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Victor Moses scored twice while Chelsea teammate John Obi Mikel was also on target as Nigeria downed Algeria 3-1 to stay on course for the World Cup finals on Saturday.
Nigeria have a perfect six points from two games in Group B, four ahead of Cameroon who drew 1-1 at home to Zambia.
The Nigerians took the game to their opponents and were rewarded after 25 minutes when Moses was released by Mikel to fire past Algeria goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi.
The Super Eagles doubled their lead three minutes from the interval when Mikel controlled the ball at the top of the box and after a moment of hesitation, drilled it beyond the Algerian keeper.
Algeria pulled a goal back in the 67th minute, when Nabil Bentaleb smashed home an unstoppable shot from distance.
Man of the match Moses then put the game beyond the north Africans in stoppage time, when he smashed home off a low cross by substitute Ahmed Musa.
The outcome could have been a lot different had the visitors made the most of two clear-cut chances in the first half.
First, Schalke 04 star Bentaleb missed a sitter from inside the Nigeria box after 36 minutes.GETTING READY … Super Eagles duo, Victor Moses (l) and Obi Mikel on reserve bench in readiness for action.
And minutes later, Riyad Mahrez came close to getting on the score sheet, but his shot just missed the target with the Nigeria defence at his mercy.
When Algeria pulled a goal back, they pegged their hosts in their own half with the dangerous Yacine Brahimi tormenting the Eagles defence and Mahrez in charge of the midfield.
Nigeria goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, in for the injured Carl Ikeme, tipped away a free kick with nine minutes left on the clock.
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has pledged to provide good leadership that would ensure improved infrastructure development, industrial growth and job creation in the state.
He made the pledge in his address to Edo people immediately after his inauguration as governor of the state in Benin on Saturday.
Obaseki, who was sworn-in along with the Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, said his administration would be committed to improved welfare of the citizens.
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he defeated his opponent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, at the Sept. 28 governorship election.
The governor promised to complete all ongoing projects in the state and called for the support of the people to enable his administration to succeed.
He said that he utilise the agricultural potential of the state to improve on the living standard of the people, and promised to build on the legacies of his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole.
Governor Elect Godwin Obaseki and Governor Adams Oshiomhole, during the official handing over to Obaseki Friday night at Government House.
"I am humbled and proud of succeeding a governor, who in the last eight years provided dedicated, fearless, inspired leadership that has transformed our state in ways people considered impossible.
"Taking the reign of office from my leader and mentor, Adams Oshiomhole is an honour that I will always treasure. I will always respect and hold dear to my heart, his love, confidence, counselling and inspiration.
"I want to thank you Comrade Governor, in the presence of all and before the whole world, for being the leader that you have been for the people of Edo.
"I want to assure you that as we take over today from where you stopped, we have resolved to build on your legacy.
"We need to strengthen and expand the infrastructure that has been established so that we can have a foundation on which to build a new Edo of our passionate dream.
"We will need to build and sustain a robust human intellectual, philosophical and even metaphysical infrastructure, because without them, it is virtually impossible to attain significant progress,'' he said.
Obaseki reaffirmed that his mission was to achieve prosperity for Edo people by progressing the work previous administrations.
According to him, as we begin our journey to build a new Edo, I want to repeat and affirm that promise; I have pledged to create 200,000 jobs in the next four years.
"We will achieve this by leveraging on our comparative advantages and our key factor endowments in production and commerce.
"Our key factors will focus on commerce and agro business value chains like the entrepreneurship, investment in industries, technical and vocational skills.
"We will also fill all vacancies in the civil service and optimize job creation potential in infrastructural development.
"Agriculture is a major focus in our socio-economic programme because of its strategic importance in many areas, from food sufficiency to rural development, economic development, job creation and critical revenue generation.
"For us, we will make agriculture a business. Many Edo people will generate wealth by keying into our value chain development of oil palm, cassava, grains, rubber, fruits and vegetables,'' he said.
The governor thanked God "for seeing us through a very peaceful election where the will of the people prevailed''.
My proposed solution to our foreign exchange crisis, if followed will solve the following of our problems
-It will restore and stabilise the naira and bring our economy out of recession
-Will make the black market redundant
-Will prevent corrupt official from siphoning public funds out of the country
-Will reduce all the inefficient bureaucracy associated with making transaction in foreign currency.
-Will increase accountability and transparency
-Will boost local production and employment,
-will conserve our external reserve
All these are exciting prospect, almost all Nigerian would want these.
The very first step to addressing Nigeria’s economic crisis starts with asking a very personal but fundamental question. Is it a necessity to own a domiciliary account to be able to make international transactions? The answer is a big no. If the CBN could help Nigerians make international transaction with their naira accounts will it satisfy those who by all means support the ownership of domiciliary account for international transactions? I have contemplated on why the government (judiciary) would want ordinary Nigerians to owe domiciliary accounts in the first place but could not see any tangible reason. It is not a fundamental human right.
The only good thing about private domiciliary accounts ownership is that the CBN is totally removed from participating in the corruption that accompanied such laws by transferring it to the commercial banks. The Central Bank of Nigeria through commercial Banks could easily provide the services a domiciliary account provides with a naira accounts and as a result eliminating all the corruption, inefficiency, hoarding of dollars, and not to mention the negative impact of forex speculations by domiciliary accounts holder which is a major headache to CBN because of the pressures it also exerts on naira.
We should all know that there is a law backing domiciliary account ownship in Nigeria. And this law, together with CBN policy of cash forex sales are the only drivers of our current recession. All Nigerians are entitled to know the implications of laws made in Nigeria, especially laws that authorised banks to open domiciliary account for individuals, companies and organisations. According to chapter f34, paragraph 17, section 1 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995, individual are not only permit to open domiciliary account but also allowed to buy or sought their forex as they wish in cash and amazingly are by law not required to disclose their sources of forexes. I honestly coud not believe my eyes when I was reading the provisions of this law. This is not leadership, this is carelessness, and a blantant show of irresponsibility and the subjection of Nigerians to a great unnecessary pain and suffering.
A careful look at this law and CBN’s Foreign Exchange Policies one will realise how porous and reckless the system is. It seems its a deliberate set up to encourage corruption and acts as an avenue to siphon public funds in hard currency. This is because no one in his/her right mind would advocated the Wholesale Dutch Auction system (WDAS) of forex market where dealer buys forex direct from the central bank in cash, coupled with individuals access to privately owned domiciliary account. While Nigerians might be happy that we as individuals have the rights to domiciliary account and forexes, corrupted individuals are using the backdoor of domiciliary account ownership to siphon and launder stolen funds in hard currency out of the country and/or stored in their private homes. The CBN governor Mr. Godwin Emefiele when asked by ThisDay news in an interview how much dollars is in private individuals domiciliary account he said about $1billion. That was in April last year.
