Abdulsamad Rabiu, Northwest's Largest Employer of Labour

At the 80th Birthday Thanksgiving Service for Mrs. Helen Olubode Wilson in Lagos ISSN-2052-1979

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Vol.3.31

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A Publication of Ovation Media Group

Abdulsamad Rabiu, Northwest's Largest Employer of Labour

INTERVIEW

There is Massive Corruption in Nigeria, Govt Not Serious Addressing it – Hassan Tukur

PENDULUM

A Standing Ovation for Abdulsamad Rabiu

Petrol Landing Cost Rises To N282/Litre, Oil Hits $90

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There is Massive Corruption in Nigeria, Govt Not Serious Addressing it – Ambassador Hassan Tukur Culled from thestreetjournal.org

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a s s a n T u k u r, a former ambassador, who is an expert in foreign affairs and diplomacy has proffered likely solutions to pending issues in Nigeria.

In an interview with Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation magazine, the former President Goodluck Jonathan's P r i n c i p a l S e c r e t a r y, discussed major issues affecting the country.

Introducing himself, Mr. Tukur said "I was born in Adamawa state, my childhood days were very interesting because I grew up in the village, where life was very simple and not as complicated as today.

Information and technology have taken over our lives now. Then, there was no light or water in my village, everything had to be done by one's self.

"There was no school there so I had to leave my village to go to another village to attend primary school. So I left home at the age of Five. My senior brother that I grew up with was a primary school teacher, so I had to go live with him in the village to attend primary school."

Describing the quality of education at that time, the Adamawa born said "The primary schools we attended during that time, can measure up to any private or standard primary school. My local government is in a rural

area bordering Cameroon, but the quality of teaching there is very qualitative, that is where I schooled. The teachers there were dedicated, selfless.

"So the quality of education then, can be compared to anyone, not presently that government schools have been neglected. I wish we could go back to those days when the children of the rich and poor can attend the same school.

Reacting to how the Almanjiri menace creeped into the northern region in the country, he said "When I was growing up, the schools were very limited, and could not accommodate everybody. So those who could not go to a primary school attended Islamic

schools. Also, at that time in the north, you had to force some parents to allow their children to send their children to western education. Then it was difficult to find people who will voluntarily send their children to school.

"My father has twentythree children, only three of us attended school. In effect, the lack of availability of enough schools, enough classrooms, and enough government drive to ensure that everybody goes to school is the reason why we have these Almajiri menaces. And also the reluctance of parents towards western

education."

When asked if he agrees with those who said that the north became disadvantaged because of the policy of educationally disadvantaged regions, he said: "The north is disadvantaged of course, educationally the other regions are far ahead. In the north, an average family marries two, three wives with biological children that cannot be catered for. So you find that the demographic system does not favour the north. Also, the north had few missionary schools compared to other regions.

When asked about the

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preferential treatment students in the northern region enjoy, he said: "When I was growing up there was nothing like that, you have to get five credits to get into the university, you have to get certain qualifications. When you don't have, they have what they call remedial courses so that you will meet up with the grades to go into the university, or you go into pleminary schools or you do private GCE exam.

Ordinarily, people who graduated during my time can compete with anybody in this world.

"I was in foreign service for almost thirty-five years, I knew we competed with different counties, we negotiated treaties, we negotiated a lot of things.

Those of us that negotiated with all these countries schooled in Nigeria, we competed with everybody.

"Secondly, even with lowering the grades, when they get into the university, because the university system presently the facilities are not there, they are congested, the books are not there, the classrooms are not adequate, the environment is not conducive to produce the kind of graduates that will compete globally. That has to be looked into.

Explaining why he decided to go into the foreign service, and what motivated him, Tukur said: "I had the privilege of working with excellent diplomates that were able to mentor and tutor me.

Those of us that came in

1981, had the privilege of working with the best diplomates and we were trained properly.

"I decided to join the foreign service way back when I was in form 3, I was going through the newspaper then and I saw the word ambassador and I decided to read further and said okay 'i want to be an ambassador in 1973. That was how I went to study political science and international relations, in other to be admitted into

going to teach in the university, so I was contemplating. But what made me go to the foreign service, my mentor and teacher in the university Dr, Bala Mohammed who was assassinated in Kano, it shocked me to my bone marrow and I was sad for almost six months, so I couldn't see myself going into a classroom to teach, that was the gamechanger so I decided to go into the foreign service.

the foreign service. When I graduated in political science, I was admitted to foreign service.

"I prepared myself on how to be a good diplomate. You will need to speak languages, you will need to interact. So that's how I find myself learning languages.

In the process of that service, I was able to learn about seven different languages and that gave me an advantage.

"Apart from that, I said I was

"I have been honored to serve Nigeria in different capacities, I have fought so many battles for Nigeria, some of them we won and some we lost, but I can say I have done my best for my country during my time in foreign service."

The foreign affairs expert speaks Chamba, a language spoken in parts of Adamawa, Cameroon, and Taraba state. He also

speaks Arabic fluently, French, Spanish, English, and Hausa. He also understands a bit of Portuguese.

Speaking on the countries he has served as an ambassador, he said "As an ambassador, I headed the embassy for five years. My first assignment was in Saudi Arabia after which I came back to Dodan barracks in Lagos, with the present head of state

who was representing President Buhari, who was then the head of state. So I served under him as his principal protocol officer.

"After the change of government, I went back to the ministry and I was posted to London. When I came back from London I went to Namibia for the UN election that brought independence to Namibia When I came www.thebossnewspapers.com

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back to Namibia I was posted to Equatorial Guinea."

Reacting to the question that Nigerians are often illtreated in most parts of the world, and are like orphans, Tukur said: " We l l , y o u k n o w diplomacy is a question of synchronicity. On this, I will be blunt and will tell you my experience.

Nigerians where ever they go are very loud. The majority of them are lawabiding and have not been harassed or victimized but the few that are criminally minded are the ones giving bad names to Nigeria.

"There are actions that we can take to address this problem. For example, if you go to China, you have about five, six, seven hundred Nigerians on death roll, and then to Thailand, most of these cases are drug-related.

When I was in Equatorial Guinea the major problem there was that it became a root for transporting both drugs and humans, especially girls prostitute the go to Europe. So I decided, we will go to the airport with my staff and cancel some of their passports to stop them from traveling.

"When I was in Saudi Arabia, it a different type of coastal problem, you will find out that people were smuggling small drugs like Indian hemp, codeine tablets, not hard drugs but little minor drugs and they come in with fake passports. We started going to the airport and on arrival, when we see that

the age does not tally with the face and we ask you questions and you can not answer we cancel your passport at the airport and deport you back. When we did that for two months, it stopped.

"So the government have to take serious actions, to think out of the box to address this issue otherwise they will keep reoccurring. In certain cases you know why these Nigerians are coming, you know their localities, we need massive orientation, and then when the crimes are committed, they should be meant to face the law.

"For example in Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and other countries, if you are caught with hard drugs, you go for jail terms are you are

executed, it's their law, you cant change it. The best way to stop all these is to repair our country, create more jobs in our country, we should build our economy, when the opportunities are not there people are forced to do other things to survive.

Reacting to the issue of the current government not doing enough to protect Nigerians living abroad, especially cases of Nigerians in Ghana and South Africa, the former ambassador said: "The Ghanian government, what they have done is wrong according to the ECOWAS protocol, that rule was made just to send Nigerian traders away and

to harass them. It's wrong for Ghana to have behaved in that way, but those Nigerians that went to Ghana went voluntarily. Remember the Nigerian government in 1984/ 1985, under the s a m e B u h a r i government, Ghanaians were sent away and that is how we came about the 'Ghana must go slogan."'

"Now if Ghanaians were sent away in 1984, and now in 2020 Ghanaians are sending us away, there is something we as a country is not doing correctly, not that Ghana is right for a discriminatory approach.

Not only Ghana, but every country that has a problem feels it is the www.thebossnewspapers.com

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foreigners that are taking away their jobs. And that is not correct, under the ECOWAS protocol you can live anywhere and be law-abiding.

"The response of the government, I don't know if they've sat down to discuss with the Ghanaian government but I can tell you when we were in government, these things when they happen we will sit down with the president and they have been listening to us, I don't know why Ghana isn't listening to Nigeria to address this issue. Maybe it is been politized and the politicians in Ghana and Nigeria are saying the whole issue is politicized and they cannot address it.

"I can tell you the best way Nigerians can dominate West Africa, is to have a deliberate policy, whereby the Nigerian government and the Nigerian private sector will encourage the lawabiding Nigerians, where ever they are, give them the facility to expand their business, when they expand their business, and creating jobs for the community where they are living, they will not be harassed.

"If we want to change this narration, we should have a policy of assisting Nigerians in the diaspora to improve their business, education to employ citizens of the country that is their host so that they will not be harassed. If there is a deliberate

government policy, to assist them there, then they will not be harassed.

"Diplomacy is reciprocated, there are Ghanaians in Nigeria, there are South Africans in Nigeria, in fact, the businesses of South Africa in Nigeria is more than the businesses of Nigerians in South Africa.

So if they are not able to address these problems then you can check reciprocal

of credit facilities, he said: "If you don't grow your economy in such a way that you are borrowing less than 10 percent, then you have a problem and if you borrow, you cannot pay, that is the cause of the matter, so it has to be a deliberate government policy whereby those that are doing legitimate business, the small and medium enterprises, they

actions and I believe the Nigerian economy is number one in Africa, so if we take action against any country, it will pinch them more than it will pinch us.

"Nigerians are too many in any of these countries, we are two hundred million, there is no African country that we don't have thousands and thousands of Nigerians."

Speaking on credit systems, and what the government should do regarding the lack

are the enterprises that grow up the economy, you have to be able to borrow to SME's once you do that then the economy will grow.

"I think the problem is in Nigeria we are fixed on generating revenue, we should rather create jobs, industries, and companies so that when they grow they can be taxed and we can get revenue. The central bank is intervening in too many

things which destroyed a lot of things in the economy. I'm not an economist, I'm only an observer. The destruction is so much that I think the government should take a step back and look at all the indices and what is it that we should o differently."

On corruption, the former ambassador said "The issue of corruption, there are various cases of c o r r u p t i o n .

Unfortunately, when you talk about Nigeria, it is categorized as one of the corrupt countries and every Nigerian is seen as corrupt. We don't help ourselves, because most of the information we dash out are fake, I am not saying there is no corruption in Nigeria, there is massive corruption in Nigeria and it did not start today. We can't say we want to fight corruption and stop c o r r u p t i o n completely, there is nowhere they don't have corruption, but in a few countries, it has to be very minimal.

"To address corruption, the government itself has to be very serious. When the government comes and you appoint someone that everybody knows to be very corrupt, people will not have confidence. If you want to fight corruption, get the character of people

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you appoint. If you appoint people of character and competence to head institutions, they will not be corrupt because they have character and they are competent.

"I was arrested by EFCC in 2016, charging me with corruption that we squandered money here and there. By the time they detained me for nine days and investigated, they found out that I was not culpable and released me, they did not take me to court because I was innocent."

When asked if there is hope in reuniting Nigeria, he said: "I'm a believer in Nigeria, there is hope in reuniting Nigeria, every Nigerians should vote for someone that has a passion for the country and compassion for the citizens of Nigeria, no matter the tribe.

Leadership is about character, competence, and somebody that has passion and compassion.

Once we have someone with these qualifications, in the next three to six months, Nigeria will be a different place. " Wi t h e a c h t r i b e , Nigeria will not be complete, we are our brothers' keepers, our founding fathers discussed this issue and agree that we should come as one. If you want to be voted, come out clean, and state what you will do for Nigeria and you will be voted for based on your confidence and not because of your tribe.

"Nigerians are peace-

loving people, we have things that unites us more than the things that have divided us. When I was in primary school, I was sitting between two Igbos, I know they are my friends. Rather than emphasizing our differences, I think the issue is leadership and leadership selection. When the leadership selection is based on sentiment and emotion then there is a problem. But when the leadership selection is based on confidence, inclusiveness, character, experience, then you will not have that problem.

"People use politics in other to divide us that should not happen, yes Nigeria will go back to where we were if we go back to qualitative leadership, leadership that has character and experience."

On security issues, he said "I don't want to go into what the government has done or what the government has not done. When we left office in 2015, we had the problem of Boko Haram, I can tell you for free by the time we left in 2015, most of

the places Boko Haram occupied were free, that is why we were able to conduct the 2015 election.

Boko Haram was held in sambisa forest."

Commenting on proscribed groups and their leaders, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igbodo, Mr. Tukur said "We have to think out of the box, and we have to address issues, now there are two issues, there is the rule of law to follow. If we have two citizens that have committed certain crimes or we think they have committed a crime, yes let them go through the judicial process, but the president has what they call the prerogative of mercy, he has the power to pardon them.

"So reaching out to them because they have massive followership and t h e y h a v e d i ff e r e n t perceptions. During the civil war, we knew late Ojukwu led a succession but he was forgiven.

Government should be able to come out with a

frame of engaging these people, ensuring that the rule of law is followed. It is in the overall national interest to find out how to address this problem because the flashpoints are too many, so we have to address them in other to get peace."

Speaking on electricity, he said "It is the question of corruption and incompetence, if you put incompetent people in positions, they will be corrupt and they will not work. I have sat in so many meetings where electricity is discussed, every time they will tell you the same story, the water level in kanji has gone down, fire has destroyed cables and so on, because that is their mentality.

"Electricity is not difficult to generate now, solar, biomass is there. If we want to improve our economy, we have to have electricity, because that way, most Nigerians will be employed."

C u l l e d f r o m thestreetjournal.org

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At the 80th Birthday Thanksgiving Service for Mrs. Helen Olubode Wilson in Lekki, Lagos (Photos) Photo: Ken Ehimen

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Riding On Lagos Blue And Red Lines Will Be Affordable - Sanwo-Olu

agos State Governor, Mr Babajide SanwoOlu has assured that riding on Lagos Red and Blue Lines rail system will be affordable and costeffective to passengers.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made this known on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Te l e v i s i o n b r e a k f a s t programme, while speaking on the State of Lagos Infrastructure this morning.

