THEWILL SEPT 5 EDITION

VOL 1 NO.30 • SEPTEMBER

05 – SEPTEMBER

Presidency: It’s Turn of Indigbo in 2023 – Okechukwu

11, 2021

BODY ENTS: ENHAriaNCinEM The Age

Nige etically of The Aesth dy Perfect Bo

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SEPTEMBER 5 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • VOL . 1 NO. 30

2023: How Igbo Can Break Presidency Jinx PERISCOPE

PLATEAU BLOODBATH: LALONG, HOW LONG?

Sir Victor Uwaifo: An Eclectic Man and His Guitar

Moet & Nicole Abebe: Spilling on Career, Family – PAGE 37

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COVER

2023: How Igbo Can Break Presidency Jinx

BY AMOS ESELE

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he dominant issue in political circles in the country today is how to manage the demand of the Igbo for the presidency in 2023.

Except for the short-lived ceremonial presidency of one of the nation’s founding fathers, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, in the First Republic through an alliance of his National Congress of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) with the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) and the equally brief Second Republic VicePresidency of late Dr Alexander Ekwueme on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria, the nation’s plum job has eluded the Igbo, one of the three big political tripods, amid a rainbow of minorities holding Nigeria aloft.

But all that appears to be nearing an end as major stakeholders of the Nigerian project, interest groups within and outside the country, as well as the leaders of the two main political parties – the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – are showing interest in a president of Igbo extraction in 2023. In their words and body language, key players in both parties have thrown the proverbial olive branch to the Igbo as a soothing balm to calm their perceived marginalisation since the end of the civil war in 1970.

THEWILL has learned that the APC and the PDP, which have set their machinery in motion for the conduct of congresses for the emergence of officials and possible candidates for the 2023 presidential election, have not ruled out the ‘Igbo candidacy’ in their calculations and permutations.

THE PDP, APC GAME PLAN To this end, three interest groups have emerged in the PDP since its leaders fixed October 30, 2021 for the conduct of the national convention after an exhaustive fence-mending meeting to resolve the recent leadership crisis in the party.

One of the three groups is linked to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the other to former Vice President and the party’s presidential candidate in the 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, while the third is relying on the Governor Bala Mohammed-led committee’s recommendation that the presidency be thrown open.

For this group, the North-Central geo-political zone should pick the post of National Chairman. The Obasanjo and Atiku group, on the other hand, want the chairmanship position zoned to the South-West for which they intend to sponsor candidates. The candidates are former Osun governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governorship candidate in Lagos State, Olujimi Agbaje and the governorship candidate in the recent governorship election in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN. Although this permutation favours the interests of both groups as Abubakar intends to run again with former Anambra State Governor and businessman, Peter Obi as VP and Obasanjo favours an ex-Governor Sule Lamido presidential ticket, there is a scenario that puts the Igbo at the top of the ticket if they “play the desired inclusion game”, as a party source puts it, meaning agreeing to drop “the agitation for Biafra, rally round a choice candidate that has a pan-Nigerian credential with a combination of political and technocratic experience.” If the Igbo from Delta State through Enugu to Rivers State can rally around one or two cerebral aspirants with a network of contacts across the country and in the Diaspora then an Igbo presidential ticket will be a deal.

For the governing APC, the decision by the rival PDP to move back its national convention from December to October presented another chance to strategise as it was being heated up by the pressure from within the party to zone the presidency to the South so that the Igbo can compete fairly.

Although the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, flew that “Igbo for President in 2023” kite in 2019 during a visit to the South-East, shortly before preparations for presidential campaigns that year and the Chairman of the Governors Forum, Bagudu Atiku, rekindled that hope when he led some state governors on a congratulatory visit to the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof George Obiozor, some key figures in the party are pressing for an Igbo Presidency in 2023.

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THEWILL learnt that the reason for the APC’s demand of inclusive politics from the region, like its rival PDP, rests on the region’s recent political past when the then ruling PDP zoned the senate presidency to the South-East. Disunited by “political aggrandisement,” aspirants from the zone crawled over the other to vie for the position as dictated by the then President Obasanjo, who was determined to cow the senior lawmakers into doing his bidding.

Then the Senate Presidency witnessed the highest turnover of leadership in Nigeria’s political history as a tenured position at the pleasure of members in eight years saw the emergency four Presidents of the Senate, namely, Evans Ewerem, Chuba Okadigbo, Anyim Pius Anyim and Kenneth Nnamani until the party, dissatisfied by the resulting instability, zoned the position to the North-Central, leading to the emergence of David Mark, who reigned for three terms. The ongoing hostility traceable to the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) has compounded the matter.

These challenges have created feelings of mistrust across many groups and stakeholders in the Nigerian project, leading

to the demand for reassurance from their compatriots in the South-East.

Late Isa Funtua, a political associate of President Buhari summarised this thinking that the Igbo must play inclusive politics if they are serious about producing the next President of Nigeria.

Speaking as a guest on Arise Television last year, he said the Igbo could only break the presidency jinx by belonging.

“They should belong. They should join the party. They want to do things on their own and because they are Igbo, we should dash them the presidency? That was the reason I asked if it is turn by turn Nigeria limited.

“You are talking about politics, which is an issue of votes. My very good friend of blessed memory, MKO Abiola defeated Bashir Tofa in Kano. Was MKO Abiola from Kano? But he defeated Bashir in his town, Kano. Why? Because the man played politics, He embraced everybody.

“With due respect to the Igbo, they fail to understand that when the South-West chose to remain on their own as opposition, they did not go near power. To a large extent, the North, in THEWILLNIGERIA

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COVER terms of religion and culture, are closer to the South-West than to the South-East.

POTENTIAL PICKS ON THE LIST Even so, both political parties are still pressing ahead with their calculations, just as the names of potential candidates of Igbo origin have been mentioned in political circles, according to this newspaper’s findings. These names are Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; former Anambra governor, Peter Obi; Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Prof Kingsley Moghalu, Senate Majority Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu; Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State; Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, Prof Pat Utomi and Sam Ohuabunwa, the National President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.

BREAKING THE JINX How should the Igbos take up the challenge and respond in a mutually beneficial way that would be a win-win for everybody? How can they meet the major political parties’ demand for inclusive politics?

“If the South-East can produce one or two candidates, that would make their position strong,” Prof Uzodinma Nwala said in response to those questions. The founding Director of Strategy of the PDP and now President of Alaigbo Development Foundation told THEWILL that strategy would also depend on credible support from a strong backer. He painted a picture of how Ekwueme almost emerged candidate of the PDP in 1998 with massive support from northern politicians, mostly of the NPN days, until former military president, General Ibrahim Badangida (retd.) and his military supporters turned the tide against him by mobilising support for Obasanjo, who went on to win the party’s ticket and eventually won the presidential election in 1999 comfortably.

He, however, added, “The candidate that will emerge from the South-East must be one with a sound political pedigree and not a stooge,” when reminded that the same IBB recently said that he had found the ideal president in a person in his sixties, widely travelled and pan-Nigerian.

In his contribution, APC Chieftain and Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, and member of the party’s Anambra Governorship Campaign Council, Mr Osita Okechukwu, said the demand for politics of inclusion from the region was unfair.

“My over 40 years in politics has taught me the lesson that if you want to deny a child his packet of sweets, you fly the bogey that his shirt is dirty and he will only have the sweet after washing it. That’s a bogey to deny him his sweet. It is kind of like giving a dog a bad name to hang it. Otherwise, which group was inclusive before they won the position of prime minister or president in our political history?” he told this newspaper in an interview.

He added, “Were the Hausa/Fulani or the Yoruba inclusive before Shagari or Obasanjo was elected? The truth is that going by the rotation of the president between the North and South, it is the turn of the South-East, as our brothers in the SouthWest and South-South geopolitical zones had presided over the country since the Fourth Republic. Ndigbo are the only major ethnic group from the southern belt that has not presided over our dear country.”

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, a revered politician and currently Chairman, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Council of Elders, supports this viewpoint. Announcing his retirement from politics in a press conference held to herald his 79th birthday anniversary in Owerri on Thursday, the former member of the PDP Board of Trustees, said, “It is our view that the presidency should now be rotational and zoning of the presidency should now be enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Implementation of the federal character principle in all other political positions at the national level and in all appointments and employment would then further give every Nigerian a sense of belonging in the Nigerian project.

“I ventured into politics and actually aspired for the office of the President of Nigeria thrice with the hope of fixing Nigeria one day. Unfortunately, providence was not on my side to be President of Nigeria.”

The President-General of the apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof George Obiozor, said the fact that opinions are different on the issue does not mean the Igbo cannot get the presidency in 2023.

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Addressing journalists in Abuja after his electoral victory in April, he had said, “Our differences and divergent views will not rob us of the presidency in 2023. Politics is a matter of choice. For the Igbo, having different opinions should not be a concern.

the manifesto of the emergent new political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, especially with respect to power-sharing and rotation of the presidency.

“For your information, no section of the polity has just one opinion. The Igbo have different opinions and the opinions converge on the presidency for the South-East in 2023.”

“These were some of the most contentious issues at the 19945 Abuja Constitutional Conference. Although the conference decided in favour of zoning and rotation, the decision was based on a vote in which the southern delegates and their northern allies had won.

When THEWILL pressed him for further explanation last week, he said the group was holding discussions and meetings on the issue and he would unveil the outcome in due course, giving the assurance that the Igbo will not be found wanting in sinking their differences and working for the common good of the zone.

“As soon as the issue of zoning and rotation came up, the Chairman of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, stood up and said, ‘Gentlemen, we shall adopt the policy of zoning and rotation. To begin with, we shall zone the presidency to the South, and not only to the South, but personally to Chief Ekwueme.

Writing on the subject in a published recent article, Dr Chidi Amuta, university teacher, author and former CEO of Post Express Newspaper, said, among other things, “The Igbo political elite has to reduce the habitual fears and nervousness of the competing political elite of other factions in the country.

They need to assure the rest of Nigeria that entrusting them with presidential power will enhance the prospects of better governance and more productive leadership. Internally the Igbo political elite must strike a consensus to avoid presenting Nigeria with multiple candidates. In a region where the political landscape is now dominated by all manner of scoundrels, the matter of a fit and proper candidate for a responsible, modern and informed national leadership becomes paramount.”

“Everybody at the meeting seconded Keita’s position. But the Chairman, Chief Ekwueme, interrupted the discussion and said, ‘Gentlemen, we can decide that the presidency should be zoned to the South, but it is not a personal matter. It cannot be zoned to anyone.’

Amuta also noted that the most important ingredient for the Igbo to embark on this journey is be willing to negotiate with competing national elites and factions.

“Negotiating for the Nigerian presidency will require a mixture of self- assurance and pragmatic flexibility. To move from subordination to pre-eminence, a sense of realism is required.

“The Igbo now have a unique demographic limitation. The majority of the Igbo population does not live in the homeland.

They form part of the voter population of the rest of the country. Being the single most dispersed ethnic group in the country, Igbo vote wherever they live in accordance with their economic and other interests.

“Diaspora voting is in Igbo interest. There may be more Igbo professionals based in Houston, Texas than in Lagos! The registered voter population in the five southeastern states put together could be less than that of any two states in other less mobile parts of the country.

“The current political strategies among the South-East political elite remain somewhat unwise. The sustained weaponisation of Biafra may be strategically convenient. But using it to gain political concessions is a serious tactical blunder. You cannot frighten Nigeria with the force of mobs armed only with nostalgia except your preference is for mass suicide. It has led the Nigerian state to do the predictable: brand the Biafran agitation a terrorist movement and proceed to shoot, teargas and arrest innocent young men and women of Igbo political ascendancy,” he concluded.

A LOST OPPORTUNITY Prof Uzodinma Nwala narrated how easy it was in 1998 for Ekwueme to become President of Nigeria. But the chance was missed, perhaps, because of lack of strategic thinking. He said, “That day was August 13, 1998 at a meeting of the G-34 in Abuja, the group that had successfully campaigned against General Sani Abach’s self-succession plan.”

“

The main agenda of the meeting, according to Nwala, was

Negotiating for the Nigerian presidency will require a mixture of self- assurance and pragmatic flexibility. To move from subordination to pre-eminence, a sense of realism is required

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“As soon as the Chairman ruled, I was one of those who rolled their eyes and even shook their heads. For us it was the loss of a great historical opportunity for the right man in our midst to be invested with the awesome power to lead the emergence of the civilian democracy in Nigeria and the emergence of a new era in the political history of the country,” Nwala said.

A professor of political philosophy, Nwala thinks Ekwueme’s action was that of a “gentleman and a democrat, so to say, a man anxious to hold the fragile post-military society together.”

He contended that someone else in Chief Ekwueme’s position at that moment, guided by the realities of raw political struggle as has always been the case in Nigeria, “would have allowed the debate ignited by Alhaji Lawal Kaita’s proposition to run its full course. At the end he would have simply called for a formal motion and then a vote.”

The outcome of the vote, he added, would have been unanimously in his favour. The political environment at that point in time, he pointed out, was that the civilian politicians in control of the G-34 had become only the singular political power. In fact, there was no alternative to them. Every member of the G-34 was anxious for a transition that would have handed political power to them.

The main power brokers, the military hierarchy, were bruised and dazed by the turn of events, following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and the majority of their members were anxious to leave the political scene. Abacha was gone, Abiola was gone.

No one would have accused Ekwueme and those rooting for him as leader of the G-34 of any political misstep. After all, the G-34 and Ekwueme had called for the release of Abiola and to have him installed as President, having convincingly won the presidential election of June 12, 1993. Once that opportunity was lost, the ailing military power-brokers were politically revived immediately. They quickly sprang into action, shopped for their candidate, rallied round their local agents, sent their foot soldiers to reach out to the Emirs and other political forces in the North. And finally they reached out to their international political and business partners, who helped them to reach out to the international community.

Nwala said the then sitting military Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, who was beholden to the G-34 and preparing to hand it over to them, was immediately wised up to the fact that the political equation had changed. Shortly at a meeting he held with the leadership of the G-34, he now mockingly asked the leaders of the group, “Do you have a leader who will take over if we have to go?” The answer was obvious.

The answer was utter silence! They had taken the rug out of the feet of the G-34, the democratic process! It was a coup against the G-34. They now proceeded to anoint their candidate.

“Ekwueme’s chance of becoming the post-military civilian President of Nigeria was lost on August 13, 1998. And that was because he was a gentleman and an idealist in politics,” Prof Nwala said.

Perhaps. But his example fits the quest for politics of inclusiveness because he was a seasoned politician with national acceptability and sound pedigree. That is the realism that should dawn on the region. The political elite is seeking politics of inclusion to forge ahead of the 2023 general election.

Political events in the days ahead will show how this issue is resolved.

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NEWS

Ayade Signs State Legislative, Judiciary Autonomy Bills

FROM BASSEY ANIEKAN, CALABAR

G

overnor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has signed the Cross River State Legislative and Judiciary Autonomy Bills into law.

The two bills passed by the Cross RRiver State House of Assembly grants autonomy to both the state legislature and the judicial arms of government.

The two bills are the Legislative Fund Management and Other Matters, as well as the Judicial Fund Management and Other Matters.

The signing of both bills by the state governor implies that all moneys due to the House of Assembly and Judiciary for capital and recurrent expenditure shall be paid by the AccountantGeneral into the their accounts in monthly instalments, in accordance with provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Speaking while giving his assent to the bills, Ayade stated that the bills were very important in the life of his administration.

He emphasized that it is a win for the APC-led government.

L-R: International Technical Advisor, MinDiver, Mr John Eyre; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite; and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, during the inauguration of Airborne Geophysical Survey at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on 2/9/21.

Lekki Now Hotbed of Cyber Crime – EFCC

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ekki, the fast-developing upper middle class area of the Lagos Metropolis, is emerging as the new hub of internet-related fraud. Data from the investigation activities of the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the second quarter of 2021, indicates that Lekki District is the preferred location for all manner of cyber fraud syndicates.

Between April and June, 2021, the Advance Fee Fraud and Cyber Crime Sections of the Command recorded a total of 402 Internetrelated fraud arrests, while the Advance Fee Fraud Section was responsible for 243 arrests, the Cyber Crime Section executed 18 sting operations which resulted in 159 arrests, from which 13 convictions have so far been recorded.

Out of the 159 suspects arrested by the Cyber Crime Section, 70 are from Lekki, comprising communities, such as Ajah, Badore, Victoria Garden City, Sangotedo and Oniru.

Ajah accounted for 24 suspects, while Oniru and Sangotedo had 14 and 13 suspects, respectively. Badore had eight suspects.

Neighbouring Ikoyi and Eko Atlantic had two and one suspects each. Ikorodu and Alagbado on the Lagos Mainland make up the remainder.

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fforts by the United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) to tackle the scourge of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in various parts of the country have begun to bear fruits, following a renewed massive sensitisation/public enlightenment campaigns among girls in and out of schools in some communities in Imo state.

Victor Atuchukwu – Child Protection Specialist - UNICEF Field Office in Enugu recently presided over a three-day training on “Life Skill and FGM Elimination for Adolescent Girls (in and out of school)” to enhance their capacity to become change agents in their families.

This took place in 23 and 31 communities in the Ihitte/Uboma and Ideato North council areas of the state at Isinweke and Urualla, respectively.

At the workshop, which featured lectures on “End Violence Against Children (VAC), “End Violence Against Women and Girls” (VAWG). “Every Child deserves an identity”, “End FGM,” “End cutting” and “COVID 19 is real” with questions and clarification from the participants and the UNICEF resource persons.

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Qtaby Online Talent Hunt Set to Kick-off

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The suspects are mostly millennials with 82 of them aged between 25 and 34 years, which speaks to the fact that most of the individuals arrested are either still in school, recent graduates or university dropouts.

he Qtaby Online Talent Hunt Competition is back with a much bigger grand prize and even more opportunities than the maiden edition of the online Talent Hunt, which held last year.

Analysis of the data from the Cyber Crime Section further shows that the dominant form of Internet crime is dating scam/online dating scam/romance scam. Sixty-four percent (64%) of individuals arrested are involved in romance scam, followed closely by “Middle man scam” and “Picking” which accounts for 8 and 7 per cent, respectively, of those arrested.

