Saturday 21ST July 2018

CBN Directs Banks to Bid for First Chinese Yuan Auction Finally, FAAC disburses N668bn for May

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku, Obinna Chima in Lagos and Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday commenced its intervention in the sale of

foreign exchange in Chinese Yuan (CNY), signaling the consummation of the bilateral currency swap agreement it signed with the People’s Bank of China on April 27.

This is coming as the

Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), after three inconclusive meetings scheduled to share allocations for the month of May, has finally distributed N668.898billion to the three

June allocation uncertain

tiers of government.

Acting Director, Corporate Communications at the CBN, Isaac Okorafor said in a statement yesterday that the sales shall be through a combination of spot and short

tenored forwards.

According to him, the exercise, which shall be Special Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) retail, would be dedicated to the payment of Renminbi denominated Letters

of Credit for raw materials, machinery and agriculture.

He explained that the CBN would receive bids from all authorised dealers, further adding that due to the Continued on page 6

Adamawa Agog for Atiku’s 2019 Presidential Declaration… Page 8 Saturday 21 July, 2018 Vol 23. No 8493

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Vote Buying Undermined Legitimacy of Ekiti Election, Say International Observers Udora Orizu in Abuja

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI), yesterday condemned vote buying

during the recent governorship election in Ekiti State.

The groups said the monetisation of the election undermined its legitimacy and weakens representative

democracy.

The international election observer groups noted that the practice had persisted because of the lack of enforcement of punishments for this electoral offense.

IRI Regional Director for Europe, Jan Surotchak, who made these observations at a joint press briefing in Abuja where he presented the verdict of the groups on the Ekiti governorship

election, expressed concern about the high level of vote buying.

According to Surotchak, "Vote buying is an electoral offense; it also undermines the legitimacy of elections

and weakens representative democracy. During the July 14 gubernatorial elections in Ekiti State, the Watching The Vote (WTV) Continued on page 6

Presidency: Northern Elders Forum Angered

by Inaccessibility to National Resources They’re shedding crocodile tears Buhari: I announced my 2nd term bid early in order to cool tempers Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Presidency yesterday in Abuja chided members of Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and other ethnic and regional leaders who recently met in Abuja to bemoan the spate of insecurity threatening the country, saying they are only angered by “inaccessibility to national resources.”

Also yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari said he

opted to declare his re-election bid early enough in order to cool tempers.

The coalition of NEF and other socio-cultural groups from different parts of the country had lamented the alleged failure of the Buhari administration to stem the tide of killings across the country, describing the government as incompetent.

Continued on page 6

Oyetola Wins APC Ticket for Osun A JOB WELL DONE… Governorship Election… Page 8 President Muhammadu Buhari with the Director General, Buhari Support Group, Umaru Dembo, during the visit of the National Executives of the group to the President at the State House, Abuja… yesterday

godwin omoigui

Remains of Former IGP Coomassie Buried in Katsina Amidst Eulogies… Page 6

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Remains of Former IGP Coomassie Buried in Katsina Amidst Eulogies Saraki, Dogara, others condole with family Deji Elumoye, James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË ËØÎ Francis Sardauna ÓØ ËÞÝÓØË Eulogies poured in as the body of the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), and Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie was laid to rest in Katsina yesterday.

The former IGP’s body was buried at the Rimin Badawa cemetery in Katsina, shortly after funeral prayers led by the Chief Imam of the Bin Coomassie mosque, Alhaji Samu Adamu Bakori.

The Inspector General of

Police, Ibrahim Idris, who was at the funeral, also delivered a condolence letter to Governor Aminu Bello Masari from the Force headquarters.

Responding to the letter, Governor Masari said the nation had lost a bridge builder who committed himself to peace and unity of the country, describing the late Coomassie as an adviser and supporter of his state.

“Coomassie was always trying to unite the people of the country. The last time we met, he was in a bad shape but was not talking about himself but about the nation, particularly addressing issues that have

to do with the security of the nation,” Masari said.

Dignitaries at the funeral prayer included the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari: Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau and Senator Abu Ibrahim, among others.

Earlier, in his Jumaat sermon, Chief Imam Bakori of Katsina Central Mosque, who could not control his tears while leading thousands of worshippers, said every soul shall taste death and urged Nigerians to always fear God.

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, in a condolence message, yesterday, expressed grief over the death of Coomassie whom he described as a thorough-bred, diligent officer and gentleman, who served his country with all his energy during his lifetime.

Saraki said, in his message released by his Media Adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu that Coomassie’s contributions to the maintenance of law and order, as well as to the fight against insecurity in the country cannot be quantified.

According to him, the late Coomassie, after retirement, became a statesman, using

the platform of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to foster the unity of the nation and its development.

Also in a condolence message, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara described the late Sardaunan Katsina as an illustrious Nigerian and eminent statesman who served the country meritoriously and dutifully, both in his career in the Nigeria Police and in retirement.

Dogara said: "This is indeed a huge loss, especially at this trying time of security challenges when the country is in dire

need of professional advice and elderly guidance from people of the ex-IGP's calibre.

"But we must take solace in the fact that the late Coomassie left a legacy of professionalism and selfless service to the country and humanity and will continue to be remembered for his outstanding courage, discipline and exemplary leadership, both in service as the police helmsman and in retirement.

"My sincere condolences to his immediate family, the government and people of Katsina state over this great loss."

A statement issued by the Director (Information) in the ministry, Hassan Dodo said: "The urgent need to cushion the undue hardships being experienced by workers nationwide has made it necessary to distribute the May figures totalling N668.898 billion to the three tiers of government, while efforts are being intensified to address the unsatisfactory remittances."

The disbursed N668.898billion, the statement added, was made up of statutory distributable sum of N575.475 billion and N 93.423 billion from the Value Added Tax (VAT).

The total revenue realised for the month, was shared in line with the extant formula as follows: federal government N282.223 billion; states - N181.167 billion; and local governments - N136.490 billion. The oil producing states received N53.071 billion as 13 per cent derivation.

The sum of N15.947 billion was paid to the revenue generating agencies as costs of collections.

The statement explained that

the statutory revenue of N575.475 billion received for the month of May 2018 was lower than the N613.057 billion received for April 2018 by a total of N37.582 billion. From the total statutory revenue of N575.475 billion, the federal government got N268.770 billion; the states - N136.324 billion; local governments N105.100 billion; oil producing states - N53.071 billion, and the revenue generating agencies received N12.210 billion as costs of collections.

For the month of May 2018, the total revenue of N93.423 billion from the Value Added Tax (VAT) was N5.458 billion higher than the N87.965 billion distributed in April 2018.

From the N93.423 billion, the federal government received N13.453 billion; states-- N44.843 billion; local governments -N31.390 billion, while N3.737 billion was received by the revenue collecting agencies.

With the May allocation finally distributed, it is uncertain when the June accruals will be shared.

CBN DIRECTS BANKS TO BID FOR FIRST CHINESE YUAN AUCTION peculiarity of the exercise, the Bank would not be applying the relevant provisions of its Revised Guidelines for the Operation of the Inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market, which require all SMIS bids to be submitted to the CBN through the Forex Primary Dealers.

Furthermore he said that the CBN would also not be applying the relevant provisions of the guidelines, which equally provide that “Spot FX sold to any particular end-user shall not exceed 1% of the overall available funds on offer at each SMIS session”.

Speaking on the bid period, Okorafor said authorised dealers were requested to submit their customers’ bids from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm on Friday July 20, 2018, adding that bids received after this time would be disqualified.

On funding, he disclosed that authorised dealers were to debit the customers’ accounts for the Naira equivalent of their bids, stressing that the CBN would debit authorised

dealers’ current account on the day of intervention to the tune of the naira equivalent of their bid request.

The CBN spokesman explained that there would be no predetermined spread on the sale of FX Forwards by authorised dealers to end-users under the Special SMIS-Retail, adding that authorised dealers would be allowed to earn 50 kobo on the customers’ bids.

Pointing out that the bids were on Spot FX basis as the authorised dealers’ accounts with the CBN would be debited in full for the Naira equivalent of the USD bid amount, Okorafor advised customers that were not willing to accept the settlement terms not to participate in this Special SMIS - Retail.

According to him, forward bids would be settled through a multiple-price book building process and would cut-off at a marginal rate to be disclosed after the conclusion of the Special SMIS – Retail process. He urged customers not willing to accept

the terms of the forward rate not to participate in this Special Chinese Yuan SMIS Intervention.

He emphasised that the CBN reserved the right not to make a sale if it had the impression that the exercise did not provide an effective price for the determination of the CNY/NGN exchange rate.

"There will be very marginal discount to encourage people to go for it. But the discount will be so small as not to encourage arbitrage, but encourage those who really want to do so that they can get an advantage for embracing the Renminbi currency,” the source had told THISDAY The CBN recently held town hall meetings in some cities in the country in its bid to woo businesses importing goods from China to use the Yuan instead of the United States dollar in its effort to support its naira currency and boost reserves.

Officials said the deal was aimed at reducing reliance on the dollar and “as such, reduce

the pressure on the naira-dollar exchange rate.”

Meanwhile, the FAAC, after three inconclusive meetings scheduled to share allocations for the month of May has distributed N668.898billion to the three tiers of government.

The stalemate was occasioned by a sharp disagreement over remittances into the Federation Account by the revenue generating agencies, especially the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The states, represented in FAAC by commissioners for finance had insisted that the NNPC must remit what they considered appropriate before disbursements could take place.

Following the deadlock, many civil servants at the federal and state levels were unable to get their salaries paid.

However, the Ministry of Finance announced yesterday that N668.898 billion had been distributed among the three tiers of government, for the month of May.

PRESIDENCY: NORTHERN ELDERS FORUM ANGERED BY INACCESSIBILITY TO NATIONAL RESOURCES But in a swift response, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu accused the leaders of merely shedding crocodile tears which he said were only driven by alleged selfishness.

Describing the gathering as an unholy alliance, Shehu, who also accused the leaders of allegedly unleashing assault on the administration of Buhari, which he said was inching closer to a second term in 2019, described the allegation that Buhari does nothing about insecurity as fake news.

According to him, those peddling the "fake news" on Buhari's alleged incompetence to solve the prevalent security crisis threatening the country should go and check a recent statement by his colleague, Mr. Femi Adesina, which he said highlighted various steps taken by the administration to address the menace.

Shehu said: "The Presidency considers a communiqué issued by some ethnic and sectional groups assembled in Abuja recently as the shedding of crocodile tears by selfish leaders, who felt alienated after a transparent and accountable system halted their disproportionate survival on resources of the state.

"The communiqué issued by the leaders of some sociocultural organisations led by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and some ethnic and sectional groups had accused the Buhari administration of incompetence in handling the security situation in the country.

"The Presidency urges Nigerians to ignore the unholy alliance by these groups who are stepping up their assault on the All Progressives Congress administration as it expands its national dominance and moves closer to securing an outright victory in the elections next year.

"The Presidency notes with dismay that the refrain about President Buhari not doing anything about security in the country had turned into the number one fake news item being peddled in the media.

"The Presidency refers all the purveyors of falsehood to a State House press release published a few days ago and signed by Special Adviser to the President, Femi Adesina, which clearly outlined the government's major achievements and initiatives in tackling security challenges from January to July, 2018.

"The press release which was titled: “Combating Insecurity in the Country: Lest

We Forget – Presidency” listed on going security operations covering Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States launched in February to tackle cases of kidnappings, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, among others; (2) Nigerian Air Force establishment of three new Quick Response Wings (QRW) in Taraba, Nasarawa and Benue States respectively, and deployment of Special Forces personnel.

"The press release also noted President Buhari's approval for the establishment of a new Battalion of the Nigerian Army, as well as a new Police Area Command, in Birnin Gwari Local Council in Kaduna State, as part of measures to scale up security in response to the banditry affecting the area.

"We advise Nigerians to read Adesina's statement if they haven't yet, or re-read it for better understanding of the efforts to ensure peace in the country. It is sad and misleading for anyone to say that President Buhari had not responded to the security challenges in the country.

"No one can honestly say that President Buhari is doing nothing about security. It's just a fake news item being peddled by selfish politicians

with vested interests in keeping Nigerians incensed, and it risks being entrenched as reality if we don't educate ourselves with the truth."

Buhari: l Announced My Re-election Bid Early to Bring Out Serious Gladiators Meanwhile, President Buhari yesterday in Abuja said he opted to declare his re-election bid early enough to challenge other serious contenders to pick up their gauntlets and throw their hats into the ring.

The President made this declaration while receiving members of Buhari Support Group, who had paid him a courtesy visit in the Presidential Villa.

Buhari who had declared his intention to return to the State House in 2019 on April 9, this year, shortly before his departure to London ahead of 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), said when he made the announcement, a number of people had not only constituted a nuisance to themselves but also to other Nigerians.

On April 11, 2018, two days after announcing his intention

to run in 2019 at a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, Buhari told Archbishop Justin Welby in London, that he opted to make his reelection bid known before leaving Nigeria because people were talking too much about it.

But yesterday, aside stating that he did so to bring out gladiators, the president said he also made his intention known in April to save a lot of time and douse tension, further adding that he had tried to ensure that the party is reorganised in a way that everyone has a sense of belonging.

He thanked members of the group whom he said had consistently supported him without getting any reward.

"I have to thank you for identifying yourself as a group consistently for all these years and getting nothing for it visibly. I think it is worthy of commendation and I am extending my personal appreciation for your principle.

For you to identify openly with this organisation all these years, it means a lot. Thank you for your time, for meeting from time to time to consolidate on your tactics, I am sincerely grateful to you.

"I had to announce before the National Executive Committee (NEC) about my intention to ask for the party’s nomination for next year’s election so that we can save a lot of time and cool tempers.

"A lot of people are trying to make it a habit of being a nuisance to themselves and to too many Nigerians.

So, when I announced my intention, I said 'okay, let those who are serious come out,' and I try to make sure that the party is reorganised and consolidated so that we start from bottom to top, so that Nigerians will be involved and that each constituency will pick those they want to represent them at various levels whether local government chairmen, counsellors, state houses of assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and finally the Presidency itself," he said.

He emphasised the need for voter education, pointing out that he had been advising governors to champion voters' education even if it may not be in their interest.”

Speaking on behalf of the group, Umar Dembo, told Buhari that the group was putting plans in place to publish a book on the achievements of his administration.

VOTE BUYING UNDERMINED LEGITIMACY OF EKITI ELECTION, SAY INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS group deployed citizen election observers to a representative sample of polling sites across the state and recorded that 8 percent of sampled polling units experienced incidents of vote buying or bribery on the election day."

He stated that residents said poverty, disillusionment with the performance of elected

representatives and low civic awareness of voters contributed to the expansion of vote buying, particularly in off-cycle gubernatorial elections since 2015.

Surotchak revealed that some Nigerians who commented on the development expressed worries that rising insecurity and the threat to violence could dampen citizen participation in the 2019 elections and prevent

some voters from going to the polls.

He said: "The lack of enforcement of punishments for this electoral offense has allowed the practice to persist and grow. Delegation members also noted instances where the placement of the voting and the folding of the ballot did not guarantee the secrecy of the ballot.

"The delegation noted

significant disparities in the capacity of polling unit officials to administer the counting of results. However, the consolidation of the accreditation and voting processes was a successful innovation that shortened the amount of time spent by voters at the polling unit.”

Also, the Vice Chairperson, Electoral Commission, South Africa, Terry Tselane urged

President Muhammadu Buhari to sign into law the electoral act amendment bill before August 16, in accordance with the ECOWAS protocol to which Nigeria is a signatory. This, according to him, is to ensure sufficient time for INEC to implement electoral changes.

He said: "INEC believes that the bill to amend the electoral act recently passed by the National Assembly

would strengthen its ability to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the political party candidate nomination process for all elected offices.

"Changed to the electoral act would also require INEC to make the voter register and election results electronic and accessible; increase the campaign period from 90 to 150 days".

T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY JULY 21, 2018

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NEWS

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AIMING FOR LARGER MARKET ...

L - R: Marketing Director Nigerian Breweries PLc. Mr. Franco Maria Maggi; Saturday Editor, Punch Newspaper, Jury Member; “33” Export Pen Down For Friendship Competition, Mrs. Bisi Deji-Folutile; Corporate Affairs Adviser NB Plc., Kufre Ekanem; and Head Jury, “33” Export Pen Down For Friendship Competition, Anthony Kan Onwordi, at the unveiling of “33” Export City Of Friends In Lagos….. recently

Adamawa Agog for Atiku’s 2019 Presidential Declaration Bennett Oghifo

Ahead of the grand reception to be hosted today in honour of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar by the Adamawa State Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP and the followership of the party in the North East, Yola the Adamawa State capital is buzzing with expectations.

The former Vice President has been on the road since the beginning of the year on consultations and meetings with leaders and stakeholders of the PDP, broaching

his desire to lead Nigeria, come May 29, 2019 and soliciting the support of the broad spectrum of the teeming membership of the party.

In the last few weeks, Atiku's nationwide tour had taken him to Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Abia, Borno, Taraba, Sokoto, Kaduna and Adamawa States, among others, in pursuit of this project.

Since the beginning of the week, the three airlines servicing Yola, Arik, Air Peace and Medview, have recorded increased passenger traffic

as leaders of the main opposition party, stakeholders, supporters and followers have been streaming into the city.

Early arrivals include former Police Affairs Minister, Adamu Maina Waziri, Senators Abdul Ningi, Ben Murray Bruce, Saidu Umar Kumo, former Minister of Niger Delta, Godsay Orubebe and senatorial aspirant under the platform of the PDP for Cross River North, Blessing Egbara.

Director-General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisa-

tion, APCO and former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, led national leaders of the party, members of the local organising committee, LOC of the grand rally, officers of the campaign on an inspection tour of Ribadu Square, Jimeta, Yola.

On his entourage were legal adviser to Atiku Abubakar Maxwell Gidado, SAN, communications director of the campaign, Mike Omeri, director of groups and associations, Nath Yaduma, spokesman of the campaign,

Segun Sowunmi, among others.

Major hotels in Yola, notably: AUN Hotel and Conference Centre; Madugu Rockview Hotel; Shagari Royal Guest House; Yukuben Hotel, Taraba Palms, Gongola Summit Suites, have been fully booked.

The city is brimming with billboards, banners, flexes and posters, welcoming guests to the event and congratulating Atiku on his 'homecoming.'

The reception, put together to formally receive the former Vice President into the PDP family, fol-

lowing his return to the party late last year, is expected to culminate in his formal declaration to contest for the presidency in the 2019 election.

Dignitaries expected at the grand rally include the National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, Members of the National Working Committee of the PDP; Members of the Board of Trustees; Governors of PDP-controlled states, former Governors, Members of the National Assembly, as well as other national and zonal party leaders.

Lawmakers Seek Reversal of Ibadan Oyetola Wins Osun APC Governorship Ticket Electricity Company’s Directors’ Suspension Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Bennett Oghifo The House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to rescind the suspension of the executive and non-executive directors of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.

The resolution followed a motion under matters of urgent public importance by Hon. Sunday Adepoju (Oyo-APC) at the plenary in Abuja.

In the motion, Adepoju noted the critical role the power sector plays in Nigeria’s economy.

He said that in the federal government’s privatisation policy, Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited became a core investor in Ibadan Electricity Distribution Plc and the Yola Electricity Distribution Plc. ”The House is aware that due to the protracted violence in the North-East, the Integrated Energy

Distribution and Marketing Limited declared “Force Majeure’’.

“This terminated the sale of Yola Electricity Distribution Company and entitling Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited to a refund from the Bureau of Public Enterprises of the money it paid for a stake in the company. ”The House is conscious that though the refund to Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited fell due since 2015, the Bureau of Public Enterprises is yet to fulfil its obligation.

“It recently caused the federal government to provide for it in the 2018 Appropriation Act. ”The house is also conscious that in two separate agreements executed in 2015 and 2016, the Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited borrowed a total of N6, 000, 000, 000 from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.

“This is to pay off some of the debts it incurred in the failed Yola Electricity Distribution transaction,” he said, adding that the House was impressed.

Adepoju said that in spite of the expected refund from the PBE, which served as security against the loans, the Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited in December 2017 reached an understanding.

He further added: “The understanding with NERC was to pay the sum of N150, 000, 000 monthly to Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company towards the settlement of the loans. ”The House is satisfied that the Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited as at June 14, 2018, had paid the said N150 million from January to May, 2018.

“Although, there were hiccups occasioned by cash flow, payment is currently up to date.

After intrigues and alleged vote buying from delegates by various contestants in the Osun State All Progressives Congress governorship primary, Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Chief of Staff, Oyetola Isiaka polled 3,214 votes to emerge winner. He defeated Yusuf Lasun who scored 374 votes and Salaam Najeem who polled 134 votes.

The contest was adjudged peaceful though voters registers could not be used in all the wards. Where the register was not available, counting of delegates were done under the strict supervision of the security personnel sent to maintain peace.

There was also a report that the name of one of the contestants was not included on the ballot paper.

Contrary to claims that direct primary system introduced to the primary would prevent inducement of voters, governorship aspirants on Friday stormed voting centres with money in Osun State as each

delegate was given at least N2000.

The money was openly displayed while voters were on queue collecting money shared by representatives of the aspirants.

Security agents were at each ward visited by our correspondent while the counting was done.

However at Union Baptist Government School, ward 4, Osogbo Local Government, representatives of the aspirants who were seen in two groups within the school premises, were distributing money to those that supported them.

All the supporters were given N2,000 while policemen and civil defence corps looked on.

At Salvation Army School, Alekuwodo, ward 5, Osogbo, voters were stranded waiting for electoral register till they left in the afternoon.

The leading aspirants and Chief of Staff to the Governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola, commended the security and electoral officers for peaceful conduct of the primary.

Another aspirant, Mr. Kunle Rasheed Adegoke complained that only one register was brought out of the 10 polling units in his ward at Ward 3, Olorunda Local Government, Osogbo.

He stressed that voting material were not brought to wards 9, 10 and 11 in Boripe Local Government Area of the state where he monitored, adding "at a ward in Olorunda, they didn't use voters' register, they just asked people to queue and they were counting them and in the whole of Boluwaduro Local Government, no accreditation was done.

The Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, had in the morning announced his withdrawal from the race due to the alleged perfection of plan to impose Oyetola.

No fewer than 350 ,000 delegates converged to vote, in the exercise which took place in 332 wards as direct primary was adopted in all centers in the state.

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JULY 21, 2͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

RingTrue

Yemi

Adebowale Why is Maikanti Baru Still NNPC’s GMD? 07013940521 yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Allegations of malfeasance against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation pour daily. It is bewildering that Maikanti Baru remains the boss of this behemoth despite tons of apparent wrongdoings. The latest is the information provided by the Department of Petroleum Resources to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum which contradicts claims by the NNPC that Nigeria is now consuming an average of 65 million litres of petrol daily. The DPR simply confirmed NGF’s publicised suspicion that the NNPC was reporting excessive petrol consumption figure to facilitate deduction of undue petrol cost (under-recovery) from domestic crude cost. This explains the shortfall in what NNPC remits to the Federation Account. The puzzled governors had to call for the DPR report because they could not understand why the consumption of petrol would jump from an average of 30 million litres per day three years ago to an average of about 65 million litres daily under a “change” administration.

NNPC is strongly suspected to be duping the federation with deceitful claims as subsidy on imported petrol.

This is why the governors have been calling for an audit of the corporation’s petrol importation, claiming daily petrol consumption figures reported by the NNPC were overblown by the corporation, so that it could keep more money away from FAAC. In fact, NNPC even shockingly reported that daily consumption of petrol reached a peak of over 70 million litres per day “during the festive period of November and December 2017, and through the crises period.” What a country!

The most frightening aspect of the incriminating DPR report states: “There was never a time where PMS Truck Out (evacuation) reached 60 million litres per day. Additionally, the PPPRA evacuation data since January 2016 indicated average volume of 50 million litres per day.” Evidently, NNPC’s petrol subsidy claims are fraudulently based on supply and not evacuation or consumption. So, they just make all sorts of import claims and follow up with subsidy claims. For example, in May this year alone, NNPC made deductions totaling N31.12 billion as subsidy claims. That same month, it made another N57.79 billion deduction

Baru

said to be “outstanding subsidy claims for 2017.” The methodology of Baru’s subsidy payment is evidently impervious.

Besides, there are no budgetary provisions for subsidy. So, it is an aberration.

Prior to the DPR indictment, NNPC had been struggling to defend allegations of subsidy fraud against it by the Chairman of the NGF and Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari. Recently, the governor openly rejected the corporation’s outlandish claim of 60-65 million litres average national daily consumption of petrol.

This was after a meeting of the NGF with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House. “Many of our international partners are saying that even if we are feeding Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana and Niger, we cannot consume more than 35 million litres per day. So, we are wondering where the 60 million litres is coming from,” remarked a visibly worried Yari.

I can vividly recollect that Ibe Kachikwu as NNPC GMD disputed the 35 million litres average daily consumption inherited from the Jonathan government, insisting that their checks found the figure was far less. Kachikwu then put the realistic national consumption figure at 23-25 million litres per day.

Under a “change” government, Nigeria now consumes an average of 65 million litres daily under Baru. Who is fooling who? Another frightening trend is that alarming sums are daily expended on

petrol importation by the NNPC without query. That was why the NNPC spent a monstrous $5.8 billion on the importation of 9.8 million metric tons of petrol in four months - October 2017 to January 2018 – without query. The NNPC under Baru has become an outlaw and bigger than virtually everybody in Nigeria.

It persistently refuses to make correct remittances to the Federation Account for crude oil sold, yet, nobody queries this monster. Its recalcitrance stalled the last FAAC meeting for the distribution of May revenue because its remittance was less N20 billion, without any plausible explanation.

It was also observed at the FAAC meeting that “NNPC claimed it spent N3.5 billion on product leakages and pipeline vandalism, but the Department of Petroleum Resources, an agency that is supposed to keep such record, claimed ignorance of the amount”. Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun remarked: “We operate the NNPC as a business.

We have invested public capital in that business; and we have expectations of return. And when that return falls lower than our expectations, then the owners of this business, which in this case are the Federal Government and states, need to act…We felt that some of the costs couldn’t be justified.”

Sleaze allegations against the NNPC under this “change” government are unending. The memo written by Kachikwu on sleaze in the corporation remains fresh in our memory. Contracts running into billions of USD were allegedly awarded exclusively by Baru, without due process. Some of them included the crude term contracts valued at over $10 billion; DSDP contracts valued at over $5 billion; the AKK pipeline contract valued at approximately $3 billion; various financing allocation-funding contracts with the NOCs valued at over $3 billion and various NPDC production service contracts valued at over $3 billion.

Kachikwu further alleged that during the first year of Baru’s tenure, no contract was cleared by the NNPC board, despite legal and procedural requirements that all contracts above $20 million should be reviewed and approved by the board.

It is mystifying that Baru remains GMD while NNPC bleeds the nation.

Judgement day is around the corner. I believe this.

Voodoo Statistics about Improved Electricity Generation The expose by the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) on false generation figures being dished out by the federal government is mind-wrenching.

For those who have not been following the story, the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) on Tuesday declared as false, government’s claims that power generation had peaked at 7,000MW since President Muhammadu Buhari came into office in May 2015. ANED said further that as at January 2015, Nigeria already had close to that generation figure. It also described as false, the government’s repeated claim that an excess generation of 2,000MW was idle.

Speaking through its Executive Director, Sunday Oduntan, ANED debunked claims of improvement in power generation in the country since Buhari assumed office. “Generation capacity as at January 2015 was 6,421 megawatts (MW) and not 4,000MW as often claimed by the government.

Government has largely created more confusion in the operations of the country’s electricity sector, than it had helped it. A review of NERC’s Daily

Energy Watch for January 28, 2015 would indicate a generation availability of 6,421MW, divided into peak of 4,230MW and constrained energy of 2,191MW. In other words, it is misleading to state that available generation has grown from 4,000MW in 2015, as a measure of progress, given that a volume of generation slightly under 7,000MW already or previously existed, prior to the beginning of this administration.

“Furthermore, there is no stranded 2,000MW. While there is an available capacity of 7,000MW, the best that can be generated, at this time is 5,000MW. This is because there is insufficient gas to power the thermal plants due to gas line limitations. For instance, the non-completion of the Oben pipeline, and the absence of a commercial framework that would encourage gas exploration are hindering gas supply. This, therefore, shows that very little had actually changed contrary to constant pronouncements by government. It is with much regret that we feel compelled to respond to the significantly distorted picture that has been painted by the Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola,” ANED said.

Fayose

Fayose and the Wages of Tyranny With his unbridled tyranny, arrogance and over-confidence, Governor Ayodele Fayose all alone, destroyed his party and candidate in the Ekiti governorship election held last week. Prior to the election, Fayose had forced many grassroots politicians out of the PDP which he runs like a personal property. The loquacious Fayose is often seen abusing and cursing those with contrary opinion. Many PDP chieftains who could not endure his rampant tyranny simply left. Even his Attorney General left him few weeks to the election.

The genuinely aggrieved PDP chieftains teamed up with the cerebral Kayode Fayemi of the APC and taught Fayose a bitter lesson at the poll. While Fayemi begged those he defeated during the primary election, Fayose went about mocking defeated PDP aspirants.

This is the truth that must be told. Nobody should weep for Fayose.

The Angst of Plateau IDP

Governor Simon Lalong has evidently abandoned victims of herders’ attacks in Plateau State. This governor has been acting as if he’s one of the herders. He speaks more in support of the herders than his people.

That was why Internally Displaced Persons at Geo-science camp, Jos South LG, pelted his convoy with stones last Saturday. Lalong had not visited the IDPs for three weeks after they were attacked and displaced from their homes. “We don’t want relief materials; we want to go back to our homes. The Fulanis are now occupying our homes and grazing their cattle on our farms. We want government to chase them away so that we can go back to our homes; we are not comfortable in this place,” chanted the IDPs. As Lalong drove out, the IDPs began to pelt his convoy with stones, damaging three cars. They described him as “insensitive and irresponsible.”

The IDPs have every reason to be angry.

Relief materials delivered to their camps are grossly inadequate . Some have died due to hunger and poor medical care. Besides, they are desperate to return home, but killer herders still roam freely in their towns and villages. Some Plateau youths had earlier attacked Lalong at the Government House, Jos, over his alleged support for killer herders. I believe the people of this state know what to do in 2019.

Boko Haram Attack in Boboshe

How many soldiers were killed when Boko Haram ambushed a military convoy at Boboshe village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State last weekend?

How many soldiers are still missing after the attack? How many military trucks did the terrorists take away? There are so many versions regarding casualties of the attack in Boboshe village. However, one thing all the versions agreed with was that a “defeated” Boko Haram ambushed our soldiers and took away some of their trucks. This is no good news for a government that claims the Fasholla terrorists had been decapitated. A “beaten” Boko Haram came in their hundreds and As usual, the government will soon ambushed the troops. This shows that the come up with a voodoo response to this terrorists are still very potent. As I pen this piece, residents of Jilli community in grave allegation by ANED. But for how long shall we continue with government Gubio LGA of Borno State have abandoned their village to Boko Haram. The terrorists of propaganda? Nigerians want stable attacked the area from the axis of Lake Chad, electricity supply with pre-paid metres forcing the residents to flee. Boko Haram in our homes, offices and factories; not now controls Jilli. The earlier the military and bogus stories about improved generation government stop deluding themselves about without any impact. a false victory, the better for our dear country.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 21, 2018

SUPER SATURDAY

COSSY ORJIAKOR I’m Still So Scared about Getting Married It is doubtful if Cossy Orjiakor, a popular actress and video vixen would ordinarily like to court controversy. But it is strange how the controversy has always literally dogged her steps and even actions.

The light complexioned entertainer that shot into the limelight many years ago is always in the news, particularly with her revealing and massive boobs that have over time, become source of gossip and discussions. She talks to Bayo Adeoye about her life, men and why she loves controversy

P

eople see you as an artiste , musician and actress. Who exactly is Cossy Orjiakor?

I am an all-round entertainer; I try to make people happy through different things I do. I am a talented person and I exhibit the talents if given the chance

Lately, you have recoiled into your shell.

We hardly see you in movies?

I have been acting but I have not been playing the controversial roles many expected me to play. Maybe that it is why it looks like I have not been acting. I have a movie in the cinema titled ‘Kondo Games’ directed by Charles Uwagbai. I played a lead role acting alongside great actors like Jide Kosoko, Mercy Johnson, Uche Jombo, Mercy Aigbe, Francis Odega and other top Nollywood actors.

Talking about controversy; people know you more for controversial kinds of stuff than being an actress. Is this deliberate?

Well, I feel if I can’t change that part of me so I just have to embrace it totally. So, controversy is part of me.

Really, so how do you feel when you read negative stories about yourself on the pages of newspapers or online?

I don’t feel bad about it; I have developed a deep skin for such things. Whenever I see things like that, I just imagine what’s going through the person’s mind for such negativity to come out of it.

They must be caught up with evils and hatred for themselves not to like someone they don’t even know. When people write negative stuff about me and I am like this guy must be frustrated and needs help. At least, I made the person react maybe in a good or bad way.

Do you know that people don’t really see you as an entertainer but rather someone that loves displaying her boobs and other God-given endowments Do I really care? The funny thing is I live along and I’m not the type that takes pictures that much. I can’t remember the last time I took pictures. But sometimes maybe when I go out with friends like twice a month, those are the periods I get to snap and the pictures will go viral. Those times are the times I wear those revealing clothes. You don’t expect me to wear those clothes to the supermarket so those clothes are strictly for parties and trust me, I love parties. When I was small, my dad was a strict person. I never really partied even when I was in school, no clubbing. So I missed those lifestyles and now that I have the opportunity to do it , so I need to enjoy it.

Some weeks ago, you posted on your Instagram about your neighbour’s husband. Tell us what really trans-

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY21, 2018

11

SUPERSATURDAY Apostle Johnson Suleiman and I are close; when I knew him, I never knew he was an apostle I am this kind of person that sometimes I might not want to sweep my house, cook, but once you are married you must do all these and try to satisfy someone but you are not even getting paid to do all that and then, you might be beaten if you fail to do it. When love starts it’s sweet but after three years it goes sour. I don’t think I want to be caught up in that scenario

pired?

I realised the wife of the man in question was hurting. The man is used to hitting her, I have seen him several times push her down the stairs, and the lady is so pretty.

