SATURDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2018

FG, ASUU Talks Deadlocked again, Shutdown of Varsities Enters 4th Month Nigige: We've met demand half-way Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Another meeting between the federal government and the leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) ended yesterday in

Abuja without an agreement on the major issue at stake.

ASUU had demanded the release of N50 billion as first trench of the revitalisation fund meant to address decaying infrastructure in the nation's

public tertiary institutions.

The meeting yesterday was the ninth edition of the FG-ASUU talks that had ended in deadlock, even as the public-funded universities have remained shut down

nationwide.

Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige said some progress had been made.

According to him, it is left

for the ASUU to consult with its members and get back on Thursday when the parties would reconvene.

Ngige said: "It has been protracted but the good news is that we have gotten to the

end of the tunnel."

On whether federal government had agreed to release the N50 billion demanded by ASUU, Ngige Continued on page 6

Amnesty International Raises the Alarm over Unending Killings in Rann… Page 6 Saturday 2 February, 2019 Vol 24. No 8700

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The Economist Insists Atiku will Win Presidential Election

Benneth Oghifo

GOODBYE MOTHER MARIA...

L-R: Chairman, Metis Capital Partners, Hakeem Belo-Osagie; his wife, Myma; President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki and Chairman Forte Oil, Femi Otedola at the reception after the funeral service for Mrs. Maria Iyalekhue Belo-Osagie, Hakeem's mother, held at Harbour Point, Victoria Isand, Lagos... yesterday kunle ogunfuyi

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Africa is insisting that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, will win the February 16 presidential election.

Yesterday, EIU Africa said the margin of victory was getting narrower as the election Continued on page 6

PDP Demands for Buhari’s Disqualification for Using ‘Mercenaries’ at Kano Rally Ribadu: Nothing unlawful in foreigners campaigning for president Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari from the February 16th election for allegedly importing mercenaries to influence his election.

The party also, in a separate

statement issued in Abuja yesterday, urged INEC to investigate Buhari for “compromising the country’s territorial integrity after it smuggled in a crowd from Niger Republic to populate its presidential campaign in Kano State.”

However, the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) cum Director of Field Operations in the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Continued on page 6

THE FUTURE OF TELECOMS IS HERE...

L-R: Chief Operating Officer, Premium Times, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed; Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Technical, Globacom, Mr. Bisi Koleoso and Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, during the unveiling of Globacom’s new direction for 2019 at a media stakeholders’ forum held in Lagos… yesterday (See story on page 54)

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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ ˜ ͺ˜ ͺ͸͹΁

PAGE SIX

Amnesty International Raises the Alarm over Unending Killings in Rann 60 persons slaughtered on Monday by Boko Haram Satellite imagery shows hundreds of burnt homes Chika Amanze-Nwachuku áÓÞÒ ËÑÏØÍã ÜÏÚÙÜÞ Amnesty International issued a global alert yesterday, indicating that at least 60 people were killed on Monday, as Boko Haram fighters renewed its attack on Rann, a border town in Borno State.

The attack, described as one of the bloodiest in the group’s decade-long insurgency, came barely two weeks after Boko Haram had overrun the same town, driving out soldiers attached to the area.

Amnesty International said in the report that its satellite imagery also showed hundreds of burned structures in the town. “Many of the destroyed structures only date back to 2017,

suggesting they were shelters for internally displaced people who came to Rann seeking protection,” said the organisation.

“We have now confirmed that this week’s attack on Rann was the deadliest yet by Boko Haram, killing at least 60 people. Using satellite imagery, we have also been able to confirm the mass burning of structures as Boko Haram unleashed a massive assault on Rann, most of which is now destroyed,” said Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

He added: “This attack on civilians who have already been displaced by the bloody conflict may amount to possible war crime, and those responsible must be brought to justice.

Disturbingly, witnesses told

us that Nigerian soldiers abandoned their posts the day before the attack, demonstrating the authorities’ utter failure to protect civilians.”

The organisation noted that alleged withdrawal of troops triggered a massive exodus of civilians to Cameroon, as fear spread that Boko Haram would take advantage and attack the town.

It further added: “At around 9am on 28 January, a group of Boko Haram fighters arrived on motorcycles. They set houses ablaze and killed those left behind. They also chased after those who attempted to escape and killed some people outside the town. Eleven bodies were found within Rann town, and 49 bodies were found outside.”

Amnesty International said it was informed that about 50 people have not been accounted for. “Those who took part in the burial explained what they saw,” the organisation stated in the release yesterday.

“Ten of us (Civilian Joint Task Force) came from Cameroon to Rann for the burial. When we arrived, we found and buried 11 corpses within the town, but the soldiers told us that they buried several others ... who had decayed. Outside the town, we recovered and buried 49 dead bodies all with gunshot wounds”, it quoted an eyewitness to the aftermath of Boko Haram's attack to have said.

According to the organisation, aid agencies had reported that

some 30,000 civilians fled for the border with Cameroon in recent days, joining a further 9,000 who fled Boko Haram’s previous attack on Rann on 14 January.

Amnesty International said it also analysed satellite images from 30 January 2019 showing hundreds of structures burned in the east, south and southeast of Rann. It noted that environmental sensors detected fires in the area on 28 and 29 January.

The organisation recalled that in the January 14 attack, Boko Haram burned well over 100 structures in other areas of Rann. These two recent attacks, it said have left most of the town heavily damaged or destroyed.

Amnesty International, therefore, called on Nigerian

authorities to investigate the alleged withdrawal of security forces of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) from Rann, which may have left tens of thousands of civilians exposed to this latest deadly attack.

“Boko Haram has consistently and deliberately targeted civilian in Rann, which makes the Nigerian authorities’ failure to protect people all the more unacceptable,” said Ojigho.

“The authorities on both sides of the border must provide the supplies and safety that these people require. The Cameroonian authorities must also desist from forcing people to return until conditions are safe and they choose to do so voluntarily,” the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria stressed.

PDP DEMANDS FOR BUHARI’S DISQUALIFICATION FOR USING ‘MERCENARIES’ AT KANO RALLY Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said that there was nothing unlawful about any government official or individual from West African countries joining to campaign for the reelection of Buhari.

The National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus made the call for Buhari’s disqualification yesterday at the Pa Oruta Ngele Township Stadium, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, venue of the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in the state.

Secondus described as shameful, the incidents in Kano on Thursday during the APC presidential campaign “where governors and other mercenaries from neighbouring countries especially Niger Republic attended the rally and openly campaigned for the president.”

He said such action showed that the APC intends to import more foreign nationals into the country to influence the elections and called on INEC to disqualify the party from the elections.

“Let me warn INEC that what we witnessed in Kano on Thursday is the worst that we have seen in the country where people from other countries like Niger and Chad came to influence the election in Nigeria.

“We ask INEC to disqualify Buhari for bringing in mercenaries to influence the election. INEC better be warned that you cannot rig this

election. We have already won this election. Atiku believes in the youths and women, that is why they are always trooping out massively to welcome him anywhere we have gone”.

At the rally, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki lamented the high rate of hunger and unemployment in the country since the APC came to power.

He attributed the economic downturn in the country to the inexperience of the ruling government in management of the economy.

“Atiku is experienced having been in the private sector, so vote for a man that can talk to anybody, bring in investors to Nigeria, eliminate hunger from the land and revitalise the economy. That man is Atiku Abubakar,” Saraki said Atiku in his own speech commended the state governor for the huge transformation going on in the state and promised that such would be replicated in the entire country when he becomes the President.

While promising that Southeast would not be marginalised in his government, Atiku urged the people to vote and protect their votes to ensure that they would count in the end.

“I have been coming to this state since it was created and I can tell you that the greatest transformation in this state has been done by Umahi. The

people of Ebonyi have been loyal to Ebonyi and PDP has been loyal to Ebonyi State.

Every facility in this state was provided by PDP. I want to promise you that Ebonyi will never be marginalised again.

“This is your best time for the southeast. Come out in numbers and vote for PDP. I have been to many states in this country; I have not seen this kind of mobilisation. I want to single out governor Umahi and commend him for such mobilisation. This is the only road that they are building with concrete. It means your roads are going to be a lifetime road. It is only somebody like Umahi who can do that. Not only do you vote but you should protect your votes”, Atiku stressed.

Meanwhile, in his statement yesterday, the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, warned that the presence of the Niger Republic governors at Buhari’s rally signposted a direct assault on the credibility of the presidential elections.

He said this was particularly against the backdrop of INEC’s plans to allow Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in that country to vote during elections, a situation it said opened the way for aliens to infiltrate as IDPs and participate in the elections.

According to him, “President

THE ECONOMIST INSISTS ATIKU WILL WIN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION approaches, but Atiku and his political party will win the historic election.

“Less than two weeks before #Nigeria‘s presidential election. Abubakar has floated idea of corruption amnesty. It is arguably an impolitic time for such a delicate proposal.

“Abubakar is hard-pressed to convince voters that he is a clean politician, having been on the receiving end of numerous graft allegations in the past.

“We retain out forecast for #Abubakar to win, but expected margin of victory is narrowing as the poll approaches,” EIU Africa tweeted.

The research unit of Londonbased The Economist Magazine had said in 2018 that the PDP will win the 2019 election.

“With the vote likely to be split in the North, Abubakar will

find it easier to garner support from the country’s south, which has traditionally been a safe haven for the PDP. “This gives Abubakar an edge, as does popular frustration over the rise in joblessness and poverty (two of the biggest voter concerns) on Mr. Buhari’s watch, as well as growing insecurity in central Nigeria.”

Lai Mohammed, minister for information and culture, had said The Economist’s prediction was nothing but fake news.

“We have all read that the intelligence unit of The Economist said the PDP will defeat the ruling APC in 2019,” he had said.

“We have also read that the international financial institution HSBC said Nigeria’s economic development will be stunted if President Buhari gets a second

term “Let me state clearly that these reports are based on fake premises and, therefore, qualify as fake news. It is a psychological warfare by those who have been badly hit by our policies.”

In 2015, the magazine also predicted victory for Muhammadu Buhari over then-incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, stating that Buhari was “the least awful choice,” which would be chosen “with a heavy heart”.

“Voters have ample cause to send Mr Jonathan packing.

In a country where power has often changed through the barrel of a gun, the opposition All Progressives Congress has a real chance of winning through the ballot box,” The Economist said in 2015.

Buhari and the APC, in their desperation have compromised our territorial integrity as a nation and this portends grave danger to our national security and the sanctity of our electoral process.

“For a nation contending with insurgency and banditry, the involvement of mercenaries from neighbouring countries in the APC rally must be condemned by all and sundry.

This is particularly against the backdrop of claims by President Buhari that killer herdsmen ravaging our nation are mercenaries who are infiltrating from the Sahel region.”

Ologbondiyan noted that the promise by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State to deliver five million votes to Buhari in the 2019 elections was predicated on the unfettered opening of the country’s international borders to foreign political interests.

Ologbindiyan stressed that Nigerians could now understand the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, when he stated recently that; “there is also an international dimension to the evil plan. Some armed mercenaries from the Niger Republic have been contracted to attack top government functionaries, including state governors, across the Northwest between now and the elections.”

The main opposition party stated that its apprehensions were accentuated by INEC's recent mass creation of additional polling units, which had not been properly designated and which may be deployed for the perpetuation

of monumental electoral fraud.

The party recalled how Kano State, in 2015, delivered 1.9 million votes to the APC presidential candidate in circumstances devoid of transparency and credulity.

Against this background, the PDP demands an urgent and thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the presence of politicians and thugs from Niger Republic at the APC presidential rally in Kano on Thursday.

Ologbondiyan stated: “Already, there are apprehensions that miscreants who came from Niger Republic to President Buhari’s rally are being offered accommodation in our country by the APC to unleash violence immediately it is clear that President Buhari is losing in the February 16 presidential election.

“The APC and the Buhari Presidency must immediately explain the roles being played

by Issa Moussa, Governor of Zinder and his counterpart from Maradi, Zakiri Umar both of the Niger Republic, who were sighted decked in the attires and official logos of the APC, in our political affairs.

“Our security agencies must immediately investigate and lay in the public domain the circumstances leading to their presence, which more or less confirms that the APC has lost all domestic credibility and has assumed a desperate mode.

“What was the true purpose of the invitation of these foreigners to the APC rally in Kano on Thursday? What secret deals did APC leaders make with them at the expense of our national security?

“It begs the question of how a government that vilified credible international bodies that genuinely advised on the need for a free and fair election, as interfering in our elections, would now be spending public resources rent political mercenaries from neighbouring countries.

“We know that APC's jettisoning of our territorial integrity and national security to hire crowds from Niger Republic is borne out of frustration over the recent successes and massive turn out of supporters at PDP rallies held in the North West.”

Defending the presence of foreigners in the Kano campaign rally at a training programme organised for APC vote canvassers yesterday, Ribadu said the presence of two governors from Niger Republic at Buhari’s campaign in Kano did not infringe on Nigeria's electoral law.

"For your information, it is a free world and it is the constitutional right of everyone to be where he wants to be.

You have no right to curtail anybody from doing what he wants to do. People from West Africa are free to move into Nigeria. We have a protocol or agreement that they don't need a visa to come into this country.

"I know for sure that they don’t have the vote but as a free West African who believe that someone has done extremely very well, and decided to identify himself with what he believes in, I don’t think there is anything wrong and I don’t think there is any crime committed," he said.

FG, ASUU TALKS DEADLOCKED AGAIN, SHUTDOWN OF VARSITIES ENTERS 4TH MONTH said government had offered ASUU something very reasonable “and they have agreed to take it back to their people and to reconvene next Thursday.”

"We have met it half way.

We have offered what we have, we don't have N50 billion. The Minister of Finance has also said that the federal government cannot afford N50 billion now," he added.

On his part, the National President of ASUU, Biodun Ogunyemi said that the meeting had made some progress and that they were going back to

consult with their members.

He also said that another meeting had been scheduled for next week, Thursday where the two parties hope to further deliberate on the way forward.

"The meeting has been adjourned till Thursday, we will be here again to continue talks," he said.

When asked to give details of the new offer made to ASUU by the government, Ogunyemi said he could not disclose it until it got to his members first.

"We presented the feedback from members on the previous

discussions with the FG and we have another set of information to our members and until we give them, we are not going to speak about it," he said.

The ASUU president said that the union would definitely have something to tell Nigerians after the next meeting on Thursday.

At the resumed talks yesterday, ASUU leadership restated the union's demand for a N50 billion revitalisation fund as the benchmark for resolution of the current industrial dispute.

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The North They Claim to Love So Much…

ew days back, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, accused northern elders of not doing enough to end Boko Haram assault, attacks by killer herders and banditry in the region, contending that their conspiracy of silence fuelled the escalation of the challenges. Dogara wondered why the Borno elders that were so vocal during the Jonathan era suddenly became silent despite the escalation of Boko Haram attacks in the state.

I concur with Dogara, but it is not just the so called northern elders that have failed the North. Northerners who dominate security agencies and political appointments under President Muhammadu Buhari have failed the masses of the people in this hapless region of Nigeria. It is a shame that the North they claim to love so much has continued to degenerate in the last four years.

The power, wealth and positions they enjoy under Buhari have not translated into better life for their people. They are using them for their selfish interest, while the masses of the people wallow in pain and poverty. This region, on whose platform they climbed the ladder of progress, remains the poster boy of poverty in Nigeria; home to the highest number of out of school children; home to the highest infant and maternal mortality and all the negatives you can think of.

Boko Haram insurgency, killer herders and banditry have compounded the misery of this region. The situation is prevalent in Borno, Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue states. Virtually all the states in the North are in security mess, yet, their sons and daughters dominate Nigerian federal political appointments and head virtually all security agencies, posh departments and agencies.

An obviously depressed Dogara added: “Where are the leaders of Northern Nigeria, where this problem has become endemic?

What are they saying? The truth is that if we don’t rise to the challenge, sooner than later, if things continue this way, we are not going to have a country. So, it is our responsibility to rescue Nigeria from the clutches of insecurity, because without security we cannot even understand the meaning of democracy.

“Now, the sad commentary about the elite

It is not just the so called northern elders that have failed the North.

Northerners who dominate security agencies and political appointments under President Muhammadu Buhari have failed the masses of the people in this hapless region of Nigeria.

It is a shame that the North they claim to love so much has continued to degenerate in the last four years. The power, wealth and positions they enjoy under Buhari have not translated into better life for their people in Nigeria is that we have all by our silence become enabler to those who have been unable to tackle this insecurity. And you know what enabler do? Enabler don’t build a country, they only instigate or worship an individual to a position where they will compare such a person with God and none of us was built to receive worship. Any human being who accepts worship will meet destruction. That is why we are witnessing destruction in Nigeria, because we have elevated some human beings to the status of God. And we need to rise up as a people to rescue the country from the clutches of insecurity.”

Dogara has spoken very well. I will go a step further. If these so called Northern elders truly love the North, I urge them to

spend quality time reading the Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) World Report 2019 released few weeks back. I know pretty well that they have taken a decision on whom to back for President on February 16. Perhaps, reading this report will prick their conscience.

While reviewing insecurity in Nigeria in 2018, HRW blamed the Buhari government for its failure to ensure adequate protection for citizens and failure to hold the attackers accountable: “The government’s failure to ensure adequate protection for citizens and accountability for attacks is a clear indication of huge gaps in security. Nigerian authorities’ response to the heightened violence has led to little concrete and meaningful change. The failure of security forces to effectively respond to attacks and their use of lethal force against unarmed civilians are a troubling trend that needs to be addressed.”

It reported further that at least 1,200 people were killed and nearly 200,000 displaced by Boko Haram in 2018 while another 1,600 people were killed and 300,000 displaced as a result of inter-communal violence in the north central region in the same year.

The global human rights watchdog continued: “Abductions, suicide bombings, and attacks on civilian targets by Boko Haram continued (in 2018) despite proclamations of the group’s defeat by government forces. In June, herdsmen attacked villages in Plateau State, killing 86 people and injuring hundreds, including women and children, apparently in retaliation for an alleged earlier killing of five herdsmen by farmers.

In September, suspected herdsmen killed 51 people and abducted about 24 others in Numan, Adamawa State.

“At least 45 people were killed in an attack by bandits in Gwaska village, Kaduna State, in May. Zamfara State was perhaps the worst affected by frequent bandit attacks, which killed at least 400 people and displaced over 38,000 in 2018.”

The attacks captured by HRW were just few of the massacres in the North in 2018.

The previous three years were equally traumatic for residents of this region. Genuine patriots will evidently agree with the conclusion of Dogara that the 2019 election should be a referendum about insecurity and hunger in our land. Let us all shine our eyes.

Still on Onnoghen’s Suspension Those clapping for President Muhammadu Buhari in his ongoing war against the purportedly suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Walter Onnoghen, always run away from the fact that the CCT order the President relied on to suspend the CJN remains an abnormality. How can a Tribunal that is yet to resolve its jurisdiction to hear a case, go on to issue an ex-parte order? This is an abnormality.

The law is very clear: Once the jurisdiction of a court is challenged, the only thing left for the court is to determine whether it has jurisdiction. The CCT, having its jurisdiction to try Onnoghen under question, lacks the power to grant any ex-parte order as done on January 23, without first determining whether it has jurisdiction. In the 2017 case of Attorney-General of the Federation Vs Attorney-General of Lagos State, the Supreme Court ruled: “There is no gainsaying that issue of jurisdiction is radical and a crucial point which when raised, is challenging the competence of the court to hear and determine the case. Any proceedings conducted by a court which does not have jurisdiction, no matter how well or brilliantly it was conducted, is a nullity.”

The CCT, without determining whether it has jurisdiction to try Onnoghen, progressed to give an unlawful order purporting to suspend the CJN. This is preposterous and a contempt of the law.

It is even more shocking to note that the same tribunal that sat on January 22 and adjourned to January 28, to rule on the preliminary objection of the CJN challenging its jurisdiction to try him without recourse to the NJC, contrary to the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Nganjiwa v FRN (2017), suddenly turned around on January 24, to grant an ex-parte order. What a country!

My dear President Buhari, there is nowhere in the Nigerian Constitution that says that

Onnoghen the President can suspend the CJN based on the order of a court or tribunal. This is a dangerous precedent and a threat to our democracy. If we are not careful, very soon, a judge will give an order for your suspension too. I urge you to reverse your illegal action in the interest of our democracy. The CJN does not hold office at your pleasure. You need to be reminded that Onnoghen is not your appointee.

The issue at hand is not whether Onnoghen is corrupt or not. It is about respect for our constitution and the rule of law. It is about protecting our fragile democracy. The Nigerian constitution clearly indicates the process and procedure for suspending or removing the CJN. The law is very vibrant on how a CJN could be removed. Our dear President should abide by it in dealing with Onnoghen.

He has violated the law in suspending Onnoghen. Buhari’s action is contrary to Section 153 of the 1999 constitution.

As for those singing that Onnoghen is corrupt and deserves to be dealt with, they should note that the right to presumption of innocence is firmly enshrined in Section 36(5) of our Constitution. Onnoghen is yet to be convicted by any court and remains innocent.

It is outrageous to argue that Buhari can remove him anyhow, because he is corrupt.

On the flip side, I am happy that the NJC has queried Justice Tanko Muhammad, who accepted to be the CJN. A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), had petitioned the NJC, asking it to determine the propriety of Justice Muhammad’s acceptance of the position.

Agbakoba’s petition is thought-provoking.

He said by submitting himself to the President to be sworn-in as acting CJN, Justice Muhammad lent himself to constitutional infraction by the executive arm of government.

Agbakoba recalled that Justice Muhammad was part of an NJC panel that sanctioned Justice Obisike Orji of Abia State for allowing himself to be sworn-in as Abia State Chief Judge by the state governor without the recommendation of the NJC. Agbakoba said, “It is a matter of regret that Justice Muhammad, who participated in this process, will lend himself to this constitutional infraction.”

“The Chief Justice of Nigeria can only be removed on the recommendation of the NJC. See Section 153 (1), Paragraph 21 (a) of the 3rd Schedule and Section 292 (1) (a) (i) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and the Supreme Court decision in Elelu-Habeeb v AGF (2012) 40 WRN 1.

Justice Muhammad is fully aware of the state of law, yet presented himself to be sworn in by the president.”

It is not too late for Buhari to reverse the suspension of Onnoghen and allow the NJC to carry out its constitutional responsibility.

This is the only way forward for our country.

Buratai

The Ruins of Rann

Rann, in Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State is now a ghost town. The inhabitants of Rann have been fleeing to Cameroon in droves since last Sunday following the withdrawal of the military from the town. They feared a massive renewed attack

by Boko Haram, which eventually occurred on Monday night. 60 people were killed in the renewed attack by Boko Haram fighters.

According to figures from the United Nations, an estimated 30,000 people have fled across the border to Cameroon.

“All the population seems to be panicking and they are on the run as a preemptive measure to save their lives,” UN refugee agency spokesman, Babar Baloch told reporters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Over the years, inhabitants of Rann have been repeatedly attacked by Boko Haram, leaving hundreds of people dead. Even the IDP camp in the town had been attacked severally and aid workers killed. It is a big disgrace that they have to abandon their beloved Rann, due to the failure of government to guarantee their security.

Inhabitants of so many other towns and villages in northern Borno State have also relocated to Cameroon due to government’s inability to secure their lives and property.

The war against Boko Haram is clearly sagging. The Nigerian government has failed the people of Borno State. All the lies about having defeated Boko Haram have fallen like a pack of cards.

My position has not changed: The Nigerian military can’t tackle Boko Haram alone. They need external assistance from countries with strong military traditions. Any government genuinely interested in ending the Boko Haram mess must engage mercenaries from Israel, South Africa or Russia. This is the only way forward. Our gallant soldiers have done their best.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 2, 2019

SUPER SATURDAY

Di’Ja Unmasks Her Sweetheart Mavin Record label star Hadiza Blell, popularly known as Di’Ja, shares rare photos with her husband, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

M

avin act Di’ja, real name Hadiza Salma Blell, has been very secretive about her family since getting married. The artiste finally showed off her husband as they both hang out at an unnamed beach on Wednesday. The couple were seen enjoying themselves and also with their children. The singer and mother of two shared rare photos with her husband, simply known as Rotimi as they stroll together at the beach.

The Mavin Record star in one of her posts attached to the pictures said: “Because life is about the love you make. Together we make our favourite people. #partneringeverything.”

She got married in 2015 at a very private wedding. This was just about a year after she started dating her hubby in 2014. For a very long time, no one knew Di’Ja was married or anything much about her personal life, which for many people was a pleasant surprise. The couple had their first child in 2016.

The Singer welcomed her second child, a baby girl in March 2018. Announcing the arrival of the baby then in heartfelt Instagram post, the Mavin princess wrote: “My mother is God’s gift. #Grandma and her grandkids.

Wow I now have two children now (a boy and a girl). Alhamdullilah.

Ubangiji Allah sai Godiya. I’m the happiest woman alive. God bless my husband, mother, father, and my brother and his family @msfaddy..heck my whole family! My daughter came on 9th March 2018.”

Unlike many artistes, Di’Ja’s commitment to academics earned her a double bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Biology. After which she found passion in music and philosophy. She is not just a singer, but also a visual artist, songwriter, and fashion designer.

Her passion for music had something to do with her parents’ collection of old CDs; her mum especially and she thinks it’s innate. Her parents according to her are the amazing people who contributed in shaping who she is today through the upbringing they gave her. She says her childhood was colourful, which has translated into her life always being colourful.

Di’Ja lived in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and the United States and in Canada where she released some of her songs.

Her music career started in 2008 and in 2009, she released her first single “Rock Steady”, which was nominated for Best Urban/R&b @ the 2009 Canadian Radio Music Awards. She had also won the Best New Artiste award at the 2008 Beat Music Awards which was quite a boost to her career back then in Canada. She performed as one of the opening singers for Akon’s performance at the Sierra Leone’s 49th independence anniversary celebration and in 2012 and 2013, released several singles including “Dan Iska (Rudebwoy)”, “Hold On (Ba Damuwa)” and “How Can We Be Friends”.

The beautiful Di’Ja came into limelight when she met music producer Don Jazzy in 2014 through her manager. She says she didn’t expect to meet the Nigerian music producer.

She had met Jazzy while she was in the studio sharing her songs with some of the guys around when the Mavin Record label boss walked in. That experience she acknowledged as, “both exciting and scary.” Don Jazzy listened to two of her songs, which set both together musically.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 2, 2019

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SUPERSATURDAY

Simi Serenades Adekunle Gold@32 It’s been from one celebration to another for musicians/songwriters, Simisola Ogunleye (Simi) and Adekunle Kosoko (Adekunle Gold) who recently got married. Simi spent most of the week celebrating her hubby at 32, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

S

imi and Adekunle Gold got married in a private wedding ceremony which surprised fans and admirers earlier in the year, with 300 guests in attendance, mostly friends and close family members. Since then, it’s been from one form of celebration to the other for the celebrity couple. The award-winning Simi took to her Instagram account to convey sweet words to her singer husband on Monday, January 28.

Celebrating her husband on his 32nd birthday, with official photo from their wedding which she posted on her page, the velvety voice artiste wrote: “Light of my life. I love you. I also really like you and the way you do your things. I’m such a lucky babe. You’re also lucky, but it’s your birthday, so yea, let’s focus on the celebrant. I know God knows how much I want you to shine and prosper and win and laugh and be happy, so I pray God grants my heart desires. Happy birthday, Champ.”