By March this year it grew to over $20 billion. Remember this is not electronic money, but cash dollars. And where did individuals get this dollars from? Of coures, from the same dollars the CBN has been injecting into the economy in an effort to stabilise the naira. While CBN is busy doling out forex to help the economy, Stolen funds could and is being used to acquire these forexes and stashed away in domiciliary accounts and in places beyond reach of CBN thereby reducing its ability to properly affect variables targeted in its policies. On the one hand I laud and applaud the bank and its MPC (Monetary policy committee) encouraging Nigerians to go cashless, but ulterly confused on the forex front where the bank is busy doling out forexes in cash to dealers and BDCs.
This gives incentive to laundering stolen public funds by making forexes readilly available. We are already enudated by recents unending arrests made my EFCC and SSS and the amount of recovered “Cash” forexes stashed away in private homes running into several hundreds of millions. Even the state governments seems to be hoarding forexes. The most recent case points to invasion of government house in Akwa Ibom where stockpiles of dollars was found lock away in a room. These are the ones we know about, we dont know about the ones we dont know about. If foreign exchange is meant to facilitate economic transactions what are they doing in private homes?
The ultimate question is, why does the bank and government allow cash forex to be traded like a commodity inside Nigeria knowing fully well the corruption that comes with it, that we don’t have the institutional capacity to enforce the rules and regulations of such systems, and that we will never be able to adequately supply it? This is bad economics. We should remember that in other to stabilise Naira, we should not create demand for forex more than is needed. But by allowing all Nigerians access to domiciliary account and dealers the rights to buy forexes in cash from the bank, the bank has broadened the demand base of forex which will add to the presure and further depreciate the Naira which is not good for the economy. Also remember that the main and only objective of foreign exchange is to provide forex for economic activities only, but creating demands for forex beyond what is required for Nigerians to pursue economic activities depreciates the Naira and has propelled the economy into recession.
My advice to solve the current crises and achieve the above, lifting Nigeria out of recession starts with repealing those laws, going cashless with forexes, and closing all domiciliary account in the country. The Central Bank and the government should as a measure of safeguarding the total collapse of the naira and dollarization of the economy revoke all rights of individual to own domiciliary account and the right of commercial banks to keep forexes. And streamline all incoming forexes, especially remittance to the bank only. This is the only way out to stabilise the naira in the short, medium and long run. I know some would say that I have gone mad to suggest such drastic measure, but I crave your indulgence and plead with you to read a little further to understand why I would advise on such measure. Has anyone contemplated on why we would need a domiciliary account; other than to be able to make payment abroad, what other legal reasons?
I know you would say “to also receive payment from abroad”, and then what? You would either withdraw cash and head to the black market because of higher rates or you can exchange it in the bank for naira. If you decided to withdraw cash to change in the black market, you are merely sending the dollar intervention from the CBN to the black market, the bank knows this. On the side of black market, the bank has no influence nor policies on what is permissible, it has nothing on black market. Just imagine sacks full of stolen public funds (naira ) from corrupt individuals, government workers and politicians waiting to whisk any forex they could get their hands on and stack away in private homes away from the reach of CBN. The evil in this is that laws surrounding forex is such that makes it easier for corrupt officials to acquire it but prevents and makes it a lot harder for genuine importers who need to make payment for raw materials purchased abroad to feed local production to acquire it.
Or if they could it will be at a higher rate and higher cost. Higher cost that would now be transferred to Nigerians. Why would CBN sale forex to the banks and BDC at an extremely low price and expect the Nigerians to buy it a much higher price from them. This system the CBN is using to manage foreign exchange and economy is synonymous to feeding a dog in the midst of wolves. Of course the wolves will feed on the dog and its meal. Just throwing cash forex into the economy is the most reckless policy I have ever seen. The most astonishing is that the CBN keeps flooding the economy with billions of dollars but keeps wondering why the forex situation is not easing up. With limited and very low foreign reserves, even now that oil price has dropped, how can the CBN feed our importers, manufacturing sectors, and at same time feed corruption. And given the amount of stolen funds that was discovered by this present administration I can tell that we are dealing with almost near unlimited amount of stolen public funds waiting to buy off these forex intervention at any price.
That’s why our foreign reserve is depleting so fast. Nigerians are now storing value in our local banks using foreign currencies to the point that our banks are saturated with forexes. We can all remember that some time last year the banks refuse forex deposit by domiciliary account holders. The banks refused taking in dollars because their Vaults are filled up with forexes. You can imagine the enormity of the cash forex in our banking system. This amount can rival the total naira in circulation. These monies are just sitted in banks Vaults doing nothing, serving no economic purpose. And yet they said we have shortage of forex. So I call on all Nigerians to rise up and pressure the government to repeal the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaoneous Provisions) Act 1995. Especially chapter f34, paragraph 17, section 1. This sections blatantly legalises corruption, and together with CBN foreign exchange policies is responsible for our economic recession.
After repealing these laws, the apex bank can and should start the use of naira accounts to make international transactions so Nigerians would have no need for a domiciliary account in the first place. This is the most efficient and responsible way forward because we are trying to do away with cash forexes by keeping it offshore . The CBN should make provisions and enlarge its duties to include making international payment from naira accounts. In other words, all international payments must go through it.
There will be no need to inject all those billions of dollars it has been injecting into the economy to stabilise the naira. The bank can use this forex to settle bills on the international front from naira transactions by Nigerians. In other words Nigerians should be able to walk into commercial banks and conduct international transaction using their naira accounts. I suppose we are all aware that the black market only thrives with cash forexes, therefore going cashless with forexes will not only render parallel market redundant, it will reduce all the inefficient bureaucracy associated with making transaction in foreign currency, it will take speculators out of business, block the avenues in commercial banks through which stolen funds are laundered out of the country.
And there will be just a single rate of exchange, that means no black market rate, no inter-bank rate, no wDAS/rDAS rate. There is going to be just one single rate at which each forex in the country is exchanged. This is the most responsible and civilised way. This will improved accountability and transparency and provide the apex bank with more information to adequately clamped down on illicit transactions because with time the CBN will have enough data to form a trajectory of foreign expenditures. And a deviation from usual transactions could easily be detected and identify. This will put the CBN on the forefront for the fight against money laundering and corruption it has always preached.
Of course there is concern regarding this method which I shall address. And the concern boils down to the depletion of our foreign reserve. All Nigerians acknowledge and respect this concern but how far has the bank gone in safe guarding of our reserves? According to the data from the CBN database, In 2008 our reserves stood at about $64.2billion, today 1st Nov. 2016 it is about $23billion and declining. The most astonishing is that no one has ever seen a situation where a country reserves falls concurrently with surplus trade balances. Nigeria’s trade balances has always been in surplus. According to NBS, in 2008 our export was #9.6trillion, import was #3.3trillion, giving a surplus of #6.3trillion. In 2009 our export was #7.4trillion, import #5trillion, surplus #2.4trillion. In 2010 our export was #13trillion, import #6.6trillion, surplus #6.4trillion. In 2011 our export was #19trillion, import #10trillion, surplus #9trillion. In 2012 our export was #22.4trillion, import #5.6trillion, surplus #16.8trillion. In 2013 our export was #14.2trillion, import #7trillion, surplus of #7.2trillion. In 2014 export was #17.2trillion, import #7.2trillion surplus #10trillion. In 2015 our export was #9.6trillion, import #6.7trillion, surplus #2.9trillion. From the above data you can see that our reserves continues to fall despite trade surpluses.
