Saturday 16TH June 2018

Lai Mohammed: President Will Sign Off Budget 2018 Next Tuesday Delay will have little effect on government projects Chika Amanze-Nwachuku with agency report President Muhammadu Buhari will sign the 2018 Appropriation Act into law on Tuesday, Reuters quoted Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, to

have disclosed this in London yesterday.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, had after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, stated that President Buhari would

sign the budget next week.

However, he did not give a specific date.

“The budget will be signed next week. We will give you the specific date when it is confirmed,” Adesina said, insisting that details would

be provided later.

The Information Minister was however emphatic on the specific date. “We will sign it off on Tuesday,” Mohammed told the news wire on the sidelines of a visit to London.

Buhari had laid a 2018 budget

proposal of N8.6 trillion but federal legislators increased it to N9.1 trillion, an additional N508 billion, which they explained was applied to critical sectors of the economy, including the reduction of the budget deficit, security, health and power,

works and housing.

The increment had triggered fears that the executive might decline assent, replaying the altercation over the 2017 budget.

But the source said although Continued on page 6

Gov. Yari Resigns as Zamfara State's Chief Security Officer

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Buhari Calls for Unity, Abdulsalami Wants End to Killings Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Laleye Dipo in Minna

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja urged all citizens to embrace the reality that Nigeria must exist and continue as one nation, insisting

that the country needs all its human and material resources to succeed.

This is coming on the heels of the call by former head of state, retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar, for an end to the spate of hostage taking, cattle

rustling and other heinous crimes in the country.

Buhari, acccording to a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, made the remark while receiving residents of the Federal Capital Territory

(FCT) who paid him homage at the Presidential Villa on the occasion of Eid-el-fitr celebration.

The statement said Buhari appealed to Nigerians to work towards salvaging the nation from the shackles of past

wrongs, by not only sharing in the collective vision for a greater Nigeria, but also contributing individually, to realise the goal.

“We have no other country than Nigeria. We may as well stay and salvage it together,’’

he was quoted as saying.

Buhari who was glad that he successfully completed the Ramadan fast, recalled that he could not participate in last year's Ramadan because of his

Continued on page 6

Adebanjo: Honouring Abiola Won’t Give Buhari S’west Votes in 2019

Bennett Oghifo

It will be a pipe-dream for President Muhammadu Buhari to believe he deserves the votes of the South-west because his government recognised and awarded Nigeria’s highest national honour to late Chief Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12 1993 presidential election, elder statesman and a chieftain of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo has said.

The Buhari administration had pronounced June 12 as Democracy Day, to be marked with a public holiday, effective next year.

It also posthumously presented Nigeria’s highest national award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic to Abiola during a ceremony in Abuja on June 12, to mark the 25th anniversary of the annulment of his election.

Chief Adebanjo, in his usual blunt manner told THISDAY in

a recent interview: “Thank you (President) Buhari for doing what is right, although belated.

Full stop! Nothing more. If he is going to get any vote it will depend on his performance in the last three years, and not to give emergency recognition just to get votes, that doesn’t work with the people of Nigeria or of Yoruba land, we are no dunces.

“I appreciate this good thing he did; nothing will deprive me from saying that he has done well by doing this thing, although belated. I don’t want to read any meaning into it. It is a thing I have been agitating for, however belated. Even in his (Buhari’s) own case, he has been there for three years, but he didn’t do it until now. There is no question of drawing a red herring. If we begin to go into why he did it, it will defeat the benefit of the good thing that he has done. Let us acknowledge the good thing Continued on page 6

Punch Chairman, Aboderin, Laid to Rest … Page 6

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THE PRESIDENT AND THE ECONOMY...

President Muhammadu Buhari with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, when the latter paid Eid el Fitr visit to the Head of State at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja...yesterday

Ibori: A'Court Judges Chide British Police for Concealing Fraud Evidence

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Ibori: A'Court Judges Chide British Police for Concealing Fraud Evidence Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Judges handling the appeal filed by a former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, challenging his conviction by a London court, have decried the failure of London Metropolitan (MET) Police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), to disclose evidence of police corruption in the fraud case brought against him.

Ibori who was charged to court for laundering almost

ÂŁ50 million, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 13-year jail term in 2012. He was released in 2016 after serving four years.

But the former governor had filed an appeal, challenging his conviction, on the grounds that if he had been told about the corruption intelligence, he would not have pleaded guilty.

The Judges - Lord Justice Gross, Mr. Justice William Davis and Mr. Justice Garnham, who are sitting on Ibori's appeal, noted last Thursday that the

failure of MET and CPS to hand over intelligence could have undermined the case against the former governor.

Ibori's media aide, Tony Eluemunor, in a statement yesterday quoted the judges to have said: "We do not minimise the prosecution’s disclosure failures in this case. To the contrary, we take a grave view of them, as recent events have yet again emphasized that disclosure failures can cause great injustice.�

MET was said to have had

intelligence since 2007 that one of its investigating officers was being paid for information about the case but was denied by the authorities.

According to the judges, there were at least four occasions in 2013 and 2014 when there were opportunities for the authorities to have disclosed the evidence but they did not until 2016, describing it as a “serious communications breakdown within the prosecution team.�

However, appeal by Ibori's

solicitor, Bhadresh Gohil, who was convicted for being an accomplice in the moneylaundering plot, was rejected last February on the grounds that he had knowledge of the alleged police corruption at the time of the trial but did not use it.

Ibori's lead counsel, Ms. Sasha Wass, QC, in November 2016, wrote to Alison Saunders, the director of public prosecutions (DPP), alleging that the failure to carry out a proper disclosure

review “allows the police role in bribery and its concealment in five separate trials over eight years to go unreported."

Ms Wass also claimed in correspondence to the DPP that she and the CPS were “seriously misled� for years by MET detectives over the source of the corruption intelligence, saying that its relevance was hidden from counsel.

The judges asked the prosecution to respond before they give their ruling on the Ibori’s appeal.

the presence of Jesus even as you are facing this challenging situation. Your husband is gone but there’s a husband available, that is Jesus Christ, the savior. “He’s the father of the fatherless and the husband to the widows. People you see around you now, in a few minutes time, you may not be able to see them again. But there’s somebody who’s always around you, who’s always present. Don’t rely on human beings. And to the children, look unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith.�

Meanwhile, former deputy governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro, while paying

tribute to Aboderin, said he would be greatly missed. “We pray for the repose of his soul and we thank God for the life he lived. It’s an exemplary life full of philanthropic activities and we pray that his gentle soul will rest in peace,�

Pedro said.

Other dignitaries that graced the occasion included Chairman of THISDAY Newspaper/Arise Television, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena; Managing Director and the Deputy Managing Director of THISDAY respectively, Eniola Bello and Kayode Komolafe, and Managing Director of Punch Newspaper, Mr. Ademola Osinubi.

Punch Chairman, Aboderin, Laid to Rest Peter Uzoho The funeral rites of the Chairman of Punch Newspapers, Mr. Gbadebowale Wayne Aboderin, came to a close yesterday, as dignitaries from all walks of life joined his family, to pay their last respects to the media mogul.

Aboderin, 60, died on May 30, 2018, after a heart surgery at the First Cardiology Consultants, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The news of his sudden demise was received with shock by his close associates and other admirers.

Proceeding from his lying-instate at his residence at No. 1 Onipetesi Street, Mangoro, Ikeja,

his remains were taken to the Archbishop Vining Memorial Anglican Church, GRA, Ikeja, for the funeral service and interment followed at the Ebony Vaults Cemetery, Ikoyi.

Members of the Punch family who wore lapel pins bearing the insignia of their late chairman’s image were also out in large number to honour the memory of the deceased.

Old Boys of Government College, Ibadan, who sang the school anthem in honour of their late comrade, prayed God to consecrate his soul and grant him eternal rest.

In his homily, The Canon Residentiary of the church, Ven. Festus Olowosile, who

drew from the Apostle Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians 15: 19, admonished Aboderin’s family to cheer up, bearing in mind that their loved one had gone home to rest.

While calling on the members of the church to repent and be of good conduct, Olowosile stressed that life does not last forever. “You are not alive because you are an expert, you are not alive because of your travel experience, you are alive because God permitted it. Your life is borrowed, the owner will definitely request for it one day,� he said.

The Venerable who also told the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15, bemoaned the

wasteful state of the Nigerian society, noting that today, many people in Nigeria were living a prodigal life. “The Nigerian society is more or less a prodigal society. We squander money anyhow, we waste resources anyhow. If you are living without being conscious of heaven, you are a prodigal child. The time has come for you to come back home.�

Also encouraging the family of the deceased, Olowosile, advised that they be conscious of the fact that Jesus Christ was with them and that they should acknowledge His presence. “And my sister (wife of the deceased), acknowledge

At Eid-el-Fitr, APC, PDP Differ on State of the Nation Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed divergent positions on the situation in the country, as Muslims celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Fitr.

While rejoicing with Muslims and all Nigerians, the APC said, in a statement issued yesterday, that it remained confident that

it would deliver on its promises to the electorate.

In the statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, the ruling party solicited continuous prayers, support and cooperation of the masses on its ongoing task of building a new Nigeria.

"With all the love, blessings and peace on this joyous occasion, we wish Muslims and indeed all Nigerians a happy

Eid, and may all our good deeds be accepted by Almighty Allah (SWT).

"We should continue to be prayerful and live together in peace, tolerance and service to humanity," it said "As a Party, we remain confident that we will deliver on our promises to the electorate through ongoing implementation of the policies of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC

administration.

"With your continuous prayers, support and cooperation, the ongoing task of building a new Nigeria for our progress, peace, unity and prosperity will be achieved," it added.

But on its part, the PDP said Nigerians are passing through a lot of suffering, poverty, lack, daily bloodletting, mental and physical torture that had created deep wounds, requiring divine

intervention and healing.

In the statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party urged Nigerians to “continue to pray for the nation, particularly, as the citizens yearn for a new, purposeful and God-fearing leadership, as we approach the 2019 general elections.�

The party called for prayers for the victims of violence and bloodletting in the country and

urged those behind the incessant attacks to have a rethink and end the unnecessary violence against the people.

It urged Nigerians to draw strength from the successful completion of the fasting period and bring the lessons and blessings of the spiritual observation to bear on all their dealings with one another and humanity in general, as commanded by the Almighty Allah.

not provided.�

On the eligibility of Abiola’s running mate, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, for the award given to him by President Buhari, the Afenefere chieftain said: “Those of us who know the game of these Fulani people don’t take them seriously. Kingibe was part of the conspiracy. Here is a deserter, a disloyal fellow, who enjoyed the benefits of deserting Abiola in time of need by being appointed Foreign Affairs Minister by somebody

who did injustice to them. Now, when the country appreciates the stance and consistency of Abiola, he is now allowed to gain from the consistency of the person he was disloyal to. Those of us who know the game they are playing know these things. I don’t want people to suggest that he gave something out and they cannot acknowledge it.

Let us acknowledge the good thing he has done and stop there.�

ADEBANJO: HONOURING ABIOLA WON’T GIVE BUHARI S’WEST VOTES IN 2019 he has done and don’t read any other meaning to it.�

The elder statesman however said Yorubas won’t be deceived to vote for Buhari based on the honour done to Abiola: “Yorubas are no fools. They can distinguish between good and

bad. Nobody can bamboozle us on anything.�

On whether President Buhari deserved a second term, Chief Adebanjo said: “I don’t think so. I didn’t think he even deserved the first term and his performance during the term

confirms my belief. So, I’m not part of those to be asked if he deserves a second term. I am one of those who warned that it would be a tragedy to vote for him and he has proved me right.� “Those who voted for him

should go and ask him what he has done in the first term, because second term is a question of performance.�

He said all that the nation needed, including the Yorubas, was good governance, “which the Buhari administration has

BUHARI CALLS FOR UNITY, ABDULSALAMI WANTS END TO KILLINGS health challenges.

The statement also said Buhari advised religious leaders, traditional rulers, security chiefs and top government officials to start expanding the frontiers of development by sensitising their “constituencies’’ to work harder for the collective good of the country. “Please try to persuade your constituencies to work harder for the greatness of this nation,’’ he was further quoted.

According to the statement, Buhari who said Nigeria was blessed with enormous human and material resources, added that such potential could be harnessed for the greater good of everyone.

It also said the president commended former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for the efforts in discovering and repositioning Nigeria’s mineral potentials.

“I hope Fayemi will succeed in the elections and lead Ekiti State. He is hardworking and patriotic, but Nigerian politics can be unpredictable,’’ Buhari was also quoted said.

According to the statement, the Minister of FCT, Muhammad Musa Bello, in his remark, said the period of Ramadan provided an auspicious opportunity to pray for the nation, and the wellbeing of the President and his family.

It also said representative of the Senate President, Senator Bala Ibn Na’allah, promised that the National Assembly would continue to support the vision of the government for a greater Nigeria.

It also said N'Allah observed that “no administration since 1999 had received more cooperation from the legislature like President Buhari.’’ The statement added that Buhari also received women

groups led by his wife, Aisha Buhari, President of the National Council of Women Societies, Dr. Laraba Shoda, and former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Pauline Tallen.

Abdulsalami Wants End to Killings, Abductions, Cattle Rustling Meanwhile, former head of state, retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar, yesterday in Minna, Niger State, prayed for an end to the spate of hostage taking, cattle rustling and other heinous crimes in the country.

Abdulsalami, who spoke at the Minna eid prayer ground after joining hundreds of Muslims to say the two rakkat prayer as part of activities marking the festival of ed-el- fitr, expressed hope that peace will return to the country.

"I do hope all human beings will take the lesson of the fasting period to serve God and be each others’ keeper

and also to maintain peace all over the world. I hope peace will reign in Nigeria, so that these problems we are going through- kidnapping, hostage taking and cattle rustling - will come to an end."

The former head of state challenged Nigerians to continue to live in peace with one another for the socio economic development of the country.

Also speaking after the prayer, the acting governor of Niger State, Alhaji Muhammed Ahmed Ketso, charged Nigerians to "remain peaceful, united and show commitment to our dear country Nigeria".

Aside Abdulsalami, some other prominent people at the Minna eid prayer ground were the emir of Minna, Dr. Umar Farouq Bahago; Mohammed, son of former military president Ibrahim Babangida and the PDP chairman in the state, Tanko Beji.

LAI MOHAMMED: BUHARI WILL SIGN OFF BUDGET 2018 NEXT TUESDAY the executive had reservations similar to those of last year, explaining that it was preferred that increase in revenue occasioned by the rising price of oil be used to reduce the deficit in the budget, the president was advised to sign it, to avoid further delays that might further injure the economy. “Just like last year, the president was advised to assent to the bill and seek resolution of the grey areas later,� the source said.

Nigerians had expressed concerns over the delay in the passage of the money bill, warning that it could worsen the precarious state

of the economy.

But the Information Minister, who disclosed the Tuesday date in London, said he expected the delay would have little effect on government projects. “Even once a budget is passed, there are still processes, due diligence to be done ... this takes time�, Reuters reported.

The president had last November laid the 2018 Appropriation Bill before a joint session of the National Assembly. However, it was not until May 16 (six months after), that the National Assembly passed the bill. It took the lawmakers another 10 days to transmit it to the president.

T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY JUNE 16, 2018

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NEWS

News Editor Ă’Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ Ă‘ĂŒĂ&#x; ͸΀͚͚͞ͿͽΠ΀͚͸ Ě™sms only) Email Ă‹Ă’Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹Ë›Ă™Ă‘ĂŒĂ&#x;̜ÞÒÓĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

HONOURING ABODERIN...

L-R: Editor, Vanguard Newspapers Ltd, Mr . Eze Anaba; Managing Director, THISDAY Newspapers Group, Mr. Eniola Bello; Chairman, THISDAY Newspapers/ President, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Deputy Managing Director, THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Kayode Komolafe; and Mr. Lanre Arogundade, at the funeral service of Late Mr. Gbadebowale Wayne Aboderin held at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Catherdral, G R A Ikeja, Lagos yesterday PHOTO; ETOP UKUT

Don't Allow Politicians to Divide You, Sultan Advises Nigerians Says if politicians approach you for thuggery, ask them to lead you Mohammed Aminu inSokoto

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Friday urged Nigerians not to allow selfish politicians to divide them while canvassing for their votes ahead of the 2019 elections.

He also stated that some of the challenges bedevilling the country were being instigated by unscrupulous politicians.

The Sultan made the call in his

palace in Sokoto. He stressed the need for politicians to play politics with decorum, devoid of acrimony and violence.

He noted with dismay that the challenges being faced by the people were numerous and that most were politically motivated by some selfish politicians.

The Sultan reiterated his call on the youths not to allow politicians to use them for thuggery.

"As we are approaching the

political era, it is our hope that politicians in the country will allow peace to reign in Nigeria. Our youths should stay peacefully and not to allow selfish politicians to use them in breaching the relative peace in the country.

"Whoever approaches you for thuggery, ask him to lead you in the act. Moreover, any distraction or violence will only set our democracy backwards and affect all areas of human development,� he said.

He lauded Islamic scholars for the successful completion of Ramadan fast and urged them not to relent in advising and telling leaders the truth.

The Sultan stressed the need for Muslims to unite, irrespective of their sects, adding that they should stick to the Qur'an and the teachings of the Holy Prophet in their dealings with their followers.

"Because there are some scholars that are misleading their followers for selfish reasons which is against

the teaching of the Holy Prophet, I am urging these kinds of scholars to fear God and stick to the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and traditions of the Holy Prophet alone," he advised.

The Sultan maintained that security was a collective responsibility of all Nigerians and advised the citizens to complement the efforts of the security agencies towards securing the country.

He commended the federal and Sokoto State governments for invest-

ing hugely in the educational and agricultural sectors, and called on Nigerians to support such efforts.

The monarch urged Muslims to uphold the virtues of the Ramadan fast that included patience, perseverance and brotherliness.

While wishing all Nigerians happy Salah celebration, the Sultan appealed to them to sustain their prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari, state governors and all other political leaders in the country.

FG Disburses Loans to Over 4,000 GEEP Rivers LG Polls: RSIEC Denies Journalists Accreditation, Sell MarketMoni BeneďŹ ciaries in Edo State Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Edo State yesterday recorded over 4,000 beneficiaries of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) of the federal government through the state’s edition of Micro, Small and Medium-Scale Enterprise (MSMEs) Clinic.

GEEP is one of the National Social Intervention Programmes (NSIP) of the current administration, providing interest-free loans of between N10, 000 and N100, 000 to market women, farmers, artisans and enterprising youths nationwide through the Bank of Industry (BoI).

Speaking at the event, the VicePresident of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo said “the policy of the federal government was to support businesses, not just big business but particularly small, medium-sized businesses and micro businesses. “The whole idea is that we want to ensure that we give whatever support whether it is cash, advice or even registration to all of our small and medium enterprises,� he said.

Apart from the existing GEEP

MarketMoni scheme, which targets market women, traders, artisans and enterprising youths, Osinbajo also revealed that the federal government is rolling out TraderMoni, a new micro-credit scheme to cater for ultra-micro enterprises. “It is a different thing from MarketMoni because TraderMoni is for the smaller traders. These are the hawkers; those who are doing little things where in many cases their inventory, the whole thing they are selling is sometimes not even more than N5,000 to N10,000. We want to give those kinds of people some credit as well and once they pay back, we will give them some more money,� Osinbajo said.

Speaking under the existing GEEP MarketMoni scheme, Toyin Adeniji, the Executive Director of Financial Inclusion in BoI, revealed that, the federal government through BoI had done over 4,000 loans in Edo State and 350,000 nationwide.

She also added that the pilot phase of the TraderMoni scheme began with 368 traders in Edo State walking home with N10, 000 after the event.

While speaking at a separate interview during the event, Adeniji said BoI was making every possible effort to enhance the scope of the programme and bring in more beneficiaries. “Beneficiaries of the GEEP loan have been able to improve their businesses. Some of them from a one-man shop now employ six people; those who buy things in small units now buy in bulk. It is a very aggressive scheme and we have a target to reach over a million. As at now we have disbursed loans to over 350,000 beneficiaries nationwide, and to scale up the scheme, we have identified and categorised a new group of micro traders who need only about N10,000 to boost their businesses.�

Uzoma Nwagba, GEEP MarketMoni Chief Operating Officer, also explained that “GEEP was to address one of the tough challenges of micro enterprises in Nigeria, which was access to finance. We felt that as government backed by the execution capacity of BoI, we could target this group of people and inflate the economy from the base.�

Beneficiaries at the event were full of praise for the federal government, saying the scheme had decently improved their means of livelihood. “We appreciate the federal government for this loan. We are very happy because we no longer have to borrow and pay heavy interest; this one is better. In our association alone, we got N50, 000 each and we have used it to trade,� the Head of Udoritin Bushmeat Sellers Association Edo State, Eki Eguavoen said.

According to BoI, GEEP MarketMoni loans were repayable over a period of six months with a five per cent administrative charge.

To ensure that the loan instalments were paid on time and conveniently, collections begin from the third week after loans were received.

Beneficiaries enjoy a two-week grace period.

To access the loans, applicants must have a bank account, a valid Bank Verification Number, a verifiable business address and must belong to a cooperative, market or trade association that is registered at either state or federal.

Passes for N1, 000 Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has barred journalists from covering the state's local government election today.

The commission said it had no accreditation cards for journalists to ensure their free movements because of movement restrictions but vendors were seen hawking press accreditation cards for between N500 and N1, 000 in front of the commission's premises.

The Director, Media and Publicity of the Commission, Sarah Amgbari, had earlier directed members of the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the umbrella body of representatives of media houses based in the state, to submit a list of their members on Thursday.

The chapel submitted the list as directed but she asked the union executives to come back on Friday.

When the chapel executives, led by the Chairman of the Chapel, Ernest Chinwo, went to see her as directed, Amgbari said she had no cards for the national media.

She said the national media had an option to cover the election or not, but threatened that any journalist who writes anything not favourable to the commission would be arrested and detained.

She specifically warned the Chairman of the Correspondents' Chapel of the NUJ, Ernest Chinwo, that he would be held responsible for any negative story and that she would ensure his arrest and detention.

Meanwhile, in front of the commission's premises touts were busy hawking the media accreditation cards for between N500 and N1, 000 depending on the bargaining power of the prospective client.

One journalist, simply identified as Innocent, said he bought his accreditation card for N500.

Another vendor approached the Secretary of the Correspondents' Chapel, Amaechi Okonkwo, to buy the press accreditation card for N1, 000.

Many vendors of accreditation cards were seen in front of the commission's premises opposite Bori Camp, Aba Road, Port Harcourt.

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JUNE 16, 2͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

Yemi

Adebowale

07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Time to Sack Hazardous Dan-Ali I am deeply worried about how this man called Mansur Dan-Ali, who happens to be Nigeria’s defence minister, has been going about his demand for grazing land for his kinsmen. In this modern era of ranching, he wants grazing lands and grazing routes for Fulani herdsmen across the country, and stresses it with so much impunity. Dan-Ali, despite his critical portfolio, does not give a damn, no matter whose ox is gored. He has refused to accept that nomadic cattle nurturing is an aberration in any modern society. As a result, this minister has been making all sorts of retrograde moves in support of open itinerant grazers. Dan-Ali, without gauging the mood of the country, persistently makes volatile statements that embolden the killer herders. This is hazardous for mother Nigeria.

The other day, our defence minister was all over town, running his mouth about the need to suspend anti-open grazing laws in Benue, Taraba and Ekiti states, while also demanding for safe routes for herders. He had earlier advised the nation’s Security Council, presided over by President Buhari, to stamp out this pragmatic law. This is even after the National Economic Council, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, had endorsed ranching. Dan-Ali pretends to be unaware that the 1999 Constitution empowers state Houses of Assembly to make laws for the good governance of their states. He is shamelessly ignorant that states are empowered by the Land Use Act to take ownership and management of land resources and wants the federal government to dabble into state affairs.

Killer herders, motivated by Dan-Ali and his likes, are still wreaking havoc across the country. They have slaughtered thousands of Nigerians, unhindered. From Kaduna, to Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Zamfara

Dan-Ali

and Enugu, it has been tales of massacres.

In fact, in Benue State, the killer herdsmen control some local governments like Gwer West, Gwer East, Logo and Guma. Guerrillas protecting herdsmen roam freely unhindered by security agents. Patriots must not wait for Dan-Ali and his likes to set the country on fire before screaming.

It is heartwarming that patriots are already tackling Dan-Ali and his principal, Buhari.

This has to be sustained until this clannish defence minister is sacked. Senator Barnabas Gemade’s reprimand was appropriate. He said: “This is not the first time that we will hear this kind of absurd statements coming from no less a personality than the Minister of Defence. If a Minister of Defence is calling for anarchy, where else can we find peace?

We understand that the minister comes from Zamfara State and I wonder if all the killings

in Zamfara that are almost equal in number with the ones in Benue, are also as a result of the anti-open grazing law.

“If by his own experience, the killings in Zamfara have nothing to do with the antiopen grazing law, why does he believe that the killings in Benue and Taraba are because they enacted the laws? While we are looking up to the government for protection, and indeed looking up to the security agencies for protection, we get so dismayed by the attitude of those who lead these security forces.”

A coalition of socio-cultural groups in Benue State, comprising the Mdgzou U Tiv, Idoma National Forum and Omi’Ngede, wondered “how a supposed educated and professional soldier will call for the suspension of an act of parliament in a democracy.”

The group added: “We are tempted to deduce from the utterances of Dan-Ali that he does not understand or he is not familiar with the letter and spirit of Nigeria’s constitution, which he swore to uphold. He should help himself to be abreast of the document before making statements or suggestions. It seems to us that Mansur Dan-Ali imagines that the current democratic dispensation is a military rule where decisions are taken unilaterally.”

The spokesperson for the apex Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prince Uche Achi-Okpaga, believes Dan-Ali is suffering from “political malnutrition because of his military background, and thinks that his pronouncements are law, without recourse to the legislative process.” I concur.

Dan-Ali’s utterances amount to an assault on our oneness. We must rise and put pressure on Buhari to sack Dan-Ali in order to protect our fragile unity. This is one man his government can as well do without. Dan-Ali should return to his native Zamfara and lead the war against bandits ravaging the state.

Confession of Citizen Victor Uwajeh For those who have not been following the story, Victor Uwajeh was until few weeks back, the Special Investigator to the Okoi Obono Obla-led Special Presidential Investigation Panel on Recovery of Public Property (SPIP). Uwajeh, then based in London, was disengaged in controversial circumstances.

Thereafter, he alleged that his removal was because he refused to investigate some serving senators, including Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and other opposition People Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts.

He also mentioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Senator Jonah Jang, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, Femi Fani-Kayode, among the list of persons specifically given to him to investigate. Uwajeh, who was also a consultant to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, alleged that his refusal to act on the documents sent to him from Nigeria by the government which comprises some names perceived to be enemies of the current administration was responsible for his disengagement.

The private investigator, now in exile in Dubai, said in his statement: “It was the procedure of the panel to courier documents to me from Nigeria for dispatch to various agencies in the United Kingdom and worldwide. Soon after, I realised that the panel has a mindset towards certain individuals and groups by the documents it sent to me.

Documents sent to me from Abuja to dispatch

Uwajeh

to the Serious Fraud Office and Home Office, Metropolitan Police, FBI and EUROPOL had the names of the following: Senate President Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Albert Bassey Akpan and Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah.

“I suggested some names of APC members, who are high looters, and recommended for proper investigation but it was turned down.

This raised a red flag and as a professional, I made my complaint immediately and made my position known to Okoi Obono Obla to transmit to the Attorney General and Minister

of Justice. I told him that I will not be a party to a one-sided investigation to muscle the opposition and persecute them. I made my position known that I am ready to expose corruption and recover stolen assets as a professional but will not be involved in the politics of ‘pull them down’ in Nigeria.

“After meeting in London on 18th April, 2018 with some officials during the CHOGM, it was evident that I will not bulge in my position not to go against the ethics of my profession by investigating only the opposition. As soon as they arrived Nigeria on April 23, 2018, they drafted a letter to disengage me. They kept the letter and wanted me to change my mind but I refused. On April, 27 2018, they sent me a backdated letter of disengagement dated April 23, 2018.”

Clearly, Nwajeh wanted to investigate all those alleged to be corrupt, regardless of party affiliations. His mandate evidently stated that he should trace, and where necessary, recover undeclared assets and proceeds of fraud for the Federal Government of Nigeria. Suddenly, he was told to look only at a specific direction.

This man wanted to do a dispassionate job, but was stopped. What a country! What I find intriguing is that precisely 25 days after Nwajeh’s mind-boggling allegation, the Obono Obla panel and the other government agents indicted have refused to respond. This is clearly not how to fight a war against corruption. A selective war against corruption will not take this country anywhere.

Dissecting Middle Belt/Southern Leaders’ Fears Some Middle Belt/Southern Nigerian leaders met in Abuja recently and raised issues which I consider pertinent for the survival of this country’s democracy.

Top of this was the call on President Muhammadu Buhari to relieve the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, of his duty, siting the likelihood of bias in favour of the president.

The leaders urged Buhari to act on the 12-point resolutions of the National Assembly on the state of the nation i.e. call out the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; uphold the powers of the states to enact laws on open grazing of livestock; stop the killer herdsmen and take urgent steps to make the country more secure for the citizenry, amid others.

In the statement signed by Dr. John Nwodo (South-east), Chief Ayo Adebanjo (South-west), Chief Edwin Clark (South-south) and retired Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (Middle Belt), the leaders urged Buhari to re-enact the spirit of June 12 by ensuring the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections in 2019.

I also have my fears about Mahmood’s ability to deliver a free and fair election in 2019. The Ekiti State governorship election will be his first major test.

Fears that INEC will manipulate the Presidential election in favour of Buhari, considering Mahmood’s geographical origin and the President’s links with an INEC National Commissioner, Amina Zakari, a relation of the President, can’t be waved aside. Buhari’s decision to keep the unproductive military Service Chiefs, whose tenures lapsed last year, is also suspicious.

My take away from the Middle Belt/ Southern Nigerian leaders’ memo to Buhari is: “We have fears that the Independent National Electoral Commission may not be able to deliver free and fair election as the bug of nepotism and sectionalism that this administration is renowned for has also eaten up the leadership of the commission. We are concerned that since independence, Buhari is the only President that has been audacious enough to pick only people who are either his relations or of the same ethnic stock with him to lead the electoral body.”

Nigerians must persistently challenge Mahmood’s INEC to rise above ethnic, religious and political sentiments during the 2019 election. We must also persistently put pressure on our President to allow a free and fair election. He was a beneficiary of this in 2015.

The Zamfara Killing Field There seems to be no end to the killings in Zamfara State. The bandits again on Wednesday stormed several villages in Birnin Magaji, killing scores of people. Few days back, they attacked 10 communities in Mada town, Gusau Local Government Area of the state. A yet to be ascertained number of people were killed during the raids. Fleeing villagers estimated that about 200 bandits descended on the communities, stealing cows and other animals. As at press time, the likes of Fura Girke, Majira, Kanawa, Yargeba, Takoka, Bargaja, Bundungel, Bantsa, Unguwar Matanda and Makera, had become

ghost villages. Most of the inhabitants are too scared to return.

The state’s Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, who visited some of the affected communities could not offer succor. He only appealed to the federal government to come to the rescue of the hapless people. Wakkala also expressed his dismay about the way the bandits rendered residents of the communities, particularly women and children homeless.

He followed up with the usual tame government rhetoric: “A committee has been set up by the State Government, to ascertain the level of damage caused by the bandits. We

are appealing to security agencies in the state to intensify efforts in tackling the activities of the bandits.” Wakkala departs after the painful razzmatazz. So, what happens next in terms of security for the people? Nothing!

The federal government and the Zamfara State Government persistently fail the people.

The rampaging bandits have been moving from one local government to another, killing hundreds of people. The ruin of Anka is still fresh. For how long shall the people of Zamfara State continue to bury their loved ones? The situation here, just like in other parts of the country, looks hopeless.

Mahmood

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2018

SUPER SATURDAY

Beckham and Victoria

Beckham, Victoria Battle Divorce Claims Behind the plastered smile and carefully crafted public display of affection last Sunday, David and Victoria Beckham’s marriage remains a complicated beast, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu with agency report

M

anchester United legend, David Beckham and model/singer wife, Victoria have reunited in London after furiously denying rumours of an imminent split. Notwithstanding, signals that the relationship is going through a tough time were confirmed when the former footballer and his wife both attended the Kent & Curwen Men’s London Fashion Week show last Sunday, arriving at the London event separately and sitting apart. Victoria was later spotted reaching over the table to give David’s hand a squeeze.

David made a low-key entrance at the event after returning from a trip to the United States amid the flurry of divorce rumours, before Victoria was pictured making her arrival a short time later. The couple, who have been married for 19 years, later took their seats inside the show, but with Vogue Editor Edward Enninful, surprisingly sitting between them.

They did put on a united front however, with David pictured smiling at his wife as she leaned over their mutual friend Enninful to touch his hand. Victoria was dressed in a flowing white midi dress for the couple’s first public outing together since the Royal

Wedding on May 19, adding a pop of colour with her yellow heels. David owns a major stake in heritage fashion brand Kent & Curwen brand along with business partner Simon Fuller.

His fashion designer wife shared a number of photos on her Instagram page as she supported her husband, telling fans she was “so proud” of the “beautiful collection”.

Twenty-four hours before, Victoria was pictured looking sombre on Saturday as she was seen for the first time since the Beckham camp hit back at the divorce claims. In pictures obtained exclusively by MailOnline a week before the London reunion, the 44-year-old posh was seen leaving a boutique hotel in the upmarket district of Mayfair in London, making a quick exit as she hurried into her car.

As the mother-of-four was in the English capital, her husband, 43, was more than 3,000 miles away in Miami on a business trip. Their respective outings came after they were forced to shoot down rumours of an impending divorce.

After rumours of an impending split began racing around social media on June 8, Jo Milloy, a spokesman for Spice Girl-turned-designer Victoria, told the Daily

Mail that the gossip was ‘absolute nonsense’.

Meanwhile, former Real Madrid star’s spokesman, Simon Oliveira, likewise dubbed the claims ‘embarrassing and laughable’.

Elsewhere, a spokesman for the couple was quoted as saying: “There is no statement due, no divorce and a lot of Chinese whispers and fake social media news.

This is all very bizarre and an embarrassing waste of time.”

While David became famous playing football for England, Manchester United and Real Madrid, Victoria rose to fame in the late 1990s with the all-female pop group Spice Girls, and was dubbed Posh.

Behind the plastered-on half-smile and carefully crafted public display of affection last Sunday, David and Victoria Beckham’s marriage remains a complicated beast.

There are power battles, jealousy, a genuine love for their children and, above all else, a desire to keep the $877 million Brand Beckham going, The Sun reports.

As their spokespeople - in full-on damage limitation mode - so keenly stressed while addressing the false Twitter rumours spreading like wildfire, there is no imminent divorce or any sort of split being consid-

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2018

11

SUPERSATURDAY VICTORIA DOES NOT LIKE HER HUSBAND PARTYING WITH GLAMOROUS PALS Victoria does not like her husband partying with glamorous pals such as Alexa Chung and Poppy Delevingne.

She also did not approve of his friendship with wild socialite Lady Mary Charteris, who the couple were introduced to during David’s wild weekend at the Glastonbury Music Festival.

Victoria had words with David during his “lost weekend” at Worthy Farm after she arrived by helicopter to find him in a “complete state” after two days of boozing

ered.

But this is no straightforward relationship.

In fact, as they attempt to laugh off the latest social media controversy, there are continued ructions in the 19-year marriage on two fronts.

Firstly, Victoria’s difficulty in accepting David’s new life in Miami, where he has launched a new Major League Soccer team. She has visited the Florida city just once since the news was announced in January, sparking new tensions for the couple.

Noting how awkward her absence could look, Victoria has conceded she needs to spend more time with David in Miami, according to pals.

But she will do so through gritted teeth, especially given her well-known spat with David’s best friend Dave Gardner - the fiance of Hollywood actress Liv Tyler - who helped him launch the project.

Secondly, David is tiring of Victoria’s constant social media and publicity use of their children Brooklyn, 19, Romeo, 15, Cruz, 13, and six-year-old Harper.

While David loves sharing natural moments with his children, sources close to the couple said he is increasingly clashing with Victoria over her desire to post a constant stream of family moments to her 20.8 million Instagram followers.

Her strategy has led to criticisms from Piers Morgan, who believes the Beckham kids are being “pimped out” to boost their brand.

It comes as Victoria is preparing to parade the family in Vogue Magazine to mark the tenth anniversary of her clothing label.

The clan’s cover shoot and interview are expected to be one of the fashion bible’s best-selling issues.

Posh is hugely excited by the prospect. David not so much.

Victoria’s social media oversharing is seemingly all part of a plan by the Beckhams to protect their lucrative brand in the midst of ongoing rumoured tensions between them.

The couple believes their social following (a combined 77 million on Instagram) is more influential than the mainstream media.