The Governor stated that the provision of infrastructure; (construction of tracks, terminals, communication gadgets, acquisition of rolling stock and others), which are items on the Government balance sheet, has limited the factors that will determine the price of riding on the trains to running and maintenance cost, payment of personnel and few others.

His words: "Our administration is willing to extend the cost-recovery period or tenure of operation in order to ensure that fares on the trains will be affordable.

Also, riding at peak and off-peak periods may also attract different fares thus giving passengers the option to plan their journeys cost-effectively.

"We are also working to establish a city-to-city relationship with Istanbul in Turkey, a city with similar demography and metro infrastructure, by which key personnel can

be exposed to best practices and trained on regular, general and routine maintenance for operational efficiency".

Speaking further, Governor Sanwo-Olu affirmed that the various projects of the administration, driven by the vision to reduce and predict travel time and ensure convenience for mass movement of people from one part of the State to another, will provide an efficient transport system that will address the State's traffic challenges.

"There is deep thought to these projects and a strong policy document; the State Transportation Master Plan (STMP), which dictates that a megacity such as Lagos can only be run when all the transport modes are effectively and efficiently integrated and utilised.

"The initial focus on the development of a new route and track from Okokomaiko to Marina for

the Blue Line, along with For safety, he said the t h e e x p a n s i o n a n d Government deliberately upgrading of the corridor ensured the Blue Line has to 10-lane highway, was an elevated track from due to the difficulty Orile to Marina and the encountered in getting the route for the Red Line Federal Government d e s i g n e d w i t h f i v e approval to use the overpasses, which is a existing rail alignment for cheaper option, to avoid the Red Line; a project conflict with vehicular w h i c h h a s n o w traffic, including the commenced. provision of CCTV, "The first phase of the backed-up by the fibre Red Line from Alagbado optic infrastructure, that to Oyingbo, which is will be deployed for traffic witnessing massive management and to construction works, will provide information for have eight stations at Iju, t r a ff i c a n d s e c u r i t y Ikeja, Oshodi, Ebute personnel.

Metta and others. Our On financing the projects, a d m i n i s t r a t i o n w i l l he maintained that the complete and start the test State is aware of its debt run of both the Blue and stock and the need to meet Red Lines by the fourth existing obligations but quarter of 2022 as the still has a lot of rooms in terminals and tracks will terms of sustainability b e r e a d y w h i l e ratio as it is working to i n s t a l l a t i o n o f improve the IGR and complementary facilities negotiating for single digit such as communication loans from commercial gadgets and other will still lenders with a tenure of ten to fifteen years, among be on course", he said. www.thebossnewspapers.com

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According to Sanwo-Olu, who confirmed that wet and dry seasons feasibility study and traffic count are being carried out on the other lines with projected completion date of mid year 2022, the administration worked speedily on road and water transportation projects, with the acquisition of passenger boats of different capacities, building twenty eight jetties and dredging waterways, as part of the quick plans to expand the transport system and reduce inconveniences because the rail is a capital intensive and long-term

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project.

"This is why our administration will continue to earn the trust of Lagosians by constantly and continuously engaging with them on the various policies, programmes and projects being undertaken in the State. We can only achieve the needed buy-in of the people for which the projects are being provided by letting them know the plan for them through continuous communication with all stakeholders, especially with the temporal inconvenience that comes with the various construction", he pledged.

Sanwo-Olu, who confirmed that the focus of the administration is about

providing jobs, enabling the economy and moving the people efficiently from one place to another, again, expressed excitement about the employment opportunities of the projects which he described as enormous and expected to start with extensive adverts for operators such as Managers, Engineers, Ticketers, Cleaners, etc in their hundreds, in addition to encouraging the growth of commercial activities around the stations.

He further said Oba Sekumade in Ikorodu has reached eighty percent completion stage and will be delivered in the second quarter of the year, the contractor is back on site at Igbogbo-Baiyeku road,

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construction work is progressing on AgricIshawo road and the Lagos Badagry Expressway up to Okokomaiko is to be completed by the end of year 2022, as the administration has also completed two out of the three jetties being constructed to complement the Expressway so that people can explore the shorter and faster waterways.

He concluded saying the 4th mainland Bridge is one of the legacy projects that the administration will leave behind as three concessionaires have already been shortlisted and a ground-breaking ceremony may be conducted by the middle of the year.

Osun 2022: Ex-gov Akande Gifts Oyetola Horse To Symbolise Support

x-Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and former Osun State Governor, Bisi Akande, has presented a horse to the current state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

The presentation of the horse took place in Akande's Ila country home, during a tour of Ila local government by the governor and his team.

The presentation was witnessed by the deputy governor, Benedict Alabi; wife of the governor, Kafayat Oyetola; exdeputy governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore; Senator Basiru Ajibola, representing Osun Central in the Senate; amongst others, who elicited

excitement as Oyetola expressed appreciation for the gift.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ismail Omipidan, on Friday said that Oyetola had after his strategic engagement tour of Ila Federal Constituency, had visited Akande at his residence in Ila. The statement further partly read, "The tour is a statewide consultation to t h e 9 F e d e r a l Constituencies in Osun which the Governor is using to fraternise with the newly elected APC executives at the wards and local government levels and to inform them and party members of his

intention to participate in tirelessness, confidence the party's forthcoming and intelligence. primaries in preparation "In fact, they say it is a for the July governorship precious gift of life and a election. highly celebrated animal.

"The presentation of the Although, it is used for horse to the Governor by different purposes, what is 'Baba Omo Ke ke ke" as constant, according to Chief Akande is fondly political pundits is that it is called, is highly symbolic used as a ride to celebrate and seen as a declaration of g o o d t h i n g s . W h i l e unalloyed support for the a c c e p t i n g t h e g i f t , person and candidature of Governor Oyetola who Oyetola. Horse, political was obviously surprised pundits say, symbolises and excited with smiles on strength, power, freedom, his face said, 'Thank you t r i u m p h , h e r o i s m , very much'. nobleness, stamina, www.thebossnewspapers.com

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2023: Northern Group Asks Private Sector Players To Join Presidential Race group, Arewa Youth Atedo Peterside, Aliko

Assembly, has asked the private sector players to join the 2023 presidential race to effect a positive change in the nation's ailing economy.

The group said the 2023 presidency should not be an all-comers affair as doing so will further endanger the socioeconomic wellbeing of Nigerians.

According to the group, private sector players of the economy known for their competence and entrepreneurial skills should step into the race to salvage the nation's ailing economy, come 2023 and beyond.

It also urged Nigerians to guard against mortgaging the future by selling out votes in the 2023 general elections.

It wondered why a country with great and intelligent minds like Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Tunde Folawiyo,

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Dangote, Femi Otedola, Mike Adenuga, Akinwumi Adesina, among others, who are boardroom czars with a vast wealth of k n o w l e d g e o n entrepreneurship, must allow others that lacked such knowledge to run Nigeria.

This was according to a statement jointly signed by the Speaker of Assembly, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, and the Clerk, Desmond Minakaro, issued to journalists in Kaduna.

The group which comprises youths drawn from the 19 Northern states and Abuja, said, "We are calling and pleading with the successful private sector players to join the 2023 presidential race. They need to stand up and be counted.

"Nigeria has given you much. We ask now that you come and be the stewards of our nation and not just businesses. Come and

rescue Nigeria from the shackle of poor leadership.

"An entrepreneur that can grow wealth, bear risk in such conditions found in Nigeria surely is suited to better the fortunes too of the nation.

"Nigeria will flourish under such a person, our economy will grow as he or she, is already an employer of labour, and will create employment on a level playing ground for businesses to grow."

They also admonished eligible voters to shun any

form of "stomach infrastructures" in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, saying that "this time around let it not be about rice, spaghetti, detergents, wrapper, or mere N1000 and N2000 handed out to you."

"The right person will make it possible for you to earn more than enough to buy these things, and much more, but also the sense of pride and dignity for being able to stand on your own and provide for yourself and family," the group added.

PDP Extends Tenure Of Anambra Caretaker Committees

he National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has extended the tenure of the various Anambra State caretaker committees for a period not exceeding 30 days.

National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this in a statement titled, 'PDP Extends Tenure of Anambra Caretaker Committees,' issued on Friday.

Ologunagba said the

decision of the NWC is in the exercise of its powers under the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended).

"To this effect, the current members of the Anambra State Caretaker Committees are to continue in their respective capacities for an additional duration not exceeding 30 days, beginning from the expiration of the present tenure on February 6, 2022, to March 6, 2022.

“The PDP urges all

leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party in Anambra state to remain

united and focused as we work collectively to Rescue and Rebuild our nation from misrule."

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Second Term: What I Will Do Before Making My Decision Known –Sanwo-Olu State Governor,

agos Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says he will consult Lagosians before making a decision on whether to run for a second term in office in the 2023 general elections or not.

The governor made this known on Friday while featuring on Channels Television's 'Sunrise Daily' programme.

The 56-year-old governor, who assumed office in May 2019, would be completing his first term in office by May 2023, and he is constitutionally permitted to be in office for one more term of four years if the electorate so decide.

Sanwo-Olu had clinched

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the ticket of the All Progressives Congress for the 2019 governorship election in Lagos defeating t h e t h e n g o v e r n o r, Akinwunmi Ambode, who was in office for just a term.

Ambode, the first Lagos governor to stay in office for four years since the return to democracy in 1999, was said to have been kicked out due to intraparty squabbles after APC leader and strong man of Lagos politics, Bola Tinubu, anointed SanwoOlu. The PUNCH had reported that Sanwo-Olu backed Ti n u b u ' s p r e s i d e n t i a l ambition on Thursday, saying the ex-governor of

Lagos between 1999 and 2007 is the most capable individual to succeed the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) in May 2023.

Asked during the television programme on Friday about his political future and whether he has a plan for a second term as Lagos governor, Sanwo-Olu said, "As we speak, we've done two-thirds of our time, about 66 per cent because we count it every day. The field is not open yet; the race has not been declared open but for me, this four years that I have promised my citizens, I put in every bit of my sweat into it."

Continuing, Sanwo-Olu

marked the script of his administration as "doing a very good job", adding that the citizens would decide whether to allow his cabinet complete what it started.

2023 Presidency: Atiku Is PDP Winning Card, Says Party Chieftain chieftain of the

Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, B a r r. K e n n e t h Imasuangbon, has backed former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to pick the party ticket for next year's general election.

Some chieftains of the PDP had recently called on Atiku to support younger aspirants from the Southern part of the country.

However, Imasuangbon on Thursday said Atiku remained the best candidate of the PDP to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress if the party is desirous of winning the election.

Imasuangbon, who spoke in a statement made

available to journalists in Benin, urged PDP members to market their aspirants instead of presenting Atiku in a bad light.

The former Edo governorship aspirant said Atiku had the prerequisite experience, contacts across the country and had impacted many lives through his many philanthropic works.

He cautioned PDP Governors and other party chieftains to call their supporters to order and refrained them from casting aspersion on Atiku.

He said, "What I want PDP members to understand and focus on is winning the election. We cannot field candidates Nigerians do not know and trust.

"How on earth can someone argue that Atiku should not be given our party's ticket on account of his age? Age is not a curse but a blessing.

"If we are talking about fairness, equity and justice, power should remain in the North. He is the most qualified in the North and don't forget that the North East has not produced the President. Even if you leave the presidency open he is the most qualified and his presidency will usher in prosperity for the country.

"From 1999, the South had done 14 years while the North will have 11 years by the time Buhari completes his tenure next year. There is a 4 years deficit for the North to balance up.

"[The] PDP where I belong, the North has not finished its tenure. Obasanjo did 8 years, Yar' Adua did 2 years and Jonathan did 6 years. In fairness, they should take it to the North.

"Atiku is well known across the country. He is the best option to defeat the APC. I want to appeal to PDP governors and other members to support Atiku," the statement read.

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News

NECO Begins 2022 Common Entrance Registration

T

he National Examinations Council has announced the commencement of registration for the 2022 National Common Entrance Examination for admission into JSS I of Federal Unity Colleges.

NECO Registrar, Dantani Wu s h i s h i , m a d e t h e announcement in an official jingle on the council's website.

Wushishi said the registration was only for

pupils who would not be less than 10 years of age by September 2022.

"National Examinations Council wishes to inform the general public that registration for the 2022 National Common Entrance Examination for Admission into Federal Government Unity Colleges has commenced.

"Registration fee is N4,500 per candidate, while payment should be made into NECO treasury

single account through ATM card, bank branch, USSD, internet banking or wallet," he said.

Wushishi also noted that registration for the examination would be done on the council's official website.

While stating that registration would close on April 23, the registrar encouraged parents to visit the website or any NECO state office nearest to them for more information on the registration process.

Fighting Corruption In Nigeria Top Priority For Biden Govt – Consul General ountering corruption

C

is not only a key concern in Nigeria but also a core United States national security priority for the President Joe Biden administration, US Consul General, Claire Pierangelo, has said.

She also said the Biden government is committed to supporting anticorruption initiatives and collaborative efforts to prevent graft, strengthen investigation and prosecution of corrupt persons and institutions.

Pierangelo stated this on Friday when the US Consulate General, in collaboration with the Inter-Religious Coalition Against Corruption in Nigeria, launched ReportMagoMago.com, a web-based portal that leverages citizen engagement to fight corruption.

In a statement signed by Temitayo Famutimi of the Consulate's Public Affairs

Section, Pierangelo explained that ReportMagoMago.com puts the power to report corruption in the hands of the Nigerian people.

She, therefore, urged Nigerians to demonstrate their commitment to the fight against corruption by making use of the innovative online platform which seeks to address the daily instances of corruption faced by millions of Nigerians.

