The Nation Newspaper

Tag: experience

  • ‘Positive customer experience crucial to business’

    EXPERTS have said the creation and retention of positive customer experience (CX) is to ensure business continuity and not for  immediate profit.

    They said positive CX is the difference between a successful business concern and an almost failed one and next year, with digital disruption everywhere, only businesses that can adapt to technology will survive.

    They spoke at the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) second public lecture, Ikeja Chapter in Lagos. It had: Creating a Positive Customer Experience in 2019 as theme.

    Lead speaker, who is the institute’s Second Vice President, and President/Chief Executive Officer of Oska Royal Int’l Nigeria Limited, Femi Oyewole, said creating an enduring CX would bring in the profits in 2019, despite being an election year if businesses can improve customer retention, improve customer satisfaction and increase cross-selling and up-selling, adding that if the three factors are worked on, it can help improve revenue by a minimum of 10 percent and more in the year alone.

    Oyewole said the market has become extremely competitive and if a business is not there for the customer, the customer will not be there for it as CX is the biggest business opportunity of the present time, hence the focus on positive customer experience helps reduce churn, increases revenue and profit while it also impacts all areas all areas of business.

    He listed some key parameters that have to be met to achieve sustainability in delivering positive customer experience.  “Development of a clear customer experience vision; connection with the customers; and creation of emotional connection with customers.

    “The entire organisation has to be customer centric; promotion of internal and customer engagement to the delivery of positive customer experience; establishment of the voice of the customer,” he siad.

    A panelist and Business School  Netherlands, BSN-Nigeria Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lere Baale said though the 2019 business environment was predicted to be tense and full of ambiguity in political decisions, but marketers intending to benefit must put value on the table and not burn bridges to political affiliations.

    Baale said business concerns should also not invest massively in technology without first understanding the impacts on their customers and knowing what suits them, as technology is meant to be adapted to achieve a purpose and not to be acquired just for its sake.

    Olu Akanmu, moderator and executive director, Retail banking, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), who agreeed with the previous speaker, said customer experience is the motivating factor for technology use as it should be used to drive customers experience being the route to market.

  • ‘I’ll use my talent, experience to develop Osun’

    An Osun State governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ezekiel Oyebola Oyebomi, has pledged to use his talent and experience to fast-track development of the state.

    Speaking at the kick-off of his campaign at APC state secretariat on Gbongan Road in Osogbo, the state capital, the 59-year-old politician from Orile-Owu in Ayedade Local Government Area of Osun West Senatorial District said Governor Rauf Aregbesola had laid a good foundation for the state’s development and required a competent successor to expand and sustain it.

    Oyebomi said he was the most competent aspirant for the job because of his experience in governance as a retired federal Permanent Secretary in six ministries and 31 years outstanding job experience in the civil service.

    The APC chieftain said it would be a disservice for him not to use his wealth of experience to support the socio-economic growth of Osun State.

    He promised to prioritise youth empowerment, women and children issues, agriculture and food security, among others, if he becomes the governor.

    Oyebomi said: “What I have learnt in the last 31 years in the civil service is how to operate good governance. So, I am going to leverage on my work experience as a permanent secretary in six ministries, including Finance and Agriculture.”

    The aspirant hailed Aregbesola for changing the face of the state in the last seven and a half years.

    He noted that because the governor did not serve himself, he deserved to be praised for his passion and commitment to the development of the state.

    Oyemomi, who said he would always respect party supremacy, added that he was persuaded by friends and relations, who acknowledged talents in him, to serve the state.

    APC State Chairman Gboyega Famodun said he was impressed by the way Oyebomi signified his intention to run for the office in the state.

  • What’s age, experience got to do with it

    What’s age, experience got to do with it

    Twice in this column, I have had cause to write about an outstanding female journalist of note, Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye, the immediate past Sunday Editor of The Punch. It is not common that journalists write about themselves. We write about others who excel in various fields of endeavours, but, understandably, we can be too modest about celebrating our accomplishments.

    Deliberately and perhaps because of my commitment to media career development, I don’t hesitate to write about journalists whose story can inspire readers. Once in a while, I have no problem with news writers becoming newsmakers as it is with my fascination about the young lady who I knew as a student less than fifteen years ago, but has broken almost all major records in the media industry in Nigeria and even at the global level.