Most Igbo men, when they feel they can’t really control a woman, they try to use the beating to make her feel she is still under them.

So they will feel like they are the man but they forget that it doesn’t work that way. The lady got me a jumpsuit when she travelled so I promised to take her out to eat isi ewu , the husband is also my friend and we speak quite often.

So, on this fateful day, I took her to a joint so we could buy catfish.

I picked her from her house with her house help. On getting there, she told the house help to go inside with the baby and shut the door from the back so we both left to buy the catfish thinking the house girl has gone into the house. I ordered two fishes because I know it takes like 30-40 minutes before the fish would be ready. While we were there, the husband got home and called that the house help was not at home with their daughter. We were both scared thinking maybe the house help ran away with the baby. She called the husband to please check them at their lesson teacher’s house opposite their house. The husband told her to come back home and provide his daughter so I hastened the fish up and we left for the lesson teacher’s house and saw them there. We were busy talking to the maid about why she didn’t do as we ordered her to by staying at home with the kid.

While we were talking, he came with a belt and started hitting the woman. I kept quiet because she was used to it, so the daughter was begging the dad to stop beating her mother; he also flogged the little girl. Then I remember those days when my dad used to beat my mum but I still love them both because my dad never beat us the kids. I remember the scene of a white guy that killed the wife and his child. I was trying to tell him that was wrong to flog the little girl but I was shocked that he descended on me with the same belt and started flogging me.

After that, I reported to the police but he refused to show up and I later reported to the Lagos State Domestic Violence Centre and they gave me a barrister but the woman was begging me to forgive her husband. I decided to keep it cool because I respect the lady a lot. I have not withdrawn from the case but I just had to keep my cool and wait for him to hit the lady again before I revisit the case.

Many were surprised when you posted some sensitive parts of your body on Instagram after the incident.They wonder the kind of cloth you were wearing when he flogged you?

I posted a video on Instagram that same night that’s what I was wearing. T-shirt, pink jeans.

The belt is strong and hard leather.

Recently, you had an issue with some actresses like Iyabo Ojo and some others, tell us what happened?

No. She is among the people I don’t like.

That’s just it!

a ring on my finger? I would rather go to the sperm bank, get it and make cute babies.

You are popular with your revealing boobs. How do you feel when people stare at you in public?

I don’t even notice. When I look at people they don’t look at me. I don’t see people looking at me.

Some artistes take drugs to get high, what gets you high?

I am naturally high I don’t need drugs.

You said you don’t have a boyfriend.What happened to your last relationship?

I think it’s the distance. The person is not here, so to see him requires a lot of stress.

There was a time you dated a German, what happened to the relationship?

The relationship was not working so I quit.

When was the last time you had sex?

I am a virgin (laughs out loudly) How do you satisfy yourself sexually? Do you subscribe to sex toys and dolls?

I actually have a lot of them in my house. I buy them a lot. I just buy them just for the sake of it.

Just Like that?

Yes, just like that.

It was in the news, especially online sometimes ago, that you pimp for the top and rich men in the country. How true is this?

I don’t want to talk about it. It is not true.

We understand you are a good friend of Apostle Johnson Suleiman, what is he to you?

He is a pastor I guess. Well, we are close, but when I knew him I never knew he was an apostle, but I know him.

That is interesting.You knew him as what?

I know him, but I don’t want to say anymore. (smiles) Why? Are you scared of him or what?

(keeps mute) Well, when is Cossy getting married?

I am scared of getting married. I have lots of married people as friends so I am just scared that you will just be in your house and someone will start beating you. I am this kind of person that sometimes I might not want to sweep my house, cook, but once you are married you must do all these and try to satisfy someone but you are not even getting paid to do all that and then, you might be beaten if you fail to do it. When love starts it’s sweet but after three years it goes sour. I don’t think I want to be caught up in that scenario.

There was a time you said you love babies.

How do you intend to make one without marriage? Do you want to join the baby mamas gang?

If there are sperm banks with cute specimen I might end up getting one there. Why will I get pregnant for someone when I don’t wanna put

You are rich and stay in the highbrow area of Lagos.We all know that acting alone can’t fetch you such wealth?

I work hard, I am a farmer. I have a large expanse of land in my village where I plant different crops. I am an entertainer too. I am an accountant too. I had 2:1 from University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I am also into businesses.

You are producing a movie.Tell us about it?

I have produced it already; it is in the market and next month, August 15 precisely, I am shooting two movies back to back, one of the working titles is ‘Ungrateful Delilah’. The movie is based on true life story but a little bit twisted. We have gotten the cast and we are expecting to put the finishing touch on it.

The first time I produced a movie I was dealt with badly. I had a wrong casting and people stayed in the hotel for over a month eating my money. It happens if you are a rookie in movie production because I was not told how it was supposed to be done but now working with the team I have on the ground, it will make work easier for me.

I Would Rather Go to the Sperm Bank and Get Cute Babies Instead of Getting Married

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ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

A LIFE OF GIVING

Emmanuel Ugoji pays tribute to Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president and 2019 presidential aspirant

I

n an emotion laden voice, the cry of help was heard at the other end of the long dark tunnel.“Without Atiku Abubakar I do not know what would have become of me. He has moved me and touched me in such a way that I have been able to impact on other physically challenged persons in my career. I am giving back to society what Atiku Abubakar has given to me’’.

Those were the words of Dr. Chris Nwanoro, a 44-year-old blind PhD holder. His word, etched in deep appreciation, is for the role Atiku Abubakar had played in the sponsorship of his doctorate degree programme at the University of Abuja.

Nwanoro stands out from the thousands of other beneficiaries of Atiku’s benevolence because it is very rare to find a blind man in this part of the world enrolling and completing a PhD programme.

Dr. Nwanoro had his sight intact until his third year as an undergraduate student of University of Abuja when a strange cloud covered his face when he was attending a lecture left him blind. In spite of the challenge, Nwanoro, a native of Isikwuato in Abia State said he had to adjust to the new life such that he performed well in his final exams and even went ahead to do a Masters’ degree in the same institution.

After earning a Masters’ degree, Nwanoro said he enrolled for PhD programme but that funding posed a big challenge afterwards. He never knew how to raise funds to complete the programme until he heard about Atiku Abubakar. “I struggled in vain to get in touch with him but with prayer I just wrote a letter. I was surprised to receive at invitation to meet with him in company of the vice-chancellor, my wife and the dean of my faculty.

At the meeting he promised to do all within his reach to support me and give me all the technology I require. Curiously, he said his interest in helping me was based on the premise that he (Atiku) saw me as a motivator. Nwanoro, who was the best graduating doctorate degree student in his set, said that Atiku’s gesture was mind blowing because money spent in training one blind person will pay the way for five persons who are not physically challenged.

However, the takeaway in Nwanoro’s account is the impact he has made since his contact with Atiku. Apart from currently serving as a Foreign Affairs Officer in the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nwanoro said Atiku has done so much to assist physically challenged persons based on the fact that ``he knows we can contribute to the development of the nation’’. Nwanoro, who was a 2011 recipient of National Award of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) and a 2013 Distinguished Person Award of the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York, USA, described Atiku as “a peculiar person who has done so much to humanity and service to God.” On what he has done with the skills he acquired and contacts he has made, Dr Nwanoro said he has assisted in securing appointments for physically challenged persons in the ministries of Justice, Women Affairs, Information and INEC. He has also been part of scholarship programmes for blind people at institutions in Zaria, Kaduna State and Dingiri in Plateau State. He said that many of the physically challenged persons who Atiku Abubakar supported over the years have been looking for a way to express their “little appreciation” and that 2019 presidential election, for which he has declared interest is an opportunity for a “small pay back’’.

“Because of his interest, coupled with the fact that he is our person, why can’t we come out and assist him?

“He is the rightful person, benevolent, caring, a detribalised Nigerian. What he has done for me, he has done to others. We will continue to fight to give back a little by supporting him in 2019’’, he said. According to Nwanoro, there are at least 35 million people living with disabilities in Nigeria and that they belong to an association. He said that efforts are being made to sensitise them to go for a personality like Atiku in the 2019 presidential election.

Mr. Emeka Ezekwesiri, another beneficiary of Atiku Abubakar’s scholarship made a First Class in Law at the University of Ibadan. He described him as someone who has a deep passion and vision for the education of the youths in Nigeria and for creating opportunities for them as well as creating the enabling environment for youths to thrive.

“I have followed him closely, especially in his book titled `My Life’ and I know he allows indigent people to go to school and he rewards excellence’’.

HE ASSEMBLED WHAT WAS THEN ADJUDGED THE BEST ECONOMIC TEAM EVER IN NIGERIA. IT WAS MADE UP OF YOUNG, WORLD CLASS PROFESSIONALS, WHO CAME HOME TO WORK. SOME OF THOSE PROFESSIONALS ARE NOW POLITICAL LEADERS, GOVERNORS AND WORLD LEADERS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT

Ezekwesiri who is currently at the Law School, said that Atiku has the vision to transform education in Nigeria. He quoted the former vice-president as saying that he believed in the power of education because “education has brought him this far in his life’’.

The 24- year- old who hails from Osisioma Ngwa in Abia state further said that Atiku has what it takes to transform Nigeria. “As a good business man, he has been able to manage businesses and enterprises successfully”, he said.

At the American University of Nigeria (AUN), authorities say that Atiku subsidises charges on each student. He has spent at least N6 billion in the project since the school started graduating students 10 years ago. Apart from the subsidy, there are indigent students on full scholarship.

Furthermore, Atiku’s AUN initiated the feed and read programme which has taken over 1,500 Almajiris off the streets. The scheme is designed to cater for only the Almajiris. They are usually admitted into the AUN feed and read programme every September and graduated the next year November during the Founder’s day. Last year, over 300 graduated and currently the programme has 55 enrolees.

A close associate of the Waziri Adamawa who preferred anonymity said in a telephone conversation: “As I am talking to you now, am on my way to the house of his classmate who just died and I have one million naira for his family. This is how he builds mosques and provides support for traditional institutions and indigent families without any prompting.

On health, Atiku Abubakar in May 2018 added another N10 million to the Paupers’ Fund which he established at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola two years ago. At his homes in Abuja and Yola, there are always a barrage of hospital referral letters from individuals and groups seeking for financial help to defray medical bills for surgeries.

He is also in a joint partnership with investors from Saudi Arabia and Dubai to build an ultra-modern hospital in Abuja so that Nigerians will no longer spend a fortune seeking medical treatment abroad.

He empowers women and to ensure sustainability, in clear terms, his technically perfected war against poverty led to the establishment of a Standard Microfinance Bank in Yola, which provides almost interest free loans to rural women and farmers across Adamawa and Taraba States. The quintessential Atiku reaches out to orphanages homes and social centres and beloved as it were, his friends, especially schoolmates at Ramat College Yola have caught the bug and indulge in donating relief materials to different centres of need across the state to the eternal appreciation of beneficiaries. There is no gainsaying that his benevolence and acumen has led to the creation of over 50,000 direct jobs and 250,000 indirect ones thereby becoming the largest private sector employer of labour in his state of Adamawa and only second to the state government.

Through his philanthropic activities, hundreds of young Nigerians have been provided with start-up capital for their business. Indeed, his sense of philanthropy has similarly permeated the political sphere.

Each time he loses an election he takes it in good fate knowing that another opportunity will come. He does everything possible to support whoever emerges and this was exemplified even during the last presidential primaries where President Buhari became the tusk bearer for the APC presidential ticket in 2015.

To demonstrate his readiness, it may be recalled that as Vice -President, he assembled what was then adjudged the best economic team ever in Nigeria. It was made up of young, world class professionals, who came home to work. Some of those professionals are now political leaders, governors and world leaders in their own right. He has a proven record of sniffing talent and appropriately recruiting them for deployment to serve fatherland. Many were in their 30s and early 40s. Some came from the World Bank, where he met a bright lady, convinced her to come back home, and she became a star when he was in government. To show that he provided effective leadership as head of economic team, the same lady could not replicate her exploits under a different government.

In partisan politics, he knows how to throw his weight behind aspirants who he is convinced have something to offer to the growth of the nation.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Well-equipped libraries will contribute significantly towards improving the quality of education, writes Daniel Ighakpe

I

n recent times, there has been a widespread demand for improvement in the quality and standard of primary and secondary education in both public and private schools across the country. Many factors have been attributed to the low quality and falling standard of the school system, among which are: poor quality of teaching staff, poor remuneration of teachers, inadequate qualification of teachers, absence of modern teaching facilities, etc.

Many solutions have likewise been proffered, including: a declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector; recruitment of only candidates that have education-related teaching qualifications, such as the National Certificate of Education (CE) and Bachelors’ degree in Education (B.Ed.); compulsory registration of teachers with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), conducting of competency tests for schoolteachers; and so on.

However, apart from focusing on the quality of teaching staff as the main reason behind the low quality and standard of primary and secondary education, it is pertinent to also note that other factors come into play, such as the absence of functional and well equipped libraries in many public and private schools across the country. In addition, the attitude of the students themselves, toward the school library and the success of their own education, also plays an important role, and should not be taken for granted.

A school library is a place where vast collections of academic books are kept. It is integral to the teaching and learning process. It plays a great role in the life of a student. Among other things, the school library equips the students with the skills necessary to succeed in a constantly changing technological, social and economic environment. The mind of the student gets broadened and he commands a better grasp over

the subject. The school library also ensures each student has equitable access to resources, irrespective of opportunities or constraints. Students can borrow books and take home for further study. It also promotes individual and group learning.

Since the environment of the school library is peaceful, students can study at the library without any disturbance. And when they get used to visiting the library regularly, they develop and sustain in themselves the habit and enjoyment of silent reading, reading for pleasure, and it enriches their intellectual, aesthetic, cultural and emotional growth.

For example, a student can develop his literary skills by reading rare books of literature. Also, the academic magazines and periodicals keep the student aware of the latest developments around the world.

Apart from the benefits to students, the presence of functional and well equipped libraries

in public and private schools also facilitates the work of the classroom teacher. They are able to access relevant curriculum information and professional development materials that can help them to cooperatively plan, implement and evaluate learning programmes.

However, due to the absence of functional school libraries in many public and private schools across the country, students and teachers are ill-equipped with adequate educational materials and resources that could greatly contribute towards the improvement of the quality of teaching and learning in such schools.

It is therefore of prime importance that both public and private schools have and maintain functional and well equipped libraries, as this will contribute significantly towards improving the quality and standard of education received in such schools.

Ighakpe wrote from FESTAC Town, Lagos

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ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

What to do with vote buying?

Lessons From Thailand

T

he recent incident involving a team of 12 young football players and their coach in Thailand, a major agricultural nation in South East Asia, who were trapped inside a Thai cave while in excursion, caught the attention of the entire world even as the authorities in Thailand were continually kept on their toes as how best to salvage the extremely dangerous situation.

The youngsters and their coach, according to media reports, accidentally slipped into the flooded cave where they eventually ended up at a particular point of about six kilometres inside the cave. For more than two weeks, the lads and their coach were completely cut off from the outside world without food or water.

The Thai authorities on receiving the report of the missing boys and their coach immediately swung into action and launched a rescue mission comprising of expert divers, medical personnel as well as security operatives aimed at locating the missing teenage boys and their coach. International collaborative efforts were quickly mobilised and deployed to assist the Thai authorities in their rescue operation.

As soon as the experts were able to establish contact with the missing football team inside the cave, divers immediately swung into action and oxygen, food and water were promptly delivered to the beleaguered boys using special rope to reach them in the cave. Having established that the missing boys were still alive, the next stage was how to carry out a successful rescue operation which was obviously a herculean task as time was of great essence in view of the impending floods which would further put the lives of the boys and their coach in greater danger.

Consequently, the expert divers swung into action and as fate would have it, by Sunday 8th July, 2018 a group of four boys were successfully rescued alive and quickly followed by another group of four boys who were rescued on 9th July 2018. And by Tuesday 10th July 2018 the remaining group of four boys along with their coach was finally recued alive in what could be described as one of the most dramatic and incredible operations ever carried out in living memory. By sheer human ingenuity and dexterity, the seemingly impossible task was ultimately accomplished to the admiration of the entire global community.

Regrettably however, one of the divers lost his life during the operation. But by this remarkable and rather miraculous achievement, the Thais would certainly beat their chest with pride for having demonstrated to the entire world such

Employment Crisis and the Pantami Model

extraordinary courage, resilience and tenacity as well as the highest sense of patriotism which the global community should emulate.

The collaborative efforts by the global community had clearly demonstrated the uncommon spirit of solidarity and humanity with the Thais during the period of unimaginable distress, agony and uncertainty. Indeed, it was a rare moment of unity and cooperation by all nations of the world who had shared the pains and tribulations with the people of Thailand as an eloquent testimony that after all said and done the entire global community belongs to one common humanity, irrespective of race, colour or creed.

The Thailand experience should therefore serve as a great lesson for the developing world particularly the peoples of Africa to imbibe the virtue of saving human lives rather than destroying them as it is the current situation whereby the continent is presently engulfed in senseless civil wars and communal unrests in virtually all the nations with the grave consequences of the loss of thousands of precious human lives almost on a daily basis.

Nze Nwabueze Akabogu (JP), Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State

D

aily Trust newspaper of Monday, July 9, 2018 carried a story headlined,“How ministers, bureaucrats, lawmakers hijacked federal jobs”. It brought out instances of so many alleged illegal recruitments undergone by various government agencies especially those which are seen as the best goal of every job seeker in Nigeria such as the Central Bank of Nigeria. What may appear to compound the issue is the fact that a not too preferred place like the National Population Commission has also been blamed for illegal recruitment that was hidden away from the public eyes. Most of the commissions and agencies were reported to have explained their actions either on the basis of filling a vacant position having regards to federal character or replacement which can attract waiver of requirement for publication from the Federal Character Commission (FCC) relying on its incidental powers under the provision of section 5(1) (h) of the Federal Character Commission (Establishment, etc) Act and rules made pursuant to the act.

However, one other concern which cannot be wished away is a defence provided by some officials of the FCC that agencies are shying away from advertising job vacancies in accordance with the FCC circular to avoid stampede because, we

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: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

have experienced it during the ill-fated immigration recruitment that cost the lives of innocent job seeking Nigerians in 2014. Whether this qualifies as a pressing excuse is subjective. But as our population grows and employment is becoming difficult, it will not be out of place if we take necessary steps in ensuring justice and fairness in the provision of government job opportunities with due regard to our established federal character as exemplified recently by National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the exemplary leadership of Dr. Isa Ali Pantami as follows: NITDA is mandated to grant scholarship to students with the aim of encouraging learning and development of ICT in Nigeria. As one may guess, the task is not a simple one looking at the massive population of the country.

In 2017/2018 scholarship selection exercise, NITDA invited thousands of students to compete for a small number of scholarship slots, specifically, 37 to represent each state of the federation including the FCT for Masters in Computer science or Engineering category and six lawyers to represent each geopolitical zone of the country for Masters in ICT/Cyber Law category. The exercise was split into days and people were made to write their exams in batches on individual computers. This has clearly kicked out any fear of stampede. What further beautified the exercise is that each student that finished on time may check his/her result and the marks at the second round of the test were spread for everyone to see. This will do away with any form of favouritism and nobody will turn up to be rejected despite his/her good performance. I am aware that it was not the first computer-based scholarship or employment test carried out by government parastatal in Nigeria, but next to that is the strong will to abide by the results of the test against favouritism and that is where a credit must be given to Dr. Pantami-led NIDTA. In fact, this pen is one of the beneficiaries of such transparency. We use to discuss the transparency in the selection process and commend it even now in school amongst our colleagues, “the Pantami pikins”, as one of us, Emeka, named us in the University of Lagos. As I earlier pointed, it is not just organising the test, but holding on to its result on fare play because, some government agencies do conduct test at certain times for employment or scholarships, but most of them ended up being mere public exercise while those who will get the jobs or scholarships are already listed down in a special list as in the allegation against Hussaini Hussaini, Abuja

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ

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NEWS

In Brief Boy, 19 Kills Girlfriend

A 19-year-old boy, identified as Junior Omo Shaba has killed his girlfriend anddumpedhercorpsebyaroadsideinBeninCity,capitalofEdoState.The deceasedlovergirl,MatildaOdiri,18wasreportedlystabbedtodeathinside herboyfriend'sroomat2,AkugbeStreet,OffSikukoroad,Ogida,BeninCity, last Saturday. She was said to have gone to her boyfriend's house where she was expected to pass the night when she was stabbed with a knife on her right upper breast by her boyfriend. The killer boyfriend, now in police custodyattheStateCriminalInvestigationDepartment(SCID),Benin,was saidtohavekilledherabout11pmThursdaywhensheaccusedhimofhaving anotheraffair.Policesaidtheboyinhisstatementconfessedandadmitted that he murdered his lover and dumped her body on the street to cover his evil deed after an argument ensued between them at night.

Kwara Spends N1.1bn on Health Insurance

Kwara State government has spent N1.1billion towards funding the implementation of community health insurance scheme to the low income rural dwellers in the state. Under the scheme, the government also, said that, about 139,174 persons who were low income earners have so far enrolled in the eleven local government councils as at the end of 2016.The scheme startedin2007underformergovernorBukolaSarakiatShongainEdulocal governmentcouncilofthestateandothertwolocalgovernmentsofAsaand IlorinWest.ThepresentadministrationinthestateunderAlhajiAbdulfatah Ahmedhasdecidedtoensuretheextensionoftheschemetoallotherlocal government councils so as to make it a universal scheme for the people of the state. The governor disclosed this in Ilorin on Friday during the official launch of universal community health insurance scheme to all the people of the state.

TRAGEDY ON TRACKS...

A moving train collided with a passager bus at Agege link Iju road, a about 3 people lost tbir life and many were injoyed......yesterday KOLA OLASUPO

FG to Adopt National Policy on Protection of Civilians in Conflict Situations Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government plans to adopt a national policy on protection of civilians in conflict situations.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave this hint on Thursday while addressing a High-Level Roundtable organised by the Atlantic Council, an American think tank on international affairs, in Washington, DC. Mohammed said government was planning to adopt the policy to further strengthen and entrench its constitutional practice of protection of civilians.

The minister said the protection of

human rights was a cardinal objective of the Buhari Administration, and that the violation of rights was not a government policy.

He also controverted a recent report by Amnesty International (AI) accusing the government Nigeria of impunity and complete disregard for extant laws and international obligations.

Mohammed said the report was not a true reflection of the character and ethics of the federal government or any of its agencies.

Since the counter-insurgency war started in 2009, AI had issued periodic reports on alleged human rights violations by the Nigerian military, with

NAF Kills Boko Haram Terrorists Regrouping in Borno Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole has killed several Boko Haram Terrorists at Bulagaye and Kwakwa areas of Borno State.

The Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya said in a statement yesterday that the successful air strikes on both locations were a result of efforts to trail and neutralise fleeing terrorists after Nigerian Army troops had repelled the attack on their location around Bama.

Adesanya said upon receiving reports of the attack, the ATF scrambled Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform and the Alpha Jet aircraft to locate the fleeing terrorists.

Consequently, he said the insurgents, who were seen assembling at a staging area in Bulagaye began to disperse upon sighting the attack platforms.

"However, the NAF fighter aircraft acquired and attacked the fleeing insurgents with bombs

the latest of such reports bordering on violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the Nigerian Armed Forces and other government agencies.

He told the Roundtable that the government had taken several measures to address human rights violations in the course of the counter-insurgency operations, including the establishment of human rights desks in all military formations, training on mainstreaming human rights into counter- insurgency operations, and court martial of officers indicted for human rights violations.

The minister also spoke on the

Dismissing Lecturer over Sexual Harassment, Not Enough' ICPC Tells OAU Paul Obi in Abuja

and rockets. As a result of the air strikes, the terrorists were neutralised while their vehicles and weapons were destroyed, leading to a thick cloud of black smoke," he stated.

According to Adesanya, intelligence reports later revealed that a smaller bunch of the terrorists had re-assembled in a settlement known as Kwakwa with the ATF conducting a wave of strikes on the location.

He said the ISR platform successfully identified the terrorists’ location and vectored the attack platforms to the target area, which was attacked with bombs and rockets.

The NAF Spokesman also said that some of the terrorists were seen fleeing towards a nearby settlement and further attacked with rockets and then neutralised.

He promised that the Air Task Force would continue to conduct missions in support of the efforts of our troops in the counterinsurgency operations in the Northeast while also providing Close Air Support when requested to do so.

counter-insurgency operations, noting that Boko Haram had been badly degraded and was incapable of carrying out organised massive attacks beyond using women and children to carry out suicide bombings against soft targets.

He also faulted the narrative that the incessant farmers-herders clashes were of religious and ethnic nature as they had been portrayed in some circles.

Furthermore he said that the conflict is driven mostly by an increased contest for dwindling natural resources like land and water, worsened by demographic pressure and climate change.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday informed authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State that mere dismissal of Prof. Richard Akindele of the Department of Management and Accounting, who was found guilty of sexual harassment was not enough.

The commission called for proper prosecution of the professor for sexually harassing a female student of the university.

Akindele who already had been indicted by the university was accused of sexually harassing a female student, Monica Osagie in an exchange over marks for sex.

Speaking at a sensitisation forum in Abuja organised by Youth Alive Foundation (YAF), ICPC Commissioner for Education, Mohammed Bade explained that it was disingenuous for the OAU authorities to have ignored the prosecution of Akindele Bade, who was speaking on corruption in tertiary institutions said: "We have also discovered a lot of cases that border on moral

corruption like sexual harassment in the universities in particular.

We are currently prosecuting those behind it. I am sure you are aware of Prof. Akindele case in OAU, we are prosecuting the case right now.

"Even though, the university said they have dismissed the professor, we said that is not enough, we will want to prosecute him. We are prosecuting a lot of such many cases in the universities across the country," he added.

On her part, YAF Executive Director, Uduak Okon said the foundation was more focused on educating the youths against the evil of corruption in the society.

She maintained that "youth are in large demography, youth have less interest in maintaining the status quo, so we have a pandemic of corruption in Nigeria, if we don't arrest it, our future is bleak."

Okon added that there was need on the part of the youth to end corruption and make a positive change in Nigeria.

Coordinator of Youth AntiCorruption Network, Ovo Otarigho urged the youth to embrace the sensitisation on anti-corruption as means of improving their future.

Rampant Sales of Babies in Anambra

ApriestwiththeAnglicanCommunion,ReverendMaxwellOgazihasraisedthe alarmoverthehighlevelofsalesofbabiesinAnambraStatebyoperatorsof orphanages.ThealarmiscomingontheheelsofasimilaronebytheAnambra State police command, after three cases of theft and sale of babies were reported in one week to the command by parents, who lost their children.

Lastweek,twochildrenofsameparents;ChideraandKamsiyochukwuIloka disappearedfromaschoolinAmawbianearAwka,whileanother,Nmachukwu Ebiowu,wasstolenatOgbaruduringherschool'sgraduationparty. Another childwasalsoluredfromhisschool'sgraduationpartywithsweetsandbiscuits by a man who confessed after he was caught that he was paid N50,000 to bring a child, by a syndicate which indulges in child theft.

Controversy over Killings in Bayelsa

Representatives of some communities in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, yesterday listed names of some persons allegedly murdered by a private securityfirm,DarlonSecurityServices,handlingsomepipelinesprotection projects in parts of the state. Coming under the umbrella, Kimisese Mass MovementforGoodGovernance,thestakeholderstoldjournalistsinYenagoa, thattheactivitiesofthefirmwhichhadearlierbeensummonedbythestate HouseofAssemblyhadbecomeasourceofdangertocommunitiesinwhich theyoperate. TheHouseofRepresentativeshadalsoinamotionmovedby Frederick Agbedi, on Wednesday, ordered the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to suspend all contracts to security firms in the state, including Darlon, pending investigation. Chairman of Kimisese Mass Movement, Charles Kuroteizi, said the company which had been operating under the guiseofprotectingoilfacilitiesintheaffectedcommunitieswasculpablein thedeathsofErelayefaAyaweifromKorokorosei;KoseneKomoh-Nimitei from Ikeinghbiri and Deintei Rufus who hails from Ondewari community.

Free Remo Medical Outreach

No fewer than 3,200 patients have benefitted from an ongoing free Remo MedicalOutreachforthetreatmentofvariousailmentsrangingfromHigh Blood Pressure, typhoid, blood sugar level, cough, cold, malaria parasite to catarrh. Speakingatthesecondeditionofthefreemedicaltreatmentheldat Ikenne-RemoonFriday,theinitiator,PrinceFemiAkinwunmi,saidtheevent wasinformedbytheneedtotouchthelivesofthelessprivilegedwithinthe RemoNorth/Ikenne/SagamuFederalConstituencythatareunabletoafford treatmentfortheirvariousailments.Accordingtohim,"therationalebehind theprogrammewastobringbasichealthcaretothegrassroots.Ourpeople need healthcare because the government can't do it alone.

Wamakko Donates Rice, N1m to Families

The Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, has donated 300 bags of rice and N 1million to the families of the seven people from Modachi town, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, who lost their lives penultimate week, when the canoe they were travelling incapsisedinRiverBunsuru.Allthesevendeceasedpersons,includingtwo women,weresaidtobetravellingtotheirvariousfarmswhentheunfortunate incidentoccurred.Speakingshortlyafterpresentingthereliefmaterialsto the community, the lawmaker, who spoke through his aide, Sheikh Bashir Gidan Kanawa, said the items were meant to support the families of the deceased. He said the relief materials were also aimed at cushioning the suffering of the families of the deceased. Wamakko prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and their families the fortitude to bear the loss.

CourtFinesHospitalforDetainingBaby'sCorpse

An Anambra State High Court has awarded a N500,000 cost against Iyi Enu Mission Hospital owned by the Anglican Church, Diocese on the Niger for unlawfully detaining the corpse of a child and its parents over their inability to pay hospital bills. The parents were said to have approached the court when the hospital allegedly seized the corpse of the child following pleas to go home and raise funds for the bill. A judgement by the trial judge, JusticeOkumaobtainedbyTHISDAYshowedthatthecourtinsuitnumber: 0/255/2017ruledthattheactofhospitalslockinguppatientsfromexiting theirpremisesontheguisethattheymustcompletepaymentamountedto falseimprisonment.Parentsofthedeceasedchild;Mrs.NgoziOsegboand Mr.ChinonsoOsegbohaddraggedtheRegisteredTrusteesoftheSynodof theDioceseontheNiger,ownersofthehospitaltocourt.Thecourtruledthat "theplaintiffshadtakentheir11monthsoldbabytoIyiEnuMissionHospital for treatment, but he died while undergoing treatment".

T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY JULY 21, 2018

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NEWS

Fashola: Power Discos Rattled by FG’s Resolution on Service Delivery Asks Discos to consider merit of his message, ignore his person Chineme Okafor in Abuja

The seeming suspicious mode of relationship between the federal government and electricity distribution companies (Discos) in Nigeria’s power sector on Friday got a little more scrappier with new claims by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, that the government’s resolve to get the Discos to live by the terms of their service agreements had rattled them hence a media attack on him.

Fashola in a statement he personally signed and sent to THISDAY in Abuja, spared few words in criticising the reactions of the Discos to his directive to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) some weeks back, to take up regulatory actions to get the Discos to do their jobs.

Also, the minister lampooned the Executive Director, Research and Advocacy of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), Mr. Sunday Oduntan, who responded to his orders for the Discos. He specifically called Oduntan an interloper.

“My directives on improved service delivery in the power sector went to legal entities, not to an interloper claimed,” said Fashola.

Continuing, he stated: “Before fiction becomes fact for lack of a

response, I feel obliged to respond to some, not all of the allegations credited to one Mr. Sunday Oduntan, who presents himself as Executive Director, Research and Advocacy of the Association of (Nigerian) Electricity Distributors (ANED), which he made in response to my directives to NERC (the regulator) and BPE/NBET as contracting parties to the Discos.

“Throughout my press statement which contained the directives, I referred copiously to the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) which is the law that regulates the power sector. I referred to Discos in their capacities as licensees.

“Mr. Oduntan should tell members of the public if ANED is a licensee. He should tell the public whether he is an investor in a Disco and in which Disco he has invested and what he invested. If ANED is not a licensee, who is ANED? An NGO? If so, they should listen to consumers because nothing is going on about poor service.”

According to him, “It is obvious that the warning lights of compliance necessity are blinking, and those he represents do not like the colour.”

He noted that the NERC and other government agencies he asked to take up their jobs in the sector, had contracts with the Discos not

ANED. He also stated that while power supply had some economic consequences and political relevance, it did not mean the demand for improvement in service delivery was politically motivated, adding

that the onset of elections in 2019 did not preclude request for better service from the Discos.

Fashola alleged that Oduntan’s response to his directives was indicative of the mind-sets of the Discos.

“His statement that no directives

from me will save the power sector from collapse, is consistent with the views of someone who has no skin in the game. It is perhaps a Freudian revelation of the mind-set of those he represents, whoever they may be.

“It is revealing of the mind-set of a saboteur, not a builder, and he would do very well to acquaint himself and advise his co-travelers about the consequences of sabotaging the economy under our laws,” he explained.

ROYAL HANDSHAKE...

L-R; Chairman House Committee on Transport Senator Olugbenga Ashafa in a warm handshake with His Imperial Majesty, The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi during the 2018 Edition of the National Assembly Open Week in Abuja yesterday

Buhari to Inaugurate 3.5Km Runway Bayelsa Airport

Run in 2019 or Hand over to ‘Power Virgin’, N’Delta Ex-agitators Urge Buhari

Emmanuel AddehinYenagoa

President Muhammadu Buhari has been asked to run for 2019 but in the event he changes his mind, he should hand over to a young and educated person who has not tasted power before.

This was the position of Niger Delta ex-agitators whose National Chairman and former commander of the Southern Ijaw Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), High Chief Kile Silkey Torughrdi, who spoke to THISDAY in Lagos yesterday.

He said the group was behind the ambition of Buhari to continue in office in order to make the necessary changes for the progress of the country.

According to him, prior to the time of Buhari, corrupt persons had a free reign but now things had changed

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, President Muhammadu Buhari, will next month visit Bayelsa to inaugurate the state’s International Airport, which has a 3.5-kilometre long runway for large airplanes.

The airport, fully funded by the state government, officials told journalists during an inspection yesterday, would also begin to receive test flights from the 20th of August, before the official opening on August 27th by the president.

Contractors were seen putting finishing touches to the terminal building, control tower, hangar and fire bay at the airport during the inspection, which the Commissioner

for Information and Orientation in the state, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said would further open the state to the world.

