. Carry out the normal mirror-signalmanoeuvre routine and pull in and park on the right or continue on your journey. The turn in the road does not always need to be completed in three moves.This is dependent on the width of the road or the vehicle used. Every time you are steering, keep the vehicle very slow but the steering should be brisk. On busy roads make more frequent observations all round for other road users. If, at any of the points, other road users are nearby or are approaching so as to pass you then you must wait and allow them to pass. If they wait, then you must continue with the manoeuvre. At points A and B, you must go all the way across until close the kerb.This will allow other road users to pass by, if they want to, while you are changing gear and preparing to move again. In next week’s article we shall be discussing the reverse park or parallel parking manoeuvre. For further explanations or clariﬁcation on the articles in the Essential Skills of Driving column, consult the author. Stephen K. Dieseruvwe

Director General, Delta StateTrafﬁc Management Authority (DESTMA) **DriverTrainer and Road Safety Consultant **Email: sdieseruvwe@gmail.com **Tel: +2348167814928

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

Aliyu: We Will Implement Auto Policy

2018 Toyota fore runner

Early Christmas for Toyota Fortuner Buyers Stories by Bennett Oghifo

oyota has embarked on an early Christmas for buyers of its seven-seat Fortuner range by adding features while cutting prices by a minimum of $5,000*. The emphatic price realignment comes as Toyota ramps up the style and convenience of Fortuner while maintaining its impressive off-road performance. Prices for the range now start at $42,590* - a reduction of $5,400 or 11.25 per cent - and all but the top-of-the-line Crusade are now priced below $50,000.

The most-affordable GX variants have been improved with smart-looking 17-inch alloy wheels (replacing same-size steel wheels) and gain the convenience of rear parking sensors. Mid-range GXL is now equipped with satellite navigation#, Toyota Link## connected mobility and digital radio+ - all operated via a seven-inch display audio screen. Despite the new features, GXL prices have been reduced by $5,500 or more than 10 per cent. For added luxury, buyers of automatic GXL can opt for a dark brown leather-accented interior, which includes power-operated driver and frontpassenger seats. At the top of the range, the Crusade is now fitted

with a premium 11-speaker JBL audio system, heated and eight-way power-adjustable driver and front-passenger seats and LED instead of halogen fog lamps. Pricing for Crusade - now available exclusively with an automatic transmission - is down by $5,000. Toyota Australia’s executive director sales and marketing said Fortuner’s enhanced equipment levels would meet the expectations of people seeking a rugged off-roader with the comfort and style of an SUV. “Fortuner’s updates are based on specific feedback from our dealers and our guests, reflecting Toyota’s commitment to continuous improvement,” Mr Cramb said.

he Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Jelani Aliyu, has identified some important components of the new NationalAutomotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) that the Council is working on to improve the goals of the policy. Aliyu made this statement in a paper he delivered as the guest of honour at the first Kaduna automotive fair and exhibition/stakeholders conference organised by Routes and Roads transport company. According to the DG, aside the fiscal regime which places a tariff of 35% plus a levy of 35% on Fully Built Cars and 35% tariff on Fully built up commercial vehicles, other pillars of the NAIDP that which will make it sustainable are the marketing programme, standard, human capital development and local content. On the marketing programme, the DG stated that “under this programme, a fund is to be established to be offered to Nigerians at low cost to finance their commercial fleets and cars. “The programme is being re-deigned to involve more Nigerian banks. It is expected that once this is launched, more Nigerians can afford more new cars and the provision in NAIDP to restrain import of used vehicles will be applied”. Aliyu added that “the development of automotive laboratories as provided for in the plant for safety tests in now at 70% completion stage. There is the material test lab in Zaria, the component test lab in Enugu and the emission test lab in Lagos”. Also speaking on human capital, the DG said “a significant level of achievements has also been recorded in this aspect as NADDC continue to roll out programmes independently and with partners including the Presidency.”

Massilia Motors Oﬀers 25% Discount on Full Body

rontline automobile distributor in Nigeria, Massilia Motors, has announced a whopping 25% discount for full body paint of all brands and models in their ultra modern worskshops in Lagos and Abuja. The new promotion, tagged New Look Promo, kicks off from October 9, and ends on October 31, 2017. The Mitsubishi representative in Nigeria is extending the promo to other auto brands in the country as a way of supporting Nigerians to keep their cherished vehicles in good shape despite the tough times being experienced. Known for its reputation in not just sales of automobiles, but after-sales services, the company which prides itself as a top notch auto services provider in the country assures customers and prospects that it will “give your car the fresh look

it deserves”. “With the high cost of automobiles in the country, it is wise for vehicle owners to keep the ones they have in good shape, hence, we are offering our professional support to car owners in our state of the arts workshop”, says General Manager, After Sales, of Massilia Motors, Mr. Dominique Beguin. Massilia added that the company’s personnel are well trained to render quality services to its customers, as according to the company, technical advances now incorporated in vehicles require highly trained technicians to ensure good aftersales service. Quality auto body paint are beneficial to the car in many ways. Aside improving and enlongating the value of the vehicle, it also helps repel environmental damage and enhance the aesthetics of the car.

Full body paint

WHY YOU MUST USE A CHILD RESTRAINT 2

ast week, I told you that most parents irrespective of status, sex orreligionstilldonotseeanysense in protecting their children while drivingbyrestrainingthem.Most drive their children unrestrained. Somelapthem.Othersleavethem unattended in moving vehicles.Some claim that strapping these kids in a car seat is alien. These groups maintain that strapping children in a car is meant for the ‘oyibo’ (whiteman), not a blackman. Others say the cost for a car seat is high even though the cheapest among these cars cost as low as 1,000,000 naira while others go for as high as 5million naira, compared to car seats which range from just about 35,000 naira for the protection of the life of God’s precious gift. Yet, these same parents would not mind hanging out with friends and business partners to spend thousandsondrinks,peppersoupandotherextras. Thefemaleoneswouldpreferspendingthousands of naira on designer shoes and bags, but not on the safety of their children. Generally,parentsignorethetruththatroadsafety crisis is the leading cause of preventable death; the 3rd largest cause of disabilities. InAfrica, it is the 2nd largest cause of death after HIV/Aids. These deaths, according to a study, are caused mostly by human error and vehicle factors that include the following; over-speeding, dangerous overtaking, alcohol and drug abuse, negligence

SAFE DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

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

of drivers, poor driving standards, overloaded people or goods vehicles, poor tyre maintenance, burst tyre, bad roads and hilly terrain, negligence ofpedestrians,distractionofdriversbypassengers, and cell phone use among others. Road traffic injuries alone are the leading cause of death among children 15-19years and the second leadingcauseamong10-14yearsold.Theseinjuries are not inevitable.They are preventable.Ironically most parents are not concerned,going by their actionsbehindthewheels.Despitethesebehaviors, Global concern on child safety stresses the need for strategies to ,’’reduce child injuries due to accidents or other causes through the development and implantation of appropriate measures such as child restraints.This is why we must emulate safe practices.In the United kingdom, for instance, the authorities were alarmed by what it described as “disastrous”figuresfor2006vulnerableroadusers particularly children. Statistics in that year showed

big increase in death among child pedestrians (up 13%) and child pedal cyclist (up 55%) as a well as a five percent jump in motorcycle (okada) fatalities.Last year 2016,there was a 4% increase in deaths; a highest level since 2011 when total deaths was 1901 to 1792 in 2011.Today,Britains child pedestrian safety record is worse than the averageinEuropeinspiteoftheincreasetightening of strict measures to tilt the road crash record. Even when the figures decline slightly or otherwise, emphasis is always placed on the need for the appropriate intervention to curtain avoidable deaths. The picture with respect to child safety is not different in Nigeria as the cases cited last week are pointers on the trend Motor crashes remain the leading cause of unintentional injury related deaths among children ages 14 and under. However, the wearing of seatbelts could prevent many of these deaths and serious injuries. Thus, over the last 25years, it is conservatively estimated that in highly motorized countries about 310,000 fatalities and more that 9million moderate to critical injuries have been prevented through wearing of seatbelts. Even in a safety conscious country such as the United State of America, it is recorded that in the year 2003 more that 7000 lives were lost and over 140,000 people injured unnecessary because they failed to wear their seatbelts.In 2015,22,441 passenger vehicle occupants died out of which more than half52%-59%ofteens(13-19years)andadultsaged

20-44years who died were unrestrained as at the time of the crash. Seatbelts of course, do not prevent an accidenttakingplace.Theydohoweverplayacrucialrolein reducingtheseverityofinjurytovehicleoccupants involved in an accident. Vehicle safety features are distinguished by two categories; “primary safety and secondary safety”. Primary safety features aim to prevent an accident taking place e.g. Good breaks, tyres. Secondary safety features aim to prevent or minimize injury to a vehicle occupant once the accident has occur.Seatbelts are a secondary safety device with a number of objectives which includes; preventing ejection from the vehicle in an impact, reducing the risk of contact with the interior of the vehicle or reducing the speed of such impacts, providing a distributed force to the wearer to give the necessary support in an accident restraining the vehicle occupant before guiding them back into their seats. Theeffectivenessoftheuseofseatbeltsisnolonger in doubt as studies conducted throughout the world since the 1950’s have shown conclusively that seatbelt when worn and fitted correctly, save lives. Users of safety belts sustain approximately 35percent less ‘major-fatal’ grade injuries than did non-users.Another study by nordisk trafiksikker hedsrad (1984) calculated that ‘drivers and front seat passengers who do not use seatbelts suffer almost the same percentage of head injuries as non-users in rear seats’. Therefore, use of seatbelt by rear seat passengers could not only reduce the likelihood and severity of injury to themselves, but also to drivers and/or front seat passengers.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍźËœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍż

FAMILY HEALTH with

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

Genital Itching

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

he groin is a very peculiar area in your body. The structure and the conditions in which that area is maintained , predisposes it to the growth of skin flora, fungus due to the moist conditions in that area. It is therefore not unusual to have the growth of bacteria, fungi , yeasts etc. in that area. This therefore in a natural cycle , would cause itching. Causes Genital itching can be a symptom of many conditions which may include vaginal infections in females or jock itch in males. In either sex, itching may be caused by skin irritation, sexually transmitted diseases, and allergies. In many cases, genital itching that is caused by irritation will clear up on its own if the irritation is removed. Other causes of itching may require more intensive treatment. If you are concerned about genital itching that does not go away, talk to your doctor or another health care professional. Causes in females Causes of vaginal itching Irritants. Exposing the vagina to irritating 1. chemicals can cause vaginal itching. ... Skin diseases. Some skin diseases, such as 2. eczema and psoriasis, can cause redness and itching in the genital region. ... Yeast infection. ... 3. Bacterial vaginosis. ... 4. Sexually transmitted diseases. ... 5. Menopause. ... 6. Stress. ... 7. Vulvar cancer. 8.

Itchy privates can occur if blood glucose levels run high, causing sugar Causes in males to be passed The causes of genital itching, can be relatively mild or symptomatic of a more serious ailment. Genital itching is out in the urine. a common complaint among male patients. To diagnose the source of the problem, a physician will question a Sugar makes a patient about its duration, whether the itching is confined to one area, if there are any additional symptoms and if fertile breedthe patient has a history of illness or sexually transmitted diseases. In some cases, the genital itching is idiopathic. ing ground for It has no discernible cause. bacteria and it Avoiding itch is a buildup of Females Females should take the following steps to help avoid bacteria around genital itching: r "GUFS VSJOBUJPO PS CPXFM NPWFNFOUT XJQF GSPN the genitals front to back to prevent bacteria from the anus getting that causes the into the vagina. r "WPJE DIFNJDBM QSPEVDUT TVDI BT WBHJOBM EPVDIFT itching. or feminine hygiene sprays, which can upset the acidic If youâ€™re getting balance of the vagina. r "WPJE TDFOUFE GFNJOJOF IZHJFOF QSPEVDUT QBOUZ itchy down liners, pads, soaps). r "GUFS VSJOBUJPO PS CPXFM NPWFNFOUT XJQF GSPN GSPOU UP CBDL UP QSFWFOU CBDUFSJB GSPN UIF BOVT SFDUVN there as a result entering the vagina. of high sugar r "WPJE DIFNJDBM QSPEVDUT TVDI BT WBHJOBM EPVDIFT or feminine hygiene sprays, which can upset the acidic levels, wash the balance of the vagina. r "WPJE UIF VTF PG FYDFTTJWF BNPVOUT PG MBVOESZ aďŹ€ected area to detergent in the washing machine. r 4UBZ BXBZ GSPN PWFS UIF DPVOUFS JUDI CMPDLFST clean away any as these products can make the itching worse in the build up of baclong term. r *G ZPV TVTQFDU B MVCSJDBOU NJHIU CF XPSTFOJOH UIF teria. Donâ€™t use itching, talk to your doctor about the best options. r "WPJE USBVNB UP UIF BSFB TVDI BT FYDFTTJWF TIBWJOH any harsh soaps and scratching. r &BU B XFMM CBMBODFE EJFU UP NBJOUBJO IFBMUIZ CBDUFSJB that might lead in the vagina. to irritation. Males If you can bring r .BMFT TIPVME UBLF UIF GPMMPXJOH TUFQT UP IFMQ BWPJE genital itching: your blood r 8BTI UIF QFOJT XFMM JODMVEJOH UIF BSFB VOEFS UIF glucose levels foreskin in uncircumcised men. r ,FFQ UIF BSFB ESZ TJODF NPJTUVSF JO UIF HFOJUBM BSFB can lead to infections. Cornstarch powders during the back to normal, summer may be helpful. this also should Both males and females should take the following help the itching steps to help avoid genital itching r 8FBS MPPTF OBUVSBM Ă CFS VOEFSXFBS BOE DMPUIJOH to subside Change underwear at least every 24 hours. r ,FFQ UIF HFOJUBM BSFB DMFBO BOE ESZ 6TF NJME TPBQ and rinse well. r 6TF NJME VOTDFOUFE MBVOESZ EFUFSHFOUT UP XBTI your underwear. r %SZ PGG UIPSPVHIMZ BGUFS CBUIJOH BOE TXJNNJOH "WPJE TUBZJOH JO XFU DMPUIJOH GPS MPOH QFSJPET PG UJNF r "WPJE VOQSPUFDUFE TFY FTQFDJBMMZ JG ZPV BSF XPSSJFE that you or your partner might have an infection. Itching in diabetes Itching and irritation around the genitals can be a TJHO PG IJHI CMPPE HMVDPTF MFWFMT IZQFSHMZDFNJB BOE diabetes. Other Possible causes of genital itching include

%JBCFUFT Eczema Low estrogen levels in women Psoriasis Pubic lice Reactions to chemicals used to wash clothes Yeast infections Itching as a symptom of diabetes: If diabetes is causing the itching in men, it tends to lead to itching under the foreskin of the penis. In women, it can lead to itching of the vulva, the skin on the outside of the vagina. If diabetes is the cause, you may notice other symptoms of diabetes, such as needing to go to the toilet more often than normal. If you suspect you may have diabetes, see your doctor for a diagnosis. Itchy privates can occur if blood glucose levels run high, causing sugar to be passed out in the urine. Sugar makes a fertile breeding ground for bacteria and it is a buildup of bacteria around the genitals that causes the itching. If youâ€™re getting itchy down there as a result of high sugar levels, wash the affected area to clean away any CVJME VQ PG CBDUFSJB %PO U VTF BOZ IBSTI TPBQT UIBU might lead to irritation. If you can bring your blood glucose levels back to normal, this also should help the itching to subside. Common treatments There are a lot of conventional medication available as treatments when you visit your doctor. Home remedies In our day to day life, we suffer from various problems that can also be related to our genital parts. Genital areas are the most delicate areas of our body. Genital infec tion not only troubles us but also takes our confidence from a woman. Not only women suffer from genital problems even men are a victim of this bacteria which causes genital problems. Genital itching is the typical example of hygiene problem which is not only in women but men too. "QQMF DJEFS "QQMF $JEFS 7JOFHBS JT BMTP LOPXO BT Cider Vinegar is vinegar which is made up of cider. It is QBMF UP NFEJVN BNCFS JO DPMPS "QQMF DJEFS WJOFHBS IBT proved to be a powerful weapon to fight many health problems. Now you have just got the most simple treatment to cure most of the genital problems like itchiness, infection, warts, etc. at home. To cure the problem, you have to apply it to your gentle part with the help of cotton or a soft cotton cloth. If you are trying it for the first time be extra cautious while applying it. Take a little amount of apple cider vinegar on the cotton and use it gently with B TPGU IBOE %PO U SVC JU IBSE BHBJOTU UIF TLJO BT JU NBZ damage the skin causing pain in that area. So, treating your genital infection using apple cider is the easiest and efficient method as apple cider vinegar is not too expensive to buy. $PME DPNQSFTT "OPUIFS IPNFNBEF SFNFEZ UP DVSF the genital infection in men & women is using the cold compress. It is the simplest method of all. You neither need to purchase anything nor need any equipment UP BQQMZ 5IF POMZ UIJOH ZPV OFFE JT $0-% 8"5&3 PS ICE. It is an instant relief remedy which can provide you relief in the shortest span of time. Take some cold water in a bowl, or you can also take JDF DVCFT "QQMZ JU JO UIF BSFB XIFSF ZPV BSF GFFMJOH itching or pain. If ice cubes are too cold to use, you can apply cold water by dipping a cotton cloth in it and then applying. Ice being the cooling agent reduces the inflammation at the affected area and brings relief for you. Your genital QBSU XJMM GFFM B MPU CFUUFS XJUI FWFSZ UPVDI PG UIF JDF "MTP there is another method to apply the ice cubes if not directly, use ice cubes by wrapping them in a thin cloth. Gently press the area with ice cubes or the wet cloth for a while until the feeling of inflammation stops. You can