    Ogunseye, the first female editor in The Punch who was recently employed by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as the Head of Languages stations in West Africa, is a role model I will always recommend , not only in the media, but for every professional who wants to maximise the potential in their profession.

    Ogunseye’s meteoric rise despite the various challenges associated with the profession is a clear proof that success is not about how far but how well. For a lady in a gentlemen’s profession, who did not read any Mass Communication-related course, started out reporting crime and not any major beat, her story is very inspiring with lots of lessons to learn about the reward for hard work, tenacity of purpose and commitment to professionalism.

    The headline of one of the two columns I had written about Ogunseye was ‘Success is Predictable’. When you find a person who has a clear sense of purpose like I sensed in her the day she submitted her application to participate in the first Nigeria Young Journalists Award in 2014 despite being a student freelance reporter for The Sun newspaper and a passion for quality reporting, chances of towering above her peers and seniors are very high as it has turned out to be for Ogunseye.

    Is she just lucky like some claim? There is definitely much more than luck to the phenomenal accomplishments of Ogunseye whose work and performance have been subjected not only to local, but international, assessments. Luck without brilliance and hard work cannot take anyone too far. If it does, it usually becomes apparent with the person’s inability to live up to expectations.

    A young graduate told me how he recently found himself at a training programme with some experienced journalists who had many discouraging stories to tell him about their media career, my advice for him was that Ogunseye and a number of other young outstanding journalists I know have proved that a profession is as good as what you make out of it.

    If Ogunseye and others have believed the ‘veteran tales’ they must have heard in their early days in the profession, they would have been discouraged from succeeding where many before them have failed.

    Journalism, like many other professions perceived as not fulfilling and rewarding, needs more Ogunseyes to prove that age and years of experience have nothing to do with being a success in whatever endeavour.

    Congratulations Toyosi, keep soaring.

     

  • Adesua Etomi, Banky W relive SA experience

    Adesua Etomi, Banky W relive SA experience

    Hollywood power couple and ‘The Wedding Party stars’, Adesua Etomi and Banky W have recounted their experience in South Africa where the wedding held which was tagged #BAAD2017.

    The couple who released a couple of never-before-seen photographs, held the finale of the wedding at Cape Town in South Africa on November 25, 2017.

    The couple recalled how they left for Cape Town, South Africa, a day after their traditional wedding while the groomsmen and bridesmaids arrived a day after.

    After a quick nap at the African Pride 15 on Orange Hotel, they, together with their crew, jetted off for the sundown at Signal Hill, one of Cape Town’s favourite hills and the top of Signal Hill was nothing short of spectacular.

    According to the couple, the next few days before the wedding included a trip to the top of Table Mountain, over a thousand metres above Capetown – a perfect way to soak up the 360 degree views of the city; and wine tasting at Groot Constantia, one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa.

    The wedding day took place at The Roundhouse, Camps Bay and was attended by guests like Stephanie Coker, Dorcas Shola Fapson, Osas Ighodaro Ajibade and others.

    The itinerary also included a Harley Davidson ride from the Westin through Camps Bay beach, to Camps Bay, tearing up the tarmac that winds its way around the breath-taking Chapman’s Peak Drive, as well as a sunset boat cruise later in the evening that took them straight across Table Bay having fun with friends, family and champagne, catching up about the beautiful wedding from the day before.

    At Bela Bela is the Zebula Golf Estate and Spa, with a private pool, swimming pool, outdoor pool, massage spa and wellness centre and also an access to a golf course within 3km of the estate, an exquisite mountain and pool view with outdoor BBQ facilities.

    Most exciting part for the guests were the animal interactions and encounters – the elephant giving kisses to Nancy Isime, Liz Osho, Banky W and others and Ebuka, Jemima Osunde, Banky W and Adesua feeding and patting the cheetahs, Tarzan and Jane.

  • Obaze banks on his experience, training

    Obaze banks on his experience, training

    Though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is going into the governorship election in Anambra State as a divided house, its flag bearer, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, is optimistic that he will win. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE looks at the chances of the technocrat-turned politician. 

