Paul Pogba snubbed Manchester City for Manchester United transfer, says Yaya Toure

Yaya Toure, the Ivorian midfielder says he’s a fan of the Frenchman, though he couldn’t hide his disappointment that he failed in his efforts to lure him to the Etihad Stadium from his previous club Juventus.

Paul Pogba ended up linking up with the Red Devils for a second spell last summer, moving in a world-record £89million transfer having left on a free as a youngster just four years earlier.

Aregbesola to probe Adeleke’s death

The state of Osun government would set up a panel to probe the cause of the sudden death of Sen. Isiaka Adeleke.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola made this promise in a statement by Mr Semiu Okanlawon, his media aide.

“Senator Adeleke was a man of peace. He preached peace and lived it through his life.
“He left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because he could not stand violence.

“This was after he was beaten up by some leaders of the PDP during a meeting in a hotel in Osogbo.
“It is a profound irony and most unfortunate therefore that a few disgruntled elements purporting to protest his death desecrated his funeral with violence and attacks on innocent persons.

” They dishonoured him and did his memory a great disservice by keeping his friends, political associates and well-wishers away from his burial.

“The best we could do in the circumstance was to declare three days of mourning throughout the state and fly national, state and our party’s
flags at half-staff in his honour.

“The State Government of Osun, using the instrumentality of the law, is setting up an inquest to unravel the circumstances of this unfortunate and sad incident, in order to put the record straight on his death.

“He is irreplaceable in our hearts. We commiserate with his family, the good people of Ede, 
associates, friends, constituents and generality of our people on the passage of this patriot.

“As we pray for the repose of his soul, we equally pray for the strength to bear this heavy loss”.
He died on April 23.

Jigawa state Ex-Governor Sule Lamido Arrested

Kano police command have arrested the mmediate past governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido.

The ex-governor was arrested for allegedly inciting his supporters to stop the conduct of local government elections organised by the current administration of Governor Muhammad Badaru.

The council elections are fixed for July 1.

Mr. Lamido was arrested at his Sharada Kano home on Sunday morning, and was whisked away to the Zone One Command of the Nigeria Police in Kano.

At the Zone One Command report says  about six vehicles of the former governor filled with his aides are waiting patiently for his release.

Olajumoke Orisaguna visits SA (Photos)

Fmr bread seller turned model, Olajumoke Orisaguna is in South Africa and she is so excited.

She told her fans yesterday that she will be flooding their timeline with photos because she is too happy. This will give her more exposure. Below is a video of her arrival...

Photo News : Buhari's Personal Assistant, Tunde Sabiu WEDS

Buhari Has Difficulty Drinking And Eating, But Cabal Won't Let Him Travel For Urgent Treatment

Three insiders in the Presidency have told SaharaReporters that President Muhammadu Buhari is being fed intravenously as he has had severe difficulty eating and drinking fluids for several days. 
 
The sources also disclosed that, although President Buhari's health had held up for a while after his return from an extended medical vacation in the United Kingdom, his condition has deteriorated in the last several weeks. They pointed to Mr. Buhari's eating and drinking problems that have left him too frail to leave his official residence at Aso Rock Villa to attend any official functions. 
 
Mr. Buhari has been unable to attend the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting three weeks in a row. Last week he also failed to attend the Friday Juma'at prayers because he had to undergo urgent medical treatment that had him confined to a medical room secretly set up inside the residential area of the villa.

President Buhari was also conspicuously absent from the wedding of his influential personal aide, Tunde "Idiagbon" Sabiu in Kaduna. The wedding, which was attended by political movers and shakers of the Nigerian society, became a scene for curious political power play. It became clear at the wedding that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was treated in a different light by opposing political interests present at the wedding. While some of them showed deference to Mr. Osinbajo, others seemed to pay him scant attention, even to the point of shunning his presence. 
 
SaharaReporters learned that Mr. Buhari's British doctors had sent a medical team to the Villa to attend to him. However, our sources revealed that the medical team advised that the president should immediately return to the United Kingdom to begin what they described as a slow, complex and long-term treatment that could prolong his life.

Four weeks ago, SaharaReporters disclosed that an advance team from the Presidency traveled to the UK to prepare for Mr. Buhari's imminent arrival there for medical treatment. However, following moves by a cabal opposed to their potential loss of political influence, the advance was recalled to Abuja. Our sources named Chief of Staff Abba Kyari as the anchor of the cabal which also includes Mamman Daura, a businessman, and Mr. Buhari's kinsman.

A week later, members of the Presidency's advance team were once again issued with fresh tickets to travel via Ethiopian Airlines, with the plan that Mr. Buhari would depart to the UK on April 15th 2017 for a four-month-long medical sojourn.

However, members of the cabal that wields enormous power in the Presidency, have so far frustrated the president's trip.