Victoria’s Instagram Story is a bizarre mix of mundane private pictures of her children next to ads selling designer clothes at her struggling fashion brand, Victoria Beckham.

A close source said: “David does get really pissed off with how much she is putting the kids out there. It’s becoming a real problem between them.”

Deep down, David still has a desire for his family to live a “normal life”.

He finds the constant social media “shoots” tiresome, especially as image-conscious Victoria insists on full

Beckham and Victoria with children

Beckham and d Vi Victoria i

make-up and designer clothes before featuring in any herself.

The ex-England football captain, on the other hand, is genuinely down to earth and relaxed about his appearance and social events. He still likes to spend time at the local pub, which Victoria hates because she is concerned about being photographed.

David is thought to have been stung by criticism of his 43rd birthday coverage, where Victoria shared a snap showing Harper had bought her dad an $8680 [£4,950] Louis Vuitton wine case.

In 2016, @ he bailed out her business with more than $8.7 million [£5 million], but losses doubled to $14.9 million [£8.5 million] last year, causing her to slash prices.

Meanwhile, David’s company, DB Ventures, banked $32.9 million [£18.75 million]. He also remains supportive of his wife’s business ambitions for his own, ever so slightly selfish reasons.

As one well-connected Beckham insider puts it: “David loves Victoria having her own fashion business. He knows if Victoria is busy with her own work then she is out of his hair, which gives him more time to relax or focus on the football team in Miami or his own projects.”

Posh is used to spending chunks of

Awkward with new people, Victoria is envious of David’s ability to be the most popular person in the room — whether partying with royalty or sportsmen. As I have documented over the past two years, she also feels uncomfortable with his female friendships.

Victoria does not like her husband partying with glamorous pals such as Alexa Chung and Poppy Delevingne.

She also did not approve of his friendship with wild socialite Lady Mary Charteris, who the couple were introduced to during David’s wild weekend at the Glastonbury Music Festival.

Victoria had words with David during his “lost weekend” at Worthy Farm after she arrived by helicopter to find him in a “complete state” after two days of boozing.

More recently, the night before the Royal Wedding, Becks was seen partying with Kara Keble White at Soho Farmhouse. The pretty brunette, who was celebrating her 25th birthday, wrote on Instagram: “Thanks for the shots.”

In the past, Victoria has also had an the year away from her husband.

Over the past 100 days, Becks has been issue with David’s friendships with Jason Statham and his partner Rosie in China, Miami and Tokyo without his wife. He was also in China back in April Huntington-Whiteley, as well as Charlize Theron. after visiting the Indonesian capital of She is becoming increasingly uncomJakarta in March. fortable with David’s party lifestyle And earlier that month, at a football -despite the fact that he is making more match in Paris, he was snapped sitting close to model Bella Hadid in the stands. money through his various business interests than he did playing football, The Beckhams’ public display of when he was earning $59,600 a day. affection at the London fashion bash on Victoria is known to make her feelSunday was nothing new. ings clear by what events she does In 2004 when their marriage was not attend. Her decision to skip Guy rocked by allegations made by David’s Ritchie’s wedding in July 2015 marked former PA Rebecca Loos, the couple a new crisis for the Beckhams, who had went off to an alpine retreat where the one-time Real Madrid star was snapped started to live increasingly separate lives. She was also absent from the giving Posh a piggyback. premiere of Ritchie’s film King Arthur But never before had bookies suspended betting on a split, which is what last May, even though it marked David’s acting debut. happened last week.

Victoria was believed to have had There are other issues, too. Victoria’s her tattoo tributes to David removed, anger at David’s Miami work was behind her sudden desire to re-form the including a message in Hebrew on her neck which read: “I am my beloved’s Spice Girls, after years of refusal. She and my beloved is mine.” wanted to take back control with a sexy However, when these reports showbiz project. emerged, Victoria claimed that the Then there are the tattoos. David’s tattoo was fading naturally. Even now, latest solar system tattoo on his skull comes at a time when Victoria is desper- the pair are determined to keep their marriage together - despite some very ate to remove her own inkings. major compromises.

She is also concerned about the ––Courtesy Daily Mail and The number of tattoos Brooklyn now has, Sun inspired by his dad.

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͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

TRUST AS A COEFFICIENT OF LEADERSHIP Ade Bodurin Mohammed pays tribute to Lagos Sate governor, AkinwunmiAmbode, at age 55

I

am going to break protocol and dispense with the titles and formalities of addressing my governor only this once.

AkinwunmiAmbode celebrated his 55th birthday on 14th June 2018. Is it a remarkable age? Probably not, but it appears like a watershed in the life of this dogged and committed reformer. For those who know him well he shies away from celebrating birthdays.

The trajectory of person’s life is often dependent on several factors both seen and unseen but a person’s personal drive and passion is an extremely critical success factor.

How do you deconstruct this driven man of deep intellect who reluctantly mounted the saddle of governance of this state, breaking the jinx that a civil servant is only fit for direction and not action?His rise to leadership of this state is the stuff movies are made of and perhaps his inspirational story will be made into a movie some day but we must be content to tell a little bit of what we know makes him tick .

AkinwunmiAmbode’s style and persona has been defined by his background and upbringing. He will freely tell you that he has street credibility having grown up in various less than affluent areas of the state but yet it is safe to say his schooling especially his time in Federal Government College, Warri and University of Lagos have moulded him into a man of panache and style. A man who could easily pass for an entertainment mogul in the night and a hardcore private sector entrepreneur/consultant in daytime.

Governing Lagos State is probably one of the greatest challenges he has faced in his life time. His casual mien definitely belies the complexity and difficulties he faces on a daily basis in ruling the mega city state called Lagos.

Ambode is typically a kind-hearted person and his generosity, loyalty and kindness are legendary but in the last three years he probably has had to discover “teeth� that he never knew he had. Governing people of diverse backgrounds and problems forces you to be firm and you make enemies in loads when you have to take tough decisions for the greater good.

Great thinkers and innovators can sometime be quirky and non-conformist but that’s whereAmbode’s strength lies. As they say in the Star Trek franchise, he often chooses to go “where no man has gone before�. An ideas man par-excellence who is so passionate about the welfare of the people that it often triggers him to wake up at odd hours of the night to dry-run ideas that can help governance and welfare of the people of the state.

Is he infallible? Of course not, and he already has his fair share of traducers who accuse him of not being social enough, being spontaneous, etc. His reply would be that who is perfect except God, but his drivers are governance and the interest of the people and with that in mind you can’t always have time to socialise. Nonetheless and paradoxically he is a fiercely loyal and passionate people’s person who loves having people around him all the time.

I believe trust is one of the strongest attributes of leadership and any successful politician must strive to acquire the confidence of his people that he will not betray the trust reposed in him by them. AkinwunmiAmbode assumed

HE IS SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE THAT IT OFTEN TRIGGERS HIM TO WAKE UP AT ODD HOURS OF THE NIGHT TO DRY-RUN IDEAS THAT CAN HELP GOVERNANCE AND WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE

office as an astute financial manager in a time of recession and whether you hate him or like him he has been able to keep this state going with prompt payment of salaries, regular pensions, innovative and balanced infrastructure development, security of lives and property, employment opportunities, etc., in the face of bleak prospects and dodgy performance in other parts of the nation. I strongly believe he has not betrayed the trust of the people that voted him into power. In his quiet moments he would tell you that he has traversed the entire fabric of this state for over 30 years both as a civil servant and now as governor and he is simply content in knowing that he can improve the quality of the lives of Lagosians with the special knowledge he has developed over time.

Sadly most citizens don’t trust politicians as they believe they are full of promises and short on delivery. Posterity will surely judge whetherAmbode has fully delivered on his promises across the state. One thing that is however certain is that no one that has come across the man called AkinwunmiAmbode can doubt his passion and honesty to deliver the dividends to the people of the state. His virtuoso presentation from the heart at the recent 2018 “Lagos means business�Forum clearly demonstrated his passion for the development of this state despite any odds.

On his 52nd birthday in 2015 after his assumption of office I sent him a message and it read thus: “...Indeed by that collective will together with God’s grace you have become the 14th Governor of Lagos State.

It appears surreal but it is real and we are relishing the fact that many are going to be shocked to find how successful your government is going to be.

But enough of that. I know things will never be the same again because you now belong to the over 20 million people in Lagos State. They are your constituency and children.

They will be greedy, naughty,supportive and sometimes disloyal but you must never lose your patience because they are your greatest path to immortality.

When you succeed with Lagosians you don’t need the books or films to record your legacy because it is the people that will record your legacies in their hearts and minds, it is they that will exalt you to high heavens and it is they that will build monuments in your honour.

You have fought for us and loved us in so many ways you can imagine. You have also been a great leader to many of us and that is why we must particularly ensure you succeed in this new quest you have embarked on. I therefore join all your supporters, friends and well wishers to wish you one of the best birthdays you will ever have on this planet. I wish you continued God’s protection, love of family and friends and the continued admiration of your friends and foes alike....�

Three years after, my thoughts of and trust in this great leader have remained unchanged, and as he marks his 55th birthday he has shown that he is still a mere mortal but he is certainly heading for immortality.

Happy birthday and my very best wishes.

Dr. Mohammed wrote from Lagos

ISSUES IN EKITI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION The race is essentially between OlusholaEleka and KayodeFayemi, argues DayoAriyo

T

he battle line in the July 14, 2018 governorship polls in Ekiti State has been clearly drawn with the emergence of the standard bearers of the two leading political parties in the state, namely Professor OlusholaEleka of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Dr. John KayodeFayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is without prejudice to the over two dozen candidates who are standing for this election on other smaller and weaker political platforms. For all discernible political observers, this election is basically between two old political foes: the outgoing Governor AyodeleFayose and Dr.Fayemi, who recently resigned from the federal cabinet as Minister of Solid Minerals Development.

Fayemi, as a sitting governor had lost the governorship seat in 2014 to Fayose under very controversial circumstances. However, by stroke of fate, the two political actors are up to each other again, but in a different scenario. Fayose is facing Fayemi by proxy, as his (Fayose`s) protĂŠgĂŠ, Prof. Eleka, contends with Fayemi.

It is, perhaps, important to note that Eleka is the current deputy governor of the state in the outgoing administration of Fayose.

Although it is Eleka that is physically on the ballot for the PDP, the political reality on ground is that this election is basically between Fayose who is seeking a third term through the backdoor and Fayemi, his bitter political

adversary, who has expressed a strong determination and iron resolve to retake the reins of power fromFayose and his cohorts in the state.

Fayose knows the implication ofFayemi`s return to power. Given the allegations of massive looting of Ekiti treasury in the last four years, there is palpable fear of dire consequences if Fayemi wins the coveted trophy. This realisation certainly explains the desperation in the Fayose camp to win the election for Eleka at all cost.

A dispassionate analysis of the facts on ground shows that the political circumstances in the state today are far different from what they were in 2014. The odds at the moment are heavily stacked in favour of Fayemi. Unlike in 2014, Fayemi is the candidate of the ruling party at the centre, while Fayose`s anointed candidate is standing on the platform of the rival opposition party. Fayemi, like Fayose did in 2014, is sure to enjoy the incumbency factor that is usually associated with the ruling party at the centre.

There is no doubt that this election is going to be tough and hard, given the desperation of the Fayose`s camp to halt the surging tide of Fayemi at all cost. But this desperation is also firmly matched with a grim determination by the APC and Fayemi to cage Fayose and his stooge. And this desire can be clearly seen in the composition of the strong 78-member

National Campaign Committee set up by the APC to lead Fayemi`s campaign in Ekiti State.

The committee which consists of almost all the APC governors and who is who in the party is headed by the Kebbi State Governor, AlhajiAtikuBagudu. This obviously is expected to translate into better planning and funding which lies at the heart of any campaign.

It is also instructive to note that the PDP camp in Ekiti has been enmeshed in major crises of confidence, leading to the gale of defections that has hit the party most recently.

Many of the political actors in the PDP who had axes to grind with Fayose have decamped to APC and other parties. They include Prince DayoAdeyeye, a former Minister of State for Works, who is now currently campaigning for Fayemi after he was schemed out of the gubernatorial ticket of the PDP. There are also the likes of Senator BiodunOlujimi and MrOwoseni, a former Attorney General in the Fayose administration who have deserted Fayose to boost the chances of Fayemi in this election. Amongst those that have left Fayose, included Mr AbiodunAluko, a former deputy governor of the state, who has since moved into the Accord Party to be its standard bearer. The implication is that the PDP is prosecuting the election as a badly depleted force.

In the case of the APC, all the aspirants that

contested against Fayemi in the party`s gubernatorial primaries have all united behind him, thereby presenting a common front to confront and defeat a common political enemy. The likes of Senator Ayo Arise, BamideleOpeyemi, Segun Oni, Senator GbengaAluko and BabafemiOjudu have all lined up behind Fayemi. The unity of purpose which has been forged in the APC is providing Fayemi the political momentum that he earnestly requires to make the difference in this election.

Many political observers in the state are of the strong opinion that this election is a very difficult one for Fayose because, majority of the people in Ekiti believe, rightly or wrongly, that Fayose is seeking a third term through Eleka who he solely anointed as the candidate of the PDP. The popular belief is that Eleka cannot assert himself, given the circumstances that surrounded his emergence. Ekiti people cannot condone a puppet in Government House. They believe that Fayemi is a man of his own convictions who has a proven capacity to provide purposeful leadership and good governance that is anchored on due diligence. Against the background of the contending issues in this election, political pundits are of the firm view that Fayemi is favoured by all the odds to pick the prize.

Ariyo wrote from Ado Ekiti

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͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

The die is cast...

June 12, The Media And Democracy

Super Eagles and the World Cup

H

ow Nigeria can get back the football squad she had of 1994 through 1996 is part of my worries about the Super Eagles. From the onset, I Imust confess that I have nearly lost interest in the Nigerian football team. I have not been able to ďŹ gure out what could be responsible for the decline of the Super Eagles. If not for patriotism and the inborn love for the “Pele’s toyâ€?, I would have stopped watching football matches. To get relief, I sometimes prefer to watch matches of foreign clubs than our local tournaments. Yet, though not a fan of any, I belong to every serious club but never a diehard for any.

That was me when Nigerian clubs and tournaments were interesting. Can our past football history return?

Sometimes, I feel that the politics surrounding the choice of players is responsible; politics in different ways. Either because in the course of choosing the players, the harmful idea of federal character is placed on board or the consideration of godfathersim/who-knows-who comes to play. Or corruption is responsible in the sense, as alleged, that players have to pay immediately to be selected or sign pacts to forfeit parts of their match allowances. It is bad and whatever is responsible for this, I think the federal government has the responsibility to sanitise the system in the glass house.

I have never wept for Nigerian football like that of France 98 when Nigeria lost woefully on June 8 to Denmark by 4-1 in the round 16. This followed the loss to Paraguay 3-1 on June 24 at the stage matches.

Nigeria had earlier defeated Spain 3-2 on June 13, and defeated Bulgaria 1-0 on June 19. Hopes were very high for Nigeria to defeat Denmark. I prayed for the Eagles after the first and second goals hit Peter Rufai’s net in the third and 13th minutes. I still prayed that Nigeria could make it in the second half as usual until hopes were dashed by the third and fourth goals in the 60th and 76th minutes by Ebbe Sand and Thomas Helveg respectively. I took to memory every bit of the happenings in 98 Super Eagles’ outing. And since that year, Nigeria has been unable to build a strong team. Any hope for Nigeria in Russia 2018 with Croatia today, June 16, Iceland on June 22 and Argentina on June 26 at the group D stage?

It cannot be that Nigeria has no qualified players. Nigerian players are doing very well in many renowned teams across the world. If this is unarguable, why is it difficult to assemble these Nigerian stars to form a formidable Nigerian football team as other countries with history in the game have maintained? What will it take Nigeria to study the way the South Americas have sustained their supremacy over the round leather? I know that reading or even learning culture in Nigeria is low,

but football is a game that is more practical than theoretical. There are all assurances that Nigeria can build a strong football team that can last long, if all the factors enumerated above are arrested or eliminated.

I dearly yearn for the Nigerian Super Eagles of 1994. I feel for those days of Rashid Yekini, Steven Keshi, Jay JayOkocha, Emmanuel Amunike, Daniel Amokashi, Sampson Siasia, Victor Ikpeba, George Finidi, TijaniBabangida, Augustine Egwavon, name them. Those were the days Nigerian matches thrilled the world and many non-football lovers would spare the time to watch Nigerian matches. Those were the days I would not eat, even when hungry, until I watched the last action in any Nigerian match.

Those were the days I used to conduct a personal prayer for the Eagles before any of their matches.

Those were the days that if the Eagles lost a match, one would be convinced that they actually did play the game. And those were the days Nigerian footballers were selected/appointed to represent Nigeria on merit and they were cared for. There was less or no wicked conspiracy against them. There was no compromise over their entitlements. Unity and patriotism were their watchwords.

Muhammad Ajah, Abuja

T

o lovers of history, President MuhammaduBuhari’s recent announcement of June 12 as Nigeria’s new Democracy Day as well as conferment of GCFR honour on late Chief M.K.O. Abiola is a welcome historic gesture.

June 12 as a national day is a development that will not only connect the younger generation to a significant part of our history, but also inspire questions about Nigeria perceptible structural problems that Hope ’93 wanted to address. The posthumous honour conferred on Chief Abiola is a partial redemption of the June 12 watershed.

Now that June 12 has been officially recognised as our Democracy Day, it is proper to assess the state of the nation especially from the mirror of sacrifices that went into the struggle to revalidate the annulled election. Beyond the latest PMB’s declaration, it is saddening to conclude that nothing spectacular has changed in our socio-political landscape, 25 years after. There seems to be little assurance that much will change, considering our present imbalance and disheveled political structure. What of the eminent space that anti -democracy elements still occupy in our political landscape?

One is particularly interested in the activities of the vibrant press in resisting repressive acts of the

T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR CHIKA AMANZE-NWACHUKU MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

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 BOLAJI ADEBIYI, 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 EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

military in the dark days of military rule in our country. Now that we are building a viable democratic culture, it is crucial for the press to remain in the forefront of checkmating all tiers of government.

If we are to foreclose a return to tyrannical acts which the press suffered under the military, hardly can the press afford to be dormant in its denunciation of anti-democratic postures of current political actors. To do that might consume the media itself.

In 1993 alone, some 300,000 publications were seized, 54 journalists arrested, more than 20 of them were summoned to appear in court, six reporters or photographers were assaulted or injured, four publications and one radio station were suspended or put under pressure by the authorities, 17 titles were proscribed by decree and 17 journalists (in government -owned media) dismissed or disciplined for political reasons; 10 of them resigned in protest.

Between March and late August 1993, SSS agents raided the Lagos offices of TheNews several times, seizing tens of thousands edition of the weekly.

Tempo magazine was also seized from the time it was banned in June 1993. Between early May and late August 1993, when General Babangida was forced to step aside, more than 200,000 copies of Tell magazine were seized.

Many could still recount how the military junta flooded the space with fake editions of opposition titles during the June 12 struggle. It was alleged that the State Security Service produced fake editions of these notable pro-democracy newspapers to confuse the public. Fake copies of Tell, Tempo, The News and TSM Magazines were especially in circulation in March 1994 when the Abacha junta began to employ the dirty scheme.

According to a report by the Constitutional Rights Project entitled: ‘The Press and Dictatorship in Nigeria’, the management of Tell had to issue a press release denying that it was connected with a fake version of its 20th March edition. Several reports had been cut and the false front page sang the praises of the military ‘New Messiah’.

In 1994, in the thick of resistance against oppressive military rule, especially with the highly successful oil sector workers’ strike, the Abacha regime went a step further by banning media houses. From June 1994 onwards, MoshoodAbiola’s Concord and the Punch newspapers were cordoned off by security operatives on the pretext that arms and ammunition were stockpiled in their premises. In mid-August 1994, it was the turn of the Guardian newspaper — whose owner, Alex Ibru, was serving as Interior Minister to the despotic Abacha junta!

RasakMusbau, Alausa, Lagos

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜

14

NEWS

In Brief ‘Over 5.5% Nigerians Diabetic’

Nigerians have been encouraged to engage more in physical exercise as a wayofcurbingtheprogressionofdiabetesastheprevalencewasmorethan 5.5percent ofthecountry's population.Thiswastheconsensusopinionof resourcepersonsfromdifferentpartsoftheworldatathree-dayDiabetes AwarenessWorkshopwiththetheme,'BringingResearchinDiabetestoGlobal Environment and Systems (BRIDGES)', held at Novena university, Ogume, Delta State.The workshop was organised by the university in conjunction withtheInternationalDiabetesFoundationandGlobalMedicalResearchand DevelopmentOrganisation(GMRDO).Theresourcepersonsandexpertson diabetespointedoutthatthoughtheneedtoensureeffectivemanagement ofdiabeteswasimportant,checkingitsspreadwouldbefarmorebeneficial forNigeriaasacountry.Oneoftheleadpresentersattheworkshop,Dr.Ezekiel UbaNwoseoftheCharlesSturt UniversityAustralia,noted,"Diabetesisone of the major problems in the world that is easily connected with metabolic syndrome that predisposes sufferers to heart diseases.

Benue to Revamp Moribund Companies

REMEMBERING FELA ...

L-R: Corporate Relations Executive, MTN Nigeria, Tobechukwu Nkemdilim Okigbo; Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Pascal Dozie; Chairman MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; and Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Transcorp Hilton, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, at the Fela and The Kalakuta Queens Production in Abuja ...recently

Ronaldo Accepts Suspended Prison Sentence, â‚Ź18.8m Fine Cristiano Ronaldo's prolonged tax battle with the Spanish authorities looks set to be over after the Portuguese attacker agreed a deal with the State Bar. The Real Madrid man has reportedly acknowledged four fiscal offences before the tax agency and accepted a two-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of 18.8 million Euros.

The case began last year when Spanish authorities accused Ronaldo of defrauding tax authorities of â‚Ź14.8m. Ronaldo

did appear in court last year and denied the charges. Spanish Newspaper 'El Mundo' reported that Ronaldo was hopeful that the suspended sentence would be replaced by a fine in the future.

But because the star had no previous convictions, he would not serve any time behind bars.

Ronaldo, often described by pundits as the 'best player in the world', originally denied the charges when they were brought against him last

summer.

The news comes as the 33-year-old scored three goals in his country's opening World Cup game with Spain in Russia having flown into Moscow last Saturday with the Spanish

national team.

Portugal kicked off their campaign with a crunch match against longstanding Iberian rivals Spain at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi yesterday.

2018 WORLD CUP RESULT Egypt Morocco Portugal

0-1 0-1 3-3

Uruguay Iran Spain

You Owe Children Right to Quality Living, Obiano's Wife Tells Parents David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano has called on parents to ensure quality living for their children, saying it was the right of every child.

Mrs. Obiano in a statement to commemorate the 2018 International Day of the African Child, said indigent children and those with special needs also deserved to be taken care of and given greater attention.

The statement signed on her behalf by her chief media officer, Mr. Emeka Ozumba, quoted Mrs. Obiano as assuring that

her foundation, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE) had made case for greater care and attention to indigent children especially those with special needs.

The First Lady observed that the theme: "Leave no child behind in African Development," reminded everyone that every child needs support, proper nurturing and education to grow through life.

She said, “Children are God’s precious gift of love to mankind.

It behooves on us to nurture, shield, and educate every child to live to his/her full potential by ensuring that no child is left

behind in the scheme of human development.“ She called for inclusiveness that would ensure that no child was left behind; stressing that in this era of pervasive hunger and deprivation, there was the tendency to ignore the plight of others, especially indigent children with special needs.

She urged parents not to abdicate their responsibilities, while also calling on teachers, to use their talents to identify and harness the unique gift of every child no matter how challenging.

The state government, she said had continually shown

commitment to the protection and welfare of children which she noted was apparent in steadfast implementation of child-friendly programmes by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Children and Women Affairs.

"My NGO, CAFÉ will sustain collaboration with the ministry especially in the area child welfare programmes by supporting maternal and child healthcare, immunisation and social education for the development of sound mind and body that would lead to the realisation of the hopes, dreams and aspirations of every Anambra child.

The Benue State Investment and Property Company(BIPC) is to revamp BenueStateGovernment-owned moribundcompaniesinthestate.Thiswas disclosedbythenewManagingDirectorandChiefExecutiveOfficerofthe company,Mr. Alfred AdeminaninteractionwithreportersonWednesdayin Makurdi.Henotedthatifrevivedthecompanieswouldhelpcreateemploymentfortheteeming populationinthestate. Headded thatthecompanies wouldalsoinadditiontocreatingemployment,contributetodevelopment of the Benue State economy. Mr. Adem also noted that the company has already started expansion of its oil and gas section with establishment of its subsidiaries in every local government headquarters. He also disclosed thatthecompanywouldinthesecondquarteroftheyearengageinhousing with construction of 30 units of houses in phase one.

Angry Mob Beat Car Snatcher to Death

An angry mob, Thursday evening beat to death a yet to be identified man for stealing a Honda CRV car at a burial ceremony in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Our correspondent learnt that the owner of the vehicle, Mr. Ifeanyi Obiaku had parked the vehicle while attending a burial ceremony in the community, but latter saw his vehicle being driven out by an unknown person, prompting him to raise the alarm.

His alarm howeverattracted the attention of guests at the ceremony, who quickly blocked the suspect from leaving with the car, while descending on him. It was learnt that the suspect was beaten by the mob, and dumped in a corner, where he was later picked by police officers from Ukpor Police Division who had rushed to the scene upon hearing of the incident. Luck was however said to have ran out on him, as he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor, upon arrival at the hospital. Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Haruna Mohammed confirmed the incident, saying that,"Atabout18:20hrs,one IfeanyiObiaku,maleofNnewitownreportedat UkporPoliceDivisionthathewentforaburialceremonyatUmudikevillage, UkporandparkedhisHondaCRVjeep,milkincolourwithreg.noKJA-224-BJ, all of a sudden he sighted unknown person reasonably suspected to be a thief moving out of the venue with his car at about 17:15 hrs of same date.�

Imbibe Ramadan Virtues, Glo Urges Muslims

GlobacominagoodwillmessageinLagosovertheweekendstatedthatthe conclusionoftheexercisewasasignoffaith,steadfastnessandresilienceby themillionsofMuslimsinNigeria,addingthattheyshouldusetheopportunity ofthisyear’scelebrationtopromotefriendlinessandgoodneighbourliness with all Nigerians far and near. “Globacom wishes all our Muslim brethren a very happy Eid-el-Fitr and prays that the Almighty Allah will grant their prayers for peace and progress.The unity of purpose and commitment of the Muslim Ummah in participating and completing this year’s Ramadan fast shows great inner strength and faith,� Globacom added.The company advisedMuslimstopracticetheteachingsofProphetMohammed(SAW)and use the lessons of the period to make a positive impact on their immediate neighbours and the general society.

Secondus Asks Muslims to Pray

Muslim Clerics Worry over Increasing Insecurity

TheNationalChairmanofthePeoplesDemocraticParty (PDP),PrinceUche SecondushasurgedallNigerianstousetheperiodofEid-el-Fitr toreflecton thesituationsinthecountryandprayspeciallyforthesurvivalofdemocracy and for peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections. Secondus said in a Sallah message to mark the end of the 30-day Ramadan fasting period by the Muslimfaithful,thatthenation'sdemocracymorethaneverbeforesince 1999 is under heavy stress that need all hands to be on deck for its survival.

HesaidinastatementsignedbyhisMediaAide, IkeAbonyithatthreeyears afterthenation'sdemocracywashandedovertotherulingAllProgressives Congress (APC) indicators are apparent that it is under such pressure that needprayersandcommitmentof Nigeriansforitssustenanceandsurvival.

ThePDPbossasked theAPC-ledfederalgovernmenttoimbibethespiritof tolerance and shun all undemocratic tendencies as he expressed concern over several acts of intimidation, harassment and bullying of the oppositionbyoperativesoffederalgovernmentagenciesnotingthatthisisavery dangeroustrendthatmustnotbeallowedasithasgraveconsequenceson our democracy and the survival of our nation.

John Shiklam in Kaduna

Old AďŹ kpo Want Senatorial Position

Two Islamic clerics in Kaduna, the Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque, Dr. Suleiman Adam and his counterpart at the Murtala Square Prayer Ground, Sheikh Haliru Musa, on Friday called on the federal government to take urgent steps in tackling the security challenges across the country, especially the activities of bandits in Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna State.

In their separate sermons during

the Eid-el Fitr prayers marking the end of the Ramadan fasting in Kaduna, the clergymen decried the persistent killings and abduction of people by gunmen in Birnin Gwari and some parts of the country.

In his sermon at the Sultan Bello, Dr. Adam said the activities of armed bandits in the Birnin Gwari area was very worrisome and appealed to the authorities to step up efforts at combating the situation.

Also speaking in the same vein, Sheikh Musa lamented that

security situation in the country was undermining socio economic activities in the country and urged the government to tackle the situation.

Both clerics urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for the nation's leaders and for peace and stability in the country.

Meanwhile, a former federal lawmaker, Hon. Isa Ashiru has called for continuous prayers for the country ahead of the 2019 general elections.

In a statement marking the end

of the Ramadan fasting, Ashiru urged Muslim faithful to reflect on the good virtues of the month of Ramadan as well as keep alive the teachings and lessons therefrom.

He said the challenges facing Nigeria were enormous and called on the people to remain steadfast and ensure that they vote only those who have their interests at heart come 2019.

"Let us continue to pray for Kaduna State and Nigerians for unity, peace and stability at this critical time," he said.

A group, Ebonyi Equity Development Initiative (EQDI) has called on Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi to retain the Ebonyi South senatorial position in old Afikpo Local Government Area in the state. The call, they said, became expedient following the declaration by a popular business mogul,ChiefIfeanyichukwuOdii(Anyichuks),tovieforthesenatorialposition.

Odii'sdeclarationhasunsettledthepolitymainlybecausetheentrepreneur wieldsmuchinfluenceinUmahi'sadministrationandanyaspirationnursed by him would be touted to have the backing of the First Family in the state.

In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the coordinator of group, Chief Francis Ibe noted that though the governor had directed that the position be retained in Old Afikpo, the recent consultations by the aspirant would not be swept under the carpet knowing the enormous influence he wields in Umahi'sadministration.ThepositioncurrentlyoccupiedbySenatorSunny Ogbuorji was declared vacant in 2019 by the state governor.

15

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚͞ ͺ͸͚͜

NEWS

Gov.Yari Resigns As Zamfara State's Chief Security OfďŹ cer Governor Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara State yesterday said he had ‘resigned’ his responsibility as Chief Security Officer of the state as he allegedly had no control over the security machinery in the state.

Speaking to newsmen in Talata-Mafara on Friday, Yari said that his decision was predicated on the seeming helplessness of the state government and the people over recurring killings in the state.

He regretted the prevailing situation where as the Chief Security Officer of the state, he could not take decisions on strategies for protecting the state and its people, and had them implemented. “We have been facing serious security challenges over the years, but in spite of being governor and Chief Security Officer of the state, I cannot direct security officers on what to do or sanction them when they err. “As Chief Security Officer, the nomenclature is just a name,� he lamented.

The governor regretted that it was disheartening

that killings in the state had continued in spite of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s order to security agencies to end the incessant blood-letting across the country.

According to him, since the president’s order, the killings had not stopped. In a week, there were attacks in this state which claimed over 30 lives.

He said that the state government was spending huge amount of its resources on security but to no avail.

Reports monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), had it that Yari urged people of the state to be more prayerful over the challenges facing the state.

He also appealed to them to be patient and continue to cooperate with the government and security agencies as steps were being taken to address the challenges. “We cannot keep quiet while our people are being killed daily.

We are going to cooperate with all stakeholders to bring the situation to an end,� he concluded.

SENDING YOU TO RUSSIA ...

L-R: Dotun Ifebogun, Head, Retail and SME, Wema Bank PLC; Olufunke Okoli, Head, Human Capital Management; Wole Akinleye, Executive Director, South Bank; Susie Onwuka, Head, Consumer Protection Council, Lagos OďŹƒce; Onuzulu Priscilla, Deputy Director/Coordinator, National Lottery Regulatory Commission and Moruf Oseni, Executive Director, Retail Bank at the draws for Wema Bank's Experience Russia This Summer Promo held in Lagos on Thursday

PDP Accuses FG of Shortchanging Ekiti with $20m Paris Club Refunds

Ugwuanyi Integrates Faith-based Facilities into Free Healthcare

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has integrated faithbased rural health facilities into the Free Maternal and Child Health programme of his government.

Briefing journalist after the meeting of State Executive Council (EXCO), the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Fintan Ekochin stated that the Council approved the decision to give the people of Enugu State, especially rural dwellers "free access to medical treatments at the Faith-Based Organisations that had health centres and hospitals in the rural areas".

Ekochin added that 10 out of the 17 local government areas of the state will benefit from the first phase of the programme, explaining that "what it simply means is that pregnant women and children under five, who hitherto visit government's facilities, stand qualified to benefit, accordingly".

He further explained that the Council's decision was also part of the drive to reduce maternal and child mortality in the state,

Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused the All Progressives Congress-led federal government of deliberately shortchanging the state government in the Paris Club refunds to the tune of $20 million .

The party said the alleged shortchanging was caused by the APC governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to hinder the state government from meeting its obligations and portray it in bad light.

The party, in a statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said going by documents from the Nigerian Governors' Forum, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Ekiti State was due to get $69 million as the remaining part of the refunds, but that had been reduced to $49 million.

"We have it on good authority that the $20 million removed would

be part of the funds to be used by the APC and Fayemi for the coming July 14 governorship election in the state. One wonders why the discrepancy in the figures. The consultant employed by the NGF came out with the initial figure and for no reason, the new figure we are hearing is being touted as the dues of the state," he said.

Adebayo, therefore, challenged the APC-led federal government to come out and declare what remained for Ekiti State to get from the Paris Club refunds.

The party equally demanded explanation from the Presidency on how it was only Ekiti State's refunds that suffered arbitrary cut after the submission of the Governors' Forum consultant of the aggregate refunds due to all states of the federation.

Adebayo stated that due to the fear that the expected donors to the campaign fund of Fayemi might not be forthcoming as the election gets closer, the federal government had surreptitiously

mutilated the documents bearing the exact figures due to the state and diverted the campaign funds in an attempt to foist Fayemi on Ekiti State.

According to the PDP spokesman, "this is the reason behind the statement made by Fayemi that he would make use of logistics to win the governorship election come 14th July.

"The permutation in the Presidency is that if the Paris Club refunds get to Ekiti State before the election, it will be used to settle arrears of salary owed workers which will eventually be an added advantage for the PDP to actualise landslide victory as it recorded in 2014 when Fayemi was defeated in all the 16 local government areas of the state.

"It's just unfortunate that the APC-led federal government could descend to this wicked antics against the workers of Ekiti State just because of an election which would eventually be lost by the APC candidate.

saying: "It is a great deed by the government of Enugu State, which hopes that the people will benefit from the programme effectively".

Also briefing journalist, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Charles Egumgbe, disclosed that the state government had approved the release of its counterpart funding to enable it draw down the $50 million facility from French Development Agency for the total overhaul of Ajali and Oji River Water Scheme as well as expansion of water supply within Enugu metropolis.

Egumgbe noted that the loan would also take care of the chemical plant in the Ajali Water Scheme, stressing that the whole exercise would entail that "all the homes are metred and supplied with potable water".

The Water Resources Commissioner stated that the Council constituted a project management committee to run the facility, to be chaired by himself.

He added that Council equally

approved the mapping of Enugu to identify the initial pipings to different homes with a view to changing the old pipes with new ones "and expanding them so that water can get to several homes of Enugu State as quickly as possible".

He revealed that $120,000 was granted to the state by the Swedish International Water Institute, explaining that "this money will not come in form of cash but to help in training of the staff of the state's Water Corporation" for efficient service delivery and revenue generation in order to repay the loan facility, among others.

On the issue of accommodation, the Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Peter Okonkwo announced that the Council approved the development of two "world-class" estates, namely "Lion's Gate Estate" and "Son of David Estate" strategically located at Ugwogo Nike, Enugu East local government area and Ogba-Agu, behind Ikenga Hotel, Nsukka, Nsukka L. G. A, by private developers.

20 Suspected Cultists Arrested in A’Ibom 2019: Adoption by Kinsmen Won’t Okon Bassey in Uyo

No fewer than 20 suspected cultists, who had been terrorising the people of Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom State have been arrested by the Police.

The Area Commander, Eket Area Command, ACP Emeka Nwonyi stated this in an emergency security meeting with stakeholders in Eket local government area on Friday, where he reassured the people of their safety and protection of property.

The Police, he said were out to fish out those that perpetuate crimes in Eket and its environs, stressing that “we have arrested not less than 20 suspected cultists since the incident started on June 10."

Nwonyi tasked traditional rulers,

village heads, youths presidents and other stakeholders not to hesitate in exposing criminals to the police through useful information in order for them to face the full wrath of the law.