    The battle cry of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Oseloka Henry Obaze in the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State is that “Anambra Deserves Better!” As someone who has been close to the corridors of power in the state in the last 10 years, he believes that the state under Governor Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has not fully realized its potentials.

    Given his training and experience, Obaze believes he understand the role of leadership and good governance in the delivery of services, unfettered development and managing expectations. He said good governance rests on frugal management of resources, operating within available resources and equitable distribution of such resources via prioritisation.

    He added: “Positive growth cannot be sustained without strategic thinking, visionary planning and guided implementation of purposeful policies that serve as the bedrock for effective programmes and projects. Enduring prosperity is infinitely predicated on solid and enduring development frameworks. I have written and spoken about pruning the cost of governance and achieving more through joint interstate ventures, which our leaders seem averse to.”

    The former United Nations’ official and ex-Secretary to the Anambra State government under former Governor Peter Obi and incumbent Willie Obiano, respectively, wants to replicate the feat achieved by the state with millennium development goals (MDGs) under the administration of former Governor Peter Obi, which he was a part. He said: “My programme of action is encapsulated within the framework of the sustainable development goals. These basically cover all aspects of human and societal development – at the micro and macro levels — including agriculture, commerce and industry, education, health, security and infrastructure.”

    In this regard, Obaze wants to leverage on his good relationship with international development partners to attract support for his government, if he is elected on November 18. His words: “The world is increasingly assuming the character of a global village where best practices determine who makes the most progress and stays ahead of others. If I am elected governor, I will leverage on my international contacts and goodwill to attract varied international support for our programmes and projects.

    “You will recall that during the tenure of Mr. Peter Obi, several development partners and donor agencies took active interest in the state’s development model – Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS), which ensured simultaneous development in all critical sectors of the economy and society. Beyond the international arena, I will explore and pursue collaborative ventures with the federal and other state governments for the public and private sectors alike. My administration will not be restricted to the public sector, but extend to supporting the private sector to grow and develop. In the final analysis, the public and private sectors involve Anambrarians one way or the other.”

    Obaze defeated businessman, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator Stella Oduah and Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, to emerge the candidate of the party at the primary that took place in Awka on August 28. He polled 672 votes out of the estimated 950 votes cast by the special delegates that were elected for the primary.

    The PDP flag bearer is set to confront Governor Obiano; Dr. Tony Nwoye of the All Progressives Congress (APC); and Chief Osita Chidoka of the United Progressives Party (UPP), among others. Obaze believes that he is eminently qualified “to do better than the sad experience we have had in the last three years or so”. He said: “Aside from my worldview, my service as Secretary to Anambra State Government – particularly in the administration of Mr. Peter Obi — afforded me the opportunity to contribute to the welfare of my people. Outside my work in the office, I was in the field on special assignments that took me through the bush, mud and floods to provide relief and rehabilitation to communities in distress.

    “I appreciate that public service should really be directed at people, communities and organisations that need it. It should not be an elite obsession with the flamboyance of undue protocols, sirens, motorcades, wild parties and so on. Having been chosen by our great party, the PDP, I am offering myself for service in the knowledge that I have a programme of action that would elevate the state and our people economically, socially and politically.”

    A seasoned international civil servant, diplomat, strategic policy advisor and administrator, Obaze entered the race as the favourite for two main reasons. First, he has the backing of one of the most achieved governor the state has ever produced, Obi, and secondly, his track records speak volumes and go before him. Obaze said he left the Obiano administration when he noticed that things were falling apart and those at the very head of affairs could no longer listen to reason.

    Born on April 9, 1955 in Ogidi, he is a native of Ochuche Umuodu, Ogbaru Local Government Area. He is married to Dr. Ofunne Omo Obaze a physician and they are blessed with children.

  • Desperate times: the Nigeria experience

    Many times man is confronted by circumstances that tend to dehumanize him. On daily basis, diverse forces combine to divest him of the trappings of humanness. In such situation he reacts to the vagaries of his own existence, desperate to fill a perceived void.  Desperation is an inevitable factor of humanity however; the difference is the degree of its occurrence in the lives of people. Its tragic hue is underscored by the tendency to benumb the victim in an intoxicating manner rubbing him of any sense of restrain. A desperate man is a bull in a China shop, a moving inferno ready to destroy anything in its way to actualize his inordinate longings. A desperate man repudiates advice, abhors reason and wallows in forlorn self convictions.