President Muhammadu BuhariState House, Sunday Aghaeze

The Nigerian president and his handlers have declined to reveal the nature of the ailment that has hobbled Mr. Buhari over several months, rendering him incapable of attending to matters of state with any regularity much less vigor. However, different sources close to him told Saharareporters that, in addition to prostrate issues, Mr. Buhari is also dogged by Crohn’s disease, a medical condition that has affected his digestive system.

Our various sources have said that Mr. Buhari's Crohn's disease has had a devastating impact because of the president's age. One source stated that Mr. Buhari, whose official age is 74, may well be much older. At any rate, his bouts of illness have had a telling effect on him, leaving him gaunt, emaciated, feeble and debilitated.

One of our sources knowledgeable about President Buhari's condition alleged that there was a massive coverup orchestrated by a few aides and cronies of the ailing Nigerian leader to fool the Nigerian public. "They feel that if he [President Buhari] travels abroad, they will lose the power and influence they wield when he is town," the source said. However, the source accused the cabal of being myopic and shortsighted, adding that they were fast-tracking the president's demise by blocking his trip for treatment abroad. 

Our sources described the cabal as hellbent on throwing Nigeria into a political crisis in a bid to protect their selfish interests. - SR
 

Footballer, Mario Balotelli calls out Kim Kardashian over half-nude photos

Italian striker, Mario Balotelli is never one to mince his words and seeing as some photos of Kim Kardashian have been 'big' news this week, the Nice star clearly deemed it worthy of his own intervention.

Kim has been widely condemned this week for posting pictures of herself scantly dressed whilst on holiday, and it's safe to say that many have been unimpressed with what's been on display, as a lack of 'airbrushing' left fans furious at what things look like in real life, 90mins.com

Of course, Balotelli has now joined in on the mudslinging, and he's even managed to call out Kim's husband, Kanye West, in the process. 

Accompanied with a picture of Kim, the 26-year-old wrote on Instagram: "Seriously wtf is this?! Kanye how can you chop this? ORRIBLE. The only women that got worse with surgery. che schifo."

There were also some fairly uncomplimentary emojis in there for good measure, as Balotelli showed the world that he really isn't a Kim Kardashian fan. 

Ghost President, ghost achievements, ghost monies in apartment owned by ghosts – By Reno Omokri

For the better part of this week, Nigeria has been having much to do about the royal snub from the Oba of Lagos to the Ooni of Ife. Such outrage, such consternation against Oba Rilwan Akiolu. The venom vented on him on social media and in real life were as though he had committed some unpardonable sin.

We are angry with an Oba who refused to shake an Ooni, but not at a President who refused to shake his own female ministers on religious grounds but did not remember religion when he shook hands with the Queen of England, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and Iara Oshiomhole.

You can see that hypocrisy, rather than corruption is the main problem of Nigeria. A nation that sympathizes with a star’s husband for attempted suicide and charges a destitute woman with attempted suicide. No wonder our Presidential Villa had been turned to a retirement home!

Strewth!

As a people, we are easily distracted, easily carried away. We are excitable, with hyperactive nerves, quick to run away after fancies while the issues that are at the heart of our survival as a people are left untreated. While we were tearing our hair over what might just have been an oversight on the part of the Oba of Lagos, the minister of Information, the eponymously named Lai Mohammed, announced to a distracted nation that President Muhammadu Buhari, who had just missed his third Executive Council of the Federation meeting, would be working from home!

This is the same Lai Mohammed who in December 21, 2009 called for his predecessor, the late Professor Dora Akinyuli, to give daily updates on  President Yar’adua’s health.

Speaking as the Publicity Secretary for the now defunct Action Congress, Lai said: “It is clear to discerning Nigerians that those pretending to speak authoritatively on the President’s health are deceiving the public, since they are neither well informed on the issue nor competent to speak on it.

Therefore, a daily briefing by the Minister of Information, based on authentic details provided by the President’s doctors, should start forthwith. As we have said many times, the health of the President, as a public figure can no longer be of interest only to his family and friends. Nigerians have a right to know.”

This is the same Lai who told us in January that the President was in perfect good health. Now we know that his health is so good that he has to work from home! And to add insult to injury, just two days before Lai told us that the President would now work from home, Chief John Odigie Oyegun was hugging the headlines calling for a second term for the stat at home President! Really! We only see the man every Friday, yet instead of praying for his recovery Oyegun is scheming for his second term! That is how they deceived Abacha and Yar’adua to cling onto power instead of tending to their health. What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul? This is a man that we only see on Friday at Mosque.

The man has more or less become a ghost President! A ghost President, with ghost achievements fighting ghost workers with an EFCC that goes after ghost monies in apartments owned by ghosts. This is what President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressive Congress have reduced Nigeria to! It is hypocritical for a government that fights ghost workers to have a ghost President. If the President is sick let him hand over to the more than able Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo!