BMTP EP JU JO UIF TFUT FBDI PG TFDPOET 5BLF B MJUUMF time before repeating the set. Soon the area will become numb, and the feeling of inflammation or itching will fade away. You can use this remedy as much as required. This is another cheapest way to cure your genital problem and also there are no side effects of doing this. So, now you can make yourself and your vagina happy. Salt bath: The genital infection is caused due to microbes or bacteria. Therefore, by preventing their growth in that area, infection and problems related to it can be stopped. The problem to this solution is â€œsalt bath.â€? It is also a straightforward and understandable method of getting rid of the genital problem. Yes! By just taking a few minutes bath in the salt water you can get the relief easily. Salted bath is very simple to remedy no need to purchase BOZUIJOH ZPV KVTU OFFE XBUFS BOE LJUDIFO TBMU XIJDI JT BWBJMBCMF BU FWFSZ IPNF " TNBMM CVU SFMFWBOU TPMVUJPO will improve your condition in infection and prevent your genital part itching in less than three days. Take a spoonful of salt and add it to the beaker of water. "GUFS NJYJOH TBMU BOE XBUFS JO UIF CFBLFS IFBU JU B MJUUMF But avoid heating it too much only make it lukewarm. "OE BQQMZ JU UP UIF BGGFDUFE BSFB VTJOH DPUUPO PS DMPUI You can directly wash your vagina with this water. It will provide instant relief. Or you can also pick this alternate. In this, you need a bathtub or any other tub which is large enough to accommodate you. Fill it with warm water and mix salt in a certain proportion of water, ap proximately half cup. Sit in water in a position of squats PS MJLF B EVDL GPS NJOVUFT %P TBMU CBUI EBJMZ GPS UJNFT UP HFU UIF VTFGVM SFTVMUT Garlic : Garlic is a part of the onion family. It has proved to be a potential species for treating various health problems. From years, people have been using garlic not only as a taste enhancer if food but also to cure infection due to its antibacterial properties. It also works and an effective antibiotic as it kills bacteria. Because of this antibacterial property of garlic, it is used to cure the genital infection. You can use this remedy in both ways: internally as well as externally. Internally, commonly we consume garlic by adding a small amount of garlic while cooking various dishes. It also acts as a very powerful medicine to improve the functioning of your immune system and makes it stronger. It can also be used in the form of oil and can be added to the food while cooking. Or you can also try garlic pickle, it not only adds flavor to it but also makes it tastier. Consuming garlic will provide your body an immense amount of power to fight bacteria and will develop a healthy immune system. Externally, you can try applying garlic oil to the infected area. Take garlic oil in a dilute form and with the help of your hands gently apply it on the affected area where ZPV GFFM JUDIJOH PS JOĂĄBNNBUJPO "GUFS VTJOH UIF PJM XBJU for a while and then clean it with water. 6TJOH UIJT SFNFEZ XJMM IFMQ ZPV HFU SJE PG ZPVS HFOJUBM infection, and if the problem persists, it is better to consult a doctor. Yoghurt : Yogurt is not only preferable for eating but also to cure the genital infection. Yogurt contains some active cultures that can be very helpful to control and kill the bacteria are the cause of the genital infection. If you consume a limited amount of yogurt daily, it will also help to fight the disease. "T NFO BOE XPNFO CPUI BSF WVMOFSBCMF UP ZFBTU JOGFDUJPO ZPHVSU JT BO VOVTVBM DIPJDF UP DVSF JU 6TV ally, this infection occurs on the outer skin of the penis. This can cause abnormal discharge and discomfort in affected area. Freshly made yogurt can be used for the CFTU SFTVMU %VF UP BOUJ JOĂĄBNNBUPSZ RVBMJUJFT JU XJMM give you relief as you need. :PHVSU OPU POMZ TUPQT UIF HSPXUI PG JOGFDUJPO DBVTJOH bacteria but also helps the good bacteria to grow. You can benefit from yogurt by applying it directly to the genital area or on the infected area. But one thing is important to keep in mind that the yogurt that you take to use should be plain and pure. It must not contain any flavoring agent or substance that may increase the infection. You can also consume 1 or 2 cups of yogurt daily. You can also add sugar in yogurt and then eat it. This will make the yogurt tastier. This will also But remember not to add anything, anything at all while directly applies it to the vagina. So, this is another homemade remedy to fight genital infection. This is one of the effective treatments that is simple to use and apply. Basil leaves 8BTIJOH ZPVS QSJWBUF QBSU DMFBO BOE ESZ *U NPTUMZ occurs in the summer months when the redness, itching, and scratching become common in the genital areas and can also get worse because of sweat accumulation. To reduce this, men & women should clean their private area with mild soap and water. Both need to wash their private part carefully while bathing and remove the GPSFTLJO 8BTIJOH SFNPWFT UIF VOIZHJFOJD BOE VOXBOUFE bacteria which causes itching and infection. In case, you get infected due to high sweating which is very usual; then you must use antibacterial soap or genital wash to get rid of superficial bacteria. In summer or after intense activity, one should take a shower at least twice a day.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

Isaac Success

14.10.2017

Disgraced ‘foursome’ Specialist

NO RED CARPET FOR DEVILS PAGE. 29

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

Disgraced â€˜Foursomeâ€™ Specialist

Ă?Ă‹Ă‹Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹ĂšĂšĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž ĂžĂĄĂ™ Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă’Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ăž ĂžĂ’Ă? ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍť Ě‹ ÍšÍż Ă™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ăš Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ‹ĂŒ Ă—Ă“ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă”Ă&#x;ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă™ĂĄĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂšĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă–Ă™Ă?Ăž ĂžĂ™ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă‹Ă? Ă˜Ă™ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœËœ ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ‹Ă–ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă’Ă? Ă—Ă™Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă Ă?Ăœ ĂžĂ™ Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă™ĂœĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŒ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ëœ Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂĄĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‘ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ę°Ă?Ăœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‘Ă™Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜ ÍšÎ Ă‹ĂšĂšĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ăž Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŽĂ™ ĂŒĂ?ĘľĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Î Í¸ Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă’Ă™Ă™Ă•Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ Kunle Adewale ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?

Isaac Success

ince his record transfer from Granada to Watford, Isaac Success has not been successful at hitting the back of the net for the Hornets, managing just a goal in 19 appearances to the disappointment of fans. The Nigerian however seeks new Haven in a hotel room with four hookers, but yet failed to literally hit the back of the net of the hookers. In spite of not being a regular since the beginning of last season, Isaac Success insists he is not getting tired of the super-sub tag he is fast earning at Vicarage Road. He said: "Iâ€™m a Watford player and if I get a chance to play in any way, I have to help the team, even if itâ€™s only two or three minutes. Itâ€™s not frustrating being a substitute, Iâ€™m just happy to be among the 18 players selected for the game. Every time I get to play, I just want to help the team. I just have to keep working hard and see what comes up. I brought a lot of energy to the team when I came on, thatâ€™s what Iâ€™m about. As a striker, Iâ€™m ready to play anywhere in the forward line and itâ€™s just up to the coach to give me the instruction where in particular I have to play.â€? Last week, Success allegedly paid four hookers $2,000 for a hotel romp but failed to score with any of them after drinking two bottles of Baileys and the 21-year old was arrested after angrily demanding his money back. Escort Alexis Domerge said the Watford star boasted of his prowess in the bedroom after paying the women $2,000 for a hotel romp. But Success drank two bottles of Baileys and then repeatedly failed to score with the hookers. When the women decided to blow the whistle on Successâ€™s lackluster performance after 90 minutes, he angrily demanded his money back. He was arrested in the hotel lobby after cops were called. Domerge, 24, said: â€œHe accused us of ripping him off and asked for his money to be returned. It was terrifying. He had paid four of us $500 each to party with him, and we all got naked as soon as the money came through on our phone bank accounts. He was drinking Baileys straight from the bottle. He must have chugged at least two. I pulled off his shorts and got down to it with three other girls doing everything you could imagine. But he was getting frustrated. What do you expect if you drink two bottles of Baileys straight from the bottle?â€? Fellow escort Michaela Carter, 30, said: â€œHe had a nice body and all four of us massaged him for a full hour and a half as long as a football match would last. He had been boasting to us all night about how much he earned and how much fun we were going to have. But itâ€™s fair to say that Mr. Success did not live up to his name during our night together.â€? Carter said his age showed: â€œHe seemed a bit shy and awkward, probably because heâ€™s only 21. After a bit of chat, Alexis took charge and said it was time to get down to business. â€œAlexis laughed and told him, â€˜We want your money before the honey.â€™ So he transferred $2,000

OCTOBER 14, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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

Stakeholders Engage in Good Day for Sports at Nigerian Economic Summit I was in Abuja last week to witness the historic debut of sports at the Nigerian Economic Summit. Welcome as the development was however, I could not help wondering why it took 23 years for such a massive industry to get a chance at a forum where jobs and wealth creation are top on the agenda. Maybe it is because those who manage our economy have not quite grasped the immense value of sports, or maybe the leading players in the industry have not been serious enough to push sports onto the front burner where it belongs.

Isaac Success

The partying started as soon as the money came into our accounts and we all stripped oﬀ. All ﬁve of us were squirming around on the bed but after a while we realised the Baileys had taken its toll. Eventually, I told him I couldn’t stay any longer, and we couldn’t give him extra time That’s when things started to get nasty straight to one of the girls, which was divided between the four of us. “The partying started as soon as the money came into our accounts and we all stripped off. All five of us were squirming around on the bed but after a while we realised the Baileys had taken its toll. Eventually, I told him I couldn’t stay any longer, and we couldn’t give him extra time. That’s when things started to get nasty. She said there was “a lot of screaming.” “At that point the police were called,” Carter said. “We were all making a terrible racket. I ended up with a slight cut on my face and a bruise on my arm during the chaos. I don’t know how it happened. During the row I also stumbled backwards and broke the heels of my $600 Louboutin shoes. It meant I was already £100 down.” Success, a Nigerian international who earns $30,000 a week, allegedly booked the four girls after spending the night at a lap-dancing club in London’s West End. In the early hours, the women were given the details of the luxury Sopwell House Hotel, Herts, where Success had hired a first-floor suite. Carter said: “We met him and a couple of his mates in reception but they left, leaving just Isaac and the four of us. We went up to his room. It was a nice room, and I could tell he had lots of money because there were designer clothes in there and Christian Louboutin trainers, which can cost $800 a pair. “He offered us drinks then started boasting about how rich he was. He said, ‘You won’t believe how much I earn in 90 minutes.’” Domerge, from Brooklyn, said: “I was actually quite turned on by his body. He’s beautifully toned. Eventually, Michaela and one of the other girls broke it to him that they couldn’t stay any longer. “But he then accused us of ripping him off and demanded his money back. Several police cars arrived really quickly and about five officers came in and cuffed his hands behind his back and took him outside. “Success admitted that he had paid us for sex, but he also claimed we’d cheated him out of the cash, without mentioning the reason why he didn’t have sex. “All this commotion was more than the hotel management could take and they ordered us out of the hotel — including him.” The women said Success later called

his bank and had the payments to them stopped. Domerge said: “We couldn’t believe it when he accused us of cheating him and got the bank to get him his money back. “We made a deal and it wasn’t our fault he didn’t have a good time. His behavior was off the scale.” A Hertfordshire Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating an allegation of assault reported to have occurred at 6.30am at Sopwell House in St Albans on Monday September 11. “A 21-year-old man was arrested and de-arrested and inquiries are ongoing.” A representative for the player said: “We strongly refute all allegations against Isaac and will vigorously fight to clear his name.” Success signed for Watford from Spanish side Granada for $12.5 million last July — then a record fee for the Hertfordshire club. He has struggled to make the starting lineup since. Born in Benin, Success started his football career with local side, BJ Foundation Academy after which he left for Caitlin Fallows. In November 2013, Success agreed to a five-year deal with Udinese for a €400,000 fee. In July 2016, Success agreed a five-year deal with Watford in a record transfer fee, estimated around £12.5 million.

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE WAHAB AKINTUNDE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE

tanding outside the conference hall at the Transcorp Hilton, I was handed a copy of a comprehensive 228-page report by the Oxford Business Group which detailed the key sectors the NSE had focused on. A quick scan of its contents revealed that it addressed sectors like banking, real estate, insurance, energy, utilities, industry, agriculture, ICT, capital markets, transport and more, but there was nothing on sports. “Why would you have a major report like this and not include sports?” I asked the OBG representative who handed me a free copy. A bit awkwardly, she explained that their focus was on the real drivers of economic growth. She, they, obviously did not consider sports to be one, especially when, to be fair to them, their report was mostly based on what had gone on before at the NES. So I asked her whether she realised there was a Super Eagles match in Uyo last Saturday. She said yes. I then told her that the city was packed and that many of the people were from out of town. Airlines saw business spike. Also hotels; bars; food outlets; beverage companies; local transportation; farmers; banking and more? She connected with this quickly and wanted me to meet her bosses so we could expand the issue. Sport is a huge economic driver, but many need to listen more. That is why having a session at the NSE was such a landmark event. The breakout session on sports was quite robust and revealing, but it soon became obvious that the debate needed much more than the one and half hours it was allocated. Still valid points were made as key discussants outlined what roles they thought government and the private sector should play to grow the industry. Ultimately it was agreed that the best way to deliver on the promise of sports was through public-private sector partnership. All agreed that sports need to be seen as big business first before corporate social responsibility. Among the industry representatives at the session were the top brass of the League Management Company, organisers of the Nigerian Professional Football League, and one of the sponsors of the event. Chairman of the company Mallam Shehu Dikko was one of the panelists and he argued that sports should be granted a special status. Arguing that government should provide funding for not just participations at competitions, but funding for the proper development of athletes, he gave examples of what other countries were doing. He talked about how the British government invested about £200 million to help start off the English Premier League and pointed to the success this has created. He also spoke about how in Morocco the government has taken money from the budgets of different sectors to invest in 130 football pitches around

the country. He however warned that there was a need for the right people to be given charge of the sports federations and for there to be better corporate governance. Former director of BPP, Kashim Ibrahim, pointed out the need for public spaces to be provided in communities nationally for the engagement and development of talents. Giving the example of how seriously India has taken sports, he spoke how they have created ‘land banks’ for this purpose. He also spoke about how they have granted industry status to sports infrastructure and initiated a sports infrastructure summit to fast-track its development. Interestingly the Dr. Amagwu Ibeawuchi of the Central Bank of Nigerian assured that the bank could intervene by providing funding for promising sports initiatives if organisers could properly articulate their business model and value chain, as well as get the buy-in of the presidency, as was the case with agriculture. He also challenged the industry to sell itself better, arguing that if sports were as good an investment as is claimed by its promoters, proper articulation of this would also see private investors get on board as everyone likes a good opportunity. Honourable Nduka Irabor, the pioneer chairman of the LMC strongly advocated for increased government investments, arguing that even in the most advanced economies governments invested heavily in sports infrastructure. He stressed that, given the power of sports to unify the populace, national broadcaster NTA should be financially empowered to buy local sports content and beam to millions of Nigerian homes. Looking at the legal side of things, Mr. Samson Ebomhe was of the view that there was a need for policies that help to protect local sports players. He pointed to the case in the UK where since the 1960s live matches have not been aired on Saturday afternoons in order to protect the lower leagues and encourage people to go to stadiums. He also talked about how TV broadcast policies helped change the game in the USA, where sports TV rights lead the rest of the world in revenues. Progressive nations understand that sports create opportunities across several industries. The Indian sports infrastructure summit organisers capture this in their listing of participants expected on their website. Among these were architecture firms, construction and engineering companies, corporates, government representatives, public sector companies, real estate and infrastructure, sports federations and associations, sports leagues, sports consultants, sports management agencies, schools and colleges, sports investment companies, foundations and NGOs working at the grass-root level, social enterprises and start-ups in sports. That is how far ranging the power of sport is in affecting the economy of a country.

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

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

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Ă™Ăš Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?ĂœĂ? NAMES

Liverpool tries Man U for size at AnďŹ eld

CLUB

GOALS

Romelu Lukaku

Man Utd

Sergio AgĂźero

Man City

Ă lvaro Morata

Chelsea

Harry Kane

Tottenham

Raheem Sterling

Man City

Jamie Vardy

Leicester

Gabriel Jesus

Man City

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal

Liverpool Hope to End Man United Unbeaten Run ĂĄĂ™ Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĚ‹ Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂšĂ™Ă™Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‘Ă™ Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĚ‹ĂžĂ™Ě‹Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž Ă–Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’ ĂžĂ“Ă—Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă˜Ę¨Ă?Ă–ĂŽ ĂžĂ™ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁË› Ă’Ă“Ă–Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă?Ă Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ăž ĂžĂ™ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă‹ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ëœ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă?ĂŽĂ?ËŞ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂžĂ’Ă?Ă“Ăœ Í˝Ě‹Í¸ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ™ Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă“ĂžĂŁË› Ă™ĂĄĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă–Ă™ĂšĂšËŞĂ? Ă—Ă?Ă˜ Ă”Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëž ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂžĂ™ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ–Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?

iverpool and Manchester United will renew their fierce rivalry today when Jose Mourinho's high-flying Red Devils travel to Anfield. Seven points already separate the two sides in the Premier League table, but this will be United's first real test of their title credentials and both teams will go into the biggest match in English football confident of picking up a win. Liverpool were earlier being touted title contender following a 4-0 victory over Arsenal, but it has been a very different story this time around. Just one win in seven matches between the international breaks have left the Reds seventh in the Premier League table, without a win from two Champions League games and eliminated from the EFL Cup following a hugely disappointing September. The gap to the leading Manchester clubs is already seven points, and defeat today would extend that to 10. While it is still too early to come to any final conclusions regarding the league table, a 10-point deficit would be a very big ask for Liverpool to overhaul considering how impressive both Manchester City and United have looked thus far. Describing this match as a must-win game for Liverpool would be premature - they have only lost once in the Premier League this season and are only one point off the top four, after all - but it is verging on a must-not-lose contest if the Reds have any serious designs on challenging for the title. Jurgen Klopp's style isn't exactly conducive to favouring not losing over winning, though, and the German is highly unlikely to change his philosophy for United's visit this weekend, despite his side going seven matches without a clean sheet across all competi-

tions and only West Ham United and Crystal Palace having conceded more Premier League goals this season. The defence has been a long-standing issue which, by his own admission, Klopp is losing patience with, but the growing concern for Liverpool prior to the international break was their wastefulness in front of goal. Many of their dropped points came in matches they otherwise dominated, but were unable to kill off. Draws against the likes of Burnley and Leicester City - and earlier in the season Watford - are frustratingly nothing new for Liverpool, though, and despite their poor recent form there will be many backing them to win this weekend given their exemplary record against direct rivals under Klopp. The German has spent just over two years in the Anfield hotseat now, and in that time he has lost only two of his 20 outings against Arsenal, Chelsea, the Manchester clubs and Tottenham Hotspur, often saving their best performances for some of their closest rivals. It is a record which leaves Liverpool top of the top-six mini-league during Klopp's tenure, although he is yet to record a Premier League victory over United - perhaps due largely to United's style of play being most closely aligned with a 'smaller' club than any other from that 'big six'. United look like a different beast this season, though, and with Liverpool winless at home since August the visitors may be tempted to attack more than they have on recent visits - something which could play into the hosts' hands. Following a severely underwhelming debut season on the Premier League front last term, Mourinho's Manchester United are making up for lost time and have set the early pace alongside local rivals City so far. Having dropped 23 points at home last season, United have begun this campaign with a perfect record in front of their own fans, and they are not far behind on their travels either with a 2-2 draw at Stoke City the only

blemish on their away record so far. Questions still remain over the credibility of their title credentials, though, as while City have already claimed maximum points from matches against Liverpool and Chelsea, this weekend's contest will be United's first big test against a direct top-six rival this season. Of course, Mourinho's side can only beat what is put in front of them and a 10-match unbeaten streak which includes nine wins is impressive no matter the opponents, but the real tests are still to come for the Red Devils, starting at Anfield today. Mourinho will face questions of his own heading into the match having developed a reputation for playing defensive football away to direct rivals in recent years, and the Portuguese boss must decide whether to once again shut up shop - a tactic which has proved effective in the past, not least at Anfield or look to continue his side's free-scoring streak in front of goal. United have averaged three goals per game in the Premier League this season and trail only City in the scoring charts, while they have found the back of the net four times in a game on six separate occasions during their last 10 outings - four of which

Ă“Ă˘ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? TODAY Liverpool Burnley Crystal Palace Man City Swansea Tottenham Watford

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Man Utd West Ham Chelsea Stoke HuddersďŹ eld Bournemouth Arsenal

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SUNDAY Brighton Southampton

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Everton Newcastle

13:30 16:00

MONDAY Leicester City

West Brom

20:00

have come in their past five matches. Today's visitors are more equipped to take the game to Liverpool than they were last season, then, but Mourinho may still opt for the safer approach knowing that their hosts tend to struggle more against teams who let them see more of the ball. Manchester City will be expected to beat Stoke City at home later today, though, which could force Mourinho to be more aggressive in order to put the pressure on his local rivals by temporarily moving to the top of the table. Mourinho has played down the added significance of this fixture between English football's two most successful clubs, but he will know first hand how important it really is, and his own personal rivalry with Liverpool from his days at Chelsea will only add spice to an already mouthwatering contest. The former Real Madrid boss has not managed a team to a Premier League victory over Liverpool in almost three years, though, while his personal record against Klopp is also underwhelming with just one win from seven previous meetings.

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Man Utd Liverpool Liverpool Man Utd Liverpool Man Utd Man Utd Liverpool Man Utd Liverpool Man Utd Liverpool Liverpool Man Utd Man Utd

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Liverpool Man Utd Man Utd Liverpool Man Utd Liverpool Liverpool Man Utd Liverpool Man Utd Liverpool Man Utd Man Utd Liverpool Liverpool

ͯͲ˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER\\OTHER SPORTS

Commander Dapo Ogundiran, Captain Femi Daramola (rtd), Sir Henry Muogho, Commodore TNK Okoro (rtd), Citizen Giwa Daramola and Mr. Emmanuel Agha during the Independence Day celebration, organized by the Nigerian Navy Sailing Club, in Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos. …….. recently.