    It is only desperation that can explain why a woman will go to a deity to procure a covenant in order to have a child. In her own warped idea, she does not want to continue to be ridiculed and scorned by the world. She wants a fruit of the womb, a fruit of desperation. A close look at the way some people carry on around the world easily suggests that their conception was procured before a deity. This is a safe explanation to the depravity and perfidy that lies in the heart of some men given the inexplicable manner of their daily manifestation. After all, the Holy book submits that the gods have come down to us in the likeness of men

    For some men, money is at the root of desperation. To some it must be a huge amount, to some others, the amount doesn’t need to be big provided it can guarantee survival. Desperation can provide answers why a man will secretly conceive the idea to kidnap another man and ask for ransom. Desperation will make a man behead another man; mutilate his body for rituals in order to be wealthy. Out of desperation, a lady will get married to a devil incarnate just to answer a Mrs. Out of desperation a young man will pay a large sum of money to ride in the engine compartment of a ship en route to Europe, to get out of Nigeria.

    Some people have argued that the worst kind of desperation can be located in the consciousness of a man who is in search of power, corporate power, traditional power, spiritual power and most of all political power. Under the spreading chestnut tree of desperation resides a price that will compensate the desperate. We can argue that Nigeria’s political space accommodates the largest number of desperate people in Africa, those who are ready to do anything for power. Unfortunately, these desperate political players are not motivated by a hunger to serve or to apply their skills to equitable governance. There is a boundless sea of material reservoir they look up to when they engage in acts of desperation for power. That is why a governor, after submerging the economy of his state for eight years will shamelessly aspire to go to the senate while also being paid his pension as a former governor. After serving for another eight years in the senate, he will indicate his interest to be the President of Nigeria. If that fails, he is compensated with a ministerial position in a show of political patronage.

    It is also acts of desperation that will spur a former military Head of State to aspire to become a civilian president in a democratic dispensation. When I say this, I have our dear President Buhari in mind. From afar, our president is a good man but the Nigerian experience under his watch since 2015 when he came to power has revealed that it was sheer desperation that informed his continued quest for power on three different occasions. This is because the president has not shown any form of awareness to the Nigerian condition by embarking on acts or policies to redeem our economy lacerated by successive administration. The contrast between President Buhari’s personality and his foray into politics is quite alarming. While he passes as an honest and upright fellow, Nigeria under him has been a case of all motion and no movement. He was desperate for power; he got power and has not done much with it. His much vaunted stance against corruption is a mirage. The Halliburton case clearly shows how the fight against corruption is only on paper. The forex subsidy scam is still pending. The refusal of the government to look into the Panama papers leaves a big hole in the fight against corruption. Some people have submitted that the reason why the heavily corrupt and mighty men among us cannot be touched is because the presidency needs their patronage and support to remain in office. Riding to power at the back of desperation produces a lethargic government.

    It is only acts of desperation that can also explain why Atiku Abubakar, a onetime vice president of Nigeria has subliminally began to campaign towards the 2019 elections even though INEC has not lifted the lid on political campaigns. Atiku’s desperation has already led him to begin to make sensitive statements about the current administration in order to endear himself to Nigerians. I read on a platform where Atiku has promised Nigerians that he will fight corruption more than Buhari. I had a good laugh after reading that piece and for the purpose of public decency; I will restrain myself from making further comments on this Atiku-fight-corruption matter. Nigerians are not fools; we have learnt a huge lesson from the Buhari experience.

    A country where a senator earns a colossal amount of money (N36,000,000 monthly) and members of the House of Representatives earn (N25,000,000 monthly) excluding allowances can only produce desperate politicians. The enormous amount of money and power that abound within the rank and file of political offices is the reason why everyone is desperate to get into politics, to have a share of the national cake.