If you think it is harsh to ask the President to hand over to Osinbajo then ask him if he did not give the same advice to Yar’adua in 2010! Precisely on March 10, 2010, President Muhammadu Buhari called for the impeachment of Yar’adua because his health condition prevented him from performing his duties. For three weeks our President has not attended council meeting.

For three weeks the only time we see him is at Mosque. Would he have tolerated this from Yar’adua? From President Muhammadu Buhari’s residence in Aso Rock to his office takes a five minute walk. I have walked that route myself. I know what I am taking about. I have been in his official residence and I have been in his office. His office and his residence are connected by a corridor. If he cannot make it to the office despite the close proximity between his office and his residence, it suggests he may need something more than resting at home.

Remember what Obasanjo said on January 20, 2010 “If you take up an assignment, a job-elected, appointed whatever it is, and then your health starts to fail and you will not be able to deliver to satisfy yourself and to satisfy the people you are supposed to serve, then there is a path of honour and the path of morality. There is path of honour and the path of morality.”

A 93, President Robert Mugabe does not work from home. Even Pope Benedict XVI, whose home was his office, resigned in 2013 when his health could not handle the demands of the papacy. It is not about age. It is about capacity. President Muhammadu Buhari said the same thing about Yar’adua. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

Again, President Buhari, if you can’t cope, temporarily hand over to Osinbajo! It does not have to be permanent. Go and take care of yourself. Aso Rock is a Presidential Villa not a retirement home! What moral justification does the Head of Service or any authority have to query any civil servant for absenteeism going by this recent development? I urge any civil servant who is being queried or has been sacked for absenteeism to sue the Federal Government.

If President Muhammadu Buhari can work from home and still collect full salary, why can’t other federal workers? If the man with the most vital job can do his job from home, why can’t civil servants with less vital duties follow suit. And you can imagine that only this week, the State House correspondent of the Punch Newspapers was banished from Aso Rock Presidential Villa by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief Security Officer because of a story on the President’s health. Now we know what the fuss was all about!

And the excuse given by the Presidency that they were unaware of the CSO’s action only raises more questions than it answers. The worst thing the Nigerian Presidency could do in the case of the The Punch Newspapers reporter that was expelled from Aso Rock Villa by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief Security Officer is to admit that they were not informed before the actions.

If the Presidency was not informed about this action done in the Presidency’s name then it begs the question, who is ruling Nigeria? Who is exercising the executive powers of the President? Is the tail now wagging the dog? Is this a déjà vu of the Yar’adua situation? No wonder Babachir asked ‘who is the Presidency’. We did not know what he meant! From the way things now stand, I just have to ask that between Nnamdi Kanu and President Muhammadu Buhari, who is actually in prison and who is actually free?   At least we see Kanu in court. How often do we see Buhari?

Nnamdi Kanu speaks with authority, can we say the same of an unrepentant blamer who blames everyone but himself for the misfortune of his administration? Nnamdi Kanu has no NTA or a Liar Mohammed yet his words affect more headlines than those who do, proving that leadership is not by position! Yet somebody thinks Nnamdi Kanu is in prison and President Buhari is free! I laugh in Igbo and Fufulde! And to think that Joe Igbokwe, the Publicity Secretary of the Lagos State chapter of the APC had the guts to say that the Igbo are not interested in Nnamdi Kanu’s cause! If Joe Igbokwe really thinks the Igbo are ‘not interested’ in Nnamdi Kanu’s cause, let him go and say so in Onitsa Market and see if he survives. It is easy to stay in Lagos and say such nonsense, but I have a word of advise for Igbokwe: No matter how much a slave rejects his father’s name, his master will still not include his own name in his will.

Hypocrisy has almost become a national pastime under this APC administration. It is not surprising. What more can one expect from a government that was conceived in propaganda and delivered in deceit? Take the hypocrisy in the case of Mrs. Titilayo Momoh, the failed suicide who attempted the act on the Third Mainland Bridge.

Now she has been charged to court. I do not understand the point of charging failed suicides to court for attempted suicide. Do we want to drive them to succeed at suicide? Failed suicide need counseling, support and understanding. Stress, pressures of life and disappointments drove them to suicide. By charging them to court we are only adding more stress, pressure and disappointment to their life, further pushing them to suicide.

This is an archaic law that is against the principles of natural justice and needs to be taken off our statute books. A government that does not care if Fulani herdsmen kill us has the guts to charge a woman for attempted suicide! Are they angry she cheated Fulani herdsmen off her life? This is a travesty of justice! They have not charged the killers of pastor Eunice Elisha who was killed in Kubwa, fifteen minutes from Aso Rock Villa.