The competition, which creates opportunities and visibility for budding talents, helping them to channel their creative energy positively while grooming them and helping them launch their career professionall,y started during the COVID-19 lockdown and had over 400 participants showcase their talents to millions of people through various social media platforms.

The 64 per cent involved in the dating scam benefitted to the tune of N8, 310,000; $349,290 USD; £ 900; €10 and Cryptocurrency 0.17513.

The jury comprised top professionals from the above listed segments, including; Kenneth Okolie, Efe Omorogbe, Steve Onu, aka Yaw, Harrysong, Comedian MC Tagwaye, Media Mogul Denzel from Uganda and it was hosted by Ghanaian Sweetheart. The winners of each category were given gifts and assistance to help them kick-start their career in the creative industry.

Other types of fraud identified include forgery, possession of fraudulent documents, spamming, credit card fraud, impersonation, rental scam, loan fraud, business email compromise, hacking, stealing, cheque scam, phishing, and money laundering.

The data also reveals gift cards, at 39 per cent, as the prevalent method employed by the suspects to access their illicit funds. It is followed by bank transfers at 27 per cent and Cryptocurrency at 21 per cent.

Imo Students Hail UNICEF Over Campaign Against FGM

FROM EMMA CHUKWUMA, ENUGU

He thanked the lawmakers for their cooperation and collaboration, noting that his administration had achieved a lot because of the cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature.

Meanwhile, the participants who spoke to journalists shortly after the event, such as Umeh Ujunwa Goodness from Umeagboghiosu Eluama Osina, Aguh Chinecherem Favour from Umuokpara Akokwa, and Udegbe Gift Onyinyechi from Umume Obodokwu, in their separate speeches expressed gratitude to UNICEF for organising the programme which they said had enlightened on the dangers inherent in FGM. They also expressed delight for being part of the training, saying they had learned how to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation, skills to become peer educator.

The second edition has a more diverse jury and voting system and two additional categories (Video Directing and Dance).

After many weeks of intense online auditions, the 15 successful finalists will be camped for a period of eight (8) days where they will be groomed, drilled and exposed to what their career in the creative industry entails. At the end of the show, the winner goes home with gifts and prizes worth N1 Million besides the grand prize.

Gbajabiamila Celebrates Odunmbaku at 75

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he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has rejoiced with a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Dr James Omolaja Odunmbaku, on his 75th birthday.

The students further commended UNICEF for making them great and making the world know that circumcising women is not the right thing.

The Speaker, in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, described Odunmbaku as one of the most committed APC members in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole, who had been serving his people diligently and dedicatedly.

The excited participants also thanked the Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Group for implementing the programme, promising to reach out to many adolescent girls in their schools, churches, families, friends, and the larger society.

He said Nigerians would also remember the sacrifices made

by Odunmbaku during the struggle for the entrenchment of democracy in the country.

The event also features class discussion, questions and answers, Peer Educator Skill, Declaration of commitment by the participants just as group photography also featured at the event.

While wishing the APC chieftain more years in good health, Gbajabiamila prayed that the Almighty God would continue to sustain the life of Dr Odunmbaku.

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Secondus

Tambuwal

POLITICS

Anxiety as PDP Zones Political Offices

BY AYO ESAN

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he main opposition party in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party, has been enmeshed in a crisis in the past few weeks, making its leadership – the Governors Forum and the Board of Trustees – to have a tight schedule in Abuja in the last three or four weeks.

The crisis within the party revolves around the polarisation within its National Working Committee, whose chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, has been in the eye of the storm.

About five members of the National Working Committee recently resigned their membership, citing their displeasure with the way Secondus was running the affairs of the party as the major reason.

Contradicting judicial pronouncements on whether Secondus should leave office or not have made the crisis more intriguing.

A major step taken by the party’s Board of Trustees and the Governors Forum to nip the crisis in the bud was the postponement of the national convention of the party from December to October 30, 2021.

Also as part of the preparation for the convention, the party after its 92nd National Executive Committee’s meeting held penultimate weekend, has scheduled a meeting for September 9, 2021 where discussion on the zoning of NWC positions will be concluded.

Ahead of the party’s convention slated for October 31, 2021, political gladiators in the PDP are already girding their loins as the race for the position of party chairman and by extension, the 2023 presidential THEWILLNIGERIA

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“

While Atiku Abubakar is backing the candidate of the party in last year’s Ondo governorship election, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, to be the chairman, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola is said to be enjoying the support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Governor Sule Lamido for the same position.

candidacy of the party hots up.

Those who are eyeing the presidential ticket from the North include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; Governor Aminu Tambuwal

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of Sokoto State and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso.

Each of these aspirants is backing the South to produce the next Chairman of the party so that he can realise his ambition to become its candidate in the 2023 presidential election. The aspirants are also supporting different candidates for the position of chairman so that they can have an easy run in the presidential primary.

THEWILL gathered that while Atiku Abubakar is backing the candidate of the party in last year’s Ondo governorship election, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, to be the chairman, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola is said to be enjoying the support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Governor Sule Lamido for the same position.

Other southerners in the PDP that are showing interest in the position of chairman include a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George, Prince Uche Secondus and former National Vice Chairman, South West, Eddy Olafeso.

Also, some PDP gladiators in the South are eyeing the presidency, come 2023. Those whose body language indicate their interest are Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi. These aspirants are pressing the North to produce the next chairman of the party so as to enable them to realise their ambition of emerging as the presidential candidate of the party.

The zoning of political offices among the country’s geopolitical zones has been a feature of the PDP since *Continues on Page 11

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POLITICS/INTERVIEW

Presidency: It’s Turn of Indigbo in 2023 – Okechukwu The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria and member of the Anambra Governorship Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, speaks on the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election and other issues as they affect the country, in this interview with AYO ESAN. Excerpts:

Many are of the opinion that for the Igbo to get the presidency in 2023, they must play the politics of inclusiveness. What is your take on that?

Permit me to start by congratulating those patriots who initiated the zoning convention at the eve of our exit from military dictatorship between 1998 and 1999. They are true patriots that placed the unity and collective interest of our dear country above selfish political interest by stating that the President should rotate between the North and South, starting from the South-West, a group which was injured via the cruel and unjust annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by business mogul, Chief M.K.O. Abiola of blessed memory.

One remembers with nostalgia how eminent politicians from the North like Alhajis Abubakar Rimi, Umaru Shinkafi, Adamu Ciroma and Dr Sola Saraki were prevailed upon to subsume their ambitions and allow a southern candidate in the interest of justice and peace of the country.

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Okechukwu

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o you believe in zoning of the presidency, come 2023?

I sincerely subscribe to zoning or rotation convention in Nigeria, especially at the stage where we are as a nation. For us to engender national unity, loyalty, equity, and natural justice, zoning becomes imperative. Zoning is a convention in liberal democracy. There is the law with legal teeth mostly written in black and white and the convention most times unwritten, but carries moral weight.

Secondly, zoning convention, more than any other factor, contributed more to consolidation of our 4th Republic as the longest in the annals of our democratic trajectory. Whereas, I cannot dismiss the cogent argument of those who canvass that we should look for the best; however, I doff my heart to the continuation of zoning until we stabilise our democracy and our dear country. We mustn’t forget that every geopolitical zone has eminently qualified ladies and gentlemen to preside over Nigeria.

Furthermore, South-East politicians like former Vice President Alex Ekwueme of blessed memory and Dr Ogboniya Onu, current Minister of Science and Digital Technology, were persuaded to step down for the duo of Chiefs Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae, who flew the tickets of the PDP and APP/AD alliance in 1999. That’s was the origin of our zoning convention.

Coming back to my question, what is your take on the argument that the Igbo must play the politics of inclusiveness to get the presidency in 2023?

My over 40 years in politics has taught me that if you want to deny a child his packet of sweets, you fly the bogey that his shirt is dirty. That he will only have the sweets after washing his shirt. That’s a bogey to deny him his sweet. It is a kind of give a dog a bad name to hang him. Otherwise, which group was inclusive before they won the prime minister or the president in our political history? Were the Hausa/Fulani or the Yoruba inclusive before Shagari or Obasanjo was elected? The truth is that, going by the rotation of president between the North and South, it is the turn of the South-East, as our brothers in the South-West and South-South geopolitical zones have presided over the country since the 4th Republic. Ndigbo are

the only major ethnic group from the southern belt that has not presided over our dear country.

You are a member of the Anambra APC Governorship Campaign Council. What are the chances of your party winning the governorship election?

Our chances are very bright, based on many factors.

One, we were second in the last governorsship election in Anambra State, where our then candidate, Dr Tony Nwoye, nearly defeated the incumbent Willie Obiano. We have carefully taken note of why we lost and how we beat the PDP then. To be exact, it is not strategic for one to expose our game changing strategy here. Suffice to say that even APGA and PDP top notchers and members are gradually defecting to APC. For example, when you count on two amazons and distinguished Senators Stella Oduah and Joy Emordi, be rest assured that we have made inroads into Anambra North Senatorial District. Andy Uba is from the Anambra South Senatorial District, so the battle is in Anambra Central Senatorial District. We are the party to beat, as the incumbent is not in the race and Uba has the capacity to attract Foreign Direct Investment to industrialise the state. He has enormous international THEWILLNIGERIA

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POLITICS/INTERVIEW

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Infrastructure and the man who achieved more with little. He initiated the Buhari Agrarian Revolution (#BUGREV) and the Standard Gauge Railway. One hopes his successor will continue where he stopped.

The truth is that, going by the rotation of president between the North and South, it is the turn of the South-East, as our brothers in the South-West and South-South geopolitical zones have presided over the country since the 4th Republic

A lot of people easily forget that he continued all the federal roads abandoned by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, even the Apapa-Ota-Abeokuta Road, which former President Olusegun Obasanjo awarded to Julius Berger, one of the best construction companies in Nigeria, in 2001. This road traverses Obasanjo’s farm and his hometown, yet it was budgeted for year in year out like the others and there is no accountability. President Buhari didn’t revoke the contracts, but gradually started paying with the little he had when the price of crude oil was below $40 per barrel, in contrast to the preceding years when the price was at an average of $100 per barrel, yet our infrastructure decayed.

What of insecurity, one of the planks of Buhari’s manifesto?

One can only say that nobody is happy with our sordid security challenges. The President is very pained and is doing everything to stem the tide, which dampens his strides in other sectors, such as agriculture. However, we must also not forget that the material conditions which fueled our insecurity can be traced to over three decades.

There is a court pronouncement that sacked Mai Buni as chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the APC. What is your reaction to this?

I think we better allow the courts to thrash out the cacophony of cases across the length of the country.

Any comment may be subjudice and one don’t want to be culpable.

Some people are predicting that the APC will implode very soon. Are you concerned about such prediction?

This is no news. As far back as February 4, 2013, when we commenced the sitting of the merger committee that gave birth to the APC at Chief Tom Ikimi’s House in the Maitama area of Abuja, some pundits or doomsayers have been saying that APC will not be. Yes, we have passed through challenging phases and tough times, but my belief is that if APC can survive the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s scatter-diagram phase, it will survive any other turbulent phase.

and local networks to transform the state industrially. This is the game changer for Anambra.

With the performances of the APGA and PDP do you think APC is making a strong inroad into the South-East?

Democracy is not a revolution. All one knows is that the gains made in liberal democracy throughout history have been incremental. I thank the Almighty God today that eminent persons like Senator Ken Nnamani, who called us unprintable names when Rt. Hon Chuba Okadigbo of blessed memory led us into Buhari’s camp, are now converts, pushing, shoving and indeed, trying to edge us out. It means we are covering more electoral mileage.

For instance, in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015, we didn’t score 25 per cent in any southeastern state, but in 2019, we had 25 per cent in three out of five states. To me it is huge incremental electoral gain.

Therefore, with Anambra in November, we will be christened APC geopolitical zone.

How would you assess President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance in the last six years?

Without being immodest, I would score President Muhammadu Buhari 70 per cent and dub him Mr THEWILLNIGERIA

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APC will not implode. We will reconcile the rough edges arising from the Ward Congress where some eminent persons mangled the concept of consensus as envisaged by Article 20(I) of the party’s Constitution.

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State and his Ebonyi counterpart recently dumped PDP to join APC. What does this portend for your party in future elections, especially in those two states?

More electoral vote harvests, especially in a political clime like ours where governors ape emperors. To be more serious, the two governors have acquitted Governor David Umahi pioneered cement-paved roads and kind of formed a ring-road in the state. It is historic. Ayade has also industrialised Cross River State. These are major additions in our electoral menu.

Your name is being touted as one of the people that may succeed President Buhari in 2023. Given your close relationship with the President, is it true that you are being positioned to succeed him?

I don’t know as Mr President has not mentioned his successor to me. All one is preoccupied with is how to elevate the Voice of Nigeria’s status in the competitive global broadcasting industry and enhance the welfare of my staff.

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*Continued from Page 9

...Anxiety as PDP Zones Political Offices it was created in 1998.

Speaking with THEWILL, Olabode George said the founding fathers of the PDP adopted zoning to bring a sense of belonging to members of the party across the country.

He said, “The PDP is a party that spread from the savannah forest in the North to the swampy rain forest in the South. It is a national party. To ensure there is stability and to give a sense of belonging to all, a zoning formula was adopted by our founding fathers. It is what I have described as Turn by Turn Limited. This has brought cohesion to a big party, the largest in Africa. Our founding fathers have foresight and that is why the party has remained since 1998, while others have faded away”.

The issue of zoning also came to the fore recently when the committee set up to review the performance of the party in the 2019 general election and led

by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State recommended that the party should allow aspirants from all parts of the country to contest for its 2023 presidential ticket.

The committee said that although many people thought a special consideration should be given to the North-East and South-East for the sake of fairness and equity; merit, rather than zonal consideration, should be adopted in the choice of the party’s presidential candidate.

It said the two geopolitical zones have had the shortest stints at the Presidency.

The committee, whose members include the Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe; former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu; former member of the Senate, Stella Omu and Emmanuel Agbo, who served as secretary, said. “In line with certain unwritten conventions of the nation’s history, many people think that for fairness and equity, the North-East and South-East geo-political zones that have had the shortest stints at the Presidency should be given special consideration in choosing the presidential flag bearer of the party for the 2023 elections.

“While we admit that this is a strong argument, we should not lose sight of the fact that Nigeria is endowed with many capable and very experienced leaders in every part of the country.”

The committee’s report received widespread criticism, especially in the South which believes that it should produce the next President of the country.

A chieftain of the party told THEWILL, on the condition of anonymity, that zoning must be adopted, adding that the only option for PDP to win the 2023 presidency is for it to zone the ticket to the North.

He argued that since the last President under the PDP, Goodluck Jonathan, came from the South, the next presidential candidate of the party must come from the North.

As the party prepares for its convention, the crucial meeting where zoning will be adopted for political offices, analysts believe it will be a hot one and the way the party handles the outcome will determine its success in the 2023 general election.

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POLITICS ANALYSIS

PDP Crisis Overblown By People With Selfish Interests – Owokoniran

that the South-West has never been a one party region because of the diverse interests within the region. So we are working very hard and we are serious about it. We want to win a good number of the states in the South-West, if not all .

Rahman Owokoniran is a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, a former commissioner and the current South-West Zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with AYO ESAN, he speaks on issues affecting the PDP at the regional and national levels. Excerpts:

The PDP at the national level is currently witnessing a crisis. How do you see such development, especially now that the 2023 general election is close at hand?

Every complex organisation experiences a crisis from time to time. The most important thing is that the mechanism for solving crises is already within the constitution. And we are applying it. Some of the resolutions taken by the National Executive of the PDP has to do with the fact that we are law abiding. We believe in the rule of law.

Therefore we must allow that to guide the process of the mechanism that is in place in our constitution. Soon you will see that the crisis that you talked about is really not there. It is being overblown by some individual interests so that they can use it to blackmail the party into submission .

But it is not working. If you have anything, go to the party mechanism and you will get the result .

How far have you reached out to the Fayose group, which was your main opposition at the regional congress?

We are not interested in groups. We are interested in individuals and the leadership in the various states. I can tell you about my state, Lagos. I can also tell you about Oyo and Ondo States. Let me say that our regional National Vice Chairman, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, has been talking to a good number of people in Oyo State and he has been achieving tremendous success in unifying most of our members. I can tell you that a similar effort is being made in Lagos and a good number of these people you called Fayose’s group are already talking with us. We are talking. At the end of the day, it is about our states. All politics is local. We believe that we have been sharing common goals and a common objective in the progress of our states. Therefore there is no reason why they should continue to encourage divisions. I can go state by state like that. That some people are in somebody’s group is not the way we see it. That is not our approach to this issue.

Between June and July 2022, there will be two governorship elections in the South-West, specifically in Ekiti and Osun States. How is the South West PDP preparing for both elections?

Like I said, we are working with the leadership of the states. We are working and talking, but we will not make it public yet because it is still a work in progress. When the final result is out, you will see how much effort has been made.

Some members of your party believe that with your experience you are going to play a useful role in lifting up the party in the region. How do you see their optimism about your performance and how are you taking such task?

I am working round the clock to make sure that we get it right. The most important thing is that all of us believe there is a need for us to unite. The task of unifying the whole body has to do with interest. We have to look at how we can accommodate all those interests. We are working very hard. We believe in the party and we share the same interest in the party. Most of these people that you talk about as being in the Fayose group share the same sentiment with us.

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Owokoniran

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fter the South-West Regional Congress where you and other members of your executive were elected in Osogbo, have you been able to foster unity in the South-West PDP? Well, it is still a work in progress. Every day we are making progress. We are working and talking, but we haven’t got there yet. We are hopeful that very soon there is going to be a meeting that will bring everybody to the table so that we can have a heart to heart discussion. We are having this to make sure that we make meaningful contributions.

“

Every complex organisation experiences a crisis from time to time. The most important thing is that the mechanism for solving crises is already within the constitution. And we are applying it

How is your executive positioning the South-West for the forthcoming national convention of your party in Abuja?