“We are ready for the unveiling and of course no one is in any doubt that this will be one of the very best in this part of the world when open.

This runway can take a big aircraft like the Boeing 737,” he said.

It was gathered that the project which was supposed to be a 50/50 effort between the state and federal government was solely shouldered by the Seriake Dickson administration when the government at the centre was no longer forthcoming concerning its own part of the arrangement.

The Commissioner along with journalists, who were taken round

the facility by the Director of Bayelsa Airlines, Capt. Henry Ungbuku, noted that with the completion of the project, Bayelsa would not only become a business hub for surrounding states but also for some West African countries.

He added that the multi-billion naira airport would also create job opportunities for the people of the state, noting that most of the work at the facility already over 95 per cent, was done in a recession.

“There will be more business opportunities, more investment opportunities and more revenue. It is indeed a dream come true for us as a government. We are so excited about this project because of the massive benefits the state and our people will derive from it.

and those caught were being sent to jail while impunity of corrupt persons were being checked.

“President Buhari should run for second term since he is doing well but if he decides to change his mind and not run, he should bring a ‘power virgin person’ who is yet to taste power, an educated and committed person so that he can be committed in solving the problems of Nigeria.

“Another reason why he should not bring someone who has tasted power to take over from him if he is not running is so that the person will come in as fresh without any loyalties to groups already fighting for personal interests. He should bring someone who will continue the fight against corruption that has

adversely affected the development of the country,” he said.

Torughrdi however appealed to Buhari to look at all intervention agencies in the development of the Niger Delta and ensure that the reason for their creation did not become a mirage, even as he pointed out the need to gainfully engage youths of the region who he described as generally peaceful.

“The president should harmonise all development efforts in the Niger Delta, like the amnesty office which he should bring back to the original vision of the founding father, late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua; align the initiatives of the Niger Delta ministry and intervention agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Plateau Killings: Attacked Communities Back Delta PDP Chieftain Slams Buhari Lalong’s Call against Land Grabbing over Executive Order 6 Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Communities recently attacked in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateaui State, where over 200 persons were killed by suspected herders, have thrown their weight behind Governor Simon Lalong’s call against land grabbing, vowing not to abandon their ancestrial lands for the attackers who are hell bent on displacing them.

This is even as Plateau elites, comprising scholars and researchers in the states, have decried the politicisation of the attacks, lamenting that rather than uniting to form a common front against external forces bedeviling the state, politicians have hijacked the crisis for cheap

personal gains.

Addressing journalists in Jos, APC leaders of the affected communities led by Architect Pam Dung Gyang however frowned on the mobiolisation of people from diverse shades under whatever guise to perpetrate crime and engage in lawlessness like forceful invasion of Government House and attack on the Governor, who was on a huimanitarian visit.

“Violence has never been an acceptable way of conflict resolution and it contravenes all known human conventions; therefore we call on relevant government agencies to ensure that those who are culpable in disturbing the peace of the land are made to face the maximum punitive measures prescribed by the

extant laws so as to send a strong warning to anyone who may be wickedly misled to tow this path of savagery in future.

“We painfully consider ourselves as victims of the same circumstances but what these trying times encourage is that we find solace in ourselves as being partners in progress of the Plateau project. Sadly, we notice a veiled threat to this unity by words and utterances of a certain group of people who have chosen to misrepresent the facts of the remote and immediate causes of these unfortunate happenings by rather giving it an ethnic coloration all in an attempt to ostracise these three local governments and deny them the opportunity for a continued political participation.

Sylvester Idowu inWarri The recent Executive Order Six signed by President Muhammadu Buhari has been described as an order of executive rascality, as the president had no such power to confiscate citizens’ property without due process.

A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Sunny Onuesoke, while reacting to the Executive Order No. 6, said the president erred in the signing, as this could only be done in a situation of chaos and war, which is not the case with this order.

“Executive Orders are duly made during the state of chaos, inter-country war, or could be for internal crises, without consulting

the National Assembly, because of the processes of lawmaking, which follows different stages of readings,” he stated.

Onuesoke noted that because of such urgent and security situation, the president was allowed to proclaim an executive order, but not an order against personal property of Nigerians, while there were institutions established to investigate such wealth and properties.

“The President has the power to issue a presidential order, not an order against peoples’ property when there were the law courts, the constitution was there to take care of illegally gotten wealth, and agencies and institutions that handle such.

“The president has no right to

sign an executive order to freeze people’s account, it’s an aberration internationally, nationally constitutionally, and it’s against the charter of the United Nations on human rights,” he posited.

The PDP chieftain called on Nigerians to resist the order, as it was against their right to acquire properties, as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

Meanwhile, the social crusader has described the just concluded election in Ekiti State as a far cry from what Nigerians expected from the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria, as the state was locked up and invaded with federal might to intimidate the opposition and the people of the state.

Plus

LOUD WHISPER GLOBAL SOCCER FAIRGROUND FASHION FILE SHOWBIZFLAIR

pg. 24 pg. 29 pg. 36 pg. 43 pg. 46

Muiz Banire

From My Own Perspective of the Quran, Islam Prohibits Polygamy

pg. 20

Uwale Okoro

Essence, Nigeria’s Pop Diva Hits 40

Gani Adams

The Yoruba Race Believes in Me, I’m Obliged Not to Disappoint Them

pg. 22

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 21, 2018

PLUS

My destiny will Decide if I will Take a Second Wife

The story of Otunba Gani Adams is a study in human metamorphosis. He has worn many colourful caps that make him a cynosure of all eyes. More adorable is the royal cap he now wears as the 15th Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba Land. Call it luck or destiny, the social activist has always had his place among the high and mighty, thus, defying his humble background. A typical son of the soil, this is not missing in his carriage, dressing, words and lifestyle.

Adams is indeed dazzling in his new garment as the Yoruba Field Marshall. He bares all to Omolabake Fasogbon, about his passion for the Yoruba race, life as Aare Onakakanfo, challenges, marriage and plans to revive his interior decoration calling

H

e never dreamt or imagined his present position when he set out for activism which he said was simply altruistic, but he can’t hide the fact that he feels better than good in his new position that gives him privilege to serve his race. “I must confess, I feel excited, not only because the title earns me deeper respect but also gives me the opportunity to connect more with the Yoruba race,” the Yoruba Generalissimo enthused.

But good thing rarely comes on a platter of gold; it takes hardwork amongst other commitments. The life of Gani Adams further lends credence to the words of Gianni Versace that “in the past, people were born royal but nowadays, royalty comes from what you do.” Adams was not born with a silver spoon and was nowhere close to the palace. Like any aspiring young man, he was committed to his career as an interior decorator before fate led him to humanitarian cause. As an activist and a faithful of the Odua People’s Congress, (OPC), he was loyal to the cause. He never had any inkling about his present except that he recalled that his mentor, late Chief Gani

Fawehinmi used to address him as the Generalissimo of Yoruba Land.

“Maybe he foresaw it, I don’t understand but each time late Chief sees me, he does not call me by any other name other than the ‘Generallisimo of Yoruba land’ and this was since 1999. I didn’t take it seriously as I only laughed it off. I’m not surprised that I’m here.

I see this as a reward for hardwork.

I consider it that for me to be here today; I have been tested and trusted.

The Yoruba race believes in me and I’m obliged not to disappoint them.”

Getting to a lofty position may be tough, maintaining such may be tougher and this is not restricted to business elites or politicians, even the royal class have the challenges they address on a daily basis. In his own case, he said: “The Office of the Aare is capital intensive, it requires resources.

People believe that when they have access to me, all their problems are solved. Asides money, they believe I can connect them to anybody and even beyond Nigeria. As much as I’m in a position to help, I can’t grant all requests. I can’t answer everyone at once. I mean, I’m just six months old here; there is a limit to what I can do considering the loads of demands being pushed to me. When you are in

The Office of the Aare is capital intensive, it requires resources. People believe that when they have access to me, all their problems are solved. Asides money, they believe I can connect them to anybody and even beyond Nigeria. As much as I’m in a position to help, I can’t grant all requests. I can’t answer everyone at once. I mean, I’m just six months old here; there is a limit to what I can do considering the loads of demands being pushed to me

Adams

JULY 21, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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PLUS I Wear White Because My Star is Tied to it

Adams

a position, you grow with it.”

It is usually said that money answers all things and no entity can survive without money, in as much as the position he occupies does not have any business ties, money is definitely needed to carry out roles. He responded thus: “A poor person cannot be an Aare. One has to be wealthy to an extent before one can be considered for the position.

Don’t forget that I’m a business man from beginning. I’m into real life estate.

I’m also into haulage and beverage business. Other than that, I also live on patronage even becoming an Aare, I get support from people who appreciate my efforts.”

As a matter of fact, he plans to revive his interior decoration deal any time soon. “For any reason, I can’t allow the dream to die because it is my first love.

I am planning to build a modern interior decoration firm. I played it down because I don’t want people to see me as a full contractor. This is because if you are into such business, you will have to move about to search for clients and in the process, may compromise your stand which was what I avoided.”

Life some say is an ecstasy; it is as sweet as nitrous oxide and much sweeter with wealth and class. It is thus natural that when one advances in life, especially when one attains the self-actualisation stage in the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs model, certain things change about one. For the Yoruba Generallissimo, it is not unexpected, in as much as he’s got cutbacks right from his days as the OPC leader, his new responsibility demands more from him. He reveals: “Even before now, I don’t visit the market, the last time I visited the market was say 20 years ago. My wife does all my shoppings for me except if I’m outside the country, I can just take a break to the mall to pick wristwatches and eye glasses.”

Can he dance in the public? “Why not? Nothing stops me from dancing in the public although I’m not good at dancing but at least I shake my body. I love music a lot. Another thing is that I’ve lost my privacy when it comes to movement. I can no longer go out on

As an Ondo Man, my favourite food is pounded Yam, but I don’t like it when a food is dished in large quantity. It scares me and makes me lose my appetite. As much as I’m not a food person, I love it when food is dished moderately and I eat it gradually. My typical day is all about meetings and receiving calls till around 11:30pm or 12am when I sleep. I wake again by 3am and stay glued to social media for information my own without escorts except if I want to sneak out, situation demands such at times. It is confidential. Moreso, I am now selective on the type of event I honour.

“You know, the Aare title is just like an Oba. As it is now, I can’t open my head in the public again. Even at home, my head is always covered, even if I open it in my bedroom, I’m always cautious. As a custodian of Yoruba culture, automatically, my dressing should depict that. For me, English wear is a no go area.”

Nothing good comes without an element of sacrifice. Living his life as the Supreme Warrior of Yoruba land, he is paying some prices so also is his family, his wife in particular. He carefully bares

it: “I can no longer live my private life.

I’m responsible to every Yoruba and I’m obliged to attend to their needs. I don’t decide my schedule any longer. The society does. Ever since installation, I get nothing less than 60 invites in a week.

Out of these 60, I can’t turn down 30. I try as much as possible to be diplomatic with the invites. But certainly, I can’t attend all. In a situation whereby I can’t attend maybe due to programme clash or other assignments, I send people to represent me. At times, I send up to three to four people to represent me in a day. My wife and kids are also paying the price by tolerating my tight schedule. I do tell them, it’s either they sacrifice for stardom or live private life.

“If anybody sees my wife now, he or she will address her as the wife of Aare. My not being around her all the time is a price she has to pay for the title. Beyond my tights schedule, you know that as a custodian of Yoruba culture, I’m restricted to native attires.

Well, it’s not because I don’t like English wears, but I have to live and act what I represent which is the Yoruba tradition.

I have limited time to unwind now.

The only time I unwind is when I attend event. At times, when I have function outside the country, I seize the opportunity to take my family along for relaxation.” The discussion dovetailed into his daily routine as he gladly lets it out: “Situation determines my schedule at times. Other than that, I have a fixed schedule. I wake up 7:30 or 8am, I start receiving calls from the time I wake up, say my prayers for one hour, I pray in three ways - Christianity, Islamic and traditional. When I’m praying, my priorities are Yoruba land, my family and well-wishers. After prayers, I attend to visitors. That lasts till 2pm, before I take my breakfast.

“As an Ondo Man, my favourite food is pounded Yam, but I don’t like it when a food is dished in large quantity.

It scares me and makes me lose my appetite. As much as I’m not a food person, I love it when food is dished moderately and I eat it gradually. My typical day is all about meetings and receiving calls till around 11:30pm or

12am when I sleep. I wake again by 3am and stay glued to social media for information on happenings around the world. I do this till 5am and sleep for another one and half hour. A person in a position of authority needs not sleep too much otherwise, the enemies may take advantage of such to plan his downfall.

So depriving myself of adequate sleep is another price I’m paying for the seat.”

Six months on the seat of the highest chieftaincy title in Yoruba land, what are his achievements, since it is said that the measure of a man is in what he does with his power while the sole advantage of power is to do more good. To him, the time is not ripe for such question considering his duration on the seat. In that same looks, he answered: “I feel we should be talking about my achievements when I’m one or two years on the seat. Regardless, I’ve done my bit in strengthening unity among Yorubas and the Obas. I realise that unity is one of our major problems in Yoruba land.

“I was privileged to be a delegates in confab 2014, there, three issues surfaced - the Yoruba agenda, governor and Lagos agenda. Meanwhile, the entire south and even the middle belt were looking forward to what Yoruba was bringing to table. Immediately they realised we were divided in the plenary, those who we were trying to sell the Yoruba agenda to became discouraged.

This is happening also among our Obas.

The councils of Obas have divided our Obas. Gone are the days that we have Yoruba council of Obas, the states have divided our obas and now most of our Obas except few, concentrate on their respective states much more than the general interest.

“Another problem is that we are fast losing our identity and I’m working to revive it. You can imagine that most of the elites in Yoruba land don’t speak Yoruba language to their children, this is not too good. An Igbo child born in Lagos speaks Yoruba fluently but a Yoruba child born and bred in Shagamu, Ogun State can’t speak her language.

This is too dangerous for our race. A lot of us don’t know the difference between culture, tradition and religion. Religion is about communications with God, culture is about the way of life and tradition is about heritage. Tradition is very key to every community. Unfortunately, some of our monarchs have exchanged tradition for religion. You will see some Obas who have spent three to four years in stool now start acting like a Pastor or Imam, yet, they still expect people to prostrate or kneel down for them. I am not condemning religion here because I also practice it but all I am saying is that religion should be practised in moderation.

“It is only here in Nigeria that business structures are converted to religion centres. Quote me, Nigeria is a country that is highly religious but not spiritual.

God will be happy with a country that pays attention to the needy not just about praying. Country that doesn’t practice religion in moderation will have economic, social and security problems.

I am also working on some initiatives that will turn out to help Yoruba land in future.”

Asked if he has any plan to take a second wife since he is permitted by tradition, swiftly, he answered, “My destiny will decide that in future, for now, I still have one wife.”

Talking about dressing in only white cloths, he noted that many people had labelled him a cultist as a result of that.

“I must say here that I’m a spiritual person but I don’t belong to any secret society. If I belong to any society, I may have been set up. I go for white because my star is tied to it. It is what my guardian angel likes.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž JULY 21, 2018

PLUS

Muiz Banire From My Own Perspective of the Quran, Islam Prohibits Polygamy

Simply put, marriages nowadays collapse on account of economic challenges and sexual incompatibility, a development which eventually has begun to take its toll on ladies, thus giving rise to the growing rate of single parents. Dr. Muiz Adeyemi Banire (SAN), an immediate past National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), shares his experiences with Femi Ogbonnikan, on several divorce cases he has handled, how he met his wife, being born and bred in Mushin, Lagos, widely reputed as a haven for hoodlums. The former three-time Lagos State Commissioner in both Transportation and Environment ministries, corrects the erroneous impression that Mushin is a breeding ground for thuggery, cultism and other social vices

The lowest point in this profession was when I was alleged to have given a judge of the NIC, who happens to be my friend bribe

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ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS

The Banires

It is a Wrong Perception to Continue to View Mushin from the Point of Thuggery or Truancy

W

hat gave you motivation to study law?

Well, interestingly, I never set out to read law, but fortuitously, when I was very, very young, for that matter, specifically, when I was in primary school, I used to be attracted to the late Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Fatai Atanda Williams. So, from that moment, I used to write my own name too, with Chief Justice.

If you see any of the note books I used when I was in primary school, you would see that in each, I would put “Chief Justice Muiz Adeyemi Banire there. Along the line, I never imagine I would eventually read law anyway.

In fact, the first admission I got was for “Economics” in the United States of America in which my uncle truly paid for everything, but at the same time, I got that admission, JAMB also offered me admission to read “law”. So my late elder brother, Tunde by name, insisted that, rather than going abroad to read “Economics” I should read “law” here in Nigeria, that the “law” was more professional than “economics”. And that was how I found myself in “law”, finally.

How challenging has your 27 years of law practice been?

It has been an interesting profession. It is not all that challenging, as far as I am concerned. The only thing is that there is too much jealousy in the profession. You can hardly associate much once you are into it, because it requires a high level of industry and dedication. You will have to prepare your cases and you will have to be analytical and a lot of other things. To that extent, you tend to devote a larger number of your time to the profession than other people would normally do in their own professions. So, it is not that tedious, except that it demands of us huge dedication.

What are your high and low points in the legal profession?

It has been exciting largely, I must confess.

In the first instance, I am not saying that I am a lucky person, going into the academic in the first instance. I went into the academic early and I was able to come out extremely disciplined and analytical. To a large extent, it aided what I would call my modest achievement so far in the profession. But of course, the lowest I have come across in this profession was when I was alleged to have given a friend who eventually turned out to be a judge of the National Industrial Court (NIC) a bribe. I never appeared in my life before him. Money that I gave somebody out of sheer magnanimity and political gladiator

wanted to turn the thing upside down. But the good news then was that I never for one day appeared before the whole Industrial Court, let alone that Judge’s court. I never did. I never had anything to do with him other than the fellow was my colleague when we were in the academics. Trust my own nature that, of course, when I see my colleagues, particularly in the academic, demanding assistance, if I am capable, I do it, without even looking back. I think that was the lowest thing, because I felt that, I succeeded to a large extent in maintaining my integrity. And those who know me would tell you that much that, I am not carried away. I don’t even believe in influencing anybody much less a judge. As far, as I am concerned, I don’t do that and I will never.

It appears your law career has been smooth, but seems slowed down when you ought to have attained the pinnacle, on account that you ventured into partisanpolitics. Do you also think that way?

Certainly, it did. It did. It slowed me down because most of my contemporaries and juniors, and even one of my students became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) before I did. Even most of my contemporaries became SAN ahead of me and so many others became my seniors within the Inner Bar. And again, it is not that it has been rosy, I must confess to you, because like I use to tell some of our colleagues, I applied for SANship seven times before I eventually scaled through. And for those people who unfortunately, and “doubting Thomases”, it took me a long time. The good news is that, some characters felt it could be influenced by someone and probably it was influenced by me. But no! I used to tell them, go and look at it. All the criteria I met them.

In fact, I had more than what were required.

So, they should go back and look at it. As far as I am concerned, I was slowed down in the profession when I went into the government because during the time I was in government I could not practice and I wanted to be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). I tried it academically, and academic didn’t work because I was not fully within the university system. So, it was not really rosy.

You were born, and also grew up in Mushin, reputed to be a haven for hoodlums. Why were you not cut out in truancy or crime by peer influence?

No! The good news is that, for instance, I don’t believe, either then or now, that Mushin people were and are largely thugs or miscreants. Particularly, when I was growing up, a larger percentage of us were dedicated to our studies and we were doing everything that was right. And I believe, to a large extent now, we still have majority of the people in

Mushin being good in all ramifications. But only some few, quite naturally, in every 12, we have a Judas, we have them there. And may be, I would say, in view of politics again, unfortunately redress slightly into the abuse of all these truancy, cultism, thuggery and all those stuffs, all over the place. Otherwise, by and large, majority of the people living in that area are good people.

How were you able to cope with, and guide yourself against the proclivity to these crimes?

I must confess that, honestly, it is a misrepresentation. It is a wrong perception of the people of Mushin. We have a lot of good guys there. Even when I was growing up, it was competition galore, academically, among most of the guys we grew up together.

And a lot of us today are occupying strategic positions in different parts of this nation. So, I believe that, honestly speaking, it is a wrong perception to continue to view Mushin from the point of thuggery or truancy. No! Only few of them there, like I said, in the recent time, are being promoted by some funny politicians, a development that tends to give the impression that, that place is a haven of thugs. But no, it is not correct.

As a Muslim, you have only one wife. Is it correct?

It is correct! That is the normal thing. There is a misconception in the interpretation of the Quran. My own religion doesn’t permit it from my own perspective of the Quran. It does not.

But as a lawyer, people have their freedom to do whatever they like.

How did you meet your wife?

Well, I met her through her elder brother, Yinka.

Did she stress you before you could win her heart?

We met and of course, we liked each other, believed in each other. We started seeing each other and then, made a decision and it graduated into a marriage.

What was the attraction when you met her?

Because she was very and she is still industrious; beyond beauty, she is very industrious.

She is somebody that is not a lavish type because she believes in extreme management of resources; that you must manage resources well. She is a good manager of resources; let me put it that way.

Is the fire of attraction still burning?

Wholeheartedly!

What does love mean to you?

Care. It is all about care, as far as I am concerned.

Marriage nowadays doesn’t last any longer. What are your takes on this trend?

There are so many problems with marriages these days. The major one, in my view, is the economic challenge. Most husbands and wives are unable to sustain their marriages because of the economic challenges that they have. But I can’t blame them. But the women too, unfortunately, in some instances, couldn’t enjoy their marriages as much. It is struggling here and struggling there. And in some few instances, they forget why the woman continues to struggle. Some of these men too, they tend to be lackadaisical and before you know it, there are crises in the marriage. So, economic challenge is a major one. There is always the issue of what I would call incompatibility, particularly sexual incompatibility is a major issue. And unfortunately, most religions these days, if you try to do otherwise, they would call it fornication. So, they go into the marriage and before they know it, they would discover they are sexually incompatible and challenges start. That is another problem that I have seen, particularly from my practice. Again, in some few instances, we have the problem of career.

We have career women and we have career men. So, they will now discover that they are falling apart most of the time. So, before they know it, they are out.

Could that also account for the growing number of single parents?

I have just told you so many problems with that and why we have so many single parents. The first one is career. Some women do not want to leave their careers and they can’t compromise anything as far as career is concerned. Some even consciously just tell you outrightly that, all they want from men is to impregnate them and they take care of their children. They don’t want problems. In some instances also, someone would even struggle to get married. And after getting married, they will discover that, in pursuit of their careers, the man couldn’t cope and before they know it they are out of the marriage. There is the problem of the economy again. Most men, particularly young men around us now, they don’t even have jobs. They are unemployed.

So, there are surplus women all over the place and they don’t have any choice than to get any man to get them conceived and have children.

They take care of the child on their own because the young ones can’t even afford to set a home. So, we will continue to have more and more single parents all over the whole place. I think it is a combination of so many factors.

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͹ , 2014

PLUS

40

Essence, Nigeria’s Pop Diva Hits I Grew Up Listening to Different Genre of Music The World will Soon Hear from Me

With a checkered music career but lovely vocals that defined her, refined gospel singer Uwale ‘Essence’ Okoro, seems to be grateful with new age, future and songs to celebrate.

FERDINAND EKECHUKWU reports

Essence

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ͺ͹˜ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS I Fantasised Getting Married to Michael Jackson

“M

usic chose me.”

Singer/songwriter Uwale Okoro, popularly known as Essence, said some years back during a chat.

True to that in a sense, she was apt. For someone who started singing at a very tender age, it couldn’t have taken some other person to capture it better than in her own words, “I have been singing since I was five. I didn’t go into music just to make money or achieve fame. For me, it’s the passion that guides me. Music chose me.”

The singer turned 40 on Wednesday July 11. In an Instagram post, the former protégé of gospel singer, Kenny St. Brown expressed how happy she is to be alive, adding that the world will soon hear from her. “Hurray! It’s your day Essence… Happy 40th to you…you made it…alive…and triumphant…Heaven knows your story and soon the world too will know… The shift is here”, she wrote.

On this occasion of her birthday, the number of messages that trolled her social media handles and stories on blog sites about her age and single status say much about her persona. Although she has had her share of negative publicity, she seemed unscathed. A report about her being broke and trekking around the city of Lagos, hopping on bikes (okada) made the rounds just months after she parted ways with her record label. The singer however denied it, saying she’s not broke, with a spin that she’s dating a Nigerian-based man hence her non frequent trips abroad. Though at some point in her music career she hibernated, not much was heard of her; this paved way to rumours that she had quit music for blogging and ushering business.

The last of seven children, with siblings much older than her, growing up, she was, most of the times left to take her own decisions; watching television, singing and listening to diverse kind of music. “The TV kept me company and I grew up listening to different genre of music. I listened to country music, jazz and I loved Michael Jackson a lot.

“In fact, as at then, I fantasised getting married to Michael. Somehow, I trained myself unconsciously – singing other people’s songs. When I was in secondary school and I didn’t know what I wanted to do, my uncle reminded me of how I used to disturb the whole house with my songs and suggested that I give music a shot. At that point, I didn’t really believe in myself.

“And when I got into the University, I chose a course that would be all encompassing, so I went in for Theatre Arts.” Talented and undoubtedly blessed with captivating vocals that melt hearts, Essence, sang her way to the top from church choir after her secondary school education. At 18, her career had attained professional status. Upon graduating in 2004, she launched into music with the album ‘Truly Essence’ which has hit songs such as ‘Like Dat’ and ‘African Prince’, a remix of 2face’s ‘African Queen’.

She spoke further on her journey into the world of music: “I started from the church, Bethel Ministry of late Rev. Oduyemi. Kingsley Ike of the ‘Wamilele’ fame was my choir master. He was with Kennis Music and tried to get the Kennis to hear me sing because he said I had a promising career in music. But I told him that I was scared because I was very young.

“When I was in the University, I went for a talent hunt and surprisingly, I came second. Kenny Saint Brown was one of the judges. She told me that I came first on her list and asked me to call her.

She gave me her number but it took me

When I was in secondary school and I didn’t know what I wanted to do, my uncle reminded me of how I used to disturb the whole house with my songs and suggested that I give music a shot.

At that point, I didn’t really believe in myself.

And when I got into the University, I chose a course that would be all encompassing, so I went in for Theatre Arts. Talented and undoubtedly blessed with captivating vocals that melt hearts, Essence, sang her way to the top from church choir after her secondary school education. At 18, her career had attained professional status

Essence

almost a week to call her.

“And eventually when I called her, she gave an address to come and see her.

When I got there, she made me feel at home and I became her backup singer.”

She would later release her sophomore album titled, ‘Essential’. Her most popular song being ‘Facebook Love’ featuring former record label mate, Jaywon. The song was released in 2010, under Kennis Music, Essence had a thriving career. She then left in 2014 to work as an independent artiste. She is the voice behind the soundtrack of the widely watched TV series, Super Story.

She made debut in her first feature film in 2016, alongside known Nigerian actors like Kate Henshaw, Lanre Hassan, Ronke Ojo and Yemi Solade in ‘Kumbaya’ the musical.

About Facebook Love, which brought her much acclaim, she had doubted that the music was going to be a success and had confessed thus: “Truly, it was the last song that was recorded on the album. I was tired and didn’t feel like recording it, my producers insisted I did. In fact, I’d recorded lots of songs that didn’t make the album but they insisted I included the song.

“So when the song hit the airwave, I started getting calls from people who informed me that they love the song and wanted to know who sang it. Suddenly, it blew out of proportion and I was told that I was going to shoot the video. We shot the video and God’s hand was really on it because people love the video. And I feel blessed.

”And I’m grateful to God. I’m the kind of person that doesn’t like to take credit for what I didn’t do. I didn’t come up with the concept of the song. And if you asked me a million times, I’d still tell you that it was Jaywon who conceived the idea of the song. He’s a bundle of talents and I thank God for his life. God used him to bless me and I’m grateful.”

She further declared: “I think an artiste feel more fulfilled when people sing his/her song. But you know that when you are on stage and you don’t get a feedback from the audience, you’d get discouraged. So when you sing on stage and people acknowledge you, it gets you intoxicated, more than cocaine.” Apart from ‘Facebook Love’, she had other songs like ‘Giving It All’, ‘See Love’, ‘Give Me More’, followed by her other songs like ‘Sexy’, and ‘Se jeje’ which she released in 2015 after she underwent surgery. Recently, she came out with a new gospel track titled ‘Living Water’.

The piece which truly depicts her vocal strength is believed to be her come back song.

The Itsekiri, Delta State-born singer, graduated from Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka. Before she released her debut album, she had backed up artistes such as Kingsley Ike, Paul Play Dairo, Kenny St. Brown and a host of other Nigerian artistes. On doing gospel and secular music during an interview, her response appeared way too opinionated when asked if the two can work together.

“I know pastors who are bankers, even MDs of banks. I don’t think there is a

double standard there if you ask me.

Anybody who listens to my song knows that my songs are always edifying. My songs are always educating. As long as we have Christian schools, there is no Christian mathematics, Christian English and there is no Christian physics.

“It’s about the lyrics. It is the message you are passing across as a Christian that counts. I am telling you how to do things and I am putting the God factor in it. If I am singing about life, the bible says we are in the world but we are not of this world, we can’t exist outside the world but it is the ways you exist that differentiate.

“It’s not about it working together; it is my conviction. I am answerable only to God, not to man and if I want to sing a love song, I don’t see anybody when getting married or you are in courtship who doesn’t sing it.

“Christianity has gone past all these things we call taboos. We need to talk about it because it doesn’t work. We are Christians. We make babies. Where do babies come from? Definitely they are not dropped on the footsteps of your door in the middle of the night.

“You know biology comes to play. If you sing about biology, if you sing about life, that is why some Christians just love each other with the love of the Lord and they don’t truly love themselves.

We need to talk and sing about love but it is pure love and I sing about the love of God. “Jesus was always with the secular people. If you ask me that was why the Pharisees and the Sadducees were always against Him; He was always with the taxpayers, with the prostitutes.

So if they talked about Jesus like that, I will just do what Jesus did because we are called to the world, we are not called to ourselves.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 21, 2018

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

LOUD WHISPERS

Okotie

PASTOR OKOTIE, PLEASE DON’T MAKE ME LAUGH Did you guys see the full page advertorial published by the Man of God asking both parties to make him their consensus candidate quoting as usual revelation from one god only him listens to and can hear. This kind of thing now, if I talk they will say I am disrespecting elder or how do you explain this this one. Me I am thinking that all those years of using chemicals on the head, looking for the perfect jerry curls must have finally done something to the brain, please don’t take offence o or how else can you explain this move. That both major parties should collapse their structures and declare him their candidate simply because he can speak English o, not even better English but that type that only him and that Edo man or maybe Wole Soyinka usually understands. See, my Pastor, these are real serious times in this country.

The country is going to the dogs as a result of visionless drivers and all we are getting from people like you is this comedic turn that is not even funny. You already are the consensus candidate in your church; that should be enough for you. please stay there and continue with your dance and song routine and let us concentrate on the very serious task of looking for very serious-minded and visionary leaders that will guide us out of this wahala we have found ourselves. The beautiful ones are not yet born. Sad. GOODSWILL AKPABIIO’S UNCOMMON REPRESENTATION I am from Akwa Ibom State o, even though I have adopted Shomolu as my homeland, I am truly an Ibibio man who still enjoys the delicacy that is Afang. The other day, I saw a report of our very influential ex- governor, Chief Akpabio who recently was once again endorsed as the undisputed candidate for the Senate in his Senatorial district. That Akpabio did relatively well during his tenure as governor of our state is not in dispute and I am sure it is that leverage he still has that continues to give him massive influence in the state. But wait o, I noticed something in the statement, while

Akpabio

Byron

Don’t Cry for Ayo Fayose I am writing at 4am this morning with so much glee. The Ekiti elections have come and gone and a presumed winner has emerged.

We have seen all sort of gloating especially the unfortunate one allegedly issued by the EFCC amongst others. But the truth here is that although Fayose may have lost that battle, he seems to have won the conscience of the people.

For me, my respect for the gentleman is at its highest levels, simply because he has very unlike the grain, stood very firmly in his beliefs, refusing to shift his grounds and fought to the very end – tear gas or no tear gas without compromising his principles. These for a lot of Nigerians are all hallmarks of rare greatness especially in this

reeling out the benefits of his representation to the people, he counted the number of boreholes he had dug.

This struck me o. borehole? As main achievement in this day and age? This digital age and he did not stop at that, he called it uncommon representation.

If you ask me, I will call it uncommon

clime of cowardly politicians who shift and move almost on a daily basis following self-interest. For me and I am sure millions more, Fayose despite his unconventional ways, provides for us a rare reliability with which we can aspire to build our dreams and this is why I am saying this morning that we should not cry or laugh at Fayose for something tells me, that this is only just the beginning of this drama. Fayose still has an effective role to play in opposition politics.

His boldness, seeming lack of fear and courage would go a long way in galvanising the opposing camp towards rendering effective opposition which is what is needed in our politics today. This story has only just begun. Welldone Sir.

s…….. (call me so I can tell you the meaning of what I just blanked out, I don’t have money to hire lawyer, I dey find school fees). When will we wake up to the shenanigans of these toy soldiers? When will our people rise up in unity and in oneness and chase out the Pharisee and scribes who continue

Uzor

to dominate us . ooooooooo? I have risen up to the mountain top – in Martin Luther King’s voice – and I have a dream, that one day, ohhhhhhh one day, abeg make I go chop, I am hungry. Mbok, Akpabio continue no vex. Continue with your uncommon boreholes.

DR FAGBENRO BYRON, A GENTLEMAN ASPIRANT I have never had the good fortune of ever meeting with a Presidential Candidate in this my life. The closest was seeing Alhaji Atiku Abubakar at Habib bank where I used to work and that time, he was not yet an aspirant; he was a bank customer. So you can imagine my glee when I put in a call to Dr. Byron and he picked it. We had fruitful discussions and he accepted to come give a talk at the next Afang Summit. The Afang Summit is a platform that allows for the cohesive discussions of Nigerian politics with a view to creating and building structures of engagement that should lead to a reawakening of the civil society.