Simi however disabled comments on the post as she’s been under pressure to share more photos from her wedding. But the newly wed celebrity couple, who were on honeymoon a

week ago, had released their first song together as a couple.

The young couple had spent time together at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, situated on the Atlantic shore, South Africa. In the video of the song, the superstars gave a beautiful glimpse into their happily ever after.

The new collaborative single ‘Promise’ takes viewers to picturesque locations and, for the first time, presents the happy couple flourishing in the glow of each other’s’ love for the world to see. Very intimate video, but also fun enough that viewers are pulled into it without feeling awkward. The lyrics of the song, as the title implies, sounds very much like wedding vows; leaving followers to guess whether these were their actual vows.

Their wedding has since stirred reactions from Nigerians who wondered how Adekunle Gold and Simi were able to keep their relationship a secret. Simi and Adekunle Gold have been together for a very long time before their surprise/secret wedding, the singers had been in a relationship for close to seven years and had worked together severally on various projects of each other.

At the beginning of their career, the two kept their brands separate and were hardly photographed together. Given the heavy spotlight on celebrity couples, this decision paid well for Simi and her boo as they were able to build their careers outside the spotlight. Making a strong case for why Simi and Adekunle Gold should be the ultimate benchmark of privacy in relationships Simi started her career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut studio album in 2008 titled Ogaju. Her career came into spotlight in 2014 after she released “Tiff”, a song which was nominated in two categories at The Headies 2015 and further brought her to mainstream recognition. Simi is currently signed to X3M Music under which she released her second studio album Simisola.

Simi grew up dancing and singing as a member of her local church’s choir until she wrote her first song at the age of 10.

Her professional music career started in 2008 following the release of her debut album titled Ogaju which consisted of a variety of songs such as “Iya Temi” and “Ara Ile” with the entire musical production from Samklef.

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

COMMENTARY

A GLIMMER OF HOPE

Things are once again looking up in Yobe, writes Abdullahi Bego

B

y mid-2013 every person living in or travelling through the Yobe State capital knew that things were never as they used to be. It was a time of monstrous security challenges and diffused adversity.

Boko Haram had carried out its first and deadliest attack on the state capital just a little over a year earlier – on November 4, 2011. Until then, the state was reckoned as a relatively ‘safe’ place to which people sought refuge from Boko Haram’s relentless campaign of violence in Borno State.

With the idea of a ‘safe haven’ now shattered and plenty of Boko Haram’s ‘sleeper cells’ scattered in major towns, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were years in which the people of the state were hit with particular ferocity. This marked the beginning of the intensification of Boko Haram violence across Yobe State, of people fleeing their homes and becoming internally displaced. It was a period during which government’s scarce and badly needed resources had to be divested away from development and allocated almost exclusively to security concerns.

As a leader passionate about his people, it was endlessly heartbreaking for Governor Gaidam that those senseless attacks were happening. It was even more heart-breaking that we had a federal government at the time that did not seem to care – or did not seem interested – in taking measures necessary to end the attacks and the suffering of the people with the ‘fierce urgency of now’.

Worst still, the government at the centre, rather than summoning the courage to do what was right, attempted thoughtless state of emergency on the affected Northeast states and was even being prodded by its apologists to subvert the democratic structures in those states by sacking their assemblies and governors.

A collection of these events and the toll on government finances could sap the energy and dampen the spirit of even the most ardent leader. But not Governor Gaidam. Those close to him would tell you that even when things seemed at their darkest, his optimism in the capacity of the government, the people and the security agencies – together – to overcome the challenges was matchless.

Although he had no control over the security forces – and certainly no direct obligation to fund their operations, Governor Gaidam decided that he had to step in and partner with them in every possible way to help rout the insurgents and ensure the safety of life and property. This was why the Yobe State Government, under his watch, spent humongous amount of money to provide logistics and other forms of support to the security agencies for at least four years before the Buhari-led APC administration took over.

But this came at a heavy cost to the state government. It meant that vital resources that could be used to fund the provision of infrastructure and services to the people, such as roads and education, water supply and healthcare, were now largely rolled over to the security sphere in a seemingly endless loop of unplanned, continuous spending.

What was amazing was that despite the fiscal toll that logistics support to security agencies was exerting on the state, the Yobe State Government had retained its capacity to continue with the provision of basic services and had never failed to pay its workers their wages.

It is testament to the determination of Governor Gaidam to move the state forward that once the curtain was raised to cater to the security agencies with the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari, the pace of development quickened and Yobe was steadily able to recover lost ground in many areas.

Take the construction of roads for example. This is a capital-intensive venture but one that is regarded worldwide as an opportunitymultiplier.

This is even more so in a state like Yobe where roads infrastructure

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE ARE WITNESSES TO A GOVERNMENT TRULY DEVOTED TO MAKING LIFE A LITTLE EASIER FOR THEM

was at near-zero level prior to the current administration. This meant that to open up remote places and connect more people and more communities and make it a little easier for businesses to flourish, more roads have had to be constructed.

To date, the Gaidam administration – before, during and following the insurgency – has built over 1200 kilometres of roads, with even more currently ongoing. Hundreds of communities were linked in ways that many never thought possible. From Kanamma to Yusufari, Gadaka to Godowoli and Machina to Nguru and places too numerous to mention, the people of the state are witnesses to a government truly devoted to making life a little easier for them.

Or take healthcare, that vital sector where Yobe State under Governor Gaidam had become increasingly noted for.

With a new University Teaching Hospital, a new College of Medical Sciences, an expanded and upgraded State Specialist Hospital and six other major hospitals that were renovated, upgraded and equipped, Yobe’s healthcare sector has continued to reach new heights. This is even more so with hundreds of new specialist staff recruitments and a growing partnership with foundations, agencies and organisations – both governmental and non-governmental.

Under Governor Gaidam, Yobe’s education sector has also received unprecedented attention. More schools were renovated and equipped than had happened in the state previously. These include GGSS Nguru, GSS Gwio-Kura, GSS Fika, GSS Nangere and GSS Yunusari. Several primary school classrooms, burnt down or torched by Boko Haram insurgents, were rebuilt and their stocks replenished. The state government continues to spend huge amounts of money in the payment of student scholarships. More teachers were recruited and more were given opportunities for re-training.

More communities were also provided access to clean, potable water. With the support of development partners, such as the federal government, African Development Bank (AfDB), UNICEF and the Japanese Government, amongst others, the Yobe State Government can now boast of over 70 per cent water coverage across the state.

The Gaidam administration has also set up large-scale irrigation projects in the Nguru Lake area and Mugura-Garin Gada with the capacity to engage thousands of farmers when the projects have been completed.

Already, farmland allocations have started at the Nguru site and farmers are excited to begin a new phase of modern irrigation farming with unprecedented support from the government.

Another key area that has continued remarkably well despite the insurgency is the Gaidam administration’s unalloyed attention to workers. Yobe is where workers never have to worry about whether they are going to get paid at the end of the month. Salaries, pensions and gratuities are so regular that some workers – whose retirements had come nigh – were willing to call it quits just for the certainty of getting their retirement benefits.

Plus, Governor Gaidam has become the first governor in the history of the state to summon the courage to build an airport. Despite suggestions to the contrary, an airport is a long-term investment that will be very useful to the state going forward.

These and many other interventions of the Gaidam administration have surely re-kindled hope of ‘light at the end of the tunnel’. Boko Haram may have set us back, and they surely did. But with the work that Governor Gaidam has done, Yobe people have reasons to be thankful to God and to look to the future with even more optimism.

Bego is Director-General for Media Affairs to Governor Ibrahim Gaidam

WELCOMING OBI WITH OPEN ARMS

Uche Amunike argues that there can be no better choice for the vice- presidential slot than Peter Obi

C

hoosing Peter Obi as the Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a great delight to Nigerians all over the world. He had indeed been tested and trusted in the area of governance with particular reference to saving a sinking economy and fighting corruption while as governor of Anambra State.

Atiku Abubakar couldn’t have asked for a better partner, having been in those shoes before.

Obi, as governor of Anambra State simply came in and turned the state around by literally pulling her out of the debris of stagnation to economic recovery, growth, sustainability and safety. Indeed, people have short memories but it can only be fair to cast our minds back to what Anambra State was like before Obi came on board.

This piece will serve as a reminder, not just to Anambrarians, but to all Nigerians all over the world reading this. Before Obi became governor of Anambra State, Ambassadors and High Commissioners of notable countries never had any reasons to visit the state. It was a state literally written off by the diplomatic corps and development partners.

During his tenure, however, he attracted ambassadors of various countries who not only visited the state, but maintained relations with her. The UNDP, UNICEF, the World Bank, DFID and others, then partnered with the state at different levels and indeed confirmed Anambra under Obi as one of the best states in development partnership and commitment to reforms for good governance.

Little wonder, the Millennium Developmental Goals office and the UNDP honoured him as the

Best Governor for effectively implementing their programmes in Nigeria.

In the health sector, he added true value when he entered into partnership with the churches. This gave rise to an impressive boost in healthcare because of the services offered by health institutions owned by voluntary agencies. The state also restored grants to these agencies and availed them above N50m dollars in various kinds of support.

Through this same partnership with churches in the health sector, Obi’s government transformed Iyienu Hospital, Ogidi; Our Lady of Lourdes, Ihiala; St Charles’ Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha; Holy Rosary Hospital, Waterside, Onitsha and St Joseph’s Hospital, Adazi Nnukwu. His government also built the Joseph Nwilo Heart Centre at St Joseph’s Adazi Nnukwu, where heart operations are now being carried out. It is also very important to note that Anambra State never had a single accredited health institution before Obi came on board. It was during his tenure that he built the Onitsha General Hospital and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Teaching Hospital and saw to their accreditation as well as that of over 10 health institutions too.

Peter Obi took the health sector very seriously and was relentless in his efforts to raise the standards from what he met when he took over the reins of leadership from his predecessor. He truly believed in the school of thought that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.

The education sector is another sector which Obi had an unrivalled passion for. When he presented his blueprint in 2006 after he came on board, he

promised to restore quality and functional education in the state. Indeed, he took Anambra State to enviable heights academically and set a high standard for the children of the state.

His government returned schools to their original owners which were voluntary agencies like the Church, on Jan 1, 2009, after which the government partnered with the agencies. It was this move that catapulted Anambra State from the 24th position out of 36 states to the 1st position in the National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for three consecutive years. This elevation led the World Bank to commission a study led by renowned Prof Paul Collier of Oxford University on this revolutionary partnership and phenomenal achievement.

Again, Obi’s government was the first to provide over 30,000 HP computers to secondary schools.

When this happened, the Managing Director for Personal Systems Group HP Inc., Mr FabriceCampoy, described such deployment as the biggest of such projects in the Middle East and Africa. Obi’s government also provided Microsoft Academies to over 500 secondary schools, internet access to over 500 secondary schools, 700 buses to different secondary schools in the state, sank boreholes in schools all over the state and numerous classrooms in all the 177 communities in the state.

The economy of Anambra State had a turn around when Obi came on board. He did promise that he would massively improve the state’s IGR when he reeled out his economic blueprint as he came on board. He did this by attracting certain

companies to come to Anambra and set up their facilities. SABmiller is a perfect case study. They are the second largest brewery in the world which built their first Green Field facility in Anambra State.

Today, it remains one of the most successful facilities they operate globally.

Some other companies followed in their footsteps like INNOSON Motor Manufacturing Company from which Obi’s government bought over 1,000 vehicles. So many detractors of Obi accused him of monopolizing the wealth of the state for his industrial ventures but the people of Anambra State who felt that value was added to their lives because of the turnaround of the activities of the state, expressed joy at his governing style which he applied by using his business skills to grow the economy of the state.

Peter Obi did a great job in the area of security.

For the first time, the state started close collaboration with recognized government security agencies like the Police, Army, Navy, DSS, NSCDC, etc. He equipped and supported them totally by giving them over 500 security vehicles and gave at least one security vehicle to each of the 177 communities in the state. This led to a great improvement in security, such that the former IG of police, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, expressed his joy that the state did not witness any bank robbery in his last three years in office.

Obi’s government was the first to do poverty mapping in Nigeria, as a guide to the effective implementation of poverty alleviation strategies in the state.

Mrs Amunike wrote from Awka

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

INSIGHT

There is need for due process...

Two Good Men and the Nigerian University

T

he year 1999 didn’t just mark the beginning of Nigeria’s democracy (another attempt), it is also the year of Nigeria’s first private university.

Entities other than the government would for the first time participate in providing university education to its citizen. Twenty years on and a private university (Covenant University) now sits as Nigeria’s number one institution (Times Higher Education). But let’s quickly get back to the title of this article “Two good men”- Lebron James and John Harvard. Although they lived in different times and led different lives, these two men burned with the same passion, to educate generations after them.

A quick summary of their educational creations: Lebron James’ ‘I PROMISE’ School: Free tuition-free uniforms, free transportation within two miles, free breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Guaranteed college tuition for every student who graduates food pantry for families GED’s and job placement services for parents, free bicycle and helmet.

John Harvard and Friend’s HARVARD UNIVERSITY: “After God had carried us safe to New England…

One of the next things we longed for and looked after was to advance learning and perpetuate it to posterity; dreading to leave an illiterate ministry to the churches, when our present ministers shall lie in the dust.”

Yes, two good men. So you may ask, what’s the link? Well, let me save you more tales, the purpose of this article is to vent my frustration at the dominant perception by people of colour that ‘free’ is the only real charity/non-profit.

The story of these two men (Harvard and Lebron) is as old as time and as new as now.

It is the story of the developed world vs. the underdeveloped; the capitalist vs. the socialist.

Nigerians seem to love Lebron James’ ‘free’, while despising the private universities’ model of charging for value which happens to be John Harvard’s model.

Nigerian Private Universities have faced heavy criticism over the cost of education particularly those built from religious donations.

Even if accumulated evidence and the Nigerian experience overwhelmingly suggests that “only economically sustainable models are sustainable.” Charity does not always mean free. John Harvard and friends are still widely considered great men despite the fee of Harvard University.

It is high time we also appreciated the free giving of our religious houses and private investors towards the creation of financially sustainable universities that do not depend on government funding.

While there is the legitimate argument that cost excludes some from these institutions

(at what cost will everyone be at these institutions), however, we must ask if attending is the primary goal.

What about the other contributions, research, jobs created (Lecturers and admin staff) and businesses; drugs and healthcare advances and ultimately the robust economy that the graduates from this institution contribute to. Yes, we have given from our little to build several religious affiliated universities and private investors have put down their resources. The giving is for posterity or as the founders of Harvard University put it “dreading to leave [an] illiterate [country] when our present ministers shall lie in the dust”.

The lack of recognition of two successful decades (1999 to 2019) of private universities in Nigeria, is an indication of a lack of appreciation of the ‘John Harvard wisdom’ in our society. I can only hope that someday a generation of Nigerians will celebrate this success story.

However, this does not in any way seek to undermine the good work of Mr Lebron James or disparage the goodness of free things such as scholarships (e.g. Harvard scholarships, Orphanages). It is just a wake-up call to go ‘sustainable’ with this all important sector of our society.

Dr S. O. Ohize, Minna

How Government can Eradicate Corruption

C

orruption is a leadership virus eating the economic prosperity of most African countries especially Nigeria. Corruption is a systemic leadership tool destroying good governance, democratic values and economic prosperity of the largest black African nation. Corruption in Nigeria is deeply ingrained in the national ethics, politics, civil society, public and private sectors. The present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari is doing its best to rid the Nigeria society of corruption. But its fight against corruption has been futile and perceived to be targeted at political opponents.

Every successive government battles against corruption are considered as instrument of witch-hunting political enemies rather than as an instrument of economic development. The truth of the matter is that each government’s

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

model of approaching their fight against corruption is weak, destructive and undiplomatic over the years.

Thus, the fight against corruption becomes dead at end of their tenure and leadership. The failure of government to address corruption is caused by wrong approach of fighting corruption. Each government tries to use leadership model in fighting corruption in Nigeria instead of system model. Therefore, after the end of their tenure the fight against corruption ceases. World politics shows that the best model in dealing with corruption is system model of fighting corruption.

Global economic prosperity is traced to three powerful instruments: people, system and technology. Systems are state instruments used in sustaining good governance and driving state policies to fulfillment. It serves as check and balance with the intent to avoid abuse of power and define separation of power. President Buhari is perceived to be doing a great work by fighting corruption.

But all those fight will end at the expiration of his government. Undue interference by successive governments on the system that would eradicate corruption from Nigeria is our greatest enemy. The immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan reiterated the fact that the solution to corruption is anchored on a building system that would fight corruption. I am calling on UK, EU, USA and lovers of Nigeria to prevail on our government to design a system model approach in fighting corruption.

Leadership model is ineffective and is causing more harm. It makes lovers of democracy see the fight against corruption as dictatorial. The recent removal of the National Judicial Council (NJC) Chairman Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen is a key example of government fighting corruption using leadership model rather than system model.

Pedro Ukokobili, Lagos

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Ă?ĂĄĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁĚš Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă– ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com

ROYAL BLESSINGS...

L-R: Baale of Ilasamaja, Lagos State, High Chief Fatai Alani Abereijo; Osolo of Isolo kingdom, HRM Kabiyesi Oba Kabiru Alani Kolawole Agbabiaka; retired Deputy Controller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Elder Emmanuel Adedeji Ogunbode; and the Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu kingdom, HRM Kabiyesi Oba Fatai Aromire, at the inauguration of Vista International Corporate Headquarters building at Isolo, Lagos‌ recently

FG: Lagos-Ibadan Rail Line to Commence Operations Next Week Kasim Sumaina Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

The federal government, Friday, disclosed that the ongoing LagosIbadan railway project, would commence passenger service by 6th of February, 2019.

Government, through the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, gave the hint after inspecting the project site in Agbado, near Abeokuta.

Amaechi, stated that the inspection may be the last before the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo

flags off the service in the next few days.

According to Amaechi, “I am impressed and from what I have seen, the Vice President is still going to ride on the train on the 6th except he has other arrangements.�

He noted that: “Once the Vice President flags it off, we will start using it and it will be free. The free ride will be for two months.�

He revealed that, the Vice President was coming to flag off the passenger use of the first

FG Employs 8.7m Nigerians in 3 Years, Claims President Buhari LaleyeDipoĂ“Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹

President Muhammadu Buhari has claimed that the federal government in the last three years employed over 8.75m Nigerians under it various empowerment schemes.

According to him, 7m Nigerians were engaged under the N- Power scheme which represented 70 per cent of the targeted beneficiaries while 1.75m others were recruited under the National Safety Net Programme for the poor and the vulnerable.

President Buhari made this known in a message to the 28th convocation and 36th Founders Day ceremony of the Federal University of Technology Minna Niger State on Friday.

Represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, the president said government had also engaged over 259, 451 Nigerians under governments enterprise programmes while the Bank of Industries (BOI) had also provided “soft loans� to more than 300,000 Nigerians while also giving some others necessary supports and start up packs.

President Buhari said the federal government was committed to creating

the necessary environment that would lead to the employment of young graduates and engagement of small scale business entrepreneurs, advising the people to take advantage of the various opportunities provided by the administration to improve their economic well-being and that of the society at large. “My administration remains committed to improving security, providing jobs and eliminating corruption in the country “ the president said, adding, “ we have downgraded Boko Haram, we are routing out the remnants of Boko Haram in the Northeast and anywhere they are hiding in Nigeria,� he said.

On the fight against corruption the president restated the determination of the government to ensure all those with corrupt cases were identified and prosecuted. “We are prosecuting high profile Nigerians, we will continue to wage war against corruption. “ My administration is taking some tough decisions today in order to bequeath our future generation better tomorrow that we can all be proud of, we should embrace the idea of making more sacrifice,�

President Buhari said.

phase from Lagos to Abeokuta which would reduce passenger travel time from one hour to 45 minutes, adding that, the reason why it was 45 minutes is because people might stop in different locations.�

On other pending issues concerning litigation and compensation, Amaechi, observed that, “there is none but if there is any, it will be inside the yard of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and there is one building that we are yet to pay compensation but it

is not in court and we are still negotiating the compensation.�

The minister, further said: “What gives me joy most with this project is the fact that I can travel from Lagos to Abeokuta in less than one hour. “The work is about 60 per cent completed. We presently have two coaches on this corridor but we know they won’t be enough, so we have directed that they should go and get more coaches from Itakpe-Warri since the passenger traffic on that corridor is not as

high as what we expect here.

So, we are expecting two more coaches.�

On what would become of the Abeokuta to Ibadan axis, he said: “From what they told me, they think it will be quicker because the problem is always the civil work and they have gone far with it. “The only problem they have is that they have to blast rocks and that they are doing now to make sure that before the end of June, it will be ready. “What will be the problem will

not be the tracks but the stations and the communication systems.

It will be difficult if it is a two way traffic but we are avoiding that till we install the communication systems,� he explained.

The minister, however, refuted claims from some quarter that the commencing of the passenger service now even though the project was not fully completed had nothing to do with the forthcoming elections, “but the urgent need to decongest Lagos traffic and make live easy for Nigerians citizens,� he said.

Again, Finance Minister Allays NBS: States’ IGR Drop to Fears on FG’s Borrowing N264.38bn in Q3 NdubuisiFrancis Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, has again allayed fears over federal government’s borrowings, declaring that there was no cause for alarm as the borrowings were still remain within the fiscal threshold.

The minister spoke in Lagos at the Deloitte Economic Outlook conference, where she presented a paper titled, ‘Revenue Growth and Economic Development: Expectations for 2019’.

According to a statement issued by the minister’s media aide, Paul Ella Abechi, she explained: ‘We have been very strategic in the management of our debts, revenues, infrastructure, and human capital. These plans and the tighter coordination, monitoring within and among Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) with economic functions have placed us on a positive trajectory. We intend to maintain a steady course. Our borrowing is still within very good fiscal limits.� “Global trends reveal slowdown in global economic growth exacerbated by global risks. Despite these trends and pursuant to our policies in the Economic Recovery Growth Plan, we have seen the economy exit from recession and move the economy

upwards on a path of sustainable, inclusive and diversified growth.�

Although she acknowledged that the problem was that of revenue, the minister noted that by prioritising revenue generation, the federal government intends to continue significant investments in human capital and critical infrastructure to sustain the growth trajectory.

The minister maintained that the nation’s revenue had been growing successfully based on government’s policies and programmes initiated to ensure that revenue generation base was diversified. “Historical performance analysis show that we are succeeding in growing our revenue. We have chosen to be strategic in our response and we recently launched the Strategic Revenue Growth Initiatives to achieve sustainability in revenue generation; identify new and enhance enforcement of existing revenue streams; and achieve cohesion of people and tools. “Our targeted revenue to GDP ratio is 15 per cent as set out in the Economic Recovery Growth Plan. “We will continue investing in the ERGP implementation by leveraging finance for critical infrastructure and our social investment programmes.

These investments, we believe, will guarantee a sustainable future.

20 states record declines James Emejo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË States Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) dropped to N264.38 billion in the third quarter of 2018 (Q3 2018) compared to N279.78 billion in the preceding quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The figure indicated a negative growth of 5.08 per cent quarter on quarter.

According to Internally Generated Revenue at State Level (Q3 2018) report released yesterday, 17 states recorded growth in IGR while twenty 20 states recorded decline quarter on quarter at the end of Q3.

According to the statistical agency, net FAAC allocation in Q3 stood at N1.82 trillion while total revenue available to the states stood at N2.72 trillion.

However, year to date

total state IGR stood at N794.50 billion.

The report further put the value of states’ foreign debt at $4.22 billion while the domestic component was valued at N3.38 trillion as at the end of the half year of last year respectively.

Lagos State IGR for fell to N87.06 billion from N100.16 billion in Q2 while Kwara grew its IGR to N5.97 billion in Q3 compared to N3.67 billion in the preceding quarter.

Logo State IGR also dropped to N2.53 billion in the review period from N2.92 billion in Q2 while that of Kano also declined to N7.09 billion from N9.23 billion in Q2.

Oyo State IGR also declined to N5.88 billion I’m Q3 from N6.97 billion the preceding q u a r t e r.

FCT IGR also dropped from N15.19 billion in Q2 to N14.05 billion in Q3.

5 ) * 4 % ": t SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2019

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

NEWS

In Brief EFCC Fails to Arraign Ex-NIA DG, Wife

TheplannedarraignmentoftheformerDirectorGeneraloftheNationalIntelligenceAgency,Mr.AyodeleOkeandhiswife,Mrs.FolashadeAyodeleOke,before theFederalHighCourtsittinginLagosfailedtoholdyesterdayasplanned.The EconomicandFinancialCrimesCommission(EFCC)hadfiledafour-countfraud chargeagainstthecouple,followingtherecoveryof$43,449,947,£27,800 andN23,218,000fromFlat7B,No.16,OsborneRoad,OsborneTowers,Ikoyi, Lagosallegedlyownedbythem.PresidentMuhammaduBuharihad,inOctober 2017,sackedOkealongsidetheimmediate-pastSecretarytotheGovernment of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, following a report of investigations by a panelheadedbyVice-PresidentYemiOsinbajo,intoallegationsoffraudleveled againstthem.AlthoughCounseltoEFCC,RotimiOyedepowasincourtforthe matter but to his surprise, the case was not listed in the cause list for Friday, February4 and thedefendantswerealso not incourt.

SuspectedThugs Attack APC Campaigners

RELIVING OLD TIMES...

L-R: Former governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; and his wife, Dr. Nwanneka Ekweremadu, during a visit by the Senator to Dr. Nnamani at his Agbani country home, Enugu State...recently

2019: Ex-IG Tasks Police on Professionalism Alex Enumah ÓØ ÌßÔË

A former Inspector General of Police (Rtd) and Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Alhaji Musiliu Smith, has said that if the forthcoming general election must be adjudged free, fair, credible and widely accepted then personnel of the Nigerian Police Force who were in the forefront of providing security must display a high level of professionalism.

Smith maintained that adequate security was crucial in delivering a free and fair election and as such said police personnel and other security agents deployed to guarantee peace and security must prove themselves capable of delivering on their task.

The former IG, who was speaking at a security summit in Abuja organised by the PSC in conjunction with the Nigeria Policing Programme (NPP), warned that the commission would not hesitate to deal with any

police personnel involved in electoral malpractices.

“No doubt we cannot expect to have a successful 2019 election where professionalism particularly on the part of the men of the Nigeria Police Force is not ensured and enhanced through a framework that will promote impressive performance and conduct.

“During the past general elections in Nigeria whenever things do not go so well, police conduct is often seen even if erroneously as being the reason for the flawed elections.

However, when elections are adjudged as free and fair, the police are hailed as being professional and doing a great job,” he said.

Smith said in realisation of the crucial role the police play in guaranteeing a successful election, the Police Service Commission, had put in place several actions and activities aimed at ensuring that the police provide security in a manner

that will enhance and strengthen the country’s democracy.

According to him, the commissioners of the Police Service Commission representing the geo-political zones and vital interests in the last couple of weeks had been going around the country meeting with men and women of the Nigeria Police Force on how to professionally secure the forthcoming elections.