Those who are interested in the race have started showing interest. We haven’t taken any serious position yet. Let me say that we have not even started treating this issue because before you go into that you must first of all wait for how the positions are going to be zoned. As we stand now, the composition of the steering committee has not been decided. This week or the next week one, we will get somewhere with the composition of the zoning committee.

When the zoning committee completes its task, we can then decide on how to use our strength to support our own candidates from the South-West .

Between 2003 and 2007, the PDP was controlling five states in the South-West . Today it is only governing Oyo State. What is the regional executive doing to improve the PDP’s fortune in the South-West, come 2023?

The South-West PDP has always been strong. I recall that in one of the interviews I granted the media, I said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not a dominant party.

Go and check the result of 2015 general election; the APC scored between 48 and 51 per cent. In the 2019 polls our presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, did well in the South West. If you go back in history, you will find

What is your advice to PDP members in the SouthWest as we move into the future?

That the world thinks the APC has killed Nigeria and we are the viable alternative to take power in 2023. That the larger goal should be more important to us as a party to ensure that we unify and rally round the party to fight this coming election and to be victorious.

How do you advise the Independent National Electoral Commission as we move towards the 2023 general election?

I don’t know the problems that INEC is having. But the Commission is not doing enough in terms of advertising for support for democracy, which it is supposed to midwife. The people have given up on elections. They don’t want to come out to vote. The turnout at elections has continued to decline. And INEC does see this as failure in its duty. Its inability to produce the results of elections, in accordance with the voting pattern in the states or local government areas, is discouraging a lot of people from coming out to cast their votes. People believe the results hardly reflect how they voted. If INEC continues this way, it is not going to help our democracy.

INEC should encourage people to come out in large numbers to vote during elections. One of the things that officials of the commission do is hoard voter cards. They don’t give voters cards out to the people. If you go to register today or you registered two or three years back and you moved out of that area and later you request another card in your new location, you will not get the old one and you will not get a new one. So that is systematic disenfranchising of the people.

I have attended a meeting where I learnt that politicians are supposed to go out and persuade the people to come and vote. Yes, they are supposed to do that, but what about INEC? INEC also has a duty to ensure that people come out in large numbers. If it encourages people to come out to vote and tell them that if they are not voting, they are not helping democracy, the turnout during elections will be higher. That is the duty of the commission, but it is not doing its job. And this is not good for our democracy.

INEC should stop discouraging voters through some of its actions and decisions. It should stick to the duties that have been assigned to it by the Constitution. Most of its officials behave as though they belong to the ruling party. They should do everything possible to disabuse the minds of the people of this notion. They should let the people know that theirs is to midwife elections and ensure the right candidates win.

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SEPTEMBER 5 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 www.thewillnigeria.com

TRIBUTE

Sir Victor Uwaifo: An Eclectic Man and His Guitar

to the Uwaifo family. “Uwaifo,” Obaseki declared, “was a great cultural influencer, a multi-talented artist, songwriter, theorist, inventor, academician, administrator, a master of colours and designs and, above all, a humanist who used his songs to aptly encapsulate all circumstances of human existence and our relationship with the divine.

BY MICHAEL JIMOH e could do tricks with his guitar like the legendary Jimi Hendrix except that he never burnt one on stage like the rock star used to. With his signature sideburns connecting a huge Afro, his fancy footwork mirrored that of another legend: James Brown. In his native Bini or English, he could sing you to sleep or get you to boogie down on the dance floor as long as the party lasts.

H

“During my tenure as governor of Edo State, I had occasion to meet him on several occasions. In each of those instances, I was always impressed by his depth of knowledge and understanding of issues well beyond his areas of expertise.

He was not just a lover of music and art, he loved people, was jovial, accommodating and could lighten up the mood in any circumstance with his signature smile. Although he was non-partisan politically, he was quite supportive of my administration. He attended all engagements that we invited him to and obliged us with his evergreen tunes to the admiration of all present. “Guitar Boy” as he was fondly called will never be forgotten but will be remembered even by generations yet unborn.”

The party stopped last weekend for the man who made “Joromi” a household name in Nigeria. Sir Victor Efosa Uwaifo, iconic man of many parts – graphic artist, sculptor, inventor, painter, lecturer, designer and musician – died on August 29, 2021. He was 80.

He packed so much in those 80 years segueing seamlessly from one professional calling to another. How else can you explain the many roles he played in real life? He started playing the guitar at 12, self-taught, presumably. By the time he became a professional highlife artiste, Nigerians could not but notice that, for real, a star had arrived on stage along with other reigning musicians of his time.

Perhaps more than any of his contemporaries, Uwaifo has an impressive musical oeuvre, popular songs like “Joromi,” “No Palava,” “Vulcanizer,” “Austerity,” the immortal “Guitar Boy” and “Mammy Water.”

There was Rex Jim Lawson, Eddy Okonta, Celestine Ukwu, Victor Olaiya, Herbert Ogunde, Roy Chicago, Ik Dairo and Sir Warrior and the Oriental Brothers. Nearly all of them had their time on stage, sometimes in the same city or town.

Colonel Gary Usman, a cultural aficionado and himself a music guru, recalls watching these highlife maestros perform in Auchi back in the seventies. It was some kind of healthy rivalry, the big names of highlife performing alongside one another trying to outdo themselves. It was great for the fans.

Venue was Paradise Hotel and Central Hotel Jattu. As he tells it, the musicians had their favourite haunts.

“Top highlife musicians used to come around any of the two places,” Col. Usman told THEWILL midweek. “Paradise Hotel hosted Rex Jim Lawson, Celestine Ukwu, IK Dairo, Dele Ojo, Orlando Owo. Central Hotel had the likes of Sir Victor Olaiya, Eddy Okonta, Hubert Ogunde and Roy Chicago.”

Like a diehard fan following a superstar on musical tours, Usman watched Uwaifo again in Lagos, this time Greenland Hotel Kirikiri, Olodi Apapa. He remembers the late musician as “good looking with his unique Afro, driving an sun roof red sports car with his image holding a guitar…he was a real show boy then, young and full of energy. A musician and actor, his stage performance was out of this world. He could do anything with his guitar while playing. All the acrobatics done by Jimi Hendrix were done by Uwaifo. I admire him for his untiring research into Edo culture and creating different musical genre with good melodies, fine rhythm and lyrics.

His solo guitars, sax and flutes were done with a touch of genius.”

Something close to genius is the word tripping out of many lips since Uwaifo’s demise last weekend. For Edi Lawani, entertainment maharishi and producer, Uwaifo belongs in a class by himself, a “rare breed.”

“Sir Professor Victor Uwaifo was a total artist and an accomplished artiste,” Lawani told this newspaper. “He straddled the world of the arts like a colossus, an accomplished inventor, he was a pacesetter on many fronts. He was an academic as easily as he was a showbiz maestro, strutting his stuff and excelling in many endeavours. Prof. Uwaifo was a restless spirit whose destiny had been tangled in a thousand web of activities. As a musician, he was a veteran multi-instrumentalist and producer of award-winning songs and albums. He was an administrator of the arts and also a foremost advocate of African culture. He had a great sense of humour and an avid physical fitness enthusiast. He was a rare breed.”

Uwaifo was born on March 1, 1941, certainly without the prefix ‘Sir.’ Nor did he kneel before the Queen for two swords THEWILLNIGERIA

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The last is both famous not only for his masterful display but the circumstances surrounding it. Uwaifo has repeated it in interviews how the muse came to him on one quiet visit to the Bar Beach way back. According to him, he took time off work as a graphic artist at the time to visit the beach. It was while there that the muse for that number called unexpectedly as a mermaid or Mammy Water. She did not only inspire the song, she also presented him with a guitar and that was it.

“

He was an academic as easily as he was a showbiz maestro, strutting his stuff and excelling in many endeavours. Prof.

Uwaifo was a restless spirit whose destiny had been tangled in a thousand web of activities

to be placed on both shoulders. It was a common practice for musicians of his generation in Nigeria to add fancy titles to their names. Thus, you had Commander Ebenezer Obey, Emperor Pick Peters, Admiral Dele Abiodun, Sir Shina Peters, Sir Warrior, King Sunny Ade and so on.

But Uwaifo’s professorship was real, earned as a lecturer in the Department of Fine & Applied Arts from the University of Benin, an institution where some of his sculptural pieces are to be found to this day in the Ekenwan campus of the school.

As the story goes, Uwaifo strummed his first guitar as a preteen. It was clear from then on that the man had found his métier. He didn’t disappoint. He excelled in it, becoming the first Nigerian artiste whose record won a gold disc. He had many other firsts, notably the first musician to be made a commissioner in Nigeria. (He was Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism during Lucky Igbinedion’s tenure as governor of Edo state.)

The current governor, Godwin Obaseki of the state with the unique motto “Heartbeat of the Nation” offered his condolence

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“If you see Mammy Water o, never, never run away…” so the popular song begin. It was good that Uwaifo didn’t take to his heels because we would never have had that hit song.

Journalists who have met and spoken with the late musician talk of a jovial and receptive man, knowledgeable in just about any topic on the table. They also talk of a DIY man. On one occasion, for instance, a journalist from Lagos visited him in his mansion on College Road, Benin. He was then in his seventies. “We met a very fit Uwaifo washing his car by himself,” Chux Ohai, Copy Editor of THEWILL said.

“Before you knew it, the man crawled beneath the vehicle and started fixing things the way mechanics do.”

Uwaifo also singlehandedly built Revelation Palazzo Museum which he began in 2004. Now in a state of disrepair, Uwaifo himself lamented to Assistant Editor, Arts of The Nation newspaper, Ozolua Uhakeme. Bemoaning its decline, the late Akwete, Sasakosa exponent said: “I am bothered by the poor state of the museum because I am funding it alone.

That is why I am calling on the government and private organisations for support. I am okay with any arrangements, be it partnership or collaboration, because I spent too much of my flesh and blood since inception.

“I invested so much money into the museum, which I could have put in fixed deposit. I am fulfilled as a musician and artist. For me, there is nothing better than music and art because it gives me satisfaction. It makes me look forward to the future with pride.”

Whether the government or private concerns will heed his call isn’t exactly clear. But there is just that possibility, judging from the condolence message by the DirectorGeneral of National Council for Arts and Culture, Otumba Olusegun Runsewe last week.

“Being a unique fellow, loaded with lots of talents, ”the DG said, “the late Uwaifo had contributed to the development of the entertainment industry and NCAC would immortalise him.”

Renovating the Revelation Palazzo Museum might just be the place to start.

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EDITORIAL Oloyede’s Second Term as JAMB Registrar T

he re-appointment of Prof Is’haq Oloyede for a second term of five years as Registrar/CEO of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has elicited reactions from different quarters.

While some praised President Muhammadu Buhari for the re-appointment, critics of the professor of Islamic Jurisprudence and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin think otherwise. They point to his “highhandedness” and “autocratic” approach in running the affairs of the 44-year-old Board since his first appointment in August 2016.

We believe that no human is infallible and no individual is indispensable. There could be many Oloyedes out there doing equally great things, even better, in their duty call.

There could also be many more that are prepared to tread the same path of excellence on point of personal principle and unalloyed patriotism.

But we support the re-appointment of Prof. Oloyede, principally, for his singular efforts to restore the integrity of our public examinations which had been massively compromised. And this is the core mandate of JAMB. In the past, JAMB examinations constituted a bazaar of fraud and all manner of malpractices where invigilators were attacked by hoodlums. JAMB employees were also said to be colluding with security personnel to perpetrate the obnoxious acts. Parents were ready to pay any amount for their children to participate in all sorts of examination malpractice to achieve high scores, using dubious facilities called special centres.

This, in the first place, led to the introduction of the PostUTME screening by the universities, which has now become another cash-cow for the tertiary institutions. The exercise exposed many candidates who paraded results with high scores that they did not earn. These anomalies are now reduced to the barest minimum.

Prof Oloyede confirmed at a press briefing in October

2020 that JAMB had put effective checks in place against identity theft in the admission process into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Through this measure, incidents of impersonation and other forms of identity theft during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) dropped from 74,000 in 2019 to 4,900 in 2020, a 93 per cent reduction, Oloyede said.

The success of Oloyede’s tenure is hinged mainly on the introduction of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) to replace the fraud-tainted pen and paper examination.. It was a dramatic turnaround that brought sanity to the highly corrupt system. Before now, the CBT was hardly conceived as a practicable alternative in the conduct of our public examinations. The success has helped to restore the sanctity of the Board’s main mandate and this should be the focal point in assessing Prof Oloyede’s performance.

It is on record that the adoption of technology has helped in attaining a high level of transparency and advanced networking in the system. The scrapping of the traditional scratch card system for checking results is an offshoot of this initiative. We also recall that Oloyede introduced a drastic reduction in the application fees formerly paid by UTME candidates. Yet, JAMB now remits more funds to the coffers of the Federal Government than in the previous years to offset the cost of technology and other measures needed to overhaul the system for the benefit of the candidates and the general public.

slip printing Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS) for prompt delivery of admissions requirements; the use of CCTV cameras in all CBT centres to monitor the examination and registration process real time and the introduction of management dashboard to monitor registration and admission exercise real time.

The Board has taken steps to punish bad behaviour among the candidates. Between 2018 and 2019, not less than 80 candidates were prosecuted for proven examination malpractice. The Board also announced last February that about 200 culprits were to be prosecuted in 2021.

Last July, JAMB announced the withdrawal of the results of 13 candidates who were alleged to have been involved in examination malpractices during the 2021 UTME. These constitute proof of radical steps to sanitise and reposition the foremost tertiary entrance examination body.

It now conducts recruitment, promotion and other examinations for other establishments who are impressed with the integrity of the JAMB system.

We urge Prof Oloyede to use his second tenure to consolidate on the transformation he instituted at JAMB. It is a sad commentary that many candidates still undergo challenges in sitting for the UTME examinations as a result of network hitches. This is worse in the rural areas where candidates are often extorted.

Other strategic initiatives under Oloyede include the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) for automation of admission process; the institution of Equal Opportunity Group for the conduct of UTME for Blind Candidates; the introduction of e-Ticketing (for Complaints) and the expansion of the capacities of CBT centres for standardisation purposes.

Next is the problem of linking UTME with the National Identity Number (NIN), which still poses a challenge.

Earlier, we had urged JAMB to partner with the National Communication Commission (NCC) and the telecoms service providers to solve this problem. We also urge JAMB to look into the alleged admission racketeering in the universities, which has turned into an illegal cash-spinning process to the detriment of candidates who ought to be admitted on merit.

Noteworthy, also, are the use of Biometric Authentication to confirm validity of registration; the introduction of e-

We wish Prof Oloyede and his team a successful second term at JAMB.

AUSTYN OGANNAH

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Editor – Olaolu Olusina Deputy Editor – Amos Esele Politics Editor – Ayo Esan Business Editor – Sam Diala News Editor (Online) – Felix Oboagwina Copy Editor – Chux Ohai Cartoon Editor – Victor Asowata Entertainment/Society Editor – Ivory Ukonu Photo Editor – Peace Udugba Head, Graphics – Tosin Yusuph Circulation Manager – Victor Nwokoh Nigeria Bureau: 36AA Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA, Ikeja. Lagos, Nigeria. info@thewillnigeria.com / @THEWILLNG +234 810 345 2286, +234 913 333 3888. EDITOR: Olaolu Olusina @OLUSINA [Letters/Opinions: opinion.letters@thewillnigeria.com] PAGE 14

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SEPTEMBER 5 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 www.thewillnigeria.com

OPINION First in Class 0f Education And Leadership

BY UZOR MAXIM UZOATU nhappy is the country whose leader is not properly educated.Going to school is a matter of urgent national importance unless Nigerians want to submit to the thesis of Boko Haram that “Western education is unwanted.”

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Incidentally, coming first in class is a special icing on the cake of going to school. A country like Nigeria, needful of the enthron ment of values, should embrace the celebration of genius and excellence instead of the lionising of dropouts and nonentities.

The author of The Trouble with Nigeria, Chinua Achebe, once lamented that Nigeria does not field its first eleven in leadership matters.

Little wonder the country hardly ever wins when good gove nance is the matter at stake all over the world.

The celebration of genius was done in Singapore, and it worked wonders, as eloquently evinced in the book, From Third World to First – The Singapore Story: 1965-2000, written by the first leader of the country Lee Kuan Yew, a 1949 First Class graduate of Cambridge University, England.

Lee Kuan Yew left the legacy such that the third Prime Minister of the country, Lee Hsieng Loong, who was sworn in on August 12, 2004 happens to be a 1974 First Class graduate of the self same Cambridge! The Singapore government that Lee Hsieng Loong headed had a First Class cabinet as follows: George Yeo – Minister of Foreign Affairs (Cambridge Double First Class in 1976); Lim Hng Kiang – Minister of Trade and Industry (Cambridge First Class with Distinction in 1976); Teo Chee Hean – Minister of Defence (University of Manchester First Class).

Need I go on?

There is hardly any wonder why Singapore is a model for all other countries in dire need of progress on all the cardinal points of the globe.

The Singaporean government richly deserves its motto: “Inter-

ity, Service, Excellence.” Nigeria can definitely do much better than the current rage of making role models out of characters whom no one can attest to their past, shadowy figures who have no visible means of livelihood.

A man with a leading degree ought to be a role model for any self-respecting country because the exploits in school ought to stand one in good stead toward conquering the many challenges of life.

The abuse of distinction in Nigeria cannot grant us a cherished place in the sun of human development.

The mind is the vital source to stick to in the march of civilization, and not the promotion and celebration of cows.

The setting-up of the then University College, Ibadan by colonialist Britain was aimed at sourcing the minds of pre-independent Nigeria.

character, catchment area, geographical spread, land mass and whatever.

This leads to the absurd situation where, for example, a student from Anambra State needs to score 139 marks and more to get admitted into the so-called Unity Schools while a student from Yobe State can be admitted after scoring only two (2) marks!

Crucially, Anambra State is on the drive for a November 6 governorship election in which educational competence is on the front-burner.

The governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) party, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo is a 1984 First Class graduate of Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Nigeria can indeed strike back at the centre through the knowledge gained from the university system.

He held forth as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from May 29, 2004 to May 29, 2009 and undertook the banking consolidation exercise in which the then 83-odd banks in the country were asked to shore up their capital base to N25 billion in 18 months.

University-educated Nigerian poets, playwrights and novelists have already smashed the global canon, and it is incumbent on the government to uplift the geniuses of intellection in our midst to run the government and thus rule the world.

At the end of the exercise, the number of banks in Nigeria was reduced to 25, and the banking consolidation initiative has been credited with helping the Nigerian banking industry to survive the adverse effects of the global economic meltdown.

Nigeria must celebrate her own genius.

The geniuses ought to be the icons Nigeria should promote; not the raucous society types and barons so long on cash but quite short as per knowledge and application.

The university idea represents the best of the best, where all makes of students gather: from bush schools to the most elitist secondary schools.

Now there is the contention that Anambra State is too sophisticated for characters with dubious school certificates to govern!

The Soludo matter has raised much dust amongst the certificateless other contenders such that one of them has vowed that he would make the Nigerian power-that-be to eventually get the Supreme Court to appoint him Anambra State governor as was done in Imo State!

For one to come first in the class should not be an exercise in futility through the country’s embrace of wrong values as entrenched in the promotion of such distractions as zoning, federal

The gubernatorial wannabe who could only speak in Igbo said: “First Class gbakwaa oku!” This simply means: “First Class, burn in fire!”

Major Threats to True Federalism in Nigeria F

BY ADEPARUA DAMILOLA ederalism is said to be a system of government in which the powers of government are constitutionally shared between the central government and regional units in such a way that each level of government is independent and autonomous. In this system of Government, one thing is paramount and that is the constitution in which the fundamental human rights are entrenched.

geria there has never been an agreement between all the component tribes and this led to a civil war that lasted three years.

In a bid to resolve this civil war, many states were created.

The question is has the constitution been amended since the colonial masters handed over power? Also, has the constitution been effective in addressing issues arising from all the regions in Nigeria? What about the Sharia law, which only pertains to the Muslims of the North? How far has federalism been able to generate unity among Nigerians?

Different people with different backgrounds were merged together and federalism was forced on them even without their consent while different constitutions such as the Clifford, Richard, and other constitutions were introduced to them. It was the approach of independence that power over the regions was given to a Nigerian-born citizen and regional legislatures were established.

According to Wikipedia, the current constitution was enacted on May 29, 1999. In January 2011, President Olusegun Obasanjo signed two amendments of the 1999 Constitution, the first modification since the document came into use in 1999.

This does not erase the fact that the constitution has not really been supreme, in respect to unlawful arrest, unlawful killings, unlawful detention, infringement on people’s lives and properties and lots more. How many times has a bill been passed for the amendment of the constitution and how many times has the constitution been amended?

According to Wikipedia, Bernard Bourdillon was the Governor-General of Nigeria at that time and he was the one who laid the foundation of federalism in Nigeria in 1939 by creating three provinces. He later handed over to his successor, Arthur Richards, and it became the Richards Constitution of 1946.

At the beginning of formal British indirect rule in 1901, Nigeria, according to history, was divided into two regions: The Northern Region and Southern Region, both of which were divided into provinces. From 1901 to 1958, the number of regions was increased to three through acquisition of territories and partitioning of existing provinces.

By the time Nigeria had declared itself a republic, a national bicameral parliament was established and the country was considered a federation of three regions.

As posited by a source, ethnicity is more than the colour of a man’s skin or physical characteristic. It is more than language, song and dance. It is the embodiment of values, institutions and patterns of behaviour, a composite whole representing a people’s historical experience, aspirations and worldview. If you deprive a people their ethnicity and culture, you deprive them of their sense of direction or purpose.

There is the need to bear in mind that since the inception of NiTHEWILLNIGERIA

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It should be noted that in a federal system of government, secession of any part of the state is not allowed, but then has there been any form of agreement between the different ethnic groups to stay together as one?

These tribes were brought together in order to provide a ground for easy control of the provinces by the colonial masters. This has since been the basis on which the Federal Government operates. Unity would have been achieved, if the elected leaders were not acting greedily while in power. They embezzled funds meant to alleviate the people’s suffering, engaged in bribery and corruption, while the masses are left to their fate. What of religious bigotry?

Nigeria as a country is not only divided by tribe, but also by religion. What happened to fundamental human rights? How has the government been able to tackle religious crises in the country? Yet, the leadership claims to operate a federal system of government, which is usually founded on the supremacy of the constitution.

I attended a programme titled, Ripples Dialogue, on August

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25, 2021 at the Sheraton Hotel in Lagos. The guest speakers represented the three major tribes in Nigeria: Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. One of these speakers praised the minority groups that act as a thread holding Nigeria together. According to him, in some countries, the minority groups are the ones instigating crisis. In Nigeria, he noted, these groups remain peaceful despite that they are not equally represented.

What about federal character as a major threat to true federalism in Nigeria? The principle of federal character, which ordinarily should protect the interest of the minority groups, has led to inequality and tribal dominance. Due to its inappropriate application, appointments in Nigeria are no longer based on merit. Instead, favoritism and nepotism is the order of the day.

This in turn fuels the people’s fear of a particular tribe dominating the country.

To worsen the situation, terrorists causing mayhem and unrest in some parts of the country, who also constitute another threat to true federalism, are granted amnesty after wasting countless lives of innocent citizens, while the Federal Government is busy chasing after agitators who are concerned about the wellbeing of their people.

It is important that the government address the issues that threaten the stability and unity which federalism is supposed to foster. There is a dire need for a gathering of the different tribes that make up the country in order to deliberate on the way forward as mentioned in one of this author’s pieces titled ‘Democracy our bone of contention.’ Neither force nor coercion can solve the issue on ground, but a peaceful deliberation will.

There is no need for war because in war, we can only know the beginning. No one can predict the end. If there is an eventual need for the constitution, it should be amended to suit the people’s real needs.

Also, an avenue which can grant religious tolerance should be created while the interest of the minority groups should also be respected. In granting amnesty, whatever is good for the goose should also be good for the gander. If terrorists can be pardoned, I see no reason why agitators should not be granted the same for peace to reign and for true federalism to have its way in Nigeria.

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SEPTEMBER 5 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 www.thewillnigeria.com

‘Implementation of Safety Threshold Handling Rates will Revamp Economy’ PAGE 33

Polaris Bank: Directors Receive N869m in 27 Months of ‘Reincarnation’

FMDQ Exchange Admits Mixta Real Estate Plc Series 42 44 Commercial Papers PAGE 35

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Air Peace Signs Sponsorship Agreement With NFF

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR igeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, has signed a sponsorship agreement with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) recently at the Marriott International Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

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With the successful signing of the agreement, Air Peace is now the official airline sponsor of the country’s national football teams. The sponsorship agreement, which is for a period of four years, THEWILL gathered, is renewable every year.

Speaking at the unveiling of Air Peace as the exclusive airline sponsor of the national football teams under the auspices of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) in Lagos, the President of NFF, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, said the “initial agreement” is worth N300 million with additional benefits to the country’s national teams.

Pinnick, who was accompanied to the signing ceremony by Super Eagles stars, Alex Iwobi, Tyron Ebuehi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Joe Aribo, said the partnership deal was timely as Nigerian players will fly to the Cape Verde match onboard the airline’s brand new Embraer E195 aircraft.

The NFF President said, “We are happy because Air Peace epitomises unity, warmth, humanity and nationality.

Air Peace is all about 100 per cent safety. We have been approached by many international airlines, but we believe in this brand that is now established. What we have signed and what we have, we will protect it and we will manage it. Our adream has always been to be fully independent.

With this and other signings we will get there.”

In his response, the Chairman of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema, said it had always been his aspiration to contribute and support national aspirations like the Super Eagles and other national football teams.

Onyema said, “We are investing so much in this sponsorship and partnership in these austere times because we want to restore hope to the country. We believe in Nigeria and the Nigerian project. People are losing hope in the country.

But I believe in the greatness of the country. Nigeria is the envy of other nations and I believe we can all contribute in our different ways to make it great. The Super Eagles are the symbol of our unity. When they are playing, we forget our differences and cheer them as one. We forget where we come from; whether we are Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Ijaw, kanuri, etc, becomes secondary.”

He therefore tasked the Super Eagle to keep the Nigerian dream alive and hope in the country by “going to Cape Verde and trouncing them and eventually qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar”.

Sports lovers and many Nigerians have applauded the Air Peace gesture, describing the agreement as timely as it is coming ahead of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers against Liberia, Cape Verde and Central African Republic.

In the same vein, Air Peace will be flying the Nigerian men’s national football team to Cape Verde for their second fixture of the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers on September 7.

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L-R: Nana Ama De-Man, Cabin Executive, Air Peace Ltd; Mrs Aishat Falode, Chairperson, Nigerian Female Football League; Mr Amaju Pinnick, President, Nigerian Football Federation NFF; Barrister Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace Ltd; Neda Kheiri, Head, Marketing, Air Peace Ltd; and Precious Eluwah, Cabin Executive, during the Air Peace Ltd signing of a four-year sponsorship deal with the Nigerian Football Federation NFF as the official airline for Nigeria’s national football team held in Lagos on 2/9/2021.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government has joined the league of state governments that have Air Peace in their good books. Recently, the Obiano led government applauded the airline for its no-city-left-behind strategy, which has seen it open operations in different parts of the country in the last few months with rapidity. The latest operations were opened in Gombe and Ibadan within a space of three days.

In a statement issued in Awka, the Anambra State capital recently, the government said it is “proud of the development record, the pan-African vision and commitment of the airline’s leadership, particularly its Chairman, Chief Allen Onyema, a worthy son of our great state.”

In the statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba, the government commended the carrier for an aggressive route development programme at a time airlines across the globe are managing to remain afloat as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which dealt a serious blow to not only the aviation sector, but also the entire tourism industry. “It is delightful, according to the Anambra State Sovernment, that while some airlines are acquiring refurbished aircraft, Air Peace “has been purchasing a large number of brand new state-of-the-art equipment and deploying them on Nigerian domestic routes for the safety and comfort of our people.

“The use of the Embraer 195 aircraft, known for an excellent safety record, is most welcome. What is more, we are delighted to hear from people like Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State that the Air Peace operation in Ibadan has resulted in the crash of air tarrifs in certain

places, which is pleasant news to Nigerian travelers.”

The government asked other airlines to borrow a leaf from Air Peace by developing routes like Ibadan-Port Harcourt and Enugu-Kano to deepen national integration rather than continue with traditional flying from Abuja to Lagos and flying to other cities from these places.

“Chief Onyema’s commitment to national unity and economic integration is reminiscent of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s promotion of Nigeria’s unity and nationalism through journalism by establishing newspapers in places like Kano, Zaria, Lagos, Onitsha, Port Harcourt and others, as well as forging solid friendships with individuals and by building enduring alliances with different groups throughout the nation”.

Governor Willie Obiano, according to Commissioner Adinuba, had already called Chief Onyema on the phone to congratulate him on the route development programme which he described as capital intensive and time consuming, recalling how two aircraft from the Air Peace fleet flew into the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport under construction on Friday, April 30, on demonstration flights.

“Governor Obiano also thanked the Air Peace Chairman for his support for working closely with the Anambra State Government to build a hangar at the state airport for the repair and maintenance of aircraft, revealing that the airport will be commissioned soon.”

He added, “We are also delighted that Air Peace is working hard to see if the Embraer aviation company of Brazil can establish its African service centre in the state.”

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SEPTEMBER 5 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 www.thewillnigeria.com

AVIATION

‘Implementation of Safety Threshold Handling Rates Will Revamp Economy’ Stakeholders in the Nigerian aviation industry have said that implementation of the safety threshold handling rates as agitated for by the Aviation Ground Handling Association of Nigeria (AGHAN), the umbrella body of ground handling companies in Nigeria, is capable of turning around the economy, ANTHONY AWUNOR writes

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The country is not deriving optimal economic benefits from international civil aviation, despite the obvious fact that the Nigerian aviation market is a force to reckon with in Africa because of the size of the economy, population and the purchasing power of the middle class.

As it is today, the ground handling companies; Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc, Swissport Handling Company and Precision Aviation Handling Company Limited (PAHCOL) are surviving on very low operating profits.

They cannot afford to invest in innovative technology and modern equipment, recruit/retain quality manpower, pay living wages to staff and carry out efficient training for required numbers of technical and airside personnel as they would have wanted to do. Players in the sector recently warned that if these continue unrestricted, safety procedures may become a reactive exercise, instead of a proactive measure. They observed that while the ground handling companies are fully committed to providing safe and secure operations, diminishing revenues due to low tariffs combined with increasing cost of doing business would continue to put material pressure on safety and security, as well as the long term sustainability of the ground handling companies.

The last time the ground handling tariff was reviewed in Nigeria was in 1999. At the time, a dollar was about N22 and a return economy ticket to London from Lagos was less than N50,000.

Today, the high inflation rate and cost of living index have rubbished the stagnant handling rates. Players in the sector said that for the ground handling companies to continue in business, there should be a safety threshold handling rate that is not primarily for profit making, but for sustainability of the business.

Available statistics indicate that the Federal Government and the handling companies are losing an estimated $28,350,000 (about N14, 175 billion) annually to inappropriate handling rates. Further investigation indicated that no fewer than 45 narrow body aircraft on regional and international routes, which include Boeing B737, Airbus A320, ER 135 and ATR aircraft, are handled daily at the nation’s international airports by the ground handling companies.

For a wide body aircraft like the B767, A330, B777 and B747, at least 20 flights are handled daily by the ground handling companies.

Dr Sam Oduselu, the Pioneer Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) in an interview declared that the rates by ground handling companies were due for a review both locally and internationally.

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No doubt, the ground handling companies have contributed materially to the growth of the sector in Nigeria.

This has been done in the interest of the nation, but this effort is yet to be adequately balanced with economic returns especially over the last two decades

Oduselu said the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had further worsened the operating environment for the sector, but he noted that the ground handling companies were adversely affected with the challenge, having remained stagnant in its rates for over 22 years, despite the rise in equipment and fall of the naira against major currencies.

He lamented that the handling rates in Nigeria remained the cheapest in Africa, in spite of the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment by the handling companies.

“You will see that the rates here are the cheapest and with such a ridiculous rate regime, it will be difficult for handling companies to survive if we continue to operate under this regime,” he said.

Aside from the loss to the handling companies, he also explained that the Federal Government was suffering economic revenue as over 50 per cent it ought to earn through the sub-sector were lost. He added, “If you look at it, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is the policeman of the industry. Even with the deregulation of the sub-sector, I think it becomes expedient and extremely important for the regulatory agency to intervene and ensure the commencement of new handling rates.

“The operators too should try to go through the aviation committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives so that whatever it is that they are getting will be backed up by the law and it will be part of the regulation in the industry. Just as you know, there is no Nigeria aviation, but a global aviation industry. For you to talk of profit, you must first of all have the machinery that you need to do the job and with what they are charging now, they won’t be able to have all that.”

Mr Basil Agboarumi, the Managing Director of SAHCO Plc, said that unlike the past when the two leading ground handling companies were owned by the government and a consortium of

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Fagbemi

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Aviation, has in recent time initiated and implemented numerous waivers, such as the customs duties on aircraft acquisition and spare and procurement, easy access to foreign exchange and removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) for the airline sub-sector, but, regrettably, the same cannot be said of ground handling companies that continue to groan in a stifling operating environment like Nigeria. The ground handling companies, no doubt, have contributed materially to the growth of the sector in Nigeria. This has been done in the interest of the nation, but this effort is yet to be adequately balanced with economic returns, especially over the last two decades.

Agboarumi

round handling operations are a critical aspect of the global aviation industry. Their contributions to the safety, security and economic development of the global aviation industry cannot be over-emphasised. The sub-sector, which hardly gets recognition, is pivotal to the retention of safety and security in the aviation industry. While most aviation countries around the world have come to realise its importance, the same cannot be said of Nigeria where the sub-sector is constantly relegated to the background in government policies and roadmap for the entire sector.

airlines, the companies were now owned 100 per cent by investors and shareholders, with expected profit at the end of each year.

He lamented that with the current rates charged by the handling companies, there was no way investors could take appreciable dividends of their investments at the end of each year.

Although, he agreed that the sub-sector was deregulated, which gives handling companies the leeway to charge any rates they deemed good for their businesses, but noted that the NCAA in collaboration with the handling companies could set up a safety threshold handling rates for operators, which each could not go below.

He also regretted that inflation in the country had further dealt a huge blow to the operating environment, stressing that the value of naira had further collapsed in the international market.

“The fact is that inflation is coming in and it’s not helping us to do our business. Like the Aviation Ground Handling Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) has always said, even the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has told you the steps to take before you effect any change in prices. We are law abiding business people, so we have to follow the processes and procedures. We are engaging with the public and we are educating the people. We have been in some circle whereby some of the airlines said publicly that a review of the handling rate was unavoidable.

“Between 2020 and now, we have seen a major leap in terms of the forex that used to be N350 to now over N500 to a dollar and we are a heavy consumer of forex. Nobody wants to hear if there is a failure in ground handling services. So, we have the duty to provide not just ground handling services, but also the best ground handling services that can compete with any other in the world. To do that, we need the right equipment. Ground handling equipment, personnel and certification are changing. So, we have to change with developments around the world. In fact, you have to pay the right salaries and remuneration to attract and retain your best hands.”

Mrs Olatokunbo Fagbemi, the Group Managing Director, NAHCO Plc, said the major challenges facing the ground handling company were static and declining rates, while foreign exchange and cost of living index had continued to climb up.

She, however, said that despite the poor handling rates, NAHCO, for instance, had unswervingly continued to invest in modern equipment to improve its services.

