DSS VS Sowore: The Desecration of The Judiciary

‘Something’s Fundamentally Wrong with Nigeria’s Coat of Arms’ ISSN-2052-1979

BOSS NEWSPAPER

Vol.2.29

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DSS vs Sowore:

The Desecration of the Judiciary

BOSS OF THE WEEK

Akinwunmi Adesina: Well Deserved African of the Year

PENDULUM

Twenty Years of Democracy in Nigeria

Otedola, Zenith Bank Donate N400m To Lagos Security Trust Fund

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Akinwunmi Adesina:

Well Deserved African of the Year

By Eric Elezuo

I

t is not every day that spotlessly honest Nigerians walk the space of leadership within t h e c o u n t r y ' s administrative atmosphere.

Akinwunmi Adesina is one Nigerian who has left the footprint of achievements , nostalgia, accomplish ment and determinati on in the sands of time.

O n l y recently, the multi award winning p u b l i c servant w h o

sits atop the African Development Bank as its President, was unanimously crowned the

African of the Year at the AABLA Awards held in partnership with CNBC Africa. The honour was done the achieving force in Johanesburg, South Africa. That is not all, Adesina made the enviable mark of gracing the most recent edition of the Forbes Magazine.

Born to a Nigerian farmer in Ibadan, Oyo State, on February 6, 1960, Adesina attended a village school and graduated with a Bachelors in Agricultural Economics with First Class Honors from the University of Ife, Nigeria in 1981. He was basically the first student to be awarded this distinction by the u n i v e r s i t y. H e followed up his studies at Purdue Univ ers

ity in Indiana, briefly returning to Nigeria in 1984 to get married.

Afterwards, he returned to school, obtaining his PhD (Agricultural Economics) in 1988 from Purdue, winning the Outstanding PhD Thesis for his research work in the bargain.

Adesina’s professional career kicked off proper in 1990, when he served as a Senior Economist at We s t A f r i c a n R i c e D e v e l o p m e n t Association (WARDA) in BouakÊ, Ivory Coast.

He served till 1995.

He worked at the Rockefeller Foundation since winning a fellowship from the Foundation as a senior scientist in 1988. From 1999 to 2003 he was the representative of the Foundation for the southern African area.

And from 2003 until 2008, he was an Associate Director for food security.

In 2010, he was appointed Nigerian Agriculture Minister, a post he held till 2015 when the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan ended.

Adesina was named as Forbes African Man of the Year for his reform of Nigerian agriculture. He introduced more transparency into the fertiliser supply chain.

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He also said that he would give away mobile phones to farmers but this proved too difficult as a result of lack of mobile network in rural areas.

In 2010, United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon appointed him as one of 17 global leaders to spearhead the Millennium Development Goals.

On May 28, 2015, Adesina was elected the presumptive President of the African Development Bank. He began his tenure of the office on 1 September 2015. He is the eighth president in the organization’s history, and the first Nigerian to hold the post.

He launched a strategy b a s e d o n e n e rg y, a g r i c u l t u r e , industrialization, regional integration and bettering Africans’ lives. The Board of Executive Directors a p p r o v e d t h e reorganization of the

structure around these five priorities.

In September 2016, Adesina was appointed by United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon to serve as member of the Lead Group of the Scaling U p N u t r i t i o n Movement.[10] In 2017, he was awarded 2 0 1 7 Wo r l d F o o d Prize.[11] Upon receiving the prize on October 21, 2017. Adesina donated the $250,000 he received to the development of African youth in agriculture.

Adesina is not all work; he is very close to his God. While at Purdue University, he, his wife, along with another couple, started a Christian group called the African Student Fellowship. He and his wife Grace have two children, Rotimi and Segun.

As an Agricultural Economist, Dr. Akinwumi

Adesina has been a leader in agricultural innovation for over 30 years. He has contributed greatly to food security in Africa, aimed at improving the lives of millions currently l i v i n g i n p o v e r t y, throughout the African continent. The Sunhak Committee acknowledges Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s achievements in promoting Good Governance of Africa, which boosts Africa’s capacity to feed itself and transform its total economies for generating wealth for millions of rural and poor African farmers.

A t t h e C a p e To w n International Convention Center, the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee announced him as a cowinner of the 2019 Laureates for the Sunhak Peace Prize, the other person is Waris Dirie, 53 year-old world-class

supermodel and antiFGM activist.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has been a leader in agricultural innovation in Africa for over 30 years, bringing great improvement to Africa’s food security. contributing to Africa’s dynamic growth. His leadership is building stepping-stones for A f r i c a ’s d y n a m i c growth.

Chairman of the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee, Dr. Il Sik Hong, stated that “the Sunhak Peace Prize was established based upon the vision of “One Family Under God.” The 2019 Sunhak Peace Prize gives special attention to peace and human development in Africa.”

Dr. Hong added “in order for us to build an era of peace and coexistence in the 21st century, we want to encourage continuous

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development in Africa.

Africa is a rising star and its growth will contribute global progress and development throughout the 21st century.”

The Sunhak Peace Prize honors individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the peace and the welfare of the future generations. The Sunhak Peace Prize includes a cash prize totaling one million dollars. The 2019 Sunhak P e a c e P r i z e Aw a r d Ceremony will take place in February, 2019 in Seoul, Korea.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina pioneered major transformations in the agricultural field, including expanding rice production by introducing h i g h y i e l d i n g technologies, designing and implementing policies to support farmers’ access to technologies at scale, increasing the availability of credit for millions of smallholder farmers, attracting private investments for the agricultural sector, rooting out the corrupt elements in the fertilizer industry, and assisting in establishment of major agricultural policies for Africa’s green revolution.

The “Africa Fertilizer Summit,” which he organized in 2006, was one of the largest high-level meetings in Africa’s history that had a focus on solving Africa’s food issues. During this Summit, Dr. Adesina was instrumental in developing

the “Abuja Declaration on Fertilizer for the African Green Revolution,” whereby the participants stated their commitment to the “eradication of hunger in Africa, by 2030.”

Dr. Adesina worked with various banks and international NGOs in order to create an innovative financing system, providing loans to small farmers, providing a way for them to rise out of p o v e r t y. T h i s m o v e leveraged $100 million in

loans and provided opportunities for small farmers to increase their agricultural productivity, and their income.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina currently serves as the president of the African Development Bank Group which plays a central role in Africa’s development. As an “economic commander” of Africa, he promotes the “High 5 Strategy” that include: light up and power Africa, feed Africa,

industrialize Africa, integrate Africa and improve the quality of life for the people of Africa. As a result of his work, the lives of millions of people throughout Africa have been improved.

Sir, for your dexterity and constant upward movement in affecting humanity, you are once again, our Boss of the Week. Congratulations sir!

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N675bn Bribes Paid To Nigerian Public Officials In 2019 - Report

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n estimated N675bn was paid in cash bribes to Nigerian public officials this year, according to a new survey by the National Bureau of Statistics and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The report, which was released on Friday said out of all Nigerians who had at least one contact with a public official in the 12 months prior to the 2019 survey, 30.2 per cent paid a bribe to, or were asked to pay a bribe by, a public official.

"This means that, although still relatively high, the prevalence of bribery in Nigeria has undergone a moderate, yet statistically significant, decrease since 2016, when it stood at 32.3 per cent," it added.

According to the survey,

cash continues to be the dominant type of bribe.

It said, "More than 93 per cent of all bribes paid in 2019 was paid in cash, a slightly larger share than in 2016. According to the 2019 survey, the average cash bribe paid is N5,754, a sum equivalent to roughly $52 in purchasing power parity.

"Overall, it is estimated that a total of roughly N675bn was paid in cash bribes to public officials in Nigeria in 2019, corresponding to 0.52 per cent of the entire Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria."

According to the report, the economic cost of bribery becomes even more palpable when considering that, on average, bribe-payers pay an amount equivalent to

six per cent of the average annual income of Nigerians.

It said differently from actual trends of bribery experience, more than half of Nigerians believed that corruption increased in the two years prior to the 2019 survey.

The report said the analysis of the list of the most pressing problems afflicting the country, as reported by Nigerian citizens in 2019, showed that corruption has moved from 3rd to 5th position, as there had been a sharp increase in the level of public concern about security and health issues.

"Around nine per cent of Nigerians considered corruption to be the most important problem facing their country, a significant decrease from the 14 per

cent recorded in the 2016 survey." it added.

The survey found that although a smaller percentage of Nigerians that had contact with public officials paid bribes, or were asked to pay bribes, those who did pay bribes continued to do so quite frequently.

It said, "In 2019, Nigerian bribe-payers paid an average of six bribes in the 12 months prior to the survey, or one bribe every two months, which is virtually the same as the average of 5.8 bribes paid per bribepayer in 2016. “As a result, it is estimated that some 117 million bribes are paid in Nigeria on a yearly basis, the equivalent of 1.1 bribes per adult."

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DSS Court Invasion Confirms Nigeria Sliding Into Frightening Dictatorship - PDP he Peoples Democratic (today) morning. the judge, chased away "Without prejudice to the

Party says the "furious invasion of the sanctity of the Federal High Court" by the Department of State Services has confirmed that Nigeria, under the Buhari Presidency, "is finally sliding into a frightening dictatorship."

The main opposition party is reacting to the Friday morning DSS invasion of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu was presiding over the case of convener of #RevolutionNow and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore.

Omoyele was released on Thursday evening after 125 days in DSS custody, but the state security apparatus rearrested him on Friday

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Taking to its verified Twitter handle @OfficialPDPNig on Friday, the main opposition party, in a series of tweets with hashtags drawing attention of world leaders and democratic institutions, tweeted: "The party alerts that the invasion of the court is a vindication of its earlier stand that the nation is no longer governed by democratic principles of rule or law and dictates of the constitution. " To d a y, t h e w o r l d watched with shock as operatives of the Presidency-controlled DSS, in a most horrific manner, swooped on the court, held the judiciary to ransom, disrupted proceedings, scared away

lawyers and journalists, attacked and rearrested persons standing trial within the precincts of the court in a manner that can only be obtainable in Idi Amin's Uganda.

"The invasion is in a forceful suspension of our constitutional order and a further battering of the judiciary, which points to an emerging lawlessness that can only find space in a military regime.

charge against the Convener of the "Revolution Now" movement, @YeleSowore, the @OfficialPDPNig holds that, in a normal democracy, it is the duty of the court to determine the fate of an accused, according to the laws and not a resort to brute force by the government to silence persons with dissenting voices."

FRSC Proposes N50,000 Penalty For Traffic Light Violations In 2020 R o a d Federal Competition and violations, their lawyers Irukera, said his agency

he Federal Safety Corps has said t h a t t r a ff i c l i g h t violations by motorists will attract a N50,000 fine from next year, noting that the offence was becoming worrisome.

Disclosing this in Abuja on Friday, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi said he had proposed to the Joint Tax Board that the traffic light violation fine should be increased from N4,000 to N50,000 to deter erring motorists.

Speaking at the first 'ember month stakeholders forum' organised by the FRSC in collaboration with the

Consumer Protection Commission, the Corps Marshal said his men would continue to arrest and sanction motorists using phones while driving.

He explained that drivers were free to use google map but said the phone should be placed on the dashboard with both hands on the steering wheel.

Oyeyemi stated, "You can't hold the phone with one hand and drive with the other while using google map. That is distracted driving and the law is clear on that. When you stop people for traffic

would write to you and threaten to sue.

"FRSC has 120 lawyers and I would recruit more next year; The level of violent reactions in this country is alarming."

He added, "We have noticed the rising incidents of traffic light violations and so, we are going to increase the minimum fine to N50,000 from N4,000. Offenders would also undergo an emotional psychological test at the hospital to determine if you are fit to drive."

Chief Executive Officer, FCCPC, Babatunde

would ensure that fleet owners in the country took passenger insurance to better protect their customers during trips.

He also revealed that the commission would also roll out a policy on aging vehicles owned by fleet firms, noting that" prioritising protection of people will not be negotiated."

He said, "We succeeded in putting outpatients bill of rights last year; We will insist that the vehicles be in good condition and operate in a good and safe manner."

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Nnamdi Kanu Loses Father confirmed the doubt, HRM left a lasting

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he death of Eze Israel Kanu, father of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, has been announced.

This is coming four months after his mother, Ugoeze Sally Kanu, also died.

Eze Kanu was the traditional ruler of Afara

Ukwu Umuahia community till his death.

The traditional council of his community led by Edward Ibeabuchi has confirmed his death.

Eze Kanu has not been seen in the public since September 2017, after a detachment of soldiers raided his palace.

One of his sons, Emmanuel, also

demise of his father.

Reacting to the news, the Abia S t a t e commissioner for information, John Okiyi Kalu, described Kanu's death as a huge loss to the state.

He said, "It was with rude shock that we learnt of the passing on of one of our great royal fathers, HRM Eze Sir I.O. Kanu, the Egwu Ukwu II of Afaraukwu Ibeku, at the age of 86 years.