The former IG said the PSC in addition was creating awareness amongst the electorate and Nigerians generally on what the role of police officers during the elections should be, adding that the commission would deploy monitors across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in addition to the opening of dedicated telephone hot lines to enable citizens make prompt reports in the event they observed any misconduct by any police officer.

“The police Service Commission

will in turn ensure that such reports are processed and sanctions meted out to any erring officer if the alleged act is proven.”

In his remarks, Deputy Team Leader, Nigeria Policing Programme (NPP), Idris Bawa, said the summit was timely owing to the importance of the 2019 elections to the sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy.

He disclosed that his organisation working with the PSC and the Police Force was doing everything possible to prepare the police adequately for the elections. “We have a deployment plan that has been developed; we have done threat assessment across the whole state working with the Nigerian police with other NGOs. All those flash points that have been identified, we are making deployment to see how they can be checkmate,” he said.

All paramilitary organisations in the country were in attendance at the security summit.

Kidnapped Abia APC Chairman Police Arrest 54 as Abductors of Regains Freedom, Recounts Ordeal APC Candidate Demand N100m Emmanuel Ugwu ÓØ ×ßËÒÓË

Chairman of Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Donatus Nwankpa has been freed by his abductors four days after he was snatched while travelling from Umuahia to Aba on the eve of President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign rally in Abia State.

He told journalists at his home in Umuahia yesterday that he was released at about 9.00p.m. on Thursday at the border between Abia and Rivers states. He said that he was not hurt though his ordeal was very scary as he was kept in a deep forest in Rivers State and exposed to the elements.

Nwankpa, whose home was besieged by sympathisers, narrated the circumstances surrounding his abduction, saying that he “unfortunately ran into them (hoodlums)” on his way to the commercial city of Aba on Monday night.

According to him, his vehicle was stopped about 30 metres from a police check point, adding that “the police were watching and did not intervene” while he and those travelling with

him were being accosted by the hoodlums.

“I pleaded with them to release one of my aides with injury and they took me to a deep forest in Rivers State,” he said, adding that it took his abductors 48 hours to open up communication and accept “to positively engage my people.” He did not disclose what transpired between his people and the kidnappers before he was released.

However, Hon. Nwankpa stated that the operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) had discovered the location where he was kept but they were discouraged from taking any action that could jeopardise his life.

“When you’re kidnapped you’re between life and death. I told them (security agents) that nobody should attack after the DSS located the place (where he was kept),” he said, noting that death could come from the kidnappers or during shootout with security agents.

He dismissed the story making the rounds that on the day he was kidnapped he had gone to the bank and withdrew N50 million and was therefore trailed by the hoodlums while ferrying the huge sum of money to Aba.

AdibeEmenyonu

Men of the Edo State Police Command have arrested 54 persons in connection with the ongoing cult war in the state.

The 54 suspects were arrested in different parts of the state.

This is just as kidnappers of APC state assembly candidate, Michael Ohio-Ezomo demanded for N100m ransom.

Ohio-Ezomo was kidnapped on January 23, 2019 at his Sabonginda Ora residence by gunmen after his police orderly was killed.

Family sources said the kidnappers called them last weekend and made the demand.

It was however gathered that an attempt to rescue him by a special police force failed and the abductors managed to escape to another location.

Edo Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, confirmed that the kidnappers had opened communication channels but was silent on how much was being demanded, adding that the police was being careful because of the victim.

On the arrest of suspected kidnappers, the Edo Police boss said his men busted kidnappers den at Okada Junction in Ovia South West Local Government Area where locally made pistol, one cut to size barrel and two wooden guns were recovered.

While calling on good spirited individuals to assist the police with useful information, Odumosun said seven kidnap victims were rescued in January in different parts of Edo State.

According to him, five of the suspects were arrested in connection with the killing of a Police Sergeant, Monday Ehigie, who was an orderly to the Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha local government, Dr. Eric Osayande.

He disclosed that some of the suspects were nabbed after allegedly carrying out killing of rival cult members in Siluko road, Eweka Street, Ugbowo and Upper Sokponba road.

The state police boss added that five of the suspects were nabbed while carrying out initiation ceremony at Okomu, Ovia South West Local Government Area.

ArmedthugsyesterdayattackedmembersoftheAllProgressivesCongress(APC) whowereholdingameetinginpreparationtoreceivethegubernatorialcandidate ofthepartyinGbajimba,GumaLocalGovernmentArea(LGA)thehometown of Governor Samuel Ortom. According to a Chieftain of the APC in a press briefingDr.MikeIordye,theAPCwerescheduledtoholdarallyatthecouncil and were preparing when hired thugs started throwing stones and opened gunfire on innocent APC members. “We were shocked with the manner the thugsattackedusdespitethepresenceofsomesoldiersandpolicemen.Aswe speakseveralmembersofourpartyhavesustainedguninjuriesandmanyare missing”AlsospeakingamemberoftheHouseofRepresentativeMr.Dickson Targikir said the APC were aware that Militias were brought in the previous dayto disrupt theevent and had dullyinformed thepolice.

SDP Candidate Alleges Gender Bias

TheSocialDemocraticParty(SDP),flagbearerfortheEti-OsaHouseofRepresentativesseat,Mrs.TessyOwolabi,hasdecriedtheattempttoexcludeher fromascheduleddebateslatedforFebruary4.Thedebatewhichisbeingput togetherbyMediaHubinconjunctionwiththeBritishBroadcastingCorporation (BBC),istagged:EtiOsaDecide.ThedebatewhichhasthecandidatesofAlliance forNewNigeria(ANN),AllProgressivesCongress(APC),ModernDemocratic Party (MDP) and People Democratic Party (PDP) as debaters would hold on February4.“Iwasearliercontactedbytheorganisers.Allnecessaryinformation and detailswereprovided,onlyfor meto discover that I havebeendropped.

Kogi Pilgrims to Pay N1.5m for 2019 Hajj

KogiStateMuslimpilgrimswishingtoattendthis year‘spilgrimageinMecca are to pay N1.5 Million pending the announcement of the year Hajj fares by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) for final payment. The Kogi State HajjCommissiondisclosedthisyesterdayinapressstatementissuedby the Commission’sPublicRelationsOfficer,MallamIsahAbdulrahman,onbehalf oftheExecutiveChairman.Accordingtothestatement, vacancieswerestill availableforthosewillingtoparticipateorsponsorcandidatesforthisyear’s holypilgrimagetoMakka,SaudiArabia.TheCommissionaddedthatithasset the31stofMarch,2019asthedeadline fortheregistrationofintendingpilgrims who desired to participate in the 2019 Hajj exercise, even as it commenced Sensitisationcampaignacrossthe21local government areasof thestate.

Bayelsa Medical Varsity Gets NUC Approval

TheNationalUniversitiesCommissionhasofficially recognisedtheestablishmentoftheBayelsaMedicalUniversity,locatedinYenagoa,thestatecapital.

ExecutiveSecretaryoftheNUC,Prof.AbubakarRasheed,issuedtheapproval letter to a delegation led by the State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.The Governor’s delegation comprised the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Foster Ogola, CommissionerforEducation,JonathanObuebite,ViceChancelloroftheNiger Delta University, Prof. Samuel Edonmiekumor, Acting VC, Bayelsa Medical University,EbitimitulaEtebu,amongothers.AstatementbytheSpecialAdviser, MediaRelationstotheGovernor,FidelisSoriwei,saidProf.Rasheedsaidthat theNUCnowrecognisedtheBMUasthe48thstate-owneduniversity,fourth medicaluniversityandsecondstate-ownedmedicalvarsityinthecountry.He commended the Governor for the establishment of the University of Africa whichhesaidhadmoreforeigninputpercapita,thananyotheruniversityinthe country.Hesaideventhoughtheuniversitywasthefourthmedicaluniversity in the country, he was optimistic that it would be a pacesetting institution in the country. “Although, we don’t encourage the proliferation of universities, wehaveseenthepedigreeof thisgreat man.

‘Obi Brought SABmiller to Nigeria’

TheMediaaidetothePresidentialcandidateofthePeoplesDemocraticParty (PDP),Mr.ValentineObienyem,hasclarifiedthestatementbyhisboss,Mr.Peter Obi, that he brought International Brewery to Nigeria. In a statement made availabletothepress,Mr.ObienyemsaidhisbossmeanttosaySouthAfrican Breweries(SABmiller),whichusedtobethesecondlargestbreweryintheworld.

“Obi actually brought them- SABmiller - to Nigeria and personally attracted themtobuildthefacilityinOnitsha,aftermanyyearsofthecompanytrading withthefamilybusinessheusedtomanage.”Obienyemrevealedthatbeyond SABmiller,ObialsobroughtmanycompaniestobuildtheirfacilitiesinNigeria inconsciouseffortstocontributetotheexpansionofthecountry’sindustrial baseincludingDistel. HefurtherexplainedthatthementionofInternational Brewerieswasbecauseoftheconsolidationofbusinessinterestsofthetwo companiesinNigeriainto International BreweriesPlc.

Dr. Rachael Ilesanmi for BurialToday

The remains of the late Midwife (Dr.) Rachael Ilesanmi will be buried today at her hometown, Okemesi Ekiti, Ekiti State. The late mother of Goke Ilesanmi, Editor-in-Chief/CEO and former Acting Editor of Financial Standard, passed away on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at Ikare Akoko, Ondo State at the age of 80 years. According to a release by Goke the Service of Songs was at CAC, Oke-Aanu, Eshe Street, Ikare Akoko, Ondo followed by the wake service while the final burial service is for today at Okemesi Ekiti. She is survived by five children and many children. The five children are Mrs. Janet Afolabi (nee Janet Ilesanmi); Mrs. Kikelomo Ekundayo (nee Kikelomo Ilesanmi); Goke Ilesanmi; Rotimi Ilesanmi and Tolorunju Ilesanmi and many grandchildren

Plus

Osadolor Asemota I Followed My Passion By Switching to the Entertainment Industry

FASHION FILE GLOBAL SOCCER FAIRGROUND SHOWBIZFLAIR

pg. 22 pg. 29 pg. 36 pg. 45

Ini Edo I Grew Up Under a Strong Christian Influence… My Fear of God, Passion for Humanity Were Imbedded Here

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 2, 2019

PLUS

I Grew Up Under a Strong Christian Influence… My Fear of God, Passion for Humanity Were Embedded Here Actress, Ini Edo, made her debut in the film industry almost two decades ago. She has since earned huge accolades, with over 100 movies to her credit. Ini is also a producer and philanthropist whose work in her hometown has endeared her to many. In this conversation with Azuka Ogujiuba, the 36-year old details her experience, working with colleague and longtime friend, Uche Jumbo, as co-producers of “Heaven on My Mind” amongst other issues

W

hat is the movie “Heaven on My Mind”all about? What inspired it?

The movie is about relationships and the ordeals of being in a bad relationship. It’s about a group of women who happen to be in an unfortunate relationship with a certain business man. Uche sent me the script and wanted me to act on it and when I read the script, it was quite different for me. So I thought, ‘why don’t we do this together as partners’ because it seems big. That was how we came about collaborating on the project.

Having starred in countless movies, what’s unique about your character in ‘Heaven On My Mind’?

Every character has its own peculiarity but in this particular one, my character is a very superficial privileged child, a Benin princess who is very self-indulged.

One who all she cares about is herself, her social image, father’s affluence etc.

You just co-produced alongside Uche Jumbo for the first time. What was it like working with her?

It was a breath of fresh air. Uche is somebody that I have so much respect and love for as a person, a friend and

colleague. I respect what she does and how she does it; the passion she has towards this industry and her job.

I look up to that a lot because that’s one thing you won’t find in a lot of people. She’s not in this for any wrong reason, she’s so invested emotionally in what she does, so getting to work with her not just as colleagues or co-actors but as co-executive producers opened my understanding to a lot of things. My respect for her went on a different level, seeing how she managed to co-produce with me, direct brilliantly well and still act her heart out despite the pressure of being at the helms. Directing, producing are a lot of pressure; I think she’s a super woman and my respect for her has since tripled. My working experience with her is one that I would cherish for the rest of my life and it’s a relationship I’d want to continue one way or the other.

Should we expect a movie that is produced and directed by you?

I like to know my forte. I wouldn’t say directing is not in view for me because like I said, never say never.

Right now if I’m ever going to direct, I’d like to get proper training for that because I think directing is the bedrock of any movie. I think you can have a good story and bad directing will mess

Edo

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

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PLUS Life has taught me that if you stay true to yourself and shut your ears to the noise, the world will adjust it up, I think a good director can turn a bad story into an interesting one. So I won’t want to go into it as an amateur, I’d love to get proper training and be fully equipped for it. So if you hear that I’ve gone to Film School, then know that I’m working on something but until then...

Why is it that we don’t see you in so many movies as before?

That’s a very frequent question but yeah, I took some steps back because to me, everything in my life is just timely.

I like to take my time and sometimes I take my time off certain things just to get certain things done. I’m still acting but I’m not actively acting, not just as active like I used to be because there is a lot of other things I’m trying to tie my hands on and trying to re-focus as a person.

So, I try to give attention to other things that are important to me as a person, which are all personal by the way.

Also, I’ve realised that I can’t be in every film. I don’t want to be in every film. I don’t want to be in as many films that are out but I just want to have a specific number of projects that I’m involved in every year.

Words have it that you recently went under the knife. How true is that?

People will speculate all they want and it’s just life. I think I just grew into paying more attention to myself as a woman. Anyone who knows me from way back knows that I’ve always had a ‘full package’ and if I’ve done something like that, there wouldn’t be a rumour because you’d see it.

I’ve just taken more care of myself over the years. I’ve tried to be more consistent in certain lifestyle just to look the way that I love to look. Of course there would be speculations but that’s all they would be...Speculations!

There is also this story that you had a secret engagement. How true is that?

(Flaunts fingers without a ring) Next question!!

Who would you love to co-star in a movie if possible?

I’d absolutely love to act with Taraji P. Henson. I think she’s just amazing and I’d also love to act with Monique. I think she’s one of the very deep ones and I like her interpretation to characters. She makes it very believable.

In Africa, I’ve pretty much worked with everybody apart from Stella Damasus. She’s the only one I haven’t worked with and I’d love to.

You once opened a bar and we haven’t heard much about it lately, what happened to it?

I shut it down because I had a lot of issues. Most importantly was with Lagos State, pertaining to road mapping where they insisted that I brought down the entrance because it was not authorised or so and there was definitely no way the place could’ve worked without a proper entrance and the car park. It was a lot of back and forth issues and I was at a place where I didn’t have the time to follow it up as it was taking a lot of my emotions and time. Other than that, the business was supposed to be a restaurant and lounge but then it just turned itself into a night club and I didn’t set out to do a night club. So it basically wasn’t giving me the kind of lifestyle I wanted because it was very demanding of my presence especially at night, while I just began a new phase in my life where I didn’t need that level of distraction. So, I just shut it down.

You’ve worked closely with the government in your state and you’re the SA to the governor on tourism.

Do you have a political ambition?

I’d like to say never but I believe in the saying ‘Never say never’ because truth is, nobody really knows what tomorrow will bring. I used to say I don’t like politics at all but here I am today. I know I’m someone who has a lot of opinion. I have a certain way that I feel things should be done. I really don’t know where that part of me will take me to in future but I’m open to anything.

Do you think we have enough women in politics right?

No, I don’t think we have enough women in politics but I’m very sure that women are getting in gradually.

Women have come out of their shadows and are participating in every aspect of everything that concerns this life. So as long as a human being can do it, a woman is doing it.

Tell us about your formative years?

I spent my formative years in Akwa Ibom State with my parents and siblings.

Growing up with my folks was quite eventful and fun. I had the love of both my parents and siblings and we stuck with each other even when things didn’t look too good. I wouldn’t say I had it tough, as my parents, though, were civil servants, did their best at the time to make sure my siblings and I had what we needed and went to one of the best schools around...I have seen people who had it tough growing up so I wouldn’t say that was my case in any way.

We grew up under a strong Christian influence. My parents were church officials, so naturally, I believe that the fear of God and passion for humanity must have been imbedded from there.

My parents are two very loving, simple and God fearing...constantly praying, admonishing, yet supportive of our every positive move.. A typical Christian family.

What was the best gift you received as a kid?

The best gifts would depend on the occasion...I always looked forward to the festive seasons where we would get new clothes and shoes for our end of year.

What have been your high and low points in life?

Worst moment was when I lost my grand mum who also played a huge part in our upbringing. Also, there were disappointments as people tried to pull me down but I pulled through knowing that everything in life happens for a reason. I always remember the bible portion that says ‘All things worketh together for good for those who love the Lord.’ So, this reassurance from God gives me the confidence and always pulls me up from every bad situation.

Any regret in life?

I try not to have too many regrets because in every situation, there is a life lesson to be learnt and these lessons only make me stronger and wiser.

What is your biggest fear in life?

My biggest fear would be not fulfilling my purpose on earth...we are all here for a reason and if that purpose isn’t achieved...that life may have been wasted.

What is the lesson life has taught you?

Life has taught me that if you stay true to yourself and shut your ears to the noise, the world will adjust. Also, never to put your trust in any human being. Never also judge a book by its cover.

Edo

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

PLUS

Osadolor Asemota

I Followed My Passion

By Switching to the Entertainment Industry

Osadolor Nate Asemota popularly known as Dr. Dolor is an entrepreneur and the CEO of Dr. Dolor Entertainment (DDE), a record label and music distribution company.

The 38-year-old who started his career working with top telecommunication companies in Nigeria has been on top of his game ever since. The father of four explains to Azuka Ogujiuba, how he handles his home front and businesses, his vision for DDE and more

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

PLUS The Memory of My Mum Walking Me to School As a Young Lad Sticks On My Head

W

ho is Osadolor Asemota?

I am a small boy from Benin City. I grew up in Benin City that’s where I also schooled, studied mathematics and economics, had a strong background in consulting and business development and now I am in the entertainment space. So, I am just an entrepreneur trying to grow a business and a brand for the whole world to see and appreciate. I am blessed with three boys - Jesse, Jethro and Jed - and recently God blessed me with a daughter Janelle. I have an amazing wife who is always supporting me and I am so blessed for having someone as wonderful as her.

Any indelible memory while growing up?

The memory of my mum walking me to school as a young lad sticks on my head and her departure from this mother earth on June 12, 2006 hits my feelings anytime I think about it.

How did you come about Dr. Dolor?

Back in my university days, I used to have conversations with my friends on how Ben Carson’s books inspired me, trying to explain what goes down in the book with so much passion. Hence my friends started calling me Dr. Dolor.

So, that’s how the name Dr. Dolor came into being.

What influenced your choice of music business and why did you leave Telecommunications?

Basically it wasn’t about the job. Of course, I was enjoying what I was doing in telecommunications but I knew I had passion for other things which is music and entertainment. I enjoy the entertainment industry, especially when I see young talents climbing the ladder and achieving so much from nothing. I was in the telecommunications industry for about nine to 10 years and I decided I needed to do something new and fresh.

I had to follow my passion, because, eventually, that is what life is about, that is finding happiness and I must say doing music has been very fulfilling.

How do you identify a good and promising artiste?

I have the eye for talent but if you come to me as an artiste, I just don’t look for talent alone. There has to be a balance and your attitude towards work is important. Your personality and your relationship with people around you because you are coming into an industry where we have culture, traditions.

So, you can’t come and say alone your talent can do it.

What was your engagement with your new act, Teni. How did she get into your record label?

Okay for Teni, a friend told me about her. I didn’t really know about her then.

I saw a video of her on Instagram; so I told my friend I wasn’t interested in blowing any other artiste that I was

focusing on the ones we have. So, that same evening, I took a look at her Instagram page and found out that she was truly talented. She was not just an artiste; she was engaging her followers and fans and that got my attention; that means she is an entertainer. So, I decided I was going to work with her.

I told her to send her stuff then the rest is history. We met in Atlanta and signed the contract. Currently, I have three artiste - Ryan, Teni and Vanilla Lu. Apart from Teni being comical, what other things does she do?

First of all, Teni is very natural and she just loves being herself and her attitude to work is appealing. She does not play with food and sleep and also she knows where she is going to; she has a vision and very focus.

What’s your view on the increasing contract breach between artistes and label owners?

There has to be an understanding between both parties. Like I said earlier, business is a win win situation once both parties reach a conclusion. When Teni was coming on board, the first thing I asked her was ‘what do you want from me’. She said she doesn’t want anyone to turn her to a writer. So, we unanimously agreed on what we both wanted for ourselves. I think the key to having a successful relationship with your artiste is communication. It is like a relationship, there will be misunderstanding, but if you are both sincere with each other, then everything will work fine.

How do you spend your leisure time?

I love to travel a lot. I have a goal to visit 40 countries before I turn 40 and I must say I am close to hitting that mark.

When I am not travelling, I like to play table tennis or hang out with my family.

If you are to go on a luxurious trip for days, what are the things you would take along?

Of course, I will take myself, my working equipment and my wife and kids if the opportunity comes - family first.

Which female celebrity is a complete woman to you?

I will say Simi because she mixes and masters her own songs by herself and she is one of the few people in the industry we don’t hear scandals about.

She produces and writes her songs by herself. My yard stick for measuring her in this case is basically work ethic. As for the international scene, I will say it’s Jada Pinkette smith.

If you had an opportunity to have a dinner with a business mogul, who would you like to have it with?

Well I am a serial entrepreneur and I love to work hard and I also love to play. So, I will say Otedola because he is a very successful businessman, a family man and he works hard and also knows how to have a good time.

Basically it wasn’t about the job. Of course, I was enjoying what I was doing in telecommunications but I knew I had passion for other things which is music and entertainment. I enjoy the entertainment industry, especially when I see young talents climbing the ladder and achieving so much from nothing. I was in the telecommunications industry for about nine to 10 years and I decided I needed to do something new and

Asemota

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

Fashion File

Lilian Afegbai launches Lingerie

‘LILYS SECRET’

FEBRUARY 2, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

FASHION FILE Lilian Afegbai launches Lingerie

T

he word Lingerie comes from the French word ‘lingerie’, meaning “things made of linen”. Lingerie has a racy connotation in English- fancy undergarments in lace and silk that is fashion’s closest answer to the puzzle of women’s sensuality.

It suggests, it flirts, but it never reveals all.

Throughout history, lingerie has served as womens answer to questions of individual sensuality and suggestion Lillys Secret, the love child of award-winning actress and producer, Lilian Afegbai was birth out of the need to make women of all ages, sizes, and tax bracket feel beautiful and sexy for themselves(first), and the pleasure of their significant others.

“I have always loved to look good even when no one is watching. Feeling great is the cornerstone of seduction, and it starts with you feeling fabulous underneath your clothes” says Afegbai.A dream she has had for so long, Afegbai single-handedly designed the lingerie range with body positivity and inclusivity in mind. There are a lot of lingerie brands in Nigeria, with only a handful of Nigerianowned brands, and Lillys Secrets is forging the underwear of the future. It is playing with the constructed ideals and imagery (pin-up) of the current market and the dominant male preferences and expectations of what makes a woman attractive. In the age of body positivity, feminism and #MeToo movement, Lillys Secrets is embracing all the curves, folds, rolls, scars, love handles, stretch marks, six pack and many more. “I want women to feel beautiful, sexy and free of society’s connotation of beauty, because we are all uniquely and wonderfully created”, says Afegbai.

The spectrum of styles include; bras, babydolls, chemises, corsets, garters, panty hoses, rompers, stockings, sleepwear, teddies, thongs, waist trainers.

Launching online today and an in-store launch on Thursday 31st January 2019, at its flagship store in Season One Mall in Lekki, Lillys Secrets heralds a new beginning for Nigerian women and the lingerie market in the conversations and meanings of beauty.

Credits Lingerie: @lillyssecret_ Creative Planning and Styling : @efetommyoflife and @sep_nimi_ briggs for @ prbespoke Models: @precious_john @oiza008 @adukebey__ @official_queenfairy @lillyafe ake up: @flawlessfaces eMake @flawlessfacesane byjane air: @goodhairltd g Hair: shes & Lashes ntact lenses: le contact @ ficial_queenfairy q official_queenfairy otography g p y& Photography deography g p y:@ Videography artystudios libartystudios R:@ PR rnew loprnew

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Í°Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

Underage Voters

EBERE WABARA

W

ELCOME to the month of love: â€œâ€Ś the regime of crime with many youths taking to kidnapping and all manners of vices.â€? (DAILY TRUST Opinion Page, December10) Right: all manner of vices. “Menace of under-aged votersâ€? Get it right: underage voters. Never “overagedâ€? players or “maturedâ€? politicians “NASS will re-open Bakassi issueâ€?

(THISDAY Headline, December 30) This way: reopen. “Ugwueze goes to the alterâ€? (SATURDAY Vanguard Headline, January 5) High-heeled: altar. “Imo: Late arrival of materials mar election in Oguta LGâ€? A recurring case of subject-verb disagreement: Late arrival of materials mars (not mar). It has nothing to do with “materialsâ€?, but “late arrivalâ€?. “In the past, such leaders have (had) plundered the common wealth and infected the environment with the demon of greed and avarice.â€? (NIGERIAN Tribune, December 11) “The electorate streams (stream) out tomorrow at the beginning of a voting exercise that will ultimately ease out‌.â€?

There are two types of Persil brands in the market, apparently imported by private individuals (are there public individuals?) who thought there are (were) openings in Nigeria’s detergent market.�

(Vanguard, January 11) “Large turn-out signpost rescheduled Imo polls� (BUSINESSDAY, January 11) Get it right: turn-out signposts.

BY

“No other country in (on) this continent throws up the kind of absurdities that we have in this land.â€? (DAILY INDEPENDENT, January 8) “Such persons should be declared persona non grate (sic).â€? (Source: as above) At the crossroads: personae non grata. “If he were still in power, the former governor would have been immuned (immune) to‌.â€? (DAILY Sun, December 11) “Thirdly, corruption was not limited to the outgoing governor but involved his cohorts at the corridor of power.â€?

(Nigerian Tribune, December 11) Africa’s executive robbers: in the corridors of power. “Even though I wanted to see him, he advised against it on the ground that I could get into trouble‌.’’ (Sunday PUNCH, January 6) The verdict: on the grounds.

Still on the above edition: “The state Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has 36 chapels out of which seven chapel officers, all duely (duly) nominated and some of the.‌â€? â€œâ€Śarrogating the powers of the National President and the Central Working Committee (CWC) on (to) himself and.‌â€?

(THE GUARDIAN, December 11) â€œâ€Śthe reduction on the external debt and investment in social infrastructures and equipments.â€? (THE PUNCH, December 11) The last word in the extract is uncountable, just like these: stationery, bedding, cutlery, jewelry, gossip (as an act)‌. “Why is President Muhammadu Buhari dragging his foot (feet/heels) on probing treasury looters‌?â€? (DAILY TRUST, January 11) â€œâ€Śabolish the federal agency and

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

realign it into (with) mainstream government machinery.� (NIGERIAN Tribune, December 11) “Thugs in Imo State lay siege on electoral materials� (Sunday Vanguard, January 6) This way: lay siege to (not on). “They had a second wind between 1964 to 1985, though they did not know it.� (Source: as above) A recurring error: between 1964 and 1985 or from 1964 to 1985—no mix-up. “I must confess from the onset that I am not a protagonist of military rule.’’ ((DAILY TRUST, January 11) Get it right: from the outset (in this context). “The boss and his secretary will continue to have intimate official connection, in spite of gossips.� (DAILY SUN, December 11) ‘Gossip’, as an act, is uncountable.