To put this in perspective, think of a family that earns more than it spends, and yet its savings keeps depleting. You can see clearly that Nigerians has earn so much surpluses to be having this headache of recession. We earn more dollars than we spend, and as a result our reserves should rather be on the increase. That means we should expect to see a positive linear progression in reserves acquisition accompanying consistent trade surpluses. But yet our reserves keeps depleting and as a result I find it very important that Nigerians know why this is so. There are two reasons our reserves keeps depleting regardless of trade surpluses.
The first is because our government decided to create more demands for dollars beyond what the economy needs through domiciliary account ownership which also created a backdoor for acquiring cash forex which are then transfer out of the country through commercial banks or are stored in private homes by corrupt officials. The second is as a result of CBN policy of cash forex sales to dealers and BDCs. It takes the two. Because without CBN feeding the system, domiciliary account ownership will be useless. CBN should please stop blaming it on the drop in global oil prices. From the data above, if we should add all the surpluses from 2008 to 2015 we would have #61 trillion. Using the CBN’s wDAS/rDAS average exchange rate (2008-2015) of $155 , #61trillion will give us $393.5billion worth of surpluses. Where has all the surpluses gone? That should be a questions that needs answers to. But I will not try and answer that because that will require looking too much into the dark, and we all know that in Nigeria when anyone looks too much into the dark something will start looking back. Or better, the question should be directed to the CBN.
If we actually paid attention to the data above and my reasoning we could see that closing our domiciliary accounts is the fastest way of getting us out of this recession. We currently have over $20billion dollars sitting idle in our commercial banks. I can go out on a limb here to say that most of this monies now belongs to the commercial banks and not the original depositors, this is because the original depositors have already transferred it out of the country leaving the physical cash in Nigeria as a liability to the banks. Closing our domiciliary accounts does not mean account holders or the banks will lose their monies. The same medium employed by the CBN that let individuals acquire these monies, the same measure could also be use to get it back. Then the enormous pressure on naira exacted by the need to own and operate a domiciliary account will be no more thus leaving only the pressure from the real sector and other economic activities, which is how it should be. Even in the real sector, given our balance of trade surpluses there shouldn’t be overbearing pressure on the naira. This is the only way because from the rate at which the CBN is doling out forexes from our reserve we have less than twelve months before we completely run out of reserves. I am very concern about this and every Nigerians should.
This system of monetary policy with regards to foreign exchange management that I am proposing will not impact negatively on our reserves, on the contrary given our history of surpluses, it will directly and/or indirectly build our reserves. Even if we don’t consistently have surpluses, it would still not impact our reserves adversely. We have other avenues to acquire forexes to build our reserves such as remittance and foreign direct investments. Of these two, remittance is the most prominent.
From World Bank's estimates Nigeria received over $20billion in remittance in 2015. By the end of 2016 the value is estimated at $35billion and in 2017 over $40billion. You can see from our previous data that sometimes remittance alone can fund and provides forexes of between 70%-100% of our importations. the CBN should not impede but negotiate reasonably with money transfer agencies like the Western Union, Money Gram, World Remit, and Rai money transfer in a way that on the international front the forexes from all these transfers goes to the CBN only and not the commercial banks. And on the local front the CBN provide the naira for the local use of these money transfer agencies. The dollars should then be used for international payment of naira transactions by Nigerians. By these the bank is creating a strong mutually reinforcing two way system of naira to dollars and dollar to naira systems of foreign exchange management that will stabilise the naira in the short and long run.
The only hiccup is that a sizable portion of this remittance goes to unlicensed lnternational Money Transfer Operators (IMTO) based outside Nigeria. These are mostly small scale businesses by Nigerians in diaspora to assist other Nigerians send money home. As a result, Nigeria is denied access to most of the remittance. The questions now is how to regain back this portion. I would advise that any approach taken should be a humbled one because these operators are, firstly outside the boundaries of this country and secondly, since Nigeria can’t make laws that cut across its geographical boundaries, they are not necessarily breaking any specific law. Nigerians in diaspora patronise the unlicensed IMTOs more because their exchange rates are same with the parallel forex market in Nigeria.
This rate is far higher than the CBN’s, BDC’s, and inter bank rates or any other official money transfer agencies like the Western Union, Money Gram etc. It is normal economic behaviour to perpetual one’s economic interest first. In this very case, not even patriotism can make them do otherwise. But if we follow my advice above by going cashless on forex and making CBN the only dealer in forex. Parallel market will become redundant and we will have just one rate of foreign exchange to a forex. The idea here is to make all money transfer operator’s rates to be almost one, so that there will be no incentive for Nigerians in diaspora to patronise the unlicensed IMTOs. In addition we can create policies that will incorporate these unlicensed IMTOs into our official system and create a means in which the CBN gets their forex and provide the naira equivalent here in Nigeria to them. After all, most of them are genuinely small businesses that operate within the laws of their host nations and by no means breaking any laws.
In conclusion I will like to reiterate the message of this article to make sure it is clear:
The CNB should Stop doling out forexes in cash and go cashless. We should repeal the porous, reckless and fraudulent Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995. Close all domiciliary accounts, but provide avenue through which naira accounts could be used to settled genuine foreign transactions and finally revoke the rights of commercial banks to keep and make transactions inside Nigeria in forexes. Not until we do these our naira will never stabilise and as a result we run a real risk of wide scale destabilisation of our economy by this avoidable recession.
In my next article am going to talk about how monetary policies can complement the fiscal policies to improve the forex situation further through increased aggregate production, higher employment and inflation control. Especially in youth employment, as I have just currently passed out of NYSC am going to join the queue of the unemployed. In this edition I will make my case for rapid expenditure And expansionary fiscal stimulus to boost the economy. I see great potential in what Nigeria can do and become. Stay tuned. By Anthony Weli
Port Harcourt – Ex-Green Eagles winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka, says Nigeria`s chances of qualifying for the 2018 World cup looks brighter with the 3-1 win over Algeria.
Amiesimaka, former team manager, Sharks football club of Port Harcourt, made the assertion on Saturday shortly after the Nigeria/Algeria match played at the Godswill Akpabio stadium, Uyo.Nigeria Super Eagles in training
" I watched the game and I am very impressed with the outcome. Congratulations Super Eagles, congratulations Nigeria.
"The Algerians were not bad. They played in a rather tentative manner in the first 15 minutes, but we were on top of the game most of the time and the score line was reflective of that," he said.
