Okonjo-Iweala in New Book Quotes Jonathan, ‘We Must Get the Girls Alive’ How an aggressive S’West governor pounced on me Adebayo Akinloye A former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has revealed in her new book titled, “Fighting Corruption is Dangerous –The Story Behind the Headlines” that former President Goodluck
Jonathan indeed showed concern and made spirited effort to rescue the schoolgirls abducted in Chibok in 2014. This revelation is at variance with allegations that the Jonathan administration “looked the other way” when the pupils were
A presidential aide almost ‘bounced’ me, IMF boss out of the Villa
abducted. In the book set for release this month, which THISDAY had an exclusive first look, through a reliable source in the United States’ publishing industry, Okonjo-Iweala said Jonathan called her on the phone while she was in Mexico City
on April 15, 2014, a day after the schoolgirls’ abduction, confirming to her that Boko Haram had indeed kidnapped a large number of girls. “When the President came to the phone, he sounded tired. It was easy to sense the fatigue in his voice. I told him what I had
heard in Mexico and the reaction of the participants. The President confirmed that the kidnapping had happened, that they were still trying to determine with the state authorities exactly what happened, and that the total number of girls taken was still not known.”
She quoted Jonathan as saying, “CME, we must get those girls out alive. I don’t care what they say about me. But I don’t want those girls dead. We must get them back alive.” Continued on page 6
See The Tanko Yakassai Interview on Pages 48-50 Saturday 7 April, 2018 Vol 23. No 8388
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AllegedTreasury Looters’List: Secondus Sues Lai Mohammad for Defamation Asks for N1.5b damages Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP
Dokpesi Demands Apology, N500m
Uche Secondus has made good his threat to drag the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to court for
defamation of character. The Minister had mentioned Secondus in the list of those he claimed looted the nation's treasury
alleging that he collected N200 million from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, but an embarrassed Secondus who
said he never collected a dime from the former NSA through his lawyer, Emeka Etiaba, wrote to the Minister few days back,
seeking the immediate removal of the PDP Chairman's name from Continued on page 6
US General: Boko Haram Most Lethal Terror Group in the World Adebayo Akinloye The Commander of the United States’ Special Operations Command Africa, Maj. Gen. Marcus Hicks has described Boko Haram as the most lethal terror organisation in the world despite claims by the federal government that the extremist group had been significantly degraded and technically defeated. The issue of Boko Haram’s power came up at a press briefing held in the US on Thursday on antiterror efforts of the US government and made available to THISDAY yesterday by the US embassy. The military commander spoke on US efforts to reinforce development, diplomacy, and defence, including the Flintlock, an annual exercise in Africa, and noted that the US had shifted its focus of training from tactical proficiency of small units to command and control of joint forces. “Likewise, we have participants from the Multinational Joint Headquarters in N’Djamena that address the threats of ISIS West Africa, which is really in Northeastern Nigeria, and Boko Haram, its predecessor....which is the most lethal terrorist organisation in the Continued on page 6
BUHARI MOURNS BUKAR.. R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with Emir of Daura, HRH Alhaji Umar Faruq Umar and brother of the deceased, Alhaji Abdullahi Bukar (Sarikin Kudu of Daura) during a condolence visit to the family of the late Senator Mustapha Bukar (Madawakin Daura) in Daura, Katsina State ...yesterday
WHO DG, Ghebreyesus, Adewole to Headline 2nd THISDAY Healthcare Policy Dialogue … Page 6
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Obaseki, Security Chiefs Meet Miyetti Allah, Strategise to Curb Herdsmen/Farmers’ Clashes Group agrees to biometric registration of members
Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday said that Edo State Government would continue to intensify efforts to stem clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the state to ensure harmonious relationship among different groups in the state. Obaseki disclosed this during a parley with the national leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and heads of security agencies in the state, at the Government House in Benin City. He said though there might be challenges with identifying some herdsmen due to their itinerary nature, the state government was working to ensure that such
issues are cleared to ensure smooth relations among the herdsmen and farming communities across the state. He said the meeting was organised as part of the measures to engage stakeholders and exchange ideas to ensure peace, noting, “As a member of the committee of the National Economic Council led by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to deal with the issue, I know how sensitive the issue is and how it has led to the loss of lives and property in many states across the country.” He said the state was fortunate to have recorded fewer incidents as efforts have been intensified to
manage the situation. He said this was done by setting up the security committee in the 18 local government councils, noting “The committee was made up of council chairmen, two leaders of the Hausa/Fulani community, Directorate of State Security, Divisional Police officers and two native farmers. They will continue to meet monthly and report any incident in their areas to the committee at the state level.” Obaseki explained that in addition to the structures in place to address the situation, the state had resolved challenges by identifying herders and organising sensitisation
programmes for them. He added: “With the structures in place, sensitisation programmes will be organised for the Hausa/ Fulani herdsmen, farmers and other relevant stakeholders in different communities across the state. Through these, we hope to reduce the incidents of clashes between herders and farmers.” He maintained that the ban on night-grazing still stands, and approved a 40-day window request by the group to allow strangers in their midst to register with the state government. National President, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association
of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammadu Kirowa, represented by the group’s National Secretary, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, commended the governor for the positive steps taken to ensure peaceful co-existence between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the state. He said: “The stand against night-grazing shows the governor’s seriousness to maintain peace in the state. The setting up of the committee with representatives of local communities, who are critical stakeholders, will go a long way to ensure a lasting peace.” Kirowa said it was worrisome that the clash between farmers
and herdsmen, which is a national security problem, has assumed a new dimension with political, religious and ethnic colourations. “If the problem must be resolved, it must be approached holistically. We are ready to capture the data of our people through biometrics as it has become necessary for us to identify our members,” he said. “The sensitisation for relevant stakeholders is another important step that will contribute to peace in the state. We have tried this method in Ekiti state and it has worked effectively to reduce the clash between farmers and Fulani herdsmen,” Kirowa added.
NNPC, Consortiums Sign Contract to Build $2.8bn Ajaokuta-Kano Gas Line Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday disclosed that it had signed the engineering; procurement; construction; commissioning and financing agreements for Lots 1 and 3 of the 40 inches by 614 kilometres long AjaokutaKaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline and stations with a consortium comprising of Nigerian and Chinese companies. It stated that the agreements signed were for a 100 per cent contractor financing model for the project which is expected to cost $2.8 billion to build. A statement from the Group General Manager, Public Affairs of the NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja, stated that under the terms of the contract, Lot 1 with total length of 40 inches by 200 kilometres, stretching from Ajaokuta to Abuja terminal gas station was awarded to a consortium formed by OilServe and Oando Plc. It explained that Lot 3 which runs from Kaduna terminal gas station all the way to Kano terminal
gas station with a total length of 40 inches by 221 kilometres was awarded to the Brentex/China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (CPP) Consortium. NNPC stated that it envisaged that the contract agreement for Lot 2 which covers 40 inches by 193 kilometres, and stretching from Abuja to Kaduna would be executed in the weeks ahead. The statement quoted its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, to have said at the contract signing ceremony that the AKK gas pipeline was a section of the Trans-Nigerian Gas Pipeline under the gas infrastructure blueprint designed to enable the industrialisation of the eastern and northern parts of Nigeria. The project, Baru noted, would also enable connectivity between the east, west and north, which is currently non-existent. He stated that the AKK section had suffered setbacks due to scarce resources for government to fully finance the project, hence the adoption of the contractor financing model. According to him: "The two other pipelines, the OB3 and
ELPs 2 in the gas master plan blueprint, are currently at various stages of completion and are being financed directly by the federal government." Similarly, the statement quoted Mr. Emeka Okwuosa, Chairman of Oilserve Limited, to have on behalf of the Oilserve/Oando Consortium, expressed gratitude to the government and NNPC for providing the opportunities for indigenous companies to flourish in the oil sector. Okwuosa reportedly said the decision to award Lot 1 of the AKK project to an indigenous consortium spoke volume of government’s resolve to grow and encourage the attainment of the ideals of the country’s local content law. Also, for the Brentex-CPP Consortium, Mr. Abubakar Nuhu, who is the Vice- Chairman of Brentex Nigeria Limited, reportedly said that the consortium would rely mainly on the acclaimed pedigree and global expertise of CPP in pipeline construction to deliver a world class project. NNPC explained that the process for the award of the AKK
project started in July 2013t, with the advertisement for tenders published by it in major national newspapers. It added that after a painstaking technical and commercial evaluation process, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on December 13, 2017 approved the contract valued at over $2.8 billion. Meanwhile, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has given the nod for the commencement of construction of the 12 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) capacity Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) extraction plant at Ikuru area of Rivers State, by Green Energy International Ltd. Green Energy is the Operator of the Otakikpo marginal field in Oil Mining License (OML) 11. It stated that the DPR's approval to construct (ATC) for the 12mmscf/d capacity LPG extraction plant was issued to it following its successful submission of the detailed engineering design of the plant which licence to establish (LTE) was issued in 2017. According to the Director Legal and Corporate Matters
US GENERAL: BOKO HARAM MOST LETHAL TERROR GROUP IN THE WORLD world, in Lake Chad,” General Hicks remarked. When asked why Nigeria and other African nations are so important to the US, the American Ambassador to Niger, Eric Whitaker, at the conference said: “I think Africa is important to US’ national security for a variety of reasons. We have a long, historic relationship with the African continent and its 54 countries, keeping in mind that no less than 13 per cent of our US population derives from the
mother continent. Africa, a continent of over 1 billion residents, is a continent with which we have important relationships, whether it’s in diplomacy, development, or defence for several decades now. “We wish to expand trade with these countries, including through the AGOA, the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, to help countries develop their economies through trade. We also have humanitarian assistance to help countries who have food insecurity situations, for example.”
Hicks added that the training focused on members of the G5 Sahel and the Multinational Joint Task Force, around Lake Chad with eye on Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa. Speaking further, he said: “We hope and plan to exercise command and control over tactical units at the joint multinational headquarters, which will be located in Agadez, and this will be the first year that Flintlock’s training audience will actually exercise command and control over tactical units in a
scenario. “The scenarios will be based on real-world threats of the violent extremist organisations currently threatening our partner nations in the greater Sahel.... We also believe in the D3 approach, and as we bring a defence aspect to enable diplomacy and development, we also bring in training our African partners in military information support operations in order to counter the extremist messaging and to promote defection from extremist organisations.”
OKONJO-IWEALA IN NEW BOOK QUOTES JONATHAN, ‘WE MUST GET THE GIRLS ALIVE’ The former World Bank managing director also revealed a graphic encounter between her and an aggressive South-West governor (still serving) who pounced on her at a National Executive Council meeting. She related in the book that it took the intervention of the then Vice President, Namadi Sambo, who rescued her from the hands of the south-western governor (who was in the major opposition party at that time; now the ruling party), who pounced on her and was verbally aggressive at the NEC meeting. In the book, the former Coordinating Minister for the Economy also narrated the challenges and frustration she
experienced over the resistance by some governors and other powerful elements to saving for the rainy day even as her efforts were fully supported by both ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Jonathan. She stated that it was only by sheer force of will that Obasanjo was able to protect the savings in the Excess Crude Account from the governors. There were times, Okonjo-Iweala noted in the book, that she was reluctant to attend the NEC meetings because of the animus towards her by some governors who saw her as the obstacle to sharing funds in the ECA and saddle their states with ill-advised loans which would have been
difficult to pay. The book reveals that the absence of sufficient buffers against low oil prices was largely caused by some of the governors and, in some detail, listed the roles played by a number of specific governors from the two major parties then, to undermine efforts of Jonathan to institute adequate buffers through the Sovereign Wealth Fund and the ECA even when their states were already receiving more funds from the Federation Account than some African countries. Okonjo-Iweala also disclosed how a certain aide of Jonathan almost ‘bounced’ her and the then newly elected International Monetary Fund Managing Director,
Christine Lagarde, who was on an official visit to Nigeria, out of the Presidential Villa. She accused the aide of making an attempt, which she frustrated, to use his influence to further an agenda that was inimical to the country’s interest. It was for that reason the aide tried to ‘bounce’ her and Lagarde out of the Villa. When contacted about the book, Paul Nwabuikwu, Okonjo-Iweala’s media adviser, refused to be drawn into giving further details, though he confirmed that the book was due for release in two weeks’ time. The 176 pages book was published by Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press in Boston, US.
of Green Energy, Mr. Olusegun Ilori, the engineering design was produced under supervision of the indigenous operator by the contractors - PCC-LAMBDA Consortium, formed between Nigeria indigenous companies and a Chinese company -Peiyang Chemical Equipment Co. Ltd (PCC). Ilori noted that PCC was the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the plant, and would be responsible for manufacturing and design activities associated with the project. He stated that the company which began oil production in February 2017, was determined to ensure full utilisation of the gas produced from the field for LPG and power generation amongst other projects. According to him: "The gas utilisation plant involves the use of the lean gas to power the 12o megawatts (MW) gas generator at Otakikpo field out of which
5MW would be dedicated to the host communities in line with its MoU with the government while the LPG and propane would be bottled and sold. "Part of the LPG shall be for domestic use within Otakikpo communities in order to support small scale industries to stimulate the economy of the Niger Delta." Ilori further said: "The company appreciates the support of the DPR in ensuring prompt approval as it serves as booster for the company’s effort to fulfill its obligations as a pilot project approved by government for zero gas flares operation in the Niger Delta. "The LPG plant which is expected to be completed within the 12 months schedule would be a booster for Nigeria’s drive toward utilisation of gas resources for domestic gas. The company recently delivered 6MW gas generator to the community while the other batches will arrive in the year."
TREASURY LOOTERS’ LIST: SECONDUS SUES LAI MOHAMMAD FOR DEFAMATION the list, payment of N1.5 billion damages and public apology within 48 hours. The letter told Mohammad to note that if he failed to meet their demands after 48 hours, "We shall within 72 hours from today, proceed to a court of competent jurisdiction to ventilate our clients right under the law and shall further seek the protection of the court against you" A statement issued yesterday by Secondus’ Special Assistant on Media, Ike Abonyi, said: "Having failed to meet the demand, Prince Secondus on Friday April 6,2018, made good his threat and filed a suit at the Port Harcourt, High Court, Rivers State, claiming among other things, that the court awards to him the sum of N1.5b being damages for humiliation, castigation, vilification attack on his person and integrity as a result of the publication. Secondus in the suit no/ PHC/1013/2018 is also claiming that Lai Mohammad's publication is defamatory and is asking the court to direct him to retract the said publication and apologise in writing. He is also asking Mohammed to publish the retraction and apology in all the social media including but not limited to the Following newspapers: The Nation, THISDAY, The Sun, Guardian and Punch as well as in the following television stations: Channels and NTA, among others, where the defammatory story was published.
Secondus is also asking the court for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from further publishing defamatory materials against him. Joined in the suit are the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Attorney General of the federation and the Vintage Press ltd, publishers of the Nation Newspapers. Dokpesi Demands Apology, N500m Chairman of Daar Communications, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi has demanded an apology and the payment of N500 million from the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for calling him a looter of government treasury. The notice from Chief Dokpesi’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, dated 4th April, 2018, specifically demanded an “apology and retraction of defamatory statement/publication against the person of High Chief (Dr) Raymond Alegho Dokpesi (OFR).” The lawyer said the minister’s apology should be published in four national dailies, “to wit, The Punch, THISDAY, The Nation and the Sun Newspapers. “That you pay to our client through this Chambers, the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five hundred million Naira) only, representing minimal damages.” That unless the minister carried out the above minimal demands immediately, he would sue without further notice.
T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY APRIL 7, 2018
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GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY... L-R: Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo; Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; his wife, Florence; Rector, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Prof. Olatunde Fawole; and Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, during the inauguration of the ICT building donated by the governor's wife to her Alma Mata, as part of activities marking her 59th birthday, in Ibadan... on Thursday. Photo: Governor's Office
JP Morgan Admits it Knew Convicted Nigerian Ex-Oil Minister Linked to OPL 245 Ejiofor Alike With agency reports
JP Morgan Chase has acknowledged it knew that a former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Dan Etete, convicted of money laundering would benefit when it transferred over $800 million proceeds from the sale of Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 245 to a company he controlled. The federal government had filed a claim against the United States lender for more than $875 million, accusing the bank of negligence in transferring funds from the disputed 2011 oilfield deal to a company controlled by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources. According to the court document, JP Morgan was said to have received
a request from the Federal Ministry of Finance to transfer more than $800 million to accounts controlled by the previous operator of the block, Malabu Oil and Gas, controlled by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Etete. The document further alleged that JP Morgan had transferred the funds to two accounts controlled by Etete, without sufficient due diligence to make sure the money did not leave accounts controlled by the Federal Government. The court papers filed in London in November 2017, on behalf of the federal government, had also alleged that JP Morgan acted with gross negligence by allowing the transfer of the money without further checks. The federal government argued
JP Morgan should have known that, under Nigerian law, the money should never have been transferred to an outside company. “If the defendant acted with reasonable care and skill and/or conducted reasonable due diligence, it would or should have known or at least suspected … that it was being asked to transfer funds to third parties who were seeking to misappropriate the funds from the claimant and/or that there was a significant risk that this was the case,” said the court papers. A spokeswoman for JP Morgan had dismissed the accusation, saying the firm “considers the allegations made in the claim to be unsubstantiated and without merit.” But citing a court document,
Reuters reported that JP Morgan made the acknowledgement in its legal response to a lawsuit filed by Nigeria over transactions made by the U.S. bank when Royal Dutch Shell and Eni bought offshore oilfield OPL 245 from Malabu Oil and Gas in 2011. The $1.3 billion deal has spawned legal cases spanning several countries and involving Nigerian government officials and senior ENI and Shell executives, a number of whom face trial in Italy on corruption charges next month. Malabu is controlled by Etete, who was Nigeria’s oil minister at the time of the deal and was convicted of money laundering in France in 2007. He could not be reached for comment.
The lawsuit against JP Morgan accuses the bank of negligence over the transfer of funds from a Nigerian government escrow account into which Shell and Eni had deposited money to secure OPL 245. It claims $875 million from the bank. In its written defence, filed in a British court last week, JP Morgan said Britain’s Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), now renamed the National Crime Agency, had approved the transfers to Malabu. It denied negligence. The bank had previously said only that it “considers the allegations made in the claim to be unsubstantiated and without merit”. JP Morgan did not provide a comment on the filing. Lawyers representing Nigeria did not respond
to requests for comment. It was not immediately clear whether JP Morgan’s acknowledgement that it knew of Etete’s links with Malabu will have any impact on the trial starting in Milan in May. Italian prosecutors were not immediately available for comment. Eni’s chief executive is among those going on trial in Milan on charges of paying bribes to Etete and others, including sums that went to Malabu. Shell and Eni deny wrongdoing in relation to OPL 245. Shell said in April last year that it “always knew” the Nigerian government would compensate Malabu and that Etete was involved. It had previously told Reuters only that payments went to the Nigerian government.
Tenure Elongation: Lalong Committee WHO DG, Ghebreyesus, Adewole to Headline Submits Report, Backs APC Convention 2nd THISDAY Healthcare Policy Dialogue Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja A technical committee set up to advise the National Executive Committee (NEC) by the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the controversial tenure elongation matter has submitted its report, even as it recommended that a national convention should be held. The receipt of the report came just as the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said that the earlier decision of NEC which favoured tenure extension would be reversed at Monday's emergency meeting of the APC National Executive Committee. THISDAY however, gathered that the committee's recommendations aligned with the earlier resolution reached between governors and the National Working Committee that there should be Congresses and national convention instead of tenure elongation. A source who was privy to what
transpired during the committee's sitting revealed that the decision of APC governors to support President Muhammadu Buhari's decision influenced the recommendation as they did not want the issue to further divide the ruling party. While presenting his report yesterday, the Chairman of the Committee and the governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, told the National Chairman, John Oyegun, that he hoped the recommendations would be acceptable to all the stakeholders of the party. He said that if the report of his committee was followed religiously, the issue of leadership logjam in the ruling party would be a thing of the past. Lalong said: "The task appeared not easy when it was given to us but with God on our side and the very wide consultations we made, this report has solved most of the problems that we were thinking was
within the APC. So, that is to tell you that there is democracy in the APC. "We looked at the meeting of February 27; we looked at also the passion and the commitment of Mr. President towards keeping the party one and also cohesive and so at the end of the day, we made far reaching recommendations. We noticed that there were different interests, which is quiet usual when you have a party like this that is progressive and those interest were genuine but at the end of the day, we were able to marry those interests so that the party can move forward. So, in this report, you will see a lot of it. "The report will also contain recommendations of certain issues that we think the party should do immediately. And one of them you have already started. That if these recommendations are going to be useful within the shortest time, the party must summoning a NEC meeting.
Martins Ifijeh THISDAY Newspapers is set to hold the second edition of its Healthcare Policy Dialogue, tagged: ‘The Journey to Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria’, with the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghabreyaesus and the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole headlining it. The Summit will hold 12th April at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja by 10am. The first edition, which was held March 6 this year, recorded a huge success with major healthcare stakeholders and policy makers charting a way forward for a workable Healthcare Financing model for the country. This high level policy dialogue will bring together policy makers, including members of the Federal Executive Council, parliamentarians, development partners, including bi-and multi-lateral institutions, entire senior
leadership of the WHO, healthcare practitioners, civil society organisations, private sector leaders, media think-tanks, academia, institutions involved in financing and delivering healthcare –banks, HMOs, MFIs & insurance companies, and the members of the public. The WHO DG will be accompanied to the event by the entire senior leadership of the WHO, including the African Regional Director of WHO, Dr. Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti (the first woman to hold such position). Ghabreyaesus will use the occasion to launch the logo and beneficiary identification card for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund of the National Health Act. He will also be hosted at a highlevel experience sharing event by the Nigerian government as the country has set in motion its universal health coverage aspirations with the launching of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund of the National Health Act under the
administration of President Muhammadu Buhariof Health. Other speakers at the THISDAY Summit include Country Director, World Bank Nigeria, Rachid Benmassoud, CEO, Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire, Representative of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Paulin Basinga, Representative of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mohammed Malick Fall, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, Representative of United Nations Populations Fund, (UNFPA), Diene Kieta, and Senior Rep & Mission Chief, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Amine Mati. According to a statement to announce the policy dialogue, THISDAY Board of Directors said the theme was carefully chosen because Nigerians were in dire need of Universal Health Coverage.
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Boko Haram: Special Appeal to António Guterres
T
he UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Yassine Gaba, appropriately captured the agony of civilians in Boko Haram infested areas when he recently declared that there had been steady and continuous attacks on residents of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe in recent weeks. His statement came after 34 persons were killed and 90 others injured on Monday in fresh terror attacks in some communities in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State. Gaba lamented: “Since the beginning of the year, at least 120 civilians - women, children and men - were killed and over 210 sustained injured, in over 22 attacks allegedly by non-state armed groups directly targeting civilians. Civilians are also regularly abducted, as in Dapchi, Yobe State, where 110 school girls were taken on 19 February. “Innocent civilians continue to suffer daily from direct and indiscriminate attacks in the North-east of Nigeria. Endless numbers of explosions, brutal killings, abductions and lootings continue to uproot the lives of women, children and men daily. I call on all parties to the conflict to end this violence and to respect human life and dignity. Women, children and men face daily grave human rights violations and sexual and gender-based violence. Since the start of the conflict in 2009, more than 20,000 people have been killed, thousands of girls, women, boys and men have been abducted and children continue to be used routinely as so-called suicide bombers.” Much as I appreciate Gaba’s thoughtprovoking statement, his claim that the protection of civilians is a major focus of UN’s humanitarian response in the north-east is contentious. Yes, for now, there is virtually
Guterres
nothing the UN can do to protect besieged civilians in towns and villages but this world body should rise and protect devastated people in IDP camps. The Nigerian government obstinately fails them. Civilians in these camps are persistently attacked and killed by Boko Haram, as seen in Rann, Muna Garage, Dalore and a number of other camps, particularly in Borno State. The UN has clearly performed below expectations in terms of protecting civilians in these camps. Just like the Nigerian government, the UN has also performed below average in terms of providing food and medicals to the IDPs. An estimated six million people are in dire need of food, shelter, water and health care in both legal and illegal IDP camps, particular in Borno State. Certainly, in the last nine years, the UN has been in the thick of the action in the Northeast, providing limited succour to the IDPs, through its humanitarian office in Nigeria. However, this world body has to do more for Nigerian IDPs in terms of food and medicals.
The situation in these camps, particularly in Borno State, is evidently pathetic. Hunger, poverty and disease pervade them. There have been persistent protests by the IDPs over food shortage, without tangible result. Daily, many die of starvation and disease in these camps. Out of desperation for food, many women and girls in these camps have turned to prostitution. Some security agents are similarly persistently exploiting these hapless women and girls. The current UN SecretaryGeneral, António Guterres is no stranger to managing humanitarian crisis. He was the UN High Commissioner for Refugees between 2005 and 2015. This is why I am making this special appeal to him on behalf of hapless and traumatised Nigerian IDPs. Guterres, who was the Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, will always be remembered for expanding UNHCR’s emergency response capacity and effectively managing the plight of Iraqi refugees, one of the greatest refugee crises in the Middle East since 1948. He also worked chiefly to secure international aid for the refugees of the Syrian civil war. In June 2013, Guterres successfully launched a US$5-billion aid effort, its biggest ever, to help about 10.25 million Syrians that year. Based on these antecedents, Guterres is clearly capable of providing succour to Nigeria. My dear Guterres, Nigerian IDPs are in dire need of aid and protection. You must do more for them. For me, you need to launch a similar US$5-billion (Syrian civil war type) aid effort to secure IDPs in the North-east of Nigeria. Beloved Guterres, the situation of Nigerian IDP is as severe as that of refugees of the Syrian civil war. You must rise and do more for these troubled people in IDP camps. They need more food, medicals and protection. Already, they feel disappointed by the UN.
Okorocha and the Nerve of Archbishop Obinna The Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Diocese, Rev. Anthony Obinna, is one man that has refused to be intimidated by the infamous Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State. Rev. Obinna looks determined to stop Okorocha from imposing his stooge, Uche Nwosu, (son-inlaw) as the next governor of the state. His homily last weekend during the celebration of Easter at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, speaks volumes. He declared that Okorocha’s endorsement of his son-in-law to succeed him in 2019 amounted to third term for the governor. In the Easter message tagged: “Restoring Confidence and Courage to Imo Citizens: A Celebration of Joy of the Risen Christ”, Archbishop Obinna deplored “the system which for the past years had kept Imo citizens in fear of speaking the truth because of fear of molestation from the hands of the present government.” He added: “Jesus Christ is always there to restore confidence and give courage to those who are in fear. For some years in the past, Imo citizens have been living in fear because of bad government. It is absurd and undemocratic for the governor to anoint his son-in-law to succeed him while his daughter will succeed his wife as first lady. Christ has liberated us by His death on the cross; therefore, no person can overturn what God has done. It was because the Imo people were not speaking that I had to speak out on March 3 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Ngwuoma, and since then, the Imo people found courage to speak out and condemn unpopular action of the present administration.
Okorocha
“I am not afraid of being arrested because on Jesus Christ I derive my strength. I cannot fear the army or police for arrest. I can only fear the Lord. He is my strength and from Him I am made.” It is heartwarming seeing prominent Imolites rising against Okorocha’s plot. The last seven years have been most traumatic for the unfortunate people of Imo State, with the cataclysmic Okorocha government inflicting unprecedented pain on them. No one will forget in a hurry the ruthless demolition of the famed Eke-ukwu Owerri Market, in spite of a subsisting court order. Imo, under
Okorocha, has become a failed state, with its government unable to meet its basic responsibilities to the citizens. Facilities in the health, education and other sectors have collapsed. In Okorocha’s Imo, civil servants have been going without salaries for years. Retirees are also wallowing in poverty, due to enormous unpaid annuities. All these have resulted in so much poverty in this largely “civil servant” state. The limited resources of this state are being squandered amid poverty. A good example is when this governor suddenly crops up with an aircraft, said to have been acquired with the funds of the suffering masses of the state. He then went about celebrating, with the impression that this was capable of turning around the fortunes of the state. The impact of Imo Air is yet to be felt. What about Okorocha’s ludicrous trip to Turkey, with about 100 of his cronies, supposedly to study that country’s industrial magic? How much has Imo gained from the lavish trip? This governor has glaringly turned Imo State into a family business and personal property. His family members occupy key positions and get juicy contracts. Top businessmen, members of the academia, technocrats, retired senior military officers, as well as other professionals of Imo State origin have also joined the noble movement against Okorocha, using the platform of Imo Economic Development Initiative. It is pleasing that this formidable opposition to Okorocha is coming about a year to the election of a new governor. This time around, Imo State has to put forward its best hand for governor to halt the anguish in the state.
A Word for NERC Boss, Anthony Akah
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s new Meter Asset Provider Regulations 2018, aimed at developing independent and competitive meter services appears dead on arrival. NERC claims that the rule, which went into operations this week, would enable electricity consumers get meters as quickly as possible and also close the metering gap through accelerated meter rollout. This is a ruse because on the one hand, this new regulation provides for the supply, installation and maintenance of end-user meters by other parties apart from distribution licensees (Discos). This allows independent meter suppliers/installers to help the Discos bridge the metering gap. On the other hand, the rule still gives the Discos the power to engage these other parties to meter consumers before they can come to our homes. So, the Meter Asset Providers, MAPs, will have to wait for Discos to instruct them on the number of domestic consumers they want metered, when and where. It seems the Acting CEO of NERC, Anthony Akah, is unaware that this is to the disadvantage of domestic electricity consumers, because they can’t engage MAPs directly. The Discos, who are averse to the bridging of the metering gap, will simply limit and stifle the MAPs, so as to continue milking consumers with estimated billings. The rule should have allowed domestic consumers, who constitute about 99% of unmetered consumers, to directly engage the MAPs for meter installations. Thereafter, they can register and activate their meters with the Discos. The MAP rule allows only entities who qualify as “Eligible Customers” to directly engage MAPs. These are largely big industrial consumers. Discos have been feeding fat on domestic consumers with estimated billing and would gladly take advantage of the ambiguity in this new MAP rule to sustain their notorious party. The Discos, according to the MAP regulations, are still responsible for metering targets as specified by the regulator. The truth is that MAPs have the capacity to close Nigeria’s metering gap put at 4,740,275 meters as of December 31, 2017, within six months. Unfortunately, our naughty Discos will frustrate them. Dear Akah, NERC must amend its rule and strip Discos of this metering responsibility; else, there will be no relief for electricity consumers. Customers must only pay for what they consume. This is the global standard. Akah’s NERC ought to have severely sanctioned the Discos over metering gap because they pledged in the proposals submitted during the privatisation of the power firms to within five years, install almost seven million new meters. So, where are the meters after almost four years? Discos have obviously breached the Shares Purchase Agreement they signed regarding metering of consumers and should be punished. My dear Akah, you must rise and tame these Discos in the interest of Nigerians, who are daily, pummeled with estimated billings.
Rage of Expectant Mothers in Akure
Gates
Billionaire businessman and founder of Microsoft Corporation, Bill Gates, was right when he placed Nigeria on the list of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth. I was so depressed on Thursday watching some pregnant women in Akure, Ondo State, protesting outrageous medical fees at the state’s Specialist Hospital in Akure. The protesters claim N25,000 was being charged for normal delivery while caesarean section now costs N50,000. They
complained about other fees ranging from N500 to N4,000 collected from them by the hospital’s officials at the ante-natal section, allegedly with the approval of the state government. The N50,000 charged for caesarean section does not cover drugs, which could be as high as N100,000. I sincerely hope that governor Rotimi Akeredolu will intervene and reduce these fees. Pregnant women and children must feel his free medical services in form of free drugs and low fees.
Akah
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ϳ˜ ͺͶ
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NEWS
In Brief Police Arrest Suspected Pipeline Vandals
The LagosStateCommandhasarrestedsixsuspectedpipelinevandalsfor scoopingfuelfromvandalisedNNPCPipelineatFagbileEstateIsheri-Ijegun Lagos.The six – all male – included: Jimoh Shola (aged 23; Wasiu Adebayo, aged 25; Sanni Shago; 22 years old Alamu Garuba; Jonathan Okiki aged 35 andTaoreedSaula33year. Thesuspectsweresaidtohavebeenarrestedby theCommand'sundercoveroperativesattachedtoAreaM-Idimu.Theyare currentlyundergoinginterrogationattheCommand'sHeadquartersIkeja.As disclosedinapressreleaseissuedbytheLagosStatePolicePublicRelations Officer,SPChikeOti,theattentionoftheLagosStatePoliceCommandwas drawntothenewsmakingtheroundsonthesocialmediathattherewerepeople scoopingfuelfromvandalisedNNPCPipelineat FagbileEstateIsheri-Ijegun Lagos. “The Command wishes to state that before the news went viral on the social media, it had already drawn the attention of the NNPC officials, theFireservice,LagosStateEmergencyManagementAgency(LASEMA) andtheNigerianSecurityandCivilDefenceCorp(NSCDC) whowentthere and brought the situation under control.
Appointment of Dokubo as Amnesty Boss
MY CONDOLENCES... L-R: President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk during a condolence visit to Daura, Katsina State, over the death of Senator Mustapha Bukar, on Thursday
40 IPOB Members Missing after Police, Army Attack in Anambra, Group Alleges David-ChyddyElekeinAwka The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has declared 40 of its members missing after an alleged clash with the police and Army personnel in Anambra State on Thursday evening. THISDAY learnt through a press statement by the group's Media and Public Secretary, Emma Powerful that a combined team of police and Army personnel attacked its members who were returning from the burial of one of their members, Odika Esieme Chukwuma from Igbo Ukwu, Anambra State. Powerful said the group was at Nnewi, at about 5.30pm yesterday when it was attacked by the security personnel who shot at them, leaving scores of its members with injuries. It said it had taken stock and discovered 40 of its members missing as a result of the attack. It called for the immediate release of such members, warning that
the group would not tolerate the unprovoked molestation of its members by security operatives. Part of the statement read, "IPOB and its leadership worldwide once again wish to draw the attention of the general public and the world at large to the dangerous attacks and arrest of IPOB members in Anambra State last night(Thursday), who went for burial of an IPOB member who was among those killed last year during the operation python dance ll in Umuahia, Abia State. "It is so wicked and barbaric that Nigerian Government through her security operatives killed most of IPOB members during Operation Python Dance II in Umuahia last year and refused to allow IPOB to bury the bodies of those they killed. "This barbaric attack by a combined team of Fulani dominated Nigerian Army and Nigerian Police happened at Nnewi when IPOB family members who went for a
burial for one of our IPOB family members by name Odika Esieme Chukwuma, from Igbo Ukwu in Anambra State. "He belonged to IPOB Obosi Zone. After the burial, as our people were returning from the village of the deceased around 5:30pm and on reaching St Mary's Catholic Church, where they were supposed to disperse to their various homes, they were accosted by a team of Nigeria security agents and without any provocation they began shooting at our people. "In the ensuing chaos some people fell down and the buses they were traveling in climbed over some of them. Many were injured resulting from gunshots from the army and police. Many more were taken away by the army and police to unknown destinations. Some people had their cars seized, others with motorcycles had it taken away from them too." IPOB indicted Governor Willie
Obiano of Anambra State and the Dr. Nnia Nwodo led Ohaneze Ndigbo for being responsible for the action of the security personnel. It particularly indicted Obiano for issuing the orders being carried out by the security agencies against its members. "Once again the Nigerian Government, through Gov. Willie Obiano has instructed their combined security forces of Army, Police, SARS and DSS to commence their shoot to kill policy on unarmed peaceful IPOB and to arrest anybody suspected to be an IPOB member anywhere in Biafraland. "These are the same Nigerian security agencies that are collaborating with killer Fulani herdsmen, granting amnesty to Boko Haram terrorists but in Biafraland they are busy killing and massacring innocent men, women and children at random in every community in Southern and Middle Belt Region of Nigeria."
Benue Police Command Confirm 10 IGP Urged to Investigate Policemen Dead as Residents Claim 21 Deaths in Alleged Extra-judicial Killing George Okoh in Makurdi
Following several denials of any killings in Gwer West by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the police yesterday made a U turn, admitting that 10 persons were killed even as residents claimed counting 21 bodies in the latest killing spree by the herdsmen. In a press statement by the police and sent to correspondents, the command said it regretted to report that at about 4pm yesterday, 5th April 2018, eight dead bodies were found in the bush around Tse-Adudu and Enger villages in Gwer West LGA. "This is in addition to the two ( that were removed from the same area at about 8pm of same day" The police disclosed that the victim were believed to be victims of armed bandits, suspected to be Cross- Border
Insurgents/Cattle Rustlers. The Mobile Police Force Unit deployed in Naka general area, had in the course of their patrols, encountered the same Insurgents. Security operations in the affected areas and other communities in the State have been stepped up with reinforcement of the Police Special Forces on Counter Insurgency to curb the criminal activities of the Armed Marauders. It said members of the public were enjoined to promptly report any suspicious movement in their areas to Security Agencies. Meanwhile death toll as a result of the deadly attack may have risen to 21. According to a local source, more bodies of victims were being discovered and taken to the mortuary at the Federal medical Center, Makurdi.
Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia
The people of Ntigha Okpuala in Isiala Ngwa North local government of Abia State have called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure a thorough investigation of the alleged killing of three young men by mobile policemen and prosecute those found culpable. The call was made in Umuahia at a press conference addressed by the community leaders, Chiefs Obioma Onyenso, Daniel Njoku, Omerenma Ubani with a constitutional lawyer, Dr. Anthony Agbazuere. According to them, there were surreptitious moves by some highly placed persons to cause the policemen involved in the cold blooded murder to be released from detention hence their call on the IGP to intervene to ensure that justice was done. Agbazuere, also a human
rights activist said that the incident occurred about midday on March 3 when the policemen stormed a town hall of the community and opened fire on the people who were holding a meeting, leaving three young men dead. The deceased were identified as Adimchi Obiocha, Joseph Nwokocha and Obinna. He said that the police officers had immediately fled the scene after the killing with the intention of covering their tracks but the community leaders raised the alarm which made him to wade into the matter. The human rights activist said that he was alerted of the gory incident by the traditional ruler, the prime minister and some titled chiefs of Ntigha, prompting him to file a petition to the IGP, demanding for a thorough investigation and prosecution of the policemen
TheJointRevolutionaryCouncil(JRC),acoalitionofkeyandleadingagitating groupsintheNigerDeltawhichincludetheMovementforthe Emancipation oftheNigerDelta,theNigerDeltaPeople’sVolunteerForceandafewothers, hascommendedthePresidencyfortheappointmentofProfessorCharles QuakerasCoordinatorofthePresidentialAmnestyProgramme&Special AdvisertothePresidentonNigerDelta.Inastatementbythespokespersonof JRC,CynthiaWhyte,itsaid,“AsanIjawfromtheKalabariclan,CharlesQuaker Dokubo comes to the table with a deeply rooted traditional pedigree. As a Professor of Peace Studies who has led many studies on Peace in the Niger Delta, Charles Quaker Dokubo understands the true strategic value of peace in the Niger Delta and its effect on Nigeria, Africa and beyond. As a non-partisan intellectual and neutral player, Professor Charles Quaker Dokubo understands the need to make new friends for President Buhari in the Niger Delta.
How Nigeria can Overcome Medical Tourism
An Indian Medical expert and Chief Executive Officer of Aster Group of Hospitals and Clinics, India, Dr. Harish Pillai, has said the only way Nigeria couldovercomethemenaceofmedicaltourismwastocollaboratewithother leadingnationsforexchangeofskillsandideas.Thiscametothefore,asAster GroupofHospitals,DubaisignedapartnershipwithAfeBabalolaUniversity Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) to upgrade the scale of medical practice and healthcaredeliveryinthecountry.Pillai,describedABUTHasaqualityhospital that boasts of one of the best medical facilities on the African continent, saying the partnership would help in research and personnel training . He said his group was in Nigeria at the request of the Founder of Afe Babalola University,Ado-Ekiti(ABUAD),AareAfeBabalola,todeploythebestmedical personneltothehospital.HesaidAsterGroupwasaninternationalbrandin the health sector and had presence in countries like United Arab Emirates, Oman,Kuwait,SaudiArabia,Bahrain,Jordan,PhilippinesandIndia.Pillaisaid thehospitalsmanagedbythegroupreceivelargenumberofNigeriansmany of whom tabled the request to have the expertise in Nigeria hospitals.
Bello's COS, Wife, Child in Auto Crash
BarelyaweekaftertheKogiStateGovernor, AlhajiYahayaBellowasinvolved in a motor accident in Lokoja, which left his foot on plaster cast, his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edward Onoja on Thursday was involved in a motor accident along Abuja-Lokoja road. Governor Bello last week Thursday in Lokoja along Old market, while on his way from Abuja, was involved in an accident when he wanted to spray money while his car was in motion. Onoja and his wife and a small baby were in the car when the accident occurred. Source close to Government House Lokoja disclosed to THISDAY on Friday that the accident occurred shortly after Abaji at about 5 pm when the Chief of Staff was returning from Abuja. According to the source, Onoja's Lexus Jeep swerved from the road and crashed into the bush, leaving him and his wife unconscious while the baby was unhurt.The source disclosed further thatmotoristpassingbyhadtostoptoassistthevictimsfromthewrecked vehicleastheJeepwassaidtohavesummersaultedseveraltimesbeforea bigtreewagedit. Itwasalsogatheredthateffortweremadebytherescuers to free the trapped victims.
132,00 Voters Cards Uncollected in Niger
Nofewerthan132,000PermanentVoters’CardsPVCareyettobecollected byeligiblevotersinNigerStateafterthey completedtheirregistration,the ResidentElectoralCommissionerProfessorSamEgwudisclosedinMinna onFriday.ProfessorEgwuwhomadethedisclosurewhileexchangingviews withtheZonalCoordinatoroftheFederalInformationCentre,MinnaMalam Bawa Salihu Mokwa who paid him a courtesy call in his office urged those who had completed their registration to pick up their cards from where they registered Professor Egwu also reminded the eligible voters in the state that the registration ofVoters was still on in the 25 local government areas and 274 wards in the state , adding that: "it is in our desire to capture allprospectivevotersthatthecommissioninthestatehasdeployedallour staff to the wards and LGAs." According to him, "the ongoing registrations is to capture those who have attained the age of 18, people displaced as a result of transfer or movement as well as those who have lost their cards earlier obtained".
Senator Wamakko Loses Aide
The Special Assistant to Senator Aliyu MagatakardaWamakko onYouths and Students Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Tureta, is dead. The late Tureta died lateThursday at the age of 33 after a brief illness at the Garki General Hospital, Abuja.The remains of the deceased had been laid to rest according to Islamic rites at the Tudun Wada cemetery in the Sokoto metropolis. A statement from the former governor said his funeral prayer which was conducted at their family residence at Mabera area of Sokoto, was led by SheikhBashirGidanKanawa.ThefuneralprayerwasattendedbySenatorAliyu MagatakardaWamakko,StateDeputyGovernor,AlhajiAhmed,Chairman, Governing Council , National Commission for Colleges of Education, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi and the Chairman, State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Muntari Maigona.
T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY APRIL 7, 2018
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Ϳ˜ ͺ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
COMMENTARY
WHY THE ARMY SHOULD LISTEN AND LEARN Joshua Anawo writes that the armed forces should be fair and professional
I
have, in the past few days, taken notes and analysed reactions to the statement made by elder statesman and former Defence Minister, General T.Y Danjuma (rtd) at the maiden convocation of the Taraba State University on the mayhem being foisted on the nation by Fulani militia group throughout the country. The general, ever frank and courageous, said what most people had been unable to say about the shoddy and biased attitude of the Nigeria Army to the killings and burning of houses in various communities in the country, particularly in Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara States. General Danjuma had drawn the attention of the nation to the killings which he said had assumed a dangerous and frightening dimension and become a huge threat to the unity and survival of the country. Then he added the clinker that the Nigerian military authorities have been unable to swallow. He said the army had not only failed to stop the killings but had become a colluding agent. He capped it all by asking the people to take the bold and courageous step against the killer Fulani militia men by defending themselves since those constitutionally assigned the responsibility of protecting them had failed abysmally to do so. Besides, self defence is the constitutional right of every individual under the Nigerian Constitution. Those views, coming from one of Nigeria’s most decorated and respected former military officer, have ruffled not a few feathers in critical places, particularly the army, his former professional constituency. It was expected. General Danjuma is not one of those Nigerians who shy away from the truth. His opinions are usually highly respected because they are always profoundly thoughtful and truthful. It is not surprising, therefore, that his views as expressed in Jalingo, Taraba State, are still generating a lot of heat more than two weeks after he had expressed them. A lot of people have praised his courage for speaking the minds of majority of Nigerians. The killings in these states by Fulani herdsmen have become a national, even international embarrassment. They have increasingly worsened our international rating on the international safety index. At home, most Nigerians are shocked that Fulani herdsmen whose only instrument of self defence for many decades against the vagaries of their trade was a stick have become carriers of AK-47 guns with which they kill and maim innocent people. Thousands of people, mainly farmers whose farms are invaded and destroyed by their cattle, are attacked and killed, their houses set ablaze for daring to complain against these devastating invasions by the herdsmen. But perhaps the worst and most embarrassing aspect of the menace of the herdsmen is the tacit support they enjoy from military officers posted to the troubled spots. In most cases, the soldiers look the other way while the killings are going on. Sometimes, they actually help the herdsmen to do the killing of innocent people. It was this trend that actually provoked General Danjuma and a few others who have condemned the killings to advise the victims of the attacks to prepare to defend themselves. Rather than listen to the complaints against them and make amends, the military embarked on a purposeless and fruitless self-exoneration mission which has earned for them even greater
THE TRUTH IS THAT THE NATION’S MILITARY IS WELL TRAINED AND EQUIPPED TO STOP THESE KILLINGS. WHAT IS OBVIOUS FROM ITS ATTITUDE AND CONDUCT IS THE ABSENCE OF COMMITMENT TO FAIRNESS
public condemnation and rejection. They also made frantic efforts to localise what General Danjuma said by suggesting that he was speaking only for and on behalf of the people of Taraba State. The Truth is that the army failed to stop the killings everywhere they killer herdsmen invaded. Taraba State is just one of the worst victims of the attacks and the worst cases of neglect by the military. Danjuma spoke for all states that had been victims of the killings and for Nigeria whose international image has been greatly dented by the killings. It is also mischievous to suggest, as some people within the military circles have done, that General Danjuma’s statement was a call to war. Far from being so. Those familiar with the modus operandi of the herdsmen know that surprise is one of the weapons of their attacks. Most of the times, they come when the people have gone to bed and far asleep. This is the reason the casualty figures of victims are always high. Is it, therefore, wrong to advise potential victims of such attacks to sleep less and guard their environments more? That really is the implication of General Danjuma’s suggestion for self-defence. In virtually all the centres of the killings, the military personnel on ground pretended they had no knowledge of the attacks and made no efforts to apprehend the perpetrators. I need not add that this attitude has encouraged the campaigns of death and destruction by the militia herdsmen and made the unarmed farmers and their family members more vulnerable and easy prey. It is unfortunate. My analysis of the reactions to the views of the respectable general is that most people think that the military should rather listen and learn from the criticisms from the elder statesman and amend their ways than attempt to discard all that he said. There is a lot of lesson in all that he said. I want to associate myself with that position. The truth is that the nation’s military is well trained and equipped to stop these killings. What is obvious from its attitude and conduct is the absence of commitment to fairness. It is obvious that somebody somewhere is influencing their biased approach which has made access to the villages and communities of the victims easy for the killer herdsmen. Therein lies the danger that the country now faces. The army is a national instrument of state security. It owes its loyalty to the nation. Even in a democracy, its loyalty does not shift base. It remains exclusively to the country. It must be insulated from politics. Those whose commands dictate the behaviour of members of the military are expected not to allow political sentiments colour the tone of their commands. That is the only way the military can remain neutral and professional in their handling of security issues. To General Danjuma, Nigerians will remain eternally grateful to you for speaking to power on their behalf. We all owe you a huge debt of gratitude for acting at the right time. Your anger against the Nigerian military is justified. As at the time you spoke, the army was behaving as if it is the herdsmen’s army and not the Nigerian army. That was the sad situation. Nigerians should hope and pray that those who control the Nigeria army today will swallow their pride and learn from the opinion expressed by their grandmaster himself – General T.Y Danjuma.
OF LIBERTY, OKOROCHA AND 2019
Decent and competent leaders are expected in the governorship race to inspire the voting public, writes Michael Irukwu
R
ecently, Governor Rochas Okorocha expressed umbrage that the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Dr. Anthony J. Obinna made the following observations about him thus: “Governor Okorocha is the only voice which everyone has to listen to and obey, otherwise, arrests and imprisonments would follow”. In response to questions from reporters about the same time, the cleric had said of the political and security ambiance Gov Okorocha has created in Imo state thus: “Things are so bad in Imo State that even when any group has police permit to stage a peaceful rally or protest, the government of the day will use coercion and brute force to deny them this fundamental right.” The governor calls the words of the ordained man of God blackmail. Why would a cleric, who has no pecuniary interest, has no worry about applying or losing a job position or appointment, and who will lose nothing except the liberty and wellbeing of his congregation and other constituents of Imo have a need to blackmail a two-term sitting governor? The contention on the liberty of Imo people is a reminder to re-examine the links between the democracy we practice in Nigeria and the underlying assumptions of what it offers in reality. John Stuart Mills, one of the most erudite philosophers on the basic assumptions of democracy and representative government linked liberty strongly with the expectations of democracy. In his treatise “On Liberty”, he asserted that in the past, liberty meant primarily protection from tyranny. Over time, the meaning of liberty changed along with the role of rulers, who came to be seen as servants of the people
rather than masters. Mills identified three types of liberty, each of which must be recognised and respected by any free society. First, is the liberty of thought and opinion. The second is the liberty of tastes and pursuits, or the freedom to plan our own lives. Third, there is the liberty to join other like-minded individuals for a common purpose that does not hurt anyone. It is in recognition of the right to Liberty and other fundamental rights of Nigerians that the Nigerian Constitution as amended in Chapter IV provides for the fundamental human rights for Nigerians, constitutional rights which are superior to any other laws made by any individual. In particular, on the different dimensions of liberty as identified by Mills, the Nigerian constitution states: “Every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty” (Section 35); Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions (Section 39); Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons or political party (Section 40). The highest c ourt in Nigeria further reinforces the importance of these rights when it stated that: “fundamental rights are important and they are not just mere rights, they are fundamental. They belong to the citizen. These rights have always existed even before orderliness prescribed rules for the manner they are to be sought.” (Saude V Abudullah (1989) 4 NWLR Pt. 116 page 387@419). On the basis of these fundamental axioms, it is a political and social trigger that democracy is in retreat whenever liberty is in decline. The reproach of Archbishop Obinna by Governor Okorocha must therefore be taken very
seriously by every lover of democracy and the protection of the fundamental rights it offers. Any attempt to abridge these rights which goes unchallenged is an invitation to anarchy and provides further incentive and justifications for authoritarian alternatives which point to the type of emerging scenario in Imo state as the pitfalls of democracy. For instance, The Economist in a recent essay “what has gone wrong with democracy” cited the failings that is emerging in Imo state as the arguments advanced by authoritarian governments such as China to deprecate the democratic model, by insisting that democracy allows certain sweet-talking politicians to mislead the people, institutionalise gridlock, trivialise decisionmaking and throw up second-rate leaders, hence many developing countries that have introduced democratic Western values and political systems are experiencing disorder and chaos. Accepting that the underlying tenets of democracy has been debased, the essay illustrated democracy’s decline with Russia, where Mr. Putin, “the postmodern tsar has destroyed the substance of democracy in Russia, muzzling the press and imprisoning his opponents”, while preserving democracy as a show where everyone can vote, so long as Mr. Putin wins. Further exemplifying similar decline, it is stated that “autocratic leaders in Venezuela, Ukraine, Argentina and elsewhere have followed suit, “perpetuating a perverted simulacrum of democracy rather than doing away with it altogether, and thus discrediting it further”. The latter description of the declining trend of democratic praxis, a “perverted simulacrum
of democracy”, is what Governor Okorocha is trying to enact on the very learned and politically conscious people of Imo state, where expectations are high that decent public participation and decorous political competition will allow the people to choose the type of leader who will not only direct the course of socio-economic activities to improve their welfare but will also return the state to a place that does not dignify discredited leaders in their own country with statutes and public awards that the people of Imo state hold in high esteem. Expectations are therefore high in Imo state that credible, decent and competent leaders will enter the governorship race in Imo state in 2019 to give the people, the voting public inspired reasons to troop to the polling units to prove to Governor Okorocha that what democracy offers the people of Imo state cannot be taken away by him or his goons. This writer is hence highly inspired to hear that a decent, humble but very competent and seasoned manager of men and resources such as Stanley Amuchie may be contesting in the race. One will definitely like to lend audible voice to encourage all those who have urged him to run and bring decency to the political competition for the State House in Owerri in 2019.Mr. Amuchie, who has a background of disciplined Management, having gone through renowned institutions including the University of Benin, The Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom, Insead Business School in France and Harvard Business School in USA is clearly needed to change the decline democratic practices in Imo state. Dr. Irukwu, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Owerri, Imo State
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Ϳ ˜ ͺ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
INSIGHT
Attention, Ondo State...
Leah Sharibu’s Continued Detention “The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy; yea they have oppressed the strangers wrongfully. And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none” – Ezekiel 22:29 – 30, KJV.
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ince last week and especially during the Easter holidays, my thoughts have been with the only Dapchi schoolgirl– Leah Sharibu who was left behind in detention among her school mates. I couldn’t gather my thoughts on what to make of her unique case until I came across an online report credited to NAIJ, and hence my suspicion of possible collaboration between the Fulani herdsmen and the Boko – Haram insurgents. The referred online story captioned: “Dapchi abduction: Released schoolgirls narrate how Leah Sharibu failed in escape bid”. NAIJ online news portal reports that “some of the released Dapchi schoolgirls have narrated their ordeal in the hands of the Boko – Haram insurgents. The schoolgirls also narrated how the only Dapchi schoolgirl left in captivity, Leah Sharibu, tried to escape. The girls said Sharibu fled with two other girls but their escape was foiled by a nomadic Fulani family who brought them back to the camp”. While giving more insight into the failed escaped bid, one of the released Dapchi schoolgirls revealed that Leah sneaked out along with two of her classmates – Maryam and Amira. The three girls were said to have wandered in the bush for three days, during which they met a nomadic Fulani family from whom they sought help on how to return to Dapchi. Unknown to them, the girls were not aware that they had made a big mistake by seeking help from the Fulani. Instead of assisting the girls, the Fulani man reportedly took them back to their kidnappers. Quoting Hajara Adamu, one of Leah’s released classmates: “The Fulani man said to them: “So you are the missing girls that we’ve heard about on radio”. The Fulani man was said to have given them a jerry can filled with cow’s milk and returned them to the terrorists. I am perplexed by the curious action of the said Fulani man. May we not seek help from the wrong directions and eat the food of our enemies in Jesus Name. It is also unfortunate to learn that five of the schoolgirls lost their lives during the recent abduction saga since they were reportedly piled on top of one another. The story narrated above might have proved some suspected and undeniable links between the Boko – Haram insurgents and the Fulani herdsmen.
FCTA and Gosa Market Demolition
Be it for religious, economic or political reasons, the two groups seem to have certain common grounds or certain things in common – to steal, to kill and to destroy. The Boko – Haram operates by stealing/ abducting or kidnapping school children and blackmailing the government to pay money as a ransom for the release of their victims. Sometimes, the terrorists forced government to release some of their commanders as part of their terms of negotiation. They also burn down villages and kill their victims in an attempt to steal foodstuffs for their survival. In related manner, the herdsmen are also fond of destroying the farmlands of their victims, burning down villages, raping, maiming and killing in several attempts to take over by brutal force the farmlands of their victims for the grazing needs of their cattle. While the federal government has succeeded in containing and limiting the spread of Boko – Haram operations beyond the North – Eastern part of the country, the same cannot be said of how the same government is treating certain acts of criminality that are being perpetrated by some suspected herdsmen. Gbemiga Olakunle, JP General Secretary, National Prayer Movement, Abuja
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fficials of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) under the FCT Administration, on Saturday, March 24, 2018, carried out an exercise to remove shanties at the Gosa Market along the Abuja Airport road. The whole idea behind the removal, as was stated, is to clean the area and free it from obstructing traffic moving into the city of Abuja. Prior to the demolition exercise, these officials, in line with laid down regulations, met severally with the owners of the illegal stalls to make them understand the need to keep the Airport expressway free from obstruction so as to save lives and property against frequent accidents. The case was also made that the Airport expressway being the main gateway to the country cannot afford to have such unsightly and unplanned structures littering the whole area, giving visitors a wrong impression about the country. It was further agreed that the traders would to limit their activities to 500 metres away from the expressway. Unfortunately, these illegal stalls continued to spring up and spill right onto the expressway thereby endangering the lives of motorists plying that very important gateway to the city and leading to numerous accidents with casualties.
T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN
T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EM
AIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
One could therefore understand why the FCT Administration took the path it did in clearing these illegal structures to save the Abuja master plan from needless distortions. This is because some of these developments, if left unchecked, have the potential to derail the city from the visions of its founding fathers and turn Abuja into an urban slum. However, following that demolition exercise, some of the aggrieved persons cashed in and set up burn fires on the road leading to traffic obstruction and heavy gridlock on that very important road. Some of them even claimed that they were not informed before the demolition exercise took place which clearly is not the case because these traders, mainly of the Gbagi extraction, had in the past staged similar protests against the planned relocation of the market. Much as one may want to sympathise with the traders whom it would seem have had their major source of livelihood cut off abruptly, the fact however cannot be overlooked that their activities along the airport road have become a major source of concern due to the danger they pose to motorists and the city’s ambience. Those familiar with that route would agree that the uncontrolled expansion of the Gosa Market led to the pedestrian paths and service lanes becoming part of the market further, making it a nuisance to road users. The place equally became inundated by commercial vehicles and the road began to witness cases of recklessness on the use of the roads. This is the reason for some of the accidents being witnessed on that road due to regular cases of gross violation of traffic rules with motor cyclists and cab drivers running against traffic in order to do brisk business. Travellers on the Airport road on daily basis, especially on Fridays also suffered untold hardships on their way, to or from Abuja, as they had to endure gruelling traffic hold-ups occasioned by traders blocking the road which also resulted to missing of flights and time wastage. The action of the FCT Administration therefore became inevitable which no doubt is with a view to saving lives and arresting gross violation of traffic rules on a major gateway to the city. But the administration also proved it still remains sympathetic to the cause of these traders as what it has done so far is to remove the empty stalls in the area, sparing the containers that were under lock and key with merchandise inside them but with further instruction that they must be removed before their next visit. Danladi Akilu, Gudu District, Abuja
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 7, 2018
SUPER SATURDAY
UFUOMA EJINIWEBI
The Joy of Leaving the Bank for the Hair Salon From the banking hall to the hair studio, Ufuoma Ejiniwebi’s fascination with beauty started at an early age. She actually followed the footsteps of her mother. But like every childhood fascinations that don’t usually go beyond those formative years, her career path swung to the banking hall. To this end, she like most bankers chased the money and fat accounts for her former employers. For 14 years across two major banks in Nigeria, she walked the path of survival until her childhood passion struck a chord inside her for expression. She quit her bank job for her first love: hair-making. Two years after, her joy knows no bounds as she’s found peace and satisfaction in her childhood passion. She is today, a celebrated stylist. Her ability to work with all types and textures of hair, combined with her warm personality makes her a perfect fit as Head Consultant at Jinni’s Hair Clinique, situated in the heart of Ikosi- Magodo axis, Lagos. Ejiniwebi tells Adedayo Adejobi how her banking experience exposed her to exceptional customer service and how she has built a brand within two years I am Passionate about Hair
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olving Life’s Riddles
It can be an arduous task to comprehend life at times. If not, how on earth would someone with so much skill, knowledge base and hands-on experience find his or her footing in a career and yet leave it for another one despite having not practised the new one? So many questions waiting to be answered. But for Ufuoma Ejiniwebi, life is like a riddle in chess game. Luckily, life seems to have charted her course, one she is living in full measure in the name of a new career path. She can be likened to the focused child who simply followed the footsteps of her mother and the impulse of her youth, with a view to becoming someone great in life. Spending over 14 years in active service in two of the country’s biggest financial institutions, the vision of a lofty career didn’t seem in sight all through those years she’s put in her best. With courage, self-drive and a resilient spirit, not knowing what the future of entrepreneurship held, she took the plunge into an early retirement and started her hair business. Today, with focus and a drive to succeed despite all odds, she is all smiles, fulfilled and living her passion and ideal dream life. “My mom shaped me into whom I’ve become today,” she enthuses. “Watching her work so hard to see my siblings and I through school was enough to form my opinion on how badly I wanted to succeed in life. “Ideally I wanted to be a banker looking up to my mother who was a banker as well. I wanted so much to succeed in the corporate world. I worked a total of 14 years in two strong banks without any regrets because the experience has given me an open mind to my business and a great sense of exceptional customer service/ relation.’’ If you say she simply saved the best for the last, you might just be apt. This is because leaving the trappings of working in the bank where life is built around chasing targets and losing quality time, long-standing relationships and union with family and friends, yet remaining unfulfilled could be difficult if you considered the financial rewards. “I had always dreamt of owning a beauty salon as a teenager and I had basic idea of some hairstyles from then on, but I wanted to know the trade in a professional way. I went through a lot of local beauty salons for formal trainings but that really did not work. I then read about the Nature’s Gentle Touch Hair Institute and after going through their curriculum, I was convinced
I was at the right place. There, they teach you how to run a master class beauty salon professionally. My decision to retire early from the banking industry came as a result of not having fulfillment in doing what I was doing then. I wanted so bad to be real from the entire make-believe facade that comes with being a banker. My passion for hair which I had made dormant due to the fear of the unknown and the consciousness that I may fail kept burning afresh in my heart so I had to take a plunge. It was either I leave banking then or live through it and be depressed.” Truly a Leap of Faith Before leaving the bank, she hadn’t made an adequate exit plan for the somewhat scary life of an entrepreneur. Being a hands-on person, the urge to set up and hit the ground running was strong. Her experience of how she settled into the life of an entrepreneur is best captured in her own words. “There was no precise exit plan. I had the urge to leave and set up a beauty salon, but I had to have a proper professional training in what I was leaving the banking industry for. Settling in as an entrepreneur was scary to say the least. I was paranoid (still am) to succeed; but at the same time eager to share my new found knowledge of hair to the world but starting with my local area. The hustle is still on because I am a hands-on person, so sometimes 24 hours is never enough.” Knowing men to be averse to risks, especially when it comes to what is considered as ‘job security’, her husband, and one she calls her most understanding and tolerant friend, felt at home with her decision to resign. “My husband is the most understanding and tolerant friend one can ever wish for. He felt cool with my decision to change profession because he too was affected somewhat with the fact that I was losing the essence of my real self.” Dealing with Harsh Realities For any entrepreneur, the phase of the rude awakening to the realities of the entrepreneurial life hits the person at some point. In the last two years, she’s had her fair share of such rude awakening. Sharing her experience, she says: “Towards the end of my training to be a Trichologist, at that time, my cash flow was really next to nothing. I had to put a stop to some unwanted spending. It was pretty harsh because I was coming from a steady income flow and there I was no salary. I was at ground zero because any frivolous spending at that time
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 7, 2018
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SUPERSATURDAY I HAD FINANCIAL SECURITY AS A BANKER BUT NO FULFILLMENT
meant that my set up money was gone.” The early retirement was really nothing to her, as not pursuing her long-standing dreams was something she could not even consider. She then decided between takea-plunge or leave-it situation approach, which has today yielded astonishing results. And the Future Beckons With this, she is already looking into the future of the business. She describes the next five years of the business in this light: “The fact that I met a lot of people who shared their start-up experiences with me has been helpful. A lot of them actually gave me encouragement to start my beauty business which I will cherish for eternity. And this includes becoming the Chief Executive Officer of Ujinni’s Beauty Institute, a full blown hair and Beauty School. When asked about what’s the unique essence of being a beautician, she becomes enthusiastic; saying: “I like the fact that I get to educate my clients and staff on a daily basis. I like that I can learn something new every day by relating with everyone that walks into our salon. I like the fact that every client learns something new from our salon in terms of natural hair care which gives me a sense of fulfillment. However, I dislike being a beautician (at times) when I don’t have to get home early to bond with my amazing kids. I know this phase will pass and I will have more time to myself too.” Sharing her trade secrets, and how she keeps up with the trends and styles for the year, she says the secret is hidden in the lines of every beauty book, every beauty blog and every beauty write-up she has ever read and still reads. “Everybody is going natural and the rush for organic products is on the increase whether for hair or skin. So it’s a year of increased research and learning to keep up with the trend and our clients’ demand for quality organic products and methods. I read a lot every day. When I get home, I go on-line to get new and better techniques on different hairstyles and hair products and natural remedies for hair and scalp related issues. I am a natural freak. I rely on a lot of DIYs (Do it yourself) products which I use on myself first as a guinea pig before introducing it to my customers. For new clients, we
There was no precise exit plan. I had the urge to leave and set up a beauty salon, but I had to have a proper professional training in what I was leaving the banking industry for. Settling in as an entrepreneur was scary to say the least. I was paranoid (still am) to succeed; but at the same time eager to share my new found knowledge of hair to the world but starting with my local area. The hustle is still on because I am a hands-on person, so sometimes 24 hours is never enough
do a lot of informal consultation; which I may say is more relaxing, where we get as much information on their hair care regimen and maintenance before we diagnose and proffer solutions where necessary. For those that are on the right track, we encourage sometime to try new alternative methods.” Tribute to her Trainer In her new found passion turned career, she talks glowingly of one person who has stood out of the crowd and impacted on her. “The one person that has impacted on
me the most as a stylist is my trainer, Miss Ekemini Udoh, of Nature’s Gentle Touch Hair Institute. She is very young but very vast and knowledgeable in the study of hair. She stirred a lot of curiosity in me to delve deep to know and understand hair and hair behaviour, product knowledge and salon hygiene.” Like every trade, there would always be unhappy customers but she has a way of handling them and the pressure that comes with some unforeseen contingencies. “I try to surpass their expectations not minding the extra cost I have to bear at times to satisfy their hair care and style needs. Sometimes it could be terrible (I am human after all), but most times I keep my emotions in check after all we meet people with different temperament and I have to still render exceptional service whether I am being treated badly as a stylist or not.” If there is anything she is passionate about, it is the human hair. When asked
why this is so, she says she is very passionate about hair. “I like being treated right when I am being served, so I go all out to give great service at Ujinni’s Hair Clinique. I am passionate about teaching everyone that comes to us about proper hair care and maintenance and also desire to share with salon owners the professional way of running a proper salon. Skills alone will only take you a little distance.” In the next 5 years. Ufuoma Ejiniwebi sees herself teaching in her own hair institute. “My ultimate goal is to own and operate a proper beauty school where people are taught the proper salon values, ethics, and product knowledge and hair behaviour.” Life, after all, seems to have been fair to all with a helping hand from Providence as she did not have to spend so long trying to solve life’s riddles before opting out of the alluring pull of a banking.
My Husband’s Support Has Been Crucial after Leaving Banking
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T H I S D AY ˾ ͵˜ ͰͮͯͶ
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LOUD WHISPERS AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER FAIRGROUND FASHION FILE COVER
pg. 20 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 36 pg. 43 pg. 48
Akinloye Tofowomo I’m a General with Scars of Wars
APRIL 7, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
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PLUS
Tofowomo being decorated Rotary National Polio Ambassador by former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko
Despite My Disability My Father Made Me Work on the Farm ancient town of Ile-Oluji in Ondo State, apart from English and his mother tongue, Yoruba, he speaks Igbo fluently. “I was enthralled by the arts and watching videos like Ogboju Ode n’Igbo Irunmole. That was how deep and culturally engaging I was. Listening to deep Yoruba and Igbo lyrics was part of my formative days. I am glad to have experienced life in all these different cities across Nigeria as a young boy because it contributed to how I was able to develop myself as an individual and expanded my world view.” Choosing the Path of Music…Against Dad’s Wishes Tofowomo graduated from the University of Ibadan but later went to Lagos State University where he studied Political Science before proceeding to the University of Lagos to do Business and Industrial Law, which was his father’s bidding. After finishing school, he and his father were at loggerheads over career his path. “My father wanted me to become a lawyer or a doctor, so he would always compare me to his colleagues’ children who were also judges. But I wasn’t thinking about all of those professions as I had my mind fixed on music. Music has always been a passion for me, but never encouraged in the family. Although my father used to play and listen to Ayinla Omowura, Ayinde Bakare, Frank Sinatra, Hubert Ogunde amongst others, but you dared not sing at home, if you didn’t want trouble from my father. At that time, anyone who was in music was looked down upon so it was a big challenge telling my father that it was what I really wanted to do. As a result of this, I saw music only as fun and not something that could put food on the table.” With his late uncle who operated a hang-out on Allen Roundabout in Ikeja, Lagos, his escape into real music found expression. Akin narrates how his genuine interest in professional music began, “We were living in Ikoyi then. So in order to have access, I would tell my father I was going to Ibadan whereas I was going to meet my uncle at Ogudu from where we would head to Allen. I used to visit him there on some occasions to watch artistes perform. One night when the band that was supposed to perform failed to turn up, I pleaded with my uncle to allow me to perform. After much persuasion from the people around, he grudgingly allowed me to perform. That was my first performance
… with wife
and from there the journey into music proper started for me. At the time I started music, I didn’t know that people got paid for singing. In fact, I would perform at shows at the time without knowing or even minding if I was going to get something or not. It was much later I realised that there was actually money to be made in the business.” At a rather young age, eking out a living was such a Herculean task for young Tofowomo in a rather fledging music industry. But sheer vision, strength of soul, love for home and enterprise led him on. Upon the realisation of the fact that his life was destined the direction of music and the need to do music differently, he went back to school in 2010 to study music in Massachusetts, United States of America. There, he understood the nitty-gritty of music business and how to become successful. Armed with this knowledge the Shuga Band was formed and all other businesses related to it. Taking the ‘Business’ Further The training helped him in organising music as a business. With 20 years on the grind, redefining the business of live band music in Nigeria, the Shuga brand has a record label, sound rental business and a Foundation. “Music has afforded me the opportunity to go to places I never would have imagined. It has also allowed me meet important people who ordinarily would be difficult to meet.” The story of Akinloye Tofowomo’s valiant rise to public shine when he took the plunge to go into music, at a time the trade and the society at large gave the profession no attention, is one of foresight. He is ably armed with the professional expertise to turn any event into a sublime experience. His band
is not only rated as one of Nigeria’s number one live band, but also as a brand committed to the highest standard of excellence and professionalism. ‘I Can Walk’, a Dedication to Polio Victims Having delighted a varied audience for the last 20 years and counting, the compassionate vein in Akin, who is married to Maria Tofowomo with kids, has found expression. He is presently giving hope to people with disabilities, thus helping them transform their shortcomings to the greater good of society. Tofowomo’s own polio helped humanise him and give him the common touch. What he is doing should, hopefully, bring more attention to leaders and empathy. Even though he has other leanings, the highlight is the work for the least appreciated among the society. Commemorating his 20th year anniversary, he is set to release an inspirational single track song with the theme, ‘I can Walk’, dedicated to polio survivors. He tells of the impulse behind the song: “Life is about challenges, challenges will always come and no challenges are insurmountable. My new song, I can walk, gives the strength that is required at that challenging time; a song of hope dedicated to polio survivors and everyone who has been scarred, marred or shaken by the travails of life. The song was produced and co-written by the legendary Cobhams Asuquo. The impulse behind the song is simply rededicating my life as a polio survivor in the war of life. I’m a general, not because I’ve been to any war, but because I bear the scars of the wars of life.” Never say die, as they say, until the bones are rotten. That is the story of Tofowomo. He beat the odds. He overcame limitations. And now, he tells a story of triumph.
Life is about challenges, challenges will always come and no challenges are insurmountable. My new song, I can walk, gives the strength that is required at that challenging time; a song of hope dedicated to polio survivors and everyone who has been scarred, marred or shaken by the travails of life. The song was produced and co-written by the legendary Cobhams Asuquo. The impulse behind the song is simply rededicating my life as a polio survivor in the war of life. I’m a general, not because I’ve been to any war, but because I bear the scars of the wars of life
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 7, 2018
PLUS
Despite My Disability, My Father Assigned Chores for Me to Do The smart, business savvy and conservative Akinloye Tofowomo having built an enviable entertainment empire. His life is a testament to success, hard work, and unwavering focus in spite of his physical disability. He has remained unperturbed by what others would have seen as a misfortune, especially at a tender age of five living with polio. With eyes fixed on his goals, he turned what seemed a stumbling block into a stepping stone. The many milestones, which constitute all the hurdles he has had to cross on his way up, will serve as a tonic to any hard-working person who encounters him. Twenty years ago, he came into the live music business with no capital and connections. Today, he caters to royalty and the name Shuga has become unarguably synonymous to live music in Nigeria and there are no off seasons. In spite of his success, he keeps working hard. Tofowomo, managing director, Shuga Entertainment, tells Adedayo Adejobi about his travails, music, philanthropy A particular and his new lease of life Formative Years Nearly Derailed by Polio… orn into the prestigious family of the late Judge Tofowomo from Ile-Oluji, Ondo State of Nigeria, Akinloye Tofowomo was born to be great. But his life- changing encounter with polio is a further attestation to his life’s pact with destiny. At age five, a dreaded life-changing condition reared its ugly head, but it didn’t affect that stage of his childhood that much despite the fact that every child in the family had chores they were expected to perform including Akinloye. His early childhood condition didn’t hamper parental love he craved and deserved as a child, as he was treated nicely, normally and like the love child he was, by his family. With adequate show of love, childhood wasn’t so difficult for him. Three years after, the realisation dawned on him that he was indeed different from others, and that most crucially, there were physical limits to what he could do as a child. This marked a watershed in his life as a child. Giving a peep into how his father helped boost his esteem, even as a child, the entertainment czar says: “My father always told me that whoever pitied me was actually my enemy. Regardless of my condition, I was made to do everything the other children in the house did. As a matter of fact, discipline was the watchword for us in the house. Whenever we were home for holidays, my father drew a timetable of activities that we would engage in, including chores. So there was no room for messing up. We always worked on the farm in the compound under the strict supervision of my father and our gardener. Whoever failed to impress him was made to clear grass as
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punishment. It was tough.” Surviving Bullies Children, in their ignorance, taunted and called him all sorts of humorous nicknames. In secondary school, they called him ‘Reckless’ because of his penchant for rap, while he was also monikered ‘Dupompe’ because of the way he used to walk. Some stuck, some didn’t, but in all, these circumstances didn’t define him. A particular experience he wouldn’t forget in a hurry was one which happened in primary school. Recounting the ordeal, he said there was a person “who forcefully collected the stick I was using to support myself. The child wanted to see how I would survive without it but what I did to him, he would never forget in his life.” With similar cases in point and in these experiences, spanning his school years in the city of Enugu, eastern Nigeria, because his late father was being transferred often from one place to another as a judge, he sure dealt decisively with the boys who tormented him thoroughly. The Making of the Local Polyglot Growing up under the tutelage of a father who traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria, having worked in places like Calabar, Port-Harcourt, Ibadan and Lagos to mention a few, those years and environments rubbed off on the musician. Although, he is from
experience he wouldn’t forget in a hurry was one which happened in primary school. Recounting the ordeal, he said there was a person “who forcefully collected the stick I was using to support myself. The child wanted to see how I would survive without it but what I did to him, he would never forget in his life
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 7, 2018
with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)
LOUD WHISPERS
Ekweremadu
Ekweremadu: Show Your Face I only see your pictures and small quips in the media but don’t really know you. I see that you have stood very loyal with your oga, the great Saraki. So the other day, while we were arguing over our very powerful WhatsApp political group aptly named the Duke’s Summit, someone mentioned your name as a potential vice presidential candidate running on a Saraki/Ekweremadu ticket. This suggestion lit the house and someone reeled out your brief profile. Now whether that ticket will see the light of the day is not my problem. But the fact that little is known about you by myself and I wonder just how you have managed to last this long in politics without my support. It was Nicholas o, that not-too-tall intellectual who gave us some details about you. He said you have a doctorate and that you have won elections at almost all levels with a deep intellectual focus. Well, I must tell you I was impressed and then decided to dig deeper. The more I look, the more impressed I am. Well, sir, let me tell you that I never knew you were this cerebral o, I just used to look at that your red cap. The one you wear almost daily and be wondering if you do not have another one. Well, thanks to Nicholas, I now have a better perspective of you and this I must tell you is a strong positive for you. Keep it up. We in Shomolu are, however, watching you very closely before we take a decision on you. Just try not to appear on any list o because that will be a deal breaker. Well done bro. Sowore : Can You Please Sit Down You see what poor performance in government can lead to. All sorts of characters will be creeping out of the holes in an attempt to distract us and further belittle the high office that is the Presidency. So this Sowore person really is interested in high office? Well, it remains his inalienable right as a true Nigerian and as enshrined in the constitution. But that is where it ends. Let me say it very clearly and boldly, forget the fact that the Presidency of Nigeria is looking as it is today. It is still a very highly prestigious and respectable office that only men, yes, men and in this context I mean both sexes can ever aspire to. We must not allow the seat to be denigrated to the point that anybody can just wake up from whatever dump they found themselves after a night of uproarious and binge drinking, and in a drunken stupor aspire to. For me, I am saddened by not only this Sowore’s reported ambition but the fact that the Presidency through years of abuse and recklessness has been so denigrated that every Musa, Ade and Emeka is now aspiring, even my landlord is thinking along that line. Where are our true leaders? I cry! Where are the men of timbre and calibre as Kingsley Mbadiwe, that colourful political stalwart, would say. Has Nigeria turned into a country where measly orphans and village comics can now stand up and want to be counted?