    As we get ready for 2019, let us with open eyes identify those who are unduly desperate for power different from those who are genuinely desperate to salvage the country from the throes of economic anemia for which our country is now famous. Nigerians, isn’t it possible for us to collectively set our rules of engagement for those aspiring to serve us?  Isn’t it possible for us to argue that there is no justifiable reason why a law maker, with questionable academic credentials should earn more money than a university professor?  It is indeed possible for us to give conditions for participation in the 2019 elections. No former governor must be a senator. No former governor must be a minister. No former president, military or civilian must aspire to the presidency. The salaries and allowances of political office holders must be reviewed. This way, political offices will become unattractive and the incident of desperation for power will be reduced.

    • Adiele is of Department of English, University of Lagos

  • My 10 years experience working with Area Boys, by Osinbajo’s wife

    Vice President’s wife Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo yesterday shared the experience of how she worked under Lagos bridges, trying to reshape the life of street boys popularly called Area Boys.

    Mrs. Osinbajo, who said the boys called her Mama, said her experience in the 10 years she worked with them revealed that contrary to popularly believe that the boys are  children of the poor, several of those from rich and influential homes also found their ways into the street.

    Addressing teenagers at the 2017 Teens Career Conference organised by The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Abuja, she said streets running through and around some of the bridges had names of popular people, some of whose children also found their ways on streets as Area Boys.

    She said while working to get many of the boys off the street, she came across several kind of hard drug, noting that she decided to document her experience in a book which she titled: “They call me Mama”.

    Mrs. Osinbajo urged teenagers at the event not to allow anybody despise them.

    Also speaking, former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili urged the participants to use their teenage years to decide on what they want to be in life, lamenting however that 65 per cent of children in public schools who are not doing well in education are children of the poor

    Asking those in government to do something urgently to address the decay in public schools, she said: “If we do not reform education in this country, the 65 per cent of the children in the public school system that are failing are usually the children of the poorer segment of the society.

    “So, what it means is double jeopardy. You are going to create what I call inter-generational poverty, dynasties in families simply because you have failed to make public education effective and productive and able to grow the competitive skills that they need in order to move from one level of society to the next level of society”.

    Other speakers at the conference include Kaduna State Deputy Governor’s wife Mrs. Charity Shekari and popular Nollywood actor and former Commissioner in Delta state Richard Mofe-Damijo.

    Head of the Teen Church, who coordinated the event and former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Segun Adeniyi, said the event was organised to inspire young people to know that there is nothing they are going through that others have not gone through.

  • Our experience, by affected residents

    Our experience, by affected residents

    Many Lagos residents yesterday lamented after floods at the weekend sacked Lagos Island.

    Many could not attend church service, because they could not leave their houses or were busy scooping water out of the homes.

    Some residents told our reporter should the rain continue, it would render them homeless/many have already lost properties worth millions of naira.

    A resident, Chima, who works in a private firm in Ajah, said he had been trapped in the office since Saturday and could not take the risk of entering the flood for fear of being drowned.

    “I became very apprehensive when the rain persisted yesterday (Saturday). I just realised that the flood had gained ground and the entire place was flooded. So many cars here have been submerged. My major problem is that I am hungry, I can’t even go out to eat and nobody can come to this area to bring food for me, I have been drinking water and tea since yesterday evening. If this rain continues, I don’t know what I would do”.

    Donatus Ezekiel said he was trapped in his car along Lekki Ajah road, adding that he had to abandon his car in the middle of the road after it was taken over by flood water.

    “I have never seen this kind of flood before. I don’t stay in Lekki, I was going to attend a friend’s birthday party on Saturday. If I had known it was like this, I wouldn’t have gone out of my house”, a sober Ezekiel lamented.

    While some residents blamed the government for not being proactive, some attributed the cause to neglect of environmental warnings.

    Another resident, Lawal Bakare, said on his facebook wall, “This continuous rain is not new, we have just neglected its environmental impact…in fact we worsen the prognosis with our bad ecological decisions. #UnSmartCities We can’t be passive about our aspirations.”

    Another resident, Adeseila Adegboyega Henry, said: “Well we don’t have to blame the government for this, Lagos is lower than the sea, that area bordering the ocean is the most vulnerable. So there is nothing the government can do except the Holland method but even in Holland it took hundreds of years to build those dykes and they still fail sometimes.