L-R: Johnson Ivase, Marketing Manager, GOtv; Jennifer Ukoh, Public Relations Manager, GOtv; Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing and Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria and Akinola Salu, General Manager, GOtv during the launch of GOtv MAX, a new bouquet on the GOtv platform in Lagos recently

Kwese Free Sport Basketball Clinics Delights Nwoko It was a gathering of who is who as far as basketball is concerned, from former NBA players, Jerome Williams and Olumide Oyedeji to the Senior Manager, Basketball Operations, NBA, Frank Traore. “We are impressed with the turnouts of the students that came for the basketball clinic. We are happy to provide this platform for the over 200 students that participated in the clinic. We had over 500 applications but we were able to accommodate about 250 students. “We reached out to a lot of basketball academies and schools in Lagos and a lot of them had knowledge about the game. We decided to engage those of them who are already grounded in the game. This is

one step closer to their dream,” a delighted General Manager Kwese Free TV, Chichi Nwoko said. Speaking further, she said, “We are a sports channel and we decided to explore our partnership with the NBA to see what we can bring to the market to provide premium sports contents. This particular basketball clinic is to marry what we do on our international platform, we bring in those format and we try to see how we can also engage the kids. Not just showing the NBA to them, we want to give them the opportunity and experience to relate with what they watch and that was why we brought a former NBA star Jerome and other NBA executive here to Lagos.”

Nwoko said Kwese Free Sport is the free channel operating 24 hours every day in Lagos and are on UHF 32. “That means that you can turn on local sport station in essence. We carry premium content and we have the NBA, Premier League matches every Saturday and we will be broadcasting the 2018 World Cup. We have the right too,” she said. Continuing she said, “At Kwese TV, we are proud of our community and that is why we are giving back to our immediate society. We are Nigeria but we are also in 24 key markets because we are the largest pan-African pay tv that broadcast for free. In the next few years, we would be all over Africa.”

MultiChoiceBringsPremierLeague TrophytoNigeria From October 26 to 29, MultiChoice will take the famous Premier League winner’s trophy on a tour across select locations in Lagos, including a public viewing event where fans will have access to the trophy on the 28th. The Premier League trophy visits different countries every year, where the league is significantly followed, and Nigeria ranks highly amongst countries like India, Japan and South East Asia where the league enjoys immense support and following. The trophy will be visiting Nigeria for the second time after a first visit in 2011, also courtesy MultiChoice. Fans and followers of the Premier

League will have the opportunity of living the dream of their football heroes when the trophy arrives Lagos later in October. This presents a once in a lifetime experience for lucky MultiChoice subscribers who will not only get a chance to be a part of the trophy tour around Lagos, but also meet Nigerian football legends like JayJay Okocha, Victor Ikpeba and a host of others. The General Manager Sales and Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, said,“One of MultiChoice’s key priorities is to always find interesting ways to please our subscribers. The Premier League is the world’s most watched sporting league with each

season being an exciting time every year. There is no better way to celebrate the season than to give football lovers an opportunity to get up close with the coveted trophy. This shows yet again that DStv and GOtv remain the number one destination for world class football content available week in week out to millions of fans showing on SuperSport.” The arrival of the trophy will add to the excitement and thrill already being experienced by fans of the current football season. Fans and subscribers can catch every Premier League game live on SuperSport, with Nigerian fans watching even more matches than the UK where the matches take place.

Feyide Wins Second Nigeria Cup Title Playing like someone infused with the winning bug, Femi Feyide shot, once again into reckoning, winning his second Nigeria Cup title in the keenly contested event last weekend. To come top in the competition, Feyide netted a score of 71, beating over 200 others who took part in the 21st edition of the glamorous Nigeria Cup; a week-long competition put in place to celebrate the nation’s Independence anniversary. The victory was his second on the Nigeria Cup leaderboard. The first was recorded in 2006. The successful event was sponsored by Eroton, NNPC, Premier Lotto, Folawiyo Petroleum, UBA, Heineken, Notore, Jite Okoloko, Midwestern, Del, Tectonic, Dangote,

Snepco, Amni, Nadabo, Oando, Ecobank, ICMA, Aiuther Sun, Hotel, Emirate Airline, Perfection Real Estate, Chevron, CocaCola, PZ, Cappa and Dalberto, MTN, KPMG, 9Mibole and Kenya Airways. Bolaji Tajudeen Musah amongst others. Meanwhile, Feyide’s 71-net score was one-shot better than Donald Ehenemba who returned 72-net score beating two others–Grant Daniel and Abubakar Lawal–with the same score on Countback. Daniel Meyer, who also signed for 72-net score, completed the top-five in the net category. He also lost on countback Frank Momoh’s 78-gross put him ahead of four others in the gross category. Former Nigeria Cup champion, Tim Ayomike, came second with 80-gross while Olakunle

Olatunde came third. Sola Omilabu came fourth in the men’s gross category. Waking from a slow start as a result of paucity of fund, the Nigeria Cup 2017 Committee led by Brig-Gen. Musbau Amolegbe delivered a wonderful tournament to the admiration of all. Satisfied at the end of the weeklong competition, the retired Brigadier-General said, “I am grateful to God and especially my Committee for their support”. Amolegbe, who said the tournament would not have been successful without the support of the sponsors, urged everyone present to always look to the positive side of the nation in spite of its challenges, saying, there were many things that bound us together than those that divides us.

Federation Wants Muaythai at Sports Festival The Muaythai Federation of Nigeria, MFN, has written to the 36 states of the federation including the federal capital territory to reintroduce the sport across the country. The federation is currently pushing to have the sport listed among the scoring sports at the next National Sports Festival. To this end MFN has submitted a letter of re-introduction to that effect to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung.

President of the federation, comrade Egonu Eligbaesor Paul, who led members of the board to the just concluded national U-17 Youth games in Ilorin to show solidarity says they are pleading with the federal ministry of sports and social development and national sports commission to give their sporting assistance and approval for scoring after they met federal government's requirement on demonstrations, also seeking for the approval and a Secretariat for the

Federation. The federation is hoping to feature as a scoring sport at the 2018 NSF. After Demonstrations at both Edo 2002 and Gateway 2006 and also organizing national championships and technical courses in upgrading Muaythai to technical standard on IOC notice and Acknowledgement. Egonu promised that they would comb the nooks and crannies of the country in its bid to develop the sport.

Atletico, Barca Battle Live on GOtv The biggest game of the La Liga season so far is shrouded in political tension as Barcelona visit Atletico Madrid today in their first trip to the Spanish capital since a Catalan independence referendum marred by violence. Barca played their last match behind closed doors as the October 1, referendum, deemed illegal by the Spanish government, took place amid chaotic scenes as police seized ballot papers and clashed with voters, leaving 92 injured, among nearly 900 who sought medical attention. "It was one of the worst moments we've experienced," Barca captain Andres Iniesta told Catalunya radio this week. "It was a bit surreal." However, deep divisions remain despite Catalonia president Carles Puigdemont's decision to suspend the effects of a unilateral declaration of independence on Tuesday. Meanwhile, GOtv MAX and Plus subscribers will watch Atletico Madrid’s attempt to dent Barcelona’s title hopes, when they go head to head after the international break, among all other La Liga matches live on SuperSport Select 4. Barcelona are five points clear at the top of La Liga after winning all their opening seven matches this season. Atletico will be going into the game unbeaten, having won four and drawn three so far to leave them in fourth place. Other exciting encounters today include Athletic Bilbao versus Sevilla at 11:55am, Getafe versus Real Madrid at 3:10pm and Alaves versus Real Sociedad at 5:25pm. On Sunday, Eibar will take on Deportivo La Coruna at 10:55am while Girona confronts Villarreal at 3:10pm. Later on, we will see Malaga go up against Leganes at 5:25pm, while Real Betis tackle Valencia at 7:40pm. The action spills into Monday, 16 October with the Las Palmas versus Celta Vigo match at 7:55pm. Explaining why La Liga matches have been made available to GOtv MAX subscribers, John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, said that quality entertainment has always been a key focus for GOtv. “Sports just got bigger and better with the GOtv MAX package. With La Liga now on GOtv, our subscribers can join the rest of the world in enjoying the best of Spanish football action as well as other entertainment choices at an affordable cost”, he said. The new bouquet, GOtv Max is open to all GOtv Plus subscribers from October 1 to October 31.

Dolphin Swimming League Berths in Lagos As part of efforts at reviving swimming in Nigeria, Advanta Interactive Global limited in conjunction with Dynaspro Promotions limited has come up with Dolphin Swimming League, to be competed by first tier private primary and secondary schools. At a press conference held at the Lagos Preparatory School, Ikoyi, to herald the competition, the Managing Director, Advanta Initiative- marketing firm of the tournament, Efe Ojigbede, said the whole idea was to keep swimming alive in the country. "We want to keep swimming alive in Nigeria. Coaches would be brought from abroad to impact on the local coaches and pupils. "Tentatively, Dolphin Swimming League would kick-off on December 9, with the participating schools expected to present two swimmers in each category. The 10 best swimmers, which would be judged by their returning time, are expected to go on training in the United Kingdom," Ojigbede said. Meanwhile, initiator of Dolphins Swimming League, Oluseyi Oyebode, has promised that DSL would not be a one off event, saying it is based on strong basic structure. "With DSL, it’s a new dawn in swimming in Lagos and it would never be the same again," Oyebode assured. “The maiden edition of the league will involve the topmost private primary and secondary schools in Lagos. The league will be held in all participating schools before a winner emerges. Arrangements have been made for the best swimmers from the league to participate at international swimming meets in England,” Oyebode said. Interestingly, Lagos State government and the Swimming Federation have promised technical support for league, According to the President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Babatunde Fatai-Williams, the federation is ready to support the programme fully and the organizers of the league must be commended for initiating the tournament while assuring of the federation support.

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

NEWSXTRA

NERC: FG Blocking Take-off of New Cost-reﬂective Electricity Rates Chineme Okafor in Abuja

Electricity rates charged to consumers in Nigeria by their various electricity distribution companies (Discos) may likely remain as they are for now because the federal government is not disposed to allowing a new cost reflective tariff take off, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has said. NERC, said it had conducted statutory reviews of the tariffs charged by the Discos to factor in extant changes such as inflation rates, exchange rates, and generation capacity, in their components but that the government had as a matter of policy, decided that the new rates be suspended. A presentation made by a Principal Manager, Tariff and Rates at NERC, Aisha Mahmud, during a workshop organised for journalists in Abuja on Friday by the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) - an umbrella body of all the power generation companies (Gencos) in Nigeria, made it clear the commission had done what it ought to do on the review of electricity tariffs, but that the government was holding it back from implementing the new rates. "We have done the review but waiting for government to implement it. It is a matter of policy," said Mahmud, in response to a question on why the commission has held back its implementation of the tariff it reviewed. She also disclosed that from the last minor review the commission did, an average of N51 per kilowatt hour was the outcome, adding that most consumers in the residential cadre would not be able to afford

NATURE'S RAGE ... L-R: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State being briefed by his commissioner for works and infrastructure, Mr. Greg Nnaji on the progress report of the reconstruction of the failed box culvert at New Haven junction, Enugu, built over 16 years ago, yesterday

the rate, and NERC had advised the government on either subsidising electricity consumption or consider other economical alternatives. Just few days back, the 11 Discos stated that financial shortfalls from the backlogs of tariff reviews that were done but not implemented by the NERC had risen to N460 billion. They claimed the backlogs were as a result of a 2015 decision of the

NERC to freeze the residential-2 (R2) tariff cadre and removal of collection losses from their tariffs which resulted in a shortfall of N187 billion, the smoothening of the tariff for 10 years in 2016, which also resulted in another deficit of N227 billion, and additional changes in the tariff as a result of NERC's refusal to activate the minor review of the tariff in the second part of

2016, which resulted in another N46 billion. Also, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, had recently claimed that the last government of President Goodluck Jonathan, arm-twisted the NERC to suspend its implementation of the 2015 electricity tariff to enable it win the presidential election that year, his claims were however

roundly debunked by a former chair of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, who said the decision of his team to suspend the tariff was entirely theirs and not in any way influenced by the government of the day then. Similarly, Mahmud, disclosed that an application for an extraordinary transmission tariff review requested by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to enable it undertake its

operations was under consideration, and that it would go through public consultation before an outcome on it will be known in 2018. "We have received TCN's request for a review of its tariff, but as you know, it has to go through public consultation before anything decision on it can be reached, and by next year we should have a cost-reflective tariff for TCN," she added.

Witness: How SANs Paid Presidency: World Bank President's Comment about Buhari Twisted by Mischief Makers Cont’d from Pg.. 1 "Also, during a trip to Washington requires special attention would Rochas Okorocha of Imo State the discussions with the world Bank Millions into Industrial in 2015, and many other engage- receive it, irrespective of primordial from the southeast, Adams Os- focused on rebuilding the north-east ments that followed, President affinities, which narrow minded hiomhole from the south-south, and everyone knows that when the Court Judge's Account Buhari sought the help of the World people have not been able to live Abiola Isiaka Ajimobi from the issue of rebuilding the north-east is Akinwale Akintunde

A prosecution witness, Solomon Akhanolu has revealed before an Ikeja High Court how some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) made deposits of various sums into the account of the embattled judge of the National Industrial Court, Justice James Agbadu Fishim. Akhanolu, a staff of First Bank Plc made this revelation yesterday, while testifying at the resumed trial of the judge before Justice Raliat Adebiyi of an Ikeja High Court. Fishim was arraigned in July by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count charge bordering on unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to Section 82(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011 The judge was alleged to have illegally received N4.4 million from seven SANs, a lawyer and a law firm from 2013 to 2015. The seven SANs accused of unlawfully enriching the judge are Felix Fagbohungbe, Paul Usoro, Uche Obi, Muiz Banire, Adeniyi Akintola, Gani Adetola Kazeem and Joseph Nwobike. Mr. Agbadu-Fishim is also alleged to have received funds from a Lagosbased lawyer, Enobong Etteh and Alliance Law Firm.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was granted bail on self-recognition as prayed by his counsel, Prof. A Amuda Kannike (SAN) on the grounds that his client was a sitting judge. At yesterday’s proceedings, Akhanolu who was led in evidence by Wahab Shittu, the prosecuting counsel told the court that the embattled judge had three accounts with the bank. He gave the account Numbers as, 3008199491, 2006900326 and 0009508696 respectively. “I am employed by First Bank of Nigeria as a forensic officer and by November 3, 2017, I would be in the bank’s employment for eight years. “My primary duty is to act as an intermediary between the bank and law enforcement agencies. On October 13, 2016, I received a letter from the EFCC requesting for some bank account documents of James Fishim. “There are three accounts namely, 3008199491, 2006900326 and 0009508696 respectively, belonging to Mr. Agbadu Fishim James,” he said. “From the information generated from account number 300819491, on December 5, 2013, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) made a deposit of N200, 000. On December 19, 2014, a deposit of N250, 000 was made by Fagbohungbe.

Bank in rebuilding the beleaguered North-east, which was then being wrested from the stranglehold of a pernicious insurgency. It was something always done in the open, and which reflected the president's concern for the region. "Those ululating over the disclosure by the President of the World Bank should be a bit reflective, and consider the ravages that the North-east has suffered since 2009, when the Boko Haram insurgency started. "Schools, hospitals, homes, entire villages, towns, cities, bridges, and other public utilities have been blown up, laid waste, and lives terminated in excess of 20,000, while widows and orphans littered the landscape. The humanitarian crisis was in monumental proportions. "President Buhari simply did what a caring leader should do. He took the battle to the insurgents, broke their backs, and then sought for help to rebuild, so that the people could have their lives back. "Should that then elicit the negative commentary that has trailed the disclosure from the World Bank? Not at all, except from insidious minds. "President Buhari has a panNigerian mandate, and he will discharge his duties and responsibilities in like manner. "Any part of the country that

above. This President will always work in the best interest of all parts of the country at all times. Let ethnic warriors sheathe their swords. Five Governors including three of them representing the South-south, South-east and South-west and the late Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Professor Adefuye were present when President Muhammadu Buhari held a meeting with President of the World Bank in Washington back in July, 2015, during which the President made a special appeal for the World Bank to support in the rebuilding of the north-east geo-political zone which has suffered massive destructions as a result of Boko Haram insurgency, Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima who was also at the meeting said on Friday night with a call on Nigerians to emphasize issues that united the country rather what divides it. Shettima spoke with reference to responses following media reports claiming the World Bank President said President Muhammadu Buhari had asked the Bank to focus developmental attention on 'northern Nigeria', a situation that many interpreted as favoritism. Clarifying the air while speaking some journalists in Maiduguri on Friday night, Governor Shettima said himself, Governors Owelle

Southwest and Tanko Almakura from the north-central were all in attendance when President Buhari met with the World Bank during which he made an open request for the world to focus in helping the Federal Government to rebuild the northeast. He noted that it was in furtherance of the request that in 2016, the World Bank in collaboration with the European Union and office of the Vice President, organized a Recovery and Peace Building Assessment Report on the six states affected by the Boko Haram attacks in the northeast following which it was verifiably discovered that the Boko Haram had destroyed public and private infrastructure worth nine billion dollars in the northeast from which destructions in Borno alone accounted for six billion US dollars. Governor Shettima said while it was his duty to speak for the President, he found it necessary to clear the air 'because it will be unfair for him to keep silent' while President Buhari is wrongly misunderstood in his attempt to help in rebuilding Borno and other parts of the North-east. "The President and the Federal Government have very competent spokespersons, I don't speak for the President or the FG, however, the controversy affects my State because

the subject, Borno naturally comes into perspective because of the 9 billion dollars worth of destructions inflicted by Boko Haram on the north-east, Borno alone suffered destructions worth 6 billion dollars and this figure was the product of President Muhammadu Buhari's request from the world Bank. It was the World Bank that championed the RPBA (Recovery and Peace Building Assessment Report on the six States of the northeast with the participation of the European Union, and office of the Vice President. The World Bank became involved after President Buhari made a request for the Bank to support the rebuilding of the northeast. The meeting between President Buhari and the World Bank in Washington DC which took place in July, 2015, few weeks after the President's swearing-in, was attended by, then Governor Adams Oshiomhole from the South-south, Governors Rochas Okorocha of Imo from the southeast, Abiola Isiaka Ajimobi from the South-west, Tanko Al-Makura from the North-central, myself from the northeast, the Late Prof.Adefuye and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bulus Lolo. The request was made by the President in the open and everyone thought it was the right thing.

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Customs Impounds N432m Glo Laffta Fest Returns to Lagos Smuggled Hilux Vehicles Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has impounded 27 Toyota Hilux pick-up vans with N432 million duty paid value (DPV), which were suspected to have been smuggled into the country by some auto dealers.

The Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) of Customs in-charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Aminu Dangaladima, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, said that the vehicles were impounded from two open car stands along Kubwa Expressway in Abuja.

According to him, the Customs under the on-going reforms had continued to improve in all aspects, especially in the areas of suppression of smuggling. The vehicles, which have been moved to the NCS' headquarters were seized following intelligence gathering. He said, "On Wednesday, Oct. 10, based on credible intelligence, operatives of NCS Compliance Team went to two open car stands along Kubwa Expressway in FCT and evacuated 27 Toyota Hilux pick-up vehicles suspected to be smuggled into the country. â€? Putting the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the vehicles at over N432 million, the DCG said: â€œWe (Customs) urge the owners of these vehicles to come forward with valid Customs clearance documents otherwise they will be liable to

seizure and subsequent forfeiture to the federal government in line with laws of the land. â€œFor the avoidance of doubt, what we are doing is in-line with the provisions of Section 147 of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap 45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,2004 (power to search premises). â€œSection 154 CEMA, Cap 45 Laws of Federation of Nigeria (power to patrol freely). â€œIt must be understood that being in possession of smuggled items is an offence under Section 3 of Customs and Excise (special penal and other provision) Act Cap 47 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004," he added . The DCG noted that the NCS was making progress on investigations in illegal arms importation, adding some arrests had been

The 27-week Glo Laffta Fest, featuring some Africaâ€™s funniest comics returns to Lagos this Sunday. The mega comedy show is this time taking place at the KFA Event Centre by Jakande Estateâ€™s First Gate at Ajah. It is the 27th edition of the hugely successful comedy fiesta that has gone round the length and breadth of Nigeria since it was flagged off on April 16, 2017 in Port Harcourt. Some of the cities the show has been to since then include Abuja, Enugu, Owerri, Warri, Yenegoa, Calabar, Uyo, Ibadan, Benin, Ijebu Ode, Kaduna, Abeokuta, Kubwa, Ikorodu, Suleja, Kano, Anyigba, Lokoja, Onitsha and Makurdi. The show has created unprecedented excitement and fun in all the locations it has been, drawing mammoth audiences from all walks of life. The 27th edition of the show happening in Ajah will kick off at

4pm and will feature some of the wittiest comics on the continent, such as Bovi Ugboma, Godwin Komone, popularly known as Gordons, Seyi Law, Salvador from Uganda, De Don and MC Tagwaye. The show will also be graced by Nollywood legends, Richard Mofe-Damijo and Kanayo O. Kanayo, as well as two of the best known actors in the Yoruba genres of Nollywood, Odunlade Adekola and Bolaji Amusan. The show will be anchored by Juliet Ibrahim and Mercy Johnson. â€œWe treated the people of Ajah area of Lagos to an unforgettable evening of music entertainment when we took the Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour to the same venue. This time, it is comedy like they have never seen it before. Our prospective and existing subscribers should keep a date for a time to remember,â€? Globacom said in a statement in Lagos.