"Countering corruption is not only a key concern in Nigeria but also a core U.S national security priority f o r t h e B i d e n Administration," Pierangelo was quoted as saying in the statement titled, 'U.S. Consulate, Religious Leaders Launch Anti-Corruption Website'. " G r o w t h a n d development, consistent with the richness and strength of Nigeria, depend on a new narrative and a culture where

corruption has no place," second most corrupt she added. country in West Africa, P i e r a n g e l o f u r t h e r after Guinea. expressed optimism that In the 2021 Corruption the new initiative will Perceptions Index released e n c o u r a g e N i g e r i a n s by TI on Tuesday, Nigeria affected by corruption to dropped five places, feel empowered to share scoring 24 out of 100 their experiences and points in the 2021 index. spark a new movement in The ranking was released citizen engagement in against the backdrop of the fighting the scourge that Federal Government's h a s h a m p e r e d avowed fight against graft. development and stifled Nigeria's current 154 prosperity in the country. ranking out of 180 The PUNCH had reported countries in the 2021 that global anti-corruption Corruption Perceptions coalition, Transparency Index is a drop of 149 in International, on January the 2020 index.

25, 2022 rated Nigeria the www.thebossnewspapers.com

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Abdulsamad Rabiu, Northwest's Largest Employer of Labour

By Eric Elezuo

O

nly a few days ago, he was adjudged Nigeria's second richest man, a feat he achieved by putting the interest of Nigerians, especially his Northeast region into selfless consideration. He is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, BUA G r o u p , A l h a j i Abdulsamad Rabiu.

Describing his efficiency, notable Nigerians, who

attended the opening of the 3 million metric tonnes per annum BUA Cement Sokoto Line 4 Factory or 3MPTA BUA cement, line 4 cement plant, in Sokoto, took turns to remark the importance of the industrialist, who on many occasions, has made the Forbes list of billionaires in the world, following his inclination to creating millionaires through the provision of veritable

e m p l o y m e n t opportunities, with special focus on those of his northwest origin. Today, he is the fifth richest man in Africa, and the second richest man in Nigeria.

The BUA Cement Sokoto Line 4 was built to the following specifications: three million metric tonnes per annum capacity; 6,000 TPD ILC with the highest energy efficiency and latest pollution abating

equipment; 48 MW dual fuel power Plant and so on. The Line 5 is already in the works and should be ready in the first quarter of 2023.

With an array of political, f i n a n c i a l a n d entrepreneurial presence at the occasion, the person of Alhaji Samad and the importance of his BUA Group were brought to the fore and celebrated.

Leading the fray of

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eulogies, Nigeria's president, Muhammadu Buhari, could not hide his joy at the impact of the entrepreneurial giant, noting that he has remained the largest employer of labour in the northwest region of Nigeria.

He said: "I am pleased that through these investments, BUA Cement has created employment opportunities for our citizens. Today, BUA is the largest employer of labour in the North-West region.

"I always remind Nigerians that every region, indeed every state, in Nigeria sits on huge reserves of resources. For example, in this area, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara can boast of rice production, gold and other precious metals development and of course, heavy industries l i k e c e m e n t manufacturing.

"As a government, we

introduced policies and mechanisms to support such investments in a legal, ethical and inclusive manner.

"For example, we have the National Food Security Council on Food Security Matters and the Presidential Artisanal G o l d M i n i n g Development Initiative to develop local artisanal gold mining and ensure health and safety of mining workers and protect the environment.

"We remain prepared to support serious investors to set up businesses that will take advantage of these opportunities through value addition so as to take advantage of the huge market here, as well as in the greater African region and the world at large."

Recalling how he, as Head of State in 1985, was at the same location to commission the 2nd line of

the facility, the president expressed quite a feeling of nostalgia.

"Today, almost 37 years later, to commission the fourth line is a very special day for me personally.

"As you all know, one of the key economic pillars of our administration has been to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. This is necessary for job creation and indeed, for our economy and national security.

"In the past few weeks, I visited Ogun and Kaduna states where I observed many private sector investments in action. And today, I am here in Sokoto to commission this multibillion Naira project.

"It is therefore very clear for all to see that our policies are working.

Progress is gradually being made in all parts of the country," he said.

In his speech as well, the

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, lauded t h e s e a s o n e d entrepreneur, and a p p e a l e d t o manufacturers of building materials in the country to bring down cost of building materials to affordable price for ordinary citizens.

Speaking about the high cost of building materials in the country, he said, "let me use this opportunity to a p p e a l t o o u r manufacturers to please take urgent actions in bringing down price of building materials in Nigeria.

"Indeed, there have been call by construction companies urging the cement and steel manufacturers to do something about the skyrocket price of these two essential items in the manufacturing sector.

"These sector is one of the

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major sectors of our economy that contribute to the creation of employment and produce for both domestic and export use. Please pay more attention at satisfying our domestic needs, so that prices can come down," Emefiele said.

He assured that the Central Bank of Nigeria on its part will continue to provide needed support in the provision of need cash,

Samad Rabiu commended the President for creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive, and acknowledged the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and its Governor in setting up the gigantic project.

He noted that, "so far, we have invested over a billion dollars in the past four years and we urge the CBN to continue to support industries like ours that use locally sourced

this Sokoto line 4 is the fourth) with BUA's total production capacity now standing at 11.5 million tonnes with the completion of this plant.

"Next year, we intend to complete the construction of two new plants of 3 million metric tonnes each for which construction is ongoing – one in Edo and the other, here in Sokoto."

The Chairman of BUA said he looked forward to President Buhari

Your Excellency Sir, may I seek your permission to please stand on the already established protocols? Thank you.

I would like to start by expressing my most profound appreciation to Your Excellency, Mr President, for gracing today's commissioning despite your busy schedule. Your presence here today, sir, is another a ff i r m a t i o n o f y o u r unwavering commitment

plants and equipment, needed to improve the capacity of the cement production in the country He said the Central Bank of Nigeria is ready to assist existing investors, both the current and prospective manufacturers that the bank is ready to continue to collaborate with them in enabling the development of viable manufacturing sector in the country.

In his response, Abdul

raw materials to add value."

He pledged that BUA would continue to invest more in the cement industry until Nigeria is self-sufficient and the commodity is made available, accessible, and affordable for all Nigerians.

"In the past 6 years, we have completed 4 plants – two in Obu, Edo State and two in Sokoto (of which

commissioning these plants next year which will bring total production capacity to 17.5 million metric tonnes.

RABIU'S FULL SPEECH Your Excellency, The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu B u h a r i , G C F R Yo u r Excellency, the Governor of Sokoto State & distinguished guests.

to Nigerian businesses and your vision to industrializing Nigeria.

I also welcome You and everyone else to the commissioning of the BUA Cement Sokoto Line 4 at this historic location – a location steeped in history, and one where Mr. President commissioned the second line in 1985 when he was Head of State.

President, a little over

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four and half years ago, shortly after the commissioning of BUA's first greenfield cement complex – the 3million metric tonnes per annum BUA Cement Obu Line 1

by His Excellency, the Vi c e P r e s i d e n t , w e continued our audacious yet structured expansion programme to meet the ever-growing demand for cement in Nigeria with regional exports also in focus.

We had a vision to support your government's infrastructure agenda by ensuring we use locally available raw materials to produce cement here in Nigeria.

In the past 6 years, we have completed 4 plants – two in Obu, Edo State and two in Sokoto (of which this sokoto line 4 is the fourth) with BUA's total production capacity now standing at 11million tonnes with the completion of this plant.

Next year, we intend to complete the construction of two new plants of 3 million metric tonnes each for which construction is ongoing – one in Edo and the other here in Sokoto.

We expect these plants to be completed next year which will bring our total production capacity to 17million metric tonnes.

We look forward to Your Excellency coming to commission them by the first quarter of 2023 ISA. President, distinguished guests, BUA will continue to invest more in the cement industry until Nigeria is self-sufficient

and cement is made available, accessible, and affordable for all Nigerians.

President, there are many reasons one can attribute to the important nature of this plant. The attendant effect of these investments in new factories go beyond the community and the state. It extends to the region and the entire country.

From a job creation and economic standpoint, the Sokoto plant continues to

investment in social impact and CSR programmes for the community and sokoto state at all levels, we are also committed to e n v i r o n m e n t a l sustainability. We have diversified our energy sources by introducing greener alternatives – in this case, LNG – to power the kiln and 48 megawatts power plant. Our power plants are now running on 100% LNG leading to reduced carbon emissions.

will not have been possible without your support and commitment to the development of the Nigerian economy.

As a Proudly Nigerian Company, we will do our best to continue to support those efforts.

The support of the Central Bank of Nigeria and its Governor in setting up this gigantic project is also worthy of mention.

So far, we have invested over a billion dollars in the past four years and we

be the largest private sector employer of labour in the North-Western part of Nigeria. Also, by adding value to resources mined in Nigeria, Nigeria is being saved billions of US dollars in foreign exchange that would have been spent on importation, whilst also ensuring product availability. In fact, 95% of all the raw materials used i n o u r c e m e n t manufacturing process are sourced locally.

In addition to this, and our

This is the first of its kind at any cement factory in Nigeria.

What this means also, is that as soon as the AKK gas project comes on stream, we are ready to be one of the first off-takers to satisfy our energy needs.

This will also encourage further industrialization within the region, open new industries and ensure greater development and prosperity for this region and the nation in general.

Mr President Sir, all of this

urge the CBN to continue to support industries like ours that use locally sourced raw materials to add value because as mentioned earlier, these industries potentially save the country billions of dollars yearly and also ensure products are readily available across the length and breadth of the country.

I must also thank s p e c i f i c a l l y, H i s Excellency, the Governor of Sokoto State – Rt

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Honourable Aminu Tambuwal who has never wavered in his support in ensuring an enabling environment for BUA Cement to thrive. Thank you, Your Excellency.

In the same vein, our partnership with our host community, Kalambaina Community, has been mutually beneficial. The people of Kalambaina have been so cooperative, peaceful, and supporting of the business and our activities. This has ensured a mostly hitch-free operation in this area for more than five decades and has given us the confidence to invest more whilst adding to the socioeconomic development of the area through various investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, jobs, and other social impact areas.

CLOSING Distinguished guests, I would like to restate that BUA Cement remains fully committed in making cement more available, affordable, and accessible using raw materials available locally. This is important for housing and infrastructure development as well as national development and we will keep doing our own part to actualize this goal.

Finally, I want to thank Mr President for his commitment to the growth and development of manufacturing, mining, and other key industries in this country.

Businesses can only thrive if the enabling

environment is right and is supported by the right policies.

We are aware of your government's efforts, but we know that government alone cannot do it without the positive collaboration and support of the private sector. This is where we come in and we will continue to support national and economic development as we have always done.

Once again, I welcome all our distinguished guests to the commissioning of the 3 million metric tonnes BUA Cement Sokoto Line 4.

Thank you for listening.

Among a-list personalities that graced the event together with the host governor, Alhaji Aminu

Cover Group CEO of OANDO PLC; Chief Sam Iwuajoku, the founder and Chairman of Quits Aviation; Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Mr Tayo Ayeni, Chairman of Skymit Motors, Senator Mohammed Daggash; Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar, former Minister of Commerce and of the FCT; Balogun Akin Osuntokun.

Other dignitaries at the events includes all the Governors of Kebbi, Kano and Kwara States as well as the deputy governor of Jigawa States and his counterpart in Sokoto State.

THE ABDULSAMAD RABIU WE KNOW As one of Africa's biggest philanthropist, Rabiu has graciously used his BUA Foundation and the phenomenal Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative to not only affect lives, but ensured that the people of world, especially his native Nigeria, live in defined comfort.

Born August 4, 1960, in Kano, to one of Nigeria's foremost industrialists in the 1970s and 1980s, Khalifah Isyaku Rabiu, Abdul Samad Isyaku Rabiu CON is a perfect combination of many things in one.

It was in his native Kano that he kick started his academic pursuit, carousing through elementary education with ease as a gifted child, and obtained his First

Tambuwal, were His Imperial Majesty The Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II; The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa'adu Abubakar; The Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; The Emir of Bichi, His Royal Highness Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; Mr Olumide Akpata, President of the Nigeria Bar Association; Mr Sijibomi Ogundele of Sujimoto; Mr Segun Awolowo, former helmsman at the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr Taiwo Afolabi of the SIFAX Group; Mr Jubril Adewale Tinubu, the www.thebossnewspapers.com

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School Leaving Certificate. He was later admitted into the Federal Government College, Kano, where he had his secondary education, and gradually with honours.

With a combination of fate, brilliance and determination, Abdulsamad was catapulted to Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where he studiously studied Economics, and acquired his tertiary

excellence, Abdul Samad Rabiu established BUA International Limited, for the sole purpose of commodity trading. The company followed after the footsteps of his father, and imported rice, edible oil, flour, and iron and steel.

In 1990, having exhibited the character worthy of a world class entrepreneur, and the ability to execute classical projects, Rabiu's BUA was invited by the

acquired Nigerian Oil Mills Limited, the largest edible oil processing company in Nigeria, and there erupted the company's and BUA's influence and care over the people in the provision of affordable edible oil. His passion to see people excel in comfort has continued to make him churn out one great tiding after another, and endearing him in the hearts of the generality of the public.

in a publicly-listed Cement Company in Northern Nigeria and began to construct a $900 million cement plant in Edo State, completing it in early 2015. Rabiu's passion for expansion is unequalled.

BUA Group has since concentrated and excelled in manufacturing, infrastructure and agriculture and producing a revenue in excess of $2.5 billion. This is in

education before returning to Nigeria, all before his 24th birthday, to oversee his family business. He was that much sort after, and highly brilliant, and considered capable of holding fort for his father, who was being detained by the administration of General Muhammadu Buhari over matters concerning import duties.

In 1988, just after learning t h e r o p e s o f entrepreneurial

government, which owned Delta Steel Company to supply its raw materials in exchange for finished products. This provided a much-needed leverage for the young company, and consequently expanded further into steel, producing billets, importing iron ore, and constructing multiple rolling mills in Nigeria.