  • ‘MARADONA’ IS MY EXPERIENCE WITH CHEATING LOVER

    ‘MARADONA’ IS MY EXPERIENCE WITH CHEATING LOVER

    After finishing third-runner up in Project Fame West Africa in 2013, singer and songwriter Niniola Apata is revving up her musical career. Recently out with a spanking new single, Maradona, which has been gaining favourable reactions from fans and her colleagues, Niniola, 30, tells JOE AGBRO Jr in this interview how she started music and how she is ready to compete in Nigeria’s music space. Excerpts. 

    WHERE did you grow up and how was growing up like?

    I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and that will be Isolo to be precise. Well Growing up for me was fun as I lived in a house with a large family. My late dad was married with three wives and we all lived in a big house with my siblings and other relatives. I was my dad’s favourite, so it made everything kind of easy as no one could lay a finger on me (laughs). It was fun and we all loved each other.

    What is your educational background?

    I attended Apata Memorial Schools from primary to secondary, then went on to the University of Lagos where I bagged a Bachelors Degree in Biology Education.

    How did music start for you?

    Well, I started music from when I was young and it was because of passion, My love for music knows no bounds. As a kid, I used to listen to my dad’s collections and then he had a camcorder. He would use it to record me whenever I was dancing. And in school then, I also had something like a request show. My friends would mention a song and then I will sing it to them. So, I guess you can see it was right from when I was little (laughs).

    Your parents started Apata Memorial School which is famed for discipline. Did your parents resent you going into music?

    Oh yes. Initially, my parents didn’t support it but as I grew older and showed them how determined I was, they put their weight behind me and supported me. Now, they are happy with how far I have come.

    What informed your singing style as it is different from many other singers?

    I guess I will credit that to my musical influences and versatility. But then, Sarz was also influential because he directed it with the first single, Ibadi.

    ‘Maradona’ is a term used for dribblers. What was the motivation for singing ‘Maradona’?

    Yes, Maradona was written for the players (laughs). And it was inspired by my experience and other peoples experiences pieced together. As a songwriter you need to know how to paint the right picture when creating.

    2Baba tweeted that ‘Maradona’ is his ‘jam for years and years’. How does that make you feel?

    Oh, I am really humbled, because coming from someone you idolize, it’s very very encouraging. I can tell you all through that day till now I still have a huge smile on my face. It really made me very happy.

    How are you dealing with the competition amongst female artists?

    Competition? I always say this and I will say it again here, there is room for everyone to succeed. If the boys can have more than six of them topping at the same time, I don’t see why we the ladies can’t. But you guys are always quick to make it look like the ladies can’t do the same. We are all doing good in our individual lanes.

    When is your debut album dropping?

    My album should be dropping this year by the grace of God.

    Are you featuring other artistes on the album?

    Oh sure there will be features.

    Which local artist would you love to do a collabo with?

    Ah they are plenty. You will see some on the album.

    How about in the international scene as many Nigerian artistes now feature foreign stars on their songs?

    Well, when it’s time for that, we will do that. At least, I was featured by a BET Award winner Eddy Kenzo from Uganda and we won an award with the song. I also featured Drastic from the Virgin Island on the remix of my song, Shaba. More will come.

    How rewarding has music been for you?

    I thank God because it has been and I am very sure it will bear more fruits in the future.

    Do you do anything aside music?

    I have a scholarship foundation “Adopt-A-Childs-Education”, and right now I have two students on it. So that’s what I do and I am also trying to make it bigger.

    What do you love doing for leisure?

    Singing to myself and playing games on my phone.

    What is something people don’t know about you?

    That I am an Introvert.

    Many stars take alcohol, marijuana and other intoxicants, what do you indulge in?

    Just water and juice.

    Are you married or in a relationship?

    I am not married but in a relationship.

    What qualities do you expect in your man?

    Well my man has them already so I am not expecting.

  • I was made gang leader because of my experience, says ex-convict

    I was made gang leader because of my experience, says ex-convict

    Prison experience has earned a 21-year-old armed robbery suspect the leadership of a five-man gang in Lagos.