For instance, Fagbemi said that a few weeks ago the company took delivery of dollies Aircraft Cooling System (ACU) and aircraft Ground Power Unit (GPU) from Bombelli in Italy, while tow tractors are being expected in September. She said these were tailored towards sustaining safety and security of equipment and the flying public, which she vowed that the company would not compromise at any time.

•Continues online at www.thewillnigeria.com

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BANKING

Polaris Bank: Directors Receive N869m in 27 Months of ‘Reincarnation’

BY SAM DIALA

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olaris Bank Limited is marking its third anniversary this month as a corporate entity (established on September 21, 2018). It ‘reincarnated’ from the defunct Skye Bank Plc which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked its operating licence for acute insolvency. During this period, the Polaris Bank published two full-year (FY) annual reports: 2019 and 2020, after the September 21-December 31, 2018 (circa a quarter) report earlier.

billion, was described by finance experts as an act of executive desperation. The outcome was acquisition constipation which the bank continued to suffer until its licence was revoked in September 2018.

POST-ACQUISITION BLUES Regrettably, the new large status of Skye Bank brought it a sour taste. In June 2016, Standard & Poor’s lowered Skye Bank’s ratings, following the bank’s significant asset deterioration.

The two FY reports indicate that the bank has braced up for the challenge in the highly competitive financial services sector, according to the numbers. But it is still in the struggling mode.

The directors, however, have enjoyed a quantum leap in their remuneration which is not commensurate with the tempo in its operating profit.

The rating company in a press release said, “We anticipate deterioration in Skye Bank’s asset quality metrics and profitability, which we think will markedly diminish the bank’s capital adequacy relative to the regulatory minimum and heighten refinancing risks.

The 2019 FY report showed that the eight directors of the bank received a total remuneration of N250 million during the period, made up of directors-related expenses of N40 million and N50 million for executive compensation. In 2020, total directors’ remuneration was N529 million, consisting of N192 million for directors-related expenses and executive compensation of N198 million. There were also N139 million post-employment benefits for the bank’s policy-making board.

Notwithstanding that interest expense was less in 2020 at N23.132 billion compared with N45.814 billion in 2019 or 49.50 percent lower, the bank recorded a lower net interest income of N85.369 billion in 2020 than the N87.797 billion in 2019. This represents a marginal drop of 2.76 per cent. The provision for ‘impairment loss on loans and other financial assets’ for both periods, N9.399 billion and N14.126 billion, adjusted the total figures to N75.970 billion and N73.671 billion respectively, or 3.12 percent above 2019.

The bank suffered losses valued at N443 million in ‘net trading and foreign exchange transactions’ in 2020, which hugely diluted the N950 million achieved in 2019. Total loans and advances rose from N261.408 in 2019 to N299 billion in 2020 or 14.38 percent. The bank posted impairment allowances believed to be commensurate with the facilities: N96.216 and N72.670, representing 36.80 percent and 27.8 percent, respectively.

ACQUISITION INDIGESTION The sudden emergence of Polaris Bank from the carcass of the defunct Skye Bank was a rescue technique employed by the regulatory body to save depositors’ funds. It did not favour the equity holders who are the real owners of the bank. In revoking the licence of Skye Bank, the CBN explained that the lender was perpetually on a live support, since July 2016, which did not augur well for the industry. The CBN also said that Skye Bank had been recording losses before its July 4, 2016 intervention.

This negative standing of Skye Bank contributed to the CBN’s intervention of July 4, as Emefiele clearly stated, “Given the aforementioned issues and the fact that Skye Bank is a Domestic Systemically Important Bank (SIB) with significant interconnectedness, the CBN would be failing in its duties if it does not take immediate action to nip the steadily declining health of the bank in the bud and correct the situation.

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Conversely, the bank’s profit recorded a slower pace during the period. In FY 2019, profit after tax (PAT) was N26.29 billion as against N2.85 billion in the (circa quarter) base period of September 21-December 31, 2018. The bank recorded a marginal increase of N1.8 billion to hit N28.09 in 2020 or 0.06 percent, compared with the 2019 PAT of N26.29.

Therefore, while the bank’s profit grew by 0.06 percent in 2020, directors’ remuneration jumped by 111.6 percent.

“Consequently, we are lowering our global scale ratings on Skye Bank to ‘CCC+’ from ‘B-’ and our national scale rating to ‘ngB+’ from ‘ngBB’ and placing them on CreditWatch with negative implications.”

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The decision by Skye Bank board to pay N126 billion for a bank on regulatory oxygen with net asset value of N59 billion, was described by financial experts as an act of executive desperation. The outcome was acquisition constipation which the bank continued to suffer until its licence was revoked in September 2018

According to the announcement by the regulator, Skye Bank, which was formed in 2006 through the merger of five banks, namely, Prudent Bank, Bond Bank, Reliance Bank, Cooperative Bank and EIB International Bank, had negative asset value of N786 billion, with perpetual dependence on regulatory support to meet customers’ obligations.

CBN. And we just thought there was no need to continue doing that. And for this bank to continue to live under the live support of the CBN and the government, the bank might as well become a wholly owned institution belonging to AMCON (Asset Management Company of Nigeria) which is owned by CBN and the government,” the CBN said.

The CBN added that the revocation of the licence of Skye Bank and the creation of a bridge bank named Polaris Bank to assume its assets and liabilities was due to the failure of the shareholders of Skye bank to inject funds to recapitalise the bank.

But the directors of Skye Bank must have jumped into a river that they apparently underestimated its depth by acquiring Mainstreet Bank, formerly Afribank, in December 2014. Skye Bank Plc had emerged the preferred bidder for Mainstreet Bank Limited, a bank on regulatory oxygen, with N126 billion to acquire the entire issued and fully paid up ordinary shares of the nationalised bank. It beat Cedar One Investment Partners Limited and Fidelity Bank Plc as 1st reserve and 2nd reserve bidders, respectively.

“What it meant was that the capital had been fully eroded and they needed to bring in money. We are saying that before July 2016 they did not bring money to recapitalise the bank and in post-July 2016, they did not bring money.

“The bank continued to rely on liquidity support from the

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The decision by Skye Bank board to pay N126 billion for a bank on regulatory oxygen with net asset value of N59

“In view of the long grace period allowed the bank to correct the situation, we came to the conclusion that, although the existing board had done its best to steer the ship it had come to a realization that it would be unable to bring the bank out of its present precarious situation.”

SHAREHOLDERS’ ANGER Former shareholders of the defunct Skye Bank maintain that they were unilaterally shortchanged by the regulatory authorities who penalized the equity holders for the sins of the board and management of the bank. They are still bitter over the huge loss of their investments in a bank that was doing well before the ambition of a few men pushed the bank beyond the cliff.

The National President, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr Boniface Okezie, demands that the authorities commence payment to the defunct Skye Bank shareholders for their lost investments in the bank. He recalled that the CBN had promised to settle the minority shareholders of Skye Bank when the bank metamorphosed into Polaris Bank.

“The bank (Polaris) and the CBN should, as a matter of urgency, pay the former shareholders of Skye Bank who are the original asset owners of today’s Polaris Bank. The CBN went ahead to create Polaris Bank without paying out the owners of the former Skye Bank whose assets were trapped in the bank. Now that Polaris Bank has started making profit and its directors are collecting fat pay, they should begin to settle the shareholders as the CBN promised,” Okezie said in a note to THEWILL. The National Co-ordinator, Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Ms Bisi Bakare, expressed disappointment over the issue of Skye Bank. She said that the shareholders were robbed by the regulatory authorities in nationalising the bank without considering the equity holders’ investment.

Bakare told THEWILL in a telephone interview that the shareholders are usually the losers when an enterprise fails, but “the directors who ran the bank aground ought to have been punished appropriately. They over-stretched their bounds and engaged in financial recklessness.”

Another investor, John Emelobor, told THEWILL that Polaris Bank is still struggling to find its feet and that former shareholders of the defunct Skye Bank should consider their investment as a sacrifice to an unknown gods. He said that N2 trillion was thrown into the ocean by the death of Skye Bank.

An enquiry sent to the Corporate Communications Department of Polaris Bank was not responded to at the time of going to press.

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BUSINESS NEWS Access Bank Posts N97.5bn Pre-tax Profit in H1 2021

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ccess Bank Plc grew its half-year pre-tax profit to N97.5 billion in the first six months of 2021 from N74.3 billion in the comparable period of 2020, a leap of 31 percent Access also recorded a 14 percent rise in gross earnings to N450.6 billion as against N396.8 billion in 2020.

The quantum leap in profitability was achieved through the bank’s unique business model that supports the corporate and retail value chains throughout the African continent and beyond.

Despite the inflationary environment and increased regulatory costs, the bank’s Cost-to-Income Ratio stood at 60.1 percent, a 570-basis point reduction from 65.8 percent in H1 2020.

L-R: President, Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria, ALBON, Nonso Ubajiaka; Executive Director, E. Ekesons Transport and ALBON Treasurer, Chijioke Ojukwu; Prince Emeka Mamah of Ifesinachi Transport, during ALBON meeting in Enugu, recently.

Access Bank’s retail banking business continued to grow with a 24 percent year-on-year increase in gross earnings to N118.6 billion driven by a 46 percent yearon-year increase in interest income and 37 percent yearon-year growth in revenue from its channels and digital businesses.

FMDQ Exchange Admits Mixta Real Estate PLC Series 42-44 Commercial Papers

During the period, the bank recorded progress in its financial inclusion objective to bank 1 in every 2 Nigerians. It added 2,371,832 new customers as well as 16,428 new agents, creating more employment and providing convenience to customers.

MDQ Securities Exchange Limited has announced the approval of the quotation of the Mixta Real Estate PLC ₦2.07 billion Series 42, ₦0.99 billion Series 43, and ₦4.66 billion Series 44 CPs under its ₦20.00 billion CP Issuance Programme on its platform.

“Our push for digital innovations to improve efficiency for our customers resulted in significant increase in our USSD transaction volume (+62 percent year-on-year) and our Mobile and Internet Banking transactions volume (+67 percent year-on-year)”, said Herbert Wigwe, chief executive officer, Access Bank Plc.

BY SAM DIALA

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Mixta Real Estate Plc, a subsidiary of Mixta Africa, specialises in the development of urban infrastructure and affordable housing. It was established with the objective of responding to the existing housing deficit across the African continent.

According to FMDQ Exchange, the Mixta Real Estate CPs, which are sponsored on the Exchange by FBNQuest Merchant

Bank - a Registration Member (Quotation), would be used to finance the issuer’s short-term funding requirements.

It said the issuer will also benefit from FMDQ Exchange’s diversified investor base, its highly responsive and efficient listing and quotation processes, and credible benchmark pricing required for appropriate portfolio valuation, amongst others.

“FMDQ Exchange will continue to remain innovative even as it continues to provide timely and cost-efficient listing and quotation services to support its stakeholders, particularly issuers and investors, towards accessing capital in the Nigerian financial market, amongst other service offerings,” the debt capital market platform said.

Luxury Bus Owners Elect Ubajaka President

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR he Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON) recently held a biennial general meeting where members elected a new national executive committee to drive the transport proprietors’ body through the next two years.

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At the meeting held in Enugu, the association’s Vice President and Managing Director of Izuchukwu Transport Ltd, Mr. Nonso Ubajaka, who had been at the helm for some time now, was elected the President.

Ubajaka succeeds the former President, Prince Emeka Mamah {Chief Executive Officer of Ifesinachi Industries Nigeria Ltd}, now a Commissioner in Enugu state; while the Managing Director, ABC Transport Plc, Frank Nneji, retains his position as the Secretary.

In his post-swearing remarks, the newly elected President assured that members of his executive council would give priority to collaborating closely with the government to protect the interests of the association and its members.

He urged the transporters not to despair, but brace up to tackle the hurdles frontally.

Also elected into the new executive committee are the Executive Director of Ezenwata Transport, Samuel Eze {1st Vice President}; Executive Director, Ifeanyichukwu Motors, Obiora Egwim {2nd Vice President; Executive Director, E. Ekesons Transport, Chijioke Ojukwu {Treasurer}; and Executive Director, Gobison Transport, Peter Obi {Financial Secretary).

In his acceptance speech, Ubajaka lauded his predecessor, Prince Mamah, with whom he had worked very closely, for piloting the affairs of the association commendably in the last four years.

He assured, “ ALBON which our founding fathers with their tremendous efforts toiled days and nights to build and bestow on us, will not be extinguished.”

He emphasised the need for ALBON leadership to always interface with various tiers of government (local, state and federal) and their agencies in order to ensure that the transporters are encouraged to play their vital roles in the nation’s economy.

He spoke further on problems, saying “the greatest challenges facing us today are the glaring issues of daunting insecurity, the great period of economic depression resulting in the unprecedented period of low passenger patronages and COVID-19 pandemic. But, we shall not despair. We shall face these challenges frontally to remain afloat and viable as a group.

The new President identified some of the challenges that deserve immediate attention as daunting insecurity and an unprecedented period of low passenger patronage resulting from harsh economic realities and COVID-19 pandemic.

“Accordingly, in the next couple of weeks, I will call upon you for us to have a comprehensive review of the current bus fares of the association as it affects our individual and collective financial records

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Despite the challenging economic climate, Access Bank Plc maintained strong asset quality with a stable NPL ratio of 4.3 percent (Dec. 2020 4.3 percent). It expanded its loan portfolio, supporting sectors with the highest impact on the economy, with good quality assets as reflected by the growth in its net loans and advances to N4 trillion year to date compared to N3.6 trillion as at December 2020.

Furthermore, Access Bank Plc maintained robust capital and liquidity positions well above regulatory levels, with a Capital Adequacy Ratio of 21.3 percent and a liquidity ratio of 50.7 percent, positioning the bank to support its customers and execute its growth strategy.

Wigwe further said: “Over the last few months, we have successfully completed acquisitions in South Africa, Mozambique, and Zambia, emphasising our footprint in key markets around the globe. We will continue to grow our presence in geographies with significant growth potential, especially where they support our global customers. As we become Africa’s Gateway to the World, we would also seek markets that support our trade and payments aspirations and the African Free Trade Agreement. To further enhance our operating efficiency and ensure strong returns on invested capital, we will bring the best of our group assets, specifically our digital banking capabilities that support individuals and businesses, enhance financial inclusion, and deliver the benefits of a strong network effect across our enlarged Group”.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have been able to demonstrate our ability and willingness to support our customers, our communities, and our colleagues. As the outlook improves, and as business returns to a new normal, we will continue to support our communities in order to stimulate growth and create new opportunities. To accomplish our vision to be the World’s Most Respected African Bank, we are working together across the Group on the back of our robust balance sheet, increased retail momentum and efficiency”, the bank’s CEO further

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SHOTS OF THE WEEK PHOTO EDITOR: PEACE UDUGBA [08033050729]

L-R: Chairman, APC Campaign Council for Anambra State governorship election, Governor Hope Uzodimma; Chairman, APC Caretaker Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State; President Muhammadu Buhari; APC candidate for the November 6th Anambra governorship election, Sen Andy Ubah; and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, during the presentation of Sen Uba to the President, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on 31/8/2021.

L-R: Senator Saidu Alikali, Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry; Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo, Group Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group Plc; Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Honourable Minister for Trade and Investment; and Mr. Temi Popoola, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited; during the High-Level Roundtable on Industrialization in Africa, organized by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria in Lagos on 2/9/2021.

L-R: Chief Operations Officer, Pandagric Novum Limited, Arnold Smith; Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Spain; Member, Executive Board, Theo van der Veen; and the General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Tunji Osoko; during the 2021 the company’s Distributor’ Conference and Unveiling of Rebranded Supreme Feeds in Abuja on 27/8/2021.

L-R: Non-Executive Board Chairman, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Farouk Gumel; Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Chief Executive Officer, NSIA, Uche Orji and Board Member, NSIA, Babatunde Sobamowo; at the inauguration of the Board of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on 1/9/2021.

L-R: Commissioner (representing Ogun State) Federal Character Commission, Hon Abiodun Akinlade; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Commissioner (rep. Ekiti State), Chief Sesan Fatoba; Executive Chairman, Federal Character Commission, Dr. Muheeba Dankaka; and Commissioner (rep. Abia State), Hon Henry Ogbulogo, during a courtesy visit of the Executive Chairman FCC and her team to the Gov. Fayemi in Ado-Ekiti on 2/9/2021.

L-R: Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano; the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA), governorship candidate, Professor Chukwuma Soludo; and his running mate, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim; during the presentation of a certificate of honour to Soludo for his contributions to the growth of education in the state at the Hollywood Events Centre, Awka on 2/9/2021.

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MOET & NICOLE ABEBE: SPILLING ON CAREER, FAMILY

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In this interview with IVORY UKONU, Moet and Nicole Abebe, both cousins from the famous Abebe family (think late Mrs Stella Obasanjo), talk about their podcast show, ‘Spill The Tea With the Abebes,’ their career, family and sundry issues. Excerpts:

Nicole

WE HAVE DIFFERENT DYNAMICS AS A FAMILY – MOET AND NICOLE ABEBE M

oet you started out on television presenting a programme on SoundCity and then you moved on to radio and now visual podcasting. Why didn’t you just do this on your time belt on radio?

Moet: Podcasting is definitely the future as the world is going digital. It is also a way of owning your content.

Doing this on my radio belt would mean me creating content for radio only and it will all have to be approved by the radio station I work for. Podcasting definitely gives me the freedom to touch on topics that I find interesting and execute the conversation the way I like and want.

Why did you see the need to have Nicole join you as co-host?

Moet: Not just to join me as a co-host, but as the associate producer because with the type of conversations I aimed to stir up, I needed someone whose energy matched mine, who I could learn from and she could equally learn from me. Nicole was the perfect candidate because even with our relationship off camera, we have amazing conversations and connection, so I knew she would be perfect as a cohost.

Nicole: We are family. That is the biggest difference that our podcast has. We have a different dynamic than other co-hosts and we reason with each other differently.

Whose idea is the visual podcast?

Nicole: The podcast started out as an idea from Moet.

She had always wanted to start a project that she could call her own, which would showcase her amazing talents.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic cut my time in

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“

Moet

We are family. That is the biggest difference that our podcast has. We have a different dynamic than other co-hosts and we reason with each other differently New York short. It was a blessing when Moet asked me if I’d like to go on this journey with her.