Sowore
Fayemi
Fela: You Be Thief, I No Be Thief So this long Easter break with nothing to really do, I went to go see Bolanle Austen Peters’ Fela. If you have not seen that show you have missed something. As I watched the show Uncle Lai’s List came to mind and that Fela’s immortal song came to my mind. Some people have called Fela a prophet, while I respect him I have never seen him in that light. But these days all he said before his dramatic death seems to be coming true. So PDP and APC have been releasing all sorts of lists and the way they are at it, the Duke of Shomolu would soon appear on one of these lists. They have been calling themselves ‘’thieves’’ and we in the public have just taken a back seat to enjoy the drama. The APC list is so tardy and bare, lacking in drama that one would almost yawn in sleep, but the PDP list is a little bit more exciting with the colourful characters that made the
Let me wax lyrically, ‘ohhhhhhhhhh Nigeria, where forth art thou, that you have lost your lustre’’. Kai it was Soyinka that called his generation wasted, mine is lost. Kai. Fayemi Again? You see, I am very reluctant to write
list. The APC one is predictable as we already have those names, while the PDP one is really the mark. Well, since both lists lack the credibility and depth we crave as Nigerians who are the true victims of all these thievery, in my capacity as the Duke of Shomolu I have started working on my own list and I tell you guys, you no say me no dey fear, my list will turn this Uncle Lai and PDP list into Nursery Rhyme and he go shake Nigeria. I will release it as part of the ceremonies to mark my 30th anniversary on the throne. Make una dey wait for the list, you will soon see it. Abeg, my only regret in all this is the fact that Fela Kuti is not with us for I would have loved to hear the song he would have composed for this Uncle Lai sef. I think he is out of his depth just yet and should take a breather. This his list is doing more damage to the government. Na who send am sef?
this piece because some of you would think that I am doing bad belle. First, his very beautiful wife wrote a book and called it Loud whispers. The whole Shomolu yab me tire. If you are an ardent reader of this column you will know why. For months I was the butt of jokes not only in Shomolu but as far
Mantu
afield as Putin’s Russia. So when people started goading me to say something about this Fayemi”s ambition I was hesitant because they will be saying because I have something against him. Well, the truth is that we must all stand up and talk our mind no matter what. My lord, Chief Fayemi, please perish the thought. Just go back and sleep. After all, that is what it looks like you have been doing in your Solid Mineral Ministry. What have we done so wrong in this country such that even if we as the people don’t have sense even you our so-called leaders will not just pity us and self-check yourselves? Governor of Ekiti again for wetin na? Please my brother do not let me say much, because if I say what I am itching to say now, you will beat me. Abeg, spare us, let us have a new broom abeg. And this is not just for you but for all of the people who have been recycling themselves and foisting on us impunity and misgovernance. The campaign is coming as soon as I can get at least three people to start it. We will come after you guys. Till then, my brother just respect thyself and go home to your beautiful wife. Ibrahim Mantu: Holy Spirit Pushed You My lord, it was not you speaking that day on Channels TV when you were confessing. It was the Holy Spirit that was pushing you and I tell you, you were not speaking for yourself but the whole generation. God bless you. Did you notice how restless you were the previous night and how relieved you were after your diarrhea? I really am holding myself from all the anger I feel for you and your ilk especially what you have foisted on this country. You now, you are incompetent and do not have the necessary leadership skills but you will still go and rig as per your confession. God is on the throne. I will not say much as I am doing a full article on you and your confession as soon as I finish at the mechanic. Just calm down and wait, I am coming for you. Only in Nigeria. Ken Etete: A Worried Young Man Ken is quiet and unassuming; highly successful and imbued with sound logic and depth. Spent over four hours with him spanning two days this last weekend, discussing leadership, empowerment of the youth and attempting to design a framework for consistent and penetrative intervention in society, both at political and economic levels. As he spoke, I sensed his frustration not with the leadership but the followership. His concerns are about the followers who despite all the raging storm cannot seem to understand the situation they find themselves. In all our discussions, his deep understanding of the issues especially economic issues kept hitting at me, I must tell you. Ken is a deeply worried young man who is gearing to play a more participatory role in our national life. I wish him luck.
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APRIL 7, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
SPY GLASS
TAIWO AFOLABI
TAIWO AFOLABI’S HEADACHE Taiwo Afolabi, CEO, SIFAX Group, is a familiar name in Nigeria’s shipping business. He can hold the candle to anyone in the industry owing to his brilliance. His businesses are scattered within and outside the country and he dazzles with beautiful ideas. Besides, the billionaire businessman has a Midas touch, as anything he touches turns into gold. But the shrewd businessman is not happy at the moment, as he seems to be having a challenge realising one of his beautiful dreams. How? Afolabi was one of the few business moguls who were issued licences to build private refineries in Nigeria based on his antecedents as a trusted and reliable businessman. Consequently, he was said to have secured several hectares of land around Snake Island, Lagos, to build the refinery that is expected to produce 120, 000 barrel per day. But there is snag. He is said to be having some “financial constraints.” “Some of his business partners abroad who showed interest in investing in the proposed refinery have withdrawn owing to current insecurity in the country. At the moment, he is running from pillar to post to raise the needed funds for the gigantic project. It is a big headache for him, as he has not made any headway so far,” a source said. Afolabi is a well-trained professional with over 20 years’ experience in the maritime and shipping industry. His wealth of experience and organisational prudence have remained invaluable assets to the Sifax Group and the nation’s business terrain, where he is fast becoming a leading and shining light.
BAUCHI FIRST LADY, HAJIA HADIZA ABUBAKAR’S LOVE FOR HUMANITY
Her love for humanity beggars description. In all her deeds, she never trivialises the need to serve humanity. She is, undoubtedly, a source of joy for her compatriots. More important, since she became the First Lady of Bauchi State, Hajia Hadiza Abubakar, has continued to attend to the need of the womenfolk in the state via her pet project, Bauchi Sustainable Women Economic Empowerment and
with BAYO ADEOYE .... 08054680651 email: bayoolunla@gmail.com Peace Initiative – B-SWEEP. This is in addition to her strong commitment to helping the less privileged children and women across the state. No doubt, this has endeared her to the hearts of many in the state. Therefore, it didn’t come as a surprise to many, penultimate week, when the beautiful woman was turbanned as ‘Uwar Matan Ningi’ by His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ningi Alh. Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya, as part of the activities marking the Emir’s 40th anniversary as the Emir of Ningi. It was gathered that the choice of turbanning of Hajia Hadiza as Uwar Matan Ningi was as a result of her humanitarian activities, especially in the area of women empowerment through her pet projects. The Emir described her as “a very industrious woman, who is dedicated to doing good to all and sundry, maintaining that Allah Almighty loves the doers of good.” The royal father further described her as “a special woman who fits the profile of a great Nigerian woman worthy of emulation.” The Emir stated that turbanning her was his special way of showing his personal appreciation and that of the entire people of Ningi Emirate to her.
WALE TINUBU’S MAGICAL!
Wale Tinubu, CEO and Group Managing Director, Oando Oil, comes across as a perfectionist par excellence. He goes the extra mile to achieve any projects he sets his mind on. He knows how to continuously register his brand not only in the minds of the company’s shareholders but also prospective customers, generally. This came to the fore on March 3, 2018 when he opened a new corporate head office called The Wings Office Complex on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue Victoria Island, Lagos. The eye-popping building, which has 12 floors on each wing, is said to worth $172million. With approximately 27,000 square metres of lettable space, it can be accessed from the Five Cowries Creek via a jetty. It also offers a swanky rooftop entertainment deck, which will be an excellent venue for hosting social events and corporate get-togethers. Besides, it has a marquee, a bar and an ample lounge, which offers a gorgeous view of the city and the creek in an utterly relaxing environment. The iconic building, which is LEED certified and fitted with best of facilities that guarantee optimal comfort, health and safety for all its occupants, was declared open by the Minister for State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who described the structure as the “biggest and most beautiful in Lagos.” Notable personalities who graced the commissioning include United Bank of Africa Chairman, Tony Elumele; Former governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Herbert Wigwe, Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank; Bola Adesola, Oba of Lagos, Oba Ridwan Akiolu and Oil mogul, Tunde Folawiyo, among several others.
HADIZA ABUBAKAR
In the past years, the Lagos Stateborn oil mogul plied his trade in such a way that makes many of his competitors green with envy. Indeed, he enjoys uncommon grace so much so that he now sits atop a multi-billion Naira conglomerate with various subsidiaries in oil and gas and properties, among other business ventures. Like the proverbial cat with nine lives, Tinubu has proved to be one businessman with outstanding survival instincts. Indeed, Tinubu’s continued relevance, nay staying power, should provoke a careful study by aspiring entrepreneurs or even established ones, especially in Nigeria’s inclement business environment.
ANOTHER GLORY MOMENT FOR ELUMELU, OJUDU, OBASA, BECKONS
After a successful outing last year, Timeline NG, an online news portal, and Timeline Awareness Initiative, are set to honour deserving individuals for their commitments to their chosen endeavours and contributions to the society at the forthcoming second edition of the annual Timeline Awareness Initiative Lecture scheduled to hold on April 19, at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. According to the organisers, the event has strategically been put together to sensitise the public on the roles journalists are expected to play before, during and after the next general election in 2019. To underscore the seriousness of the vision behind the event, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, is expected to deliver a paper on News Reporting In The Age Of New Media, A Focus On 2019 General Election. The event, which will be chaired by a former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, promises to attract many prominent Nigerians, including the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Mudashiru Obasa, and Chairman, Heirs Holding/UBA Board of Directors, Tony Elumelu, who will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.
GOMBE GOV, DANKWAMBO, CELEBRATES AT 56 A few days ago, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State, turned 56, amidst a blaze of glory. While the occasion provided another opportunity for him to take stock of his journey in life and give gratitude to God, his supporters celebrated him to high heavens for being a blessing to the state in particular. Indeed, the almost effusive praises lavished on him were neither mistimed nor misplaced, considering how he has lifted the state since he took over the reins of power. His public service career began
ELUMELU
WALE TINUBU
DANKWAMBO
when he served as accountant General of the state. Later, he joined the federal service, where he served as Accountant General of the Federation from 2005 to 2011. At a period in his life, he offered himself in service to his state because Dankwambo believes that investing in human capital and education could change the affairs of the state. Interestingly, this has been his driving force since Providence granted him his ambition to govern the state. So far, the transformation has attracted investors who believe in the potentiality of the state. Today, it is said that the pass rate in national examination has increased to 26 per cent from a meagre 1 per cent in 2011. Apart from the fact that his administration renovated dilapidated schools to improve the learning environment for Gombe students, building of new schools, including those for Almajiri children, has reduced the number of children begging in the streets. He has also established several tertiary institutions that bring higher education closer to the people of the state. This include the College of Nursing and Midwifery in Dukku, the state Polytechnic in Bajoga, the College of Education in Billiri, among others. Dankwambo has built nearly 3000km of roads within the state. He has also linked several isolated communities with the rest of the state via bridges. A large parking bay built for the tankers that flock the state has also helped to reduce the menace of tankers parking on roads, thereby removing the safety hazard they pose to road users within the state. He has also built a world-class international event centre that could host conferences, rallies, shows and more. Building a groundnut processing mill, which will employ more than 4,000 people, is part of the governor’s economic drive. Also, he believes that empowering women will lift many communities out of poverty. This is why he supports several initiatives such as providing loans for small businesses owned by women and others. Though tackling insurgents in the state has been a Herculean task, Dankwambo is hopeful that someday it will be a thing of the past.
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍżËœ ͺ͸͚͜
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͸Ϳ͸͞ͺ΀͚͞Ϳ͝Ϳ Ă?Ě‹Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ë? ÞÙĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă?ÑÑ̜ÒÙÞ×ËÓÖ˛Ă?Ù×
PATRICIA LIVINGWELL
Working with Kanayo O. Kanayo Will Be Great Ă‹ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă‹ Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă–Ëœ Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ʨÖ××ËÕĂ?ĂœËœ Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă—Ă™Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă™Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ÞÙ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÙÖÖãåÙÙÎ˞ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“ĂœĂŽ Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă?Ăž ×Ùà ÓĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽË› Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?ĂĄ åÓÞÒ Tosin CleggËœ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă™ĂœĂœĂ™Ăœ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂž Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂšĂžĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă— ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœËœ ÞËÖÕĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă’Ă?Ăœ ÖÙà Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă™Ă–Ă–ĂŁĂĄĂ™Ă™ĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ The movie producers are at liberty to alter anything. They can change the title or do whatever they want to do because I always give a chance to my investors and buyers. Whatever you want to do to it is up to you. Even if somebody wants to invest in my project, I always leave an open door. I write scripts on thriller and horror I’m not good at writing romance movies and all that. That is what Darlington Abuda (producer of ‘The Accidental Spy’) told me that here, people want to watch a movie mixed with some comedy and all that. I told him that that is not a problem, if I bring my stuff and you want to add comedy, add it.
My father wanted me to be a lawyer y father wanted me to be a Lawyer because I can always defend myself. But then, I understood that sitting in the lawyers’ cabinet for hours defending cases you don’t know when it started wasn’t really something I wanted to do. I decided to write.
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All I know is that it was something I wanted to do Personally, I don’t really love to work for people. As a young woman in my twenties, I have worked for different companies. You know they will just call you at 7.30 in the morning to change your shift and come at a particular time. I was really sick and tired of all that, I don’t like that. So I decided to find something that will allow me to work on my own time. I thought maybe writing is what I needed, because writing does not demand that I should be in a particular office at a certain time. That was how I started. If it is a calling, Thank God, I believe I have the talent.
My experience in Nigeria It could be tasking when you have family members that are worried that you would be kidnapped and all that and at the same time, you have your spirit telling you nothing would happen to you. I have met some good friends who have been there for me even though I met them for a few time. It’s quite an experience. I feel sad sometimes when I see Nigerians themselves destroy the image of the country by saying all sorts of things. I believe there are bad and good things in every country but to my own experience without seeing the worst so far so good, I am not complaining. As of my own experience, what should be removed from Nigeria is corruption. As I was coming here two days ago, I was with a taxi driver and we got lost. There was this police officer that stopped us and was asking for money. I ended giving him a bottle of perfume so that the poor driver would continue his way, because he was saying that his drivers’ license had expired. It is either we pay N5,000 or he gives us a ticket and seize the car . I don’t even know what it is that they do and I couldn’t allow that to happen because I am sitting in the car. I’m not from here and I don’t want to get down and look for another cab, so I had to negotiate and give him something that belonged to someone else so that he would leave that poor driver to go on his way. Corruption is what we don’t want in Africa. Sadly, it is in all African countries.
There is a big difference between Hollywood and Nollywood The reason I’m here in Africa to work with Africans is because it is easier for me. It is not easier because Hollywood is difficult to get in, but it is because I’m African. I’m from here and not forgetting that I am a mother. Going to Hollywood means I have to leave my family and go to the United States of America, which I have tried to do. Sometimes, it is quite difficult because you have to follow these producers to different type of meetings and, without lying to you, the budget can be exaggerated. I don’t have the capacity at the moment to get in. I thought I should start from here because I am from here. I am interested in this place not Hollywood. If I am interested in Hollywood, by now, I would have moved there. Why I Chose Nollywood I’m not in India. I don’t see myself in India, otherwise, I would have gone to India. I don’t have anybody in particular that I could say I must work with but I believe we have the best. There is one actor that I really admire - his name is Kanayo O. Kanayo. That man is the only one I enjoy watching because he is one of the best actors. If I have to work with that man, I’m just going to have to be privileged to do so. I don’t know if he is just an actor or also a producer, but if there is anyone that I would love to work with, it should be that guy. I would like more of producing and storytelling in Nollywood Talk about acting, I’m not too sure about that. I have never acted before and I don’t see myself coming out just for the pleasure of acting to become an actor. I don’t see that interest in me. Unless somebody wants me to act, that means I have to probably
Liviingwell Livingwell ll
practice for a couple of days, weeks or months, then, I can come into acting but I’m not someone who rushes after or look for fame even though I don’t know how to do the job. So it’s producing and storytelling for me. What I Know about Congo Movie Industry We do not really have a movie industry, so to speak. I love my people, they are hardworking, but they are into home videos and I was hoping that with time, we can go there and work more on filmmaking like back in the days. I don’t know if you have seen this movie with the late Papa Wemba that is titled, ‘La Vie Est Belle.’ It was a good
movie. We wanted to get into the movie industry but out of lack of knowing what to do, people just started doing film like home videos. They shoot today, within few days it is already on the internet. That is not something that I want to do. After Nigeria, I will definitely go to my country to propose what I have. I have written a few scripts So far, I have written, Strength Within, Rules of Darkness, Beyond the Rising, among others. Some of them have been produced. We have made the conception of some others. The ones that have been produced have been produced mostly in Canada. Most times, I sell my scripts.
No movie market in Canada We do have one but as far as I am concerned, I don’t want to get into that movie market. I know we have a lot of good actors like Rachael McAdams, Ryan Reynolds, Jim Carrey, among many others, these are Hollywood actors from Canada. Why are they in Hollywood as I speak? We don’t have good movie industry. For me, either I’m in Africa or Hollywood, I choose Nollywood. I’m African It doesn’t matter if I’m a Canadian citizen but I’m still African. My kids were born in Canada too but I teach them how to be African. Whenever my daughter goes to school, she tells her friend, ‘I am from Africa.’ We went to school there, moved there, gave birth to kids there but we are not really from there.
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MY STORY TIMI DAKOLO, MC ABBEY, ANNIE IDIBIA, SUPPORT ‘WALK FOR KIDS’ CAMPAIGN In partnership with Lagoon Hospitals, Health Plus, Connect Nigeria, Protection Plus Services Limited, All Smiles Dental Clinic, and some other health related organisations, Eye Masters Eye Center, Lekki, recently, held the fourth edition of its annual health campaign tagged, ‘Walk for kids’. According to the convener, Dr. Obinna Awiaka, who is also the Managing Director of Eye Masters Eye Center, the walk is an initiative meant to educate the public on the importance of child safety. It is also a fundraiser for the ‘School Safe Project’ (SSP) which comprises several events designed to promote child safety. “The World Health Organisation has reported that every five minutes a child loses his or her vision; and this vision loss can lead to injury and in some cases, death while playing. Our goal is to give every child an opportunity to have an eye examination and medicated glasses to help them learn and play safely,� he said. Though the walk held under the
scorching sun, it will remain fresh in the minds of all the kids and adults who participated, as celebrities including Timi Dakolo, comedian, MC
Abbey, all joined the ecstatic crowd in the invigorating and fun-filled walk which culminated in an exciting party for the kids at the Eyemasters Eye.
PRINCE IYKE OLISA SET TO RELEASE ‘AGUIYI IRONSI’ Prince Iyke Olisa is the CEO of Prime World Production Int’l. Ltd, a movie production company. He is an actor, director, producer and also a film marketer/ distributor. The University of California Los Angeles USA-trained filmmaker was the winner of City People Entertainment award for best (English) movie marketer of the year 2016. Aguiyi Ironsi has a major cast of Sam Dede, Kanayo o Kanayo, John Bull, who were carefully chosen to interpret the story well; and it was shot in Asaba to be released in April. The film is filled wth suspense. The movie was inspired by a true-life story. Olisa has so far produced numerous movies in his 20 years career which includes Shina Rambo, Rev. Sister Ibu, King of Kidnappers, Great Oracle, Python Girl, Trauma and more.
SEAN CZA TO DROP NEW MUSIC AHEAD OF INDUSTRY TAKE OVER PLANS Sean Cza, real name “Funsho Fadi�, the Ondo State indigene who relocated to the United States as a child with his parents started nurturing his musical talents in the church. A young drummer boy then, young Sean Cza would eventually become a singer. From learning the keyboard to singing backup and learning to play the drum sets, Sean Cza stayed involved in music from an early age. His musical influences include the legendary Fela Kuti, Michael Jackson, Rakim, Ludacris, Jay Z and 50 Cents. As he grew up his music interest developed also and he formed a group called ‘African Kings’ with some buddies in Dallas, Texas. The group eventually became a threemember group which consisted of John Adewale (rapper), Dmite (producer), and Sean Cza (Lead Singer and coproducer). They gained popularity by performing in different cities, states and colleges
in the U.S. During that time, they graced the same stage as, 2Face Idibia, Sunny Neji, Bracket, Timaya, Kelly Hansome, 9ice, Psquare, Eldee, Wande Coal, J Martins. Before the dissolution of the group in 2011, they released 3 mixtapes which he co-wrote and produced. The multi talented artiste combines talent and swag with a rich intellect and mesmerising physique. With stints in acting and appearances on stage performing to his esteem fans, this resplendent singing sensation and songwriter has illuminated the music scene, and also TV by putting smiles and joy to our faces with previous hit singles such as “Blanket� from time as a recording artist signed to Big Entertainment, to “Feeling her body� and “At All� which was released under the tutelage of Amazin Music Int’l. Surely Sean Cza is one to lookout for now and in the nearest future as he prepares to take the music industry by storm.
TAYO MIX
I’m into Music to Do Things Dierently Ă‹ĂŁĂ™ Óâ Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ă”Ă&#x; Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ë› Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ăž åÓÞÒ Tosin CleggËœ Ă’Ă? ÞËÖÕĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă? Ă‘Ă?Ă˜ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă—Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăœ
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ho is Tayo Mix?
My name is Temitayo Rafiu Fadoju and I was born in Ondo but I grew up in the UK. I’m a musician and I also do music engineering. I found my way into music to do things differently from the way it’s done all over the world. Nigerians are keen on hip hop music, and this drove my desire to bring back Juju to us all.
Why Juju music? Juju music is something that’s Nigerian and nowadays the music isn’t cared for anymore so I decided to do this as I didn’t want it to die. My music is called Juju spicy and I created this music to give a good vibe to everyone who listens to it.
How do you juggle recording and performing juju music? Juju music is not something you can write down as it is a spirit on its own and that’s why for most musicians you can’t do any other job with music. I just also recently released my album titled, Prelude. I have about four tracks on it and I featured Rev Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi.
How successful has your music been so far? In the UK, I use my music to charge a lot of young people, as they love my music. When it comes to Nigerian music the people in the UK go crazy about it. As at last year April, my album launch was one of the biggest in the UK and I had Sunny Melody, Yinka Ekundayo and a lot more on board.
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POLSCOPE
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ IL 7, 2018
with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com 08053069356
Canticles...
The Oyegun Red Light Looters, Loathers and Loiters
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eventually outwitted in the internal politics of the party. Earlier, Tinubu’s political ego had also been bruised when the same Oyegun-led NEC refused to allow James Faleke inherit the votes of the late Abubakar Audu in Kogi State. And that was how Yahaya Bello, and not Faleke (preferred by Tinubu) became the governor of Kogi State. It was thus not surprising that Bello, it was, who announced the tenure extension of his ‘godfather’—Oyegun. Tinubu did not forgive Oyegun for those deep cuts. And so, he has been waiting for the opportune time to inflict a fatal cut on Oyegun’s political career. The opportunity came with the reconciliation assignment he was given. He soon fired a memo accusing Oyegun of frustrating his reconciliatory effort. His diction was harsh and nearly combustive. But Oyegun, in replying, avoided the incendiary issues and merely thanked Tinubu for some shallow good wishes that strayed into the body of the letter. And he achieved an anticlimax. While waiting for the auspicious time to release another punch, the National Executive Committee (NEC) announced the tenure extension of Oyegun and other members of the party’s NEC. It was like pouring a glass of bile into a jug of orange juice. The uneasy calm in the party became fouled up. It was taking politics too far, Tinubu must have bellowed. About a fortnight ago, the APC held its caucus meeting. To underscore his disenchantment with the goings-on in the party, Tinubu clearly stayed away claiming that he had a birthday activity organized by some Lagos youths to attend. It was a protest against the leadership of the party. His deliberate absence Tinubu was enough message to Mr President that the Jagaban is angry. He (Tinubu) did not see respectively. But both guys do not have equal any reason for the extension of the tenure of political weight. By no means! his traducer. If he allowed it to slip, it would Tinubu is largely seen as the heart of the mean he being in political Siberia for a long party. Many believe that he has not been sufficiently time to come. He would not brood it. So he moved, latching on strongly to the constitutional rewarded given the cardinal role he played in instituting the government in power. No doubt, provisions of the party that prescribes congress at all levels. Luckily, it was a legal argument that his grip on the south-west region has been his perfectly appealed to Buhari, a man who never premium worth in the party. That Muhamwants to circumvent the law, no matter how madu Buhari is the president today is largely inconvenient. because Tinubu collaborated with him. That So when, the penultimate Tuesday, President collaboration was absent in the past and that Buhari declared that tenure extension for the was why Buhari kept losing the presidential members of NEC is illegal, Tinubu was literally bid. Although Tinubu nominated the Vice thrust over the moon. It is instructive that the President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, and a few top Lagos chapter of the party had considered government functionaries, many believe that legal action against the party’s NEC over the he has not been duly and properly treated, especially as his planned foray into the National extension plot. But as if Mr President was in the minority, Assembly was frustrated and contained by the NEC of the party, just after the meeting the intrigues of digital politics that played him with President Buhari reaffirmed their loyalty to (Tinubu) out. Oyegun thus seeming to present the party on President Buhari, after declaring, at his parallel lines. inauguration, that he belongs to nobody and The governors of the party had leaned belongs to everybody, went ahead to assert himself, albeit by seemingly being his own man. towards Oyegun, vowing that the “coup” to throw Oyegun and co out would not be But he was soon hijacked by a cabal in the allowed to stand. And for almost a week, the presidency who seemed to have mesmerised party was technically on the brink of mega the president. Matters were not helped by Buhari’s ill health and consequent absence from confusion and disintegration. Oyegun thought he would wriggle out of it by setting up a the throne, which gave the cabal a free and technical committee to review the stance of Mr unchallenged reign. President on the matter. With just about ten months to the next But all that ended when, for the sake of general election, which appears even more Tinubu, President Buhari, for the first time since crucial for Buhari than the 2015 polls, the latter he was elected almost three years ago, decided is suddenly realising that Tinubu holds the to plan an official visit to Lagos, so he could longer end of the stick. Not deferring to him attend the 10th colloquium of Bola Tinubu in and his interest, no matter how narrow it may honour of his 66th birthday ceremonies. be, may well spell doom for the re-election bid Indeed, less than a week after, the governors of the president. who had vowed to resist the sack of Oyegun So few months back, President Buhari and co, suddenly mellowed down, read the appointed Tinubu the chief negotiator of the handwriting on the wall, and pronto, did a party, one who is supposed to reconcile all agfull-scale turn around to align with Mr Presigrieved members and parties within the party. dent, declaring that indeed, tenure elongation is And many are they. Tinubu himself is angry unconstitutional, as if they only realized so. with quite a number of individuals within the At that, the technical committee (don’t know party, chief of whom is Mr President himself. what is technical about it), set up by Oyegun to Although their rift has never boiled over, it is rescue him from Tinubu, has been daggered by true that the content of the unspoken body the governors last Wednesday. language from the duo has been loud enough But those still kicking by the side fear that for any cursory onlooker to notice. Tinubu’s ultimate plot is to hijack the party One other man Tinubu has been spoiling to structure and use same to support his presidenpush out is the national chairman of the party. tial ambition, perhaps by 2023. His offence: he tweaked the electoral process Now that Tinubu seems to have grabbed the that produced the present Ondo State governor, hammer and the anvil, will he be kind to those Mr Rotimi Akerodolu. Tinubu had preferred who come in-between? and anointed Dr Segun Abraham, who was he tussle between Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the one who prefers to be described as the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun for the soul of the party has finally been decided in favour of the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom. And the unspoken (but implied) verdict is that the Edo chief should begin to pack his bag preparatory for Bini land. The two chieftains were former governors, one of Lagos State and the other of Edo State
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hear there are a plethora of court cases being filed across the land. Plethora of cases? Over what?
Over the accusation by the ruling party that certain persons are looters.The accused are feeling maligned and are seeking a clearance of their names and integrity. How many people have protested being named? Is it not only the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Uche Secondus? And the threat to also sue the federal government by former governor of Niger State, Alhaji Babangida Aliu? Have you not noticed that majority of them have rather respected themselves by keeping quiet? Do you think the names and cases against them are fictitious? Many of them are arguing that the list is biased, targeted at only PDP members. That is or should not be the issue. The question to ask is whether those accused of looting the nation’s treasury actually did so or not. It is not whether others also looted but they were not named. That kind of argument is an admission that such a person actually looted, only that he was not alone, and that other fellow looters should be named. But why should only the PDP people be labeled as looters? Does it not all smell of political witch-hunting? Have you forgotten that many of the present day members of the APC were members of the PDP too? Did their membership of the APC suddenly cleanse them from all unrighteousness associated with the treasury? Don’t miss the point. Don’t talk like a loather, one who hates so deeply. Look, the issue is that certain people dipped the whole length of their arms into the public treasury and began to help themselves any how with our collective commonwealth. Is it untrue? Have we forgotten how monies were being recovered left right and centre from those who held offices under the PDP-led government? Didn’t government announce some humongous figures as having been recovered from these looters? Didn’t we hear of people who hid over a billion dollar in newly-constructed soak-away pits? Haven’t we been hearing of people stashing away raw cash in their homes? Is it untrue that certain persons looted the country dry? Why are we pretending? Didn’t some of them return the monies traced to them? While some decided to use part of the monies they looted to do needless legal battle in court? Are we not aware? Do you think it is for nothing that those cases have dragged on almost endlessly? Do you know the amount of water flowing under the bridge? Do you know the amount of collusion in Sacondus the judiciary that makes it technically difficult to jail these crooks? You think this monster called corruption is mono-faced? And don’t be deceived. Only two lists have been released. More will follow. Look, the truth is that these past mandarins bled this nation to a gasping point. Those who are economically perceptive know why we soon slipped into recession, and how we eventually struggled to get out of it. So when next you hear of looters, be calm, breathe in and say a prayer for Nigeria: that may such evil-minded persons never smell our leadership positions again. You are a delusionist.You think a time will come that looters will not be in government? So you really think there are no looters even in this ruling government? Really?You think APC is populated by angels? My friend, wake up, angels don’t play politics, let alone in Nigeria. Have you not been hearing scandals even among this government’s officials? Let me tell you, it is the man who has been caught that his/her own becomes public knowledge. If PDP takes over power tomorrow this is the same way they will taunt APC chieftains. Let us not justify evil because we want to sound politically correct.The future of our country is being mortgaged and damaged by these looters. Looters have no allegiance to party or creed.They are simply everywhere. Even loiters who are just distant hangers-on are potential looters. The nearer they are to the till, the more adept they become in stealing from the nation’s wealth-pot, without breaking it. Were it not so, how did you think even Mr President could fund his own campaign? Or have you forgotten that he even had to obtain loan to purchase his nomination form? Is it such a candidate that would be flying private jet around the country during campaigns? So what point are you making? Are you also calling Mr President a looter? Don’t put me in trouble. I did not say so, or do you want Lawal Daura and his men to start looking for me? I am only saying that, as the Bible has declared,“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” No, don’t wax ecclesiastical here. I think the PDP people should just shut up because we know what transpired under their watch. Do they think we all had our brains re-formatted? The government in power merely responded to their (PDP) irresponsible challenge of naming the looters or keep quiet.To insist that unless the courts pronounce somebody a looter, he/she cannot be so described, is correct, but an undue thralldom to legalese. Even those caught with their hands dripping with blood beside a severed head will still deny of not knowing anything about the beheaded corpse. It is human! Have you asked yourself where all those many private jets which used to flood the tarmac of Lagos and Abuja airports suddenly went? Where are the owners of those PJs? Don’t mope at me, tell me where they are! How can I answer that? So are you implying that the court cases filed by aggrieved persons are needless? Absolutely! They are merely resorting to legal gra-gra to cover up their financial malfeasance and rape of our treasury. Is it not a shame that we are a rich country but populated by abjectly poor people? Everybody who gets into public office thinks his/her turn to swim into indescribable wealth has come, hence they organise thanksgiving service in churches and mosques. My brother, the problem is deeper than mere looters’ list. For all you care, even the one compiling the list is himself’/herself a looter.
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 7, 2018
25
EXPRESSION
MEDIAGAFFES
‘Potential’ Uncountable
EBERE WABARA
“H
OODLUMS cart away INEC data capturing (INEC’s data-capturing) machines in Enugu” “The milestone recognition are (why?) not for those who only enjoy their dreams….” “Exploring South-east’s amazing tourism potentials (potential—which is uncountable— or potentialities)” Most people are used to the diseased extract. “2019: Coalition of South East youths endorse (endorses) Ambode, Obanikoro” (South West News, March 26) “He said that (sic), in Anambra State, the vigilante (vigilantes or vigilance groups), had complimented (complemented) the efforts of the police….” (News around the City, March 26) “Bayelsa court remands suspected cultists in prison” Delete ‘in prison’ from the excerpt because it is implied in ‘remands’, usually. At times, it could be remanded in custody or EFCC custody, which is the only circumstantial exception. When a suspect is remanded, he returns to jail to await further trial—except if it is ‘remanded on bail’, which entitles the fellow to go home. “Call the VAIDS toll free (toll-free) line on….” “FG reintroduces History in (to) school curriculum” (National News, March 26) “Aggrieved villagers threaten VC with juju, shrines over demolition of 100 buildings in (on) EBSU campus” (Oriental News, March 28) “We wish to announce the sudden death of our friend…which sad event took place on… in a ghastly motor accident.” (THE GUARDIAN, February 23) When an accident results in
BY
death, it is fatal (not ghastly). Ghastliness arises when there is no death (fatality). A recurrent blunder: “4 arrested over 62-yr-old man’s death” (Vanguard headline, February 23) No tiresomeness from error regularity: ‘arrest’ takes ‘for’ (not ‘over’). “Why we’re promoting artistes of yesteryears” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, February 28) Get it right: yesteryear. The same thing applies to ‘heyday’—both without any plural inflection. “Our grouse against NHIS, by community pharmacists” (THE GUARDIAN bold headline, February 10) My grouse about (not against) media language abuse…. “Before it used to be between 40 to 60.” (THE GUARDIAN, February 17) Either from 40 to 60 or between 40 and 60—no muddle, gentlemen. “Explosions in the African continent” Conscience, nurtured by truth: Explosions on the African continent. “In the presidential polls (a comma) President…failed to score the mandatory 50 per cent of the vote to be declared outrightly elected” ‘Outrightly’ is perverse American English. The British (standard) version is ‘outright’ which functions both as an adverb and an adjective. We cannot continue agonizing over semantics and stylistics, among other linguistic props. “On December 29, the governor added another feather to his cap when….” (Daily Trust, February 15) Stock expression: added (no need for another) a feather in (not to) one’s (his) cap. “Solutions that create more social trauma and dislocations than is currently the case will not be preferred over solutions that minimize the same.” (DAILY Sun, February 16) I prefer solutions to (not over) challenges. “The three parties that demanded for the restructuring of the electoral body are….” (Daily Independent, February 16) As a verb, ‘demand’ does not take ‘for’ except in a noun
ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948
form. “Given the robust profiles of majority of the INEC commissioners, there is every hope that the commission may get its acts together in the 2019 elections.” A review: a majority of… and the fixed expression: get its act (not acts) together. The following blunders are from Leadership of February 16: “Hong Kong, as a colony, is made up of the harbour that is reputed to be one of the busiest in the world comprising of some outlying settlements, ceded to Britain by China in 1842.” This can’t be a challenge: ‘comprising’ does not require ‘of’. “Their roles and participation in the furtherance of dictatorship has (have) seriously.…” (Source: as above) “Issues bothering on meeting employers’ obligations to employees in form of salary….” There is a sharp distinction between ‘bothering’ and ‘bordering’, which applies here. “While contesting the alleged sale of the bakery and its ultra-modern equipments….” ‘Equipment’ is uncountable. “The frequency with which administrations are changed at the grassroot level makes it difficult for any sustainable development to be accomplished.” Immutable: grassroots makes. “The impression seems to have gained ground that the voter registration was just another white elephant project, a wasteful jamboree.” Get it right: just white elephant. All the trash about ‘project, a wasteful jamboree’ is simply pleonastic. “Just imagine if all the money which was sunken into the Ajaokuta steel project.…” Tense mix-up: yank off ‘sunken’ for ‘sunk.’ “I escaped death by a hair’s breath” No lexical mayhem: a hair’s breadth. “I detest the idea of somebody being a nun talk less of my own daughter.” ‘Talk less’ is Nigerian English employed in place of ‘not to talk of’ or ‘let alone’ which are standard entries.