"His unwavering love and sterling contributions to the development of his community in particular, and Abia State in general are well documented. No

legacy and an indelible impression on the minds of Ndigbo everywhere in the world.

"Death is not the end of man but a necessary passage to a better place in eternity where there is no strife, sorrow or pain.

Indeed, Papa has only gone to that better place.

"This should be our consolation so that his beloved family and the community he left behind do not continue to weep since we all know that he is resting peacefully now. “As a government, we assure the family of late Eze Sir I.O. Kanu and Afaraukwu community of our continued support in all ways we can to help ameliorate the pains of his departure."

Togo To Hold Elections February Next Year

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ogo will hold elections in February next year, a government decree said, when incumbent President Faure Gnassingbe is expected to seek a fourth term in office.

The decree published late Thursday after a cabinet meeting said the presidential election will be held on February 22 with a second round organised if no candidate gets a clear majority.

Gnassingbe has been in power for nearly 15 years since succeeding his father Eyadema Gnassingbe, who led the small West

African country with an iron fist for 38 years.

The decree said for the first time Togo citizens living abroad will be able to cast their votes at embassies in the countries where they are living.

Election campaigning will start on February 6 and finish February 20, it said.

Opposition parties and civil society leaders, i n c l u d i n g To g o bishops, last month called for the election to be suspended to a l l o w f o r a reorganisation of the constitutional court,

the electoral register and the national electoral commission.

In early May, the Togolese deputies voted a constitutional amendment

allowing Gnassingbe to run again in 2020 and 2025, but also to benefit from immunity for life "for acts done during presidential terms".

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Buhari Wants Land Ownership Process Simplified In States

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r e s i d e n t Muhammadu Buhari on Friday appealed to state governments to simplify the process of land ownership in their domains to enable more Nigerians access bank facilities for affordable homes.

The president made the appeal when he received the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) led by the chairman, Dr Uche Olowu, at the State House, Abuja.

The president expressed concern over challenges such as land and other collateral related issues, hindering the banking industry's ability to lend to the real sector.

"As a government, we are also facing such challenges as part of our

various affordable housing programmes," he said.

While commending the banking industry for increasing their lending in key job-creating areas such as agriculture in the last four years, the president welcomed the industry 'a collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria in this regard.

He noted that the partnership had been a "key anchor" to the food security programme of his administration. " We c a n o n l y f e e d ourselves by deploying capital to the right areas. I implore the banking community to keep this trend up, " he said.

According to the president, the banking sector is critical to the economic development of any society.

Buhari said that he was proud that Nigeria has the most vibrant, creative and innovative banking sector in Africa.

"Nigerian bankers have not only proved themselves in Nigeria alone but across the entire continent and in other parts of the world.

"I am proud when I visit African countries and see posters or branches of Nigerian banks. I will ask all your members to continue to be great ambassadors of Nigeria as you expand within Africa and beyond," he added.

In his remarks, Olowu expressed gratitude to the president for the plethora of interventions to drive inclusive growth through various initiatives in the country.

He particularly cited such

initiatives to include Anchor Borrowers Programme, the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative and diligent progress in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan among others.

Olowu declared the institute's support for the current policy by the Federal Government to close Nigeria's land borders.

He said the policy would protect and promote Made-in-Nigeria products as well as prevent the country from being used as a dumpsite for substandard products and other illicit cross border activities.

The institute's chairman also raised topical issues affecting the Nigerian economy, especially the banking sector.(NAN)

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Three Policemen, Four NSCDC Officers Arrested For N3.5m Theft

Tinubu

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he Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested three officers and four personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence for the alleged theft of N3.5m from the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa.

A statement on Friday by the spokesman for the command, Asinim Butswat, a Superintendent of Police, said the theft happened after the office was burgled on Thursday.

Butswat said that a maintenance officer on guard duty was also arrested and an investigation was ongoing.

He said, "On 5th December, 2019, at 0850 hours, the c o m m a n d received a report of burglary and stealing in the o ff i c e o f t h e Deputy Chief of S t a f f , Government House, Yenagoa.

"It was reported that the main entrance door to the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff was broken and the safe inside the office was destroyed.

"The crime scene was visited by policemen and it was further revealed that

the sum of Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira was stolen. “Three policemen, four personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and one maintenance staff on guard duty at the

Governor's office were arrested and are being interrogated at the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Yenagoa."

Group Insists On Igbo Presidency In 2023

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group of South East leaders, Igbo L e a d e r s h i p Development Foundation, on Thursday renewed the geopolitical zone's demand for the Presidency of Nigeria in 2023.

It also allayed fears of secession if given the Presidency, saying the region is more concerned about the unity of the country.

Dr Law Mefor made the position of the group known at a press conference in

Abuja.

Mefor claimed that the country had not been fair to the people of the South East because of their alleged continued alienation in governance.

He said when the nation returned to democratic governance in 1999, an agreement was reached on rotation of power between North and South and between their zones.

This, he added, has led to the production of two Presidents

from the North West and one each from South West and South South, leaving out South East and the North East in the equation.

He said, "We believe that in the same spirit of rotation, presidential power needs to return to South in 2023, and particularly to the South East since it is the only zone yet to produce a President for the country in the present dispensation from the Southern divide.

"Our group recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari, in his maiden media chat, challenged the South East people to organise and assert their rights within an indivisible, indissoluble Nigeria.

"We also note that the five states in the South East will

not make anyone from there Nigerian President. In fact, the constitution requires a spread of at least 25 per cent in at least 24 states to produce a President.

"This reality is part of what has informed the decision of ILDF in conjunction with Igbo Renaissance Foundation, World Igbo Summit Group and others to convene the debate on restructuring and rotation of presidential powers in Nigeria on January 30, 2020 here in Abuja."

He added that the group plans to move round the country to engage other zones and convince them on the inherent benefits of Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.

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DSS vs Sowore:

The Desecration of the Judiciary

By Eric Elezuo

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he DSS will have to explain why Sowore was rearrested. And the reason has to be HUGE. We just debated on the floor yesterday about separation of powers but this is a desecration of the judiciary. No matter whose side you are on, this cannot be right in anyway – Akin Oloye Alabi A dangerous precedence was set on August 7, 2018 when a number of hooded

and heavily armed operatives from the Department of State Service (DSS) invaded the National Assembly complex, took over the gates as early as 7 a.m. and prevented lawmakers from gaining entrance. The action, which attracted worldwide condemnation led to the dismissal of the then Director General of the agency, Lawal Musa D a u r a b y t h e Vi c e

President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. He was replaced

by Matthew Seiyefa.

H o w e v e r, P r e s i d e n t Muhammadu Buhari, who was away in London on sick leave at the time of the incident, sacked him immediately upon his return. He was replaced by the incumbent, Yusuf Magaji SKC Bichi.

Ogbonnia Addressing a world conference afterwards, former President of the

Senate Bukola Saraki condemned the invasion and commended Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for sacking the Director General.

Saraki described the barricade by the DSS operatives as act of ‘gangsterism”, which the legislature would not accept and bemoaned the drama, saying it was dangerous for democracy.

“What happened on

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Tuesday is not about me, Abubakar Bukola Saraki or Ike Ekweremadu. It is also not because of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara but the soul of Nigeria,” he said.

Today, another act of ‘gangsterism’ has been perpetrated, this time against the judicial institution and the hallowed chambers of the court, situated in the

guns in a bid to rearrest the activist.

Sowore was first arrested in his Magodo home on August 3, 2019, just two days to his planned #RevolutionNow protest.

He has been held in DSS facility ever since, in spite of various court orders for his release.

Narrating the invasion, Sowore’s lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana SAN, who d e s c r i b e d t h e

would always show some respect for the court and would only arrest after the person left the court premises.

“What we have witnessed today is alien to Nigeria.”

Trouble started when Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, who confessed that she was made to ‘flee the court’ adjourned Sowore and his colleague, Adebayo Bakare’s trial till February 2020. The

ultimatum issued the DSS for their release by the judge.

The judge had adjourned till Friday for a report of compliance with his fresh order for the release of the two men.

At the close of Friday’s proceedings, Sowore and Bakare were leaving the courtroom and the judge was already attending to another case, when about 15 armed DSS operatives

development as a “horrendous, bizarre, and barbaric contempt of court”, said he never witnessed such under “even the most brutal of past dictators that had ever ruled Nigeria”.

He added, “Under the military regime, the socalled enemies of the government would not be arrested in the web of the court which is considered a sanctuary.

“The military regimes

operatives made attempt to rearrest with guns cocked as the adjournment did not go down well with them.

Sowore and his codefendant are being prosecuted on charges of treasonable felony following their call for ‘Revolution Now’ protest. They have in custody in the last four months and were only released after a 24 hours

who appeared to have laid an ambush for them, made to arrest them.

The move forced Sowore and Bakare to turn back to return to the courtroom, but Sowore was quickly held by an operative.

Sowore who managed to free himself ran back into the court with the invading operatives cocking their guns as they went after him.

The development

Scene inside the court

Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Less than 24 hours after the convener of #RevolutionNow and former Presidential candidate in the February 23, 2019 Presidential election, Omoyele Sowore, was released from the custody of the DSS, the agency invaded the Abuja High Court, disrupted court activities and reportedly threatened the judge and lawyers with

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Scene outside the court

disrupted the ongoing proceedings at Justice Ojukwu’s court.

The judge quickly fled the court and called off the day’s sittings.

Sowore, with his supporters, was able to resist the arrest for a while, raising the alarm that the DSS’ moves were an attempt to kill him.

After the meeting Falana and the prosecuting counsel, Hassan Liman (SAN), held with the judge, the defence lawyer criticised the operatives’ move to make an arrest within the court premises.

He offered to drive his client to the DSS headquarters in Abuja.

The operatives agreed with the arrangement as they drove in vehicles in front and behind Falana’s car while they made their way to the DSS headquarters.

Falana said on reaching the DSS office, he was not

allowed to meet with Sowore as he was asked to come back later.

Following the incident, Nigerians have turned the heat on the DSS and the President, wondering why such a ‘despicable’ should be allowed to play out in the court.

In his remarks, a former Vi c e P r e s i d e n t a n d Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, condemned the action, describing it as unfortunate and “a rape on the sanctity of the court.”

He said: “Never in the history of Nigerian democracy has a judge been treated in such a disdainful and brazen attack on not just her person and office, but on the entire judiciary. This is unacceptable. It is a rape on the sanctity of the court.

Nigeria is not a dictatorship. We are a democracy, no matter how

inconvenient this fact is to the powers that have forced themselves on us.

“Without the rule of law, there can be no rule at all.

Power in Nigeria still flows from the people, not from the barrel of a gun. I call on all men and women of goodwill not to keep quiet or sit on the fence at times like this.

“To keep Nigeria a democracy is the paramount duty of all concerned stakeholders.

Please speak up against this tyranny and side with the Nigerian people.”

Lending his voice to the rearrest of Sowore and attack on the judiciary, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka said the action of the DSS has a great resemblance to a pack of wild dogs attacking their prey.

“I apologize for underestimating the DSS capacity for the unthinkable. I reiterate

the nation’s concern, indeed alarm, about the escalating degradation of the judiciary through multiple means, of which disobedience of court orders is fast becoming the norm,” Soyinka said.

The Socio-Economic R i g h t s a n d Accountability Project (SERAP) in its reaction, through the Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “The appalling invasion of the courtroom and the illtreatment of Sowore and Bakare is a blatant attack on the rule of law and the sanctity and integrity of our justice system. An independent judiciary, free from intimidation and harassment is a basic precondition to a functioning democracy under the rule of law.”

Other human rights organisations as well as a private individuals have risen in condemnation of the DSS and the www.thebossnewspapers.com

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Cover desecration of the rule of law, saying it is a reminder of the dark era of military rule in the country.

Make A Difference, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Lemmy Ughegbe, recommended the boycott of all cases instituted by the SSS in all courts nationwide in protest of the invasion of the court.

“The Gestapo invasion and desecration of the court by agents of the Department of State Security (DSS) is a sad and debasing testament of how deeply Nigeria and the people have retrogressed into darker ages worse even than the military era,” Mr Ughegbe wrote.

The group challenged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to order the courts nationwide to suspend hearings of all cases brought by DSS until the deviant organisation purges itself of its sins and complies with all orders of courts issued against it.

Human Rights W r i t e r s Association (HURIWA) on its part urged “Nigerians to speak out and defend democracy before it is too late” and called on the “world leaders to save democracy from the imminent death.”

Most Nigerians have fingered the President in the

malady that took place at the court on Friday, saying that the DSS DG would have long been fired if the President has no hand in it “If the DSS does something not sanctioned by the president, the head of the DSS gets fired or at least suspended. Any insanity displayed by the DSS that doesn’t result in the DG getting fired or sanctioned is backed by the president himself! It’s as simple as that,” a public commentator, J.J Omojuwa (@Omojuwa), said.

Other Nigerians also made comments on social media.