It is an adjunct of the Duke’s Summit. The Duke’s Summit is on online platform with membership spreading across young professionals and counting two gubernatorial candidates, three Senators, two former Presidential spokespersons, top Journalists and captains of industry. Discussions are usually very robust and unhinged and you must be intellectually strong to withstand the major grilling that comes with the sessions. I am very sure Dr. Byron has the capacity to hold his own at the forum. Will keep you guys posted. Thank you.

DR. UZOR KALU, HOW WILL WE DO THIS ONE I have just read that the EFCC have increased the charges against you by over N5 billion. I am really sad at this development o, what are we going to do, really have no other advise than to tell you to take it to God in prayers.

Not the Pentecostal type of prayers o because that one na psychedelic, you will go to jail, but the fire by fire type. Because these figures we are seeing and hearing no be small thing anyways, you belong to the right

JULY 21, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

25

SPY GLASS

with BAYO ADEOYE .... 08054680651 email: bayoolunla@gmail.com

Yemi Osinbajo’s Romantic Side

YEMI OSINBAJO

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, last Sunday, gave the world a peep into his romantic side, when his beautiful wife, Oludolapo, marked her 51st birthday. A brilliant legal mind, he weaved some poetic lines in celebration of his wife to the pleasant surprise of all. The VP took to both Instagram and Twitter to render romantic poem to his wife of 29 years: “I found a girl, beautiful and sweet, many years ago. I got to know you and you became Queen of my heart. You are my past, my present and my future. You complete me! You are as beautiful as the day I met you. Happy Birthday Oludolapo, your heart is my home.” Interestingly, this is not the first time Professor of Law has shown his poetic skill. Last year, on the 50th birthday of his wife, Osinbajo wrote: “My gift from God, watching over me, my support, at my side, my wings, my wife. Happy birthday, Oludolapo. You are my treasure.”

Neya Uzor Kalu’s Joy

OLUWATOYIN SANNI’S UNCOMMON HUMILITY

No doubt, billionaire businessman, Orji Uzoh Kalu, has cause to thank God for so many reasons.

In particular, he is extremely happy for the fact that he will soon become a grandfather, as his heavily pregnant daughter, Neya, will soon be delivered of her baby. Spyglass gathered that the beautiful lady, who got married in December 2017, has already jetted to Maryland, where she plans to be delivered of the baby. Although, a source revealed that her expected delivery date is a bit far, she decided to travel out of the country earlier in order to enjoy a proper care.

The source informed further that the couple is presently in a joyous mood in anticipation of the unborn baby. She got married to her man, Lawrence Iyere, in a fairy-tale wedding, which was attended by several dignitaries.

NEYA KALU

Bisi Fayemi’s Rising Profile

ABDULSAMAD-RABIU

Abdulsamad Rabiu’s Giant Strides Abdulsamad Rabiu sits atop the popular BUA Group. He has done so well for himself and has a lot to show for his efforts. Last Tuesday, the billionaire, who is known for many firsts, scored yet another first as his company, a leading cement producer, commissioned its USD$350 million Kalambaina Cement Plant in Sokoto State. The plant has an installed capacity of 1.5 metric tonnes per annum and will be the largest single private led investment in the North West, Nigeria. The plant, which is part of the company’s expansion plan, has a total capacity of 32 megawatts captive power plant, high capacity coal mill, a multi-fuel plant. It also has the potentials to create about 2,000 jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs and also increase the country’s foreign exchange with its 100km and 200km proximity to Niger and Benin Republic respectively.

OLUWATOYIN SANNI

Failure is in an orphan, but success has many friends and relatives.This popular saying captures the status of Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, wife of the governor-elect of Ekiti State. She has, suddenly become a darling of many, especially top society women in and outside the state, since her husband’s victory in the last week’s governorship election in the state. It was gathered that the graduate of History from the University of Ife (now the Obafemi Awolowo University), Osun State has been having a busy schedule attending to people, groups as well as various organisations.

It was also revealed that many of her friends who deserted her shortly after her husband’s tenure expired in 2014 have found their way back to her, as they now surround her like bees to honey, thereby turning her home and office into a Mecca of sorts. This is particularly because she is said to have her husband’s listening ears.

BISI FAYEMI

Oluwatoyin Sanni, the former Group Chief Executive of United Capital Plc., is an inspirational dream of bliss.

Sanni is a seasoned investment and portfolio banker, whose 32 years cognate experience in the Capital market has helped to boost Nigerian and Foreign investors’ confidence. Her splendor is never fully displayed for long mortal eyes to indulge. Sanni is unpretentious in humility. Her unabashed modesty offers valuable lessons on why wantonness should be scorned. Sanni excellently manages anything entrusted in her care.

It was heartwarming to see the beautiful wife of Pastor Sanni of the Redeemed Christian Church at a recent event where she interacted amiably with both affluent, middle segments and youths. She is no doubt one of the very few ladies of affluence in the financial market that does not make song and dance to their positions and privileges.

Not even her husband’s positions in the same profession have changed her outlook on life. Interestingly, there is a certain tinge of plentifully attached to the loveliness of Toyin, reminiscence of that virtues woman that love and serve God within her busy schedules. Beneficiaries of her friendliness can testify that she honours all invitations to corporate work and events serving the Lord.

Like the birds soaring above the sky, undoubtedly, so is Toyin in her career paths especially in a society where men dominants. She has fought a good fight for women and so passionate about gender equality and has written two books for foes to mark her 50th birthday titled “Yes, you too can maximise your life” and “Yes, you too can Get to the top.”

At United Capital, she initiated and championed innovative products such as the United Capital NGN Eurobond Fund and the Wealth for Women Fund. Toyin has played leading roles in landmark deals, which helped indigenous companies.

A watershed year for the group under her leadership was in 2016 when the company delivered the highest capital appreciation on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and in 2017 when it won the highest number of Awards at Pearl Awards Nite.

Amongst the best she clinched was “Most Outstanding CEO of the Year”, with Toyin becoming the first female CEO to win that Award in its 22-year history. In the same year, Toyin was named the Esquire Legal Award Business Icon of the Year, All African Business Woman of the year 2017 by CNBC, was later twice named a Business Day Top 25 CEO (2014, 2015 and 2016, to mention but few.

She has held various positions as Chairman and Chairperson of Portfolio Managers. As a public personality, speaker and author, who derives satisfaction from grooming future leaders and proffering capital solutions for financing and investment challenges of African governments, businesses and individuals, the Christian Millionaire Bookclub in United Kingdom recently engaged her in a conservation with the theme: “becoming wealthy God’s Way”.

The impeccable personality of Toyin would be missed at United Capital. She has created her own real financial world called-Emerging Africa Capital Group, where she doubles as an Entrepreneur and CEO.

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 21, 2018

PERSPECTIVE Obasanjo, Atiku Rendezvous: Good Omen for Nation’s Unity Alaba Yusuf

W

hen in a dramatic maverick political move in the eighties, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady declared “there are no personal sympathies in politics”, the matriarch of English political philosophy was actually adding to the body of global human knowledge.

Ever before Thatcher’s famous words, an iconoclastic US Congressman, and author of a bestseller political book, William L. Clay, had consciously and concisely captured the essence of politics as a craft and game of interests rather than a bundle of emotion or accumulated sentiments.

Thus in his description of politics, which is far from scientific exactitude, Clay claimed that “This is quite a game, politics. There are no permanent enemies, and no permanent friends, only permanent interests.”

Politics, from the above wise counsels therefore is tantamount to a dynamic and versatile human relations activity of man, by man and for man. And a wheel that rolls on the track of time and space. Thus, it is widely accepted that politics should never be an exercise in rigidity or a mind’s construction sculptured in steel. And by inference, politics is neither religious belief nor superstitious norm; but a keen game of permutations and assertions gauged by current happenings and pervading interplay of contending hegemonic forces at a given period of time.

The pre-second term implosion between a once-sitting president Olusegun Obasanjo and his joint-ticket-holder, Atiku Abubakar, remains an epic case study in contemporary Nigerian history. It is one that draws the attention of this piece, as the two gladiators still dominate the political firmament of a nation inching towards presidential election in February 2019.

Since time is registered, philosophically, as the “healer of all wounds”, the poser on all lips now is: has the ice really thawed between Obasanjo and Atiku? Your guess is as good as mine.

Let’s burrow into hindsight and take a glimpse of the true story of these Titans of our time. According to impeccable sources, when the going was good between both leaders, Atiku always had Obasanjo’s ears. Atiku, with the support of Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, a bosom friend of both men, twice had audience with Obasanjo in his Otta Temperance Farms between 1991 and 1993, to discuss the state of the nation, first to seek support for late MKO Abiola’s presidential bid and second to warn OBJ of an impending then imminent plot by late Abacha to arrest and jail him in a trumped up treasonable charge of planning a coup. Coincidentally, both Atiku and Fasawe were still with OBJ when the then Police Commissioner in Ogun State sauntered in with his men and forcefully removed Obasanjo to their station. Atiku was said to have lost his temper, highly livid with anger but restrained by other witnesses to the odd arrest. That was the beginning of OBJ’s travails and long stay in prison!

Never known as man who abandons his own, Atiku characteristically engaged the system and convinced some influencers within the Abacha junta to move detained Obasanjo from Kirikiri prison in Lagos to the one in Yola, Atiku’s homeland. Once there, Atiku in concert with others, catered to the welfare and medical needs of Obasanjo. There is a story of how Atiku introduced his medical doctor, Dr. Olusegun Ajuwon, to attend to OBJ’s medical needs. Same Dr. Ajuwon was later compensated by President Obasanjo in 1999 as Chief Medical Director of the government-owned National Hospital Abuja.

Meanwhile, since one good turn deserves another, Atiku was not left out of Obasanjo’s sight. Little wonder that he recognized the Wazirri’s unsolicited assistance over the years, plus the fact that same compatriot had played tremendous role in the struggle and defense of democracy in Nigeria. No wonder, OBJ picked Atiku as his Vice Presidential candidate for the 1999 elections, even though Atiku had already won the governorship election in his Adamawa homestead. And in fairness to Obasanjo, his first term was left in the hands of Atiku, whose business acumen and rich political sagacity manifested in the assemblage of a dream economic team.

However, like the saying goes: “twenty children cannot play for 20 years.” Things began to fall apart between Atiku and his boss, no thanks to the subterfuge of political mercenaries and crass opportunistic politicians. Thus, Atiku, the erstwhile darling of all, became tainted and tarred by his boss as one of “the corrupt young politicians to whom power cannot be entrusted.” The bee stung Atiku. And its long lasting pain remains till today. Hence, the former Vice President’s brave and celebrated constitutional 14 Court victories against Obasanjo’s administration, are mementos and legacies for generations of yet to be born students of politics and political

Obasanjo

Atiku

engineering in Africa.

Candidly, matters peaked negatively. As things actually reached a crescendo in 2006 when Obasanjo had declared total war on Atiku; sacking the latter’s key media aides. Their exclusion from Aso Presidential Villa led Atiku to pioneer the first independent media office owned by any politician in the country. The Atiku Media Office was created in 2006 to fire up the burner of press freedom till date.

By 2007, things have finally fallen apart. The drums of war were in high tempo. And the battle lines were boldly demarcated. For Obasanjo’s alleged intent to go for a third term, contrary to the provisions of the country’s constitution, became an object of public uproar and a political monster that needed to be tamed. Atiku was receptive to the huge challenge, and picked the gauntlet.

At last, the epochal political event had only one victor: Nigerians. But it came at a huge cost to Obasanjo and Atiku. The key opponents of the agenda, Atiku in particular, was singled out for punishment. A huge albatross of imaginary corruption perception was placed on Atiku’s neck. However, a year ago, the mercurial businessman and philanthropist challenged anyone that has any allegation of corruption practices against him to reveal it or desist from the character assassination. As we speak, nobody has countered Atiku. Sadly, perception is not reality. But negative perception constitutes grave danger to people’s brand reputation.

A decade after, tempers seem to have cooled off a bit. But has the ice truly thawed between Obasanjo and Atiku? The hand writing is on the wall. Instances abound when charitable Atiku has been seen extending hands of fellowship to OBJ. Recently too Atiku, issued a strongly worded published statement warning the Buhari administration against yielding to the lure of tyranny and impunity. It is already public knowledge that Obasanjo no longer has any good reference for the incumbent.

Besides, both OBJ and Atiku are united on the quest to enthrone a government that would truly change the fortunes of Nigerians for good. After all, the adversary of one’s adversary should become a good friend of one. Accordingly, an Atiku that was badly treated and bruised while he was a staunch member of the APC, on whose victory the former Vice President invested time, money and human influence, but was later short-changed once the party attained the saddle of power at the federal level, is now involved in strategic alliances.

At this point, Atiku soon retraced his steps back to the PDP, a party he helped to form and fund in 1998. Hence, his homecoming was welcomed and has reenergized the now rebranded PDP. Atiku, therefore, is at a vantage position to flag the PDP’s presidential banner in 2019. Meanwhile OBJ, to wit, has retired from party politics. He made an open declaration of it by publicly tearing, in a feat of anger, his membership card of the PDP, a party that gave him two terms as president.

Notwithstanding, OBJ is still associated with the Coalition for Nigeria, a rescue-mission political pressure group that has now aligned interest with a new political party, the Action Democratic Congress.

On the other hand, an unrelenting Atiku, a frontline presidential aspirant of the PDP, continues to transverse the nooks and crannies of the country on consultation with

stakeholders.

Like a Trojan horse, OBJ has been on fence-mending trips to many parts of Nigeria. For instance, after 20 years of estrangement, the former president dramatically prostrated to court Pa Reuben Fasoranti, 92, Chairman of Afenifere, numero uno Yoruba social cultural group. In addition, OBJ also travelled to Lagos to heal another wound. This time around it was destination Olabode George, a chieftain of the PDP, who was ignominiously jailed under Obasanjo’s government for “fraud.” George has buried the hatchet when he reciprocated OBJ’s “condolence call”, and said that: “all that happened in the past belonged to the past and they were the handiwork of the devil.

With all these handwritings on the wall, with many rivers crossed and bridges built, Nigerians are eager to read headline such as: “At Last, Obasanjo backs Atiku for President” or “Obasanjo teams up with Atiku against Buhari”. Both editors and readers alike may not have a long time to wait - as “messengers of peace” are at work on mediation missions to defrost the icy relationship between the two leaders.

As a matter of fact, these conflict controllers who are working hard behind the scene and subtly weaving a basket of peace, are led by General Aliyu Gusau, a retired military officer and former National Security Adviser (NSA) in OBJAtiku government; and the ever affable and amiable Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, a common human denominator in that administration with the unofficial label of the occupier of “Office of the Friend of the President.” Alhaji Gusau, a respected silent operator, recently put together a “peace parley” under the guise of national discourse at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, to which he invited and sat both Obasanjo and Atiku together at the table of honour. Another former President was said to have worked behind the scenes to make that “meeting” a reality. That historic meeting was followed by hugs and warm handshakes, plus prompt pleasantries. Somehow the cumulus cloud has gathered, and the expectation of a torrential rainfall of truce may not be misplaced.

Just recently too, the Prince Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee and other party chieftains across the country, took a trip to Obasanjo’s Abeokuta residence, to placate and “apologize to him for all the wrongs done to him by old PDP.” The former President in similar vein has buried the hatchet and reciprocated the homage paid to him by saying: “I have forgiven the PDP.” Finally, it could safely be said that both statesmen (OBJ and Atiku) do share a common political canvass to paint a new picture for Nigeria, politically. Like Siamese twins with identical destiny, both astute compatriots from the South and North of the country, need to sheath their swords of words and war, embrace each other, for the greater good of the greater majority of generations unborn. As the famous adage goes, “man must end war, lest war will end man.” Nigeria of today is yearning for unity and security, equity and tranquility, justice and fairness, peace and progress.

Will Obasanjo and Atiku rendezvous therefore spell a good omen for a nation in dire need of unification, integration and transformation? Such is the looming expectation of our population.

–– AlabaYusuf, a journalist and strategic communicator, wrote from Abuja.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 21, 2018

27

PERSPECTIVE

APC Walks Tight Rope, as Hunkuyi, Sani Defect Danladi Sani

T

he immediate past Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, submitted in an interview granted barely two weeks to the All Progressives Congress’s National Convention that states where congresses were not conducted in a free and fair manner by some powerful APC stakeholders and governors, will certainly pay the price of undemocratic activities.

He continued: “In democracy, people have different aspirations with the hope to achieve them on the platform of a particular political party. But once you are denied the opportunity to participate democratically, naturally, you must feel aggrieved and the temptation may be for you to seek your ambition on another platform. The immediate past congresses cannot stand the test of time from what I read in newspapers.

What aggrieved members are saying is a sad development, because the governors decided in their offices to write the names of their secretaries and their family members. Adamawa State appears to be unique in this negative regard. So, you are not wrong to say these undemocratic activities may affect APC’s performances in some states.”

But more than three weeks after the convention, apart from Imo State, where the Presidency appears to be insisting that the congresses must hold afresh, apparently because it was the governor who lost out, the Presidency and the party are yet to consider the grievances of other aggrieved stakeholders of the party, especially where the governors had upper hand.

Incidentally, Kaduna State is one of the states where party stakeholders are aggrieved over the outcome of the congresses.

Leading the pack of the aggrieved party members is Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, representing Kaduna North Senatorial district. Hunkuyi, it was learnt, incidentally provided the structure that enabled Mallam Nasir El-Rufai defeat the highly rated former member of the House of Representatives, Isa Ashiru, at the party’s governorship primary, and went ahead to deliver El-Rufai at the poll against the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the Director-General of the party’s campaign council in the state.

But shortly after the election was won and lost, El-Rufai allegedly began treating Hunkuyi as if he did not matter in the politics of the state. And for two years, he tolerated this. This perhaps explains why even when some aggrieved members of the party broke away early in 2015 to form APC Akida, Hunkuyi never showed his hand in the group. He was still optimistic that the situation was redeemable. Senator Shehu Sani representing Kaduna Central was very visible in that group.

However, the bubble burst in 2017 when the party asked that Delegates’ elections be conducted across the states of the federation. Kaduna State stakeholders had written to the national headquarters of the party to complain about the outcome of the Delegates’ election, insisting that rather than hold election as anticipated by the party, the governor of Kaduna State and his aides allegedly sat in the Government House to write the names of their preferred candidates, and sent same to the national headquarters as duly elected.

After submitting the letter of petition, Hunkuyi led the group to address a press conference in Kaduna, where he and other members of the group were attacked allegedly by thugs loyal to the state government, to protest the outcome of the Delegates’ election, held in the state on July 29, 2017. Hunkuyi told journalists that he was opposed to the governor because he (El-Rufai) was opposed to internal democracy, the same reason that forced both of them out of the PDP, in the first instance. The group described the election as a “charade.”

Although, the national secretariat of the party never acted on the petition, it acknowledged publicly through the then National Chairman, John Oyegun that it indeed had challenges with the conduct of the elections in Rivers and Kaduna States, respectively. Ironically, up till the time the John Oyegun-led exco left office in June this year, the party did not deem it fit to look into the petition. In spite of that, the group opposed to the governor’s style of governance remained in the party and were prepared to take part in the congresses in May this year until

In the build up to the May congresses of the party, the Hunkuyi-led group followed every guidelines of the party, by purchasing the forms that would enable them contest the election into the 255 wards in the state.

The group also had their bank tellers as stipulated by the party’s guidelines.The Hunkuyi group and supporters had filed out on the day of the election which took place on Saturday, May 5 to participate in the election having met the provisions of the party’s constitution to contest in the election

Hunkuyi they were shut out again.

In the build up to the May congresses of the party, the Hunkuyi-led group followed every guidelines of the party, by purchasing the forms that would enable them contest the election into the 255 wards in the state. The group also had their bank tellers as stipulated by the party’s guidelines. The Hunkuyi group and supporters had filed out on the day of the election which took place on Saturday, May 5 to participate in the election having met the provisions of the party’s constitution to contest in the election.

But to their surprise, almost all the wards and the local government areas they visited to participate in the congress, party officials were not on ground to attend to them. Shortly after claiming to have participated in the ward congress at his Ungwan Sarki ward, Governor El-Rufai said party members and stakeholders across the 255 wards in the state have worked together to deliver a very satisfactory outcome.

However, Hunkuyi fired back, saying that he and his group are not fighting El-Rufai or the state government, but that as far as APC is concerned, they don’t want to be labourers on their own farm. He insisted there was no election. His position was corroborated by Senator Sani.

Addressing a press conference a day after the ward congress, Hunkuyi explained: “We are co-travellers in the Kaduna State APC Journey, and not bystanders. Our members had by the provision of the Guidelines and the APC Constitution paid the required fees for the nomination forms into the APC accounts and collected tellers for the 9,453 positions to be contested in 255 Wards across the 23 local government areas involving 37 different positions in each of the Ward across the State.

“Our members, were profiled few hours to the APC stakeholders briefing at a public lecture by el-rufai in Kaduna Township Stadium before the APC National Chairman, when the governor, in an unprecedented hate speech called out my name and urged his sympathizers to ‘maim’ me and other APC co-travellers as well as members of his party and supporters who do not share the same political views with him “The APC State Congress Committee in a very frustrating outing gave our members the nomination forms for only two local governments 23 local government areas around 03:55am and that was at the wee hours of the Congress date of 5th May, 2018. It must be noted that even those who collected the forms were already programmed for disqualification as the guidelines for the conduct of the congresses, stipulates that all aspirants must return the forms 24 hours before the date of the congresses.” Hunkuyi called for the nullification of the exercise, adding that “may God deliver APC from the hands of enemies

of democracy and purveyors of tyranny who are out to destroy our beloved party.”

But when it became obvious that the party was unwilling to reverse what he described as the “rape” of democracy, Hunkuyi and his group decided to bid farewell to the APC, and like the former SGF predicted, they will be seeking to actualise their ambition on the platform of another party other than the APC. With the exit of Hunkuyi and several others who made it possible for El-Rufai and APC to win Kaduna in 2015, it is perhaps obvious that the incumbent governor and his party would be walking a tight rope ahead of 2019. Already, several aspirants including Hunkuyi have shown interest in running for the governorship on the platform of the PDP. Others are: Isa Ashiru, Sani Sidi, Galadiman Ruwa, former governor, Ramalan Yero and Maina Zazzau among several others. Interestingly, all the aspirants are from Kaduna North senatorial district, where the incumbent comes from.

Of the lot, three are from the former vice president, Namadi Sambo’s camp. They are Yero, Sidi and Maina Zazzau. Sidi is also however seen as not just El-Rufai’s friend; buy a “boy” to El-Rufai’s Secretary to State Government (SSG), Balarabe Abbas.

What is therefore the game? Pundits ask. Watchers of political events in the state however see the contest for the PDP’s ticket as a straight fight between Ashiru and Hunkuyi. Incidentally, both politicians are from the same council in the state.

In the history of the state, only the Southern Kaduna can deliver bloc votes. PDP must therefore think through carefully to see who between Hunkuyi and Ashiru can win the confidence of the Southern Kaduna people who appear to be the worst hit by the El-Rufai’s rule. To kick out El-Rufai therefore, political observers say, the PDP needs the Southern Kaduna bloc votes.

The option before it therefore is to decide who between the two top contenders, Ashiru and Hunkuyi gets the ticket. The two of them are from the same council. Ashiru had contested the governorship ticket with El-Rufai in the APC. Hunkuyi singlehandedly delivered the ticket to El-Rufai, ahead of Ashiru.

Again in 2011, Hunkuyi played a decisive role in the emergence of late Patrick Yakowa as governor at the time. Yakowa is from Southern Kaduna. Over the years, Hunkuyi has proven to be a political war horse, with capacity to change the game positively. And since he is coming from the RAPC, which was part of the group that signed a MoU with the PDP, he appears to stand tall above every other aspirant in the contest for the ticket, if the details of the MoU are anything to go by. Regardless, to win Kaduna, PDP must avoid any contest that would be acrimonious.

--Sani, a political analyst, is based in Kaduna

28

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž JULY 21, 2018

FAMILY HEALTH with

How Do You Smell ?

BOBO BODE -KAYODE

lifeissuesfromwithin@yahoo.com 08053372356

A

ll created beings have a peculiar smell, which could be pleasant or unpleasant. This is your body smell. But when it becomes unbearable to the next person, and to you, it is then your body odour. Body odour is a perceived unpleasant smell our bodies can give off when bacteria that live on the skin break down sweat into acids. It could be the smell of bacteria growing on the body, but it really is the result of bacteria breaking down protein into certain acids, which release gases that have a smell, depending on the type of infecting bacteria and the location of the activity.

Sweating and body odour are facts of life for most people. Heavy perspiration and body odour can happen when you exercise, when you’re too warm, or when you’re nervous, anxious or under stress. Your body has two main types of sweat glands, and they produce two very different types of sweat. Both types are odourless, but the type of sweat produced in your armpits and groin smells bad when it combines with bacteria found normally on your skin. Unusual changes in sweating — either excessive perspiration or little or no perspiration, can be cause for concern.

Likewise, changes in body odour may be a sign of a medical problem. For normal sweating and body odour, however, lifestyle and home treatments can effectively manage your symptoms. People who sweat a lot, may also be susceptible to body odour, however, often the salt level of their sweat is too high for the bacteria to break down.

This most of the time depends on the location of the excessive sweat and the type of sweat glands that are involved. Sweat itself is virtually odourless to humans; it is the rapid multiplication of bacteria in the presence of sweat and that they do break sweat down into acids that eventually causes the unpleasant smell. We perceive the smell as offensive, because we have been made to believe that we should not have any body smell at all. Body odour is most likely to occur in our feet, groin, armpits, genitals, pubic hair and other hair, belly button, anus, behind the ears, and sometimes on the rest of our skin.

Body odour can be specific to you, and this has helped in sniper dogs, using this to identify people. Each person’s unique body odour can be influenced by r EJFU r HFOEFS r IFBMUI r BOE NFEJDBUJPO There are two main sweat glands in your body, that secretes sweat. r &DDSJOF BOE r "QPDSJOF HMBOET 1. Eccrine glands occur over most of your body and open directly onto the surface of the skin. When your body temperature rises, your eccrine glands secrete fluid onto the surface of your skin, where it cools your body as it evaporates.

This fluid is composed mainly of water and salt.

"QPDSJOF HMBOET EFWFMPQ JO BSFBT abundant in hair follicles, such as your armpits and groin, and they empty into the hair follicle just before it opens onto the skin surface. This gland also produces a milky fluid that most commonly is secreted when you’re under emotional stress.

This fluid is odourless until it combines with bacteria found normally on your skin.

SYMPTOMS: When you notice that you sweat more than usual, and not sure what is going on, then you need to seek help.

Some people naturally sweat more or less than other people. Body odour also can vary from person to person r :PV TVEEFOMZ CFHJO UP TXFBU NVDI more or less than usual r 4XFBUJOH EJTSVQUT ZPVS EBJMZ SPVUJOF r :PV FYQFSJFODF OJHIU TXFBUT GPS OP apparent reason r:PV OPUJDF B DIBOHF JO ZPVS CPEZ odour.

Sweat and other secretions do not actually smell. Sweat, sebaceous, and apocrine glands secrete volatile organic

Sweating and body odour are facts of life for most people. Heavy perspiration and body odour can happen when you exercise, when you’re too warm, or when you’re nervous, anxious or under stress.

Your body has two main types of sweat glands, and they produce two very different types of sweat. Both types are odourless, but the type of sweat produced in your armpits and groin smells bad when it combines with bacteria found normally on your skin

compounds, and odours arise when these “VOCs� interact with bacteria on the skin, in hair follicles, and in the mouth.

Peculiarities: There are certain things that can be considered, for you to know that what we actually call smell and body odour, could be relative. The natural God given attraction between a man and woman, the kind of food you eat, genetic factors and certain medical conditions, can influence your body smell.

The way we smell can say a lot about us, our personality traits, health condition, and guess what; even something as striking as who you date!!! Your dating preference is greatly influenced by your smell preference.

Everyone’s got body odour —even those who think their arm pit do not stink. But not all odours are repulsive or the kind easy to get rid of with a stick of deodorant. The scientific explanation is quite simple and straight forward. Sweat glands exist all over the body and kick into gear when we exercise, become overheated, or feel anxious.

Sebaceous glands are also found throughout the body and only start producing their oily MJRVJE EVSJOH QVCFSUZ "QPDSJOF HMBOET MPcated mostly in the armpit and pubic regions, also start acting up around adolescence and can cause some serious stink. Steroids in apocrine secretions, especially the ones that come from the armpit, are some of the biggest culprits behind adult body odour. But the truth is that sweat and other secretions do not actually smell.

Sweat, sebaceous, and apocrine glands secrete volatile organic compounds, and odours arise when these chemicals all mix. While it might be possible to avoid bad body odour by steering clear of certain foods, how we smell is largely based on genetic factors. It is known that identical twins smell very similar, even when they don’t live together.

Ethnicity also comes into play: People of &BTU "TJBO EFTDFOU UFOE UP TXFBU MFTT BOE IBWF MFTT CPEZ PEPVS UIBO UIPTF PG "GSJDBO BOE &VSPQFBO EFTDFOU "OE ZPVOH TDIPPM HJSMT BSF right that boys stink, since men tend to have stronger body odour than women.

SEXUAL ATTRACTION: Genetics can

influence our ability to detect certain odours, UPP "T BOZPOF XIP IBT XBMLFE JOUP B CPZT locker room can guess, women are generally more sensitive to body odor than men are.

This is because women have had to be more TFMFDUJWF BCPVU DIPPTJOH UIF SJHIU NBUF "OE people react completely differently to certain PEPVST CFDBVTF PG UIFJS VOJRVF %/" 0OF PG the steroids in human sweat and urine is very

important in sexuality. Some people say it smells like vanilla (attraction), others find it appeals to their nostrils as much as sweat or urine (offensive), and some can’t smell it at all (frigidity). If you want to know, if a OFX GSJFOE JT PVUHPJOH OFVSPUJD PS CPME " gentle sniff of the arm pit would tell you a secret. There is also some evidence people can predict certain personality traits just by sniffing odour samples. Body odour also has a lot to do with romantic attraction, beyond the fact that it’s a good idea to freshen up and use perfume, before a date.

Sweat, skin oils, and other secretions release pheromones, which are chemical substances, that help animals communicate sexually. In humans, pheromones can convey important information about who’s a potential match, who you are likely to be attracted to. Studies have found women are most attracted to the odours of men whose genes are different from theirs.

In other words, women seek out partners who will give them the best chance of producing healthy kids. So, what about your expensive perfume?

It does not really get you attraction from the opposite sex, but your inner sexual scent does this for you. So focus on your inner sexual smell, for some eau de fertility. Smells have a lot to do with women’s reproductive cycles. Women find high-testosterone odours more attractive when they’re most fertile, while men find fertile women smell TFYJFTU "OE DFSUBJO PSBM DPOUSBDFQUJWFT don’t just change women’s menstrual cycles, they can also make ladies less likely to sniff out a potential mate. It is known that a woman on contraceptive pills, were less likely to prefer the odours of men with compatible genetic profiles.

SO WHAT DO YOU DO?

r 5IFSF JT B SFNFEZ GPS BMM UZQFT PG CPEZ smell that cannot be tolerated. In most healthy adults, body odour is not a problem that deodorant and a regular shower routine cannot take care of, although some people might smell just fine going all natural. r 8"5$) 5)& ,*/% 0' '00%4 :06 &"5 #VU UIFSF BSF DFSUBJO GPPET IBCJUT BOE medical conditions that can have friends and coworkers covering their nose. Foods like garlic and curry can cause some smelly situations, since they contain chemicals that our glands FYDSFUF POUP UIF TLJO "OE CVSHFS MPWFST beware: Some women think men who eat a lot of red meat smell worse than those who take their meals with a little less beef.

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

21.07.2018

Sadiq Umar

?

Can He Take His Game to the Next Level at Rangers

Awoniyi: Future Still Far Away from Anfield PAGE. 31

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ ͺ͸͚΀

Sadiq Umar

Can He Take His Game to the Next Level at Rangers? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂœËœ ĂžĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂœĂ‹ĂœĂŽËœ Ă“Ă? Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ÙÚÞÓ×ÓĂ?ÞÓĂ? ÞÒËÞ Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÙʾÓĂ?Ă’ Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŒ Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?Ë› Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă? Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ̋ͺ͝ ÚÖËãĂ?ĂœËœ Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă› Ă—Ă‹ĂœË› Ă’Ă? Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă™ĂŒĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÒÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?ÞÒĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÞËÑĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă—Ă‹Ăœ ÞÙ ÞËÕĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?âÞ Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?Ă–

S

adiq Umar’s move to Roma in 2015 was seen as a big one but he never really settled down at the capital club and it came as a little surprise when he was eventually sent on a year loan to Bologna and another loan spell to Torino.

But since taking charge Glasgow Rangers, Manager Stephen Gerrard has never hidden his love for the Nigerian and indeed praised his side’s acquisition of Umar claiming that the club will provide him the platform to take his career to the next level. “Umar is a player with huge potential and I think he is looking for the next stage to take his career to the next level. Rangers can give this boy a stage and platform to perform on,�

Gerrard stated. “We’re a fan of Umar Sadiq. He’d bring us a forward option – height, power, presence. He’s a player that works too hard believe it or not. He does tons and tons of running. He’s very enthusiastic. He’s the type of player who gives you just as much out of possession as he does in possession which is very important,�

Umar outpaces an opponent

Gerrard told Dailyrecord.co.uk. “We’ve got an interest but at the moment he’s still a Roma player. It’s ongoing.

We have to be respectful and see how it progresses but he’s someone we like. There is nothing to report on it yet in terms of progress but we do like the player. We’ll have to see how that one materialises . “There’s a group of names we’re monitoring and assessing and in the forward areas. I’ve tried to go from back to front.

That doesn’t mean I have to sign a midfielder before a forward but defence was definitely a priority.�

But it remains to be seen how well Umar

There is nothing as good for a player than when his coach strongly believes in him and that is what Umar would be enjoying at Rangers. Gerrard has never hidden his love for his style of play, which he believes was lacking in Rangers

can cash-in on the advantage presented to him by Gerrard.

In a chat with THISDAY, former Nigerian international, Tajudeen Disu is of the opinion that Umar would take advantage of what Rangers is presenting. “There is nothing as good for a player than when his coach strongly believes in him and that is what Umar would be enjoying at Rangers. Gerrard has never hidden his love for his style of play, which he believes was lacking in Rangers. All that is left for Umar to do is to settle down as quickly as possible,�

Disu said.