He warned that the Police would not take it kindly with anybody that shielded or condoned criminal acts in his area of jurisdiction instead of exposing them.

"I am appealing to you to provide useful information that will help us do our job effectively, Police only work on information. They will not crush us, we will crush them," he said.

He lamented that night life in Eket had ceased due to criminal activities of cultists in the area.

Also speaking at the meeting,

the Chairman of Eket local government area, Mr. Frank Archibong, condemned the killing of people in Eket and its environs by criminal elements.

"I condemn this act totally; we cannot continue like this as a local government, we need practicable solution in solving this issue. We need lasting solutions to the problem," he said.

The essence of the meeting, he said was to strategise for a practicable solution to end cultism in Eket local government area and its environs.

"We will bring ideas on how we can best tackle this menace; if we allow cultism to continue, it may degenerate to a level that we won't be able to control it again," Archibong observed.

Save Ikpeazu at Poll, Boasts APC Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has stated that the adoption of the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as sole candidate by his Ukwa/ Ngwa kinsmen and other sundry groups would not save him at the polls in 2019.

Chairman of Abia APC, Hon Donatus Nwankpa stated this yesterday during an interaction with journalists, adding that Ikpeazu and his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would be rejected with onslaught of votes despite the “meaningless adoption�.

Ikpeazu’s kinsmen had at their

2018 great Ukwa/Ngwa declaration adopted the governor as sole candidate for 2019 governorship poll and banned kinsmen from contesting against him with threat of isolating whoever defies the order.

Nwankpa however said that though he had regarded the declaration as an exercise in futility which didn’t merit his response but it had become pertinent to address the “undemocratic and partisan� adoption exercise to disabuse the minds of the people.

He insisted that the adoption of Ikpeazu by his kinsmen was done by members of the ruling PDP in the Ukwa/Ngwa political bloc with the “fetish support�, hence it was

neither binding on APC members nor other Ukwa/Ngwa people as it was never a collective decision.

Hon Nwankpa said that it was sheer blackmail for his detractors to insinuate that he had keyed into Ikpeazu’s adoption and re-election as “Ngwa agenda�, noting that APC had not zoned its governorship ticket and would not bar any aspirant from challenging the governor.

He pledged that he would work hard to ensure that APC government was enthroned in Abia, adding that the desired change in Abia would be achieved by the people with their permanent voter cards.

16

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜

EID-EL-FITR‌ EID-EL-FITR‌ EID-EL-FITR‌ EID-EL-FITR‌ Niger Govt, PDP Call for Prayer Laleye Dipo in Minna

CELEBRATING ED-EL-FITR ...

Young lads join their fathers to observe prayers as other Muslim faithful at the Eld EL Fitiri Prayers ground, Mambila Barracks Abuja PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Emir of Ilorin, Abdullahi, Baraje Felicitate With Muslims Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State traditional council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has felicitated with Muslim Ummah over the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fasting.

Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and the chieftain of the New PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje congratulated the Muslims faithful on this year's Ramadan Alhaji Sulu-Gambari in a statement signed on his behalf by the National Secretary of Shehu Alimi Foundation for Peace and Development, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona urged Muslims to always reflect on

the numerous lessons such as tolerance, sincerity, love, charity among others learnt during the glorious month and adopt them in all their dealings with their fellow human beings.

He however urged them to celebrate the Ed-el-Fitr Sallah with decorum and absolute discipline in order to get complete reward on the just concluded spiritual exercise, stressing that this year's feast which coincide with Jumat was a great gift of Allah.

The monarch however directed all Islamic clerics to use the occasion to pray for God's guidance for Nigerian leaders and for peace and harmony to continue to reign in the land.

He therefore appealed to worshippers to troop out en mass to peacefully to perform

the Ed-el-Fitr at different locations in the state and desist from acts capable of causing rancour and lawlessness.

Mallam Abdullahi, of the APC in his statement congratulated the Muslim Ummah for completing the Ramadan fast, saying that the call to fast was a call to sacrifice, to discipline the body and to focus on Allah.

According to him, ‘’The sacrifice will bring forth multiple rewards for all of us, insha Allah,’’ stressing that ‘’ It is my prayer that all that we put forward in Ibadah be accepted by Allah and all our prayers will be accepted

by Him. ‘’May the rewards of comfort, increase in faith and purification of soul be what we receive from Allah for our sacrifice of

Ramadan, ’’ he prayed.

He also advised the Ummah that the virtues of piety, sacrifice, generosity and kindness that they demonstrated during Ramadan should not cease after the fast but that they should continue to show love to all men at all times.

Similarly, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje charged leaders and wealthy individuals to allow the lessons and teachings of the holy month continue to reflect in them towards eradicating poverty.

Alhaji Baraje in a statement issued from his media office in Ilorin to felicitate with Muslims on the occasion of the festival, described Ramadan as a period of spiritual rebirth where fear of Allah was paramount to the rulers and followers, poor and the rich.

Tambuwal Cautions Youths against Thuggery

Ganduje Urges Muslims to Exhibit Lessons of Ramadan

Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has cautioned youths against being used by selfish politicians to cause breach of peace in the country.

Tambuwal made the call in a special Sallah message to Muslims in Sokoto on Friday.

He noted that 2019 politicking had commenced with many politicians strategising on ways to secure political gains, hence the need for them to be vigilant.

"Use your intelligence on productive means capable of contributing to the country’s development and shun unscrupulous politicians who want to use you to foment trouble.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known as OYENIYI OLUWATOYOSI KEHINDE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADELEKAN OLUWATOYOSI KEHINDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

"You should strive towards ensuring peace and progress in the polity and refrain from engaging in all forms of violence," he said.

Tambuwal stressed the need for Nigerians to be vigilant and refuse to be polarised along ethnic and religious lines.

He urged people to live in peace irrespective of ethnic and religious differences for the progress of the country. “We must focus on enhancing the progress of Nigeria and her budding democracy by ensuring that only those who have our collective interest are given the privilege of leadership,� he said.

The governor reiterated his administration's commitment towards improving the lives of the people through viable projects in health, education, agriculture, among others.

Tambuwal congratulated Muslims on successful completion of Ramadan fast and urged them to imbibe the lessons learnt during the period.

He therefore, called on wealthy individuals to always assist the needy and continue to pray for leaders.

Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Friday urged Muslims to continue to cherish the teachings of the blessed month of Ramadan and exhibit its lessons of self-discipline, piety, love, unity, peace and support for the weak and less-privileged in their daily affairs in order to attain spiritual upliftment and peaceful coexistence.

While congratulating Muslims on the occasion of Ed-el-Fitr marking the completion of Ramadan fasting, Governor Ganduje also called on Nigerians irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political inclination to

love one another, live peacefully and selflessly contribute to the development of Nigeria. “As we approach the 2019 general elections, politicians must learn to be tolerant, accommodating, decent in their utterances and avoid hate speeches so as to sustain the established peaceful atmosphere in the state."

A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, said Ganduje also expressed appreciation and gratitude to the people of Kano for their support and goodwill to the administration.

The Niger State Government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state have called for prayers for peace to continue to reign in the state.

The PDP asked for prayers for the revival of the state and national economies which it said had forced untold hardships on the citizenry.

In separate statements to mark this year’s Ed-el-Fitr made available to, the Niger State government and the opposition PDP also called for peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic groups and adherents of different religions in the state.

The Niger State Government statement was signed by the Acting Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Ketso while that of the PDP was initialed by the state chairman Alhaji Tanko Beji.

The Acting Governor reminded

the people of the "teachings of fasting in the month of Ramadan as a way of showing equality between the rich and the poor, the leaders and the led and most especially, consistent prayers and forgiveness" and asked for its sustenance.

Ketso assured the people that the Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello administration would continue to provide more democratic dividends and conducive atmosphere for everyone in the state On his part, the PDP chairman Alhaji Tanko Beji assured the people that the party would not be party to anything that would truncate the existing peace in the state.

Beji asked eligible voters in the state to obtain their voters card as "it is the only license you have to vote and to vote out the present leadership in the state and at the national level."

Imam, Hausa Communities in A’Ibom Preach Peaceful Co-existence Okon Bassey inUyo As Muslims marked the Ramadan period, the Chief Imam of Uyo Central Mosque, Alhaji Mohammed Adamu, has urged Nigerians irrespective of religious and ethnic affiliations, to coexist peacefully with one another to enhance development in the country.

Rising from the Ed-el-Fitr prayers yesterday, the spiritual leader of Muslim community in the state expressed concern that development would elude Nigeria if the citizens do not stay in peace with one another.

He called on Muslim faithful and other religious groups across the country to continue to pray for the unity of Nigeria and leaders particularly the President for wisdom and protection to lead the nation to its desired glory. “We call on all Muslims to continue with the steadfastness, the attitude they exhibit during the month of Ramadan, by abstaining from doing things that are not right, things that can harm fellow human beings.

“They should continue with the good deeds of Ramadan, by giving alms to the needy and have compassion to the less-privileged.

"You will love your fellow human beings as you love yourself and that makes you a complete faithful," Adamu said.

The Chief Imam urged Nigerian leaders and all those in position of authority to be fair, just and remained incorruptible while discharging their duties. As religious leaders, he maintained that they would continue to take the challenges confronting the nation to God in prayers, until the country witnesses the desire peace that used to be. “People in position of authority should be fair, just and incorruptible.

This attitude will bring peace in the country. “We pray for peaceful coexistence among Muslims and non-Muslims because our religion teaches us to live in peace wherever we found ourselves.

Hitch-free Celebration in Borno,Yobe Michael Olugbode, in Maiduguri Eid-el-Fitr festival was celebrated without security hitches in both Borno and Yobe states.

Muslim worshippers were however made to go through the pains of long trek to prayer grounds as vehicular movement were outlawed in both states throughout the period of prayers in order to forestall any security breach.

In Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, some worshippers avoided the stress of the long trek as the government provided free buses at strategic points to convey worshippers to prayer ground scattered all over the

town.

Delivering sermon Friday at the Maiduguri Central Eid ground at Ramat Square, Sheikh Adam Alsunisiya ( Imam Ideni of Borno) prayed for the return of absolute peace in Borno , and urged worshippers to repent of their sins and return to the path of their creator.

He thanked Allah for enabling everyone to witness this year's Eid-el-Fitr which he described as the most peaceful with unprecedented turn out.

Among dignitaries that graced the Ramat Square prayer ground include: Governor Kashim Shettima, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai Elkanemi, among others.

Oluremi Tinubu Congratulates Constituents Senator Oluremi Tinubu has congratulated all the Muslim faithful of the Lagos Central Senatorial District, Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan. It is my prayer that our acts of Ibadah will be accepted.

According to a statement from her, “Having had the period for reflection, recommitment and to pray for our well-being as a people, it is my hope that beyond this period, we will continue to pray for the security, peace and prosperity of our nation.

“Also important, as electioneering season approaches, is the need for unity and togetherness. We must also be watchful, refusing to be polarised along ethnic or religious lines; or be used to incite violence. Beyond this, we must focus on ensuring the progress of Nigeria and her budding

democracy by ensuring that only those who have our collective interests are given the privilege of leadership. “Let me also use the opportunity to remind us to take advantage of the work free day to register for and pick up our Permanent Voters Card (PVC).�

Plus

LOUD WHISPERS AUTO GLOBAL SOCCER TEENS CONNECT FAIRGROUND FASHION FILE

pg. 20 pg. 26 pg. 29 pg. 38 pg. 36 pg. 43

Austine Agbonsuremi I Had the Privilege of Learning Journalism Under the Best of Minds

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2018

PLUS

I Had the Privilege of Learning Journalism Under the Best of Minds Austine Okhiria Agbonsuremi has kept pt many wondering why he had to quit his early morning programme on Ray Power -political Platform.

Some thought he had pitched his tentt with another organisation he ace broadcaster and only to emerge with a new venture. The activist shares his life story with Stanley nley Nkwazema

Y

ou recently quit broadcasting after several years.

Why? It gets to a point in your life where you have to assess what you have done for a long time and you ask yourself, really, where you take a look at what you have done over the years and you ask yourself whether you should not take a curve. I started journalism in 1986, when I joined The Guardian newspapers, where I had the very rare privilege of being groomed under the best professional hands you can possibly get in Nigeria at that time. The Guardian was the flagship. It was a place where journalists were recruited from convocation centres in order for the Guardian to get First Class materials. I can name so many people who were groomed and they became the best hands you can ever find across all the divide- theatre Arts, Mass communication, Languages, Business. The Guardian made deliberate effort to get them. But I was not in that category of possibly the best of people recruited from convocation grounds. I went into the Guardian as an Industrial Attaché from Auchi Polytechnic. So I was not one of those that were headhunted to be groomed.

But I had the privilege of learning under the best of minds, most intelligent of people and an atmosphere where journalism was pure and provided me with an advantage to learn fast and I never went back for my HND full time. I took my HND while in practice and my Master’s Degree. I never went back to the classroom full time to complete my studies as it were as most people graduate and go for NYSC. I did not have that kind of advantage. I had the privilege of starting in a good place and I capitalised on it, learned fast, groomed under the best hands.

What was the experience like when The Guardian was shut by the military?

How did you forge ahead?

Something happened along the line in 1994 when The Guardian was shut down abruptly along with other media organisations in Nigeria. I was on the beat at the High Court in Lagos when we got the information that the Military had taken over The Guardian overnight. We rushed back to Rutam House in Isolo and discovered that the place was actually barricaded and we did not have access to our tables. That was the turning points; a very ugly incident.

We were pained, we protested and the

entire country joined ned us in the protest but the adamant Abacha cha regime did not bulge.

That in itself was one point that I couldn’t have realised that I would be a broadcaster.

A friend invited me to RayPower which just came out that same year and I said radio. He said yes advising that I should not expect the regime ime is going to open the media houses thatt have been closed down any soon, that it will be a long holiday. Of course, The Guardian dian placed all of us on leave without pay. I went to the Raypower newsroom. I did not just walk in there and got the job. There here was a plan then.

You would recall that the late Ladi Lawal was the President of the NUJ. There was a brokered agreement, ment, the NUJ sought to locate all the remaining aining newspapers that were still up and running. The union went under the cover over of what they called succour for distressed ssed journalists, to place some journalists who were really distressed.

DAAR Communications, cations, a new organisation then, apparently looking ooking for people who can assist it in getting ting some of the good stories, magnanimously mously granted six of us from the Concord d newspapers, Punch and from The Guardian n the privilege to work in a radio house , under nder the NUJ arrangement.

That was how I found ound myself in a radio house as a stringerr for one year during the course of closure of The Guardian. I soon fell in love with the he microphone; I never expected or anticipated pated that I was going to work in radio. I was okay with the image of the flagship of Thee Guardian, doing all the stories, going around und and doing interviews.

The glamour of the he radio took over me that one year and subsequently when The Guardian was reopened, pened, I was to ask for a job and the company any graciously gave me one. I must have been assessed that I also performed during that one year and I didn’t disappoint. That was how a 24 year career in broadcasting started. ed.

What was it like ke growing up?

I am from a very y humble background. background d.

I had parents who o were not educated but who had a desire sire to have their children acquire better etter education.

I recall that in our primary school days in Ogwa, Edo o state, where I grew up and did d not go out of that community y in my first 12 years. You havee been to my community; you ou know why I am a home boy. I can also make deep parables arables in

I went into the Guardian as an Industrial Attaché from Auchi Polytechnic. So I was not one of those that were headhunted to be groomed. But I had the privilege of learning under the best of minds, most intelligent of people and an atmosphere where journalism was pure and provided me with an advantage to learn fast and I never went back for my HND full time. I took my HND while in practice and my Master’s Degree. I never went back to the classroom full time to complete my studies as it were as most people graduate and go for NYSC

JUNE 16, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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PLUS I Never Expected or Anticipated that I was Going to Work in Radio Ishan, a language I can speak very well. I went through primary school, but going into secondary school was so difficult then.

After my primary school, my elder sister who lived in Lagos then asked that I come over. That was in 1974, where there was an understanding that it was too difficult to get into secondary school but that I should go into a secretarial school. I went to SWAN Commercial School in Surulere where I was learning Typing, Shorthand and English language. It was at that time that what you see now as the Oshodi -Apapa Expressway was being constructed. I remember that we used to follow the bulldozers behind, chase the rabbits and walk across the canal.

At some point after about a year, I insisted that I wanted to go to secondary school and my elder sister granted my request and I had to go back to Edo state where I had the privilege of gaining admission into Edaiken Ahmadiya Grammar school, founded in 1965 by the Ahmadiya Movement, but when the government took over, the Ahmadiya was removed. I had many contemporaries; we have a platform, one Friday Imaghodon called me from London the other day, the kind of secondary school we had, there was a lot of bonding, we had a swimming pool, almost of international standard and that I can swim today was as a result of that, The Bendel state Sports Council used to practice in our school then, we had a lot of warm people.. My current lawyer today, Ayo Ogundele was my junior in secondary school. Incidentally we also worked together in AIIT, but his legal practice is now flourishing.

Interestingly, after my secondary school, in 1981 my results were too poor. I had two Credits in subjects that you cannot say oh it can take me somewhere. I think Literature in English and Religious studies. I had the result that could not take me to anywhere.

It was same time that the Bendel State University was established, I thought I was going to be there that year but it was not possible. I relocated to Lagos and decided to write GCE. In the course of that I had to look for work; what kind of work were you going to get with two credits? I got a job with SCOATRAC. I was not actually a staff of SCOATRAC in Isolo, but a staff of one security company called George Hunters who posted me to the company on a salary of N100. It was 6 to 6 every day. But it gave me the opportunity to study, I read and wrote the GCE for about two years and got all my combinations before I got admission to Ogwashi Ukwu Polytechnic, not this current polytechnic, it is now defunct. There were three polytechnics then in Ozoro- Ogwashi Ukwu and Auchi, the school was shut down by the Military Government when General Jeremiah Useni was the Governor of Bendel state, before I could complete my studies. He said military cannot maintain the three schools. We were merged into one school- Auchi Polytechnic where I found myself. I did one year and obtained my Diploma and sought to do Industrial attachment with The Guardian newspapers.

You once hawked goods on the streets of Lagos Yes. Immediately after primary school, I went to Lagos and I was asked to take the option of going to a secretarial school in Itire, Lagos, and it was open by 4: o’clock in the evening, it was like a three hours programme; the whole of the morning I was available to assist my sister who was a very busy trader selling anything under the sun- egg, bread, groundnut/palm oil, vegetables, plantain etc. We needed to assist her raise money; we were all crammed into one room with the husband and children.

Before I could go for my studies in the evening, on a daily basis, I was carrying eggs, plantain, and oil on my head to sell all over the place. The whole of Ijesha was a slum covered in swamp, no houses. The closest you could get to that Ijesha was Itire. We were staying in Mutairu Ongbanjo Street.

We moved from Itire to Lawanson and all the area bordering National Stadium. It was not the beginning of my hawking story.

I actually hawked; my mother also sold Akamu, akara and others when we were very young. It was something we did to assist the family in our early life. So what I did in Lagos was what I was familiar with.

Agbonsuremi

The NGO is not a profit making organisation. You have this experience, reach, contacts, you have probably gotten to the peak of your profession and what do you have to give back to the society. The mobilisation that I was doing using the radio, tv and newspapers and the social media can be galvanised and put together so that we begin to look at how to formally take the mobilisation to the people in town hall meetings, market places, trainings, telling the people the appropriate thing to do I got past through all that.

Have you retired from journalism?

You cannot completely retire from Journalism. I don’t think that retiring from DAAR Communications will mean retiring completely from journalism. I got to a point in DAAR communication where circumstances permitted me to go. I had planned to leave last year, haven gotten a permanent residency of Canada, with my family, as part of the long term plan, I had, I thought that my children should get the best education available. Yes I went to school here, did my HND in Oko and my Masters in one of the Universities’ here, I didn’t think it was fair for me to take my children through that same route I took. We planned for a very small family and decided that we were going to give our children the best and we prayed and worked towards it and eventually got the boys to the very best of schools in Canada. Subsequently, my wife joined and I also applied and was given

believable, he is not APC, PDP or APGA; He is not asking you to join PDP or APC but join any party and don’t stay apart or say leave the party for them, don’t carry your voter’s card and keep it. Imagine 66 million registered voters in the 2015 records of INEC and fewer than 30 million people went out to vote, it is not something that is cheery for anybody. For now we have 78 million on the voter’s register, you will be surprised that if we do not work hard to mobilise the people, less than 30 per cent of this population of voters will come out to vote. By the last UN estimate we have about 193 million people, if you take an aggregate of those who are 18 and above who can vote, you will be surprised that the so called 78 million is still low if viewed against the background of how many of them who come out to vote.

There is a lot of job to be done. We need to mobilise both locally and internationally to seize this pace and begin to take active part in politics. I have reported politics for a very long time and I have just discovered that unless we all begin to mobilise people and tell them to vote, participate, go to political parties meetings and don’t wait for them to take decisions, if you don’t, then we will not be able to hold them accountable. The more the people are participating, the better for the society, the more difficult it will be for the rigging processes. If everybody goes out to vote, they will not have money to give everybody. Imagine if you have 50 million coming out to vote, how much you are going to give to them. It will be a decision that will be taken by the best of the people, the most people who will want to participate. That is the task we have and we are going to use every method that is possible, allowed within the law and do not leave the so called ‘bad people’ to continue with the affairs of Nigeria while the good people stay behind. I have been tilting my journalism towards this end, Permanent Residency. Journalism practice, I telling the church, the mosques, Muslims am going to take it to an international level. and Christians to mobilise their people to do We have done the kind of journalism we their part to go and vote. That is the job that have here for over 34 years , radio, television I want to do as my own give back to society. , satellite and I think that it is time to do At the end of the day, our children will say some international comparative analysis on okay some persons passed through here. development , analysis of Nigeria, Africa, the Journalism should be a passion, it is not black race, the world economy and politics just a profession, we were together in the of it. I think I have the residency of one of newsroom before and you know that those of the best countries of the world and I want us who survived it were those who had the to take advantage of that. My partners are passion. The best of hands that should stay very excited and I want to take advantage in journalism did not have the passion, they of that and we have started to work on that ended up in Public Relations which is just an so that I can indeed shuttle between Nigeria aspect of communication, ending up in the and Canada. I still have my roots here and I corporate world. Either they did not have a have started a ‘give back’ NGO that I want choice or they had no passion for it. Again work and get Nigerians mobilised. the first point to ponder is, when you have a passion for something, practicing it, does Why NGO when you still want to be it pay your bills? Can it really give you the involved in active Journalism? economic power to take care of yourself, get You can actually give back through an a good car, build your own house, and train NGO. The NGO is not a profit making your children? As at today, journalism as organisation. You have this experience, it is cannot fulfil this aspect of human want reach, contacts, you have probably gotten and desires. Journalists in Nigerian have had to the peak of your profession and what to do things on the side. It is also good to do you have to give back to the society. do things on the side. If you are earning and The mobilisation that I was doing using you are not investing, you probably will end the radio, tv and newspapers and the up retiring without anything to fall back on. social media can be galvanised and put May be some of us were very lucky, blessed together so that we begin to look at how to know that a day will come when you will to formally take the mobilisation to the be retiring. We started to think of what to people in town hall meetings, market places, do with journalism that will not necessarily trainings, telling the people the appropriate affect the quality of job we are doing, not thing to do. I have discovered that our to be seen to be compromising your job democracy is being side-lined. There is a lot as a journalist. You must find ways as a of apathy. People don’t want to be part of journalist to leverage the opportunities that the democratic process, they don’t want to are available in the society and keep your participate, they want to leave the politics head high, you are not a beggar and people to the people they call the bad people. If will respect you without being looked at as a you leave politics to bad people, invariably, failure. I think the time that journalists were you are asking they rule over you. Our seen as failures are actually past. Some of us job in Progressive Impact organisation for made up our mind that we were not going Community Development (PRIMORG) is to be failures. If the lawyers, accountants to help in mobilising Nigerians to taking and other professions can do it, why won’t actions and decisions that would assist in journalists be able to send their children to promoting popular participation and letting the best schools in the world, leave in the the people. We are going to cut across best of cities, build the best of houses to various sections of the society; women, stay. If journalism cannot provide that, the youth, students, politicians, political parties journalist should be intelligent enough to while assisting the Independent National know that. I studied Mass Communication, Electoral Commission (INEC) doing radio there is Advertising, Public Relations and and television programmes in mobilisation.

Journalism (the press)If you are intelligent We are setting up a crack team that can enough, you should be able to harness all deliver. We are already getting support from without compromising your goal, profession, a lot of people who want to partner with career as a journalist to be able to inform the us, who want to mobilise us do things. I people accurately with an unbiased manner am going to capitalise on the goodwill that and without sounding as if you have been I have garnered over time. These are people paid to do your job. who feel, this person can be trusted, he is

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2018

PLUS Salau Olayiwola

Women are Blessings, Not Distraction Salau Aliu Olayiwola aka Testimony (Mr. JAGA) is a gospel minister and artiste with good aces up his sleeves. With hit tracks, Jehovah, Igara and Lambano to his name, Mr. JAGA has introduced a stimulating style to gospel music with a compelling blend of Fuji and Apala, which he brands Fujipop.

He spoke with Benneth Oghifo

W

You know when I was in secondary school I got attracted to music. We had a big hall in my school at Alagbado that was always rented by a church and whenever they had rehearsals, I was attracted. So, I started going to the church and joined the choir because of the music. But I never had the consciousness of a Christian until that incident drew me to God and I gave my life to Christ.

What inspired your foray into music?

I would say my grandfather. I was once a secular music artiste working with the likes of Obesere, renowned producer Dabiano,, Skally y metal,, etc. I stopped pp secular music in 2011and ventured into gospel music in 2012

Fuji is not a common trend in gospel music, what informed this electrifying incline?

I call it Fujipop. My grandfather was an Apala musician. If you listen very well you will realize mine is a blend of Apala with Fuji. j He was a musician.

He told me lots about himself and his music which he

hat does JAGA connote?

Jesus Associate God Ambassador (JAGA).

I represent Jesus and I am God’s Ambassador. So before anyone or any brand endorses me, whether Glo, MTN or 9Mobile, God has already endorsed me. So, it’s as well a double portion for any brand that subsequently does.

What informed the transition?

Actually my encounn ter with God, I got myself in trouble in 2011 and was arrested

by SARS and taken into police custody.

While there in the police cell, I made a promise to God that if He got me out, I was going to come back to him.

You said you are from a Muslim family

couldn’t hit big with for obvious reasons. I didn’t really understand Apala music, you know as a young boy coming up Hip hop was it. When I was young and on vacation at my grandparents, I had the privilege of hearing my granddad sing. That was all. He never had any album, you know in those days, they just had a band and went from place to place singing. There was no opportunity to wax an album. On subsequent vacations, my grandma would say I sing like my grandpa whenever I sang. I asked her what kind of music my grandpa sang and she said Apala and I was lost since I didn’t know the kind of music Apala was. At a point however I said to myself that I’ve got to take over from grandpa g p and make it work. I decided to find out about Apala music and listened to Haruna Isola, Ayinla Omowura Omow wura and afterwards made up my mind to explore the genre and take it from where wheere grandpaa stopped. That is how I began infusing it i into my own music and blend it to what people would like. So yes, my grandfatherr inspired my kind of music.

Have you at any point been beeen tempted d to go back to secular music??

Yes I had, in 2015. When I le left eft secular music in 2011 it was pretty tough. tou ugh. In 2013, I started going for boxing g and it just seemed things were getting g worse.

In 2015, I resolved that if I didn’t didn n’t have the opportunity to sing on the platform of Pastor Chris, being the platform platfform we all look forward to in the ministry, ministry y, just like a music minister in Redeem Redeemed med Church looks forward to sing before b Baba Adeboye, then I was going goin ng to quit and go back. I also at the th he time had the opportunity to travel traavel to Cuba to further my boxing career. I just wanted to be successsucccessful in anything apart from stealing steaaling or robbing which I couldn’t do o anyway. I was actually very good go ood in boxing.

As God would have it, sometime someetime in 2015, I got a call from Sinach, telling me t they wanted me to open up the th he International Music Conference (IM (IMC).

MC). That was how the opportunity op pportunity came. Thereafter, Therreafter, I

called my Boxing coach and told him that I would not be travelling to Cuba again.

From then, my music career took off for good.

Your song “Jehovah” speaks of comfort or blessings you derived from God. Can you recount some of those blessings?

There is an award by the IMC called the LIMA Awards. In our ministry, it’s our own version of the Grammy Awards.

In the history of the awards, no music minister has ministered twice but that changed with me. In 2015, I opened the awards concert and along the way, Pastor Chris called on me to come and sing the same song again.In the course of it as I sang, g, Pastor Chris jumped j p up p from his seat. I was glad the song I sang made him do that, which I knew was inspired by the Holy Ghost. I am forever grateful to Pastor Chris Then in 2016, Evangelist Kathy who happens to be Pastor Chris’ younger sister called and told me the Holy Ghost asked her to train me. So I started being trained by her and while that was going on, her own son, known as Dezman Oyakhilome, who is a major youth influencer in Africa today told me one day that he wanted me to accompany him to a pro-

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͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS I Had the Privilege of Hearing My Granddad Sing gramme. While there, I ministered a song on the second day of the programme titled ‘Take It’ and he was so touched that he flung his car key to me and said ‘take it’. That was my first car – a brand new Toyota Muscle. When we got back to Lagos, I was with my family rejoicing and later on while I was praying, the Holy Spirit told me that was no my car and told me to give it out. So I gave it out as a seed. When the news got to Dezman that I had given out the car he gave me, he called me to confirm. The next thing he did was ask me to go to his garage and pick any car of my choice and when I got there, there were big pretty and slick cars but I chose a small one I could maintain, a Toyota Sport 2005 version. He then asked why I preferred that among all the cars I saw and I replied him that it was the one I believe I was capable of maintaining. He was impressed and promised to be giving me a car every year. And that’s how it’s been.

Which of your songs would you consider the biggest?

All the songs are big because they glorify God. I started with ‘David Dance’, then Lambano and then Igara. Let me say Igara opened some doors. It brought the street to the church and took the church back to the street,, but the song g Jehovah J brought the money. Another one is still coming; so it is from glory to glory. I can’t say one particular one is the biggest.

How effective has the Street Gospel Movement been?

It has been amazing because taking gospel music to the streets has

wowed many people who had no idea that gospel music can be fun and done in an exciting manner. Consequently, we have people who have joined us. We set up our band in the streets, go to them where they smoke and drink and share with them. I don’t have to condemn them in what they do because I do not come with a message of condemnation but that of good news.

So they easily accept Christ. We therefore need to be creative in taking our music to the world. And Christ can trend better and indeed should. To buttress this, MTV Base in one of their programmes used the Igara song. It was Igara that was playing in the background. I’m not sure it has ever happened before. So yes, we can do more as gospel artistes to attract young ones to Christ and away from immoral inclinations with our music, through creative ways.

Apart from the music business, what other business are you involved in?

I have a clothing line called JAGS Wear, I have TMJ Audio; these are branded music speakers. There is also TMJ Gas, a retail gas outlet. These are all small businesses meant to service the common people and encourage them. I also have my band ‘The Testifiers Band’. We play in weddings, birthdays and other events.

How do you y contend with the distraction or attraction from women?

I see them as blessings. You don’t want to go to any show and see only men. It depends on how you see them. For me they are no distraction.

Are you in any relationship? When are the bells ringing?

I am not marr

ried but I know one day I will when the time is right. I am not into any relationship either and I am not searching. For now, I am more focused on soul winning. It’s all about the gospel and also about my career. It’s an opportunity I have been searching and waiting for, so I am taking full advantage of it.

Where do you see Mr. JAGA in the next 5 to 10 years?

Mr. JAGA in the next 5 to 10 years will become one of the greatest, impactful, creative and richest musicians across the globe.

What are your hobbies and how do you wind down?

I love boxing. I love cooking and I am still a studio rat. I love to make people laugh all the time. I love music and wind down with music.

Is there any message to young aspiring gospel artistes and your teeming fans out there?

For the aspiring gospel artiste, I’ll say don’t try to run faster than your shadow.

Don’t imagine you’d just wake up one day and become a superstar without working towards it. Most important of all, have God and give Him prominence in your song you do. so g and in all yo o For o my y fans, s, you yo are all wonderful. Always remember, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

I was praying, the Holy Spirit told me that was no my car and told me to give it out. So I gave it out as a seed. When the news got to Dezman that I had given out the car he gave me, he called me to conďŹ rm. The next thing he did was ask me to go to his garage and pick any car of my choice and when I got there, there were big pretty and slick cars but I chose a small one I could maintain, a Toyota Sport 2005 version. He then asked why I preferred that among all the cars I saw and I replied him that it was the one I believe I was capable of maintaining

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚͞ , 2014

PLUS

For Lawal, It’s Travel Made Easy With ‘FlyBoku’ Abiola Lawal is a pathďŹ nder. With passion and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, he has dotted the Nigerian travel and tourism landscape with two trademark products; FlyBoku for low cost travel and Ashton and Dave Travels Holidays for corporate travel.

Arguably, one of the leading travel and tourism entrepreneurs, Lawal is a visionary and technology advocate that believes there are tons of untapped employment opportunities within the tourism industry in Africa. He speaks to Omolola Itayemi about his childhood, working with top blue-chip companies in USA, how the web has revolutionised travel

H

ow was your growing up?

I come from a relatively large family. I am the fourth of eight children made up of two girls and six boys. There used to be a running joke growing up that my mum doesn’t have to pay for professional services because she has a kid for every profession. I am very proud of my mother. She is my role model in so many ways and she has a fantastic dedication to education as a primary way to empower her children despite the fact that she supported all of us under very challenging and incredible circumstances. As a result, I have always drawn motivation from my mother’s strength. She is somebody who is not traditionally educated but educated every one of her kids. I also have two girls and a boy of my own.

I was born and bred in Lagos and I attended University of Ilorin (Unilorin) where I studied Economics and Finance.

After graduating from the Unilorin, I relocated to Canada first and then to the United States.

How did you end up in hospitality with such a rich resume?

The most fascinating job I had on arriving in the U.S. was working for Skywest Airlines, which is a subsidiary of Delta Airlines. I had a chance to discover places, people and learnt a ton about aviation logistics and travels. I got enamoured by this amazing experience and consequently, my interest in travel became more affirmed. I was working for Skywest Airlines and Walt Disney before I left and went for graduate business school and progressively worked for a consulting firm before making an entry into the oil and gas industry but ultimately, you have to go for your passion, something that you really adore and my passion is hospitality.

I didn’t get into the travel industry in a glamorous way. I actually started by loading bags on the aircraft at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in the early 1990s and I was very proud of my job as a young man trying to discover his path in the United States. I was working two jobs as well as going to school because I had a plan to get an MBA. After working for five years, I got admission into the University of California, Irvine, for my MBA and

from then on I mostly worked in the corporate world. I had a chance to work with Disney which I found very fascinating I witnessed customer satisfaction first hand once they arrived in Disneyland. After Disney, I worked with Ernst and Young which is a major consulting firm globally. At Ernst and Young, I learnt a lot in terms of helping companies get better at what they do. I received fantastic training and received a lot of exposure to multiple industries that equipped me to do a ton of other things in my life. I ended up spending five years at Ernst and Young and then joined SAP, a global ERP company, a few years later. While still working with SAP, I took a trip to Nigeria and was introduced to the founders of Oando.

The founders really liked my profile and were trying to take the company to the next level. Oando brought me back home and hired me as the Group Chief Strategy Officer and later as Director of Gas and Power Business Unit in 2005.

After Oando, I got another opportunity to oversee a transformational strategy at a company called CAMAC Energy Inc. CAMAC Energy is a company based in the U.S. but a lot of their footprint asset is in Nigeria. My employment with CAMAC gave me a chance to move back to the U.S. and eventually we took the company public, making it the first Nigerian company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Afterwards, the board asked me to step in as the CFO of the company.

After my experience at CAMAC Energy, I felt that it was time for me to refocus on my love for aviation, tourism and travel. I moved back to Nigeria and decided to refocus on my initial passion for travel. Ashton and Dave Travels was launched in 2007 but I wasn’t fully involved initially because we had other partners involved. However, I came back full circle to run the business and inject innovative ideas into the company to move us forward. In addition, Flyboku was launched in 2015 and we also have a small charter helicopter operation that we also work with. While Ashton and Dave is more for corporate travel, Flyboku is more for personal lifestyle.

Mr. Boku, the brand personality, is your digital agent online that allows you to discover more places. So, that explains the full cycle of my career. I am a simple Nigerian who is committed to a PanAfrican development.

I didn’t get into the travel industry in a glamorous way. I actually started by loading bags on the aircraft at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in the early 1990s and I was very proud of my job as a young man trying to discover his path in the United States

Lawal

23

͚͞ ˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS You Cannot Live a Disconnected Life in a Connected World Flyboku for me is a passion about discovering new places, discovering new experiences. Like I said, I started my professional career in Los Angeles before I went to graduate school but I have always travelled. When I was in the U.S., at some point I became a “Million Miler� with American Airlines which meant I became a gold member for life. So, I have always enjoyed the travel experience What does Flyboku mean to you?