They have not charged the killers of pastor Eunice Elisha who was beheaded in Kano in broad daylight. They have not charged the killers of Southern Kaduna minorities. But it is Mrs. Titilayo Momoh who is overburdened by a debt she cannot pay that they can try for attempted suicide. What a hypocritical action! When Tiwa Savage’s husband, Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun, attempted suicide, nobody charged him for attempted suicide and rightly so. So why charge Mrs. Titilayo Momoh with attempted suicide? Does Nigeria have one law for the rich and famous and another for the poor and unknown? This woman attempted suicide because the economy collapsed and her business was in ruins  leaving her in debt.

Let us not fight the symptoms and leave the disease. If the government wants to deter suicide then they should fix the economy instead of trying Mrs. Momoh. I could go on and on, but I have limited space. You can email me at reno@renoomokri.org to continue the conversation.

 Reno’s Nuggets:

My nuggets for this week centers on money so that people like Mrs. Momoh, who are overburdened by debt can get some financial intelligence that will see the escaping the debt cycle if they apply these wisdoms I gleaned from the word of God. The big difference between the rich and the poor is that the rich only borrow money to invest while the poor only borrow money to consume.

The rich man gets a loan to build a clothing factory, or a retail mall or a small boutique because he knows that the poor man will go to the same bank to get a loan or a credit card to splurge on new clothes to impress people. You see, many people who look rich are not rich simply because they spend too much money trying to look rich and have little left to be actually rich.

The term dressed to kill may mean dressing well but it may also mean spending too much on clothes to kill yourself with poverty. The more the poor continue buying clothes and other accessories they do not need, the more the rich becomes richer and the poorer they become. So break the cycle. Never borrow to consume only borrow to produce. Those who say money cannot buy happiness act as if being broke can buy happiness. Get money even if it cant buy happiness. Money multiplies your ability to do good.

The world is evil today not because money is evil but because evil people control money. Ask yourself how helpful the Good Samaritan could have been if he had no money. Now ask yourself how destructive satan can be if his people had no money. Jesus preached and taught about money more than about ANY OTHER THING. So go out there and make money, do not be afraid of it. #RenosNuggets.

Photo News : Beautiful Lawyer Marries Her Soldier heartthrob after years of dating

We can’t find any more information on Abacha loot – World Bank tells SERAP

The World Bank has told Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that it “cannot locate any additional information on the projects executed with recovered stolen public funds by the late General Sani Abacha.”

According to the response sent last week to SERAP, the World Bank Access to Information Appeal Committee said, “In response to your request under case number AI4288 (related to your initial request case number AI3982), we wish to inform you that we have thoroughly searched our records and databases but have not been able to locate any additional information that is responsive to your request beyond what we have already shared with you. Therefore, we are unable to fulfill your request.”

It would be recalled that the World Bank last year asked for more time to release details on the spending of recovered loot by Abacha. This followed the bank’s decision to refer “portion of appeal by SERAP to the Bank Archives Unit for processing for public access. The Bank’s request for more time followed the appeal SERAP lodged with the Bank on 5 February 2016 on the ground that the Bank’s decision on its initial request did not reveal “important portions of the information requested on how Abacha loot was spent.”

But dissatisfied with the failure of the Bank to locate additional information, SERAP has now sent an open letter to the Bank’s president Dr. Jim Yong Kim requesting him to use his “good offices and leadership position to urgently address the public perception that the World Bank is seeking to distance itself from responsibility over alleged mismanagement in the spending of recovered Abacha loot.”

Specifically, the organization asked Dr Kim to “establish a Special Inspection Panel on Nigeria to visit locations across the country to verify whether or not the projects reportedly executed by the Nigerian government with the funds were actually executed.”

In the letter dated 28 April 2017 and signed by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale the organization expressed concern that “the apparent lack of transparency and accountability in the spending of recovered Abacha loot and the fact that the Bank has now come to the conclusion that it has no more information to provide on the status of the projects reportedly executed with the funds have impacted negatively on the communities across the country who are victims of corruption.”

The organization argued that, “Using technicalities under the Bank’s Access to Information Policy to refuse to answer outstanding questions on the projects reportedly executed with recovered Abacha loot would leave communities across the country that have been negatively affected by the mismanagement of the funds without any effective remedies.”

The letter read in part: “Getting to the root of how Abacha loot was spent would demonstrate that the World Bank is willing to put people first in the implementation of its development and governance policies and mandates, as well as remove any suspicion of the Bank’s complicity in the alleged mismanagement of the recovered public funds.”

“There would be an acute risk that the Bank’s on-going and future role in supervising and monitoring of spending of recovered stolen public funds would be questioned and may be legally challenged for lacking transparency and accountability.”

“SERAP believes that given its supervisory and monitoring roles in the spending of the recovered Abacha loot, the World Bank ought to do much more to clarify outstanding questions regarding the status of projects reportedly executed with the funds. It is vital that the Bank is able to show that it is up to the task whenever it takes up the responsibility of supervising and monitoring the spending of recovered funds in Nigeria and elsewhere across the world.”