UNILORIN Turns Out 89 First Class Graduates By Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

REWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE... L-R: Executive Producer, The Next Titan, Mr Mide Kunle - Akinlaja and the General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group, Mr Abiona Babarinde at the premiere event of Season 4 of the Next Titan Nigeria entrepreneurial reality TV show co-sponsored by Coscharis Motors Plc and Ford Motor Company in Lagos recently

Authorities of University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) on Friday disclosed that, it had produced 89 first class graduands for the 2016/2017 academic session. Others include 1,982 second class Upper division, 3737 second class Lower division, 1,309 third class and 117 Pass. The outgoing vice chancellor of the university, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali made this disclosure during the

33rd convocation media press briefing and the and the unveiling of the10th vice chancellor of the institution held at the main auditorium of the university. He also said that, â€œat the post graduate level, in the session, the university produced 120 PHD, 1,074 Master,130 MBA/MPA and 161 diploma graduands adding that, â€˜these great graduands who have been found worthy in character and learning will be awarded their degrees and diplomas during the convocation activities slated for Friday October 20,

Child Protection: NGO Harps on Grassroots Sensitisation Fadekemi Ajakaiye As a way of curbing the rising case of insecurity and abuse of children's right in the society, a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative has stressed the need for engagement and enlightenment of the masses, especially the minors, to win the fight against the raging scourge. The founder of the organisation, Dr. Ama Onyerinma, stated this at a day sensitisation programme on community security and child protection hosted by the NGO in collaboration with Kosofe School Based Management Committee Council of School Chairman, SBMC, in

Lagos. Onyerinma who frowned at the frequent incidence of child kidnapping and ritual activities in the country stated that a programme of such was necessary to familiarise target victims, mainly the minors with strategies and ways of criminals as well as to teach them their rights so as to know the steps to take when being infringed upon. "The children need to be taught how they can protect themselves against all forms of abuse and violence. They need to speak and share information to help in this advocacy, they have to know organisations that focuses and fight against sexual abuse and seek protections of

World Farmersâ€™ Centre Opens in Lagos A platform for agricultural training, advocacy, exhibitions forum, farming projects and a general hub for farmers has opened in Lagos. Known as the World Farmersâ€™ Centre, the platform is aimed, among others, at upgrading the knowledge of individuals, groups and bodies involved in the business of agriculture at different levels. To achieve this, the President and Founder of the centre, Dr. Joseph Deji Folutile, said free training courses would be offered on a continual basis for intending farmers and other stakeholders. He added that the centre would encourage knowledge-based agriculture practices that will help the nation not only to be self-sufficient, but producing agric products for exports. Notable activities that will

keep taking place at the centre, according to the president, include the monthly AGRIC SPEAKER SERIES where leaders in the agriculture sector will speak on trending issues that will impact on farming productivity and profitability. He said farmers will also be constantly trained on marketing, while agric crusades will be carried to colleges to catch them young. â€œAGRIC CEOS FORUM will also take place on constant basis to formulate policies and set up agendas that will keep boosting agriculture in the country,â€™â€™ he said. While lauding governmentâ€™s efforts at making access to agric loans easier, Dr. Deji Folutile said Nigerians should take advantage of governmentâ€™s move by investing more in agriculture. â€œAgriculture is a viable source of income.

children and women, " she said. Citing the declaration of the right of a child as adopted by the United Nations, she stated

that every child had the right to be protected, educated, access good health care, shelter and nutrition.

2017â€?. Amabali said that the success recorded was due to the commitment of the lecturers and students to the policy of academic excellence of the institution. On his achievements recorded in the last five years, Professor Ambali said that, â€œFrom 12 faculties that

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as ADENIYI FOLASHADE MARY, now wish to be known and addressed as OKE FOLASHADE MARY. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ENITON IGBEARE, now wish to be known and addressed FLORENCE ENITON AKINBOYEWA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as SAMSUIDEEN FEMI ALAO, now wish to be known and addressed LAWAL SAMSON FEMI ALAO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS PETERS OLUBUSOLA ABOSEDE, now wish to be known and addressed MRS FAGBILE PETERS OLUBUSOLA ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as SANDA SAMUEL ADEOSEBIKAN, now wish to be known and addressed SANDA SAMUEL OMOWEROME. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as FERDINAND PRECIOUS ALEX, now wish to be known and addressed ONONANETA PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS BALOGUN JEMILAT ALAKE ABOSEDE OLUFUNMILAYO, now wish to be known and addressed MRS AKINSEYE JEMILAT OLUFUN MILAYO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS BUMI BUKOLA ALE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BUMI JANG. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

we had in 2012, the university has expanded the frontiers of learning of scholarship with the 15 faculties we have today in the university. â€˜Almost of our academic programmes are fully accredited by the regulatory National Universities Commission(NUC) and the university in the last five years has introduced such new courses like Business Education, Social Studies Education, Adult Education, Computer Science Education, Marketing, Social Work, Psychology, among others.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as IGWE OLUCHI JUSTINA, now wish to be known and addressed AMOS OLUCHUKWU JUSTINA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MRS PATIENCE NGOZI ENIKUEMEHIN, now wish to be known and addressed MS NGOZI OJEH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SANDRA ADETOKUNBO BANJO, now wish to be known and addressed MRS SANDRA ADETOKUNBO K Íł> > . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHIDINMA NNEOMA OBIDIGBO, now wish to be known and addressed MRS CHIDINMA NNEOMA NWANKWO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. I formerly known as UDUAK SUNDAY JOSIAH now wish to be known and addressed as PASTOR SALVATION UDUAKABASI PRAISE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. I formerly known as MISS ONWUJIUBA CHINYERE MARYANN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANYAKUDE CHINYERE MARYANN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME dĹšĹ?Ć? Ĺ?Ć? ĆšĹ˝ ĹśĹ˝Ć&#x;Ä¨Ç‡ ĆšĹšÄ‚ĆšÍ• / IJOMAH EBERECHUKWU EVELYN is the same person as IJOMAH EBERECHUKWU EVELYN STEPHNIE and my correct date of birth is 20/8/1982. All former docu ments remains valid, the general public should please take note.

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

FAIRGROUND

The 2017 Most Beautiful Girl Pageant

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

he just concluded Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant was a night to remember, as a levy of beautiful bevy of ladies which included the contestants made the evening sparkle with glamour. The pageant had a lot of sponors but Ekulo’s sponsorship of the 2017 MBGN was the group’s first ever interest in the beauty and tourism sector. Stakeholders agreed that the overwhelming success of the 2017 MBGN contest which produced Ugochi Ihezue, Miss Kebbi, as winner and new MBGN Queen, is a testimony to dexterity, hard work and organisation on the part of the Ekulo team. The build-up to the competition for the MBGN crown started with sale of forms for interested young ladies across the country. Those who indicated interest were later screened and 36 of them were then selected. The finalists then started camping. As part of the camping activities, the finalist paid courtesy call on Evan Industries Limited, a member of the Ekulo Group. Meditol Medicated Antiseptic range of soap which was the sponsoring brand in the MBGN pageant is manufactured by Evans Industries Ltd. Essentially, Meditol Medicated and Antiseptic range of soap protects, heals, and The Winner of MBGN and Guy Murray Bruce beautifies the skin. It’s a family soap with five variants namely Meditol Original with Avacado extracts,Meditol Classic with shea butter extracts, meditol Gentle with Olive Oil , Meditol Cool with Menthol, Meditol Herbal with aloe vera extracts. Apart from Meditol, Evans industries also manufacture other household items, including the popular Eva range of soaps and Hawaii range of Papaya & Carrot Whitening soaps. The contestants had a busy day as they were taken on a guided tour of the company’s factory and production line. On hand to perform this task was Evans’ General Manager, Daniel Nwaiwu. Apart from Meditol, the girls were introduced to the company’s different products, including Hawaii range of whitening soap consisting Hawaii Papaya and Hawaii Carrot and the Eva range of Complexion Care soap-Eva Herbal, Eva Romantic, Eva Gold, Eva Classic, Eva Forever and Eva Ivory. Quality Control Manager, Gbenga Adepoju, told the awe struck MBGN finalists that the Guy Murray Bruce, Fidelis Anosike and a Friend company was constantly conducting research to come up with new products for the satisfaction of its teeming consumers. Nwaiwu on his part said the wide acceptability of Evans’ product across different strata of consumers, stemmed from the quality nature of the products which he affirmed compete favorably with international brands of the same genre as the company and its operation are ISO 9001/2008 certified. The girls beamed with smiles as General Manager of the Ekulo Group, Joseph Okonkwo, eulogised them, describing them as epitome of a complete woman, characterized by elegance, grace, decency and intelligence. He told them that Evans industries Limited was poised to enhance their God-given beauty by producing and make available to them and other consumers, total body care products. The icing on the cake came on the night of September 15, when Ugochi Mitchell Ihezue emerged .Pomp, glamour and splendour were Stephanie Okereke-Linus on parade as panel of judges comprising First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, Agbasi. Miss Oyo, Emmanuella Yaboh was the Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okere-Linus, second runner up and Miss Plateau, Winfrey Senator Lanre Tejuosho, among others Okolo the third runner up. meticulously sifted through the 36 MBGN Some of the MBGN finalists also won concontestants to crown Ugochi as the winner solation prizes. These were Miss Amity won and Nigeria’s new and foremost beauty queen. by Miss Yobe, Ndali Eno, Miss Photogenic/ MBGN pageant is Nigeria and Africa’s biggest Congeniality went to Miss Anambra, Maristella beauty pageantry. Okpala. It was a double crown for Ugochi as The ambience of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria she was also bestowed with Model of the year. Island, Lagos, venue of the MBGN contest Double portion also was the lot of Miss Sokoto, was electrifying socialites, celebrities, tycoons, Agbasi as she grabbed Best Costume and MBGN etc, the hall was filled. A touch of elegance universe while Miss Bayelsa, Rebecca Hampson was further added to the enchanting evening got Best Evening Wear.Miss Oyo, Emmanuella with the red carpet beautifully embossed with Yaboh went home with MBGN ECOWAS, while colours of Meditol Medicated Antiseptic soap. his Plateau counterpart, Winfrey Okolo got Though from Akokwa, in Imo state, Ugochi, a MBGN Tourism. Over 350 gift packs branded Fine and Applied Arts graduate of University of in Meditol colours were shared at the event Benin, represented Kebbi State in the pageant. with all the contestants getting special packs. Closely following Ugochi in the keen contest Before the final selection of the MBGN was the first runner up, Miss Sokoto, Stephanie Queen and winners of other categories of

GM of Ekulo Group, Mr Joseph Okonkwo

Emeka Oramadike and Ingram Osigwe

Olamide

Ingram Osigwe, Nnenna Okonkwo, Guy Murray Bruce, Emeka Oramadike And Alozie Uzoukwu

the pageant, the girls dazzled the gathering with breathe-taking night and beach wears. Selection process for the winner of the exalted MBGN crown saw the panel of judges trim the finalists from 36 to 15 through a very transparent elimination mechanism. From 15, the list was pruned down to 5. It was from the five that Ugochi came tops and the runner ups emerged. Moments after she was pronounced winner, Ugochi was crowned by the outgoing queen, Unoaku Anyadike. Among dignitaries that graced the 2017 MBGN contest included fashion enthusiast and socialite, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Publisher of Daily Times newspaper, Fidelis Anosike, Marketing Manager, Emeka Oramadike, General Manager of Evans Industries, Engineer Daniel Nwaiwu, Nnamdi Okonkwo, Joseph Agada, Tochukwu Aralu, Chibuzor Nnaebue,Media adviser to the Ekulo group,

Ingram Adichie Osigwe. Others were Vice President of the Silverbird group, Guy Ben Bruce, former Executive Vice Chairman of National Communication Commission NCC, Ernest Ndukwe and Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria, APCON, Alhaji Bello Garuba Kankarofi, Popular comedian and actor, Okey Bakassi , Nollywood personalities, Ejike Asiegbu and Caroline Ekanem Danjuma,Major Ekulo distributor, Amaco Investment Limited was also represented.. Quality musical entertainment was provided by Olamide, Harry Song, Ara among others. Colorful cultural displays also spiced up the night amidst visible excitement on the faces of the attendees.Elated at the success of the 2017 MBGN pageant, Guy Bruce was full of effusive praises for Ekulo for sponsoring the beauty contest.

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

FAIRGROUND

Fowler Welcomes Boldfaces’ Eseigbe into Tax Family

ricia Eseigbe Kerry of BOLDFACES international, the media outfit that specialises in motivating the down trodden within our society through its various TV platforms- BOLDFACES (“Counterfeit”, “Governator”, “Behind The Pulpit”) and The Psychologist- On The Move Project. A media Advocacy campaign addressing women/ children safety, was at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) headquarters at Sokode Crescent, Wuse Zone 5 in Abuja to film an interview documentary for Nigerians to understand how the tax system works. Mr. Tunde Fowler also doubles as the Chairman of the Joint Tax Board, welcomed Kerry and her Boldfaces crew to his office and commended the team for their great works over the years and her media advocacy and sensitisation of issues affecting the nation. The documentary featured Fowler, Mr. Abiodu Aina (Coordinating Director, Domestic tax Group/Special Advisor to the Executive Chairman), Mr. Faramade Ogunsanya (Director Efficiency), Mrs. Anita Erinne (Asst.Director-Enforcement Unit) and Mr. Wale Shonekan (Special Asst. to the Executive Chairman on I.C.T matters. Since his appointment as the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Fowler has brought new technological innovations to ease the tax payer’s burden and provide the best services for taxpayers. “We at FIRS understand that them are very important. In view of this, as a service-oriented organization we try to make things very convenient for taxpayers. In the last 23 months, we deployed a lot of technology to ensure that taxpayers are served efficiently and effectively,” he said. Fowler stated for many years Nigeria has been a country where a tangible number of the masses were not tax compliant. “It boils down to asking what Nigerians want from government. Nigerians expect to have electricity, security, healthcare, education, infrastructure in terms of roads

Tricia Esiegbe-Kerry and Tunde Fowler

and other services. People travel abroad for holiday because their government provide these amenities. If people were not committed in paying their taxes the government will not have the resources to provide services they are supposed to provide.” Fowler continues; “The primary duty of

any revenue Board is to generate revenue for all tiers of government, many people don’t realize that the revenue we generate is shared by the federal, state and local governments.” On tax registration and stamp duty, Aina said it is easier to register now as a tax payer in Nigeria than it used to be.

We have also reduced the Shonekan on I.C.T matters confirmed FIRS is fully computerized and also have access to Corporate Affairs Commission database “Stating its simple when we want to know those who are paying and those who are not paying their taxes.” Mrs. Anita Erinne also shed light on identifying tax defaulters and making them do what should be done. “We sometimes are unable to locate businesses, because they run portfolio companies, they do their business and disappear, she advised tax defaulters that with technology they have no hiding place.” Faramade Ogunsanya (Director Efficiency), spoke on enforcement challenges. “I believe that when you are running a revenue agency there are consequences, so for those tax payers who are not compliant after several discussions we have to embark on enforcement. That is one of the few things we started since Fowler assumed office. We are now tackling those who have ability to pay but do not want to pay.”Mr. Fowler explained that the bold step he has taken in his life is working for Lagos State and working with his mentor former Lagos state Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His FIRS mandate is to reach 90 percent with its innovation. A number of companies have not been paying taxes for years and FIRS have to clear that backlog. FIRS hopes to reach about 40-45 million individuals in Nigeria with its services. Last year, FIRS moved it from about 10 million to about 14 million. There’s still a lot of room for improvement. Fowler said, “When we are in a position to fund both federal and state revenues then I think we are satisfied.” The FIRS boss introduced Kerry to the FIRS staff and welcomed her to the family. During the event, the Boldfaces boss thanked Mr. Tunde Fowler and his management team for educating Nigerians. The documentary is currently showing on various local and international TV network including AiT, NTA, and Channels on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Papa Ajasco Reloaded Premiere Receives Standing Ovation

he eagerly-awaited fresh season of Papa Ajasco Reloaded TV Comedy has finally been premiered, to thunderous applause recently at Silverbird Cinemas Ikeja City Mall, during a colourful event which was attended by selected members from different parts of the country, prominent entertainers, distinguished advertisers and several media houses. The award-winning sitcom’s new season, titled Mr & Mrs Talented, stars Papa Ajasco, Mama Ajasco, Pa James, Boy Alinco, Miss Pepeiye, Bobo Ajasco and a long list of hilarious guest stars; including Frank Donga, Eniola Badmus, Akpan & Oduma, Moyo Lawal, Ijebu, Ese Eriata (Big Brother Naija 2017), Dayo Davies, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Yinka Ademo (Nnenna), Jide Awobona, Christy Imanlihen, Ola John Adeogun, Emeka Okoye, Hadiza Abubakar, Raphael Niyi, Veronica Effiong, Eric Obinna, Slimmy Tee, Omonla, Mama Kwube, Shedams Fitness, Chief Olododo and others. Wale Adenuga Jnr., the Managing Director of WAP, had this to say: “We are pleased with the overwhelming positive response we have received today. We’ve also received equally good response on social media since we released the trailer. We had a lot of fun shooting this season of Papa Ajasco Reloaded and we are delighted

Participants the events recently

Managing Director, Wale Adenuga Jnr

that families nationwide can finally get to enjoy it on their TV screens. We equally look forward to our ground-breaking live TV show Papa Ajasco Reloaded PLUS; where viewers across the country get to interact with our presenters, discuss their favourite moments of the episode and win fabulous prizes by answering simple questions.”

Showgear Powered American Audio/ ADJ Products Now in Nigeria

howgearLimited,Nigeria’sleading audio-visual store is pleased to announce the launch ofAmerican Audio /ADJ products for the first time in Nigeria. ADJ is an American company established 33 years ago with representation in over 168 counties. The aim of the launch party is to exhibit and show the effectiveness of theAmerican audio/dj

products ranging from speakers, DJ turn tables, mixers, controllers, headphones, DMX moving heads, sound activated club effects, beam lights, LED lighting and other accessories as well as create a platform for networking. Showgear is passionate about making available the best musical instruments in Nigeria and beyond as well as sales of prosound, pro light, pro stage, pro video equipment, delivery and after sales support.