Amiesimaka said the Eagles attack was good while the defence needed to be worked on for future matches.
" I suggest that Gernot Rohr, Super Eagles Manager, still need to work on the defence. The attack is okay; they were coordinated and did a good job.
" Our chances of qualifying for the next World Cup are very bright indeed," the ex-international said.
Nigeria leads their group with six points; While Cameroon is second with two points after playing 1-1 with Zambia in another group match on Saturday.
By Olayinka Latona GENERAL Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Felix Meduoye has assured Nigerians that the country would soon emerge from the present economic recession stronger and better.
Addressing newsmen ahead of the church's annual convention scheduled to begin tomorrow at the Foursquare Camp, KM, 75, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ajebo, Ogun State with the theme: "Kingdom Life", Meduoye said what Nigeria is going through can be likened to a wilderness experience, stressing that the country would in a little while come out of the economic crisis.
In his words: "As a church, we have firm believe that God's hand is involved in the affairs of our country and it is His will to prosper Nigeria. We make bold to say that Nigeria will come out of the woods stronger and better even in the midst of our present challenges, particularly economic challenges.
It is not going to be too long; I have that very strong believe within me that the present economic challenges will soon be over." Calling for unrelenting prayers for peace and progress of the country, the cleric said: "Prayer is very important, we should hand over our problems to the Creator who can make the impossible possible. As the government is trying to eradicate corruption, the Church should teach members to live holy and be responsible citizens."
Some of the activities for the 61st convention, according to Meduoye include; "service of grace and special thanksgiving, prophetic declaration over the country while the speakers are former General Overseer of the church, Rev. Farombi, Dr. Ricky Temple from USA, Sam Kputu, Fela Durotoye.
South Africa converted a penalty that should not have been awarded as they beat Senegal 2-1 Saturday to boost their chances of reaching the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
It was a must-win matchday 2 qualifier for the hosts in northern city Polokwane and they survived a late onslaught from the visitors to collect maximum points and top Group D.
South Africa have four points and Senegal three while Burkina Faso, who have one, and pointless Cape Verde meet in Praia later Saturday.
Why the Ghanaian referee gave South Africa a penalty for hand-ball on 43 minutes was a mystery as no home player appealed when a header struck Kalidou Koulibaly.
Big-screen replays at the Peter Mokaba Stadium showed the ball hitting the Napoli defender between his legs and never touching either hand.
Goalkeeper Abdoulaye Diallo got a hand to the spot-kick from captain Thulani Hlatshwayo, but the shot had too much power and landed in the corner of the net.
South Africa doubled their lead in first-half stoppage-time when Thulani Serero claimed only his second goal in 34 international appearances.
Slick, short passing bewildered the Senegal defence and the Ajax Amsterdam midfielder scored with a low shot past a motionless Diallo.
Senegal dominated the second half and deservedly halved the deficit 14 minutes from time when Cheikh N’Doye slammed the ball into the net from close range after two blocked attempts.
South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune made several brave late saves as the west Africans chased an equaliser in vain.
Bottom seeds Uganda went to the top of Group E after a Farouk Miya goal earned a 1-0 home victory over Congo Brazzaville in Kampala.
Belgium-based teenager Miya beat Wolfrigon Ngobo from inside the box on 18 minutes after passing unlocked the Congo defence at Mandela National Stadium.
Uganda have four points, Egypt three, Ghana one and Congo none with Egypt hosting Ghana in Alexandria Sunday.
Cameroon and Zambia drew 1-1 in Atlantic city Limbe, a result that suited neither team in Group B, which includes Nigeria and Algeria.
Seven-time World Cup qualifiers Cameroon were expected to win after drawing in Algeria last month while Zambia needed maximum points following a home defeat by Nigeria.
Collins Mbesuma tapped in a Rainford Kalaba cross to put Zambia ahead on 34 minutes and Vincent Aboubakar levelled by converting a penalty five minutes into first-half stoppage-time.
World Cup Africa qualifying results – 1st update
Updated World Cup Africa matchday 2 qualifying results Saturday:
Some say the goal scored by Captain of the Super Eagle, John Obi Mikel at the World Cup Africa qualifier where Nigeria beat Algeria 3 1 was an offside goal. Do you think so?
The Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria limited, Mr. Clay Neff, yesterday, at the 2016 Awokoya Memorial Chemistry Competition, organized by Chemical Society of Nigeria, Delta State chapter, said Chevron will continue to support and promote quality education in Nigeria.
Neff, who was ably represented by Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, at the event, held at PTI Conference centre, Effurun, noted that the reasons Chevron initiated and agreed to support and sponsor the Chemistry competition were being realized.
” We are also aware that there has been great interest of secondary school students in the study of Chemistry in Delta State and remarkable improvement in performances in the subject since the introduction of the competition some years ago”
He said: “Over the years, Chevron has demonstrated commitment to qualitative education through investments in education infrastructure, sponsorship of manpower development programmes and provision of scholarships”.
Earlier, the chairman of Chemical Society of Nigeria, Delta State chapter, Mr. Alexander Okoroji, in a welcome speech, appreciated Chevron for sponsoring the competition, adding that Delta State has consistently taken the 1st position at the National Chemistry Competitions.
Sexy and stylish Edo State-born Nollywood actress, Christabel Egbenya, has added a new trade to her make-believe one as she launched her beauty parlour, named ‘La Bell Beauty World’ in Enugu yesterday. The opening ceremony which was a glitzy affair had some of her colleagues in attendance.
According to the Room 202 star, the shop located at New Haven, Enugu will cater to the needs of people who seek the best quality in haircare products, cosmetics, accessories, weave-ons/wigs, bridal make-up, skincare and also offers training for those seeking to pursue the beauty business.
Egbenya
While Christabel is a first class actress, the business, according to her, is to satisfy her entrepreneurial yearnings by bringing the best to people who seek the best.
"I don’t think it will affect my career in any way; life is all about planning yourself then leaving the rest for God, she told Potpourri gleefully.
Pilgrims must walk through three rooms, a foyer and a 200-metre-long corridor before accessing the dimly-lit chamber where Usman dan Fodio and two of his sons are buried in Sokoto, northern Nigeria.
Old women sit against the plastered white mud walls begging for money. Inside the tomb, more than a dozen visitors sit with their palms cupped and lifted upwards in prayer, seeking dan Fodio’s blessing.
Textile trader Sammani Yusuf is one of them. He drove more than 500 kilometres (300 miles) from the city of Kano to visit the graves and ask for his bed-ridden mother to get better and his business to pick up.
“Allah is everywhere but tombs of saints have sacred status and one’s prayers are more readily answered by Allah through their intercession,” Yusuf told AFP.
“I’m very optimistic that Allah will grant my needs by the sacredness of the saint lying in this tomb,” he added.
Asma’u Lawwali believes her prayers for a child were granted on a previous visit to the tomb of dan Fodio, also called “Shehu.”