But, with reference to those who talk idly and backbite, inflection of the word is allowed. “But ours is quite different, judging by the experience with regards to the activities of the elected‌.â€? Either of these: as regards or with regard to. “The industrial sectors of the economy have to invest in information technology, the type of which would stimulate the necessary (could it have been unnecessary?) inputs to produce good results.’’ In British Standard English, which strictly applies here, ‘input’ is non-count, but countable in the usually informal American English, which, of course, is a corruption of the formal version. “The elitist Ikoyi Club, established in 1938, sometime ago celebrated its Diamond Jubilee amid pomp and pageantry.â€?

(DAILY TRUST, December 11) Standard expression: pomp and ceremony (or circumstance) or just pomp. The expression,

‘pomp and pageantry’, is a perversion of the English language. “Staff Reporter‌takes a peep into the nation’s recent past and notes that it is a past whose scars will remain for sometime.â€? (THE GUARDIAN, November 11) Right focus: for some time. “One of the suspects said his intention was to warm (worm) his way back to the country.‌â€? â€œâ€Śgunshot wounds he received in the hands of armed bandits‌.â€? (DAILY TRUST, October 11) Reporters who don’t appreciate the magnitude of ‘banditry’ should play ball with ‘armed robbery’ ‘Banditry’ is simply criminal violence, involving sophisticated weaponry. So, in the interest of morphological sanity, delete ‘armed’.

The next catachresis is from the Sunday Vanguard of January 6: “The chairman of the occasion quickly acknowledged it was not easy to launch a book after Chidi has (had) launched it.� “Two failed banks chiefs get bail�

Towards a better use of language: bank chiefs. The plurality of ‘banks’ had been taken care of by ‘chiefs’, in line with syntactic sequence. “Lagos NURTW swims in fresh crisis: “Factional leaders,,,,in free-for-all fight�

Yank off ‘fight’ to avert calamitous redundancy.

A critique of the critic: last week an error of the keyboard crept into this column.

Instead of “dialectal�, we had “dialectical� in one of the passages! Thanks to the reader who pointed this out. This is an unreserved apology to my teeming readers. More reactions are welcome.

Bala Ibrahim

Governor Badaru Deserves a Second Term Ăœ Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă’Ă“Ă— Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ ÞËÞĂ? Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ëœ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?ÓÞã Ă?Ù××ÓʾĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ‹Ă•Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂ&#x; Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă¤Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă•Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂ&#x; Ă’Ă‹ĂŽ ĂŽĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÞËÞĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™Ăœ ĂĄĂ™Ă˜ËŞĂž Ă‹ ĂŒĂ“Ă‘ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă—Ë› Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?ĂĄ åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ăž ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Benneth Oghifo, ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă’Ă“Ă— Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™Ăœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă”Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–ĂŁ

H

ow would you convince a willing voter to cast his or her vote in the coming election for the continuation of the Badaru-led government?

Jigawa State is an agrarian state. It is populated by about five million inhabitants.

About 89% of the population is living on agriculture. That is the main stay of the local economy here. The government, right from the creation of the state, depends solely on the federation allocation, meaning the government based its expenditure especially budgetary expenditure on what its gets from the monthly federal allocation. The state has a very low capacity of generating revenue because of so many economy factors. When this government came to power, this was a major problem that confronted my principal, Governor Abubakar Muhammad Badaru when he was sworn in as governor. The revenue of the state was almost nothing.

This meant that if the price of oil goes down, the revenue of the Federal Government naturally goes down and of course, the state allocation too automatically drops. That was exactly what happened to the three tiers of governments in 2015 when there was change of guard. That affected the revenue of the state severely. And couple with that, our salary bill is about N2 billion every month. So you see that the little we had was not enough to take us home, and we had a lot infrastructure deficit and lot of services to render.

Meanwhile, we came with promises for the people. And yet we inherited huge contractual liabilities amounting to billions of naira, to be specific, about N130 billion contractual and financial liabilities. Believe me, the purse of the government was extremely low because the government only inherited N16 million when it came in. It was a precarious situation. But we were very lucky that we had a governor, a very successful business man, a veteran financial expert, a man who has the love of the people at heart, a man who also has the fear of God at heart. He studied the situation and he addressed the issue one after the other. The first thing he said as that we needed to curtail the cost of governance. The cost of governance was reduced drastically. The governor, you all know by now is not a spendthrift. He goes for value for money. His managerial ability during this trying period also surprised the opposition as to why and how the government of Jigawa under Badaru was able to pay salary the following month, not even month ending but 25th of the month. Since then, till this very month,

tion that has not been completed by the Badaru administration.

Another thing I want you to recognize is the fact that Jigawa is a salary economy state, meaning if the state fails to pay salary for one or two months, even our market will be affected, the markets depend solely on the salaries of workers. And that is how the money goes round the state.

Ibrahim for the past three and half years, everybody gets their salaries by 25th of every month.

Another thing the governor did was that he resolved with his cabinet that all abandoned project worth about N90 billion must be completed first before anything else, this was despite the fact that the state was and still a civil servant state. The internally generated revenue is just about N130 million per month which is nothing to talk about. He said the contractual obligation of the state must be obeyed respected irrespective of which administration initiated them. He said the state government would not embark on new projects until the ones his government met are completed. All the contractors were called for a meeting, there, he appealed to their conscience and asked for their understanding so that they all looked at the contract sum and see how the cost could be cut down without reducing the value fo the job.

Thankfully, all of them saw reasons with the governor. I must add that they were very cooperative. Some of the contractors gave a discount of 20%, some 25%, some less, within the total sum of the projects they are handling, all this done without compromising the quality and quantity of the job. As we speak, there is no one single project of the previous administra-

Any impact in the agriculture sector?

For agriculture, the state has made giant strides in that area.

We might not make noise, it is deliberate. Jigawa now produces its own rice which we now supply to other states. We produce our fertilizer too. The government has been able to attract private investors into its economy. Presently, the Dangote rice is here, Lee group is here, all functioning with their industries.

Walcourt is also here and many other process and produce agricultural produce, all this within three years of this government. The governor has set the state on a sustainable economy growth path. The only way this can be consolidated is to return the government back to power, because if there is any change now, it could spell disaster for the state because new policies will come, new vision will come which retard the progression the state is presently witnessing. Presently, the government has raised the standard of living of an average Jigawa person.

Some will say that there is really no difference between the APC and the PDP, in the style of leadership in Jigawa?

That is not correct. The difference between both governments is like Coke and Fanta. The difference is very clear. This government is extremely prudence when it comes to judicious use of resources. You cannot compare apple and pineapplle. They are totally different. Here, public funds are used for public interest, not only that; when funds are used for public interest in terms of infrastructure, you will see them physically on the round. It is not on paper. Not only that, the infrastructure will be benefitting the large masses of the people, not infrastructure that would be abandoned because it has no value for the people.

There are lots of infrastructure in the state that are not really generating any income for the state at the moment, the state airport for example, tell me what revenue it is generating to state, yet the previous government spent humongous amount on the airport. I am sorry to say, the previous government was a spendthrift, they were just spending money the way they liked.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 2, 2019

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POLITY UchennaAnnie-OkonkwoDrivesintoPolitics Remarkably sound, with marked enthusiasm about his acquired business success, and profundity of life, Uchenna Harris Annie-Okonkwo leaves much to be desired, even as a fresh politician and son of a prominent Nigerian, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

H

e tows his father’s accomplished footpath first in business and now venturing into politics. His success was not wholly defined by him being the first child of his parents. It was shaped and determined by virtues as being earnest, humble and resilient and driven by an aspiration for a better surrounding and inhabitable community. Sitting atop a privileged position at a multidimensional conglomerate with unassuming and tactful disposition, his managerial position oversees responsibilities that are met decidedly in commodity trading, specialising in fast moving consumer goods, with significant interest in oil and gas, mining and manufacturing.

From a private point of view and the peculiar Nigerian challenges, Uchenna Harris Annie-Okonkwo is on a strong footing, piloting the affairs of the company as the Executive Director. “We are graciously doing well,” he says for sure, “we have done very well in our areas of chosen interests.”

A native of Ojoto in Anambra State, he grew up partly in Aba and Lagos, where he completed his secondary education before moving to Canada for higher studies. Today, he has double honours in Political Science and Philosophy, a qualification good enough to steer him in his new venture and capped with a separate degree in Professional Writing and Strategic Communications.

His company Topwide Ventures Limited has successfully been in business since 1996. Thanks to his father Senator Annie Okonkwo, “my dad was first a successful businessman before a politician, so the influences run appreciatively concurrently. Growing up too was delightful by virtue of my mother’s inspirational stature. Her moral regimen was and continues to be a well of vintage wisdom. . . So between them, my education and all the people I have met and read about, my philosophy of life is already cut out to add my bit to uphold humanity through service by examples.”

No doubt a successful business Annie-Okonkwo entrepreneur by virtue of his family background, why venturing into politics? His reason is quite relatable. “If you are in a position to assist, help or change the course of events that brings succour to people, you cannot sit back and fold your alms and keep watching things being done in an irrational way and manner. Between our basic governance architecture, that is, the leaders and the followers, there has been a cascading defect in the leadership cadre. There are so many irregularities, inconsistencies and inefficiencies that have trapped our system into regression. We must as a collective, do something about it and one sure way is getting involved; getting involved by offering yourself for service through election .”

He may not hold much of an achievement in grassroots but have modestly done lots of poverty alleviation programmes which he doesn’t see as an accomplishment, but rather normal civic philanthropy. Adding that he feels fulfilled and excited whenever he visits the orphanages or render help to people. According to him, “It’s actually one of the reasons that propelled me into politics in order to possibly increase the scale of the lives I touch and will surely touch.”

Waxing philosophical, the young Annie-Okonkwo postulates. “You cannot prescribe drugs to a patient in the theatre from the balcony. Nigeria is a precarious political patient in the theatre and every concerned citizen should get involved to restore her or risk her being rested. I have therefore chosen

I see the same similarity here. Even though everyone has his own mindset in terms of what progressive development should be. But for me given my exposure and mindset, I see it further than bare average. I feel the need to go beyond familiar tokenism to offer vibrant service centered representation to a people that deserve more but continually gotten less. In my zone of Idemili North and South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, I have seen and studied the situation on the ground

the former and take my going into politics as a call for national duty, aware of the overarching need to objectively demonstrate a capacity for public good especially representing my people of Idemili North and South at the Federal House.”

He is well set out with a definitive mindset in his ambitious political stride to represent his constituents and offer probable solutions however similar it seems. “I see the same similarity here. Even though everyone has his own mindset in terms of what progressive development should be. But for me given my exposure and mindset, I see it further than bare average. I feel the need to go beyond familiar tokenism to offer vibrant service centered representation to a people that deserve more but continually gotten less. In my zone of Idemili North and South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, I have seen and studied the situation on the ground.

“Our people need inspiration that connects to reality, a hope that builds consensus, actions that generate results. My holistic agenda is purely captured in the simple phrase of my campaign thread ‘Together for Everybody, Service to Everyone’. It’s a clarion beckon to everyone as principal stakeholders in the political business of representation, not a transaction exchange that comes handy every four years. I and My Teamwork group have carefully cased up our needs and I will do everything within me to make sure that these researched alleviation methods are practically made elementary in a

sustainable manner.

“Infrastructures that unbutton self-empowerment, ideas that unlock creativity, attitudes that incubate trust will all be in the works for the most harnessed representation our people deserve and should get. We will not only get things done, but show people that things are not as complicated as the way vote traders have skillfully always presented it to them. You have to escalate actions above the basics which imply that you have to take steps from day one to move your people forward.

It is as simple as doing it not excusing it. And you know what? The magic of plenty actions will come from the abundance of our youth’s vitality, their reinforced determination to be involved and increasingly in charge.”

Annie-Okonkwo holds many thanks to global influencers like the French President Emmanuel Macron who was blunt in his message to the youths that their most important assignment should be to get “involved in their politics.” To him, it is a major morale boost to everyone and every youthful individual, to unleash their exuberance, tenacity and genuine purpose into politics. That way he believes the youths can get in line to transit from being gratified as leaders of tomorrow and as leaders of today for a better generation next.

With a plain resolve that he will along side with every interest mate pursue restructuring totally and hopefully, “we can achieve it. The youths will work better for their constituencies as more elastic

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 2, 2019

POLITY

Dapo Abiodun’s CampaignTrain Lands in Ogun East Femi Ogbonnikan writes on the campaign tour of the Ogun State governorship flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Abiodun, to Ijebu Ode, Ijebu East, Ijebu North, Remo North and Sagamu local government areas respectively

I

n many wards of the various communities across the three senatorial districts toured so far visited by Prince Dapo Abiodun, the anguish, despair and worry on the faces of the inhabitants depict absence of government to cater for their immediate basic needs. Deplorable roads, decaying of public schools and hospitals, water scarcity and absence of electricity are some of the problems confronting the people.

For instance, the roads between OdeRemo to Ilara-Remo and from Ilara-Remo to Akaka, both within the purview of Remo North Local Government Area, are in very bad shapes. Abiodun could not help but empathized with the indigenes of these affected communities who sought audience with, and inundated him with their various problems. He promised to intervene if voted into office.

While addressing APC members and supporters at Isiwo, in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, on January 21, the APC governorship candidate promised a new dawn for all sons and daughters of the state, if he emerged as the next governor.

According to him, “don’t be deceived by some politicians that have gone out on the prowl, knocking at your doors to bring out your Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) to take the numbers on them and then, offer you money.

“And we can’t be in the same party and we will be making the same mistakes. No! It is not possible. These set of politicians are not real members of APC. APC is the party.

Broom is the symbol of our party. In all the elections, make sure you cast your votes for the APC. “By the grace of God and with your support, Buhari isn’t in another party but in APC. Vice-President Osinbajo is our son and we should use our votes to promote and make him great, so that he (Osinbajo) can know that his kinsmen are solidly behind him.

“I want to use this occasion to reiterate my commitment to ensuring that I bring my vast experience in the private sector to bear into governance if I emerged as the governor of the state.”

Responding to the requests of the monarch of the ancient town, Oba Sikiru Salisu, and Council of Baales, the APC governorship flag bearer promised to help them in rehabilitating the 15 kilometre road stretching from Ijebu-Ode through Yemoji/Odo-Ladenusi/ Oko-Ako/Odo-Lofa and to Isiwo; the construction of a culvert linking the various communities; renovation of both public primary and secondary schools; energizing their transformers; provision of pipe-borne water; among others.

Earlier, former APC Ogun East Senatorial district chairman, Alhaji Folorusho Elias, expressed appreciation for the visit of Abiodun.

Elias said the monarch, his subjects and the entire inhabitants had decided to speak with one voice and cast their votes for the candidature of Abiodun and the APC as a party.

Subsequently, the Ogun State APC governorship candidate took his campaign train to Remo North Local Government Area and made the Palace of Alaye Ode-Remo his first port of call.

While being received by the Alaye, Oba Amindu Osho, Abiodun reiterated his commitment to giving priority attentions to the development of rural communities through the reconstruction of new roads, if he is elected.

He said that though it was important to have flyovers in Abeokuta, but said rural roads should not be abandoned, just because of the development of the state capital.

According to the APC governorship candidate, “fixing rural roads would ease movement of farm produce and dwellers

L-R: Ogun State APC Governorship Candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun and his running mate, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele

Abiodun and his campaign train during a rally in Ijebu-Ode

from one location to another.

“It is also evident that, many communities in the state are without pipe-borne water and regular power supply. We will look into these challenges and attend to them,” he said.

Besides, the APC governorship candidate averred that the forthcoming governorship election was for the greater growth and development of the state and urged the people to cast their vote en-mass for the APC. “We are not leaving APC for another party because we know it is a great party that can bring dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

“We are going to return power to the local governments so that council chairmen can perform their statutory duties effectively.

Also, we will build multi-healthcare centres in each local government area.

“Those using the portraits of President Muhammadu Buhari as their presidential candidates are not being honest to themselves because they do not belong to our party, APC”, said the governorship candidate.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Alaye OdeRemo, Oba Amindu Osho, said he, his chiefs and inhabitants were ready to deploy all the resources at their disposal to ensure that the APC governorship candidate wins.

“Dapo Abiodun is a glorious son of Remoland and he needs our prayers and we

will support him.

“He is the governorship candidate we want to see at the Okemosan governor’s office, come May 29, 2019. I have no doubt in my mind, that Abiodun will win. Because having Engineer Segun Adesegun, a former Deputy Governor, a tested and trusted person, as his Campaign Organisation DG, victory is sure for Abiodun,” said the monarch.

Education, they say, is the key success.

Abiodun has promised to place premium on education and assured parents and students in Ogun state-owned tertiary institutions to watch out for an end to the incessant crises, if he is elected governor.

Abiodun gave this promise, while addressing students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, who accosted him, while on the ward-to-ward campaign tour of the Ifelodun Constituency, in Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state, on January 25.

He said: “I want to assure you of my utmost priority for an improvement in the education standard in the State. I will maintain a frequent connection with the students in a bid to listen to their plights through regular Town Hall meetings, at least, twice every year of my administration.

“I sincerely appreciate the ways and manners at which you have articulated your

points and I am assuring you, that as a son of teachers, I will ensure that we formulate a policy that will address all the lingering crises in the education sector”.

It would be recalled that the state-owned tertiary institutions have been enmeshed in crises due to non-payment of salaries and other welfare packages.

The APC governorship candidate stressed that education remains the greatest legacy any government could give his people.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the students, President of the Students Union Government (SUG) of the institution, Comrade Akinbo Afolabi Olamide (Kempes), urged Abiodun to formulate a student-friendly educational policy when he becomes governor.

He said: “Our in-coming governor, we have been looking for this opportunity to interact with you and see what you have for us before we declare support for you.

“The educational standard of this State has deteriorated and the school fees are becoming unbearable for the common man. I want to appeal to you, to address this menace as soon as you get into office, because I believe you are the next governor of Ogun State.

The APC governorship candidate assured the residents of the host community (Ago-Iwoye) of speedy completion of the abandoned Ilishan-Ago-Iwoye road upon assumption of office as governor of the state.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 2, 2019

POLITY

Ambode: The Challenge before Lagos Assembly Oluseyi Folarin

P

rior to the caution by Legislative Probity and Accountability Project, LPAJ, a Civil Society Organization, few days ago, the freewheeling brouhaha in the Lagos State House of Assembly has been a worrisome trend to observers of the state politics. The pronouncement on January 28, 2019, by the Mudashiru Obasa leadership to commence impeachment proceedings against Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, according to the lawmakers was premised on alleged misconduct and infraction on the state budget by the outgoing chief executive. But for impartial observers of the development, the turn of events has a colouration of a scheme hatched to settle personal grudges and to persecute and humiliate the governor.

Overwhelmingly, 28 of 34 lawmakers spoke against the governor in their plenary calling for his impeachment while the remaining six called for his resignation. In the end, they gave him one week to present his defence before a committee of the House.

I believe this is morally wrong and extremely ridiculous for a governor to come before a committee to answer questions that have no bearing on the governance of the state other than in pursuit of selfish interests. Coming barely two weeks to an election that is critical to the survival of the political powerbrokers and juggernauts in the state, the hounding of Governor Ambode by the hawks is a melodrama of Byzantine politics.

As the LPAJ noted, citizens, while they may not want to dabble in the politics of the state which has become dark and devious in the past few months, they will not, however, continue to watch in silence while the polity descends into chaos and an arena of unbridled parochial interests. Hence, the protests by various groups across the state in the last few days.

There is no gainsaying the obvious fact that citizens are not against the lawmakers

performing their duty if truly the governor is guilty of the infraction articulated in the House. But an organization has equally raised big questions about the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He who must come to equity must come with clean hands. In its press release that has gone viral, LPAJ accused the leadership of the Assembly of misappropriation of N28.8 billion as the running cost of the legislative House, alleging that the entire members were paid only N2.4 billion out of this huge sum in three years, leaving a big question mark over what happened to the remaining N26.4billion.

The CSO had further alleged that out of the N800million collected monthly as running cost by the Obasa led Assembly, each of the 40 members was only given N2million a month for doing nothing. Who pockets a whooping balance of N720million every month? This is a question the Lagos House of Assembly leadership has been running away from since the allegation was raised in a statement issued on Tuesday by LPAJ. Information from other quarters has also shown that the lawmakers have been collecting hundreds of millions of naira under the guise of foreign courses and conferences, which they never attended. These are grave infractions and criminal in nature, which must not be swept under the carpet.

Unfortunately, the lawmakers have been evasive. They have avoided to provide answers to these pertinent questions even at the press conference they held on Wednesday which they ended abruptly to preempt reporters’ inquisitions. This evasiveness further fuelled public suspicion and distrust.

With a growing climate of cynicism, why would Lagosians take them seriously and not doubt their motives?

The principle of casting the first stone applies even in the most Machiavellian of politics. If the lawmakers are bent on unraveling the sins of Ambode, they should also in fairness, first answer the financial probity questions raised against them.

They should offer an explanation for the transparency question hanging over their

Ambode

integrity. Should they fail to address the allegations against them, how would they expect the public to react when they go ahead with their planned impeachment?

Here, the Golden Rule is germane: Do unto others what you want others to do unto you. Lagos politics in the last six months has degenerated into cloak-and-dagger affairs that have desecrated some democratic ideals and warped some of the principles that characterized the politics of the state.

What I believe is of more importance to Lagosians and indeed Nigerians at this point is the State Assembly’s cooperation with the governor to complete some of his signature projects so that governance can be served to the downtrodden for whom the projects are meant. In all their deliberations and deeds, it is pertinent that the lawmakers remember a sacrosanct order: The people first.

If they were sensitive to the feelings of the people whom they claim to represent, they would take a cue from the rumblings that attended their latest move. So far, public opinion strongly indicated the impeachment

notice is unpopular. While there were grumblings when the party withdrew the reelection ticket from the governor, there was hardly any serious unrest among the public. But in the last few days, following the announcement of the assembly’s impeachment intention, people and various organized groups have been vehement in their protests.

As the country moves into the final weeks before the general election, there is already tension across the length and breadth of Nigeria and the Lagos lawmakers should not unnecessarily provoke the masses into a mass action of any sort that could trigger a bigger upheaval. Commonsense calls for caution and impeaching Governor Ambode at this juncture is a decision bereft of common sense.

More importantly, lawmakers ought to know that responsibility to their Maker is far more important than fealty to a godfather who would not be there the day they render account to their maker. I believe this piece of counsel is enough for the wise.

–––Oluseyi Folarin sent in this piece from Gbagada, Lagos

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, SWIFTA Systems and Services, Ayo Farinu; Programme Manager, Nigeria Off-Grid Market Acceleration Programme, Adedotun Eyinade; Managing Director, Azuri International ,Vera Nwaze; and Founder/ ChiefExecutiveOfficer,SmarterGridInternational,HeatherOnoh, duringapressconferenceannouncingtheIntegrationoftheInitialFiveSolarHomeSystemsCompaniesintoSWIFTA’sOmnibranchesPlatform,held inLagos...recently

L-R: PDP Governorship Candidate for Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, during a visit to the palace of His Royal Highness, De Wheno Ahelu Menu Toyi 1, the Akran of Badagry... recently

L-R: Old Boys, Ondo Boys High School, Otunba Oyin Adedeji; Dr. Kola Akinleye; Chairman of the Occasion, Amb. Tayo Ogunsutire; and the Author, Prof. Ropo Sekoni at the launch of a book, Title “One Century of Nigeria First Community Secondary School in Ondo” by Prof. Sekoni, held in Lagos... recently SUNDAYADIGUN

L-R: Marketing Director NB Plc., Emmanuel Oriakhi; Corporate Affairs Director NB Plc. Sade Morgan; Brand Ambassador Star Lager Beer, Damini Ogulo (Burna Boy); and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NB Plc. Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel, at the official announcement of Burna Boy as the first Brand Ambassador for Star Lager Beer... recently

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t'&#36"3: , 2019

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

L-R: Multipro Port Harcourt Marketer, Chijoke Obiako; Brand Manager, Indomie Relish, Ginny Tewatia; University of Port Harcourt Student, Sherry Momoh and Branch Manager, Multipro Port Harcourt , Gaurav Srivastava during the launch of Indomie Relish in Port Harcourt Mall, recently

Nestle Nigeria team with participants at the Suppliers Day held in Lagos...recently

Coca-Cola Expands Offerings, Acquires Chi Ltd The Coca-Cola company has formally announced the total acquisition of Chi Limited in a private equity deal.

This was as the company informed that it has completed the acquisition of 60 percent stake in Chi-Limited after acquiring 40 percent stake in January 29,2016.

Speaking at a press briefing to announce the deal on Thursday, President, Coca-Cola West Africa Business Unit, Peter Njonjo noted that the move was borne out of the need to improve customers’ experience with the brand in addition to the company’s committment to

becoming a total beverage company.

Explaining further that the deal was motivated by trends among consumers, he said, “ The company continues to evolve as a total beverage company, and Chi’s diverse range of beverages perfectly complements our existing portfolio, enabling us to accelerate expansion into new categories, satisfy consumers preferences and grow our business in Africa.

Njonjo restated that Chi Limited would continue to exist as an independent company whose products will be distributed globally .

“We will not collapse the Chi brand.

Rather we will continue to grow both brands and employees so as to boost our customer base and market share.

“We will support the Chi management team in building on the company’s remarkable heritage and achievements, while using the scale of the Coca-Cola system to replicate their success in more markets across Africa.”

This acquisition further signals the Coca-Cola’s optimism about Africa’s consumer opportunity and a commitment to its long-term investment and growth plan on the continent, where it has existed for more than 90 years.

Zidora Foundation Empowers Widows, Orphans Zidora Aid foundation, a nongovernment organisation and corporate social responsibility arm of Zidora Group, has extended hands of help to the widows and orphans as part of the foundation’s goals to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions.

The foundation explained that its latest move was informed by pitiable conditions of widows and less-privileged in the society as well as determination to boost their confidence.

The empowerment came in form of free medical treatment, donation of foodstuff, free accommodation, skills acquisition and business development for thousands of widows and orphans in Lagos and Anambra states.

Plans are also underway to extend

the gesture to other parts of the country in the nearest future.

Founder of the NGO, Dr. Arinze Madueke, reiterated the commitment of the foundation to raise the hopes of the needy in the society.

“The foundation was established to alleviate sufferings and pains of the less-privileged in the society.

“I know what it means for someone to be homeless or to live in a house with a leaking roof, wealth would be meaningless if it cannot be used to better the lives of the needy.

“I would also want to implore the rich and wealthy in our society to come to the aid of the poor in the society through several interventions like provide jobs creation for the youths; build skills acquisition centres for willing adults, market

stalls for men and women and others”, he said.

Madueke disclosed further that the foundation was focused at women empowerment and less-privileged children to deliver help in form of skills acquisition, financial assistance, health intervention, basic education for kids of the underprivileged in the society and nutrition.

He said, “We go round Nigeria to help the underprivileged widows in the society and this we have been doing over the years in Lagos.

To change our society and make the world a better place we must love, give and share no matter how small.”

He added that the NGO is solely funded from proceeds of Zidora Group of Companies.