Rabiu's dexterity showed further a few years later, when the company

A man with a vision for addition to being the tomorrow, Rabiu, in 2005, chairman of the Bank of started two flour-milling Industry (BOI). plants, in Lagos and in The Group, in 2019, Kano, and by 2008, had announced plans to merge broken an eight-year its privately owned Obu monopoly in the Nigerian Cement with the publicly s u g a r i n d u s t r y b y traded Cement Company c o m m i s s i o n i n g t h e of Northern Nigeria Plc s e c o n d - l a rg e s t s u g a r ( C C N N ) , t o c r e a t e refinery in sub-Saharan Nigeria's second largest Africa. This was a feat only cement producer thereby a bravest of hearts could consolidating the grip on wroth. As a result, in 2009 the cement market and the company went on to breaking its monopolistic acquire a controlling stake status. www.thebossnewspapers.com

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It is worthy of note that Cement Company of Northern Nigeria PLC in which Rabiu owned more than 97% was producing two million metric tons of cement per annum (Mtpa) while Obu Cement has an annual production capacity of 6Mtpa. The move is in line with the company's resolve to deepen the Nigerian capital markets and enhance the growth of the cement industry.

Rabiu's expansion strides cannot be complete without a mention of his e x t r a o r d i n a r y philanthropic gestures.

In April 2020, he made a whopping donation towards the fight to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic presently ravaging the country.

In a letter dated April 24, 2020, he personally signed and addressed to The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the billionaire b u s i n e s s m a n , congratulated the duo of the Task Force and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for doing a good job while observing that much as so much has been done, there was still need to do a lot more, as the disease continued to make inroads into many parts of the country, especially Lagos and Kano states.

"I view with deep concern, the increased rate of spread of the Coronavirus, especially in Kano and Lagos states despite concerted collective efforts to curb the spread

and effects of the virus in Nigeria," he said.

With sincere reference to 'what is going on, especially in Kano at the m o m e n t ' t h e philanthropist, who had earlier donated N1 billion to the private sector led CACOVID and other states, announced the release of another N3.3 billion 'grant to the working group made up of the Presidential Task Force, NCDC and other

sum of N300 million will also be made available immediately in cash to the Presidential Task Force to assist with logistical and operational activities of the taskforce. This grant is in addition to BUA's earlier contributions to the private sector led CA-COVID coalition and donations to other states."

Giving directive on how the funds will be spent, the BUA Foundation Chairman hinted that the

support already stretched medical cities dedicated to this fight."

Rabiu's BUA had in March through a confirmed funds transfer to the COVID-19 relief fund account with the Central Bank of Nigeria redeemed its pledge of N1billion ($2.6m) to the fight against COVID-19.

In addition, the company also announced another donation of N300 million to Sokoto, Edo and Ogun

stakeholders in equipping two existing permanent facilities in Kano and Lagos states'.

He said: "To this end, I am immediately committing and making available – through the Bua Foundation two grants of Two Billion Naira for the Kano-based intervention and One Billion Naira for Lagos State being the two epicentres of this virus in Nigeria."

Rabiu also informed that "a

"working Group will be expected to use resources at its disposal to ensure these facilities – to be determined by the Working Group – are fully equipped in the shortest possible time."

He further revealed his trust in the working group to judiciously use the grant for the purposes meant, saying "I believe this will effectively help to expand the scope of interventions, ongoing research as well

States to assist in galvanizing a coordinated response and adequate preparedness in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in this states.

The donations to Sokoto and Edo States were on behalf of its Cement subsidiary, BUA Cement which has its major operations in those states whilst Ogun was also selected as a beneficiary due to its proximity to Lagos which had been the

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epicenter of the virus in Nigeria.

In total, Rabiu and his group donated N4.6 billion to the fight against the dreaded pandemic in a addition to other incentives, making them the single highest donor as at date.

In 2021, Rabiu's focus bestowed on him the grace of becoming the biggest gainer in shares.

According to Forbes, which listed the billionaire among the four top billionaires in Africa for the year, "shares of his BUA Cement PLC, which listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in January 2020, doubled in value in the past year. That pushed Rabiu's fortune up by an extraordinary 77%, to $5.5 billion. One thing to note: Rabiu and his son together own about 97% of the company, giving the company a tiny public float. The Nigerian Stock Exchange requires that either 20% or more of a company's shares to be floated to the public, or that the floated shares are worth at least 20 billion naira — about $50 million — a paltry sum, to be sure.

A spokesman for the Nigerian Stock Exchange told Forbes that BUA Cement meets the second requirement. (Forbes discounts the value of stakes when the public float of a company is less than 5%.)"

Rabiu has constantly used his BUA Foundation for his philanthropic activities. Some of them include the construction of

a 7,000-square-meter paediatric ward at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and the construction of the Centre for Islamic Studies at Bayero University Kano amongst several others.

He is known to have signed several major deals with French companies in recent times, from Axens as technical partner to his new refinery, to a 300tn plasterboard factory deal with French construction giant St Gobain. He followed it up with listing a segment of his business empire on the Lagos Stock Exchange.

In June 2021 therefore, when French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the FranceNigeria Business Council, a private sector initiative to enhance business relations between the two countries, Abdul Samad Rabiu, was

appointed its inaugural President. He had earlier been appointed Chairman of the France Nigeria Investment Club. These appointments drew encomiums from high places including President Muhammadu Buhari.

Practically every woman's dream, Abdul Samad is married to his beautiful wife, and they are blessed with children, among whom are Isyaku Rabiu, Junaid Rabiu, Rukkayah Rania Rabiu and Khadijah Rabiu. He has 42 siblings including Nafiu Rabiu and Rabiu Rabiu, the chairman of IRS Airlines.

Samad's fortunes improved as follows giving him the leverage to start the year 2022 on a high note: BUA Foods' shares jumped more than 10% from N40 ($0.0968) to N44 ($0.1065) as of press time,

Jan. 6.

The company's market capitalisation increased to N792 billion ($1.92 billion), as Rabiu's fortune also increased from $5.3 billion to $7.2 billion.

He added a whopping $1.9 billion to his networth, bringing his total fortune to $7.2 billion.

Rabiu's abilities are compared only with the best. He is a force to reckon with in the field of enterprise and human capacity building. He is quite a gift to Nigeria, and the world.

A hearty congratulations to you sir as you continue to take the entrepreneurial world by storm, and continue to be shinning light for the people of Nigeria, especially the northwest.

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Pendulum - Dele Momodu -

Dele Momodu

Dele Momodu

Delemomoduovation

momodudele@yahoo.co.uk

“

A Standing Ovation for Abdulsamad Rabiu f o r s t a ff , u s e r s , a n d buildings.

No one should be surprised about the remarkable successes and progress of the BUA Group under the Chairmanship of the amiable, easy-going, humble but audacious Abdulsamad. The secret is simple and straightforward; he's very hands-on without being a micro manager. He is dedicated and finicky, but he doesn't seek to be a perfectionist as he knows perfection is impossible.

He merely strives to attain the best possible results using the resources available to him. He takes delight in being innovative, a c c e p t i n g a n d implementing novel ideas whilst working with i m a g i n a t i v e , knowledgeable and brilliant people. He is adept and successful at doing multiple things at once. I caught a glimpse of his multitasking abilities when he started chatting with me as early as 7.00am wanting to know if I was fine and my crew also. And I heard he

personally contacted many of his friends who No one should be were booked on the special chartered flight surprised about from Air Peace to make the remarkable sure that the successes and arrangements he had put in place were working progress of the perfectly and that they BUA Group under would be punctual. As I transpired, everything the Chairmanship went like clockwork, of the amiable, and we had a pleasant easy-going, humble and enjoyable trip to but audacious Sokoto. We were well catered for by Air Peace Abdulsamad. The as was befitting of the grand occasion that we secret is simple were attending. and straightforward; As if this was not he’s very hands-on enough, more surprises awaited us in Sokoto. As without being a soon as our plane micro manager. touched down and we taxied to our parking spot, who did we see at was in place for the the foot of the plane? splendid event that he had None other than Alhaji diligently orchestrated, Abdulsamad who was on we were pleasantly hand with a decent surprised and honoured to welcoming party to see him at the airport. personally welcome us all More than enough buses to Sokoto. For someone and Jeeps were neatly I'm sure could not have parked outside the airport slept more than a few to transport the visiting hours, given his penchant dignitaries to the venue of for seeing that everything the commissioning and

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“

F

ellow Nigerians, I was extremely pleased to be invited to Sokoto two days ago, January 27, 2022, by one of the world's richest men, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, my friend of over 20 years. I would have been very sad had I missed the official commissioning of the new 3MTPA BUA Cement (Sokoto) Line 4 Cement Plant and the groundbreaking for Sokoto Line 5. It was an epochmaking event for many reasons and therefore an occasion that even wild horses would not have stopped me from attending.

The Plant is easily one of the biggest businesses of its kind in Northern Nigeria. It is certainly the most technologically advanced business of its type not only in Northern Nigeria, but Nigeria as a whole. The Cement Plant uses and exploits the latest cuttingedge technology available in the industry not only to enhance capacity and productivity but also to ensure increased safety, performance and durability

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Pendulum groundbreaking. The drivers, mostly Yoruba, were very warm and welcoming. I didn't realize there were so many of them resident in Sokoto.

We drove smoothly to our destination where everything had been meticulously planned and assiduously executed.

Security was very tight due to the large number of VVIPs around, but it was not obstructive or obtrusive. The event was well choreographed, and everything was handled practically seamlessly. It was indeed a spectacular occasion that held us all spellbound.

It was indeed a glorious day for the BUA Group.

Seated comfortably in the event centre were some very very important personalities, young, middle aged and old. I was most delighted to see, meet and greet some of the most influential African monarchs, such as His Imperial Majesty The Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II; The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa'adu Abubakar; The Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; The Emir of Bichi, His Royal Highness Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, (my friend of about three decades who I was delighted to see again after his recent turbanning; The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; Mr Olumide Akpata, President of the Nigeria Bar Association; Mr Sijibomi Ogundele of

Sujimoto; Mr Segun Aw o l o w o , f o r m e r helmsman at the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr Taiwo Afolabi of the SIFAX Group; Mr Jubril Adewale Tinubu, the Group CEO of OANDO PLC; Chief Sam Iwuajoku, the founder and Chairman of Quits Aviation; Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of I n d u s t r y, Tr a d e a n d Investment; Mr Tayo Ayeni, Chairman of Skymit Motors, Senator Mohammed Daggash; Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar, former Minister of Commerce and of the FCT; Balogun Akin Osuntokun, and many others. The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal played his part as the ecstatic, enthusiastic quintessential host. The force, momentous and historic nature of the occasion was underscored by the fact that the ceremony was presided by President Muhammadu Buhari who led the way in showering praises and

encomiums on Abdulsamad Rabiu.

All the speeches reflected the determination and success of the BUA Group to remain one of the leaders in all its spheres of endeavour as well as being the largest employer of labour in the Northern part of Nigeria.

The BUA Group continues to excel in its planning and execution of its projects and corporate goals. It is determined to propagate the message that economic and social activity can thrive in a wholesome and fulfilling manner in the North and that the impact of this on the security challenges the region faces can be a thing of the past with such ventures that will improve the life and livelihood of the people.

Briefly, the BUA Cement Sokoto Line 4 was built to the following specifications: three million metric tonnes per annum capacity; 6,000 TPD ILC with the highest

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energy efficiency and latest pollution abating equipment; 48 MW dual fuel power Plant and so on. The Line 5 is already in the works and should be ready in the first quarter of 2023.

M a n y o f t h e distinguished guests attested to the uncommon energy of the BUA Group Chairman. On a personal note, I have been a keen watcher of his gargantuan business exploits and feats since we first met at Mr Terry Waya's 40th birthday extravaganza in London on June 2001.

His capacity for taking on seemingly impossible tasks continue to confound his friends and critics alike. Thus, it is no surprise that he has continued to reap the harvests of his daredevil and fantastic initiatives abundantly.

And therefore, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu deserves a standing ovation from us all.

By Riyah Abdul

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Digital Democracy WITH JOEL POPOOLA joel@rateyourleader.com

+ 44 3333 355018

Is Britain Still Qualified to Call Nigeria "Fantastically Corrupt"?

With a Prime Minister under police investigation and £4.3bn of COVID-19 fraud, can Britain continue to call Nigeria "fantastically corrupt"? he next time a member of the British establishment describes Nigeria as "a failed state" perhaps we should remind them of the time a government minister resigned after admitting to overseeing a £4 billion fraud – and it wasn't even the biggest political scandal that week!

T

In London, Prime Minister Boris Johnson – recently censured for accepting in the region of 62m Naira to refurbish his flat from a wealthy backer – stands accused of hosting boozy parties during COVID-19 lockdown.

One such incident – for which his secretary invited attendees to bring alcohol to a gathering in the Prime Minister's house – saw Johnson insist that he believed himself to have been at "a work event".

Johnson now stands accused of enjoying a

birthday party during a time when up and down the UK – and around the world – parents were telling their children they were not allowed one. This was even a time when the Queen sat alone at her husband's funeral to obey social distancing requirements.

Had no-one told Johnson it was his birthday? Is him being presented with a cake and serenaded a regular workday occurrence?

The British Prime Minister is now subject to a police

investigation.

I'll repeat that.

The British Prime Minister is now subject to a police investigation.

While all of this was going on, Finance Minister Lord Theodore Agnew stood up in Parliament to announce that no less that £4.3bn of public money set aside for COVID-19 assistance for businesses had been lost to fraud.

The admission came after the New York Times described the UK's pandemic spending as

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being characterised by "waste, negligence and cronyism", leading to a situation where "politically connected businesses reaped billions".

The American newspaper has estimated that "about half" of the UK's pandemic spending went to "companies with political connections, no prior experience or histories of controversy."

These included contracts for one company currently on the receiving end of two global corruption probes, and a $470m protective equipment contract to a pest control firm who supplied 600,000 unusable face masks.

At least Boris Johnson has not publically accused Nigeria of being "fantastically corrupt" as one of his predecessors did!

Lord Agnew – the government minister with the responsibility for fighting financial fraud! –

admitted that "schoolboy errors" saw 1000 "ghost" businesses given public money.

UK government figures suggest that overall £5.8 billion was stolen from pandemic relief schemes by people claiming cash they weren't entitled to.

Again, imagine the response in Britain if a Nigerian politician admitted this!

But here perhaps Nigerian leaders could learn something from their British counterparts.