There is quite a few podcasts shows in Nigeria. What are you guys going to be doing differently from others?

Moet: You are very right. There is a lot of podcasts in Nigeria. What we will be doing differently is our honesty and the bare-it-all attitude. We share our personal experiences on heartbreak, trauma, parenting, societal pressures and lots more. Also, a show handled by cousins hasn’t quite been done before and that is definitely what also makes us stand out Nicole: We cater to young adults. We set our first season around social issues rather than political ones because there are other podcasts out there that focus on political issues.

We will touch on said issues, perhaps in season two. We just have to figure out our own approach. Secondly, our podcast is not only visually appealing with our fun and whimsical

set design, but each topic sheds new light on issues we all face.

What topics do you dwell on?

Moet: Areas such as industry, relationship and career, as long as it involves young people and what young people can relate with.

While it is okay to pander to what young people like and are most likely to gravitate towards, don’t you think issues that the youths shy away from, such as politics should be included in such a way that they are compelled to be part of the political conversation?

Nicole: Yes I do agree with you that politics definitely affects young people and the demographic we do focus on. God willing, I can assure you that we are definitely looking at having an episode or more on politics.

What do you hope to achieve with your podcast at the end of the day?

Moet: I am hoping it will become a household name, especially amongst our target demographic and beyond. I want to achieve a visual podcast that is not only entertaining, but also extremely enlightening and educative. I want constructive conversations to be had among young people and for them to take home a thing or two that will inevitably leave them rounded and socially aware.

Nicole: To open minds to issues that one probably never gave much thought. Our main objective is to provide fun and educational content that keeps people coming back for THEWILLNIGERIA

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more.

me as much as the work I do now.

Have you thought of taking your podcast to television and transforming it into a talk show in the nearest future or are you simply contented with this?

Moet: I am most definitely looking at the podcast transforming into a talk show on television. This is why so much attention was given to the set design, styling of the hosts and the use of props.

Nicole: The sky’s the limit. Moet has always had huge ideas for it, but now this project is also my baby and I see it going far beyond our wildest dreams.

You are also an entrepreneur: you run a spa, a restaurant, etc. I suppose this is the real Abebe in you.

Why spa and restaurant?

Moet: Skincare and cooking have always been major areas of interest for me. So what better way to apply my skill than to make money from it.

What really inspired the podcast?

Moet: I wanted to create a safe space where two millennial family members touch on things that affect not only them, but also young people around them with the hope that they can do their little part of passing knowledge and experience to people who are keen to know more but don’t have the right outlet or platforms to gain more knowledge. The family dynamic between myself and Nicole also was an inspiration. The fact that we met as adults but have been able to do business and create content together just goes to show that there is no limit to how, when or with whom you can aim to achieve greatness Nicole: In a world where you feel like everything is borrowed; time, money, even relationships, it’s nice to know that something is 100 per cent yours. I believe that was one of the driving factors behind starting this visual podcast, being able to put your name on your hard work.

Is it a coincidence that you are also a radio presenter, Nicole or is it due to Moet’s influence?

Moet: It’s pure coincidence and a very suitable one The media doesn’t exactly run in your family as your family members known to the public are business oriented and technocrats. Where did your love for the media stem from?

Moet: I’ve always loved the idea of being in the spotlight and putting smiles on people’s faces. Yes, the media isn’t in my family, but the entertainment industry has always been an industry I admire to some extent. I guess I decided to take things up a notch by choosing to be a part of the industry.

Nicole: True about the business aspect. However my mum’s side of the family have always been creative and they occupied the media space. My grandfather, Sylvester Moemeke, was one of the pioneers of advertising in Nigeria. He was known as the ‘doyen of advertising’. My mother is highly skilled in interior design and advertising.

My siblings and I, as well as most of my cousins from my mother’s side have all gone into something creative at one time or another. So I’d say it runs in my blood.

Moet, you studied law, but you have been working in the media for a while now. Will you ever use your law degree someday?

Moet: I hope to do so, but being a lawyer doesn’t satisfy

And you are a video vixen too, with your appearance in one of D’Banj’s music video. Are we going to be seeing that part of you more often?

Moet: I’m not sure about often, but yes you will be seeing me more from now on, not just in music videos but also in the movies.

I hear you have 11 tattoos. What is the significance of at least five of them?

Moet: I actually have 22 tattoos and my favourite five would be: First, the Nefertiti tattoo on my forearm. She was literally at the forefront of the emancipation of Egyptian women and nothing screams strength and royalty like her portrait.

Secondly I love the Adinkra symbol for beauty and femininity, which is an image of the traditional afro comb which I have.

Third, I love the locket with my grandma’s name, Nana inscribed on my wrist which acts as a memorabilia to her.

Also, the inscription, “I can and I will, watch me” on my shoulder blade is literally my personal words of affirmation.

Finally the inscription, “the error of the past is the wisdom of the future” in Sanskrit is also a mantra I live by.

Mistakes happen, but what’s most important is what we learn from them.

What philosophy do you both live by?

Moet: I live by the philosophy that one should hope for the best but expect the worst.

Nicole: I live by a few: It’s never too late to become who you want to be. It doesn’t take much to be a kind person and do onto others as you want to be done to yourself.

Also, first impressions matter.

What is it about your childhood that has shaped you both to become who you are today?

Moet: I would say what really shaped me into who I am today was the fact that I grew up as an only child of Drs John and Lucy Abebe. This meant that I always relied on myself to get anything done and in all honesty, I taught myself how to be independent and self-reliant.

Nicole: I spent my formidable years in boarding school, from age 11 to 17. When I think about some of the things I still do to this very day, I realise they are habits I picked up in school. Apart from that, I’m the only girl and youngest

child in my family so I stuck by my mother’s side. She shaped me into the woman I am today. This is why I take it as a compliment when people tell me I have an old soul.

My parents are Henry and Beatrice Abebe. Sadly, my dad passed away in 2014.

Moet, you once said that you don’t think you are cut out for marriage? What prompted this declaration?

Moet: Nothing entirely is responsible for this declaration.

I just know who I am and what I can be disciplined about or towards. Right now at this very moment, I am just not focusing on that but focusing on myself.

Who are some of the people you look up to in the media industry and why?

Nicole: My entrance essay into the University of Bedfordshire where I bagged a degree in Broadcast Journalism was about Ryan Seacrest. I love that guy; his work ethic and how he’s been able to make the media industry work in his favour. I’d like to mould my career to look like his. I also admire Giuliana Rancic, her stage presence and control of the microphone. Also, Adrienne Bailon from ‘The Real’ talk show. The way she reads a teleprompter is so cool! You’d never guess she was reading anything. Then obviously there’s the great Oprah Winfrey. I love the way she can bring out emotions from her interviews.

Moet: I look up to IK Osakioduwa as he’s an amazing master of ceremony who is extremely relatable and you immediately connect with. As for the radio, I absolutely love Sola Mogaji aka Schullz. She is an absolute delight to listen to. She knows exactly the type of conversations to be had and she has a killer voice. I also love Titi ‘Dynamite’ Oyinsan and Morayo Brown. They have remained consistent and are equally extremely talented ladies How do you both unwind when you aren’t working?

Moet: I love going on vacations and to the beach with close friends. I am at ease by the water.

Nicole: I mostly catch up on my favourite series or watch a movie. If I’m feeling inspired, I may get in the kitchen and start baking.

If you weren’t in the media, what else do you think you would have excelled in?

Moet: I definitely would have excelled at law. I would have done well as a barrister and solicitor.

Nicole: If I wasn’t in the media industry, I would have attended culinary school and started a pop-up restaurant or two.

Nicole, you attended The New York Film Academy. Is acting on the horizon for you?

Nicole: I actually attended New York Film Academy for Broadcast Journalism as well. They offered a fresh perspective from what I learned in my undergraduate days. However, I’d never say never, if Nollywood came knocking and if it was a good time for me, I’d answer.

Even though you only just started, what are some of the challenges you both faced with your podcast?

Nicole: Finance. Like they say, you have to spend money to make money. In this case, a fair amount was spent to achieve the ideas we had in our heads. I tip my hat to Moet. Without her, most of this wouldn’t have been possible. There’s no stopping her when she puts her mind to something. I admire that.

Moet: A major challenge would be funding, the gathering of funds and being able to get the best deals as executive producer.

What has been your greatest achievement in life so far?

Nicole: So far, I’m proud of the young woman I am today. I used to be very shy, sometimes I wonder why a shy girl chose to be in front of the camera. But I love my work. I’m grateful I attended wonderful schools around the world that gave me all the knowledge I need to succeed. I’m happy at the pace at which my career is moving because I know it’s only up from here. And most importantly, I’m happy I am someone my mother can be proud of at the end of the day. I do all this so I can one day take care of her like she has done for me my whole life and continues to do.

Moet: Actually sticking and choosing this career path and what I love, which is clearly media. The fact that next year will mark 10 years of my journey in the industry and it goes to show that choosing how I wanted my journey to be and remaining consistent was what has gotten me this far, which I’m very proud of as I achieved all this by myself.

Nicole & Moet THEWILLNIGERIA

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STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

Funke Akindele-Bello’s Ex-husband Emerges LG Chairman

BLESSING AGBOLI DENIES COMPLICITY IN HUSBAND’S DEATH W

hen the news of the death of Apostle Joseph Agboli of Victorious Army Ministries International broke last week, rather than allow his beautiful wife, Pastor Blessing, to mourn him in peace, the rumour mill came alive with a story that she had a hand in his death.

Naysayers, particularly some members of her husband’s church, went to town with all kinds of permutations on the role she played in his last few months on earth and how it hastened his death. They alleged foul play. Not one to let snide talks to slide, Pastor Blessing decided to address the

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Agboli

rumour and nip it in the bud.

Describing the allegation as a juvenile campaign of calumny by her traducers aimed at diminishing her husband’s legacies, she revealed that her husband’s ailment began about five years ago and in that period, he believed and prayed for God’s healing while he preached the gospel. She added that in the last two years, the ailment got worse as he couldn’t sit still in church and was always shaking.

According to her, sometimes she had to help him back to his seat if he was unable to move from the altar after preaching, a situation she said church members were aware of and

wondered why there was a malicious rumour against her.

Rather than take her advice and remain at home, Pastor Blessing said the late apostle always insisted on attending church services and prayer meetings, so as not to give people the impression that she had hijacked the church from him.

A native of Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State, Agboli, who died about two weeks ago at the age of 58 from a heart related ailment, founded his church in 1995 after many years of being a trusted lieutenant of controversial pastor, Patrick Anwuzia of Zoe Ministries.

hey may have gone their separate ways, but if there is one thing they both have going for them, it is that they have both made satisfactory progress in their various careers without letting the failure of their marriage hold them down. While Funke Akindele-Bello is now a married mother of two, an accomplished actress, a movie producer, with several cinema blockbusters under her belt, her ex-husband, Alhaji Otunba Kehinde Oloyede Almaroof, is now the chairman of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Council. All thanks to his doggedness and the influence of his late mother, Alhaja Taiwo Adiatu Almaroof, a former ‘Iyaoloja’ of Oshodi.

While they do not officially see eye to eye due to the manner their relationship ended, they however have a mutual friend in the person of the chairman of the Lagos chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Worker, Musiliu Akinsanya, otherwise known as MC Oluomo, who keeps both of them up to date with the events in their lives.

Funke joined Kehinde’s harem formally in a lavish, star studded

Almaroof Nikkai, engagement ceremony and wedding reception, all of which took place at The Balmoral Events Centre, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, in May 2012. The couple separated one year and 46 days later. Funke got news of

Oluwo of Iwo, Chanel Chin Still at Each Other’s Throat

Biola Okoya Names Sickle Cell Foundation After Late Son

Akinwande & Okoya

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ocialite, Biola Okoya, the second child of wealthy businessman Razaq Akanni Okoya, has decided to honour the memory of Ayodeji Akinwande Modupe Johnson, her late son, with a sickle cell

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foundation. The foundation called Ayodeji Akinwande Sickle Cell Foundation, is a non-profit organisation that creates partnerships and collaborations with key stakeholders in the health sector and also advocates for

people living with sickle cell.

In addition, the foundation will support healthcare professionals and community health workers on sickle cell disease management, how they can properly care for patients suffering from the disease and promote awareness of the disease among couples.

To keep the foundation running, Biola plans to establish a series of fundraising activities that would fund the programmes of the foundation in collaboration with funding partners and donors.

Ayodeji Akinwande, one of her three children with her ex-husband, died on June 12, 2020 of Sickle cell anaemia at the age of 24. He was buried on June 14, 2020 following a funeral service conducted by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo at his Trinity House church where Biola worships.

her separation on social media while at a movie location.

Kehinde, unable to tell her to her face that he was done with the marriage, chose to inform the world via his Facebook page.

Akanbi & Chin

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oing by the recent altercation between the Oluwo of Iwo land, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi Telu 1 and his estranged Jamaican born wife, Chanel Chin, it doesn’t look like there will be an end in sight to their unending media war. Before the breakup of their marriage, the monarch openly displayed affection for his wife and celebrated her at every given opportunity. He may have caused heart palpitations in some women, some of whom wished to be in Chanel’s shoes and others who wished their husbands showed them 1/10th of the affection the Oluwo showered on Chanel. But all that display of affection ended in 2019, after almost four years of marriage, with the monarch

citing irreconcilable differences and Chanel accusing him of numerous vices, including raping her, sleeping with their 13-year-old maid and the daughter of a petty trader who plied her trade in front of his palace, as reasons for the collapse of the marriage.

After the initial accusations and counter accusations, and argument on who to blame for the failure of the marriage, both parties appeared to move on with their lives until recently when the controversial monarch decided to wake up ‘sleeping dogs.’

While thanking God for being victorious over his enemy, the Oluwo said the certain ‘enemy’ he was referring to has a child for him. (Both the monarch and Chanel have a son together THEWILLNIGERIA

named Oduduwa). He added that the enemy recorded his private activities when they (he and the enemy) were together and attempted to extort him by threatening to release those recordings. He compared the ‘enemy’ to Toronto sisters, Jyoti and Kiran Matharoo, who both attempted to blackmail businessman Femi Otedola in 2017. The Oluwo referred to the sisters as known associates of his ‘enemy’.

Well, Chanel, who felt the monarch was referring to her as the supposed ‘enemy’ quickly launched a counter-attack. She referred to him as a “deadbeat father” and a “55-year-old man-boy” before accusing him again of lying to her that he was a bachelor. She claimed that he begged her for forgiveness when she found out he was married.

Not done, she shared on her social media page, a picture of a cockroach getting into a car and captioned it “a rare picture of the Emir of Yorubaland entering his vehicle to drive himself mad.”

Chanel shared another picture of a sachet of milo and milk and captioned it, “Opening up a supermarket for me and Oduduwa with the money we got from the Emir of Yorubaland.”

She then advised mothers to teach their daughters about loyalty and how not to mistake it to mean accepting pain and physical abuse from broken men or boys.

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STORIES BY SHADE METIBOGUN

HOW STRANGE AILMENT KILLED MULTICHOICE BIG SHOT, MARTIN MABUTHO

Mabutho

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he Chief Customer Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, has passed on. Martin died a few weeks ago in Cape Town after a brief illness. MultiChoice Nigeria, the company where he worked, was thrown into great mourning after his death was announced and many of his close pals have not recovered from the rude shock of his death.

Contrary to the news making the rounds, Mabutho did not die of COVID-19. THEWILL reliably gathered that he contracted malaria while in Nigeria, got adequate treatment for it and recovered fully from

the illness before embarking on a trip to Cape Town. His colleagues in Nigeria were therefore shocked when they got news of his death a few days after he arrived in South Africa.

From Botswana in Southern Africa, Mabutho joined the Botswana branch of the company in 1999 as the Customer Service Supervisor.

He rose through the ranks and became the Brand Manager of M-Net, one of the sister companies of Multi Choice Group in 2003. He led the Marketing and Sales effort for Digital Satellite Television (DSTV), another sister company of MultiChoice Group in Sub-

Saharan Africa.

In 2013, Mabutho became the Nigeria General Manager, Sales and Marketing. In 2018, he was appointed as the Chief Customer Officer responsible for driving the MultiChoice Nigeria customer group strategy till his demise. Known as the Babaloja of MultiChoice and fondly addressed as Chief Chukwuemeka Martin Mabutho, he was a man of great energy, warmth and good humour. He worked behind the scenes to build capacities in most creative enterprise before his unfortunate demise. He is survived by his wife, Thato Mulligan Mabutho and four children.

Laide Bakare, Kemi Afolabi Fight Over Younger Lover

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he once rosy relationship between Nollywood actresses, Laide Bakare and Kemi Afolabi-Adesipe has gone sour. The two best friends, now sworn enemies, have been having an altercation on social media for some days now. Despite attempts by friends and colleagues to call them to order, the two have chosen to continue the show of shame. It all started after Kemi Afolabi called out Laide Bakare, describing her as delusional, crazy and an attention seeker, without explaining why. In response, Laide called Kemi ‘a crazy fellow and unfortunate hater who has a man’s Bakare & Sulaimon Afolabi-Adesipe physique.’

THEWILL gathered that both produced by Usman Michael. at the thought of fighting actresses are fighting over a Kemi noticed the closeness her colleague over a younger younger lover, Dauda Sulaimon, between Gida and Laide and lover. She stated that it was more popularly known as started suspecting foul play. ‘degrading and laughable’.