“Just seeing the videos of the Sowore re-arrest by the DSS in open court. To say I am shocked beyond words is an understatement. I am horrified. This is not just an affront to the judiciary,

it is an assault on the Judiciary. The President Must intervene to #FreeSoworeNow” Yinka Ogunubi (@yinkaanubi) wrote on his wall.

Another twitter user, A Better Nation, challenged the main opposition party, PDP, to play its role well to galvanise resistance to human rights violation by the government. “ I s i t t h a t @OfficialPDPNig as the major opposition party cannot stand up and organise a resistance to this impunity going on so that citizens can have a strong platform to key into? Las las they are all in it together. It’s mindb o g g l i n g . #FreeSoworeNow – @ c h u k s 4 u c h e commented.

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Another twitter user @Mrpossidez blamed the desecration on the judiciary/executive fraternisation, saying the executive would never have had to impetus to invade the court. He also took a swipe a Buhari taking a revenge at the judiciary for refusing to give him a standing ovation at the NBA conference. He also called for a boycott of proceedings. “ B y c o m p l i c i t y, a s omission is enough.

Refusing to give Buhari a standing ovation at the NBA conference is not enough. There are too many unprecedented desecrations; the judiciary should boycott proceedings, a strong message has to be sent by the bar and the bench.”

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Tinubu

Pendulum - Dele Momodu -

Dele Momodu

Dele Momodu

Delemomoduovation

momodudele@yahoo.co.uk

Twenty Years of Democracy in Nigeria nations nascent democracy is seemingly under threat. The conference was broken into 3 sessions with the highlight of the conference being the evening session when two of Nigeria’s 36 Governors were invited to deliver addresses to wrap up a thoroughly interesting day in which speakers and participants sought to assess how far democracy had progressed in the 20 years of the 4th Republic.

Governors Kayode Fayemi and Aminu Tambuwal, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Governors’ Forum respectively acquitted themselves very well as they were frank and honest in their assessment of democratic progress in the country. In short, Oxford University and Professor Adebanwi, in particular, could not have made better choices in those to present special guest speeches at the conference. Both Governors are relatively

young, smart, experienced and exposed and they gave very good accounts of How I wished themselves. the President The well-attended and b r i l l i a n t l y o rg a n i s e d and his people conference afforded us the opportunity to listen resisted the attentively and interact closely with distinguished temptation of politicians and famous this sporadic scholars alike. I’m glad I descent into attended. Unfortunately, as we savoured the well- brash trampling researched presentations, bad news flew across the on fundamental oceans from Nigeria. The terrible videos even made human rights and matters worse. I didn’t the pillars of know when tears welled up in my eyes as I watched democracy and with mouth agape and ajar, democratic one of the greatest rapes of institutions democracy ever witnessed in any civilised country.

The brutalization of our hapless outspoken Brother speech and expression. and colleague Omoyele But what was worse was Sowore was not just an the violent, unbridled and attack on a notable damaging continued member of the Fourth onslaught on one of the Estate of the realm, it was tripods of any democratic an assault on one of the nation, the judiciary. I had fundamental pillars of our thought that the carnage democracy, freedom of being wreaked on the

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ellow Nigerians, just y e s t e r d a y, t h e University of Oxford organized a worthwhile conference on 20 years of Democracy in Nigeria.

The one-day conference which took place at two venues Oxford University, at St Anthony’s College and at the Blavatnik School of Government was organised by the African Studies Centre of the University of Oxford.

The Convener of the Conference was the highly cerebral and erudite Professor Wale Adebanwi, the Rhodes Professor of Race Relations, who heads the Centre. The Conference Administrator was Brenda McCollom a recently graduated Master’s degree holder from the Centre.

The event which featured several notable speakers from both the academics and the public of private sector in Nigeria and internationally could not have come at a more auspicious time when the

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Tinubu

seemingly defenceless judiciary and its personnel had reached a crescendo with the removal of the Chief Justice of the Federation just before the 2019 elections, in the government’s rabid bid to silence all opposition and take control of all the appurtenances of government and law enforcement. I did not believe that any government, would stoop so law as to allow security operatives to shatter the myth and invincibility of the judiciary by taking its battle with a weak political opponent, a tyro in politics and a minnow now made a giant of the democratic struggle by the g o v e r n m e n t ’s c r a s s handling of what has now snowballed into a calamitous crisis, into the sacred and hallowed chambers of a courtroom.

The stories of the Judge, Ijeoma Ojukwu scurrying

dishevelled, with her tail between her legs, into the presumed safety of her private chambers in the Court premises was too much for me to bear. The whole world was confronted with the shocking images of the manhandling beating and choking of the helpless Sowore and those seeking to assist him in the courtroom. It was like a macabre dance of juggernauts as both the hunter and the hunted were locked and joined in a frenzied, frenetic dance of lunacy. I wept for my dear country as the revered and sanctified recesses of a court was being violated and desecrated. Eventually, all I could do was sigh, as always. Whenever I thought we can never go lower, something happens to dampen my spirits, shock my sensibilities and teach me the lesson never

to say never. I await the reaction of lawyers and Judges in particular to this latest act of insanity by government goons. If ever there was contempt in the face of the Court, this was a brazen example. Let us see wither democracy!

It seemed apt that the circumstances in which this appalling news came to me was at a time when we were at this conference.

Here we were at Oxford University, one of the oldest, most unique and respected citadels of learning discussing Democracy and all we were getting was opposite news from home about civilian dictatorship and autocracy. Interestingly, the keynote speaker, the widely acclaimed and respected scholar, Professor Larry Diamond, of Stanford University, gave kudos to Nigeria for promoting Democracy despite its imperfections.

He spoke about the salutary efforts of fighting corruption by the Buhari administration. His submission did not write off Buhari but said he can do much better. How I wished the President and his people resisted the temptation of this sporadic descent into brash trampling on fundamental human rights and the pillars of democracy and democratic institutions. I have good news for him, it is not too late to embrace true Democracy and return to the path of peace and jaw jaw rather than that of high-handedness and war war. There is so much to gain. I confess that I have been strident in my criticism of the Buhari administration in recent times. I have been concerned about the debasing of most, if not all of our democratic institutions. Professor

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Diamond, a foreigner made me stop to think that despite all the failings of this administration, all is not lost because we have indeed made some gains in the democratic sphere. We have had uninterrupted civilian rule for the longest period in our history, the fear of another military intervention has receded although for the most part of this latest democratic dispensation we have been ruled with an iron fist by military generals.

Nonetheless, we must not consider that all is lost,

this government leaves, it is my hope and prayer that a better government will be properly elected.

One of my favourite papers at the conference was presented by Professor Eghosa Osaghae, former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, under a panel session titled “The Nigerian State: Structure, Agency and Institutional.”

His own paper was titled “Reconstructions, Resilience and Relevance: Political Elites and Ethnic Mobilization, 1999-

Federal Capital Territory, Aliyu Modibbo Umar, of The African Studies Centre, University of Oxford, UK. His paper was well applauded for the way it broke down the giddiness of power and how the people can advertentlý or inadvertently make a leader swollen headed and begin to misbehave. The other seminal papers in this panel session made for sombre thought and reflection on why things have gone wrong and how they may be redressed.

by Matthew T Page of the Carnegie Endowment for Tinubu Peace in International Washington DC, was aptly titled “Today’s Nigeria r e s e m b l e s A b a c h a ’s Nigeria. Why does the international community treat it so differently”?

The second Panel session dealt with the economy and Nigeria’s economic mainstay, oil. It seems apposite to me that majority of the speakers in this session were expatriates. Our oil resources have been much denuded and filtered away

even if some of the gains have been tarnished, we must still admit that we remain on the right path and we must salute ourselves and our civilian leaders, past and current for this feat.

A true democrat and critic must be willing and prepared to make concessions where appropriate and I do so in this regard not because I believe that what is happening is good for our democracy, but because I appreciate that we are at least still paying lip service to that democracy and ultimately whenever

2019.” He was simply brilliant. He later spoke to me about writing a paper to develop my theory of why people steal in arrears and in advance, the first as reparations for years of suffering and the latter as consolidation for the unknown future.

Rotimi Suberu of Bennington University, Vermont, USA, spoke on “ F e d e r a l i s m , Constitutional and the Elusive Quest for ‘Political Restructuring’ in the Fourth Nigerian Republic. Next was the former Minister of the

Thus, Professor Adigun Agbaje of the University of Ibadan, spoke on the topic “A Republic of Dashed Hopes? Party Politics and 20 years of the travails of Democracy in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

The last paper for that panel session was a poignant reminder for those of us who had been in the trenches in the dark days of the Abacha administration and the stark and startling resemblance of those heinous days with events unfolding in our polity today. The paper, delivered

by the International oil companies and multinationals.

They have not done us a favour but fleeced and impoverished us because our communities have been laid to waste and there has been hardly any technological transfer.

Much of our economic woes have been caused by the manner in which foreigners have dealt with our oil. Most of them are responsible for the blight that oil has caused on our political, social and economic landscape. The first paper in the session

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Pendulum was from Peter Lewis of John Hopkins University in America and it was titled “Politicians and Oil” in keeping with the theme of the impact of 20 years of democracy. The second paper titled “The Political Economy of Nigerian Oil Trading” was delivered by Ricardo Soares de Oliviera of the University of Oxford, whilst the third speaker was Dr Zainab Usman of the World Bank and her topic was “From Diversification to Decentralisation: The Sub-National Roots of Transforming Nigeria’s Oil Economy”. The last paper of the Session was one which portends grave danger for our economy if we do not shift our focus and reliance on oil to other productive and financially rewarding sectors of the e c o n o m y. I t w a s gloomingly and fittingly titled “Nigeria: No Longer an Oil State” and was written by Oliver Owen and Sarah Burns, both of the University of Oxford.

The Third Panel session in the late afternoon dealt with Electoral Governance, Civil Society and ( I n ) S e c u r i t y.

Papers were delivered by Okechukwu Ibeanu of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( I N E C ) o n “Theorizing E l e c t o r a l

Democracy in Nigeria: Elections, Representation and Accountancy”; Jubrin Ibrahim of the Centre for Democracy and Development, Abuja “The 2019 General Elections in Nigeria: An Assessment”; Ebenezer Obadare, of the University of Kansas “Resistance in the Age of Democracy: The Changing Parameters of Civil Society in Nigeria”; Idayat Hassan of the Centre for Democracy and Development, Abuja, “From Human Rights Movement to Civil Society: A Review of Tw e n t y Ye a r s o f Democracy in Nigeria”; Nic Cheeseman of the U n i v e r s i t y o f Birmingham, “Political Communication in Nigeria: From Radio to WhatsApp”; and Adam Higazi of the Modibbo Adama University of

Technology, Yola and the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands “The Political Economy of Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency in North-East Nigeria”.

The Fourth and Final Session was the evening Panel Session which featured the political gladiators and big masquerades, Governors Fayemi and Tambuwal.

Both spoke ardently and fervently about the Nigerian Nation. Both were concerned about Constitutional reform and the structural readjustment and realignment of the Nigerian nation. Both of them indicated their preference for resource control by the States and a clear need for the decentralisation and dismantling of power at the centre. Tambuwal stress the need for enduring institutions as

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one of the practical solutions to seemingly i n t r a c tTinubu able political conundrum.

At the end of the conference, it was clear that all the participants believed that though democracy was becoming entrenched in the Nigerian psyche, it is not yet Uhuru because a lot still remains to be done before we can truly consider the country a democratic country in terms of principle and practice. It was certainly kudos for a job well done to the organisers and the speakers who came from diverse and disparate backgrounds. It was obvious that they all had one thing in common, the desire that Nigeria should take its deserved place in the comity of democratic nations being one of the biggest and most populous countries in the world.

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Feature

Something’s Fundamentally Wrong with Nigeria’s Coat of Arms – Environmentalist Thomas Emmanuel

By Eric Elezuo

C

P l a n n e r a n d Environmentalist with Dreamscape Resources, had taken it upon himself to bring to the knowledge of the Nigerian public of the indiscriminate use of the Nigerian coat of arms, with special interest in the colour of the special plant, COSTUS SPECTABILIS, better known as YellowTrumpet, used herein. He is of the opinion that the plant, which is very rare, is an item of great importance to the Nigerian nation, and should be treated as such. And to do such, the nation must by appropriating it its right colour on the coat of arms; the colour ‘yellow’.

But how did the quest to do the right thing as regards the plant came about. Hear him: “I’ve been on this project in the last 12 years;

working both on the Coats Of Arms of Nigeria and on the national plants of Nigeria. In 2007, I was doing a design as a Landscaper, and suddenly the name of this plant dropped into my mind because I was taught about it back in the days in

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it is appropriate we begin our restructuring with those things that make for national unity, go back to the basis and fix the things that bound SKC Ogbonnia us together

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an we really recall what most of us were taught during our formative years in the elementary schools about the symbols of Nigerian unity vis a vis the National Flag, the Coat of Arms and the National Anthem and Pledge. They were reputed as factors that bound the Nigeria people together.