“SERAP also believes that the Bank ought to have classified the execution of the projects by the Nigerian government as high or substantial risk especially given the prevalent of corruption in the country, and exercised due diligence including by keeping proper records on the conditions of projects supervised and monitored by the Bank.”

“Any failure to take decisive action to uncover what exactly happened to the projects reportedly executed by recovered Abacha loot which the Bank volunteered to supervise and monitor would shed a bad light on the World Bank, undermine its goal of alleviating poverty, and may mark the demise of transparency and accountability at the Bank.”

“The proposed inspection panel on Nigeria should be able to ask appropriate questions from the authorities and engage with the communities affected by the alleged mismanagement of the recovered funds. This process would help to enhance compliance on the ground with the Bank’s safeguards and thereby bolstering the Bank’s accountability under its policies.”

“The panel should also undertake a full investigation into whether there has been a serious failure by the Bank supervisors and monitors to observe its operational policies and procedures regarding the execution of projects with recovered Abacha loot; the role played by any government officials including in the Ministry of Finance, and the material adverse effects on communities across the country.”

“Communities that have been affected by the apparent mismanagement of recovered Abacha loot should receive from the Bank proper and adequate compensation as well as community-based development benefits such as education, sanitation systems, health care, and community services (particularly for the elderly, mothers and children), access to clean water, access to livelihoods, and other locally determined remedial measures. SERAP considers this is a basic corrective justice, and it is the bare minimum required in the circumstances.”

“SERAP also urges you to adopt and implement a Transparency Charter with respect to your ongoing and future supervisory and monitoring duties on the spending of recently recovered Abacha loot in order to ensure the integrity of the process of project execution. SERAP believes that the Bank’s goals of promoting transparency, accountability and the rule of law in countries would gain more credibility and respect if the Bank can lead by example particularly in its supervisory and monitoring role of spending of recovered stolen public funds.”

“SERAP hopes that the World Bank would act as requested. However, take notice that should the Bank fail and/or neglect to take the steps recommended, the Registered Trustees of SERAP would pursue appropriate international and national legal actions to ensure transparency and accountability in this matter.” SERAP said that the proposed panel should find out:

1. Why 2 rather 8 health centers were completed as disclosed by the report produced by the Bank. The location of the 2 completed projects should be disclosed. If it is true that 174 health centers were built with the Abacha loot and commissioned by the government and to disclose the locations of the centers;

2.If payments were made to contractors who reportedly executed 10 of the 18 power projects pertained to physical electrical installations, and disclose the names of those contractors. If it is true that recovered Abacha funds were used to provide additional financing for the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program in the amount of NGN24.25 bn to support basic education throughout the country, and to disclose the number and location of schools which benefited from these funds at the time;

3.If it is true that 13 road projects were completed including 3 of the largest road and bridge projects in each geo-political zone with the funds, and to disclose the locations of individual projects, including the largest roads and bridges completed.”

Lawyer sues EFCC over Osborne Tower’s N13 billion

An activist lawyer, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission urging the court to suspend action on the forfeiture application filed by the agency in respect of the cash sums of $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23,218,000 recovered from an apartment in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

Ogungbeje, who sued the EFCC at the Federal High Court in Lagos, urged the court not to order the forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government until the question of the ownership of the funds had been resolved.

He noted that there were claims and counter-claims as to ownership of the money by the Rivers State Government and the National Intelligence Agency.

The lawyer said it would be in the interest of justice for the court to suspend action on the forfeiture proceedings pending the outcome of findings by panel headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

The EFCC had on April 13 secured an interim order temporarily forfeiting the money, recovered from No.16, Osborne Road, Osborne Towers, Flat 7B, to the Federal Government.

Justice Muslim Hassan, who made the temporary forfeiture order, had adjourned till May 5, 2017 for anyone interested in the funds to show up before him to show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

But Ogungbeje, in his motion on notice, is praying the court for an order, directing the EFCC to furnish the court with a report of its preliminary or final investigation on the source of the monies, the owner, and how the currencies got into the building.

The lawyer wants the court to compel the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission and the police to immediately begin a thorough investigation of the recovered money.

“This honourable court has the inherent jurisdiction under Section 6 (6)(b) of the Constitution to order and direct thorough investigation of the sources of the monies, their owners, the owners of the Osborne Towers where the monies were found and how they got into the building.

“A thorough and transparent investigation of the monies will strengthen the anti-corruption crusade.

“Nigerians are interested in the sources, owners of the monies, owners of the building and how the monies got into Osborne Residential apartment,” the lawyer said.

He argued that the EFCC would not be prejudiced if his prayers were granted by the court.

The court has yet to fix a date to hear the suit.

Meet UNILAG first class graduate who gained admission six times but had no money to go

In this interview with Punch's Tunde Ajaja, he speaks about his days in school

What was your growing up like? 