Lord Agnew was not personally to blame for this fraud – presumably he did not order his officials to allow it – but he accepted responsibility for it and immediately tendered his resignation.

This prompted praise from o p p o s i t i o n parliamentarians, with one calling him "a minister who felt his integrity could no longer ensure he remained a member of the Government.

"Can I just take this opportunity to say on behalf of these benches how much we appreciate the honour and integrity that has just been displayed by the minister", said another.

This shouldn't need saying, but people appreciate openness and transparency from their leaders.

At the digital democracy campaign I lead, we aim to give them the platforms they need to deliver it.

We have created a free mobile app called Rate Your Leader, which was designed to reconnect electors and the elected, opening direct channels of communication between people and their elected officials – giving local people the kind of access previously only enjoyed by funders.

R a t e Yo u r L e a d e r encourages politicians to speak directly to the people they serve and explain the decisions they

have made and the reasons for them. If the voters don't like the answer they get, they can rate their politicians badly.

This leads to greater levels of trust in a political class that the voters can see are working for them, and accountable to them.

Digital technologies like Rate Your Leader put transparency and accountability and your fingertips. Direct communication from politician to person, peer to peer.

We'd be happy to offer Boris Johnson a free account. But we must warn him, if he continues to break the rules he made – in the rooms he made them – he is unlikely to be rated very highly.

Joel Popoola is a Nigerian tech entrepreneur, digital democracy campaigner and creator of the Rate Your Leader app. He can be reached via @JOPopoola

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The Oracle CHIEF MIKE OZEKHOME SAN, OFR, FCIArb, Ph.D

08094777755 (SMS Only)

The Polictrickscians on the March Again for 2023 (Pt. 2)

I

NTRODUCTION Last week, we commenced this vexed issue on the season of empty and vainglorious promises made by politrickcians. Most of these promises are neither kept nor accomplished.

Today, we shall further xray and conclude our discourse on it. Please, read on.

T H E R E N T E D H A L L E L U J A H CROWD (continues) I will banish hunger and annul (pardon me, IBB), the consumption of

ordinary home-made yams, maize, garri, akpu, fufu, amala, elubo, eba, fura da nunu, miyar kuka, edikangikong, ofe nsala, nkwobi, atsu, tuwon shinkafa, tuwo zaafi, ewedu and all such unhealthy local foods. "Stomach infrastructure" or "democracy of the stomach" will be my first and primary concern when you elect me into office. I will grow apples, avocados, spinach, berry, water melon, papaya, guava, oranges, bananas, coconut and apricot in your

bedrooms, verandas and pork ribs, shrimps in chili sitting rooms. I will refine s a u c e a n d m a s h e d the oil in the Niger Delta, potatoes; while your stop gas flaring and dinner will be Singapore exploit the vast mineral noodles, crabs, boneless resources that abound sweet and sour duck, across Nigeria. I will pay lobsters in black bean all your children's school sauce and asparagus, and fees, including WAEC, broccoli with mixed NECO and UTME fees. I vegetable". will sponsor them to What can the average University level; even Nigerian Politickcian not do? Nothing! Nigeria post graduate studies.

My reign will ensure that befuddles me. your breakfast shall ONLY IN NIGERIA comprise of toasted bread, It is only in Nigeria that a sausage, spring rolls, Politrickcian will be bacon, vegetables and elected on the platform prawns in batter. Your of a political party, stay lunch will be fried pigeon, put and enjoy the party's www.thebossnewspapers.com

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protection and reputation for seven years; quietly or tumultuously decamps to an opposition political party in the 8th year, and suddenly realize that his original political party was satanic, luciferous, leprous, odious, backward, useless and indeed, consists of political lepers and greedy thieves of our common wealth. Only in Nigeria! He will tell us he has returned "home", and his fellow thieving Politickcians will gladly welcome him with pomp and pageantry.

It is only in Nigeria that a Governor will cajole and coax a crowd of people drawn from all nooks and crannies of all the Local Governments of his state, just for the purpose of commissioning a fivekilometer road project whose touted padded cost is actually more than 500% of the actual cost. The money used in organizing the attendant, "commissioning ceremony" is nearly as much as the project cost itself. Only in Nigeria! The poor, cheated and hoodwinked plebians will sing their hearts out, tattoo their bodies with uli and ume, and dance atilogwu, mpokiti, igioge, igbokobia, igieleghe and even egbabonalimhi dance. Only in Nigeria!

They relish in the Stockholm Syndrome by empathising and falling in love with their tormentors and slave drivers. Stalin's state of the chicken whose feathers he publicly plucked, whilst the

croaking bleeding chicken still wobbled back to eat particles of grain from his hand, is apposite here. The politrickcian will hire and arm thugs to win election.

As soon as he is sworn in, he discards with the unwanted dregs of the society. He is despised, derided and ignored. He only sees his "oga" in long convoys of tinted glass cars. Frustrated, he takes to the forest and transforms into a kidnapper, armed bandit, book haram, murderer and internet

and primitive acquisition.

Indeed, the more the "son of the soil", or "daughter of the soil" stole from the national till, the more he/she is venerated and idolised. The sudden wealth must luminate in sprawling mansions, in all parts of the world; private jets, a fleet of countless cars, vast acres of holiday resort and snaky escortheralded convoys of tinted vehicles. Only in Nigeria!

Woe betides the poor

scammer.

It is only in Nigeria you will hear the President and Governors "vow" to build roads, provide shelter and education, give water and Medicare to citizens, as if they were ever elected for a different purpose. Only in Nigeria! It is only in Nigeria that a community will welcome their son or daughter with open arms where he or she can show and demonstrate overt evidence of vulgar opulence

retiree who comes back chieftaincy titles, all of empty-handed in the them ending with one n a m e o f p r u d e n c e , (1). There is no number patriotism, honesty and two or three. That is a probity while in service. taboo. It is Ogbini 1, He/she will be shunned, O g b a l e g h e 1 , a v o i d e d , d e r i d e d , Okpughukpughu 1, scorned, mocked and spat Onwa 1, MajeKobaje 1, at, for being a fool while Yerimah 1, etc. such in service. Only in criminal elements will be accorded prominent Nigeria!

It is only in Nigeria that seats and mats in the elders will pour libation front pews and spaces of and pray for their children o u r c h u r c h e s a n d thus; "May God and our mosques, scrambling for ancestors increase your spaces with our liturgical wealth (money), but not and clerical officials www.thebossnewspapers.com

your work. May you find, or stumble on money that is not owned by any one". Gracious God! Holy Moses! Only in Nigeria!

It is only in Nigeria that certificated criminals who have ripped us off from our commonwealth will be rewarded and have their necks garlanded with medals, honourary doctorate degrees and National Honours. They will be awarded high sounding

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fondly called me whilst working with him, up to becoming his Deputy Head of Chambers in 1985.

ELECTIONACRACY "ELECTIONACRACY " is a system of government where elections are held as a ritual at intervals of 4 years in Nigeria, with the emergent elected or selected leaders, rather than giving the electors democracy dividends, merely stabilize themselves in power, commence primitive acquisition of wealth and forget the electorate that erected the leaders in the first place. They then begin another round of campaigns after pretending to work for 2 years. They are already looking forward to the next election when the electorate has not benefited from any democracy dividends from their first term.

JUDOCRACY "JUDOCRACY" is a genre of government practised only in Nigeria, where Presidents, Governors, Legislators and LG Chairmen are thrown up as having "won" in an election.

Their victory is immediately challenged.

They get enmeshed in these legal callithenics for the next 2 to 3 years of their corruption-ridden governance. Then, s u d d e n l y, t h e y a r e conceived, incubated and delivered in the hallowed Chambers and precincts of our law

such as canons and Imams.

Only in Nigeria! It is only in Nigeria that small level officials of Government will easily pocket billions of naira and amass tens of houses and then smile home thereafter after a judicial slap on their wrist.

Only in Nigeria!

It is only in Nigeria that Boko Haram and armed bandits will abduct our innocent daughters from Chibok, Dapchi, Kankara, Jangebi, Kaduna and Kagara. Rather than unite

war; men and women of honour and valour, who left their loved families and the comfort of their homes, to fight in the damp, cold forests and hot deserts, to ensure our collective s e c u r i t y. N i g e r i a n Politricians turn the entire issue in to a political game of musical chairs and Baba Sala's Alawada Kerikeri's histrionics and theatricals.

Only in Nigeria! It is only in Nigeria that elected officials of Government will use the first of a four

Nigeria can this state of absurdity take place.

Nigeria has become one huge joke. She has been so dehumanized in such a way as to generate one form of absurdity or another, on a daily basis.

Nigeria has since become a sickening contraption of one scandal per day.

THERE IS NO DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA Indeed, Nigeria, especially under the president Muhammadu

as a Nation and fight a common enemy, as the Americans did on 11th of September, 2001, when her national pride and symbol of strength, the New York twin towers, were leveled to ground zero, Nigerians will engage in lamentation and rightly blame the nonperforming President and Governor of the receiving state. We abuse and denigrate the military that is busy fighting the "civil"

year term to study their governance or legislative structure and organogram, including making appointments; use the second year to work for the people who elected them; and use the remaining two years politicking and amassing vulgar primitive wealth towards another round of a 4-yearly electioneering ritual.

Nigerian Politrickcians enjoy Politicking without governance. Only in

Buhari administration, does not practise democracy at all. Rather, it practises electonocracy, judocracy, executocracy and legislatocracy. I will explain these terms which I have personally coined from my personal lexical dictionary. That was what informed the aliases of "Ozek baba", "mobile dictionary" and "mobile Library", that my late legendary mentor, iconic Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN, SAM, GCON, www.thebossnewspapers.com

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courts, rather than through the ballot box. The will of the people is thereby subsumed in the decision and judgement of courts of l a w, t h e n o n representatives of the people.

EXECUTOCRACY "EXECUTOCRACY ", as practised in Nigeria, is an aberrant form of government, far removed from democracy, where the executive arm of government acts in torrerem of other arms of government. The Executive continually browbeat, intimidate, harass, marginalize and subjugate the Legislature and the Judiciary. It is usually headed by a maximalist, autocratic, absolute and dictatorial head, who views himself as Loius XIV of France.

Loius XIV was so intoxicated with the effect o f l i q u o r- i n e b r i a t i n g power that in 1655, he proudly stood in front of parliament and declared "L'etat, C' est moi" (I am the state). He said this to indicate his complete hold on power to the exclusion

of all other lesser mortals.

LEGISLOTACRACY "LEGISLATOCRACY" is another peculiar genre of democracy as practised only in Nigeria. It is a fundamentally flawed legislative system where there is an overbloated and virtually jobless 360 members of the House of Representatives and 109 Senators, all of whom are not unsurprisingly permitted by the 1999 Constitution to sit for only 6 months out of 12 months in a calendar year of 12 months. This enables them to seamlessly engage in extra-legislative businesses and money-making ventures.

These legislators, contrary to the clear provisions of the 1999 Constitution, legislate on EVERYTHING except making laws "for the peace, order and good government of the federation".

The law makers carryout oversight functions under sections 88 and 89 of the constitution, not in furtherance of any public interest or any common good, but in pursuit of their private pockets after

extorting money (during budget presentations) from ministries, MDA's and other government establishments, both at the federal, state and LGA's level.

Under legislatocracy, Mr President's requests are sacrosanct and written on Hamurabi tablet of inviolability. So, like the agama lizard, the law makers can only nod their heads "yes, yes, yes", to all presidential requests, however anti-people.

Legislatocracy ensures free padding of budgets to accommodate their insatiable baccanalina propensity to consume and indulge in primitive acquisition of vulgar wealth in a rentier economy.

Legislatocracy also ensures that rather than make laws, legislators fight over constituency projects. When given hundreds of millions to execute these projects, they end up digging few boreholes, repairing village culverts; buying motor cycles, hair dryers, grinding machines and

wheel barrows, to their hapless clapping peasants and thugs that were used during the last elections. Nigeria's peculiar legislatocratic system ensures that the law makers receive the highest pay amongst law makers across the globe, including older, tested and more established democracies of the world.

Only in Nigeria! It is so sad, so debasing, so heart-rending and so idiotic.

Nigeria, we hail thee!

(Concluded).

FUN TIMES "What kind of music do mummies listen to?

Wrap music".

"Singing in the shower is fun until you get soap in your mouth, then it becomes a soap opera".

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK "The hardest thing about any political campaign is how to win without proving that you are unworthy of winning".

(Adlai Stevenson I).

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ADDING VALUE WITH HENRY UKAZU henrous@gmail.com

In Search of Perfection

D

ear Destiny Friends, Perfection is something everyone of us crave for, but in reality, no one is perfect.

Perfection means different things to different people.

Those in the professional establishment see perfection as an employee or entrepreneur who is diligent in his work. Those in a relationship see perfection as the person who either completes them or is compatible with them.

In the same vein, writers see perfection as someone who is very detailed in his work.

We normally search for perfection, but fail to understand that the word perfection only exists in the dictionary, at most we have an imagery of what perfection is in our minds.

As is widely acclaimed, no one is perfect, not even an artwork is perfect nor matter how neat and classy it may appear. The best we can get is near perfection.

The only place perfection exists in the world is heaven and the only perfect person is God. In every sphere of life, the best we can give is our best, and that is what is required and expected from us. Striving for

perfection has been the cause of procrastination and failures among progressive minds. This is because when we strive for perfection, we tend to wait for a perfect time before we execute any project, we fail to understand that done is better than perfect and progress is better than perfection. When you are in pursuit of perfection, you tend to lose sight of the blind spot surrounding you, and as such you limit yourself to the human element of vulnerability.

The beauty of life lies in its originality. Every single being living on planet earth is distinct. We all have different gifts/talent and acquired skills. When you try to be like someone else, you can only imitate their style, but you can never imitate their creativity.

Everyone of us is unique. It is your uniqueness that makes you stand out.

According to Mandy Hale, "just be yourself, let people see the real imperfect, flawed, quirky, weird, beautiful magical person that you are." I personally believe vulnerability is not weakness. As a matter of fact, vulnerability is a great attribute of strong leaders.