Flyboku for me is a passion about discovering new places, discovering new experiences. Like I said, I started my professional career in Los Angeles before I went to graduate school but I have always travelled. When I was in the U.S., at some point I became a “Million Miler� with American Airlines which meant I became a gold member for life.

So, I have always enjoyed the travel experience. However, the process of getting to that status was relatively easy and the routine of searching for a flight and booking a flight and a hotel is very seamless. I came back to Nigeria and felt that the process was very inefficient even though I believe that Nigerian travel agents were doing their best.

You cannot live a disconnected life in a connected world. I felt that the majority of people out there including Nigerians were looking for a simple way to look for alternative destinations of where they want to go without feeling harassed by a travel agent. These customers just want to search in the comfort of their home or on their phone and be able to decide based on clear choices. I wanted Nigerians to have the same experience that anybody in the West will have. I called it the Global Standards for Local Adoption. Boku-Boku is the Nigeria context of plenty opportunities to view and consume information.

Flyboku can also be seen as a social media platform where you can share your travel photos and experiences. This is not an idea that is enforced or pushed by an airline. This notion is fostered and managed by real people. This form of sharing and feedback is quite important because people are looking for more affordable ways to travel nowadays.

This is the original thought that went into the Discover Africa Campaign. We have 54 countries in Africa and you will find out that most of us that travel have been to the rest of the world but have not been to most African countries.

A few years ago, I met an Australian man in the U.S. and he was sharing with me about some fantastic places to visit in Africa. He mentioned he has travelled to at least 30 African countries and visited some amazing places in Cape Verde, Nigeria, and Zanzibar. I felt embarrassed because this gentleman from Australia knew more about Africa, about my own backyard, way more than I did. I saw this as an opportunity to know more about Africa. Well, how can you trade more when movement is limited? Flyboku is meant to be part of the innovation that enables this process. Boku-Boku is the Nigeria context of plenty opportunities to view and consume information. Mr. Boku is essentially to integrate entertainment with travel and tourism, so we have Mr. Boku, Mrs. Boku, Baby Boku, Grandpa Boku, Grandma Boku and they make up the Boku family. For each of those people there is something out there for them. This is how the web has revolutionalised how we travel.

So what you are trying to say is that when we y Boku it doesn’t stop at ticketing, you also do pack-

aged tours?

Yes, as a matter fact that is our core competency. Ticketing for me is how you get there. Ticketing is just in the background. Your lead is; what am I going there to do? That’s why we say “wherever you want to go Boku will take you there’’. We cater for you from when you land to where you going to stay, to what you are going to do when you get there, your pick up and drop off, your visa and travel insurance, basically the 360 of everything you are going to need to have a safe, secure, fun, and amazing experience.

Why do you think we need technocrats in tourism?

We need to understand that if we are to compete favourably with the world, we need to bring in technocrats, people who understand tourism is a business.

We know we are not very great at infrastructure, it will take us a lot of time to get there but we do not have to stop and wait for 20 years before we can build tourism, we can start building it around the strengths we have already which is the private sector, particularly the SMEs. We need to encourage them with tax friendly policies to build their businesses. My target is to make tourism in Nigeria a viable, development tool, one that we can begin to show our own pride with our own strength. With these resources we can develop our infrastructure over time for the next generation. It is about having the right vision with the right execution, bearing accountability in mind. Tourism will become more viable in Nigeria if we focus on our strength and let it propel us, this can only be driven by the private sector.

What’s your travel style?

My travel style is about comfort and practical. For example, if you see me get on the airplane, I think about how I am going to sleep on the flight if it is a night one. Everything has to be fit for purpose, the outfit and all. When I am out there, I put on Nigerian natives for formal events so when I say made-inNigeria it means something.

Which city has the best vibe to you in the whole world?

It is hard to choose one because every region has a different one. One of my favourite cities which I found compelling is Cape Town, South Africa.

Why? That is because I think it has almost every kind of thing you want, from marine life to adventure, nature, wellness good restaurants, and African culture. But also, to be honest Lagos is an interesting city because home is always special. There are other places in the world and one of the things we are doing is called ‘discover Africa campaign’. We have 54 countries in Africa that are under explored. Part of the reasons I came up with that campaign is that I met an Australian guy in New York who has been to about 32 African countries and I almost felt ashamed as an African.

‌ with Minister of Tourism, South Africa, Derek Hanekon

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2018

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Shodimu

NOW THAT WE ARE MORONS What else will they not call us? We have been called all sort of names but this one seem to have hit us really below the belt and as expected, the outcry has reached the rooftop. So I have quickly summoned the chief in council here in Shomolu to discuss this matter. In the notice sent out to our chiefs, I mentioned specifically that the questions to be deliberated upon will be three pronged. Are we morons and if so, at what point did we turn to morons and how can we get ourselves out of this state if truly we are now morons. You see, for me as the Duke of Somolu, I have unilaterally expanded the scope of the insult from the narrow boundaries of the great Yoruba nation to cover all the tribes that make up this our country including our kith and kin in the diaspora and our wonderful ladies doing us proud in Italy with the drug lords in south Africa.

So the meeting was expectedly raucous.

Tempers rose and fell and the Afang soup was heavily consumed and watered down with Yemi Shodimu’s palm wine. Finally, a communique had to be issued after coming to a convergence. I had to suspend some people and at some point, seize the mace before we came to our senses. Well, our resolution is very simple. The Yoruba nation as a tribe are not made up of morons, although some members of this great tribe have shown these tendency but the fact that every tribe that make up this great nation have shown tremendous potentials in earning this moniker. We remain a nation of great and hardworking people, confused but very intelligent and deserving so that insult was quite mischievous especially in limiting it to the Yoruba people who have been nothing but very committed partners in our national project. It was also agreed that the offender should be made to carry EBO with palm oil draped all over his naked body from his big bald head down to his feet to Igbogunnu and stand on an anthill so that soldier ants can feast on his scrotums. This we believe would serve as a befitting punishment and a deterrent to others who will think twice before insulting the wonderful Yoruba nation. A nation that has given us Shina Peters, Owambe, Ayo Fayose, Fela, King Sunny Ade and the Duchess of shomolu amongst others cannot be a nation of Morons. I hear he has apologised though.

SO, MURIC CAN FEAR? I fell down from my bed as I listened to the statement allegedly issued by the MURIC repositioning themselves and moving away from their hitherto reported decision to sue the wonderfully talented FALZ the bahd guy for his depiction of Islam or something like that in his very popular and instructive Musical Video aptly tilled ‘this is Nigeriá’. As the radio presenter was reading out the statement, she too was laughing and could not believe what she was reading. The one that got to me the most was the point in the statement where they were claimed to have said that this was not a turnaround but a change in strategy or something like that. I almost fell from my bed from heady laughter.

You see, this is what you get when you

Fayose

Professor Akintola

M.K.O. is Our Man ooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

That was the radio jingle that assailed our consciousness in those heady days leading up to the historic June 12 elections. Whenever it came up on the Radio, all the children in Shomolu those days would jump out of the dirty gutters where we had gone swimming to catch tadpoles and scream ‘MKO is our man ooooo’. He was truly our man, powerfully generous, bold and populist. He captured the imagination of Nigerians and in his stammer and a clear love for witty local sayings like the classic, when some Airforce personnel assaulted his children and they went to explain to him and said that the men were mad dogs, he replied them saying ‘even mad dogs know their master’. Unfortunately the junta led by his personal friend and later day democrat the gap tooth legend annulled the election and threw the country into unprecedented crises. Well, MKO and his beautiful wife lost their lives in the struggle and Nigerians as usual seemed to move on even though the spirit of that movement refused to leave us. I have always loved the man not only for his politics and wealth

play to gallery and quickly jump to assert relevance without a well thought out objective or even justification. So, Falz in his epic video showed some models clad in Muslim garbs and dancing and that was enough to attract a law suit from MURIC? Pleassseeeeee if at all, the man was even helping their case, keeping the plight of the Chibok girls and the last one that has not been released in the front burner. So what would you want the Christians to say or

but for his penchant of marrying many women, for some of us he remains a legend and mentor. So in my haze I once visited his Ikeja home.

Walked into his expansive bedroom and began to imagine the plotting and meetings that held in that room in his bid to first win the election and later regain his mandate. I was awed by the power of his presence that warm afternoon although that could be because I was hungry which could be the cause of the hallucination.

Well today, those who scuttled the mandate and support its continued suppression have in their good minds given us the mandate back. They have declared a democracy day on that day; they have conferred on him the highest honour in the land all in a bid to shore up a flagging support base especially in the south west. Well what can we do, we will still collect the honour because MKO was our man and come 2019, we will still stand by our conscience, MKO would have wanted no less. Was I too serious in this piece, even me come dey fear o. maybe I get malaria.

the police where he claimed close their station at six pm for security reasons. Please people should stop distracting us with this kind of frivolity because what we face in this country are real and challenging issues of mis-governance amongst others.

No time for comedy abeg. Falz well done millions of youths are behind you on this matter. Me, I no get papa wey be SAN, na JUJU I rely on. Bring it on. Please have they released the last girl cos I want release my

Obasanjo

own video. What is it? Shouldn’t MURIC take their law suit and face the abductors?

Please don’t let me cry from irritation.

OBJ: NO WEAPON FASHIONED BY… As we speak, I am headed to Abeokuta.

I have been summoned to lead a team of non-denominational prayer warriors to immediately embark on a major prayer crusade to head off this expected framing.

You see, we are not taking these information lightly, you know Baba is not as young as he used to be and any attempt at incarceration will not really augur well.

You see the Abacha sojourn in Jail was kind of ok since we had small age on our side, but now at over 80 or is it 100? We cannot afford any small detention talk less of full blown jail. So, today, I have 600 prayer warriors, all religion and congregation represented. Guru Marahaji has just announced their representatives to the crusade. We have all been instructed to come with Buhari, Lai Muhammed, Magu, IGP Idris and Osinbajo’s full size pictures as a point of contact. We are also bringing bags of salt, sugar and alligator pepper items needed in the various sacrifices that would be made. The President’s wife and his village head would also be a reference point in these prayers. Aghhhhhhh, Baba to be framed again? This cannot happen two times. We will do all that is possible to avert this calamity and where all fail, we will advise a hasty retreat to Zimbabwe or Gambia in exile o. please government, let me beg on baba behalf, you know he can be a little bit stubborn and proud, don’t vex, don’t frame us o. we will face international issues and leave this 2019 alone. It is ok.

Thank you.

LOUDWHISPERS THE BOOK Loudwhispers the book which is a compelling and biting political satire capturing events that have happened in our political space in the last one year is out o. nothing and nobody is spared. It is a book that would have put me in serious trouble if we still had decree 4. Kai, however in the spirit of rapprochement with this GCFR thing we are giving out, I have decided to release the book. It is a 250 page work that has entered Tinubu’s bedroom and Buhari’s toilet, to sarcastically poke a finger at the underbelly of society, while sending out stringent but very strong message of hope to our people. Kai, when my mother read the book, she knelt down and begged me.

She reminded me that she was a widow and that I was born pre-mature that how can I yab IBB like that. That these people don’t forget or forgive o. I looked into her eyes and with chest out, told her clearly that my life is for the struggle and that she should forget that she has a son formerly known as Joseph Edgar. That my title of the Duke of Somolu conferred on me the responsibility to be society’s conscience and that since Gani Fawehnim passed on and Keyamo has emerged Buhari’s spokesman, the spirit of my fore fathers who saved in the sugar plantations of Brazil behove on me to stand up and fight. I have written the book, mbok people, buy before the attack comes so that I will have enough money to run away o. thank you

25

JUNE 16, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

SPY GLASS OYINLOLA

EX-OSUN GOV, OYINLOLA, BEREAVED Ex-governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has been dealt a heavy blow, following the passing on of his cousin, Kayode Adetayo Oyinlola, a top freight and forwarding agent. The multimillionaire businessman, who was Chairman of Customs Licensed Agents and President of Okota Country Club, was said to have died after a brief illness. A family source revealed that the late businessman would be buried in Okuku, Osun State next Saturday.

Kayode began his working career with the Nigerian Ports Authority in 1977, but left in 1981 to pursue additional academic qualifications. In 1985, he joined Associated Breweries Ltd and resigned in 1988 for a return to the Nigerian Ports Authority, Tin Can Island. Prince Oyinlola established his own clearing and forwarding outfit, Sakay & Co. Nigeria Limited in 1990 and became a customs licensed agent in 1993. Aside from clearing and forwarding business, his company also deals on importation of cars and lorries for its numerous customers.

The late Oyinlola, who was conferred with the honourary Doctorate in Business Administration, was Chairman, Governing Council in Africa of the Bradley University, Illinois, United States of America. In appreciation of his exemplary leadership, meritorious services and immense contributions to the growth and development of Okota Country Club, he was presented with a Distinguished Leadership Award by the Club at a valedictory event organised in his honour recently.

FEMI OTEDOLA’S DAUGHTER, DJ CUPPY, SOARS AGAIN! No doubt, Florence Otedola otherwise known as DJ Cuppy, is a delight on the turntable. Her dexterity has earned her accolades as well as popularity and awards across the continent of Africa and beyond. She is definitely making her billionaire father proud.

Disarmingly beautiful and chic, Ifeoluwa has not allowed these to dwarf

DJ CUPPY

with BAYO ADEOYE .... 08054680651 email: bayoolunla@gmail.com her in her own line of endeavour. The officious lady that has been taking her disc-jockeying to greater heights in recent time, once again proved that she is ready to rule the scene for a long time to come.

The whiz kid last week emerged the winner African Pride Awards 2018 (PPA2018) as the outstanding disc jockey of the year, held in London.

In the joyful excitement, Dj Cuppy feels honoured by the organisers that deemed her fit for the prestigious recognition. As a prelude, coming tops in her category is indeed a confirmation of the beautiful lady’s relentless and focus-driven strategies. When an individual is good and transparently diligent in whatever he or she does, it doesn’t take time for industry watchers to begin to pour encomiums on him or her.

WHO IS AFRAID OF UMAR NASKO? Three years ago, Umar Nasko contested for the governorship election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State.

However, he lost to the incumbent governor, Sanni Bello. Many had been shocked over his loss, especially because of his closeness to the then governor, Aliyu Babangida. Rather than continue to lick his wounds, he has re-dedicated himself to the plight of his people to the chagrin of all. For this, he was able to win the hearts of his supporters and people of Niger State; hence, his rising profile.

In appreciation of his gesture, they are currently yearning for him to once again throw his hat into the ring for the number one job of the state. Although there have been rumours from naysayers that he had lost his political relevance due to his short absence from the political scene in the state, a source revealed that the handsome young man has been busy with his philanthropic gestures that have further endeared him to the people in the state.

“Nasko is actively involved with his foundation, Umar Nasko Foundation, which has been training youths on skills development, while also providing aid to amputees. So, the people of the state are making a clarion call on him to vie for the position of governor in order to rescue them from the shackles of deprivation, underdevelopment and want,’’ a source revealed.

Nasko, whose stickers and posters have started dotting the nooks and crannies of the state, was quoted to have stated that his short disappearance was to allow the incumbent have ample time to fulfill his electoral promises and move the state forward.

“After elections, you allow the winner to fulfill his promises. He is a full member of the PDP and looking up to God for direction in 2019,” the source added.

UMAR NASKO

Nasko resigned as Chief of Staff to former Governor Aliyu Babangida, when he emerged as the candidate of PDP by defeating the then deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Ahmed Musa Ibeto and many others during the primaries.

Young and talented Nasko, a.k.a Sarkin Aiki (King of work), has served on various boards and committees in the state, where he made immense contributions. He was a member of the Transition Committee in Niger State; Member, Niger State Government Committee on Public Private Partnership 2007; Chairman, Vehicle Verification Committee in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Niger State; Member, Technical Committee on Harmonisation of Niger State Action Plan; Chairman, Local Organising Committee for the 2009 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST).

He was also member, Niger State Executive Council in his official capacity as the Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Ministry of Youth Development, Special Adviser on Tourism Matters and Ministry of Environment, Parks, Gardens and Forest Resources. He also served as the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Niger State until December, 2014. He became a managing partner at New Africa Investment Limited between 2001 and 2007 after 10 years of meritorious service in the banking sector.

ADEBAYO ADELABU’S AMBITION In life, no dream, no matter how beautiful it may be, comes true by magic. Rather, it takes the sweat as well as determination on the part of the dreamer to make his or her dream come to fruition. Perhaps, this is the impetus driving Adebayo Adelabu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as he now pursues his ambition to govern Oyo State with unbent resolve. In a chat with Spy Glass, a source revealed that the ex-banker is giving all he has to actualise his dream.

“Apart from his huge financial war chest that none of the so-called aspirants can match, his uncommon brilliance, sterling leadership quality, influence as well as experience are another qualities that stand him out, which will surely give him an edge far above others,” the source said.

Also, another source told Spy Glass: “Adelabu is one of the most recognised in the game going by his brilliance that earned him accelerated promotions as a banker. If things go well as planned, the high-flying former banker will definitely rule this state. He is well loved around

ABAYOMI BELLO

and across the state. His humility and generosity have endeared him to the hearts of many across the state.”

Adelabu, a grandson of notable and fearless politician, the late Adelakun Adelabu, otherwise known as Penkelemesi, was born on September 28, 1970 to Mr. and Mrs. Aderibigbe Adelabu of the Adegoke Adelabu’s compound, Ibadan, Oyo State. Until his appointment as Deputy Governor of the CBN, he was an Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of First Bank of Nigeria Plc. Adelabu, who holds a First-Class degree in Accounting from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a member of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria.

ABAYOMI BELLO’S RISING PROFILE Abayomi Bello, Managing Director, Sologic Integrated Services Limited, is one of the emerging political lights in Kogi State. He has indicated interest to represent the people of Kabba/ Binu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in 2019.

Political watchers are of the opinion that good representation, which had reportedly been a rarity, will come the way of the constituents. His rising profile attests to the confidence that his people have in him. The reason may not be far-fetched, as he is acknowledged as an accomplished and thoroughbred achiever whose impressive track records in the printing and commercial farming are legendary.

Bello, a philanthropist par excellence, has a long history of service to humanity. He is said to have empowered tens of thousands in his constituency by creating employment opportunities through his massive investment in agriculture and other enterprises.

His credentials have won him a wide network of high profile friends. Bello is said to have gone into the race to rescue his people from the jaws of poverty through wealth creation, empowerment and real development.

ADEBAYO ADELABU

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜

Toyota toTransfer All Sales, Marketing Operations for Africa toToyotaTsusho

T

oyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) have announced that they have concluded a memorandum of understanding on considering the transfer of all Toyota sales & marketing operations forAfrica currently conducted by TMC to TTC, from January 2019.

According to a statement by TMC, “Such a transfer would concentrate the power of the Toyota Group for contributing to regional development through business and would enable the provision of “bestin-town� service. “Africa is a promising region for which rapid growth is expected, including in its automotive market. Toyota Tsusho, with an Africa Division that specialises in and is dedicated only to Africa, has operations in 53 out of 54 African countries and regions. Furthermore, Toyota Tsusho has more than 10,000 Toyota Tsusho Group employees on site in Africa and has great strengths when it comes to doing business in Africa.�

As such, transferring sales & marketing operations forAfricacurrentlyconductedbyTMCtoTTC,which has many genba (front-line places of engagement) that have become highly experienced and competitive through the company’s Africa business, will enable employees of both companies to learn from each other at genba that are closer to the market.

Toyota and Toyota Tsusho believe this will further the development of the human resources of the Toyota Group, with a focus on each individual. By promoting greater work efficiency and strengthening their activities in Africa, Toyota and Toyota Tsusho also aim to provide better services to their customers in Africa. Excluded from the scope of this development are local operations of Toyota South Africa Motors (Pty) Ltd. (in the Republic of South Africa).

The statement said, “Toyota and Toyota Tsusho aim to be “best-in-town� companies by working to solve African social issues through their mobility operations inAfrica and by continuing to contribute to the development of the region.�

L-R: Blake Harris and Bear Grylls pose by Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover, Bear Grylls Surprise 13-Year Old Who Went Above And Beyond Stories by Bennett Oghifo

I

n Land Rover’s 70th year, Hay Festival 2018 in Wales played the backdrop to a very special surprise for a young boy who truly went Above and Beyond for his family.

13 year old Scout Blake Harris known as ‘Baby Bear’ from Worcester attended Hay Festival over the late May bank holiday, recently, expecting to watch his hero Bear Grylls talk at the annual literary festival.

But Blake had the surprise of his life when

his hero arrived in a bespoke camouflaged Land Rover Discovery bearing his name to take him on a mini adventure.

The adventurers went off-roading to a secret wood where Grylls set up a bespoke shelter for Blake to light a fire, scavenge maggots for a tasty afternoon snack and get to grips with a catapult.

The surprise was planned by Bear himself, supported by Land Rover and Blake’s mother Liz. The goal was to honour Blake’s brave spirit and dedication to his sister Lily-Mai who is diagnosed with a terminal cancer.

Blake also suffers from autism which went

undiagnosed for many years all of which has lead Blake to encounter tough episodes in life.

Bear Grylls, adventurer, said: “Wow. It’s not often you get to hang out with such a special young man who has had to deal with so many difficulties in life. He embodies that Above and Beyond spirit and never gives up which makes him an example to us all. “It has been such a privilege to spend this time with Blake. He is a credit to his family and the Scouts. Keep going buddy!�

Blake Harris said: “I couldn’t believe that Bear was there in a Land Rover designed

just for me. To have some time with the Chief Scout and learn lessons from how Bear has dealt with difficulties in his life is a once in a life-time opportunity. I will never forget the experience and it will motivate me for the future.�

Liz Bishop, Blake’s mother said: “I can’t thank Land Rover and Bear enough for an incredible day, I’ll never forget the surprise on Blake’s face when he realised Bear was there for him. I am sure the memories will provide huge amounts of motivation for the future.� Coscharis represents Jaguar Land Rover in Nigeria.

Hyundai Motor Holds Grand Opening Ceremony for FIFA World Football Museum

H

yundai is hosting a special exhibition, “FIFA World Football Museum Presented by Hyundaiâ€? during the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ period at the Hyundai Motorstudio Moscow.

Hyundai Motor, the Official Automotive Partner of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, during the week held the grand opening ceremony of the special exhibition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, “FIFA World Football Museum presented by Hyundaiâ€? at Hyundai Motorstudio Moscow. This exhibition celebrates the FIFA World Cup™ through the passion and devotion of the fans and tells the event’s history through the players who have left an indelible mark on it in the past.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Winner’s Trophy, alongside the Jules Rimet Cup™, the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy between 1930 and 1970, will be unveiled during the opening ceremony. “It is very meaningful to open the exhibition of the FIFA World Football Museum here in Moscow, the capital of the host country Russia and home of the Hyundai Motorstudio Moscow, Hyundai’s brand center.â€? Wonhee Lee, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor said. “We worked together to give football loving fans from Russia and the rest of the world, a very special firsthand experience during this FIFA World Cup™ tournament.â€?

Fatma Samoura, Secretary General of FIFA said,

“We are fortunate to be witnessing history in the making with the 2018 FIFA World Cup. I consider it FIFA’s duty to constantly shed a light upon what brought us here: all of those who wrote the history of football and of the FIFA World Cup. And it is important to remember that football fans are a fundamental part of this history. I am delighted to see all of these elements celebrated by the FIFA World Football Museum and our dear partner Hyundai in this fantastic exhibition here in Moscow.�

The exhibition will feature select world football heritage objects from the FIFA World Football Museum.

- Jules Rimet Cup™ - 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Winner’s Trophy (will be on display 9, 16, 23 and 27 of June*) 64 Adidas Telstar Official Match Balls used to kick-off each game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Objects belonging to players like PelĂŠ, Diego Maradona, Lev Yashin, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo * Dates are subject to change Also, guests can enjoy videos submitted by fans from around the world during the “Hyundai World Football Heritageâ€? competition, which took place from April 15 to May 18, through Hyundai’s 2018 FIFA World Cup™ digital platform (http://worldcup.hyundai.com).

Each movie showcases the unique fan cheering culture of the 32 participating countries.

Roberto Carlos with the Jules Rimet Cup and 2018 FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy Visitors can also view an array of rainbow themed jerseys from the 32 participating countries, and learn about Hyundai’s FIFA Sponsorship Story.

The FIFAWorld Football Museum Presented by Hyundai at the Hyundai Motorstudio Moscow will be open to the public from June 9 to July 20 for 42 days.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜

27

Lexus Continues Record Sales Pace

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High demand for Mercedes-Benz GLC in May

Mercedes-Benz posts 63rd Consecutive Sales Record in May Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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ercedes-Benzsoldmorevehiclesaround the world last month than ever before inaMay:Atotalof198,187carswiththe three-pointed star were handed over to customers (+2.3%). The premium brand thus achieved best-ever unit sales for the 63rd month in succession. In the first five months of this year, 985,063 units were sold, which is 5.4% more than in the prior-year period.

Mercedes-Benz was the premium brand with the most new registrations in May in countries including Germany, France, Belgium, Portugal, Greece, USA,

Canada, Brazil, South Korea, Japan and Australia. “The 63rd record month in succession demonstrates our customers’ trust in first-class products from Mercedes-Benz. This enables us to further expand our strong position in the premium segment. This May, we delivered more than 198,000 vehicles, which is more than in any May before,� stated Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales. “Our SUVs are particularly popular with our customers. Worldwide, nearly 350,000 units sold since the beginning of the year is an incredible result; never before have we delivered so many SUVs to our customers in the first five months of a year. We

are especially looking forward to the launch of the new G-Class. With our offroad icon, we will continue the success story of the SUVs in June.�

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by region and market In Europe, sales of 393,977 Mercedes-Benz cars in the period of January to May were around the very high prior-year level (+0.1%). This means that Mercedes-Benz posted the highest unit sales ever in Europe in the first five months of a year.

The brand delivered 81,011 vehicles to customers this May (-4.1%). In Germany, the domestic market, 125,817 cars with the three-pointed star were sold since the beginning of the year (+2.6%).

exushasachievedthehighestJanuary-May sales in the brand’s history following its strongest May on record for local sales.

So far this year, Lexus has delivered 3,838 vehicles - a gain of 3.4 per cent compared with the same period last year and ahead of the pace it set during its record sales year in 2016.

The overall result for the five months was elevated by unprecedented May sales for Lexus of 812 vehicles, an improvement of almost 5.9 per cent on May last year.

Lexus SUVs have led the way so far this year with an all-time high of 2,697 sales for the five months, an increase of 18.3 per cent over last year’s equivalent period.

May sales of Lexus SUVs were also a record for the fifth month of a year at 602 vehicles, an improvement of 16.9 per cent on the same month last year.

Lexus chief executive Scott Thompson said the record sales pace for Lexus was a testament to the company’s ability to produce and deliver vehicles that fulfilled the requirements of luxury buyers. “Lexus is recognised as the industry leader in caring for its customers with the design appeal, performance, specification and pricing of its vehicles; this is what sets us apart from other luxury contenders,� Mr Thompson said.

In 2018, customers have bought the luxury NX Line SUV in record numbers, setting a new benchmark for January-May sales of 1,655 vehicles - an increase of 22.1 per cent compared with the same stage in 2017.

NX sales in May of 383 vehicles, up 25.2 per cent on May 2017, represented its strongest sales month apart from June last year.

The LX Line of go-anywhere luxury SUVs is having its best year since 2008 with 160 sales. Its May tally of 55 vehicles was its best monthly result in a decade and followed the introduction of the twin-turbo diesel LX 450d in March.

Sales in 2018 of the RX mid-size luxury SUV have totalled 882 vehicles, up 14.8 per cent on the identical year-ago period.

In passenger-car sales, May-on-May sales for the Lexus RC coupe were up 11.1% while the latest month’s results also included 10 examples of the all-new LS luxury flagship sedan.

Porsche 911 Speedster Concept: Open-top, Pure with Over 500 hp

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orsche will be rewarding itself with an excellent present for the 70th anniversary ofthebrand’ssportscars:the911Speedster Concept,aroad-readystudyofanexciting open-top sports car. The unique model forgesalinkbetweentheveryfirstPorsche 356‘No.1’Roadster,whichreceiveditsoperatingpermit on June 8, 1948, and the Porsche cars of today. With its pure concept and historically accurate execution, the 911 Speedster concept reflects the essence of the Stuttgart-basedsportscarmanufacturerwithprecision.

Apuredrivingexperienceisthemainemphasisofthe car, as such; the drive technology under the two-tone shell of the concept study is derived from the current GTmodels.ItwasdevelopedatthePorscheMotorsport Centre, which is the birthplace of the 911 GT2 RS and the GT3 RS. The 911 Speedster Concept celebrated its world pre-

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miereaspartoftheofficial‘70yearsPorschesportscar’ anniversarycelebrationsinZuffenhausen.Theconcept study offers a glimpse of a potential series-production version, although this model may not be presented until 2019.Adecision on whether to move ahead will be made in the coming months.

The characteristics of the 911 Speedster Concept include the shorter window frame with a more inclined windscreen and correspondingly shortened side windows.

Thesefeaturesgivethesportscarstudyanevenstockier profile with a very low fly line, which is reminiscent of its predecessors such as the Porsche 356 1500 Speedster. A special rear cover made of carbon fibre connects behind the front seats, covering a roll-over protection structure and featuring a ‘double bubble’, a traditional element of this sports car design since the 911 Speedster from 1988.

Porsche 911 Speedster Concept

My Worry For Pedestrians

n Monday May 11, 2018, I strolled leisurely into my office with so many thoughts on my mind; thoughts of where to raise funds to sort out so many personal challenges and hopefully also meet the needs of some close friends and people I do not know but who think that with the rank of Assistant Corps Marshal in the Federal Road Safety Corps, I must be in the league of the Dangote’s and the Otedola’s.

Even the educated ones assume that for every vehicle arrested for traffic infraction, somebody somewhere must be rubbing my palms. My new assignment even complicates matter.

There were also thoughts on how to handle the numerous phone calls, text messages and WhatsApp chats for assistance with the ongoing recruitment by the Corps. I also had thoughts on what topic to focus on this week which for me was most disturbing because of the deadline required.

I know I have heard people who are writers complain on what they call writer’s block. Now if gifted writers would lament on what to focus on what then should a bloody road safety officer like me trying to reach out to road users be going through, if you catch my drift. The reasons for a writer’s block such as fear, timing and perfectionism were all starring me at the face.

Even when I tried some of the getaway tricks such as going for a walk, changing environment, reading a book, listening to music or staying with someone who makes me feel good just did not help me. When I could not make a headway on what to focus on, my mind suddenly flashed on the just concluded United Nations Bicycle Week celebration and some of the sound bites of the

SAFE DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa (Corps Commander) Corps Public Education OďŹƒcer Federal Road Safety Corps. + 2348033026491

celebration in Nigeria.

Even that was without form or substance and could not even relieve me. It was just then that a colleague walked into my office oblivious of my inner struggles and asked me if I had heard of the tragic death of the cousin of one of our senior colleagues. I said no and with a smile on my face asked him exactly what happened and where. Without knowing how much a saviour he had become to me, he gave me a snippet of the incident.

According to his story, the young man named Jerry Uwah (not real name) who is survived by a wife and a daughter before his death was working with a private company in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja where according to colleagues, he had carved a niche for himself as a disciplined and time conscious staff. On this faithful day, Jerry had left his house after pacifying his beautiful daughter with a promise to buy her favourite chocolate on his way from work not knowing what fate held for me. He hugged his daughter, gave her a kiss and waved as he opened the door and immediately

flagged down a cab just in front of their two-bed room apartment in one of the estates in Abuja. He boarded the car and had a smooth and safe ride and alighted at the nearest junction to his office at the central business district without hiccups.

He was crossing the road to the other side where his office is when he was knocked down by a car driven by a female driver. The impact of the hit was so heavy that despite being rushed immediately to the hospital, he died as a result of the bleeding from his head.

Jeffery death brought to my memory a similar tragedy I shared a couple of weeks ago on this same page about the death of another young man even though his death occurred differently. According to the story, Frank Uzor (not real name), his wife and their one year and six months old daughter were heading to church on a sunny Sunday morning in their black Lexus Jeep. He stopped by a bank to make a withdrawal for offering. After parking his car at a spot, he believed was safe enough, Frank crossed over to the other side of the road, made his withdrawal at the ATM before crossing back to his vehicle parked at the other side; he got into his car but before he could start his car and move, a Toyota Hilux lost control and crashed onto their Jeep. Frank who was anxiously waiting to lavish his lavish on their third-year marriage anniversary just few weeks ahead, died on the spot while his wife went into coma and was unconscious for two days before she eventually regained consciousness.

Miraculously, their daughter who was strapped to a car seat behind came out unhurt-she was found just the way she was- strapped.

I know that there are other cases within the Fed-

eral Capital Territory and across other parts of the country. Since I am not the one heading the accident investigation unit of the Corps, I will not pre-empt the outcome of the investigations of the May 11 2018 tragedy but what is clear is that a lot of people who claim to be drivers are really not one. Agood number are learner drivers who rather than allow the process of maturing as a driver would rather cut short the process in order to show off like others. I wrote about this in a piece I titled learners or lunatics for which some readers responded with insults for my choice of words. I hope to run that piece in a fortnight to refreshen our minds again. But while I maintain that a measure of insanity has taken over our roads, I must also state here that there is lot that is wrong with pedestrians and drivers irrespective of age or sex. For some drivers, it has to do with pride and ego as a handful would rather conceal their learner status and drive without their instructor as contained in the National Road Traffic Regulations.

There is also the increasing traffic indiscipline which calls for stiffer penalty by traffic officers.

But while I lament on this increasing development, I must note that pedestrians all over the world, including developed climes such as the United States ofAmerica, United Kingdom and others face similar risk of being knocked down. In the United State of America which I love to cite often on this page, pedestrian deaths totalled nearly 6,000 in 2017 for the second straight year amid mounting signs that pedestrians and drivers are dangerously distracted.Although reasons for the recent rise have not been scientifically proven, smartphones and marijuana use are suspected key factors.According to reports, about 5984 pedestrians lost their lives in 2017, a figure almost similar to the 2016 record.

According to Richard Retting, director of safety for Sam Schwartz Consulting, “People outside cars are dying at levels we haven’t seen in 25 years.

28

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀

FAMILY HEALTH

Article 228: What Causes Excessive Gassing- Fatulence?

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he human body is a massive machine, working 24/7, doing all manner of functions and working to keep you alive. In performing all of these functions, certain by products will be produced, which must be passed out of the body, to avoid toxicity and to make you comfortable.

When things also go wrong, it would also show up in the excess production of these by products.

And one of such product is gas.

Flatulence, also known as farting, is the act of passing intestinal gas from the anus. Flatulence is passing gas from the digestive system out of the back passage. It’s more commonly known as “passing wind�, or “farting�.

The average person farts less than 20 times per day. Gas in the gastrointestinal tract has only two sources. It is either swallowed air or is produced by bacteria that normally inhabit the intestines, primarily the colon. Swallowed air rarely is the cause of excessive flatulence.

The source of excessive gas is intestinal bacteria.

The bacteria produce the gas (primarily hydrogen and/or methane) when they digest foods, primarily sugars and nondigestible polysaccharides (for example, starch, cellulose), that have not been digested during passage through the small intestine. The bacteria also produce carbon dioxide, but the carbon dioxide is so rapidly absorbed from the intestine that very little passes in flatus.

Your diet or even a health problem can lead to problems with excessive gas.

Farting is often laughed about, but excessive flatulence can be embarrassing and make you feel uncomfortable around others. However, it can usually be controlled with changes to your diet and lifestyle. Flatulence is a normal biological process and is something everyone experiences regularly. Some people pass wind only a few times a day, others a lot more, but the average is said to be about 5 to 15 times a day.

Intestinal gas, or air in the digestive tract, is usually not noticed until we burp or pass it rectally (flatulence). The entire digestive tract, from the stomach to the rectum, contains intestinal gas as the natural consequence of swallowing and digestion.

In fact, certain foods, such as beans, are not fully broken down until they reach the large intestine (colon), where bacteria act on (ferment) them.

Excessive intestinal gas sometimes indicates a digestive disorder, but everyone passes gas several times daily, and occasional burping or belching is normal.

CAUSES: Excess upper intestinal gas can result from swallowing more than a usual amount of air, overeating, smoking or chewing gum. Excess lower intestinal gas can be caused by eating too much of certain foods, by the inability to fully digest certain foods or by a disruption in the bacteria normally found in the colon.

When you swallow food, water or saliva, you also swallow small amounts of air, which collects in the digestive system. Gases can also build up when you digest food. The body needs to get rid of the build-up by farting (flatulence) or burping (belching).