Disu said coaches go a long way in the development of a player and shaping their career. “Victor Moses should be a very good example to many Nigerian players after he was sent on several loan spells

by Jose Mourinho, but the arrival of Antonio Conte to Chelsea changed everything. The Italian believed in him so much and Moses himself did not disappoint. The same advantage has fallen on the lapse of Umar and it’s left for him to take advantage of it,� the former captain of the defunct Abiola Babes said.

Umar was born in Kaduna on February 2, 1997. In 2013, he joined the Future

of Africa Football Academy and the Abuja Football College. He finished as the top scorer at the Croatian Kvarnerska Rivijera youth tournament as his side Abuja Football College won the competition.

Soon after the Kvarnerska Rivijera youth tournament, Umar signed for Serie B side, Spezia who sent him on loan to Serie D club, Lavagnese, where he scored 26 goals in 24 matches for the youth team becoming the youth top scorer in Italy.

In June 2015, Umar joined Roma on a season-long loan. Having bagged eight goals and three assists in his first four youth matches for Roma, he made his Serie A against Bologna. Towards the end of the season, his move to Roma was made permanent for a fee of ÂŁ2 million and completed his first season at Roma scoring two goals in six Serie A appearances.

In 2016, Umar was selected for their final 18-man squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. He scored the Nigeria Olympic team’s first goal and also scored the only goal of the next match against Sweden. He also scored the first and third goals in the Bronze medal match against Honduras in the same tournament.

ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

31

GLOBAL SOCCER

Taiwo Awoniyi

Future Still Far Away from Anfield Liverpool on Monday extended the contract of former ormer Nigerian youth international, Taiwo Awoniyi, who the Merseyside club snapped in 2015 after impressive ve displays for the Flying Eagles. Kunle Adewale writes that in spite of the contract extension, his future is still far from Anfield

I

n spite of spending the last three seasons away from Anfield and yet to make an appearance for the club, Taiwo Awoniyi was handed an improved contract by the management of Liverpool.

“I feel excited and I feel very happy.

When I was told about the contract I was so eager to get it done, to move onto the next stage, going out on loan or being a Liverpool player,” Awoniyi told Liverpool’s official website on Tuesday.

“My ambition is to work hard wherever I find myself and hopefully be a better player.”

The centre-forward found the net 10 times and provided four assists on loan at Royal Excel, helping them secure another year in Belgian’s First Division A. “Last season was the best season for me so far. It was a bit tough for me to be there alone but I just had to keep on working hard and try as much as possible for the best and work for the success of the team. They stayed in the league. It was a great year for me.”

The next move for the 20-year-old is likely to be another loan, with the player having already played in three different countries across Europe since joining Liverpool in 2015.

“Going from Germany to Holland and to Belgium was a big career move for me as a player. My thanks to Liverpool for that. It helped me a lot to develop more as a player. At the moment, I don’t have a work permit. I’ll go on loan again and keep on working hard as much as I can.

I’m a Liverpool player for more years and the plan is to keep on working hard and hopefully get back here one day.”

Liverpool experienced an unprecp edented resurgence last season that saw them reach the final of the UEFA Champions League, and central to those feats were African duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

“It was an amazing year ar for the club, with the likes of Mane, Salah alah and my y favourite player, Firmino. o. He works so hard for the team, plays for the team and makes the job easier for the he team. Mane and Salah have really done ne well for the club and shown the world d what Africa has got. Many African players ayers y have this talent – it’s just the opportunity pportunity sometimes.”

The striker hopes his showing howing g in another loan spell in the upcoming coming g season paves a way to Gernot Rohr’s ohr’s heart.

“That is a big part of thee ambition for me. I have played for many ny yy years with the youth teams and I look ok forward to hopefully getting a chance ance with the senior team. This season will be the one they judge me on. Hopefully, ully, y I will do it.

“It was unfortunate that at we didn’t gett through the group stage at the World Cup. Nigerian team has a lot of talent talent, t, looking at the team at thee World Cup Cup, p, it had a lot of young talents. nts. I believ believe ve Nigeria will come back again gain as a giant of Africa.”

Awoniyi represented Nigeria g a at the 2013 U-17 World Cup up scoring four goals in the competition. He also represented Nigeria at the he 2015 U-20 World Cup in New Zealand after winning the African U-20 Championship in Senegal.

32

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ ͺ͸͚΀

Ahmed Musa

Nigeria's World Cup Silver Lining

Ă’Ă? ͺ͸͚΀ Ă™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ăš Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă“Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă–Ă?Ę° ĂŒĂ?Ă’Ă“Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ“Ă‘ ĂžĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă™Ă™ĂžĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă– Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă–Ă? ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă—ËŞĂ? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă™Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ÞÙ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?âÞ Ă?ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?ĂŁ Ę¨Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ùà Ă?Ăœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ÞËÕĂ?Ă? Ùà Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă™ĂžĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă– Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă?Ëœ ÒÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĘŠĂ˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă? Ă&#x;ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă–Ă?Ă?ËŞ Ă’Ă—Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă? ÑÙËÖĂ? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ÞÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž à ÙÞĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ăž ÙËÖ Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ ÚÖËãĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă™ Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŽĂ™Ë› ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?Ă? Kunle Adewale

C

ontinuity has never been the watchword as far as Nigeria’s football is concerned. After every World Cup campaign, it is a ‘norm’ that the head of the football governing body and sometimes his cohorts must go. From Ibrahim Galadima, to Sani Lulu, to Aminu Maigari and now Amaju Pinnick, who however is enjoying the support of the world football governing body- FIFA, ahead of his challenger Chris Giwa, who is being backed by the Youth and Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung and indeed, the Supreme Court ruling, a situation that has thrown the football house into a real mess.

However, until Monday when FIFA would pick the 2018 World Cup’s best goal, in which Super Eagles’ Ahmed Musa is in contention, the crisis in the NFF would be secondary.

The Super Eagles’ pacy winger, Musa is in contention for the ‘best goal’ of the World Cup finals which was rounded up last Sunday in Moscow. With FIFA’s launch of

a poll on Monday to pick the best of the 169 goals scored at the World Cup, Musa’s classy goal, the second against Iceland at Volgograd has been shortlisted among the tournament’s best 18 goals.

The speedy and mercurial winger now has a great opportunity to put himself in the record books if his goal is eventually picked as the best.

The goal contending to be the best for Russia 2018 was scored in the 75th minute. It was a fine individual effort as CSKA loanee outpaced Iceland’s Kari Arnason before rounding goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson who sprawled helplessly on the turf to double Nigeria’s lead in the classic encounter and was eventually voted as the ‘Man of the Match’ and put the country back in contention to qualify from the group which Nigeria later relinquished to Argentina in the last Group D match at Saint Petersburg.

Musa’s shortlisted goal is contesting with 17 others scored by notable players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Germany’s Toni Kroos among others.

The poll presented by Hyundai will be

open for a week till Monday. Nigeria with its huge population can help Musa achieve success by voting for his goal which is listed ninth among the 18.

Before Musa’s goal was shortlisted, the former Kano Pillars striker had already made history for himself with his two goals against Iceland by becoming the first Nigerian player to score at two different World Cups, and making him the second African player to score two World Cup braces, after Roger Milla in 1990.

Many would have expected that his first goal against Iceland did not make the cut as it was another superb goal good enough for exhibition on television.

At the 2014 Mundial in Brazil, Musa was on the score sheet, scoring twice in Nigeria’s 2-3 loss to Argentina in an encounter Lionel Messi also scored twice.

His feat against Iceland also goes into the history books in England as Musa also becomes the first Leicester player to score in a World Cup. Leicester City confirmed Musa's recordbreaking achievement when they posted

a message on their official Twitter account which said, "#lcfc's first-ever #WorldCup goalscorer" Musa moved to Leicester City in the summer of 2016 for a club record ÂŁ16m after the then Premier League champions initial January bid was bid turned down by CSKA Moscow. “Leicester City is delighted to announce that they have reached an agreement for the transfer of striker Ahmed Musa from CSKA Moscow for an undisclosed fee, subject to Premier League and FA approval,â€? a statement on Leicester’s website had read. “I feel very happy joining Leicester City, for me, it’s one of the best clubs and I feel very happy. I joined because it’s one of the best clubs in the Premier League and they are like a family. That’s why I joined Leicester City and I’m very excited. I look forward to seeing the fans in the new season and I will do my best to make them happy,â€? he had said on signing for Leicester.

However, it was not to be as Musa who was coming with a profile of 13 goals in 29 Russian Premier League matches in his

33

JULY 21, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

Continuity has never been the watchword as far as Nigeria’s football is concerned. After every World Cup campaign, it is a ‘norm’ that the head of the football governing body and sometimes his cohorts must go. From Ibrahim Galadima, to Sani Lulu, to Aminu Maigari and now Amaju Pinnick, who however is enjoying the support of the world football governing body- FIFA, ahead of his challenger Chris Giwa, who is being backed by the Youth and Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung and indeed, the Supreme Court ruling, a situation that has thrown the football house into a real mess

Picnnick

last season at CSKA could only manage two goals in 21 appearances for Leicester and it came as a little surprise when he was shipped back on loan to Moscow.

Before his return to CSKA, Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr had hinted at an impending move for Musa, positing that the move to Russia will be beneficial for the player and the Super Eagles as a team.

“Musa is going back to Russia and it is very good news that he will be playing there.

Musa playing in Russia is a positive development so that we will have the sympathy of Russian fans. We have seen that when Brian Idowu was introduced in the game against Argentina. The fans encouraged us and he scored, this can be a good reason to get support from Russian fans because of the people there like Musa. Also, Musa knows the people there because he is familiar with them, he knows the weather condition too,” Rohr had said.

Meanwhile, Musa is said to be close to agreeing on a big money move to Saudi Arabia Side, Al Nassr Riyad. Musa initially turned down the chance to move to the

Middle East but he was swayed into considering the offer when the club increased his wage to an amount that will possibly make him the highest paid African player.

OwnGoal reports that a fee of around £30m has been mooted as what the club wants to pay Leicester City for his transfer, an amount which many believe the Premier League outfit will gladly accept, considering Musa’s failure to make a mark since his move to the club from CSKA Moscow two years ago.

Musa began his career in the GBS Football Academy and in 2008, he moved to JUTH FC where he played 18 games, scoring four goals in his first two professional seasons for the Healers. He was subsequently loaned to Kano Pillars in the 2009-10 Season where he set the league record scoring multiple crucial goals as Pillars finished second.

Musa held the record for the highest goals ever scored in one season in the history of the Nigeria Premier League until November 2011, when Jude Aneke of Kaduna United set a new record of 20 goals.

He transferred to Dutch club VVV-Venlo

in summer 2010, but the move was held up because he was only 17 years of age and therefore not eligible for an ITC in accordance with the current FIFA rules. He was officially eligible to play for VVV-Venlo in October 2010 when he eventually turned 18 years of age.

In 2010, Coach Lars Lagerback invited Musa for camping prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa after helping Nigeria win in the 2010 WAFU Nations Cup. He was however forced out of the Super Eagles' 30-man World Cup provisional team due to an ankle injury.

Musa, however, made his debut for the Nigeria senior team in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match against Madagascar and scored his first goal for the Super Eagles against Kenya in 2011, in a friendly game and he has continued to march on from then.

The whole world is, however, waiting to see if Musa would beat more established players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric to the ‘best goal’ of the 2018 World Cup.

Giwa

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE WAHAB AKINTUNDE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR CHIKA AMANZE-NWACHUKWU THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE

34

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ ͺ͸͚΀

GLOBAL SOCCER\\OTHER SPORTS

International Badminton Classics Has Added Values to Lagos Sports, Says Tandoh

T

he hosting of international sports classics since 2013 has impacted positively to the development of athletes and sports in general in Lagos State.

Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, disclosed this while speaking on the first day of this year’s Lagos International Badminton Classics. He said that staging of international classics in Badminton, Table Tennis, Swimming, Taekwondo and Squash since the first edition and the good support those classics have been receiving since Governor Akinwunmi Ambode assumed office in 2015 has added unprecedented values to sports in Lagos.

The classics is currently underway at Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, with 24 countries of the world in attendance.

Tandoh said staging international tournaments in Lagos has really exposed the state athletes to international arena on the home soil. He also noted that rubbing shoulders and competing alongside highly ranked foreign players during the classics have no doubt boosted their morale and take away stage fright usually associated with inexperienced players.

"I can tell you that the multiplier effects and the gains we are getting from hosting a good number of international

classics in Lagos State in the past years are unprecedented. We have seen these values in the performance of our players and they are improving in their careers as well.

"Playing alongside highly ranked players during the classics has really boosted their physique and they have been able to overcome the usual stage fright associated with inexperienced players. Some of our players have been going out to play other classics outside Nigeria such as Ghana and Ivory Coast, and they have been coming back with good results.

"The Badminton Classics has continued to improve. This year, we are having a good number of highly ranked foreign

ÔËãĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă•Ă™ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Î Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ě‹ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă?ÓÚËÖĂ? Ă&#x;Ăš

ãÙ ÞÙ Ù�Þ

Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă?

The race to this year’s International Pairs national finals billed to hold at Le Meridiem Ibom Golf Club in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State will begin at the golf section of Ikoyi Club 1938, on July 28, the Chief Executive Officer of Falcon Golf Development Company, Remi Olukoya, has disclosed.

The Ikoyi qualifiers will feature about 70 teams while the best 15 pairs will qualify for the national finals. Attention will then shift to Port Harcourt Golf Club, host venue for golfers from the South-south and South-east region on August 3-4.

Golfers from the Northern part of the country will converge at IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja for Northern states regional qualifiers in September 21- 22.

Qualifiers from the regions will do battle in Uyo on October 5-8, where the nation’s representatives will emerge.

The winning pair will be given an allexpense paid trip to Portugal where the world finals of International Pairs have been scheduled to hold on November 6-10.

Also at stake are two business class return tickets to Lisbon, Portugal, for the winners and an economy class return ticket to Paris for a hole-in-one on the famous Hole 12, Par 3 on Ibom Golf Resort by Air France and 25 per cent discount on the airfares for the anybody who wants follow the winners to Portugal.

Explaining why competition was expanded, Olukoya said the reason was to give every golfer the opportunity to be part of the competition, just as he said the event offers lots of opportunities for laundering the nation’s image.

͚͞ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă•Ă™ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă&#x;ÞÓ ͚̋ͽ Ă™Ă™ĂžĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă– Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž The second edition of Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti U-15 football tournament will kick off between July 31 and August 2 organisers of the annual competition have revealed.

This year’s edition which will feature 16 teams drawn from across Lagos State is put together in memory of the late activist, Beko Ransome Kuti, a renowned Manchester United supporter.

The competition will hold at Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti Recreation Centre, Anthony Village in Lagos.

Justifying the need for the event, wife of the late activist, Bose Ransome Kuti, said the initiative was a way to help the young ones, especially those with talents for football to be discovered, nurtured and harnessed. “Every year we celebrate his memory, we celebrate his fight for freedom but we also felt we could do more than mere remembrance.

So we thought of an event that can bring the young ones together and football was what we found. And he being a Manchester United fan, we felt there is no better sport to celebrate him than this,� she explained.

She, therefore, urged parents to release their children to be part of the competition saying it is very healthy to allow young ones to take part in sports.

players because of the increase in the prize money from $20,000 to $25,000.

This has made this year to be competitive. The classics have equally gained the recognition of badminton world body as Lagos International Badminton Classics is now listed in their calendar where players around the world look forward to every year.

"I want to thank Governor Ambode for having the great vision of taking sports to the next level in the state and make Lagos a sports hub in Africa.

This year’s competition is going to be memorable in terms of participation and organisations . All hands are on deck to deliver a tournament best ever," Tandoh said.

from left Mr Abayomi Olusanya, Tutor General/permanent Secretary, District 2, Lagos state ministry of Education; Mrs Folashade Lediju, representing Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr (Mrs) Idiat Adebule; Mr Jide Sipe, Manager, Event Management and activation, GTBank; Oluwatoyin Lawal, captain of the winning team, Ijaiye Housing Estate Senior Secondary School, Lagos and Mr Seyi Akinwunmi, Vice President, Nigerian Football Federation at the ďŹ nal of 2018 GTBank Lagos State Principal Cup Season 9 in Lagos on Thursday

StarTimes to Broadcast International Champions Cup Live StarTimes football subscribers will again be treated to another fantastic round of pulsating football entertainment as leading digital TV company is set to bring live and expansive coverage of the International Champions Cup (ICC) to football lovers across the globe on an exclusive basis.

The International Champions Cup matches which are expected to commence today, when Manchester City battles Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich locks horn with Paris Saint Germaine while Liverpool faces Dortmund on Sunday.

The ICC 2018, now in its sixth edition, is a pre-season football tournament where the biggest clubs in the world would battle for glory. Seventeen champion clubs would

clash in 22 matches spread over 23 days in uncensored soccer festival.

Armed with exclusive broadcast rights, StarTimes world football (Channel 254) and sports focus (Channel 250) would wow subscribers with another top-class actions series from the top teams including FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Paris SaintGermain who are all set to play 21 matches in China, Australia and the United States.

According to the brands and marketing Director at StarTimes, Qasim Elegbede, the pay TV company is steadily fulfilling its commitment to delivering a fine mix of pulsating live sporting matches to its customers and football lover.

Lagos Discovers 99 Student-athletes in Traditional Games A total of 99 student-athletes were discovered at the just concluded Lagos State Secondary Schools Traditional Games.

The school sports competition, which was held at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba, saw no fewer than 658 students from 44 schools (public and private) taking part in traditional games of Abula, Kokowa, Ayo and Langa.

Facilitated by the Lagos State Sports Commission and organised by the Lagos State Traditional Sports Association, the second edition of the traditional games was keenly contested by students and at the end of the tournament, Ayo produced 20 male and 18 female student-athletes discovered. Sixteen female and 15 male athletes were discovered in Abula while 15 male and five female athletes were discovered in Kokowa.

Speaking at the finals, Dr. Kweku Tandoh,

Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, who led other management staff of the commission, said that Lagos would leave nothing to chance to ensure that every athlete, irrespective of the sport he or she is interested in, is given attention and a sense of belonging.

He said that the authorities believe athletes, especially in the schools, are exposed to all sports even beyond popular sports. "These traditional sports are being recognised at the national level, as they are parts of the scoring sports in the National Sports Festival. And for us giving opportunities to our school children the chance to take part in these sporting activities is like not restricting them to some particular sports.

"We will give those identified athletes the opportunity to grow and groom them especially as we are preparing for the National Sports Festival in Abuja this year," Tandoh said.

Ijaye Housing Estate Senior Grammar School, Ojokoro and Isale Eko Senior Grammar School, Lagos Island, have emerged winners in the male and female categories of the 2018 Season 9 of the GTBank-Lagos State Principals Cup. One goal in each half of the match was enough for defending champions, Ijaye Housing Estate Senior Grammar School to dismiss the opposition put up by Elegbete Senior High School, Ikorodu by 2-1 in a highly competitive game.

With the victory, the side from Ijaye has now won the competition for the second consecutive time.

In the female category played earlier, Isale Eko Senior Grammar School, Lagos Island, outscored Girls High School, Agege 4-1via penalty shootouts after both sides failed to score in regulation time.

The winning schools in both the male and female categories went home with one million naira , the runners-up got N750,000 for their effort while the third and fourth placed schools received N500,000 and N250,000 respectively.

Ă™ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ËŞĂ? Ă&#x;Ăš The Managing Director and CEO of Coronation Trustees, Oghogho Osula, has stated that her organisation was pleased with the sponsorship of the 2018 Lagos Business School Dean’s Cup, saying that the company had always believed in the school as an excellent institution hence the resolve to associate with it in whatever it does. “We see this as an avenue to tell them what we really are and what we do,â€? she said, adding, “Coronation Trustees help you plan on how to manage your wealth and resources for a better tomorrow.â€?

In the final match decided at the school’s playing pitch at Ajah, Lagos, last Saturday, Executive MBA 23 defeated Modular Executive MBA 6, 2-1 to lift this year’s LBS Dean’s Cup. Tunde Nwofor opened scores for Executive MBA23 10 minutes into the first half. Tobi Ajayi equalised for Modular Executive MBA6 before the end of the first half. Just when everybody was expecting the match would end in penalties, Samson Sonusi nicked in the winner for the victorious Executive MBA 23. The winners got N150,000 cash while the runners-up got N100,000 for their efforts.

Speaking after the encounter, Dean of the school, Dr. Enase Okonedo, said, “The MBA programme is very intensive and rigorous, so these games provide an opportunity for the students to relax, a platform for social relations and networking. It is entertainment and business, and above all, the competitive spirit is also there.�

The competition which was bankrolled

by Coronation Trustees started in 2005 as a game between two MBA classes has now metamorphosed into an annual competition that involves the entire school.

ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

35

GLOBAL SOCCER GOtv Boxing Night 15

I'll Punish Dodo, Boasts Houanvoegbe

The Super Eagles of Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup in Russia

The Advocacy of Football Uche Nwokedi

I

f as some people say “football is a religion” then the World Cup must be one of the greatest fellowships ever.

The 2018 World Cup had plenty of drama. To start with, the host nation, Russia, was at odds with some of the world powers. The tournament was prefaced with accusations of state sponsored assassination attempts by Russia, sparked by the Novichok poisoning affair, which led the British Government to preclude the Royal family and its government officials from attending the World Cup. Other issues were simmering in the background.

Displeasure over the annexation of Crimea, the alleged meddling with the internal electoral process of the United States and a general distrust of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin by some of the nations which make up the G7. All these vexations painted the backdrop against which the 2018 World Cup was to be held in Russia.

For a while, it looked like the World Cup in Russia might flop.

Football however (and not necessarily FIFA) rose above all this and took charge of its business. It became its own advocate.

With thirty-two countries represented, the “beautiful game” played at this level was an interesting spectacle of brotherhood, a stellar comity of nations, and a fascinating display of colour , character, grit and athletic ability. At other times, bearing in mind that football is a contact sport, it became an annoying show of simulation and an exaggeration of imaginary injuries from robust tackles. All to gain an advantage and ultimately to win. Surprisingly, the “major football nations” left the competition early.

Nigeria won in the fashion department as the Nigerian jerseys, adjudged to be the best, sold out within hours of being launched. Nike must have made a ton of money from the sales. But then we crashed out of the competition early. No disgrace.

In retrospect, it was really a good outing for us. There were no stories of rancour and discord in the Super Eagles Camp. There were no stories of missing allowances and mis -booked flights. In fact, the management of the team by the NFF was most probably the most incident free outing we have had since the days of Clemens Westerhof in 1994. However, our progress to the knockout stages came down to management of the last few minutes of the game. In the final ten minutes of the game with Argentina where all we needed was a draw, we did not do enough to hold onto our slim advantage. So now it is back to the drawing board for us. We live and learn. With this experience, I trust that our scenario planning for the future will be better.

The use of VAR moved football into the 21st century. Nationalism was at its peak.

Each participating nation’s supporters did their utmost eccentric best to cheer and galvanise their national teams to victory.

Painted faces and all manner of attires by

There were no stories of missing allowances and mis -booked flights. In fact, the management of the team by the NFF was most probably the most incident free outing we have had since the days of Clemens Westerhof in 1994 the fans were the order of the day. Some travelled as long as sixteen hours by train to follow and support their teams. The Croatian President flew economy class to Russia to support her national team. The English started a trend with waistcoats and tagged their semi-final game with Croatia, “waistcoat Wednesday”. Ecstasy or heartbreak as grown men and young boys cheered, or shamelessly bawled their eyes out depending on the outcome of the game. In football, ego has no place and whether you win or you lose, you are expected to leave everything on the field of play. Perhaps that was why the team bus carrying the Brazilian National team was pelted with eggs on their return to Brazil.

The fans were vociferous and became the 12th man on the field. It was interesting to see the people of Iceland perform the “thunder claps” in an attempt to spur Iceland on during her game with Nigeria.

After Nigeria’s victory, someone posted that those thunderclaps served only to invoke “Sango”, one of the mythical deities from the South-west region of Nigeria known as the god of thunder. The gold medal in this department however , must go to the Japanese who were seen picking up their trash and cleaning up their stands in the stadium after each game. An exceptional show of humility, discipline and respect for your hosts not usual with football fans. Such behaviour can only speak to the discipline in their society and the respect they have for themselves. We should all learn from them. Well done Japan!

Back home in Nigeria, we seemed to be on a different planet. Our reality was different. The political wranglings, the reconstitution of political alliances and the vicious onslaught of cattle herdsmen made the headlines on a regular basis. The ugliness of the politics which punctuates our lives once every four years was a sharp

contrast to the World Cup, which enlivens us once every four years. The politicking is starting to heat up, as the gubernatorial elections in Ekiti have revealed. With all the violence and loss of lives on a regular basis, one must wonder about the true value of life in Nigeria.

Here again, football related on-goings in far-away Thailand, advocates an answer.

The Wild Boars, a young football squad of 12 players aged 11-16 and their 25-year-old coach who had been missing, were found nine days later by two British Cave divers, Rick Stanton and John Volanthen about three miles deep inside the Tham Luang Cave, on a ledge completely surrounded by water. What happened thereafter was simply amazing. Teams of divers, doctors, military personnel and other volunteers immediately came in from all over the world and worked with the Thai Government, all with one goal in mind, to rescue the Wild Boars Football Team and their coach. Race, religion or creed was not an issue. They worked in unity through the linguistic, cultural and religious differences. All that mattered was the saving of human lives. In a sense, football here again became an advocate of sorts and successfully galvanised people. The will of the young footballers to survive gave hope to all and fueled the determination of the volunteers to rescue them. The world witnessed another coming together of people from different nations to save the young football team. It was a World Cup winning performance. It was excellent teamwork that most of the teams in the World Cup would have died for. And whilst sadly, a Thai Navy Seal died in the process, the premium placed on human life was instructive, as indeed was the lesson that we all owe it to humanity to save lives, within the compass of our abilities.

Two salient points were underscored by the Thai cave rescue mission. The first was that lives matter and when human life is at risk, we must all come together to try and save the lives at risk, no matter what. The second point is that when people work together for good, good things result. The rescue mission was successfully carried out without fear of herdsmen or like terrorists attacking the volunteers. Considering the Boko Haram issue, if that cave had been somewhere in Nigeria, would the world have rallied like that?

In any case, the World Cup is now over and football again made a very strong point in respect of the immigration debate raging across the world, especially Europe and North America. France won for the second time by leaning heavily on its age-old colonial policy of assimilation.

Congratulations to France. For the rest of us, our daily excursion into Russia, by courtesy of DSTV has ended. We must now turn our attention back to our country, Nigeria, return to our lives and pray that all goes well. t/XPLFEJ B 4FOJPS "EWPDBUF PG /JHFSJB XSPUF GSPN -BHPT

Republic of Benin boxer, Franc Houanvoegbe, has vowed to make his opponent, Nigeria’s Akeem “Dodo” Sadiku, suffer when they meet in an international light middleweight challenge bout at GOtv Boxing Night on July 29.

The bout is one of the two international contests scheduled to take place on the night at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan.

Houanvoegbe said his low boxing profile will be an advantage, as Dodo will not know what to expect. He also disclosed that he involved in intensive training for the bout and intends to severely punish Dodo.

“Dodo is not likely to have heard of me. I like it that way. I'm coming to surprise him.

He will receive the type of punishment he has never imagined possible. It will be war," Houanvoegbe said.

In the other international bout, the biggest on the night, reigning African Boxing Union, ABU, lightweight champion, Nigeria’s Oto Joseph will defend his title against Ghanaian challenger, Nathaniel Nukpe.

Other bouts of the scheduled seven at GOtv Boxing night include a national cruiserweight clash between Michael Godwin and Idowu Okusote, and a national light heavyweight contest between Daniel Emeka and Sulaimon Adeosun.

The event, sponsored by GOtv and Bet King, will be beamed live on SuperSport in 47 African countries. The best boxer at the event will go home with a cash prize of N1 million alongside the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy.

Ronaldo, Serie A Set for Debut on GOtv When the new Italian league season kicks off on 19 August, all eyes would be on Cristiano Ronaldo, reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, who moved from Real Madrid after nine successful years.

Serie A, as the Italian league is famously called, will debut on all GOtv packages and is making a return to DStv. Serie A’s debut on GOtv grants subscribers unrestricted access to games involving the superstar, as all matches of the prestigious competition will be made available live across all GOtv packages at no extra cost. Currently, all matches of LaLiga are available on GOtv MAX. Subscribers also have an opportunity to watch one live match of the English Premier League weekly.

Ronaldo’s move to Juventus has increased the popularity of Serie A and will make it one of the most watched leagues in the new season. With its reputation as Europe’s most tactical league, all eyes will be on Ronaldo trying to see if he can repeat the freakish goalscoring ratios he posted in England and Spain with Real Madrid.

His signing by Juventus, according to campaignlive.co.uk, caused the club’s shares to soar by almost 40%. Italian newspaper, Secolo XIX, also noted that the club’s market valuation rose from €665 million to €815 million.

The club sold 520,000 official shirts bearing the Portuguese soccer star's name on the first day of release. The shirt sales figures as well as those of other merchandise are expected to rise considerably in the course of the season, as Juventus look to defend their Serie A and Coppa Italia titles and as well as win the UEFA Champions League.

GOtv MAX subscribers have the additional benefit of watching the next phase of the Portuguese superstar’s career along with the full complement of LaLiga matches, especially with the recent reduction of subscription rate on the bouquet from N3, 800 to N3, 200.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΀

FAIRGROUND

CharlesO’Tudor Brand Master Class

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

A

frica’s premiere brand strategist added another year to his age recently and as usual spent the day with exceptional entrepreneurs sharing his thoughts and ideas on brand strategy and entrepreneurship at the Charles O’Tudor Brand Master Class.

In its second series, over one thousand entrepreneurs got nuggets on branding, strategy, innovative thinking and brand building.

The event was supported by Fidelity Bank, Air Peace and AXA Mansard insurance.

Other speakers at the event were Claudine Moore, Musheer Alambath, Chukwuka Monye and Ubong King.

Charles O’Tudor and family

Chukwuka Monye

Charles and Virginia O’Tudor

Cross section of participants at the master class

Charles O’Tudor; Head Corporate Affairs, AirPeace, Mr Christian Iwara and winners of free tickets: Courtesy of the airline

Participants and CharlesO’Tudor

Ubong King

37

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΀

FAIRGROUND

Eko Hotel to Host Humblesmith’s ‘Osinachi Concert’

A

fter releasing one of the biggest tracks in recent times, the Osinachi crooner Humblesmith is set to hold his very own live concert at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Sunday, August 12, 2018.

Humblesmith will be joining the league of top Nigerian artistes like 2Baba, Davido, Wizkid, Falz and others who have hosted their own sold out live shows at the prestigious event centre.

The highlife crooner, who has released back to back hits and recently released his 22 track album named after his monster hit single, Osinachi.

Humblesmith is signed to Bob Kelly Ovie Williams led N-Tyze entertainment. Fillers from the

label are that the Osinachi Concert will be one of the most talked about concert ever to have held in Nigeria.

The concert will feature live performances from Humblesmith and top artistes in the Nigerian music industry.

Tickets to the show have been segmented into regular (N5, 000), VIP (N20, 000), Silver (N1 Million), Gold (N2 Million) and Platinum (N3 Million).

This event has also received sponsorship from the Lagos State Government, Tummy Tummy Instant Noodles and PGK. Speaking on the concert, Humblesmith has made it known that Nigerians should expect to see a different side of him on stage as it will be unforgettable.

Humblesmith

Sola Sobowale, Mercy Johnson, Endorse ‘Seven and a Half Dates’

T

his August promises to be more exciting and interesting for all movie lovers as some of Nollywood’s finest storm the Cinema with a brilliant movie titled “Seven and a Half Dates”.

Actor and Producer Toyin Abraham in collaboration with Director Biodun Stephen, Writer Joy Isi Bewaji and Samuel Olatunji as the Executive Producer take Seven and a Half Dates to cinemas come August 3rd, 2018.

‘Seven and A Half Dates’ tells the story of love from the pans of a chess board, a father sets up ten dates for his unwilling daughter, the dates became worthless but there was going to be an unexpected twist that could make it all worthwhile.

From the stable of BroadwayTV Productions, Seven and a half Dates parades an array of talented and professional actors like Jim Iyke, Sola Sobowale, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, Akin Lewis, Toyin Abraham, Faithia Williams, Frank Donga, McLively, Ali Nuhu, Bayray McNwizu, Roxy Antak, Chris Iheuwa and more.

Speaking with one of the casts of the movie, Sola Sobowale on what makes Seven and a Half Dates a must watch, she said: “It is unique, it is beautiful, lots of emotions and it has everything you will love to see in it.

I am extremely glad to be part of this.

The cast is beautiful, the script is well written and it addresses everything the society has so much say on. Trust me; it is a very relatable movie that no one wants to miss.”

Nollywood sensation Mercy Johnson said that her expectations for the movie are really high. “My expectations are really high because it is a good movie and it is a good story with great cast and I am honestly hoping it breaks the box office.

I hope every single person who is passionate about education and entertainment in filmmaking will go see this movie because it is a genuinely well written and educating movie that would reach out and connect with everyone.”

Speaking on what sets this movie apart from the regular Nollywood movie, Faithia Williams said: “Honestly, I have been involved in tons of movies however this has all the right ingredients that would make one salivate. It treats every societal issue from marital pressure, domestic violence, rape, feminism to everything.

You name it. Also, the fact that it preaches love at the end of the day sets it apart from the usual stories.”

Seven and a Half Dates heads to every cinema nationwide come August 3rd, 2018.

Mercy Johnson and Toyin Aimaku

Remy Martin to Shut Down Owerri

O

n Friday July 27th 2018, the renowned Remy Martin event will see the 11th instalment of the clubbing experience; ‘At The Club with Remy Martin All Star Extravaganza’, will take place in the East. The premium cognac brand is geared to shut down the ‘Heartland’, Owerri. More than prepared to make this a night to remember, Remy Martin plans to take the city by storm.

Set to hold at Opium Nightlife by Cubana, World Bank Road, Owerri, Imo State, the event promises to be a one of a kind experience.

Continuing on the theme of this year, the brand offers guests a different world for one night only. Themed ‘The Multiverse’, the event

will see all things interstellar.

From teleportation to different eras to various dance re-enactments to the overall interplanetary ambience, guests will be sure to enjoy each and every moment of the night.