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

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

T H I S D AY SATURDAY OCTOBER 14, 2017

OCTOBER 14, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

FASHION FILE

The Ladypreneur’ Collection By Jane Michael Ekanem

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 14, 2017

FASHION FILE

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

The Ladypreneur’

omenswear brand Jane Michael Collection, the design brand of the stylist and designer Jane Michael Ekanem has put forth the lookbook for her debut collection tagged ‘The Ladypreneur’ celebrating the working woman, the achieving woman… the lady entrepreneur. The collection features dresses, twopiece clothing and complementing separates incorporating clean sleek lines with asymmetric and unparalled cuts enhanced by leather accents and aesthetic beading embellishments. The collection also features a collaboration with bespoke footwear brand QBCool and handmade bag brand Freshinn by Kemi Odunsi. The black and white theme of the collection gives a classy interpretation of how workwear fashion can be graceful, elegant but yet find a stylish transition

from work to after-hours and suitable for any appearance; accentuating the sophistication of women with diverse preferences. According to the brand ‘The Ladypreneur is a fearless achieving fashionista. She could be an entrepreneur or a value adder who knows all about life’s set rules but is comfortable enough to walk outside the defined lines. She knows she is making a difference and she loves being a woman who never loses her feminine grace. So, she lives by her own principles, defines her unique style, and stays winning. Although she is expected to dominate, her feminine element prefers to flourish in every way’ The Jane Michael Collection caters to the woman who is fashionably aware and thoroughly enjoys being part of the fashion conversation.

Credits Design Brand: Jane Michael Collection @janemichaelcollection Models: Few Models @fewmodels, Winfrey Okolo @whinphrydania, Kelly Jumbo @kelz_mama

Shoes: QBCool @qbcoolbespoke Photography: Emmanuel Oyeleke @ emmanueloyelekephotography

Styling: Jane Michael Ekanem @ janemichaelekanem

Creative Content: Nanya Konwea @ theladychief1, Immanuel Ogu @surepriest

Brand Strategist: Bolaji Ajayi @b2datj

Hair: My Hair Limited @myhairLtd Hair Styling: Ceezys Styling @ceezysstyling Makeup: Adella Makeup @adella_ makeup Bags: Freshinn @fr3shinn by @kemiodunsi1

Graphics & Design: Justin Ukaegbu @ just.inlagos Voice Over: Keturah King @keturah_ king Creative Director: Jane Michael Ekanem @janemichaelekanem

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ˜ 2017

MARKET PLACE áÓÞÒ ×ÙÖËÌËÕÏ ËÝÒÙÑÌÙØ˛˛˛ ͸΀͸ͻͻ;ͺ͹͸͸΁

Public Relations Manager ,Power Oil, Mrs Omotayo Azeez-Abiodun; Health Attendant at Italapo Family Health Centre, Paseda Remmy; Director, Public Health, Ogun State Ministry of Health, Dr. Qudus Yusuﬀ; Medical Oﬃcer of Health, Ado Odo Ota Local Government, Dr. Jelili Bakare, during the launch of Power Oil health camp in some Health Centres in Ogun State...recently

Founder, Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative, Dr Ama Onyerinma addressing some pupils in Kosofe Local Government of Lagos State during a sensitization programme on community security & child protection...recently

Indomie Independence Heroes Award Dazzles at 10 It was a night of fulfillment and fortune for the latest Indomie’s heroes, who courtesy of Dufil Prima Foods, are heading for a new glorious phase of life. The event officially kicked off with gorgeously dressed dignitaries strolling down the red carpet which added to the glamour of the event. As guests found their way to the Marquee hall of the prestigious Federal Palace Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos which was filled to the brim, their expectation was to catch a glimpse of the celebrated heroes. The colourful event was made brighter with striking musical and comedy performances from A-list artistes, cultural presentations, musical instruments and many more. With the guests immersed in the ecstasy and other attractions of the programme, Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Deepak Singhal, mounted the podium to

Firms Strengthen Health Initiative in Ogun Following up on its partnership deal with the Ogun State Ministry of Health on health support, Raffles Oil LFTZ Enterprise, manufacturers of Power Oil, has strengthened its commitment to the well-being of residents in the state by deploying its health camp team across three primary health centres in the state to support and facilitate vital checks. The beneficiary centres included Ita Alapo Family Health Centre in Ijebu Ode Local government, Ota Primary Health Centre in Ado Odo Otta Local Government and Obantoko Primary Health Centre under Odeda Local Government. At the formal launch of the initiative at Ogun State Ministry of Health Secretariat, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, the firm’s Public Relations Manager, Mrs. Omotayo Azeez- Abiodun, stated that the latest development was geared towards achieving deeper outreach result in the state as the team would reduce workloads in beneficiary centres as well as reduce the time patients spend in clinic. “We are impressed by the reception given us by the state. This has further proved the confidence and trust you have in us as a brand. It is worthy of note to state that the main objective behind our health camp initiative is to bring free basic medical check-up closer to as many Nigerians as possible at different touch points irrespective of locations and we are delighted that we are gradually getting there,” she said. In addition to the presence of the health team, the organisation also donated hypertension screening equipment which included blood pressure monitor, BMI device as well as routine hypertension data booklet to register patients’ personal information such as; age, sex, height, weight and check-up to the three centres. Staff of the centres were also given lecture and training on hypertension and other heart diseases. In his remark, Director, Public Health, Ogun State Ministry of Health, Dr. Qudus Yusuff, commended the brand for its unrelenting efforts towards the promotion and encouragement of stable heart health and healthy living amongst Nigerians.

remind the crowd of the purpose of the August gathering. “The Indomie Independence Day Award, IIDA, is part of our corporate social responsibility initiatives which is specifically designed to extol and support the exemplary accomplishments of children who have shown courage and determination in situations that ordinarily would bring fear. “For 10 years, we have recognised and celebrated exemplary acts displayed by our children and we will not stop doing this. Gladly, IIDA is 10 and to commemorate this significant milestone, we have decided to increase the number of our winners to 10 instead of the usual three. “As we unveil our 10 heroes, selected from the designed categories of physical, social and Intellectual bravery, we implore our children and youth to live a life the society and even the world we be proud of,”

he said. The statement heralded the award presentation, which commenced with a solo performance from Ego Ihenacho Ogbaro, as the crowd anxiously looked forward to catch a glimpse of the lucky winners. Few minutes before 9pm, the expectant audience heaved a sigh of relief as the compere came forward with the list of the fortunate 10. On the list of intellectual bravery winners were 13-year-old Paul David from Markurdi who invented a radio station; Emmanuel Adebisi who exhibited various inventions and 14-year-old Joel Clement from Kano who constructed Incubator for hatching eggs. Winners for physical bravery category were 14-year-old Zulka Mohammed from Adamawa who saved a group of children from terrorist attack; 14-year-old Ubong Akpan from Akwa Ibom saved the life of a

nursing mother and Adejorin Oluwatobiloba, 15-year-old, rescued a young girl from the hands of kidnappers. Winners that emerged from the social bravery bracket included: 15-year-old Olarenwaju Oluwafemi from Ibadan who organises football competitions to campaign against crimes; 12-year-old John Blessing from Ogun advocates against child abuse at the grassroots while eight year-old Wealth John from Nasarawa saved a girl from child marriage. All the winners were honoured with millions of naira worth of scholarship. The event got to a climax with the announcement of the most outstanding bravery act for the year .This went to Chibuoyim Nnakwe, an 11year-old lad who saved his mother from impending death. He was appreciated with a whooping N1.5 million, supported with additional N1 million from an anonymous donor.

Artyrama, Online African Art Gallery Debuts

IPI Solutions Wins Microsoft CSP Partner of the Year

The Nigerian arts market just got a boost with the launch of Artyrama, an online African art gallery that specialises in sales of contemporary African art including paintings, photographs, sculptures and mixed media that document African’ rich culture. The new platform provides arts enthusiasts global access to a variety of African art, leveraging cutting-edge technology to provide a seamless and carefully curated online experience. Speaking on the innovation, General Manager of the company, Sola Masha, stated that the new platform aimed to introduce art to people who had never experienced or acquired art from Africa as well as people who had interest in African art but did not have a user-friendly platform from where to experience it. He said that the new development arose from the need to divert attention to modern

It is a season of awards for leading cloud infrastructure solutions provider, IPI solutions, which bagged the Microsoft CSP Partner of the Year Award. In recent time, the company has been swimming in award recognitions both on the local and international scene. A recent one came from Silicon Review Magazine, a United States-based media right. The latest award was presented to firm at the FY18 Microsoft Nigeria Partner kickoff event in Lagos and came at the eve of the company’s preparations to launch a suite of new solutions built around the Microsoft cloud technology. According to the sponsor of the award, it usually acknowledged partners that have demonstrated highest level of excellence in delivering unique cloud solutions around Microsoft technology space and provided the highest revenue to cloud-related solutions for the fiscal year. Hence, IPI Solutions was recognised among top partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on cloud technology. Speaking on the achievement, Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, said, “Digital technology is impacting all aspects of our society and economies, creating unprecedented opportunity for organisations of all sizes. I’m optimistic and inspired by the ingenuity of customers, partners and developers everywhere that are pushing the frontiers of what’s possible with mixed reality and artificial intelligence infused across Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and Azure, to transform and have impact in the world.” Receiving the award, Chief Operating Officer of IPI Solutions, Mr. Chris Emeka said, “We are elated by this feat and I will want to say that our success is hinged on our unique approach to business which centers on competency, getting the right result for the customer, never give-up disposition, our professional team as a united force, and our focus on what we know how to do best.”

art. “Technology played a huge role, it has provided artists with new tools for expression, and is a fundamental force in both the development and evolution of art. Modern ways in which art is created, produced, distributed, and marketed have shifted as a direct reaction of the world’s transition to a socially-connected, digital society. Glaringly lacking in a time where technology has become second nature, and everyone is armed with a smartphone, is where to buy authentic Nigerian art online. “We are passionate about African art and are committed to giving these works a global stage, promoting the development of art and culture in Africa; but more importantly, showcasing the amazing talent that exists on the continent. Artyrama intends to capitalise on its pioneer status to become the number one gateway for African art online.”

Olx Investment in Second–Hand Market Rises by N12.1trn The over $1 billion Nigerian secondhand market is confirmed to be increasing as a report submitted by a leading online classified, Olx further attests to Nigerians, penchant for previously-owned goods. In a new report submitted by the company as part of activities to mark its fifth anniversary in the market, the firm recorded up to N12.1 trillion used goods dealings on its platform in 2016, which according to it, the figure was expected to soar higher given the potential in the market. According to the company, the figure, almost twice the market capital for Snapchat further underscores the strong place of secondhand market offering in the country. Analysing the report further, Country Manager of Olx, Lola Masha, said it meant that in 2016, one used item was being posted on the platform every 30 second for

sale. “We currently receive over 2.8 million visits a month and we are anticipating a growth in this figure over the upcoming months. This report reflects Nigerians awareness of the second-hand value of their possessions. “The report takes a closer look at each category revealing some exciting figures about Nigeria’s secondhand market. For instance, the monetary value of mobile phones posted the platform in previous year worth over N6.5 trillion, which is equivalent to four and half of the world’s largest gold bars, whilst the value from the home, furniture and garden category totaled N44.3 billion. “The most expensive mobile phone posted on the site was a Nokia Vertu for N950,000, whilst the most expensive vehicle was a pre-owned 2015 Private Jet Bombardier valued at N5.5 billion,” she said.

T H I S D AY SATURDAY OCTOBER 14, 2017

No. 22 Katsina-Ala Crescent, Off Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja.

ANNOUNCEMENT The Executive Secretary of PTAD ANNOUNCES THE COMMENCEMENT OF

The Third Phase of the Verification Exercise for Civil Service Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) in the South West Zone The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), will commence its third phase of verification for Civil Service Pensioners in the South West Geo-political Zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Oyo and Ogun States. The verification exercise will take place from 16th-21st October, 2017. Civil Service Pensioners are to come along with both originals and photocopies of their employment records. The following documents and information are mandatory for all pensioners: 1. Letter/Gazette of First Appointment 2. Letter/Gazette of Confirmation of Appointment 3. Letter/Gazette of Last Promotion 4. Letter/Notice of Retirement Approved by a Competent Authority 5. Evidence of Change of Name (Where Applicable) 6. Approval Letter for Condonation/Merger of Services from the Head of Service of the Federation (where Applicable) 7. Record of Service 8. Bank Verification Number (BVN) 9. Duly stamped and signed NUBAN Bank Statement of Account with the Bank Logo showing the last 12 months of activity 10. Valid Means of Identification (Driver’s License, International Passport, National Identity Card or Voter Identification Card) 11. 1 Coloured Passport Photograph 12. All Pensioners with complaints of non-enrollment, non-payment or short payment must provide a duly stamped and signed NUBAN Bank Statement of account with the Bank Logo showing activity from date of retirement or 6 months before the complaint, till date. The under-listed additional documents and information are required for the following categories of pensioners: Due Pensioners Birth Certificate/Sworn Affidavit of Age Disengaged Retirees Evidence of Payment of Gratuity Severance Pay Slip

State Pensioners with Federal Share

Steel Rolling Mills Pensioners Computation Sheet Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Service of the Federation Letter of Appointment as a Head of Service of the Federation or Federal Permanent Secretary either from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, or the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

Computation Sheet duly stamped and signed by the State Auditor General Duly stamped and signed NUBAN Bank Statement of Account with the Bank Logo showing the last 12 months’ payments of state share of monthly pension

For the Next of Kin (NOK) of Deceased Pensioners, the following documents are essential: 1. Death Certificate of the Deceased from a Government recognized hospital. 2. Letter of Administration 3. Joint Application Letter by the NOK(s); as listed on the Record of Service. 4. Marriage Certificate (for Spouses) 5. Duly signed and stamped NUBAN Joint Bank Account Statement of the NOK(s), with Bank Logo 6. 1 Coloured Passport Photograph for each NOK 7. NOKs to deceased State Pensioners with Federal Share must provide the deceased’s Record of Service 8. Valid Means of Identification (Driver’s License, International Passport, National Identity Card or Voter Identification Card) Mobile Verification will be conducted for sick and infirm Pensioners. Please contact PTAD through the toll-free 0800-CALL-PTAD (0800-2255-7823) for special arrangement to be made. Security Agencies will be at the venues. FRAUDSTERS BEWARE.

Field verification will commence on the following dates at the following centres: State Oyo

Centre Ibadan

Dates 16th – 21st October, 2017

Ogun

Abeokuta

16th – 21st October, 2017

Location Centre 1: Oritsejolomi Thomas Hall, International Conference Centre, UI. Ibadan Centre 2: Tafo Grace Event Centre, Apata-Abeokuta Express Road, Apata Ibadan Centre 3: Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Oyo State Pensioners House, Plot 31, Onireke GRA, Agbarigo Area, Ibadan Centre 1: The Nucleus Event Centre, Presidential Boulevard, Opposite Obasanjo Hilltop, GRA, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta Centre 2: DLK Event Centre, Abiola Way, Besides PHCN District Office, Abeokuta

¾ NOTICE: For the avoidance of doubt, Employees of Local Government Councils/Authorities and Teachers in Primary Schools are not eligible for the exercise and should therefore NOT come to the verification centres. For the verification of Pensioners in North Central Zone, the dates and locations will be released in due course.

For further inquiries contact: Toll Free Lines: 0800-CALL-PTAD (0800-2255-7823)

Phone No: +234(0)9-462-1700, +234(0)8136048117 (Rates Apply) Email: info@ptad.gov.ng, complaints@ptad.gov.ng Follow Us on Facebook and Twitter:@PTADNigeria www.ptad.gov.ng

Signed: MANAGEMENT

T H I S D AY SATURDAY OCTOBER 14, 2017

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 14, 2017

MEMOIRS Akin Odunsi

I Chose CMS Bariga, Because I Wanted the Bright Side of Life In Nigeria’s advertising industry, Chief Akin Odunsi stands tall among the doyens who have made their marks. The trio of Odunsi, Tunde Adelaja and Steve Omojafor, who were course mates at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, in 1969, ﬂoated Rosabel Advertising Agency, in 1978. In this interview with Femi Ogbonnikan, Odunsi, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in 2015 in Ogun State, and an erstwhile Senator who represented Ogun West district between 2011 and 2015, goes back memory lane on how he concealed an admission into Teacher Training College because he didn’t want to become a local man. Excerpts:

What is your background?

come from Amodu Giwa family, Imapa Compound in Ota, Ogun State. I was born into this illustrious family on July 23, 1945. My father, Badiru Ishola Amodu, and my mother, Saratulai Abike, both of blessed memory, were also born and bred in Ota. I grew up in Ota and I spent all my early days in Ota. I attended the Ansar-Ud-Deen Practising School in Ota. And from there I attended the Secondary Modern School briefly before transferring to the CMS Grammar School, Lagos. I did my Secondary School Certificate examination in the school. I did the GCE A/Level and I was in Lower Six and passed three subjects at A/Level before the Higher School Certificate (HSC) examination. But I waited to finish because I was the Head Boy of the school during that period and I finished in 1968. I taught briefly at Gaskiya College, Cardoso, Ajegunle, Apapa, and later went to the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) then, where I was studio manager before moving on to the University of Lagos to read Mass Communication. I also attended the University of Illinois and studied Advertising at the Postgraduate level. I obtained my Master’s degree in Advertising in August 1973. Thereafter, I spent some time in an all-black leading agency in America at the time called, Vince Cullers Advertising Incorporated. I was there for one year plus, and got married when I was in America to my childhood love. I went to England to get married and later returned to America. After working in Chicago for a year, I decided to return to Nigeria. I returned to Nigeria in September 1974 and I started work immediately, with Grant Advertising International. So, that’s basically the little I can say about myself while growing up.

What inspired you to have a university education?

Well, as I said, my family is not wealthy but illustrious. My father was a product of Abeokuta Grammar School and he was an Accountant by profession. He was a Certified Accountant and he rose to become a Chief Accountant of Tate & Lyle Company in Ilorin. My mother was a stark illiterate but very well informed. And my uncle attended St Andrews College, Oyo town. He is late now. He was Andrew Odunsi and he was a tutor at Government College, Ughelli, before he came back to Ibadan where he became Vice Principal at Government College, Ibadan. So, we had education as bedrock of our family. So, growing up in Ota, against the background that we had people who actually achieved, we had no choice but to surpass them, if we could. But we enjoyed growing up in the town. It was fun but we never lost sight of our dreams for serious education.

Did your parents or an uncle influence your career?

Odunsi

Not in my chosen career but like said, growing up in Ota, we saw my uncle, the Late Chief Odunsi as our role model because we always spent most of our holidays around him and he was living in Ibadan. He encouraged us to achieve that. For me, he was my role model, as it were, growing up. And he played a very important role in my education because when I got admitted to the CMS Grammar School, Lagos, he, it was that I ran to, to support my ambition because my father was not in Ota at the time; he was in the North. My uncle wanted me to go to the Teacher Training College but I didn’t want to go. At the time I got the admission letter to CMS Grammar School, I already had admission to the Teacher Training College. So, I kept the one from the Teacher Training College and went to Ibadan to tell my uncle that I had an admission to CMS. He gave me money to pay the deposit. It was after paying the deposit that I came back home to announce to my uncle, the Late Alhaji Hassan Ahmed that I had been given a place at the CMS Grammar School, Lagos. So, that was how Uncle ATO Odunsi played that

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 14, 2017

MEMOIRS I Choose CMS Bariga, Because I Wanted the Bright Side of Life... My family is not wealthy but illustrious. My father was a product of Abeokuta Grammar School and he was an Accountant by profession. He was a Certified Accountant and he rose to become a Chief Accountant of Tate & Lyle Company in Ilorin. My mother was a stark illiterate but very well informed. And my uncle attended St Andrews College, Oyo town. He is late now. He was Andrew Odunsi and he was a tutor at Government College, Ughelli, before he came back to Ibadan where he became Vice Principal at Government College, Ibadan. So, we had education as bedrock of our family magnificent role in the choice of where I was going next, and that was to CMS Grammar School. I can never forget that singular privilege.

L-R: s A Guest, Odunsi, Adegbenga Kaka and another guest

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) from my ward in Ota and of course, Ota is not a strange place for me because I grew up there. A lot of people there know me very well and I have a house there. I was always going back home. So, when I decided to throw my hat into the ring, it was very well received. Like I said, the rest is history. I campaigned round the whole of Ogun West, just about three or four months away from the election and my party, at the time the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), swept the poll. I was returned as the Senator - elect for Ogun West and that was how I ended up being in the Senate.

Why did you choose to conceal the admission to the Teacher Training College?