Sometimes you may not notice you have passed wind because most of the gases are odourless and often released in small quantities. Flatulence usually only has a bad smell if it contains gases that smell, such as sulphur. However, it’s important to remember it’s normal for the gas you pass to sometimes smell a bit.

Excessive flatulence can be caused by swallowing more air than usual or eating food that’s difficult to digest. It can also be related to an underlying health problem affecting the digestive system, such as recurring indigestion or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Swallowing air : It’s perfectly normal to swallow air while breathing and eating. However, it’s easy to swallow a lot more air than usual without realising it. This can cause excessive flatulence.

Excess air can be swallowed by:

The source of excessive gas is intestinal bacteria. The bacteria produce the gas (primarily hydrogen and/ or methane) when they digest foods, primarily sugars and nondigestible polysaccharides (for example, starch, cellulose), that have not been digested during passage through the small intestine

r DIFXJOH HVN r TNPLJOH r TVDLJOH PO QFO UPQT PS IBSE TXFFUT r IBWJOH MPPTF Ă UUJOH EFOUVSFT r OPU DIFXJOH GPPE TMPXMZ BOE UIPSPVHIMZ m swallowing large pieces of food causes you to swallow more air. r )PU BOE Ă [[Z ESJOLT BMTP JODSFBTF UIF BNPVOU of carbon dioxide in your stomach, although this is more likely to cause belching rather than flatulence.

Foods that cause excess gas: r 'PPET UIBU DBVTF HBT JO POF QFSTPO NJHIU not cause it in another. Common gas-producing foods and substances include: r #FBOT BOE MFOUJMT r 7FHFUBCMFT TVDI BT DBCCBHF CSPDDPMJ DBVMJflower, brussels sprouts (cruciferous vegetables) r #SBO r %BJSZ QSPEVDUT DPOUBJOJOH MBDUPTF r 'SVDUPTF XIJDI JT GPVOE JO TPNF GSVJUT BOE used as a sweetener in soft drinks and other products r 4PSCJUPM B TVHBS TVCTUJUVUF GPVOE JO TPNF sugar-free candies, gums and artificial sweeteners r $BSCPOBUFE CFWFSBHFT TVDI BT TPEB PS CFFS %JHFTUJWF EJTPSEFST UIBU DBVTF FYDFTT HBT Excessive intestinal gas — belching or flatulence more than 20 times a day — sometimes indicates a disorder such as: r "VUPJNNVOF QBODSFBUJUJT r $FMJBD EJTFBTF r $SPIO T EJTFBTF B UZQF PG JOåBNNBUPSZ CPXFM disease) r %JBCFUFT r %VNQJOH TZOESPNF r &BUJOH EJTPSEFST r (BTUSPFTPQIBHFBM SFåVY EJTFBTF (&3%

r (BTUSPQBSFTJT B DPOEJUJPO JO XIJDI UIF NVTDMFT of the stomach wall don’t function properly, interfering with digestion) r *OåBNNBUPSZ CPXFM EJTFBTF *#%

r *OUFTUJOBM PCTUSVDUJPO r *SSJUBCMF CPXFM TZOESPNF r -BDUPTF JOUPMFSBODF r 1FQUJD VMDFS r 6MDFSBUJWF DPMJUJT B UZQF PG JOĂĄBNNBUPSZ bowel disease) Medicine: Flatulence, often caused by indigestion, is a possible side effect of many types of medicine, including: r OPO TUFSPJEBM BOUJ JOĂĄBNNBUPSZ ESVHT /4"*%T TVDI BT JCVQSPGFO r TPNF MBYBUJWFT r BOUJGVOHBM NFEJDJOFT r TUBUJOT r WBSFOJDMJOF $IBNQJY m VTFE UP IFMQ QFPQMF stop smoking TREATMENT: Excessive flatulence can usually be treated by making changes to your diet and lifestyle. Several over-the-counter treatments are also available if your flatulence is becoming a problem.

By itself, intestinal gas rarely indicates a serious condition. It can cause discomfort and embarrassment, but it’s usually just a sign of a normally functioning digestive system. If you’re bothered

with

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com, .Cel, ͸΀͸ͽ͝͝Ϳͺ͝ͽ͞

by intestinal gas, try changing your diet.

However, see your doctor if your gas is persistent or severe, or if it’s associated with vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, unintentional weight loss, blood in the stool or heartburn. %JFU You should try to avoid eating foods high in unabsorbable carbohydrates. Certain processed foods should also be avoided as they can contain ingredients that cause flatulence, including: r BOZ GPPET XJUI BSUJà DBM TXFFUFOFST r TVHBS GSFF TXFFUT PS DIFXJOH HVN r à [[Z ESJOLT However, it’s still important to eat a healthy balanced diet, including at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Choose foods containing carbohydrates that are easy to digest. These include: r QPUBUPFT r SJDF r MFUUVDF r CBOBOBT r HSBQFT r DJUSVT GSVJUT TVDI BT PSBOHFT r ZPHIVSU It’s important to note that people react differently to certain foods, so some foods listed above may still cause flatulence. You may find it useful to keep a food diary to see whether certain foods make your symptoms better or worse.

You may also find it useful to eat 6 small meals a day rather than 3 large ones. Smaller meals are easier to digest and may produce less gas.

There’s some evidence to suggest drinking peppermint tea can help improve the symptoms of flatulence. There’s also some evidence that small amounts of ginger can help with digestion or an upset stomach, which may be causing flatulence.

However, pregnant women should consult their doctor before taking ginger.

Swallowing air: When eating, make sure you chew food slowly to reduce the amount of air you swallow. This will also help with digestion. Avoid chewing gum as it can also cause you to swallow more air than usual.

You should also give up smoking, if you smoke.

Smoking can cause you to swallow more air than usual, and tobacco smoke can irritate your digestive system. See stop smoking for more information and advice about quitting smoking.

Exercise: Getting plenty of exercise can help improve the functioning of your digestive system and bowel.

It has also been shown to help with bloating and the passage of gas.

Medications and other remedies: There are several over-the-counter remedies that can help treat the symptoms of flatulence. r $IBSDPBM UBCMFUT Charcoal tablets are a type of medication available over the counter from pharmacists. The charcoal absorbs gas in the digestive system, which helps reduce symptoms.

Charcoal tablets may not be suitable for you if you are currently taking other medication. This is because the charcoal might absorb the medication BOE NBLF JU MFTT FGGFDUJWF 1MFBTF TFF ZPVS EPDUPS before taking any medication.

Clothing containing activated charcoal, or charcoal pads placed inside clothing, can help absorb foul-smelling gas released during flatulence.

Dietary supplements: 1SPCJPUJDT NBZ BMTP CF VTFGVM JO USFBUJOH ĂĄBUVMFODF 1SPCJPUJDT BSF B EJFUBSZ TVQQMFNFOU VTVBMMZ sold in liquid or capsule form, which encourages the growth of “friendly bacteriaâ€? in your digestive system.

The “friendly bacteria� should help digestion and reduce the symptoms of flatulence, particularly in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

1SPCJPUJD ZPHIVSUT NBZ BMTP IFMQ CVU BWPJE UIPTF with artificial sweeteners or added fibre.

It may also be necessary to carry out ultra sound, $5 TDBOT .3* Y SBZT BOE JEFOUJGZ XIBU UZQF PG gas is being produced , absorption tests can all be carried out, depending on the diagnosis by your doctor.

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

16.06.2018

Super Eagles on the March Again, Start Campaign against Croatia

JUST PHENOMENAL PAGE. 29

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀

2018 World Cup‌ 2018 World Cup‌2018 World Cup‌2018 World Cup‌2018 World Cup‌2018 World Cup‌2018 World Cup‌2018 World Cup‌2018

Super Eagles... ready for Croatia onslaught

Super Eagles on the March Again, Start Campaign against Croatia Ę°Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂŒĂ™Ă™Ă•Ă?ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? ÚÖËĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ͺ͸͚΀ Ă™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ăš åÓÞÒ Ă‹ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă? ÞÙ Ă?ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹ Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÒËÞ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă—ĂŒĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă‹Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă–Ă™Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÙÚÞÓ×ÓĂ?ÞÓĂ? ÞÒËÞ Ă&#x;ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă–Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŽĂ™ ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă‹Ă–Ë› ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă– ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂœĂŒĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ äĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÙÚÞÓ×ÓĂ?Ă—Ë› Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ăš Ă?Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ëœ Kunle Adewale Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?ÞÒĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ăš Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă–Ă?Ă? ÚÖËãĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă? Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ăž Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ăš

T

he President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, had said severally that Nigeria has what it takes to go all the way and win the World Cup. “The dream of every father for his children is to excel in everything they do and for me, my dream is for the Super Eagles to win the World Cup and we are motivating the players very well for them to give their best at the World Cup in Russia,� Pinnick said. “I have been interfacing with the Minister of Sports and we agreed that setting target may not be the best, but I have constantly said that my target for the team is to win the World Cup trophy. The good thing about the current team is that it is very well equipped with sophisticated training equipment. We are very much scientifically equipped. We know the target we set for them but we don’t want to put pressure on them consciously,� the NFF boss added.

However, a more cautious manager of the team, Gernot Rohr said qualifying from the group stages was what was paramount for now. “My target is to qualify from our group. That is my first target. I pray we can beat Croatia, one of the most technically sound teams in Europe, Iceland play like us, we hope to beat them as well and Argentina who we beat last time in a friendly may not come cheap because they have known us and may want to revenge that defeat. It is not going to be easy,� Rohr said.

In a chat with THISDAY, former Nigerian international, Friday Ekpo said the attitude of the players towards the games was crucial just as he said the Super Eagles cannot afford to lose the first game against Croatia.

“Winning the first game against Croatia is very important to the psyche of the team or else we would have to go back to permutations and be condemned to winning other matches, which means playing under serious pressure and that is something the team should try and avoid,� Ekpo said.

The former international however admitted that the Croatians have more quality players in their fold than Nigeria and as such surmounting them would be an uphill task. “There is no doubt about the quality of their players. They have one of the best midfielders (Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mateo Kovacic) in the world today and considering the fact that most matches are won in the midfield, there is the temptation to want to concede defeat to them, but football could be unpredictable. As a team Nigeria could rise up to the occasion,� the former Shell of Gabon player said.

Asked if he sincerely thinks Nigeria can qualify from the group, he reacted thus, “I’m not expecting the team to qualify from the group based on the quality of players at our disposal compared to that of our opponents (Croatia and Argentina). But like I said earlier, anything can happen in football.�

Observers are also of the opinion that for a team to do well at the world stage, it must have one distinguished player that could propel it. While Egypt and Senegal boast of Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane respectively, Nigeria does not have that singular player that could win a game for them.

Meanwhile, Rohr has admitted that he had total respect for Croatia but claimed his young team would not be over-

run by them when both teams meet in their Group D clash today at the Kaliningrad Stadium. “We admire this team (Croatia) but we do not plan to watch them when we play against them, we hope to fight.

They are all wonderful players, playing in biggest teams in Europe. On paper with their names, they are much better than us,� Rohr stated while addressing reporters on Wednesday at his team’s training base in Essentuki. “But sometimes on the pitch, it could be different. We don’t have their big stars, but we try to play collectively with our young team,� he said.

In its sixth attempt, Nigeria is looking to finally fulfill the enormous promise that took root in the 1990s.

Nigeria was knocked out in the second round on three occasions, US ’94, France ’98 and Brazil 2014, while the Super Eagles failed to qualify from the group stages in the 2002 and 2010 editions in Japan/Korea and South Africa respectively.

Africa’s best at the Mundial remains the quarter finals place performance of Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.

Twenty years ago, in their first World Cup as an independent nation, the Croatians finished third. Since then, they've been a bust, winning two matches in nine attempts during three group-stage exits. The midfield and front-line personnel is individually stellar: Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic, Nikola Kalinic and Mario Mandzukic.

Meanwhile, four years after finishing second, the Argentines are the favorites in the foursome but not definitively after a rickety qualifying campaign came down to the final day. A 6-1 fiasco against Spain in a friendly march did not

31

JUNE 16, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

8 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World Cup…2018 World

Africans Suffer Defeat, as Egypt, Morocco Lose Opening Games Portugal, Spain light up tournament

I

Modric Mikel

t was not a good day for African representatives in the ongoing 2018 World Cup in Russia as Egypt and Morocco suffered 0-1 losses to Uruguay and Iran respectively.

Jose Gimenez headed a 90th-minute winner as Uruguay beat Egypt 1-0 in their opening Group A game at the Mundial in Yekaterinburg.

The Atletico Madrid defender rose highest for Carlos Sanchez's free-kick to head past Mohamed El Shenawy and break Egypt hearts after a largely sluggish show from the Uruguayans.

Luis Suarez had missed three fine chances and Edinson Cavani hit the post as Egypt looked to have survived without their talisman Mo Salah, who did not feature from the bench due to his shoulder injury.

Uruguay started slowly as Egypt's defence stayed compact, but Suarez had the first clear chance at the far post after Diego Godin flicked on a corner, scuffing his effort from six yards into the sidenetting.

Half-time could not come soon enough for Oscar Tabarez's side, with Suarez, in particular, looking unlike himself, but he had another fine chance within a minute of the second half to put Uruguay ahead.

After Cavani's through ball, Suarez did well to get goal-side of Ahmed Hegazi at close range, but goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy spread himself wide enough to deflect wide with an outstretched leg.

Egypt began to retreat and were nearly punished as Cavani set up Suarez again,

but the Barcelona forward dwelled on the ball, attempted to round El-Shenawy, before the ball was taken from his feet.

Cavani saw a 20-yard volley from Suarez's set-up brilliantly saved by El-Shenawy, before his free-kick came crashing off the post, but Uruguay won it as the game headed for injury time.

After Egypt gave away a needless free-kick on the right flank, sub Sanchez found the head of Gimenez, who did superbly to find the far corner with his header.

Uruguay will now face Saudi Arabia in Group A on Wednesday in Volgograd at 4p.m., while Egypt face Russia on Tuesday evening at 7pm in St Petersburg.

Meanwhile, Iran won their first World Cup match since 1998 as Aziz Bouhaddouz's 95th-minute own goal sunk Morocco 1-0 in yesterday's Group B opener in St. Petersburg.

After creating little and enjoying just 32 per cent possession, Iran got their lucky break with almost the last kick when Bouhaddouz put an unstoppable nearpost header past his own goalkeeper when attempting to defend a free-kick.

Morocco, who looked dangerous in parts but were toothless in attack, will be wondering how they lost a game they controlled for large periods.

In the last match of the day, it was a six-goal thriller as Spain and Portugal honours in which Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first hat-trick of the 2018 World Cup.

Nigerian Fans Banned from Taking Chickens to Matches inspire confidence, and questions have lingered about what Jorge Sampaoli's lineup will look like.

The thing is, Messi could shroud Argentina's problems by himself. He is extraordinary. Still, he will need a stable supporting cast to draw attention from him. Capable contributors are abundant: Angel di Maria, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala, 24, who has scored 52 goals in three seasons with Juventus.

Messi's strength and endurance will be tested by what is sure to be tight marking and physical challenges. Knock Messi off his game and knock down Argentina.

That's the theory, anyway. He might have other ideas.

Iceland is the feel-good story of the tournament, but don't let the thermal baths and quaint fishing villages fool you. This team

G LO B A L S O C C E R

barely missed out on the 2014 World Cup, then made the most of its first European Championship visit by going unbeaten in group play and upsetting England in the round of 16.

In qualifying for this World Cup, Iceland finished ahead of Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey. Size and strength are top qualities, making it particularly dangerous on set pieces. Possession will come in short supply against technically superior foes.

Nigeria Squad Goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi , Francis Uzoho,

Defenders William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Ola Aina, Kenneth Omeruo, Bryan Idowu, Chidozie Awaziem, Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile, Tyronne Ebuehi

Midfielders 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

John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Joel Obi, Mikel Agu,

Forwards

Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses (Chelsea, England), Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Simeon Nwankwo

Fixtures TODAY Argentina Croatia

v v

Iceland Nigeria

2:00pm 8:00pm

Costa Rica

v

Serbia

1:00pm

Germany

v

Mexico

SUNDAY DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE

4:00pm

N

igerian fans have been banned from taking 'lucky' live chickens into the ground for their team's opening Group D game with Croatia today.

Supporters of the Super Eagles believe the tradition of taking chickens to games brings the team luck.

However, the Russian Government has banned the practice as Nigeria plays its sixth World Cup in Kaliningrad.

"Fans from Nigeria asked if it's possible to go to the stadium with a chicken.

We told them that it is not possible," Andrei Ermak, Minister of Culture in Kaliningrad, told Russia's Interfax news agency.

Ermak added that the ministry will advise Super Eagles fans on areas they will be allowed to carry chickens when supporting their team.

At the 2010 World Cup, Nigerian fans were banned from taking chickens painted in Nigeria's colours into Ellis Park, Johannesburg, for a game against Argentina.

32

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀

2018 World Cup ‌ 2018 World Cup‌ 2018 World Cup‌ 2018 World Cup‌ 2018 World Cup‌ 2018 World Cup‌2018 World Cup‌2018 World Cup‌

‘Rohr and the Super Eagles Deserve Our Support’ Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂžĂœĂ™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x; Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ? Ëœ Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ–Ă™ĂžĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă™ĂœĂžĂ’ Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?ĂœĂžĂŁ ×ÙÑĂ&#x;Ă–Ëœ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă”Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x; Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă–Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă‘Ă™ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÙÎËã ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă‹ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă‹Ă? Ă’Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă˜Ă? åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă– ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă–Ă“Ă Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÙ Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă“Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ÚÖËã Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă— Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ëà ÙÓÎ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŁ ĂŽĂ“Ă?ÚÖËã Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă™Ă™ĂžĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă–Ë› Ă? Ă?ÚÙÕĂ? åÓÞÒ Nduka Nwosu What is your assessment of the quality of players chosen by the Gernot Rohr preparatory of the Super Eagles World Cup outing beginning today in Russia? ost of the players chosen

by Coach Gernot Rohr are already tested foreign players who have proven their mettle at global fiestas. That also tells me this coach is not a risk taker. He wants to get his acts right from the get go. A player of the type he has chosen has been exposed at different times to all manner of hazards and can stand his ground no matter the consequences. The players have gone beyond being equated with local championships and the hazards of home advantage.

Let me give you an example: in the days when Rangers International FC locked horns with Vasco da Gama, Vasco showed incredible strength fighting Rangers and occasionally brought the club to its knees.

But that was as far as it went. Beyond Enugu, Vasco was a different kettle of fish.

Thar fighting spirit against Rangers often melted whereas Rangers could play away matches and win with ease. Therefore the Super Eagles of 2018 going for the World Cup tournament in Russia are rugged and experienced enough to face Croatia, Iceland and Argentina. It is my hope and belief the team will survive the group matches and move on to the knock out stages.

Some of our players have suffered financial humiliation and neglect and this must not be allowed to continue.

Of course I remain the Patron of Rangers FC home and abroad.

M

Are you satisďŹ ed with the quality of preparation and the teams chosen to play the Super Eagles by Coach Gernot Rohr?

This team looks like one of the best prepared since 1994 when Nigeria first debuted at the World Cup tournament.

You heard Mikel Obi the captain doffing his hat on behalf of the team to President Muhammadu Buhari during their visit to Aso Rock before leaving for Russia. On a comparative note the Olympic team that was prepared by Samson Siasia was a disaster from the get go, which was no fault of Coach Siasia who in fact used his own contacts, made his personal efforts and used his resources to see the team get to where it got to before its exit. This team has enjoyed the goodwill and administration of the present NFF and the Federal Government. This is cause for cheer.

Some are already speculating the distortions of the past helped to awaken the ďŹ ghting spirit of the Super Eagles. This generation of the Eagles they surmise has no rallying point, nothing to wake up its daring spirit and the recent losses do not suggest it can face a formidable team as Croatia. Do you align with this line of thought or believe Rohr’s experimentation at this last minute is good for us?

I think our boys are more prepared in this World Cup tournament. What is happening now by way of exposure was what should have been done for our last squad to the Olympic soccer tournament. Unfortunately this did not happen. Rohr’s squad has played several matches it won and therefore cannot be experimenting with his team. I believe this is a young team and will go places as the years unfold. With a few moretournaments such as the African Cup of Nations, they will be better prepared for a global fiesta as this. However, for Russia 2018, the team, I am optimistic will go farther than the knock out stages. Let us agree with Rohr that nobody should write off his team based on their recent performances.

During your visit to the country in 2016 you paid a courtesy call to Governor Ugwuanyi. Was football one of the issues discussed?

We discussed football and the welfare of our players with emphasis on Enugu Rangers FC. This was happening at the time the morale of Rangers FC players was at its low. They needed some motivation, a fulfillment of promises, someone to re-awaken their sagging morale. That was what I did, I promised them the incentives they should expect and delivered once the team became vibrant again, standing on both legs. It is all about honoring a pledge. Our leaders must learn to deliver a pledgen once it is made.

I was physically present to motivate them and for every match they won it came with some millions plus N50, 000.00 for every individual goal scored. The boys and the team as a whole were fired into action and I got what I needed. I am glad the current Super Eagles through Captain Mikel Obi thanked President Buhari for delivering on promise in terms of welfare. I am also glad that former Super Eagles Technical Adviser Bonfrere Jo has been given the house he was promise for doing a good job for the country.

This is the ideal I have been preaching about and practicing.

Ejindi with Mikel Obi before heading to Brazil How would you compare this team with the 1994 Super Eagles squad?

How can you compare a young team like this with a 1994 squad when they have not really been exposed to a major tournament? Some people may feel comfortable with criticisms, with comparisons and passing their verdicts but I refuse to join issues with them. Let’s watch them play and then we can see how they fare.

What is your advice to the team?

They should play as a team not as individuals. Mistakes will be made and this not be a reason to be bogged down either as individuals or as a team. Team spirit not individual display of skill should be the guiding force. It should not be an attempt aimed at scoring goals simply to win applause or shine over and above the others. It is not who scored the goal or goals that should drive the team but the team work that produces the right results based on the coach’s game plan.

You have to hustle for 90 minutes. The goal scorer is not necessarily the best in the field, team spirit not individual performance should be the watchword. I have my own surprise for the Super Eagles. In addition to giving them a moral support I have a little surprise for them based on the performance they put up as the game progresses.

What’s your impression of football or soccer development in the country given our low rating by FIFA? I don’t think we have moved forward. Move back to the 1970s and 1980s.

See how Bendel Insurance came from nowhere to beat Enugu Rangers 3-0.

People played football with passion and an air of patriotism and we produced the Best Ogedengbes of the IICC Shooting Stars the Emmanuel Okalas, the Segun Odegbamis and the Christian Chukwus. Today football has been politicised. The referees, generally the match officials and the administration of football in the country have been over-politicised and by extension even at the international level except that in our case there are inherent problems preventing us from moving forward and except we sit up the world is not going to wait for us.

That explains why we are lagging far behind.

The entire system needs an overhaul in the short and long runs. Corruption also looms large in the system affecting a lot of issues most importantly the officiating where for example the referees officiate badly. All these loopholes must be plugged if we must move forward.

As the patron of the veteran Rangers International and the current Rangers FC, you have been organising events that are turning out to be very popular in America. How consistent are you on this at least in recent times?

Of course I am. By way of update, it will interest you to know that the next re-union will be coming up in September 2019 in Boston and the familiar faces like Christian Chukwu, Emmanuel Okala and my friend Francis Monidafe of Bendel Insurance will be at the Boston Re-union.

How did your interest in Rangers FC begin?

We all grew up knowing Rangers FC. In the 1970s and 1980s. Every child in my generation grew up loving Rangers FC. In our days these clubs represented our equivalents of the foreign clubs European clubs we so much admire today. I also realised back here that most of these soccer legends had issues taking care of themselves especially their health long after their active years playing football. So part of my own way of giving back to society is what I have been doing, helping to respond to the welfare of these players by inviting them over here to mark series of activities through a re-union and running a check on their health in partnership with some very successful former Rangers FC players who live and do work or do business here in the US. Partnership with the national team is also an ideal platform that would help to improve the lot of our players just as on an individual level some of the players like Segun Odegbami who is my good friend. I would love to partner with; I would love to partner with the national team to ensure the best of welfare package for the players while the veterans remain relevant for the period they are around.

You are a Nollywood actor. Can you also talk about that and how you combine all these with your being an active businessman operating in Charlotte North Carolina?

Nigeria is a blessed country, blessed in virtually every department man can ask from God. Starting from football, the best soccer players come from the US but we are lacking in the area of discovery. We are very talented but many of us are yet to be noticed.

Today Nollywood comes after Bollywood which ranks first followed by Nollywood of growth and output not revenue generation where Hollywood remains the king.

Nigeria's film industry, is the second-largest in the world in terms of volume. Some 2,500 films are produced annually, well ahead of Hollywood and second only to India's Bollywood. I have featured in about seven films with such known actors and actresses as a Nollywood director. I made my investment in him and sometimes when I am here.

Mercy Johnson, Yul Edochie, Regine Daniel, Ebele Okaro, Queen Nwokoye, K Daniel, Rachael Okonkwo alia Nkoli Nwakpuda. I am also supportive of the director Onyenze, Richard Amobi also called Onyenze.

The industry is growing here in the US. Can you again unwind your American experience?

Whatever apparent success that has so far smiled at me has happened over time.

Thank God for my little Taj Mahal but as the saying goes, Rome was not built in a day. I came here as a student and went in January 1984 at the peak of winter and had a brief stint academically in New York before proceeding to North Carolina. By way of work experience I started as a dish washer, graduated to a cook and later pizza delivery staff. I graduated with an honors degree in Accounting from Shaw University in 1987, after only three years with a Masters degree also in Accounting from Strayer University in Charlotte, North Carolina. I am a licensed real estate broker with second business in Homecare.

My family has been very supportive of me my mother, brothers and sisters, my beloved wife, a physician known as Yu Yu and my four lovely kids.

33

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀

GLOBAL SOCCER\\OTHER SPORTS

TomTom Walks for Super Eagles: Employees of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, manufacturers of TomTom, ‘OďŹƒcial Candy of the Super Eagles,’ walked in support of the Super Eagles on Thursday. Super Eagles will play their ďŹ rst match today at the ongoing World Cup in Russia

Head, Events and PR, DuďŹ l Prima Foods, Tope Ashiwaju; Fab-5 Project Director, Dare Amokeodo; Yetunde Jack, representing Ritefoods and pupils of the male winning team of Fab-5 Football Challenge 2018, Anuoluwapo Alimosho Primary School

NNPC/Shell Cup Announces Scholarship for Most Valuable Player One of the most outstanding players in the 2017 edition of the annual NNPC/Shell Cup, Ernest Ojelum, has won an International Summer School Scholarship to the United Kingdom.

The announcement coincided with a reception to welcome Ernest and the other Most Valuable Player in the 2017 finals, Iyobor Arase, after a weeklong training tour in The Netherlands.

Ernest of Henson Demonstration School in Benin City will be joining other international scholars at the University of Sussex later in the year in an all-expense paid programme.

Announcing the scholarship award on Monday in Lagos, General Manager External Relations of Shell Nigeria, Mr. Igo Weli, described the emergence of Ernest as the outcome of a painstaking process involving the partners, University of Sussex and Henson Demonstration School. “We are delighted that our new partnership with the University of Sussex has brought a whole new excitement and incentive to the NNPC/Shell Cup to validate our belief that education and football can go hand-in-hand.�

Reinforcing this defining principle behind the 20-year-old tournament, Group General Manager of National Petroleum Investment Services (NAPIMS), Mr. Roland Ewubare, expressed excitement at the yearly improvement to the tournament which he said had made the NNPC/ Shell Cup a standard in youth sports competition. “We are encouraged by the emerging partnerships with Feyenoord and University of Sussex that have changed the whole motivations around the tournament, making it a household name in every part of Nigeria,� said Ewubare who was represented by the Deputy Manager, Community Relations of Public Affairs Department of NAPIMS, Ms. Julie Utang.

An elated Ernest described the NNPC/Shell Cup experience as overwhelming. “From the announcement of my name as one of the most valuable players at the finals in 2017, the transformation to my life and world of experience I’ve been exposed to by NNPC and Shell are far beyond my expectations. Sometimes I think

perhaps I’m dreaming.�

Ernest’s father, Mr. Humphrey Ojelum, echoed similar surprise noting that youths stand a better chance of success in sports with a solid foundation in education as being promoted by NNPC and Shell.

Also speaking, Iyobor charged youths to hold firm to education while pursuing other interests particularly sports, adding, “If I had been out of school, I’m not sure I would have had this early opportunity of training tour in The Netherlands, among other benefits I’ve received from being part of the NNPC/Shell Cup.�

The 2017 edition of the leading youth football tournament started in May 2017 with the preliminary matches involving some 54,000 students from 2,750 secondary schools across Nigeria competing for honours.

At the finals played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, on July 4, 2017, the Henson boys defeated their counterparts from Holy Ghost College, Owerri, Imo State by 2:0 to emerge champions of the 19th edition of the 20-year-old tournament.

UNILAG Favoured to Host Next Year’s NUGA Games The University of Lagos has been given the nod to host the 2019 edition of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) games, which is also the 26th edition. This was revealed to journalists by the NUGA President, Prof Stephen Hamafyelto.

The NUGA boss stated that findings from the inspection team favoured University of Lagos ahead of University of Jos, as both signified interest in hosting the biennial sporting event next year.

He said that after the two-day NUGA Council meeting in Abuja, activities at the 25th NUGA Games held in 2017 at Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM) were reviewed, in order to safeguard the reoccurrence of what happened in

Makurdi, having been given hosting right in 2104, but staged the games three years after.

Furthermore, he noted that with the hosting right awarded to UNILAG, the games is expected to come up early in the year precisely between January and April which is usually dry season as against wet season that could disrupt the outdoor events.

Hamafyelto said NUGA would be cautious of the new host since the university has not been served letter, but have to report the council decision to the Committee of Vice Chancellors (CVCs) to deliberate, being the final arbiter that determine on the need to serve UNILAG the hosting right letter.

"It is after the decision of the CVCs that NUGA can then embark on all other necessary steps to ensure success of the games next year.

"Among such steps is the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formation of Main Organising Committee (MOC), and Local Organising Committee (LOC) among others. These will propel the school authority to improve their preparations ahead of the time.

"During the review of the 25th NUGA Games at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Anande Richard Kimbir explained how he was able to overcome the challenges of funding and other hitches in the course of hosting the games.

StarTimes Launches World Cup Video Streaming Service in Nigeria Africa’s leading digital TV operator StarTimes has launched its App video streaming service in Nigeria.

To mark launching of the new service, the first 40,000 users can enjoy a very attractive pre-order offer for watching World Cup on StarTimes App. From 7th to 13th June, the first 40,000 subscribers only paid N450,000.00 only to subscribe to “ON Sport� on StarTimes App in order to watch all 64 World Cup matches Live and in HD, including battles of Nigeria on the pitch. The original price of the “ON Sport� service is N1,500.00

Besides live matches, full highlights, build-ups, interviews, analysis and magazine shows will also be available with the 5 StarTimes sports channels in the StarTimes “ON Sport� service.

Speaking on the new innovation, StarTimes OTT Operation Director, Tony Tuo, noted that, “It is impossible to miss any moment of the World Cup with our App. There is absolutely no need to worry about the weather condition, signal quality, electricity or being in transit. Wherever you may be, with just a steady internet connection, the StarTimes App will get you

fully entertained�.

The App he also noted, can be downloaded from various app stores, including Google Play, iOS Store and StarTimes website while the Pay-TV subscribers can also check and recharge their subscription online through the App. “Over 70 channels covering movies, series, documentaries, music and sports, are currently open to all users for free in a limited time on the StarTimes App. Video streaming service is a future trend and StarTimes hopes our service will pioneer for African digital TV industry,� he added.

with KUNLE ADEWALE 08111813082

L-R: 2017 NNPC/Shell Cup Most Valuable Player (MVP), Iyobor Arase; General Manager External Relations, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr. Igo WelI; Deputy Manager, Community Relations, NAPIMS, Ms. Julie Utang; and second MVP, Ernest Ejolum, at a reception in Lagos on Monday in honour of the MVPs who just returned from a training tour of The Netherlands

Lagos to Host U-15 Deaf Sports School Games

The Lagos State Sports Commission has concluded arrangements to stage the Under-15 Deaf Sports School Games.

The tournament, which is in its 4th edition, will hold from 19-22 June, at the Agege Township Stadium.

The games is sponsored by the Lagos State Government as part of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s all-inclusive policy.

The games will feature three sports performed by the deaf at the grassroots level -athletics, table tennis and badminton.

According to the Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, the objective of this competition is to key into the sports commission’s programme of focusing on the development of young talents through discovery, nurturing and Training.

The games will also serve to prepare the athletes for the National Championships slated for later in the year.

No fewer than 500 students from 35 schools across the six education districts in Lagos State will take part in the competition.

Educational gift items and certificates of participation will be given to the participants.

Kienka Inches Close at Zenith Bank/Ikoyi Club Tennis Defending Men's Singles A Class champion, Godwin Kienka held off Akeem Mustafa's challenge with a 6-3, 7-5 win to seal a final spot at the 4th Zenith Bank/Ikoyi Club Tennis Tournament. Kienka is expected to have another tough encounter in his quest to keep hold to the title when he confronts in-form Gbenga Familoni, who triumphed over Bimbo Okubena 6-4, 2-1 ret.

It’s the same scenario in the women's singles as title holder, Julie Alagenyi saw off Clara Falase 6-1, 6-0 to set up a meeting with Ego Mbagwu, who defeated Maryann Chuks 4-6, 6-3, 10-5.

In the Men's Singles B, Sule Mustafa defeated Femi Nedd 5-2, 5-3 and will tango for a place in the final with Segun Abijo, a 5-2, 1-5, 10-7 winner over Femi George.

The other semifinal clash is between Bamidele Oshiga as he bested Yemi Lashore 5-0, 5-1 and Emmanuel Anikebe, who upturned a first set loss to beat Emeka Azinge 2-5, 5-3, 10-6.

In the Veteran Singles, Innocent Ihebuzor bagged a 6-0, 6-3 win against Walter Jibunor and will meet Mike Eboigbe who beat Olaleye Olowe 6-2, 4-6, 10-6.

Zenith Bank Managing Director, Peter Amagbo expressed satisfaction at the standard of the tournament which has eight titles in seven categories.

Amangbo, who featured in the tournament, where he puts up an impressive outing beating Gbenga Olatubosun before he was edged

by Azinge in the latter stage, says he is looking up to colourful and exciting grand finale on Sunday.

Lagos State World Cup Viewing Centres Kick off Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said the state government has opened viewing centres across the state for Lagosians to watch live football action from the ongoing Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

The viewing centres were opened to fans on Thursday, for the opening ceremony as well as the opening match between the hosts, Russia and Saudi Arabia. The centres will run till the end of the World Cup on Sunday, July 15.

The Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Adedayo Tandoh, said the viewing centres are set up at the following locations: Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Campos Mini Stadium Lagos Island, Abesan Estate, Alimosho, Naval Yard Ajegunle, Bishop Aggrey School Mushin and Epe Recreation Centre.

According to Tandoh, entry into the viewing centres is free.

"The government has made adequate provisions for medical coverage, security, traffic control and general sanitation at all the viewing centres. A Public Liability Insurance Cover is also in place covering the six centres for the period of the World Cup. "Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who is a member of the federal government's delegation to the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup finals, wants Lagosians to have a feel of football action in the ongoing World Cup and he believes the viewing centres will also serve as fun and relaxation spots for the people,�

Tandoh said.

34

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀

Lopetegui

2018 World Cup: Tears, Regret for Lopetegui after Sack

'I

'd like to leave this press conference now because it's like we're at a funeral, but we're starting a World Cup tomorrow, which is a fantastic event." That's how Spain captain Sergio Ramos attempted to put a full stop on a turbulent week for his national team in the Black Sea city of Sochi.

The remark was perfect in its delivery but perhaps suspect in its timing.

Timing, as it happens, has been a key issue in the Spain camp all week, so it felt somehow appropriate that Julen Lopetegui, the manager sacked on Wednesday for negotiating with Real Madrid without the Spanish Football Federation's knowledge, was being presented to the media by his new club just 60 minutes later.

By Thursday, everyone had had a night's sleep since Lopetegui's dismissal, but there was still regret.

The man himself was tearful as he was unveiled at the Bernabeu alongside his wife and three children and, as Ramos and new Spain interim boss Fernando Hierro also faced a packed press room 3,000 miles from Madrid, the feeling persisted that all this could have been avoided.

With their opening match against Portugal just over 24 hours away, there were broad smiles as Hierro and Ramos walked in, conspiratorial whispers with the microphone nudged down and again the message was repeated: "It's time to put it behind us."

Only three weeks ago, Hierro was smiling in a different room, again in front of the cameras as he praised Lopetegui - a manager unbeaten in his 20 matches leading one of the game's most exciting groups of players, and who had just signed a new contract up to 2020.

After the series of extraordinary events that has unfolded within the Spanish camp this week, Hierro is now the new leader of a team that says it is moving on but must be damaged by what is a mess of more than one man's making.