With the success of the previous editions; the 11th edition is sure to be another win for the brand. Remy Martin’s ‘Planet 1738’ beckons guests to leave all things earthly at the door and come into this alternate verse.

The event will include performances from favourite celebrities such as Duncan Mighty, Niniola and the east’s finest Phyno. Trusted to keep the crowd hyped and the night going are DJ Baggio and DJ Neptune.

Other attractions will include performances from the dance group; DNMT,

dance re-enactments from gross selling movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, 300 and the blockbuster movie; The Black Panther.

Not forgetting other acts including fire eaters, acrobats, Brazilian dancers and more, this July Remy Martins delivers delectation right to your doorstep.

The perfect recipe for an unforgettable night, the premium cognac brand guarantees guests a night filled with the finest cognac, unsurpassable performances and equally great music all night long. The experience promises to make this a July to remember, you will not want to miss this.

Intending guests can pick up complementary invites to the event from the partner outlet in Owerri Opium Nightlife by Cubana, World Bank Road, Owerri, Imo State.

Phyno

38

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ

Level Crossings: Motorists, Pedestrians Urged to be Cautiou

I

Toyota Rush

Toyota Rush: Entrance to SUV Lifestyle Stories by Bennett Oghifo

T

he progression of the SUV from niche, specialtyvehicletomainstreammodelhas been one of the most significant automotivetrendsofthe21stcentury.Theacronym SUV which is derived from Sports Utility Vehicle, has come to refer to any vehicle that fulfills a cross-functional role, possesses an elevated driving position, increased ride height and sufficient cargo/utility space. As such, SUV’s have infiltrated to all sectors of the traditional car market, are offered in multiple shapes and sizes, and have even pioneered entirely new segments. Enter the new Toyota Rush – a model pitched squarely at the small SUV segment; a product offering that caters to the ‘new age’ urban adventurer and encourages

you to start your own adventure.

Exterior Design Starting at the front, the new Toyota Rush features a prominent angular design with pointed, upswept LED headlamps and large trapezoidal grille. The grille features wide horizontal slats finished off in dark grey and a centrally mounted Toyota emblem.

An inverted contour line separates the upper and lower air-dams and creates a triangular space which house the fog lamps. A silver-hued skid plate and twin hood bulges round off the front façade. The side design lays emphasis on Rush’s impressive ground clearance and spaciousness, whilst black fender trim and lower panel garnishes add a rugged element.Anoticeable crease line flows from the front wheel to the rear tail lamp edge – creating a

sense of movement. Matching black roof rails and body-colour rear roof spoiler create a cohesive image.

The rear design centres on the LED-equipped rear lamp clusters, which carry strong horizontal lines and a similarly inverted contour line flowing from the bumper to the rear diffuser area. Buyers have a choice of five exterior colours namely; Tusk White, Quicksilver, Ruby Metallic, Liquid Bronze Metallic and Graphite Black.

Interior Design The interior layout adopts a strong symmetrical design with ease-of-use operational zones focusing on excellent ergonomics. The upper dashboard houses a touchscreen audio system, equipped with Bluetooth,USBandAndroidAutoPlusShow/Apple CarPlay functionality.

All-electric Kia Niro EV Crossover now on Sale in Korea

T

he new Kia Niro EV goes on sale today in Korea, combining an all-electric, zeroemissions powertrain with crossover practicality, intelligent packaging and eye-catching design. A long-distance driving range of up to 385 kilometers makes it one of the most capable electric vehicles on sale anywhere in the world.

The Niro EV occupies a unique position in the global market as an all-electric CUV (crossover utility vehicle), and sits alongside the existing Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants of the car – of which more than 200,000 have sold globally since the Niro’s introduction in 2016. The Korean carmaker has received more than 5,000 pre-orders for the Niro EV in its domestic market since the car was first revealed earlier this year.

The Niro EV is to be Kia’s second globally-sold electric vehicle after the Soul EV, and will go on sale in Europe at the end of 2018 and North America in Q1 2019.

385-kilometer range from next-generation EV powertrain Matching its sporty, crossover design, the Niro EV offers buyers long-distance, zero-emissions driving ability and enjoyable performance with a next-generation electric vehicle powertrain.

A high-capacity 64 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack affords a driving range of up to 385 kilometers (239 miles) on a single charge with zero emissions.

Plugged into a 100 kW fast charger, it takes 54 minutes to recharge the Niro EV’s battery to 80%. Buyers will also be able to specify an optional 39.2 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, with a range of up to 246 kilometres (153 miles) from a single charge.* Power is provided to the front wheels through a 150 kW (204 ps) motor, producing 395 Nm torque from a standstill, for acceleration from 0 to 100 kph in just 7.8 seconds. The battery pack is located low down in the body, beneath the trunk floor, creating a center of gravity more akin to that of a sedan

Kassim or a hatchback, ensuring maximum stability and driving enjoyment on winding roads.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems to support convenience and safety Matching the forward-looking nature of its powertrain, the Niro EV offers drivers a range of Kia’s ‘Advanced Driver Assistance Systems’, supporting the driver in various environments and scenarios to mitigate the risk of a collision.

Available active safety systems include Forward Collision Warning with Forward CollisionAvoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Intelligent Stop & Go, and Lane Following Assist.

Lane FollowingAssist is a ‘Level Two’ autonomous driving technology which tracks vehicles in front

of the car in traffic, and detects road markings to keep the Niro EV in its lane on the motorway. The system controls acceleration, braking and steering according to the behavior of the vehicles in front, using external sensors to maintain a safe distance.

Lane Following Assist operates between 0 and 130 kph.

Futuristic design inspired by 2018 Niro EV Concept Designed at Kia’s design centers in California, USA and Namyang, Korea, the Niro EV incorporates the practicality and appeal of a CUV in a sleek, aerodynamic body with subtly sculptured surfaces.

The car demonstrates that, in seeking greater on-road efficiency, EV buyers need not sacrifice emotionally engaging design or crossover versatility.

n commemoration of the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD), last month, motorists and pedestrians have been advised to be cautious when using the level crossings in the country.

This advice was given by the Nigeria Coordinator of the ILCAD, who is also the Managing Editor of Transport Day newspaper, Mr. Frank Kintum at the Yaba, Lagos level crossing where handbills were distributed to motorists and pedestrians. Handbills and stickers were also distributed to motorists and pedestrians at Jibowu, Mushin, Ikeja, among others. The theme of the message to stakeholders was –‘Look and Listen before you use the level crossings’.

According to Kintum, the advice was imperative following disturbing reports of accidents and deaths recorded in some level crossings across the country.

Kintum, who commended the Nigerian Railway Corporation for its efforts at ensuring safer train transportation in the country, called on all stakeholders like the Federal Road Safety Corps, Police, etc to improve their road road/rail safety drives.

In her message to Nigeria, ILCAD’s Project Officer, Isabelle Fonverne, stated that “the causes of collisions at level crossings can be very different, but it is recognised that human behaviour is the main factor for road collisions.

“The vast majority of collisions at level/ grade crossings are caused by drivers not observing the Highway Code, whether deliberately or unintentionally.

Drivers’ errors can result from tiredness, stress, consumption of pharmaceutical products or other substances, or simply from going too fast - but they can also be caused by the inappropriate use of electronic devices”. The ILCAD is marked every year, and this year’s edition was on June 7.

Senate, NADDC Assures Investors of Original Equipment Manufacturing

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he Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator Sam Egwu, said the resourcefulness exhibited by the Jelani Aliyu led National Automotive Design and Development Council, (NADDC), to bring original equipment manufacturers to Nigeria is highly commendable as it will change the face of the automotive industry in Nigeria and on the continent.

He said bringing original equipment manufacturers to Nigeria will produce positive multipliers effects for the country’ economic development, including job creation, reduction of road accidents due to fake parts and reduction in environmental pollution amongst others.

Making these disclosures in Abuja when he received a delegation of the Association of Africa Automotive Manufacturers who were on a working visit to Nigeria, the senate industry, trade and investment committee chairman reaffirmed the commitment of the government to boost investment in the Nigerian Automotive Industry.

Egwu assured the delegation that the laws relating to automotive industry in Nigeria would soon be passed, adding that the government is committed towards ensuring that the Automotive Bill which is currently in the National Assembly would soon see the light of the day.

On his part, The Director General of NADDC, Mr. Jelani Aliyu (MFR), told the delegation that Nigeria remains a fertile ground for investment in the automotive industry.

The NADDC director general said the NADDC and the National Assembly were closely working to ensure the speedy passage of the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) Bill into law, in order to promote investment drive for the original equipment manufacturers who will set up manufacturing plants in the country.

According to him, “original equipment manufacturers that are desirous of investing in the Nigeria auto industry have nothing to worry about, as the NAIDP Bill will soon receive presidential assent”.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Thomas Schaefer said the visit was part of joint effort to identify opportunities and challenges that would enable the original equipment manufacturers take decisions and apply measures to leapfrog Nigeria to global automotive development and standard practices.

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Nissan Motors SA Lead Sponsor of NAJA’s 2018

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Mercedes-Benz new G-Class

Mercedes-Benz Reinterprets G-Class, Stronger thanTime Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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he latest model of the G-Class has been reinterpreted, with the brand staying true to its iconic design, leaving minimal changes from its first predecessor, the 230G. The exterior of the new G-Class pays tribute to classic features like the distinctive door handle and the characteristic closing sound, the robust exterior protective strip, the exposed spare wheel on the rear door and the prominent indicator lights. While the exterior maintains the iconic classic look, the interior of the G-Class has undergone a fundamental modern redesign which reinterprets the genes of the classic vehicle to reflect the exterior.

The new Mercedes-Benz G-Class presents itself in the upmost standard. Whether on or off the road and whatever the operating conditions, the off-road vehicle impresses with its performance, cutting-edge assistance systems, outstanding handling, and safety. Weststar Associates Limited, the Authorized General Distributors of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria will have the new G-Class available for sale at Authorized dealerships by November 2018.

Getting in the G-Class reveals that numerous design features from the exterior have been transposed into the interior. These include the shape of the round headlamps, for instance, which is reflected in the side air vents and the design of the iconic indicators, found again in the shape of the loud-

speakers. Hallmarks of the G-Class include the grab handle in front of the front passenger and the chrome-highlighted switches for the three differential locks. Both have been meticulously optimized and retained as characteristic features.

Another highlight is an instrument cluster in the form of a large display showing virtual instruments in the driver’s direct field of vision and a central display above the center console available as an option.

In this case the two 12.3-inch displays blend visually into a Widescreen Cockpit beneath a shared glass cover. Drivers can choose between three different styles for the displays – “Classic”, “Sport” and “Progressive” and also select relevant information and views according to their individual needs.

ll is now set for this year’s edition of the annual Nigerian Auto Journalists Association’s (NAJA) capacity building programme with Nissan Motors South Africa, with local presence as the lead sponsor. The event takes place at the Golden Tulip Hotel & Events Centre, along airport road, Ikeja Lagos on July 26, 2018.

It would be recalled that the annual training programme which aims to refresh and enrich the wealth of experience of the motoring journalists’ reportorial skills in the country was sponsored by Ford Motors Company South Africa (FMCSA) in 2016 and 2017 under its Driving Skill For Life (DSFL) programme. Coscharis Motors is the representative of Ford in Nigeria.

Industry stakeholders supporting the annual programme for this year include, Nigeria Automotive Design & Development Council (NADDC), Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Toyota Nigeria Limited, WeststarAssociates Nigeria Limited, owners of the Mercedes franchise, Massillia Motors (Mitsubishi), PAN Nigeria Limited (Peugeot) and the Infinity group (Pirelli, Good Year etc), among others.

In a press statement issued by Mike Ochonma, vice-president of Nigerian Auto Journalists Association and head of organising committee, he disclosed that, the major highlights of the day will be the presentation of critical, but relevant automotive industry related papers by some experienced stakeholders in automotive engineering.

During the programme, Aliyu Jelani, directorgeneral, NationalAutomotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) will deliver a paper on ‘’Achieving The 2013-2023 Nigeria Automotive Industrial Development Plan (NAIDP)’’ under President Muhammadu Buhari, How Realistic?, while Kunle Ade-Ojo, managing director/chief executive of Toyota Nigeria Limited will present a paper on ‘’Achieving full life span of your engine’’ and ‘’Achieving maximum benefit from your car air-conditioned system.

Automobili Lamborghini Produces 8, 000Aventador, 11,000 Huracán

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even years after its market introduction, the LamborghiniAventador achieves an important milestone in its history with 8,000 units produced. Chassis number 8,000 is an Aventador S Roadster: the model in Grigio Telesto will be delivered to a customer in Japan.

After just four years of production Huracán number 11,000 rolled off the assembly line. The Blue Nethuns car, chassis number 11,000, is destined for the Italian market.

Automobili Lamborghini’s worldwide deliveries increased by 11% to 2,327 cars in the first half of 2018.

Global sales of the Huracán model line with coupé and Spyder as well as racecar versions, showed an increase from 1,400 to 1,604 units. The Aventador line maintained the high level of the previous period with 673 units delivered.

Meanwhile, the company reports another increase in worldwide deliveries. In the first six months (January 1 to June 30) of the current Fiscal Year 2018 the Italian super sports car maker delivered a total of 2,327 cars to customers around the world.

Compared to the same period in the previous year this is an increase of 11%. These figures mark another record and even surpass the full year sales numbers of only five years ago.

“Lamborghini continues to be in consistently good shape. Delivering another new all-time high, for the fourth consecutive half year, confirms the sustainabilityofourbrand,productandcommercialstrategy.

The success is all the more remarkable as we master the unprecedented double challenge of creating new models in our super sports car range, while simultaneously ramping up the production of our highly acclaimed Super SUV Urus. This quantum leap in the longstanding history of Lamborghini is only possible due to the passion, dedication and competence of our unrivalled team,” says Stefano Domenicali, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. In July the first customer deliveries of the Lamborghini Urus are to start. Thus, the half-year growth is based mainly on further increased sales of the two super sports car model lines Huracán and Aventador.

Lamborghini Huracán Coupè

Nobody Can Drive Safely Whilst Using A Mobile

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ean Dermot Fintan O’Leary Jr., better known as Dermot O’Leary, is a British-Irish television presenter for ITV. He is also a radio presenter for BBC Radio 2. O’Leary’s radio career began as a disc jockey at Essex Radio.

O’ Leary is best known for being the presenter of The X Factor on ITV, since 2007 although in 2015, he stepped down to pursue other projects.

Although this piece is not an autobiography on Dermont, his recent tweet forwarded to me by my colleague and friend ,Assistant Corps Marshal Peter Osawe, who incidentally heads our Crash Investigation unit prompted me to focus on a topic that has been treated severally in the last couple of years and yet is worsening by the minute as more people including those who know next to nothing about driving indulge in this killer habit which is of grave concern to authorities in both the developed clime and in ours.

When I decided to focus on this, I sought for the progress made so far by the Federal Road Safety Corps which last year iced its strategies to curb this menace. My finding shows that since June 2017 when it rolled out the strategy till July 2018, the Corps has arrested 2,503 offenders while the same number has been referred for psychological evaluation. This figure is just for the Federal Capital Territory alone. Yet the scenario is not getting better as daily, drivers behind the wheels indulge in driving and phoning. The risks associated with this habit prompted Dermont to tweet that nobody can drive safely while using a mobile phone which incidentally is my chosen topic for this week. In the UK where Dermond lives and works, it is reported that more than

SAFE DRIVING with

JONAS AGWU

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

one in 10 UK drivers believe the risks of using a mobile phone at the wheel are ‘overstated’, according to a new study of 2000 drivers which suggests that 23percent believe they can drive safely while using a mobile phone with 11percent saying the risks of the offence are‘overstated’.

64percent of respondents were unaware of the penalties for using a mobile phone at the wheel while 26percent did not know the penalties became more severe in March 2017.Although driving and phoning has been illegal since 2003, the need for tougher measures was affected in March 2017 which saw the fine and penalty point endorsement increase. Although the law makes exception allowing you to phone when parked or making a 999 or 112 in an emergency, it says if caught making illegal calls, you could pay 200pounds and six penalty pounds; new drivers could even land a driving ban for one offence while motorists can have their license revoked if they clock up six penalty in the first and two years of driving compared to the usual

12.These are measures I believe should be emulated to deter recalcitrant drivers.

Meanwhile, when asked what is critical in getting offenders to change their behavior, 41percent called for more visible enforcement while 22percent recommended stronger penalties. In total, 31percent believe the current penalties are not strong enough. The survey also shows that 18percent of drivers advocate the blocking of mobile phone signals within cars altogether, while 10percent think more public awareness campaigns, such as the Government’s THINK! initiative, are needed to educate offenders.

I know we had run a similar survey on the use of phone behind the wheels habit a couple of years back and I can tell you that the results were quite astounding. The finding of the FRSC commissioned attitudinal survey on motorists was conducted in 2013 by NOIPolls to do a road attitudinal survey across 6 locations in Nigeria.

To measure the level of compliance on the road, the survey was conducted across pre identify corridors within 9hrs of the day in (morning, noon and evening) for 12 days.

The observation monitored the following: lane discipline, seatbelt/ crash helmet compliance, compliance to overloading rules, traffic light / road signs obedience and the number plate usage.

The survey was carried out in 6 locations. Abuja, Lagos, Owerri, Benin, Kaduna, and Gombe.

The survey was conducted via observational study.6 corridors in total selected by the clients were observed across all locations and 6b extra corridors were added by NOIPolls, given a total of 12 corridors observed. Observation was done

by 8:30 am – 5:30 pm daily for 5 days.

A total of 70,180 vehicles/ bikes were observed across all 6 locations with 29,482 on the highway, and 40,698 on township roads. Atotal of vehicle/ bikes observed by location were 13,426 in Abuja, 11,503 in gombe, 11,903 in owerri, 7936 in benin, 10,435 in lagos, and 14,977 in Kaduna.

The findings of the survey indicate that 90% of the total observed vehicles/bikes adhered to mobile phone usage rules while driving. Gombe (24%) recorded the highest proportion of drivers/ riders that used mobile phones while driving.

The highest proportion of drivers/riders that were seen using mobile phones while driving was recorded on Sunday (13%) and Bicycle riders (22%) were the most seen using mobile phones while driving.Abreakdown of the survey indicated that in Abuja The vast majority (97%) of observed drivers/riders were not using mobile phones while driving. 19% of drivers/riders observed on Sunday were seen using mobile phones while driving and the highest proportion of drivers/riders seen using mobile phones while driving were drivers of VW brand cars (8%).The report for Gombe indicates that 24% of the total observed driver/rider in Gombe were seen using mobile phones while driving, with the highest recorded on Sunday (33%). Truck drivers (26%), Bicycles riders (26%) and VW brand car drivers (25%) were most observed to be using mobile phones while driving.

Although I could not lay my hands on comments generated through any surveys done here, it is interesting to note that the comments I stumbled on the net on the development in the UK reflects the kind of opinion that motorists here will pose.

Before I take round some fresh development with respect to phone use while driving please allow me share some of these comments which you will find useful and amusing.

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ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

THISDAY: My Reflections

EBERE WABARA

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ODAY is not about gaffes, but celebration of media quintessence symbolized by this robust medium. As you may probably know, Prince Nduka Obaigbena (the Duke) and Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu are the ‘biggest boys’ in the publishing sector in terms of ingenuity, vision, aristocratic clout, entrepreneurial versatility, flamboyance, global interconnect of net-worth friends, ever-rising profile and modest opulence, are the publisher, and the Editor-in-Chief/ Chairman of THISDAY and The Sun Groups of Newspapers, respectively.

Incontrovertibly, both publications have become the benchmark, symbols/pacesetters/reference points of robust journalism in Nigeria. For captains of industry, the political elite and the summit social class, their day is incomplete without both titles—even with the latter’s characteristic lateness to the newsstands! Unlike other newspapers, its multitudinous clientele patiently wait for the market leader until it arrives, always behind circulation schedule! In contradistinction, with early bird, Sun, on newsstands as early as 5 a.m., most patrons make it an exclusive collector’s item.

Of all the newspapers in the country, it was only THISDAY that deemed it fit to do a damning editorial entitled “The abduction of Citizen Wabara” on April 17, 2014, shortly after my kidnap. Once you read this medium and THISDAY, you have read other newspapers and don’t need to bother about them, but if you read others and don’t read Sun and ThisDay, inwardly you still look vacuous on authoritative economic, social and political issues, national policies and transnational direction!

It took only a phone call from London

BY

by Dr. Kalu to ensure that I did not spend a second night in one of the numerous cells I was circulated in Umuahia all-day by callous policemen. I salute OUK for my liberation and other invaluable/illimitable roles in my existential humanism.

I take off my hat to Otunba Femi Adesina , the Special Assistant (Media) to President Muhammadu Buhari, who, as the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun, personally coordinated efforts aimed at extricating me three years ago!

But for God’s awesomeness—and no other factor—I would have been history by now. As the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, once noted after surviving the fatalistic grip of the late Sani Abacha, each day I live today is an “extra” day! I will continue to thank the Almighty unstoppably for graciously sparing my life despite my frailties.

I keep praying that God should imbue me with the heart to forgive my enemies and the overzealous magistrate in Umuahia whose despicable name I cannot recollect immediately.

How can I ever forget the back page articles on this festering sore by the Adonis Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun, Eric Osagie and his counterpart in New Telegraph and president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Madam Olufunke Egbemode, among other in-house and external interveners. As for those who should have cared a hoot, via articles but never did by turning a blind eye—for whatever idiosyncratic reason—I wish them well, as a corpse looks like a log to those unconcerned!

As I reflect on the seizure tragedy, I have the compelling retrospection to reproduce that damning and superlative editorial by THISDAY: “Apparently acting on some ‘orders from above’ in Umuahia, the Abia State Police Command recently stormed the Surulere, Lagos, residence of Mr. Ebere Wabara, a

journalist with The Sun Newspaper, who also doubles as Special Assistant, Media, to Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (former governor of Abia State), and abducted him in the presence of his wife and children. Wabara’s captors thereafter took him to Sholoki Police Station, Aguda and the Oyingbo Police Station, Lagos, respectively, before finally whisking him away to Umuahia in Abia State, where he was maltreated and detained in a solitary cell.

“Since his release on bail following the intervention of the Inspector General of Police, Wabara has taken ill as a result of the dehumanizing treatment he received in the hands of his captors. This fact notwithstanding he was recently arraigned, in absentia, at the Abia State Magistrate’s Court by the Abia Police Command and slammed with a 10-count charge relating to ‘seditious publications’ against the Abia State Governor, Mr. Theodore Orji. While we join others in unreservedly condemning this most flagrant violation of the fundamental human rights of a citizen, we make haste to add that the pathetic story is a big setback to the freedom of the press and democracy in Nigeria.

“Whatever the motivation, the arrest of a journalist at the instance of a governor and without due process is barbaric misuse of state power. It is also preposterous that the Abia State Police Command has slammed an unsustainable 10-count charge against Wabara, hinged on a ‘sedition law’ that had ceased to be applicable in Nigeria. Or, is it that Abia State Government and the police command are not aware that the Nigerian courts in the popular cases of DPP V Chike Obi and Arthur Nwankwo V State have dismissed sedition law (as contained in sections 50 and 51of the Criminal Code) as being inconsistent with the right to freedom of expression enshrined in our constitution?

“There is even a more serious issue. Even if for the sake of argument the Abia State

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

Police Command acted properly in charging Wabara under an existing law, the journalist is still protected in carrying out his professional duties under Section 39 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act. It is regrettable that the Abia State Governor and the Abia State Police Command would behave as if Nigeria was still under military rule, during which period the press suffered emasculation, intimidation, suppression and proscription.

“In case the men and officers of the Abia State Police Command as well as those beating the drums for them have forgotten, we may need to remind them that with the restoration of democratic government in Nigeria on May 29, 1999, and the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, the freedom of the press and the fundamental human rights enshrined in sections 33-46 of the 1999 Constitution have been fully restored to all Nigerians. So the idea of abducting a journalist in Lagos, and transporting him, Gestapo-like, on the basis of some ‘offensive’ publication is not only primitive but indeed, also condemnable.

“We urge Governor Theodore Orji and the Abia State Police Command to withdraw forthwith the trumped-up charges against Wabara, with a letter of apology and adequate compensation for violating his fundamental human rights.

They must also ensure that journalists are no longer harassed or intimidated in the course of their duties. If they object to their publications, especially if they believe them to be libelous, the civilized thing to do is to take legal action against Wabara. Resorting to taking the law into their hands, as it was done in this case, is clearly unacceptable. We call on the Inspector General of Police to call the authorities at Abia State Police Command to order.” The THISDAY memorable editorial ends here.

TRIBUTE

Ocheze, the Sweet Mother Goes Home Emmanuel Obikili

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rs. Priscilla Chinwoke Obikili (nee Obiefuna) peacefully returned to her Maker on May 23 2018 aged 86. Ocheze, as she was affectionately called, was truly the words of the late high-life music maestro Prince Nico Mbarga the sweet mother. Growing up, my Mum was the pillar of our home.

Home is home. My Mum made our home what is was. She never shirked her motherly responsibilities. Downright simple, moderate, unassuming and urbane, Ocheze perceived motherhood as a precious gift which should be celebrated and rewarded because humanity owes its survival to that gift. Her love for her husband was legendary, she loved him with his defects. She was very grateful to God for the virtues that he found in her husband such as fortitude, foresightedness, and forthrightness. Her ability in combining whatever she was and house-keeping found the most exalted synthesis in her love for her children.

Ocheze was distinguished for greatly caring for her children. This, for me, is what matters in this life. A fulfilled mother is one that spent her life loving and bringing up her children responsibly. Ocheze spent the greater part of her life loving us her children as well as bringing joy to us her children.

She imparted in us the essential family values which today are the superstructures which determine the way in which we relate with others in the society.

Apart from caring for us her children, Ocheze cared for other children, her neighbours and all the people around.

This large-heartedness earned her different sobriquets such as “mama Jos’, ‘mama Yaba’,’ mama Lagos’, ‘mama Adazi’, ‘mama US’ and so forth. Her home in Jos and Lagos was a home for all. She made her home so homey

Chief Obikili

that relations, friends, etc. felt at home there. Her simplicity, sincerity and cheerfulness made it easy for children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc, to flock to her side. On seeing many children flocking to her side, she would pray for them, caressed them, cradled them, and even cried for them. She was particularly happy whenever a new baby was born. At her Golden Jubilee Anniversary on 13 August 2000, Ocheze received many gifts but the most precious of them was a gift of a grandson who was born on that day. At her 66th wedding anniversary on 13 August 2016, Ocheze received a most cherished gift-one of her granddaughter’s wedded on that day.

Perhaps Ocheze will be remembered for her strong Christian faith and unpretentious Christian piety. She was simply a virtuous woman. She was a devoted parishioner at St Theresa Catholic Church Jos, St Dominic Catholic Church Yaba, Lagos, St Andrews Catholic Church Adazi-Nnukwu, and finally at St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church Adazi-Nnukwu. She was particularly happy when St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church was established at a place where she used to plant pepper and a few other crops during the Nigeria civil war. She was happy that she could trek to the Church for daily Mass or for visit to the Blessed Sacrament. She was a bosom friend of Mrs Ezembaji, the Catechist of the Church. She belonged to several societies in the Church: Sacred Heart of Jesus, St Anthony of Padua, etc. and she made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Rome, Fatima, etc. in 1982.

She prayed a lot and was good at not only vocal prayers but also mental prayers. When she was healthy, virtually everyone morning, she and husband would pray vocal and mental prayers and thereafter go for Morning Mass.

She would stay some minutes after Mass to say the Catena to Our Lady and to exchange pleasantries with fellow parishioners. In January this year, she had a Thanksgiving Mass for the blessings the Good Lord had showered upon her and her family.

Initially her children tried to convince her to shift the Thanksgiving for the following year because some of her children were out of town and they needed to prepare for it and do it in a well deserving way. When she insisted, the Thanksgiving Mass went ahead albeit on a moderate scale. She told his children that she did not know that her eyes would see the year 2018. She was very happy when she was able to attend Mass on Easter Sunday.

Most importantly, Ocheze was a peacemaker. She brokered between many warring persons and factions.

Perhaps what gave more impetus to her peace-making drives was her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Through this devotion, the Good Lord used Ocheze to resolve many problems, and to bring peace to many hearts, many homes, many hamlet and so forth. When her late brother-in-law had a misunderstanding with her husband, she reassured her brother in-law that with the help of her children the issue would be resolved.

Indeed the matter was resolved amicably. It is therefore not surprising that many of the titles that were bestowed on her were associated with peace of mind and body. Shortly before she died, she asked for her rosary and held it in her hands and made the signs of the cross feebly a couple of times. Two of her children took turns to feed her last supper; the nurse gave her medicine and she slept. In the early hours of 23rd May, her condition deteriorated.

After her physician had reviewed her, he sent an sms to the chaplain of the hospital. The chaplain gave her the Anointing of the Sick at 8.15 am and she died at 8:30am. Her last son who as a child had told her that he would accompany her at her last moments on earth closed her eyes.

Born on 20 April 1932 to Pa Richard and Madam Virginia Obiefuna of Okpu Ifite village, Agulu, Anaocha LGA, Anambra State, Ocheze was the first surviving child of her parents. She started her primary education at Loreto Convent School, Adazi-Nnukwu, which was run by reverend sisters, but was not able to complete it for financial reasons. In August 1950 she got married to Chief Simeon Obikili at St Theresa’s Catholic Church Jos. The late Chief Julius Ezimorah (Papa Bukuru), who initiated her husband into business, was the Chairman of her wedding and the marriage was blessed with 9 children: 6 boys and 3 girls.

––Professor Emmanuel Obikili writes from Lagos

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JULY 21, 2018 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

FASHION FILE

Actress Jemima Osunde frontlines The Roots Collection By My Q Lady

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 21, 2018

FASHION FILE

By Azuka Ogujiuba azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

Actress Jemima Osunde frontlines The Roots Collection By My Q

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ashion house My Q Lady has released a collection aptly known as The Roots Collection.

The Roots Collection visualizes a brief history of Nigerian female heroines. The collection is honoring women who have fought for our independence, our freedom and democracy.

Actress Jemima Osunde frontlines the collection: showcasing the pieces with grace and style.

The Collection celebrates our African roots, highlighting the adire fabric. Adire – which literally means “tie &dye” is at the

core of the collection – as The Creative Director goes down history employing a modern twist to wearable pieces.

The collection stays true to the MY Q aesthetic- with the use of lace, color and detailed beading. Each piece was designed as an ode to an African heroine and her strong roots : they are modern, wearable and reflect the 21st century woman .The dresses celebrate her and in turn her style, representing the African woman essence.

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... ͸΀͹ͽͽ͹ͻ͹΀Ϳͼ

Vice- President, Coldstone Creamery, Brian Richard; Executive Producer, Lara & the Beat, Biola Alabi; Actress Chioma Akpotha of the movie Lara & the Beat and Marketing Director Eat & Go,Amalia Sebakunzi at the unveiling of the Dominos Squad Meal & Coldstone Creamery Baby Cakes Ice Cream in Lagos recently

L-R: Engr(Mrs) Oluwatoyin Banke Williams; Consultant,Epe Project,Engr Samuel Oliyide; President, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria,APWEN,Engr. Felicia Nnena Agubat; General Manager,Craneburg Construction,Mr Alex Nomepelis; Chairman, APWEN, Lagos Chapter,Engr.Laolu Adedapo- Aisida; and Deputy Director, Projects, Ministry of Works,Engr. Abiola Kosegbe, during technical tour by APWEN on rehabilitation of inner roads Project Phase 1 at Epe in Lagos recently

Domino’s Pizza, Cold Stone Promote Culture in New Product Launch Fastfood giant, Domino’s Pizza and Cold Stone Creamery have made a new product launch in the Nigerian market .

Both brands are partnering the producer of ‘Lara & the Beat’, a movie produced by Biola Alabi Media, to bring the products on board in order to boost their awareness globally as well as showcase Nigerian lifestyle to the world via the film.

According to the brands, the new products, which included a new Ice cream flavour called ‘Baby Cakes’ and ‘squad meal’ were perfect for the Nigerian environment as well as the new movie in that pizza is a family meal while the movie content revolves around family, hence the partnership.

Speaking during the launch which was well attended by major casts in the flick including Seyi Shay, Vector, Somkele and Chioma Akpotha, Marketing Manager of ColdStone Creamery, Bimpe Olanrewaju, noted that ColdStone Creamery Nigeria and Domino’s Pizza have transcended serving delicious ice cream and pizza, to becoming lifestyle brands.

“To this end, we are always on the lookout for opportunities such as this. Lara and the beat is a perfect fit as it has key elements that resonate with our brandlifestyle, fashion and music. The beautiful story of the movie inspired a new ice cream flavor, which is a delicious strawberry icecream layered with yellow cake and topped with a crunchy coconut shavings”.

Executive Producer of Lara and the Beat, Biola Alabi, lauded the brand’s commitment in boosting Nigeria’s image abroad in an effort to attract foreign investments to the country by partnering cultural projects.

She said: “This partnership should come as no surprise, the ColdStone brands were our partners on our first movie project, and they have distinguished themselves by creating unique, fun, family experiences for Nigerians. As soon as you walk into any of

Konga Expands, Invests in New Warehouses Foremost e-commerce firm, Konga is expanding its foothold in Nigeria with the launch of two mega warehouses in Abuja and Port Harcourt.

This is in fulfillment of the company’s ambition to revolutionise e-commerce in Nigeria, especially as it drives towards ensuring same day delivery and accommodating first rate merchants.

To be opened for business next month, the company stated that the Abuja warehouse, which is centrally located and about 78,000 square feet in size will serve the Northern region while the Port Harcourt’s of about 147,000 square feet, will function as a major hub for the South/South and

MTN Upgrades POWA Market, Empowers Traders As part of its commitment to a better life and economic growth, telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria has empowered 100 women from the Police Officers Wives’ Association (POWA), Lagos State chapter to improve their lives quality.

The firm also decorated the shopping complex accommodating the women entrepreneurs to strengthen its attraction and improve business activities in the market.

The women were equipped with items such as mobile stalls to sell products , airtime and data virtually through the use of digital gadgets. Present at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Samuel Adejare commended the company for beautifying the complex as well as spurring economic activities, thus raising the hopes of the entrepreneurs and supporting government’s effort.