    Dennis Soji, alias Segun Igbekele allegedly confessed to the police that he became his gang’s leader because he is an ex-convict.

    “But I do not operate guns”, he said. His gang terrorised Lakawe in Ajah before it was smashed by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    He was arrested with two members of his gang, Babatunde Haruna, 23, and Ahmed Yusuf, 22, while robbing two houses in Thomas Estate, Ajah. But, two other members of the gang identified simply as Tunde and Alumbo escaped.

    The police recovered five laptops and a locally made double barrel gun cut to size from the gang.

    He said: “Yes, I was arrested by Zone II Operatives of the SARS in October 2016 for stealing. I and my second Omoniyi Ayetoba, and we were charged to court and sent to Kirikiri Prison in Lagos where we served for two months. I must tell you the truth. Our prison system is not reforming convicts because of what the inmates pass through while serving their prison terms. I came back from prison this year and life was not easy for me.

    “When I came back from prison, I had no money to buy the instruments I used to use in doing my Disc Jockey (DJ) work. I am a DJ and that was my work before I went to prison. I was looking for at least, N100,000 to buy instruments for my DJ work but I could not get a dime.

    “I was so desperate to get the money to buy DJ instruments that I started following my friends Ahmed and Babatunde who were good in armed robbery work. When the idea to join them to rob came up I decided to follow them to see if I could get money to buy the instruments.

    “Two months ago, that is, the month of March, at about 8.30pm I, Ahmed, Babatunde and two others went to Thomas Estate to rob. We entered a compound that has two buildings at about 1:30am and finished the operation around 2am.

    “We used only one gun and one live cartridge. We did not fire anybody. We robbed only those on the ground floor of both buildings. We used the gun to intimidate residents for them to comply or cooperate with us.

    “I have participated in two operations. The first operation we robbed one resident identified as Gani Ibrahim. We did not shoot him. We did not beat him. We only collected his phones and laptop. He was not the only person we robbed that day. There were other victims and we collected about 10 phones and five laptops. We have not even sold the laptops because buyers have not indicated interest. We were not able to get cash because the residents said they had no money at the time of the operation. We only sold phones but the second operation was not successful because we, three of us were arrested and Tunde and Alumbo escaped.

    Babatunde said: “I started handling guns by accident. It was our gang member Tunde, who is still at large, that was handling guns for our gang. How he handed it over to me was a surprise and I had no choice than to hold the gun. I am the one that points guns at victims to make them to cooperate. I have never shot any victim. I only point gun at victims and shout at them just for them to cooperate.

    “I am from Abeokuta in Ogun State. I am a trained auto mechanic at Abeokuta but when I could not get work I came down to Lagos to do bus conductor work. My route is Obalende to Ajah. At times I sleep inside our commercial bus or garage. I used to go to clubs and that was where I met DJ Soji. We became friends and drink together after the day’s work.

    “When Soji told me about the work, I followed them to go and rob; initially he did not explain the nature of work when he called me to come. It was when I got to him that he told me that it was robbery work. I accepted. I never told them that I would be the one to carry gun. It was Tunde that escaped that is the person that handles gun for our gang during operations but this last operation he trickily handed the gun to me to handle. We did not succeed because three of us were arrested at the scene”.

    Yusuf said: “I am from Ibadan in Oyo State. I am a generator repairer at Festac, Lagos. If I service one small generator they give me N400. I can do four to five generators every day which can fetch me N2,000 to N2,500 daily.

    “I have many friends. I knew Soji from one of my friend’s barber’s shop when I went there to repair a generator. We became close friends. One day he brought this idea to follow them to go and rob in Thomas Estate. He told me and Babatunde to follow him to go and rob. We accepted and followed him to Thomas Estate to rob. We were five in number but two escaped. The two escaped are Tunde and Alumbo.”

    On who their gang leader is, he said: “I cannot say this is our gang leader because this type of work (robbery) is where one can show his talent. When we are in operation anybody can become the leader. The important thing is who knows the scene very well to coordinate that day. I could not escape that fateful day because I did not know the typography of the area very well. It was my first time of following them to go and rob in that area. If I am released I will not follow Soji again to do anything because of what I experienced from following him.