“I’m here with more requests to God through Shehu’s intercession and I’m confident they will be granted in the same way my request for a child was answered,” she said.
Tour guide Isa Abubakar said Yusuf and Lawwali were not alone in their conviction.
“Any person you see here has come for dan Fodio’s intercession,” Abubakar said. “By his sanctity, when you pray to Allah (at the tomb) your request is granted.”
– Revered figure –
Usman dan Fodio is one of the most famous names in Nigerian history — a fact borne out by the steady stream of visitors who still flock to his final resting place in the heart of the ancient city.
Nigeria’s Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo cited dan Fodio in a recent speech, saying his condemnation of corruption and extremism were still relevant today.
Two centuries ago, the reformist scholar, who is considered a saint by many in Nigeria and West Africa, declared jihad or holy war against tyrannical local rulers in the Muslim-majority region in 1804.
The result was the creation of an Islamic state — the Sokoto Caliphate — which covered most of modern-day northern Nigeria and parts of neighbouring Niger and Cameroon.
Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the radical Islamist group Boko Haram, whose insurgency has devastated northeast Nigeria in the last seven years, has name-checked dan Fodio in several of his messages.
Shekau himself declared a caliphate in 2014 after his fighters captured swathes of territory in the region.
But the comparisons end there.
And despite reverence for dan Fodio himself, pilgrimages to his tomb have come under attack from religious conservatives, in a sign of the complex mix of Islamic ideologies and affiliations in the region.
Nigeria’s north is mainly Muslim and predominantly Sunni but there have been increasing tensions in recent months with minority Shiites.
– Ideological tensions –
The conservative Wahhabist ideology, which is dominant in Saudi Arabia, made inroads in northern Nigeria in the early 1980s. Until then, it had been dominated by the mystical Sufi tradition.
Prayers to dead saints and visits to their tombs were condemned as polytheism and idolatry.
In Sokoto itself, the Saudi-funded World Islamic League set up an office to propagate its views, putting itself at odds with those who revere dan Fodio in the Sufi tradition.
“Some people try to refute intercession but such claim is false because intercession has theological basis in Islam,” said the tomb guide Abubakar.
His colleague, Muazu Abdurrahman, added: “They frown at intercession with the Prophet (Mohammed) at his tomb in Medina and it is no surprise if they say the same or worse about Shehu’s.”
In 2012, Al-Qaeda-linked Islamists destroyed the tombs of Muslim saints in Timbuktu, in northern Mali, condemning them as idols in line with their ultra-conservative Salafist beliefs.
Abdurrahman, however, ruled out similar destruction in Sokoto given dan Fodio’s status as “an Islamic scholar of repute and a saint… a reformer who fought to establish pure Islam and justice.”
“This is why he is revered even by those who are vehemently opposed to visiting his tomb,” he said.
“Yes, we also have elements who share Al-Qaeda beliefs like Boko Haram, which also disapproves of visits to tombs for blessings.
“But it is unthinkable they will try to replicate what their peers did in Timbuktu.”
Prince Turki bin Abdel Aziz, a brother of Saudi Arabia’s king, has died, a statement from the palace published on the official news agency SPA said early Saturday.
Prince Turki — who was born in 1934, according to his official biography — was a son of the kingdom’s founder, King Abdul Aziz bin Saud, and a member of a formidable bloc of brothers known as the Sudairi seven, after their mother Hassa bin Ahmed al-Sudairi.
The group also included king Fahd and princes Sultan and Nayef, all now deceased, as well as the present Saudi monarch, King Salman.
Prince Turki, who was deputy minister of defence from 1968 to 1978, was to be buried on Saturday.
King Salman is to receive condolences for three days from Saturday evening, the palace said.
Spain announced King Felipe VI had canceled a three-day visit which was to have begun on Saturday.
A Spanish diplomatic source told AFP that no new date for his visit has been decided.
The visit was expected to coincide with the signature of a contract under which Saudi Arabia would buy five warships from the Spanish company Navantia. The deal has been criticised by rights groups who fear the ships would be deployed by the Saudis in the Yemen conflict.
Sharia Court of Appeal, knowledge of Arabic language and grammar."
These rules are ominously silent on qualification of persons to be appointed as a judge. But I entirely agree with the level of experience set out in paragraph 4(4)
1(b). This cannot be faulted. I cannot fathom the implication of 4(4)(1)(c). Does it mean that anyone who finds himself as a Chief Registrar, through merely working in the Registry, could be appointed a judge, and, in the case of Kadi of a Sharia Court, does it mean that a person who is solely proficient in Arabic and its grammar, without training in Sharia Law, can be considered and appointed a Kadi?
The rules require prospective judges and Kadis to apply for the appointment they desire. The appointment of judges, throughout common law countries, is through preferment or recognition and not by application. It is the nominating body which considers a person suitable for the appointment that recommends or invites such a person for elevation to the Bench. It is not respectfully a position to be hassled for; it is a position of honour and dignity!
2.) QUOTA SYSTEM IN THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES
*Justice Salami
The controversial question of the policy of federal character, euphemistically referred to as quota system, should be carefully re--examined in its application to the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court and, to a lesser extent, the Court of Appeal. There was a time when the Nigerian judiciary was dominated by expatriates and later by the then Western Nigeria, but, with rapid progress in legal education, various parts of the country took up the challenge and have come to take their pride of place in the system. The present situation, whereby the seats in the
Supreme Court are shared among the geographical zones in a water-tight arrangement, is unhealthy.
At a point in time, for instance, when South--Eastern Nigeria could not produce a suitable candidate to fill its own quota in the Supreme Court, the Advisory Judicial Council did not hesitate in preferring Uche Omo, JSC, a judge from Delta State in the South--South, to fill the South--Eastern quota, and nothing untoward happened. In these days of strict adherence to quota system, any attempt to juggle in such a manner would be strongly resisted. It is believed in many quarters that this complete neglect of merit has deprived the court the opportunity of recruiting eminently qualified and suitable candidates thereby, consciously or unconsciously, weakening the court's performance. As you make your bed, so will you lie on it! Strictly speaking, this may not qualify as an instance of corruption but a serious weak link which has adversely affected the quality of justice delivery.
3.) COMPOSITION OF THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL
The weakness in the National Judicial Council is inherent in its composition as provided for under paragraph 20 of the Third Schedule, which reads as follows:
"20 The National Judicial Council shall comprise of the following members –
(a) the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who shall be the Chairman;
(b) the next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court who shall be the Deputy
Chairman;
(c) the President of the Court of Appeal;
(d) five retired Justices selected by the Chief Justice of Nigeria from the
Supreme Court or Court of Appeal;
(e) the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court;
(f) five Chief Judges of States to be appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria from among the Chief Judges of the States and of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in a rotation to serve for two years;"(g) one Grand Kadi to be appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria from among Grand Kadis of the Sharia Courts of Appeal to serve in rotation for two years;"(h) one President of the Customary Court of Appeal to be appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria from among the Presidents of the Customary Courts of Appeal to serve in rotation for two years;"(i) five members of the Nigerian Bar Association who have been qualified to practice for a period of not less than fifteen years, at least one of whom shall be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria on the recommendation of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association to serve for two years and subject to re--appointment:
Provided that the five members shall sit in the Council only for the purposes of considering the names of persons for appointment to the superior courts of record; and
(j) two persons are not legal practitioners, who in the opinion of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, are of unquestionable integrity."