‘Indomie Relish’ Unveils in Port Harcourt Amid Pomp

Dufil Prima Food, makers of Indomie Noodles has introduced its new line extension, ‘Indomie Relish’, to its Port Harcourt consumers.

This followed the official launch of the product in Lagos and Abuja that has since become the new toast of noodles lovers. The Port Harcourt launch took place at Port Harcourt Mall on Azikiwe Road and attracted a lot of fans who stopped by to have a taste of the new variant. The new Indomie Relish offers a complete meal experience, spiced up with chicken and sausage chunks in its chicken flavour pack and real fish chunks and powder in its seafood flavour pack.

Speaking about the product at the launch, Product Manager of Indomie Relish, Ginny Tewatia, stated that the product fulfilled all nutritional requirements while chemicals were avoided in the preservation of spice ingredients.

“Indomie stands for providing products with highest quality. The new product also stands firm on this guiding principle. Real meat used in the variant lasts longer because of technology called ‘freeze drying’ and not by adding preservatives and chemicals. It’s a process by which moisture is reduced by freezing the meat at extremely low temperature and removing the frozen moisture from the meat. “Low temperature freezing reduces the bacteria and moisture thereby increasing the shelf life. When water is added to the meat, it regains original texture and taste because there are no additional artificial additives added to it.

We did this to give consumers the fresh taste of chicken and hotdog or seafood, depending on their preferences.” The launch ended with a dry and wet samplings of the brand. At the wet sampling stand, consumers received two plates of cooked Indomie Relish, consisting of chicken flavour and the seafood flavour, while other participants received uncooked packs at the dry sampling stand, where consumers also engage in very competitive entertainment tasks that qualified them to win products and other life enhancing prizes .

Insight Redefini Appoints New MD Real Estate Firm Targets Middle-class with New Project Insight Redefini Group, a member of Troyka Holding’s marketing communications group of companies, has announced the appointment of Tendai Mhizha as the new Managing Director of its flagship, creative ideas hub, Insight Publicis.

Tendai brings on board 25 years leadership experience and knowledge in Pan-African strategy and general management, marketing, branding and market research. She possesses a degree from six countries including a PhD in Business Science from the University of Derby in the UK, and Masters in Strategic Management.

Mhizha has worked for the Edgars Group, Wella and within the Global WPP group. She has also led a 25-year-old Pan African Market research agency, Research Bureau International.

She is also the Founder and Chief

Inspirer of Integra Africa.

Speaking on the new appointment, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Insight Redefini Group, Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe noted that the exercise was part of the company’s drive to lead and build sustainable businesses.

“Appointing Tendai is extremely strategic when juxtaposed with our goal to lead with top talents, especially as we focus on building more strategic and agile businesses in order to deliver consistent value to clients.

“Her track record, diversified experience, and impeccable knowledge of how to build brands and businesses is simply outstanding, and we are excited to have her on board. She brings with her, an aligned ambition to become a business pathfinder, which will be vital in growing with our clients,” he said.

Design Union, a real estate development and lifestyle Group has announced the addition of two state-of-art luxury properties; Eden Heights and Ilupeju Gardens to its boutique of real estate projects in Nigeria.

The properties were unveiled recently to an audience of business leaders, property developers, investors, media professionals and the broad real estate development ecosystem.

Eden Heights is a network of high-rise luxury apartments and penthouses catering to the city’s bourgeoise middle-class and expatriate population. Nestled at the hub of Victoria Island, it features the exclusive capital club, Ehima cave spa, royal residencies with premium hotel rooms and world-class private meeting rooms for top-level executives and business owners.

Ilupeju Gardens, on the other hand, is a small and intimate estate of mid-rise apartments and maisonettes currently being developed in partnership with the Lagos State Develop-

ment Property Corporation (LSDPC). It sits in the vibrant Lagos Mainland and caters to residents in the bustling Oshodi/Ilupeju axis – particularly the Indian and Lebanese expatriate community.

With these two additions to its pipe of property development projects, Design Union continues to demonstrate its market leadership and commitment to bridge the gap in the supply and demand value chain in the real estate sector.

Speaking on the two projects, firm’s Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Aihie, said: “In keeping with the vision of solving living conditions in Africa, Design Union has leveraged its creative and project execution expertise in creating Eden Heights, a development whose attention to detail provides a world-class platform for business leaders to live and relax at the same standards found in the leading business destination cities of the world.

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GLOBAL SOCCER

David Okereke

New Toast of European Clubs From Italian giants- Juventus and Inter Milan to Premier League strugglers- Crystal Palace and middle tableside, Wolverhampton Wanderers, one name of interest to them all is the product of the Football College, Abuja- David Okereke

A

fter scoring his sixth Serie B goal of the season last weekend, Premier League strugglers, Crystal Palace who had had goalscoring challenge from the beginning of the season is turning their direction to Spezia striker, David Okereke.

Palace have been looking to add goals to their squad, with Roy Hodgson’s men among the lowest scorers in the Premier League.

Crystal Palace have identified a new striker target in Okerere but he might however not be the proven Premier League goalscorer that the fans were hoping for as The Eagles hover above the relegation zone.

Palace, all the same, are interested in the 21-year-old forward who has lit up Serie B this season with Spezia.

Okereke has scored six goals for a team appropriately nicknamed The Little Eagles while producing another eight assists. That is a fine tally for a player who continues to go from strength to strength in the Italian lower leagues.

Palace were said to have sent scouts to watch Okereke in action during Spezia’s thrilling 4-4 draw away at Brescia on Sunday and Nigerian forward did not disappoint as he scored one and set up another at the Mario Rigamonti Stadium.

It is not certain how much Crystal Palace would be willing to pay for Okereke but they are likely to face competition from Belgian outfit Standard Liege, who were also present at Brescia last weekend.

Serie A side Inter Milan are already looking at the prospect of Okereke coming to San Siro in the summer.

Linked with a move to Standard Liege of Belgium last summer, he decided to extend his contract with Spezia till 2022 upon his return from a productive loan spell from Serie C side Cosenza, where he spent last season on loan.

Inter Milan are tracking the 21-yearold in view of signing him in January with the option of leaving him at Spezia on loan till the end of the current season before a decision will be made on his involvement with them in pre-season next summer.

No bid has been tabled yet but it’s believed that Inter are confident of their strong relationship with Spezia and a

deal could be done if all goes according to plan.

According to Italian outlet Il Secolo XIX, as cited on Inside Futbol, Turin giants, Juventus are also keeping a close eye on Okereke’s development. The report claims a number of top-flight Italian teams have also registered an interest, with the Nigerian continuing to impress in the second tier.

The 21-year-old signed a two-year contract extension with Spezia last season before he was farmed out on loan to Società Cosenza Calcio.

Born in Lagos, Okereke began his career in Italy with Lavagnese before

his shift to Spezia in 2016, he rose through the ranks before making his professional debut against Novara on April 9, 2016.

He has played 36 games in total for Spezia across all levels, scoring eight goals while providing one assist.

Okereke is a product of Football College Abuja, the academy that produced AS Roma young duo Sadiq Umar and Nura Abdullahi.

Nicknamed “Sadiq Umar II” by fans of Spezia due to the fact that he passed through same route before arriving at the team like former forward Sadiq Umar, who is now at Bologna after a short stint at Roma.

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Victor Moses Mission to Salvage Fenerbahce?

Crystal Palace and Blackburn Rovers were in the forefront of securing the signature of Victor Moses after Maurizio Sarri had stated clearly that the Nigerian had no place in his team and the Blues subsequently placed a £12m price tag on him. However, Moses surprisingly opted for Fenerbahce, a side that only recorded their first win last week with Moses making his debut. The last time the team tasted victory was in November last year, and with relegation staring in the face of the Turkish giant, the pertinent question is whether the Nigerian can salvage the situation, writes Kunle Adewale

ormer Nigerian International, Victor Moses last week Friday, completed an 18-month loan move to the Turkish giants, Fenerbahce, in an effort to secure playing time after he was sparingly used by manager Maurizio Sarri this season in spite of flourishing under former manager Antonio Conte as a wing-back helping the Blues win the Premier League and FA Cup title.

Moses has indeed expressed his happiness after completing the one-anda-half year loan move from Chelsea to Fenerbahce. The move to Istanbul comes as a relief for the wing-back after enduring a torrid spell in the first half of the season.

The 28-year-old found playing time limited under Sarri, featuring in just five matches for the Stamford Bridge outfit in all competitions.

The move to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium comes as his first transfer outside of England and he has stated his readiness to hit the ground running with appreciative words for the Blues.

“I am delighted to have joined Fenerbahce, a huge club with incredible fans and an amazing history. I can’t wait to get going. I’d also like to thank everyone at Chelsea and I wish the team and the fans the very best for the future,” Moses tweeted.

The right winger penned a contract with The Yellow Canaries after passing a medical following his arrival in Istanbul. With previous loan stints at Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham, this is the fourth time he has been farmed out on loan by The Blues in order to experience first-team football on a regular basis.

Moses returned to action on Monday night making his debut appearance for Fenerbahce as a second-half substitute, replacing Yacine Benzia in the 67th minute in a 3-2 win over Yeni Malatyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig. He was an impact substitute playing Moses

as a winger and scored 100 per cent completed passes and also topped the game’s stats for most successful dribbles, per whoscored.com on their way to picking maximum points.

The victory saw Fenerbahce snap a four-game winless run; their first league win since November 11 and also propelled them from the red zone to 14th in the table.

Chelsea assistant coach and club’s legend Gianfranco in a reaction to Moses departure to Fenerbahce said, “It’s a pity because he (Victor Moses) is a wonderful professional but he couldn’t find the opportunities to show his value.”

Moses dream of playing a key role at Chelsea under Sarri hit the rock after the Blues have made it clear to the Nigerian that he has no place in the team, with the Italian Manager insisting he does not know where the 27-year-old winger will fit in his current Blues squad.

Before the start of the season, Moses had said he was looking forward to a successful season under Sarri despite the cloud of uncertainty in securing a starting shirt under the new Chelsea manager.

Speaking in an interview with Chelsea FC’s website, Moses insisted he was not looking to leave the club, but embrace the Italian’s methods.

“We’re looking forward to it. Obviously, we have a new manager now, he’s got a new philosophy and we’re looking good in training. We just want to work hard together as a team and make sure we understand what he wants from us and do the best we can this season. Chelsea is a big club. It’s a club with a great history, we’ve won loads of big trophies, and we always want to do that. With the players we’ve got and ability that we’ve got, we just want to keep on working hard together to make the club great and keep doing well,” he said.

An indictment of his appropriateness for Sarri’s way of football came in early November in the build-up

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FEBRUARY 2, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

Victor Moses in action for Fenerbahce

to Chelsea hosting Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge wherein the Italian gave his honest opinion about the winger being suited to a wing-back role rather than at right-back in a back four or as a right-winger.

It was a somewhat odd statement, given the player had played as a winger for the larger part of his career at Palace, Wigan, in West London and at loan at Liverpool and West Ham United.

Barring another upheaval in the hot seat at the Bridge, it is likely Moses has played his final game in Chelsea blue.

While his time at the club didn’t end in a way he’d have liked, nonetheless, it should not taint the player’s fleeting period of success under Conte.

In that time, he proved he could be more than just a blue-collar mid-table winger, by playing a major role in securing the club a fifth Premier League title in 2016/17 as well as an eighth FA Cup win at the end of last season.

Admittedly, he was only centrepiece for two years, which won’t see him go down as a Stamford Bridge legend; however, his impact over the Conteled revolution in England (which saw teams adopt more formations accommodating wing-backs) won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

Leaving the comfort of England for the uncertainty of Turkey for a temporary spell at Fenerbahce is as much of a risk as it is a fascinating challenge.

The Turkish giants are among one of Europe’s best-supported clubs but are currently on the decline and could be relegated if they fail to turn around their fortunes.

With an estimated 28 million supporters worldwide, the football club have in the past signed great players like Jay Jay Austin Okocha, Roberto

Carlos, Jose Marie Guti, Robin Van Persie and legendary Turkish keeper Rustu Recber.

However, the Yellow Canneries have been struggling, dropping points against Buraspor with a squad that have the likes of Martin Skrtel, Roberto Soldado, Andre Ayew and Islam Slimani.

And now ex-Super Eagles star has been signed on loan from Premier League side Chelsea with the hope of changing their dwindling form.

Fenerbache used their increased broadcast revenues to gamble on huge signings with the aim of adding a million members to their fan base.

But, the strategy proved costly on resources as club President Ali Koc revealed they had generated a massive £548million in debts last July.

In 2013, the club was axed from participating in European competitions for two years following their involvement in match-fixing scandal on the domestic scene.

“Nobody could have predicted this crisis. I apologise for the suffering that has been caused,” the club president bemoans.

The last time Fenerbahce finished outside the top three places was in 2009 but their current form sees them winless in their last nine games.

However, Fener are through to the last 32 of the Europa League and will play Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg following their dreadful campaign.

The lowest point of their season was the 3-0 loss to Cay Rizepor which got Dutch boss Philip sacked and was replaced by former national team coach Ersun Yanal. The club’s two African strikers, Ghana’s Ayew and Algeria’s Slimani have only managed seven goals between them this season

but Moses’ inclusion could bring a positive difference for the remainder of the season.

Now out of the mainstream of big European football nation, Moses may have to renege on his decision to quit international football as he would need the national team as a launchpad in career.

As part of measures to establish himself in Stamford Bridge the 27-year-old quitted international football to concentrate on his club career but the objective seems to be defeated as he is finding regular playing time difficult under Chelsea Sarri.

“I feel that now is the right time to step away in order to be able to focus fully on club career,” Moses had said while announcing his retirement from the national team.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr, has given condition with which Moses can return to the Super Eagles.

“If he wants to come back, it’s an advantage to the team only if he can attain the standard he puts up in the last installment with the team. He must show lots of motivation, he must show that he is fit to play for the team because we have other players playing well in his position now.

“Moses has to be strong to come back to the team because we have more options on the wings now like Samuel Kalu, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi and Ahmed Musa. All these players are very good on his wings,” he remarked.

Moses shocked soccer loving Nigerians last August as he announced his retirement from international football after playing 37 matches and scoring 12 goals for Nigeria.

I am delighted to have joined Fenerbahce, a huge club with incredible fans and an amazing history. I can’t wait to get going. I’d also like to thank everyone at Chelsea and I wish the team and the fans the very best for the future G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE

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

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

GLOBAL SOCCER

R City Seek to Get Title Defence on Track with Arsenal Visit After the slip against Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Tuesday, thereby allowing Liverpool to extend their lead to five points, Manchester City would be seeking to get their title defence on track and are expected to go all out against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to put pressure on the Reds

M

anchester City have another chance to put some pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool when they take on Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Citizens suffered a sock 2-1 loss at Newcastle United in their last outing and cannot afford to drop more points against their top-four challenging opponents.

The midweek round of Premier League fixtures was supposed to be all about whether Liverpool would hold their nerve with Man City breathing down their neck. The champions had the advantage of playing 24 hours earlier in arguably an easier fixture on paper, yet the Reds ended Wednesday night another point clear of their title rivals.

Tuesday’s loss at St James’ Park was made all the more surprising by the fact that Sergio Aguero had opened the scoring inside the opening minute. From that point on, though,

Pep Guardiola’s men seemed to take the three points for granted and they made the trip back south with a fourth league defeat of the season to their name.

City had won eight matches in a row heading into that Newcastle clash, scoring 33 goals and conceding just two. In fact, since Reberto Firmino temporarily restored parity in the league meeting between the Citizens and Liverpool on January 3, Guardiola’s men had scored 30 goals without reply.

Then came goals from Solomon Rondon and Matt Ritchie in midweek, crushing that momentum the champions had built up over the past month. Now City must quickly pick themselves up, as they take on Arsenal and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in the space of a week, either side of a rearranged trip to Everton.

The fixtures may not be kind for Guardiola, who admits that his side cannot

afford to drop more points if they are to overhaul Liverpool, but they do at least have the opportunity to close the gap on top spot to two points ahead of the Reds’ trip to West Ham United on Monday night.

Even accounting for their four successive league wins between January 3 and January 20, City’s form over the past eight weeks will be a concern for Guardiola. City have lost four of their last nine top-flight outings, equalling the number of games lost in their previous 72.

City have already dropped more points than in the entirety of 2017-18, albeit in a season when they broke countless records in racking up 100 points, and they no longer seem the ruthless force they were 12 months ago.

That is best epitomised by the fact that three of their four defeats since early December have come after scoring first. Prior to that run, they had lost just three of their previous 96 matches when opening the scoring.

The wheels have not exactly come off yet, with City into the EFL Cup final, through to the last 16 of the FA Cup and in the knockout rounds of the Champions League, but Guardiola will know that his side have a big mountain to climb if they are to retain their Premier League crown.

Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Cardiff City marked the first time that Arsenal have won back-to-back league matches since overcoming Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur as November turned to December.

Unai Emery’s side have lacked consistency in recent weeks, losing away to Southampton and West Ham United, heavily to Liverpool and drawing against Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United, (managed by Jose Mourinho at the time).

Yet a well-earned 2-0 win over Chelsea and the slender victory over Cardiff in the space of 10 days, either side of a FA Cup loss to Man United, has lifted the Gunners into fourth place. Goal difference may be all that

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GLOBAL SOCCER Match Facts

*Manchester City have won their last three Premier League games against Arsenal – they’ve haven’t won four consecutive top-flight games against the Gunners since April 1937. *City have lost four of their last nine Premier League games (W5), as many as in their previous 72 combined (W56 D12). *Since Roberto Firmino’s goal for Liverpool on January 3rd, Manchester City have scored 25 goals in a row without conceding at the Etihad in all competitions, winning their last four home games by an aggregate score of 24-0. *Manchester City have lost three of their last seven Premier League games when scoring first – they had lost just three of their previous 96 matches when scoring the first goal. *Sergio Aguero has scored in seven of his last 11 matches against Arsenal in all competitions for Manchester City, though he hasn’t found the net in either of his last two.

Premiership Table Team Liverpool Man City Tottenham Arsenal Chelsea Man Utd Wolves Everton Watford Bournemouth Leicester West Ham Brighton Newcastle Crystal Palace Southampton Burnley Cardiff Fulham Huddersfield

P 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24

GD 41 44 26 17 17 13 -1 2 -1 -5 0 -7 -9 -11 -9 -15 -20 -26 -28 -28

Pts 61 56 54 47 47 45 35 33 33 33 32 31 26 24 23 23 23 19 17 11

Premiership TODAY

Tottenham Brighton Burnley Chelsea C’Palace Everton Cardiff City

v v v v v v v

Newcastle 12:30 Watford 15:00 S’thampton 15:00 Huddersfield 15:00 Fulham 15:00 Wolvers 15:00 Bournemouth 17:30

v v

Man. United 14:05 Arsenal 16:30

SUNDAY

*Arsenal have lost seven of their last 11 visits to the Etihad Stadium in all competitions against Man City (W2 D2), losing the last two.

Leicester Man City

*Arsenal have lost 11 of their last 19 away Premier League games (W5 D3), keeping just one clean sheet in that time, a 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town in May 2018.

Hot Shot

*Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his 25th Premier League goal in Arsenal’s last match against Cardiff, reaching that number faster than any other Gunners player in the competition’s history (37 games).

Harry Kane

Tottenham

14

Sergio Agüero

Man City

11

Eden Hazard

Chelsea

10

Raheem Sterling

Man City

10

Callum Wilson

B’mouth

10

*Since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Premier League debut (February 3rd 2018), Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have combined for seven Arsenal goals in the competition – two more than any other duo for the club in that time.

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Fulham

10

Richarlison

Everton

10

Glenn Murray

Brighton

10

Paul Pogba

Man Utd

9

Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal

9

Roberto Firmino

Liverpool

9

Gylfi Sigurdsson

Everton

9

Sadio Mané

Liverpool

9

*Alexandre Lacazette has scored one goal in two substitute appearances against Man City.

MONDAY

West Ham v Liverpool 20:00

NAME

CLUB

GOALS

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

16

Aubameyang

Arsenal

15

Spanish La Liga Fixtures TODAY

separates them and Chelsea, but it is now advantage Arsenal with 14 games to go.

Arsenal, not for the first time under Emery, struggled to get going in a poor first-half showing against Cardiff, requiring a half-time reshuffle with the introduction of Alex Iwobi to finally take control of the match and earn all three points.

Winning away from home has proved to be far trickier for Arsenal this term, though, doing so just four times in 11 matches, losing four and drawing the other three. Just one clean sheet has been kept during their last 19 away outings, meanwhile, coming in a 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town last May. For all the talk of their inconsistency, however, the Gunners have taken only three points fewer than Man City since August 20 and have lost fewer matches in that time.

Emery, who has never won a match against Guardiola in 11 previous meetings, now needs a major scalp to show that his side have stepped up a level since Arsene Wenger’s departure last summer.

Victory at the Etihad Stadium would certainly send out a loud and clear message, but Arsenal’s record against fellow top-six sides in poor in comparison to this weekend’s opponents.

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss, Maurizio Sarri will be after an immediate response today

when his side take on Premier League basement boys Huddersfield Town at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues suffered a shock 4-0 loss at Bournemouth in midweek to slip out of the top four and see the pressure grow on manager Sarri, who has been in charge for less than seven months.

The four-goal hammering at the Vitality Stadium was Chelsea’s heaviest loss in the top flight since 1996 and was the first time supporters appeared to actively turn on the man in the dugout.

Visiting fans were frustrated at the Italian’s decision to take off new signing Gonzalo Higuain and replace him with Oliver Giroud, though the man brought in to solve the Blues’ goalscoring problems made barely any impact during his hour on the pitch.

Chelsea dominated the first half on the south coast but their 405 passes led to just five shots at goal - a familiar theme as supporters grow more and more frustrated with the famed ‘Sarri-ball’ style of play.

Sarri suggested that Higuain is struggling for fitness following the loss to Bournemouth, but the under-fire Italian is expected to stick with the Juventus loanee on today.

If not, it is between Giroud and Eden Hazard to lead the line, though the latter has made it clear that he is not a fan of playing through the middle.

Head to Head 24/10/10

Man City

0-3 Arsenal

05/01/11

Arsenal

0-0 Man City

18/12/11

Man City

1-0 Arsenal

08/04/12

Arsenal

1-0 Man City

23/09/12

Man City

1-1 Arsenal

13/01/13

Arsenal

0-2 Man City

14/12/13

Man City

6-3 Arsenal

29/03/14

Arsenal

1-1 Man City

13/09/14

Arsenal

2-2 Man City

18/01/15

Man City

0-2 Arsenal

21/12/15

Arsenal

2-1 Man City

08/05/16

Man City

2-2 Arsenal

18/12/16

Man City

2-1 Arsenal

02/04/17

Arsenal

2-2 Man City

05/11/17

Man City

3-1 Arsenal

01/03/18

Arsenal

0-3 Man City

12/08/18

Arsenal

0-2 Man City

Levante Sociedad Barcelona Celta Vigo

v v v v

Getafe Bilbao Valencia Sevilla

12:00 15:15 17:30 19:45

v v v v

Espanyol Atlético Girona Alavés

11:00 15:15 17:30 19:45

v

Leganés

20:00

v v v

Chievo 14:00 Sampdoria 17:00 Parma 19:30

v v v v v

Torino Sassuolo Fiorentina Bologna AC Milan

11:30 14:00 14:00 17:00 19:30

v v

Lazio Atalanta

18:00 20:00

SUNDAY

Villarreal Real Betis Eibar Madrid MONDAY

Vallecano

Serie A TODAY

Empoli Napoli Juventus SUNDAY

SPAL Genoa Udinese Inter Roma MONDAY

Frosinone Cagliari

34

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

GLOBAL SOCCER

Green House making their presentation to the Supervisor of St. Martins Catholic Nursery and Primary School, during the school’s 9th Inter House Sports meeting at the NPA Sports ground, Surulere

Shukura of Ansar-ud-Deen College, Isolo in actions against Ansar-ud-Deen Girls’High School

Foreign Athletes Hail Lagos Hospitality at Int’l Para Powerlifting Tourney

Foreign para-powerlifters who took part in the just concluded International ParaPowerlifting Competition in Lagos have described the hospitality from the Lagos State Government as excellent.

The competition was competed for by para-powerlifters from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Tanzania, Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire. Some of the athletes who spoke on their experience and the exposure they got from the event which took place at

Oriental Hotel Lagos, said that they were so overwhelmed with the organisational arrangement put in place and more importantly, by the conducive environment provided by the Lagos State Government.

The week-long championship was supported by the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Sports Commission with provision of accommodation, feeding, medical, transportation, security, ceremonial, venue and facilities.

One of the participants from Ghana, Emmanuel Tettey Oku said: “the hospitality of Lagos State officials throughout our stay in Lagos for the competition is marvelous. Our stay is memorable and I am looking forward to coming back to Lagos in the very near future.”

A para-powerlifter from Cote d’lvoire, Ano Adou Herve said: “I am happy to be here in Lagos for this invitational competition. The good hospitality of the people of Lagos and Lagos

officials is commendable.”

Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Tandoh noted that government was very proud of supporting the Lagos 2019 International Para-powerlifting Competition.

“We are very proud of being part of the hosting of this competition in Lagos. Our sports loving Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode is very passionate about promoting all sports,” Tandoh said.

Cadbury Bournvita Sponsors Duathlon Competition Cadbury Nigeria Plc in collaboration with Nigeria Triathlon Union (NTU) will be hosting ‘Cadbury Bournvita Duathlon Championship, on February 10, in Lagos.

A duathlon is three-part long-distance race that usually comprise a running phase, a bicycling phase, and a final running phase.

In a statement, the Company’s Corporate and Government Affairs Director for West Africa, Mr. Bala Yesufu said

the national championship will feature both male and female athletes in junior and senior categories, across some states of the federation, including some schools and recreational clubs.

“Cadbury is proud to be associated with this sporting competition, which is one of our brand touchpoints,” he said. “This is just one out of the several ways that we help promote sports development in the country. We believe the championship will further

expose some of the hidden sports talents that we have in Nigeria.”

Yesufu added that Cadbury Nigeria, which is famous for providing consumers with much-loved brands, relaunched Bournvita, its heritage cocoa beverage drink, with a new improved taste, last year.

He said Cadbury will continue to delight consumers with its various brand offerings and give them value for money.

Similarly, President of NTU,

Wale Oladunjoye, stated that athletics and cycling clubs in Nigeria have also been invited to participate in the tournament, which he noted, is the first of its kind in the country. He added that the Cadbury Bournvita Duathlon Championship, which will be introduced to schools in all the geopolitical zones of the country, is one of the numerous events that the Union has lined up for 2019.

GOtv Invites Subscribers to Football Feast with ‘Top Up’ Offer

A three-month invitation to the best of European football and other top-classsport programming began on 15 January when leading digital-to-home television service platform, GOtv, announced its “Top Up” offer.

The campaign, which runs till 15 April, offers active and disconnected subscribers, especially those on GOtv Plus, Value and Lite packages, the opportunity to be upgraded to GOtv MAX, which attracts a monthly subscription of N3, 200. Subscribers on the three packages will benefit from the offer when they pay a reduced fee of N2, 500, while GOtv “Tops Up” the remaining N700. GOtv Max subscribers can also take advantage of the offer and renew with N2,500.