THE PUNCH of March 10 disseminated two infantile goofs: “Unknown gunmen kidnap varsity VC in A’Ibom” When will Nigerian journalists desist from using this cliché: “unknown gunmen”? Just say, ‘gunmen’! And this: “varsity VC”! My dear reader, how does it sound to your ears? A rewrite: Gunmen kidnap VC in Akwa Ibom For the first time, let us welcome DStv, which offered two hollow blunders via its message scroll on Saturday, March 10 to this column: “Dear subscribers, we are please to inform you that….” Enjoy this: I am pleased (take note) to inform you that reactions to this column are welcome. “Kindly tune in for your viewing pleasure” Learn and relax: tune in to your viewing pleasure. “Why spend 6 years for a 4 year course?” This way: 4-year course. Punctuation marks mean so much in communication, most especially when the issue is scholarship. Vanguard of March 8 deserves a query for this slipshoddiness: “Apparently disturbed by the spate of armed robbery in Lagos State, the IGP….” Yellow card: spate of armed robberies. The next farcical line is from DAILY CHAMPION of March 8: “…that over six million people in Nigeria have been affected by glaucoma, which is the second leading cause of blindness in the continent of Africa.” World Glaucoma Week: on the continent of Africa, once more. “To diffuse tension, Cottone says, discuss money and expectations upfront (everything from paying rent to doing chores).” (THE GUARDIAN Homes & Property on Wednesday, March 7) There is a world of difference between ‘defuse’, which should apply here, and ‘diffuse’ (which means another thing entirely)!
Looters’ List: My Corruption Smells Better than Yours
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y immediate reaction to the looters’ list is that theAll Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government has reengaged its worn out propaganda gear that shot it into power in 2015. By anchoring it on corruption, the government has cleared all remaining doubts about its rabidly politicized war against the hydra-headed monster ravaging the country. It has thrown away every shred of credibility and neutrality about its professed commitment to fight corruption and rescue the country from the crutches of wanton theft of public funds by past and serving public officials. President Muhammadu Buhari has shown that contrary to his May 29, 2015 quotable avowal that he belongs to nobody and belongs to everybody, his government actually runs on a discriminatory template in the fight against corruption. This point was copiously made by Senator Shehu Sani, a senior member of the President’s party, when he said Buhari applies deodorant when it comes to corruption involving those that ‘belong’ to his tribe of favourites and deploys insecticide when it relates to those who fall in the category of the disfavoured. That metaphorical anecdote by the Kaduna Senator has continued to be reinforced by several acts of commission and omission by the government. The grass-cutting former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal, who was indicted by the Senate in a multi-million contracts scam involving relief for millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-east part of the country destroyed by boko haram terrorism, was rewarded with a safe passage to go and enjoy his ‘loot’.After several months of a worrisome indecision by President Buhari in spite of a damning investigation led by the Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo, Mr. Lawal was only eased out of office and no charges have been brought against him contrary to widespread expectations. Mr.Ayo Oke, who was sacked as Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) following the Ikoyi-gate multi-billion naira scandal, and was indicted alongside the former SGF by the Osibanjo panel, is yet to be prosecuted. The last heard of that was a botched attempt to arrest Mr. Oke as a result of a shameful clash of security agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and personnel of the NIAwho provided state cover for their former boss. Curiously, neither Babachir Lawal norAyo Oke made Mr. Lai Mohammed’s list of looters. Maybe they will make subsequent batches. Just likeAbdulrasheed Maina, the notorious pension funds administrator-cum-investigator who was smuggled into the country and reinstated into public service with a promotion in spite of an arrest warrant issued by INTERPOLfor a multi-billion fraud, should be expected to make subsequent lists. Until and unless the Mainas and Lawals of Buhari’s touch-not gang of favourites are made to face legal prosecution and subsequently named and shamed appropriately, whatever lists the government bandies about can at best be regarded as distraction from the real challenge of tackling corruption. The administration has chosen to politicize its weak and fumbling war against graft and render perpetually inchoate whatever half-baked measures it has been passing off as attempts to rein in this fundamental obstacle to national growth and development.
PEOPLE2PEOPLE WITH
OKE EPIA Telephone (sms only): 07059850016 Email: resourceman.oke@live.com. Twitter: @resourceme
Buhari The government has deviated from the challenge of offering an appropriate, cogent and mobilizing response to recent revelations that corruption has increased under its watch. The latest Transparency International Rating on corruption which saw the country take a slide down from where it was in a previous rating ought to worry a government that ab initio made the war against corruption a cardinal focus. The rating released in February this year, placed Nigeria in the 28th position out of 100 countries in its Corruption Perception Index (CPI) while the country ranked 148 out of 180 nations surveyed. This was a good 12 places below where it was in 2016 when it ranked 136th and with a CPI of 27/100. Instead of ruing this regrettable slide in a respected global ranking which saw smallerAfrican nations like Botswana, Rwanda, Namibia and even Kenya perform better, the administration not only unleashed its attack dogs to pooh-pooh the rating in the media but also proceeded
officially to pick holes in the report and pretended that the verdict was of no consequence.Astatement by Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior SpecialAssistant on Media and Publicity, had said the Transparency International report was misleading and unfair in its assessment of the administration. “Anybody who knows where Nigeria was coming from would not believe that corruption is worse under the Buhari administration,” the statement had said, adding: “We wonder where they got their facts from. In the end, the whole episode may turn out to be just a political distraction, given the strong views some of the TI’s patrons have expressed against the Buhari administration.” If it is disturbing that the government chose to ignore Transparency International, it was baffling that it has failed to holistically address the damning report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which not only indicated that corruption was on the increase but identified specific agencies and departments that scored high in the ignominious rating. The NBS National Corruption Report made in conjunction with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) revealed that a whopping N400billion is paid out as bribes annually in Nigeria. The report which covered the period between June 2015 and May 2016 indicated that almost a third of Nigerian adults paid bribes to public officials for one administrative service or the other. The Judiciary and the Nigeria Police Force were named as frontline offenders. It is notable that this report reflected the peak period of Buhari’s acclaimed body language which administration officials claimed was impacting positively on the war against corruption. This reminds one of the pungent jab against Goodluck Jonathan byAminu Tambuwal, then Speaker of the House of Representatives and incumbent Governor of Sokoto State, who charged that the body language of the then President was encouraging corruption. The opposition (now in power) latched on that famous labeling and pilloried Jonathan to no end until they successfully hounded him out of power in 2015. But fast-forward to the present era: Can we safely say Buhari’s body language is discouraging corruption? What would Tambuwal say about the Buhari war on corruption today? How would defenders of the President describe the recall from suspension and immediate reinstatement of the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf, by Buhari when the official was still under investigation for alleged N900billion corruption? How theAPC administration finds it conspiratorially convenient to ignore such empirical examples of increase in corrupt practices under its watch and instead prefers to engage in the shenanigans of which political party has (more) corrupt elements in its fold, is to say the least befuddling. In any case, the alleged looters’ list released in two batches by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, is not only contemptuous of several judicial processes involving some of those listed but also makes a mockery of the constitutionally guaranteed right of being innocent until proven guilty. The government has chosen instead to declare individuals guilty until proven innocent! By subverting the rule of law and demeaning the judiciary through the contemptuous publication of its list of looters, the administration is betraying a desperation to score cheap political points even if at the expense of very important fabrics of democracy.
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ϳ˜ ͺͶ
NAHCO, Air Peace Nominated for Nigeria Transport Awards
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The new Jaguar E-PACE
Six Design Details Define Jaguar’s Sporty new E-Pace Stories by Bennett Oghifo
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he new Jaguar E-PACE is set to arrive in Jaguar’s sub-Sahara Africa markets from 16 February 2018. The newest member of Jaguar’s PACE family of performance SUVs packs the design and performance of a Jaguar sports car into a spacious and practical all-wheel drive vehicle – appealing to the needs of modern motorists and newcomers to the Jaguar brand. The new Jaguar E-PACE is in the showroom of Coscharis Motors Plc., the automaker’s representative in Nigeria. Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar, said: “We designed the E-PACE to be a Jaguar for active people who need space and practicality but see no reason to compromise on performance. Its proportions,
stance and lines express the excitement of driving a car of this calibre. Compact SUVs need to provide intelligent answers to the challenges of everyday life and I believe that Jaguar’s combination of design purity and functional integrity provides the perfect solution.Thisisavehiclewithunmistakablecharacter – a Jaguar sports car designed for our daily lives in a package that is as rewarding as it is practical.” To balancing sports car design with everyday usability and practicality, Jaguar designers paid attention to every detail on the E-PACE. Here are six design touches that help set it apart: Dynamic Body Language Every Jaguar has sports-car DNA, and the E-PACE is no different. It boasts the proportions, muscular haunches, and assertive visual attitude that are unmistakably Jaguar, while retaining the space, safety and practicality typically associated with
a compact SUV. Sharp, signature eyes Up front, the E-PACE features Jaguar’s signature J-blade LED daytime running lights, alongside optional LED matrix headlights that provide the ultimate in night time visibility. Theseinstantlyrecognisableeyesarecomplemented by slim, blade-like rear lamps that also feature full LED technology – another sign of the E-PACE’s shared DNA with Jaguar’s flagship sports car. Customise with colour Choices, choices. The E-PACE is finished in one of 11 modern, eye-catching paints, including Caldera Red on the E-PACE First Edition model, which will only be on sale for one year. Other hues include Fuji White, Santorini Black, Borasco Grey, and Caesium Blue.
Kia Upgrades Service Centre, Offers Free Vehicle Check
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ia motor said it has upgraded its service centre where it offered free health checks to vehicle owners. The new state-of-the-art KIA Plaza along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway Isolo, Lagos is trendy, has superior design, quality engineering and intuitive technology. It has continued to remain a driving force in the auto industry and strengthen its market acceptance in Nigeria, the company said in a statement, recently. “To complement the burgeoning car sales and the need to ensure Kia customers get the best out of their car, Kia Motors Nigeria has built a new state-of-the-art service centre to offer best-in-class service delivery to customers,” the statement said. As a brand that is ever-vibrant and strives to make life richer every day, Kia has redefined the automotive technology with the new facility. “The upgraded Kia Plaza promises to be one of the biggest service centres in the country with 81 service bays built to the exact standard of service facilities across the globe. At the new KIA Plaza, customers get the ACE advantage: affordable pricing; certified professional technicians; and exceptional service delivery. In addition, customers who visit the plaza from the 3rd to 13th of April will get a free vehicle health and loads of other surprises at the plaza.” Located at 118, along the busy Oshodi- Apapa Expressway, in Isolo, Lagos, the new facility has much greater exposure to the adjoining Dana House along the expressway. Adorned with the new corporate identity for the Kia brand, the service centre is set to provide exceptional service delivery to customers and to also cope with the volume of the ever-increasing Kia sales in the country. Taking a leap to strengthen the brands’ customer service, there is an increased number of service advisors and certified mechanics in the facility to offer real-time repairs on cars and increase the efficiency in service delivery to customers. Managed by certified professionals, the full-fledged Kia Plaza also has an ultra-modern body shop amongst other technical sessions to offer an exclusive range of
leading airline, Air Peace, has been nominated for the Airline of the Year Award in the forthcoming 6th Nigeria TransportAwards and Lecture scheduled for April 26 in Lagos. Also nominated is front line aviation handling company, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO Aviance), which has been selected for the Aviation handling company of the year award. In the same vein, the Managing Directors of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), NAHCO and Aero Contractors have also been pencilled down for recognitions in the Aviation sector. Other companies and notable personalities have also been nominated in the Road, Maritime and Rail sectors. Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Mr. Ahmed Kuru would do a comprehensive review of the corporation’s intervention in the nation’s transport sector in the forthcoming event. He is expected to speak on the topic-‘AMCON’s Intervention in Transport and Allied Sector, the Achievements, Challenges, Prospects’. It would be recalled that AMCON had intervened and taken over some companies in the transport and allied sector like Arik Airline, Aero Contractors and PAN Nigeria Limited among others. The AMCON MD is also expected to react to questions and suggestions from industry stakeholders in both the public and private sectors covering all modes of transportation. Head of Corporate Communications ofAMCON, Mr. Jude Nwauzor stated that the annual Lecture will offer the corporation a platform to review its achievements and challenges in the transport sector as well as interact with industry stakeholders. Editor of transport day newspapers (organisers of the annual Lecture), Mr. Frank Kintum, added that “we delighted to have the MD of AMCON, who is a seasoned banker, deliver this year’s lecture as industry players are already looking forward to a very interactive session”. It would be recalled that last year’s lecture (5th edition) was delivered by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside. Aside the lecture, some companies and individuals are also recognised. The Nigeria Transport Awards and Lecture is organised by Transport Day Newspaper, a monthly hard copy and on line publication (www.transportday.com.ng) and supported by the Nigerian Television Authority, Nigeria Transport Roundtable and other relevant transport stakeholders.
13TH Lagos Motor Fair, 7th Autoparts Africa Expo to Rev Automotive Sector
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The new state-of-the-art KIA Plaza in Lagos
personalised after-sales service for customers. With a one of its kind see-through customer lounge, Kia Motors Nigeria prides itself on a transparent and fair service delivery and above all, allows customers to have an experience and a feel of how their cars are repaired. The Chief Operating Officer, Mr Sanjay Tatpati stated that “the unflinching resolve to provide outstanding offerings and exceptional after-sales service has always reinforced the need to upgrade the Kia Plaza. Nobody knows your Kia like we do. To ensure your vehicle continues to perform at its best, our new ultra-modern Kia Plaza has
the tools, equipment, and experienced professionals to maintain your vehicle and conduct any necessary repairs that may be required. We also guarantee that only genuine Kia parts are used to ensure the smooth operation of your vehicle for years to come.” Tatpati said, “At Kia Plaza our workshop utilises the most up to date equipment and our team is committed to upholding the Kia Customer Charter. This means your vehicle will be serviced in a state-of-the-art Kia service centre, which offers the latest in technology, service programs, and factory registered technicians.
he organisers of the annual Lagos International Motor Fair & Autoparts Expo Nigeria have disclosed that the forthcoming edition of the Fair is aimed at revving activities in the sector. The objective, according to them is to showcase the capacities and potentials of this important sector of the economy. According to the Managing Director BKG Exhibitions Limited, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, who is also the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the event, the seemingly intractable lull in the sector is taking a lot of shine off the industry, making it difficult for stakeholders to showcase the abundant opportunities and offers in the sector. “From May 7-12, 2018 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, venue of the event; each of those days that the fair will last is loaded with activities and events that will make this edition remarkably rewarding to the exhibitors, visitors and other stakeholders,” Agwu said. It is no longer news that the automotive sector in Nigeria is passing through rough and tough times, but what should be on every stakeholder’s mind is how to unite to combat the killing challenges. One of such is using the platform provided by this key event to bring the sector into the front burner of economic discuss in the country, he said. Re-emphasising the importance of the event, Agwu said that using the campaign of “One Expo; Continental Spread” the event aims at showcasing the importance of the Nigerian market as the hub of automotive business in Sub-Sahara Africa; and one that is highly rewarding for investments. “We are going to add more pep to promoting the spare parts sub-sector.
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ϳ˜ ͺͶ
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Ford Claims Title for World’s Largest Billboard
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L-R: General Manager, Africa Department, Toyota Motor Corporation, Yoichi Sagara; Representative of First Bank, Plc, Shola Olayemi; Chairman, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Micheal Ade. Ojo and Head, Dealer Development/Special Projects, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Henry Ade, during the company annual dealers 2018 award dinner and presentation of the Evergreen customer of the year award on First Bank, in Lagos… recently KOLA OLASUPO
Toyota Achieves 50,000 Sales in First Quarter Stories by Bennett Oghifo
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arketleaderToyotahaspassed50,000 new-vehicle sales in 2018 on the back of three consecutive monthly sales records for HiLux and also for the company’s sports-utility vehicles (SUVs). Toyota’s first-quarter sales total has exceeded 52,400 vehicles - the best result for the company and its dealers in a decade. HiLux has extended its lead as Australia’s bestselling vehicle with more than 12,600 deliveries
this year, an increase of 22.3 per cent. Toyota’s SUV tally has risen 26.6 per cent to more than 19,100 vehicles with strong results across its portfolio. RAV4 has posted six consecutive monthly records and its sales this year have risen 11.8 per cent to 5,573 vehicles - the highest first quarter in its 24-year history in Australia. LandCruiser wagon sales this year are the strongest since before the 200 Series replaced the 100 Series in 2007. Other notable 2018 SUV successes include Prado sales up 10.7 per cent, Kluger up 41 per
cent and Fortuner 67.3 per cent. Corolla is Australia’s most in-demand passenger car with sales topping 9,200 vehicles so far this year. Toyota Australia vice president sales and marketing Sean Hanley said Toyota is the only brand to surpass 50,000 sales in the first quarter of any year. “Toyota has achieved this level of sales due to our broad range of quality vehicles, the industry’s most extensive dealer network, strong customercare initiatives and the abiding loyalty and trust shown by our owners,” Hanley said.
ord is now the official Guinness World Records title-holder for the largest billboard in the world after unveiling a 5,265 m2 advertisement – equivalent to 20 tennis courts – for the new Ford EcoSport sports utility vehicle (SUV) on the iconic Espana Building in central Madrid, Spain. Ford is represented in Nigeria by Coscharis Motors Plc. AGuinness World Records official adjudicator inspected the 2,000 kg installation and verified the Largest billboard Guinness World Records official attempt was successful – exceeding the previous record established in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, by 241.93 m2. “Our GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the Largest billboard demonstrates the creativity that drives our company,” said Elena Burguete, director of Marketing, Ford Spain. “Ford’s message is ‘Go Further’, and that’s what we aimed to do with our campaign for the launch of the new EcoSport. It’s a great way to deliver the message ‘Life is out there, are you?’ to as many people as possible, right in the heart of Madrid.” The billboard will remain in place until the end of February, after which it will be donated to the Apascovi Foundation employment centre for people with disabilities, where a second life will be given to all of the materials used. Designed for life inside and outside of the city, the stylish new Ford EcoSport is now on sale across Europe and for the first time is offered as a sporty, Ford Performance-inspired EcoSport ST-Line model. Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive is also available, alongside driver assistance technologies including SYNC 3 connectivity and rear-view camera. GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS (GWR) is the world record-breaking authority. Published for the first time in 1955, the annual and iconic Guinness World Records book has sold around 136 million copies in 20 languages and in more than 100 countries.
Hyundai Launches New-Generation Accent in Africa, Middle East Markets
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yundai has officially launched the fifth generation of its popular Accent small car in Africa and Middle East markets, building on the strengths of previous models with Hyundai’s latest design and engineering innovations while also maintainingAccent’s unbeatable value proposition for buyers. Highlights of the new model include a completely new exterior design and comfortable high-tech interior. More efficient powertrains deliver an outstanding combination of performance and fuel economy, with a choice of 1.4-liter or 1.6-liter engines, including a diesel available in some markets, matched to a six-speed transmission in either manual or automatic. Other advances include reduced cabin noise and remarkablyimproveddrivingdynamics,bothhelped by a stronger bodyshell, and a selection of the latest
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safety and convenience features offered either as standard or as options. The All-new Accent is also slightly longer and wider than the previous model, including an increased distance between the front and rear wheels, giving occupants more leg and shoulder room. “This new model makes several key improvements on the previous Hyundai Accent, which was already an excellent car and very popular with customers,” said Hyundai’s Head of Operations for Africa and the Middle East, Mike Song. “Design and engineering are completely fresh, ensuring a car that looks superb, is enjoyable to drive, with high levels of safety, and will be economical to own.” The design of the new Accent exhibits confidence and sophistication, delivering a new interpretation of Hyundai’sdesignlanguage.ThisincludesHyundai’s signature cascading grille – a design element being introduced across the brand’s product range.
2019 Hyundai Accent
Still on The Folly of Joggers
efore I conclude my discussion on pedestrian and joggers’ safety, please permit me to sincerely apologize for the error committed last week in publishing the first part of this piece instead of the second part which I am doing this week. I take full responsibility and promise it will not happen again .As you ponder on whether to forgive me or ground me, please remember the number one rule which demands that pedestrians and joggers must avoid backing traffic when walking or jogging. Recently, I noticed a fresh oddity when on two different occasions; I stumbled on senior joggers who prefer biking to jogging. They were seen in dark clothes at the early hours of the day and were riding without the appropriate helmets. Generally, the norm among a greater number is to wear dark clothes while jogging. There are other pedestrian behavior such as walking against a pedestrian walk signal, crossing a street where there is no crosswalk, crossing a street outside of a marked crosswalk where one is present, and walking on a street along with the traffic flow (ignoring designated pedestrian pathways).Because of their vulnerability, pedestrians or joggers while walking in the dark must wear or carry white, bright colored or reflective clothing so that they can be easily seen because it is difficult for motorists to see a pedestrian dressed
SAFE DRIVING with
JONAS AGWU
amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa (Corps Commander) Corps Public Education Officer Federal Road Safety Corps. + 2348033026491
completely in dark clothes on the road. Wearing a light-colored jacket or trousers and if possible an item of clothing with a reflective strip on it is also recommended. It is extremely important to ensure that while jogging, you jog on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic whether footpaths are provided or not. Almost every jogger thinks it is a vogue to wear headphones while jogging. You must avoid wearing headphones as it is often possible to hear traffic before you can see it and if you are wearing headphones, the sound might drown out the traffic and make you more vulnerable as a pedestrian. There are other unsafe pedestrian behavior which also increases the risk of injury or fatality and these behaviors are among the oddities that I observe daily as I jog. They include failure to yield, jogging/ walking in the wrong direction which is common not just among joggers but a greater percentage of pedestrians including
adults and wearing dark dresses at night or even early in the morning. Before I close my thoughts on this piece which is closing today, please permit me to share my near miss experience with you as I was almost knocked down even though I complied with all of these safety rules. I am hoping that by sharing my experience with you, you will learn and adjust from any form of arrogance or showoff while jogging. As a personal rule of thumb, I comply with the rules for safety while driving or jogging. I am also careful to remember that there is the possibility of being knocked down by a crazy cab driver or even a private car owner even when all the rules have been complied with. I therefore do not joke with the sacred rule that says face oncoming traffic. On this fateful day, I was doing my stuff, jogging and sweating and very conscious that I had done everything possible to stay safe such as ensuring I am very visible to traffic. I guess I had forgotten the Nigerian maxim that acknowledges the look left, look right rule but expands it by urging you to also look up, look front, and look back because you stand the risk of being run over from any direction within our clime. I was very sure that I had looked at all the possible directions but I missed one of the greatest caution and that is that whenever you are approaching a fuel station, or even a possible T-junction or Y-junction, you must watch out for drivers
who after buying fuel would rather choose to drive against traffic instead of using the legal route of driving. Such drivers usually exhibit their deviant driving behavior using the hard shoulders or even the walkway. What saved me on that fateful day was that even though I was jogging and facing traffic, I also ensured that I jogged very far away from the hard shoulder. I would have been a dead meat if I had been jogging as if I had a right of way of the hard shoulder like most of us do. My startled near miss experience immediately flashed my mind to how one of our foremost journalist, Dimgba Igwe lost his life while jogging. Although it is about four years since the September 6th 2014 incident, the memory is one we must always remember. The Media captured it thus: ‘’ Dimgba Igwe, is dead. Dimgba Igwe died on Saturday morning after being hit by a car while jogging on his street in the Okota area of Lagos. According to The Sun, Dimgba Igwe who was the Vice Chairman of The Sun Publishing Limited, sustained a fatal injury and was immediately taken to the hospital where he underwent surgical emergency, unfortunately he died afterwards. In a statement by Managing Director, Femi Adesina, “Mr Igwe passed on today around 10 a.m at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) of injuries suffered from a hit-and-run driver, as he jogged in his Okota, Lagos, neighborhood.“ First aid was administered to him at St. Raphael Hospital, Ago Palace Way, before he was moved to LASUTH for surgical emergency. He did not survive.”
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Pastors Task Buhari, Osinbajo on National Security, Corruption Fight, Others Ademola Babalola in Ibadan Nigerian Pastors under the aegis of Great Nigeria Pastors Conference Friday took on the Federal Government on many national issues including the fight against the graft; the national security and restructuring among others. A member of the conference now Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo was the guest at an event held at the Emeritus Prof Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, University Teaching Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Oyo State Capital. Professor Osinbajo was put on the spot by some Christian leaders in the Oyo State to explain what they described as "some unsatisfactory events" in the country. Speaking on the theme of the conference, "Nigeria of our Dream" the Chairman of Oyo State Chapter of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Taiwo Adelakun told the Vice President that Nigerians deserved to know the truth about how government was handling some issues which had been of concern to them. Adelakun asked the Vice President to explain why most of the Security Heads in Nigeria were appointed from one ethnic group if the government observed the first stanza of the National Anthem that recognised fairness and justice.
He said Nigerians would want to know what the government that put the fight against corruption as its cardinal programme was doing to fight corruption within its government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He said, "We Pastors want to know what the government that put fighting against corruption in the front burner is doing about "Mainagate" and other government officials alleged of corruption. Many Nigerians believe that the anti-corruption war is selective and that is why it is not effective". He said the recent upsurge in killings and kidnappings by the terrorist Boko Haram group in the North East and government seemingly lukewarm attitude to checkmating the nefarious activities of killer herdsmen was of grave concerns to Christians. According to him, "We have been told that Boko Haram had been technically defeated but they have killed many and kidnapped over 120 people this year alone". He also asked the Vice President to speak on the incessant clash among security agencies, citing the instance of the public scuffle between operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and men of Department of State Security (DSS). Pastor Adelakun said Christians
CHOOSING WINNERS... L-R; Manager Technology Advisory,KPMG, Kenneth Ukanwa; Pass winner of DiamondXral of 500k, Atanda Rasak Kolawole ; Head of Consumer Banking Diamond Bank plc. Tukur Karimot; Head Mass Market Diamond Bank plc Osita Ede; and Head,Youth and School Banking, Adeeze Ume,during the Banks Xral Quarterly Draw held at Iyana ipaja Lagos would continue to pray for the release of the Dapchi School girl Leah Shaibu who is still being held by Boko Haram for refusing to deny her faith and urged the Vice
President to assure them that the girl was still safe. Osinbajo in his brief response said he agreed with some Nigerians on the need for the restructuring of the
country. He equally disclosed that states deserved greater freedom to control their resources, increase their income and internal security.
Said he: "Restructuring is very important to us as a people and as a nation. But we also have to be careful with what we mean by restructuring.
No Claims Yet 4 Days After Abam Clan Endorse Ikpeazu, Nkole, Onyeani for 2019 Challenge on Buhari’s Projects Bennett Oghifo
Four days after N350,000 was put on the table for anyone who could name a project initiated and completed by President Muhammadu Buhari since he was sworn in on May 29, 2015, no one has been able to name and win the money. This challenge was thrown up four days ago by someone, on his twitter handle, who said he would give N10,000 to anyone who could name a project initiated and completed by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration after three years in government. This trending #BuhariChallenge, which started like a joke
on Twitter few days ago, has grown from N10,000 to N350,000 with different people raising the stake, pledging between N10,000 and N20,000. As things stand, the prize money is N350,000 and, uncharacteristically, no Nigerian has mentioned any project and this is not because the money is not big enough to grab. Of course, the challenge is still open, the initiator said. “I throw the question to all. Mention a visible project initiated and completed by President Buhari's government since May 29, 2015 and win for yourself 350,000 gift in these hard times,” Temitope Aduroja said on Twitter.
Abam Onyerubi clan, the most populated constituency in Arochukwu local government area of Abia State rose from an enlarged meeting at Amaelu Abam with a resolution not to change the rotational power sharing formula and endorsed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for governor; Uko Nkole for House of Representatives and Luke Ukara Onyeani for State Assembly in 2019. They commended Ikpeazu for completing the bridge linking Abam with Arochukwu at Ndi Okereke and further appealed to him to complete the road project so that vehicular traffic to the headquarters of the local government at Arochukwu could be accessed directly instead of going through other local government area due to inaccessibility by road. Nkole is representing Arochuk-
wu/Ohafia Federal Constituency while Onyeani represents Arochukwu constituency in the Abia State House Assembly. In a communiqué signed by traditional rulers, council of Ndi Ezeogo, Abam Development Union, representatives of the various town unions, women and youth groups and leaders of thought, they commended the politicians for quality representation but pleaded with Ikpeazu to complete the Ozu Abam-Ndi Okereke-Arochukwu road to ease movement of goods and commuters. The communiqué said Nkole and Onyeani should be given the same opportunity by their political parties for a second term based on their unparalleled representation and equity as history shows it had
been 35 years last when someone from Abam extraction occupied the position last. According to them, the position of the representative for the Arochukwu/Ohafia House of Representative had as a form of equity rotated between Ohafia and Arochukwu LGAs. Arochukwu LGA took her first slot between 1999 to 2007, Ohafia LGA took her turn from 2007 to 2015 before reverting to Arochukwu LGA for another two terms that it would wicked and selfish to snatch it from Abam just after one tenure as such would be resisted. While expressing gratitude for the attention their communities were getting, the Assembly called on Ikpeazu to also look into the Bende – Idima Abam road and the long abandoned Abam General Hospital
project at Ndi Ememe Abam which was commenced over 40 years ago with a view to completing them to enable the people of Abam enjoy quality healthcare services. The communiqué threatened to sanction any Abam son who will allowed himself to be used as a tool against Abam interests or sons occupying political offices and called on those above 18 but yet to register to do so and collect their Permanent Voters Cards. The communiqué was signed by the Chairman Abam Council of Ndi Ezeogo, Chief Uka Oji; Deputy President General, Sir Gabriel O. Idika, representing President General of Abam Development Union Dr. John Egbuta; Secretary, Abam Development Union, Elder Chibueze Njoku, HRH Eze Kalu O. Ayi, HRM Eze Ogbuka A. Origa.
Bayelsa Releases N10bn to Contractors, Disarmament Order: Anambra, Borno Police Cuts Spending on Govt Appointees Recover 420 Prohibited Firearms Emmanuel Addeh inYenagoa The Bayelsa State Government yesterday announced that it released N10.4bn in February and March to contractors handling various capital projects across the state, especially those building roads and bridges. Salaries of all political appointees, the state's Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd), who spoke at the monthly transparency briefing said, had also been slashed to free some funds to revamp public infrastructure in the state. Speaking on the rationale behind the reduction of salaries of political appointees, including the commissioners, Jonah said the government was caught between reducing the number of appointees or cutting down on government spending on their welfare, noting that it chose the latter.
"The government had the option to either halve the salaries to make savings or reduce the number of the commissioners. We felt it couldn't be wise enough to reduce the number of commissioners because of the political implications of the spread. "In as much as you are talking of the economy, you are also talking about social issues. We decided that commissioners must make sacrifice. If you knew the salaries of commissioners before this time, what they have now is slightly less than half. "They must all make sacrifice because of the realities on ground. The same applies to other appointees", the Deputy Governor said. According to him, N4.2bn was paid to contractors in February while N6.2bn was released to the contractors in March, with the gross inflow to the state from the Federa-
tion Allocation Account (FAAC) in February including Statutory receipt of N2.9bn and derivation of N10.4bn being N15.20bn. Giving an insight into some of the capital projects the N10.4bn was used to finance, the deputy governor named the New Yenagoa City project among others as some of the capitalintensive jibs the government was embarking upon. "We are to launch the new Yenagoa City. We have to cross over the Onopa bridge. We don't want work to be suspended again. So part of the money went to that project. "Julius Berger has come back again for Isaac Boro Road. It is a major project that the government has embarked upon. I won't be able to tell exactly, but I don't think any of them was paid less than a billion naira to come back and start.
David-Chyddy ElekeinAwka and Michael Olugbode,inMaiduguri
No fewer than 357 firearms have been recovered from Anambra and Borno states by the police that have been mopping up registered arms across the country. While the Anambra Police Commissioner, Mr. Garba Umar, on Friday announced the recovery of 107 prohibited firearms in the state made up of 59 pump action guns, 46 locally made pistols, one AK47 and one browning pistol, 250 were recovered in Borno State which included nine AK47 rifles, 33 pump action guns and 200 Dane guns were recovered from residents of the state following the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum given to owners of illegal guns to surrender them to the police.
Umar who spoke in his office yesterday called on residents to voluntarily surrender such arms in their possession to the police within the grace period, as doing so, or being found out, after the specified period would attract sanction. He called on the members of the public to partner with the police on information that would assist to recover such arms and ammunition. The CP said the strategy embarked by the police to rid the state of violent crimes was yielding results, adding that police would not relent in their constitutional duty to ensure that the state was safe and secure for all citizens. Umar said the firearms were recovered from private individuals
from different locations in the state. He said the massive mop-up of prohibited arms should send a signal to all and sundry that nobody would be treated as sacred cow in the exercise. He explained that nobody had the permission to carry such arms without the authorisation of the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He said after the grace period anyone found in possession of the arms would be made to face the full wrath of law. Addressing the press, the Borno Commissioner of Police, Mr. Damian Chukwu said the dane guns on display though not part of prohibited guns, had to be seized as they were suspected to be used for criminal purposes.
GLOBAL SOCCER A
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Anthony Joshua
History Beckons
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History Beckons Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă˘ Ă?ĂĄĂ“Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă?Ă‹Ă ĂŁĂĄĂ?Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ĂŒĂ™Ă˘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÓÞÖĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă– ÍşÍ¸Í¸Í¸Ëœ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ ÙÖãĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă–ĂŽËœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ă‹Ă ĂŁĂĄĂ?Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ĂŒĂ™Ă˘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽË› ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ě‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ˜ Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă™Ă˜ĂŁ Ă™Ă?Ă’Ă&#x;Ă‹ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă™Ă?Ă?ÚÒ Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăœ ÞÙ ×Ùà Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?Ăœ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? ͺ͸͸͸˛ ÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ÞÓÞÖĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă‘ĂœĂ“ĂšËœ Ă’Ă“Ă? ËÞÞĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂŁ Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂ?ĂœËŞĂ? ÞÓÞÖĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?Ă? Kunle Adewale
A
nthony Joshua predicted a ninthround knockout against Joseph Parker in the second heavyweight unification bout between unbeaten Jo fighters in boxing history. The Englishman failed to get the KO, but he got the victory, a unanimous decision over New Zealand's Parker before more than 80,000 partisan fans at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales last Saturday. It was far from an action-packed fight, instead becoming a mostly technical boxing match from the opening bell, with few heavy exchanges, and a referee, Giuseppe Quartarone, who strangely stopped the action at odd times. Even Showtime blow-by-blow announcer, Mauro Ranallo, said at one point, "What the hell is going on with this referee?" Both fighters fought behind their jab effectively, and it was Joshua who looked like the pursuer as Parker spent much of the fight retreating. Joshua rarely led with his right hand, instead saving it for sporadic inside uppercut attempts, only a few of which landed solidly. Neither fighter was able to
get much offense going over the 12 rounds, a nod to the effectiveness of the jabbing strategy. The six-foot-six Joshua used his six-inch reach advantage to outland Parker 93-49 in jabs despite throwing 46 fewer, according to CompuBox statistics. The ringside judges scored it 118-110, 118-110 and 119-109 for Joshua. The fight appeared to be closer than the scoring indicated, though many rounds could have gone either way. With the victory, Joshua added Parker's WBO belt to his WBA, IBO and IBF belts. It was the first time in his professional career that Joshua (21-0, 20 KOs) has gone the distance. Parker fell to 24-1 with 18 KOs. "My strategy was to stick behind the jab," Joshua said. "It's one of the most important weapons we have . . . the old saying is a right hand will take you around the block but a good jab will take you around the world. "So I stuck behind the jab and made sure that anything coming back, I was switched on, I was focused and it went 12 rounds baby. . . . Joseph Parker is a world champion so I knew he was going to be determined.