A cursory examination of paragraph 20 stated above would disclose that, apart from the appointment of the next most senior justice of the Supreme Court who shall be the Deputy Chairman, the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the five members of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Chief Justice of Nigeria enjoys absolute discretion in the appointment of other members of the Council. He also has absolute discretion in extending their tenure upon expiration. The Chairman, who incidentally is the (immediate past) Chief Justice of Nigeria, could abuse his office as it was done in the recent past; just as the next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court to Katsina--Alu was unable to do what I consider the proper thing at the National Judicial Council Investigating Panel that looked into my case to ensure his own appointment as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria. This tricky situation did not arise until recently. Honourable Justice Uwais was Chief Justice of Nigeria for almost ten years without a hiccup. For over two years, Honourable Justice Kutigi also tendered the rope adroitly. It is, therefore, a personality problem, as successive chief justices have dexterously exploited the provisions of the composition of the NJC rather than protecting the service or the system. It should be noted that a position such as that of Chief Justice of Nigeria or any leadership position has inherent risk attached to it, which they are not prepared to stick their neck for.
It is only the National Judicial Council that has a serving head of the institution as its head and who has amply demonstrated how the arrangement could be thoroughly abused. In the circumstance, serious consideration should be given to separating the two positions as is the case with the police and the civil service. The Police Service Commission and the Civil Service Commission are not headed by the heads of those institutions. In other words, neither the Inspector General of Police nor the Head of Service is the head or chairman of the Police Service Commission or Civil Service Commission. Such Chairman, in the event of an infraction on his part, can easily be eased out of office; but, the same is not the case with a Chief Justice who fouls his seat while doubling as Chairman of the Council. The patronage the non--statutory members derive from him, such as appointment into the Council and extension of their tenure, makes them vulnerable and feel obliged to him and not to the body they are appointed to serve and are invariably prepared to kowtow.
It is, therefore, important that an individual or person who is not in the system, such as a retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, a retired President of the Court of Appeal or a respectable and experienced legal practitioner is made the Chairman of the National Judicial Council.
Howbeit, going through the Constitution, there is no institution entrusted with the composition of itself as the National Judicial Council and, having betrayed the trust reposed in it, a re--approachment must be sought. I believe there should be a return to the good old days of Advisory Judicial Council where the Chief Justice of Nigeria, President of the Court of Appeal and Chief Judges of the State and Federal High Courts are members of the Council in their own right as no one is beholding unto the Chief Justice of Nigeria. If the retired Supreme Court and Court of Appeal justices must be members, they should be, but, with determined tenure, including an extension in accordance with the order of their retirements from their respective courts.
The members of the Bar Association provided for in paragraph 20 (i) may continue, provided that their role should not be restricted to only appointing judges but also extended to include discipline because the power to hire is the power to fire. If they were there when judges were appointed, there is nothing wrong with their being party to the discipline of judges. But my reservation about inclusion of members of the Bar Association is that it is alleged that some of them flaunt their"membership of the National Judicial Council before election tribunals and courts to intimidate judges!
4.) TENURE OF HEADS OF COURTS
The Chief Judges of both the State and Federal High Courts should have a prescribed tenure of not more than five years during which they are considered for appointment to the Court of Appeal or proceed on voluntary retirement. A long tenure, sometimes spanning over ten years, is most unhealthy. An aspiring candidate for the offices of Chief Justice of Nigeria, President of Court of Appeal, Chief Judges, federal or state or any head of court, whose age is less than five years from the age of retirement, should not be appointable. Frequent change of heads of courts results in instability.
5.) SUGGESTIONS ON HOW CORRUPT JUDICIAL OFFICERS CAN BE DISCIPLINED
In the circumstance, corruption, being criminal in nature, a solution that can be proffered is that judicial officers, who are suspected of committing a crime, should be referred to the State Security Service, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission or the Nigeria Police for investigation and possible prosecution. For those of them who are found culpable or liable, the President may consider giving them soft landing by allowing them to resign and proceed on compulsory retirement or permit the law to take its due course. The present situation where there are serious allegations of corruption against a judicial officer in several petitions and the National Judicial Council let him off the hook on an investigation of only one of the several petitions and retires him seemingly suggests that the interest of justice has not been served.
The outstanding petition(s) should also be sent to the police for necessary action. A recently compulsorily retired judicial officer trivialized the decision of the National Judicial Council by saying that he was not retired on the allegation that he received one hundred million naira from a state governor to nullify the election of local government chairmen but it was in relation to a Shell case. The outstanding petitions ought to have been investigated and pronounced upon to determine whether he merits retirement or dismissal. Merely sending the officer on retirement without an order for refund of the booty is grossly inadequate. Be that as it may, these are criminal cases and should not terminate with NJC decision. Such judicial officers should be referred to the relevant security agencies for investigation and determination of their criminal responsibility.
In the alternative, the government might wish to consider taking steps similar to what I understand Kenya took in combating such vexed issues. When the country decided to rid its judicial system of corruption, she suspended all her judicial officers and subjected them to an enquiry. The criterion adopted, I learnt, in addition to the usual allegation of corruption to which the judge may answer with the typical contention of lack of evidence, was that the judgment(s) or order(s) of the judge or justice or Kadi, as the case may be, were subjected to scrutiny and, if found correctly determined, the officer is allowed to return to the Bench. But if the judgment(s) or order(s) was found wanting or flew in the face of the law or facts or both, the judge was deemed corrupt or incompetent; on either view, he was found unsuitable for the position and was consequently shown the way out of the country's judicial system. Thus the contention that corruption had not been proved in the sense that there was no evidence or there was no corroboration would no longer be tenable. Clearly, this approach does not provide room or opportunity for crass technicality.
This suggestion may require the Commander--in--Chief sending a team to Kenya to study the relevant institution in that country and the role to be played by our National Assembly. The exploratory team may also obtain the relevant legislation Kenya enacted to put the body in place. In doing this, respectable men of integrity must be selected.
By Janet Adetu Being stylish does not mean you have to break the bank to do so. Being stylish is wearing that thing that makes you look good. It should flatter your body shape and reflect your personality. Of course, you should also feel good in the clothes you wear not because you intend to show off but simply to acknowledge that you are on point with your grooming skills and you are consistent with how to coordinate you appearance with panache.