As a child, life was tough. I grew up in Olodi-Apapa/Ajegunle area of Lagos. I’m the second out of seven children and my parents had deep love for education, even though they didn’t have much of it. My mum used to sell bean cake (akara) while my dad was a tailor. He had to take up another job as a housekeeper/store-keeper in a hotel. They worked so hard to care for us. Even though there were vices in the neighbourhood, like gambling, fighting and doing drugs, my parents were disciplinarians and they made sure we found reading attractive. And of course I won’t forget the deep financial hardship we went through; days I went to school bare-footed, which was quite common, because there was not enough money to spare for school sandals; days we bought bread on credit from a kind-hearted woman down the street, just to survive. 

I also remember when I used to fetch water for people, staying awake to help my mum peel some more melons to increase her chance of making profits the following day, and many other things. Because of all those activities during the day, I often read in the night, and I started winning awards from primary one. So, thank God for where we are today; His mercy and grace made it possible and thank God my parents taught us in the way of the Lord, even if we had to go to church in bathroom slippers. God is faithful.

What inspired you to choose Biochemistry? Growing up, I had this dream to be a medical doctor and later to become a neurosurgeon. But 12 years after graduating from secondary school and after my sixth Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, choosing Biochemistry was the logical thing to do. It wasn’t that I didn’t pass the UTMEs, I did, but my admission suffered huge setbacks owing to lack of fund. At a point, I was somewhat persuaded that I needed to do a four-year course in order to graduate early (compared to the six years for medicine) so I could support my parents, siblings and others in need. A few of my teachers who knew my desire to study medicine were not so happy with that decision, they felt I would make an excellent doctor, but I had to do it and I enjoyed the course. I told myself that I had found something that transcends medicine because of its powerful relevance in basic science and application in addressing the problem of human diseases. I was deeply inspired by the knowledge of genes, DNA, RNA and their varied structural variants, proteins and the world of metabolism. Its application to everything, including nutrition, human physiology, drug development and design and human medicine strengthened my passion for the course.

Did you find the course a bit challenging like some people see it? Frankly, I never believed anything is difficult. I think it’s a very demanding course but intrinsically this is not peculiar to biochemistry. The course is unique and very deep. Of course, it was a lot of work to have a first class, but I wanted it badly; therefore, I consciously deployed everything necessary to achieve it. A day to my resumption in school, I prayed to God to help me to be excellent in character and academic performance. But beyond the prayer, I had the culture of targeting an ‘A’ in every course per semester and there was no time I aimed for a GPA less than 5.00. I never saw it as impossible, so I simply gave my best; drew a study plan and read every day in the semester. I gave up the pleasure of sleep and would read through the night. Nothing could distract me. So, graduating with a first class was not easy, but for me, there was no option. I have always led my class from primary school and I used to read so much that my father had to remark that it was too much for a boy of my age. I believe that excellence is a conscious thing.

When did you start having first class? 
It was from my first semester.

Since you were desperate for it, how would you have felt if you didn’t make a first class? I often thought of it too. From experience, I would have felt unfulfilled for a brief moment. Yes, brief moment, because I don’t allow anything to bother my inner peace. The fact that I worked so hard for it and that I had acquired knowledge through painstaking study would be comforting. There were a few times I did not get the ‘A’ I so desired and worked hard for, but I stayed focused in spite of that. Over time, I have learned a secret of genuine success: finding peace, not giving any inch to disappointment and staying confident. That was my attitude to life’s dark moments. 

Ultimately, I always wanted to inspire others through my story. Basically, all the challenges I had revolved round financial challenges. In my first year, I could not secure hostel accommodation, so I was coming to school from home (after Ajegunle). My mother would give me N500, which was virtually her profit from the sale of fried yam and ‘akara’ daily. My shoes were always worn out due to long trekking and I had polythene bag as school bag that I used to carry my heavy books around the school. My mum really sacrificed a lot. After my first semester, I tried joining the university’s work and study scheme, but I was advised not to, so it wouldn’t affect my performance. But God surrounded me with true friends and crowned my efforts.

What was your most memorable moment in school? It was when I received an award as the best biochemistry student in my first year. A professor of biochemistry and head of the department presented the award to me. Another memorable moment was when I invited my parents to grace the occasion of the MTN Science Foundation award at Muson Centre in Lagos. I also must mention that I won’t forget the semester I got 5.00 GPA. I had no embarrassing moment. I cannot think of any, maybe because I looked for the good in everything that happened to me and cast all my disappointments on God. I never felt embarrassed by anyone or anything.