"Sometimes it does become a boxing match, not a fight. I said this would be about boxing finesse." Parker praised his opponent and said he would be back. Joshua said he wanted to fight unbeaten WBC champion Deontay Wilder of the U.S. at some point to see who will become the undisputed champion. "I will knock him the spark out," Joshua said. At one point he said he would either like to fight Wilder or Tyson Fury, the British former champion who has not fought since defeating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015. Joshua-Wilder is likely to happen within the next year, but unlikely to be next on either fighter's docket. And Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn said it would have to happen in England. Wilder has said he would have no problem crossing the Atlantic to fight Joshua in what is expected be one of the biggest heavyweight fights of all time. Joshua took the chance to call out WBC title holder Deontay Wilder - who turned down an invitation to be at ringside. The already loud calls for them to meet will grow louder. Can either really turn down the chance to become the first man
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APRIL 7, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
GLOBAL SOCCER Oka
2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
D’Tigers Hope to Bounce Back against Canada Today after Loss to New Zealand
Joshua in history to hold all four titles? Only boxing politics, purse splits and ego can get in the way. Wilder will probably point to the fact that his rival failed to score a stoppage. But Joshua's camp might just as well feel going the distance is a positive if such a landmark bout is to come next. The knockout run has ended. But Joshua's rise to supremacy looks increasingly difficult to stop. Indeed, the performance might have encouraged Wilder to put pen to paper quicker than expected. Speaking to Sky Sports, Joshua said: "This was about boxing finesse - I stuck to my word. I know what it takes to be a champion. Parker said he wanted a war, but it was all about boxing finesse. The main thing we cannot forget is that I am the unified heavyweight champion of the world." Asked if he would fight in the United States, he said: "I'm not interested in going to America. All these years, we've gone to the States, people have spent a lot of money following British boxers over there. But we can do it in London, Cardiff. We are staying right here. "I want Wilder or Fury. Get him (Wilder) in the ring and I'll knock him spark out." Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis posted: "#JoshuaParker wasn't the scrap I'd hoped it would be but AJ fought well and smart. Kept JP at end of jab. Ref seemed too hurried to break them up at times...but it was a clear win G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO
DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE
for AJ and he showed maturity and patience." However, some Nigerians regret the fact that it is United Kingdom and not Nigeria that is celebrating Joshua today had it been his attempt to compete in the colours of Nigeria at the 2008 Beijing Olympics had not been frustrated. “Joshua really wanted to represent Nigeria at the 2008 Olympics but Obisia Nwankpa and Samson Arashola deprived him of the opportunity. But now Britain is enjoying what Nigeria should be celebrating,” Okorodudu said. Meanwhile, Obisia Nwankpa debunked Okorodudu’s claim that he frustrated Joshua in his attempt to represent Nigeria at the 2008 Olympics. “His (Joshua) case is not the first. We’ve had similar cases like that before. Most athletes that live or born abroad, anytime they want to represent Nigeria they do not go about it in the right way. Moreover, they believe by virtue of having lived abroad they could just walk into the team without going through the trials. That is not acceptable,” Obisia said. The man who was called golden gloves because of his finesse in the ring said it was impossible for Joshua to make the Nigerian 2008 Olympic team with the presence of Olarewaju Durodola in the team. “As at 2008, we had a boxer that was very strong called Durodola and at that time Joshua was not better than him. Even the fact that he won a world title does not translate to his being better than Durodola. He just happened to have a faster shot at the title by virtue of living in the United Kingdom, where there are opportunities. Durodola only moved to America recently and he is now the World Boxing Association, WBA, number two contender,” the former Commonwealth champion said. Joshua was born in Watford to a Nigerian mother and a father of Nigerian and Irish descent. He grew up for much of his early years in Nigeria and returned to the UK to join Kings Langley Secondary School. Growing up on the Meriden Estate in Garston, Hertfordshire, Joshua was called 'Femi' by his friends and former teachers, due to his middle name 'Oluwafemi'. He excelled at football and athletics.
D
’Tigers of Nigeria fell to New Zealand in their first game of the XXI Commonwealth Games holding in Australia by 65points to 110. New Zealand dominated and won all the quarters on a night that the Ike Diogu captained side will want to forget in a hurry as they focus on the next game against North American side, Canada today. After a close game in the first and second quarters which ended 24-15 and 26-20 points respectively in favour of New Zealand, D’Tigers could not cope with the firepower of the team currently ranked 38 in the latest FIBA ranking in the third quarter as they widened the margin with a 31-8 scoreline before sealing the victory with another 29-22points scoreline to wrap up the game. Kano Pillars star man, Dike Azouma was the highest scorer for the team on the night scoring 15 points (with an 80% percent success from the 3 point line), 3 rebounds and 1 assist while ever reliable Diogu scored 12 points and 7 rebounds. Making his national team debut, homeboy, Istfanus Yakubu scored 10points with just about 14minutes on the floor with the technical crew giving all the players bar Musa Usman a taste of action in the opening game. Reacting after the game, Coach Mohammed Abdulrahman who stood in alongside Aderemi Adewunmi for Alex Nwora said that apart from having a good day at the office, their opposition also dominated in rebounds and from the 3 point line. The head coach of Gombe Bulls Basket-
ball Club conceded that his team met a more experienced team and would have lost if similar circumstance presented itself all over again. “I don’t think anything went wrong, I think we just played against a team that is more experienced than we are. New Zealand is a combination of players in the professional level and well paid playing this game. To make it even worse, they had a great day. They shot well from the 3 point line and dominated us in rebounds which played a major role in our defeat.” According to the former Nigerian international, lessons have been learnt and the team can only get better in their next game against Canada who are ranked 23 in the world. “The good thing is, we are going to get better going into the next game. We have learnt to know that the only way we can get through this is only if we play as a team.” He explained that with better sense of team play and cohesion within the squad ahead of their next game, the team will surely play better. Despite the bashing against New Zealand, Coach Abdulrahman said the team will approach their game against Canada in a more aggressive style with an aim of recording their first win. “Our game plan against Canada tomorrow will be more aggressive. We are going to play with much confidence, trust in ourselves and even more importantly play as a unit.” A loss against Canada will bring their medal chase to an abrupt end even with a game left to play against the host.
Evans Wins First Gold for Wales
W
ales claimed their first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Australia thanks to weightlifter Gareth Evans. Evans, who represented Team GB at London 2012, posted a total of 299kg across the snatch and clean and jerk disciplines to win the -69kg category. The 31-year-old's total was 2kg better than the total put up by Sri Lanka's Dissanayake Mudiyanselage with Deepak Lather claiming bronze for India. England secured a seventh Gold Coast gold medal when Sarah Vasey continued the team's fine start to the swimming competition with victory in the women's 50m breaststroke. Vasey was some way off the pace set by Jamaica's Alia Atkinson in the early metres but produced a powerful finish to touch just in front of her chief medal rival. Team-mate Alice Tai made it five golds for England in the pool so far with a dominant display in the final of the women's S9 100m backstroke, winning by almost three seconds.
Scotland's Katie Archibald celebrates taking gold in the women's 3000m track pursuit There was also a second success in the velodrome for Scotland, where Katie Archibald beat Australia's Rebecca Wiasak in the final of the women's 3000m individual pursuit. Archibald finished one-and-a-half seconds ahead of Wiasak to add to the gold medal won on Thursday by Neil Fachie and pilot Matt Rotherham in the blind and visually impaired 1000m time-trial. But there would be no dream family double as Katie's brother John Archibald was beaten in the final of the men's 4000m individual pursuit by England's Charlie Tanfield. Tanfield, who had set a new Commonwealth Games record in qualifying for the final, built a healthy lead in the first half of the race and held on by seven-tenths of a second after Archibald finished strongly. He had also won a silver medal as part of England's team pursuit squad on Thursday.
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍżËœ ͺ͸͚΀
Manchester Derby: Can United Delay City’s Celebration? Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ÚÖĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ÓÞã Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÓÞÖĂ? ÞÙÎËã Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂ“ĂžĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ åÓÞÒ Ă?Ăš Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă™Ă–Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă—Ă?Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ? ÞÙ Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă’ ÞÒĂ? ÞÓÞÖĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ÞÓÞÖĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ÓÞÓäĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă&#x;Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ËŠĂ˜Ă™Ă“Ă?ĂŁ Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;ĂœËŞ Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă’ ÞÒĂ? ÞÓÞÖĂ? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?âÚĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹Ă–ĂœĂŁ ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă’Ă™ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă™Ă–Ă‹Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŽĂ™ Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă‹ĂŁ ÓÞã˪Ă? ÞÓÞÖĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜
M
anchester City can ease the pain of their Champions League defeat to Liverpool by clinching the Premier League title against bitter rivals Manchester United today in
record time. Pep Guardiola's men will become the first team in the league's 26-year history to wrap up the title with six games to spare if they beat United at the Etihad – a fitting end to a season of almost total dominance in the league. City are 16 points clear of Jose Mourinho's second-placed team so it is a matter of when rather than if they wrap up the Premier League title, the first of Guardiola's reign in England. The runaway leaders will be desperate to reassert themselves after their chastening 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions league quarterfinal at Anfield. But the derby comes just three days before the return leg of their European tie and Guardiola faces a difficult balancing act, still believing he can overturn the Champions League deficit at the Etihad. After decades of living in United's shadow, City have changed the balance of power in Manchester firmly in their favour and are on the verge of their third title since 2012. Having endured a disappointing first season with City, Guardiola has silenced the critics who claimed his purist principles would not work in the cut-throat Premier League, meshing his desire for a smooth passing style with an ability to compete physically. Belgian midfielder De Bruyne has been their driving force, while David Silva, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero have all played key roles. Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola won his first English silverware in February when City trounced Arsenal in the League Cup final. By then, City had already turned the title race into a lengthy coronation and it would be fitting if they complete their journey with one more record-breaking victory, even though their probable Champions League exit threatens to cast a shadow over the celebrations. City set a record earlier this season by winning 18 successive league matches and a host of other statistical milestones are within their reach. Currently on 84 points, the leaders are chasing Chelsea's Premier League record tally of 95 points set in 2004-05. With 27 wins so far, they can also beat Chelsea's high of 30 victories set last season. United won the title by the widest margin when they took it by 18 points in 1999-2000 but that record could also fall to City, who, with 88 goals scored, have their sights set on Chelsea's 103 netted in 2009-2010. City's dominance has been so overwhelming that many are already ranking them among the best teams in Premier League history, alongside the likes of Arsenal's "Invincibles", who won the 2003-04 title without losing a single match, and United's 1999 treble winners. Meanwhile, Guardiola might still be tempted to field a weakened side against rivals Manchester United with a crucial Champions League clash against Liverpool to come next week, and a 3-0 deficit to overturn, the Catalan coach faces a dilemma. Having watched their rivals Manchester United dominate English football for the majority of the 1990's and the new millennium, City fans are relishing their opportunity to get one over their bitter foes on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium.
Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City challenges Paul Pogba of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Traord on September 10, 2016
The task is a simple one – beat United and City will seal the fastest-ever Premier League title in front of their own fans, forcing United to look on with envy. In ordinary circumstances, Guardiola would not even entertain the idea of deploying anything other than his strongest team to secure his first league title in England, and keep City on course for a record points haul. However, what happened at Anfield on Wednesday would have given the Catalan coach food for thought. Liverpool blew City away in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie with a blistering display of attacking football. That 3-0 defeat leaves City on brink of an exit from a competition many tipped them to win, given their relentless league form. Guardiola, though, is not giving up just yet. "I believe a lot in this team," he said after Wednesday's match. "Nobody believes we will go through. We will convince ourselves..." Tuesday's second leg at the Etihad comes just three days after the Manchester derby – a match City do not necessarily have to win. City need just two wins from their remaining seven league games to seal that third Premier League crown, and that is assuming United win all of their remaining games, starting at the Etihad. Losing to United would upset fans, but is unlikely to be detrimental to City's season. Not overturning their 3-0 deficit against Liverpool, though, would leave them to pick up the pieces of another failed campaign in Europe. City have only once reached the Champions League semifinals despite investing eye-watering sums of money in their playing squad. United are likely to put everything into today's encounter, and with it being a derby clash, the chances are elevated of some tough tackles flying in. Guardiola will know that an injury to the likes of Kevin De Bruyne or David Silva would seriously harm their chances of a Champions League turnaround.
What they said? Man City
"Nobody believes but we have another
game. We see what happens. Of course it is difficult but we believe. We have to accept it and now we have United at home and then Liverpool at home," - Man City manager Pep Guardiola
Man United
"Manchester City is not important for me. What is important for me is that since the moment we left first position and went to ÂŹsecond, we stayed there for the whole of the season. We deserved to be second, in spite of
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Man Utd
1-6
Man City
30/04/12
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1-0
Man Utd
09/12/12
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2-3
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08/04/13
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1-2
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4-1
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0-3
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1-0
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12/04/15
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0-1
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Hot Shot Mohamed Salah Harry Kane Sergio Aguero Raheem Sterling Romelu Lukaku Jamie Verdy Roberto Fermino Son Heung-min Glenn Murray Eden Hazard Alvaro Morata
Liverpool Tottenham Man City Man City Man Utd Leicester Liverpool Tottenham Brighton Chelsea Chelsea
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what you can say, the criticisms you make. You all say the third, fourth, fifth, sixth (placed teams) are better than us, but they’re not, because we have more points than them,� Man United boss Jose Mourinho.
ÓâÞĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? TODAY Everton Bournemouth Brighton Leicester Stoke City Watford West Brom Man City
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Liverpool Crystal Palace HuddersďŹ eld Newcastle Tottenham Burnley Swansea Man Utd
12:30 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 17:30
SUNDAY Arsenal Chelsea
v v
Southampton West Ham
14:15 16:30
ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Man City Man Utd Liverpool Tottenham Chelsea Arsenal Burnley Leicester Everton Bournemouth Watford Newcastle Brighton West Ham Swansea HuddersďŹ eld Crystal Palace Southampton Stoke West Brom
31 31 32 31 31 31 31 31 32 32 32 31 31 31 31 32 32 31 32 32
67 37 40 36 23 17 2 4 -15 -12 -16 -9 -14 -18 -19 -28 -19 -18 -32 -26
84 68 66 64 56 51 46 43 40 37 37 35 34 33 31 31 30 28 27 20
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ϳ˜ ͺ
GLOBAL SOCCER\\OTHER SPORTS
L-R: Member, Kwara State Town Planning Authority, Alhaji Bello Afolayan, Proprietor and Founder, AL-HIKMAH University, Ilorin, Alhaji Abdulraheem Oladimeji, Industrialist and Chairman, Kam Wire & Still Industry Limited, Alhaji Kamar Yusuf and Principal Partner, Yusuf Ali & Co., Malam Yusuf Ali, SAN during the 6th yearly Ghalib AntiCorruption Walk held in llorin, Kwara State...recently
McGregor
McGregor Charged with Assault by NYPD Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has been charged with assault and criminal mischief by New York City Police Department (NYPD) following an incident at a UFC media day. The former two-weight champion was one of a group alleged to have vandalised a bus containing rival fighters, the Ultimate Fighting Championship said. The Irishman turned himself into police custody at 9pm local time on Thursday. He will appear at Brooklyn Criminal Court after 9:30am (14:30 BST). "McGregor has been charged with three counts of assault and one of criminal mischief," a NYPD spokesperson told BBC Sport. The incident occurred at
Brooklyn's Barclays Center, where the UFC had gathered to promote Saturday's show, headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Max Holloway. Holloway was later ruled out of the fight because he was medically unstable. McGregor, 29, was with fellow fighter Artem Lobov, who was due to fight featherweight Alex Caceres. The UFC says McGregor and Lobov - accompanied by more than a "dozen individuals" - attacked the bus. Footage appears to show McGregor throwing a trolley at the bus - smashing a window - followed by further altercations. UFC says two fighters were injured and have been withdrawn from Saturday's undercard.
Lightweight Michael Chiesa received several facial cuts, while flyweight Ray Borg suffered an eye injury. Lobov has also been removed from the bill, due to his alleged involvement. "The organisation deems today's disruption completely unacceptable and is currently working on the consequences that will follow," the UFC said. McGregor, who was beaten by Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match in August 2017, has not fought in the UFC since knocking out Eddie Alvarez in November 2016. Before Thursday's incident, he was stripped of his UFC lightweight title for being inactive, with the winner of Nurmagomedov-Holloway taking the belt.
GOtv Boxing Night 14
WABU President Lauds Sponsors The West African Boxing Union (WABU) has commended paytelevision service provider, GOtv, for its continuous support for Nigerian boxing through GOtv Boxing Night, which is its 14th edition, and GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, a talent hunt initiative. Speaking in Lagos on Friday, Mr. Remi Aboderin, WABU President and Secretary-General, Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), said Nigerian boxing owes its return to vitality to the immense support provided by GOtv since 2014 when GOtv Boxing Night 14 debuted. Aboderin, a former boxing promoter, recalled that before GOtv Boxing Night began, promotions had dried up, leaving boxers inactive. The situation, he explained, damaged the chances of promising boxers,
who had no outlet for their talents. “We were in a bad place before GOtv Boxing Night began. There were no promotions and our promising boxers lost the opportunity to fight. The few who fought did so infrequently and earned so little for their efforts. Now, things have changed and very fast too. Boxers are fighting more regularly and are testing themselves against the best in the West African sub-region and Africa as a whole. They are earning considerably better sums. The country has also produced many sub-regional and three continental champions in different weight categories,” said Aboderin. He urged other corporate organisations to emulate GOtv, so that Nigerian boxing can develop faster. The WABU President stated
that Nigeria has talented boxers, as shown by the GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, which already has one of its products, Rilwan Babatunde about to fight for the WABU welterweight title against Djossou Basile of the Republic of Benin at GOtv Boxing Night 14 holding at the Indoor Sports of the National Stadium, Lagos, on April 14. The seven-bout event will also see Nigeria’s Waidi Usman take on Kenya’s Michael Nyawade for the African Boxing Union (ABU) title. Similarly included in the bout line-up is the national lightweight title contest between Rilwan Oladosu and Kazeem Badmus. The best boxer at the event will go home with N1million and the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy.
Erameh, Mahmud Win BCGS Captain's Inaugural Golf Tourney Ugheoke, Brodricks inducted members of golf section It was fanfare on Easter Sunday night as Prof. Waziri Erameh was declared overall winner in the men's event at the Benin Club Golf Section (BCGS) Captain's Inaugural Golf Tournament held at the Club golf course while former Lady Captain, Suwadetu Mahmud won the ladies’ event. Erameh displayed his skill with a net score of 72 to win the event ahead of Darlington Ogie (hcp 17) with 76 net while Ben Oghuma (hcp 12) finished in third position. Similarly, John Omo-Onofe 86 gross was adjudged the best gross for the award, as Kingsley Okunbo emerged the nearest the pin award. In the same vein, ex-lady captain, Mahmud, showed her prowess over her compatriots with a net score of
with KUNLE ADEWALE 08111813082
74 while Marian Benka-Coker (hcp 28) finished first runner-up with 85 net just as Lady Vice-captain, Habiibah Oyeghe Oyarekhua ( HCP 36) settled for third position with 88 net. Other winners at the event are: Wilco Otabor who won the veteran category with 75 net ahead of John Ogbeide with 77 net while Steve Asemota placed third with 83 net. J. Igbinadolor won the guests men with 74 net. S. Emina won the guests ladies event with 75 net. Speaking after the presentation of trophies and prizes, club captain, Osagie Nehikhare thanked all the golfers who out of their busy schedules came in large numbers to play and felicitate with the club at the tournament.
He assured them of more golf actions throughout his administration, while calling for their support and cooperation to achieve the feat. Meanwhile, the duo of Joseph Ugheoke and Omokaro Brodricks were inducted as members of the Benin Club Golf Section on Monday. At a colourful handicap celebration held at the club house, the new members having satisfied the prerequisites were presented with their membership certificate and card which will enable them to play the game at any golf clubs in Nigeria and abroad. The Club Captain, Nehikhare, urged them to abide by the rules and regulations governing the game while presenting their handicap 28 and certificates after the prize
Hearn Backs Joshua to Face Wilder or Povetkin Anthony Joshua's next fight is 'very likely' to be against Deontay Wilder or Alexander Povetkin, says his promoter Eddie Hearn. Negotiations have started for a world title fight between unified champion Joshua and WBC king Wilder, but the WBA have now ordered the British star to negotiate a mandatory title defence against Povetkin within the next 30 days. Povetkin stayed in line for a shot at Joshua's WBA 'super' belt with a knockout win over David Price and Hearn admits his fighter's shortlist of next opponents appears to have shortened to just two. He told Sky Sports: "The WBA called the mandatory yesterday for AJ to face Povetkin next. "We have a 30 day window to negotiate - at this stage it means it's very likely Anthony's next fight will be between Wilder or Povetkin." Povetkin's promoters World of Boxing posted on Twitter: "Povetkin is now a mandatory contender of Anthony Joshua. He was appointed by WBA. "Now there are 150 days to arrange the fight, it must take place. Before the fight with Sasha, Joshua has no right to fight with anybody else. We have 30 days to negotiate." Vadim Kornilov, who heads Povetkin's promotional team, believes a fight could be staged in Russia. "It would, depending on the timing, fill up the new [81,000 seater] Luzhniki Stadium - a football stadium," he said. "That's a location with enough magnitude for this type of fight." Joshua's ultimate goal is to unify all four major belts with Deontay Wilder, an occasion that would take precedence over his mandatory obligations. Wilder's representative Shelley Finkel told Sky Sports: "The deal was 50-50 [between Joshua and Wladimir] Klitschko. The [Wilder] fight should be bigger than Klitschko. "We already said we would accept less than Klitschko. The fight with Parker was 33 [per cent to Parker]. "This is way bigger and Deontay is way bigger than Parker. We said we would take 40. "Hopefully [Friday], we'll have an offer from them, because that's what he's said he's doing." Hearn added: "Anthony wants the fight and I'm very confident it will happen." Wilder's fellow American Jarrell Miller had been mentioned as another potential opponent for Joshua's American debut, but the enforcement of Povetkin's mandatory appears to have ruled out the New Yorker.
Heineken Shares Football Drama with Champions League Premium Lager beer, Heineken, has continued to share the drama of football with fans across the country via its exclusive UEFA Champions League viewing experiences. Last Wednesday, Heineken transformed the Tak Klub House, Abuja and Ember Creek, Victoria Island, Lagos, into enviable premium viewing centres for Nigerian fans to enjoy the the Liverpool versus Manchester City and Barcelona against Roma matches. These matches were broadcast live to venues filled with excited football fans. The stunning night began with fun games, great conversations and laughter as guests flooded the centres to watch their favorite teams vie for a chance at the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy. Football fans were treated to exhilarating quizzes to loosen them up in anticipation of the adrenaline packed matches. Chilled glasses of Heineken were circulated among the excited crowd as they waited for the first half to begin. The fans who were amped up from the first half, relaxed with fun games and quizzes at half time. As some fun-seeking fans went forward to participate in the thrilling quizzes, delicious small chops and cold glasses of Heineken were served to the guests who watched on. Branded prizes were handed to the excited winners of the quizzes and games. Premium lager brand, Heineken, will continue to share the drama of the UEFA Champions League to football fans in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt for the rest of the 2017/2018 Champions League season.
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ϳ˜ ͺ
VINTAGE
Famutimi: An Industrialist’s Honour for Support to Science Study It was an afternoon of tributes and honour as the chairman of Tricontinental Group, Chief Olabintan Famutimi, was honoured with the Distinguished Partner in Science Award by the Prof. Stephen Awokoya Foundation. Samuel Ajayi, who witnessed the event, reports
I
t was a day of glory and honour for the Chairman of Tricontinetal Oil Services Limited, Chief Ajiboro Olabintan Famutimi, when he was named among the three honorees for this year’s Stephen Oluwole Awokoya He was awarded the Distinguished Partner in Science Education Award. Other honorees were Engr. Gregory Ero, chairman of Arkleen Oil and Gas Limited as well as Dame Winifred Akpani, the chief executive officer of Northwest Petroleum and Gas Company Limited. At the Muson Centre venue of the ceremony, political leaders, captains of industry, technocrats as well as many other distinguished Nigerians were present, not only to witness the ceremony but to also honour after whom the foundation was instituted, the late Professor Steve Awokoya. Born in 1913, Awokoya was the first Nigerian to receive a degree in Chemistry and was also the first minister of education in the old Western Region as well as being the first Nigerian Chief Federal Adviser on Education. By time Awokoya retired from UNESCO in 1973, he had risen to the post of Deputy Director General for Science which was the highest non-political post at the organisation. In his remarks, after receiving the award, Chief Famutimi thanked the foundation for recognising him and honouring him with the award. “It was a great day in my life. I thank the Foundation and promise that whatever the Foundation saw in me that made her give me this honour I will keep it and we will continue support the foundation through my company, the Tricontinental Group, for many years to come.” Speaking further, he believed to be considered worthy of being recognised by a foundation in the name of this distinguished Nigerian was not only a massive encouragement for him but a call to duty to continue to invest more in the sponsorship of indigent Nigerians through school so they too could be useful to the society. Famutimi himself, in an earlier interview with THISDAY, said he wanted to be remembered as someone who touched lives and assisted others to realise their dreams. “I want to be remembered for touching lives because I have spent the better part of my live touching lives. I have mentored and still mentoring so many people. Right now, I am setting up a Foundation which will be registered early next year and the purpose will be to give scholarship to children of the less privileged people in my place of birth in Ondo. I have virtually invited those who
L-R: Chief Olabintan Famutimi (Chairman, Tricontinental Group and Honouree of the S. O. Awokoya Foundation for Science Education – (SOAFSE); Mrs. Stella Famutimi (wife to Chief Famutimi, Honouree); Omolaraeni Awokoya-Adadevoh (Member of the SOAFSE Board); Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye (Chairman of the Foundation), Prof. Ayo Ogunve (Board Member of the Foundation)
will be the trustees. The papers are with the lawyers and when the perfect it, I hope to launch it next year. So I want to be remembered for touching lives, touching lives and touching lives,” Famutimi stated. Apart from being chairman of Tricontinental Oil Services Limited, Famutimi is also the chairman of other companies like Mavlin Projects Limited, Tirangular Properties Limited, McDorsey Limited, Dynamics Capital Services Limited as well as Nigerian-Romanian Wood Industries Limited. He was at time the chairman of Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, member of Rotary Club of Ikeja, where he was one time president and a life member of Ikoyi Club 38. In his welcome address, the foundation’s board of trustees’ chairman, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, extolled the virtues of Awokoya as a scholar and educationist. “As the first minister of Education in the old western region from 1952 to 1956, Chief Awokoya implemented the Universal Free Education Scheme and as first Nigerian Chief Federal Adviser on Education in 1961, he was instrumental in the take-off
of the African Scholarship Programme for American Universities ASPAU,” Durojaiye said. On the award of honors and postgraduate scholarships, Durojaiye made it known that N300,000.00 was given to each postgraduate student in science-related disciplines as scholarship to cover tuition and boarding throughout the study period. The awards will be renewed every year for three years, depending on the recipients’ good performance. The recipients are: Ayomide Moheeb, Patience Uju Abafor, Abiola Oyelere, Chima Oge Chukwudi, Inioluwa Adedapo, Mmesoma Mgboko and Abigail Makolo. Speaking further, Durojaye said: “This year, seven postgraduate students were given N300,000.00 (Three hundred thousand naira) each as scholarship, also as we confer the 2018 Distinguished Partner in Science Education Award on three business people, the three awardees include Chairman, Arkleen Oil and Gas Limited, Dr.( Engr.) Gregory Ero, Chairman Tricontinental Group, Chief Olabintan Famutimi and CEO Northwest Petroleum & Gas
Company Ltd, Dame Winifred Akpani.” The foundation’s annual lecture with the theme: Consequences of Climate Change in Nigeria: Strategies for Mitigation and Adaptation, was delivered by Prof Kehinde Olayinka from the Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos. Guests at the event included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and Senate Chief Whip, Prof Olusola Adeyeye United States Consul-General in Lagos, John Bray; Prof Ibidapo Obe (SAN), among others. The Ooni, who was represented by two traditional rulers from Ife, Oba Johnson Fayemi and Oba Adekunle Adebowale, said “any right-thinking Nigerian would be in support of this foundation.” He urged the recipients to maintain the foundation’s ideals of excellence and reciprocate the good gesture. Senator Adeyeye extolled the virtues of the late Awokoya, in whose memory the foundation was established. He said the old Western Region Free Education Programme allowed him, the son of a native doctor go to school. Adeyeye added “Knowledge is power”
Nigeria, EU, UNODC Renew Commitments against Terrorism Bennett Oghifo
T
he ongoing fight against terrorism in Nigeria received a boost as the European Union unfolded a threeyear funding plans commencing this month. A statement by Mr. Sylvester Tunde Atere, Outreach and Communications Officer United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said this was the highpoint of a final Project Steering Committee meeting involving Nigerian, EU, and UNODC officials to reflect on the achievements made under the second phase of the EU-NigeriaUNODC partnership to counter terrorism in Nigeria. The two-year project funded by the European Union came to a close at the end of March. While it lasted, the project focused on further strengthening the capacity of Nigerian criminal justice officials to effectively investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate terrorism cases, in accordance with the rule of law and human rights. It built on the groundwork laid under the
previous EU-Nigeria-UNODC project. The project delivered 82 capacity building activities, including providing extensive training to select groups of investigators, legal advisors, defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges on a range of practically-focused terrorism-related criminal justice issues. It strengthened the capacity of Nigerian criminal justice training institutions, providing in-depth trainthe-trainer courses to groups of Nigerian trainers on counter-terrorism investigations, adjudication of terrorism cases, and human rights, respectively, and producing a manual on counter-investigations for use by police practitioners and trainers. The project also expanded its work in Northeast Nigeria. Mr. Kurt Cornelis from the European Union noted that “The European Union is particularly pleased to have been able to support the Government of Nigeria to address the significant terrorist threat facing the Northeast by working with Nigeria to develop an Action Plan on the Criminal Justice Responses to Terrorism in Northeast Nigeria which
will support implementation of the Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. The EU looks forward to partnering with Nigeria on its implementation during the next phase of the project.” At the final Steering Committee meeting, Ms. Catherine Udida, from the Office of the National Security Advisor, stated “Over the last two years, Nigeria has made important progress in its fight against terrorism. We continue to be grateful for the partnership with the EU and UNODC in addressing this challenge and in particular for the support provided to the Nigerian Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism” which serves as an important framework for Nigerian efforts to counter terrorism. Ms. Elisabeth Bayer from the UNODC Office in Nigeria thanked the European Union and Nigeria for their on-going close collaboration, noting that “This project has been tailored to the needs identified by the Government of Nigeria. As a result, it has
built a significant cadre of trained Nigerian counter-terrorism practitioners who are armed with the skills and knowledge needed to respond to the terrorism-related criminal justice challenges that Nigeria is currently facing”. The Project Steering Committee was attended by representatives from the Nigerian entities who most closely worked with the project including: the Office of the National Security Advisor; Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Court of Appeal, Department of State Services, Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal High Court, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Assembly, National Human Rights Commission, National Judicial Institute, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Bar Association, and Defense Headquarters. Nigeria, the European Union and UNODC have already committed to continue this successful partnership with an EU-funded three-year counter-terrorism project starting in April 2018 which will build on and expand the work already started.
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͵˜ ͰͮͯͶ
˪
Challenges Writers Face (2): Loneliness
BISI DANIELS bisi.daniels@thisdaylive.com Blog: www.bisidaniels.com, 08050220700
“Writing, at its best, is a lonely life,” said Ernest Hemingway in his thank you speech for winning the 1954 Nobel Prize in Literature. “For he [the writer] does his work alone and if he is a good enough writer he must face eternity, or the lack of it, in each day.”
W
then spent the evening with family or friends before retiring at midnight.”
riting is a solitary profession, an activity most often undertaken in isolation. It is done alone, most times away from people, including loved ones. Even in noisy environments, which the newsroom of newspapers is, once writing begins, the individual shuts off the world and gets lonely. Writers are agreed that even when one is not isolated from other people, when writing in the company of other writers, one is still alone.
Loneliness, solitude and being alone
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway, known for his great works including A Farewell to Arms and The Old Man and the Sea, explained the lonely feeling in an interview he granted. He said: “When I am working on a book or a story I write every morning as soon after first light as possible. There is no one to disturb you and it is cool or cold and you come to your work and warm as you write. “You read what you have written and, as you always stop when you know what is going to happen next, you go on from there. “You write until you come to a place where you still have your juice and know what will happen next and you stop and try to live through until the next day when you hit it again. You have started at six in the morning, say, and may go on until noon or be through before that. “When you stop you are as empty, and at the same time never empty but filling, as when you have made love to someone you love. Nothing can hurt you, nothing can happen, nothing means anything until the next day when you do it again. It is the wait until the next day that is hard to get through.”
Okey Ndibe
Two of Nigeria’s famous writers, Professor Okey Ndibe and Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, relate easily with Hemingway. Ndibe said: “Ernest Hemingway’s statement captures a fascinating paradox about the vocation of writer. A writer often creates in solitude—and frequently solitarily—that which he intends to share with multitudes of readers. Of course, it’s not always the case that the writer writes by withdrawing entirely from others. I, for one, sometimes crave the comforting presence of others, even strangers, as I write. But for the most part, I do my writing in quietude, in those hours after everybody around me has gone to sleep— or before they wake from sleep. Hemingway’s other point—that a writer must confront the verdict of literary history utterly alone—is pertinent. The question of whether one’s work will survive one is not a question I pose to myself in a conscious manner. Yet, each writer is engaged in an essential gamble. Your work may connect in a vital way to the concerns of readers, and so remain in circulation long after you’ve passed on. Or it may be a victim of its own narrowness of perspective, or its highness of ambitious, or of the vicissitudes of taste—and thus pass into oblivion. “I’m always aware that writing, a solitary undertaking has, in the end, an intensely social impetus. Writing that’s not read by others, that does not speak to a community of readers, over time is—to
Ndibe put it mildly—a disaster.”
Maxim Uzoatu
“Yes, the loneliness of the writer is eternal. It’s the writer and his paper or his computer. Writing at its best is not group activity. It’s incumbent on the true writer to go deep inside his being to pour out his soul. That’s why writers suffer and some end up committing suicide!” The experience of a few more writers here further clarifies the challenge that has become synonymous with writing.
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was a writer, poet, civil rights activist and award-winning author known for her acclaimed memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which made literary history as the first nonfiction bestseller by an African-American woman. In her audiobook, Daily Rituals, she described her routine: “I usually get up at about 5:30, and I’m ready to have coffee by 6, usually with my husband. He goes off to his work around 6:30, and I go off to mine. “I keep a hotel room in which I do my work—a tiny, mean room with just a bed, and sometimes, if I can find it, a face basin. I keep a dictionary, a Bible, a deck of cards and a bottle of sherry in the room. I try to get there around 7, and I work until 2 in the afternoon. “If the work is going badly, I stay until 12:30. If it’s going well, I’ll stay as long as it’s going well. It’s lonely, and it’s marvelous. I edit while I’m working. When I come home at 2, I read over what I’ve written that day, and then try to put it out of my mind. “I shower, prepare dinner, so that when my husband comes home, I’m not totally absorbed in my work. We have a semblance of a normal life. We have a drink together and have dinner. Maybe after dinner I’ll read to him what I’ve written that day. He doesn’t comment. I
don’t invite comments from anyone but my editor, but hearing it aloud is good. Sometimes I hear the dissonance; then I try to straighten it out in the morning.”
Charles Dickens
He wrote such great books as A Christmas Carol and A Tale of Two Cities. The eldest son of the famous English novelist, widely considered as the greatest of the Victorian era, revealed his daily routine. Charles Culliford Boz Dickens recalled: “No city clerk was ever more methodical or orderly than he; no humdrum, monotonous, conventional task could ever have been discharged with more punctuality or with more business-like regularity, than he gave to the work of his imagination and fancy.” “He rose at 7:00, had breakfast at 8:00, and was in his study by 9:00. He stayed there until 2:00, taking a brief break for lunch with his family, during which he often seemed to be in a trance, eating mechanically and barely speaking a word before hurrying back to his desk. “On an ordinary day he could complete about two thousand words in this way, but during a flight of imagination he sometimes managed twice that amount. Other days, however, he would hardly write anything; nevertheless, he stuck to his work hours without fail, doodling and staring out the window to pass the time. “Promptly at 2:00, Dickens left his desk for a vigorous three-hour walk through the countryside or the streets of London, continuing to think of his story and, as he described it, “searching for some pictures I wanted to build upon.” “Returning home, his brother-inlaw remembered, ‘He looked the personification of energy, which seemed to ooze from every pore as from some hidden reservoir.’ Dickens’s nights, however, were relaxed: he dined at 6:00,
Loneliness is a scary word. And does writing alone or going into solitude to write translate into loneliness? Although some writers have slipped into loneliness, depression and have even committed suicide, there are clear distinctions. Solitude is a state of seclusion or isolation - lack of contact with people. It may stem from bad relationships, loss of loved ones, deliberate choice, infectious disease, mental disorders or circumstances of employment or situation; or be deliberate. Loneliness is defined as a complex and usually unpleasant emotional response to isolation. It typically includes anxious feelings about a lack of connection or communication with other beings, both in the present and extending into the future. As such, loneliness can be felt even when surrounded by other people. According to psychologist John Cacioppo loneliness works in some surprising ways to compromise health. The net result is that the lonely experience higher levels of cumulative wear and tear. He provided details: r 1FSIBQT NPTU BTUPOJTIJOH JO B survey he conducted, doctors themselves confided that they provide better or more complete medical care to patients who have supportive families and are not socially isolated. r -JWJOH BMPOF JODSFBTFT UIF SJTL PG suicide for young and old alike. r -POFMZ JOEJWJEVBMT SFQPSU IJHIFS levels of perceived stress even when exposed to the same stressors as nonlonely people, and even when they are relaxing. r 5IF TPDJBM JOUFSBDUJPO MPOFMZ QFPQMF do have are not as positive as those of other people, hence the relationships they have do not buffer them from stress as relationships normally do. r -POFMJOFTT SBJTFT MFWFMT PG DJSDVMBUJOH stress hormones and levels of blood pressure. It undermines regulation of the circulatory system so that the heart muscle works harder and the blood vessels are subject to damage by blood flow turbulence. r -POFMJOFTT EFTUSPZT UIF RVBMJUZ and efficiency of sleep, so that it is less restorative, both physically and psychologically. They wake up more at night and spend less time in bed actually sleeping than do the nonlonely. The causes of loneliness or solitude are varied and include social, mental, emotional and physical factors, but being alone to write is by choice. Although most writers work in solitude, they do not necessarily suffer from loneliness. Solitude could mean privacy or peace. When you are in solitude you are in your own company, by yourself. Also the popular conception of the writer as a lonely figure, an alcoholic or a chain smoker is flawed. For example, it will be laughable to describe Ndibe or Uzoatu people suffering from loneliness. They are both strong family men and socially active. However, several studies suggest a disproportionate number of writers report loneliness compared to other professions. That, for sure, is one of the challenges to writing, which requires proper handling.