Style is peculiar to the individual, it may be developed overtime with age, fashion, time and tastes. You may be young and decide to go with longer hair or fuller hair as a man but as you get older you may feel that shorter works better for convenience. In the same light the stage you are in life promotes or demotes your style. I often wonder when young pretty women get married they simply forget about themselves, blow out of proportion and then struggle to get the pounds off when push comes to shove.
Your clothing portfolio should stretch across your personal budget. Don't be an impromptu buyer and buy for the sake of it. If you do, you will have a wardrobe full of clothes that are almost similar in style, colour and nature or a wardrobe full of clothes you do not really need because one year later you still have not worn it. The best way to get value for your money is to do a quick analysis. Cost of Outfit = True value of outfit. No. of times worn There is an adage that says "I've worn the life out of that shirt" meaning you have gotten the full value for your money so much so it is worn out and due for a change. The truth about being stylish should also flow with the nature of person you are, the nature of your job and the people you associate yourself with. Remember three things when it comes to being stylish (a) What do you want (b) What do you need (c) What do you have Always invest in what you really need and not what you really want, with all these in mind why would you be showing off just by being yourself. If you like quality things then go for it. If you like cheap and cheerful work it well. Looking good isn't luxury. It is something we all have to do and often without having a spend a fortune. Being stylish is involves a huge bout of confidence. never apologize for looking good or stylish, be brave enough to carry it well. Always walk the walk and talk the talk, where you think it matters most. Being stylish will continue to give you that added panache advantage which you need to stand out from the crowd. You will exhibit poise, polish, posture and presence. It is time to Exert yourself, Excel yourself, Expand yourself 7 Style Tips from Board Room to Dinner Room Females 1. Carry an extra outfit if it is impossible to go back home 2. Change your shoes to a higher heel to assist your gracious walk 3. Remove your jacket if you are wearing one 4. Coordinate your colours to suit the occassion 5. Touch up your make up, add a little shiner for glow at night 6. Reorganize your hair for the occasion 7. Use virtual savvy skills to your advantage: Smile, eye contact and clear voice Males 1.Wear a jacket to the office and to the dinner 2. Carry a spare shirt and or/ tie to change into in the evenings 3. Don't forget your extended wardrobe: cufflinks, pocket square etc 4. Leave your briefcase behind when going for dinner 5. Smarten up your hair, moustache and/ or beard 6. Exchange business cards before dinner 7. Engage in small talk and create conversation STYLE ETIQUETTE QUIZ What should you wear? 1.What should you wear to launch of your company's new product? Men (a) A Blazer with khaki trousers (b) A full suit (c) A shirt without a tie Women (a) A full suit (b)A cocktail dress (c) A sleeveless blouse with parts 2. What should you wear to a formal chairman's Dinner? Men (a) A full suit without a tie (b) A full suit and a tie (c) A black bow tie and Tuxedo Women (a) A cocktail dress with flowers (b) A long gown (c) A pant suit 3. What should you wear to a cocktail event of an important client? Men (a) A bow tie and suit (b) A beige suit and black shirt (c) A blazer and black trousers Women (a) A little black dress (LBD0 (b) A sleeveless cocktail dress (c) A gown Your style is your signature it is not really showing off: Style is eternal fashion comes and goes.
On-the-rise Yoruba actress and producer, Feyisara Hassan looks so young and vulnerable she comes across like a damsel-in-distress, one, you want to wrap your arms around to prevent from the vice people of the world. She just doesn't cut the look of a girl who would walk on the wild side. That is why many people were speechless when she practically threw the social media into pandemonium with a braless picture she posted recently.
When Potpourri asked the actress what prompted her to post the picture, her answer was simple. "I don't put on bra. In fact, I don't like it. I only put on a bra when necessary and most times it is because of my boyfriend, he doesn't like seeing me without wearing a bra. So, sometimes, I put it on because of him."
Feyisara Hassan
Probing further, Potpourri asked what reasons she had for not liking the bra and again her answer was simple and straight to the point.
"What do I need a bra for when I have good boobs. I have very good boobs, so no need of bra," she said. When we teased her that her boobs are not exactly big and conspicuous, she retorted, "Must you have big boobs to have nice boobs? All I know is that, mine are very nice."
Feyisara Hassan started acting in 2011 and already, she has produced at least five movies of her own, namely,Rokun Rosa, Fikayomi, Ipinle Ese, Aye Asan and Aisan. She has also featured in almost 40 films of others production.
The Marketing Director of Coca-Cola Nigeria, Patricia Jemibewon, has attributed the awards bestowed by Advertisers' Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) for Marketing Excellence 2016 as a gratifying reward for the company's commitment to inspire consumers while refreshing them with their favourite beverage .
Speaking in Lagos, Jemibewon, stated that: "The awards represents a gratifying reward for Coca-Cola unrelenting commitment to engage and inspire consumers in unique ways while refreshing them with their favourite beverage . We are always seeking most engaging and memorable ways to connect with our consumers and keep our brands atop their minds," she added.
The awards is Nigeria's most prestigious event to celebrate outstanding creativity and impact in brand marketing and activation as well as to reward marketing professionals who have made a significant mark in the profession.
The Coke company clinched the award for 'Best Digital and Social Media Marketing Campaign' of the year for its inimitable Share a Coke II campaign, which has set a benchmark for brand advertising and consumer engagement.
The Brand also clinched the 'Best Experiential Marketing Campaign' Award for the Copa Coca-Cola grassroots youth football tournament, which set a record with 3, 000 matches played by 60, 000 teenage footballers drawn from 3, 000 schools across 32 towns and cities in the country. The grand final match at Onikan Stadium in Lagos featured an epic performance by one of Nigeria's most famous football stars, Austin Jay Jay Okocha who, disguised as an aged janitor, wowed the crowd with a display of football artistry and sent it into a frenzy as he dramatically shed the make-up and costume to reveal himself.
It's capped the wins as runner up for the 'Brand of the Year Award', while its sister brand and new juice offering, 5Alive Pulpy won the award for the most innovative brand. 5Alive Pulpy also emerged as runner up for the 'New Brand Revitalization Award'.
The award ceremony follows selection process of team of judges comprising marketing professionals like Franco Maria Maggi, Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, as the Chairman for this year's awards among others.
As soon as Timi came through the door of the roaring party, all eyes were on her. Not because of her beauty of course. I'm sure if her mum were alive, she would be the last to call her pretty. But she's always been very successful in her career and, as soon as the current managing director of the firm she's worked with for decades retired, she was next in line. A divorced mother of two, she'd paraded a string of men of means since her divorce.
Only, after a few years of courtship and using her to get favours from her numerous contacts, they'd dumped her. But like it's said, there was always another man in the wings, ready to promise her lasting friendship. And the incurable romantic she's always been, she always fell for their glib tongues.