Who you identify as villain in this story might depend on your point of view. But the key element is Real's announcement on Tuesday that Lopetegui would take charge of the European champions after the World Cup. That in itself would not have been a problem, but it became one when it emerged Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, learned the news only five minutes before it was made public.

When Rubiales explained his decision to fire Lopetegui on Wednesday, reportedly on three hours' sleep after talks ran late into the night, he still looked angry, even though his words were restrained. He had flown in from Moscow, where he was attending the Fifa congress, to the team's base in Krasnodar.

In the Russian capital, he had received a phone call from Madrid. The story goes that he asked them to delay, he tried to reach Lopetegui but couldn't, and then saw the news go live.

A shock apapointment so surprising that Spanish sports newspaper Marca told its Twitter followers: "No, we're not making this up."

The other side of the story is told by Madrid president Florentino Perez, who on Thursday claimed Rubiales had acted "out of pride" and "disrespected Real Madrid".

Having dismissed his national team's manager on the eve of the World Cup, Rubiales praised Lopetegui's "impeccable work" but repeated several times: "No-one is beyond the rules."

The 51-year-old was sacked because he had gone behind the back of the Spanish FA. He accepted a job he may have judged impossible to turn down and the manner in which it played out, in Rubiales' eyes, made it impossible for him to continue.

Here in Sochi, sandwiched between snow-capped mountains and the blue Black Sea, fan opinion seems to be split.

Some side with Rubiales and his message: "This is the national team, this is not the way things should be done here."

Some cannot forgive Rubiales for a lack of flexibility when pragmatism might have harmed the team less.

Lopetegui brought fine performances in qualification. Some argue sacking him weakens the team more than keeping him on, despite what might be considered incorrect behaviour. But none of the fans I have spoken to believe Madrid and their president Perez acted correctly.

I met Manolo, the iconic Spanish football supporter who has been banging his drum at every World Cup since 1982. "The whole thing is so regrettable," he said. "It's clear to see who is at fault - Real Madrid and

Conoil Urges Super Eagles to Unite Nigerians As the Super Eagles step out on June 16, 2018 in Russia to fly the nation’s colours at the biggest and most glamorous global football fiesta, the FIFA World Cup, Conoil has implored the team to work assiduously to make Nigerians proud and foster the nation’s unity with a win in their opening match against Croatia.

Noting that nothing unites Nigerians more than football, the oil marketing company joined millions of Nigerians across the globe to drum support for

the team while urging them to seize the unique occasion to serve their fatherland with all their might by creating a lasting impression with their performance at the tournament.

In a statement to celebrate the Super Eagles, the company recalled: “Your journey and qualification has been long, tough and tasking. The road, bumpy and rough. But your doggedness and fighting spirit to go the extra mile for your dear country has kept you going.

Keep going the extra mile, your success and ours as a united nation is assured.�

While expressing optimism in the ability of the Super Eagles to make the nation and Africa proud, the company seized the moment to celebrate every Nigerian that has gone the extra mile to make the nation great. “Despite all the odds�, it noted, “the nation has grown stronger and today, it’s heart-warming to celebrate that true winning spirit in our dear Super Eagles.�

Lopetegui. Rubiales did the right thing."

Rubiales would not say whether the players agreed with his decision. Since it was made, some have tweeted messages of unity.

Nonetheless, on Thursday, whispery leaks of uncertain provenance spoke of a supposed altercation between Ramos and Rubiales, with Gerard Pique the apparent peacemaker stepping in.

The closest Ramos - the man who will presumably captain Real Madrid under Lopetegui next season - came to addressing those rumours was to say of the past few days: "It has been a very sensitive time, and yes it made some of us feel a bit sad. But I can promise you, problems are also opportunities to grow into and this will make us stronger, more united."

As for Lopetegui, he was already back in the Spanish capital, in another room of spectacle and scrutiny as he was presented to the media as Zinedine Zidane's successor.

He is the new manager of Spain's most popular team, a club many among the journalists present here believe has undermined the national team at close to the worst possible time.

Lopetegui was supported loudly by those present in Madrid as he posed for photos on stage.

"I would have liked Rubiales to have done things differently," he said. "Since the death of my mother, yesterday was the saddest day of my life but today is the happiest."

Applause came from what was clearly a partisan audience. But the biggest reaction came after the final exchange: Would the same thing have happened to you if it hadn't been Real Madrid? The answer, left hanging: "That's a good question."

His replacement then: Hierro. In Spanish his name means 'iron'. An ex-Real Madrid centre-back, a former Spain captain with 89 caps, an icon for club and country, he ended his playing career at Sam Allardyce's Bolton in 2005 and, now 50 years old, has just been given his second job in management.

He resigned from his first in June last year, having missed out on promotion with Spanish second division side Real Oviedo. He was also Carlo Ancelotti's assistant manager for the 2014-15 season at Madrid, and he has spent years working for the national team behind the scenes.

͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

35

GLOBAL SOCCER\\OTHER SPORTS 2018 World Cup in Pictures ‌ 2018 World Cup in Pictures 2018 World Cup in Pictures 2018 World Cup in Pictures 2018 World Cup in Pictures 2018 World Cup in Pictures

Mats Hummels of Germany jokes with his team mate, Thomas Mueller, during the Germany training session ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup at CSKA Sports Base Vatutinki

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and teammates applaud fans after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Portugal and Spain at Fisht Stadium

Abdullah Almuaiouf of Saudi Arabia makes a save from Fedor Smolov of Russia, during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium

Jose Gimenez of Uruguay celebrates after scoring his team's ďŹ rst goal, during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A match between Egypt and Uruguay at Ekaterinburg Arena Yekaterinburg

Sergio Busquets of Spain and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal clash during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group B match between Portugal and Spain at Fisht Stadium

Russian fans show their support prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium

Fans of Mexico cheer during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at FIFA Fans Fest Moscow

Russia captain Igor Akinfeev shakes hands and exchanges pendants with Saudi Arabia captain Osama Hawsawi prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium

36

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜

FAIRGROUND

Moet & Chandon Grand Day Party

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

T

he crème de la crème came out to celebrate and toast to life, love, friendship, small and big moments alike at the MoÍt and Chandon Grand Day which held at Twin Waters Rooftop in Lekki, Lagos.

The MoĂŤt Grand Day celebration held in over 80 countries and was as glamourous as expected. In Lagos, over 600 guests came together under one roof to share their joyful vibes with the whole world.

The celebrations started with an exclusive and grandiose brunch attended by a star-studded guest list including Rita Dominic, Waje, Mai Atafo, Udoka Oyeka, OC Ukeje, Ini Dinma Okojie, Ikechukwu, Beverley Naya, Eyinnaya Nwigwe, Ireti Doyle and Nancy Isime among others.

The MoĂŤt Grand Day was all about showcasing of grand acts and unexpected experiences from the unending brunch table to the loads of towering champagne pyramids and the hourly toast which began during the brunch and was led by Rita Dominic. Fast rising Saxophonist, Tolazee and pianist Samson serenaded the guests with melodious notes as ballet dancers wowed the guests with a spectacular performance. “MoĂŤt & Chandon is a symbol of glamour and grandeur and what we wanted people to experience during MoĂŤt Grand Day was the magic of champagne. A combination of our ‘savoir-faire’ (know-how) with our own art of the fĂŞte (party) to perfect a unique ‘savoir-fĂŞte’ has made MoĂŤt & Chandon the top choice for celebrating life’s big and small moments,â€? said Elizabeth Oputa, Manager of Champagne Portfolio at MoĂŤt Hennessy in Nigeria.

The brunch flowed into the day party as guests dressed in white with a touch of magic. Highlights of the day party included carnival dancers who held the guests spell-bound in their stand out feathers and intricate dance routines.

Hourly toasts were made by select influencers and socialites with MoĂŤt Ice Imperial.

There were lots of unexpected moments.

Guests had an opportunity to experience for the first time in Lagos, champagne-flavoured frozen yoghurt courtesy of Sweet Kiwi and champagneinfused popcorn. MUD Beauty added an extra touch of magic to guests’ appearance using glitters and stones to make beautiful patterns on their faces. A fireworks display ushered in the night party with MoÍt & Chandon Nectar Imperial at the forefront.

The penthouse was transformed into a subtle night club ambience with a Nectar blue coloured mood. Guests were treated to music and canapĂŠs as the hourly toasts continued.

Over 600 guests were treated to a day of pomp and pageantry as they celebrated, danced and captured memorable moments made possible by MoĂŤt & Chandon.

Ikechukwu

Elizabethpam

Ukeje

Lanre Dasilva Ajayi and Rita Dominic at the event

Waje, Natasha and Enyinna Nwigwe

Linda Ikeji TV Makes History with 10,000 Paid Subscribers in 3 Days

F

amous Nigerian blogger and media mogul, Linda Ikeji finally launched her much talked about Television platform, Linda Ikeji TV (LiTV) on Friday, June 8, 2018 and surprised many pundits as more than 10,000 people have already paid and subscribed to the new online platform in just three days.

This is a big feat for the new online platform. In a world where many online TV subscription platforms are dying or growth stunted, Linda Ikeji has proven that she is not just the queen of blogging but the would soon be queen of online

TV in Nigeria and Africa.

The former model has made it clear that she intends to be a force to reckon with in Nigeria and Africa’s media landscape.

The launch of the new platform has put Linda Ikeji’s media empire a step ahead of the lot, even the ones that have existed long before her. The platform is billed to debut on cable network, DSTV and on other international cable platforms soon as well.

The newly launched Linda Ikeji TV debuted as an online streaming service that is accessible via web, Android playstore and iOS. Anyone with a device

and internet connection can have access to all the carefully designed top notch content on the platform.

LiTV is hoping to be the leader in African online content. On the channel, subscribers now have access to recent and blockbuster movies, series, dramas, documentaries, comedy shows, and one-of-a-kind reality shows. The platform will serve as a one stop shop for all entertainment content in Nigeria and Africa.

The online streaming service charge users on a monthly and yearly subscription fee to watch all the amazing content they have available.

37

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜

FAIRGROUND

Ortom’s Wife Graces Maiden Edition of ‘Inspire the Lady Project’

W

ife of Benue State Governor, Mrs. Eunice Ortom was among dignitaries at the “First Inspire the Lady Project� which was put together by Love Idoko, the renowned motivational and inspirational speaker.

The event aims to Coach, mentor and inspire ladies/women to maximise their potential and increase their capability and ability held at the Dream Centre Markurdi, the Benue State Capital.

Mrs. Ortom, while addressing the gathering, expressed optimism that the project would serve as a vehicle that would help ladies take their destiny into their own hands and do what was right.

She also identified mentorship as a key element which offered crucial knowledge and skills to the beneficiary to make him or her useful in a chosen field of interest.

Mrs. Ortom described the convener of the event, Idoko, as an inspiration and a shining example to others, especially those who humbly imbibe what they had learnt under her tutelage.

Further ommending the convener and founder of “Inspire the Lady Project� for her desire to reposition and inspire other ladies, Mrs. Ortom appealed to individuals, corporate organisations and government to support the idea, pointing out that if properly handled, it would become the proverbial mustard seed that would birth great business women in the near future in Benue State.

Other Guests and keynote speakers at the opening session included Evang Lydia Idoko, President Faith Women Fellowship Ministries Int’l. Hon Ngunan Addingi, a member of Benue State House of Assembly, Pst Abel Uloko, Resident Pastor House on the Rock Makurdi and Arch. Nguvan Kyenge, CEO Lush Events.

Love Idoko handled the second session

L-R: Nguvan Kyenge, Hon. Ngunan Addingi, member Benue State House of Assembly, Founder Activate Success Int’l foundation, Love Idoko with the First Lady of Benue State, Her Excellency Dr Eunice Ortom, Evang Lydia Idoko, president Faith Women Fellowship Ministries Int’l, Pst Abel Uloko. Resident Pst House on the Rock Makurdi at the ďŹ rst INSPIRE THE LADY PROJECT organised by Love Idoko

with a mind blowing presentation she captioned “10 Things I Wish Every Lady Knew! “. It was an incredible experience as all the ladies were inspired and challenged

to maximise their potential.

One of the high point of the event was empowering ladies with funds to support their business Ideas. This empowerment was

made possible by Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, a member of House of Representatives.

The event was powered by Love Idoko’s Activate Success Int’l Foundation.

Rubyplus Africa Holds 2018 Teen Development Summit

R

ubyplus Africa, a media and publishing firm, whose main goal is to champion the course of African teenagers brought together schools from the South-West region of Nigeria for its maiden edition of the Teen Development Summit.

The Summit tagged “redefining the future of the next generation by the next generation� aimed at bringing the teenagers together to deliberate on issues ranging from moral decadence to drug abuse, teen prostitution, teen pregnancy, social media addiction, government negligence and many more.

The event was moderated by Bisola Bello and attended by several secondary schools, including Royal Kriston College, Great Cambridge High School, Avital College, Royal

College and Tonia International College.

While the summit was a medium for the teenagers to air their unfiltered opinion through discussion of problems affecting them, it was also a competition with the winner going home with a cash prize of N100,000.

Following a three-hour session, Joshua Kumasi from Avital College, Surulere emerged the winner with Elue Princess from Royal Kriston College, Mushin and Isiah Prosper from Great Cambridge High School, Okota coming second and third place respectively.

Notable dignitaries in attendance included Public Enlightenment Unit Officer of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mr. Fredrick Okoh and Mr. Ogunbiyi Isreal from the Ministry of Education.

NIMASA Distributes Relief Materials to IDPs

T

he Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has commenced the distribution of relief materials to victims of insurgency and other violent crimes in parts of the country as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

So far, relief materials have been distributed to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Abuja, Suleija and Lagos.

Commencing the distribution at the IDP camp in Durumi, Abuja, the Director General Dr. Dakuku Peterside called on other well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to continue to support the

IDPs, noting that the displaced persons must be made to have a sense of belonging even in their most challenging times.

Represented by the Director of Special Duties in the Agency, Hajia Lami Tumaka, the DG acknowledged efforts of the Nigerian government, organisations, individuals and international donor partners for being supportive to victims of insurgency.

He said that as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility approved by the Governing Board, NIMASA would in the following days distribute relief materials to some IDP camps in 11 states in the country.

According to Peterside, “We are distributing relief materials to some IDP camps in 11

states in the federation to persons affected by insurgency and violent crimes in order to ameliorate their sufferings�.

The NIMASA DG expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigerian security agencies to restore peace to the troubled areas and resettle the IDPs in their communities.

The team was also in Suleja, Niger State where relief materials were distributed to IDPs, many of whom fled from the North East in the heat of the insurgency.

In Lagos, the NIMASA team led by the Head of the Financial Services Department, Mrs. Olamide Odusanya was received by officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) at their

office in Ikeja.

The Director of Operations, Mr. Femi Giwa thanked the management of NIMASA for its show of solidarity in alleviating the suffering of IDPs in the state, assuring that Lagos was committed to the well being of Lagosians and was prepared to partner NIMASA to advance this course.

Materials distributed at the camps included mattresses, mats, diapers, toiletries and food items like rice, garri, flour, noodles, baby food and maize amongst others.

The remaining states to be visited by NIMASA include Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Benue and Rivers. Others are Cross River, Edo and Bayelsa states.

38

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚͞, 2018

TEENS CONNECT

the magazine for teenagers

with NKECHI IBENEME (08142358958) teensconnectmag@gmail.com

From Me To You

Failure Can be Your Friend

I

By, Ololade Ajekigbe

t’s at the top of our prayer point list – Failure be gone! Nobody wants to be associated with failure. A word that is synonymous for everything bad, everything that spells defeat and rejection and an inability to succeed. No one likes to fail. I certainly don’t. However, I strongly believe that failure can prove to be an ally contrary to what we think. I believe the reason most people fear to fail is not even due to the sinking feeling that accompanies it, neither is it the psychological setback it can induce. Rather, it’s all about the fear of what other people would think. How they would view us under the scrutiny of their myopic lenses.

It may be sitting for the same exam time and again, and being unable to pass it for some inexplicable reason. You who were once called “Senior� are now being mocked the same juniors who accorded you respect only yesterday.

Failure rattles us to our very core. It makes us question ourselves. It elicits crippling self-doubt and can lead to depression if deliberate eorts are not made to curb the gloomy feeling. I have failed a couple of times in life, and I know that feeling all too well.

A particularly frustrating one was a 100 level Chemistry course I had to retake twice before I could pass. I understood why I didn’t pass it the ďŹ rst time – I simply had no idea what it was all about. With the overcrowded lecture hall drowning out the voice of the lecturer, his words always sounded like Greek to me, coupled with the complex

nature of the subject.

But, the second time I sat for the exam and failed yet again, I had no clue why.

Maybe I underrated the course. Maybe I had a defeatist mentality, whatever. Bottom line was I had failed it again, and had to retake it (and continue retaking it if it need be) if I planned to fulďŹ ll my dreams of being a University graduate.

So I sat for the exam again in my ďŹ nal year. And. I. Passed. I did well, well above average. I had to pass it. I didn’t intend to spend an extra second than I had to in school after spending six years studying a ďŹ ve-year course, no thanks to incessant lecturers’ strike.

My ďŹ nal year project was another point of struggle for me. After all the bottlenecks and stress involved in sourcing materials to execute the project, getting it approved and eventually kicking it o, things went terribly wrong, and I was forced to jettison the entire project and begin a fresh process all over again. And this time around, it was a race against time as I was behind schedule.

It was grueling. My once chubby physique began to emaciate. Most people didn’t believe me when I attributed my drastic weight loss to the unrelenting demands of my project. There had to be more to it they maintained. Again, at the end of the day, I was able to surmount all the challenges I faced with the project and successfully saw it to an end.

We have been told over and over again that failure is not something we should be associated with, but I dare say a life without failure is uninspiring. Imagine looking back when you are 75 years old, and realizing that everything has been smooth sailing

Blow the whistle‌ Whenever W henever case cases of domestic violence, violence, sexual abuse or abuse of any o kkind happens to yyou or anyone you kknow, please, you dial d ial this t number: **6820# 6820 to report it immed immediately.

TalktoJudy Hi guys! My name is Judy. I am here to share your problems with you. Trust me to proffer solutions to those mind boggling problems you wouldn’t dare share with friends, siblings, parents or anyone else.

A lot of people; teenagers alike, hurt secretly with problems they can’t discuss openly for fear of being judged. You may hide your identity if you wish, but do write in and let’s discuss that problem. It is not healthy to bottle up problems. Moreover, problems shared are problems half solved.

Or, you think no one cares? I do care!

I will be here every week to help you solve that problem. But, I can’t, if you don’t talk about it, so do write in. you never know, what you call a problem may just be a normal growing up experience. *****Send your mails to: teensconnectmag@gmail.com. Subject: Dear Judy.

You can also like our facebook page: www.facebook.com/teensconnectmag.

Or visit our website: www.teensconnectmag.

throughout the course of your life. What personal lessons would you have learnt?

What unique experiences would you draw from? What would the story of your life sound like?

I know some people may reply with “I don’t have to learn or draw experiences from my own failure, I can always learn from other peoples’â€? The truth is that there are certain life tests we can only appreciate when we experience them ďŹ rsthand. The journey through the storm, the discomfort and pain and ultimate triumph.

Failure shows us that we are fallible. It pushes us to try harder and demonstrate a strength that we would never have known we possessed had we not been jolted out of our comfort zone. It is a propeller, an eye-opener and an opportunity to gain more knowledge. Failure is a challenge.

Personally, I make sure to ďŹ nd ways to turn my failures into success. I never shy away from them even though the journey is never pleasant. It’s my way of “taking my power back.â€? For the few exams I have failed I made sure to rewrite and pass them, whether I would need them in the future or not.

For every rejection mail I have received from organizers of writing competitions or publishers, I make sure to keep sending my pieces to even more prestigious ones.

And guess what? I have had a few success stories in this regard too.

I am not happy when I fail at anything.

Anything at all, but I never allow the temporary setback to derail or stop me from trudging on in pursuit of my goals. I may cry, sulk for a while and even suer mild depression, but I always, always come back

stronger and better. It’s the reason I liken myself to the Phoenix.

What excites me the most about failing and ďŹ nding the courage to make a success out of a seemingly bad situation is the fact that I’m going to have solid insights and stories to share with my children, and hopefully grandchildren when the time comes.

I will not be sharing only what I learnt from other people’s failures, I will be telling them my own “raw and uncut� truths about the unpleasant journeys I have navigated and how I came out victorious at the end of the day.

I’m not about to launch into examples of famous men and women in history who turned their failures around and became hugely celebrated successes all over the world, but, you see, as long as you don’t throw your hands up in the air and resign to defeat, failure is only a detour.

It’s not such a bad thing after all. Ëž ÖÙÖËÎĂ? Ă”Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă‘ĂŒĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă‹ ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂŒĂ–Ă™Ă‘Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ăž ÒʾÚË?˚˚ååå˛ÖÙÖÙĂ?ÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?Ë›Ă?Ùײ Ă?Ăœ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– ÚÖËÞĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞã Ă™Ă? ĂŒĂ‹ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜Ë›

The Blind Prisoner There were 3 prisoners in the King’s dungeon. Two of them had perfect vision but the third prisoner was completely blind.

One day the King gathered the prisoners together and said to them, “I have 5 hats. 2 of the hats are black and 3 are white. I will blindfold each of you and then put one of the hats on each of your heads. I will then put the remaining two hats in another room. Next, I will remove your blindfolds. At this point you may look at your fellow prisoners but may not speak to them. The person that can tell me the color of the hat on his head will go free. Do not insult me by guessing, however, for if you guess and are wrong, you shall be executed.�

The hats were then placed on the prisoners’ heads and the blindfolds were removed.

The King then spoke to the first prisoner, a fully sighted man. “What is the color of the hat on your head� The prisoner looked around carefully but finally, not wanting to risk death by guessing, said that he did not know.

The King then spoke to the second prisoner, the other fully sighted man. “What is the color of the hat on your head� This prisoner also looked carefully at the hats upon the heads of the other two prisoners, but finally admitted that he also did not know.

At this point the King turned and began to walk away, assuming that the third prisoner who was blind could not know possibly the answer to the riddle.

But then the blind man spoke. “Excuse me, my lord,� he said, “but I am certain my hat is white.�

Surprised, the King turned around. He saw that the blind man was correct and ordered him to be freed at once.

How did the blind prisoner know the color of his hat?

Lookout for the answer next week.

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JUNE 16, 2018 Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

STAR TEEN Meet Ezequiel Pereira, the Teenager Who Got $36, 000 from Bug Hunting win; “It feels really good — I’m glad that I found something that was so important,� he said.

Ezequiel got his first computer when he was 10, took an initial programming class when he was 11 and then spent years teaching himself different coding languages and techniques. In 2016, he won a coding contest in his home country of Uruguay and was flown by Google to its California head office to be honoured.

The teenager, who turns 19 in August, is currently studying Computer Engineering at the University of the Republic (A public University) in his hometown of Montevideo, Uruguay. He ended up in the school

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

after the over twenty schools he applied to for scholarship in the US turned down his offer.

Nonetheless, he is saving up a chunk of his winnings towards getting a Masters degree in Computer Security but also spares a part of it for helping his mother pay the bills and occasionally hanging out with friends.

None of his close friends have ever submitted a bug of their own, though he tries to encourage them to give it a shot. “They’re interested but they don’t think they know enough,� he said. “But I always tell them just to try! Anyone can learn these things.�

“

When he’s finished with his homework and doesn’t feel like hanging out with friends or watching videos, he’ll whip out his computer and start hunting. Ezequiel is now ranked at number 12 in Google’s Hall of Fame for its bug hunters program.

Tech Companies say that if they encourage security researchers to test their systems for money, they have a better chance of staving off bad actors. Google doled out $2.9 million to 274 different researchers last year, with a top award of $112,500. t 4PVSDF $/#$

“

Ezequiel Pereira is an 18 year old Uruguayan who just got rewarded $36,000

by Google through its ‘Vulnerability Reward Program’ for exposing a security flaw which would have allowed him make changes to internal company systems.

This cash award makes it the fifth of such awards the teenager would be receiving from Google for bug detection.

Just a month before he turned 17 in 2006, Ezequiel made his first accepted bug discovery, which earned him $500. After that, he turned in another $5,000, then, $7,500 another $10,000 and now, $36,000 – his biggest so far.

The teen was super excited over his

“Most achievers I know are people who have made a strong and deep dedication to pursuing a particular goal. That dedication took a tremendous amount of eortâ€?

– DONALD JOHANSON

CALLING FOR ARTICLES

Are you a talented teenage writer? Here’s an opportunity to showcase your work to the world.

Do you have any of the following: Short Stories, Poems, Illustrations, Riddles and Jokes which you would like us to publish on this page? Send them to: teensconnectmag@gmail.com with your passport photograph and please, state your age.

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͹;˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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EXPRESSION/VINTAGE

MEDIAGAFFES

Dates, Not Dated, Back To‌

EBERE WABARA

"T

HESE 17 luxury cars and SUVs of the former governor which will make any Arabian Sheik grin (green or green with envy) are parked in his GRA Jos adopted

home. “The actual name of the person expected to chairman (chair/preside over) this occasion is‌.â€?

Wrong: atimes; right: at times (two words) “Those who have the power to release the suspect but are passing the bulk (buck) to the courts should be informed that it is against the national interest to refuse to release‌.â€? “The former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, explained that it was not the first time that banks would be liquidated and that the history of bank failure in the country dated (dates) back to 1958 or 1959.â€? Note: dates back to or dates back from is a stock expression. “In reaction to the leaflets being circulated, the Kano State Commissioner of Police‌ made a radio and television broadcast telling the people to ignore the leaflets which he described as the handiwork of mischieve (mischief) makers.â€? Special note: makebelieve (not make-belief). “When the storm rages, men can do nothing about the storm, but when the storm has seized (ceased), its destruction can be redressed.â€?

Theoretical linguists, curriculum experts and “educationalists� (educationists or educators), working together or separately, have been busy putting forward suggestions for language education reform. Note especially: “educationalist�, like “unwieldy� or “invitee� or “indisciplined�, is not in any respected dictionary. These comic words were invented

by Nigerians. “Armed robbers again jolted the commer-

cial city of Lagos last week Friday (last Friday/ Last Friday week or on Friday, last week).� “Students write exams half naked (half dressed/half clothed/half covered or half clad, or naked/bare to the waist).�

The Guardian of May 14 fumbled two times: “The United States has donated a whooping (whopping) N995 billion to the Multinational Joint Task Force to boost military operations against the Boko Haram insurgency, the U.S. government has said.� Conscience, Nurtured

by Truth: no whooping cough, please “Also, the Presidency has pledged to garner the necessary investments to improve the wheeling capacity of the nation’s transmission infrastructure.� Would it have been ‘unnecessary’ investments?

Still on THE GUARDIAN under focus: “He said that is (was) why he would come back to salvage the state and rescue it to put it back to realize it’s (its) pride of place as he left it in 2015 and go even beyond that.â€? “Cash and carry (Cash-and-carry) democracy, bane of Nigeria’s developmentâ€? “Falana supports Soyinka’s objections on (to) Sexual Offences Billâ€? “Train to become a certified child care personnel (official)â€? ‘Personnel’ is a collective noun. “In other jurisdiction (another jurisdiction or other jurisdictions), you don’t just file for the sake of filing, you can’t just take a matter for the sake of taken (taking) it.â€? “We therefore regret any inconveniences this might cause our esteem (esteemed) distributors. This announcement is ordered by Tiens Group—Nigeria.â€? “NDIC boss charges corps members on bank saving (bank-saving) cultureâ€? â€œâ€Śand newly-elected officials sworn-in (sworn in) at the federal and state levels‌.â€?

Phrasal verbs abhor hyphenation. “Oil swap (Oil-swap) contracts: AITEO not front for Jonathan, Alison-Madueke—Spokesperson� Except if the headline caster meant that oil was swapping contracts!

BY

“Jigawa council chairmen pledge support to (for) APC govtâ€? “I wish you many more years in good health and prosperity, to further your accomplishments to (in) journalism and humanity (service to humanity, you mean?)â€? “I and my wife, Lady (My wife, Lady‌and I‌.) Etymological sequence is critical to good writing. “Use of made-in Nigerian (Nigeria) cars by Mr. President (Buhari) will lift auto industryâ€? “Tribunal will recover Abia stolen mandate, APGA chieftain assuresâ€? Who did the chieftain assure? “Soyinka laments Chibok girls (girls’) continued captivityâ€? (THE NATION ON SUNDAY, May 20) THE NATION ON SUNDAY of May 13 comes up next with the following errors: “Dangote commissions (inaugurates/auspicates/launches, et al) $500 million cement plant in Ethiopiaâ€? “Buhari to flag off (inaugurate) super highway in Cross Riverâ€? “First and foremost, you must look at the PDP; they mismanaged their victory and haven (having) mismanaged the victory‌.â€? “The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria‌played very prominent roles during the electioneering campaigns that ushered in the new administration.â€? ‘Electioneering’ and ‘campaigns’ cannot co-exist in the same lexical environment as the former encompasses the latter.

From THE NATION ON SUNDAY of May 6 issues the next set of diseased lines: “Ekweremadu: Igbos (Igbo) right to vote for PDPâ€? “On the occasion of your birthday anniversary‌.â€? For the umpteenth time, ‘birthday’ and ‘anniversary’ cannot co-function. ‘Birthday’ is the anniversary/commemoration of one’s birth.

It seems to me that colleagues of the pen either do not read our Wordsworth or they are simply lazy in the head. Now, in whose pool of blood is a person shot or stabbed to death

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

supposed to lie?

The import of my intervention with regard to the word “decampment�, published in Wordsworth of June 7, appears to have been missed, judging from an undeserved stinging feedback a week later. Granted the word is listed as a noun derived from “decamp� (word not in dispute) in a few dictionaries, it is not a substitute or synonym for “defection� which the concerned writer meant. Longman (Contemporary English), Oxford Advanced Learner’s and Chambers are some standard dictionaries and are not meant for us in the nursery school. The phrase “available to me� was my honest submission. So, it is regrettable that a lofty and highly interactive portal such as Wordsworth is being turned to a platform for hurling abuses and insults at other contributors.

Take note that the old, grammatical rule that “one� must be followed by “one� and its parts –“one, one’s, oneself�, has changed. The feeling that the repetition of “one� - - - one’s (e.g.

One must do what one can to ensure one’s family a decent standard of living) makes for a stilted style has now led to the permissible shift from “one, one’s� to “he, his� (e.g. One must do what he can to ensure his family a decent standard of living).

In general, a shift in the number or nature of pronouns is undesirable, but this particular shift is established usage. Examples: When one is in power and things go his way in highly competitive elections, his first task is to fight his own mentality. Perhaps one has gone to the university where he has been given the wrong orientation that his degree is an opportunity to reach for the skies just like that.

One could be said to hate himself if he lacks self–confidence in his abilities.

Every user of the language, particularly every journalist or communicator, must keep abreast of the current changes—the dynamics—in the language.

Dotun Babayemi

Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă—Ă™ ĂŒĂ‹ ÙÞĂ&#x;Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŒĂ‹ĂŁĂ?Ă—Ă“ ÞËÕĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ÖÙÞĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Þ˛ Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă— Ă?ËÓÞÒĂ?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÞÒĂ? ͚͚͸ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? ÞÒËÞ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Þ˛ Femi Ogbonnikan ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?

T

his year’s Ramadan may have ended, but the memories of the kind gesture by a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Omo Oba Dotun Babayemi, will for a long time remain fresh in the minds of inhabitants of the various communities spread across Osun West Senatorial District.

For many of them living in the Senatorial District, comprising 10 local governments, the tour of all the 110 wards in the district by Babayemi, not only raised their hope that they have not been forgotten, but also provided an opportunity to rub minds with him on their needs.

From the far flung villages under Ikire town, to the border communities in Iwo Local Government, and less rural settlements across Egbedore Local Government, the Gbongan-born Prince and his team, moved from one village to another, one town to another, and traversed all the wards in the West Senatorial, preaching message of love, hope and presenting residents with gifts.

The two weeks visit to all wards by Babayemi and his team began on Friday, 25th May in Ejigbo Local Government. All Central Mosques in Ede, Ejigbo and Egbedore, on that day, after Jumat prayer, were visited and presented with gifts.

Also, on the same day, six wards in Ejigbo Local Government were visited.

According to findings, this year’s Ramadan period ward tour by Babayemi and his team makes it the fourth edition of such tour during the Holy Month by the politician.

The visit, though coming during the month-long Ramadan fast, was not only to solidarize with the Muslims, but also afforded Babayemi an opportunity to rub minds with the people of the Osun West and observe closely what their needs are.

Reminiscing on his experience during the visits to the

Babayemi (middle) in the midst of supporters wards in Egbedore, Babayemi said: “A few things stood out for me, the number of women that are politically active in our district, their concern for their children was heartwarming and enlightening. “It was an opportunity to listen and understand expectations of those who desire to represent them. It

was awesome to engage at the grassroots. It has been a most humbling experience. I am grateful to God for this opportunity.�

With notes taken by Babayemi during the visits, he is definitely more equipped now to undertake and successfully deliver on any major political assignment.

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FASHION FILE

The Eden Collection

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀ BĂŁ Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

The Eden Collection:

T

his seductive collection for the summer is made from velvets, lace and organza fabrics infused with hand embroidery stitches details. Omowunmi’s Eden collection has the perfect outfits for your up-coming summer events.

Outfits by @omowunmistore Twitter: Omowunmistore

Facebook: Omowunmi Store Photography: @kosolonwudinjor Styling: @omowunmiak Creative direction: @omowunmiak Makeup: Elizabeth and Ayo for @ zaroncosmetics Hair: @Sylviahair, @ferdinardshair Shoes: @poloavenue Models: @omowunmiak, @Officialosas, @isabellavita_, @kwinnfiona

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... ͸΀͚ͽͽ͚͚͝΀Ϳ͟

Head, Services and Technology, Union Bank, Nath Ude; Director, Quality Management Systems, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Engr. (Mrs.) Oluremi Ayeni; Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa and Group Head, Quality Management Systems, SON, Engr. (Mrs.) Obiageli Egbuciem, at the Bank’s ISO 9001:2015 certificate presentation ceremony in Lagos recently

11 year old Oluwalayomi Ogungbe ,a year 7 student of Greensprings Anthony School bagged the Nigerian Social Media Personality of the Year Award at the Nigerian Child Summit Award held at Oriental Hotels in Lagos recently

Komputer Village Magazine to Showcase Nigeria’s Technology Market The Nigerian media space is set to witness a new entrant, Komputer Village Magazine, a publication dedicated to promoting Nigeria’s largest technology market, Computer Village.

Technology Times Media Limited (TTML), owners of Technology Times, and iSpace Magazine announced that the monthly magazine is the latest addition to its print, digital, internet and events properties focused on promoting Nigeria’s rising contributions to the global information and communication technology (ICT) industry.

Founder of Technology Times, Mr. Shina Badaru, stated during a courtesy visit to Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN),

the umbrella body of the market that the publication fills a needed gap to showcase and promote entrepreneurship, innovation and consumer technology trends from inside the largest technology market, located in Ikeja, Lagos.

He said: “We are pleased to launch a fully dedicated publication that showcases the very best of Computer Village, which is the hub of a thriving technology SME ecosystem that shapes and defines consumer technology trends across Nigeria, West Africa and beyond. The publication will be available in hybrid of print and digital issues to be distributed across Nigeria, Africa and beyond.�

Badaru stated that the magazine was on a mission to be the storyteller that positively

MTN Tours Lagos Streets, Sensitises on Wellness

VDT Supports Digital African Conference

As part of activities lined up for this year’s ‘21 Days of Y’ello Care’ initiative, a telecommunication company, MTN Nigeria has taken to Lagos streets to enlighten Nigerians on rhesus factor as well as situations leading to child mortality.

The staff of the company in their yellow T-shirt, walked in droves along the streets of Lagos Island as they engaged motorists, passersby, hawkers and others in a faceto-face health interaction. Fliers were also distributed as others entertained onlookers with their elegant dancing steps to drive home their messages.

According to the company, its health focus this year was prompted by high child mortality rate and the need to promote awareness on rhesus incompatibility.

Medics say that rhesus factor is a protein that can be found on the surface of red blood cells; the presence of this protein means one is RH positive, the absence means RH negative, and consequently rhesus incompatibility raises problems during pregnancy.

The Y’ello Walk began at the company’s Nigeria headquarters in Ikoyi, through Obalende and culminated at the headquarters with the very spirited employees spread awareness on gene deficiency.

The MTN ‘21 days of Y’ello Care’ initiative completes the company’s social investment policy embodied by its Foundation. The initiative is supported by staff efforts where employees define the social actions they want to execute, which they personally and materially invest in to execute.

This year’s programme is themed: ‘Creating a Brighter Future’ and the company would be focusing its effort on ensuring a better quality of life for Nigerians between June 1st and 21st.