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ϳ˜ ͺͶ
FAIRGROUND
When Ekulo Dazzled at Enugu International Trade Fair
with
AZUKA OGUJIUBA
azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com
I
t was festival-like and electrifying at the 29th Enugu International Trade Fair where leading Nigeria’s leading household products manufacturing and commodity distribution conglomerate, the Ekulo Group, marked its day and unveiled new brands. The brands are manufactured by a member of the Group, Evans Industries Limited. Evidently awed by Ekulo’s patriotic zeal and determination to make Nigeria proud in the comity of nations through the production of classy brands of international standard, President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ECCIMA, Sir Emeka Udeze, who chaired the event and unveiling, said the variety of top quality brands and products on display at the Ekulo pavilion were clear testimony to the acceptability of the Group and its subsidiaries by a broad spectrum of consumers. Sir Udeze commended Evans industries for giving Nigerians wide range of choices of its brand to better their lives. ECCIMA, he said, was delighted that Evans’s manufacturing prowess would go a long way to add to the tempo of industrial activities in the country, “which is quite key to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy, including the opportunity of more employment of our people.” Evan’s latest brands were unveiled at the Ekulo/Evans pavilion, amidst cheers, drumming, breath-taking cultural dance displays and rib cracking jokes by the compere, Hon Chimankpam Anyankpam, a veteran broadcaster. The intimidating crowd cheered endlessly as Sir Udeze unveiled the new brands. Emeka Oramadike, Ekulo’s Marketing Manager said the new brands were products of years of meticulous scientific research. He said the Ekulo Group and its sister companies will never shirk in their duty to project Nigeria positively to the world by churning out classy products. He said: “Here in Enugu, at this International Trade Fair arena, we are poised to make Nigeria proud. We have array of 100% made in Nigeria household brands of International standard on exhibition here, proudly manufactured by one of our subsidiary companies, Evans Industries ltd. We are also happy to use the wide reach provided by the International trade fair platform to unveil and launch into the national and international market new proudly made in Nigeria brands-the classy Gino range of beauty soap comprising Gino Royal, Gino Vintage,Gino Care and Gino Moringa.We are also unveiling Hawaii Whitening Soap (Hawaii Carrot and Hawaii papaya), Eva Baby Soap and Blossom White, all produced by Evans Industries. All our beauty brands are produced with difference in skin types in mind. The brands therefore, cater for all skin needs. As a 100 per cent Nigerian company, it is our responsibility to project Nigeria positively before the comity of nations and the business world by producing for the Nigerian and international market quality brands that compete favorably with similar brand round the world.” Besides new brands unveiled, all Evans brands were on display at the fair, including Eva range of soap which is on 10 variants, Meditol Medicated Antiseptic range of soap on seven variants, as well as Unik range of soap.” Brands exclusively distributed in Nigeria by Ekulo were also on display at the Group’s stand. These included Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Baron De Valls wine, Sir Edward Whisky, Adonko Alcoholic Bitters, Titus Sardine, among others. Overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and acceptance showered on Ekulo and Evans at the fair, Oramadike stated: “we proudly declare today that Enugu comes first! Ekulo is a people oriented Group. That is why nobody walks out this stand today without a gift. It is our desire to stamp Ekulo consciousness on the hearts and minds of the people of this great state.” Essentially, all visitors to the Ekulo and Evans stands, as well as guests at the brands unveiling left with smiles dancing on their faces as packs containing variety of the brands were handed out to them.
L-R: Pharm Emeka Udeze, Chizoba Obumneme And Emeka Oramadike
Beautiful Ushers of Hawaii Range of Soap
Tochukwu Aralu, Barr Jasper Nduagwuike And Elder Ife Udofa
Marketing Manager, Mr Emeka Oramadike
Adonko Alcoholic Bitters Stand
Ekulo Stand at the Fair
Evans Industries Stand
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ϳ˜ ͺͶ
FAIRGROUND
‘Just Before I Do’ Makes History as Premiere Tickets Sold Out
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he movie, ‘Just Before I Do’, which has been dubbed the most unique story out of Nollywood, took things a notch higher when it attempted to sell tickets for the movie premiere. It was deemed a crazy fit as it has not been done before but the organisers were sure of their product and went ahead with their plans. Consequently, the premier ticket has sold over 1000 tickets already with more people on the line hoping there will be room for them to be part of the first set of people to see the movie. This will definitely be going in the history books as the first Nollywood movie to sell tickets for her premiere in Nigeria and sell out all halls which will be used for the screening. The movie is set to be premiered and released simultaneously across cinemas on Friday, April 13. ‘Just Before I Do’ tells the story of an unmarried couple whose love was torn in-between through the influence of a conniving mother in law. No one would suspect until the end. Most
Nollywood stories run almost on the same plot giving the audience everything even before the movie elapse. However, ‘Just Before I Do’ stands tall. Omowunmi Dada, Eddie Watson, Omilani Oluyinka, Chief Jide Kosoko, Kalu Ikeagwu, Shaffy Bello, Afeez Oyetoro (Saka), Judith Audu and more are few of the stellar cast that brought spice to the movie. While reacting to the development, the producer, Mr Omilani Oluyinka said they were shocked that the idea of selling the premiere tickets worked. “We did not set out to make history of being the first to sell ticket and fill all halls for our premiere. It was a decision we had to take to curtail the numbers but we were shocked to realise that we now have more than the numbers we would have catered for had the premiere being made free. We are grateful to God and we hope others who cannot join the premiere will visit the cinemas immediately after the premiere to see the movie. It is a decision they will not regret,” he said. Eddie
Emir of Kano Grace Love Idoko’s Activating Success TV Show
M
oving from being a top bank chief to becoming the head of the country’s Central Bank before retiring to becoming the Emir of Kano, a position he describes as one of his highest achievements, Muhammed Sanusi II features on Love Idoko’s Activating Success show which airs every Saturday on AIT at 3:30pm. In the exclusive interview, the Emir went from being just an economist to a voice that offers hope, insight and assurance to today’s youth about their purpose and future. Speaking on legacy and how he wants to be remembered, he made this known: “Everyone has to, at one point in his life, decide, how they want to be remembered. Is it as someone who devoted his life to the poor? Is it as somebody who always spoke the truth, is it as someone who had complete humility? Is it as someone who was an outstanding achiever? You’ve just got to decide for yourself how you will like to be remembered”. The Emir went further to highlight the need for each person to have an identity, a focus and a decision on what we would want to be remembered for. “’Define for yourself a narrow range of objectives,’ my father once said to me as a teenager. You have a hundred things you want to do, focus on two or three things that you hold on to consistently and they could be very simple things. He gave me a simple example, let’s say you say to yourself; ‘whenever I have an appointment I will not be one minute late’, that is a difficult thing to do. But what happens is, if you see to that, even after death, if people don’t remember anything about you they will remember that, that man was known for never being late for a meeting’. At the end of the day, we all have to remember as human beings that we encourage ourselves to take full advantage of whatever gifts we have been given or we are endowed with. We have reputations to build, we have societies to serve, we have family”, he said. The show did not end without an advice to young people. “This is one of the things I tell my children and that is what I will tell young people. Think of what you are good at and what you are happy doing and focus on it. If, for example, what you feel happy doing and what you are good at
Sezno Benson, Business development Africa TAGHeuer; Carlo Capra- TAG Heuer Boutique Manager, William Ekong- Nigerian National team and Shehu Dikko- NFF Vice President at the unveling of Williams as the first Nigerian footballer ‘friend of the brand for TAG Heuer recently Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
is Hausa Language focus on it. I’ll rather have a child get a first class degree in Hausa Language than one who gets a third class in Medicine or Law. My message for a young Nigerian is a message of optimism. At the end of the day, when you are in an environment like this, you tend to see dark clouds, you tend to see difficulties, challenges, you don’t see all the great opportunities. Part of the problem is that we are looking for these opportunities outside ourselves rather than within ourselves. As the show was wrapping up, the Emir shared what he tagged ‘one of the greatest lessons for him in life’. “One of the greatest lessons for me in life is for you to believe in yourself and to look within yourself and see what you can achieve inspite of all the difficulties and to discern that the greatness of a man is measured not so much by what the outcome is but by the enormity of the task that you face and the challenges that you confront. Sometimes, people fail because from the beginning they set for themselves unrealistic expectations. At the end of the day we all have different things. Not all of us can be billionaires, or Governors, Ministers, but everybody can be something. Appreciate the importance of each and every challenge, no matter how small; with the realisation that what you make of it as an individual is what makes greatness”, he said. Activating Success with Love Idoko airs every Saturday on AIT by 3:30pm. The episode that features Emir Muhammed Sanusi II will air today, Saturday, March 31.
TAG Heuer Announces Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong as Friend of the Brand
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n trying to regain a foothold as a powerhouse in continental football, outstanding younger football players have risen among the ranks to take the place of past legends and household ambassador names. One of these is William Troost-Ekong, a pivotal presence in the Super Eagles, playing as a defender and plying his trade in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues. Having both Dutch and Nigerian nationalities he joined the setup of the latter in 2015, going on to represent the country at the Olympics in 2016 gaining an incredible bronze medal as well as playing every single game in Nigeria’s journey and eventual qualification to the 2018 World Cup. His head-turning performances in the center of defense saw him selected in Norway’s topflight team of the year with a Norwegian Players’ Union NISO award late 2016. Quickly followed by having been placed on the thirty-man list as a nominee for the 2017 African Footballer of the Year Award, William’s rise has been spectacular, endearing him to the hearts of millions and there is no doubt than in no time his name will be mentioned in the same breath as some of Nigeria’s footballing greats. In his words, “...facing some of the best forwards in Africa, whilst having to perform and deliver for such a football-loving nation like Nigeria is a pressure that improves you as a player” - the
man doesn’t crack under pressure, exactly what TAG Heuer stands for. Besides his sporting dedication, he’s tenacious to use the immense power of football to stimulate social change and improve people’s lives as a Common Goal ambassador, a continuous role model responsibility for which he remains composed and unwavering. Deremi Ajidahun, CEO of Zakaa, said, ‘We are very proud of this partnership with the young and incredibly talented football star William Ekong, a true legend in the making.As we grow the presence of the amazing watch brand-TAG Heuer in Nigeria, now in Lagos and Abuja, we are committed to delivering a world class brand experience through associations with young, exceptional individuals like William, who’s extraordinary rise is reflected in the TAG Heuer’s philosophy “Don’t crack under pressure “‘ It goes without saying that William Troost-Ekong and TAG Heuer are a perfect match for each other as the global watch brand announces him today as a Friend of the Brand. TAG Heuer continues to grow its presence in theAfrican market by forming worthy partnerships with individuals that display the qualities it looks out for in its ambassadors, this time with one of the continent’s fastest rising footballing stars. The TAG Heuer stores are now in Nigeria in Lagos and Abuja.
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TRIBUTE
Cheers to Iyom Osodieme @ 70 Marcel Anaenugwu
virtuous Wife and Mother is hard to find. She is worth far more than silver and gold. She is rare but precious and a treasure to those that find her. A virtuous Wife and Mother is industrious, hardworking, determined, focused, humble, sensitive and selfless. As a wife, she is a jewel of inestimable value, loving and caring, faithful and kind, helpful, respectful, supportive and compassionate. The mother, the hand that rocks the cradle, is enduring, generous, dogged, protective, meticulous and untiring. She raises her children with the fear of God, so that when they grow old, they shall not depart from His love. She supports and encourages her children to be successful in life but yet to be humble, respectful and kind. The above excerpt succinctly describes the nature, character and philosophy of life of Iyom Ezinne Justina Nwaogbonnie Anaenugwu, popularly called Iyom Osodieme. Iyom Ezinne Justina Nwaogbonnie Anaenugwu was born into the well-known family of late Chief Nwokeke Okonkwo ( Anyichie) and late Iyom Janet Mgbafo-Iliego Okonkwo of Adagbe Avomimi village of Enugwu-ukwu, in Anambra State on 12th December, 1946. She is the 5th out of the six children of her parents. Early Life Iyom commenced her early educational career at St. Anthony’s Primary School, Enugwu-ukwu, where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate in 1960. All through her primary education she was found to be very brilliant with exceptional cognitive endowment and ability. Numerous suitors who came for her hand in marriage were turned away as marriage was the least thing on her mind as at the time. She loves education and desperately desired to further same. It was at this point that the young, handsome and educated Engineer Moses Arize Anaenugwu came to seek Iyom’s hand in marriage. His persistence and conviction that Iyom’s education was to be his utmost priority if he was married to Iyom, was re-assuring and acceptable to her parents, who eventually gave their consent. Iyom was married to the Young Engineer Moses A. Anaenugwu at a very tender age in 1966. After Iyom’s marriage, she undertook a short stint of vocational training at the School of Catering and Management in the then old Anambra State, where she qualified as a professional Baker, homemaker, fashion designer, hair dresser and dress maker. With the support of her ever caring husband Iyom set up an industrial Garment, knitting factory and training School which trained many well known Professionals and also supplied sweaters and uniforms to reputable schools in the 1970 &80s. The School was also a preparatory ground for marriage and marital life for its young teaming female trainees, a lot of whom today are proud beneficiaries of this great outfit – a symbol of Iyom’s foresight and sense of industry. Many of Iyom’s and her husband’s relations also benefited from her generosity and assistance to gain these valuable vocational training which prepared them for their respective marriages and vocations. Educational Career True to her husband’s promise, Iyom’s dream to further her education after her marriage began to manifest when with the full support of her young hubby decided to broaden her scope of teaching and imparting knowledge to young ones through her further education at St. Monica’s Teachers Training College, Ogbunike, Anambra State where she obtained her TC 11 Certificate in Distinction in her core subjects. She was not done yet as she later proceeded to the college of Education Nsugbe, Anambra State where she bagged an NCE in Home Economics. Still undaunted, Iyom again proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State where she obtained a Bachelors Degree (B.ED) in Guidance and Counseling in the 1980s with a Second Class Upper Degree.
Osodieme
Working Career Upon the completion of her academic training in Education, Iyom joined the noble Teaching Profession. This was again another platform which enabled her to promote her undying love of educating and molding the young ones for a greater and better tomorrow. She started her Teaching Career at Nsukka in 1975, and had the opportunity to have taught in many Schools. By so doing, she touched the lives of many. Iyom obediently accompanied her husband, who was a Civil Engineer with the Ministry of Works in the then regional and later States dispensation, on transfers to various towns and communities in the present day Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra and Imo States. She taught in many Primary Schools in these areas. A Professional teacher to the core, Iyom was extremely devoted to her duties in the classroom and to the students that she taught and ensured they excelled under her tutelage. Iyom’s intelligence and diligence in the discharge of her duties while in teaching service ensured she reached the peak of her teaching career to the position of Headmistress and she eventually retired honorably
Iyom’s social life is a life of devotion, sacrifice and selfless service to God and humanity. Little wonder, she is loved by all her community, both in Onitsha and Enugwu-Ukwu and other places she has had the privilege of staying in and or teaching. She is a problem solver, a teacher in every sense of the word. Iyom’s guiding philosophy in life is that ‘whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can be achieved with faith in God
in 2006 at the Army Day School, Onitsha after a meritorious service in the teaching profession. Iyom Osodieme won several awards while in the Civil service, which include the Best Teacher Award, and the Award from the Anambra State Universal Basic Education (UBE) Board, Awka for her excellent performance, intelligence, and punctuality to School. Iyom’s family life is very eventful, impressive and inspiring. She is a good example of a virtuous wife and mother. Iyom was not only supportive but was instrumental to the overall success of her husband particularly in his career as a civil servant. Being a peace loving person, she ensured that peace reigned supreme in her matrimonial home, complemented with respect and faithfulness to her husband, late Ozonkpu (Engr) Moses Arize Anaenugwu, all through his life ,till he passed on to the glory of God on 1st July 2011. After her husband’s early retirement in the eighties to set up a Civil Engineering Construction company, Anok Nig. Ltd., Iyom ensured she actively him in nurturing his new business and also adjusting the family to the new environment in the home. Iyom’s dexterity in adapting to and managing Change, her intelligence and decision making skills yielded outstanding results as manifested in the good upbringing and profound accomplishments attained by her children. Today, to God’s glory, all her eight children are graduates of various disciplines from several Nigerian and overseas Universities and are equally married to successful spouses. All her children and in-laws are gainfully employed in good establishments both in Nigeria and overseas. To cap the glory, Iyom Osodieme has twenty three (23) grandchildren. Social Life Iyom’s social life is a life of devotion, sacrifice and selfless service to God and humanity. Little wonder, she is loved by all her community, both in Onitsha and EnugwuUkwu and other places she has had the privilege of staying in and or teaching. She is a problem solver, a teacher in every sense of the word. Iyom’s guiding philosophy in life is that ‘whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can be achieved with faith in God’. She is a veteran of motherhood whose advice and wisdom is always sort after and consulted by many young mothers. She would not hesitate to encourage young mothers to be patient with life’s challenges and above all, to always look up to God.
Because she has successfully brought up her eight children who are presently graduates of different professions, some of her admirers prefer to call her ‘Nne lawyer’, ‘Nne Doctor,’ ‘Nne Engineer, ‘Nne Pharmacist’, Nne Colonel, etc. Yet others prefer to call her ‘Nne Professionals’, a reference to the different professional callings of her children. Iyom is a member of many social groups including the Rotary Club. She is one of the Board members ofOzonkpu Moses Arize Anaenugwu Foundation for the Education of the less privileged children. As part of numerous accolades, Iyom was conferred with the respected Iyom title by the Enugwu- ukwu Traditional Institution, alongside her husband during the conferment of the prestigious Ozonkpu title on her husband, Late Chief Moses Arize Anaenugwu, by Igwe Osita Agwuna, Eze Enugwu-Ukwuna Umunri. Iyom Osodiemeis selfless and accommodating. She takes great pride and joy in sharing her pension and monthly allowances given to her by her children with others. Many widows are regular beneficiaries of her monthly stipends, amongst other numerous acts of charity and philanthropic gestures. As a board member of the foundation established in honour of her Late husband, she always encourage her children to pay school fees and other categories of fees regularly for numerous indigent but brilliant children under the scholarship Award instituted by the Ozonkpu Moses Arize Anaenugwu Foundation. To put smiles on other People’s faces, according to Iyom is her natural heritage, and there is nothing she can do about that, than to live it. Religious Activities Iyom is a devoted Christian. She believes in the efficacy of prayers, a firm believer in the will of God, a sincere, devout and faithful Catholic whose beliefs centered on faith, hope, love, and charity. She is a strong devotee of our blessed Mother Mary and a staunch Catholic in thoughts, words and action. She also believes in the sacrifice of mass as the greater prayer hence she attends the morning mass daily till today. Iyom has served in the Catholic Women Organization as Secretary both in EnugwuUkwu and Onitsha and in various capacities. She has always supported other societies in the church financially. In view of this, the St. Anthony Catholic Church, Enugwu-Ukwu conferred on her the Ezinne Award in 2010 in appreciation of her immense contributions to the work of God in the Diocese. Iyom, your children are celebrating you today. You are a mother in its entire entirety, a mother in a million. As you turn 70 today, we call you blessed. Your good works praise you. Your worth is above rubies. We celebrate you, we love you and we are proud of you. The past 70years have been very eventful as you spent most of it building lives and molding characters, especially those active years spanning your noble career as a professional teacher. As our own teacher, you taught us your children well with our never to be forgotten father, Ozonkpu (Engr.) Moses Arize Anaenugwu, you impacted our lives with treasured values that we have graciously imbibed, making us stand out in the comity of men and women of our great country, Nigeria, and even beyond. Time tested values like humility, contentment, never to steal, respect for fellow human beings and constituted authority, and above all, fear of the Almighty God. These attributes have brought us far and will continue to remain with us and be our guiding principles in life. You are truly a virtuous woman and peerless symbol of motherhood whose sterling qualities have become a source of pride to us your children and inspiration to many others who look up to you as a role model of inestimable value. Indeed, you are a great mother of impeccable distinction. As we celebrate your 70th birthday on April 8, 2018, we pray the Almighty God to grant you more strength, divine protection, good health and long life. Happy birthday, Mummy! We love you awesomely!!! –Tribute by Engr. Marcel Anaenugwu
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Adeline Ndoma-Egba: The Good Mother of a Good Son UcheAnichukwu
s the Igbo saying goes, “Afu nwa elota nna”, meaning that the child is a reflection of the father. But, father is used metaphorically in place of parents. In a realistic sense, the child is a reflection of the mother because they spend more time with the children. Thus, if the saying that children are the true mirrors of the homes they come from, then one does not need to search far to unearth the intellect, humility, courage, philanthropy, and dedication to service to humanity, which the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Authority, NDDC, Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, embodies as the son of Hon. Justice Emmanuel Takon Ndoma-Egba and Elder (Mrs.) Adeline Ndoma-Egba. I came to know Senator Ndoma-Egba in the 5th Senate, which lasted from 2003 to 2007. However, it was when he became the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity that I began to relate quite closely with him. As a Special Assistant on Media to the President of the Senate at the time we naturally had to work together. A versatile man, he handled that position so professionally and in Adeline Ndoma-Egba most dignifying way that you would hardly know that he was not a trained media or Public Relations professional. he was appointed Chairman of the Board of His intellectual prowess was never in doubt Governors, Government Secondary School, at the time because it showed up in his contriIkom, in 1980 by ex-Governor Clement Isong butions in plenary for all to see. He is a super when he was just 24. You would not also know brain, an outside-the-box thinker and problem that President Shehu Shagari also appointed solver. Although his humility is equally very him into the Board of the Cross River Basin noticeable from afar, one only needed to get and Rural Development Authority at the same closer to know that it is not a façade. time or that he became a Commissioner of the He is so humble that unless you were told, highly coveted State Ministry of Works and you would not know that he belongs to the Transport at the age of 27. cerebral 1978 set of the Nigeria Law School, In the Red Chambers, where he eventually which produced the likes of the current rose to the position of Deputy Leader in the Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship, Justice 6th Senate and Leader in the 7th Senate, he Walter Onnoghen; Minister of Budget and represented what every a Senator should be in National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo grace, patriotism, and hard work. He churned Udoma; former President of the Nigeria Bar out bills like a bills machine. Association and present Governor of Ondo However, this is not a tribute to Senator State, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu; former Minister Ndoma-Egba. It is a tribute to the tree that bore of Justice and former President of the NBA, the good fruit, for even the Holy Scriptures Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN; and former President says that only a good tree can bear good fruits. of the NBA, Chief Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, It is about the good woman, who bore the among others. You would not also know that good son.
Born on January 8, 1926 to the family of James and Elvira Wilson in St. Catherine’s Jamaica in the Caribbean Basins, the late matriarch of the Ndoma-Egbas joined his siblings in England after the death of her father. She enrolled with the Lewisham School of Nursing, an affiliate of Guys Hospital, London. She also trained with the University of London, London School of Tropical Medicine and Diseases and North London Middlesex Hospital and worked with Kings College Hospital, London and Bristol Royal infirmary. After joining her husband in Nigeria in 1962, she worked at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, formerly known as General Hospital, Enugu. She also rendered her services at Park Lane Hospital, Enugu as the very first Theatre Matron. She went on to serve as Matron at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital when the civil war broke out and later moved on to work with the International Red Cross at the Awomama Reference Hospital in
the present day Imo State. Those who saw or read accounts of the war would understand better the services she rendered at those two places. Not done, she served as Matron at the General Hospital Ogoja after the war. She was also Matron at the Catholic Mission Hospital Monaiya, Ogoja and Holy Family Joint Hospital, Ikom and retired in 1985. But, she refused to get tired even in retirement as she redirected her life fully to service as a community and church leader. If we understand that Nursing as a profession is for the innately humane; if we see it as a calling for those whose major aim is not to earn a living; if we see it as the profession for people, who are so connected with humanity that they want to spend the rest of their lives providing care and saving lives, then we would better appreciate the totality of her person. It would also help us to connect the dots as to why philanthropy runs in the blood of Senator Ndoma-Egba and his siblings. A Jamaican, Mrs. Adeline Ndoma-Egba actually met the young Law student, Emmanuel Takon Ndoma-Egba, aka ET, who later became her husband at a friend’s graduation party in London in the afternoon of July 16, 1957. Both became attached to each other. ET proposed to her on her birthday in 1958, they got formally engaged on ET’s birthday in 1959 and married in 1960. Leaving her country of birth and the UK, she not only joined her husband in Nigeria, but also melted into her husband’s people, culture, and nation. She also made her home a melting pot of people of all races, tribes, religions, and languages. She accepted all irrespective of where they came from and gave meaning to their lives. Little wonder Distinguished Senator Ndoma-Egba is a pan-Nigerian with highly detribalised dispositions. The Senator is also married to his Igbo heartthrob, Amaka. As the matriarch embarks on her triumphal journey home at 91, one can only join the Ndoma-Egba clan to celebrate the exceptional life of a woman who bequeathed humanity with a tribe of men and women that are helping to make the world a better place. Goodnight, good mother of a good son. –Anichukwu writes from Abuja
Of Cattle Colonies and Dubois Thought Gbadebo Adeyeye
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any people said that you either love Nigeria or leave the country. As for me, I will not love it because it is not a friendly country; and I will never leave it until I personally help to straighten it out. For example, experience has taught me in life that the number one thing you must learn to be is humble, no matter who you are; whether you are a president, governor or a commander in-beef. It is not only about you, it is also about your fellow citizens; particularly in a time like this when all Nigerians, Christians and Muslims should pay close attention to their neighbour’s welfare. Desperate problems require a desperate solution. That is the reason why it is more important now than ever, to destroy the political influence of the Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria before the country is finally colonized by madmen. We must also remind their sponsors, the same group of arrogant, egomaniacal and vindictive citizens who have been taking Nigeria six steps backward each time the country makes a step forward since independence, what W.E.B. Dubois meant when he said many years ago that ‘I had been brought up with the democratic idea that the general welfare of the citizens is the object of democratic action in the state. But through the crimson illumination of war (including herdsmen killings in Nigeria), I realized, and afterward by traveling around the world, saw even more clearly that the so-called democracy is allowing the mass of the people to have only limited voice in government; that today, we do not have democracy; instead, we have oligarchy, and oligarchy based on monopoly of income; the same oligarchy has been designed to deny democracy in schools, the health care system and businesses as it has once been designed to deny democracy in government’.
Unfortunately, many Nigerian leaders, especially the herdsmen sponsors are not aware of the contributions to the discipline of political economy made by a great thinker, William Edward Burghard Dubois (1868-1963) - a major figure in the Pan African Movement between 1919 and 1945; the ‘father of African independence; to many of us, a famous scholar on black life, and the founder of Civil Right era in the United States of America. Dubois had a very strong economic agenda of a normative nature for black people in America and around the world. Although, heavily influenced by the German historical school, and disinclined towards the classical school of Adam Smith, Dubois economic analysis reflect a variety of socialist— oriented concepts and proposals for the normative purpose of advancing the condition of black people around the world, particularly in Africa. Dubois saga also reminds us of an earlier member of the Germanic school, Adam Muller (1779 - 1829), whose work probably opened Dubois mind. Muller was influenced by the Germanic school, as such, he believed that Adam Smith view of the state as a collection of atomistic individuals with ‘natural rights’ (usually refers to as ‘birth right ‘by Northern Nigerians) should give ways to a new Germanic doctrine. He also believed that the state is an organic unit of which the individual forms a part. The state is more than a mechanism that exist to maintain just order and administer affairs. It is an organism, a living whole! Muller emphasized further that the real wealth of a nation is not just material as Adam Smith would have it. It is partly spiritual, including language, culture, laws, tradition and so on. Based on this, Adam Muller generally took an ardent interest in the condition of working men, and urged that the state should exert itself on their behalf. These ideas are to a great extent, socialist ideas which W, E, B. Dubois stood for, and which in fact. Should be digested into
African political system; including Nigeria. We can see clearly in Dubois writing when for example, he advocates a ‘cooperative commonwealth’ but strongly opposed any program of black capitalism (including the establishment of cattle colonies) on the grand that this will automatically bring into black communities, a new cause of division, a new attempt to subject the majority of the race to an exploiting class of their own people. Interestingly, this was in contrast to some black Americans like Booker T Washington and Marcus Aurelius gravy philosophy. Garvey philosophy and ideology was against European exploitation of Africa, even though he himself firmly believed in capitalism like majority of Nigerian leaders. While Dubois was fighting for the black Americans freedom based upon the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments of the United States constitution which guaranteed political equality to all Negroes, Booker T Washington was opposed to such policy. Also Garvey’s maxim ‘Africa for Africans’ was an ideology for transportation of all black Americans back to African colony. ‘Why shouldn’t Africa give the world its own black Rockefeller, Rothschild and Henry Ford? Now is the opportunity. Now is a chance for every black to make every effort toward a commercial and industrial standard that will make us comparable with successful businessmen of other races. ‘Capitalism’, Garvey asserted, ‘is necessary for the progress of the world, and those who unreasonably want to oppose or fight against it are enemies of human advancement’. At any rate, there was no common ground between Garvey and W.E.B.Dubois. Dubois advocated democratic socialism with state control of only the basic means of production and distribution. When the African countries were to win independence for example, as the leader of Pan African movement between 1919 -1945, Dubois advocated radical ideas
of ‘complete self-government’ for Africans in Africa, organized on the basis of socialism and cooperative economy, which would leave no room for economic inferiority among Africans, including the helpless farmers in Nigeria. Unlike the selfish leaders in our society, Dubois laid more emphasis on the following of non-capitalist, basically socialist economic proposals: economic planning to ensure adequate income to every hard working citizens, a planned system of good hospitals, schools. Cooperative organizations of black professionals so that they could provide services to all in need without regards to their own profits. The gist of Dubois economics was to create a planned communal social system among blacks like the white counterparts. Communal in the sense that economic relations would become social rather than private, thereby avoiding economically inspired class division, and make economic exploitation very difficult, especially in a country like Nigeria. His plan was also communal in the sense of strengthening family and group ties, and building a stronger sense of unity among black people so that all could become dedicated to the welfare of the group rather than seeking and be preoccupied by personal advancement. More interestingly, Dubois economic thought was an idea of a self-reliant political economy that would help to combat social arrogance and chauvinism among the people of color. Dubois did this, in one way, by taking a scientific study of the so-called black problems and exposed the myth of political and socio- economic ‘superiority’ expounded by such Pseudo- biologists as Count Author de Gobineau, Houston Stewart Chamberlain, Madison Grant and Lothrop stroddard, the ideological fathers of Fulani herdsmen and their sponsors! –Adeyeye is the Proprietor of Crown Heights College, Ibadan
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THE ALTERNATIVE with Reno Omokri President Buhari and His Aloota Continua Government
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he so-called looters list released last week by Lai Mohammed, on behalf of the Muhammadu Buhari administration just shows how blind this government is to its true state. Does this administration not understand that no one takes their anticorruption posture serious anymore? How can you be fighting corruption and the only global body recognized as setting the standards for who is corrupt and who is not, rates you more corrupt than those you point fingers to? 2018 marked Nigeria’s worst-ever showing in Transparency International Corruption Perception Index when we moved 12 places backward from 136 to 142. Yet it was under this climate that Lai Mohammed chose to embarrass himself and his boss by releasing such a farcical and nonsensical looters’ list that only featured members of the opposition. Perhaps Lai and the other leading darkness of this administration were giddy from the show of crass they put on last week and called the Bola Tinubu Colloquium. At that event, rather than tell Nigerians what the APC and Bola Tinubu (once the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress until June 2016 when he was publicly dethroned by Buhari) had for them, the APC leaders, from President Buhari to Tinubu, all took turns to blame the previous administration and pour scorn on firmer President Jonathan. Perhaps the worst of it was Vice President Osinbajo, a man who worked for Tinubu for 8 years, yet still has the guts to call others corrupt. Vice President Osinbajo reminds me of Michael Corleone’s wife in the movie the Godfather. Kay Adams-Corleone disliked the Mafia so much that she had extracted a commitment from her husband that he would not be a part of it. She continued to live a sheltered life in a bubble until one day, her world was rocked when her sisterin-law, Connie Corleone, informed her that not only was her husband a mafioso, he was actually the Don (Godfather, head honcho). Vice President Osinbajo desperately needs a Connie Corleone to tell him that not only are his benefactors corrupt, they virtually hold a franchise over corruption in Lagos! Don’t ask me to name them ALPHA-BETA cally. I do not want their trouble. How can Professor Yemi Osinbajo look a room full of characters like Tinubu and say ‘’Those who carried out the criminal looting in this country must be held to account’’. Some of the very people he refers to were right there in front of him. The others can be found at FEC every Wednesday! Is it Rotimi Amaechi who once boasted that “We steal because Nigerians don’t stone us” or Fashola that admitted to spending N78 million taxpayer’s funds on his personal website? I do not know why the Vice President keeps insulting the intelligence of Nigerians by insisting that former President Jonathan ‘destroyed’ Nigeria. The Vice President should remember that under the Jonathan administration that he accuses of ‘destroying’ Nigeria for five years, A 50kg bag of rice was N8000 A litre of petrol was N87 $1 was N150 (then N199 in 2015) Lagos-Abuja air ticket was N2500 A bottle of Coke was N60 A tin of Peak milk was N80
Yet it was under this climate that Lai Mohammed chose to embarrass himself and his boss by releasing such a farcical and nonsensical looters’ list that only featured members of the opposition
Buhari
N18,000 minimum wage was equal to $120. If truly Jonathan destroyed Nigeria as Professor Yemi Osinbajo alleges, how come his boss, President Buhari, has made it a habit to recommission projects already commissioned by Jonathan, from the Air Force drone, the Plateau bridge and now to #EkoAtlanticCity, amongst others? Does Buhari like destruction? There is a popular Nigerian Pidgin proverb which goes ‘who no like better thing’. Buhari is recommissioning Jonathan’s project because he likes ‘better thing’. Since he cannot find any ‘better thing’ associated with him, President Buhari is drawn to Jonathan’s better things. In fact, I appeal to Professor Osinbajo and his boss to likewise ‘destroy’ Nigeria like Jonathan destroyed her. They claim that Jonathan ruined Nigeria and they are rescuing her, but the facts do not bear up to what they are saying. On the day ex-President Jonathan handed over to President Buhari, Aliko Dangote was worth $25 billion. Today, after three years of Buhari, Dangote is now worth $13.8 billion. If you doubt me, Google it yourself. Then think about it. Think about it very deeply. In fact, I hear that during Federal Executive Council meetings, President Buhari now calls Rotimi Amaechi, Martin LUTHER, because the man has looted Rivers state so much that even after leaving office the ALOOTA CONTINUA! I also have been reliably informed that the only reason President Buhari agreed to meet with Naomi Campbell is because he thought her name is Naomi Cowbell. You know how he prioritizes anything that has to do with cows. That reminds me, President Buhari is excitedly waiting to meet Simon Cowell soon. The last two paragraphs are a parody. Who we elect as President in 2019 has deep consequences for our pockets. In one week, two prominent Northern emirs who supported Buhari and celebrated when he won came out publicly to wail about extreme suffering and killings in their Emirates. They thought they dealt with Jonathan, but after three years of Buhari, they realize they dealt with themselves! After three years of blaming the previous administration and making little to no progress towards fulfilling their campaign promises, Nigerians can now see that the only difference between the APC and yahoo boys is that one operates from laptop while the other operates from the State House, other than that,
there is no difference. The APC that promised three million jobs per year has seen Nigerians lose 10 million jobs in the last three years. What is that if not fraud? They promised to make N1 equal to $1, but today $1 is equivalent to N367. Is that not yahoo? In fact, that one is no longer Yahoo. It is Yahoo plus! $25 billion was spent at NNPC without due process and nothing happened and the APC say they are fighting corruption? If President Buhari does not know, then I would like to inform him that with the amount of looters in his cabinet, Nigerians have nicknamed his government ALOOTA CONTINUA. How can Amaechi and others be in your government and you say you are fighting corruption! Fashola, your minister of works built a website for N78 million, yet he is fighting corruption with you? Corruption my foot! On a lighter note, I have just been informed that President Donald J. Trump of the US is called POTUS, While the President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria is called DISAPPOINTUS! Let me end this piece with an original poem I wrote: The first Siamese twins I have ever seen in my life are APC and Lies. They go together like white on rice. Their affinity to lying is so strong that they chose a spokesman whose name rhymes with lies! Oh what lies ahead for Nigeria when we have a Lai to inform us with lies? A Buhari to bore us with booboos in February! A Fashola to flash power! But the worst is the deputy, a pastor that passes on lies! A poem by Reno Omokri
Reno’s Nuggets
How do you expect God to answer your prayer when you can’t even answer your gateman’s greetings because he is poor? If you want to receive favour from higher up, you must first sow favour down. Don’t feel too proud to associate with your gateman. Even if he invites you to eat from his food, oblige. Take a spoonful or two. Don’t ignore the cleaner in your office. She is not dirty and ugly. If you were on her pay scale, you may even look scruffier than her. Make friends with ordinary people and God will make friends with you #RenosNuggets
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FASHION FILE
Abaya Lagos-Arise Fashion Week Collection
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 7, 2018
FASHION FILE
By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com
Abaya Lagos-Arise Fashion
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he runway shows of the highly anticipated ARISE Fashion Week kicked off on 31st March 2018 at Lagos Continental Hotel (formerly Intercontinental Hotel) with stunning collections from various designers across Africa. Abaya Lagos dazzled guests with Arabian-inspired cosmopolitan designs accentuated with turbans and sunshades. Other designers who showcased on Day 1 include Ziva Lagos, About That Curvy Life, Divine Endowment, House of Divas, Vonne Couture, Andrea Iyamah, Kluk CGDT, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Laurence Airline and Fashpa. pa
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ϳ˜ ͺ
MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fashogbon... ͻͻ;ͺ
L-R: Director, Admin and Human Resources, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture , Mr H B. Sarumi; Event Manager ,All Nigerian Festival, ANF, Willy Walkman; the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Fola Adeyemi ; Chief Festival Consultant, Otunba Ayo Olumoko ; Honourable Commissioner of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mr Steve Ayorinde and Founder of ANF, Mr Kupa Victory during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture recently
L-R: Head of Retail Segments, Union Bank, Paul Aseme; winner of the bank’s Star Prize - a brand new MG3 Car, Mr. Julius Ijibadejo with wife Mrs. Ijibadejo and Group Head, Union Bank,Oriyomi Bernard at the bank’s promo prize presentation ceremony in Lagos recently.