So, who was this man that now walked through the door with her, towering above her and looking incredibly handsome? Surely he couldn't be another lucky 'find' of hers? By the time they'd hung around for the best part of an hour, words were out they were lovers. His name was Andy, an engineer who had a successful business abroad. The icing on the cake for Timi was his being a divorce – he'd been single for as long as Timi had, and if things went the way they planned, he would be right there by her side as her husband when she would be confirmed her firm's new managing director.
All these facts came months later of course, as friends were dealt blow-by-blow reports on the progress of the romance. I was a bit anxious about Timi who always wore her heart on her sleeve. So when I ran into her a few months before her expected promotion, I tried to hint she should take this new relationship of hers with a shovel-full of salt. "What do you mean?", she flared. "I've known Andy a long time you know! And we'd dated briefly in the past. It was providence that made us meet again on an international flight.
Now we stay in each other's houses whenever either of us travelled. Even when he's away on business, I could always let myself into his flat as I have extra set of keys.
"You of all people should be happy for me! After all the adventurous users I'd been involved with, I've finally met a genuine man who wants to marry me!" Marriage? That was a new twist to the tale. Timi is a glam gran of 60 who has three grandchildren. Tell me, what sane man with a supposedly good job gets married to a 60-year-old? Experience had thought me to keep my mouth shut whenever anyone I tried to counsel mentions love. No matter what is said, they seldom listen.
"And he's a stud too," she breathed. "For the first time since I kicked my no- good husband out, I finally found a man who is free to parade me as his partner. And he's taken the investment side of my life under his wings. We have some profitable projects we're currently involved with … " Warning bells started clanging, but I kept my mouth shut. When it comes to business deals, Timi is as ruthless, as they come. Thanks to her business connection, she's made a lot of mind-bugling deals and has impressive property to show for it. Who knows what other profitable doors this Andy wonder could open for her?
Friends were preparing a few congratulatory parties for her promotion when the bubble burst. Andy had disappeared! "What do you mean disappeared?" I asked the friend who broke the news as if she was actually glad Timi had met her come-uppance. "That crafty rogue bided his time," she explained. "For close to two years, he spent a lot of her money and lavished attention on her; gave her mind bugling sex and introduced her to his four children as their step-mum. The crunch came when Andy informed Timi of a property currently going for a song in Britain. They could both buy the property and turn it into mini bed-sits for single tenants. Timi fell for the impressive e-mail he sent her, showing all the property's features, what they both could do with it and how much they would be raking in when the bedsits were eventually let. He even made it possible for her to speak with the estate agents.
"His firm would handle the reconstruction so they could save a few pennies. Our love-struck aunty fell for it. She sent in thousands of pounds as down-payments and later flew down to see the progress being made at reconstruction. The builder was quite helpful too, answering all the questions Timi wanted answers to. She was so impressed, she sent in more money. That was when Andy stopped all contact with her. She couldn't believe it. She travelled out and hurried down to his house but all the locks had been changed and none of the neighbours knew where to find him. She was still making frantic enquiries about his whereabouts when he sent her a text he was in hospital and seriously ill. He would get in touch as soon as he felt better.
"When next Timi visited their building site, the rubble were still there with no workers. On inquiry, she was told it was council property. Furiously, she tried to get hold of Andy with no luck. In the end she got hold of one of his
daughters who didn't look shocked at what her dad just did. 'He does it all
the time,' she said looking at Timi with pity. Timi begged her to ask Andy to
get in touch or she would ,use all her connections to destroy him when next he showed up in Nigeria. 'Why don't you do just that?' Andy challenged when he called a few days later. 'I've just left the hospital after paying hefty bills from the venereal disease you gave me. You say any nasty thing about me and I would let the world know what a disease riddled trollop you are!'
Needless to say, that was the end of discussion leaving our glam gran with no romance, no prospective husband and a chunk of her savings gone, but happy to still have a job!
The Director General Media and Publicity to the Kogi State Governor, Kingsley Fanwo has insisted that no amount of resistance will be enough to cow the State Governor into rescinding his determination to dig into the past, saying it will be a disservice to the people of Kogi State if questions are not asked about how our commonwealth was managed in the period under review.
Gov. Yahaya-Bello
Fanwo stated this while addressing pressmen at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. He said the Commission of Inquiry is aimed at achieving the goal of digging into the past to appreciate the rationale behind the rot of infrastructure in the State and to send signals to the present and future administrations that they will be made to give accounts after their tenures.
According to the Governor's spokesman, the panel was not aimed at witch-hunting anybody, but to set the record straight, "in keeping up with the anti-corruption drive of the present administration", saying those who have rushed to court to "stop us from asking questions are giving a strong impression that they are hiding a lot".
He said: "Governor Yahaya Bello is a man of justice and he will ensure no one is witch-hunted. The panel is independent of any influence from any quarters and the Governor has great confidence in the panel to ensure justice and fairness guide its operations.
“Let me place on record that no amount of sponsored media fallacies, intimidation and arm-twisting can suppress the will of the Governor to ask questions about how the resources of the State were managed in the past. People who have nothing to hide would not rush to the court to stop a legitimate process.
"As a Governor with undeniable respect for the rule of law and constitutionalism, the Governor will continue to lean on the guarantee of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nobody has accused them of stealing but they have shown they don't want to be accountable.
“The resources they administered belongs to the good people of Kogi State and the people deserves to know how their taxes were expended".
The Director General said the Governor has shown great example of transparency and accountability since assuming office, insisting that Kogi State would have been better if this level of probity was employed by the previous administrations in the State.
"Today, Kogi State has one of the best public accountability system in the country. The administration of Alh Yahaya Bello has made extra-budgetary spending a taboo in the State and the Public Procurement Act is at full swing of practice. We have published our accounts, what the administration got and how we have dispensed the funds. The Governor went ahead to publish the balances of the bailout fund and the accounts where they are kept. The Governor is incorruptible and that is why he has the moral justification to probe into the past because he has nothing to hide,” he stated.
On the rumour of the Governor's death abroad, Fanwo said the appearance of the Governor has "destroyed the rumour and the credibility of the promoters who were paying papers to peddle blatant falsehood on their front-pages", saying the Governor cannot be distracted by such rumour.
“The task before the Governor is enormous. He met an unpardonable infrastructural deficit, tetra-deficient healthcare system, an education on life support and a completely destroyed rural life. He has started making the difference with ongoing projects scattered around the State. His New Direction Agenda is already driving unprecedented transformation in the State to the consternation of detractors who cannot stop peddling their falsehood".
He said the Staff Verification Exercise will soon wind up and the issue of salaries delay will be a thing of the past, insisting that the panel is working round the clock to meet the Governor's deadline to enable the State Government regularize salary payment and ameliorate the hardship experienced by the workers.
According to the image maker, the Governor is concerned about the welfare of the people and especially, the civil servants.
Fanwo said the Governor’s trip abroad was aimed at giving him a two-week break but the restless determination to move the State forward drove him to woo investors into the agricultural sector of the State as well as cottage industries and energy. He said the people of the State will soon begin to benefit from the trip.