Represented by General Manager of Lagos State Parks and Gardens, Bilikiss

their stores, they make you feel warm and welcome, which is exactly how this film will make you feel. The movie is about family and friendship, so partnering these delightful brands only made sense for us to do.

“We are particularly excited about the mega projects in the country, especially Lagos; therefore, we want to use the movie as well as our partnership with the fast food brand to tell the true Lagos story.

Marketing Manager of Domino’s Pizza,

Adebiyi- Abiola, he said: “We are glad that MTN is making conscious effort to give back to the community and also beautify lagos through the renovation of the Complex Corridor here in Ikoyi and we are glad that Lagos State is gradually becoming a greener and healthier environment”.

Also speaking at the event, Sales and Distribution Executive, MTN Nigeria, Adekunle Adebiyi, said: “We are really excited to unveil the new POWA corridor as this project has been a long time coming. We would like to thank the Ministry of Environment for giving us the approval and opportunity to do this. We’re also excited to have impacted the lives of members of the POWA association”.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of empowerment materials, which included phones, POS devices, chairs, tables, umbrellas and digital tablets, to the beneficiaries and the commissioning of the renovated POWA secretariat.

South Eastern parts of the country.

It added that the newly refurbished warehouse in Lagos was expected to serve Lagos and other Western states while warehousing facilities are also being developed in Owerri, Enugu, Ibadan and Uyo to bring the brand closer to customers and merchants.

Chief Executive Officer of Konga Online, Nick Imudia noted that the upgrade and set-up of the warehouses highlight the company’s commitment to uplifting standards in the Nigerian e-commerce sector.

“At Konga, we are passionate about customer satisfaction.

With our latest, our customers will enjoy the added luxury of same day delivery of their items irrespective of their locations within the regions.

For our merchants, it is also a chance to take advantage of greater storage capacity for their goods and products, allowing them to do larger volumes and grow their business.

“We are constantly working round the clock behind the scenes to set new standards and raise the bar of service excellence in the e-commerce industry.

Some of our innovations and world-class strategies are gradually being unveiled and these massive warehousing facilities are one of such innovations. More of them will be unveiled in August and the coming months,” he explained.

Imudia further added that the warehouses had been described as the first of its kind on this side of the Atlantic, thus certified by global IT warehousing/logistics agencies as best in class in Africa , equipped with state-of-the-art security, automation and cloud infrastructure.

He said the new investment would also help the company to carry out physical inspection of product quality.

Ilyas Kazeem added: “We are indeed excited about this partnership, which is why we are dedicating a new and special menu to the movie called ‘Squad Meal’”. This menu celebrates the importance of love, friendship and the joy of sharing. It consists of a Medium Pizza, Chicken Wings and our delicious Melted Choco Pocket dessert. The idea is to let viewers have a perfect feeling as they see the flick in the cinema and enjoy a sumptous meal with it.”

Kaduna, NGO Seal Deal on Education The Kaduna State Government has signed agreement with a non-profit organisation, ‘Teach For Nigeria’ to boost education in the state.

The new deal would see the NGO place Fellows in high-need primary schools in the state to teach students for two years.

Chief Executive Officer of Teach For Nigeria, Folawa Omikunle made this known at the inaugural annual education cocktail and fundraising that held in Lagos. The event served as a platform to highlight the NGO’s mission as well as strategies at improving the quality of education for Nigeria’s most marginalised children.

The gathering, which was attended by captains of industry and leaders in the private and public sectors also provided an opportunity to enlist the support of and recruit champions from the private sector to secure financial and strategic commitments towards raising much needed funds needed for the transformation of the education system and ensuring that every Nigerian child, regardless of status, has an opportunity to access quality education.

In his words, Omikunle stated that continuous decline in education system has resulted in poor learning outcomes for most students especially the disadvantaged ones from low income communities.

“As part of efforts to ensure that the standards are raised for all our children, Teach For Nigeria was established and I am proud of our achievements so far and grateful for the support and commitment we have received from our fellows, champions and ambassadors.”

Chairman of the NGO, Gbenga Oyebode, further added: “The organisation is focused on developing a movement of leaders across the nation who are committed to putting an end to educational inequity.

The present state of education in Nigeria, where about a third of our children are not in school and over half of those in school are not learning, is not acceptable. We must therefore join hands together to reverse these trends.”

Shedding more light on the Kaduna project, Oyebode said that the first batch of Kaduna Fellows would begin to lead their classrooms by September 2018, stressing that it would further bring the programme much closer to achieving its vision of ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to excellent education.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ ͺ͸͚͜

46

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×

DAMOLA ADEGBOYE

I’m Single But not Searching, My Woman Must Be Smart Upstairs Ù×Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂŁËœ Ë×ÙÖË ĂŽĂ?Ă‘ĂŒĂ™ĂŁĂ? ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÒÙå Ă’Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăœ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?ÙÖÖĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ͽ͸͸ ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă?ÒÙå ÞÙ Ă?ÙÖÖĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÙ Ă‹ Íš Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã˛ Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ę¨Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?ÞãÖĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă?ĂŽĂŁ Ă‹Ă? Ă?ÞÒÓĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ™Ă&#x;ĂŒĂžĂ?ĂŽĂ–ĂŁËœ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă— Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ÑÒÞ̋ËʰĂ?Ăœ Ă—Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă? ÞËÖÕĂ? ÞÙ Tosin Clegg, Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ĘŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ?

How it all began s an undergraduate at the Lagos State University (LASU), all I had back then was my Facebook page to share information and stories.

A friend later introduced me to blogging and told me where to sign up and from then, blogging took off. The rest is history.

A

My show in Ife was my big break Although it wasn’t financially rewarding, I was so proud of myself and thankful to God for that kind of event. It was an event I did at the amphitheatre of Obafemi Awolowo University and we had about three thousand students in attendance. I was able to express myself and do my comedy, which really was a big one for me.

Saco is my mentor I met him at Ife. That day, I was waiting for my pay which was a whopping sum of N3000 and they told me to wait and while I was there he was passing by, then we had a little chat and that was where it started. Today, I’m so proud to say anywhere in the world that I’m privileged to have him as my mentor.

I did a lot of free shows At some point, I was paid N500, N1000, N1200, N1500, N3000 and all of that. While I was at the university, the highest I was paid was N15,000 but after school, I got some raise here and there. Today, I thank God there are a lot of positive changes.

Good content is a major challenge Good content comes with the job, but regardless of that, you have to protect your content and personal discipline is also key. It’s an individual challenge where you know that because you are big doesn’t mean you can’t do some smaller jobs.

Basically, those are the challenges but largely we are doing well.

I like my name and how it sounds That’s why I stuck to using my name instead of crafting a stage name and, in fact, on my Instagram my handle is Damola. I have always been a fan of bearing my first name instead of nickname right from time. All the nicknames I had were imposed on me and they fell off at a point but my name still remained. Even when I have awards I want to always have my real name engraved on it.

I lecture in a university also I lecture at Osun State University where I graduated with First Class Honours in Political Science and by virtue of that, I was retained in that same school. I have been teaching there for about three years now. And it’s been a beautiful experience so far being a researcher and a university lecturer. The academic work has a flexible structure, as you are not working 24 hours or seven days a week. There is a timetable and most of my courses don’t fall on days I have events. So, I always ensure my students are sufficiently taught and that the administrative work is done also.

I have performed at several shows Such asAli Baba January 1st concert and I featured in it a few times;Ay Live; Lagos at 50; Lagos Laughs;

Stand Up Nigeria; and many others. As a master of ceremony, I have done pieces of stuff for Lagos State Government a few times, Airtel, MTN and a lot of corporate brands and multinationals. I have also travelled outside of Nigeria a few times and I thank God for all of that.

Social media has helped me And that’s in terms of pushing some of my contents out there, which went viral at some point.

It’s been helping me so far and is still helping as a lot of people have gotten across to me through it. I wouldn’t say it’s my major source of strength as I would rather use every opportunity that presents itself to put myself out there.

My successes so far I would say the capacity to work on people’s mind, creating happiness is a great achievement as I see people rushing to meet me after events.

The comments they share with me, I would say, mean a lot to me and these are the things I call achievement, aside from the access and other things that come with the job.

I run an initiative It’s not so much like an NGO yet, but it’s where I help students effectively combine their talents with their education. And I’m a product of that, as I combine my academics and talent to still have a First Class. I try to inculcate that in many people, as I organise programmes and talk shows to motivate people on how they can improve their talents and combine that with their academics to do a lot better.

And I do a little of public speaking to teach people how to commercialise their talents.

I am an extremely playful person I’m also an extrovert and everywhere I go, I try to make people happy as much as I can. I could be very quiet too if I want but largely I don’t like too much seriousness. My life is loosened and not too rigid although I don’t club, party but I’m very playful.

Linda Ejiofor was my celebrity crush Nothing really drew me to her per say, but maybe because she is fair skinned and that could be part of it. Basically, sometime ago, I watched one of her movies and I was like she has a very fine smile which drew me to her. But right now I’m not searching at all, and I don’t like putting my relationship in the public light.

My ideal woman is someone that is calm, smart upstairs and has the fear of God. I’m attracted to wisdom and someone that has a good heart towards people.

I would like to perform at a United Nations function As that’s like the largest gathering of Presidents in the world and performing before them all is a big deal to me.

My mentors and role models Gbenga Adeyinka is one and I love him for his choice of words and lexical stamina which is amazing. Alibaba is another person; so also is Bovi for his content. He doesn’t shout or run up and down but stands in a spot and deliver effectively.

All comedians are inspirations to me.

Adegboye

47

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ 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×

MY STORY RAMSEY NOUAH, TOKE MAKINWA, BRIGHTEN FACEBOOK, AFRINOLLY PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH Ramsey Noauh, Toke Makinwa, and Odunlade Adekola were among the celebrities who attended an evening of glitz, music, and networking to celebrate the launch of Facebook for Creators.

The initiative, which is a collaboration between Facebook and Afrinolly, is aimed at empowering creative communities across Nigeria through specialised training modules. It is designed to equip the next generation of content creators with the skills needed to thrive in a digital world.

The Facebook for Creators programme, which will be free for all participants, will roll out in cities across Nigeria, including Abuja, Lagos, Jos and Kaduna.

MURPHY-OWODEYI

Strong, Determined, Ambitious Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;ÞÓĂ?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŽĂ—Ă“ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă‹ Ă&#x;ĂœĂšĂ’ĂŁĚ‹ åÙÎĂ?ĂŁĂ“ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă’Ă?Ăœ ÞÙÚ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?Ă’Ë› ÓÞÒ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă’Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ“Ă‘ Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁË›

Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ăž åÓÞÒ Tosin CleggËœ Ă?Ă’Ă? ÞËÖÕĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÖÙÞĂ? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ?

BOOMPLAY MUSIC’S LANDMARK ON GOOGLE PLAY STORE

As a further testament to its leadership and popular acceptance as the foremost music content distribution platform, Boomplay Music, Africa’s fastest growing music streaming and download platform has recorded a milestone 10 million installations off Google Play store.

Rising from a modest number of installs when it launched in Google Play store in 2016, the platform rose to a million installations in January 2017 and by November of the same year, it had risen to five million.

Its fast-growing streak of installations doubled in June

2018 to 10 million installations, making its total user-base 29 million. Boomplay Music is now tipped to reach the 40 million total user-base

by December this year, confirming the streaming service as Africa’s fastest rising music service.

The platform parades content from multiple genres such as Afrobeat, Fuji, Hip-Hop, Afropop, Rap, Reggae and Gospel, among others. Some of the biggest names on the platforms include Davido, Fela Kuti, Wizkid, Sinach, Tiwa Savage, Nathaniel Bassey, Abass Akande Obesere, M.I. Abaga, King Sunny Ade, Phyno, Osita Osadebe, Simi, Small Doctor, Diamond Platnumz, Vanessa Mdee, Chris Brown, Flavor, Cardi B, among others.

To celebrate their new milestone, Boomplay announced a partnership with some celebrities who are ardent users of the app to run a giveaway tagged #BoomTop10Playlist in the coming week. The giveaway will see 100 Boomplay users across Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya walking away with prizes like Smart Tvs, TECNO Spark 2, Oraimo Headsets, BoomBuddy Essentials and more.

DAVID JHAY TO RELEASE NEW SONGS, VIDEOS Redrun Entertainment’s lead act, David Jhay is set to drop a cover to Wizkid’s hit track, Ojuelegba and accompany it with a viral video, set to be shot in choice places in Lagos. David, after releasing his debut single, Far From Here under his new management, has been working relentlessly and featuring in several shows within and outside of Lagos.

This summer, he is set to drop his

cover to Ojuelegba and a few other songs ahead of his show scheduled for later this year. It is expected to be one of a kind with surprise appearances and beautiful live music.

David, asides being a performing artiste, is also a music producer and sound engineer whose works have proven his dominance in the industry and have grown him to be an economy of so many talents and greatness.

W

ho is the face behind Cravings by Chef Coco?

I currently own and run Cravings by Chef Coco. A small business that provides catering services to individuals, events and companies.

What sparked your interest in cooking?

It has always been my hobby since my teenage days and it’s the only house chore I thoroughly enjoyed doing as a teenager. I used to help out anyone that was cooking in my house, and I was always present in the kitchen when there was any cooking being done. Professionally, I’ve been cooking for two years, since 2016; though I only got a culinary education in 2017.

What kind of meals do you make and what’s special about it?

I’m trained as a cuisine and patisserie chef, so I could basically do everything that has to do with cooking and baking but my focus is currently on cuisine. My cuisine is a fusion of our African dishes and continental dishes; basically, it’s a mix of both. What makes my meals special, aside the combination of the healthiest ingredients and the healthiest cooking method, is the fact that whatever meals I make is made with love and extra care for the needs of my customer because their happiness is also my happiness.

What are your challenges so far as a chef?

My biggest challenge as a chef has to be marketing and trying to get more customers. My business is an online business, getting customers online is a pretty tough one. But that’s why I’m consistent so they do not ever forget that I’m available all the time to cater to their culinary needs.

DeďŹ ne your kind of woman?

My kind of woman is strong, determined, ambitious and happy in general. We all want different things from life and I’m striving and struggling to get what I want life to bring forth to me. I guess that’s what makes me different.

48

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ ͺ͸͚͜

CHARLES UWAGBAI

Nollywood Surpasses Some Hollywood Movies in Cinemas Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ–Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă‘ĂŒĂ‹Ă“ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂŒĂ–Ă™Ă?Ă•ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ×Ùà ÓĂ?Ëœ Ă’Ă? Ă’Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžËœ Ă‹ ×Ùà ÓĂ? ÞÒËÞ ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă•Ă? ĂŒĂ™Ă˘ ÙʊĂ?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;ÞÚĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ÙÖÖãåÙÙÎ ×Ùà ÓĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă?Ë› Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă? ×Ùà ÓĂ?Ëœ Ă?ÙÒĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜Ă“ Ă?ÚÓĂ? ×Ùà ÓĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂ ĂŒĂ™Ă˘ ÙʊĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ͺ͸͚΀ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽË› Ă“Ă? Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ëœ Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŽĂ?ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă? Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ͚͝˛ Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?ĂĄ åÓÞÒ Chinedu IbeabuchiËœ Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ–Ă?Ă? ÙʼĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ Ă‘Ă–Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂŽĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ʨÖ× Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ What makes a good ďŹ lm? good storyline makes a good film because it is what connects to the audience. When I am contracted to direct a film I take a good look at the script first. If the script is not good, we have to work on it again to make it perfect. Then after that, we can talk about casting and budget and all of that. Sometimes, when writing a script, I have a particular character that I know will bring my characters to life.

A

Some Nollywood ďŹ lms tend to do better than Hollywood ďŹ lms at the cinemas lately.

Does this have anything to do with the quality or hype?

to capture in your film and make sure you satisfy your audience.

Lately, I see a number of Hausa actors feature in Nollywood. Have you thought about shooting a movie that will appeal to Northerners?

I think some people have tried to shoot movies up north but I’ve not really done any movie. I’m not so familiar with their culture that is why I haven’t attempted to go up north. But I always strive to put a few of Kannywood stars in my cinema films because I know that it would appeal to their fans up north. In my latest movie, “The Washer Man� for example, I featured five northerners in the film because I know that I’m going to sell out up north.

Well, it has a lot to do with the cast you parade in the film as well as the quality of production.

The first things you observe, as a film maker, is whom your target market is when producing a movie. Toyin Aihmaku, for instance has a very unique and loyal fan base. So, if Toyin is going to make a film for the English speaking (posh) audience it may not appeal to all her fans. She is aware that a lot of her fans are normal everyday people so she can’t make a “James Bond’’ movie for instance because she wants to trend.

So you have to ask yourself, who are your audience, are you satisfying your audience? If you are satisfying your audience, then you will automatically have a successful film. So, bearing that in mind, you have to know who are the people that look out for your films and the best medium that you can reach them on.

Okay, I think what has kept me going is my humility, even while on set. Then, consistency is also very important, you can’t make one film today and make another one in five year time and think people will remember you. You have to keep churning out quality films frequently.

I was taught at film school to shoot whenever I want to shoot. Basically, if you have a camera, just shoot. You don’t have to wait till you have the best camera in the world to shoot.

Filmmaking is typically storytelling; you just have to tell a story with what you have. If you can’t tell a story with your phone, I wonder what you are going to do when you are given a big camera.

You also shoot TV commercials alongside ďŹ lms. Which do you ďŹ nd most rewarding?

What peculiar challenges do you face as a ďŹ lmmaker?

The shooting for the corporate world is more lucrative than Nollywood. You know, Nollywood is just my passion.

Are you saying that there are ďŹ lmmakers that are not really making it?

Well, I can only speak for myself. For me, I’ll say that there is money in Nollywood, because some movies have made it at the box office and outside of box office.

So people really buy movies outside of the cinemas?

Yes, people buy outside of box office; they buy online. If the industries aren’t profitable we won’t have an influx every single day.

So the bulk of the money comes from online sales? How about the people that live in the suburbs?

How have you managed to remain relevant in your industry despite the entrance of many foreign-trained ďŹ lmmakers into your industry?

Power is a major issue as it eats a large chunk of our budget. Also, actors demanding much more than I can offer, especially when I probably have a budget I want to work with. And because you know that if you pump in so much money into a film, you might not get it back.

The audience also is a big challenge as well.

They won’t buy original movies, and they won’t go to the cinemas to watch movies yet they keep complaining that our movies are of low quality. Yet when you pump in money, they wait for movies to come out so that they can buy it on the street.

In what areas do you think the current administration can assist Nigerian ďŹ lmmakers?

I think we need more grants and soft loans for filmmakers and an enabling environment for us to thrive.

They have their own market as well, people still buy DVDs but it’s for certain movies. That is why it is the duty of the filmmaker to properly target the various audiences while casting by featuring faces that appeal to certain parts of the country.

What are the areas you think some of your colleagues need to work on?

First of all, you need to identify where you want to sell your movie and how you can make it a success. This is why you see that some movies feature Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo casts. It is deliberate, and you need to be able to balance the choice of cast in any movie. You also need to know where you plan to sell your movie and also shoot your movie for the right time. The truth is that you can’t target every type of audience in a movie. This is why while some people are tearing a movie down others are applauding it. The bottom line remains that you need to know whom you want

Uwagbai

T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY JULY 21, 2018

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 21, 2018

POLITY

The Fall of Ayodele Fayose Governor Ayo Fayose is a master of political theatrics, often so insipid that he may not even believe himself. Examples are legion, like frying garri, roasting corn and frying akara or eating in a local bukka which he passes as being on the same page with the down-trodden. It was so much that he started trusting in himself as the only power in Ekiti. That evaporated last week when the electoral umpire returned a result that dusted his party, writes Ahamefula Ogbu

T

he maxim that pride goeth before a fall and that karma is a bitch, dishing in cold measured vengeance, the exactitude of what we feed or foist on others are part of the current schools of thoughts people have fallen back on to explain the fate of Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose.

Ordinarily, one would think that Fayose and not his deputy, Professor Olusola Eleka was the one running against Kayode Fayemi in the election that has been won and lost as the poster of the election appeared to have the face of Eleka and the reputation of Fayose. The Governor was more vocal in boasts, threats and self-adulation, often assuring that loss at the polls was impossibility for his party, the Peoples Democratic Party.

However, as it presently stands, the Nigerian factor and calculus in elections have put victory at the doorsteps of the All Progressives Congress whose Fayemi and former Minister of Solid Minerals has been jocularly said to have used his experience in the ministry to “crush the rock” that is Peter, the religious name of the incumbent.

Fayose in several interviews claimed that no matter who he anointed as the flagbearer of the party, even if the person is a member of his family, would still win because he had always identified with the electorates.

For example, asked what he would do or how he would feel if his party lost the election, he replied, “my party cannot lose in Ekiti, my people love me; I cannot lose, let’s leave it at that.” Reminded that some of his supporters were leaving the PDP, he queried their electoral weight and values, adding, “Who are those? They are not up

Such overconfidence created the oven in which he was politically roasted.

He antagonised party members who would have helped to deliver victory leading to some political weights leaving the party, yet he felt they were political paper tigers and that victory was sure even when he was facing the ruling party

to a challenge to me.”

On the possible effect of “imposing” his deputy on the party and its likely effects on the outcome, Fayose boasted that “Even if I imposed my family members, Ekiti people will still vote for that person, you see, I was in town few days ago frying garri with the people, that’s to show you I’m a man of the people, all those plan they are planning in Abuja, I’m aware of, even if President” Buhari comes to Ekiti on that day, I’m still going to defeat him, if they like let them come with their soldiers, I’m Ayodele Fayose Peter, Peter the rock; if you fall on me, you will break your back, if I fall on you, you will die. You know if you are coming with fire, when it enters water it will quench, that’s what’s going to happen.

Mark my words.”

Such overconfidence created the oven in which he was politically roasted. He antagonised party members who would have helped to deliver victory leading to some political weights leaving the party, yet he felt they were political paper tigers and that victory was sure even when he was facing the ruling party.

Although the genuineness of the APC victory is still being hotly contested, the preferred route to power always adopted by all politicians irrespective of party appear to have sufficed. The scheme is to get power by fair or foul means and let your opponent fight from the outside while you occupy the seat and use allocations accruing therefrom to fund the legal battles.

In 2014 the near scenario of what was replicated by APC in Ekiti 2018 gubernatorial elections was enacted by the PDP then.

Helicopters were said to have ferried cash through a one-time Defence Minister to the point. Backed by the central government, every other person was suppressed to make way for Fayose’s victory. Then, some governors were shoved around and their vehicles blocked from entering the state while others were meted out with unprintable humiliations. Soldiers and other security agencies were on hand to do the bidding of the powers that be.

Given that Fayose was installed using that template, it was a wonder that he boasted of overcoming the system used in his own victory. When the chips were down, it became whose gun was bigger.

He cried out that his men were randomly arrested and locked up so they would not supervise and control affairs.

The police even had to fire first and apologise later after dispersing the PDP rally, promising that it would not reoccur; meanwhile the actions and inactions had safely put victory in the pocket of the APC. The PDP alleged that information had leaked to them that their agents would be arrested should they be seen with money which made them to send words round that such should be avoided.

Meanwhile APC was said to have had a field day distributing money and protected by the powers Fayose had boasted could not stand up to him in the state. Some people who monitored the election alleged there was vote buying by both parties but the party with power at the center had more financial muscle in the arm twist fight and therefore carried the day. While PDP was alleged to have paid N4000 per voter, the APC allegedly shelled out N10, 000 for each vote.

To take delivery of the cash, a voter just

Fayose needed to snap the ticked ballot paper with his handset and show the enforcers as evidence and the money is theirs. Talk of stomach infrastructure, that scheme birthed by Fayose witnessed a change in its delivery, thereby beating the master with his own tricks.

The change in power of the party at the center merely changed the party that was favoured in 2018 using the same influence and Fayose though has been loudly proclaiming that he would have the last laugh is also changing the tune by lesser decibels, adding a shout out that the federal government and the ruling party wanted to kill him.

If anyone was in doubt that the federal might was pitched against a state might and the bigger, stronger and financially more muscular party in the fight with might, carried the day; everything has now come to the open with a well-placed politician admitting they had to resort to buying votes when they saw that PDP was almost buying them out of victory. Some of the agencies joined in the celebration of Fayose’s fall. A tweet by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC said they had dusted up documents against Fayose with a view to marching him to jail.

Such sorry and stumpy behavior may also be a pointer to the fact that all agencies of the federal government may have been complicit in hewing the rock down prior to quarrying it.

Meanwhile, while the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC the umpire of the contest is basking in selfadulation that they conducted a free and fair exercise, various observer groups have decried it as a sad superlative retrogression

from the previous nadir electoral experiences.

While some of them have named vote buying, intimidation, official sidestepping of the peoples will and use of state apparatchik for party favours as a bad narrative in the democratic experiment, others see it as the perversion of will which removes the right and power of the people to choose their leaders which defeats the essence of civil rule.

Others say since they know that the contest would end in tribunals, they would reserve what evidence they have to prove that the Ekiti election was not only a sham but a retrogressive step in conduct of elections; probably a precursor to what Nigerians would expect in 2019.

From all indications, the essence of the amendment to the Electoral Act which finetunes the law so that less of the electoral contests would no longer be determined through the courts but the ballot box has once again kissed the dust as a mirage with the attendant erosion of confidence in the system.

The Ekiti election may well be a signpost to those states where the contest is going to be between APC and other parties, especially where while PDP was in power, it exercised the same level and types of indiscretion in misuse of power to win electoral contests unless there is a change of mind and style.

However, such may trigger off some level of desperation that would turn violent and make voting booths fountains of electorate’s blood as the Ekiti experience may push contestants to match the federal antics with local forces which like they say, when two elephants fight, the grass suffers.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 21, 2018

POLITY

2nd Edition of Argungu Polo Tournament Begins Next Month Bennett Oghifo

T

Kangiwa

he second edition of Argungu Polo Tournament and Cultural Fete will take place early next month, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, Special Adviser to the governor of Kebi State on Tourism and Co-ordinator of Argungu Fishing festival, has said.

Kangiwa added that although the Argungu fishing and Cultural festival was scheduled to take place early next year, but that the Argungu Annual Polo Tournament and Cultural Fete, which was one of the events to herald the age-long festival, would begin in the first week of next month.

The Polo Tournament is also part of the programme of the main festival, according to Kangiwa, adding that this epoch making tournament would be chaired by the Grand Patron of NSK farms Polo, HRH Alhaji Sama’ila Mohammed Mera (CON) Emir of Argungu.

He said this year’s event is being sponsored and supported by the Federal Inland Revenue Services

and the National Council for Arts and Culture respectively. Maltina, and Argungu Emirate Council are also partnering the programme.

Like the Polo Tournament, there is also the fishing festival, which is another grand event that takes place during the Argungu festival.

Kangiwa noted that Governor Abubarka Bagudu was determined to work hand in glove with Nigerian tourism stakeholder to harness the one billion tourists projected visit to notable global tourism destination at the end of this year, an opportunity to which Kebbi indigenes are prepared to benefit from which will in turn oxygenate rural economic and social development.

Governor of Kebbi state, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu said he is targeting 15000 jobs from the activities of the re-branded Argungu fishing and cultural festival billed for next year.

The governor said that Kebbi’s most famous fishing festival with a huge international offering could swing travel visits to Nigeria and consequently create jobs that will drop unemployment rate in the state and also cause rapid urbanisation of Kebbi’s rural areas.

According to official records, the Argungu Fish-

ing festival is one notable festival that is domiciled in the northern part of Nigeria. There has been several reports in many publications that the Argungu fishing festival began in 1934, but according to the post on Airkhaleej, the attendance of a prominent nonArgungu man who was invited by the then Emir of Argungu to the 1934 event marked the beginning of the exposure of the festival to the country and the international community. It was the then emir and his council that organised the grand fishing festival to entertain the guest in their midst.

From 1934 to date, the festival has attracted millions of people to its grounds and is often graced by dignitaries, including heads of state. During the time of Gen. Yakubu Gowon as Nigerian Head of State, he attended the festival alongside his Nigerien counterpart, Alh. Diorihammani. Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo is said to have graced the occasion up to four times. The attendance of these government officials is said to have led to an increase in government’s participation in the festival.

It would be recalled that UNESCO has listed the Argungu fishing and cultural festival as an intangible cultural heritage the only one of its kind in Nigeria.

LG Exhibits Commercial AC Unit at West Africa HVAC Expo One of the nation’s leading brands, LG Electronics has presented its latest product, Multi V 5 Air Conditioning system, to lovers of solutionproviding technology.

The Multi V5 Air Conditioning system is the 5th generation of Multi V designed to endure any environment. The event, which served as a unique platform for leading brands in the technological industry to showcase their latest technology, took place at the just concluded West Africa HVAC Expo, in Lagos, recently. The 2018 edition of the expo offered an unrivalled opportunity for companies to further make public statements in terms of their positioning in the industry and the new offering they will be bringing to the table.

LG Electronics offered an array of products which included, Multi V 5 Air Conditioning system, Smart Inverter, Floor Standing and All

New Gencool AC. It is designed from the ground-up to offer durability with conventional models that operate a 3-sided heat exchanger alongside an impressive 4-sided heat exchanger. LG’s Multi V 5 has an Ocean Black fin heat exchanger that is a leading example of the new technologies which have been devised to tackle environmental problems.

Multi V 5 is designed for enhance corrosion resistance and long-lasting performance, LG’s exclusive “Ocean Black Fin” heat exchanger brings durability and long-lasting performance even in environments that are packed with corrosive elements.

LG’s corrosion resistance technologies allowed the Multi V 5 to pass the ISO accelerated corrosion test conducted by an independent test organisation paving the way for a validation of the test result by

the global certification organization UL (Underwriters Laboratories).

“We are proud to be part of this exhibition, and as it was clearly observed LG Electronics displayed its array of unbeatable innovative products which has stood it out among other brands. Conceptualisation of this whole idea is laudable and must be commended,” stated Mr. C. Y. Park, General Manager, Air Solutions Division, LG Electronics West Africa Operations.

He said that the Multi V 5 has large capacity outdoor unit with Biomimetics technology –based fans of MULTI V 5 which increases air flow rate and reduces power consumption. Along with other improvements in core parts, MULTI V 5 single outdoor unit can provide large capacity up to 26HP. The large capacity outdoor units of MULTI V 5 allow flexible use of floor space by minimiz-

ing installation area and significantly decreasing total installed weights, he said.

The West Africa HVAC exhibition has no doubt created a lasting impression in the minds of companies as an opportunity to showcase new products and collate data of exhibitors alongside that of visitors at the event.

LG Electronics, he said has used the opportunity to further firmly stamp its foot on the ground as the brand to beat as far the industry was concerned at the exhibition and has also used the opportunity to expand its business scope, as consumers continue to get assurance that life can only get better with LG. Participants were obviously impressed with the products displayed at LG Electronics booth as they kept visiting the stand in their numbers to catch a glimpse of LG latest products, he said.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Senior Pastor, Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; Guest Speaker, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; founder, Rise Network, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji; speaker, Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour; and the Pastor-in-Charge of the Youth Church, Triune Centre, Pastor Afolabi Oke at the one year anniversary of Triune Centre held at Trinity House in Lagos ...yesterday Sunday Adigun

L-R: Vice Chairman, African Brand Congress, Dr. Stanley Ohenhen; Chief Executive Officer, Hadur Travel and Tours, Mrs. Olufunke Taiwo; and Chairman, Hadur Travel and Tours, Mr. Emmanuel Onifade, during the presentation of Africa’s 2018 Best Premium Travel Management Agency award to the company by ABC at Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos... recenly

L-R: Group Brand Development and Activation Manager, PZ Cussons, Vivian Akindele; Masters of Style winner, University of Lagos, Taofeek Yahaya; Brand Manager, Imperial Leather, Busayo John; Competition Judge, Tsemaye Binitie at the Imperial Leather and Canoe Masters of Style Campus showcase at the University of Lagos ...recently

L-R: Director of Enforcement & Advocacy, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Dr. Afolabi Tajudeen; Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dr. Babatunde Adejare; Member Representing Agege Constituency II, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu; Chairman, Agege Local Government, Hon. Ganiyu Egunjobi; and President, Agege Club, Prince Jamiu Ajiboye, during the reunion ceremony of Agege Molebi Forum (a development-focused association), in Agege, Lagos State ...recently

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ ͺ͸͚͜

Return IDPs to Their Homes, Northern Christian Leaders Urge Govt SerikiAdinoyiinJos

Christian Leaders in Northern Nigeria have called on the federal and Plateau State government to work together to ensure that internally displaced persons (IDPs) were returned to their homes from camps by re-building their houses that were destroyed during the last month attacks.

Chairman of Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Yakubu Pam stated this when he led the other officials of the association in a visit to Gashshi district of Barkinladi Local Government Council where the attackers wreaked enormous havoc.

The Cleric said that the attackers and killers of the villagers in their home land would not go unpunished as the long arm of the law would soon catch up with them.

He said that the internally displaced persons should be returned immediately to their homes and

DECORATED FOR EXCELLENCE ...

L-R: Governor MA Abubakar emerged the Best Governor in 'Tourism Development' in this year's Businessday newspaper states competitiveness awards. Pix 1 shows the governor Flanked by king Jaja of Opobo who presented the award and publisher of the paper Mr Frank Aigbobon... Govt house Bauchi press directorate

2019: Women Less Corrupt, Not for Other Rooms Only, Says Obasanjo AdemolaBabalolainIbadan

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday in Ibadan called for greater participation of women in the politics of Nigeria, saying their incorruptible tendencies unlike their male counterpart had made them suitable for higher political offices in the land.

Obasanjo who was a keynote speaker at the programme organised by the Initiative for Information, Arts and Culture Development in Nigeria in conjunction with the American Corner, Ibadan with the theme: "My Understanding of Women's Aspirations in Politics, Business and

Nation Building" said going by his experience in politics, women were more trustworthy in politics than men.

Against the backdrop of recent statement by President Muhammadu Buhari that his wife, Aisha was meant for the other room, Obasanjo declared, "No nation will become great when half of her population ends up only in the kitchen and the other room or get disproportionately discriminated against in the higher echelon of corporate management and in governance".

As the 2019 general elections are fast approaching, the former president urged women across the country to get themselves more involved in the

We'll Get Justice in Court, Says RAPC Onyebuchi EzigboinAbuja

The leadership of the splinter group in the Reformed All Progressives Congress has expressed hope that the judiciary would help resolve issues involving its grievances.