They are not afraid to let

their guards down. Great leaders let their subordinates and those around them know their weakness, and this is what defines their relationship and leadership.

As widely stated in the social circle, it is when someone knows your weakness and still decides to stick around, you'll truly know that loyalty is priceless. As a matter of advice, always show the world your strength and work on your weakness.

The world doesn't care to know your weakness, rather they appreciate your strength.

It's instructive to note human beings are better appreciated when they are in their authentic self.

Nobody likes a human being in a chameleon skin.

When you are truly yourself, you allow people to see through you, they

experience you and know how best to relate with you.

To understand the power of authenticity, realise that when you are truly authentic, only real people will come close to you, and the fake people will depart from you, but when you are fake, the real people who are supposed to come close to you will depart from you and only fake people will come close.

In conclusion, as you journey through life, always strive to give your best as opposed to waiting for a perfect time.

Sometimes, it is in your weakness and low moments that you might get the life changing opportunity that is capable of transforming your life.

As you do this remember, done is better than perfect and progress is better than time perfection

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VOICE of

Emancipation - Kayode Emola -

Dealing with Grief

L

ife, they say, is fleeting and one thing that is certain for every mortal is death: a debt that is owed by us all, and that all of us will surely one day pay. The only thing is that no one knows when he or she will pay this ultimate price. However, once this price has been paid, it is not those who have died who are burdened with the cares of this world any longer, rather it is those left behind who must bear this grief.

Many of us have faced grief in our lives at one time or another, and people deal with it in different ways. We face the grief of losing that dream job, house, car, or even loved ones. For some people, the road to recovery can be very difficult and painful, and so this underscores the importance of our need to always reach out in love and support to one another.

When my editor called me last week to tell me that he had lost his mother, I could immediately relate to the pain that he was going through. I personally experienced the loss of my mum at a very young age.

Throughout my life I have experienced grief in a

variety of situations, however, none can be compared to that which I felt when I lost my mum to the cold hands of death in December 2003. It is never an easy thing to lose a loved

one, and the loss of a parent is the hardest grief of all to deal with.

The difficulties associated with coping with grief is not to be underestimated, so I will share a few tips that did

help me deal with this grief at the time. The first therapy for dealing with grief is the amount of information at our disposal to fight this pain.

For many, it is not the grief itself that

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overwhelms them but the after-effect of the grief.

When my mum passed away, my first pillar of support was my dad and what he told me was very remarkable. My dad was around 65 years or more when he lost his own mother, yet he narrated the grief he went through. He told me that it doesn't matter how many years you live with your mother when she passes on, you will continue to feel the pain until you die. His words struck me, as I thought for him having lived to a much older age enjoying so many wonderful moments with his mum. I thought this would have made him more grateful to spend so many years with her. Yet, it seems, the more time we have spent with our loved ones resonates a deeper

sense of grief.

The next pillar of support I received was from friends and family at the time. A lot of people were at our house during that period to offer support in one way or another, ensuring that we were doing well. Their warm words although I cannot recollect all, were very helpful in remembering that death is an inevitable price we all have to pay. My family was very supportive, my uncles, aunts, and other relatives from far and wide helped in every way they can to see that my mum was given a befitting burial and to help us deal with the grief.

However, I must not fail to mention the greatest pillar of support that I received which was from the church. Note that as a young man, I couldn't

phantom why I should lose my mum at that very young age. She was full of life and had many years ahead of her, so it was very difficult to wrap my head around the fact that she is no longer with us.

No soothing words could help me deal with this grief until the youth leader read the letter of Paul in First Thessalonians 4 v 13 to me. Paul had encouraged the Thessalonians not to sorrow concerning those who are asleep like people without hope. It is this verse that settled it for me knowing that there is the hope of one day reuniting with my beloved mother.

I know that for some people, a single verse may not bring about the healing that they require and it may take a lot more effort to heal the wounds

of losing a loved one. In whatever we go through, from pain to deep anguish, let us remember that there are always people around us we can lean on for support.

Let us not hold back within ourselves and suffer in silence when there are enumerable resources in the world today to deal with whatever grief we face.

We should remember that whatever we are going through right now is not new and that others may have even gone through the worst or similar situation. My hope and prayer are that no matter what life may throw at us, we would get all the required support we need to deal with the challenges and come out stronger rather than a broken person.

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The Gift of Pain: Maximizing Adversity As a Builder!

By Tolulope A. Adegoke

A

dversity is an adventure that develops a 'venture' at the junctures of 'what' would have destroyed the structures of your purpose on this plane called Earth, but eventually turns out to be a weapon and a builder towards fulfilling your destiny and lifting the weights of glory! How you see situations or challenges and confront them matters, and they are functions of your mindset as a being called MAN. Yo u d e t e r m i n e w h a t (must) comes out of it!

Adversities are surmountable! You are the actor in the picture. Your posture influences the picture. I charge you to BE THE HERO, not a 'zero'!

So, maximize the scenarios in your favour! It is, therefore: Acutely advertising Destructible!

Vulnerable!

Episodic!

Revival!

Surmountable!

Impactful!

Terrifying! But, it is all about YOU and what's in you! " —Tolulope A. Adegoke In John 16:33 (NKJV): "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.

'Ye shall have tribulation in the world, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.'

Romans 8: 37: "Nay, in all these things, we are more than conquerors."

("NKJV") Adversity is a builder. It is to a man what fire is to gold! The gold is purified, melted, and heated by fire, causing it to SHINE! It is the way that a man sees adversity that he gets from it. If you took it to be a builder or ladder, it would build and lift you (vis-àvis).

It is the challenge that comes one's way that brings out either the best or worst character in a man.

Winners today were once failures, but they were determined enough through the order of divine grace and strong-will to face it all and breakthrough, which eventually culminated in them being globally celebrated in their areas of calling!

It is the same adversity that breaks one person that builds another. It all depends on the way we manage and wire our mental and spiritual focus. You either rise up or succumb to the pressures that come with adversity! It is left to you to pick yourself up, bounce back like a palm tree, and encourage yourself to surmount the mountain (s) before you!

Once the mountain is climbed, you enter into glory.

Adversity is what builds our spiritual and physical muscles so that we can be fit enough to bear or carry the weight of glory.

Adversity is like an examination for a student; it gives him promotion or demotion, which is determined by his level of

preparation and his level of mindset towards becoming a victor or victim, hero or zero!

It is based on our individual levels of reactions to "adversity" that gives us the edge in surmounting it. It can make or mar you. It can make you in the sense that, if you embrace it with rugged faith, then you will come out strong; but, if you submit to it, it will crush you. Kindly permit me to say that Dr Yomi Garnett, Yinka Oba, Fela Durotoye, Strive Masiyiwa, among others, are living proof (you could ask to interview them in person about how true this is).

Even so, the testimonies of Job, Joseph, Paul the Apostle, and others in the Holy Bible linger on and

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on.

You must not see adversity as a problem, but a challenge that must be confronted with hope, faith, love, and hard and smart work to conquer, which are the courageous weapons for success that lead to greatness in the face of tribulations, no matter how many times they come.

You must always see yourself on the other side of it. What you see is what you will get!

A wise man once asked his children: Can you say a professor is a failure? They replied, "NO! The father responded: Wole Soyinka failed the West African Senior Secondary Certification Examination nine (9) times… The children screamed! But can you still call him a failure today? No, the children replied, The father then asked why?

Then, the children responded, "because he confronted his fears and was determined enough to overcome them by hard work and with the influence of divine grace… and eventually succeeded."

The moral of this illustration is that you are not a failure until you give up!

Today, you call him Prof.

Wole Soyinka (a hero), but as at the time he was failing WAEC, most people called him a dullard (a zero).

Adversity is a ladder to greater levels of glory!

You will not get your reward until you finish

your course!

You cannot get your crown until you are done with the cross!

No guts, no glory! You will not be able to overcome the wilderness until you become wild!

You cannot get through to the promised land until you are completely processed (refined)!

No gold ever shines without having passed through the furnace!

You cannot become more until you've been mocked!

You will not be able to receive your prizes until you have fully paid your price! What we regard as adversity is actually a setup for us to overcome and step up! It is a junction, or curve, on our journey to fulfill our destiny! Don't interrupt the processes of growth and sustainable development.

Adversity is an examination in disguise to build our muscles so as to be fit enough to carry or

bear the weight of glory!

Therefore, adversity is: Acutely advertising Destructible!

Vulnerable!

Episodic!

Revival!

Surmountable!

Impactful!

Terrifying! But, it is all about YOU! You determine what must come out of it!

Adversities are surmountable! You are the actor in the picture. I charge you to BE THE HERO! You are not a failure until you give up! Adversity unveils us to realms of glory! It compels us to aim higher, while it charges us to take the stairs!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. reveals that: 'The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and

controversy!'

It is not easy to be EASY. We must be determined, we must work and do our best to escape genuinely, but only God can deliver us from all uneasiness.

Only God gives us the grace to overcome all odds!

Stop being frustrated when you are confronted with challenges. Rather, engage in audacious faith to confront and conquer your fears! It is a revival, and you are in for a revolution that will propel the required evolution. Adversity is an advanced citadel of learning in disguise! I call it the advanced 'universe's-city', where reality poses a great threat, just like examinations within the four walls of a university.

Thank you all for reading t h i s #EpistleForChampions

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PDP Lied About Leaving $550bn Economy Before Handover To Buhari – BMO

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h e P e o p l e s Democratic Party did not leave behind a $550billion dollar economy when it lost power to the All Progressives Congress in 2015.

The Buhari Media Organisation said in a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju, and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, that the claim by the party's leaders is at variance with facts on ground.

The statement partly read, "While we know that PDP elements are used to pulling numbers from the air, we did not expect that they would cook up figures on the state of the economy in May 2015 to deceive Nigerians.

"It all began in December last year with former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka dropping the cooked figure on PDP-era e c o n o m y, b e f o r e governors elected on the party platform jumped on it.

"Now it is surprising that the PDP Chairman Iyorchia Ayu who postures as an academic has also jumped on the bandwagon when he could have put his research skills into use.

"For the avoidance of doubt, Nigeria's GDP figure in 2015 was 486billion dollars, not the 550billon dollars that the opposition party is bandying around like a badge of honor.

"We make bold to say that

virtually all the data the party rolls out are contrived to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians."

BMO argued that contrary to the rosy picture that PDP chieftains had been painting, the economy was on a decline at the time that President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in.

The pro-Buhari group said, "We want to place it on record that no fewer than 27 States were finding it difficult to pay staff salaries as at 2014 and it was not until the APC-led administration came on board that the States were given bailouts to stay afloat.

"And just a year earlier in 2013, Nigeria's poverty figure was 112m out of a population of 165m people, according to World Bank figures.

To d a y, t h e B u h a r i administration has cycled millions of people out of poverty with the figure now put at about 88m.

"Yes, a large chunk of the country's debt was paid o f f b y a P D P administration in 2006, but as at May 2015, Nigeria's public debt was 63billion dollars even when the country made 381.9billion dollars from crude oil sales alone

between 2010 and May 2015.

"We again challenge PDP leaders to show Nigerians how they spent what the country realised as well as funds in the Excess Crude Account because there is indeed little or no infrastructure to show for the oil boom era."

BMO urged Nigerians to continue to reject the former ruling party because, according to the pro-Buhari group, it has nothing to offer.

NAN

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Buhari Inaugurates BUA's Three Million Metric Tonnes Cement Plant

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resident Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, paid a visit to Sokoto State to inaugurate a cement plant owned by BUA Group, as well as a power plant.

He was hosted by Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

The 4th line of the BUA cement plant is estimated to produce three million metric tonnes of cement per annum plant.

President Buhari lauded the company for believing in Nigeria, and for being the largest employer of labour in the North-West region of the country.

The President expressed delight that the policies of the Federal Government on economic diversification, job

creation, as well as creating an enabling environment was yielding fruits.

He pledged that his regime would continue to support serious investors to set up businesses that will take advantage of huge reserves of resources in different parts of the country.

He also recounted that the second facility of the cement plant was inaugurated when he was the Head of State in 1985.

"Today, almost thirty-seven years later, to commission the fourth line is a very special day for me personally.

"As you all know, one of the key economic pillars of our administration has been to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. This is necessary for

job creation and indeed, for our economy and national security.

"In the past few weeks, I visited Ogun and Kaduna states where I observed many private sector investments in action. And today, I am here in Sokoto to commission this multibillion Naira project.

"It is therefore very clear for all to see that our policies are working. Progress is gradually being made in all parts of the country," Buhari said.

The President thanked the Founder of BUA Cement, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and the entire team for the great efforts made to diversify the economy and create new jobs for the teeming population.

He noted that the company, which has built four new cement plants of similar capacity in the last five years, in different parts of the country, is set to complete two more plants soon.

Bits Academy Nigeria Gets NABTEB Accreditation

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he Bits Academy in Nigeria says it has received the approval and accreditation of the National Business and Technical Educational Board.

According to a statement by the academy, the acc r e d i t a t i o n f u r th e r validates the world-class status of the institution as well as the series of training programmes it undertakes across the country and beyond.

The Manager of the Bits Academy in Edo State, Abraham Omomoh, was quoted as saying that the NABTEB accreditation makes certificates issued by the Bits Schools in Nigeria acceptable

nationally for work and employment.

He added that graduates of the school (EkoBits and EdoBits ICT Academy) programmes could be hired by any organisation or business.

He said, "The Bits Academy in Nigeria is a school initiative of We are Bits Consortium set up by the O x f a m a n d Wo r k i n Progress! Alliance, with Poise Nigeria as the implementing partner."

"The Bits School is a training initiative with branches across different nations worldwide, including Uganda, Kenya and Somalia. At EkoBits in Lagos and EdoBits in Benin City, youths learn relevant IT skills that put them ahead

of their peers. design, motion graphics "As a teen or youth just and soft skills." leaving secondary school, "Participants in the you can become grounded y e a r l y t r a i n i n g o f in in-demand world-class EkoBits and EdoBits ICT skills at the Bits ICT Academy have an Schools in Nigeria." industry absorption rate He added, "The Bits of over 80 per cent."