But today, it has been discovered that the Coat of Arms has a fundamentally flaw, which must not be allowed to remain.

Speaking exclusively to T h e B o s s , a n Environmentalist and Plants Expert, Thomas Emmanuel, disclosed that in his many years of observing the Coat of Arms, he has come to discover that a particular plant depicted in the picture is wrongly presented. While the plant is naturally yellow in colour, it is presented as red in the coat of arms.

Emmanuel also noted that the position of the eagle, which is made to face the west, is wrong, suggesting that it should rather face the east. In his words, it is appropriate we begin our restructuring with those things that make for national unity, go back to the basis and fix the things that bound us together, and the national symbols, especially the coat of arms is uppermost in consideration.

Thomas, a Landscape

primary school. I therefore, informed the National Plant of Nigeria as I believed it would help my design and it would be easy for me to find. But that was not to be. I never believed a national plant as such would prove difficult to find.

“I started by asking people who I thought knew about plants but none of them seems to have seen or heard about the it. I printed the picture online and showed a lot of people but none expressed knowledge of it. it was a tug of war. I even offered incentives to some just in case they come across it while I searched from garden to garden in between my official job description.

“It was not until 2016 that someone called and gave me hope at a location in Abuja. My journey to

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Abuja proved abortive as the person did not really have it. Again, I was told I could find it at Epe. It was at Epe that a man who deals in herbs confirmed he had seen it before, but they don’t have it anymore. It was a flicker of hope.

“Fast forwarding to February, 2018, somebody raised my hope and said I could find it in Jos. Again, I got my crew together and we set out for Jos. Right there, deep in the forest, we found it for the first time. I collected 25 of them but arrived Lagos with only one as the other 24 died on the way. I already learnt the act of cultivating the plant through a contact in Zambia.

“Now, looking at the plant in my hand, I was sure that what we have on the coat of arms was wrong because it depicts a red version of the plant. I’ve researched and discovered that the flowers were only Yellow in

colour. So why do we have to colour ours red. Though the English name is Yellow Trumpet, it is however, not advisable to call it so because more than one plant can bear one common name. Let’s take for instance, a popular network company once put up a post on Instagram, asking if anyone knew the plant on the Nigeria Coat of Arms. In the their answer, they said yellow trumpet, but presented a plant called ‘Daramanda’.

You see, if they had used the botanical name Costus Spectabilis, only one image would appear, and that would be the right plant. They were wrong!

“With the knowledge I had, I started making some product out of the plant.

Then I approached the Ministry of Industry and Investment for a patent to protect my work rather my Intellectual Property. They told me that since it has to do with a national flower I have to get a letter from the

Feature President. Tough as it is, I made my move to the Presidency, to the Vice President’s office, to different Ministries, but there was no good response. I’ll continue the pushing because it doesn’t portray Nigeria in good light. How can we have over 20 different coats of arms all portraying different things and in different shapes and colours.

Thomas’ journey to finding the suitable colours and outlook for the national symbol has revealed and sadly so, that the coat of arms the President uses is different from the one the Vice President uses and further differs from those with the ministries, departments, parastatal and agencies, not forgetting the governors. To him, the confusion in the inability to adapt to the right status symbol cannot be far from the reason the country is in a topsy turvy situation.

SKC Ogbonnia

“Everything that has been showcased in government establishments as regards the coat of arms is quite different from what we were taught in school,” Thomas lamented.

But is the differences in the coat of arms attached to various ministries and other high profile offices including the president and vice president’s office, deliberate? Just what if the government has decided to categorise the symbols based on offices?

A source from the Ministry of the Environment said without equivocation that there was room for the differences, and that the symbol is supposed to the one and the same. A check also proved that some have eight yellow flowers, some have six, some others have six, eight, 10 red flowers, depending on who the artist is, and so the dichotomy continues.

“The difference is a huge mistake. It is not supposed to be. The symbol is meant to be one and the same wherever it is found,” the source, who craved anonymity informed.

A further check of the website of Nigerian Embassy reveals that Costus Septabilis is the name of the flower on the Nigeria Coat of Arms but for ‘inexplicable reasons’, it is coloured red. But nobody, not even the embassy can explain these inexplicable reasons.

What seemed to happen lies in the territory that someone just woke up one day and felt that red is a better colour for the plant

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or one uninformed artist has overzealously coloured using his own whims and caprice, and those who supposedly should know have looked the other way.

What is Emmanuel Thomas’ quest today as regards the flower “In the first place, I am trying to get the authorities to correct the coat of arms, and once that is done, a bill should be raised in the National Assembly towards enacting a law that specifies exactly what the Coat of Arms of Nigeria National Flag should be in terms of colour and shape.

Again, nowadays, the textbooks used in our various schools bear different coat of arms, all explaining different things. This is not right!

And that explains the reason I carry the plants wherever I go; to show the students so that they can really see it. Currently, I am growing about a thousand plants in Lagos.

“Thirdly the plant has economic value, and a lot

of things can actually be done with it. I have derived a by-products from it, and I am working on the second one. The intention is to make Nigerians understand that some of the things we have not done is because we are yet to look inwards and tap into our strengths. I believe that instead of trying to adapt to some strange technology, we can take advantage of the one particular to us, sell them to the world and earn foreign exchange.

“Another reason is that the plant is rare, and it looking at the shouldn’t be. The more I plant in my hand, talk about this, the more people treat it with I was sure that indifference. Some have what we have even asked if the plant ‘dey put food for table’. on the coat of Well, I see such response as the aftermath of our arms was wrong present harsh realities.

However, for those who because it depicts a have asked if the coat of red version arms has any part to play i n N i g e r i a ’s t r a d e of the plant relations with other

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countries. In other words, inquiring about its importance in the scheme of things if eventually it is made consistent, Thomas said: “Honestly, it is beyond the way we look at it. Good Name, they say, is better than silver and gold, and that inconsistency shows that we may not be able sustain development tomorrow. Nigeria Coat of Arms is beyond what we learn in school. I know a lot about symbols, and s o m e t h i n g i s fundamentally wrong with our coat of arms.

“Let’s get this straight: the eagle on the Nigeria coat of arms symbolizes our strength, but this eagle is gazing at the west, and that does not support the meaning of the eagle. Be informed that all sort of energies come from the sun, and the sun rises in the east and sets on the west.

TheSKCeagle cannot be Ogbonnia looking at the west where the sun sets; the eagle is

meant to look at the east where the sun rises where it derives strength. While the east symbolizes strength, the west symbolizes darkness.

“A source once said that the eagle’s position depicts a position to fight its aggressors, but do you fight your enemy in his comfort zone? Let me tell you how this has affected Nigeria; the country has been going out to fight against enemies of other African countries, just as its foreign policy objectives stipulate. But the country has left itself bare while doing that.

Nigeria needs to change its policy, look towards the light and protect itself first, vis a vis its own people, economy, politics and all.

We can launch out from home and not the other way round. We don’t want to eat our own locally produced food, we don’t want to use our locally produced items; it’s a problem from the inside and the coats of arms

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influenced it. So I have brought up a totally new design for the Nigerian coat of arms the one that reflect what our policy should look like, and I want the government attention. There should be changes and I think the real restructuring is getting the basic things right, focusing on the details.

What effort is being made to get the President’s attention so far?

“I have written to the office of the Vice President, and most ministries, but no r e s p o n s e . H o w e v e r, maybe because Twitter presence, I got a response from the office of the VicePresident. I had to go to the state house and talk about it, and then everything went blank again. The good thing is they agree something is wrong, and will be worked on. I will

keep talking about it, because I don’t want it to be forgotten, I keep bombarding the President and Vice President on Twitter, but I think the Vice President should know that it is a very important issue.”

With everything not going as planned, does the environment has a second option to get attention to his project “Nothing good comes easy, so I will keep the campaign alive and push harder. On one hand, I will continue the advocacy with the Federal government, and on the other hand, I’ll intensify exhibitions and workshops with primary and secondary school pupils.

Next year, I will be speaking to students in Lagos then Kaduna, Delta states among others. I will

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also be publishing a book on my findings soon. The plant will be given free to anyone who buys a book.

Thomas understood that the fragile nature of the plant should be the reason behind choosing it as one of the objects on the coat of arms. He believes it speaks a lot about the fragile nature of the nation.

“I have tried reaching out to some museums and military facilities to find out the reason behind using the Costus Spectabilis, but as always, no one is willing to give a suitable response.

However, I wrote to the Institute of Arms in the United Kingdom because the British gave us the coat of arms before independent. And they responded.

Therefore, SKC Ogbonnia from their description, what we have today is not

what they gave us at independence. They confirmed that the flowers given to us at independence were yellow and white. Well, they demanded 80 Pounds in order for me to view the pictures. That explains why I don’t have the pictures.

At what point therefore, did the coat of arms changed, who changed it, who authorised it, and why is no one bothered that a national identity is not what it use to be. Time is now for all concerned to take another cursory look at the what makes Nigeria a nation.

“Lest I forget, it is important to add that the insertion or inscription of the coat of arms on the National Flag is wrong and inappropriate, and should be discontinued.”

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Entertainment

My Creativity and Versatility Will Take Me To The Top - Rising Afrobeat Artiste, Equation

T

he Nigerian music industry is set to witness a sizzle as talented, young and focused artiste, Adam Ephraim makes his entry.

Based in the United Kingdom, the smoothtalking and confident guy who is known by his professional name Equation also a song writer and rapper.

Equation started recording music at an early age in Kent, where he surpassed his peers and was given the title and nickname, BIK (Best In Kent). The young man who has released a couple of songs has a juicy single, Faaji which is making hay in the airwaves at the moment.

Equation is working on a

major collaboration with an A List artiste which will be featured in his forthcoming full album project. He is currently under the Vanessa Bridge Management

by Kese Jabari. He has another single Kobami that he has just finished.

In this i n t e r v i e w, h e s p o k e candidly about his life, drive and plans.

Tell us about your self?

I am a UK based artiste. I am 17, I started music at the age of 11/ 12 years but those days, it was not something I was serious about because I used to also play football. I actually thought I will be a footballer but after a while, I started to show more interest in music at about

age 14. That was when I started to push and began to see a future in music.

Who was your influence.

What kind of musicians or sounds ignited the fire in you?

Drake and Wizkid influenced me a great deal.

My Nigerian connection meant that I was exposed to a lot of Nigerian music.

Wizkid's story inspired me because he started basically from nothing to where he is now and I believed I had something, You said you used to play football, have you stopped?

I stopped now because, there is so much to do these days than playing football, SKC Ogbonnia I know that if it wasn’t music then nothing else, I felt like music was in my

soul, it was a hard decision though but I had to make the decision at that time and from all indications, I made the right one.

So how many songs have you sang so far?

I have so many songs in my repertoire. I also already have an official music video, I don’t know if you have seen it yet, it is on all digital platforms especially YouTube. I have another music video coming out soon as well.

Can we get your E d u c a t i o n a l Background?

Yeah I go to college in the UK; I am in my first year of college.

Which school?

North Kent College.

What kind of music will you say is your genre?

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Afro beat, I am kind of versatile though. if I hear something I like, I can do something basically but mainly Afro beat.

Afro beat as in Fela Afro beat or Burna boy Afro beat?

That is the only contention right now, Nigerian does not have a genre that is recognized globally apart from Afro beat so we are recognized as Afro beat or others, and the closest thing is Afro beat.

How supportive has your family been?

I was in Nigeria in August just to bond with the family but the trip ended up being about me because my mom was in Nigeria too and before I knew what was happening, I was spending so much time in the studio, it became massively about music.There was a day, we worked till 4am. It was not too much sacrifice to make especially if it is part of what will make this dream of becoming a big musician come true. Of course, we also got stuck in the traffic so many times too.

Earlier you said you began at about 11/12, was that when you started officially?

Around 14 is when I really decided to start music.

Like I said, music was not really my thing at the beginning, I just grew into it.And now three years after, at 17, I feel I have come of age.

Ok how did it really start?

It began with things like sitting in my room having

ideas and thinking about melodies in my head, sometimes I sleep and when I wake up I would just think about some ideas and then write it down quickly so I don’t forget. It just began to build up, and it just occurred to me that music is my thing and it has to be the way God wants me to go.These were the signs that showed that music was it.

Signs like what?

Like waking up in the night thinking of lyrics in my head, thinking of melodies I should be writing down using voice memories to record the melodies, I use voice memories so I don’t forget things, it was just in me. I was thinking, speaking, dreaming music.

Earlier you mentioned the musicians that influenced you, which musicians do you admire now?

People like Teni, Burna boy, Wizkid, Fireboy, and Joeboy, these are young and up coming artistes who are making it big. Apart from their song, their story resonates with me, it gives me belief that if these ones can make hits, I can do too.

What specific things do you admire about these artists?

I admire their creativity and the fact that they are making a mark in the Afro scene now. They are doing well here and evening in the UK, these artistes are also known which means they have been able to cut across. That is something I also want to be able to do.I want to rule the music scene, I want to be a super

Entertainment

SKC Ogbonnia

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star.