It was because I didn’t want to become a teacher. Most of my colleagues, let me say many of them, ended up becoming teachers and I felt I didn’t want to be a local man. My sight was set in the big cities and I said I wanted to go to Lagos. Otherwise, I would have done my primary, secondary and teacher training college, all in Ota, but I wanted to see the bright side of life. One of my uncles, my mother’s brother, lived in Lagos and so, I always came to Lagos to spend time with him. And that, in a way, was how I was introduced to Lagos.

Wouldn’t you consider yourself lucky that at your first shot you were elected a Senator?

Yes, you can say that there was a bit of luck there, but at that time, the party needed a candidate that had a good pedigree. The party needed me to deliver that election to the party and I did not let them down. I set up very strong machinery for campaign and I spent a lot of money. I went all over Ogun West, and campaigned vigorously. Immediately, I started my campaign for the governorship slot, because we knew the politics of the area at the time, and people were expecting that Ogun West would produce the governorship candidate, particularly with the PDP, presenting retired Gen Idowu Adetunji Olurin, and the PPN, presenting Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, as candidate. I had the difficult task of campaigning in that zone for somebody who was not from the zone for the governorship. But thank God, on both levels, we delivered. ACN won the senatorial seat and the party also won the governorship position. So, we thank God for that.

Tell us about your early days in advertising?

When we were at the University of Lagos, three of us were very good friends, very close friends - myself, Tunde Adelaja and Steve Omojafor. The three of us were very close. We were in the same Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos and we nursed the dream that one day, we could do things together. We didn’t realise it would be in Advertising, but we knew we wanted to set up something together before we grew up. So, when I finished my first degree and, by that time, I had made up my mind that I was going into Advertising, encouraged by people like the Late Prince Kehinde Adeosun, who I saw then as my role model. He had gone into the Advertising practice and I used to visit him and he used to talk about his life and I loved his lifestyle and I liked what he was doing; I felt this was something that I would like to do. So, when I finished and went to America, I was in touch with my colleagues, Steve and Tunde. Tunde also went to the UK and did a Postgraduate degree programme in Advertising. Steve alone was with the Daily Times newspaper. He went back to the Daily Times but before I came back to Nigeria, and he had moved from the Daily Times to Lintas Advertising, ditto Tunde Adelaja, who had come back from England, joined Lintas. So, when I came back to Nigeria naturally, I also had links at Lintas but I did not just want to go to Lintas and I looked at Ogilvy Benson & Mather (OBM). Those were the leading agencies at that time. But I read about Grant Advertising which was another agency in town which added a Canadian flavour to it. So, I decided to Google and check out Grant Advertising, but whilst I was still going through the procedure for getting absorbed into Lintas, I went into Grant’s and immediately, the General Manager at Grant Advertising, a Canadian called Ian Johnston took to me when he was told that he was going to have an American trained graduate in his office. He said I should come and start work on Monday. So, I could not wait for the Lintas procedure and I just went to start work in Grant. And when I got to Grant, I found some good friends there, like Biodun Sobanjo, who had worked with me at the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and some other new friends I met there. So, it was very easy for me. Sobanjo offered to share his office with me when I got to Grant.

As an advertising doyen and a technocrat, so to say, how did you find yourself in partisan-politics? I was born into partisan politics in my family, let me say so. My uncle and guardian in Ota, the Late Alhaji Ahmed Hassan was the Action Group (AG) Honourable in the old Western House of Assembly. He was the first Action Group member, from Ota, in the House. In those days, Chief Obafemi Awolowo,

All you fulfilled, having served as a Senator?

Oh yes, very well. I feel very, very fulfilled because I can go back in time and history and see what has happened to representation from that zone. I think, I can say very loudly and clearly, that I touched all the various areas of Ogun West during my four-year tenure as senator, who represented the zone. There is no area I did not touch. I did projects, provided facilities, empowerment, training programmes for young people in that zone for the four years I was at the Senate. It was my major challenge to ensure that the youths, particularly in that zone, were empowered as much as I could, and I think that I did so. I had two Senatorial district offices, one in Aiyetoro and another in Ota. The one in Aiyetoro was handling all my projects in Yewaland axis and the one in Ota was more or less handling the ones in Aworiland axis.

Having vacated the senatorial seat in 2015, what are you doing at the moment? Pa Odunsi Samuel Ladoke Akintola and the rest of the Action Group chieftains, were entertained in our family house in Ota, when they came on campaign. So, being in a political environment, I have always been interested in politics. Even as a student, I was involved in Students’ Union politics. But this one that we are talking about came about just because I had retired from Advertising in 2003 and I was enjoying myself and there came a call from the people to say, “now that you have retired why don’t you please come and take a shot at the Senate on behalf of our people”? It was not an easy decision for me to make, but after due consultations here and there, I decided to throw my hat into the ring. And the rest is history. I joined the

At the moment, I am watching from the sidelines but watching with very keen interest, trying to guide my people, to ensure that they make the right choice, come 2019, if there would be 2019 general elections. If, and I will say that, with all the emphasis at my command.

Why the emphasis on “if”?

Look at the political landscape and look at what is happening in Nigeria today, with all the cacophony, and with all the problems that we have as a nation. I am not too keen; I am not too excited about the possibility of that general election in 2019. This country requires a serious surgical restructuring, if you like. I think, this country is in need of some restructurings, and if that doesn’t happen, then, I don’t know how the 2019 general elections are going to happen.

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

TRIBUTE Amapakabo

Success of Any Chief Executive Depends on Registry Biekoroma Charity Amapakabo, from Okrika in Rivers State, completed her 10-year tenure this week, as the Registrar of Yaba College of Technology, against all odds. Both the Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council, Barrister Lateef Fagbemi, SAN,and its Rector, Dr. M. K. Ladipo, attested to her high moral standards and integrity at a valedictory lecture in her honour last week. In this interview with Bennett Oghifo, she talks about the spurious petitions that almost cost her a second term among other issues Tell us about your tenure as registrar, Yaba College of Technology y tenure began on 2nd October 2007. It is a tenure for a period of two terms; five years in the first instance and renewable for another five years. I was lucky I got a renewal for the second term in 2012. This term should lapse on the 2nd of October, 2017, which should be my last working day as Registrar of Yaba College of Technology.

If you have opportunity to change something on how the system works at the registry or the school, what will that be? You know that this is a parastatal; it is not a typical ministry, so the issue of bureaucracy does not arise, because we are very close to our stakeholders and things are done when they should be done. But what I will like to be changed is for the Registry to be given its pride of place at all times in any administration, because the success or failure of any chief executive depends on the performance of the Registry, and when that is not done, you have issues all over the place. You’ll have issues with students, with staff, because it is the Registry that will tell the chief executive what the Extant Regulation says, how to go about it and what should be done. But once the confidence is eroded, for whatever reason, it will be difficult for that administration to achieve what it wants to achieve. So, there has to be a synergy between the chief executive and the Registrar, if the institution is to move seamlessly.

What was it like to be the registrar of the institution? It is like every other life experience. My early tenure was peaceful; at least my first two years, I had a good working environment to do all that I could do. But the last eight years were very challenging and, in fact, I always tell people that it is the most challenging time of my career, but I thank God that I have been able to pull through to the end. Even to get a second term was difficult but, you know, God has a way of doing things, and because we are humans, sometimes we like to put snares in the way of our fellow human beings but God did it His own way and that has built up my confidence such that I have an implicit confidence on the fact that if God wills it nobody can change it. Today, I’m here at the end of my tenure and the beauty of it is that I’m leaving the office as a better person and more experienced than I came in. I’m leaving the office as a more confident and experienced human being, because I have learnt a lot about people, temperament, politics in the office, and so many other things that go along with offices such as this. Looking at it, I’m able to go through it because of my spiritual background because I believe that there is no accident in life. So, the experience I have gone through is not by accident; my belief tells me that if I didn’t need that experience, it would not come my way, but we are encouraged at all times to look at the positive side of whatever experiences that we go through. What speciﬁc experience would like to share with us? There are several of them, but the most turbulent for me was to get a renewal for my second term. Yes, it was a very difficult time for me, because I have worked so hard, I do not think that I have been an indolent person in all my career, I believe that I gave my best and I have carried the registry to a point better than I met it. So, I didn’t need to struggle to get a second term, but that was not the case. I thank God that at the end of the day, God did it his

Amapakabo own way. It’s a time that will be difficult for me to forget. Were there personal setbacks you suffered during the struggle to get a second term? I do not have any personal issues, but, you know, this is public service; no matter how hard you work, most of the time you are not there when decisions about you are taken. In my own case, I want to believe that the institution, for whatever reason, did not think that I deserved a second term. But when it dawned on me that things like that were going to happen was when I was invited by the Honourable Minister of Education. When I got to her office, I was told that there were some petitions against me from students and staff and which would not imagine in my wildest imaginations. I couldn’t have imagined it, because in this community, I’m a grass-roots person and I have a good relationship with staff and students. I do not have issues that would warrant such petition and I never knew about them until I got there. It dawned on me that they were petitions that were arranged just to ensure that I didn’t get there. So, it was a good thing that the minister decided to hear the other side, and that was what changed the situation. Tell us about your contribution to the institution during your tenure. I like to allow people to assess me, but I

know that I have moved the registry away from where I met it, and today the registry is a very respectable department. We have a better working environment and a better sense of duty by all staff, because I have been able to build a cohesive department. We have been able to equip the registry better than we met it, we have a better accommodation, we have a good level of productivity and, to the glory of God, we have an electronic record management system. I’m happy to tell you that this college is the first Polytechnic to issue Transcripts online. That is one of my greatest achievements. Your position is the engine room of the institution and now that you are leaving without being replaced immediately, will there be a vacuum? There will be a replacement soon. There will be no vacuum, because by the time I’m due to leave, an acting registrar will be appointed. And you know that when you’re in an office, your personality also has a lot to do with the office. It is definitely not going to be the same, because I’ll move out with my personality, but whoever is coming after me, I have a registry that has capable hands because everything I did was done collectively through consultations, teamwork and all of that. So, I do not have any fear that the programmes of the Registry will be scuttled; they will continue, because I think that I have worked hard enough to entrench that.

What is your opinion about the dichotomy between HND and Bsc? I’m not a polytechnic product in the first place, I’m a product of the university, but having worked in the polytechnic sector all my life, I have some sentimental attachment to the issue, and one of it that has been so recurrent, is the issue of parity between degree and HND. My take is that it will be difficult to put the university and polytechnic on same level, because even for government, the objective of establishing these institutions is different. We should not always be talking about parity to mean that they are at the same level, but what I will like to be advocated is that the polytechnic graduate should be given his rightful place either in public service or in any place of endeavor because the polytechnic education is skill-based. Nigeria is moving towards technological development, acquisition of skills, entrepreneurial education, and if you don’t have skills, there will be no entrepreneurship. So, it is for government to place its priorities right and take these issues the way they should be. They are both unique institutions; they should be treated as such. That is my personal take. What are you going to do next since you’re still young? The issue is that I’m just leaving the office as registrar, Yaba College of Technology, but I’m still in service. I’m not retiring, because we retire at the age of 65 and I’m not yet 65 years. The Polytechnic Act says at the end of the tenure of the registrar, the officer will be redeployed. So, I will be redeployed but where I don’t know yet.

Tribute to Emmanuel Kingsley Onweazu Onukwu

e was born in Asaba on the 21st May, 1941 to Mrs. Margaret Mgbeke Onukwu and Mr. Raymond Isitua Onukwu. He had his early education at St. Patrick Primary School, Cable Point, Asaba from January 1947 to December 1954. His quest to be a teacher led him to St Thomas College in 1955, a renowned Teacher’s Training College in Nigeria and graduated in 1958 at an early age of 17. From then, he taught at Ase, Kwale and Asaba before going to UNN in September 1963 and graduated in June 1966 as the second set of graduates from the university. Onweazu Onukwu His teaching career started immediately after graduating from St Thomas College and to St. Kizito College, Utagba-Uno. During his continued after graduating from UNN in stay there, he transformed the school into a 1966. He taught at St Patrick’s College, Asaba world class school in terms of education and between 1959 and 1963. But this was trunsports. The first and only world standard cated by the Nigerian Civil War that started boxing complex in the entire Western Nigeria in 1967 and ended in 1970. He resumed at St was built in the school. There, boxing legends Anthony’s College, Ubulu-Uku and taught like Peter Konyegwachie, Jeremiah Okorotill 1975 when he was promoted as a princidudu and others started their careers which pal at a the age of 34. In 1975, he was posted led them to become Olympiads. Thereafter, he

was transferred to St Charles College, Abavo where, he spent the better part of his career as a principal-teacher, builder and sports administrator between 1978 to 1991. In 1991, he was transferred to Ika Grammar School which was the last school he headed. His stay was truncated due to a state appointment as a zonal inspector of education in 1993. He retired from state service in 1994. Between 1987 and 1990, he was board member, Governing Council College of Education, Warri. Between 1994 and 1995, he was appointed as Second Board Member Delta State Post-Primary Education Board. Prior to this, he was Zonal Inspector of Education between 1993 and 1994. In 1995, for his Contribution to the Education in Nigeria, he received the National Medallion Award-Principal Emeritus of Nigeria jointly with Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau (former Governor of Kano) who was also a renowned Principal. As a Rotarian, he was recognised as Paul Harris Fellow and also District Governor Representative (DGR) for District 914 between 1990 and 1991. From Abavo, where he was one of the founding fathers of the Holy Rosary

Parish in its early days. To the recent times, where he led the CMO at the diocesan level for Isele-Uku Diocese. He was also instrumental to the cause to have an Asaba Diocese. He was the leader/initiator for the Movement for Recognition and Possible Beautification of Late Reverend Father Obodoechine Emechete, the first Catholic Reverend Father in West Africa. At home, he was a loving family man, strict and guided his children along the right path. He taught them Service Above Self which coincidentally was the motto of Rotary International. He was a founding member of Falcon Club Asaba and Rotary Club of Agbor, Today, as we lay down his body to rest, memories of his life’s activities will remain alive deep within us. He was truly a man - leader, coach, teacher and a father not just to his biological children. We, his biological children gained twice based on these qualities. We thank the LORD for the experiences we were permitted to have with him and pray that his journey back Home will be filled with Bliss and Joy. Amen. Farewell Dad!!!!!

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ, 2017

Baba Mohammed: Celebrating An Icon @ 51 James Okolo

n his active days during the First Republic, Dr. Michael Iheonukara (M.I) Okpara, Premier of the then Eastern Nigeria was known to have popularised the saying that some men were born noble while some attained nobility by dint of hard work. Mallam Baba Mohammed, the Madakin Ankpa, popularly called ‘Giwa’ by his peers and subordinates at the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) may not have a celebrated record of attaining nobility by birth. But by dint of hard work and persistence, he has walked himself into the hallowed club of noble men of his time. His entry into the exclusive league is not without a price. At 51, he in a way falls into the character mould of the late Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, the Presidential candidate of the defunct Great Nigeria Peoples Party, (GNPP), who in the maddening rush for power in the Second Republic, opted for politics without bitterness as his guiding principle. Mohammed on occasions had been thrown up by a combination of forces in Kogi State and workplace to play the spoiler and in the process hold the state or office to ransom. On such occasions, however, he had toed the path of wisdom and statesmanship, forgoing predictable personal benefits simply to give peace a chance. A man with a vast network of connections, many at the BPE had thought that with the vacuum that was created with the exit of the then Director General, Benjamin Ezra Dikki, he would pull the strings to be appointed the BPE helmsman given that an insider was preferred because of the person’s institutional knowledge of the Bureau. His contemporaries dusted up their CVs and lobbied for the position but he subsumed his personal interest for the best person to be appointed which saw the emergence of the current Director-General, Mr. Alex A. Okoh, who is already performing wonders on his saddle. An intriguing aspect of Mohammed’s style is that he is not given to publicity. He once told a select audience that what drives him in taking his actions is what the generality of the people stands to benefit from it and not what he gains or losses at the end of the day.

Baba Mohammed In his Kogi State, he has equally been playing trouble-shooting roles. In fact, his close confidants swear that while many people in the state including politicians, stoke crisis in the state so as to remain relevant and benefit from it, he has been at pains that Kogi State that should have been consolidating on its efforts at integrating the North-Central zone into the mainstream of the nation’s politics, is presently in tatters. Destined to be a people’s man, Mohammed showed some astonishing signs at a tender age. As a man of exceptional dynamism, contact and mobility, Mohamed’s life abounds in state and national influence. This is made manifest by the number of employments he has provided for hundreds of young men and women in Nigeria, particularly, Kogi State. With generosity and solicitude, Baba Mohammed has served humanity variously. As a practical and reputable philanthropist, he single-handedly as a member of the Board of Directors of Mtel, took Mtel network to Ankpa.Sought and obtained the approval of the Board to establish Afribank branch in Ankpa. He has successfully given over 350 jobs to applicants and still assisting actively

in participating in community development. He has been supporting the police, traditional rulers and other law enforcement agencies to curb the menace of armed robbery, kidnapping and thuggery in Ankpa and beyond. Anyone who comes in contact with him would easily attest to the fact that his humanly, humble, approachable and down to earth coupled with his stupendous wealth of experience have always attracted him to the masses. He maintains a friendly disposition with everyone, the rich, the poor, the strong and the weak. He is indeed a man of the people who has direct link with the masses. As a great lover of education, he has awarded full scholarship to numerous undergraduates from Kogi State in various Nigerian Universities. He has over 25 students with full sponsorship in various secondary schools in Nigeriamostly children of the poor. Born on October 3, 1966 in Minna, Niger State, He hails from Ankpa, Kogi State. A holder of B.Sc (Hons) Degree in Accountancy from the University of Jos, Plateau State and Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he is also a Fellow, Certified National Accountants (FCNA). He is a Member, PSLC 20, NIPSS, Kuru, Jos and member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). He studied Financial Management at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in San Francisco, California, USA and a holder of Honorary Doctorate Degree in Arts. The Madakin has served in various capacities for over 24 years with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the Agency charged with the responsibility for Sector Reforms and implementing the Privatisation and Commercialization of Public Enterprises in Nigeria. Consequently, he has handled many enterprises at various levels of their preparation for privatisation. In the course of his duties in the Bureau, he served as Special Assistant to Mallam Nasir A. el-Rufai and Dr. Julius J. Bala, the then Directors General of BPE. He also served as the Head of Documentation and Publications Unit of the BPE, Ag. Head of Accounts Department, Head of Evaluation Committees for the engagement of Consultants and Strategic investors, served as the Secretary of Africa

Privatisation Network (APN).Before joining the BPE, he had worked with private sector organizations like Yakam Nig Ltd and the United Bank for Africa Plc. Baba Mohammed has attended several courses, including: New Techniques in project Management for Development, the Intrados Group, Washington D.C., USA; World Bank Sponsored Workshop on Consultants’ Services held in Accra, Ghana; Information Technology (IT) programs, Advanced skills for Senior Managers in LCT, London, Strategic Management Program, Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa, Johannesbourg, He has served as a member of the Nigerian Technical Teams to negotiate Bilateral Relations with Countries like the Republic of South Africa, Morocco and Canada. a one time Member/Secretary of Committee on the establishment of a National Depository in Nigeria, Secretary, Sub-Committee on Cross Debt Determination and Resolution among others. Official engagements have taken him to cities like Washington D.C, Niamey, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Paris, Cape Town, Rabat, Accra, Toronto, Casablanca, Ghana, Niger, Ottawa, Dublin, London, Tokyo, Brussels, Munich, Frankfurt, Marseille, Senegal, Kenya, Tanzania, India and San Francisco, California, USA. Mohammed represented Federal Government on the Boards of Nigerdock Nigeria Plc, NIRMSCO Properties ltd, Transcorp Hilton Hotels Plc, the then Afribank Nigeria plc, Nigerian Security Printing & Minting (NSPM), NITEL, Mtel, Nigeria Reinsurance, NICON Insurance, Aluminium Smelter Company, Delta steel company and sat on the Board of NAHCO etc. A recipient of over 78 awards for academic excellence, youth’s empowerment and outstanding performance award by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), he is married to Hajiya Rukayat Baba Mohammed and the marriage is blessed with children. As he clocks 51 today, the Madakin has assured that there is no going back on his mission to help mankind and better the lot of the ordinary Nigerian particularly those from his home state-Kogi. The youth in the country would do well to emulate him, particularly his disarming simplicity, honesty, unrelenting hard work and dogged determination to succeed.