With investments in the Nigeria’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector, put at $70 billion, according to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, telecommunication company, VDT Communication is creating room for more transactions in the industry by aligning with various initiatives targeting growth in the industry.

One of such is the Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition, an annual technology show that focuses on landmark achievements in science and technology by ancient Africa, inspiring technology transformation among current players and charting the course for future technology ecosystem in Africa.

This year’s event which held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, had the Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, as special guest of honour, with VDT Communications as the official telecom partner. Themed ‘Africa’s Tech Renaissance’, organisers of the programme noted that Africa has the world’s oldest record of human technological achievement while only a few are aware of these accomplishments, as the history of Africa, beyond ancient Egypt, is rarely publicised.

According to the organisers, “the vast majority of discussions on the origins of science include only the Greeks, Romans and other whites. But in fact, most of their discoveries came thousands of years after African developments.

While the remarkable black civilisation in Egypt remains alluring, there was

shapes the narratives of inspiring business leaders, game-changing innovators and cutting edge consumer technology trends driving Nigeria’s rising technology hub.

He added: “We find inspiring stories of innovation around every corner in Nigeria’s largest technology market and home to a rising tribe of entrepreneurs, innovators and consumer technologies. The magazine is delivered in elegant prose, enhanced with appealing aesthetics and visual communications assets of exquisite photography, videos and infographics that attract and engage the interest of millions of readers across Nigeria and beyond. The overall vision of the magazine is to take Computer Village, Ikeja, to the world and bring the world to Computer Village in Ikeja.�

sophistication and impressive inventions throughout ancient sub-Saharan Africa as well.

For instance, many treatments we use today were employed by several ancient peoples throughout Africa. Before the European invasion of Africa, medicine in what is now Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa, to name just a few places, was more advanced than medicine in Europe, hence this year’s theme to shift concentration to African ingenuity.�

This year’s edition of the conference featured over 36 international speakers and about 1000 participants from Nigeria, Africa and other parts of the world where participants also enjoyed networking opportunities and access to strategic partners, investors and potential buyers.

The conference, since inception had so far yielded economic gains to the sector, which was what informed VDT’s partnership with the organisers in the last six years.

In addition to sponsoring the event, the firm also provided free Wifi for use by all the participants in the conference and exhibited its traditional and newly developed services including, Digital Leased Circuit, Corporate Internet, Metro Wireless, Metro Fiber, ATM Solutions, Wi-Fi Hotspot and 4G LTE Advanced Retail Internet service.

Speaking further, Head of Business at TTML, Mrs. Temitope Osinoiki added: “Instead of traditional advertising, the magazine would transparently promote branded content sponsored by companies and organisations that want to reach the thriving technology SME community that will represent a key segment of the readership base of our publication.�

President of CAPDAN, Ahmed Ojikutu also stated that the initiative would promote the key technology market that already fetches a daily turnover of about N1.5 billion.

The magazine would be launching with a run of 10,000 copies and is available as a digital issue on the complementarywww. komputervillage.ng portal.

Lions Club Strengthens Investment in Safety The International Association of Lions Club, District 404B2 has restated commitment to societal and economic growth by donating traffic safety booth to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command.

According to the club, the gesture was necessary to create an enabling environment for safety personnel in carrying out their duties of ensuring safety of lives, necessary for societal and business continuity.

While donating the item, the District Governor, Lion Asiwaju Ayobola Samuel, dwelt more on the economic significance of safety efforts which he said was cheaper when compared to the resources wasted in attending to and recovering from disaster.

Quoting South African economist, Joel Chimhanda, Samuel stated that businesses collapse because managers continue to reinvest in disaster, which is dwindling resources, hence the club’s effort in donating the traffic booth that would aid safety personnel in carrying out their duties of preventing disaster.

He said: “Of all our humanitarian deeds as a club, safety is one area we don’t compromise because we can only direct our goodwill to living beings and that is why we are partnering the FRSC and other safety agencies to donate relevant items that would enhance their efforts in the rain or sun.�

Receiving the booth, Zonal Commander, FRSC, Lagos, John Meheux, thanked the club for being committed to the safety and well-being of Nigerians.

He promised that the booth would be judiciously utilised for the purpose it was donated and urged other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture.

In her words, the Zone 6A, District 404B2 chairperson, Blessing Umebali stated that the zone sets out a N100 million to cater for societal projects in the service year, adding the safety booth donated was part of the zone’s efforts at saving lives which is the club’s core agenda. “Clubs under Zone 6A have carried out key centennial projects, youth empowerment programme, environmental programmes, diabetic, pediatric and cancer programme, and relieving the hunger. What we are doing here today is very significant to human lives. People are needed for the economy and indeed for the nation to thrive.�

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă˜ Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‘

͸Ϳ͸͞ͺ΀͚͞Ϳ͝Ϳ Ă?Ě‹Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ë? ÞÙĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă?ÑÑ̜ÒÙÞ×ËÓÖ˛Ă?Ù×

BRODA SHAGGI

I Wasn’t Born With a Silver Spoon Ă˜Ă“Ă—Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă‹Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă– Ă?ĂœĂœĂŁËœ ÚÙÚĂ&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă‹Ă? ĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ‹ Ă’Ă‹Ă‘Ă‘Ă“ ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă•Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ åÓÞÒ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?ÞãÖĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă?ĂŽĂŁË› Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ùã Ă‘ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ™ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ĂĄĂ“ĂŽĂ?Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?ÚÞĂ?ĂŽË› Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?ĂĄ åÓÞÒ Tosin CleggËœ Ă’Ă? ÞËÖÕĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ëœ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă&#x;ĂšËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ę° Ă?âĂ?Ă?ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ?

Comedy has always been part of me have always known that I would act, and since I was young I have always been funny and people have always told me that I am funny. What brought me into comedy fully was me trying to make a difference in the comedy industry, because I have always wanted to do something special that somebody hasn’t seen before. I have been doing comedy skits for more than five years now, but I have been doing the normal drama comedy people do. However, I have been looking for a way to break out of the regular, which is why I decided to go with this Agbero style.

I

Basically, I create characters as an actor But basically what I do as an actor is that I create characters. So, I used to have this character, Inspector Perry that I created when I was in UNILAG and was using it on Instagram before this came. I also started Akanni Ibadan and this was before Broda Shaggi, but it didn’t gain enough recognition like this, which was why I stuck to this.

Before social media, I’ve been acting I have worked with Rok Studios, African Magic, and I have been in Nollywood before fame came. I was in Dear Mummy, Unfinished Business, Ghetto Bred by Eniola Badmus, and these are all comical roles. So, I have done a couple of films so far.

I can switch to any role Just like I used to do in school; I did stage play while I was in UNILAG, as acting basically was all I was doing to survive. I read Visual Arts in school and studied Painting but just to survive, as painting wasn’t really selling in school, I came up with a group and we performed at shows. We performed for the Governor of Lagos State and for former President, Goodluck Jonathan.

So, it was a means for me to survive then, and I paid people from it as well.

I’m planning my own series And that would be out soon. Basically, I have noticed that what most of these comedians do is for the gram but I don’t do mine for the gram. I’m planning on my own movies and series just like Funke Akindele’s. So, I have something coming which won’t make it look like it’s always about the gram.

Social media is very important Social media basically has made this character to be recognised right now and I have been on social media for more than five years, but the fact that I keep on doing what I like doing made all these to happen. I could have backed out, because I feel bad sometimes when I see people whose jokes are not as funny as mine get more likes than mine. So, social media is a market and a big platform. I see social media as an

office I always have to go to everyday.

My social media presence is turning to real money As it has changed from when I started, because then it was by advertising for musicians who wanted to put their songs under my skit for a low price, but right now I charge more. That’s because I put in more work, more creativity, and I use people around me and I have to pay them. So, it’s helping me to pay bills and almost all my locations are on the island but I also shoot when I travel.

I am not an activist If you take your time to watch my skits very well, although it’s comical, but there is always a message. What inspired my skits was literally to be different, to make a living out of it, as I know my background, I know how my parents lived and I have always wanted to put a smile on my mother’s face- my father’s late. So, my background really challenged me into making it.

My mum didn’t remarry I didn’t come from a rich home, as I wasn’t born with a silver spoon. We are three sons and I’m the first.

The ďŹ rst skit that made me popular was shot with a phone And it was an HTC phone. The name Broda Shaggi came last year December during the Christmas period and I was actually fixing my car. And at the mechanic workshop the guys there were talking and a dialogue between two people ensued, which I found funny.

The guy was just talking and he was free, and everybody laughed about it.

So, I felt since I create characters let me go for this and the guy’s name was Ahmed but I felt it wouldn’t suit the character. So, I considered Mushiliu and then Shaggi Don, but I added Broda Shaggi Don which I felt was too long, and I cut it short to Broda Shaggi.

I met Aunty Shaggi on a stage play set She is an actor and she read Theatre Arts as well in school. So, I saw her acting and how good she was. Another thing I like is good acting, and I learn from good actors. So, I was like she is good but can be better. Then I told her about my skit and asked her if she was going to be the presenter and that was how we started.

I was very popular in school And people always said ‘this guy go make am’. So, I have always thought of what I would do after school, as the market for visual arts isn’t really moving in this country. I only see the road side artists and I knew I was not going to end up like that as I need to feed my family and take care of my mother. I was supposed to read Theatre Arts but I didn’t have the required subjects but then I realised acting is in me, as my father was an actor and he lectured too.

I knew this was the way I could survive and I am doing it.

Shaggi

47

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚͜

Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă˜ Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‘

͸Ϳ͸͞ͺ΀͚͞Ϳ͝Ϳ Ă?Ě‹Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ë? ÞÙĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă?ÑÑ̜ÒÙÞ×ËÓÖ˛Ă?Ù×

SHOWBIZFLAIR

MY STORY ED SINGER SET TO RULE MUSIC SCENE Fast-growing Nigerian-born U.S.-based artiste, Ed Singer, real name, Edidiong Udoidiong, is a singer, songwriter and producer with a dynamic and unique style. This Nigerian masterful pop/rockster moved to the United States of America, in December, 2012. He had a dream to study music and pursue his musical career in the U.S.A, which eventually came true as he currently studies Music at Columbia College.

Versatile Ed began working on his EP project in April 2013, precisely in his home studio, where he wrote, composed and produced great demos. He finally took his demo tapes to a mega-studio where he recorded vocals and live drums. The EP demo project was further moved to Gravity Studios in Chicago for professional recordings of his songs, after he found Daniel Farnsworth, with whom they co-produced two songs at the studio. Ed also recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville.

Ed found Jean-Marie Horvat, a music genius, who has worked with so many great music icons like Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and many more.

Jean fell in love with Ed’s ‘Paradise’, while mixing; he instantly felt it was an honour to be a part of Ed’s history.

Ed has worked with Grammy Award-Winning mix engineer, Michael Brauer, a five-time Grammy AwardWinning mixer, who mixed Ed’s songs, including ‘Arise’.

Michael also mixed the likes of John Mayer, Coldplay, The Rolling Stones and many more. Ed has mastered his songs with Grammy Award-winning mastering engineers, like Joe Laporta, Ted Jensen, Aya Merrill (sterling-sound).

He recently recorded one last song on his EP, ‘Oceans’, with a Grammy Award Winning Producer/vocal arranger, Ben Bram, who’s the brain behind an Acapella group, Pen-tatonix. Ed had the chance to also work with Ed Boyer, a multi Grammy Award Winning Acapella Producer/mixer, nominated nine times, and won once.

TERRENCE ARINZECHUKWU

In 5 Yrs time, Exouzia Moda Couture will go Global Ă?ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă™Ëœ Ùà Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ÚÖËãĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁËœ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ăž åÓÞÒ Tosin CleggËœ Ă’Ă? ÞËÖÕĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?

SEXY SINGER, RAP ELLA DROPS ‘SEZY’ After years of hard work and determination, sexy musician, Rap Ella Onuorah better known as Rap Ella has dropped her runaway hit single, ‘Sezy.’ Her song which is currently enjoying massive rotation on electronic and the social media is on demand on popular platforms like Youtube, MTNPlus, Caller tunes etc.

Pretty Rap Ella is not resting on her oars as she is in the studio working on the music premier, and probably to drop another hit as she hopes to release her album soon.

From then, her fame spread and the name Rap Ella started reverberating within her town and its neigbhbourhoods. On her kind of music, Rap Ella, who is the last girl from a family of nine from Isseke, Anambra State, had this to say: “I am into many genre of songs. I’m out now with Tecno (pop), tomorrow, it might be gospel, depending on the muse and inspiration.

Rap Ella revealed that her aim in music was to entertain, educate and positively impact society.

LAURA IKEJI PARTNERS HUSBAND TO LAUNCH NEW FRAGRANCE Fashion Entrepreneur, Social Media influencer, marketer, and author, Laura Ikeji, is set to launch her latest entrepreneurial project, a ladies and unisex fragrance, ‘Incomplete’. ‘Incomplete’, the new feather to the mother of one’s hat comes after the launch of her motivational book, ‘How to Make Money on Instagram’, which has since gone viral and recorded massive sales.

The new cologne comes in two fragrances, Pink for women and Black for men; which she produced in partnership with her ex-footballer, husband, Ogbonna Kanu.

Although, the fragrance which is contained in very

sexy bottles are already sold out before its official launch, Laura promised to produce more to be available for sales in the coming weeks.

In order to make Incomplete available to all and sundry, Laura who has for so long been a social media sensation because of her energy and endless vibes on her social media platforms revealed plans to introduce, Body Sprays and smaller bottles of each fragrances.

Incomplete as the name implies is a Cologne which makes your fashion statement complete. You can’t be complete without Incomplete. It was born out of the need to always smell good.

H

ow did you start your brand?

Growing up, I used to watch my dad dress up for work and I noticed he was always very particular about combining colours and most times, he allowed me pick the colours of shirt or tie for him to wear, so, having a good sense of dressing became a part of me. While studying Psychology in the university, I enrolled for a fashion designing and consultancy programme after which I became an apprentice for some top fashion brands for some years, before creating my own fashion brand.

What’s the ideology of your brand?

Fashion for me is a statement and fashion is confidence. So, if you don’t dress well, you won’t feel good and when you have confidence, you will have a sense of authority. That was what brought about the name Exouzia Moda Couture, which means authority fashion.

What makes your brand exceptional?

Since its inception, Exouzia Moda Couture has been inspired by virtue of excelling at product quality and providing superior value and punctual delivery to our customers. We are also known for out cutting edge trends, modern style and impeccable tailored materials. Exouzia Moda Couture is highly recommended for men who want to keep their looks modern and fashionable.

Where do you see yourself in ďŹ ve years?

In five years’ time, Exouzia Moda Couture will be a global and household brand and our desire for success will drive us to satisfy Nigeria’s urge for good fashion and to meet the needs of other countries in Africa, Europe and the rest of the world.

48

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀

ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™ĂœË? Vincent Obia Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ë? vincent.obia@thisdaylive.com Ă?Ă–Ë? 08054681757

Jumade Adejola

Though an Accountant, Economist, I’m Passionate about Fire Engineering Though Jumade Adejola trained as an accountant and economist, he runs a ďŹ re engineering enterprise. Operating from a purpose-built oďŹƒce with plans to move to a new ultra-modern oďŹƒce and warehouse at the end of the year, Adejola has a client base that include Guaranty Trust Bank, Union Banks, etc. In this interview with Samuel Ajayi, Adejola talks about his novel enterprise. He also speaks about why he left the banking industry for his wife who clocked 50 recently

S

urveillant Nigeria Limited, keeps a low proďŹ le.

Why? It has been a deliberate policy. But now, we want to be the number one fire protection company in Africa. We have opened offices in Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya and we have offices in Port-Harcourt, Abuja and our head office is in Lagos. Very soon, we will be moving to our ultra-modern new office complex because as you can see, this place can no longer contain us.

We wanted to get to certain level.

Most of our clients know us and they know we can deliver at the shortest notice. Besides, we were not ready for the pressure that would come with too much noise. When we promise, we deliver even if it costs more than what we billed you. We believe in quality service and consistency. If we say three months, it will be three months. Our engineers are competent and they know their onions. And let me also add that I am not an office or arm-chair chief executive. I go to sites to supervise and take charge where necessary to deliver to the quality we promised the client.

If you look at the issue of fire and its prevention and protection, it is a matter of life and death. So when people begin to use fake product, what you are protect is at risk. Look at insurance companies. They are supposed to involve us when planning their policies.

It is not about paying premiums alone.

We are supposed to be training their loss adjusters. It is about the risks involved and how are you going to really handle things when issues arise. Let me give you this example. You insure a building but proper fire protection equipment was not used. The whole building is at risk. And it is not proper equipment alone but approved one. Most of these products we see outside are refurbished products. If you use fire extinguisher that the cylinder is expired, because it is a compressed extinguisher, by the time open, it can injure your jaw and that is death. So what you are buying as safety equipment can also be risk equipment unknown to you. So you have to approach qualified companies that are doing the business.

But regulation is poor and this puts the works of professionals like you at risk. How do you deal with this?

Yes, regulation is poor. I am not disputing that but there is a building code now that has been passed to law and it is being pursued and being enforced. Most of the time, you will discover that if you don’t apply these rules, they won’t be enforced. That is at the federal level. In Lagos State, the state government is very committed to

Adejola

safety. We are consultants to the Lagos State Safety Commission and let me tell you that what they are doing is great.

The state does not joke with lives of citizens and the state is even organising a conference on Vision Zero and this is about zero tolerance to fire, accidents and mishaps in any place. And that us why, in most of the construction sites, if you don’t take safety serious, the place will be shut down. We don’t take safety serious in this part of the world.

That is taken. We were at the Abuja airport one day and we alighted from the plane and we had to trek to the arrival lounge. That was unacceptable and that was risky. Countries don’t do that again. No matter the short distance, you don’t do that. In our company, our engineer are well trained when it comes to installations of fire detection system, fire fighting system and FM 200, which us fire suppression system for critical areas like server room of telecommunication companies or server room of banks and most of places that need protection. FM 200 puts out fire automatically either you are there or not.

Seems that is not common yet in ther.

It is here and people are already using it. We have banks and companies are using it. In fact, we have done it for a bank that all their equipments are protected.

Guaranty Trust Bank is one of our major clients and they are doing well when it comes to the issue of protection. They don’t joke with it. We usually use them as reference and yardstick for other banks. I am not mentioning them because they are our clients but because of what they do. Union Bank too is doing well. As big as that building is, it is well protected. So many high-rise buildings in Lagos are now protected but many are still not.

And these are owned by multinationals?

Yes, they are and so many people are working in these offices. They are human beings too. If anything happens, what do you do? How do you evacuate them? And it even goes beyond this.

We must also train your fire wardens to international standards. Each floor must have fire wardens. In case of emergency, they must be able to give instructions to the occupants of that floor on what to do. And that is why we encourage people that have high-rise buildings

to have evacuation proceedings like public address system to tell people what to do in case of fire incident and the person operating that public address system must understand evacuation procedure. For instance, if there is fire on the eighth floor, he should be able to tell them to move to the ninth or tenth floor is the staircase is not yet on fire.

The lift too must be connected to the fire detection system such that if there is an alarm, it automatically comes down to the ground floor so that everyone comes out. And the person operating the public address system must be able to give instructions on what to do to get to the muster point. This is why we are needed everywhere.

Look at the factories. They are the ones that need us most because they have the largest number of employees, especially the so called casual staff. They are many.

They should have procedures. Let me use Olams Group as an example. They do fire drill for their staff all the time; either you are casual or regular staff.

There is what we call means of egress.

In some buildings, even your so-called high-rise buildings, the means of egress is very poor right from the design. How

49

͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀ Ëž T HISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

BUSINESS PEOPLE Fire Safety Not to Please Authorities but to Prevent Losses

In ďŹ re ďŹ ghting system, we have what you call the conventional and addressable ďŹ re alarm system. The conventional uses zone which simply means that on each zone, you can have about ďŹ fteen detectors and those detectors will be on one zone. So, if there is ďŹ re, the alarm system will only show zone one or zone two. If it shows zone one, you know where it is and you have ďŹ re extinguisher in your hand but you have to be moving from one location to the other.

By that time, early detection is easy but early attack will not be easy

does your company come in especially, when you are not design engineers?

And this is where mechanical and electrical (M and E) engineers come in as people might even die trying to escape and not being killed by the fire itself.

This means of egress we are talking about exit, in and out and process of evacuation during emergency. All these have to be designed properly by the architect and after that, the M and E come in. They design their own at the fittings and installations that they need.

It is the M and E that look at things the architects had omitted. But majorly, the problem is that some architects believe they know everything and they want to design everything. What you are supposed to have at construction sites are architects and M and Es. The architects do their own and then the M and Es make their own input. It is the M and Es that are supposed to involve us fire engineers so we can put in our own inputs to minimise costs, reduce risks and ensure that the right products are used. There is what we call over-spec and under-spec. Over-spec means that there are certain things you don’t need which are put in the design. There might be areas where they put six-inch pipe whereas, what you need is four-inch pipe. I have a design that they spec a 10inch pipe and I started to wonder if we were providing water for Lagos State. If we were involved during the design, we would have told them they did not need these materials. Under spec can occur when you recommend conventional fire fighting system instead of addressable fire fighting system.

What do you mean by addressable ďŹ re-ďŹ ght system?

In fire fighting system, we have what you call the conventional and addressable fire alarm system. The conventional uses zone which simply means that on each zone, you can have about fifteen detectors and those detectors will be on one zone. So, if there is fire, the alarm system will only show zone one or zone two. If it shows zone one, you know where it is and you have fire extinguisher in your hand but you have to be moving from one location to the other. By that time, early detection is easy but early attack will not be easy.

It is easy if it is just a floor where you can move easily. In addressable, it gives you the exact location where the fire is.

For instance, in this my office, what the panel will say is that there is fire in MD’s office and the person will know where to go. So addressable fire alarm system is very efficient but very expensive.

The cost can be four times higher than the conventional own. If you want to do high-rise building you cannot have conventional system. And also in palatial homes where you have so many rooms and chalets, it is always better to do addressable system.

However, you give this advice but there is nothing that says the M and E consultant will take your advice. I am not blaming them because the client has already told them his budget but what is the essence of putting a system in place and it is not efficient? It is not about obeying the law but ensuring that lives and the property itself. Unfortunately, you see a situation where by the client just wants to obey the law and not for the need and necessity of the system.

Then the clients should be able to know who are the people handling their jobs.

We have had cause to go and inspect what others had done and we discovered that what was done before was a shoddy job.

How do you deal with quacks? Do you have an association?

Fire protection operators don’t have an association for now. We belong to quite a number of bodies but no associa-

they know what to do. We want to also train graduates who want to go into this industry and make a living. My belief is that we owe the society this as a way of giving back. Our OEMs are coming and they want to use Nigeria as a hub for the whole of West Africa. So we need more space.

Who is Mr. Jumade Adejola?

I am just another Nigerian. I am an accountant and also and economist.

How did you ďŹ nd yourself in ďŹ re engineering?

Good question. When I finished school, the first place I worked was at a fire engineering company and I became the general manager with the company called Banjoko Fire Safety. It was then I developed interest in this industry. I left the company for a financial institution but then, I was not really into it because of the interest in the fire engineering business. I left the finance house and went back to where I started, got more training and also travelled to the United Kingdom to get more training about the job. Now I am passionate about it and it has now become part of me. It is my life. tion.

So, how do you deal with quacks?

It is a tough job especially for people like us who represent genuine OEMs. At Surveillant, we will never give you substandard products. And that is why we always tell our clients to go to people that will give them genuine products.

Some people may pick up old and expired products, repaint it and even put the name of the original OEM that manufactured it and they will resell. It is that bad. We have our website and check products and you will get what you need. We don’t source for products; we

always have products in stock. When we give you time, we adhere to it.

We learnt you are building a new ofďŹ ce.

Yes. We built this place but it is no longer enough for us. We need space to store products so we are building and office with a big warehouse. We will also have an experience centre where clients can come and see products and live demonstration of the use of these products. Apart from that, we believe so much in training and we want to change the face of the industry by training installers such that when they go out,

Do you relax at all?

I relax when I want to. I am member of Lagos Country Club. I play lawn tennis and squash.

Recently, you treated your wife to a lavish birthday party. Why? She is a wonderful woman who does not disturb my life and who is very humble to a fault and manages my home very well. God gave her to me.

There are ways God does His things.

She is a gift to my life and that was why I thing she deserved everything we did that day.

50

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 16, 2018

POLITY Mike Nwachukwu

This is the Time for Old Owerri to be in the Senate The old Owerri is having more contestants for the Imo East Senatorial election. Interestingly, the focus is shifting from parties to individuals who have the wherewithal to go the whole hug to capture the seat.

Articulate and focused, Mike Kwazemam Nwachukwu, retired banker, financial consultant and former Secretary of APGA in Imo State tells Stanley Nkwazema why his constituency deserves the seat more than ever and the need to embrace the best candidate

M

ike Kwazemam Nwachukwu’s formal education started at St. Joseph’s Primary School, Ulakwo Obube through to Zik’s Avenue Primary School, Uwani Enugu, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. He then proceeded to Government Secondary School, Owerri (GSSO) where he obtained his ‘O’ Level Certificate in 1981.

He attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. This was followed by a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Port Harcourt.

Nwachukwu joined Diamond Bank after MBA in April 1992 and left for Equitorial Trust Bank in 1997. Seven months after, he joined Fortune International Bank and retired from the banking industry in 2002. Afterwards, he offered financial and advisory services to private businesses.

Nwachukwu explains how and when he went into politics, and his plans for 2019: “I joined APGA alongside Chief Martin Agbaso and his supporters in 2005. This coincided with the party’s congress, where I contested for the office of the State Secretary and was elected. I remained the State Secretary for about six years. During this period, we worked hard for Chief Agbaso’s gubernatorial ambition in 2007; an election he won and at the same time lost. We were in court between 2007 and 2011. It was an unfortunate experience.

“In the run up to the upcoming 2019 elections, I reviewed the kind of representation our people have been getting at the National Assembly and decided that though they have done their bit, I could offer more to the people of Owerri zone in terms of effective representation. Given my experience as a business person domiciled in Abuja who has worked on legitimate government jobs linked to the budgetary process, I have a deep understanding of what it entails. I know that if you do the right thing, one can effectively address the infrastructural deficits prevalent in our environment. With the opportunity of the election coming on, I thought I would be well suited to represent my people accordingly in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly- the Senate.”

Why is this businessman insisting that it is the turn of the old Owerri Local Government Area to produce the next Senator for Imo East? He explains: “To be precise, let’s start from the zone I come from within the Owerri Senatorial district.

Today’s Owerri North was part of the Old Owerri Local Government Area, made up of Owerri North, Owerri municipal, Owerri

Nwachukwu

West and Ngor Opkala; in the history of the politics of Imo State, particularly Owerri Sentorial zone, our folks from Mbaise and Mbaike (Mbaitolu and Ikeduru) have always represented the zone in the Red Chamber, starting from the 1979 experience.

“We have had Chief Tony Anyanwu from Umu Okirika in Mbaise, Chief Isidore Obasi from Ihite Afor Ukwu also in Mbaise and Bright Nwanne from Ezinihite. After him came Evan Enwerem from Atta in Ikeduru who later became the Senate President and then Ama Iwuagwu (late) from Mbieri in Mbaitoli. When Senator Ama Iwuagwu passed on, Senator Eze Ajoku from Owerri North stepped in to fill the vacuum for about nine months. After the expiration of the term, Senator Chris Anyanwu from Mbaise stepped in and did two terms.

After her, the pendulum swung back to Mbaike. This time around, it was Senator Sam Daddy Anyanwu. Perhaps, Anyanwu is going to run for the governorship seat under the PDP as he has said, otherwise he seeks for a second term.

“That created a vacuum which I thought I could key into, using my experience as a retired banker, I feel this is the right time for us in the old Owerri Local Government Area to have the opportunity to go and represent Nde Owerri zone. A lot of people are well qualified to seek for office from the old Oweri zone, but I have decided to present myself. Presenting myself does not stop any other person from coming out. We

present ourselves for our people to make the decision. For me, I think I understand what the issues are. To me it is encapsulated in addressing the infrastructural deficit in our environment.

“The reality of the situation is that I am encouraged by my fellow APGA members and my friends outside that belong to other parties. It has been encouraging. Everybody tells me that I have what it takes to do it and should work hard because the major hurdle that I have to cross is to ensure that I get the ticket of APGA; and that once I get that done, I stand a very good chance.

“Everybody tells me that this time around, they are not looking at parties per say and that they are going to be focused on individuals, their capacities, competencies and their abilities. I am encouraged by that.

Again, it essentially boils down to the fact that they will vote and line up behind me.

That is my expectation. If I wasn’t certain in my mind that I will get the support of the broad spectrum of the electorate in Owerri zone, I won’t be running.”

Nwachukwu says he is not satisfied with quality of representation of his senatorial zone. For him, it could be better: “Like I did say, if the quality of representation was as much as we would have all desired, the level of infrastructural deficit that we are experiencing in our place wouldn’t be there. From Aboh Mbaise to Eziniihite, Ikeduru Ahiazu to Owerri North to Mbaitolu Ikeduru. Even from Owerri Municipal

that is the state capital, to Ngor Okpala and Owerri West, you find litters all over the place and dangerous road infrastructure that makes you wonder whether the people we have sent there so far are really aware of these problems and issues.

“I went to Ogwa. The road to Inyishi is horrible. From Nworie Ubi to Mbieri is also nothing to write home about. If you are going to Itu in Mbaise through Ihite, it’s horrible. I can begin to mention these entire places one after the other, you will weep.

That is the way it is all over.

“I intend to effectively engage the intervention agencies of the federal government, Ecological Fund office, border communities’ development agencies, Federal Ministry of Works, Environment, FERMA. Even the NDDC and also interface with members of the National Assembly who are members of the Appropriation Committee in both Chambers to put into the budget from 2019 all these projects.

“The assignment I am going to give myself will be to put these projects into the relevant budgetary periods while ensuring that the projects are funded and executed. If we do these for the four years that we are going to be there, I am sure that we are going to achieve a lot. I am committing myself to that and I am going to do it.”

If Nwachukwu gets into the Senate come 2019, his priority will also include getting jobs for youths in the senatorial zone: “I have given a lot of thought to jobs for our youths and I am going to that office to bring some kind of interface between our brothers from the zone who are qualified and looking for jobs, and the relevant agencies, both government and private that are in a position to give out these jobs. As you well know, the office is not a job creation office, but you can do a lot of interface between those that want the job and those that are in a position to give the jobs so that you can package and present them properly.

“Let me tell you that today, it is no longer having the degrees and diplomas that really matter; there are basic relevant skills required outside of your paper qualification, which must be obtained if you want to move forward. There are also basic literacy skills which youths lack. You have to address that and prepare them to face the market and fit in properly to job openings.

The world is moving ahead, and in doing this we are going to work with socio cultural associations like the Dozie Mezie Owerri that I belong to. We will do it for our people and create a data bank, collate their CVs and help those that don’t have the relevant qualifications and prepare them to acquire the relevant skills.”

‘Determination Drives High Standards in Creativity’ Ugo Aliugo

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hen one is guided by the philosophy of “Nothing is impossible in life” combined with determination, focus and high work ethics, there is a defined and clear path to success. This has been the guiding ethos of for Ayodeji Atunwa the COO of Vyrus Digital Engagement-a subsidiary of SO&U Group. Deji’s knack for the high creative standards always comes to bear in the Agency through its ideas and outputs for its enviable and growing client base. Indeed, he is a practical example of the creative power of today’s youths, especially in a field

where imagination makes the difference between success and failure.

Deji’s core competencies are in the areas of design and branding, which have been his focus since 1999, when he began his advertising career saw him sojourn to the United Kingdom.

This gave him the opportunity to sharpen his skills in marketing communications, as such when he rejoined the SO&U Group in 2014, he was good to go on his first major task was the management of the Globacom account, unarguably one of the nation’s biggest telecom brands.

Without a doubt, he proved his mettle with on the Globacom account, and in 2016, he was elevated with the role of founding COO of Vyrus, where he leads

a team of young and highly dedicated professionals to churn out ideas that have contributed immensely to the repositioning of big clients such as Unilever, Tsogo Sun Hotels, Globacom and the Akwa Ibom State Government to mention a few in the short time.

No doubt, Deji remains one of the brightest and best creative heads in the industry and has won for himself the applause of clients across high profile sectors including telecommunications, oil and gas, finance, manufacturing, education and hospitality, as well as FMCG, across two continents.

With these footprints and an unrelenting zeal, it is safe to say we are yet to see the best of Deji Atunwa even as he insists that his best is yet to come.

Deji

JUNE 16 , 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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GLOBAL SOCCER\\XTRA

Dayo Akindoju: I’m Ready to Turn Tennis Around Despite his busy schedule, he still finds time to play at Life Camp or the Package B of the National Stadium Abuja. Enthusiastically abreast of the sport, as President of Nigeria Tennis Federation, Dayo Akindoju wants to elevate the game to world standards as he repackages tennis. He tells Stanley Nkwazema about the salvage mission, among other issues facilities required in one centre.

On a salvage mission am not overwhelmed. We are coping and I knew all along that there are lots of works to be done to see that tennis does better than it is.

It was very down before but there were tennis activities. The problem there is that we didn’t have some basic things that were to see tennis grow. The focus of this federation is to see how we can move tennis to a higher level. It is not going to happen very fast because for development it is a lot of work and it is not something you go and buy in the market. These are human beings playing tennis. They need to be trained, they need to be guided and directed properly so they can play in the world stage. We are doing the work that we need to do to ensure that we improve from where we are.

I

Following up, working on the programmes There are four key areas we have identified that we are concentrating on to improve. It is a very broad subject.

It is not just the tennis courts but goes beyond that to include equipment, gym facilities, physiotherapy. It is very vast but they are readily known and we said we are going to be concentrating on these things. Another important aspect is improving the player’s knowledge of the game and sense of participation.

This too is an all-round thing but when you talk about player, you start from their personal welfare, psychology, education, ability to partake in several tournaments to enable them be in the game regularly.

Thirdly, is about development of the coaches in Nigeria because they are the ones transferring knowledge to the players. If they don’t know what knowledge to transfer then the player’s will not receive the right skills. We said we are going to concentrate on ensuring that the players are properly educated and exposed to trainings, clinics from resource persons all over the world that will upgrade their status. The game of tennis is equally revolving; the balls are faster, the courts are different- clay courts, grass courts and hard courts. It takes a good coach to tell the players what to do at different situations. The coaches we have in Nigeria today are very few to take care of the thousands of players in Nigeria. Lastly, is the area of officiating.

In officiating, they are the custodians of the rules of the game. In ITF, their section is separate, they know the rules and they check how the game is played and if the game is not played properly, they are the ones that know. We need our players to know how the game is played. That is why our officials need to be trained to know the current rules of the game which changes and we as officials must be abreast of the current rule.

Training officials, reducing cost of running tournaments What we have done this year is that we had a group of volunteers; 25 of them that volunteered to partake in officiating. They attended the school as Level 1 organised through the ITF who sent the resource persons. In the past, we discovered that one of the figures which raise the cost of running tournaments in Nigeria is the issue of registered and certified officials. They are very few and you can imagine that a tournament holding in Lagos, we have to move officials from Abuja or Kano, Taraba to officiate in matches taking place in Lagos. There are few

Commitment and cooperation As a board, we are one and we work together. We were appointed as a team and very soon we will set up the sub committees of the board to take care of different major areas of need. It is not a one man affair. We shall be sharing the responsibilities and get some people from outside the board to help us in the areas that we need to work on four key areas like tournaments, marketing, grassroots and sponsorship. From the government side, we have not got any subvention or fund from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, we made applications a couple of times and the general response was that there are no funds. That is why we are looking out and trying to source funding from other sources. Some we can generate ourselves like the hostel facilities. If we are able to build it very soon, I know that other federations have programmes regularly and generally require hostels and we could be leasing it out to them and earn some money which we can put into other programmes.

Akindoju major tennis centres in Nigeria and we want a situation where every city that tennis is played should be able to have officials to run tournaments in those cities without necessarily going too far to get officials which will involve accommodation and transportation to bring the officials. This year, we are doing more in four geo-political zones, in Jos to take care of potential and interested persons in the North Central, getting three from each state, Kano will host one, Calabar and Abeokuta (Ogun). Next year we will extend it to areas that were not covered in the first place.