One thing that many people frown out when it comes to music lyrics of these days is the lyrics.

The message these days is not deep.Musicians these days sing of sex, making easy money and things that are considered immoral, in terms of messaging, where does Equation fit in?

Because of my own upbringing, my lyrics are not trashy. I sing about positive things, I sing to

encourage, to give hope and make people happy. I use my music to turn negative thoughts to positive.

You said you now have a video, where was it shot?

My first video was shot here in Lagos that was in August. I have just shot another for my new single,‘Kobami’’ over the weekend.

The first video you shot ‘’Faaji’’, what was it about, tell us about it and why is the song called

Entertainment ‘’faaji’’, do you speak Yoruba?

I was just in the studio when my producer, he was laying down beats, melodies so it was just a vibe, we were doing freestyle when he then mentioned the word Faaji, Faaji means fun, party, so it was that kind of atmosphere that we were at that time and like the song just happened. We were just messing around, playing around and it ended up becoming a song.

SKC Ogbonnia

Have you had the opportunity to perform professionally yet?

Yeah I have done a few performances in the UK, I have featured at some events.

Would you say your kind of music is being accepted in the UK. In the UK people are loving it a lot, Afro music is growing because they have seen it grow international so its kind of like force them into liking our vibe.

So your performances here and UK can you just describe it?

At the moment in the UK, there is a better response to my performance,in the Kent area, I am relatively known. But here, I am getting into the flow and that is why we are having this interview (laughs heartily). I time, as people feel the music, they will come to appreciate me more.

As a young artiste, you must have been so excited when you heard your song being played on radio or your video aired on TV, tell us about that experience To be honest I was really thrilled when I first heard my song on radio, it felt good. My song was being played at the restaurant a few days ago, I felt good.

M y Vi d e o h a s b e e n featured on Pop Central, TV, I have had radio interviews, have had interviews on Silverbird TV as well, Rhythm.

What of the UK? In the UK, BEN TV has played my song as well,

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working into the the main stream gradually You told us that you have a new song ‘’Kobami', tell us about it and do you have any plans for an album?

Yes we are developing an album, it has so many different sounds, of course many Afro beats tunes will form the bulk of the songs there.Just expect something different fro Equation. So Kobami is one of the singles that will be on that album.

What would you say is unique about Equation.

My versatility and creativity. I can develop and make sounds. I don’t think many people my age can necessary hear a sound and create something with it.

So we can say you can be very spontaneous?

Yeah.

So do you have any advice for young people that want to be like you?

I would advice them to be patient, to keep working hard, a lot of people will try to put you down, try to discourage you, but stay focused.The most important thing is to believe in yourself.

How do they perceive you in the UK, any hint of racism in the industry?

I am just an average 17year old black boy really.

So you’re just an average 17year old boy?

Well not really, there is a stigma attached to black boys, but I am not seen like that, I am not average, they see me and know I have stuff, I am serious.

How far do you want to

go as an artiste.

Hopefully I can go far as much as I know I can get to on this project, I am trying to just make it to the top really, I want to be amongst the big names that people talk about all the time like the likes of Burna boy, Wizkid, I want to be a super star.

Is your studies not suffering as a result of this adventure into music?

No it is not, it is not difficult really, I just know when it is time for school and I know when it is time for music. School is very important, I have been trained to see education as the foundation, so I don't joke with my studies at all.

Apart from music, what other profession interests you, are you not

Entertainment interested in being a doctor, lawyer etc?

No. maybe my sister,but for me, music is it. Don't see myself being happy doing other things.

So tell us about your family?

My real name is ADAM EPHRAIM I have two brothers and one sister.You have met my mum, she is the one here (laughs heartily)I grew up and still live in the United Kingdom.

Are you the eldest?

No am not, growing up was very easy and I would thank my mother for her love and support. Sh has been a pillar.

How did the name E Q U AT I O N c o m e about?

It happened when I was doing some mathematics,

and I was asking my mum for help with the assignment, and totally and she out of context, she said something different, it did not even relate to what we were talking about. So she just said, use Equation, the name is Equation, just like that, and that wa show the name stuck.

So your mum gave you the name?

Yeah she did.

So how does that name relate to your music now?

The name makes sense, it is apt. It send a message that in life you have to have balance. And just like you solve an equation, when there are issues, you solve it.

Where are you from?

I am Cross Rivers State in Nigeria.

SKC Ogbonnia

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ADDING VALUE WITH HENRY UKAZU henrous@gmail.com

Develop Your Craft

G

reetings Dear Friends, It is an indisputable fact that succeeding in life can be a very challenging feat. Whether you are in business, school, church, corporate organizations, sports or even politics, you need an element of luck, hard and smart work, God factor (which I call grace), great network and both theoretical and practical knowledge amongst other factors in order for you to succeed.

Just like the parable of the sower, on the journey to success, some of us fell a l o n g t h e w a y, s o m e germinated, but weren’t strong enough to withstand the storms of life, while some were able to bear the much-desired fruits with the right nutrients needed for growth. In all these, one thing is certain; to attain any particular level of success, it is important for one to understand or master the art required. This is an uncommon skill which most people don’t have and therefore, it has contributed to some of the challenges militating against their success.

In the course of this article, we shall be discussing how we can develop or master our craft with the mindset of

succeeding in any field of endeavor one is passionate about. It’s quite unfortunate to note that a lot of people desire success, but they are not willing to pay the price.

Developing or mastering your craft is very critical to succeeding in any endeavor.

In civilized climes, most people learn before they earn.

Even the word learn confirms the saying by encouraging us to (L)earn before we (E)arn or develop the skill before we can earn.

Developing or learning a skill can be difficult and rewarding at the same time if we are diligent enough to pay the price. We all have the capacity to master any skill, but many of us succumb to pitfalls such as impatience, uncertainty, and fear which cripple our learning and halt progress. In a similar way, we all have the potential to succeed, but we don’t take time to understand and develop our selves/ businesses.

WA Y S T O MASTER/SUCCEED IN YOUR CRAFT Reconnect to Your Roots — Discover Your Calling The first key to succeeding in life is by knowing yourself and what you are passionate about. In one of my articles which I published a couple of months ago, titled Passion is

Stronger than Power, I opined that there’s more to success and life if we focus on passion and value as opposed to focusing on money and material things. I also stated that you’ll get more in life in addition to succeeding if you love what you do more than what you are paid for. Therefore, identifying your areas of interest is a critical part of self-discovery. According to Robert Greene, “The first move toward mastery is always inward — learning who you really are and reconnecting with that innate force. Knowing it with clarity, you will find your way to the proper career path and everything else will fall into place.” It’s worthy of mention that some

of us discovered this as children, but it couldn’t see the light of the day as a result of parental or societal pressures which suppressed our ambition.

The Mentor Dynamic In our contemporary s o c i e t y, w e c a n n o t underestimate the power of mentorship in the lives of a progressive-minded person. In one of my most informed articles titled Mentors Are Life Savers, I stressed the importance and role of mentors in fasttracking the success of any person or organization.

Mastering and developing your craft requires mentorship. You cannot underestimate the power of mentors. It is important to note that mentors will not

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work for you, but they’ll be instrumental in facilitating a smarter way of achieving your vision in a more realistic and dynamic manner. I am a product of mentorship. In the words of Robert Greene, “To learn requires a sense of humility. We must admit that there are people out there who know our field much more deeply than we do.

Their superiority is not a function of natural talent or privilege, but rather of time and experience.” According to Greene, he advised four Strategies for finding the perfect Mentor: 1. Choose a mentor according to your needs and inclination: It is important to really know what you want in life. Most people choose mentors for the fun or just to associate with the name. It For instance if you are interested in politics, governance, leadership, academics, writing, sports, entertainment, religion etc., it will be of your own best interest to know the role each of them will play for you as opposed to having one mentor and generalizing him/her. In choosing your a mentor, it’s important to note that, the more specific you

are the better for you to get what you need or desire or what output you are looking for. Mentors do provide informal training such as support, confidence, direction, space to discover things on your own.”

2. Gaze deep into the mentor’s mirror: There’s a big difference between a mentor and a role model. In simplest terms, a mentor is someone who teaches and guides you in your area of interest. He/she must be an expert in his/her chosen field of practice. You can have several mentors for several projects. Your mentors can be online or offline. Your mentor can also serve as a role model to you depending on your mission and vision in life. On the other hand, a role model is someone you definitely want to be like. In this sense, you imitate the works of the person, you reading about the person and his/her works in addition to the philosophy and lifestyles.

The person can also serve as an inspiration to you. You may not have access to the person like you do for mentors because the person may be far from reach (dead or alive), but the works of the being in question warms your heart. Mentors will point out your weakness, embrace it like constructive because you will gain more confidence through objective feedback.

3.

Transfigure their ideas: As you continually

learn concepts from your mentor, apply them with your own creative spin. As mentioned, mentors won’t do the work for you, they’ll guide you on the most rational and informed way of succeeding or expanding your vision or business.

4. Create a back and forth dynamic: This isn’t a onesided relationship. Be very clear about what you want to learn and adjust their instruction to fit your needs.

You can appreciate your mentor by adding value to their work. In that way, it becomes a mutualistic friendship as opposed to a symbiotic relationship.

Practice A sense of purpose amplifies grit, ambition, focus and virtually every other characteristic that is needed to achieve mastery.

A person could have all of the natural talents in the world, but without practice, that talent will never enable them to achieve mastery. The hallmark of deliberate practice is that you try to do something that you cannot do- that takes you out of your comfort zone.

According to Durant “We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” Isn’t it true that practice makes perfect.?

Developing your craft entails practicing.

Continuous practice horns your skill. With continuous practicing, you develop more insight into your craft.

The interesting thing about hard work is that it doesn’t kill, rather it is lack of work that can kill.We rarely see what went into when we practice, we only see the

results. Practice leads to proficiency and determines performance. Practice can be likened to performance: This is because We practice an instrument to play in front of an audience. An athlete practices his sport to play in a game. An actor rehearses to film a movie. A writer writes every day to publish a book. Continuous practice leads to performance, and this is where your level of mastery gets tested and measured.

Purpose: Discovering your purpose is probably one of the most important decisions to make. When you know your purpose, it will be hard for you to lose interest when you fail. This is because your desire for success should always outweigh your fear of failure. Studies have shown that purpose, autonomy, and mastery are among three forces that drive people to do what they do.

It’s instructive to note that passion follows engagement.

Failure You can never master or develop your craft without experiencing failure.

Failure is necessary for our growth. So, if you have not experienced failure yet, wait for it and if it comes, turn it into your friend. In the words of Robert Greene, Masters are those who by nature have suffered to get to where they are. They have experienced endless criticisms of their work, doubts about their progress, and setbacks along the way.

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Heritage Bank Empowers 2000 Female Entrepreneurs

T

aking into consideration the importance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to the economy, Heritage Bank Plc has not relented in its efforts to structure financial inclusivity initiatives in empowering over 2000 female entrepreneurs towards economic enablement and self-realization.

This move is in line with the people-oriented policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN), Heritage Bank is partnering with a NonGovernmental Organization, Prime Women Builders Foundation of Nigeria (PWOBFON) in providing skills training to the female entrepreneurs.

At the graduation ceremony/ certificate award ceremony held at Ikeja Local Government headquarters over the weekend, Ifie Sekibo, managing director/CEO of Heritage Bank said the bank is keen in

cultivating real partnerships with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Sekibo, who was represented by head, brand management and sustainability Ozena Uturu explained that the lender is interested in initiatives that encourage people to start their own businesses and gradually grow them into conglomerates.

According to him, the partnership with PWOBFON is vital in many ways particularly in the area of job creation, economic empowerment and financial inclusion.

“Apart from skills training, the women have been told the importance of record

keeping in business, savings culture and the benefits of having bank accounts as a gateway to accessing other financial services,” he said.

He said Heritage Bank has been a leading Nigerian bank with an excellent service culture hinged on working with each customer to create a name, wealth and heritage.

Also speaking, Kemi O l o f i n k u a , president/convener Prime women Builders Foundation of Nigeria, applauded the bank for its support, and urged other corporate organizations to take a cue from the lender in supporting grassroots women empowerment.

Guinness, Stanbic, MTNN, Others Cause Stock Market’s New Low igerian equities market also decreased to

N

reached a new low on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, as investors continued to take profit in stocks.

Decline in stocks like Guinness, Stanbic IBTC, MTNN, Chemical and Allied Products, Lafarge Africa and others helped fuel the record loss.

Some market watchers had expected equities to shed value this week in the absence of catalysts that spur buy sentiment.

The NSE All Share Index (ASI) moved further down by 0.17percent from 26, 990.59 points to 26,944.32 points. Year-to-date (ytd) market negative return increased to -14.27percent.

The value of listed stocks

N13.004trillion. The bond market capitalisation stood at N13.14trillion while that of Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) was N6.483billion.

In 3,314 deals, equity investors exchanged 189,007,353 units valued at N2.88billion. Access Bank, GTBank, Zenith Bank, UBA and Fidelity Bank were actively traded stocks.