Gida. Kemi Afolabi has been That was why she fell out with She also labeled those behind an item with Dauda for a while her best friend. the tale as ‘jobless haters’ who now. Despite the fact that he is In an attempt to set the record needed to get their facts right. married with kids, the two are straight, Laide addressed the Explaining further, Laide said to be madly in love. Some rift between her and her once made it known that she of their colleagues have sighted close pal. According to her, wouldn’t stoop so low to the them together on different she only responded to Kemi level of fighting over a man occasions. Kemi doesn’t joke after she called her out. Laide in Nollywood. She said the with him and she is always on also stated that Kemi should young man in question was edge whenever any actress tries have called her personally on her colleague and she had only to get close to him. However, the phone to sort out their met him a few times in the Laide soon became close to differences. She however course of work and at movie Gida while working together denied fighting her friend. locations. on the set of Family, a movie She also expressed dismay THEWILLNIGERIA

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Otunba Dele Momodu And Wife Bag Chieftaincy Titles

C Johnson

OMOBOLA JOHNSON ASSUMES OFFICE AS FIRST FEMALE CHAIRMAN OF GUINNESS

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ongratulatory messages have started pouring in for former Minister of Information and Technology, Omobola Johnson, as she assumes office as the first female Chairman of Guinness Nigeria.

Although she was appointed to the position in July, official congratulatory messages from the company popped up a few days ago and many who saw it have joined in celebrating the pacesetter for recording another milestone in her career.

Johnson took over from Babatunde Savage, the former Chairman of Guinness who retired in June this year. A woman of many parts, she was the first female country manager of Accenture, the first female minister of Communication and Technology and now, the first female chairman of Guinness Nigeria. Her stint with Guinness Nigeria dates back to 2016 when she was appointed to the Board of Guinness Nigeria as an independent non- executive director.

She brings to the board over 30 years experience from the private and public sectors of the Nigerian economy. An alumnus of the Prestigious University of Manchester, University of London and Cranfield University, she started her professional career in management consulting at the London Office of Arthur Andersen/Andersen Consulting (now known as Accenture) in 1985. She retired in 2010 to pursue other interests. She was appointed a member of Nigeria’s Presidential Advisory Council in 2010, providing support to the then Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.

hief Dele Momodu, the Chief Executive Chairman of Ovation Media Group and his delectable wife, Mobolaji, have been honoured with the chieftaincy titles, Aare Tayese and Yeye Aare Tayese of Iwoland. The couple was informed about this in a letter written by the traditional ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdul Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Ilufemoye telu 1, Oluwo of Iwoland.

According to the letter, the Momodus were given the titles for their immense contribution to the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition, as well as their mental beneficence through national and international media in ensuring that quality governance is delivered to Nigerians.

Although the date for the installation ceremony has not been fixed, the royal father advised the media mogul to choose a suitable date for the ceremony. When installed, Otunba Dele and wife, Mobolaji would complement the Iwoland throne in promoting her visions and mission statements. And their quality piece of advice, connections and goal-setting spirit would further catapult Iwoland to enviable heights.

The media mogul has numerous other titles attached to his name. He is the Onigege Ara of Jogaland, Ogun State; the Ogwanusi of Imeri Kingdom, Ondo State; the Kiazolu of Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia; and the Basorun of Ike-lla Orangun, Osun-State.

The Momodus

Live Lion on Display at Shina Peller’s Coronation

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few days ago, the ancient city of Oyo was agog when the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi conferred the title, Ayedoro of Yoruba land, on Hon Shina Peller, a member of the National Assembly representing Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola Federal Constituency in Oyo State. His wife, Ayobola was also installed as Yeye Ayedero of Yorubaland on the same day.

According to the monarch, he conferred the titles on Peller

The Pellers

and his wife because they are worthy individuals who have contributed their quota to the development of the Oyo Empire. Commenting on his title, Peller said the Alaafin had given him a wider platform and greater challenge to continue to promote the peace and prosperity of the land.

A live lion was seen at the venue of the event. Perhaps, unable to turn the wild animal into a meal just like Abisoye Fagade, another prominent Oyo state indigene, who served his guests reptiles during the burial ceremony of his late mother in the ancient city, Shina Peller was just contented with having it on display.

The lion was held in a cage and it was the centre of attraction to many guests who were eager to have a glimpse of it.

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BY IVORY UKONU

How ‘Ageless’ AY Shut Down Lagos For 50th Birthday Party When he announced on his social media page that he just joined the ‘golden club’, many were gobsmacked. Ayodeji Richard Makun, popularly known as AY, no doubt, successfully ‘deceived’ many with his youthful disposition for years. And he also got people talking about his superlative birthday party, which was to him, a way to celebrate how far he has come from his days of humble beginnings.

BETWEEN BOVI AND BASKETMOUTH Comedians and actors, Bovi Ugbomah and Bright Okpocha, aka Basketmouth, didn’t make it to AY’s party nor did they congratulate him on his new age. The duo, including AY, all used to be friends until things fell widely apart among them, with Bovi choosing to team up with Basketmouth. Despite Basketmouth claiming he is cool with AY, the reverse seems to be the case.

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ere are details of the star studded party:

THE PRE-BIRTHDAY PARTY Days before the party proper, AY hosted a few people in his palatial home to an intimate lunch party. All of the people in attendance were from the South-East. Whether this was deliberate or not remains to be seen. Some of those who honoured his invitation were former Abia State governor and business partner, Orji Uzor Kalu, Obinna Iyiegbu aka Obi Cubana, Charles Ahize, Francis Nwaogwugu, Zubby Michael, Alex Ekubo, etc.

THE NOVELTY MATCH The following day, AY got former Super Eagles football players, such as Kanu Nwankwo, Joseph Yobo, Taribo West, Victor Ikpeba, Daniel Amokachi, Tijani Babangida, Emmanuel Emenike, etc to play a novelty match in honour to mark his 50th birthday at Italian school in Lekki, Lagos. The footballers played against a celebrity squad.

The Makuns

disappoint. Everyone dressed resplendently. Those who turned up in native wears opted for full regalia.

THAT PASTOR ITUAH IGHODALO’S QUICK EXIT The affable Senior Pastor of Trinity House Church, Ituah Ighodalo, arrived at the venue of the party quite early and must have thought it would kick off in earnest as announced. But immediately after declaring the party open at about 9pm, with a powerful prayer, he left.

PARTY WITH A DIFFERENCE Unlike most celebrity parties, AY’s birthday party was different.

As the businessman that he is, he got Glenfiddich, Four Cousins and John Bannerman Whiskey to be part sponsors of the party.

THE VENUE OF THE PARTY Owned by the first Olori of Elegushi kingdom, Sekinat Elegushi, Monarch Event Centre, which has now become the choice venue for upscale events in Lagos, was where AY hosted his main party. The interior was well designed with a stage reminiscent of the famous and often crowded annual comedy show titled AY Live, for the evening’s performances.

THE MASTERS OF CEREMONY The party, which was slated to start at 6pm, didn’t kick off until a little after 9pm. To keep the guests, who were excited to be at the party entertained, musician and compere extraordinaire, Darey Art Alade, held things down and as soon as his co-host Dayo Laniyan-Benjamin arrived, things kicked off in earnest.

The duo did their best to steer the proceedings smoothly.

One of the highlights of their job was when they both sang a melodious ballad to usher in the celebrant.

THE DRESS CODE Guests were expected to turn up dressed formally as it was a black tie event. And many didn’t

AY’S GRAND ENTRANCE The celebrant was ushered into the party by a traditional praise singing group from Ondo, his

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ALEX EKUBO, IK OGBONNA UNAVOIDABLY ABSENT Although the actors who are younger friends to AY made it to the pre-party, they were unable to make it to the main party. Alex Ekubo suffered a heart break a few days to the party, when his fiancée, Fancy Acholonu broke off their engagement, four months to their wedding for reasons best known to her. He stayed home to nurse his broken heart and IK Ogbonna, like the dutiful friend he is, opted to stay with him lest he does something drastic to himself.

FUNKE AKINDELE-BELLO HOUNOURS CELEBRANT IN ABSENTIA The actress didn’t make it to the party as she is reportedly out of the country, but she did make an impression by distributing souvenirs at the party.

Makun home state. Looking regal in his agbada ensemble, the praise singers eulogised him to high heavens in their Ondo dialect while displaying their culture. AY would later conform to the dress code at midnight by changing into a white dinner jacket and a bow tie.

NOLLYWOOD WAS WELL REPRESENTED AY had over the years expanded his business interests to include movie production and acting. So naturally his constituency, Nollywood, was well represented. Led by the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, Nollywood practitioners flooded the party, from seasoned actors/

actresses to the new school and upcoming acts.

ALIBABA AND HIS 40 COMICS AY’s primary constituency, the comedy industry, was also well represented at the party. Led by their grandmaster, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, otherwise known as Alibaba, they, like Nollywood actors and actresses, invaded the party. From veterans to mid-level comedians to upcoming comics and skit makers. It is instructive to note that Alibaba is more or less like a godfather to AY. In fact, AY initially lived in Alibaba’s home when he moved to Lagos from Warri in Delta State. Alibaba who took his dress code a notch higher with a tail coat, was at the

event with the mother of two of his children, Mary Akpobome.

They both sat separately.

CONSPICUOUS ABSENCE OF GRADUANDS OF AY OPEN MIC CHALLENGE With the exception of a few, most of the comedians who got their big break from AY’s Open Mic Comedy Challenge, a comedy competition platform designed to birth comic talents, did not make it to the party.

People like Seyi Law, Emeka Smith, Babatunde Akinlami aka Elenu, Bennet Chinedu Daniel, aka Acapella, etc. All four are currently not in the country and only Seyi Law and Emeka Smith deemed it fit to congratulate the celebrant on his new age.

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CELEBRANT HONOURED WITH DOCTORATE DEGREE Another highlight of the party was when AY was decorated with a honorary doctorate degree in Humanities by Thomas A Becket University, London.

THE ENTERTAINMENT Guests got on their feet as Veentage Band, King Sunny Ade, Reekado Banks, Peter Okoye, Kcee and Humble Smith serenaded them with lyrics from their repertoire of songs.

ROLL CALL OF GUESTS Dele Momodu, Ned Okonkwo, Richard Mofe Damijo, Hilda Dokubo, Iyabo Ojo, Bamidele Onalaja, etc, were among celebrities that attended the party.

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SEPTEMBER 5 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 www.thewillnigeria.com

ARTS Life And Times of Prelate Sunday Mbang

BY TONI KAN

Prelate Mbang’s time with Margaret Ekpo even though occurring before he was 10 years old was an indelible and traumatic experience that has stayed with him even as an octogenarian. It is a cautionary tale about how we treat children especially those entrusted to our care.

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is Eminence, Prelate Emeritus Sunday Mbang’s autobiography, My Life and Times, is a compelling narrative of a full life lived in service of God and humanity.

You will have to get a copy of this riveting chronicle of Prelate Sunday Mbang’s life to fully understand the trauma Margaret Ekpo put the young boy through in his rich uncle’s house.

As someone who has co-written over 10 biographies, I know first-hand that the very act of writing a biography is an excursion into a labyrinth of lies and half-truths. Autobiographies are worse because to ask a man to tell his own life story is to give him a blank cheque to lie and dissemble. This is why much of what we call biographies and autobiographies should ideally be called by their true name – hagiographies.

It was his father’s death that led him to become a man of God but like Jacob who wrestled all night with the angel refusing to let go until he blessed him, Sunday Mbang wrestled with God, refused to accept his calling, choosing instead to pursue an education until one day God made him write and post an application letter he has no recollection of writing or posting and all, as they say, is history.

But if you are looking for self-praise or ego massaging or dissembling, then this book, My Life and Times is not the book for you. This is a book of unvarnished and simple truths, one that tells the story of a man and a legend, a teacher and preacher, a father and leader who sees himself as no more than a simple anvil in the smithy of the Lord.

But in considering that history, we must begin by asking how Sunday Mbang pivoted from Qua Iboe to Methodist Church? It all began with an act of defiance, his first direct defiance of his father. Sunday Mbang chose to study at Methodist School unlike his brothers and it was that singular act that led him to his destiny.

Within the pages of this book you will encounter miraculous stories of God’s favour, you will read stories of self-denial and self-abnegation, you will find chronicles of resilience, tales of adversity overcome, and memories of close encounters with death and destitution but despite the author’s hard work, dedication and diligence not once does he take credit for his resounding successes.

Writing about it half a century later, you can still feel the emotion of fear in the words set down on paper “…nobody living with my father, whether siblings, relations or house-helps must disobey or discuss my father’s authoritative laws. Disobedience to them was met with the worst consequences in the form of the rod.”

As he puts it “I was also aware of this undeniable fact that apart from God and Jesus Christ, I was nothing and that I could also do nothing.”

Why did his father let his act of disobedience slide? Maybe a higher force made him capitulate because had Sunday Mbang not gone to Methodist school, we may never have heard of Prelate Mbang.

Who is Prelate Sunday Mbang? Why does his life merit a book?

And why did Nigeria’s political, business and religious elite turn up in large numbers to witness the launch of his autobiography?

But heeding the call was one thing, stepping into his destiny was another. His path was strewn with thorns and filled with hurdles as the devil sought to truncate his destiny.

The answer begins from the small village of Idua in Eket Local Government Area of present day Akwa Ibom state. Born on August 26, 1936, Prelate Sunday Mbang believes that the Sunday in his name is on account of the fact that he was born on a Sunday.

My fact checking tells me that this may not be true. August 26, 1936 was a Wednesday. So, there are two questions arising; was His Eminence really born on August 26 or did his father name him Sunday for a whole different reason?

But God was always one step ahead. Of the 48 who applied for “Candidating” only two of them were accepted into Trinity College, Umuahia where Sunday Mbang spent three years and upon completion of his studies in 1965, he was posted to Kaduna then Yaba then Port Harcourt before they settled for Ete in the Port Harcourt/Ikot Ekpene district.

His father’s name was Pastor Coffie Eka Mbang, an itinerant preacher in the Qua Iboe church. The elder Mbang was married to Judith, an industrious woman who supported her husband’s earnings as a preacher with proceeds from her farming and her petty trading.

Coffie and Judith had a large brood whom they all insisted on giving an education. To find out how that was achieved on their meager resources you will have to read this book.

Coffie was a man who took the biblical injunction not to spare the rod and spoil the child in all its literal glory. He was liberal with his whip and his word was law. Once when his son Sunday Mbang wanted to stay back at his grandmother’s, Pastor Coffie had refused and to show that his words would not be trifled with, he did something dramatic: “The reaction of my commander-in-chief father who never tolerated disobedience to his laws was to force me to go with him, tied to his bicycle. He took me back to his station by force, not minding insults thrown at him by onlookers, especially elderly women”.

Pastor Coffie’s draconian sway over his household while an irritation, however, laid a solid foundation from which his children sprang and we are celebrating one of his children who took to heart the scriptural injunction that God’s word is “a light unto my path and a lamp to my feet”.

On another occasion, the young Sunday Mbang had visited a friend’s home and was given a bunch of bananas as gift to his father. When Pastor Coffie saw his son bearing the gifts, he went bananas. He reminded his son that he was not to accept gifts and ordered the young man to return the bunch of bananas: “I trekked back to Effoi with the bananas... This donor was extremely surprised at my father’s behaviour. He took it back from me without any comment”.

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For context, Ekpenebo to Effoi was about 3 miles.

Yet, by his own admission, Sunday Mbang was the apple of his parents’ eyes. “My mother had a very unusual affection for me over my other siblings. Sometimes, I have wondered whether God revealed this to my mother, leading her to pay more attention to her son of many gifts.”

While his mother doted on him, his father took him along on his proselytizing. He even taught him to ride his Raleigh bicycle, something that left his son in awe. But his father had a reason for this decision as we read “his reason for this unusual gesture was to enable him send me on errands to my mother in Idua and other areas.”

And it was from living with his father and attending church with him that he learnt the word of God and developed a life-long love for hymns and singing: “It was in Ekpenebo that I sang in the church choir. In latter years, this singing took me to the Regional and State Festival of Arts at Umuahia and Enugu respectively. I always came tops at these festivals. It also helped me sing with the University of Nigeria Nsukka chapel choir and the two-thousand strong choir in Jerusalem, Israel” Now, if living with his father was a study in spartan discipline and observance of rules, the young Sunday Mbang’s experience in the home of one of Nigeria’s most illustrious founding mothers, Margaret Ekpo, is a case study on child abuse and domestic violence.

For a man of the cloth who has travelled across the world, jailed in Russia and detained in Thailand, almost killed by federal troops during the war, endured three days of hunger on a Lagos bound ship, Prelate Sunday Mbang refrains always from anger or name calling but in this book, he makes an exception with Margaret Ekpo whom he describes as “notorious and indomitable”; an “iron lady”; a “mixed blood cruel woman”; “her royal highness”; an “irate woman” and a “tough bone to crack” amongst others.

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Reverend Sunday Mbang was 29 years old but already clear in his mind that he wanted to serve God in humility, simplicity and selfdenial. Upon arrival at his post, a well-to-do politician offered him a Volkswagen Beetle to assist with his work. Sunday Mbang refused.

“Chief J. Edoho, had offered me firstly, a gift of a brand-new Volkswagen car and secondly, a world-class motorcycle probably to ease my work in Enwanga Circuit. I had refused to accept these unusual gifts and finally, he offered a Raleigh bicycle to me which I accepted… The reason for my action was simple and unadulterated. I never wanted or wished material and mundane attractions to become stumbling blocks to my educational interests”.

This disinterest in worldly things and material comfort would continue through-out his life even when he was at the pinnacle of his career as head of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, Africa and the world.

His life has always been defined by simplicity.

From Ete where he achieved a lot for God, Reverend Sunday Mbang proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to take a degree in the Department of Religious Studies in the Arts Faculty but no sooner had he arrived than the fact of his lack of funds was made manifest but God was a step ahead bringing him help: Mr. Abel Okoroafor, an assistant registrar in the university, who was also the president of the Student Christian Movement asked me to live with him as he was willing to pay my tuition fees and other charges. In addition to this divine help, the man I met in Ete, Mr. Essien Akpan Essien, a businessman, was also ready and willing to come to my aid.

•Continues online at www.thewillnigeria.com

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PERISCOPE

Plateau Bloodbath: Lalong, How Long?

“We call on Gov. Simon Bako Lalong to come up with a statement defending us as a people and to bring back renewed commitment to the cause of Plateau. We strongly call on Plateau people to practically stand up and defend themselves and their communities, as the conventional security design is no longer guaranteeing our safety as a people.”