Academy in Nigeria According to him, the trains young people in institution is open to three main IT skill areas further sponsorship and and they are; basic partnerships. computer appreciation, web design, creative www.thebossnewspapers.com

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DMO Lists $4bn Eurobond On FMDQ Securities Exchange

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he Debt Management Office has listed the $4bn borrowed through Eurobond in September 2021 on the FMDQ Securities Exchange.

The listing was announced by the DMO through a statement published on its website on Wednesday.

"The Debt Management Office listed the $4bn Eurobond issued by the Federal Government of Nigeria on the FMDQ Securities Exchange on

January 25, 2022," it said.

The Eurobond was issued on September 28, 2021, as part of the fundraising for the implementation of the 2021 Appropriation Act. It was issued in three tranches of seven years for $1.25bn due September 2028 at 6.125 per cent, 12 years for $1.50bn due September 2033 at 7.375 per cent, and 30 years for $1.25bn due September 2051 at 8.250 per cent.

The DMO said, "the subscription level for the

Eurobond was $12.2bn, making it one of the continent's most successful financial transactions of 2021.

"The Eurobond issuance shored up Nigeria's foreign reserves, led to the appreciation of the naira and provided significant capital to finance various projects across Nigeria under the 2021 Appropriation Act." The debt office also said

that the Eurobond would be listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited to provide a diversified pool of financial offerings for investors.

NNPC To Deduct N127bn From FAAC, Plans $5bn AfrieximBank Loan

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he Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, on Thursday announced that the NNPC was working with AfrieximBank to raise $5bn financing for the oil firm.

Kyari announcement came as the national oil firm told the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee that it would deduct N127bn from FAAC allocation in February 2022 being fund spent on petrol subsidy.

In a tweet via his official Twitter handle, the NNPC boss stated that the $5bn financing would be used to boost the company's upstream ventures.

He added that the loan would also be used to facilitate the NNPC's energy supply programme, adding that it would create opportunities for both partners.

Kyari said, "Afreximbank

working with NNPC Ltd to raise $5bn financing to support our upstream businesses and facilitate energy supply and transition.

Opening gate for many more opportunities of collaboration with Afreximbank."

This came as the oil company made it clear to FAAC that it would deduct N127bn from what the three tiers of government would share by next month, describing the fund as value shortfall to be recovered on petrol imports.

The company disclosed this in its presentation at the January 2022 FAAC, which was obtained in Abuja on Thursday by our correspondent.

The NNPC is the sole importer of petrol into Nigeria and subsidises the commodity, hence it deducts the money it spends on petrol subsidy from what it remits to FAAC monthly.

It said, "The November 2021

value shortfall recovery on b a r r e l s ( e x p o r t a n d the importation of PMS d o m e s t i c c r u d e ) i n a m o u n t e d t o November 2021 recorded N270,831,143,856.56. 7.78 per cent increase The recovery consists of relative to the 7.71 November 2021 value million barrels lifted in s h o r t f a l l o f October 2021.

N220,110,853,427.56 plus It said Nigeria recorded the outstanding value an average production of shortfall recovery of 1.27 million barrels per N50,720,290,429.00 for day in November 2021, the month of October adding that crude kil and 2021. gas export revenue "The estimated value received in December s h o r t f a l l o f 2021 amounted to N127,035,585,356.25 is to $ 5 . 1 3 m $ 4 0 . 1 4 m be recovered from January respectively.

2022 proceed due for The oil firm further stated sharing at the February t h a t t h e s u m o f 2022 FAAC meeting."

N352,518,463,538.25 In the presentation, the was the gross domestic company stated that the crude oil and gas revenue overall NNPC Crude oil f o r t h e m o n t h o f lifting of 8.31 million December 2021. www.thebossnewspapers.com

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Petrol Landing Cost Rises To N282/Litre, Oil Hits $90

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he upturn in global crude oil prices has pushed the landing cost of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) imported into Nigeria to over N282 per litre.

The further rise in the landing cost of petrol means increased subsidy as the pump price of the product remains steady at N162-N165 per litre.

The landing cost of the product rose to N282.29 per litre on January 20 as the international oil benchmark, Brent crude,

jumped to $89.75 per barrel that day from $77.24 per barrel on December 31, 2021.

Brent rose further on Wednesday to $90.22 per barrel as of 5.19 pm Nigerian time, its highest level since 2014.

The sharp rise in global oil prices to record highs has pushed the subsidy cost being incurred by the Federal Government.

Marketers have increased the price of Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel, to N355-N360 per litre.

No Dollar Spent On Cement Import In Seven Years - Emefiele

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he Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, has said Nigeria has not spent dollars to import cement in the last seven years.

A statement from the CBN said he spoke at the inauguration of the new BUA cement plant in Sokoto, which was performed by President Muhammadu Buhari in Sokoto, on Thursday.

"No dollar had been spent on the importation of cement into Nigeria in the past seven years," Emefiele said.

The CBN governor pledged the bank's support for the manufacturing sector in Nigeria and pushed for a reduction in the prices of building materials in the country in order to make housing more affordable.

He said that the decision of the bank to restrict access to foreign exchange for the

importation of 43 items, including cement, which could either be produced in Nigeria or for which raw materials could be sourced within the country, had helped to boost the production capacity of cement in the country.

According to him, the production capacity of cement companies in Nigeria has increased from 30 million metric tonnes in 2014 to 60 million metric tonnes in 2021.

Emefiele commended the BUA cement company for its effort in constructing the plant with no external finance, noting that such private sector initiatives were yielding fruits and w e r e c r i t i c a l complementary ingredients to reducing unemployment and boosting production activities in Nigeria.

He said such investments helped to support the CBN's mandate of promoting stable macro-economic

growth in Nigeria.

Emefiele assured current and prospective operators in the industrial sector that the CBN was ready to collaborate with them in enabling the development of a viable manufacturing sector in Nigeria.

"For those who are willing to invest in new

greenfield or existing brownfield projects, the CBN will provide all the support needed, both in naira and dollars needed to import plants and equipment to actualise these investments," he said.

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Lifestyle

Vol.3.31

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A Publication of Ovation Media Group

TOP-NOTCH

Chris Brown Sued For Allegedly Raping A Woman In A Yacht FASHION

Crossbody Bag: The Comeback of Stylish Accessory

Saskay Looks Iconic In New Photos

Kroos: We Want Mbappe At Real Madrid

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TOPNOTCH ...Celebrity Gist Unlimited

Kiddwaya And I Are Close But Never Dated - DJ Cuppy Reveals

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illionaire heiress and disc jockey, Florence Otedola aka Cuppy has revealed that she has never been romantically involved with reality star, Kiddwaya.

The 29-year-old said this in an Instagram live session with Kiddwaya on Wednesday night.

Speaking on their friendship she said," You are I are just friends, we are so close. we literally talk about everything. I appreciate that you're always there for me.

People always think we dated."

In August 2021, the celebrities shared a loved-up photo of themselves which left fans wondering if the billionaires' children are now a couple.

During his time in the Big Brother Naija show, Kiddwaya sent wishes to DJ Cuppy appreciating her for her support and love.

"The second message goes out to my second favourite girl Cuppy, I know she supports me out there. I want to thank you for your support, you have always been there for me and always close to my heart. I love you always,"

he said.

Hours after Kiddwaya's session, viewers of the Big Brother Naija reality show started speculating that there could be more to DJ Cuppy and Kiddwaya's friendship.

Chris Brown Sued For Allegedly Raping A Woman In A Yacht

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merican singer Chris Brown has been sued for on rape and sexual assault. allegedly raping a woman in a yacht.

From the famous assault on his ex-girlfriend, Rihanna, to being accused of rape during a visit to According to TMZ, the suit was filed by a choreographer, France, the music star has had his hand full with dancer, and musician identified only as Jane Doe. allegations.

She is suing the music star for $20M, this is according to her lawyer.

According to the suit, Brown invited Doe to music star P Diddy's home on Miami's Star Island.

Doe in the suit claimed that she and Brown were on a yacht in the area and that Brown offered her a drink.

According to the suit, Doe felt "a sudden, unexplained change in consciousness" after Brown filled her cup a second time.

The music star then walked her to the bedroom, undressed her and raped her.

She alleged that the singer sent her message the following morning and demanded she took Plan B. Doe's lawyers said she didn't report the crime at that time because she was still in medical school.

Brown has had several legal dramas in the past, bordering www.thebossnewspapers.com

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Reminisce Announces Sixth Album, 'Alaye Toh Se Gogo'

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n January 26, 2022, legendary Nigerian rapper, Remilekun Safaru, popularly known as Reminisce, announced his sixth album, Alaye Toh Se Gogo with a track of the same title.

The record was his follow-up to 'Omo X 100,' the short 2021 collaboration with Olamide. This album will also be his follow-up to 2020 album, Vibes and Insha Allah.

The record samples the classic Tony Tetuila song, 'Sere,' which features the legendary 2baba and it was released on the Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneyeled Kennis Music. It follows a similar inflective tone to 'Omo X 100.'

Announcing the record, Reminisce wrote this on his Instagram page, "Happy to be doing this one. It's a song that brings back so many memories as it allows me to speak on fair-weather friends, family, expectations of fans and changed priorities.

“Thanks to baba @kennyogungbe for Clearing the record SEAMLESSLY. And to the legends who gave us such an iconic track @tonytetuilaofficial & @official2baba #ATSG is coming in hard!"

Regina Daniels Says Husband Behind Aphrodisiac Vendor Jaruma's Arrest

N

ollywood actress Regina Daniels has confirmed that her husband, Ned Nwoko, is behind the arrest of popular aphrodisiac vendor, Jaruma.

In a statement released via her Instagram page on Thursday, January 27, 2022, the movie star also gave several reasons why she fell out with Jaruma as business partners and friends.

She revealed how the popular 'love enhancer' vendor presented several deceitful content as part of their business dealings.

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After Collaborating With Fireboy, Ed Sheeran Set To Visit Nigeria

arlier this week, it was reported that 'Peru (Remix),' the international smash hit, by YBNL/EMPIRE act, Fireboy and Grammy-winning English superstar, Ed Sheeran, would debut at No. 1 on the Official UK Top 40.

It's now been released that on the back of that success, Sheeran is set to visit Nigeria. He revealed this during an Instagram Live chat with Fireboy.

Sheeran announced his feature on the show, during Rocket Hour, Elton John's Apple Music Radio show.

He said, ""[A friend] said, "Fireboy DML would love you on the remix of this song." And I've just found it really intriguing. So I recorded a verse for it... and it's a song that's blowing up in Nigeria and Ghana at the moment and their club scene runs over Christmas.

"So you basically put a song to the club in the middle of December, which would seem a weird thing to do in England. But yeah, so I've done the remix for this song, but this is the original and it's just, it's an earworm, and it's addictive, and I'm obsessed with it. I mean, Cherry will tell you, I've had this song on repeat constantly in the house for the last week."

The record has waxed strong since then. www.thebossnewspapers.com

Entertainment

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Saskay Looks Iconic In New Photos Tsakute Jonah, popularly known as Saskay, is one of the youngest big brother season 6 shine ya eye housemate. She's a beautiful model with a great taste in fashion.

Since the show ended, she has been dropping stunning outfits on social media that definitely caught our attention and revealed how impeccable her taste in fashion is.

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Relationship

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Break-Up: Possible Ways To Forget Your Ex

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break up can be a big blow to your mental health and selfesteem. It could leave your soul empty, leave you feeling lonely, unloved and most times depressed or suicidal.

The only way out of this depressing cage is to break free, you just have to move on. Of course, forgetting these memories requires time, deliberate action and a great deal of courage.

The fact that you're reading this indicates that you're ready to put the suffering behind you and move on.

You should undergo a mind cleansing therapy to help you get out of this broken period. So, here are excellent suggestions to assist you in moving on.

1. Be independent Invest in yourself and become productive. Learn to do things for yourself, look for a job and take care of your needs. Becoming a self dependent person will

help you forget your ex especially if you're so used to them doing things for you. Working hard will help take your mind off them.

Remember the saying about an idle mind? Well, get busy, look for an activity and engage yourself in it.

2. Cut off all communication Don't fall into the trap of "she's my ex but we're still friends." It's not for everyone and it's definitely not good for your mental health.

Avoiding any form of contact with your ex or their friends/family members, is a courageous but right step to take. If you want to move on, then no texting, no calling or secret meet ups. Avoid them.

3. No stalking Stay off their social media pages and stop checking them out through their friends' pages either. As a

matter of fact, I suggest mutual friends (friends of blocking or deleting them your ex) are, is likely to for a while. Stalking your cause fresh pains and ex will keep you stuck and bring back memories cause you to relive the you'd rather forget. If you trauma day-in-day-out. are certain you want to 4. Rekindle or find a new move on, then consider passion avoiding social events of Being in a relationship for your ex's friends for a too long can make you while. drift away from things you 7. Share with someone love doing. One of the best Try talking to someone ways to forget your ex is about how you feel b y l o o k i n g o u t f o r concerning the break-up; something you loved it will help you feel less doing, or get a new hobby depressed and allow you or interest. You'll end up to accept affection from finding new ways to have other people in your life. fun and become happier. Also, strive to form new relationships with your 5. Hang out more Honor social invitations, friends and family. invest in your social life. It Whatever you do, do not will help you forget your allow this heartbreak or break up experience and mistake stop you from g i v e y o u f r e s h living and experiencing opportunities to meet new love again. There are people and who knows, many people out there you just might meet a new who would give anything love interest. for someone like you.

6 . Av o i d m u t u a l meetings Attending meetings where www.thebossnewspapers.com

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Crossbody Bag: The Comeback of Stylish Accessory By: Ajibade Morakinyo

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he fashion industry h a s b e e n experiencing a lot of come back in recent times, and it's been whole lot amazing. But the case of crossbody bags (aka the bumbag, fanny pack or road man bag) is indeed a resurrection. A fixture of 90s style, it's since been worn largely by tourists and style apathetic types.

But, like Lazarus, it's back, and in more stylish way.

This accessory called crossbody bag was first deemed cool (yes, cool) by streetwear fanatics, but has now managed the transition into less trendobsessed wardrobes, too.