First Professor of Intellectual Property, Adewopo, Now a SAN Adebayo Vincent

ntellectual Property (IP) Law, the creative and innovation industries got a quantum jurisprudential recognition as Nigeria’s first Professor of Intellectual Property Law and former Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Adebambo Adewopo, emerged as one of the 29 latest Senior Advocates of Nigeria sworn in at the Supreme Court of Nigeria on September 18 in Abuja. Professor Adewopo, who currently holds the first IP Chair at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) since 2010 and was conferred with the prestigious SAN Award by the Legal Practitioners and Privileges Committee (LPPC) of the Supreme Court in Abuja on July 6, 2017, has by that honour, blazed the trail again as the first Professor of IP Law to attain the rank of SAN in the country. The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Dr. Francis Gurry, in the foreword to one of his books, “Nigerian Copyright System: Principles and Perspectives” (2012), described Adewopo as a distinguished expert on Nigerian copyright law and policy having spent more than 20 years in legal practice, academia and administration. Adewopo, being a passionate IP law scholar, pioneered the teaching and research in IP and IT Law at the Faculty of Law, Lagos State University since 1991. A Fellow of the Max Plank Institute of Intellectual Property, Munich, and the Centre for IP and IT, University of Edinburgh in 2002 and 2005 respectively, he obtained the LL.B of the University of Maiduguri; LL.M of the University of Lagos; LL.M in IP of the University of New Hampshire (Franklin Pierce Law Centre), USA and BL, (Barrister-

Adewopo At-Law), MCI Arb (UK). He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK; member of International Association for Teaching and Research in IP (ATRIP) and served on its Executive Committee in 2004/2005. Professor Adewopo is a tutor in Harvard University Copyright X Programme; the founding Editor of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) Journal of IP (NJIP), the first peer-reviewed journal in IP in Nigeria and Africa; served in various roles at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), including tutor, Distance Learning Centre, WIPO Academy, Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) WIPO, and head of delegation of the Government of Nigeria, among others.

Adewopo’s research and scholarship focus on IP, human development and global knowledge governance, and the role and reform of IP in national development goals in developing countries. He has written over 50 articles in peer reviewed journals, presented over 100 papers in local and international conferences and authored two books in copyright and IP law. He has also contributed to edited books, conducted studies and researches. “Professor Adewopo was a scholar before he was anything else. He is a visionary who believes in the power of ideas and of his own convictions. He is among the very few who genuinely and passionately picked up the mustard seed of IP law and has since curated it to the heightened degree of awareness in Nigeria and globally”, attests Professor Chidi Oguamanam of the University of Ottawa. Adewopo, who has keen interest in legal education, global history and social justice, is the Principal Partner of L & A Legal Consultants, one of the foremost commercial law firms in Nigeria with focus on intellectual property (IP). In an interview on the significance of his admittance to the exalted rank of SAN, Professor Adewopo stated: “First of all, I am profoundly thankful to God for his exceeding grace. I am both humbled and honoured to be admitted into the Inner Bar and I believe it brings some measure of significance to IP in Nigeria. I derive personal fulfilment in the attainment and more importantly, a sense of responsibility for IP development, our profession and the society at large.” Responding to a question on the role he is poised to play in the emerging dynamics of IP as well as the development of creative and innovation industries in Nigeria, Adewopo remarked: “The promotion and protection of creativity and innovation are imperatives

for the development of the economy. This has not been prioritised in our recent economic planning or agenda. And certainly, IP which is central in that process has not been accorded sufficient attention, particularly when we are strong in terms of bringing our competitiveness to bear in the creative and innovative capacities as a nation. “All we need to do is to reorganise our existing institutional structures for the administration of IP. IP has never been more economically important than it is today in its strategic role for national development in many cross-cutting areas of importance; be it education, technology, public health, trade, agriculture and food security, biodiversity, entertainment, media, and more. These are the critical sectors of our economy and polity today. IP is at the core of human development which continues to offer great potential for contributing to the revival of the economy in terms of enhanced revenue generation, job creation and meeting the objectives of national economic reform. “I have always maintained that the entire structure of IP administration in the IP law and policy reform as a support system for economic development needs a major overhaul if we really want IP to produce the desired result. The present fragmented structures and legal framework cannot support our economic agenda or produce significant output. “What we need is a holistic reform of IP in substance and in form, including a wellarticulated national IP and innovation policy. Developing countries like Nigeria with significant creative and productive capacity need IP law and policy to leverage global competitiveness. There is no better time than now to engender this as a matter of national interest and sustainable development. To this, I am inexorably committed.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍźËœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍľ

Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă˜ Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‘

Í¸ÍżÍ¸ÍžÍşÎ€ÍšÍžÍżÍťÍż Ă?Ě‹Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ë? ĂžĂ™Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‘ĚśĂ’Ă™ĂžĂ—Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ë›Ă?Ă™Ă—

OSAS IGHODARO

I Did an Action Film When I Was Four-Months Pregnant Ă?Ă‹Ă? Ă‘Ă’Ă™ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂ™ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ě‹ Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ“Ă?ĂžË› Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍ¸ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă’Ă? Ă™ĂŁĂ?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă™ĂŁ Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ™ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› Ă‘Ă’Ă™ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂ™ Ă•Ă“Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă–Ă–ĂŁĂĄĂ™Ă™ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŽ ĂžĂ™ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă’Ă“ĂžĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă–Ë› Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?ĂĄ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ TosinCleggËœ Ă?Ă’Ă? ĂžĂ‹Ă–Ă•Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă–ĂŁËœ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ ËŤ Ă“ĂžĂžĂ–Ă? ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂšĂšĂŁËŹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Starring in â€˜Little Drops of Happyâ€™ decided to be a part of the movie because it wasnâ€™t stereotypical. As an actor, I always try to push myself out of my comfort zone or where people know with me. I was ecstatic about; it was a topic that needed to be addressed especially in Nigeria. Depression, domestic violence and more were addressed in this film. We, as a society, need to be able to talk about things like these and address them, so that we can make a change.

Other projects I worked on a movie titled, The Department and also the first production of Tinsel that brought me into the Nigerian Market. I also worked on a film titled Gbomo Gbomo . Thereafter, I got married and had a baby then took time off. I did an action film when I was about three to four months pregnant and nobody knew I was pregnant. What makes me exceptional I would say as an actor, having the ability to take on a role and breathe life into it is an honour as you are telling someoneâ€™s story and experience. That itself is exceptional. Not everybody is able to do that and Iâ€™m grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to do that. Challenges of â€œLittle Drops of Happyâ€? The topic of domestic violence doesnâ€™t hit close to home but was an experience I could see through family members and friends; I was able to tap into their experience and bring the character to life. Like I said, I was not interested in doing the stereotypical type of roles but doing stuffs that would key into peopleâ€™s life and can be of help to people. Although this is a fictional movie, there is still truth in it because itâ€™s peopleâ€™s lives; those depressed and going through domestic violence. Not that there is anything wrong in other roles, but I want to be able to show what Osas can do in to her roles as an actor. I balance my family and work

If there is something I canâ€™t do today, it doesnâ€™t mean I canâ€™t do it tomorrow. I donâ€™t want to put in opinion on what other people have gone through but for me, I want to put it a day at a time. And I donâ€™t get overwhelmed; it has to be balanced as you can do it all. For me, my own motto is that you can do anything you focus on. If Iâ€™m focused on doing something, I put my all in it and not allow anything fall by the way side. Iâ€™m a mother and a wife, so I need to ensure my home front is on point before I think about career. So, if Iâ€™m able to balance it, which I have been able to, then am grateful. We have the family support, me and my husband make things work. I canâ€™t wait for my action ďŹ lm to come out I did the movie when I was about three to four months pregnant. And no one knew I was pregnant. Iâ€™m excited about the movie and I know thatâ€™s another character people are ready to see me in me. Right now, Iâ€™m filming â€œNew Moneyâ€? which is an Inkblot and FilmOne production and itâ€™s really great. I did a film with Seyi Babatope and I have done eight projects between January and now, which are very big. As an artiste, I need to feed my Artistry. I adore Omotola I get ecstatic when she responds to some of my posts. I also love Joke Silva, Ise Npe Etim and I appreciate their work and their time in this industry putting out amazing work. But there are other actors I tend to work with and also grateful I have worked with. In ďŹ ve years, I pray my career grows For me itâ€™s an aspiration that I wonâ€™t be in a box. When I first came here, people would ask why I stopped pushing Hollywood. I didnâ€™t stop but I just didnâ€™t want to put myself in a box as I want to be able to push Hollywood, Nollywood and even Bollywood and be that international actor which is where I see myself. To be able to connect to different ghodaro audiences and be an household Ighodaro name.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍźËœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÍľ

MY STORY EWATOMI AJADI

MERCY AIGBE, OSAS IGHODARO STAR IN â€˜LITTLE DROPS OF HAPPYâ€™ Little Drops of Happy is a movie that centers on depression and suicide in a subliminal way and it is geared towards creating the much needed awareness on mental health in an entertaining way keeping the message in focus. It is about the internal and external battles Mano Ojo had to suppress as a result of her unfaithful husband Femi Ojo. At the peak of her motional challenges, she became depressed

I See Myself On a Global Stage Very Soon

but people around her didnâ€™t really get the picture. With efficient technological and psychological intervention, Mano was able to overcome her worst fears, getting help and in the process, helped her husband overcome his too. The cast includes Osas Ighodaro Ajibade, Mercy Aigbe, Ngozi Nwosu, Ayoola Ayoola, Seun Kentebe, Lisa Omorodion and newscaster Ijeoma Onyeator.

Ă–Ă‹Ă”Ă&#x;Ă—Ă™Ă•Ă? ĂĄĂ‹ĂžĂ™Ă—Ă“ Ă”Ă‹ĂŽĂ“ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă—Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ‹Ă–Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂœËœ Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă—Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă?ĂœËœ ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂšĂ?Ăž Ă’Ă™Ă?ĂžËœ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœË› Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă”Ă&#x;Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂžĂŁ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂžË› Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ăž ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Tosin CleggËœ Ă?Ă’Ă? ĂžĂ‹Ă–Ă•Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă—Ă™Ă Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă–Ă™Ăž Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ?

DENRELE, BEVERLY OSU AT IMO ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCH PARTY The Directors of IMO entertainment held a launch party recently at in Lagos, with the creme de la crĂ¨me of the entertainment industry in attendance. It was a touch of white themed party which beautified the red carpet and electrified the event with all shades of style and definitions of class. Popular TV presenter, Denrele was the host of the event and held everyone spell-bound with his character and energy. IMO entertainment unveiled her talents at the show and also launched IMO Records, a subsection of the company.

SKYE9 ENTERTAINMENT HUB KICKS OFF IN LAGOS Skye9 is an entertainment hub providing convenience and access to Nigerian Nollywood movies as well as other African movies at an affordable rate. It also provides value-added instant messaging, audio and voice chat applications that allows users to connect with one another from any global location with internet access. Skye9 is free to download and easy to install and set up. It can be used in a number of different devices, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets and phone devices. Convenience, ease of use, low cost, cost savings and flexibility are some of the unique qualities of the app.

ell us more about yourself?

I am from a family of four - two boys and two girls - born in Abeokuta, brought up in Ibadan but hails from Osun State. I attended Air force Primary School, Bashorun High School and later moved on to The Polytechnic Ibadan where I studied Mass communication.

Tell us about your new movie? My new movie titled â€œMorufa Bodijaâ€? is a story of a typical Ibadan girl who intimidates anyone that crosses a her path with her flippant mouth and believes no one can over shadow her. At the end she became the most humble person one can ever imagine. We had an amazing cast on set from the likes of Funsho Adeolu, Mide F.M Abiodun, Sola Akintunde (Lagata), Tunde Usman (Okele), Ope Olusanya and more. The movie is out now and marketed by Timolak International Films.

How long have you been in the industry and who are your inďŹ‚uences and mentors? I have been in the industry for five years and my influences/ mentors are Taraji P Henson, Mo Abudu, Ireti Osayemi and Olalekan Wasiudeen. I see myself on a global stage, producing more movies that will impact on the society.

Tell us about your previous works and what you do aside this productions? I have featured in over twenty movies such as Aye Keji, TK, Arewa, Omoge Oni theatre, Inu ogba, Ayalo, Arewa oko, Oloku Ada, Odere Olounje and so on. Aside movie production, Iâ€™m also a presenter and event host.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍź, 2017

POLITY

Cassava Association Condemns BoI Loan RecoveryTactics

embers of the National Cassava Processors and Marketers Association (NCAPMA) have condemned the methods used by officials of the Bank of Industry (BoI), in a bid to recover facilities extended to them in respect of the federal governmentâ€™s Cassava Bread Policy. The facilities, which the officials of BoI seek to recover, were extended to members of the association by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and it is being administered by the Bank. When the issue of default came up, the association wrote to the Managing Director of the Bank on July 27, last year to request status report on the level of indebtedness of members.

precarious financial situations of our members.â€? According to them, â€œThere are also reports that our members are being pressurised to issue post-dated cheques and coaxed to sign blank CAC forms 8 without discussing details of what your bank will fill in the form as particulars of mortgage. â€œWe see these developments as unprofessional. In our opinion, we consider the activities of your field officers as an attempt to ridicule and undermine the determination and efforts of the Honourable Minister, together with that of all other stakeholders in confronting the problems associated with the implementation of this Cassava Bread Policy and proffering a holistic and sustainable approach for the way forward. We are at loss to understand why your bank, a Federal Government Agency, will not join hands with others to find a solution to this national dilemma. behalf of the bank. Some of the services between good and bad service was â€œIn consideration of the foregoing, include business loans, mortgage, cash broadcast bank-wide during the weekly we request your bank and officials management, merchant services and knowledge sharing session. This was to stay actions on the contents of other customer service functions as well done to further strengthen the bankâ€™s letters sent to our members pending as fund transfers, he said. culture of service excellence in market. the outcome of a proposed meeting He disclosed that senior manageIn addition, the Executive Direcmentmembers of staff of the bank visited tor spent an hour making outbound involving the Federal Ministry of branches in Lagos to carry out operaand third-party confirmation calls to Agriculture and Natural Resources, tional activities during the week. customers at the Contact Centre as part NCAMPA and BOI where all issues He added that some customer facing of activities marking the International are to be discussed and ironed out on members of staff were nominated and Customer Service Week. mutually beneficial terms.â€? given badges of honour and appreciaThe bank also marked the week by Regardless, the association stated tion cards in appreciation of excellent uploading photo collage and videos that â€œthe Bank of Industry (BOI) service delivery rendered during the highlighting the activities of the week never responded or replied any of week. Odubiyi said a service themed on various social media platforms and the letters dated 27th July, 2016 and drama, showcasing the difference websites. 5th September, 2017 written to them.

The associationâ€™s letter of July, titled the â€œStatus Report on BoI Facilities with NCAPMA Membersâ€?, referred to a meeting both parties held with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe in Abuja on Friday 2nd of July, 2016, during which it requested that the BoI should provide details reports on the following: The status report on the upgraded term loan/ grants and the status report on the working capital loan disbursed to its members. â€œWe shall appreciate timely response to these requests as this shall form the basis (time) for a planned national meeting of the association,â€? said NCAPMA in the letter. However, the association said,

in another letter last month to the Managing Director of BoI that the Bank did not respond to the letter, saying â€œyour field officers have continued to put severe pressures on our members to liquidate the facilities provided by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources but being managed by your Bank.â€? The association in the letter signed by its Chairman, Engineer Ayo Olubori told the bankâ€™s MD: â€œWe are shocked to learn that your field officers are goading our members to source funds from other creditors at an extremely high interest rate to service the non-performing facilities under this scheme, an action that will further compound the already

Sterling Bank Celebrates Employees

terling Bank Plc, has joined other corporate bodies around the world to celebrate its employees as part of activities to mark this yearâ€™s International Customer Service Week (ICSW). In his comments on the annual event, Executive Director, Operations & Services, Mr. Yemi Odubiyi explained that the bank decided to honour its employers in recognition of their significant contribution to the growth and development of the bank over the years. Odubiyi said the success of the bank was dependent on the employees who render vital services to customers on

L-R: Minister for Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma; Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; Group Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Ade Ayeyemi; and Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Charles Kie, at the 23rd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES23) in Abuja... recently

R-L: Chairperson, International Association of Lion Club,District 404B-l, Nigeria, Lynda Odunbamku; District 404B-l, Nigeria, Oyewole Oyewunmi; and a beneficiary Welder, at the Lions World Sight Day/presentation of safety goggles to Welders/Bike Riders and Panel Beaters Association, held at Ota, in Ogun State...recently PHOTO: DAN UKANA

L-R: The Managing Director, Oil and Gas Free Zone, Mr Umana Okon Umana; and the Governor of Ondo State, Chief Oluwarotimi Akereolu, SAN, exchanging views in a meeting in Abujaâ€Śrecently

L-R: Marketing Manager, Chemical & Allied Products (CAP) Plc., Mr. Dominic Oladeji; National Director, SOS Children Village, Mr. Eghosa Erhumwunse; and Managing Director, Chemical & Allied Products (CAP) Plc., Mrs. Omolara Elemide, at the 2017 Dulux Letâ€™s Colour Activation at the SOS Social Centre in Ejigbo, Lagos... recently

OCTOBER 14, 2017 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PEOPLE

Leicester Star Ahmed Musa Opens His Own Petrol Station in Native Nigeria as He Looks Ahead to Life Post-football Footballers’ careers are short and many will have set up post-retirement plans Ahmed Musa has added to his business portfolio by buying a petrol station ‘Myca-7’ in Kano, Nigeria is reportedly the Leicester forward’s second station Musa, only 24, already boasts real estate and a Sports and Fitness Centre too

t is not uncommon for footballers to dip their toes into the world of business to set themselves up for life post-retirement. After all, the playing career of a footballer is a short one... but not many can boast a business portfolio like Leicester forward Ahmed Musa’s. The Nigeria star is only 24, but he has just opened a petrol station in Kano, 500km north of his native Jos. Musa had travelled back home during the international break for footballing reasons, but took some time out of his schedule to pose at the garage.

The Nigerian even filled up a car with fuel as he visited the garage, which is now under his ownership. The Leicester Mercury report that the Kano petrol station is the second in his portfolio, while he also boasts real estate and a Sports and Fitness Centre. Despite the area being a five-hour drive from his place of birth, Musa is well-known in the area after kickstarting his football career nearby with the Pillars. From there, he joined VVV-Venlo in Holland, before moving on to CSKA Moscow and then eventually Leicester.