Upping the game An official is an official. Once you are qualified you are qualified but the bottom line is that we had very limited number of officials but with the coming on board of the new 25, mostly resident in Abuja which made it easy and a lot of them aside being lovers of tennis are very well educated, PhD holders, serving senior Military officers and graduates of various disciplines active in the game. The rule is the rule. Whoever can interpret the rule is qualified to manage that office as an official Tombim, Dayak, GSL, doing more We have been working on getting more sponsors for tournaments. But let me tell you that in the area of facilities mentioned earlier. The tournaments are good but for the major purpose of development of the game, the major problem we have identified that is causing development not to go as fast as it should is what we call a proper tennis academy. We don’t have in Nigeria today, a full tennis academy with all the facilities that it takes to play tennis and that is the major focus of this federation. We are looking at partnering with groups of potential sponsors to build proper tennis academies all over Nigeria. Simply, a school of tennis where you attend the normal curriculum of schooling from Primary to Secondary school up to age 14 and 15. It is likely to be more of boarding

and regulated. Tennis takes a lot. It includes the food you eat, controlled and monitored time, weight, mental fitness, everything about you. They are graded. We can have a small academy or a big one. That can accommodate up to 50 students or the ones for 200, some can have up to 500. These students are coming to those academies to study and then play tennis. This is a major but the only thing that is not available in Nigeria.

Every academy we have in Nigeria today are using some form of public or private facilities that does not belong to them, they don’t have control over them while the schooling part of the academy is not there. What we have they call academy are just playing courts where coaches teach the kids but the kids go back home, what they eat; what they do after is not controlled by the coach who does not have the full knowledge of the activities of the player. In a controlled environment which you find all over Europe, America, that is why they are doing very well and set up to work. Among the top 100-200 players in the world today, 100 per cent of them went through Tennis Academies. You cannot hit top 100 in the World without going to a school to be taught how tennis is played. So we cannot expect to do extremely well. A lot of the players that we have today that are doing extremely well here have either attended academies in Spain, in the U.S. and others. Of course, we cannot afford to be sending our kids to the U.S. or Europe. My federation has applied for space within the National Stadium Package B which we want to build hostel facilities. This is our first way of starting something. But that is not a tennis academy. An academy can happen anywhere in the country where the basic facilities that are required to run a school are provided 2, 3 or 4 hectares of land with up to 10 tennis courts with all the

Keying into ITF programmes We are working with the international body, but we have realised that there are raw programmes at the grassroots level we can design on our own different from what the ITF has. A couple of coaches here are very experienced and we can work with them and some are already doing things.

In some you don’t need a tennis court but a little space and just start teaching the basics. The first thing is to raise the interest in the game from age 6, introduce the game, show some video and let people start to know. If you go everywhere you see football pitches in one corner. They are not major pitches. We can improvise as there are coaches that run such programmes and we can run with them.

We expect better days ahead We are very expectant. We are very positive that it will happen but it will take some time .We have few kids of ours that have been opportune to get some sponsors in Nigeria to go abroad. We have a couple of them in some academies in the U.S. majorly and they are doing very well. Hopefully we may get some very good results from them. We have them in IMG, a tennis academy in Florida. We have Sylvester Emmanuel that was in Spain and playing Futures all around. He played in Abuja, in Uganda, Zimbabwe. He will be moving to Ibadan where they will be camping for two weeks before they go to Kenya to play the Davis Cup. Low activity in the scholarship scheme Before now, if you check properly, there was one particular man, he is late now but loved the game so much and was blessed too financially. He actually put out a lot of his personal resources into tennis.

After he passed, there has not been any major person in that kind of category and with such interest in the game that could see a lot of Nigerians moving to schools and academies abroad. That is what we are trying to do. We are republishing the game and pre-announcing it so that when people know that this game is there and should be encouraged and we hope that we should be able to improve our position in the world. But for now, if that does not happen, we can equally play the tennis in Nigeria when we have an academy. It is cheaper to run academies in Nigeria, and we can bring in qualified professionals, the coaches, some could be trained here, some could go abroad and come back to impact such knowledge on the kids here.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚͞, 2018

POLITY

Why It’s Better to Buy Than Rent Residential Property in UK Victor Balogun

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hether to rent or buy is a commonly asked question and one which may have a different answer depending on individual circumstances. Renting offers greater flexibility, as it is easier and usually quicker to move between rented accommodation than it is to buy and sell. However, from a longer term financial perspective, buying is usually the better option. Provided the property is held for a reasonable amount of time - at least 5 years to allow for cyclical upswings and downswings– there is every likelihood of accruing a capital gain.

Ian Plumley is Senior Vice-President at luxury housebuilder Berkeley Group, a FTSE 100 company. He comments: “London property is historically a resilient investment in the long term and the reasons for this are highly unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.

The attractions of this market go far beyond short term economic performance and political debate.� Moreover, while many investors

purchase property purely for capital growth or to generate a rental yield, Berkeley Group has found that many of its overseas buyers are either occupying their properties themselves or are putting their children in them while they study in the UK. This gives parents the added security that their children will be in safe accommodation whilst also providing somewhere for them to stay when they visit London.

London has seen 10 year average price growth of 61.5%, with prime locations such as Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea, where Berkeley Group is currently marketing its Kensington Row residential scheme, recording growth in excess of 70% over the period.

Slightly away from central London, Islington, where Berkeley Group has launched its 250 City Road development, has also seen robust capital growth of 55% over the past decade.

The current market offers some good buying opportunities as the growth cycle has slowed but this is likely to be relatively short-lived as across the capital as a whole, demand outstrips supply.

If the property is acquired utilising mortgage debt, there are still plenty of good fixed rate deals for 5 year terms or even longer. Mortgage repayments will go towards securing outright ownership of your property, unlike rent which just goes into your landlord’s pocket. Debt will also enhance returns if you decide to rent the property out rather than occupy it yourself.

For example, a £1m flat in Islington will currently command an average rent of £2,393 pcm according to Zoopla. In comparison, a 75% LTV on a 25 year repayment mortgage with a 2-year fixed rate of 2% would equate to a monthly mortgage payment of £1,060 – representing a monthly saving of £1,333.

The saving on the same flat in Kensington & Chelsea rises to ÂŁ2,826 a month.

The UK, and in particular London, is a popular location for international buyers.

The UK enjoys a long standing safe haven status – both financially and from a personal security perspective – and is renowned for its tolerance of ethnic, political and religious groupings. Public services are among the best in the world, with the health and education

Russia 2018: Help Nigerians Heal Wounds of Division, Ekweremadu Charges Super Eagles Kunle Adewale

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he Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said a brilliant outing by the Super Eagles at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia would help to heal the wounds of the divisions in the country, charging the team to go for goals.

Ekweremadu who stated this in a goodwill message to the Super Eagles

as they prepare to open their account in Russia, expressed absolute faith in the Gernot Rohr-tutored team.

He said: “Nigeria is more divided today than at any other time in her history.

But, for us, football is the tonic that heals old wounds. We need a truly super and brilliant outing by the Super Eagles at the mundial to help reunite a divided nation. “They have the experience, skill, and the indomitable Nigerian spirit to do the

nation and Africa proud. They also have the prayers and goodwill of the over 180 million Nigerian population behind them�, he said.

The Senator, therefore, urged the team to go for goals and the zenith, emphasising that “there is absolutely nothing beyond the Super Eagles at this stage�.

While wishing the Super Eagles the very best, Ekweremadu also enjoined Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the team.

systems especially renowned and the retail offer is arguably without equal in Europe.

The UK is also the second most popular destination in the world for overseas students and they have risen in numbers over the past decade from 14.8% of all UK Higher Education (HE) students in 2007/08 to 19.1% in 2016/17.

In the academic year 2016/17, the latest for which statistics are available, HE students from Nigeria were the sixth largest group of foreign students by nationality. The May 2018 Times Higher Education Top 200 International Universities ranking contained 10 UK HE colleges in the global top 20. The London School of Economics & Political Science was ranked first in the UK and second in the world with foreign students accounting for 70.5% of its total students, while three other establishments had ratios of more than 50%. Seven of the top 10 in the UK were located in London.

London is additionally one of the world’s most cosmopolitan capitals, offering a wealth of cultural and leisure experiences. A further important factor and one which is sometimes overlooked is language: English is the lingua franca of international business and is widely spoken as a second language on a social level which helps greatly to make London more accessible to foreigners. The UK additionally benefits from overlapping with the Asian and north American time zones.

London is an equally attractive proposition from a real estate perspective, offering a large stock of high quality properties and a long and proven track record of strong growth performance and market transparency.

Moreover, the legal system is straightforward and offers clear title with regard to property.

There is also a large and growing private rental market, which has expanded from 19% of all London households to 26% over the past decade, and offers owners not in year-round occupation plenty of opportunity to rent out their properties. – Balogun is a real estate consultant

The traditional wedding between Tiwalade and Dotun Taylor, took place at Yetunde Apartment, Park View Estate, Ikoyi , Lagos ‌recently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

R-L: Member/Executive Secretary, Presidential Advisory Committee Agaist Corruption, Prof. Bolaji Owasonaye; Professor of International Economic Relations, at the Convenant University, Jonathan Adeyemi Aremu; former Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Donald Duke; Host, Rev Tom Amenkhienan and wife, Pastor Joy Amenkhienan at a Public Lecture in Commemoration of 2018 Democracy Day Celebration with the theme, ‘Awakening the Giant (Nigeria); A collective Responsibility’ organised by Christ Embassy Durumi, Abuja held in Abuja... recently PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI

L-R: Chairman of the occasion /Member, National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani; National Coordinator, Oodua People’s Congress, Chief Gani Adams; and the Chairman NUJ Lagos State Council, Dr. Qasim Akinreti, at the 25th Anniversary of June 12 Presidential election, with the theme: Nigerian Politics and Democratic Process on MKO Abiola and June 12, 1993 Crises and Beyond by OPC in Conjunction with NUJ Lagos State in Lagos...recently

L-R: Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Wilmont Nigeria Ltd, William Oyetakin; Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Sky Stone Capital, Ola Olabinjo; Director Nexus Credits Ltd, Bola Olabinjo; Chairman Davisther Brokers Ltd, Wale Onaolapo; Director HR & Strategy, Sky Stone Capita Doyin Elegbe; and Chief Executive Officer, Page International Finance Services Ltd, Segun Akintemi, during the official Launch of Sky Stone Capital in Lagos...recently

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸͚΀

PERSPECTIV E

Governor Ugwuanyi’s Day of Glory in Abuja Uchenna Nwuzo

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he grand reception held last week by the Enugu State National Assembly caucus in honour of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was to all intents and purposes a fitting reception for a distinguished ex-colleague.

And why not? The Enugu State governor was after all one of just a few legislators whose gubernatorial bid proved successful among a coterie of also-rans. But the import of the Abuja gathering was even far more instructive as it gave an emphatic seal to Governor Ugwuanyi’s reelection which had been enjoying a unanimous acclaim across the state.

Just as significant was the bipartisanship evident in the gathering as it comprised legislators with diverse political leanings, a feature clearly in sync with the governor’s inclusive governance philosophy, and one which continues to earn him plaudits as well as endorsements. From labour unions to student associations, farmers’ cooperatives to religious leaders, the groundswell of support for Ugwuanyi is both an eloquent testimony of service to the electorate and a self-evident performance scorecard.

This point was well articulated by the speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara. “Our brother (Ugwuanyi) who is a true leader is performing beyond expectation with the very little resources that he has,� the speaker said at the reception also attended by former speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar N’Abba; former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Bala Na’allah, who represented the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, and the director-general of the Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu. “Now that you have done exceptionally well, all the Enugu people are happy and they have decided to endorse you for a second term. The people of Enugu State are celebrating you, we are appreciating you. So I wish you well. I know that you will continue to distinguish yourself creditably and define leadership in Enugu State,� he noted further.

Governor Ugwuanyi’s cross-party

Gov. Ugwuanyi receiving a gift from Senator Ekweremadu when the Enugu State National Assembly Caucus hosted the former at a reception in Abuja

appeal was further highlighted by Senator Ekweremadu who, alongside other legislators from Enugu State, maintain a warm camaraderie with the governor and thus standing in that regard as beacons in a country where such relationship is often a nolove-lost one. “Governor Ugwuanyi has connected with the people of Enugu State in a very peculiar way,� said Senator Ekweremadu who also represents Enugu West Senatorial Zone. “If you look around here, there are people from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu and those from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). That is how we live in Enugu State. There is no discrimination, no division. We have 17 local government areas in Enugu State and none of them is complaining of marginalization.�

Such wide acclamation couldn’t have been attained through grandstanding; it is the inevitable results reaped when leaders observe an absolute fidelity to their social contract with the people. It was on the strength of this that the reception for Ugwuanyi and his subsequent endorsement was premised, as succinctly captured by

Senator Ekweremadu. “I have the mandate of the members of the Enugu State caucus at the National Assembly, and I believe all our people who live in Abuja, to say that on account of the peace you have brought and all the work you have done for the last three years, we have no hesitation whatsoever in endorsing you for one more term in 2019,� he said.

Indeed, the rhetoric on the night of that reception was consistent with the reality in Enugu State where the governor’s imprints stand as indelible reminders of a social contract kept. They could be glimpsed in the robust and ongoing urban renewal in the Enugu metropolis that has turned hitherto blighted communities neglected for decades into habitable enclaves with once impassable inner city roads now paved and public water supply restored in many parts.

Of course, the impressive scorecard is equally apparent in the health sector where the administration runs a free treatment programme for pregnant women and infants, which has substantially reduced maternal and infant mortality in the state.

The one-community-one-project, an initiative of the Ugwuanyi admin-

istration that has seen each of the 450 autonomous communities in the state receiving N5m (out of the approved N10m) to fund development projects of their choice is another remarkable example of responsive governance which has drawn wide commendation. The beauty of this grassroots programme that ensures government presence in every community lies in the latitude it gives the people to choose projects which they are convinced will add a greater value to their lives when implemented. As chairman of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, had enthused at the presentation of N5m cheques to community leaders in the programme’s first phase, “this is a special development that has never happened in Enugu State�.

Agubuzu’s reference to the trend-setting characteristics of the Ugwuanyi administration also reechoes in Senator Ekweremadu’s speech. Eulogizing the governor, he said: “Since 1999, we usually had crisis, troubles, and major misunderstandings any year preceding general elections. At times, we wondered if we would survive it. It happened in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and it happened in 2014. But today, we are in 2018, and Enugu has been adjudged the most peaceful state. There is also freedom in Enugu State. Governor Ugwuanyi does not take offence when people have cause to criticize him. He learns from the criticisms and he dialogues a lot. The judiciary is free and independent, working without fear or favour.

That is what democracy is all about.�

For Ugwuanyi, there was no reveling in personal glory; it was, in his reckoning, a story of shared success. “We have become one people united by the determination to develop our state and we will continue to remain one family. With your support and prayers, I will continue to lead an Enugu State where peace, justice, and equitable development remain the watchword. We will continue to work together to build that same united, prosperous, and great Enugu State envisioned by our fathers,� he told the gathering which responded with a loud applause. – Nwuzo, an Enugu resident, sent in this piece from Abuja

Digital Switch Over and the Place of Children Broadcast Contents Jibe Ologeh

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ollowing the implementation of the nation’s switch from analogue to digital broadcasting, otherwise known as the Digital Switchover (DSO), by the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as mandated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), children’s broadcast contents appear to be gradually going into extinction. This is not because producers are not creative and prolific or lack capacity to produce children’s content, but the advertisers, who are their major financiers, have defocused their attention from children as their primary target.

Their claim is that children do not make buying decisions, and as such

they have adopted mothers as their target audience and moved their advertising spend to dramas, soaps and Telemundo which are often rated PG 16. Imagine the children are saying you have no right to tag any content PG 16 when you have not made provisions for any content under 16!

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, speaking on the benefits of successful migration, said the nation’s television industry was expected to generate $1billion annually after the completion of the digital switch over, pointing out that industries like the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, would rake in additional $250m to the economy yearly. “For content providers, this is boom time, as the demand for content will

skyrocket, thus allowing our youth to give vent to their creativity. For viewers, there will be a harvest of channels,� the minister stated. The DSO, according to him, is at the dawn of a new era for government, television channels, producers, advertisers and most importantly, the Nigerian TV customer.

He explained that television stations would no longer need to worry about signal transmission, thus paying more attention to content.

Thus the DSO has encouraged the entrance of several channels but how many are producing children’s content?

There is one on Star Times, JYB channel 361 but how does it stay afloat when the advertisers keep insisting they are not targeting children. Also JYB has to pay transmission fees to star times while stations that enjoy huge adverts slots

such as Channels, STV, AIT, e.t.c do not pay such fees! The noodles and beverage companies are spending huge sums on Telemundo to the detriment of children’s programs.

Where are Young Scholars, KKB Show, CC Show, Kali Jos and other children’s programmes? They have all gone on-air due to exorbitant air time rates and no sponsorships from advertisers. As children’s programmes go on-air, our children are now left with adult programmes and are becoming adults as a result of what they see on air. We enjoin all wellmeaning Nigerians to add their voices to the urgent cry for the sponsorships and patronage of children’s programs on television and radio. –Ologeh is MD/CEO R Wells Media

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PERSPECTIVE

All Gloves Off for PMB Sufuyan Ojeifo

O

n May 9, 2018, some ex-leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who joined the coalition that gave birth to the All Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly issued a seven-day ultimatum to the leadership of the APC to convene a meeting to address alleged marginalisation and unfair treatment of their group in the appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The said ultimatum bore a great weight in the context of the group’s referential antecedents that strengthened the basis of the ultimatum. It was a significant punch. To be sure, the defunct new PDP (nPDP), under the superintendence of former national secretary and one-time acting national chair of the PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, that issued the ultimatum, has a remarkable history behind it.

The group broke away from the PDP in 2014 due to some irreconcilable differences.

Five governors on the party platform-Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara), Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako (Sokoto), and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano)- pulled out with their followers.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, also left the party. The then incumbent Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, followed suit.

The list, which comprised some serving senators-Bukola Saraki, Abdullahi Adamu, Adamu Aliero, Danjuma Goje, et al and some members of the House of Representatives, including Yakubu Dogara, Abdulmumin Jibril, Dakuku Peterside, among others, was quite exhaustive. There was consensus among them. Their single-mindedness and unanimity gave impetus to their agenda.

The outcome of their voyage and its far-reaching implications for the Nigeria have become part of the novel historical narrative of the electoral defeat of an incumbent president and the dislodgement of a ruling party that had bestridden the nation’s political landscape for 16 years. The defunct nPDP played a major role in the untangling of the once-dreaded behemoth of self-appointed and vaunted demigods, oracles, godfathers, fixers and enforcers.

Allowing the group to egress was PDP’s greatest blunder that irredeemably damaged

Buhari its electoral fortune in the 2015 presidential election. The defunct nPDP with such human and political capacity should rationally not have been taken for granted. In pursuit of an agenda, it has now been somewhat resurrected and created a palpable tension in the APC consequent upon the submission of its protest letter to the leadership at the National Secretariat. Baraje, who is curiously a core loyalist of Saraki, led the delegation and addressed the press on the essence of their visit and the theme of their letter.

Significantly, it would appear that the timing of the letter and the ultimatum were choreographed to aggravate the anxiety and rancour in the party arising from the current party congresses. Baraje and his cohorts had, perhaps, calculated that the APC leadership might not have the luxury of time right now to address their grievances and that would provide a good alibi to abandon the party. They did not also consult with the large spectrum of members of the defunct nPDP in the APC to get their buy-in, a move that portrayed their action as being in bad faith.

It was, therefore, not difficult for some of the members who occupy strategic positions

in the APC government to see through the chicanery of Baraje and his clique. To deflate the ego of the Baraje group and take the winds of its sail, a counter-attack from the circle of members of the defunct nPDP was inevitable.

Former governor of Nasarawa State and one-time secretary of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Abdullahi Adamu, (representing Nasarawa West in the Senate) stood up to Baraje’s offensive, all gloves off, yes, in bare-knuckle punches. The exertion was to vehemently defend Buhari and the APC. In company with Chief Theodore Georgewill and Jibrin, Adamu stormed the APC national secretariat on the eve of the expiration of the ultimatum by the Baraje-led group to submit a letter absolving the president and the party of culpability of any sorts in the alleged marginalisation in the appointments of party members into government offices. Adamu, who is currently chairman of the Committee on Agriculture in the Senate, is the North Central Coordinator of Buhari’s presidential campaign. He enjoys a cornucopia of respect in the zone as well as massive goodwill in the entire north.

One of the respected voices in the North, Adamu has, with good grace, thrown his hat in the ring in defence of Buhari’s re-election enterprise. An acclaimed political wizard in Nasarawa State, he is not bothered at all about his re-election to the Senate as he has strategically locked in the Nasarawa West senatorial seat. Very popular and loved by his people, the second term senator continues to deploy his legerdemain for electoral support. Having secured the home base, he is clear-headed about the bigger picture of the unfolding presidential clash. His first strategic battle was against the reordered sequence of 2019 general elections. Acting in pari materia with national and APC’s interests, he and some colleagues to whom he provides a sharply-focused leadership were able to dilate the Senate’s plan to override the president’s veto of the Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment Bill 2018) in furtherance of their sympathetic support for the president’s electoral cause. The issue of overriding Buhari’s veto of the Bill is dead.

Indeed, the group’s arguments borders on the president’s achievements and not on primordial sentiments. It holds the view that Buhari has done well enough to deserve a consolidating second term in office. For instance, the group is enamoured by the national and

international awareness and support that the president has attracted to the anti-corruption crusade, the degrading of the Boko Haram insurgents and the positive outlook that the economy is gaining with the shoring up of the nation’s foreign reserve from about $21 billion under the immediate past administration to about $47.8 billion presently. There is also the argument by the Adamu group that the president has the constitutional right to seek a second term. With the full force of approbation of the Buhari effects in government in the last three years, Adamu has committed to enthusiastically take on real and perceived oppositions to Buhari’s re-election enterprise.

Having assumed the leadership of the pro-Buhari group in the Senate, he has also stepped in the ring to engage Baraje and his band of external aggressors in the defunct nPDP. Declaring the group as defunct and, therefore, non-existent, Adamu had cautioned that should the APC leadership call the Baraje-led group for a meeting, the leadership should also invite his group to the meeting as critical stakeholders. Interestingly, in the articulation of his group’s counter positions, Adamu admitted that members of the defunct nPDP to which he and his colleagues on the counter protest belonged, had been taken care of by Buhari and the APC in appointments.

To validate the claim, he had listed the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, five governors, about six senators occupying the chairmanship of juicy committees and a minister (Rotimi Amaechi) as some of the strategic positions held by members of the defunct nPDP. Adamu’s audacious leadership of the counter offensive has substantially defused tension and knocked the bottom off the presumption that Baraje’s threat enjoyed the kind of unanimity that propelled the group’s breakaway from the PDP in 2014.

Having successfully led a counter action to puncture yet another conspiracy against Buhari and the APC, Adamu and his followers are, no doubt, riding on the crest of approbation in the familiar and sympathetic conclaves of Buhari’s support groups in the legislature, the executive and the APC, whose diktats, as a ruling party, will eventually be the lot of the opposition elements within if they do not jump ship. – Ojeifo sent in this piece from Abuja.

Gutsy Atiku Abubakar Sufuyan Ojeifo

ust recently, the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri Adamawa, said he was not desperate to be president of Nigeria. But, to be sure, he is an aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The race for the office of the president is always tension-soaked. The incumbent president and his supporters tend to become hysterical and abrasive in the race for re-election. Atiku’s statement was, perhaps, made in the context of the usual acrimonious nature of such race.

Besides, I cannot wager that Atiku’s traducers were taken in by his statement.

He might have intended to either construct a dignified exit strategy for himself or make his traducers to imprudently drop their guards in what should typically be a fight-tothe-finish race. I also do not think that those who are opposed to Atiku’s presidency are comfortable with his political moves in recent times. They do not feel assured in their antagonistic fixation, knowing his capacity for politicking.

Any opponent who underrates the Jadaborn politician does so at his peril. Historically, he has most of the times been on top of his political game. In the ill-fated Third Republic, he had wanted to be the president.

He had contested the ticket of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a race against the late M.K.O. Abiola and Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe. In a bid to scale the primary hurdle within the party and clinch the presidential ticket, Abiola, who appeared to enjoy a countrywide support, had struck a political rapprochement with the late Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, who was Atiku’s political leader.

The move had resulted in Atiku’s withdrawal from the race. His action and support had ensured Abiola’s victory at the

Abubakar expense of Kingibe in a subsequent run-off.

But because of the massive support that Kingibe enjoyed within the party, it became inevitable that he should be nominated as the running mate, regardless of the fact that they were both Muslims. That was how the historic Muslim-Muslim ticket that received nationwide approbation crystallised. The presidential ticket had gone ahead to win the June 12, 1993 election which results were later annulled by IBB. In 1999, Atiku led the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), the political structure of the late Shehu Yar’Adua, to work in partnership with other groups to form the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Even though he contested and won election to be governor of Adamawa State, Olusegun Obasanjo, the presidential candidate of the PDP, had nominated him as his running mate. That was how Atiku became the vice president

from 1999 to 2007.

Atiku’s unsuccessful moves to supplant Obasanjo in 2003 upset the governance architecture at the centre and altered his political trajectory. Although, he was able to lock in the position of running mate to Obasanjo in the 2003 presidential election, once the election was won, Obasanjo strategically sidelined him in their second term in office in a whiff of political vendetta.

Obasanjo had, unchallenged, pushed a corruption narrative about Atiku in the absence of concrete evidence to nail him. But presently, a vast majority of Nigerians are now at home with the fact that the “Atikuis-corrupt� perception was the ingenious creation of Obasanjo to make his (Atiku’s) candidature a hard sell anytime he decides to contest the position of president in Nigeria.

Atiku’s initial undoing was that he never cared about that.

Today, the astute politician is jostling for the presidential ticket on the PDP platform. He is, no doubt, formidable. He looks the best material that the PDP should deploy for the 2019 battle against President Buhari. Atiku has the experience. He has the grassroots and nationwide networks. He has the war chest. He has the gravitas. He has the courage to fight to the finish. He is well prepared for the job, armed with an organic economic blueprint with which to transform Nigeria into a balanced, stable and strong economy.

Besides, Atiku has clear political philosophies that he espouses regarding the future of the Nigeria as well as programmes of socio-economic reconstruction. He is restlessly looking for an opportunity to translate them into pragmatic realities. From that prism, he is desperate, even though he said he was not. If truly he was not, I hereby call him out to be. Nigeria is presently being incompetently managed and he happens to be a ahead of other contestants for the job

of redeeming Nigeria. Truth is, the massive battle to upstage candidate Buhari of the APC is not for the lily-livered.

After the 2019 presidential election, Atiku can no longer offer himself for the position, given his age. He is about 71 and this is his last and best chance of becoming the president. If I were him, I would be desperate in the circumstance of the national emergency to save Nigeria. I would deploy my human and political capital as well as my massive financial resources to get on the ballot in the PDP and go ahead to fund a massive coalition around my candidature for the epic battle. The time for him to act decisively is now.

A cursory look at Atiku’s political trajectory will show a determined man who never says die. It will reveal an embodiment of a rugged political fighting spirit. It will show a display of raw guts. Atiku is, without a doubt, gutsy! How many of those seeking to dislodge Buhari had the guts to say they would probe him if they got to power before Atiku did? He said he would probe the arms procurement contracts of the Buhari administration.

Apart from Atiku, how many of the aspirants from the north have espoused restructuring of the federation as a campaign theme? Knowing full well that restructuring is not attractive to the northern political elite, Atiku still dared the Hausa-Fulani hegemony on the matter by pushing it, thus raising general stakes about the fate of our current federal structure before and after the battle for the soul of Nigeria in 2019.

A good public relations’ outing that the PDP should benefit from was Atiku’s April 25, 2018 Chatham House lecture titled, “Next Generation Nigeria: The Importance of Strengthening States’ Economic Management.� It was a clear-headed understanding of how to effectively manage the economy of a restructured Nigerian federation.

T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY JUNE 16, 2018

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Saturday, June 16, 2018

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Middle Belt/Southern Leaders to Buhari “We have fears that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may not be able to deliver free and fair election as the bug of nepotism and sectionalism that this administration is renowned for has also eaten up the leadership of the commission.”

–Middle Belt/Southern Nigerian leaders calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to relieve INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, of his appointment.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

The Reality Nigerian Opposition Must Face Urgently

F

ellow Nigerians, we are now back to basics after the euphoria and giddiness of the June 12 reactivation and revalidation by President Muhamadu Buhari. If the Nigerian opposition parties had thought it would be easy to defeat the incumbent in next year’s Presidential election, I’m appealing to them to re-permutate and re-configure their strategies.

The political masterstroke by President Buhari demonstrated once again that the power of incumbency rests, not only in manipulating the electoral process and the security surrounding that process, but, also in manipulating policies and acts of government to enable the citizenry enjoy the feel good factor that can make them forget the ills and sorrows of the past.

Please, permit me to speak authoritatively from my personal experience as a former Presidential candidate in 2011. You will read more about the Nigerian reality in my forthcoming book, authored by my Presidential Campaign Manager, Ohimai Godwin Amaize, the youngest man ever to hold such position in Nigeria, and probably in the world. The book titled, FIGHTING LIONS: THE UNTOLD STORY OF DELE MOMODU’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, is fashioned after THE AUDACITY TO WIN: THE INSIDE STORY AND LESSONS OF BARACK OBAMA’S HISTORIC VICTORY, written by David Plouffe, Campaign Manager, Obama for America. The difference is that Obama won, I lost. Those who laughed scornfully at my epic effort and passed snide remarks about my supposed “stupidity” for ever thinking I could win are now among those crying wolf, asserting, with all their youthful vigour, that they are not-too-young-to-run.

They said I lacked experience. They actually believed that you must have been a Senator or Governor or both to qualify for their support and vote. Part of that experience should have included stealing sufficient and substantial money from government coffers and blow it on politicians of the same ilk, without principle or ideology. This is neither a joke nor hyperbolic assertion. It is a sound reality. If you think I’m just blabbing, ask our dear President his experience on the three occasions he lost elections.

No one was half as popular. He had perceived integrity in abundance. He was as meek as a Monk. He was ascetic and stern. But he lost to weaker brands. His fortune changed when the deep pockets and carpetbaggers got jazzed up and hypnotised into seeing the born-again democrat in Buhari and fell for the spell. I’ve gone through this preamble to tell my friends who are in the race the home truth before it is too late.

Truth is there are just too many youthful aspirants in the race. For them to make any appreciable showing and impact, they must hold a serious and soul-searching meeting to determine those who stand the best chances among them. They should first narrow down to four maximum, two from the North and two from the South. The four should meet further to delete two from among their number, one from the South and one from the North. Those picked and those de-selected should pledge to work together harmoniously for the good of the nation. Not everybody can be the number one or number two citizen in the country. In picking the candidates, the youngsters should

Buhari

endeavour to jettison the zoning nonsense of the two leading and established political parties.

This would help destabilise the status quo.

A Southern Presidential candidate is likely to create problems for APC and PDP (if PDP still retains that brand) and force the two to scramble for votes largely in the North since both have stuck obstinately to their preposterous zoning rascality.

The third force may end up with a Southern candidate in the hope that this candidate can force a grand coalition of all Southern regions in alliance with the North Central. This may be a perfect foil to anything that the major parties then throw up. As remote as it sounds, it may turn out to be the revolution unforetold.

The third force should also do the unusual, form a government of National Unity ahead of the elections by creating a shadow cabinet amongst the brilliant and brightest youths from all parts of Nigeria and reach out to those in the diaspora for good measure. Let me confess that this is likely to be a day-dream or pipe-dream.

Knowing my people well and their proclivity for egocentricity, none of them would ever agree to hold the meeting that is desired and, even if they do, none would condescend to step down for another.

What this portends, therefore, is that Nigeria would be stranded irrevocably and irredeemably with the two big parties, APC and PDP. And where would this leave or lead us? The answer is simple and straightforward. APC has no other way to look but towards the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari. This is sure banker unless something akin to an earthquake, volcanic eruption or Tsunami occurs and Baba decides not to run, or is forced by circumstances beyond his control not to run. I refuse to believe the rumours making the rounds that President Buhari is secretly and stylishly shopping for a worthy successor.

However, knowing that our country is a nation of rumour-mongering, I’ve decided to analyse and dismiss or disregard the conspiracy theories. For example it has been suggested that the recent validation of June 12, the seeming recognition and acceptance of Chief MKO Abiola as the undisputed winner of the 1993 elections, the National Honours of GCFR and GCON awarded to him and his running mate,

Ambassador Babagana Kingibe respectively, was a cunning strategy and tacit way of bringing back Kingibe into mainstream politics in order to prepare him for a possible baton transfer from President Buhari. Others have even gone so far as to theorise conspiratorially that the plot is to declare the June 1993 election results and thus ask Kingibe to step in to fulfil the mandate arising from the declaration of those results.

This notion is so far-fetched and constitutionally, legally and politically unsound that it can be dealt with as dead on arrival, before it even begins to take root. Checking on Kingibe’s age, we can see that there is no difference really between the two friends. Ambassador Kingibe is already 73 years old, and he will be 74 next year, by the time of our next elections.

Despite the Malaysian experience, it is clear that the world has already moved away from the era of retired and tired geriatrics running governments. Science and technology are fast developing and changing pace, accelerating almost at the speed of light, that it would be unkind and unfair on these individuals to ask them to run modern governments and expect them to succeed when they cannot keep abreast with modern trends and ideas.

This brings me to the fight to finish between PDP and APC. I repeat, the next President of Nigeria will come from the file and rank of either of these two parties. I do not believe that the third force or ADC or whatever they may choose to call themselves is quite ready to take on the mantle of liberator of the Nigerian masses as yet. However, it is beginning to look like the main opposition party, PDP, is beginning to overstretch its luck. The party is facing a government which seems bereft of ideas and looks willing to forfeit its power to the opposition. Yet, instead of taking advantage of this farcical debacle that the government seems to have conjured for itself, PDP seems to be ready to embark on a journey of self-immolation.

Consequently, the discussion and conclusion in town is that Buhari does not seem to have serious opposition as we speak right now. And you can’t blame those who feel that way. By now, most people expect PDP to have realised that it needs to rebrand itself and rid itself of the yoke of the past. That way, it becomes easier for those in the ruling party, who are desperately seeking a move and wanting a way, to do so with some modicum of dignity and respect. We are in almost the same scenario that the opposition to President Jonathan was faced with, prior to the 2015 elections. Those elections were won, not simply because the Government of President Goodluck Jonathan was so bad, which indeed, it was, or because the allure of President Buhari was so great, which indeed, it was not. The election was won because the opposition rebranded and came together as a party of national unity, with the disparate elements from all of the major opposition parties uniting for the good of the nation.

Equally as important, as the issue of rebranding, is the failure of PDP to settle, and be seen to be working, for a certain candidate, even if that candidate is not yet formally confirmed.

There are too many camps as it were within the ranks of the PDP. Depending on who you ask, there are at least six contenders for the number one slot. They are Atiku Abubakar,

Rabiu Kwankwaso, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Sule Lamido, Bukola Saraki, Aminu Tambuwal and Kabiru Tanimu Turaki. Interestingly, three of them, Kwankwaso, Saraki and Tambuwal, are still technically in APC but it is generally believed that their hearts and most of their bodies are no longer in that party. They feel a sense of animosity, antipathy and aversion towards them that is certainly more real than imagined. The result is that this alienation, leading to possible, even, annihilation is such as to make them wounded animals, ready to let rip against a party that they believe they helped to birth and nurture. It is not healthy for PDP that it has not gone through what will be a painful process of picking its candidate, or at least narrowing down its choices, because it means the period for the healing process will be short and possibly insufficient before the elections come. It is certain that there will be a lot of dissatisfaction and disaffection on the part of the losers, because these are strongmen, ironmen in their own individual right. Some will be sore losers. Egos will be bruised. Bad blood will be created. The party must be ready to cope with the fallout, but without time, which is a precious commodity at this moment, it cannot succeed.

PDP would require a rock-solid team to dislodge Buhari. That is why it is imperative for the party to take on the two issues of party rebranding and preferred candidate sooner rather than later. Indeed, the right time is now. Once a preferred candidate is known, that person must be ready to play for broke and if necessary commit political suicide. For now, I see only two people with such lion hearts at the moment, out of these seven potential candidates earlier mentioned.

These two have been grilled through the ages.

They’ve experienced the vicissitudes of politics and are still standing by the grace of God or whatever stroke of luck, at least so far. I see Atiku Abubakar and Bukola Saraki in that mould. I do not however rule out others. Both Rabiu Kwankwaso and Ibrahim Dankwambo have displayed some steel and courage in the past. My assessment of them at this stage is because they are simply not household names like Atiku and Saraki, but that is not to say that they cannot yet prove to be the joker in the pack. Dankwambo in particular seems to have done a lot of work in Gombe, as has indeed Tambuwal who because of his relative youth may yet appeal to younger voters.

The next election is not going to be as easy to conduct and contest like the 2015 version under President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Buhari administration comes with intimidating credentials from a most robust military background. These ones won’t go down without a fight or guns blazing. Only warriors with stupendous war-chests would stand any chance whatsoever of sacking Buhari and his army of fanatical supporters and acolytes. The PDP should make up its mind urgently because time is not anyone’s friend under this circumstance. I think all the potential candidates should meet as soon as possible with some of the party apparatchik and settle for number one and number two, if ever they hope and pray to dismiss Buhari from power.

Time will soon tell!

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