So even if you don't know your Supreme from your Palace, you can still embrace the crossbody bag as a way to lend edge and convenience to your look.

That's because as well as being suddenly cool, crossbody bags are practical, too. They're an exponentially more comfortable way to transport your essentials than cramming your keys and wallet in the back pocket of your jeans. They also look style-forward when worn well, which is why we tapped some styles you could adopt to look stunning with this hands-freeing accessory.

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Parable of the Unborn Twins

By Babatunde Jose

Similitude of Life Before Life and Life After Life.

The Unbelievers say, "Never to us will come the Hour": Say, "Nay! But most surely, by my Lord, it will come upon you; –by Him Who knows the unseen, –From Whom is not hidden the least little atom in the Heavens or on earth: Nor is there anything less than that, or greater, but is in the Record Perspicuous.

(Quran 34:3) he above Ayat is exemplified by the similitude of life before life: In a mother's womb were two babies. One asked the other: "Do you believe in life after delivery?" The other replied, "Why, of course. There has to be something after delivery.

Maybe we are here to prepare ourselves for what w e w i l l b e l a t e r. " "Nonsense" said the first.

"There is no life after delivery. What kind of life would that be?" The second said, "I don't know, but there will be more light than here. Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths. Maybe we will have other senses that we can't understand now."

The first replied, "That is a b s u r d . Wa l k i n g i s impossible. And eating with our mouths?

Ridiculous! The umbilical cord supplies nutrition and everything we need. But the umbilical cord is so

T

short. Life after delivery is to be logically excluded."

The second insisted, "Well I think there is something and maybe it's different than it is here. Maybe we won't need this physical cord anymore." The first replied, "Nonsense. And moreover, if there is after life, why has no one ever come back from there?

Delivery is the end of life, and in the after-delivery there is nothing but darkness and silence and oblivion. It takes us nowhere."

"Well, I don't know," said the second, "but certainly we will meet Mother and she will take care of us."

The first replied "Mother?

Who is Mother? You actually believe in Mother? That's laughable.

If Mother exists, then where is she now?" The second said, "She is all around us. She is taking care of us even as we are

here. We are surrounded by her. It is in her that we live. Without her our world would not and could not exist." Said the first: "Well I don't see her, so it is only logical that she doesn't exist." To which the second replied, "Sometimes, when you're in silence and you focus and you really listen, you can perceive her presence, and you can hear her loving voice, calling down from outside."

Soon after this conversation, the babies were born! ALLAHU AKBAR. Are you the first baby (a doubter) or the second baby (a believer)? Are you of those who doubt the life after this present life, who believe death is final and there will be no hereafter?

No punishment for your sins and iniquities? Think again and PREPARE before you're confronted

by the reality yonder.

The question of whether or not there is life after death does not fall under the field of science, because science is only concerned with the classification and analysis of recorded data.

Moreover, man has been busy with scientific enquiries and research, in the modern sense of the term, only for the last few centuries, while he has been familiar with the idea of life after death since times immemorial.

All the prophets of God called their people to worship God and to believe in life after death.

They laid so much emphasis on the belief in life after death that even a slight doubt in it meant denying God and made all other beliefs meaningless.

The very fact that all the prophets of God have dealt with this

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Sermon

metaphysical question so confidently and uniformly – the gap between their ages being thousands of years – goes to prove that the source of their knowledge of life after death, as proclaimed by them all, was the same; that is, Divine revelation.

God has given man, besides perceptual consciousness, rational, aesthetic and moral consciousness too. It is this consciousness that guides man regarding realities that cannot be verified through sensory data. That is why all the prophets of God, while calling people to believe in God and the life hereafter, appealed to the aesthetic, moral and rational sides of man. For example, when the idolaters of Makkah denied even the possibility

of life after death, the Qur'an exposed the weakness of their stand by advancing very logical and rational arguments in support of it: Doth not man see that it is We Who created him from sperm? Yet behold! He (stands forth) as an open adversary! And he makes comparisons for Us, and forgets his own (origin and) Creation: He says, "Who can give life to (dry) bones and decomposed ones (at that)?" Say, "He will give them life Who created them for the first time! For He is well-versed in every kind of creation!

"The same Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold! Ye kindle therewith (your own fires)! "Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like

thereof?" –Yea, indeed!

For He is the Creator Supreme, of skill and knowledge (infinite)!

Verily, when He intends a thing, His Command is, "Be", and it is! So, glory to Him in Whose hands is the dominion of all things: And to Him will ye be all brought back. (Quran 36:77-83) On another occasion, the Qur'an very clearly says that the disbelievers have no sound basis for their denial of life after death. It is based on pure conjectures: And they say: "What is there but our life in this world? We shall die and we live, and nothing but Time can destroy us." But of that they have no knowledge: They merely conjecture: And when Our Clear Signs are rehearsed

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to them, their argument is nothing but this: They say, "Bring (back) our forefathers, if what ye say is true!" (Quran 45:24-25) Surely God will raise all the dead. But God has His own plan of things. A day will come when the whole universe will be destroyed and then again the dead will be resurrected to stand before God. That day will be the beginning of the life that will never end, and that Day, every person will be rewarded

by God according to his good and evil deeds: Day of Retribution.

The explanation that the Qur'an gives about the necessity of life after death is what the moral consciousness of man demands. If there is no life after death, the very belief in God becomes

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Sermon irrelevant, or even if one believes in God, that would be an unjust and indifferent God: having once created man only to be unconcerned with his fate.

Surely, God is just: He will punish the tyrants whose crimes are beyond count; having killed hundreds of innocent persons , either by omission or commission; created great corruptions in the society; enslaved numerous persons to serve their whims, and so forth; stolen and looted the national treasury; stole the people's pension; committed war crimes and crimes against humanity; pauperization and impoverishment of their people through misrule; stealing in the name of God and desecrating the house of God by lying on the pulpit and Minbar; conspiracy against the people and outright brigandage. The Qur'an very emphatically states that the Day of Judgement must come and God will decide about the fate of each soul according to his or her record of deeds: see (Quran 34:3-5) The Day of Resurrection will be the Day when God's attributes of Justice and Mercy will be in full manifestation. God will shower His mercy on those who suffered for His sake in the worldly life, believing that an eternal bliss was awaiting them.

But those who abused the bounties of God, caring nothing for the life to come, will be in the most miserable state. Drawing a comparison between them

the Qur'an says: Are (these two) alike?

–One to whom We have made a goodly promise, and who is going to reach its (fulfillment), and one to whom We have given the good things of this life, but who, on the Day of Judgment, is to be among those brought up for (punishment)? (Quran 28:61) The Qur'an also states that this worldly life is a preparation for the eternal life after death. But those who deny it become slaves of their passions and desires, and make fun of virtuous and Godconscious persons. Such persons realize their folly only at the time of their death and wish in vain to be given a further chance in the world. Their miserable state at the time of death, and the horror of the Day of Judgement, and the eternal bliss guaranteed to the sincere believers are very beautifully mentioned in the following verses of the

Qur'an.

(In Falsehood will they be) until, when death comes to one of them, he says: "O my Lord! Send me back (to life), "In order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected." "By no means! It is but a word he says." Before them is a Partition till the Day they are raised up. Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after another!

Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy, they will attain salvation: But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls; in Hell will they abide. The Fire will burn their faces, and they will therein grin, with their lips displaced.

(23:99-104) The belief in life after death not only guarantees success in the Hereafter, but also makes this world full of peace and

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happiness by making individuals most responsible and dutiful in their activities.

Similarly, the denial of life after death has its consequences not only in the Hereafter, but also in this world. When a nation as a whole denies it, all kinds of evils and corruptions become rampant in that society and ultimately it is destroyed.

The Qur'an mentions the terrible end of 'Aad, Thamud and the Pharaoh in some detail: See Quran (69:4-29) Thus, there are very convincing reasons to believe in life after death.

God's attributes of Justice and Mercy have no meaning if there is no life after death.

May Allah count us among the believers, Amen.

Barka Juma'at and a happy weekend

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Sports

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Kroos: We Want Mbappe At Real Madrid

R

eal Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos says he hopes they can sign PSG striker Kylian Mbappe.

Off contract in June, Mbappe is expected to join Real at the end of the season.

Kroos told TVE: "It is interesting to sign Mbappé, he is a very, very top player and here we always want players like that.

"It is no secret that Madrid loves him."

Kroos was also asked about the form of teammate Eden Hazard.

He added: "I trust him, from one day to the next you don't lose quality."

Recall that on Wednesday, Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo says the dressing room

would welcome the arrival of Kylian Mbappe.

Rodrygo told TNT: "Here they talk about Mbappé and also about many other players, but I don't know how that topic is.

"The competition here is already very big and, if he came, he would be a very strong player for that competition.

“It would make me happy if he came, he would come to help us."

Danish Copenhagen Sign Nigerian Midfielder Mukairu

D

a n i s h t o p f l i g h t s i d e F. C .

Copenhagen have signed Nigerian midfielder Paul Mukairu from Turkish club Antalyaspor on a contract until the end of 2025.

Copenhagen confirmed Mukairu's signing in a statement on their official website.

Speaking on his recent move, the 22-yearold told the club's website:"I am very proud and humbled that F.C. Copenhagen have given me this opportunity, which I will do everything to seize.

"This is a big club with big ambitions that I want to work hard to fulfil with the team.

I've seen a lot of videos from recent

A

matches, and I'm especially looking forward to experiencing Parken and the atmosphere there.

"At first, a lot of hard work awaits me to integrate into the team and get to know a new style and my teammates, but I'm really excited and can't wait to get out and start training."

Copenhagen sports director Peter Christiansen said:"Paul fulfills the need we have had for a winger, because his speed and one-on-one abilities give us more options and new opportunities in attack.

Premier League Giants In Transfer Battle For Osimhen

rsenal and Newcastle United have reportedly turned their attention to Napoli Nigerian star striker Victor Osimhen as the Premier League duo target a striker this month.

Both clubs are hoping to bolster their attacking third during the January transfer window as Arsenal had made no secret of their desire to land Fiorentina ace Dusan Vlahovic.

However, the Serbia international is only interested in a move to Juventus and has rejected the chance to move to the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta has issues over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie

Nketiah. And the Spanish tactician has urged technical director Edu to find him a forward before the window closes.

The north Londoners have been linked with Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad and Real Madrid's Luka Jovic. And, on Tuesday, Spanish newspaper AS claimed they were keen on Espanyol striker Raul de Tomas.

But according to Gazzetta dello Sport, via Football Italia, they are now targeting 23-year-old Osimhen, who has bagged five goals from 13 Serie A appearances this term.

He scored 10 in 2020-2021 and 13 the previous season when he featured for French club Lille.

For Newcastle, they have been linked

with so many players this month and have so far added striker Chris Wood and right-back Kieran Trippier.

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When Would Buhari Sack Pantami?

T

he outgoing week has been a one of ups and downs for the embattled Nigeria's Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Patami. The Minister has been accused of being a staunch supporter of terrorist groups including AlQaeda, Boko Haram and others.

This was proved with the discovery of video evidence, which has since Friday trended in the social media.

In a viral video recorded many years ago which was later confirmed by the Minister's lawyer, Michael Numa, the minister was seen engaging the l a t e B o k o H a r a m l e a d e r, Mohammed Yusuf, in a public debate, according to Punch reports.

Earlier, the Daily Independent Newspaper had reported that the minister had ties with Abu Quatada al Falasimi and other AlQaeda leaders that he revered and spoke glowingly of in several of his videos on YouTube.

U n f o r t u n a t e l y, t h e D a i l y Independent was arm twisted into tendering an apology, claiming that their story was not well verified. But video evidence that has surfaced thereafter may prove the newspaper right.

Another medium, Peoples Gazette also said, Patami, an Islamic scholar once declared that he was always happy when infidels were massacred.

The medium said Pantami's comments were contained in three audio recordings of his teachings in the 2000s, when he took extreme positions in support of the brutal exploits of Al Qaeda and Taliban elements who were on a campaign to obliterate the West and conquer other parts of the world.

As a hardcore supporter, who may be a sponsor, Patami may have betrayed the collective bestowed on him by the Nigerian people, coupled with the sensitive position of the man in charge of communication in the country. Many has reasoned that Patami, if sincerely has links with these terror groups, is the reason for the coordinated onslaughts against both the military and civilian populace.

The weighty allegation should not be swept under the carpet by Muhammadu Buhari administration, but investigated, failure of which means they are accomplice to the fact on the ground. And while he is being investigated, common sense demands that he be relieved of his position as a minister and any other position he is occupying in trust for the people.

While it is not impossible that most people in government have sympathy for the deadly terror organisations, the ones that have been indicted should be stripped of all positions they occupy, prosecuted and jailed when found guilty.

We join the Nigeria public to demand explanation from Patami, and while at it be sacked, and be forbidden from ocupying any other public office.

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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

ASST. EDITOR Eric Elezuo erico72ng@yahoo.com

PHOTO EDITOR Adekoya Adegbite

PRODUCTION MANAGER Isaac Edoh-Philip

GRAPHICS DESIGNER Ajibade Morakinyo

PHOTO JOURNALISTS Dragan Mikki (UK)...Tope Brown Ken Ehimen...Adeyemi Funmilayo Ben Dzakah (Ghana)

OVATION TV CREW Ebuwa Martins Agbonwaneten - HEAD Ben Osei-Bansah...Babatunde Bolarinwa Taiwo Omotunde...Saheed Aderopo Temitope Ogunleye...Bianca Ugowanne

WEB DESIGNER/MANAGER Kwaku Yeboah Darteh

CONTRIBUTORS Henry Ukazu...Mike Ozekhome SAN Babatunde Jose...Joel Popoola Kayode Emola...Sani Sa'idu Baba

LAGOS OFFICE ADMIN Babatunde Martins

LAGOS 67, Oduduwa Way, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, Nigeria Tel: +(234)8055069220, +234(0)8023002090, (4)4543030, +234(0)8035032618

DIRECTORS Segun Fatoye, Mobolaji Momodu, Damola Aderemi, Dele Momodu (CEO)

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