The “Top Up” offer is an

invitation to the high table of European football with its rich menu of La Liga, Serie A, Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and UEFA Champions League matches. GOtv MAX provides access to all the matches of the La Liga, the football competition with stars like Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Phillipe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele; Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos; as well as Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa. It equally makes available to subscribers all the matches of the Italian Serie A, starring Cristiano Ronaldo, who is seeking to conquer Italy to add to his conquest of England and Spain.

Also, on the menu are select matches of the Premier League,

the stomping ground of Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane of Liverpool, Manchester City’s SergioAguero, Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva and Bernado Silva, as well as two of the world’s biggest managers, Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool and Pep Guardiola of Manchester City. The Emirates FA Cup, the world’s oldest club competition; and select matches of the UEFAChampions League, the world’s most prestigious club competition, provide an icing on the sporting cake.

As action from the second leg of the 2018/2019 European football season gets more intense, some teams are hunting hard to claim the ultimate glory of being crowned champions. However, some others are struggling to ensure that they are not relegated to the lower-tier league in Spain,

Italy and England come the end of the season in May. The race to be crowned England’s Premier League champions is in progress, as Liverpool chase their first league title since 1990. Hot on their heels are Manchester City, who are aiming to defend the title they won last season.

In the La Liga, Barcelona are seeking to turn their dominance into supremacy by defending the title. They remain in pole position, having earned 46 points from 20 games played so far. They are followed by the resilient Atletico Madrid, who are just five points behind. Also, the world’s biggest and most anticipated club match, the El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, will be aired live in March.

Betway Engages Nigerian Football Fans International betting platform, Betway launched an interesting promotion for the month of January, tagged the ‘Money Back’ promotion and it is looking like the most tantalising promo in the betting

industry at the moment.

In the Money Back promo, Betway will reward customers daily by giving them money back on every bet placed. Win or lose, you will get money back.

Every time you bet with Betway

whether it be on sports (pregame or live betting), casino, betgames, virtuals or Jackpots, you’ll get 1% of your bet amount back in cash. Now tell me where you can get a better deal.

In Nigeria, everyone who

uses a betting platform is always on the lookout for the best deals - be it better odds, topnotch features, or even fantastic promotions. They go all out to find the best deals and to take advantage of.

Finalists Emerge at Howzat Junior Cricket Tourney The curtain will fall on the third edition of Howzat Lagos Junior T20 Cricket Tourney on February 9 at the Ansar-ud-deen College Cricket Ground after the finalists emerged in both the male and female categories.

Adebola Baptist High School, Surulere will take on Ansar-ud-deen Girls High School, Itire, in the female category, while the male category is a Surulere affair as Obele community High School slugs it out with Ansarud-deen Grammar School.

Ansar-Ud-Deen College, Isolo, on Wednesday emerged as third placed team in both the male and female category at the ongoing Howzat Lagos Junior T20 Cricket Tourney.

Ansar-Ud-Deen College got the better of King’s College, Lagos at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval.

Ansar-Ud-Deen College scored 108 for 10 in 12 overs, with Kako-Are Salaudeen topping the score with 23 runs and took a catch. Onyemaizu Chidalu of King’s College took four wickets for 18 runs in two overs in the first innings, while in the second innings; King’s College scored 68 runs all out in 13.3 overs. Olanrewaju Ibrahim took three wickets for nine runs in three overs and Kuye Ramon took three wickets for 15 runs in two overs with two catches.

In the female category between Ansar-ud-deen College, Isolo and Ideal Girls High School, Surulere, the girls from Surulere won the toss and elected to field first.

However, Ansar-ud-deen College scored 38 runs for the loss of four wickets at the end of the first innings.

Fathia Fashina of Ansar-ud-deen College was a bowling delight as she ran through the Ideal Girls top batsmen to leave the girls from Surulere struggling to chase 38 in the second innings. With both teams’ coaches, games masters and teammates on the sidelines holding hands and encouraging the players, the hope for a medal was down to the last ball of the last over. Ansar-ud-deen College won by 1 run.

It came as no surprise that Fashina with three wickets for nine runs in two overs emerged the Man of the Match. The tournament which is the third edition is sponsored by Alhaji Femi Okunnu.

Sanwo-Olu Sports Fiesta Kick off February 4 As part of activities to empower youths across Lagos state, the Babajide Olusola Sanyo-Olu Independent Campaign Group has announced a 6-day sports fiesta for kids under 20 years.

The event will start from Monday at the Agege Stadium with 20 teams representing the 20 local government in the state expected to participate.

Speaking during the unveiling the Sports Director of the Independent Campaign Group, Gaffar Bolowotan, revealed that the weeklong event is part of Sanwo-Olu’s effort to positively engage youths through sports.

Bolowotan promised that the project which will comprise of basketball, deaf sports, athletics and para sports will become a part of the Sanwo-Olu administration if elected as the Lagos State Governor.

Promoter and marketer of the 6-day event, Sunny Opeyemi said the BOS Sports Fiesta is a curtain-raiser for the aggressive sports development that Lagos State will witness if Sanyo-Olu is elected.

The organizer (Sam D’Oro Entertainment) revealed that the wife of the Lagos state governorship candidate, Dr. Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu will flag off the tournament while Babatunde Sanwo Olu will grace the closing ceremony.

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

35

GLOBAL SOCCER

David Okereke

New Toast of European Clubs From Italian giants- Juventus and Inter Milan to Premier League strugglers- Crystal Palace and middle tableside, Wolverhampton Wanderers, one name of interest to them all is the product of the Football College, Abuja- David Okereke

A

fter scoring his sixth Serie B goal of the season last weekend, Premier League strugglers, Crystal Palace who had had goalscoring challenge from the beginning of the season is turning their direction to Spezia striker, David Okereke.

Palace have been looking to add goals to their squad, with Roy Hodgson’s men among the lowest scorers in the Premier League.

Crystal Palace have identified a new striker target in Okerere but he might however not be the proven Premier League goalscorer that the fans were hoping for as The Eagles hover above the relegation zone.

Palace, all the same, are interested in the 21-year-old forward who has lit up Serie B this season with Spezia.

Okereke has scored six goals for a team appropriately nicknamed The Little Eagles while producing another eight assists. That is a fine tally for a player who continues to go from strength to strength in the Italian lower leagues.

Palace were said to have sent scouts to watch Okereke in action during Spezia’s thrilling 4-4 draw away at Brescia on Sunday and Nigerian forward did not disappoint as he scored one and set up another at the Mario Rigamonti Stadium.

It is not certain how much Crystal Palace would be willing to pay for Okereke but they are likely to face competition from Belgian outfit Standard Liege, who were also present at Brescia last weekend.

Serie A side Inter Milan are already looking at the prospect of Okereke coming to San Siro in the summer.

Linked with a move to Standard Liege of Belgium last summer, he decided to extend his contract with Spezia till 2022 upon his return from a productive loan spell from Serie C side Cosenza, where he spent last season on loan.

Inter Milan are tracking the 21-yearold in view of signing him in January with the option of leaving him at Spezia on loan till the end of the current season before a decision will be made on his involvement with them in pre-season next summer.

No bid has been tabled yet but it’s believed that Inter are confident of their strong relationship with Spezia and a

deal could be done if all goes according to plan.

According to Italian outlet Il Secolo XIX, as cited on Inside Futbol, Turin giants, Juventus are also keeping a close eye on Okereke’s development. The report claims a number of top-flight Italian teams have also registered an interest, with the Nigerian continuing to impress in the second tier.

The 21-year-old signed a two-year contract extension with Spezia last season before he was farmed out on loan to Società Cosenza Calcio.

Born in Lagos, Okereke began his career in Italy with Lavagnese before

his shift to Spezia in 2016, he rose through the ranks before making his professional debut against Novara on April 9, 2016.

He has played 36 games in total for Spezia across all levels, scoring eight goals while providing one assist.

Okereke is a product of Football College Abuja, the academy that produced AS Roma young duo Sadiq Umar and Nura Abdullahi.

Nicknamed “Sadiq Umar II” by fans of Spezia due to the fact that he passed through same route before arriving at the team like former forward Sadiq Umar, who is now at Bologna after a short stint at Roma.

36

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t'&#36"3: , 2019

FAIRGROUND with

Inspiring Woman Series 8 Holds

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

N

ot quite long, Kemi Ajumobi, Editor, Women’s Hub, BusinessDay hosted participants at the 2018 BusinessDay Inspiring Woman series 8 themed CAN SHE HAVE IT ALL? It took place on rcently at the Civic Centre in Lagos State. The event is an annual series that brings together women who share their experiences, challenges and success stories.

The event was well attended by different women from different works of life. Speakers at the event were Dr. Maymunnah Kadiri, a NeuroPsychiatrist Consultant, Olori Olusola Adedoyin-Alao, CEO, Nitrend Limited, Dolapo Badmos, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Zone Two Command, Ibidunni Ighodalo, CEO, Elizabeth R, and Elishama Ideh, a former Presidential Aspirant for 2019 election and business mogul.

“When trying to have it all, it is important to do what makes you happy. You must focus on what you want. Never lower your expectations, adjust them,” Kadiri said.

Olusola Adedoyin, CEO, Nitrend Limited, a cancer survivor said “Health is important when trying to have it all. Women are multi-taskers and for us to have it all, we must pay attention to our bodies, don’t over indulge yourself and always do proper medical checkups,” Adedoyin advised.

For Ibidunni Ighodalo, CEO, Elizabeth R, “Don’t wish to be in other people’s shoes because you don’t know what they are going through.”

She said. Her story on helping other couples with fertility challenge, through her foundation, even as she trust God for hers, is truly inspiring and commendable.

"I believe women can have it all however, there must be a balance.

In doing this, you must not show fear because fear is a distraction and you can subdue distractions if you believe" said Elishama.

In Dolapo Badmos’s words, “It does not necessarily mean you have to achieve everything someone else has achieved because you want to have it all, fight for your track and never look for excuses when it relates to work,” she said.

It was an enlightening program and in Kemi’s words “It is indeed refreshing to always look forward to this annual conference where we bring different speakers who inspire us all.

This wasn’t different and we are glad it was a success. We look forward to Series 9 which promises to even be a notch higher.” she stated.

Lead Consultant/CEO of ThistlePraxis Consulting Limited, Ini Abimbola

L-R: CEO, Nitrend Limited, Olori Olusola Adedoyin-Alao, Former Presidential Aspirant for 2019 election, Elishama Ideh ; CEO, Elizabeth R, Ibidunni Ighodalo; Editor, Women’s Hub, Coordinator Inspiring Woman Series, Kemi Ajumobi; PPRO Zone 2 Command, Dolapo Badmos and Dr. Maymunnah Kadiri

Neuro-Psychiatrist Consultant, Dr. Maymunnah Kadiri

PPRO, Zone 2 Command, Dolapo Badmos

CEO, Elizabeth R, Ibidunni Ighodalo

CEO Nitrend Limited, Olori Olusola Adedoyin-Alao

Kemi Ajumobi and Divisional head, Human Capital Management Division, Heritage Bank Plc, Imomoemi Ibisiki

Former Presidential Aspirant for 2019 election, Elishama Ideh

1st Sisi Oge of Lagos, CEO Milolars Signature, Damilola Otubanjo

Lagos State PPC Governorship candidate, Omolara Adesanya

Access Bank Representative, Funmbi Coker and Nollywood Actress Juliana Olayode (Toyobaby)

37

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t'&#36"3: , 2019

FAIRGROUND

Pastor Sign Fireman to Release New Book

C

elebrated and controversial pastor, Sign Fireman is one man who has over time been hit with several controversies and speculations about himself, ministry and lifestyle. The Popular Lagos pastor is always the talk of town year in and year out.

He spoke to members of the press recently about his new book which would be in series and it's source was from an encounter with God which lasted approximately two years and all he was

taught he has put in five books scheduled to be launched soon.

During the session, Fireman also discussed about starting out his ministry, the miracles, the impact he has made and a lot more.

When asked about giving he had this to say, "Jesus fed the hungry with the bread that the little boy came with and didn't take the bread and fish alone.

He shared with the congregation so the giving should be like Jesus. I think those Pastors that are rich should reach out to the poor."

Fireman

Nwokpo Solomon Starts Campaign for New Movies

N

ollywood Actor, Nwokpo Solomon is an emerging actor whose style has refined character and made him one of the emerging new acts. His works speak volume of his craftiness and excellence which is making him a toast of producers and directors.

He recently started a personal campaign to promote recent movies he

was featured in and help get himself on a large face balance with fans and industry stake holders.

The daily growth of the industry is overwhelming and those not inline may likely fall out if they don't spend so much on improve and enriching their values and talents.

In his words, ' Acting is passion for me and I can't do without working tirelessly to entertain my fans and get their admirations in my comment sections on my pages.'

DJYB

DJ YB Spreading the Vibes and Empowering the Streets Through music

D

Maduabuchi

J YB recently returned to Nigeria in order to regain the essence of the music we love so much. He's been the person behind runtown's concert sound for the last year, playing in Haiti, Canada, Rwanda, and different cities in the States. He Also played at Club 57 in Lagos, Escape, and Imperial Lounge in Abuja amongst others. it's easy to lose track of the people the music is meant to empower when the audience is so large.

YB returned to Africa twice this year; The first time, he experienced the liveliness and excitement of east

Africa, and lately he visited Nigeria, but most importantly the streets where he was raised that started his love for the genre.

Staying true to the principle of Fela Kuti he uses Afrobeats music to relay positivity and joy. Suffering seemed to disappear as people sang laughed and danced the hours away.

Spreading joy and love worldwide through the sounds and message of Afrobeats is a goal he will continue to pursue by making music, supporting artists, curating playlists, Charity, mixtapes, events, and travelling as often as possible.

He has multiple trips planned for 2019, including a trip back to east Africa this summer.

38

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t'&#36"3: , 2019

AUTO

Lagos, Ogun FRSC Zone Gets new Commanding Officer

A

Luxury is in the back seat of a Rolls-Royce car

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Presents Historic Business Record Stories by Bennett Oghifo

R

olls-RoyceMotorCarshasachievedthe highest annual sales in the marque’s 115-year history, with 4,107 cars delivered to customers in over 50 countries around the world in 2018, and continues to generate a positive contribution to its shareholder, the BMW Group, said a statement by the automaker.

“In a year of multiple records, the world’s foremost Luxury House also enjoyed unprecedented demand for its Bespoke creations, and launched the new Cullinan – the Rolls-Royce of SUVs – to great international acclaim,” the statement said.

Reflecting on the company’s performance for the year, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: “2018 was a most successful, record-breaking year for Rolls-Royce. We have seen growth in all our regions around the world.

At Rolls-Royce we are deeply focused on each and everyoneofourcustomersandaredeliveringontheir demanding expectations. The Home of Rolls-Royce

at Goodwood is acknowledged and celebrated as a global centre of luxury manufacturing excellence, where our skilled, dedicated team create the world’s finest, most sought-after luxury products. We set a formidable mark in 2018: I am confident it will prove the spur to even greater success in 2019.”

marque’s position as the world’s leading Luxury House. In 2018, Rolls-Royce’s specialist craftspeople delivered some of the most ambitious customer commissions ever undertaken at Goodwood, taking Bespoke design, engineering, materials and methods to new heights of technical and aesthetic brilliance.

Worldwide sales growth The Americas remained the company’s largest market in 2018. Sales also grew across all regions during the year with buoyant customer demand across the model range. Phantom was a major growth driver, flanked by the very contemporary and seductive Wraith and Dawn models.

Cullinan: a worldwide sensation Rolls-Royce Cullinan has completely redefined the luxury SUV. The new model received an ecstatic reception from the world’s media at its launch. The very first few cars were delivered to customers in time for Christmas and the forward order book is filling well into the second half of 2019.

Bespoke: the pure essence of luxury Rolls-Royce is Bespoke. The freedom to choose, create and commission beautiful objects is one of life’s great pleasures and Rolls-Royce is, by far, the world’sleadingmanufacturerinthisregard.Through its Bespoke capabilities, Rolls-Royce offers customers near-limitless opportunities to bring their own personal vision to their motor car, reinforcing the

Continued growth To meet growing worldwide demand for its products, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars employed 200 new associates, mainly in skilled manufacturing roles, during 2018. These new appointments mean the total workforce at the Home of Rolls-Royce now exceeds 2,000 people for the first time since the plant opened in 2003.

ssistant Corps Marshal Samuel Adedoyin Obayemi has been appointed the new Zonal Commanding Officer for Zone RS2 of the Federal Road Safety Corps, comprising Lagos and Ogun State Commands.

According to a statement by acting Zonal Public Education Officer, Deputy Route Commander, Ijeoma Azuka Ajuzie, Obayemi, who took over from Assistant Corps Marshal John Bekinbo Meheux, has served in various capacities of the Corps among which include: Zonal Commanding Officer RS7Hq Yola (Aug 1993 – Feb 1995); Public Enlightenment Officer RSHq Abuja (Feb 1995 – Oct 1995); Ag. Zonal Commanding Officer RS10Hq Ilorin (Oct 1995 – Feb 1996); Deputy Camp Commandant FRSC Training Camp Iseyin (Mar 1996 – May 1996); Ag. Zonal Commanding Officer RS10Hq Sokoto (Aug 2007 – Oct 2008); Ag. Zonal Commanding Officer RS12Hq Bauchi (Oct 2008 –Jun 2009); Ag. Zonal Commanding Officer RS1Hq Kaduna (Nov 2010 – May 2011); and was the immediate past Zonal Commanding Officer RS9Hq Enugu, covering Abia, Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu States, among others.

Currently, he is the 20th Zonal Commanding Officer in RS2Hq, Lagos and upon taking over, he enjoined all staff to be disciplined, punctual and abide by FRSC laid down regulations. He further charged them to be timely with their report rendition. Also, stating that every leader has its own style of leadership, staff should study and adjust in order to have a peaceful work environment.

ACM Samuel A Obayemi told Heads of Departments that as leaders they should show good example to their subordinates in their conduct.

The statement said Obayemi has received several awards and recommendations on Excellence (Dec 1996), Outstanding Support (Aug 1997) and award by Action Team Prayer Band Fellowship (Dec 2006).

Cars45, KiaTrade Over 300 Vehicles, Unlock new Opportunities in Automobile

R

iding on its partnership with KIA Motors, Nigeria’s leading online marketplace to buy, sell or swap a car, Cars45 has carried out over 300 transactions on KIA vehicles since the partnership was announced in

January 2018.

This disclosure was made in Lagos where both companies announced that they were expanding the partnership to accommodate more car brands which enables consumers to have more choices when they want to buy, sell or swap their cars through Cars45 at any KIA location across the country.

Speaking Chief Financial Officer, Cars45, Jide Adamolekun noted that the partnership has improved car ownership in Nigeria. “We launched this partnership January last year and at the end of the year, we reassessed how far we have gone and examined the opportunities that we have created in the Nigerian market. Cars 45 carried out over 300 transactions via this relationship last year and we have seen the future where by making more brands availabletoconsumerswewillhelpunlockmorevalue in the nation’s automotive space”,Adamolekun said.

He added that “we are proud that we have enabled consumers on their journey irrespective of whatever side of the economic spectrum they fall. We hope to move with KIA beyond our current operations in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja to new cities and territories across the country making cars affordable to the Nigerian populace.”

On the value of the partnership, Olawale Jimoh, Marketing Manager, KIAaverred that it has been a

very wonderful and rewarding experience which has seen both parties record so many gains. We have seen the sale of used KIA cars rise as Cars45’s structured arrangement of buying and selling used cars has brought transparency and credibility, taking away the associated stress with selling locally used vehicles,” Jimoh stated.

Furthermore, he said, “it is against the backdrop of the successes recorded that we are now expanding this relationship to a more robust arrangement such that regardless of the car brand that you are driving, you can experience the rich range of value offerings provided by Cars45.”

VicePresident,Trading,Cars45,MohammedIyamu expressed his happiness that the progress made on this journey has been impressive by all standards.

“We did about three hundred cars last year, we are looking to triple that volume, go to other cities and grow in leaps and bounds this year. A missing link in Nigeria’s automotive industry is financing. If you look at a market like say South Africa, 70 percent of the cars on the road are financed one way or another.

Cars45’s trade-in/ swap scheme has served as a means of financing for many and so we would be looking at adding more value to this partnership end to end.

On next steps, Iyamu said that, “we are looking to provide new services to our customers that include repairs and workshop services, we are also looking to partnerwithotherserviceprovidersintheautomobile industry especially those who deal in accessories and also partner with financial institutions to provide financing for certified Cars45 car purchases.”

L-R Vice President, Trading, Cars45, Mohammed Iyamu; Vice President, Business Development, Kia Motors Nigeria, Olu Tikolo; Chief Financial Officer, Car45, Olajide Adamolekun; Marketing Manager, Kia Motors Nigeria, Olawale Jimoh; and Head of Operations, Carsbazr, John Egwu at the Car45 and Kia Motors parley which held in Lagos

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AUTO

Quality, Safety and Comfort Make EQC The Mercedes-Benz among Electric Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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t CES 2019 in Las Vegas the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle from the EQ brand is celebrating its US premiere.TheEQC(combinedpower consumption: 22.2 kWh/100 km; CO2emissionscombined:0g/km, provisional details)[1] symbolises the beginning of a new mobility era at Daimler, according to a statement by the automaker.

“With its seamless, clear design and colour highlights typical of the brand, it is a pioneer for an avant-garde electric look while representing the design idiom of Progressive Luxury. With respect to quality, safety and comfort the EQC is the Mercedes-Benz among electric vehicles, and highly convincing in the sum of its attributes.

These elements are accompanied by dynamic performance, thanks to two electric motors at the front and rear axles with a combined output of 300 kW. Thanks to an ingenious operation strategy, the EQC has a preliminary range of 450[1] kilometres (279 miles) according to the European cycle NEDC. EQ also offers comprehensive services with Mercedes me, and makes electromobility convenient and suitable for day-to-day motoring.”

The statement said as the first Mercedes-Benz model under the new product and technology brand EQ, the Mercedes-Benz EQC has many trailblazing design details and colour highlights typical of the brand. Both inside and out, the EQC

embodies the design idiom of Progressive Luxury.

This arises from the combination of a previously unknown beauty, the conscious clash of digital and analogue elements as well as the seamless merging of intuitive and physical design.

By virtue of its muscular proportions, the EQC is classed as a crossover SUV. The extended roofline and window layout with a low waistline and the coupé-like roof recess at the rear visually position it between an SUV and an SUV coupé.

Star Car: putting on a big show with the Night Design A striking feature at the front is the large blackpanel surface enclosing the headlamps and grille.

Exclusively for the American market the large Mercedes star on the panel is illuminated at night as standard and for the first time it can also be combined with the radar-controlled DISTRONIC. This ensures a particularly impressive look in darkness. The Night Design is also unique thanks to the inclusion of the fibre-optic cable for the first time. As the finishing touch to the top of the Black Panel it provides a visual link to the characteristic Mercedes-Benz daytime running lights. This creates an almost uninterrupted, horizontal light band. The inner housings and tubes of the standard MULTIBEAM LED headlamps are in high-gloss black. Contrasting colour highlights discreetly confirm the model’s membership of the new EQ family: blue stripes on a white background, and MULTIBEAM lettering also in blue.

2019 Mercedes-Benz EQC 4matic electric interior

Nissan LEAF is Best-selling Car in Top-selling EV in Europe, Norway

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ales of the award-winning, all-electric Nissan LEAF are surging throughout Europe as consumer appetite for electric vehicles (EVs) continues to grow. Norway has emerged as a standout market for the LEAF, with more car buyers opting for the EV over any other car on sale.

According to a statement by the automaker, “More than 12,000* LEAFs found homes in the country in 2018, with the nation’s strong focus on sustainability cited for its sales success.

“This success is mirrored locally as the Nissan LEAF continues to be the bestselling electric vehicle in the UK**.

“Owing to consistent high demand, the Nissan LEAF has taken the crown as the best-selling EV overall in Europe for 2018, with more than 40,000* sold across the continent.”

To ensure LEAF remains the most competitive EV offering on the market, Nissan recently confirmed two new versions of the LEAF for Europe. The addition of the new Nissan LEAF e+ 3.ZERO Limited Edition, which is fitted with an uprated 62kWh battery, which brings enhanced performance and a range of up to 239 Miles*** from a single charge.

The new Nissan LEAF 3.ZERO equipped with a 40kWh battery brings to Europe’s best-selling electric vehicle an 8-inch infotainment screen enabling additional connectivity services such

H

er real name is Peace. I do not know her surname but I know that she is from one of the South South States. We met 13months ago shortly after my deployment from Jos, the Plateau State capital to Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory last year and became quite friendly. She once told me that she is desperately in search of a government job having completed her National Youth Service Corps a couple of years back although she is currently running a virtual eatery as a stopgap.

A fortnight ago, Peace stunned one when I spotted her driving a red corolla car with an ‘L’sign without an instructor or guide. Her nervousness on the wheel made me to take over the steering to complete the driving for her for which she expressed her gratitude.

Thereafter, I tutored her on the rules for learner drivers whose increasingly insane driving on Nigerian road calls for concern.

Today, I am focusing on these groups of road users with the above title that might offend some of my readers. Before I fall under the sledge hammer of any of these readers, let me first sincerely apologize and state that I mean no harm. Secondly, let me state here that I chose the above title to drive home the seriously of this development and the need to put a stop to it. Thirdly, pondering over the appropriate title for this piece, my mind quickly flashed to oga driver, an interactive

as door-to-door navigation. An all-new and improved NissanConnect EV app will also be available when the new LEAF 3.ZERO goes on sale in Europe. In addition to new connected services, it also benefits from new colour options, including a contrasting roof, enabling more scope for personalisation, enhancing the appeal of Nissan EV ownership even further.

Ken Ramirez, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Nissan Europe said: “This latest announcement marks the start of a very optimistic 2019 for our EV range. The fact that the Nissan LEAF is still the default choice for EV buyers in Europe is a testament to its all-round capability as the icon of Nissan Intelligent Mobility - especially with the ever-growing range of competitors.”

“We can celebrate standout sales success with Norway as an example, as it highlights how the Nissan electric ecosystem has established itself as a sustainable lifestyle choice in a relatively short space of time. With the range now stronger than ever,welookforwardtowelcomingmorecustomers to EV ownership in the coming months.”

In addition, the Nissan LEAF remains the world’s best-selling EV, with more than 380,000 units sold globally since the original car launched in 2010.

Both the Nissan LEAF e+ 3.ZERO Limited Edition and the Nissan LEAF 3.ZERO are available to order now, with first deliveries expected in summer 2019.

Learners Or Killers SAFE DRIVING with

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

awareness Programme conceptualized by me and my colleague, Salihu Ibrahim Kindo of Aso Radio when I was the Sector Commander in the Federal Capital Territory. It was in the course of that Programme that we coined the title learners or killers as a way of raising awareness on the seriousness and risk involved in this driving behavior, in addition to the need to draw a line between the good and the bad guys among learner drivers. If you want to know that I mean by the good and the bad, let me first that here that from our observations, the good guys represent the learner drivers who are not ashamed to be tagged, “Learners” and as such boldly display the “L” sign as mandated by law.

The bad guy on the other hand represents learners that out of unnecessary ego and pride refuse to display the “L” sign and even when they do, they willingly flout all the rules guiding a learner.