Guinness Nigeria Plc recorded the highest loss after its share price moved down from N31 to N29, losing N2 or 6.45percent.

Stanbic IBTC followed after its share price declined from N38.15 to N36.8, losing N1.35 or 3.54percent.

MTNN also dipped from a high of N120 to N119, losing

N1 or 0.83percent.

Chemical and Allied Products Plc (CAP) also decreased from N24.3 to N24, losing 30kobo or 1.23percent.

Lafarge Africa Plc was on the downtrend, moving from N14 to N13.85. It lost 15kobo or 1.07percent of its day-open value.

Okomu Oil Palm Plc recorded the highest gain seen Tuesday on the Bourse, moving from N49.65 to N54.55.

It gained N4.9 or 9.87percent. Unilever Nigeria Plc advanced from N17.7 to N18.45, adding 75kobo or 4.24percent.

Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc increased from N18.25 to N19, adding 75kobo or 4.11percent.

Etranzact stock price rose from N2.38 to N2.61, adding 23kobo or 9.66percent, while UACN moved from N7.3 to N7.5, adding 20kobo or 2.74percent.

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Otedola, Zenith Bank Donate N400m ToBank, Lagos Security Trust Fund hilanthropist and First Bank, Xenon

business mogul, Mr. Femi Otedola, has once again demonstrated his generous and giving spirit by donating the sum of N100 million to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, making him the largest individual donor.

Zenith Bank took the lead for corporate donors, with its donation of N300 million to the fund.

The donors were appreciated by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at an event tagged “Transformational Security’ and organised by LSSTF at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday.

Other top corporate donors on the list include Access

Construction Ltd and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB).

The governor of the state, while addressing the guests present said he was happy that other states had adopted the security trust fund idea initiated some years back, and that this showed that the initiative is worthy of emulation.

“The present administration under my watch also introduced new security strategies to combat security issues including making available new equipment for our security agencies,” he said.

He went on to state that “We have revitalised security strategies to combat security coverage in Epe and Ikorodu

waterways and other areas through a regional security outfit code-named ‘Amotekun’, to combat banditry and kidnapping.

“Also with the ongoing road upgrades across the state I believe that we can achieve significant improvements in security of our state.”

Chairman of LSSTF Board of Trustees Oye HassanOdukale, also noted that

crime fighting is mandatory and the fund will not stop promoting the fight against crimes.

The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) was established 12 years ago with the aim of reducing the critical deficiencies in equipment, training and logistics of security agencies operating in Lagos.

CBN To Issue N847.4bn Treasury Bills Q1 2020

C

entral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will issue a total of N847.4 billion treasury bills in the first quarter of 2020 as the same amount will be maturing between December and next quarter, next year.

The CBN stated this in the Nigerian Treasury Bills issuance programme calendar released on Wednesday.

The breakdown of the Tbills programme to be issued in the next three months of year 2020, which represents the amount that will mature during the period consists of a total of N75.6 billion for 91-day tenor; N141.04 billion for 182 day-tenor, and N630.8 billion for 364 days tenors.

The CBN issues Treasury Bills twice in a month to help the Federal Government fund its budget deficit, support banks in managing liquidity in the system and curb inflation.

The inflation rate rose to 11.61 percent in the month of October, its fastest increase in four months.

N i g e r i a ’s e c o n o m y expanded 2.28 percent in the third quarter of the year with improvements seen in the telecommunications, manufacturing and so on.

At the government securities market, NTBs and long-term FGN Bonds were issued on behalf of the Debt Management Office (DMO) in the month of

October 2019 according to the CBN’s economic report.

Consequently, NTBs of 91- 182- and 364-day tenors, amounting to N255.86 billion, N972.29 billion and N255.86 billion were offered, subscribed to and allotted, respectively.

At the 91-day auction, total offer, subscription and allotment were N15.85 billion, N19.78 billion and N15.85 billion, respectively, with bid rates ranging from 10.9000 per cent to 11.7000 percent, while the stop rates were 10.8000 percent and 11.0845 percent.

For the 182-day auction, total offer, subscription and allotment were N21.10

billion, N57.68 billion and N21.10 billion, respectively. The bid rates ranged from 11.3000 percent to 12.7500 percent, while the stop r a t e s w e r e 11 . 0 0 0 0 percent and 11.6000 percent. At the 364-day auction, total offer, subscription and allotment were N218.91 billion, N894.83 billion and N218.91 billion, with bid rates ranging from12.9000 percent to 17.0000 percent, while stop rates were 12.9400 percent and 13.2000 percent. On all the maturities, the stop rates ranged from 10.8000 percent to 13.2000 percent.

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IT Horizons Celebrates 7th Anniversary, Rebrands Company

I

T Horizons Limited, Nigerian’s foremost Information and Communications Te c h n o l o g y ( I C T ) company accomplished three fates by celebrating its seventh anniversary, its loyal customers and unveiling its new brand on November 29, 2019.

The celebrations which took place at the Civil Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos was well attended by notable and distinguish members of the society such as Hakeem Fahm, Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Science a n d Te c h n o l o g y, Babatunde Fajemirokun Chairman of the company and other guests.

Olusegun Dada, the managing director of the company was excited, and

appreciated the company’s clients for their loyalty, patronage and commitment to the company.

“Firstly, it is through handwork that we got to seven years; secondly, we are also celebrating our amazing clients. We cannot talk about progress without appreciation to the people who have kept us in business,” “And finally,celebrating the unveiling of our rebranded company which we are reintroducing to you called “New IT Horizon”. The New IT Horizon is all about harnessing the chain reaction of ICT transformation and what this means for the clients is an invitation to be part of a transformation experience that yields tangible, ongoing value, high –energy

and emotionally exciting,” Dada further said The federal government recognizes the ICT sector as the enabler for developing other critical sectors including agriculture and manufacturing. Thus, in its drive to diversify the economy from oil and gas, the government is encouraging partnerships between local ICT companies and multinational/foreign investors.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the contribution of the ICT sector to Gross Domestic Product rose to 11.34 per cent in the third quarter which is lower than 14.55 percent in the preceding quarter, but higher than

10.55 percent in the same quarter of last year.

IT Horizons is a leading provider of network, collaboration solutions, d a t a c e n t e r transformation, cyber security, managed and outsourced services delivering an unbiased expertise through a team focused on customer satisfaction and driving transformation.

And, one of her major achievements over the years is creating a new subsidiary company with solutions insight that is set to birth the new wave of software solutions called ‘Zojatech’.

Zojatech is a software solutions company that helps with building relationships that elevate technology and people to reach new heights.

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CBN To Issue N847.4bn Treasury Bills Q1 2020

C

entral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will issue a total of N847.4 billion treasury bills in the first quarter of 2020 as the same amount will be maturing between December and next quarter, next year.

The CBN stated this in the Nigerian Treasury Bills issuance programme calendar released on Wednesday.

The breakdown of the Tbills programme to be issued in the next three months of year 2020, which represents the amount that will mature during the period consists of a total of N75.6 billion for 91day tenor; N141.04 billion for 182 day-tenor, and

N630.8 billion for 364 days tenors.

The CBN issues Treasury Bills twice in a month to help the Federal Government fund its budget deficit, support banks in managing liquidity in the system and curb inflation.

The inflation rate rose to 11.61 percent in the month of October, its fastest increase in four months. Nigeria’s economy expanded 2.28 percent in the third quarter of the year with improvements s e e n i n t h e telecommunications, manufacturing and so on.

At the government securities market, NTBs and long-term FGN Bonds were issued on

behalf of the Debt Management Office (DMO) in the month of October 2019 according to the CBN’s economic report.

Consequently, NTBs of 91182- and 364-day tenors, amounting to N255.86 billion, N972.29 billion and N255.86 billion were offered, subscribed to and allotted, respectively. At the 91-day auction, total offer, subscription and allotment were N15.85 billion, N19.78 billion and N15.85 billion, respectively, with bid rates ranging from 10.9000 per cent to 11.7000 percent, while the stop rates were 10.8000 percent and 11.0845 percent.

For the 182-day auction,

total offer, subscription and allotment were N21.10 billion, N57.68 billion and N21.10 billion, respectively. The bid rates ranged from 11.3000 percent to 12.7500 percent, while the stop rates were 11 . 0 0 0 0 p e r c e n t a n d 11.6000 percent. At the 364-day auction, total offer, subscription and allotment were N218.91 billion, N894.83 billion and N218.91 billion, with bid rates ranging from12.9000 percent to 17.0000 percent, while stop rates were 12.9400 percent and 13.2000 percent. On all the maturities, the stop rates ranged from 10.8000 percent to 13.2000 percent.

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Huawei To Lure Consumers With Its Newly Bagged Digital Economy Promotion Award Technologies conference focused

uawei Company Nigeria Limited at the E-Nigeria 2019 conference awards night on the 29th of November was awarded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for driving digital economy among other private sector companies in the I n f o r m a t i o n a n d Communications Technology (ICT) industry.

The 2-day E-Nigeria Conference 2019, hosted by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and in collaboration with public and the private sector as well as Non-Governmental Organizations and the academia, focused on digital transformation as a tool for achieving a productive national economy. Discussions at the conference centred on creating new job opportunities and economic development through technological innovation, harnessing indigenous innovation and creativity for poverty reduction in Nigeria.

The first day of the E-Nigeria 2019 conference was graced by the presence of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who gave the opening ceremony address on Nigerian Digital Economy and unveiled a strategy document aimed to galvanize the nation’s digital e c o n o m y o n T h u r s d a y, November 28th, 2019. Some of the highlights of the President’s speech during the

on the need for government offices and agencies to utilize digital innovation to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in its service delivery, and for creating seamless synergy across board.

President Buhari, GCFR, was noted to have said “Our recent introduction of the Nigerian E-government Masterplan will further consolidate our successes to date and increase interoperability among the different Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government” He added stating that “A key requirement of the egovernment Master plan is for all government institutions to create a Digital Transformation Technical Working Group that will work with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to ensure seamless a n d c o o r d i n a t e d implementation of projects, p r o g r a m s a n d policies…Furthermore, the Nigerian e-Government Interoperability Framework, the Enterprise Architecture and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation are in place and all Ministries, Departments and Agencies are expected to comply with these policies,’’ Other dignitaries at the event were the Minister of Communications and Digital E c o n o m y, I s a P a n t a m i ; Director-General, NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi; the Chairman, Senate Committee

on Communications, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Representative of the Senate Speaker, Honourable Lado, among other honourable guests.

While awarding Huawei Te c h n o l o g i e s C o m p a n y Nigeria Limited, NITDA commended and recognized the organization stating that “Huawei established in Nigeria since 1999, has made progressive achievements and contribution to the significant development of ICT in Nigeria through collaboration with the great Nigerian government and efforts of industry players. In the past twenty years, Huawei has been working with operators and other partners in building backbone networks spanning over 8000km, connecting 36 states and FCT, and developed over 24000 mobile base stations, covering half of the country’s population.”

A management representative for the company in a goodwill message at the E-Nigeria 2019 conference said “Nigeria has embarked on a journey to reposition itself as the heartbeat and reference point in Africa and Huawei is committed to being a part of this journey to boost availability, accessibility and

affordability of ICT services to turn digital inclusion to social and economic inclusion. Thank you!”

The Deputy Managing Director and Head of Public Relations, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited, Kelvin Yangyang noted that to effectively achieve a digital Nigeria, capacity building of Nigerians in ICT cannot be left out.

He stated that “Huawei has been investing strongly in digital skills in Nigeria.

Huawei has upskilled more than 20,000 ICT professionals in the industry in the last 20 years. Huawei Trained 2000 Nigerian youths in core ICT skills and empowered 1000 civil servants in 2019 under the ICT for Change partnership with the Federal Government. Beside the ICT industry, Huawei is working with more than 60 Nigeria universities in Nigeria to establish the Huawei Authorized Information and N e t w o r k A c a d e m y, providing the industrial recognized ICT certification including networks, clouding computing and big data.”

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Lifestyle

Vol.2.29

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A Publication of Ovation Media Group

TOP NOTCH

Cardi B Sets To Perform For The First Time In Nigeria and Ghana EVENTS

Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi, Becomes TAMPAN's Matron

Bisola Is An African Royalty These New Christmas Party Photos Mourinho Turns Down Saudi Prince Invitation To Watch Joshua vs Ruiz Rematch

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TOPNOTCH ...Celebrity Gist Unlimited

French Montana Out Of The Hospital, Put On Bed Rest For 1 Month

F

rench Montana has finally been discharged from the hospital and put on strict bed rest for the next month.

According to TMZ, he was released from West Hills Hospital in the San Fernando Valley earlier this week. However, he has been put on bed rest for the next thirty days.

With these strict bed rest are some restrictions which include, no working,

T

traveling, exercising, performing or partying for the next month. According to the documents obtained by TMZ, was done because he had various symptoms which were a result of the strenuous activities he got himself into.

Those symptoms included intense stomach pains, dehydration, and exhaustion.