Could you tell us more about the scholarship and the impact it had on you? When I gained admission, my former vice principal in my secondary school sent me a link for the scholarship. On following the link, I saw that I had to wait till the following year when I would have a CGPA. In my second year, a friend told me about the scholarship and gave me the link. I filled the form online and through a very inspiring and true story about myself, I described how important the scholarship was to my study. I presented my very best. I prayed and trusted God to have His way. I followed up with constant checks on my email. I was overjoyed when I got a mail from the MTNSSF team notifying me of my selection for the scholarship test. I took the test and I felt strongly that I did well but remained humble in my heart, looking to God for mercy. 

The message of my success in the test and qualification for the award left me in wonder and excitement. I told my friends, parents and siblings. They were so proud and they rejoiced with me. I was so happy and thankful to God. The scholarship did quite a lot and I felt honoured to be a beneficiary of that prestigious award. With the scholarship, I was able to get study materials including a personal computer and support my parents and siblings and a few friends. It became the major source of financial sponsorship for my study and support at home. It also helped with the funding of my final year B.Sc. project. I enjoyed it for three years; from second year to fourth year. The scholarship was an invaluable support to realising my goal and made life beautiful in those trying moments.

Did you enjoy any other scholarship apart from that? University of Lagos supports its scholars (first-class students) with an endowment fund of N50,000 each academic year as long as the scholar maintains the first class. I benefited from this all through, and I’m so grateful for that.

Since it was either first class or nothing else, how long did you read to maintain your grade? I had a study plan, I prioritised my courses and studied very well. Beyond these, I prayed about everything, took responsibility for myself and actions, studied hard, remained focused and I learnt from others. I won a number of awards in school, including the HOD of Science Prize and the prestigious Professor Akinrimisi Prize of Excellence in Biochemistry. I believe some students fail due to lack of commitment, indiscipline, not identifying what works for them, seeking help late or not seeking help at all and lack of confidence. These issues can be tackled by any willing mind.

Do you believe in having mentors? I believe in mentoring. There were a few persons I admire from a distance. Some of them I came close to and I was encouraged by their confidence and sincere criticism.

How did you use your leisure? I spent my limited free time meditating, listening to godly songs, reading books or having discussions with friends. I could take some time to sleep or take a walk.

Did you have a relationship? I have a different approach to certain things. I was not in any relationship, not because I feared distraction, but I just didn’t think of being in one. There is time for everything under the sun as long as our creator allows it.

What are your aspirations in the short and long run? I just completed my M.Sc. in Biochemistry Tuesday last week, and in the short run, I would make effort for a Ph.D scholarship position in one of the best universities in the world. In the long run, I aspire to work in a world-class academic and research institution of my dream and to join in the fight against cancer through scientific enquiry or translational research. My hope is to be able to support the indigent and vulnerable in our society. I want to contribute to the good of people.

We learnt you are now a graduate assistant at UNILAG, would you like to remain in teaching or you have other interests? I love to teach and advise students, even though my passion is to be a molecular/biomedical researcher. I want to do more than just teach. My other interests are in volunteering and writing.

Or do you still have interest in Medicine, since that was your initial target? A few of my colleagues who were aware of my original passion for medicine often ask me this question. I think I’m fulfilled with biochemistry.

How best can students have excellence in their academics? They should desire academic excellence. That is very important. They should study hard, be diligent and remain resolute about their decision for excellence. Also of importance is for them to set high goals and give no room for mediocrity. Positivity and possibility attitude is also important. They should have faith in God. For me, I demonstrated a unique attitude of self-confidence and independence in my academic work from primary one and what I stood for was evident to all just as my football skills. That is also important.

For those 12 years that you were ay home, what were you doing? Immediately after my WASSCE, the principal of the school told me the plan of the school to retain me as an auxiliary teacher for the sciences and maths. Even though I was being paid N600, I was happy that I was adding value to the students, and I had a sense of indebtedness to the school. Even when the funding (by the PTA) stopped, I continued, voluntarily and the school appreciated it. After that, I went to a private school, and I was happy sharing good moments with the pupils. My teachers and the school owner were proud of me and they were kind to me.

Emir Sanusi Vs Northern Political Elite

During the week, what looked like a fight back from the northern political elite against the Emir of Kano, HRM Mohammadu Sanusi II, was registered when the news was released by the Kano Emirate Council that it had spent N3.4 Billion in the last three years. The state government had claimed that the Emirate council had spent N6 billion within the same period. The same state government had claimed that Emir Sanusi inherited N4 billion from his predecessor, and not the N2.9 billion the Emirate Council said it inherited.

It is surely a cruel response to the punches thrown at the political elite by Emir Sanusi during the recently-held Kaduna Investment summit.