All-electric Nissan LEAF

Specifically, the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2004, mandates all learner drivers to observe the following rules: Attend a certified and approve driving school as prerequisite to obtaining a fresh drivers licence. In the course of this coaching, the learner driver must display an L-plate, for learner, which is a square plate bearing a sans-serif letter L, for learner, which must be affixed to the front and back of a vehicle in many countries if its driver is a learner under instruction, or a motorcycles rider with provisional entitlement to ride restricted motorcycles. What this means is that this rule is a universal convention with slight variations from country to country. In the case of Nigeria, Section 27, sub section 1-3 of the National Road Traffic Regulations earlier cited spells out the details as applicable to learner drivers.

For the purpose of this piece, let me stress here that beside displaying an “L” sign, a learner driver when issued a learner’s permit, must be accompanied by a licensed driver-instructor sitting beside him to driver a vehicle or type stated in the permit from a period not exceeding three months from the date of issue within the highways specified in the permit. Besides these, the permit in itself forbids the learner from carrying any person no matter the level of affiliation except the instructor. In addition, the learner-driver must at all times comply with relevant traffic rules and regulations.

Unfortunately, these provisions are daily

abused by learner drivers who no doubt display the “L” sign yet disregard the other provision meant for their safety and the safety of others.

The high flying learners on their own don’t even display the “L” sign and arrogantly violate all other provisions. It is even strange that other motorist expose themselves to unnecessary risks by offering to drive in such vehicles. It is also strange that women by our finding in the course of patrols rank among the greatest offenders when it comes to infractions that have to do with learner drivers.

It is very common to see women who are learner drivers on Sundays and during school run hours flout all safety precaution by carrying children in such vehicles and even doing the same on their way to worship centres.

I must emphasize at this point that the rationale behind the Federal Road Safety Corps driving school standardization programme which makes it mandatory for fresh applicant to attend a certified and approve driving school, is to nurture a fresh generation of drivers who will drive by rules and help the national projection of a zero level for road traffic crashes.

We therefore need to reappraise on going public enlightenment and enforcement of these rules as we strive to meet the projected reduction of road traffic crashes as contained in the Federal Road Safety Corps 2019 Corporate strategy and in keeping with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety,2011-2020.Perhaps,only stringent measures would deter these spate of infractions.

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PERSPECTIVE Enabling , Empowering Women for a Greater Lagos Babajide Sanwo-Olu

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et me say, since I started my campaign for the office of Governor of Lagos State, I have enjoyed tremendous support from across the social, economic and political spectrum.

This also includes my engagements with women in various organisations and groups that have declared support for me including Amazons, which is a group of women in various professions. I therefore take this opportunity to express my gratitude to you - women - for your unflinching support.

My mothers, friends and sisters, a society that ignores more than half of its population, which are women cannot be a progressive one. It is gratifying that since the Beijing Conference of 1994, when former US First Lady, Hillary Clinton rightly declared that Human Rights are Women’s Rights and Women’s Rights are Human Rights’ the world has made much progress in addressing social, economic and cultural barriers that inhibit upward mobility of women in politics and the private sector.

Although the level of progress still varies from nation to nation owing to a number of factors, the fact however is, in Nigeria, we have had more women in political and corporate leadership from 1999 till now than any time in history.

Africa has had two women Presidents in former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and former President Joyce Banda of Malawi. In United States, Hillary Clinton broke the glass ceiling by emerging as the first woman in the US history to win a major party nomination as a Presidential Candidate in an election she won the popular votes with over 3 million voters.

These developments are not only pointing to the fact that there is increased awareness about the centrality of women to social progress, but also to global acknowledgement of women to champion the needed new world order.

Coming home, we have had female Deputy Governors, a practice pioneered by Lagos State before other states embraced it. We have also had more female ministers holding very important portfolios in government. In three quick successions, we have had three female Ministers of Finance in Nigeria namely Dr. Ngozi-Okonjo Iweala, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and the current Minister of Finance Hajia Zainab Ahmed. In the Nigerian corporate firmament, women are playing very significant and important roles, such as being Managing Director and Chief Executive of Banks. At a time, Mrs. Sola David Borha was CEO of StanbicIBTC, Mrs. Funke Osibodu was CEO of Ecobank and Union Bank until recently, and Mrs. Bola Adesola is still the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank.

In the boardrooms and executive management positions, we have strong women whose accomplishments and lives have become sources of inspiration to a new generation of women. Notable amongst the women in this category is Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, who is the Chairman of First Bank Nigeria and the first woman to be so appointed. We also have Ms. Bello Mosun-Olusoga who is the current Chairman of Access Bank likewise Mrs. Osaretin Demuren, Chairman of Guaranty Trust Bank.

Available information has shown that there is enormous capacity and resourcefulness in our women. This is also corroborated by the emergent trend which attests to the fact that our young women are becoming more confident, assertive, stronger and more accomplished than any time in history because many of you are pathfinders and worthy examples.

Clearly, women are talents that must be supported and partnered with for social development and growth.

Governments are inaugurated to facilitate and manage social wellbeing. It is also one of the responsibilities of government to identify key actors in the socio-economic system, support to attain their goals and enable them to contribute to the greater good of the society.

Women are key players in our society and our government will not just support and enable you, we will give you seats at the most critical decision-making tables in our government.

How can government enable more woman to succeed?

Government is the biggest enabler of success in any society through programmes, policies that are targeted at certain outcomes. If elected as Governor, one of the major objectives of our administration will be to invest in maternal healthcare and invest significantly in the girl-child education.

In four years, we will double the enrolment of school girls in primary and secondary schools in Lagos. By strengthening our social protection laws and strict enforcement, we will remove all obstacles that inhibit the advancement of women in Lagos.

Violence against women, rape, and all forms of domestic abuse and workplace discriminations against women, especially our young girls in schools, who are often victims of sexual harassments by teachers and lecturers who should be role models will be met with appropriate penalties.

Our government will work with women groups to provide access and enable women contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Lagos State in particular, and Nigeria as a whole.

Women are critical economic agents. There cannot be shared prosperity and inclusive governance when women are poor.

Our administration will empower women to become wealth creators in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy. For those in the organised private sector, Lagos State under my leadership will be gender-friendly and support your businesses through contracting and procurement.

Let me add here, women will play vital roles in our administration because we are about value creation and value addition. The good news is many women are running better businesses and organisations than most men.

Consequently, our investment and support for Tech Start-ups will also capture young women and we will build the right eco-system for mentoring.

Older and successful women should all be ready to mentor younger women who are aspiring. We will also enable female entrepreneurship through Lagos Employment Trust Fund by ensuring at least a sizeable percentage of the fund is for women who want to set-up private business.

The World Bank reports and other multilateral institutions have established that women often invest a higher proportion of their income back into their families and communities than

Sanwo Olu men.

Even, it is well-documented that when women control a greater proportion of household resources, the family allocates more money toward food and children’s education, and children that are healthier and well educated are betterprepared to contribute to a developing economy.

Expanding women’s access to quality employment opportunities and productive assets benefits them, their families, and their communities.

As a deliberate effort, we will work with the private sector to create more opportunities for women through equal opportunity employment for both women and men. Our government will, also through micro-level interventions such as savings and business training for women, ensure more women entrepreneurs are incubated in Lagos while we will also work to identify system-level policies that governments and the private sector could implement to unlock the huge economic potential of women and girls.

Similarly, by appointing women to key government positions, our administration will also have promoted more women into the leadership position in both the public and civil service. This will encourage other women, most especially younger women to be aspirational in life.

Our administration will also support and promote programmes that will make our women contribute to the development of our state and country. We will work for you and partner with you for a greater Lagos.

Our women will always have champions and cheerleaders in my running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and I. –––Sanwo-Olu, is All Progressives Congress Governorship candidate in Lagos State delivered this address at the APC Women in Business Summit recently

Reminiscences, as Nnamani Extols Ekweremadu Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

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eminiscences took the greater part of the recent meeting between the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and his former boss and former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, who described the Senate Number Two man as “an organizer�, “an effective leader�, and “a man, who understands social contract�.

The former Governor and Senatorial flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Enugu East Senatorial District, recalled how he became governor against all odds, noted that himself and Ekweremadu were men of destiny and products of “sheer grace�, hence the slogan “To God be the glory�.

The journey down memory lane took place during a courtesy visit to the former representative of Enugu East senatorial District in the 6th Senate at his Agbani country home by the Deputy President of the Senate at the weekend.

He said: “You are performing. You are a man of conscience. I welcome a man of unparalleled confidence, a man who is well above his peers, a man who is mighty but humble. “I welcome a man of intellect with a soft touch. I welcome a planner and an organiser, a man who is very effective and I also welcome

Ekweremadu a man of destiny because in his story, God has carried him along. “I welcome a man who understands the social contract, understands that his people have expectations for their participation in governance because the common man has

expectations because indeed, we share the same expectations, the same goals. “When you get up and participate in the political enterprise, you must have something to show for it and that is what he is doing. He is giving something back to his people in terms of infrastructural development and human empowerment. “I welcome somebody, who understands the human dimension, the human concept of politicking, who does not see politics as an abstract, but sees it in real terms of me and you.

We share communality and that communality is embedded in service to people. We anchor our faith in God and we have shared destiny, we have a common interest- touching lives. “We share sadness with our people, we share happiness with our people and we share success with our people. I really salute Ekweremadu. I see myself in him and I see him in myself because we share in people-centered politics�. “It is kind of emotional for me each time I see you for I know how we all started, but I am happy we are here today and we give God all the glory�.

The former Governor, whom Ekweremadu served under his government as Chief of Staff and subsequently as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), described the lawmaker as a task accomplisher. “The people that worked with me, the Chief of Staff, SSG, were task accomplishers. The instruc-

tion was very simple- in fact as simple as saying this thing is here, after two days let it be here and I go. They did the job. I wouldn’t even enquire because I knew it would be done. I taught them how to accomplish tasks�, he said.

Ekweremadu, on his part, extolled Dr. Nnamani as one who believed in human empowerment. “I know somebody, who has done so much in human empowerment. I know that Chimaroke Nnamani has produced the President of the Senate of this country. Without you, Ken Nnamani wouldn’t have gone to the Senate and he wouldn’t have been Senate President. “You have also produced a three-term Deputy President of the Senate of this country and the Senator has been there since 2003. You have produced ministers. “We need to know all these stories. Two governors including Sullivan Chime and Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi are all his products and several members of the National Assembly. “So, we have come to pay our respect and then to say welcome you, after a long period you have stayed in the US. “I want to assure you that as you taught us, we are abiding by it; we have also accomplished so much not only in terms of human development, following your footsteps, but also in terms of infrastructure. We have done our bit and we need to tell you that because you must share in the glory,� he stated.

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PERSPECTIVE Okey Ezeh

I’m On a Mission to Save Imo State Worried by a raft of infractions and defections, Okey Ezeh has dumped the All Progressive Grand Alliance, (APGA) to become the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party. He tells Adedayo Adejobi why he defected, his grievances with APGA and what he would do dierently if elected governor I built APGA from scratch

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hen we delved into politics, we didn’t ask to be favoured, no; we just wanted a chance to stand on a robust platform that would give us the capacity to redeem our dear Imo and her people. I have always been associated with the All Progressive Grand Alliance, (APGA) in Imo. That’s a party I built from the scratch until some people hijacked, and reduced a one-time colossal institution with an efficacy for better governance in the southeast in the days of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to a midget, that can’t even conduct a primary! The treachery and cold -scripted usurping took the fire of rejuvenation out of my soul.

But when one of Martin Luther King Jnr’s maxim “fierce urgency of the now�, dropped in my soul, a light shone before me, showing me the path, I must follow, the path I must thread, to deliver my Imo from misery. Her future became too paramount than whatever aspiration I have been nursing, which took several seats behind. Her gentle sobs filters wistfully in my soul in the middle of every night and the need to re-strategise was born. Every agnostic voice was swept under the rug and the yearning of the people, my people prevailed. That is why SDP is standing in the gap for Imo.

Why I defected If a party can’t conduct its own primaries, pray, tell, how can such party garner the interest of the people? We have decided in our magnanimity to take Imo out of the hands of those that seek her destruction daily by seeking out refuge in a more democratically configured political party in the name of SDP. Gratefully, I am the governorship candidate of SDP in Imo today. SDP as a party may not be out there in people’s faces, but it’s a political party that Nigerians must consciously look at closely. It’s driven by galaxy of men who have over the time proven that integrity is the nucleus of their being.

I had the opportunity to join the SDP twice. Call it fate or providence, I am home now after allowing the opportunity pass the first time. I don’t believe in accidents, neither do I believe in luck. I am a stronger believer of fixing the block. So, by the time the opportunity presents itself, I am well laid and ready to carry on. Unfortunately, today, APGA is no longer one of the giants in Imo. This leaves All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the feat to pilot the affairs of the sophistication called Imo. Ironically, they have made a poor showing of their capacity and capability to govern my Imo. Not with her literacy rate which is second to none in the federation or her rich history that has riveted the average Imolite who is politically astute. It is worrisome how my dear Imo has gone between hands of contractors to business men who

Ezeh have made politics their retirement game plan or those whose main source of livelihood is politics. The way my dear Imo is passed from hand to hand like a harried trade to be learned by a half-baked apprentice hurriedly passing the baton to the would-be conjurer, that paints the whole of Owerri in green and white and leave debris of over six feet stretching through the length and breadth of Douglas Road in a rare show of global best practices to share Oxygen with her populace.

The solution We need corporate governance laid on proper structure that understands the nitty-gritty of global best practices, not this elaborate apprenticeship that harangues its way into becoming what it wasn’t meant for. It’s like a tout at Amakohia

who ekes a living loading buses to the many varsities within the state now donned with a professorial hood and elected as the Vice-Chancellor. Personally, I think enough is enough. The masses are done bearing the brunt of this type of system that profits no one but itself. The Imo voter knows where his bread is being buttered. I will advise they get their PVCs en masse and watch out for SDP. We have been here for more than awhile.

You would recall MKO Abiola ran under this platform. What we concern ourselves about really is the tenacity of purpose, character and integrity we bring to the job. That, for us, is everything! Going down memory lane, Imo has always been a very interesting case study of the underdog knocking out the supposedly powerhouse at the time it matters most.

Right from the days of Samuel Mbakwe, it was no news when Rochas Okorocha blew past a sitting governor to be the present governor, even when no one paid him attention. But that’s not the issue. The real problem is the fact that my dear Imo and her people have been passed through several years of less than optimal governance, and the cry for change has reached a feverish pitch. Wouldn’t it be akin to madness if you desperately want to change your life and you keep your routine set in stone? Politics in Imo has progressed beyond party system. The people are more-keen on individuals and what they can bring to the table. The people are done with the rug of filth sweeping through the state capital to the pothole ridden roads their children and young adults ply to their various institutions of learning every day.

We need someone that can clean out corruption; build new, and maintain the already existing infrastructures, create multiple opportunities for employment, and constantly engages in training and retraining of our youths and workforce. With all due respects to my fellow contestants, it is obvious I stand head and shoulders above the rest of the lot.

There should be no fear about a change that sweeps through the people holding the mantle of leadership. I am who I have always been, a man of my word. Not after many years of investing time, energy, and resources, political leadership is something born out of the need and burning drive to better the lot of the whole of Imo and her 5.3 million citizens. We deserve a better deal. Compromise is not an option, reason we are here to stand in the gap.

My agenda, Imo Martial Plan When we take over the mantle of leadership in Imo, physical prudence will be the centre piece of our administration. It will be instituted within our first 100 days in office. Our finance will be re-circuited to work for us. Cutting off overheads will be a priority. Our infrastructure is in a very deplorable state at the moment. We will seek ways to improve on what’s on ground and build more of a standard quality.

Grooming Talents for the Entertainment Industry Ada Siekpe

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hortly after MultiChoice Nigeria officially announced, on 15 January, that the audition for this year’s edition of Big Brother Naija, the hit television reality show, will hold on 1 and 2 February, the news went viral. In just a few minutes, I noticed that the DStv Instagram followers increased by over 2,000, as though this was a prerequisite for being selected as a housemate at the audition venue.

Indeed, for several weeks the call for BBNaija audition remained a trend on social media and online platforms, displacing politics and politicians.

Young Nigerians in the diaspora discussed how they would plan their trips back to Nigeria for the audition, while some talked about what they believe the judges will look out for at the audition venue. Still, others talked about how they prefer watching BBNaija to vote.

The organisers deserve credit for heeding the call of many Nigerians to host the show in Nigeria as well as the plan to have the show kick off after the general elections. That way, accusations of discouraging voters from participating in the elections are foreclosed I am astounded as to what this reality show is all about. The simple response I got from my 18-year-old niece is: “Once you enter the Big Brother House as a nobody, you come out as a star.�

As optimistic as her response sounded, I still believe that she is not far from the truth. The reality show has over the years helped to groom local talent into big players in the nation’s entertainment industry.

Prior to 2006, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, who has anchored the re-

ality show twice, was not known in the entertainment industry.

But after the reality show, Ebuka signed endorsement deals with a major telecommunications brand as well as a popular brewing company and as such hosted Friend or Foe on NTA, the GLO Show, also on NTA, as well as Guinness’ Greatness TV. He also maintained a weekly column called Contrast in ThisDay for four years. He has equally written for other publications, including What’s New and Ace Magazines. Ebuka was also a presenter on Ebony Life TV. I am certain that his achievements since the first edition of Big Brother Nigeria made the organisers of reality show invite him to host the show in 2017 and 2018.

Another 2006 BBN housemate that has achieved a lot is Gideon Okeke. After appearing in the first edition of the reality show, Gideon joined the cast of M-NET daytime series, Tinsel, as Phillip Ade Williams, the arrogant son of a media mogul. He remains one of the longest-serving actors on the show. Gideon has also appeared on the South African TV series, Jacobs Cross.

In 2014, he played the role of Bernard in the Iroko TV series, Poisoned Bait, directed by BAFTA LA award-winning director Leila Djansi. In addition, he hosted the DStv game show, Money Drop.

Since the first edition of the reality show in Nigeria, the list of young Nigerians who have made their mark after leaving the BBN house is a long one. In 2017, Bisola Aiyeola, first runner-up, among other things, was nominated for City People Movie Award for Revelation of the Year (English) alongside Zainab Balogun, Somkele Iyamah and Seun Ajayi. In 2018, Bisola won the Trail Blazer Award at the AMVCA. Her new single, Controller, is currently riding high on the airwaves.

Many other ex-housemates of the reality show are making

their mark in the entertainment industry. The zeal and passion of these ex-housemates have been a source of inspiration to many young Nigerians, who see the reality show as a platform to launch their entertainment careers.

For those that may not be selected as housemates, my advice is that they should look at the bigger picture. They should key into other opportunities that the reality show provides.

The show’s eco-system is enormous vast, providing room for caterers, stylists, fashion designers, make-up artists, and TV production crew among others. Many big and small businesses will benefit immensely just because the reality show has once again returned to Nigeria.

Considering the huge investment involved in organising the reality show, the organisers deserve credit. Millions of young Nigerians are ready to watch and vote for their favourite housemate to win the reality show. But the question is: is BBNaija all that MultiChoice has to offer us?

Out of curiosity, I visited the MultiChoice Nigeria website and I discovered that besides BBNaija, the company has made and is still making tremendous investments in Nigeria.

I discovered that in the past four years, MultiChoice has spent over N64 million in training industry stakeholders alone. Just last week, the company organised a MultiChoice Talent Factory Master Class in collaboration with Dolby Institute on Sound technology. In 2014 and 2015 alone, spending over N9.98 billion in production and content acquisition And from 2011-2015, they have invested over N29.4 billion in leading-edge broadcasting technology. This provides a strong indication that MultiChoice is determined to groom local talents through original productions that will ignite Nigeria’s creative industry.

Siekpe, a ďŹ lmmaker, writes from Lagos

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Invitation of APC House of Representatives Candidates to a Dinner with PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council invites all House of Representatives Candidates on the platform of the party to a dinner with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The dinner will be held as follows: Date: Monday February 4, 2019 Time: 7:30pm Venue: State House Banquet Hall Signed: Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi Director General, APC Presidential Campaign Council

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Night Davido Cracked London 02 Arena TOBI BAKRE

SADIQ ADEWUNMI

All I Wanted to Do With My Life Was to Draw and Paint, pg. 48 But…

My Number One Role Model is My Mother pg. 49

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Night Davido Cracked London 02 Arena Superstar singer David Adeleke known as Davido, continued his winning streak with an epic sold-out concert in London last Sunday at the 02 Arena. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

Davido on stage performing live in London

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ith this feat on Sunday January 27, 2019, the Afropop star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, joins the likes of Drake, Rihanna, Kanye West, Adele, Celine Dione, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake on the list of international artistes who had sold out the UK venue as headliners. He also becomes the second African musician, after his fellow Nigerian Wizkid did and whom he credited his inspiration to sell out the 02 Arena.

Just about his winning streak last year, recall that the multiple award-winning artiste carted laurels in major awards at home and abroad, starting with the BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards as Best International Act 2018; was the biggest winner at AFRIMA 2018 in three major categories and the Best Afropop Male Artiste at the Nigerian Entertainment Award. The chain of success he pulled through the New Year, believably leaving one to remark that “The year not even started and we already have the show of the year. #DavidoLiveat02.

Davido had taken to Instagram to hype the show a fortnight ago. He wrote: “For me, it’s about always elevating the movement with every step taken! January 27 will be historic!

Queen Elizabeth herself go know say we dey town! Don’t hear about it be a part of greatness! #DavidoLiveat02.”

This he lived up to it with the record event and his grand performance trending while the event was on.

Social media users from Nigeria, London, and some other parts of the world were thrilled by Davido’s performance as they shared photos and video clips from the concert.

One of the highlights of the show was the moment Chioma, his girlfriend, got on stage as he sang the song he dedicated to her “Assurance’’. As usual, the twosome cared less as they locked lips. The crowd, who were familiar with his lyrics, sang loudly to everyone, creating a charged atmosphere with an energy matched by Davido’s energetic set.

Another was his arrival on the stage.

The DMW boss was remarked to have made an epic entrance arriving on a suspended platform to rapturous applause from the waiting crowd at the famous 02 Arena, venue of the concert in London.

Davido and Chioma share a kiss

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t'&#36"3: , 2019

SHOWBIZFLAIR Night Davido Cracked London 02 Arena

For me, it’s about always elevating the movement with every step taken! January 27 will be historic!

Queen Elizabeth herself go know say we dey town!

Don’t hear about it be a part of greatness! #DavidoLiveat02

Davido

After a brief delay, Idris Elba, an English actor, producer, musician and DJ, who was a special guest at the show, took to stage to introduce ’30 Billion crooner’, who came in and set the night rolling with one of his hit songs, ‘Aye’. Elba described him as one of the biggest acts out of Africa. The singer earned hundreds of accolades for putting up a spectacular performance that reaffirmed his status as one of Nigeria’s biggest musical talents.

The man the audience had gathered to watch and in true superstar fashion, backed by the composers live band and his colourful dancers, Davido’s stage prowess outshone any expectations that those who gathered might have brought into the Arena.

Performing a familiar set-list of his large catalog of hit anthems including songs like ‘Dami Duro’, ‘FIA’, ‘If’, ‘Fall’, Davido served off back to back bangers during his over set. There were also a few surprise appearances from music stars who joined Davido on stage including the likes of Jamaican superstar, Popcaan and Nigerian artiste, Zlatan.

Hosted by Shopsydoo, ‘Davido Live at The 02’ was opened with sets from various DJs including Tim Westwood, DJ Ecool, DJ Bibi, and DJ So Good. After came performances from members of his DMW crew, including Mayorkun, Peruzzi, Idowest, Dremo, and Yonda. Wave making artiste and new sensation Victor AD, who just released a song, titled ‘Tire You’ featuring Davido, also performed. With his support of a number of talents on his platform and on stage his biggest night, he was yet again true to his words and slogan that proves “we rise by lifting others” which has defined Davido’s blueprint

over the years.

This was one concert that he had long prepared for, one he had long wanted to accomplish and the night came to its close glamorously with Davido looking upon the 20,000 crowd as they screamed loudly to his name.

Having etched his name in the history books selling out the iconic O2 Arena and highlighting a vivid indication of his increasing dominance on the global scene, the much-anticipated concert indeed was how he had pictured it, perhaps even better.

While a number of Nigerian artistes have in the past performed at the smaller O2 stages, Wizkid remains the only one to have taken on the main 02 stage and successfully sold out his AfroRepublik concert in 2018. Davido had not only sold out the O2 Arena, but he had also left his mark at the historic British venue, attracting Edward Enninful, Editor of British Vogue and supermodel, Naomi Campbell who came to support the Nigerian Afropop star.

After the concert, fans of Davido and Wizkid continued the superiority battle in the social media. These are some of the remarks: “Mygoodness!! King @iam Davido is trending in Abuja, Lagos and London!!! three placess!! I thought @ wizkidayo fans said he is not trending?? God will continue to put y’all to shame!!! #davido #wizkid #davidoliveathe02. Davido has become the youngest and second African artiste to sell out the world’s busiest music arena, 20,000 capacity 02 Arena after Wizkid. Here was him in June 2018, saying he got the inspiration to sell out The 02 after ‘his brother’, Wizkid did so.

“Don’t hate on Davido because you

Davido

are a wizkid fan. Be happy for him, the nigga is winning, we Nigerians are winning in this music industry #davido #DavidoLiveAt02 #DavidoLiveinConcert #Davido who got the better concert at the 02, Davido or Wizkid? Yunno as a wizkid fan, I’m not bothered, I’m happy for David; wizkid paved the way for him to see this was possible so we be pace setters and I know wizkid would do something very mad to shut everybody up; let’s enjoy the show ladies 20,000 people have come out this evening to watch him sing. It’s Sunday. Tomorrow is

work and school day. Six years ago, Davido was playing to a 600 crowd in London.

“Wizkid fans daily prayer is to see #Davido fall, but Davido keep showing them it did not only happen in the Bible, e go happen for real life too.

According to the biggest online music streaming site in the world, SPOTIFY, king @iamDavido is the first African artiste to solely headline a sold out show in the most popular music arena on earth, the 02 Arena…chee! @wizkidayo cannot reach this level! #davido #wizkid #CRYTOT”.

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SHOWBIZFLAIR TOBI BAKRE

and pushes people to be better and do better.

All I Wanted to Do With My Life Was to Draw, Paint, But… Tobi Bakre was one of the three finalists at the Big Brother Season 3 series last year. He displayed a different style and approach to the game, winning the hearts of many and becoming an eye candy. He talks to Tosin Clegg about growing up, life before and after Big Brother, ongoing projects and a lot more I grew up in Somolu and parts of Ogudu y family is from Ogun State (Ijebu North).

I am the last of four children. I have two sisters and a brother.

Prior to the things I do now, I worked in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and also worked in the banking industry for four years. I always had a passion for art and photography while growing up. I won a few art competitions locally as a child.

All I wanted to do with my life was to draw and paint, but I am glad my parents influenced a more secure path. Now, I can be a financial analyst, artist, photographer and a whole lot more.

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The show brought a new level of fame But prior to that, I had been a popular figure in my university days. It got bigger after that with the new dimensions and inventions in the social media space. Now, it is only amplified but the same rules apply.