The national chairman of rAPC, Buba Galadima who spoke at a meeting of APC women groups in Abuja on Friday said that part of the group's grievances was the exclusion of certain segment of the APC during the last nationwide congresses and national convention of the party.

He said that the splinter group was also not comfortable with the manner in which the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had been handling the affairs of the country.

Galadima said that the reason some of them who are key members of the ruling party are insisting that the thing be done is that "as founding members we felt that we can't sit idly and allow things to go wrong".

"All we are seeking for is fair play, transparency, justice, level playground and that everything that was done to bring the so-called National Working Committee to office is being challenged in the court and God willing, we will get justice in court," he said.

"We were voted into office because we promised that we will do better than our predecessors but instead doing better than our predecessors we are worse than them. We did not bargain that all criminal elements and people of questionable character will be migrating into our party to the extent that APC has now turned itself into a safe heaven for those facing corruption charges.

He said for a month plus, the APC, had suffered internal wrangling, caused by disaffection on the part of some members who were excluded from the affairs of party and its administration.

On whether the splinter enjoys broad support from APC members, Galadima said rAPC was more than just a group.

"We've 75% representation across the country.

We're not making efforts to register with INEC. Moreover the APC we're trying to reform is our vehicle. We don't need INEC. We need the court to pronounce.

Asked whether, the faction is considering picking a presidential candidate for 2019, Galadima said: "Why not if the court says we're the authentic leadership".

political activities rather than leaving it for the men.

Justifying his assertion on women, Obasanjo pointed out that a number of men had been prosecuted for several corrupt cases compared to women.

According to him, "Needless to say, woman constitute more than half of our population, in fact 52 per cent, in Nigeria and their contributions to the Growth Domestic Products is great, not as professionals, but as entrepreneurs, especially in the so called informal sector as market women, traders, craftspeople, artisan and farmers, and even by doing unpaid care work at home as

housewives.

"All hindrances to free and compulsory girl-child education in Nigeria for the first nine years of formal school such as culture, religion and so on should be stopped. Child marriage should be made unlawful.

Girls must be able to receive formal education. from primary to tertiary.

When you educate a girl child, you educate a family. We should not lose sight of the that our girls have equal right as boys to lead. We should continue to support them to speak up for themselves, to make decisions about their own lives and take the positions of power to which they are entitled.

Nigeria Air Fraught With Fraud, PDP Tells Buhari Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government to perish the thought of trying to use the ‘unveiling’ of a nonexistent national carrier to beguile Nigerians now that election is around the corner, as such ruse cannot yield any dividend.

The party said it was unfortunate that, having run out of fake promises and not having any development project to parade, President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had now resorted to international kite-flying aimed at hoodwinking unsuspecting Nigerians.

In statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, kola Ologbondiyan, the party said what President Buhari and his handlers fail to understand was that Nigerians could see through their fraud and lies.

"Is it not comical that while other nations are unveiling and rolling out real planes, the Buhari administration, in a most hilarious

manner, is ‘unveiling’ drawings of an airplane, name, logo and imaginary routes of a nonexistent fleet, as our national carrier, in faraway London?

"Apart from drawings of airplanes, there are no structures to indicate that a new airline, billed to commence operation in December this year, is being set up; there are no offices, no recruitment of personnel and no form of ground activity anywhere in the country.

"Does it not smack of pure scam that less than six months to commence operations, the supposed new airline has not even started the process of licensing, even when it takes a minimum of six months for a new airline to obtain Air Operating License and three months to develop its manuals?

"Furthermore, every discerning mind can see through the lies in the announced private sector funding, as the Buhari administration has been unable to list any private investor it has gone into negotiation or signed any form of deal with in the said project," it said.

communities to avoid a situation where the attackers took over their lands and homes as witnessed in previous attacks.

The Cleric demanded for adequate security for the villagers on returning to their villages, adding that relief materials could be taken to them in their homes.

Responding, the victims told the Christian Leaders that during the attacks, military personnel in the area looked away.

Pastor Gyang Bulus, a church leader in the community said; "The soldiers told us that they were not directed by their superiors to intervene and as such there was nothing they could do."

Pam called on the state government to do more to make life worth living again for the people.

The Christian leaders donated bags of rice and other grains, and undisclosed amount of money to the IDPs, encouraging them to be strong against all odds.

Ihedioha, World Bank Chief, Advocate Growth Ending poverty and economic backwardness and installing a regime of economic prosperity in a susutainable way, remain the go-to, for Africa, with specific references to Ghana, Nigeria and other economically challenged African nations.

A former deputy speaker of the house of representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and the World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Mr. Henry Keyari were unanimous in their views that poverty and economic backwardness remain Africa’s biggest challenge even as some countries of the continent continued to celebrate decades of political but questionable economic independence.

Both spoke at the launch of the 2018 edition of the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalism (IFEJ) Flamingo Awards for Business and Financial Journalism in Accra, Ghana during the week.

Ihedioha however remained positive in the midst of what is on ground: “It is true that the level of growth the world expected from us is still far from what is on ground today. But we are coming. Nigeria is coming. Ghana is coming. Africa is coming’’. “Many of you are already aware of the need for Africa to do more in order to overcome poverty and

economic backwardness which has continued to torment us as a people- inspite of the abundant natural resources-enough to make us rule and dominate the world�, said Ihedioha who spoke as the special guest at the event.

Ihedioha who is strongly believed to be gearing up to vie for a top elective position in Nigeria’s 2019 general elections, asked Nigeria, Ghana and the entire continent of Africa to take another look at its leadership recruitment strategy. “To also achieve this level of growth which we need to hit our target in Nigeria, Ghana and the continent, we need a new crop of economic and political leaders.

We need to redefine leadership.

The leadership space available now appears rather small for where we are going’’.

The country director of the World Bank, Mr. Henry Kerali, described the Bretton Wood’s institution’s mission as that of ending extreme poverty and promoting prosperity.

Speaking as the guest speaker on the theme: “Towards better management of natural resources for inclusive growth and development�, the World Bank director warned that Ghana was depleting its natural resource wealth while missing opportunities for economic transformation.

Ekiti Poll: Police Nab 27 Electoral Offenders Victor OgunjeinAdoEkiti

No fewer than 27 persons were arrested by the police for various electoral offences during the last Saturday's governorship election in Ekiti State.

Revealing this in Ado Ekiti on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Bello Ahmed, said they were arrested a day preceding and on election day for offences that violated the Electoral Act .

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command DSP Caleb Okechulwu said 11 of the persons had been arraigned in court.

The statement read: "The peaceful conduct of the election is not without attempts by certain individuals to

truncate the process.

"We commend some well spirited individuals who promptly alerted and informed the police about the activities of these persons.

"Prompt response of the police a day to the election and on the election day led to the arrest of 27 persons for various electoral offences which includes impersonating security agency on election day, undue influence of electorate, snatching of ballot boxes and attempt to disrupt electoral process."

"Eleven of the persons so far arrested have been arraigned in court.

Investigation into the involvement of the others is ongoing and they would be arraigned in court if found culpable at the end of the investigation."

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ

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NEWSXTRA

Two Killed as Train Hits Commuter Bus in Lagos AhamefulaOgbu

It was black Friday in Lagos yesterday as no fewer than two persons lost their lives when a train rammed into a commuter bus at Agege Pen Cinema area.

The bus, according to eyewitnesses was parked by the rail line by an unknown driver, blocking another bus from crossing the rail line.

According to the eyewitness, due to the obstruction caused by the parked car, the second bus could not maneuver out of the train’s path, causing it to ram into bus, killing people in the process.

The accident happened at 8.45am and casualties were

mostly those who hung on the train frame.

A witness further narrated: “The crash occurred due to a bus parked close to rail line while the driver was not in it; a second bus wanted to pass the point but queued behind the parked bus and horned for it to pass so that he could avoid the oncoming train. Before he realised that the driver was not in the vehicle, it was too late and the train crashed into it. The impact lifted the train from its tracks and those who hung on it were thrown off and crushed by the train.”

The impact of the crash on the vehicles triggered a fire, burning the bus while street

urchins allegedly had a field day extorting tricycle operators and motorists who parked close to the rail line.

The harassment of the tricycles nearly led to breakdown of law and order as some whose tricycles were damaged called in the police who made efforts to restore order to the area.

However, both the injured and the dead were evacuated to various hospitals and mortuaries.

The accident caused a traffic snarl which added to the already lockdown which the state has witnessed due to trailers that have invaded residential areas after blocking major roads in the state.

There had been series of ac-

cidents involving trains lately in Lagos largely due to carelessness of commuters.

Few weeks ago, an unidentified lady allegedly tried to jump into a moving train, missed her step and fell on the track and was crushed beyond recognition.

Also, a postdoctoral student at the University of Lagos identified as Fatai Mutiu Abolade was crushed by a train along Ikeja railway line in February.

The identity card found on the man showed that he was studying Economics in UNILAG. He was said to be working on his phone oblivious of the surrounding and apparently did not hear that the train was approaching.

Amosun Opens 45th AAAN AGM/ Congress, Tasks Practitioners On Economic Growth Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has advised advertising practitioners on ways of growing the country's economy for their benefit and that of the country in general.

The governor spoke in Abeokuta yesterday while opening of the 45th Annual General Meeting/Congress of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN).

Amosun was represented at the opening ceremony by Mr. Dayo Adeneye, Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy.

In the opening address delivered at the ceremony, the governor urged practitioners to stick to the ethical code of the profession, especially as politics was in the air, by avoiding divisive and inciting messages. The governor noted that it was by avoiding such that the country could attract more investors and advertising agencies, more clients.

The AGM/Congress, which has as its theme, Growing the Economic Pot: The Role of Advertising, attracted the cream of the profession as well prominent personalities from other fields. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. John Mommoh, CEO, Channels Media

Group, who was represented by Mr. Kingsley Uranta,an Assistant General Manager of the company.

Mommoh noted that the AGM had offered the industry another opportunity to review its processes.

He advised practitioners to keep track of changes in their practice so as to improve knowledge and efficiency.

Mommoh added that with new technologies, the impact of advertising was now more measurable. Leading the discussion on the keynote address was Mr. Philip Isakpa, publisher of Business AM. He was joined by Messrs. Kelechi Nwosu, Managing Director, TBWA Concepts; and Lanre Adisa, Managing Director, Noah's Ark. Adisa noted that agencies had helped brands to grow, but added that many agencies were still traditional in orientation and need to reappraise their roles for improved efficiency and respect.

Nwosu observed that agencies needed to create other things to remain relevant.

The ceremony was chaired by Sir Steve Omojafor, former president of the association.

Enugu Govt. Approves N400m Rural Projects Counterpart Fund

A STEP AHEAD ...

L-R: Managing Director Electronic PayPlus Ltd, Mr. Bayo Adeokun; Chief Ope Badamosi; Chairman Electronic PayPlus Ltd., Mr Ade Adedeji SAN; and Executive Director First Bank Plc., Dr. Remi Oni, at the launch of Quickraiz, a crowdfunding platform at Oriental Hotel, Lagos… recently

2019: Governor’s Wife, Monarch Warn Group Urges Wike to Intervene in A’IbomYouths against Bloodletting the Sealing of NDDC Office Okon Bassey in Uyo

Wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Martha Udom Emmanuel has called on elders and stakeholders in the state to caution the youths against being use as tool or agent of destruction nor to ferment trouble as the 2019 general elections approaches.

Mrs. Emmanuel gave the advice at the inauguration of an Ultra-modern civic centre built and furnished by the State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Comrade Ini Ememobng for the people of the Ibioo Ibom Local Government area where he hails.

“Let me encourage everyone seated here as elections are approaching, please go and talk to your children especially the youths, let them not be used as tool of destruction or agent of violence.

Election will not separate us, election will come and go and we will still remain in Akwa Ibom.

“The youth, I want to advice you not to cause any trouble, don’t allow anybody to take you to warfront only to abandon you to fall a victim. Let the elections

be done orderly; if you cannot make it this time you can make it other time. It is not do or die affair.

“I am begging you, if somebody gives you a gun to go and kill somebody asks him to go and send his son or brother. Don’t be agent of destruction because a day of reckoning is coming. Let this election be the freest election we never had in the country” the Governor wife stressed.

Mrs. Emmanuel was impressed with what the Publicity Secretary of the PDP has so far achieved within his portfolio for his LGA including, provision of water, donation of uniforms, exercise books and other writing materials to primary and secondary school children, providing of artificial limbs to two pupils who had problems with their legs and the building of the civic centre for the people etc.

She used the occasion to challenge elected representatives and people in the position of authority to emulate Comrade Ememobng by doing something for their community as the Governor could not do everything in meeting the needs of the people.

Okon Bassey in Uyo A concern group, the Community Watch of Nigeria (CWN) Thursday appealed to the River State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike to open the National Headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) sealed by the State Government last Monday.

The body strongly condemned the sealing of Niger Delta Development Commission Corporate Headquarters in Port Harcourt by the an agency of the Rivers State Government saying it was a national embarrassment.

Speaking with newsmen, the International President of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Chief Samingo Etukakpan claimed that the action of the Internal Revenue Service of the River State Government was political.

He said the body was appalled by the method applied by the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service in collecting revenue from the Commission when it was on record that NDDC had paid the first tranche and was waiting for the release of funds from the budgetary allocation for further payment before the sad

incident.

The NGO country leader said the act of sealing the Commission's premises was a national embarrassment and a language of political vendetta.

“Rivers State is part of the Commission and they have the greatest benefit in terms of staffing and infrastructural development.

“It is even very outrageous for the Commission to be asked to pay a whopping N460 million as revenue to the Rivers State Government in a stakeholders utility of nine States”, Etukakpan said.

He maintained that it was to the advantage of the Rivers State Government for the commission's corporate headquarters to be cited in Port Harcourt and advised that the State should not exercise that advantage negatively as the Federal government did not make the mistake in the choice of location of the Commission.

Etukakpan called on the Rivers State Governor to direct the Revenue agency to reopen the premises of the commission as its continuous closure is having negative effect on all stakeholders including the nine States of NDDC.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has approved the release of the sum of N400, 238,237 .00 as counterpart fund payment to the state’s Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP II) to enable the project continue effectively.

The project is under the joint sponsorship of the World Bank and French Development Agency in collaboration with the Federal and Enugu State Governments, established to improve the ease of transportation and bring sustained access to the rural population through rehabilitation and maintenance of key rural roads in selected states in the country.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting of the State Executive Council (EXCO), the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr.

Greg Nnaji, stated that Enugu State had taken its pride of place as one of the states where RAMP programme was being implemented effectively.

Mr. Nnaji disclosed that nine rural roads totaling 115.36km were being executed in the first phase of the Enugu RAMP II, adding that “the project is equally preparing the procurement activities associated with selection, design, supervision and construction of the second phase of roads totaling about 400km”.

He noted that the above was in addition to the commencement of the procurement activities for the selection and maintenance of 49.8km of rural roads under the Community Based Road Maintenance and Annual Mechanized Maintenance.

The works Commissioner explained that Enugu RAMP II had an approved budget of N7.6 billion from the World Bank for its 2018 activities. He stated that the Enugu State government’s estimated counterpart funds to the project based on the World Bank budget was N417,730,000.00. He further explained that the amount came down to N400,238,237.00 “because the state government had within

2017 released to the project part payment of the arrears of its 2010 -2017 incentives as well as the money for payment of compensations for the first phase of roads”.

Also approved by the council was the hosting of Coal City Marathon scheduled to take place in Enugu in November this year.

The State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Joseph Udedi told journalists that the race was an international event that would attract participants from the 36 states of the federation including some African countries.

He listed the inherent benefits of the sporting event, which would kick off from Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, through major streets of Enugu metropolis back to the stadium, to include making Enugu State the centre of “Sports tourism in Nigeria and Africa; creating a good relationship and social economic development; showcasing the state’s good image; enhancing the health and fitness of the participants and general growth of the athletes, among others”.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as FAMEWO MOYOSOREOLUWA MOROMOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as JOGUNOSINMI MOYOSOREOLUWA MOROMOKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OZURU OBIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as OZURU OBIOMA DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as GLORIA ADESUWA BELLO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS GLORIA ADESUWA IGBOKIDI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

54

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͯ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸͹Ͷ

55

NEWSXTRA

Two Killed as Train Hits Commuter Bus in Lagos AhamefulaOgbu

It was black Friday in Lagos yesterday as no fewer than two persons lost their lives when a train rammed into a commuter bus at Agege Pen Cinema area.

The bus, according to eyewitnesses was parked by the rail line by an unknown driver, blocking another bus from crossing the rail line.

According to the eyewitness, due to the obstruction caused by the parked car, the second bus could not maneuver out of the train’s path, causing it to ram into bus, killing people in the process.

The accident happened at 8.45am and casualties were

mostly those who hung on the train frame.

A witness further narrated: “The crash occurred due to a bus parked close to rail line while the driver was not in it; a second bus wanted to pass the point but queued behind the parked bus and horned for it to pass so that he could avoid the oncoming train. Before he realised that the driver was not in the vehicle, it was too late and the train crashed into it. The impact lifted the train from its tracks and those who hung on it were thrown off and crushed by the train.”

The impact of the crash on the vehicles triggered a fire, burning the bus while street

urchins allegedly had a field day extorting tricycle operators and motorists who parked close to the rail line.

The harassment of the tricycles nearly led to breakdown of law and order as some whose tricycles were damaged called in the police who made efforts to restore order to the area.

However, both the injured and the dead were evacuated to various hospitals and mortuaries.

The accident caused a traffic snarl which added to the already lockdown which the state has witnessed due to trailers that have invaded residential areas after blocking major roads in the state.

There had been series of ac-

cidents involving trains lately in Lagos largely due to carelessness of commuters.

Few weeks ago, an unidentified lady allegedly tried to jump into a moving train, missed her step and fell on the track and was crushed beyond recognition.

Also, a postdoctoral student at the University of Lagos identified as Fatai Mutiu Abolade was crushed by a train along Ikeja railway line in February.

The identity card found on the man showed that he was studying Economics in UNILAG. He was said to be working on his phone oblivious of the surrounding and apparently did not hear that the train was approaching.

Amosun Opens 45th AAAN AGM/ Congress, Tasks Practitioners On Economic Growth Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has advised advertising practitioners on ways of growing the country's economy for their benefit and that of the country in general.

The governor spoke in Abeokuta yesterday while opening of the 45th Annual General Meeting/Congress of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN).

Amosun was represented at the opening ceremony by Mr. Dayo Adeneye, Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy.

In the opening address delivered at the ceremony, the governor urged practitioners to stick to the ethical code of the profession, especially as politics was in the air, by avoiding divisive and inciting messages. The governor noted that it was by avoiding such that the country could attract more investors and advertising agencies, more clients.

The AGM/Congress, which has as its theme, Growing the Economic Pot: The Role of Advertising, attracted the cream of the profession as well prominent personalities from other fields. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. John Mommoh, CEO, Channels Media

Group, who was represented by Mr. Kingsley Uranta,an Assistant General Manager of the company.

Mommoh noted that the AGM had offered the industry another opportunity to review its processes.

He advised practitioners to keep track of changes in their practice so as to improve knowledge and efficiency.

Mommoh added that with new technologies, the impact of advertising was now more measurable. Leading the discussion on the keynote address was Mr. Philip Isakpa, publisher of Business AM. He was joined by Messrs. Kelechi Nwosu, Managing Director, TBWA Concepts; and Lanre Adisa, Managing Director, Noah's Ark. Adisa noted that agencies had helped brands to grow, but added that many agencies were still traditional in orientation and need to reappraise their roles for improved efficiency and respect.

Nwosu observed that agencies needed to create other things to remain relevant.

The ceremony was chaired by Sir Steve Omojafor, former president of the association.

Enugu Govt. Approves N400m Rural Projects Counterpart Fund

A STEP AHEAD ...

L-R: Managing Director Electronic PayPlus Ltd, Mr. Bayo Adeokun; Chief Ope Badamosi; Chairman Electronic PayPlus Ltd., Mr Ade Adedeji SAN; and Executive Director First Bank Plc., Dr. Remi Oni, at the launch of Quickraiz, a crowdfunding platform at Oriental Hotel, Lagos… recently

2019: Governor’s Wife, Monarch Warn Group Urges Wike to Intervene in A’IbomYouths against Bloodletting the Sealing of NDDC Office Okon Bassey in Uyo

Wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Martha Udom Emmanuel has called on elders and stakeholders in the state to caution the youths against being use as tool or agent of destruction nor to ferment trouble as the 2019 general elections approaches.

Mrs. Emmanuel gave the advice at the inauguration of an Ultra-modern civic centre built and furnished by the State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Comrade Ini Ememobng for the people of the Ibioo Ibom Local Government area where he hails.

“Let me encourage everyone seated here as elections are approaching, please go and talk to your children especially the youths, let them not be used as tool of destruction or agent of violence.

Election will not separate us, election will come and go and we will still remain in Akwa Ibom.

“The youth, I want to advice you not to cause any trouble, don’t allow anybody to take you to warfront only to abandon you to fall a victim. Let the elections

be done orderly; if you cannot make it this time you can make it other time. It is not do or die affair.

“I am begging you, if somebody gives you a gun to go and kill somebody asks him to go and send his son or brother. Don’t be agent of destruction because a day of reckoning is coming. Let this election be the freest election we never had in the country” the Governor wife stressed.

Mrs. Emmanuel was impressed with what the Publicity Secretary of the PDP has so far achieved within his portfolio for his LGA including, provision of water, donation of uniforms, exercise books and other writing materials to primary and secondary school children, providing of artificial limbs to two pupils who had problems with their legs and the building of the civic centre for the people etc.

She used the occasion to challenge elected representatives and people in the position of authority to emulate Comrade Ememobng by doing something for their community as the Governor could not do everything in meeting the needs of the people.

Okon Bassey in Uyo A concern group, the Community Watch of Nigeria (CWN) Thursday appealed to the River State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike to open the National Headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) sealed by the State Government last Monday.

The body strongly condemned the sealing of Niger Delta Development Commission Corporate Headquarters in Port Harcourt by the an agency of the Rivers State Government saying it was a national embarrassment.

Speaking with newsmen, the International President of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Chief Samingo Etukakpan claimed that the action of the Internal Revenue Service of the River State Government was political.

He said the body was appalled by the method applied by the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service in collecting revenue from the Commission when it was on record that NDDC had paid the first tranche and was waiting for the release of funds from the budgetary allocation for further payment before the sad

incident.

The NGO country leader said the act of sealing the Commission's premises was a national embarrassment and a language of political vendetta.

“Rivers State is part of the Commission and they have the greatest benefit in terms of staffing and infrastructural development.

“It is even very outrageous for the Commission to be asked to pay a whopping N460 million as revenue to the Rivers State Government in a stakeholders utility of nine States”, Etukakpan said.

He maintained that it was to the advantage of the Rivers State Government for the commission's corporate headquarters to be cited in Port Harcourt and advised that the State should not exercise that advantage negatively as the Federal government did not make the mistake in the choice of location of the Commission.

Etukakpan called on the Rivers State Governor to direct the Revenue agency to reopen the premises of the commission as its continuous closure is having negative effect on all stakeholders including the nine States of NDDC.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has approved the release of the sum of N400, 238,237 .00 as counterpart fund payment to the state’s Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP II) to enable the project continue effectively.

The project is under the joint sponsorship of the World Bank and French Development Agency in collaboration with the Federal and Enugu State Governments, established to improve the ease of transportation and bring sustained access to the rural population through rehabilitation and maintenance of key rural roads in selected states in the country.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting of the State Executive Council (EXCO), the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr.

Greg Nnaji, stated that Enugu State had taken its pride of place as one of the states where RAMP programme was being implemented effectively.

Mr. Nnaji disclosed that nine rural roads totaling 115.36km were being executed in the first phase of the Enugu RAMP II, adding that “the project is equally preparing the procurement activities associated with selection, design, supervision and construction of the second phase of roads totaling about 400km”.

He noted that the above was in addition to the commencement of the procurement activities for the selection and maintenance of 49.8km of rural roads under the Community Based Road Maintenance and Annual Mechanized Maintenance.

The works Commissioner explained that Enugu RAMP II had an approved budget of N7.6 billion from the World Bank for its 2018 activities. He stated that the Enugu State government’s estimated counterpart funds to the project based on the World Bank budget was N417,730,000.00. He further explained that the amount came down to N400,238,237.00 “because the state government had within

2017 released to the project part payment of the arrears of its 2010 -2017 incentives as well as the money for payment of compensations for the first phase of roads”.

Also approved by the council was the hosting of Coal City Marathon scheduled to take place in Enugu in November this year.

The State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Joseph Udedi told journalists that the race was an international event that would attract participants from the 36 states of the federation including some African countries.

He listed the inherent benefits of the sporting event, which would kick off from Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, through major streets of Enugu metropolis back to the stadium, to include making Enugu State the centre of “Sports tourism in Nigeria and Africa; creating a good relationship and social economic development; showcasing the state’s good image; enhancing the health and fitness of the participants and general growth of the athletes, among others”.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as FAMEWO MOYOSOREOLUWA MOROMOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as JOGUNOSINMI MOYOSOREOLUWA MOROMOKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OZURU OBIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as OZURU OBIOMA DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as GLORIA ADESUWA BELLO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS GLORIA ADESUWA IGBOKIDI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

TR

Saturday, July 21, 2018

UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Nwodo on Executive Order 6 “Not too long ago, the President signed into law an Executive order, which gives him the right to seize people’s assets. This is almost like a military government.

And we think that this is an intrusion into the principles of separation of powers in our country. I do not think that Section 5 of the Constitution gives the President such executive authority to make laws.” –The President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, chastising President Muhammadu Buhari’s Executive Order 6.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Do These Guys Understand Simple Arithmetic At All?

F

ellow Nigerians, permit me to say how flattered I was when the man of God, Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly, described me as one of the pen prophets in Nigeria and included humble me amongst the columnists he reads regularly. I can’t thank him enough for the extra-special lengths he went to make my book launch a huge success. To whom much is given, much is certainly expected. To qualify to be a prophet means most if not all my prophecies must be as accurate as possible.

This is the main reason I have decided to project into the future again, and once more tell our President the truth cronies will never tell him and his kitchen cabinet.

It is obvious that the ruling party is now enmeshed in a peculiar mess (apologies to the great young Ibadan politician of old, Adegoke Adelabu of Penkelemesi fame), almost far worse than what happened under the government of President Goodluck Jonathan. What that means is that if elections were held today, the figures wouldn’t add up for Mr President in particular. I will try to explain this simple unpalatable fact, but unacceptable reality nonetheless, in a short moment. What I’m trying to say without any equivocation or doubt or fear of contradiction is that President Muhammadu Buhari should not take it for granted that he would easily coast home to victory like he did in 2015, bearing in mind that his margin of victory was the smallest since the Fourth Republic began in 1999.

In the days of President Jonathan in power, you needed some knowledge of Additional Mathematics combined with Algebra to unravel the political permutations but not anymore. Today, your knowledge need not go beyond elementary Arithmetic.

Any discerning mind can see very clearly that the present ruling party APC is already in disarray and being held precariously together by a thin thread of government patronage and fear of almighty EFCC amid the nebulous concept of probity and anticorruption that the government has been bandying about. God knows that as we inch closer and closer to the next general elections, the President would see giant monsters jumping out of the closets that he felt were very empty and squeaky clean.

By then it might be too late to salvage the situation because he is likely to have become a veritable lame duck with very few willing to do is bidding because they think he is on his way out.

It is incredible how man, as mere mortal, often forgets the past so soon. No one needs to travel too far to discover the danger lurking around the corner for the President and his ruling party. But it seems everyman likes to believe whatever lies he is told by those who should, ordinarily, be his guardian angels. I have had the chance of speaking directly to a few of the principal actors and forewarned them about the tragedy to come but I’m not sure the falcon is listening to the falconer. If it is, we are having a hard time and difficult job hearing what is being said!

If you’re on social media, you’ll feel very sorry for our dear beloved country.

The war between, and inside, the different political parties is unbelievable. While the leaders meet regularly, the gba-ran-mi-delerus (busybodies) are abusing themselves slavishly, foolishly and without decorum. Everyone

President Muhammadu Buhari

they disagree with is a looter, a corrupt man, a wailer and a hater - Lord-have-mercy on poor souls. What the fanatical supporters of this government fail to realise is that it is becoming almost an impossibility for the Federal Government to lock down four out of our six regions that it needs to if it must retain the Presidency. Even at the height of his popularity, Baba couldn’t win elections three consecutive times before the 2015 elections. Not much has changed from the political realities of that period. The ‘Change’ factor of 2015, which saw the amalgamation and consolidation of diverse strange bed-fellows has long since shown its true colours as merely a house of wafer thin pack of cards! It is remarkable that the grand alliance many saw as the pathway to a bright and glorious future has been blown away without even a tempest or typhoon.

The sad truth is that there is virtually no region today where APC is not embattled, in some regions, it even appears as if it is in its death throes.

The arguments of many APC diehards include the fact that APC won the controversial gubernatorial election in Ekiti State. While I congratulate my dear friend, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on his hard won and well-deserved victory, given his qualifications, capabilities and antecedents, APC should not assume it would easily replicate the same feat at the Federal level and at a general election. Any discerning mind would have known that the Federal might would play a critical role in the Ekiti State election. When I predicted the outcome of that election and how the scenario would play out, one young man working for Governor Peter Fayose rained venom and invectives on me like a rabid dog. Today the barking man has not uttered as much as a whimper. Such is the debilitating power of defeat.

Let me now explain why it may not be so easy for President Buhari to play the Ekiti game nationally. It was said that about 30,000 police officers were drafted to maintain law and order in Ekiti State at the just concluded elections. I leave, for another day, the issues surrounding raging questions about how and where the government found the funding, capacity and willingness to deploy such humongous human and material security forces and

equipment to a small State like Ekiti State in the wake of the ravaging Boko Haram menace, the rampaging herdsmen and the riotous militants. One would have thought that a nation afflicted with the security nightmare that insurgency, militancy and terrorism presents would not deem fit to deploy such military and police might for electioneering purposes when these terrible scourges are consuming the land. I suppose, the government considers winning elections and staying in power as much more important than the lives and security of the people they swore to protect when they assumed office. Whatever the reason, we saw what must be the largest possible example of the militarisation of a State since independence. That really is the point. Can this be sustained at the Federal level for the upcoming Presidential and gubernatorial elections? I doubt it. I give my reasons below.

The entire work force of the Nigerian Police is not more than about 300,000 personnel. With 30,000 police deployed to one state alone means about 10% of the work force being deployed to that State.

Ekiti is one of the smallest States in the Federation, and there are 36 States and a Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Even if only 15,000 policemen were deployed to Ekiti State and there was a desire to do this at the national level for the Presidential elections, only 20 out of 36 States and the FCT would be covered. This would leave a shortfall of 16 States. If we take the Ekiti State example and deploy 30,000 per State, only 10 States would be covered. This would also mean that for the duration, the entire police force would only be dealing with elections. Open season indeed for crooks, criminals and terrorists! To be frank the question for the young student of arithmetic is where then would the government find such number of police per State to assemble, and possibly manipulate, to achieve pre-determined goals?

Depending on who the candidate of the PDP is, I’m certain, APC will find it difficult to have its past grip on the Northern Region. Contrary to the belief that President Buhari enjoys cult-followership in the North, the reality is that this is not the case and that this aphorism cannot stand any casual scrutiny not to mention rigorous examination. The ill-concealed fact is that the President is perceived to have such a cult following because of the outcome of the 2015 Presidential elections when the President won massively in the Northern part of Nigeria. However, the perception falls flat on its face when you examine the previous elections before 2015 critically. It is clear that the President did well in the North in those past elections, but the truth is that PDP did just as well. On a comparative basis in those previous elections, the President did a lot better this time around. What changed? As simplistic as it may sound, it was the ‘CHANGE’ mantra that made the difference. Significantly, people came together to work for President Buhari to emerge. It was not a solitary effort or lone victory! It was the victory of the people.

Hitherto strong PDP enclaves suddenly saw President Buhari as the person who would bring them out of the doldrums and improve their lot. They supported him not because of what he stood for, or

his person, but because they were weary and tired of the Jonathan government and its many acts of impunity, financial recklessness and brazen kleptocracy by senior government officials who did not have the welfare of the Nigerian masses at their heart. Indeed, the choice before Nigeria in 2015 was stark! It was either Jonathan or Buhari. And Nigerians did not want Jonathan much more than a case of wanting Buhari. We are at the same threshold now.

In truth, the PDP has traditionally been a Northern Party per se and it still commands substantial support in that area of the country. I keep saying that had President Jonathan been able to garner half the number of those who supported him in the North in the 2011 elections what we are saying today would not have been the story! A different reality would have been upon us. President Jonathan won in 2011 not because the North liked him personally, but because the North wanted to vote with PDP as it has been wont to do for many generations! PDP is beginning to learn its lesson and it is starting to make amends. The Party is no longer flaunting its greatly curtailed power. Its officers and Party faithfuls no longer take anything for granted. They know they must work hard to overcome the prejudices and biases of the people against them. They now appreciate that there is no certainty in politics. That realisation, which the APC appears to have had in 2015, is what the APC of 2018 now seems to be lacking. At the rate members are deserting APC in droves, it is only a matter of time before things fall apart completely.

The PDP will certainly field a Northerner to neutralise whatever might be the Buhari effect. This person would be certain to be heavily backed by other aspirants who may not get the party ticket. It is not likely that Buhari can overwhelmingly take over the North Central and North East this time around. Even in the North West, landslide victor is not assured. Every little whittling of the Buhari numbers from the 2015 elections diminishes his overall tally and makes him a sitting duck.

The promises made by APC would also be under critical scrutiny and those not kept would become subjects of public ridicule and odium. The Southern parts have become nearly no go zones, especially in the South South and South East. The South West is the only part where the President and APC may garner something a bit sizable from the Southern parts with the help of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the South West Governors. That is why Ekiti State suddenly became a do-or-die affair. The desperation was palpable, and victory had to be rammed down the throat of the electorate by all means, by hook or crook, by fire, by force! However, the use of force won’t work this time around, not least because the numbers just don’t add up and there is not enough manpower on the ground to replicate the Ekiti State debacle.

With the margin of victory in Ekiti State so slim and wafer thin, despite the massive security apparatus and personnel deployed to enforce a victory, it appears that the game is up! The numbers game may have finally caught up with the President. Something overtly drastic has to be attempted and done to turn things around positively.

Time will surely tell!

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