Women’s Voices to Empower 25m A new non-governmental organisation, Women’s Voices for Advancement of Women in Nigeria, has berthed with a mission to empower women politically and economically. The organisation which seeks to ensure that women are adequately represented in government, public offices and private sector is mobilising and engaging no fewer than 25 million women across the country. Unveiling the NGO in Lagos, the Founder, Mrs Bernadette Oddiah-Ajila, noted that the organisation was committed to the political and economic emancipation of women in Nigeria having observed that the percentage of women in highly esteemed positions in both
Cars45 Partners Firm for Sales of Locally Used Vehicles Indigenous car buying service, Cars45 has struck a partnership deal with Turing Simcubator and Carsbazr, to launch a refurbishment centre and retail point in Lagos. Simcubator is one of Nigeria’s largest mult-brand automobile workshop while Carsbazr is Nigeria’s largest locally used-car sales platform. According to the sponsor of the deal, the initiative was essential to make efficiently refurbished cars available to customers to enable them simply “buy and drive.” By this agreement, used cars from Nigeria that have been sold to Cars45 would be fixed to meet world-class standard by Turing Simcubator and upon repairs will be made available to Nigerians in good condition for immediate use. Speaking about the deal, Head of Marketing at the car buying service, Mohammed Iyamu, stated that the initiative would further help to allay the fears of Nigerians when purchasing used cars. “Nigerians largely express their fears when it comes to buying Nigerian-used cars. This fear is based on the mechanical problems caused by bad roads, harsh climatic conditions or user negligence. This arrangement provides a lasting solution to this challenge wherein customers can buy locally-used cars and sleep with two eyes closed.” Also speaking, Service Manager of Turing Simcubator’s, Vivek Arora added, “With this arrangement, the future of used cars on the road is truly bright. The stress of buying and shipping a car from overseas is one Nigerians will not have to go through since this deal is offering the exact quality in the refurbished cars.”
private and public sectors was not commensurate with the ratio of women in the country, while the few ones in power had not really performed to expectations. Ajila, who has influenced a lot of developmental projects in the country by sourcing for foreign grants, stated that plans were ongoing to inaugurate state chapters of the organisation across the 36 states of the federation as part of efforts to realise its 25 million target before 2019 elections. “We are determined to increase women’s participation in electioneering, governance, public service, to bring succour to women and young females through economic empowerment. We want to gain the confidence of Nigerian
women on our platform from where we can engage and endorse women candidates who are reliable, competent and have good track records,” she said. She added that the NGO is not party or government-affiliated and would strive as much as possible to remain neutral in order not to compromise its goal of realising a fulfilled Nigeria through competent and credible candidates that would be presented to the public from the platform. “We want to raise true leaders who understand the plight of the masses, who are in touch with reality and would be ready to assist other women to grow economically or politically. Before we endorse any candidate, we will undergo
All-Nigerian Festival Holds in Lagos The NIgeria tourism sector is set to experience a major boom with the All-Nigerian Festival, ANF, taking place in Lagos between April 13 and 15. The first-of-its-kind in the country, the event which promises to promote Nigerian ways of life in its uniqueness would be graced by over 30 visitors from across the world amidst rare exhibition of food, fashion, local beverage, arts and craft, cultural dance and live music. Put together by a group of entrepreneurs, including Lagos-based legendry fashion designer, Mr. MoAmi, food nutritionist, Miss Iyabo Lawani, iconic art and craft curator, Mrs. Nike Okundaye of Nike Art Gallery, DG of Nigerian Cultural troupe dance, Dr. Arnold Udoka and veteran Nigerian dance hall pioneer, instrumentalist and musician, Mr. Kupa Victory. The show which had the full support of the Lagos State Government essentially seeks to promote the cultural heritage of Nigeria. Providing more details on the programme, curator of the programme, Kupa Victory stated that the festival would feature full cultural display from the different parts of the country. “We will be promoting the local cuisines by showcasing the official food of each state in Nigeria to the international world. We will also be showcasing our local liquor like the kunu, zobo, which will be officially packaged. On fashion, we shall be looking at the different fashion styles peculiar to the different ethnic groups in Nigeria. For instance, there is a way the Bayelsan man dresses
which is different from the dressing style of the Delta man. For the arts, we will be looking at arts, craft, cultural dance as well as music. “In tandem with diversifying Nigeria’s economy, it is time the private sector takes the bull by the horns and take charge of the tourism sector. This urge in turn gave rise to the inspiration for us to partner with the Federal Government (through the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture) to create a market place which will feature cuisines and culture of the West African country, culminating in a festive exhibition. Of course, guests and visitors are assured of guaranteed security from the Lagos State Police command and private security. We therefore expect that subsequent host states will emulate the anticipated success of this edition as we plan to make the ANF an annual event.” Speaking further, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Folarin Adeyemi, commended the initiative and also reaffirmed the state support for the cultural gathering. “It is the desire of the governor to always support individuals, groups and organisations that are interested in arts and culture and by extension tourism activities in Lagos state. Hence, partnering with the organisers of this event is not a coincidence as we have done a lot in the past two years of our administration.” Adeyemi stated.
a tough scrutiny of such a person, checking her background, antecedent and others,” she noted. On economic empowerment, she explained that the NGO was working to partner with Nigerians in diaspora to initiate trade activities in the country. “We intend to roll out different empowerment programmes. Basically, agricultural initiatives such as poultry, snail rearing, fishery and vocational skills which we can establish in small businesses. We would go beyond training to equipping our women with tools and set them up in groups,” she explained.
Union Bank Wraps up Centenary Promo, Gives Out 3 Cars Union Bank has officially rounded off its 100 years’ anniversary promo where it appreciated its loyal customers with varieties of gifts including three brand new cars, flat-screen televisions, generators, microwave ovens, shopping vouchers and airtime. The promo which started last year was part of the company’s programmes to mark its hundred years of business sustainability as well as to express gratitude to customers Speaking at the final draw of the exercise in Lagos where an Osogbo trader won a brand new MG3 car, the bank’s Head of Retail Segments, Paul Aseme, stated that the bank would continue to partner with its customers towards the realisation if its goals and objectives. “We ran the customer promo as part of efforts to thank our customers for their commitment to us. They remain the focus of our business and we will continue to invest in innovative products and services so as to provide them with the required support to live a more productive live,” he said. Mr. Ijibadejo, who emerged winner in the final draw said, “I am very grateful to the bank for this car. At first I did not believe this was real, but now I have the car keys in my hand. I am very excited about it and I promise to remain loyal to the bank.” As the financial institution launched into its second century, it has promised to strengthen its offerings as well as deliver quality banking services and improved customer experience across all its touch points.
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PERSPECTIVE
Buhari, Tinubu and 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium Tunde Rahman
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his year’s Bola Tinubu Colloquium, marking the 66th birthday of Asiwaju Tinubu, may have come and gone, but it was an occasion many will not forget in a hurry. The galaxy of dignitaries in attendance, the high quality of presentations made and speeches delivered and the moving accounts rendered by beneficiaries of the social investment programmes of the government made the event a highly memorable one. This 10th edition of the colloquium confirms the platform has come to be accepted as a forum for the critical interrogation of the nation’s problems and presentation of substantive ideas for the wayforward. This year’s theme- ‘Investing in People’ was particularly apt. It drew attention to governmental programmes improving the lives of many poor and vulnerable Nigerians. It was eye-opening to see and hear people from all parts of the country narrate how a particular government programme that invested in ordinary people enabled many to leave the ranks of the unemployed or poverty-strickened by starting their businesses or acquiring skills that enabled them to gain employment. Students emotionally recounted how the school feeding program enabled them to have at least one solid meal a day and how this has been a magnet for them and others to attend school by overcoming the hunger and poverty that previously kept them away from the classroom. President Muhammadu Buhari who had attended the 8th edition of the colloquium held in Abuja made a return at this year’s event. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who leads a committee of Tinubu’s associates to organize the annual programme, did a superlative job with this event. At least 20 state governors, captains of industry, prominent traditional rulers from across the country, members of the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries attended. In a powerful speech, Vice President Osinbajo recounted how the idea for the colloquium was born and its essence. He said the idea was based on Asiwaju Tinubu’s encouragement of lively debate and discussion among his cabinet and other advisors while he was Lagos State governor. The Vice President explained the philosophy behind the social investment programmes of the Buhari administration, emphasizing that the establishment of this social safety net was unprecedented in Nigeria. This feat was even more impressive considering the lower oil prices and diminished revenues this government faces as opposed to the prior PDP administrations. The VP did not mince words in drawing a clear distinction between the APC Buhari government and the PDP government it supplanted.
Tinubu Planning, Hajiya Zainab The 10th colloquium National Ahmed, and National Home Grown Feeding Programme (NHGSoffered a platform School FP) by the National Coordinator to explain the of the programme, Mrs. Abimbola Adesanmi. Senior Special Assistant government’s social to the President on Job Creation Youth Employment, Mr. Afolabi investment policies and Imoukhuede, spoke on N Power and programmes to Programme and Job Creation, Executive Director, Bank of Industry and the people. This was Coordinator, Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme, appropriate given there and Mrs. Constance Lewechukwu, spoke the Government Enterprise and is a lack of awareness in on Empowerment Programme ‘Market some quarters as to the Moni’ while the Special Assistant to President on Social Investment, efforts undertaken to the Hajiya Maryam Uwais, dwelt on the Cash Transfer Programme. establish a social safety National Some of the beneficiaries of these net adequate to the programmes came on stage to speak the benefits they derived from needs of the people about the programmes and their experi-
He said the government of President Goodluck Jonathan wasted and squandered money when oil prices were high. The Jonathan government engaged in record corruption instead of investing in the people, though it had greater means to do so. The Buhari government has been able to do much more for the people although it has less money, Osinbajo stated. He said Nigerians should remember that the PDP lost and looted on a grand scale. Thus, they should not be again given the reins of government as they will only repeat their financial hijinks. Also at the event, there were presentations on the government’s Social Investment Programme by the Minister of State, Budget and
ences. The 10th colloquium offered a platform to explain the government’s social investment policies and programmes to the people. This was appropriate given there is a lack of awareness in some quarters as to the efforts undertaken to establish a social safety net adequate to the needs of the people. Now a few clarifications. One, some commentators have argued the colloquium was like a 2019 campaign launch for President Buhari. Not so. The event was to draw a sharp distinction between the progressive ideals and resultant people-oriented policies of the APC and the corrupt banality of PDP style governance. As one of the leading progressive voices in the nation, Asiwaju Tinubu was pleased to have received such an explanation of government programmes on his birthday. The colloquium served
to underscore that the government indeed remained faithful to the APC’s progressive creed despite the budgetary and other constraints faced. No PDP government can claim the same loyalty to ideals and to the people. President Buhari himself spoke at the Colloquium, affirming his commitment to reform and improve Nigeria despite the hardships those who benefit from the status quo may concoct to deter the drive for a better, more just nation. The president had said: “I am happy to be here with you to celebrate the birthday of my friend and political partner, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I call on all Nigerians to join me in celebrating this man. Asiwaju Tinubu is widely known as a political strategist. But strategy is barren unless wedded to a higher purpose than just itself. Here, Asiwaju also sets himself apart. I have come to see him as a man who cares about people and who is a fountain of ideas for economic development and improving the situation of the common man and woman. He is a true humanitarian and we appreciate his contributions to Nigeria’s and Africa’s progress”. Later, Asiwaju Tinubu would also speak highly of the president and his commitment to progress despite the undermining antics of those opposed to change. Two, some others including a few writers also alleged that Asiwaju deliberately skipped some dignitaries among them ministers and traditional rulers when recognizing people at the colloquium. Some specifically tried to make heavy weather over the unintentional omission of the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, a former governor of Lagos State. These people seek to stir a tempest in a teaspoon. Those in attendance saw how Asiwaju was emotionally moved by the honour done him by the presence of some leading Nigerians present to the extent that he put aside his prepared speech to speak extempore. He did so out of a feeling of gratitude not pettiness. At such moments, the exactitude of protocol can escape a person. There are many that Asiwaju probably wanted to acknowledge but did not simply because of uniqueness of the moment. That Fashola was there only contributed to the fullness of that moment. Asiwaju would not have stained such a special time by knowingly refusing to recognize Minister Fashola or anyone else for that matter. Over the years, Asiwaju has repeatedly and publicly acknowledged the fine place that Babatunde Fashola holds in the history of governance of the state. Those who now try to spark enmity should find more constructive work for their overactive imaginations. –Rahman, former Editor, THISDAY on Sunday Newspaper, is Media Adviser to Asiwaju Tinubu.
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APRIL 7, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
PERSPECTIVE
That House Committee’s Indictment of Malami Kabiru Madaki
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have never been a fan of legislative hearings in this country. And I know there are many Nigerians who share my sentiments. It is not that legislative hearings are useless or a waste of time. Far from it, they are actually critical to the work that legislators do. Public hearings can help expose corruption and strengthens the legislature’s capacity to make good laws. But contrary to the ideals of public legislative hearings, the Nigerian legislators have turned it into a weapon of intimidation, blackmail and political witch-hunt. And there are many of examples of such hearings that had failed to impact good governance because the end reports were controversial and even rejected by some members of committees that conducted the hearings. The latest report of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee which investigated the controversial circumstances in which Abdulrashheed Maina was promoted and reinstated into the service, will undoubtedly suffer this fate too. Maina, former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), was dismissed in 2013 and subsequently declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when he failed to appear for questioning. The House resolved last October to probe the circumstances surrounding his recall and re-instatement, and appointed an ad-hoc committee led by Aliyu Sani Madaki, an APC legislator from Kano to do the job. The committee submitted its report to the House recently and immediately stirred the hornets’ nest. Not only did the committee do a shoddy job of its important assignment, but the report made it obvious that someone had an axe or two to grind with the AttorneyGeneral and Minister for Justice of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. Contrary to legislative norms, the committee turned itself into a judicial body and pronounce Malami guilty of recalling and reinstating Maina into the civil service!
Malami According to the committee’s report, Maina’s reinstatement was “fraudulently masterminded” by Malami and that the Attorney General “pressurised all that mattered” to force Maina back into the service. The report said it was established that the Attorney General met with Maina in Dubai knowing full well that the ex-pension task force boss was a wanted person. It said there was undue interference and pressure on the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) from Malami on the matter. The report said it was curious that Malami could facilitate Maina’s recall when he admitted that the ex-pension chief was part of a ‘pension syndicate’ that fed fat on pension fund. It is curious and sad that a committee of legislators could reach these jaundiced
conclusions without any tangible proof of what they alleged. Do members of this committee know the meaning of “fraudulently masterminded” Maina’s reinstatement? Did they avail themselves of the services of legal consultants? Do they even know the legal implications of what they claim? The answer to these questions, in my opinion, has to be No! And it is very sad that we have law makers who may not understand the law. Fraud is a criminal conduct which can only be established by a court or a judicial panel of inquiry, and not legislators. Why would the committee allow itself to be tempted to use these strong words if it is just doing legislative work? And the most audacious part is when the committee says the AGF’s actions contravened Section 158 of the 1999 constitution, which says “In exercising its power to make appointments or to exercise disciplinary control over persons, the Code of Conduct Bureau, the National Judicial Council, the Federal Civil Service Commission, the Federal Judicial Service Commission, the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, the Federal Character Commission, and the Independent National Electoral Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person.” Give me a break! When did a legislative committee become a judicial panel or a law court? Only the court can determine and pronounce a conduct criminal and not a legislature. This is why it is obvious that the committee report is no more than a hatchet job to settle some scores with the AGF or perhaps pre-empt whatever plans he may have for 2019. It is pertinent to recall here that the AGF, perhaps aware of the end game, had gone to court to stop the legislature from probing the alleged re-instatement of Maina. The case is still in court. But this did not stop the Madaki committee from going ahead to not only make unsubstantiated claims against the AGF but going as far as indicting him for alleged criminal action. It is not only ridiculous but has made our
legislators a laughing stock. Any law student knows that when a matter is submitted to judicial determination by parties, none of the parties can pre-empt the right for judicial determination of the court by way of foisting on it a situation of helplessness. By making pronouncements or issuing reports that seek to persuade and compromise the judicial process. I had a revealing conversation with a former lawmaker on the house report indicting Malami. He too had read the report and told me pointedly that the committee would not have gone that far without the support of the leadership of the house. In essence he said Malami must have stepped on some toes in the legislature and some interests are bent on cutting him to size. It is unimaginable; he said that a legislative committee that is not doing a hatchet job would turn in such a ridiculous report. I have asked myself whether there were secret hearings beyond what Nigerians witnessed last October when the Director of DSS, Lawan Daura, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Oyo Ita, the AGF and others were invited to testify. I did not hear or see anything to suggest what the committee claims in its report. Malami admitted meeting Maina but pointedly denied authorising his re-instatement. His account was corroborated by Daura who revealed that he was even the one that advised Malami to meet Maina. There is no doubt that Maina’s alleged recall and re-instatement was an embarrassing moment for the country, and it put a big question mark on the integrity of Nigeria’s Civil Service. How such a thing could happen in the Federal Civil Service is a question that must bother patriotic Nigerians. Finding the right answers too is as critical as finding solutions that would forestall a recurrence. The way the Madaki committee went about the assignment must be a let-down to all reasonable people. The legislature has failed once again to intervene positively at a time when such intervention could be impactful. – Madaki wrote in from Kano
Between Bola Tinubu and Professor Yemi Osinbajo Richard Kehis
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used to be a fan of Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress until he became the executive governor of Lagos state in 1999. Shortly after his swearing in ceremony, news broke out that the man was involved in certificate scandal. In the INEC form that he completed and submitted to the electoral body, the senator stated the following: (1) that he attended Government College Ibadan, (2) that he was a graduate of the University of Chicago and (3) that he earned an MBA degree from the institution. Of course, based on these claims, he was cleared to contest the election. Sadly enough, it turned out that these information in INEC forms were false and the explanation for this came from Senator Tokunbor Afikuyomi who claimed that he was the person that filled the INEC forms for Senator Tinubu. In the ensuing controversy, the Lagos state House of Assembly set up a kangaroo panel to look into the scandal and expectedly the house under the speakership of Dr. Olorunmibe Mamora cleared Tinubu of any wrong doing. This of course did not go down well with our only irrepressible and indefatigable legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawhehinmi. When other legal practitioners and western media decided to downplay this scandal, Chief Gani insisted that a spade should not be called any other name except a spade. For Chief Gani Fawhehinmi, corruption means dishonesty, fraud, vice and exploitation and not just stealing public funds as President Buhari and vice president Osinbajo would want Nigerians to believe. Sadly enough, because of the enormous pressure pilled on Chief Gani, he eventually dropped the case, but of course, it remains in public domain that false information were provided to secure
a political position. The second reason I’m not a fan of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is that before he became a governor, he was not known to be an industrialist, manufacturer, importer or exporter. He was not known to have managed any major large corporates like Jim Ovia or Tony Elumelu. But today, Tinubu remains one of the wealthiest Nigerians with a private jet to boot. He owns a newspaper publishing company, a Television station, a five star hotel among several other multibillion naira investments. For sure, he’s not among those being hounded by the EFCC. I was a fan of Professor Yemi Osibanjo until the man decided to become a typical Nigeria politician. The Professor’s case is a classical manifestation of the saying that you cannot really know a person’s character until you offer him or her a high office/responsibility. In September last year, I was at the burial of the mother of the current Director General of the Budget Office, Pastor Ben Akabueze at Ifite-Dunu in Dunokofia Local Government area of Anambra State. Pastor Ben Akabueze is a highly respected Pastor in one of the major Parishes RCCG in Victoria Island, Lagos. Incidentally, the vice president was equally there as the burial was more or less a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) affair. In the course of his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, the Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor lamented the deplorable state of insecurity in the country. He wondered why the IPOB people of South East who merely wield sachet water, stones, plastic bottles, flags and uniforms were not only summarily crushed by the Nigeria military but gazetted as a terrorist organisation while the Herdsmen that openly wield AK 47, killing, maiming, raping women, taking over their age long farms were being treated with kid gloves by the government. He condemned the lopsidedness in appointments
at federal level, particularly the appointment of security chiefs. In all this, the highly revered Bishop received ovation from the audience. However, when it was time for the vice president to make his comments, it was a completely different ball game for the audience. The situation was not helped by the comments of the visiting vice president. Hear our vice president: “President Buhari is a very fair minded person. In the North West where the president comes from, there’s no substantive minister. They are all junior ministers, but in the south east and south south, we have substantive ministers” Readers, this was part of the response to the weighty issues raised by the officiating Bishop by our vice president. Of course, there were lots of murmurings and expressions of disappointments by the audience. In fact the fellow sitting next to me in the church asked repeatedly who the current minister of Petroleum Resources is and I pleaded with him to take it easy with the VP. A few months ago, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu wrote to the president and expressed frustration over what he regarded as irregularities in contract awards, appointments and governance issues in NNPC. He stated in that letter that $25bn contracts were awarded without due process. In the heat of the public outcry, our vice president stated that what he approved was a loan and not a contract. Our Professor of law cleverly forgot that a loan is also a contract. Today, the issue has died down as no one is talking about it again. Earlier in the life of this administration, the VP had told the whole world that the past administration did nothing other than squandering of our national wealth. He cleverly forgot that 12 federal universities that currently accommodate our teeming university materials, the numerous Almajiri schools in the north, the railway project that even President Buhari and the loquacious minister of transportation have acknowledged
as projects of past administration. According to notable columnist, Simon Kolawole, Professor Osinbajo has threatened that he will not stop talking about the past administration. The respected columnist reminded him that late Chief Obafemi Awolowo is remembered glowingly today for his giant strides in education, health and economic developments in the south west and not what he said about Chief Ladoke Akintola. Our professor of law has turned 360 degree cycle since assuming office. He now resorts to diverting public attention each time major scandals erupts in this administration. You can call that intellectual sophistry. For a man that cherished true federalism before now, it’s no longer a necessity for our national development. He’s comfortable having the federal government disobey relevant court orders from within and outside Nigeria for the bail of the erstwhile National Security Adviser. Colonel Sambo Dasuki. He is comfortable having a legislation on hate speech, whatever that means. In the three years of this administration, our professor has not been able to tell us in concrete terms what this administration has achieved. All we hear is what the past administration did wrongly. Let me remind our Professor that one thing the immediate past administration did was the conduct of a free, fair and credible election that produced him and the President. That the election was not challenged at the tribunal was because the previous administration wanted peace to rein in the country and not because there were no basis for legal fireworks at the tribunal. Our professor and his principal campaigned on the basis of fighting insecurity, corruption and fixing the economy. Can any fair minded observer say that we have made any progress in these three areas? –Richard Kehis is a business and financial consultant based in Aba
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ϳ˜ ͺ
COVER Tanko Yakasai
Buhari Not Prepared for Leadership, Anti-Corruption Fight, I Won’t Support His Second Term Bid Some Northern Leaders Have No Idea of How to Run Government –They Are Empty-headed We Have 37 People Who Decide the Fate of Nigeria He is very knowledgeable about Nigeria. He shoots from the hips and always speaks his mind fearlessly. The cerebral nonagenarian, founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum and Chairman, Northern Elders Council, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai in a no-holds -barred with Bayo Akinloye insists that the problem with Nigeria’s development is that leaders go for power without programmes while others are so intellectually deficit that they spread misery, often making progress by mistake. He dismissed the anti-corruption fight of President Muhammadu Buhari who he said lacked ideas about governance and development. He also ventured his views about the socio-political challenges of Nigeria, his grouse with President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress government, and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s inconsistency and clashes between herdsmen and farmers…excerpts
t 92 and considering your involvement in active politics, you must feel bad that the country’s economic and socio-political situation appears to be going from bad to worse? Yes, really. It’s very disappointing.
The North once had a glorious past in terms of economy and peace, today, education, healthcare, and security are in shambles in many northern states despite many of the country’s leaders have come from the North. What went wrong? If you don’t mind, I’ll go back to history briefly. Before now, the contact between the North and the South was very minimal –even the contact between the Yoruba and the Igbo was also very minimal –until the arrival of the British. The British conquered the South first and then they moved to the North and completed their conquest. They brought us together. After sometime, the urge all over the country –in fact, all over the world where the British had their colonial footprints was for freedom. The emerging leadership of the country was agitation for independence from the colonial masters –by that; I meant political leadership and political parties. The agitation for independence started with Herbert Macaulay and the rest of them. That agitation for independence was concretised by the 1957 conference –constitutional conference. If you
look through the history of Nigeria for political independence, the main goal was independence. By 1957 the British promised us independence and by 1960, there was a serious new challenge that confronted the political leadership. Specifically, there was the challenge of dealing with three distinct administrative units in the country –North, West, and East. Unfortunately for Nigeria, the leaders were by and large regional leaders. Some of them claimed national outlook but they were basically regional in their approach. Therefore, since 1957 to 1960 when we gained independence, the idea of what’s next after independence started to dawn on them (the leaders): ‘Now that we’re going to get independence, what’s next? What are we going to do?’ They had no already conceived ideas as to what to do after independence. None of them had a typical national programme. There was no concrete programme for the nation as a whole by Zik, Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa, and the Sardauna –Ahmadu Bello. Their focus was on regional programmes. Awolowo’s focus was free education and health care; Zik’s focus was on tertiary education because they had a tradition of collecting money and sending their children abroad. So, he felt that instead of sending children abroad to pursue higher education why couldn’t money be collected and used to build universities in the country. What confronted Sardauna was that ‘after the independence who is going to run my administration?’ He focused on
APC and Buhari have no programme for Nigeria. Unfortunately, three years after taking over the reins of the country they are not able to evolve a comprehensive programme, define the priorities that will affect the life of ordinary Nigerians. If you ask me three areas of priority, I will tell you right away: develop agriculture, develop power, and develop education. If three years have been spent in laying the foundation for these three areas, we will know that we have a trajectory. Even if Buhari did not win a second term bid, whoever takes over will have no alternative to go back to the same trajectory – even if it is with some modifications
Yakasai
APRIL 7, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
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COVER Why North Is More Backward Than South-West, South-East, and South-South the policy of modernisation. He organised crash programmes in the administration where he could get people to rise after independence. Even with that, the Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa conceived the idea for the development of agriculture and power. His idea was for the industrialisation of the country and development of agriculture to have food sustainability and cash crops to sustain our industries. That was the concept. The programmes of the political parties in the country after independence were largely regional; not national. The only person with a national programme was the Prime Minister –he conceived the Niger Delta development plan; extension of railways, road networks, even the construction of the trans-Sahara road to facilitate export and import; and through the Mediterranean. Go and look for that programme. It is a comprehensive programme. Then, the military took over. Unfortunately for Nigeria and for everybody in Nigeria, the military were only interested in taking over power. People who staged the coup in 1966 did not have any idea about how to run the country –killing largely people from the North. In fact, (Aguiyi) Ironsi who took over from them also had no programme on how to run the nation. That was the beginning of our undoing. We endured a long period of time under the military. Our attempt to reconnect with facet of leadership and political parties in Nigeria was at the Second Republic. But the Second Republic came out with a different kind of constitution –not what we used to know. We were formerly operating a parliamentary system of government. But all of a sudden, we were confronted with the challenge to operate a new system of government –the American presidential system. So, we were confronted with the problem of creating a structure and operating it at the same time. The over-ambitious young men in the military didn’t allow us to continue. Lately, the remnants of the disciples of the facet of political leaders like (Shehu) Shagari, Bisi Onabanjo, Adamu Attah, and a host of them came into the picture as governor or President. They tried to see how they could transform the parliamentary system of government into a presidential system. We were making that effort when the military overthrew the government. Are you saying the military played a role in the political mess the country is contending with today? The military during the interregnum of democracy made a lot of money and introduced money into the polity –into politics. If you don’t have money you cannot be considered for any elective office in the country. You cannot achieve anything, politically, without having plenty of money or having a moneybag to back your political aspiration –it doesn’t matter whether it’s at the local, state or federal level. That can only be achieved unless you have the blessing of the governor or the president. When (Olusegun) Obasanjo took over (in 1999 as a civilian president) and turned himself into the party leader (of the Peoples Democratic Party) and granted the governors the opportunity to become leaders of the party in their states, we woke up one day and discovered that 37 people decide the fate of Nigeria as a whole. So, what I’m saying, in response to your earlier question, is that the problem is not peculiar to the North. The problem affects all parts of the country. So, why is the North so backward compared with other regions and some say President Muhammadu Buhari has brought shame to the country particularly to the North? Is that what you think too?
Yakasai
Let me answer the first question, then I will come back to respond to the second question. I will answer the question in the two sequences that you asked them. The first is about the deterioration in the North. I told you that this deterioration is taking place all over the country. But I’m saying that the peculiar situation in the North should be taken into consideration: that the North is not the same as the West and the East. The West is made up of one single ethnic group –with same culture and traditions –and they are most educated set of Nigerians. Then, the East, by and large with the exclusion of minority elements shares a similar outlook as the West –being made up of one ethnic group –the Igbo. The South-South has its own challenges but they are not as pronounced as those of the North because the North has so many ethnic groups. In Nigeria, it is estimated that we have over 500 different ethnic groups. Over 350 ethnic groups are located in the North. This is the reason the problem of the North is more complicated. But unfortunately for the North, most of the leaders who have ruled Nigeria came from the region. And, I dare say that if you find them performing, it is not by the programme that they conceived before coming to power. It is by sheer accident. Most of them who do not bring in anything –who are by and large empty-headed – will not be able to perform. This is the tragedy. If they had any idea they could not apply it to the development of the North. But they have no idea; they’re emptyheaded. Only some of them conceived ideas before getting into power. Some get ideas by sheer accident. Some don’t have ideas at all –either before getting into power or when they’re in power. Will you categorise President Muhammadu as one of such leaders with no idea as his administration has been criticised like the previous regime of President Goodluck Jonathan to be clueless? I said that before the 2015 (presidential) election that both the All Progressives Congress and Muhammadu Buhari have no programme for Nigeria.
I said it –that statement is in the public domain and for anyone to access all over the country. This is the fact: you cannot rule without a programme. If you rule without a programme, you’re bound to fail. APC and Buhari have no programme for Nigeria. Unfortunately, three years after taking over the reins of the country they are not able to evolve a comprehensive programme, define the priorities that will affect the life of ordinary Nigerians. If you ask me three areas of priority, I will tell you right away: develop agriculture, develop power, and develop education. If three years have been spent in laying the foundation for these three areas, we will know that we have a trajectory. Even if Buhari did not win a second term bid, whoever takes over will have no alternative to go back to the same trajectory –even if it is with some modifications. So, do you agree with people who say the president has brought shame to the country, particularly to the North, both to the masses and the elites? That language is not a language of maturity. At 92-plus, I wouldn’t buy this language; I will not respect any Nigerian or any citizen who talks of his own head of state as a shame. I will not call a leader a shame to his country. No, I won’t do that. I can tell you that he has not performed the way the country expected him to perform. There’s no doubt about that. What do you think about the alleged corruption in President Buhari’s government? Even the (former) Secretary to the Government of the Federation was dismissed on the basis of corrupt practices –that’s the height of lack of commitment to fighting corruption. How could such action of his take place under the full glare of his principal only for the National Assembly to expose him? Otherwise, he would have remained in office. There are allegations that many of the government functionaries are now really engaged in corrupt practices. I don’t think there’s a fight against cor-
The military during the interregnum of democracy made a lot of money and introduced money into the polity –into politics. If you don’t have money you cannot be considered for any elective office in the country. You cannot achieve anything, politically, without having plenty of money or having a moneybag to back your political aspiration –it doesn’t matter whether it’s at the local, state or federal level. That can only be achieved unless you have the blessing of the governor or the president. When (Olusegun) Obasanjo took over (in 1999 as a civilian president) and turned himself into the party leader (of the Peoples Democratic Party) and granted the governors the opportunity to become leaders of the party in their states, we woke up one day and discovered that 37 people decide the fate of Nigeria as a wholeI’m saying, in response to your earlier question, is that the problem is not peculiar to the North. The problem affects all parts of the country
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 7 , 2018
COVER Nigeria Has Had Regional, Not National, Leaders since Independence ruption; it’s illogical. Fighting corruption isn’t going about arresting people; you need to tackle the root causes. In Nigeria today, I don’t know who will go to Paradise. Buhari is not prepared to fight corruption; he’s not fighting corruption at all. He’s only fighting corruption as far as his opponents are concerned. What is your relationship with Jonathan and do you think Jonathan performed better president than Buhari? You’re overloading the question. I didn’t know Jonathan from Adam. I supported him but I had never met him one-on-one until two weeks before the election. When I was told of something that would bring the country into a crisis that would be worse than what happened in Rwanda. I sent a message to him. I didn’t do that to him as a person. Because of the coup of 1966 that resulted in the death of more northerners the relationship between the North and the East was severed. Then, a similar case presented itself during the Second Republic when Shagari was humiliated by the NPN; those who made it possible for Shagari to be the president of Nigeria were from the South-South. So, my support for Jonathan was to reconnect. I talked to many northerners but unfortunately at that time they were not prepared to listen to me. I said, ‘Look, let us reconnect with the people in the South-South.’ We cannot do that in the South-West because most of the antagonists of the North are from the South-West. The South-East because of the civil war –saw the civil war as a fight between the Igbo and the northerners and not between Nigeria and the secessionist movement in the South-East. But the only people who have never had any quarrel between them were the northerners and the South-South people. I wanted national unity to be promoted; because without a country you can’t have a good president. I don’t think it’s a question of who is a better president. I think it’s a question of who promotes national unity and develop the country. I think somebody from the South-South with the support of the North will bring about national unity and development. Are you saying President Buhari has not promoted national unity? Well, he worked with the South-West; if that has promoted national unity, you’re there to tell. Do you think Buhari has been able to achieve national unity? I don’t think so because I saw how people from South-West are complaining of marginalisation –even (Bola) Tinubu is marginalised; Tinubu, who made it possible for Buhari to get the support of the South-West. Do you think President Buhari deserves re-election in 2019? I didn’t even support him to contest in the last election. If I didn’t support his candidacy the first time, why should I support the call for his re-election? There’s no basis for that. I didn’t support him in the first place; I am not supporting him in his second term bid. I won’t support him for a second term. What do you think about the role former President Olusegun Obasanjo is playing in the country especially criticising presidents who came after him? My problem with Obasanjo is that he talks; it is counter-productive. My worry is the way presidents are emerging in the country. Obasanjo was sponsored by some powerful people. He was in the
Yakasai
prison and when he was brought out he said he had no money, they gave him money. Upon assuming power, he said in six months he would fix the problem of electricity; in eight years he couldn’t do it. Later, the National Assembly conducted an investigation and people close to him were reported to have collected millions of dollars for electricity projects but had nothing to show for it. After his eight-year rule, Obasanjo brought in (Umaru) Yar’Adua after finding out that the health condition of Yar’Adua would not make it possible for him to complete even his first term –whether that is true or not, the fact remains that Yar’Adua was not able to complete his first term due to ill health. Then, Obasanjo campaigned; it was in the constitution of our country that Jonathan should succeed Yar’Adua. But Yar’Adua came into power under the rotation arrangement which Obasanjo met on the ground by the time he joined the party. Obasanjo was not among those who formed the party (PDP). He joined the party after leaving the prison. Obasanjo campaigned for Jonathan to contest the presidential election after completing the term of Yar’Adua in violation of the zoning/rotation arrangement policy of his party. But half-way through his term, Obasanjo joined the forces against him until he was not able to win the 2015 election. Then, Obasanjo supported Buhari with all the might at his disposal. Now half-way through Buhari’s tenure, changed gear. He’s busy campaigning against him. I don’t like his inconsistency; inconsistency is not good. My problem with Obasanjo is that when situations suit his whims he will support somebody, if not; he will
change his mind –that’s inconsistency. You should support somebody on the basis of principle and you stick to it. I don’t believe in inconsistency; Obasanjo is not consistent. What is view about the farmersherders conflict? It has been happening in Nigeria even before the British came. It is happening but it is not a good thing. I think the government is not tackling the issue the right way. What I think about the farmers-herders conflict is that the government should convene a stakeholders’ meeting –national stakeholders’ meeting involving representatives of farmers, herders, political parties, National Assembly, governors, religious and traditional rulers, the academia, and youths. The government needs to do this.
Look, nobody can stop open-grazing by herders in Nigeria. Nobody can stop it. When the British came they found that the Fulani came from Senegal, Mali, Niger, from Mauritania, from Libya, across to reach Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and at the end of the grazing they would go back to where they came from. They’ve been doing this for hundreds of years. So, the British said, ‘OK, let us demarcate some areas for them’ called routes – cattle routes. So, they gave them from the beginning of Nigeria to the end of it, to the sea. And, they didn’t do one; they did so many –so, whichever angle they take, they pass. Ironically, you find that the livestock preferred our own type of grass. The government has to provide grazing fields for the herders and where there’s no water the government has to provide such; otherwise they’ll have to do it by themselves from. They’ve been doing this for hundreds of years. So, the British said, ‘OK, let us demarcate some areas for them’ called routes –cattle routes. So, they gave them from the beginning of Nigeria to the end of it, to the sea. And, they didn’t do one; they did so many –so, whichever angle they take, they pass. Ironically, you find that the livestock preferred our own type of grass. The government has to provide grazing fields for the herders and where there’s no water the government has to provide such; otherwise they’ll have to do it by themselves.