As he often does, his speech ruffled many feathers. And this unsettled the northern political elite. The brickbats had started with the vitriolic letter the Zamfara State governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari wrote to Sanusi calling him a hypocrite and one who was a threat to Islam, admonishing him to literally respect himself. Sanusi’s offence was debunking as “unIslamic” the theory of Gov Yari which says fornication breeds meningitis. Yari had blamed the outbreak of meningitis on the tons of sins of his people. The death toll on the meningitis as at last Thursday had hit 813. The governor just didn’t have vaccines and rather than admit so, he blamed it on the fornication of the people. It was as unIslamic as it was unscientific. We have long found out that in Zamfara State, for instance, there are 21 medical doctors in the 24 state-owned hospitals. That means that at least three state hospitals do not have medical doctors. Is this the result of the people’s sin too? Need we say more on how decrepit Yari’s theory is?

Emir Sanusi dared to speak truth to the people, saying what everybody has always known but hardly expressed openly.

The feudal system which still operates in the north mixed with the high level of illiteracy helps to promote mass ignorance and blind adherence to religious dogma.

Many of the big men in the north are just pedophiles, in the name of the religious permit to marry many wives. We see men of over 60 years of age squaring up in marriage with teenagers and even minors. That explains why the Emir’s comment on the girl child education rankles the political elite in the north, most of whom are the worst perpetrators of the act especially as they can easily intimidate the poor rural folks with their money.

But if they discriminate against the education of the girl child, how well do they do with the boy child? Is it not the same boy child that constitutes the despicable practice of Almajiri?How can they be encouraging poor people to keep marrying more wives and procreating without caution or adequate financial backing, all in the name of religion and culture?

Is it not true that the northern political elite nurture and protect the almajiri system because it helps them to feather their political nest during elections?

It had to take the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to build special schools for the almajiris. Jonathan it was, who also established nine universities in the country, six of which were located in the north.

Are these not the same people that academic standards are often lowered during admissions into federal institutions—be it secondary or universities?

How well do the northern elites care about education? In this time and age, we still have schools where teaching and learning take place under the trees in the north. And any day it rains, such a school is on holiday.

How many of the children of the northern elite attend such schools?

How many scholarships do they award per year?

Is it untrue that the highest numbers of uneducated folks in the country are in the north? What is the average budget on education in the north and what is the annual budget on pilgrimage and religious activities/projects like building of mega mosques?

Is it not true that the more uneducated the people are, the less critical they will be and the more vulnerable they will be for political manipulation?

But these same governors who refuse to build and equip classrooms make heavy annual budgets to sponsor people on pilgrimage as a matter of priority. These same governors who would not build schools, build big mosques.

How does that impact on development?

Why should that be the concern of a responsible government? Why should government money be used to pursue and sponsor such religious programmes while we claim we operate a policy of secularity in government?

This is simply because those sponsored to such pilgrimages—be it Christians or Muslims, will often pay back with their support to the governor during elections.

The north has held on to political power longer than any other part of the country. What has that translated to in terms of the socio-metrics of development? Is it not clear that without education, there can be no development? Does that not explain why despite everything the north, the core north, that is, is yet wearing a rustic and pristine look? Indeed, Emir Sanusi was right when he said if Yobe and Borno States were to be countries, they would be poorer than Niger and Chad. How true!

Why are the northern elites angry with Emir Sanusi for daring to tell them what the rest of the nation have always known and talked about?

Even on health care, the north is still tottering behind. There are several diseases in the north which are largely caused by poverty and malnutrition. I once visited a hospital in Sokoto township where all the patients—young and old, have terrible ugly infections that eat up their upper or lower lips thus exposing their dentition. I cannot remember the technical name of the disease. Doctors say it is mainly caused by malnutrition.

Just last Sunday, a doctor was speaking on 92.3 FM radio in Lagos and was relating an experience of medical practice in the north. He recalled a particular case where an illiterate mother who had just lost her set of twins to poor medical attention was almost losing another child within one week all because the husband (who has three other wives and dozens of children) did not give the permission for the sick child to be taken to hospital, all because there was no money even for the most basic medical procedure. The doctor said they had to task themselves to donate some money to enable the woman’s child to be treated and saved. Is that not why infant and maternal mortality is still very high in the north? But the governors of such states would have the presence of mind to sponsor people on pilgrimage. Imagine the plight of the 21 medical doctors in the 23 hospitals in Zamfara State, where the governor literally governs the state from his cosy Abuja castle. There are times the doctors in such hospitals will helplessly watch patients die because of no drugs and equipment.

Truth hurts the heart of the wicked, hence the northern political elite are ganging up against Emir Sanusi. Reports have even said there are plots by the same northern elite to dethrone him, as if that is what will change the ill-narrative of the north.

To kick-start the plot, the Kano State government has set up a plan to probe the finances and operations of the Kano Emirate Council, as if it is a government parastatal.  What has the government got to do with the running of a traditional institution?

How many times does the Osun State Government probe the budget and finances of the Ooni of Ife? Or the Edo State government probing the Oba of Benin’s financial books?

How come this financial efficiency of the Kano State government is coming just after the Emir’s keynote address at the Kaduna summit? - Thisday