BY SAM DIALA he above statement is contained in the Resolution of the Plateau House of Assembly on Friday, August 27, 2021, giving Governor Simon Bako Lalong a two-week ultimatum to address the security challenges bedeviling the state. This bold move, which could be considered a critical juncture, underscores media reports and allegations of ineptitude and indifference on the part of the governor in tackling the worsening insecurity in Plateau.

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The lawmakers have taken the step to tackle the seeming ‘vacuum’ in the political leadership of the state where inaction had held sway. It is a decisive step that should provide momentary relief, at least, to the despondent people of Plateau and recover the ship of the state sailing adrift on a rudderless voyage. They want the governor to act and to be seen as taking action.

Plateau has witnessed a bloodbath recently triggered by the killing of about 60 innocent persons in two separate incidents within 10 days in Jos, the state capital.

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First was the killing of 25 persons said to be travelling to Ondo State from Bauchi on Saturday, August 14, around the Gada-Biyu–Rukuba Road area in Jos. This was followed by the gruesome massacre in Yelwa Zangam community, Jos North Local Government Area barely 10 days after. Not less than 35 persons were reportedly killed in the incident said to have been methodically executed in the night. The state is now tension-soaked as fears of further attacks heighten.

Bako Lalong, whose commitment to achieve peace in the state has, allegedly, gone on a vacation. It may not be out of place here to say that the governor, who is also the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, has brought despair and disappointment during his six-year reign.

The paradox in this narrative is that the 58-year-old legal practitioner is not in the three categories of northern governors that insecurity has created: Those who are passionately committed to fighting insecurity in their domain, though amid obvious hindrances; the league of hypocritical and pretending governors and the confused group. Lalong is incubating in his own nest. He is deeply occupied with one and half priorities – how to please President Muhammadu Buhari and how to advance in the game of golf (the half).

Plateau is no stranger to communal crisis and the people are no less acquainted with the grief it generates. Over the years, the residents have witnessed an unyielding crisis with a huge loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties.

Efforts to resolve the age-long crisis have often failed to achieve the desired result. More disturbing is the fact that the coming of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government which rode to power on the change mantra, and a vow to tackle insecurity, has not brought a change.

Rather, the situation has become amazingly worse.

FLASH BACK Recall the incident of Friday, January 4, 2019 where Gov Lalong hosted APC chieftains led by its erstwhile chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium in Jos. The event was to officially present Lalong with the party’s flag to contest the governorship election in the state for the second term. Lalong stunned the world when he declared, in clear and unambiguous words, that he would die for Buhari. It was a story that dominated the newspaper banner headlines the next day and for some time: “I will die for Buhari.”

Unfortunately, too, Plateau now has a governor, Simon

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PERISCOPE not hesitate to die for President Buhari: “People asked why I was dying for Buhari and I told them that I will die for Buhari because he is my helper. He has helped in addressing insecurity in Plateau and gave us bail-out to clear workers’ salaries. There is nothing more than that; he will win in Plateau, far better than 2015.”

the government and Plateau people on the barbaric and dastardly killings that have been taking place in different communities in the state. I sympathise with communities in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos North, Jos South, Mangu, Riyom, University of Jos community and recently, Yelwa Zangam.

But Lalong failed to deliver Plateau to Buhari. Based on the result published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Lalong’s major opposition contender, scored 548,665 votes as against Buhari’s 468,555 in Plateau in the 2019 presidential election. Atiku also won in 11 local government areas to defeat Buhari who won in only six LGAs of the state. Atiku beat Buhari with 80,110 votes.

“The House condemns these killings in totality. The killings are unacceptable and condemnable. We commiserate with the families of all those who lost their loved ones during these attacks,” he said. Security operatives sealed up the premises of the State House of Assembly on the next sitting day (Monday August 29).

FOLLOW REVERBERATIONS During his recent visit to the affected communities where he promised some relief materials to the people, a resident told the governor and his entourage that the people want “effective leadership.” He wondered who the governor would govern if every member of the community was killed.

Recall also that President Buhari had visited Plateau earlier in March 2018 amid a crisis that consumed many lives under the watch of Lalong. To demonstrate his practical love for President Buhari, the governor renamed the popular Yakubu Gowon Way (named after an illustrious son of the state and Nigeria’s former head of state for nine years) to Muhammdu Buhari Way. This act drew criticism from some prominent indigenes of the state, such as Mr Solomon Dalung, who was then Minister of Youths and Sports: “I still insist that the blunder committed by Governor Lalong during the President’s visit was the renaming of Yakubu Gowon Way to Muhammadu Buhari Way. To say the least, it is embarrassing. Gowon was the President’s boss. How can he be stripped of a 40-year-old privilege and honour in his home state? This is the worst thing that can happen to a man like the elder statesman. I believe General Gowon is feeling betrayed and abandoned by his people.

“This is a political decision by Lalong desperately taken to secure his 2019 ambition, but not the decision of Plateau people. We condemn this act with all sense of love for Yakubu Gowon as a father, while advising Governor Lalong to rescind this unpatriotic decision and publicly apologise to Gowon and the President for embarrassing them.

Dalong then reminded Lalong that the state was awash with blood and that his personal ambition should not override the need to safeguard the lives and properties of the people where killing had persisted.

“If the visit of the President was intended to secure 2019 for Lalong, it has exposed his ambition to risk and multiply his opponents. While re-election is the primary concern of Governor Lalong, fighting, killing and maiming of innocent people continue unabated. No doubt, Plateau is under siege. History is on the verge of repeating itself. We must rise against injustice or else we will all be consumed,” Dalong stated.

SLEEPING EXECUTIVE Lalong belongs to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the political party that contested for power on the plank of the Change mantra. APC was expected to truly bring a change and lead well. Lalong’s election campaign was robust on the promise of fighting insecurity that has destroyed a once beautiful place.

Plateau was a place that many Nigerians and foreigners loved to visit. Jos was lovely and envied by other parts of the country as a city that God spent extra time to create. But all that has changed. Plateau has become one of the nation’s blood fountains where innocent and defenceless people are slaughtered with reckless abandon.

ANGRY LAWMAKERS Commentators describe Governor Lalong’s attitude to the leadership of Plateau State as one that lacks adequate or genuine commitment to protect lives and properties of the people. And that is the central message in the ultimatum of the lawmakers who sought to extract a commitment from THEWILLNIGERIA

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Lalong

Buhari had also failed to win in Plateau in the 2015 presidential election. He won a total of 429,140 votes as against 549,615 votes polled by his PDP rival, then President Goodluck Jonathan, a difference of 120,475 votes. So, Plateau people never wanted Buhari or APC. But Gov. Lalong was neck deep in his love for Buhari which apparently led to his alleged ambivalence in tackling the Plateau crisis as the head of the government.

“

The state government is doing a lot to fight insecurity in Plateau

the governor to ensure the security of the state. “We call on Gov Simon Bako Lalong to come up with a statement defending us as a people and to bring back renewed commitment to the cause of Plateau.” By this move, the lawmakers acted like soldiers from the rear telling their commander at the battlefront how to fight the enemy.

While awaiting a statement of commitment from the governor, the lawmakers had asked the communities to defend themselves from attackers due to the failure of the government to protect them. Philip Dasun, Chairman, House Committee on Information announced this when he briefed journalists in Jos.

These developments do not suggest that the Plateau lawmakers would receive from Gov Lalong a “renewed commitment to the cause of Plateau”; pointing to allegations against the governor as one whose attitude and body language show a leader detached from the people he is leading. Lalong is accused of being standoffish, indifferent and impersonal.

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Macha Dopa, said the state government is doing a lot to fight insecurity in Plateau. He did not expatiate. He was indignant at suggestions that the governor is ambivalent towards insecurity in the state.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) recently attacked Lalong over the handling of the killings in the state, describing him as a weak leader.

In a statement issued by the HURIWA National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko in Lagos, the group accused Lalong of being dishonest in the handling of killings involving the major religious groups in Plateau.

Similarly, a Jos-based legal practitioner, Mr Emmanuel Menseh Madaki, Senior Partner at M.Y. Saleh (SAN) & Co. blamed the worsening insecurity in the state on Lalong’s style of leadership and his government’s “manifest show of ineptitude and happy-go-lucky attitude.”

Madaki expressed these views in an open letter to Gov. Lalong regarding the incessant carnage in Irigwe community. He believes that the herdsmen/farmers crises and menace escalated wildly with the government treating the issue with kid gloves instead of a hammer.

“We call on Gov Simon Bako Lalong to come up with a statement defending us as a people and to bring back renewed commitment to the cause of Plateau. We strongly call on Plateau people to practically stand up and defend themselves and their communities, as the conventional security design is no longer guaranteeing our safety as a people.

The legal practitioner noted that insecurity had developed into a lucrative industry of banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and killings all over Plateau State, pointing out that “the unfortunate situation is that criminality is being perpetrated almost on recurrent basis, yet there is no modicum of visible effort being demonstrated by the government towards allaying the timeless and perennial fears of the people instead.”

“As an assembly with people at heart, we call on Plateau citizens to have confidence in us with renewed commitment.

We have given two weeks to the governor to take action on the resolutions the House has forwarded on security matters and how to restore peace.”

KILLING THE ECONOMY The killings have serious economic implications. Investors are scared away and businesses are destroyed. People’s assets are plundered and unemployment soars.

Furthermore, the lawmaker called on traditional rulers to take appropriate action: to look inward and release the local security design to protect Plateau people, as well as reinforce the vigilante, hunters and local wise men to defend the people.

According to Mr Dasun, as a sign of commitment to the urgent need for the people to protect themselves, the Plateau State House of Assembly had directed all the local government Chairmen to suspend their planned recruitment of Ad-hoc teachers and instead, recruit 200 vigilante personnel in each local government area to boost and augment local intelligence gathering. It was that bad. It showed the prolonged deterioration of the security situation in Plateau under Lalong.

“On behalf of the assembly, I wish to sympathise with

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Data by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that Plateau recorded a total revenue of N54.76 billion in 2020, made up of N35.64 billion FAAC (65 per cent of total revenue) and N19.12 billion IGR (35 per cent of total revenue). Total taxes amount to N17.11 billion out of which N15.5 (90.6 per cent) is PAYEE. Domestic and external debts were N137.33 billion and N37.92 million, respectively. The 2021 budget is N147.6 billion.

State governments are responsible for the security of lives and properties in their domain. If lawmakers in Plateau State have joined in the call for the people to defend themselves, where then is the help from Abuja? Will Go. Lalong speak or wait? How long will he wait? Will he come up with a statement defending the people and bringing back renewed commitment to the cause of Plateau? The lawmakers said they would know the next line of action after the two-week ultimatum.

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SportsLive

Cristiano Ronaldo: Confirmed, Peerless Goal-scoring Machine Swedish icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s two goals were about to give the Swedes the upper hand except that Ronaldo scored one of his nine hat tricks for Portugal. At the time, his tally eclipsed the record 47 goals of Pauleta.

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

T

he football maestro and Portuguese legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, once said, “Goals are like ketchup – when they come, they come all at once.” There was no truer way to describe the professional career of the fivetime Ballon d’Or goal-scoring machine who stamped the incontrovertible authority of his status as the best male footballer in the world on September 1 when he became the outright record scorer in men’s international football history.

There was always the question of international glory whenever Ronaldo was compared to the other football greats. In the class of incomparable football excellence, the Brazilian Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known affectionately as Pele, and the Argentine Diego Armando Maradona were peerless not only because of their individual talents, but also for winning trophies for their countries. It was going to take until the EURO competition of 2016 to bring Ronaldo into that notch. The striker’s commitment and efficiency took his team all the way to the final. Although he was forced off early after a clash with Dimitri Payet in the final against France, he maintained an active presence on the sidelines to urge on his team to victory and finally joined in lifting the trophy for Portugal.

Ronaldo exceeded the previous mark of Iran’s Ali Daei, who scored 109 goals in 148 international games for Iran between 1993 and 2006. A tall forward known for his heading ability, Daei played most of his career in Asia, with a short and unsuccessful stint in the Bundesliga with Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin. The striker, who was nicknamed “Shahriar,”, which translates to “King”, by Iranians and his fans, also featured in two World Cup games but failed to find the back of the net in either.

However, with 11 minutes to the end of the encounter, Ronaldo carved out a new niche for himself in world football when he rose the highest to direct a header beyond the reach of Bazunu. That goal in front of the home crowd was electrifying as it broke Irish hearts, broke the world record and confirmed the absolute genius of the Portuguese superstar. Yet, Ronaldo was far from finished as he further cemented his status with another goal from another header in injury time to send the fans in the stands at the São João de Venda Stadium into delirium.

The brace brought his Portugal tally to a spectacular 111 in all as the 36-year-old began to put some distance between himself and the previous record already in the game of goal-scoring numbers where he now reigned supreme. At the moment, there is no noticeable waning in his abilities and there is no out-jumping the striker, as the two goals revealed, when it comes to going for the headers that account for a fair portion of the 111 goals attributed to his brilliant career at the international level from the very first goal in 2004.

Although he debuted as a spirited 18-year-old for Portugal, a year earlier than his first goal, in an August 20, 2003 tie against Kazakhstan, the skills and talents that were going to establish his name in the pantheon of football excellence were already apparent. He did not score as coach Luiz Felipe Scolari must have hoped when he introduced Ronaldo in place of the legendary Portuguese forward Luis Figo, yet there was an immediate spark about him that football pundits noted of the number 16, who had just signed for Manchester United and was man of the match, even as a substitute.

What began that day in August, 2003 came to a head in September 2021 with his record-setting brace in an extraordinary story of goal-scoring that began with Ronaldo’s first Portugal goal against Greece. It was in the country’s opening match at the UEFA EURO 2004 that was hosted in Portugal. Although Ronaldo was responsible for a penalty during the match when he brought down Yourkas Seitaridis inside the area and the hosts lost the game 2-1, it was beyond mere coincidence that he opened his international goal-scoring with a header in that match for their only goal.

What followed from that point until Wednesday when he

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Ronaldo

THEWILL reported that Ronaldo had tied the 15-year-old goal-scoring record of Daei at the end of the European continental competition this year. So, on Wednesday night, Ronaldo went into the match against Ireland, knowing what was at stake for his legacy. It seemed he was going to have to wait for another match to break that record after he had a 15th minute penalty and an 88th minute free-kick saved by the Irish 18-year-old goalkeeper, Gavin Bazunu, and the clock was ticking towards an Irish victory in the Matchday four fixture of the UEFA Group A 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifying series.

also equalled Sergio Ramos’ European record for men’s caps with his 180th Portugal appearance, was an incredibly stunning record of finding the back of the net for his country, at least once in every calendar year since then. His most prolific years include 14 goals in 10 games in 2019 and 13 in 13 back in 2016. His goal-scoring for Portugal has been more severely felt by Lithuania and Sweden, against whom he has hit seven, the most for single countries. He saved the best for the record as he had never scored against Ireland until Wednesday.

In World Cup competitions, Ronaldo, who is second only to the German Miroslav Klose, went to his first ever World Cup in 2006 in Germany as first choice on the right wing.

In the qualifiers, Ronaldo had already scored seven times in 12 games. He opened his account on the biggest of stages with a penalty in Portugal’s second group game against IR Iran, which they won 2-0. Portugal reached the semi-finals of the competition before they were eliminated by France.

However, Ronaldo had entered into an uncharacteristic drought and did not score any other goal in Germany.

In fact, it will be over 16 months before his goal-scoring in the colours of the A Selecao will return, although he was blazing the trail with an imperial goal-scoring form in Real Madrid’s La Liga side. In the first-ever World Cup to be held on the African continent, Ronaldo captained the Portuguese national team to South Africa 2010. He recovered his scoring boots only in the second Group fixture, when he scored and provided an assist in their 7-0 hammering of Korea DPR. It was also the first time a live football game was broadcast on North Korean television, beaming Ronaldo’s fame across Asia once again.

In 2014, Ronaldo breezed past another Portuguese legend, Pedro Miguel Carreiro Resendes, known popularly simply as Pauleta, the first Portugal national team player to never have played in the Portuguese top level of domestic football. Portugal were in a crunch and facing the prospect of not qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. They required to qualify through a playoff against Sweden, but

In a series of firsts, the numbers that support the incalculable genius of the 36-year-old footballer are staggering.

For a prolific goal-scorer as he has continuously proven himself to be, there is no way to adequately describe a career with goals as regular and consistent as Ronaldo’s other than exceptional. Besides scoring many goals at the club-level, where he has set records as well, Ronaldo has scored 33 goals in World Cup qualifiers, 31 in European Championship qualifiers and 19 in International friendlies. In European Championships, he has 14; in World Cups 7, in UEFA Nations League 5, and 2 in the Confederations Cup. These have made him the highest goal-scorer at EURO final tournaments with 5 goals, the most appearance at a EURO final tournament appearances with 25 caps, the most EURO finals goals with 14 goals, the only player to score three goals at multiple EUROs which came in the continental competitions in 2012, in 2016 and in 2020, the most appearances at the EURO and World Cup finals combined at 42 caps together with the most EURO and World Cup finals goals combined which currently stands at 20. It almost seems as if you cannot talk about Ronaldo in any way except in the superlative.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA President recognised this after Ronaldo’s feat on Wednesday against Ireland when he said, “This achievement rewards an outstanding career of almost two decades representing your country at the highest level, which speaks of your tremendous commitment and dedication to your art and your incredible passion for football.

“In the process of breaking the record for the number of goals in men’s international football, you have become not only a national hero but an international icon and a role model for aspiring players all around the world. Your skills and consistent drive for improvement deserves global acclaim and admiration. Parabéns, Cristiano!”

Ronaldo will seek to continue to write his story in the Portuguese jersey on Tuesday when they take on Azerbaijan in match day six fixture of Group A Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers at the Baku Olimpiya Stadium. There is no telling how far he will extend the 15-year-old record he broke or how many more goals are in his locker for Portuga, but one thing is certain: He has nothing left to prove only to continue to extend what has been one of the finest goalscoring careers in football’s shining history.

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