He also had an elevated heart rate.

It would be recalled that the news of French Montana being hospitalised after an

emerge n c y phone call was made from his residen ce broke t h e Internet about a w e e k ago.

Peruzzi Shares Throwback Look As A Medical Student In Ukraine obechukwu Victor was able to convince

Okoh, popularly known as Peruzzi, has given his fans a slice of what he looked like as a medical student years ago.

The 30 Years Old Song writer, who became the latest addition to the DMW record label in 2018 revealed that he was once a medical student at the Odessa State Medical University in Ukraine.

He however revealed that his passion for music made him drop out to follow his dreams, and he had a lot of explaining to do to his father who did not initially agree with his decision but with time he

him.

The sensational singer celebrated his 30th birthday on the 5th of December, 2019 where he received love from the entire DMW crew and also from colleagues in the industry.

Peruzzi, shared his throwback photo as medical student in ukraine on his instagram page to mark his birthday, and he captioned it; Happy Birthday Tobechukwu. You Don Try #ForeverGrateful

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Cardi B Sets To Perform For The First Time In Nigeria and Ghana

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rammy awardwinning rapper and social media sensation, Cardi B is in Africa to perform for the first time on the continent in Nigeria and Ghana.

On Thursday, the star shared a post on her Instagram page of her dancing in excitement in a private jet as she set off to her first stop -- Nigeria.

"1:03am drop my KK in NY o n m y w a y t o Afrriiiiicaaaaaaaaaa baybeeeee!!!!!!," she wrote in the post.

Last month she announced that she would be performing at the Livespot X Festival in Lagos, Nigeria and later Accra, Ghana.

After arriving Lagos, Nigeria's commercial center, an excited Cardi B said she wanted to visit places in the city and taste Nigerian jollof rice.

"I want to see the real Nigeria, I don't want to eat hotel food. I want like real Nigerian food, all that fish, all that Jollof rice," she said on her Instagram story.

Cardi B (real name Belcalis Almanzar), broke into the music scene in 2017 with her hit single 'Bodak Yellow.'

She will be performing at the two-day festival alongside top African artists from both countries.

Organized by Livespot 360, a digital agency based in Lagos, the festival will feature Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Shatta Wale, R2bees among others.

Darey Art Alade, a Nigerian

singer and creative director of Livespot 360 says Cardi B was picked to headline the festival because of her immense popularity.

"She is one of the biggest artists in the world... It's really about her uniqueness, her star power. She has got great music and she is the girl next door character that everybody loves," he told CNN. Cardi B has won multiple awards including a Grammy Award, seven Billboard Music Awards, and four BET Awards.

Alade, who will also perform at the festival, says bringing Cardi B to Africa has been in the works since 2018.

According to him, his team has been in conversation with her for months to make her trip to the continent smooth. "Getting Cardi B to come is a lot because there are many moving parts. She is specific about everything," he said.

The festival has organized the lighting, stage, and design of the venues in Accra and Lagos to suit the rapper's preferences.

Meanwhile, social media is buzzing as fans share their excitement ahead of Cardi B's first Africa performance.

Darey Art Alade says he is hoping for a "hitch-free" concert. In the past, Alade has hosted celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kelly Rowland in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial center.

"I am hoping people are looking forward to having a

good time with Cardi B. We are looking forward to a hitch-free festival, no incidents," he said.

"We are looking forward to this further cementing us on the world map in terms of our tourism potential."

The artist's visit to the continent comes at a time where Ghana is pushing for a more united Africa.

In 2018, the West African country declared and formally launched the "Year of Return, Ghana 2019," marking 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in North America.

The campaign encourages people of African descent, whose ancestors were victims of slave trade, to return to Ghana and invest in the continent.

Ghana is being heralded as the next big tourist

destination. Here's why Alade, says part of extending the Livespot X Festival to Accra, Ghana's capital city is to spread love across the continent through music.

"We want to spread the love, we have Nigerians performing in Ghana and we have Ghanians performing in Lagos as well. It's a bit of a symbiotic relationship about love and unity," he said.

It also creates an environment for international artists like Cardi B to share the stage with some of Africa's favorite music stars, Alade said.

Cardi B's visit to Africa is one of many from A-list music artists. Over the past years, stars like Beyonce, Jay Z, Skepta, Kelly Rowland, and Toni Braxton have performed in different countries on the continent.

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Entertainment

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Bisola Is An African Royalty These New Christmas Party Photos

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Events

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Guardian Newspapers Publisher, Lady Maiden Ibru Thanks God At 70 Story: Adeyemi Funmilayo

Photo: Adeyemi Funmilayo & Segun Lawal

High Society Matron and Publisher of The Guardian Newspapers, Lady Maiden Ibru rolled out the drums in a big way yesterday to celebrate her 70th birthday.

The celebration train began with a session of praise and thanksgiving at Our Saviour's Anglican Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

Ministration was by Bishop of Lagos, Rev. Dr Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye who led other annointed men of God. Service began with the processional hymn " When Morning Folds The Skies", followed by call to worship and thanksgiving prayer.

Daniel Chang, Thomas Wang & Bill Shen

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Events

The lively service which saw the celebrator's daughter, Mrs Anita Koussigan reading the first scripture also witness the preaching of the sermon by Ven. Ice Okupevi.

The man of God spoke about grace and how God has been wonderful in the life of the celebrant, nothing that any other faithful Christian can enjoy same privilege.

The service over, guests were thoroughly thrilled at a classy reception at Balmoral Event Centre, Federal Palace-and as expected, it was attended by the cream of Nigerian society.

Guests in attendance included: Gen Yakubu Gowon ( Rtd) Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Governor Godwin

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Obaseki, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Chief Rasak Okoya & wife,Chief Folashade, Aremo Olusegun Osoba & wife, Derin, Olorogun Sonny Kuku, Senator Daisy Danjuma, Chief Mike Inegbese & wife, Mary, Otunba Adekunle Ojora & wife, Erelu Ojuolape, Olori Ladun Sijuwade, Dr Oba Otudeko, Otunba. Bimbo Ashiru, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Mr Tony Elumelu, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Senator Ibikunle Amosun& wife,Olufunsho, Mr Jim Ovia, Hajia Bola Shagaya, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Prof.

Bolaji Akinyemi, Mr Tayo Ayeni, Olorogun Oskar Ibru, Chief Femi Pedro and Prince Bisi Olatilo. www.thebossnewspapers.com

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Events

Gen. Yakubu Gowon & wife

Mr. & Mrs. Segun Awolowo

Senator Daisy Danjuma, Mr. Tayo Ayeni, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu & Olorogun Sonny Kuku

Chike Ogeah, Ruth Osime & Otunba Bimbo Ashiru

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Sir & Lady Olu Okeowo

R-L Olori Ladun Sijuwade & Dr. Oba Otudeko

Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Celebrant & Senator Oluremi Tinubu

Bashorun Dele Momodu , Lady Maiden Ibru & Olorogun Sonny Kuku

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Events

Senator Ibikunle Amosu, Governor Godwin Obaseki & Hajia Bola Shagaya

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Dr.& Mrs. Reuben Abati

Sijibomi Ogundele & Bovi

Mr. Nduka Obiagbena

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Events

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Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi, Becomes TAMPAN's Matron Story: Femi E. Gabriel

Photo: Segun Lawal

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n appreciation of her sellessness and philanthropic gestures to humanity, members of the Theatre Arts and Motion Picture Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) has honoured Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajay as the Matron of the Association.

TAMPAN members made the declaration at a special meeting held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The meeting began with a prayer by Adekola Odunlade and an introduction of TAMPAN team by Yomi Fash Lanso, before the President, Otunba Bolaji Amusan aka Mr Latin, announced the intention of the group.

Mr Latin described Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, fondly called Iya Adura, as a rare Nigerian who does good, without bias thereby deserving of whatever accolades she received.

"When our Exco resumed, it was Baba Suwe's health issue we met. We took him to LUTH and while running around for help, the good news came that Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi had paid the 10 million naira needed for his treatment abroad.

"As if that was not enough, she also paid the medical Bill of another member of our association, Alabi Yellow. So we just came to thank you ma. Your type is www.thebossnewspapers.com

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uncommon", Mr Latin said.

After his appreciation, Mr Latin on behalf of the association then pleaded with Iya Adura to accept their offer to become the Matron of TAMPAN. Another veteran artiste on the entourage, Prince Jide Kosoko, made yet another request that the anointed woman of God should accept to be the Special Guest of Honour at the association's annual convention holding in Ibadan, Oyo State, on December 12, 2019.

"We host this event annually at different locations in the country and celebrate an icon who has imparted lives. This year, it will hold in Ibadan and we consider you to be the special guest that we shall honour." www.thebossnewspapers.com

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Events

Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi, after much consultations, accepted the offer to become the Matron of TAMPAN and agreed to attend the 2019 edition of the association's convention to the delight of all present.

In her characteristic manner, she showered prayers on the talented

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thespians and wished them success in their endeavours.

Other members of TAMPAN at the funfilled meeting included: Yinka Quadri, Fathia Balogun Williams, Sola K o s o k o a n d Ay o Adesanya.

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Relationship

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Sexless Marriage And Rudiments For Survival

o, it’s been a minute since you shook the sheets with your spouse.

You tell yourself that every relationship runs into a sex rut from time to time. But somewhere in your brain, you can’t help but worr because you may have crossed over into sexless marriage territory. A slew of Google searches begins: How many times should couples make love in a week? Does once a month qualify as a sexless marriage? Before long, you’re in a full-blown panic over the state of your marital union.

The first thing to do is to breathe. Relax. Know that you aren’t alone and there isn’t any shame in seeking out answers. And to minimize your digging for answers, we created this article on how to tell if you’re in a sexless marriage; and ways to cope once you’ve established your marital intimacy could use a booster shot. But first what's a sexless marriage?

What's A Sexless Marriage?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. A marriage in which very little to no sex occurs is a sexless marriage. Very little is

S

different for each couple.

Some couples feel sex should occur several times a week, while others require sex several times a month. There are cases with couples who have sex only several times a year and that is enough for them. Therefore, what constitutes very little sex is different and defined by each couple. Physical intimacy is what separates a friendship or platonic relationship from a romantic one. Without it, those in a marriage can feel more like roommates.

How can you tell if you're in one?

You’re going to have to trust your gut on this one. What’s normal for you? If you and your partner previously enjoyed sex several times a week and it has dwindled down to once a month, that may qualify as a sexless marriage in your relationship.

Obviously, if you aren’t having any sex at all anymore — and you have historically been a couple who likes to get frisky — it’s readily apparent you have some intimacy issue to work through. If you’re still unsure, consider speaking with a sex therapist or

psychologist to discuss your concerns.

What are the possible reasons for a sexless marriage?

Relationships take work, and that includes intimacy. With so many other things weighing on your mind, it is easy to let things like exhaustion overshadow your sex life. However, it isn’t always a matter of neglecting to nurture that intimacy.

Sometimes issues that prevent or negatively impact a healthy sex life are much deeper than just the act of sex itself. These issues may include: conflict in the marriage,lack of trust in the relationship, sexual incompatibility, history of trauma, changes in libido, relationship or sexual boredom, erectile dysfunction or vaginismus, emotional dysregulation, mental illness, side effects from medication or substance a b u s e , a n d e ff e c t s o f pornography addiction.

Are there ways to cope with a sexless marriage?

As you may have guessed, communication is key! The first thing to do is talk about it

with each other openly and honestly. Discuss the decline in sex and explore what may be contributing to it. Then brainstorm solutions. If possible, make adjustments to any causes that impact your sex life, such as reducing stress, making changes to schedules, etc.

Recognize that it will not be easy to make changes to your sex life. But it is doable by staying mindful of it.

Another idea? Prioritize sex much like you would anything else in your life — by putting it on the calendar.

Couples can also schedule sex, much like they schedule other events and tasks.

Scheduling intimacy time, like planning dates, lets each partner know when a physical connection will occur and gives them something to look forward to.

Can a sexless marriage survive?

Don’t dismay — you can fix a sexless marriage. However, it’s important to accept that you might not be able to do it alone. If you find it difficult to make changes on your own, then seek the help of a licensed professional. We also recommend a marriage and family therapist and/or a therapist who specializes in sex problems (a sexologist).

Yo u n e e d n o t f e e l embarrassed, as these professionals can help you get back on track in their relationship without wasting more time that can lead to resentment — or the demise of the relationship.

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Fashion

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Ankara Jumpsuit: A Perfect Match For Different Occasions

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By: Ajibade Morakinyo

jumpsuit is a combination of a top and trouser or short incorporated together into one which gives you the shape of an hourglass. With that in mind, now think of exploring jump-suit with Ankara fabrics.

Using this fabrics, it reveals all curves from top to down. A tummy belt is sewn from the same material, the Vshaped neck gives it a sexier look.

This Ankara jumpsuit is worn like a cover-all, it bears a zipper from the waist up to the cleavages. It can be worn to office, wedding and other events, but bear in mind that a black pulse will gorgeous go with it.