Do you support the practice of open-grazing by the herders? Did you know that the genesis of the Rwandan genocide started from this issue of grazing? But they developed the idea on how to solve the problem of grazing and they did, and are living in peace. There are ideas generated by others that we should copy.
Do you condemn the killings that have been going on? Do you think at 90-plus I will condone any killings? I don’t support killing other people. In my religion, in the holy Quran, it says’ ‘Don’t take life.’ It says, ‘Whoever kills a human being not in accordance with the law is acting as if he’s killing the entire human race.’ My religion abhors killing. I don’t support killing people except if it is ordered by the law – by the court.
Are you saying you don’t support open-grazing? Look, nobody can stop open-grazing by herders in Nigeria. Nobody can stop it. When the British came they found that the Fulani came from Senegal, Mali, Niger, from Mauritania, from Libya, across to reach Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and at the end of the grazing they would go back to where they came
Do you want to share your view on Boko Haram and the latest abduction of the Dapchi schoolgirls? Does it make sense that the Boko Haram terrorists just brought back the girls without any prompting? Therefore, whatever the strategy the federal government used to bring back the Dapchi girls, they should use same strategy to bring back the remainder of the Chibok girls.
T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY APRIL 7, 2018
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POLITY
Ekweremadu, Congratulates Sierra Leoneans, President Bio Bennett Oghifo
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ormer Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has congratulated the government and people of Sierra Leone on the successful conclusion of the country’s presidential election. He also congratulated the newly elected President, Julius Maada Bio on his election as the country’s incoming President. Reacting to the development, Ekweremadu, who is also the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, said
the peaceful conclusion of the presidential election as well as the victory secured by the opposition was further confirmation that democracy was taking deeper roots in Africa. He said: “I congratulate the people of Sierra Leone for making Africa proud, once again. The successful conduct of the parliamentary elections and peaceful conclusion of the presidential election surely compensate for the sacrifices made by the people of the sub-region and indeed the international community to restore peace and democracy in Sierra Leone. “This is another giant stride for democracy, especially in West Africa. Successive victories by the opposition
in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, in recent years are clear indications that democracy is taking deeper roots in the sub-region. “I commend President Julius Maada Bio and the Sierra Leone People’s Party for their sense of patriotism as shown by their post-victory statements giving every Sierra Leonean a sense of belonging and rallying all towards building a country of their dreams, irrespective of tribe, religion, and political affiliation. “I also salute the patriotism and courage of former President Ernest Bai Koroma in upholding the sanctity of the ballot box. He has no doubt secured for himself a place as a true statesman�.
Ekweremadu
Uganda to Host 7th DStv Eutelsat Star Awards
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overnment dignitaries, the academic community, scientific world and students will convene when MultiChoice Africa together with its partner, Eutelsat, hosts the 7th edition of the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards in Kampala on 12 April to announce continental winners. Uganda, popularly called the “Pearl of Africa�, has produced the most winners since the competition began and is hoping to achieve a similar feat by dominating the competition on home soil. MultiChoice and Eutelsat have once collaborated with European Space
Agency (ESA) astronaut Paolo Nespoli to lead the continental awards assessment process, which will take place in Kampala on 11 April. Nespoli has an illustrious career spanning stints at the European Astronaut Centre (ESA/ EAC) and NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston before being selected as an astronaut by the Italian Space Agency to fly as an ESA astronaut. In 2017, for his third mission in space, named Vita, Nespoli spent 139 days on the International Space Station (ISS) during which he completed more than 60 experiments. Before that, he crewed on the 2007 Discovery shuttle mission
and spent over five months in space in 2011 aboard the ISS, where he was responsible for a range of science and technology experiments and educational activities. Nespoli will be assisted by a panel of industry experts that consisting of Professor Funso Falade, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos; Mr. Michael Niyitegeka, Country Manager, ICDL Africa; Mr. Patrice Paquot, Deputy Regional Vice-President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Eutelsat; as well as Ms. Patricia Kichoncho, Operations Manager, MultiChoice Uganda. The overall winner of the essay
award will be rewarded with a trip, along with a parent/legal guardian to Eutelsat in France and attend a live rocket launch in French Guiana. The overall winner of the poster award will similarly be entitled to a trip, along with a parent or legal guardian, to the MultiChoice offices and the South African Space Agency at Hartbeesthoek. The schools attended by the overall award winners will be rewarded with a DStv installation, including dish, television, state-of-the-art PVR decoder and free access to the DStv Education Package.
Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (left); and Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, SecureID Limited, Mrs. Kofo Akinkugbe, during the governor’s visit to SecureID Limited’s Smartcard Manufacturing Plant in Lagos...recently
L-R: Executive Director, Human Resources and Administration, SIFAX Group, Dr. Fola Rogers-Saliu; Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi; Season 4 Winner, The Next Titan Entrepreneurial Reality TV Show, Kennedy Iyeh; and Executive Producer, The Next Titan Entrepreneurial Reality TV Show, Mr. Mide Kunle-Akinlaja, during an appreciation visit to SIFAX Group Head OďŹƒce for its support to the show’s Season 4, held in Lagos...recently
L-R: All Progressives Congress Member, Ibeju Lekki, Hon. Isiaka Logun; SSA to Senator Ashafa, Laide Adesanya; Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Gbenga Ashafa; and Hon. Ganiyu Afolabi, during the Senator’s gettogether with his Ward F members, Bogije, Ibeju-Lekki , Lagos ...recently
L-R: Head of Marketing, Spectranet 4GLTE, Mike Ogor; Executive Director, Galant, Eunice Abioye; Managing Director, Galant, David Abioye; and Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Spectranet 4GLTE, Ajay Awasthi at the launch of the maiden Spectranet Express service outlet in Lagos...recently PHOTO: YOMI AKINYELE
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ϳ˜ 2018
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Ukhomuyio, Okpella to Honour Good Behaviour at Annual Awards Godwin Ifijeh
he people of Ukhomuyio Community in Okpella Clan, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State are to enthrone an annual award programme to honour good behaviour and commendable service to the community. Mr.Sam S.O Afemikhe, the new National President of the community, who made this known in his acceptance speech immediately after the election and inauguration of a new executive committee for the community on Easter Sunday in Okpella, told the mammoth crowd of all sons and daughters of the community from far and near and the village heads and chiefs gathered at the Erame Primary School, Ukhomuyio, Okpella, for the election and enthronement of the new leaders that good behaviour and commendable service to the community will be rewarded through an annual award programme. “It has become common for a few people to resort to criminality and violence to resolve issues. While we plead for dialogue and fraternal resolution of issues rather than resorting to criminality, we will ensure that criminals are punished as set out by the law of the land. “Good behaviour and commendable service to the community will also be rewarded through an Annual Award Programme,” the Lagos-based renowned Accountant said. Thanking the people for coming out en-mass to support the Ukhomuyio cause, Afemikhe noted with regret that many issues of disaffection among various interest groups in the community have led to deep disagreements, divisions and the flight of the spirit of oneness and unity the people were once known for.
Sam Afemikhe
“Our land needs healing and genuine reconciliation, Ukhomuyio Community is one and deserves unity and the need to speak with one voice, going to court has now become a popular way of resolving issues among ourselves and our community brothers and we have so many cases in court today. We will ensure that an audit of all the court cases is carried out with the aim of eliminat-
ing the duplicated and irrelevant ones and focusing on the value-adding matters,” the fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) charged, assuring the people that together with the other members of his executive, he will work with the village heads, youths, the mothers and fathers to reconcile the different groups and restore once again genuine peace and unity among the people and enthrone equity, fairness, justice and brotherliness. Afemikhe hinted that to bring back sustainable peace, unity and progress in the community, the existing structures would be reviewed and revamped and at the same time tipped them off on the expectations of his administration: “It is my firm belief that Ukhomunyio will move forward with efficient and effective systems based on focus, accountability, transparency, fairness, equity, probity, justice and progress for all its sons and daughters. We will work without any iota of discrimination. “Public funds will be spent publicly for the general good and not for any section of the community or individuals, however, highly placed. To this end, all members of the Executive pledge not to engage in any personal or private business with our investors and to deal with them independently and robustly for the benefit of the community at all times. We will sign a code of ethics to this effect.” Confident without any doubt in his conviction that every aspect of his programme for the community is realisable, considering its large scale blessings with abundant mineral resources, the new president continued: “we shall engage all investors fairly, equitably and with a win-win approach. When this happens, our youths will become trained and gainfully employed. This way, they too can contribute their quota to the economic and
social growth and development of our dear land. “We expect the investors to equitably reward our God-given resources, employ our youths in quality positions and deliver services to our community through a robust programme of Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Development Agreements.” The community under his watch, he added, shall carry out an audit of its mineral resources, harness them efficiently and effectively and create a revenue sharing formula that would adequately reward the village heads, titled chiefs, youths and ensure the development of the community in terms of school repairs, engagement of quality teachers to support teaching and learning in the schools, support for students, provision of basic healthcare facilities and bore holes, among others. He charged the people to see him as National President to all Ukhomunyio sons and daughters and not to a section or select few, appealing that they whole heartedly work with his executive not only to put Ukhomuyio on the map for positive things and not criminality but to make it a pace setter in Edo State and the country as a whole. Other members of the Ukhomwunyio Executive Committee are Hon. Charles A. Ikhumesomi, 1st National Vice President, Hon. Luke Obalo, 2nd National Vice President, Pastor Eshioramhe M.O. Eshioguemhe, National Secretary, Comrade Jimoh I. Goodluck, 1st Assistant National Secretary, and Mr. Rato F.I. Inabefo, 2nd Assistant National Secretary. Others are Engr. Mathew Okun, Financial Secretary, Mr. Victor.I, Balogun, Treasurer, and Emmanuel Kolawole Okhakhu, Public Relations Officer.
Study Reveals Ikole Community’s Disconnect from Governance Kunle Adewale
study on Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti state has revealed a near disconnect of the 24 indigenous communities making up the area from the process of governance. It also shows that the people are hardly consulted by any layers of government on matters concerning development projects sited in the area. It says “Inclusion of various groups in the society in development plan and budgeting process is yet to assume wider coverage of all constituent groups, especially with regards to involvement of women, the physically challenged, youths and those who do not play active roles in party politics”. The research titled “Baseline Study on the Level of Inclusion of Community Members in Budgetary and Development Processes” also states that the people seem to have lost confidence in officials of the local government, saying that they are not responsive to their demands and yearnings. Commissioned by Community Life Project (CLP) with support from Ford Foundation, the study urgently calls for the need to regain the people’s confidence. “Those in governance should try as much as possible to build or regain, as the case may be, the confidence of the people so as to make them participate actively”, it says. In contrast however, the study which was presented by Mr Gbenga Adejare, a PhD student of Sociology at the University of Ibadan, says the people have “greater level of confidence in their traditional leaders and chiefs”. The study is of the view that “The barriers limiting the involvement of women in all strata of authority, especially at the traditional level should be removed.” “Since Ikole people are predominantly involved in agricultural activities, policy makers must tailor their policies to capture this demographic in the area”, it says. While noting that “Youth unemployment is pervasive in Ikole and inhibits their full participation in all process of budgeting and governance”, it recommends “the need for intervention” to prevent “youth restiveness and other forms of urban unrest”.
Also observing that a high level of cooperation is necessary to “achieve sustainable development holistically”, the study however notes that “Inter-community rivalry makes it difficult for all the communities in Ikole to pursue development with a united front”. “Inter-community rivalry must be minimised if not eradicated. This can be possible through re-orientation of people and projects. Lop-sidedness in the level of development across the communities should also be addressed”, it says. The study indicates that residents of Ikole “communities decry poor and inaccessible facilities like pipe borne water, roads and electricity which they see as very critical for the development of Ikole Local Government Area”. It posits that the challenge of inadequacy of electricity can be met by harnessing the resource of Itapaji dam which presently lies fallow. “The dam can also be used to solve the problem of irrigation for farmers and water scarcity in various Ikole communities”. “The challenge of bad roads should also be tackled head-on with the required urgency”. It is not all knocks. Although the area is made up of 24 communities with their respective sovereign kings, the study notes that “Ikole have good potential for development due to the availability of good and accessible agricultural land, agricultural produce, local markets and symbiotic cohesion to which 87.7%, 82.6%, 61.5% and 84.2% of the total respondents acceded to respectively.” The people are also “moderately literate with, at least 3 out of 5 people possessing a least secondary school certificate and 4 out of 5 having at least primary school educational qualification”. Intra-community cooperation, security and community cohesion are also held in high premium in Ikole. The communities “possess high potential for development given their level of communal cohesion and resilience and readiness to influence governance positively”. Summing up the community’s travails at a workshop in Ikole to review the report, Mr Ayoposi Areola, former speaker of the Legislative Council says, “Projects are usually done here only at the behest of the governor, the people’s interest is hardly
considered”. Quoting from the popular lines of Walter Rodney’s epic work, “How Europe Underdevelop Africa”, Areola contends that “Any development designed for me without me is not for me”. Appraising the study, Mr Leye Fagbemi, a retired permanent secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Ekiti state says, “If there’s budget preparation without monitoring, nothing will happen. To make the budget sustainable, the people must be included. We also need to strengthen the capacity of the technocrats who will implement the budget”. Mr Blessing Oluwole, public relations officer, Odooro Development Union is of the opinion that “local governments have become mere salary paying organs in Nigeria. While it is working in America, here it has almost collapsed. I’m just appealing that we need to do more to push our interest” While commending the outcome of the study, Professor Abiodun Johnson Olatunji, director of Advancement and Linkage programmes, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti says, “We need to have political will to be able to implement it”. “The research finding is good but how will they implement it? There’s no sane government that will not embrace it. We need to identify resources that the people can latch on. It’s important we look at the area of value addition”. Olatunji, also a Geosciences scholar however miffed at the absence of some vital geographical charts depicting the agricultural and other mineral resources available in Ikole LG that will facilitate any engagements with development partners. Conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Ibadan led by Dr Akanle Olayinka, a Sociology scholar, the study was initiated by CLP to assess the resource/ assets of communities in Ikole LGA. The focus was also to examine the perception of community members in the area about their resources/assets. It was muted to unveil the various forms of exclusion of the people and examine some challenges associated with the practice of inclusive governance. It was also done to explore available opportunities for development through inclusive governance in Ikole LGA. According to the CLP Programme Officer, Mr Francis Onahor, several economic
programmes have been initiated by different levels of government to end poverty and improve the economic conditions of citizens but these programmes have not resulted in any significant improvement in the living conditions of Nigerians. One of the key failures of these programmes, he argues, is adduced to the “lack of participation and ownership of the programmes by grassroots communities who are supposed to be the ultimate beneficiaries of the programmes”. “Programmes and projects are decided by government with little or no input from the communities. Communities are still not empowered enough nor understand their civic rights enough to place persistent demands on the government for consistent and efficient service delivery”, the CLP notes in its fact sheet. If we must reverse this trend, the organisation says, “programmes aimed at promoting real development and improving the lives of the citizens and communities must include active participation of citizens in decision-making on public spending patterns and priorities. There is need to ensure that the voices of citizens and local communities are heard in deciding how, when and where public money is spent and what it is spent on at the local level.” Onahor explains that Ikole LGA was being used as a pilot project so that the communities can design their master plan and engage government on the basis of their own charter of demands.”It’s important the people do a needs-assessment of the community and arrange to present it to government,” he says. Present at the validation workshop to review the report of the Baseline Study include the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Mr Vincent Omodara, the Director, Local Government Administration, Mrs Adenike Olasheku, and Chairperson, Ikole LGA Mrs Abiola Olukayode who was represented by Mr Ayo Ogunbayi. Also at the event were the Elekole of Ikole, Oba Adewunmi Ajibade Fashiku who was represented by Chief Lanre Owoeye, the Olu of Itapaji, Oba Azeez Kareem Adebanjo and CLP’s Programme Officer, Mr Francis Onahor.
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NHF Endorses Three Crown Milk As Heart Friendly Brand at 30
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igeria Heart Foundation (NHF) a non profit and non governmental organisation founded to promote heart health, scientific research in cardiovascular health and healthy lifestyles has endorsed Three Crowns milk from the stables of FrieslandCampina WAMCO as the first and only heart friendly milk brand in Nigeria. The endorsement, the first of its kind on any Nigerian dairy product, which supports the brands claim of offering mother’s and the family complete nourishment and wellness, was the highpoint of the 30th anniversary celebration of the milk brand. At the grand event to mark the historic occasion which took place in Lagos NHF and the milk brand also recorded a significant milestone as they jointly with announced a strategic partnership aimed to jointly promote, encourage, and empower Nigerians to live a healthy and active lifestyle. While unveiling the partnership FrieslandCampina WAMCO Managing Director, Mr. Ben Langat said Three Crowns milk considers it a great privilege to partner with NHF in promoting healthy options for consumers. “We understand the important role food plays in reducing the risk of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular diseases. It is because of the close link between diet and health that our company and Nigeria Heart Foundation have come together today to endorse Three Crowns milk as the heart friendly brand. “ He added “As Three Crowns marks her 30th anniversary of delivering complete nourishment to Nigerians, the brand in partnership with Nigeria Heart Foundation will promote, encourage and empower Nigerians to live healthy lives. This is significant because Three Crowns milk is the first dairy brand to be endorsed with the Nigeria Heart Foundation ‘Heart Check’ logo. “ Both organisations he noted share a common interest in tackling the problems of NCDs adding that the World Health Organisation (WHO) strategies recognise that the solution requires a societal approach, multi sectoral actions and the collaboration of government institutions and the private sector. Speaking further Langat said addressing the awareness of NCDs, supporting consumers in making informed dietary choices and collaborating with government to shape evolving policies on tackling NCDs was key to his company. “We recognise the important
and unique roles good and beverage industry plays in these efforts and we have been involved in this through various initiatives across our brand portfolio. He said Three Crowns supports families by providing high quality nutrition for mother’s and by extension their families. The brands also communicated healthy eating habits and encourages an active lifestyle because of its belief that when a mother is happy and healthy the community and the nation will also be happy and healthy. Langat also disclosed that an innovative initiative by the milk brand, Three Crowns Fitness Challenge, a first if it’s kind in the industry, which has been in existence for over a year supports consumers to develop a daily exercise routine. To further drive home the import of this initiative Langat said the brand launched a digital campaign “work out with whatever� in addition to the creation to the creation of a direct coaching platform where consumers are given tailor made exercise routine based on their work
out challenges. In her address President of Nigeria Heart Foundation, Mrs. Francesca Y. Emanuel said that NHF Heart Check Labelling Programme supports national initiatives for healthier good choices through endorsement of positive Heart Check logo on healthier food products certified to be heart friendly. She explained that the programme which started in 1998 was a tripartite initiative between Nigerian Heart Foundation, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the food industry promoting heart friendly food products through a rigorous scientific process. While commending the milk brand for setting the pace for other good brands she noted that NHF has been working assiduously over the last ten years with NAFDAC in the promotion of healthier heat friendly food choices in line with World Health organisation focus on the prevention of NCDs through reformulation, education and front-of-pack labelling. She said of the
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five NCDs namely heart disease, cancer, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell disease, and chest diseases which she described as ‘the greatest killer diseases of the 21st century’ heart disease was the number killer in Nigeria. She commended the federal government for taking bold steps to start the proposed increased excise duty on tobacco and alcoholic products which comes into effect June 4, 2018. At thesame time she called on government to extend the measure to other products that pose health challenges like sugary drinks and alcohol. Three Crowns milk was launched into Nigerian market in 1988 and in 2015 it extended into powdered category to cater for a wider consumer preference. It is low in cholesterol and contains 28 vitamins and minerals needed for daily nutrition. The company plans to deploy massive campaign across all media platforms to amplify the 30th anniversary celebration as well as engage it’s numerous consumers.
L-R; Executive Director, Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), Dr. Kingsley Akinroye; Marketing Manager, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Maureen Ifada; Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Ben Langat; Past President, Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe (CFR) and Corporate Affairs Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Ore Famurewa, during the Endorsement of Three Crowns Milk with Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) Heart Check Logo – Lagos, recently
Promasidor Honours Malnutrition in IDPs Receives Boost Outstanding Sta As Promasidor Empower 54 Project
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romasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell brand of milk, has rolled out carpets in honour of 254 long serving members of staff who have distinguished themselves in their various departments. The award ceremony which held in Lagos brought together the company’s employees, their relatives, distributors and well wishers from different parts of the country in an atmosphere of merriment and camaraderie. Speaking at the occasion, the managing director, Mr. Andres Einarsson, said the award was a reward of long years of commitment, dedication to duty, hard work and loyalty to the organisation. While urging other staff to emulate the awardees exemplary attitude towards work, he said the recipients had risen through the ranks to become pillars of Promasidors growth as a result of their exemplary work ethics and positive attitude to work.
Einarsson maintained that the long service award is not just a tradition of the company but an instrument through which outstanding employees who have distinguished themselves in their various callings are honoured and celebrated. He added that most of the staff being celebrated joined the company at entry level but through hard work rose through the ranks to enviable positions. “At Promasidor, it is about attitude, hard work and commitment. The awardees have met these standards hence they have not only remained with us but have become one of the pillars on which rests the success of our company. The 20 years awardees joined the company when it was only five years old. What does that imply? They have witnessed different stages of its growth and transformation. The awards were in three categories namely 20 years, 15 and 10 years respectively with the beneficiaries distributed evenly amongst departments.�
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alnutrition among persons living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps especially up North is increasingly getting alarming. The most hit being the vulnerable children and mothers. Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, gave a disturbing statistics of about 33 percent of Nigerian children less than five years suffer from chronic malnutrition leading to stunted growth and death Over time kind hearted individuals and organisations have risen up to the challenge in aid of these ones to ameliorate their sufferings interventions like donation of food stuff and other materials. Swelling the ranks of corporate bodies that have identified with this charitable cause is Cowbell milk manufacturer, Promasidor Nigeria Limited. As part of its Corporate Social Responsi-
bility initiative, the company through its collaboration with Empower 54 Project, donated cases of various products in support of its programme aimed at eradicating malnutrition among IDPs in Nigeria. While expressing her gratitude, Founder and President of Empower 54 Project, Princess Modupe Ozolua, assured the products would be judiciously utilised. Ozolua explained that her agency was a United States non-profit organisation which has been providing humanitarian aids to underprivileged Africans since 2003 through health, education, empowerment, and IDP/refugee programmes. The organisation evacuated the severely malnourished IDP children from Bama to Maiduguri for treatment two years ago, but realised more has to be done to save children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Princess Ozolua said it was that experience that prompted Empower 54 to lead the move towards creating strategic measures to eradicate the deadly epidemic.
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Deceitful Politicians no Longer in PDP, Says Orji Emmanuel Ugwu, inUmuahia
EMPOWERING ACADEMICS ... L-R; Head of Department of Accounting, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Mr. Emmanuel Aderinola Adegun; the Registrar, Mr. Caleb Oyerinde; Chairman, Student Affairs Committee, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Alhaji Tijjani Isa Musa; and President ICAN, Ismai’la Muhammadu Zakari , at the ICAN Award of Accreditation Certificates to Tertiary Institutions and Tuition Centres, held in Lagos on Friday SUNDAYADIGUN
EFCC Recovers N130m, Prosecute 9 in North-East Segun Awofadeji in Gombe The North-East zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Gombe says it has recovered N130 million from fallout of the 2015 election looted funds within the last three months. The Commission said it secured the conviction of nine persons within
the same period of January and March 2018. Zonal Head of Operation of the Commission, Johnson Babalola stated this yesterday when he paid a familiarisation visit to the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Gombe. According to him, since the coming of this administration in 2015, the
Commission had increased its tempo in the fight against corruption adding that recovery of looted funds and prosecutions are still ongoing. He said there was greater need now to fight corruption if not; the future of the country would be ruined if selfish people are allowed to steal money that belongs to all Nigerians. In his words, "Nigeria belongs to
Wike Inaugurates International Caleb University Tanker Park in Eleme Appoints Chima, a project of this magnitude to Ernest Chinwo inPortHarcourt improve the condition of the Professor Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated the construction of the Ultra-Modern International Tanker Park in Eleme Local Government Area of the state. The Ultra-Modern International Tanker Park is being constructed by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). Inaugurating the Project yesterday, Wike thanked the outgoing President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese, for attracting the project to Rivers State. He said : "Igwe Achese remembered his state and has attracted
people of the state. "This is a legacy for Achese and for the people of Rivers State. Anywhere he goes after now, Igwe Achese will be remembered for this edifice that will improve the economy of this state ". The governor urged other Rivers leaders in different locations of authority to promote the interest of Rivers State, instead of de-marketing the state. "It doesn't matter where you are, work for the benefit of Rivers State. Attract projects that will create opportunities for the people ", he said.
Professor Johnbull Premieres on DSTV, GOTV Channel 2 TV drama series, Professor Johnbull, sponsored by Globacom, begins its Season Six on a grand scale as the telecommunications company takes the programme to pay cable TV, with DSTV airing the show on Sunday April 8 on its Africa Magic Family channel and also on GOTV Channel 2 at 6.00 p.m. A repeat broadcast will be aired on Thursday at 9.30p.m. on both stations. This is in addition to airing the programme on the terrestrial channel of NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV Channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes on Tuesday at 8.30 pm., with a repeat broadcast on Friday at the same time and on the same channels. Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, will broadcast the show on Wednesday at 8.30p.m. with a repeat broadcast on Saturday also at 8.30p.m. The first episode of the season, entitled Anthony Keke, profiles the
lifestyle of a typical Keke (commercial tricycle) rider, who starts his day on a very rough note of taking alcohol and other stimulants on the erroneous belief that such substances will enhance his performance on the job. Viewers of the sitcom will find the episode loaded as Professor Johnbull's gateman, Abadnego (Martins Nebo) makes love advances at the scholar's daughter, Elizabeth (Queen Nwokoye); just as Anthony the Keke rider, already tipsy from bouts of alcohol, takes off with a passenger's luggage without the passenger and at the agreed destination, hallucinates on seeing a ghost. Professor Johnbull, acted by Nollywood legend, Kanayo O. Kanayo (KOK), counsels Keke riders on the need to obey traffic rules, ride with the consciousness that they have loved ones back at home, and that hustling for a living should not be life-threatening.
Bennett Oghifo Caleb University, Imota, Lagos has appointed Dr. George Uzoma Chima, President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Administration of Nigeria as a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Business Administration in recognition of his great impacts in business and the academia. Professor Daniel Ayandiji Aina, the Vice Chancellor of the university and his team said the appointment followed Professor Chima’s practical industry experience, entrepreneurial and business management expertise and academic prowess. The Vice Chancellor and his team added that the appointment of Professor Chima would afford the Master of Business Administration (MBA) students of the university, the opportunity to acquire both quality academic knowledge and practical experience of entrepreneurship and business management from the versatile author of “Organisational Leadership Strategies in a Developing Economy� and “New Leadership Approach: A Paradigm Shift�. In his congratulatory message, Professor Gabriel Emecheta, Professor of Accounting and Financial Management and Head of the Department of Accounting, Banking and Finance at the university said Professor Chima’s appointment is well deserved. Professor Emecheta added that Entrepreneurship and Business Management today had gone beyond textbook theories. He stressed that Professor Chima was thus better practically equipped to teach Entrepreneurship and Business Management, given his industry experience and immense academic ability.
all of us and we owe it a duty to make the system work and we feel the media is our catchment area if our fight must succeed. "Immediately this administration came on board in 2015, the Government redirected the fight against corruption under Ibrahim Magu and the tempo has changed to a higher speed," he emphasised.
Senator Theodore Orji yesterday said that politicians that thrived on deceiving the masses had all left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the opposition party was no longer conducive for them to ply their bad politics. He stated this while addressing the people of Umuariaga at the inauguration of the construction of a ring road connecting the community located in Ikwuano with communities in Bende and Umuahia local governments. The Senator, who represents Abia Central in the Senate urged the people to have faith in the former ruling party as it repositions to retake power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he said had failed the people. “The fraudulent politicians have all left the party (PDP),�
CHANGE OF NAME
I, formerly MISS NWANDU FUMNANYA ANASTASIA now wish to be known as MRS ONADEKO FUMNANYA ANASTASIA. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note
CORRECTION OF NAME I, OGUNDOTUN TAWAKALITU JOKE, my name was wrongly written as OGUNDOTUN TAWAKALIT ADEJOKE instead of OGUNDOTUN TAWAKALITU JOKE . All former documents remain valid.General public take note.
he said, adding that the “PDP keeps its promises� hence deceitful politicians no longer find it habitable. Orji noted that the Umuariaga ring road “is a very important project� as when completed it would not only boost the infrastructure of the rural communities but also enhance their economic and social activities. He assured that the road project would be completed on schedule, adding that he would also bring five borehole projects to Ikwuano local government while the people would decide where the water projects would be sited. Hon Sam Onuigbo, who represents Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency, said that he was delighted to be associated with Senator Orji whom he described as “a unique personality� who is always thinking about the welfare of eh people.
LOSS OF DOCUMENT his is to inform the general public Tproperty that the documents of landed or house situated at a place
near Richray Hotel, and Laroson Hotel Lokoja, Kogi State is declared missing. The said property belongs to Sani Ogu. Any one who finds the said documents should return it to Sani Ogu. General public, most especially the Management/Authority of the Ministry of Land and Survey Lokoja, Kogi State to take note.
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Saturday, April 7, 2018
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MISSILE Archbishop Obinna to Okorocha “For some years in the past, Imo citizens have been living in fear because of bad government. It is absurd and undemocratic for the governor to anoint his son-in-law to succeed him while his daughter will succeed his wife as ďŹ rst lady.â€? – The Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Diocese, Anthony Obinna, excoriating Governor Okorocha’s plot to make his son-in-law the next governor of Imo State.
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The Reasons Nigeria Must Wake Up Fast
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ellow Nigerians, please, permit me to say it as bluntly and categorically as possible, our dear country, Nigeria, the giant of Africa, is slumbering and snoring deeply. The Federal Government apologists are free to live in delusion and denial, but I stand by this obvious position. They can continue to deceive President Muhammadu Buhari and although he can continue to suffer under their hypnotic spell for a long time, he would one day wake up to appreciate people like us telling him the unadulterated truth. We were abused black and blue by the Jonathan guys in those days, but where are they today? Anyone who has eyes can see very clearly that we are not moving at the pace God allocated to us. We are inching like snails and millipedes when we are supposed to be speeding like bullet trains. Nigeria is snoozing and sleeping. I’m not even comparing us to Europe or America. I have travelled sufficiently in Africa. Everywhere I have been, I saw nations at work. I wrote about Rwanda recently, a country that went through one of the most terrible wars ever known to mankind. The Rwanda genocide was gory and ghoulish. An entire nation was almost wiped out. I can see Nigeria has not found any lessons to learn from that atrocity against mankind. We are stoking the fire of ethnicity and stupidity that would never do any good to us. We are so close to the precipice, but we don’t seem to know or just don’t care. Meanwhile, those in far worse situations are busy doing progressive things while we backbite and backstab! I was in Ethiopia a few years ago at the instance and invitation of Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the launch of his humongous cement plant and was pleasantly surprised this technological wonder didn’t have to invest so much in power generation. This is the same Ethiopia where celebrities were so shocked by the abysmal level of hunger that they had to come together to sing “we are the world.� I flew out of Addis feeling sad and melancholic. It was the same experience in Tanzania, Zambia, Senegal, Benin Republic (next door to us) and others. These countries are marching slowly, but surely, while we are busy fighting and wallowing over frivolities. Once you cross the Seme Border into Cotonou, the reality that hits you instantly is refreshing. Yet most of these countries rely and depend on Nigeria for many things. The reason for my preamble is simple. Most Nigerians seem not to realise how desperate our condition is. Nigeria can no longer afford to recycle this madness, which Fela AnikulapoKuti called “demoncracy�, every four years, as if God has frozen time for us and we can do whatever nonsense we like. No please. Time is no longer on our side and we have overexperimented with saints and sinners. None has performed spectacularly. The essence of my sermon today is to drum it into our ears that we cannot continue along this path of foolishness and foolhardiness. We need all hands on deck desperately and urgently to rescue this country from the throes of imminent death. We have already fulfilled all righteousness by supporting our great incorruptible Muhammadu Buhari, in 2015, despite our avowed rejection of him in the past. It would have been unfortunate if we had not tried and tested him. We would have been lamenting, like the Biblical Jeremiah,
Buhari from now till eternity, had we not tried him, thinking God was punishing us for ignoring our best solution and gift to mankind. Now that we have discovered that it is a human being that is behind the mask, and not an ancestor from heaven, we should be bold enough and accept that we’ve misplaced our hopes in gods with feet of clay. What has now been corroborated, unequivocally, is that no one can give what he does not have. Of course, there
are always exceptional cases but, unfortunately, this is not one of them. Staying at home, or on a farmland, for the most part of 30 years, would stultify anyone’s worldview without doubt. But I personally love the fact that God has made this day to come, to demonstrate to us that we should not bow before any idols, and we should never ascribe to mortals the powers that belong to God. No angel is going to come down to save or rescue Nigeria. We must all join hands to do it. I think we are wasting too much time and resources on seeking a God on earth to run our affairs. The time has come to make use of the best brains amongst us in a united government, strengthen our democratic institutions, stop the charade of selective injustice, promote unity and religious tolerance. I weep every time I see young people insulting themselves on behalf of politicians who are all friends off-radar. They kill themselves for mere pittance while the children of the priviligentsia are living large on the sweat and blood of the proletariat. Those who have ears should please listen. We need a new orientation. We need leaders who know their onions. We need modern leaders. What belongs to antiquity must be left where it belongs. Those who want this system to continue, understand the game well. They are in control when the leader is weak and cannot perform. It is not about loving the old man. They just want to govern from behind. They are the faceless and unseen cabal. 2019 cannot come and go as business as usual.
It won’t be funny. Are we so jinxed that we keep repeating the same mistakes? Why can’t we stand up to our leaders and demand excellent performance? Why can’t we see that the world is leaving us behind and adjust quickly? Truth must be told, as imperfect as our politicians look, they are the ones we must manage, and manage well. We cannot afford to waste another four years worshipping the gods who cannot liberate us from poverty, hunger, diseases, wars, backwardness, and general retrogression. In summary, I will support Buhari’s government within my modest sphere of influence till 2019. That was my unwritten contract when I voluntarily offered my support, in cash and kind, in 2015. It is nothing personal, I’m just a patriotic and passionate Nigerian who believes we can do much better and there are millions of great Nigerians who can fix Nigeria without making a fetish of what it would take to achieve it. For me, Buhari represents the Mandela option. He has already served a useful purpose as stopgap between the known devil and the unknown. We have now seen that despite the blame games, there is really no difference between six and half a dozen. What is the point in a doctor killing the patient in the process of treating ulcer? That is the situation we have found ourselves. Perhaps, it would have been bearable and endurable if there was no obvious hypocrisy in the whole set up. I beg, like Mandela, the world’s greatest statesman, one term is enough. God bless Nigeria.
Good Night, Mrs Winnie Mandela When I made my most recent visit to South Africa, somehow, it was as if I had a premonition of Winnie Mandela’s death. On my last day, February 3, 2018, I had a night flight to catch to Kigali, but I told my South African friends, Cebo and Malcolm X that I wanted to pay a courtesy call on Mrs Winnie Mandela in Soweto before heading to the Oliver Tambo Airport. Malcolm X was like a son to Winnie Mandela and he put a call through to her house. Minutes later, we bundled ourselves into my chartered car and off we went to Soweto. But the devil is a liar because just at the junction and turning to Mama’s house, we encountered horrendous traffic. “What is this,� I exclaimed. As if by some conspiracy, it also started raining. Whilst we tried to meander through the horrible traffic, a call came through that Mama, as Winnie Mandela is known to those close to her, was being rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile, we were just stuck on one spot. We decided to hang out at a nearby popular Soweto restaurant as it was obvious that I was not going anywhere fast. Kigali was becoming impossible and the courtesy call to Winnie Mandela was seemingly ruined. However, I couldn’t believe my ears when the hospitalised woman called Malcolm asking to personally apologise to me for her inability to make the appointment. I was deeply touched. Despite her pain, she still had such human feeling, courteousness, consideration and civility in her. A truly remarkable Lady! She asked me for my hotel and promised to stop by if discharged early. This was getting
too good to be true, a visit from the Mama of Africa would be too much. We rushed back to my hotel and waited with bated breath. Then the call came. Mama has been discharged but was on sedatives and would not be able to come over again. But she said she would struggle to stay up for me. I packed my bags and we returned to Soweto. True to her promise, she stayed up. We were invited to sit with her in a small sitting room in her house and we chatted on for some time, despite protestations from her aides who had given us only a few minutes and had banned us from taking pictures. We discussed Nigeria and she was quite knowledgeable about our affairs. She was curious to know the state of things. She asked of Buhari, Jonathan and Chief Gabriel Igbinedion. She had kind words for former President Olusegun Obasanjo who she described as a good friend and benefactor of South Africa. Not wanting to waste this opportunity I asked if we could take pictures, she nodded approvingly. As a journalist, I immediately seized the moment and we just fired away. Such a simple and humble woman, she nodded approval and we took as many shots as we could in rapid fire motion. These were probably the last pictures of her taken by any foreign journalist. We left her on a sober note considering how frail she looked, even though she had been most accommodating to us. Two months later, the sad news broke, on April 2, 2018, Mama had gone home to rest. My mind continually flashed back to the great session we had with
her. I feel truly honoured and humbled to have been in her presence, particularly at such twilight period of her life. May her beautiful soul rest in peace. Amen.
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