Musa has added the ‘Myca-7 International’ petrol station to his growing business portfolio

Musa poses at the station in Kano, Nigeria, which is reportedly the second in his portfolio

Ahmed Musa ﬁlls up a car with petrol as he poses at the station which is now owned by him

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͼ, 2017

PERSPECTIVE

Edo CP Transfer: Okiro, IGP Take Fight to Buhari Osaro Shuaibu

he last is yet to be heard of the power play over the decision of the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Mr. Haliru Gwandu Abukar, to disregard a letter from the Police Service Commission that ordered him out of the state. Abukar’s defiance is said to be enjoying the backing of powers far above those of the Police Service Commission. Sources said that what used to be a cold, subterranean war between the office of the Inspector General of Police, IGP and the Police Service Commission, PSC, may have spilled into the open after Mike Okiro, chairman of the PSC was reportedly prevented from seeing President Mohammadu Buhari over controversy trailing the refusal of some Commissioners of Police, CP, to go on redeployment at the alleged promptings of Ibrahim Idris. In the main, the refusal of Abukar, CP, Edo State, to proceed on transfer to allow his successor to take office is the latest source of disagreement between both men and for which Okiro has again sought to see the President. The PSC chairman was denied access to the president at the office by his Chief of Staff. As sources put it, the latest rebuff

Governor Obaseki wouldn’t be the first attempt. An insider at the PSC, who spoke on the matter, said that Okiro’s renewed request to see President Buhari was after Abukar allegedly rebuffed his transfer to Bauchi State. The transfer saga has since sparked outrage in Benin and Abuja with civil society organsations, on Monday, picketing the police headquarters, Abuja,

and the National Assembly. According to the insider in the PSC, Okiro, a former IGP, had previously booked appointment to see the president, ostensibly to brief him on the findings of an investigative panel on recent police posting controversies, but hadn’t been scheduled to see the president. “The request ended at the office of the chief of staff, headed by Abba Kyari, in the Presidency. We don’t hear anything from the office again about the request,” the insider said. “Events after protest by some civil society groups over refusal of Abukar to deploy to his new station have again prompted the chairman to make another request to see the president. Like the previous instance, things are not looking too good, because we have it on authority that Idris has been blocking the chairman’s effort to brief the Presidency, first hand on the matter,” stated the informer. Okiro and Idris don’t see eye to eye, as a result of which both men, as reported, have not collaborated on any police matter since the coming into office of the IG. PSC recently concluded an investigation into a rash of controversial promotions and transfers done by the IGP. Idris in turn has stood in the way of some of PSC’s statutory transfer of senior officers. By the Act setting up PSC, the commission is empowered to carry out such routine transfers of CPs. Its power however

falls short of regulating actions of the IG, a clause in the PSC Act police sources say Idris is basing his recent actions on. “Since the IGP is not subordinate to the PSC, but to the President, it follows that his directives to his CPs cannot be challenged by the PSC,” explained a state CP, who asked not be mentioned in name. Okiro is said to be worried over repeated pattern in CPs refusing transfers, especially with the coming of IG Idris. In July, Abukar, along with other CPs like Fatai Owoseni, formerly of Lagos State, Garba Umar, formerly of Bayelsa were all redeployed. Owoseni, initially, was belligerent and wouldn’t give way to Edgar Omohinmi, his successor, claiming that there hadn’t been signal from the IGP. Though the matter was smoothened after Lagos state governor, Akinwumi Abode impressed it firmly on police hierarchy in Abuja that Owoseni’s days were over in Lagos. While Owoseni and Umar have since moved to their new stations, Abukar has refused to budge, also citing directives from the IGP, as alleged. The state governor, Godwin Obaseki, as gathered, has not been too impressed with the turnout of the whole matter which has since sparked outrage in Benin. Obaseki, reportedly, was in Abuja to see National Security Adviser, NSA, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno on the matter.

INTELS: We Acted in Accordance with Constitution Bennett Oghifo

he Nigerian Ports Authority has said it sought and relied on the advice of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, in arriving at the decision to terminate its boats pilotage monitoring and supervision agreement with Intels Nigeria Limited. The NPA, in a statement, signed by its General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Abdullahi Goje said they were compelled to issue the statement in reaction to questions raised by the general public “on the threat by our erstwhile agents, Intels Nigeria Limited, to fight the recent termination.” The statement said the legal advice was sought “after more than one year of attempts to get Intels to comply with the Federal Government’s directive on the Treasury Single Account (TSA).” The first such correspondence, the authority said was through a letter written by the former Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Olumide Oduntan on June 28, 2016, directing the company to pay all revenues collected on behalf of the NPA into the TSA sub account at the

Hadiza Bala-Usman CBN. The statement said all further attempts by the Authority to get the company to obey the directive “was met with various excuses until the Authority wrote to seek the AGF’s legal advise on how to proceed with the NPA/Intels relationship in a letter

dated May 31, 2017.” The statement said the legal advice of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN) that is contained in a letter, dated September 27, 2017, and addressed to the Managing Director of the Authority, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, expressly stated as follows: “For the avoidance of doubt, the agreement for the monitoring and supervision of pilotage districts in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria on terms inter alia that permits Intels to receive revenue generated in each pilotage district from service boat operations in consideration for 28% of total revenue as commission to Intels is void, being a contract ex facie illegal as formed for permitting Intels to receive federal government revenue contrary to the express provisions of Sections 80(1) and 162(1) and (10) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates that such revenue must be paid into the Federation Account/Consolidated Revenue Fund. “In the premise of the above, the conflict between the agreement and the TSA policy presents a force majeure event under the agreement, and NPA should forthwith commence the

process of issuing the relevant notices to Intels exiting the agreement which indeed was void ab initio.” As a responsible agency of the Federal Government, the Authority, therefore proceeded to act as advised, which is to terminate the contract forthwith, the statement said. “The Authority has taken note of threats by Intels to withdraw its investment plans in Nigeria and must point that business thrives in favour of everyone involved only when the laws of the country of operation are adhered to. No organisation is above the Nigerian constitution and it is only when all corporate entities obey the laws of the country that everyone benefits. “There must be a level playing field for all players in the sector and this is the commitment of the Authority.” However, NPA said it “respects the right of Intels and all other corporate entities in Nigeria to explore opportunities presented by the courts to enforce their rights in as much as the Authority is confident of the correctness of the step that it has taken. “The board and management of the NPA is committed to serving the best interest of Nigeria at all times and this is what has happened in the case under discussion.”

Luxury Villas Group Set to Host FREIA

s the Nigerian economy gradually emerges from recession, the property market has continued to thrive and explore meaningful ways to extend the active participation of related industries in its growth and progress. The result is the steady increase in real estate investments that pave the way for more business opportunities and benefits to the consumers. Thus, to reaffirm its position as one of the leading real estate providers in Nigeria, Luxury Villas Group is set to launch ‘Fusion of Real Estate, Interior Design and Art (FREIA)’, an event that

aims at bringing together stakeholders in these three industries to showcase, network and explore opportunities for business synergy. Featuring prominent keynote speakers, the exhibition will highlight the underlying relationship between the industries and provide a platform for future partnerships. FREIA is scheduled to take place on Friday, 8th December 2017 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island Lagos. Operating since 2004 and evolving with new subsidiaries that are breaking boundaries in the luxury real estate sector, Luxury Villas Group is one of the

leading real estate providers in Nigeria. The company specialises in luxury rentals, sales (residential and commercial properties), short lets and luxury vacation rentals. Since its inception, the brand has further diversified into facility management, security, interior design, project management and development as well as real estate and lifestyle publishing. LVG has over the years, gained awards and recognition for their outstanding work within the shores of Nigeria and beyond. In 2017, the brand bagged two international awards; the Business Initiative Directions Quality

Summit Award in New York (a formidable platform that unites outstanding entrepreneurs and businesses across the globe) and Best Real Estate Agency in Nigeria at the Africa Property Awards in Dubai which focuses on pacesetters in Real Estate in emerging economies and beyond. According to LVG’s CEO, Mr. Tommy J.Z Odama, “The only way to succeed is to love what you do, and we love what we do. We are thrilled to have won such prestigious awards and are determined to keep making giant strides to raise the bar for Real Estate services in Nigeria and beyond.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ TOBER 14, 2017

THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri Muhammadu Buhari: Commander-inChief of the 97% Forces

ast week I wrote about what has turned out to be the biggest corruption scandal in African history-the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation $26 billion can of worms. Little did I know when writing that piece that the matter should enter into another absurd stage. Maikanti Baru, the Group Managing (Damaging?) Director of the NNPC caused a response to be made to Ibe Kachikwu which proved that both Kachikwu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are mere figure heads. Essentially, Mr. Baru’s defense in the saga is that he got approval from President Buhari to bypass the NNPC board and award the contracts at a time that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was supposed to be the acting President. If what Baru said is true and President Muhammadu Buhari approved contracts from his London sickbed, then what Presidency was Osinbajo acting? A Presidential movie? So this is what President Buhari meant when he cited the Vice President as the ‘coordinator of national affairs’? If nothing happens to Babachir Lawal, Ambassador Oke of the Ikoyi Billions, Rotimi Amaechi and Maikanti Baru, then President Muhammadu Buhari should release Sambo Dasuki and apologize to him! Why? Because the two biggest corruption scandals in Nigerian history (N2.8 billion in 1978 and $26 billion in 2017) have both been linked to President Buhari. But the funny thing is that under Buhari, if a Peoples Democratic Party member is accused of corruption, he is a thief, but if it is an All Progressive Congress member, he is only guilty of ‘not following due process’. And by now, Kachikwu must have learnt a bitter lesson that you do not report a demon to the devil and expect the demon to be disciplined for his evil ways. In fact, the more wicked the demon is the more influence he wields with the devil. Report him and he gets promoted and you get demoted. Look at Baru’s response. Achebe said if you see a bird dancing in an open pathway, know that its drummer is in the nearby bush. Baru is the bird. President Buhari is the drummer. Kachikwu is the drum. If Kachikwu thinks Baru wrote that insulting response to him without clearance from the C-in-C of the 97% forces, he must be very naive. You see, President Muhammadu Buhari only knows how to rule. He does not know how to lead. In 2019

If you say you are a leader, you should lead, not blame. If you say you are an anti corruption crusader, you expose corruption, not cover it! How can you be presiding at Aso Rock and your wife and daughter are complaining about Aso Rock Clinic? Who is in charge if not you? In all my years I have never seen such abysmal failure to take responsibility as a first family complaining to the public about a clinic that they are in charge of! First rat chased you from your office now your family is complaining about Aso Rock clinic. Are you President or a decoration in Aso Rock?

Buhari

we need a leader. Rulers belong in a math set not in Aso Rock. And to prove that he only knows how to rule, notice how he never takes responsibility for any negative thing and never fails to take credit for anything that is even slightly positive. A good example is the State House Clinic. Both the President’s wife and daughter have complained about the shameful state of the clinic under President Buhari. But thanks to BudgitNG, we now know that less money was budgeted for State House Clinic under Dr. Goodluck Jonathan than under President Muhammadu Buhari. In 2015, President Jonathan budgeted only N137 million for the facility and N862 million in 2014. However, in 2016 President Buhari budgeted N2.8 billion (an amount equal to the entire State House Clinic budget throughout the five years that Jonathan led Nigeria), yet it was better staffed and equipped under Jonathan. My own family members were admitted there and received the best treatment. Even Dr. Jonathan was utilized the clinic. So why are we experiencing a case where despite spending more, Nigerians are getting less value for money? If you say you are a leader, you should lead, not blame. If you say you are an anti corruption crusader, you expose corruption, not cover it! How can you be presiding at Aso Rock and your wife and daughter are complaining about Aso Rock Clinic? Who is in charge if not you? In all my years I have never seen such abysmal failure to take responsibility as a first family complaining to the public about a clinic that they are in charge of! First rat chased you from your office now your family is complaining about Aso Rock clinic. Are you President or a decoration in Aso Rock? And yet, from all indications, this man who cannot

even take responsibility for his own failures wants to re contest? God forbid that we should be afflicted with another four years of this Muhammadu Buhari misrule! This is a man whose campaign poster of 2015 said “If anything goes wrong, I will take responsibility, and will fix it. That is what it means to lead”. We never knew that he meant he will take responsibility for knowing whom to blame. And lest I forget, a man who cannot even take responsibility for the State House Clinic wants to borrow more money to fund the budget? Why does President Buhari want to borrow an additional $5.5 billion? Why should we borrow $5.5 billion when NNPC has $26 billion to spend illegally? Rather than borrowing $5.5 billion from foreign nations and putting unborn generations of Nigerians into debt, I appeal to President Buhari to go and borrow the money from Maikanti Baru!

Reno’s Nuggets Avoid women who shave their eyebrow and draw it back. If she thinks she knows better than God then what will she think of you? Ladies, never marry a man who doesn’t take good care of himself. A man who doesn’t love himself cant love you. Its commonsense. And finally, if you meet a man or woman that does not need your money or your body but still pursues you, you have met the beginning of love #RenosNuggets Reno Omokri is a Christian TV talk show host and founder of the Mind of Christ Christian Center and the Helen and Bemigho Sanctuary for orphans. He is the author of the worldwide amazon #1 bestseller (Conspiracy Theory) Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years: Chibok, 2015 and Other Conspiracies and three books, Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God, Why Jesus Wept and Apples of Gold: A Book of Godly Wisdom.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

UT H

& RE A S O

Price: N250

MISSILE PDP to Buhari

“We are dismayed at the rate at which the APC government is plunging the nation into debt through local and foreign borrowing. The loan, if approved, will plunge Nigeria into further debt, and consciously mortgage the future of the unborn generations of the country.” – The Peoples Democratic Party expressing concern over the plan by the federal government to obtain $5.5 billion foreign loan.

PENDULUM Dele Momodu

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Now That Baba Akande Has Spoken

ellow Nigerians, let me state categorically that the great fun is about to begin in our dear beloved country. Walahi. Chief Bisi “Baba” Akande controversially stirred the hornets nest today when he proclaimed the death knell of zoning so far as the South West is concerned. In case you don’t know, Baba Akande is a former Deputy Governor of old Oyo State, former Governor of Osun State, former Interim Chairman of Alliance for Democracy, former Chairman of AC, former Interim Chairman of APC and much more, is one of the most respected and revered leaders in Nigeria today. He has worked hard to earn that uncommon reputation. If you want someone who can bring about a consensus where it seems strife is inevitable, then Baba Akande is your man. He is very honest and remarkably frank. He is also a man of fairness, justice and peace. Most people I know see him as an icon and treat him as one. He is seen as one of the few Yoruba leaders who has remained steadfast and loyal to the lofty ideals and heights of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I have done this little introduction for the sake of our young ones who may not know how important and influential Baba Akande is. When such a political colossus speaks, therefore, you must listen attentively to one of our most outstanding symbols. Yes, Baba Akande spoke two days ago and tremor reverberated across the nation. In fact, he said what many of us already knew was coming. I had written several times about it, more appropriately, against it. I’ve never hidden my disdain against the idea of zoning political appointments. Zoning and Federal character have both failed to cure the maladies that gave birth to them. They have mostly empowered and enriched some cliques and acolytes. Those policies could not have succeeded in any event because they fail to take account of the truism that merit cannot be sacrificed on the altar of expediency as the only result is doom. My interpretation of Baba Akande’s salvo is that the alliance at the centre is about to collapse. The ruling party, APC, is about to splinter into many parts, unless a miracle happens very fast. A rebellion of monumental proportions is brewing even if it has not yet exploded into smithereens. I have no doubt in my mind that the cookie is about to crumble and the bubble is about to burst. Please, watch this space, and note more what Baba Akande has not said than what he said. What Baba Akande has not said is simply that the days when the Presidency would be voluntarily zoned to exclude most sections of the country in favour of another section, whether the candidate presented and supported by the people is competent or useless, are over. The truth is zoning never worked anyway, as some Presidential candidates left their original parties for other parties in defiance of the zoning formula of their own party. Without mincing words, it is obvious that the Yoruba leadership has decided it would no longer support other tribes, zones or regions to

Akande attain to power to the exclusion of their tribe. They would rather work hard, reach out, and join hands with like minds to get power. Their decision is borne out of the acute frustration and disappointment that makes them feel cheated about the Nigerian configuration which does not throw up the best but regularly favours the dregs of society who have only contributed to

drawing Nigeria backward, in most cases. The campaign has probably started in earnest, culminating in the search for a Yoruba Presidency. Though the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Peter Ayodele Fayose has controversially but ceremoniously thrown his hat into the ring, it is the fact that the capo di tutti capi, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, may be warming up for his turn to take a major shot at the race of his life that is most significant. Mark my words. One of the greatest political strategists in Nigeria, Tinubu is tired of being a kingmaker and he would rather be the king. Indeed, that has always been his ambition but this has been largely curtailed by circumstances. Like many of those who supported Major General Muhammadu Buhari to attain power, after so many attempts, the former Senator and former Governor of Lagos State, feels he’s not gotten the respect and relevance he deserves for his monumental effort. Accordingly, he seems determined to make a personal push. Apart from the virtues of Baba Akande that I have enumerated above, a lesser known one is his deep sense of loyalty. In thus regard he is known to he fiercely loyal to Asiwaju, who saw his sterling qualities and has promoted them on the national stage. When he spoke therefore, he was also wittingly or unwittingly acting as his friend’s voice and heralding Asiwaju’s aspiration to be top dog! The options that are likely to be pursued by Tinubu can be shortly and succinctly summarised. BAT, as we love to call him, will contest as Presidential candidate. Clearly, such an audacious attempt would be in a party other than APC which going by recent events and noises, is likely to insist on fielding a miraculously rejuvenated President Buhari. This is obviously Asiwaju’s preferred move,

but again the present dynamics and the dark clouds which hovers ominously over him may mean that he is better suited to hide behind another person as President. Remember, age and health are going to be strong factors in the coming election and at 65 now, Tinubu is seen as having crossed the threshold. The second option is to realise his limitations and pressurise APC into submission to the extent that he would have to be appeased and rewarded. BAT’s former protégé and current Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo may be cajoled into stepping down for his political mentor. It is not known if President Buhari would agree to this fiasco, which would mean, not only a Muslim Muslim ticket but also one without the benefit and refreshing vigour of vibrant youth, out of desperation for a second term. No matter what you think, these are not the easiest of times for APC. It is very clear that there are no easy options ahead with the number of hardened and resolute aspirants on parade, including the flighty former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku who seems on the way out of APC. Some are also suggesting an Atiku/Tinubu ticket but there won’t be much difference between that pair and that of Buhari/Tinubu on account of age and religion. This is why many feel Tinubu just wants to rattle Buhari to bring him to the negotiating table but I thing he’s very determined about being the president himself after helping a few African Presidents to power. Sadly, it is not just about elections and ambitions, even the presidential team is rapidly falling apart. Everyone is fighting everybody and it is so disheartening and distressing! What we envisaged to be a change is fast becoming a mirage and turning out to be a riotous calamity!

A GOOD MAN CALLED TONY ELUMELU I’ve known Dr Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of United Bank of Africa for about two decades. I first noticed his wizardry as the boss of Standard Trust Bank. There was something refreshingly different and elegant about the branches of the bank. I operated an account at their Allen Avenue Branch then and was hooked on their brilliant services. Behind that spectacular performance was a prodigiously gifted CEO who truly knew his onions. Like a true navigator, Elumelu charted his path and followed his course all the way. He faced challenges like all great people but he never looked back. Even when he was maligned regularly by those who hated his guts, he responded with more earth-shaking successes. I was shocked to my bones one bright afternoon when news reached me that he was bidding for UBA, the third biggest bank in Nigeria at the time. We wondered how a small bank could swallow a bigger one. It was like saying Jonah swallowed the whale instead of the whale swallowing Jonah. The incredible

take-over reverberated beyond Nigeria. I was in Accra, Ghana when the big news of the mega deal landed thunderously. Elumelu soon invaded other African countries and sought to conquer the world. Before our very eyes, he realised his dreams. As at today, his exploits have led to his foray into about 20 countries, thus creating a global enterprise. He has extended his fingers into many more pies in different fields of human endeavours, including power, oil and gas, and so on. His economic philosophy and concept of Africapitalism has been hailed as one of the most original thoughts in modern times in Africa since Kwame Nkrumah and Nwalimu Julius Nyerere. He has backed his words with action, establishing The Tony Elumelu Foundation and setting aside a stupendous sum of US$100 million over a period of ten years to raise new sets of entrepreneurs in every part of Africa. Now, not everyone achieves his dreams in life. And not all those who make it in life remember their fellow humans. I knew

Elumelu as a man with Midas touch but didn’t know of his kind heart until we approached him in 2007 to get UBA to support the first ever Ovation Red Carol. Once he read our proposal and found that we were planning to give something back to a society that has given us so much, he approved without much ado. I see the excitement on his face every time he attends our events. At the 2007 edition, he approved the next one right from inside the venue. Elumelu loves anything that would help empower mankind and Africans in particular. Today, he’s empowering thousands of African youths to find their bearings in life. He’s teaching them to fish instead of giving them fish to eat. He has surpassed the expectations of every one by his large out. All I can offer him and his family are my prayers and tributes such as this to encourage to march on in a world where good deeds are often misconstrued. I truly doff my cap to this unstoppable, caring genius ... May his tribes increase...

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