Do you love to slay real hard? Here is one Ankara jumpsuit that will keep your reputation afloat. Crossnecked Ankara jump-suit is catchy and ritzy. It is suitable for just the kind of attention you crave for.

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Fashion

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Sermon

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Of Justice, Equity and Fairness

By Babatunde Jose

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ustice, Equity and Fairness are three interrelated concepts that coalesce to make a spiritual whole. Justice is the sum-total, in a sense, of all recognised rights and duties, as it often consists of nothing more than a balanced implementation of rights and duties, and of due regard for equality and fairness.

The Quran is emphatic on the objectivity of justice, so much so that it defies any level of relativity and compromise in its basic conception. A perusal of the Quranic evidence on justice leaves one in no doubt that justice is integral to the basic outlook and philosophy of Islam. Allah (SWT) said in the Holy Quran, Chapter 57, Surah Al-Hadid: “We sent aforetime our apostles with Clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of right and wrong), that men may stand forth in justice.” (Quran 57:25).

The major themes of the Qur ’an include Godconsciousness, fairness, equity, justice, equality and balance in all our dealings.

These concepts are drummed into the believers every Juma’at service in the form of admonitions where we are enjoined to heed the words of Allah in Surah Al-Nahl: God commands justice, the doing of good and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you that ye may receive admonition. (Quran 16:90) It stresses the doing of what is right because it is the truth. As a reflection of Allah’s attributes of Al’Adl (The Just One) and Al-Muqsit (The Upholder of Equity), we are urged to establish justice and deal with all in a manner that assures equity, fairness and balance and safeguards the rights, property, honour and dignity of all people.

God assures us that even

though He is All-Powerful and none can challenge His Authority, He deals with all with truth, kindness, justice, and the rights of none will be transgressed on the Day of Judgment. See Surah AlAnbia’ (Quran 21:47) The narrow etymological equivalents for Justice and Equity are the words Insaaf, ‘Adl and Qist.

They are however, more comprehensive in their meaning and application.

The root meanings of the word ‘Adl include the sense of Justice, Equity, Fairness, NonDiscrimination, CounterBalance, to Rectify, Put in Order, Evenness, Proportion and the like.

W h e n P r o p h e t Muhammad said “help the oppressor and the oppressed”, he was stressing this same concept. The Companions responded that they understood what “helping the oppressed” meant, but what did he mean by

“helping the oppressor”?

He replied, “By preventing the oppressor from oppressing others”.

The root meanings of the word Qist include Equity, Fairness, Justice, Fair Distribution, Correctness, Balance, and Scale.

In Surah Al Ma’idah, Ayah 9, it is said that we should stand firmly for Allah as witness to fairness: O you who believe! Stand out firmly for God, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just; that is next to piety; and fear God. For God is well acquainted with all that ye do. (Quran 5:9) See also Surah Al Nisa’, Ayah 135: O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, . . . . .(Quran 4:135).

Prophet Shu’aib in Surah As- Shu’ara’ said: Give just measure, and cause no loss (to others by fraud).

And weigh with scales true

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Sermon and upright. And withhold not things justly due to men, nor do evil in the land, working mischief. And fear Him Who created you and (Who created) the generations before (you).

(Quran 26:181-184) Surah Al Nahl, Ayah 90 says: God commands justice, the doing of good and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you that ye may receive admonition.

(Quran 16:90) See also Surah Al Shurah, Ayah 15: (Quran 42:15), Surah Al Hadeed, Ayah 25, Quran 57:25. Other aspects of justice referred in the Quran are the following: Quran 4:58; Quran 5:8; Quran 6:151-152; Quran 11:85; Finally Allah says: BEHOLD, God enjoins justice, and the doing of good, and generosity towards [one’s] fellowmen; and He forbids all that is shameful and all that runs counter to reason, as well as envy; [and] He exhorts you [repeatedly] so that you might bear [all this] in mind. (Quran 16:90)

Concerning Equity, Allah says: O YOU who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in u p h o ld in g eq u ity, bearing witness to the truth for the sake of God, even though it be against your own selves or your parents and kinsfolk. Whether the person concerned be rich or poor, God’s claim takes precedence over [the claims of] either of them.

Do not, then, follow your own desires, lest you swerve from justice: for if you distort [the truth], behold, God is indeed aware of all that you do!

(Quran 4:135) See also Quran 6:152 and Quran 10:4 A person’s faith does not become perfect until he observes fairness with respect to himself and others. In exchange, God shall increase his honour and glory. Man, by nature, prefers his own self and loves everything that is associated with him.

He also possesses a dislike for everything bad and evil.

Similarly, (justice demands that) if he does not desire anything bad and evil for himself, he should not desire it for the others too.

The Quran says: And if you have reason to fear that you might not act equitably towards orphans, then marry from among [other] women such as are lawful to you [even] two, or three, or four: but if you have reason to fear that you might not be able to treat them with equal fairness, then [only] one – or [from among] those whom you rightfully possess. This will make it more likely that you will not deviate from the right course.

(Quran 4:3), see also Quran 4:129.

In one way or the other we are all guilty of some of the injunctions in these ayat, particularly our leaders. It however, applies to all of us. It was once said, that the issues of injustice, unfairness and inequitable dispensation of resources is an all pervasive malaise.

From the flinching tramp on the roadside, the woman who digs for gold, the rich with their insatiable thirst for more, to the legislator, who is the sole beneficiary of his legislations and the executive who corners the people’s commonwealth

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to feather their own nests, including the ex-this and ex-that who award satanic- pensions for themselves, we are all guilty.

When justice, equity and fairness depart from a society, that society is finished. In the end we are reminded always by Allah’s injunctions where he said: Hence, O my people, [always] give full measure and weight, with equity, and do not deprive people of what is rightfully theirs, and do not act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption. (Quran 11:85) “Partake of the good things which We have provided for you as sustenance, but do not transgress therein the bounds of equity lest My condemnation fall upon you: for, he upon whom My condemnation falls has indeed thrown himself into utter ruin!” (Quran 20:81) M a y A l l a h ’ s condemnation never fall on us, Amin!

Barka Juma’at and a happy weekend

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Sports

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Everton Appoint Ferguson As Manager

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uncan Ferguson said it will be an "incredibly proud moment" for him when he takes charge of Everton for their Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday.

The 47-year-old Scot has been appointed caretaker manager after Marco Silva was sacked on Thursday following eight defeats in their last 11 games, including Wednesday's humiliating 5-2 thrashing by Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.

Ferguson, who has been on the club's first-team coaching staff for five years, takes Everton to Stamford Bridge with them languishing in the relegation zone and seeking their fifth full-time manager since 2016.

"It'll be an incredibly proud moment for me to manage the team tomorrow," said former striker Ferguson, who enjoyed two spells as an Everton player, at his pre-

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Mourinho Turns Down Saudi Prince Invitation To Watch Joshua vs Ruiz Rematch ottenham Hotspur Crown Prince of Saudi between Anthony Joshua there. But I prefer to be in

manager Jose Mourinho has revealed he turned down the invitation of the

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match press conference.

"I'm nervous, excited, emotional. Everyone knows what the club means to me.

"It's a difficult task because there's such a short window (between his appointment and the match). “But we will lift the players and make sure they know what it means to play for this club."

Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to watch the world heavyweight title rematch

and Andy Ruiz Jr. Speaking about the fight in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Mourinho said he turned the invitation down due to Spurs' home game against Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.

"The only bad thing of me getting the job at Tottenham is that I'm not going to be there (Saudi Arabia) because I was invited by the prince to be

the match against Burnley."

Mourinho, however hopes Joshua wins but beleives that anything is possible.

He said: "I just love the sport and I like Anthony very much because he is a great kid. I hope he wins but in sport you can lose, so let's see."

Joshua will hope to reclaim his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles when he faces Ruiz again.

Tennis Star Wozniacki To Retire After Australia Open In January ormer world number one Caroline Wozniacki has

announced she will retire from professional tennis after January's Australian Open.

Wozniacki, 29, made the announcement In a lengthy post on Instagram, on Friday.

Wozniacki who is currently ranked 37th in the world and last competed in the China Open in October, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2018.

However, the 2018 Australian Open champion says her retirement has nothing to do with her health.

She revealed that she plans to focus on her life away from tennis, including plans to start a family with her New York Knicks player husband David Lee. www.thebossnewspapers.com

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Third Term Agenda: The Power of Speaking Tongue in Cheek

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t the opening of the of the National Executive Council meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja on Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari finally ended his silence on the much talk about third term agenda, which not a few Nigerians have allegedly accused the President of harbouring.

Laying to rest the thoughts of doubting Thomases, Buhari said that he would not make the mistake of attempting a third term in office, adding that apart from age, he was limited by the two terms stated in the constitution.

“I’m not going to make the mistake of attempting a third term. Besides the age, the constitution makes provision for only two terms,” he said.

But to the follower of Nigerian history, and more especially the student of ‘Buhariology’, the utterance or rather proclamation sounds very familiar, and one wonders if the President is not speaking tongue in cheek like he had always done.

Recall that in 2011, after losing the election to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Buhari publicly proclaimed that he would never run for the office of the president again. But he ran again in 2015. Yes, he may have been invited to run by powers that promised him victory, but he failed to keep his words.

Again, it is on record that Buhari also craved for one term in office, also citing age as his main discouragement, but he threw caution to the wind and sought a second term in office which he won, using apparatchiks at his disposal according to a cross section of Nigerians.

In recent times, Nigerians wake to various policies and acts that make them wonder if it was actually the same Buhari who promised so much prior to becoming president who is seated at the seat of power (no pun intended). If we consider that the promise of making one dollar exchange for one naira is still a pipe dream, then one will wonder if the promise not to go third term will see

the light of the day. How about the promise to convert the national fleet into the much sought after ‘Nigeria Airways’ and add addition aircraft as the years roll by? Has it been fulfilled almost five years after, or is there in sight to actually fulfill it.

Oh, we forget about and incessant medical pilgrimages. President Buhari has remained the biggest culprit of his own promises, the biggest breaker of his own pronouncements. How possible will it be for Nigerians to trust him regarding his denial of the third term agenda.

A scary insight into the third term jingle reveals that most of the policies and proposals of the government have a life span exceeding its time, even as the government as it stands seems not to have veritable opposition in terms of political parties or institutions.

Nigerians, behaving more like a conquered state, or to borrow the language of the ancient empires, a vassal state, seem to lack the energy and willpower to fight anymore, as a result, Buhari will surely get what he desires.

Well, was it not the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan who said, only recently that any request brought to the Senate by Buhari will receive express approval. Not wonder it took less than two months to pass the Finance Bill into law as anti-people it is. And was not Justice Tanko Mohammed, who declared that certificates are not necessary for contesting elections and that ‘technicalities’ take precedence over facts.

Now tell me, was the President not speaking tongue in cheek when he denounced the third term agenda?

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EDITORIAL TEAM PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dele Momodu momodudele@yahoo.co.uk ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Mobolaji Momodu EDITOR Michael Effiong mikeffiong2009@yahoo.com mikeffiong@ovationinternational.com ASST. EDITOR Eric Elezuo PHOTO EDITOR Adekoya Adegbite PRODUCTION MANAGER/ART DIRECTOR Isaac Edoh-Philip GRAPHICS DESIGNER Ajibade Morakinyo PHOTO JOURNALISTS Colin Ramsay...Ade James (USA)...Dayo Adedayo Isaac Adegbite...Dragan Mikki (UK)...Bodise Wilson Soji Adekunle...Vera Odjugo...Tope Brown Segun Lawal...Ken Ehimen Guy L’Avenir (Benin Republic)...Ben Dzakah (Ghana) WEB DESIGNER/MANAGER Kwaku Yeboah Darteh MARKETING/ADVERTS Zed Dominic Okolue (Benin Republic) US CORRESPONDENTS Samantha Ofole Prince...Shola Orolugbagbe CONTRIBUTORS Jimi Akinniyi...Sanya Ojikutu...Isatou N’jie Dayo Olomu...Makeba Boateng LAGOS OFFICE Babatunde Martins - Head Admin Aderemi Abiola - Admin. Officer UK OPERATIONS 7, Du Maurier House, Lawn Road, London Nw3 2XE Tel: +447951026178, +447956967160 UK DISTRIBUTION/WORLDWIDE SUBSCRIPTION Jay Magazine & Newspaper Distribution, UK +44(20) 76358888, +447976628251 UK AND EUROPE DISTRIBUTION Quality Magazine Distribution Global Distribution MANAGING EDITOR BENIN REPUBLIC BUREAU Jeanne-Frances Maduakor Centre Commercial Xanadu-Ancien Pont, Wlacodiji Contonou Tel: +229 97221918, +229 98155422 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Ike Okonta...Sunmi Smart-Cole...Okagbue Aduba Osasu Obayiuwana...Dupe Ashama Isha Tejan-Cole (West Africa)...Richie Dayo Johnson GHANA OPERATIONS 17, Asafoatse Afua Street, West Airport.

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