Since the show, I have taken time out building skills And gathering more experience to make myself a better Host/Mc, Tv Presenter and actor. The space comes with its challenges as these were new career paths I chose to follow.

Besides being naturally gifted with the human skills to have a good career in those spaces, a lot of brushing up and practice is needed to be the best at these things. I have been on a few acting projects and hosted a number of shows; from live shows to award nights, to mention a few.

Acting has been most interesting, challenging We watch movies and never understand how much goes into the end result in terms of input from the talents and the great people behind the camera. I want to be a versatile actor.

Most roles I have played have been in line with my natural persona. In the future, I’ll look at more challenging roles that will make me totally navigate to being someone different. Embody a totally different role outside of my person.

These are the things that help build more skill and show the talent of an actor.

Besides God, I owe every other thing to my family I grew up like every average Nigerian. I had very disciplined and loving parents. They were very active in major life decisions I have made this far growing up. Not to force what directions I took but to counsel and leave the ultimate decision to me. It’s pretty much the same story for my siblings. As a child, all I dreamt about was being a footballer or an artist (I loved to draw and paint). I eventually took a different turn to study Finance in UNILAG which helped broaden my perspective as I now still do the things I am more passionate about and more.

It is never all rosy in life It is never all rosy in life, especially when exploring new ventures. I found MCing interesting and natural when I started but as soon as I started working on bigger projects with a larger and influential audience I soon realised I couldn’t solely rely on just what I had.

I had to start tapping into the experiences and workflow of other established personalities in the industry, the likes ofAlibaba, Ebuka, Ik- Wild Child, Chigurl, Adebola Williams, and I had to learn to be more versatile and knowledgeable to relate better with the ever-changing/ diversified audience.

Life before the Big Brother show for me was very different I was always within the four walls of the office or classes for professional exams. Any free time I got outside of that, I spent photographing, networking or travelling. I also liked to explore and try new things. I learnt to ride a power bike, learnt how to start and value a business, and learnt how to sell other things. It was a bit of a routine life but I tried my best to bring fresh and new things into the mix, as much as I could.

Fitness is a lifestyle I personally believe you don’t have to go to the gym to keep fit. It all depends on your goals. Fitness for me is more about diet and daily life choices (as little as taking the stairs instead of the elevators, substituting soda with water etc). I do everything possible to keep my body moving at all times.

I go to the gym not to keep fit but to get the desired physical look I want. My typical workout session is two hours, three to five times a week.

I do as little cardio as possible and focus more on weightlifting. When I get my desired look, I can then switch to maintaining with more cardio and a different diet plan.

My journey into banking and finance Prior to the new turns, I have taken in life, I started career working Laudable Express a logistics company, just before my youth service where I worked in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation. I immediately started work with Heritage Bank after my NYSC. My first job role after six months of extensive training was the role of Relationship Manager, Financial Institutions. I worked alongside other colleagues to manage and establish new relationships with Financial Institutions in and outside of the country. After that, I worked as a dealer in treasury, traded currencies and securities to make income for the bank and also managed the bank’s liquidity as a money market dealer.

When it comes to style, I often style myself On some grande occasions, I employ the services of a stylist. I have worked with a number of professionals in the fashion space (like of Style Infidel, Jreason). I believe looking good is understanding what works for you and being confident. You have to embody whatever it is you wear. It’s more about the confidence and suave than the material you wear.

Bakre

Photography and the extra spice I bring into it Photography helped keep the creative side of me alive while working in the bank. I taught myself to take pictures before taking one or two beginner courses further down the line. I enjoyed every part of photography, from street to beauty, portraiture and others. I, however, have focused more on streets and portraiture.

The elements of street photography enable me to tell real-life stories and capture storytelling moments in a frame, while the other enables

The show was a reality experiment It gave the opportunity to look inward and learn more about myself and also learn more about human behaviour. One of the most important things I learnt was achieving goals by tapping into human resources around you.

It is unimaginable how much greatness can be achieved when differences are put aside and we all tap into our individual strengths to bring new things to life.

me to bring creativity and ideas to life all within one frame. I have added the element of art to my photography. I love to paint and I have found how a splash of colours on a great photo can further provoke emotion and add more meaning to a photograph.

The BBN show ended almost a year now I had a very small platform prior to the show.

Now, I have a community of over 1.2 million people and can be relatively recognised across

the continent. Every country I have visited, I meet people who love and believe in me. From other parts of Africa, USA, Europe, countries like Beirut. It’s honestly humbling how much of a reach has been gained. I have since the show been able to explore a lot of the things I enjoy doing. I started acting, hosting, mentoring and being more of a model figure for my peers and a good example to my society at large.

The world needs more good examples and I hope to have a life and story that encourages

Fame doesn’t equal money I wish how famous you are was how rich you are but fame doesn’t equal money, so you sure have to work smart and hard to make that transition. I have learnt to keep a sane space.

It’s all about the people around me and the kind of things I entertain. I personally distance myself from things that tamper with my peace of mind or happiness. I surround myself with people who are of value, see value in me and help me be of more value. My family, a few friends and work colleagues.

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Tosin Clegg 07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

MY STORY

Gists KATE HENSHAW, NIGERIAN PRIDE, EXPORT

Nigeria is blessed with exportable resources like oil, coal, metals, agriculture, and now the amazing.

Kate Henshaw has been announced as one of the International Judges, representing Nigeria on the New CBS Global talent show, ‘The World’s Best’!!, which is the biggest and best new talent show. She and 49 other international judges make up the Wall of The World, Hosted by Emmy Award-winner James Corden,

the series is a one-of-a-kind talent competition featuring elite acts from around the globe competing for a $1 million prize and the title of The World’s Best.

The acts not only have to impress the all-star line-up of American judges Drew Barrymore, RuPaul Charles and Faith Hill, but they will also need to break through the “wall of the world,” featuring more than 50 renowned experts from 38 different countries.

The “wall of the world” comprised experts from every field of entertainment, from Bollywood to ballet, K-Pop to comedy, martial arts to magic, and everything in between.

These experts not only have fervent followings in their home countries but, in many cases, internationally, and will offer feedback during every round of the competition and be responsible for helping to decide which act is ultimately crowned The World’s Best.

“From Nigeria to Japan, from Switzerland to Samoa, our 50 world experts bring a true global presence to our stage,” said executive producer and showrunner Alison Holloway.

“Among them are champions, award-winners, international TV judges and even superstars in their native lands. They are knowledgeable, honest and, at times, outrageous. They bring an entirely fresh perspective to the talent show landscape.”

SADIQ ADEWUNMI

MyNumberOneRole Model is My Mother Sadiq Adewunmi is a fashion designer and style icon in her own class. She tells her clients’ desires and wants in the piece she makes for them and has stood the test of time with her good works. She tells Tosin Clegg about her fashion, her style, what stands her out and more

ROZE DROPS ANOTHER SINGLE ‘STRANDED’ FEBRUARY 4 After the huge success of their last single ‘The Whole Night’ in the United States of America and across Africa, particularly Nigeria, the singing duo of Row and Zuwa Agbonayinma, known as ROZE, are back with another love-themed club banger titled ‘Stranded’, set for release on all digital music platforms from February 4, 2019.

Row & Zuwa work on ideas separately and combine their ideas to produce a project.

Their latest effort ‘Stranded’ was the idea of Zuwa. For

the brothers who are sons of politician and music lover Hon. E. J and Mrs Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma and Itohan Agbonayinma, their talent is too diverse to stick to any particular genre of music.

They believe it is a natural phenomenon and should be delivered the way the inspiration came and thus says ‘Stranded’ is to be to interpreted in accordance to how you as an individual perceives it. The key point to take is that ROZE produces and make tracks from a wide variety of genres.

They first appeared in 2014 while working on a test project, titled ‘Time to Party,’ which was never released. However, they later appeared again in 2016, being introduced to producer, Mekoyo, who has produced for artistes such as Style Plus.

Out of the several songs recorded by ROZE, the hit song titled “The Whole Night,” was a huge success and it was already making waves in the US before it was released in Africa. The video for the track was directed by Clarence Peter.

DAVID JHAY TO RELEASE POLITICAL THEMED SONG AHEAD OF 2019 ELECTIONS Redrun Entertainment musical powerhouse, David Jhay is set to release a new song he titled, Ojee, which was well composed ahead of the elections coming up. In the song, he sheds light on things he feels the country lacks, the greed of political office holders and a lot more.

David wrote, produced and mastered his music all by himself. Asides this, David Jhay also plans big for himself with lineups of musical works to be released during the year.

So many voices have been chanelled by musical heavy weights like 2face, Waje, Falz and more to the elections and David sees this as his own quota to make the elections violence-free and fair.

T

ell us about you?

I’m Sadiq Adewunmi Fatimah, a graduate of Lagos State University where I studied Mass Communication, majoring in Public Relations and Advertising.

What kind of pieces do you make?

I major in female clothing, wedding dresses, aso ebi, contemporary African wears and more. I design for all women, my designs focus on their personality, every of my design speaks a language of your personal style and trend, enhancing your inner glamour from what you wear.

How did you deal with challenges while starting out?

I started fashion designing in 2009; it has been a great learning process. It has been my dream as a child to be a fashion designer. I have been so convinced about what I wanted to do with my life and when the opportunity came in 2009, I grabbed it!

Since then my life was defined. Trust me when I tell you it has never been easy being an entrepreneur, the sleepless nights, the sacrifices, sometimes you are rich and sometimes you are very rich, clients’ management, business management, staff management, growth, expansion, funds, and a lot of factors.

Who are your role models?

My number one role model is my mother, she is my live-wire, my motivation, my support system, my cheerleader, my number one fan, my day in day out, my everything.

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New Look Funke Akindele For most of this week, photographs of actress, Funke Akindele’s new look dominated the social media. It was her first photos since welcoming her twin boys. Funke stepped out for her first official engagement and swiftly shared the amazing photos.

Akindele

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Beyonce Stuns in Plunging Red Mini Dress Pop Queen, Beyonce who is currently enjoying a break from work, after wrapping up her ‘On The Run II’ tour’ with husband Jay-Z last year, looked all gorgeous in these new photos she shared on Monday. The 37-year-old mother of three was pictured rocking a plunging velvet mini dress and matching pair of thigh-high boots in the alluring Instagram shoot.

Beyonce

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5 ) * 4 % ": t SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2019

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NEWS

FG to Establish Entrepreneur Bank to Boost Economic Activities Says Palm Oil will replace crude oil OkonBasseyinUyo

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Friday disclosed of plan by the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari to establish Entrepreneur Bank as part of programmes to boost businesses in the country.

Osinbajo made the disclosure at a special political campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held in Odot, headquarters of Nsit Atai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

“We have decided to do not only N Power. This is only the beginning; we are starting something that is called Entrepreneur Bank.

“The bank will be giving loan to men and women like those in N power who have plan for the future, so that they can start their only business and make progress,” he said.

The Vice President advised the people of Akwa Ibom State to key into the government at the centre and stop playing opposition politics.

“Akwa Ibom should not be in opposition, no reason, there is no reason there is every reason for you to join so that you become part of the next level.

He maintained that the government of President Buhari was determined to make sure all

the young people had quality job.

“When we say in 2015 that we will start N Power, they said it is not possible how can you employ 500,000 people? But we have done it.

“When we said we are going to do home grown school feeding, today we are feeding 9.2 million children all over Nigeria. Do you know how many eggs home grown school feeding use in one week? 6.8 million eggs for one week,” he said.

The Vice President said Nsit Atai Local Government is important to the country because of its abundant natural resources.

“Nsit Attai you are number one, you are not the biggest in side but the biggest in quality. You are going to lead not only Akwa Ibom but also you are going to lead Nigeria because we have found here palm oil which is going to be replacement for crude oil.

“That is one of the reasons you must join the federal government of Nigeria under APC. It is time for you to join in the train and the train is moving very fast.

“If you are young man and woman here if you vote for PDP know that you are leaving in the past. Every young man and woman you must go to the next level.

“If you have voted PDP in the past apologise to them that my brothers, my sisters I have done

REWARD FOR EXCELLENCE...

L-R: President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; National Best Performing Customer, Dangote Foods, Ali Balarabe, (Ali Balarabe & Sons); Executive Director Commercial, Dangote Flour Mills Plc; Halima Aliko Dangote; and Chairperson, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Yemisi Ayeni, at the Dangote Foods (Sugar, Salt & Flour) Gala Nite, held in Lagos ...recently

my best for you, I am now going to the next level. I cannot remain in the same spot.

“The next level is where it is happening. I want to tell you come February 16 make no mistake vote

President Muhammadu Buhari and March 2 vote for Nsima Ekere and all APC candidates,” Osinbajo declared.

Dignitaries that attended the rally included Senator Godswill Akpabio; the Senior Special Adviser (SSA)

to Buhari, on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang; former Minister of Petroleum, Atuekong Don Etiebet; the Managing Director (MD) of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Author-

ity (OGFZA), Obong Umana Okon Umana, the governorship candidate of the APC in Akwa Ibom, Obong Nsima Ekere; the state APC Chairman, Hon. Ini Okopido among others.

Betray APC, Face the Consequences, In Edo, Osinbajo Assures Next Level‘ll 2019: Ekiti Deputy Gov Warns Leaders Secure Better Future for Nigerians VictorOgunje ÓØ ÎÙ ÕÓÞÓ candidates in constituencies 1 and II, you are given campaign tools and

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on Edo State residents to vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the state in the 2019 general elections, noting their support was needed to sustain progress being recorded in the state and the country at large.

Speaking to a mammoth crowd of APC supporters at the party’s campaign rally in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state, on Thursday, Osinbajo said the Next Level Agenda was about the careful and wise allocation of the nation’s resources to secure a better future for Nigerians.

The candidates of the APC in the state are Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, who is contesting for the Edo South senatorial seat; Hon. John Inegbedion, Edo Central senatorial seat; Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha for Oredo Federal Constituency seat at the House of Representatives; Dennis Idahosa for Ovia North East/South West seat in the House of Representatives; Hon. Joseph Ikpea, Esan South East/North East seat in the House of Representatives; Hon. Johnson Agbonayinma for Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency seat, among others Osinbajo said that Edo people’s votes for the Next Level Agenda of the APC will allow for the sustenance

of effective allocation of the nations’ resources.

He explained that the ruling APC government at the federal level had been able to do more despite fewer resources due to the high premium the government placed on accountability and probity.

“Corruption is one of the reasons our country is backward, Buhari is not corrupt and he will not allow anybody to steal our money,” the VP said.

Osinbajo listed the creation of more jobs, improved power supply and other infrastructure as well as credit intervention as some of the things that the APC intends to do through its Next Level agenda.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, has advised members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to betray the party for their candidates to be victorious in the next elections.

Speaking while inaugurating the APC Ekiti Central senatorial Campaign Council for the 2019 elections on Friday, Egbeyemi, said the only thing he foresaw that can dim the chances of the party is act of betrayal.

He said those found engaging in betrayal during elections shall face the consequences of their disloyal actions.

The Council is to campaign across the 57 wards in the district for the victories of President Muhammadu Buhari and senatorial candidate, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, the House of Representatives

Hon. Sola Fatoba and Hon. Wunmi Ogiunlola respectively and the House of Assembly candidates in the next elections.

Egbeyemi said, “The task is not too much for us to achieve. We are here today because Bamidele didn’t die during the gunshot of June 1, 2018.

God specifically preserved him for the senatorial ticket, because he will win. “ There are those who cannot be trusted in our party, particularly when it comes to mobilising for elections, we shouldn’t do this for the sake ofour party. “ If you are given any logistic, make judicious use of it in the interest of our party. Let us be dedicated. All we want is free and fair elections, we won’t tolerate crisis.

“We must learn from the mistake of the last governorship election. If

you diverted it, God shall punish such person.

We must be faithful to our party and the people.

“When I saw the list of the council, I had a conclusion that these were people that own the district, so the job has been made easier if only we can go home and work hard.

“I want you to visit those areas where our people didn’t do well in the last election and correct those mistakes.

“We are not going to buy votes, we are not used to it. Even those who did it in the last election got instant punishment. All we need to tell our people is that our candidates will do well the way governor Kayode Fayemi has been doing,” he stated.

the International Trade Union asked the United Nations to invoke relevant international conventions to protect the right of workers in Zimbabwe.

He said ITUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress would petition the International Court of Justice to protest the violation of human rights in that country and the violence that follow the peaceful protest by the workers.

Wabba also asked the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the African Union to invoke relevant labour conventions in dealing with the issue in Zimbabwe, adding that it was an irony that the same government which the labour union fought for was the one hunting down labour leaders.

He said organised labour in Nigeria would not hesitate to seal up the embassy in Abuja if the Zimbabwean government failed to adhere to their calls and release the detained labour

leaders in that country.

He urged the Zimbabwean Government to release detained leaders of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and 39 others arrested for participating in protest march over fuel price increase.

Wabba said that NLC was outraged at the ugly incidents that had trailed the mass protests in Zimbabwe, adding that that the protest was occasioned by the sudden increase in pump prices of petroleum products by the government of Zimbabwe.

He said: “the protest is against what many Zimbabweans perceive as insensitive policy choices by the government of Zimbabwe. The Nigerian working class family is sad that what should have passed as a civil action in democratic climes was met with disproportionate use of force by the Zimbabwean military and security forces.

Commercial Motorcyclists Dump Colleague’s Corpse at Government House NLC Pickets Zimbabwean Embassy in Abuja BasseyInyanginCalabar

An angry mob made up of about three hundred commercial motorcycle riders commonly referred to as “ Okada Riders” invaded Cross River State Government House on Friday morning and deposited the corpse of their slain colleague at the state’s seat of power in Calabar.

The State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, his aides and the security personnel attached to his office had travelled with him to Bakassi Local Government Area in continuation of campaigns towards the 2019 general elections.

In the process of depositing the corpse of their late colleague, the irate commercial motorcyclists smashed glass doors, windows in the premises, and attacked some security personnel and workers available.

The mob was protesting the alleged extra-judicial killing of their yet to be identified colleague by some officials of the Task Force, Special Services, Governor’s Office, attached to the State Security Adviser, South, Mr. Ani Esin.

Information from the protesters indicate that trouble started when the late Okada rider was given pursuit by a team of the Special Services Task Force from Four Miles area of Ikot Ansa near the St. Patrick’s College, for allegedly plying his business in a route not designated for commercial motorcyclists.

It was gathered that in the process of trying to escape, the commercial motorcyclist who was on top speed fell off his bike and sustained serious injuries.

An eye witness said when the commercial motorcyclist fell, instead of

ensuring that he was safe, members of the task force descended on him, beat him to pulp, and left him unconscious.

It was gathered that some of his colleagues who came to his aide, rushed him to a hospital in town where he was pronounced dead.

However, an eye witness account has it that infuriated over the death of their colleague, the commercial motorcyclists swiftly mobilisation to Government House to lodge their protest over the killing of their colleague to the state governor.

They had overpowered the few security men and the police at the main entrance gate to the Government House at Diamond Hill, before making their way into the premises where they dropped the lifeless body of their late colleague in front of an office they believed as that of the governor.

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Friday blocked the entrance to the Zimbabwean Embassy inAbuja, in protest over alleged unlawful arrest and detection of labour leaders in that country.

The Congress demanded immediate and unconditional release of workers and labour leaders who were arrested while protesting the increase in the prices of fuel in that country.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba who led the workers said if the Zimbabwean Government failed to release the Union leaders, workers across the world would be mobilised to shut down the Zimbabwean embassies across the world.

Wabba who is also the president of

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

NEWSXTRA

GLO Defines Path for Future, Invests in New Solutions As Anthony Joshua, world heavyweight boxing champion, endorses Glo In a bid to position Nigeria to tap into the benefits of the global digital revolution, national telecommunications operator,GlobacomonFridayannounced innovative solutions that would impact positively on its subscribers.

It also announced its new communication direction which includes its endorsement by World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Anthony Joshua.

Theproductsandserviceswhichwould be released in batches in the coming days and weeks, were announced as part of the company’s new direction for 2019 at a media stakeholders’ forum held at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The new products include Glo Drive, GloHealth,GloEntertainmentPortal,Glo Mobile Money, Glo Call Connect Service, World Connect and Glo Titi, theArtificial Intelligence platform.

Globacom’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Technical, Mr. Bisi Koleoso, said that, as the innovation leader in Nigeria’s L-R: Founder, Banyi Ventures, Bryan Mezua; MD/CEO, Avon HMO, Adesimbo Ukiri; Editor-in-Chief, TechCabal.com, Bankole Oluwafemi and CEO, Ad- telecomspace,Globacomwascommitted vantage Health Africa, Abimbola Adebakin, at the Tech Cabal ‘TC Townhall on The State of Health Tech in Nigeria’ sponsored by Avon HMO in Lagos... to ensuring that Nigerians were not left recently behindinthemarchtoadigitalisedworld.

“We have invested massively in new technologies to introduce these products which we believe will redefine business, social and personal pursuits”.

“Having ended 2018 on a very high note, retaining our position as the second largest operator with a remarkable 45.3 million subscriber base, we have resolved to further enrich customer experience on Alex Enumah ÓØ ÌßÔË found in the Bank account of Patience and some relatives of Corporate Affairs Commission”, our network with these new offerings,” Magel Resort Limited, a company former president, Goodluck he said.

Mr. Koleoso stated.

A Federal High Court sitting in linked to the former First Lady Jonathan were directors of the Ruling on the motion, Justice One of the key products, Glo Drive, Kano, has ordered the temporary of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan and Company. Others named as direc- A. Lewis-Allagoa held that: “An addresses problems subscribers face with forfeiture of N1,000,494,000 (One was lodged in three deposits with tors are Oba Oba Tamunotonye, interim forfeiture order is granted storingtheirdatabyofferinglimitlessstorage Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety Fidelity Bank Plc on May 20 and Goodluck Jonathan Aruera, to the Federal Government in capacity in the cloud, while Glo Health Four Thousand Naira) traced 25, 2015.

Goodluck Jonathan Ariwabai the sum of N1,000,494,000 (One Care is a digital health assistant designed to a bank account allegedly Acting Head of Media and and Esther Fynface.

Billion, Four Hundred and to offer Nigerians access to best doctors belonging to wife of former Publicity, EFCC, Tony Orilade, “In trying to trace the origin Ninety Four Thousand Naira in the world directly on their phone.

President, Patience Jonathan. in the statement said the Com- of the money, it was discovered Only) in the Bank account of The Glo Entertainment Portal offers Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa, mission got an intelligence that that N500,000 was deposited on the 1st respondent Magel a single point of access for millions of gave the order in a ruling on a bank account domiciled in May 20, 2015 by Fynface, who Resort Limited 4011019546 digital entertainment content through a motion ex parte filed by the Fidelity Bank, had a huge sum is alleged to be in charge of the which is maintained with 2nd Glo Café.

Economic and Financial Crimes of money that was not being Company, while N1 billion (One respondent Fidelity Bank Plc”.

TheGloMobileMoney,hestated,isan Commission (EFCC), seeking used by anybody.

Billion Naira Only) was transThe court further ordered agent network which would hasten the for the interim forfeiture of “Upon receipt of the intel- ferred in two tranches on May 25, that the forfeited sum be drivetowardsacash-lightNigeriansociety the money. ligence, the EFCC swung into 2015 from Pagmat Oil And Gas deposited in the Treasury by enabling financial transactions on the According to a statement by action by conducting preliminary Nigeria Limited a company that Single Account of the Federal the EFCC, the said amount was investigation, which revealed that was not incorporated with the Government.

FOR HEALTHY SOCIETY...

Court Orders Forfeiture of N1.04bn Traced to Patience Jonathan

Onnoghen, No Longer Fit to Continue in Office, Says el-Rufai

CAN Urges Katsina Govt to Introduce CRS in Schools

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Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has described the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, as a “shameless judge” who had demonstrated that he was no longer fit to continue in office.

Addressing hundreds of protesters who stormed the Government House, Kaduna, on Friday in solidarity with President Muhammadu Buhari who suspended Onnoghen from office, over allegations of corruption, el-Rufai said the time had come for every well-meaning Nigerian to support Buhari in his fight against corruption.

Quoting Othman Dan Fodio, the founder of Sokoto Caliphate, the governor said corruption in the judiciary was the worst form of corruption and no society could survive it.

The governor who mounted an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), stationed in front of the Government House, to address the protesters, commended them for their solidarity with the president and “for coming together to convey this very clear statement from the people of Kaduna State that in Kaduna we do not support corruption.” El-Rufai said, “in Kaduna State, we do not support

injustice, in Kaduna State we are 100 per cent, behind the integrity of our President. I can assure you that the message you have given to me will be delivered to the president today.”

According to the governor, the case with Justice Onnoghen is a very sad one.

He said: “Othman Dan Fodio, the founder of the Sokoto caliphate wrote that the worst form of corruption you can find in any public servant is judicial corruption because when the president is corrupt or the governor is corrupt, it is to the judge that ordinary people can take their case to.

“When the judge himself is corrupt, it is the highest form of corruption and must never be condoned.

“The case of Justice Onnoghen is the case in which somebody who has worked in government for the past 20 years suddenly has millions of dollars in his account, he has admitted but says he has forgotten about them, which means he has more money than Aliko Dangote because I do not think Dangote will forget $1 million in his account.”

El-Rufai maintained that, “the president did the right thing by asking him to step aside pending investigation. It is the proper thing to do.”

The Funtua zonal chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has appealed to the Katsina State Government to introduce Christian religious studies in public and private schools.

The Christian body, also urged the government to allow its members to build churches in areas inhibited by them for the propagation of Christianity across the state.

Under the federal government’s education policy, CRS would be studied as a theme in Civic Education in public secondary schools while Islamic/Arabic Studies would remain as a subject.

The Funtua Zonal Chairman of CAN, Rev. Ishaya Garba Jurau, who made the call during a Special Prayer Session for peaceful election in the state at Kafur, Thursday evening, urged government to revisit the police to “give our children the privilege of Christian religious education.”

According to the cleric, “We thank Governor Masari for granting several rights, which were hitherto not granted to indigenous Christians in the state.

“However, we are requesting the governor to grant us rights to construct churches in areas inhibited

by Christians and allow for the teaching of Christians Religious Studies (CRS) in schools.”

While describing the introduction of preaching licence in some states as unnecessary, Rev. Jurau, however, implore the Katsina State Government to allow Christians clerics to broadcast Christians religious activities on state-owned media.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Aminu Masari said his administration was determined to carry everybody along irrespective of religious, tribal or political affiliations, adding that the office of the Special Assistant on Christian Pilgrimage was initiated by him during his time as Speaker.

He tasked the leaders of the faith on the need to ensure that their followers actively participate in politics to be represented in the art of governance of the state, appealing for support and understanding to achieve a hitch free polls come February and March.

THISDAY reports that the prayer session drew Christian faithful from 11 local governments that make up Funtua senatorial zone, where prayers and songs ministrations were held by different clerics and women groups for peaceful election in the state and the country at large.

mobile phone and extending financial inclusion to over 60 million unbanked people in the country.

Glo Artificial Intelligence platform will engage customers directly and assist them to get information about data plans, prepaid plans and Value Added Service (VAS). This enables customers to choose the most convenient plan, resolve issues and ask questions 24/7 without any human interface.

Also disclosed is Glo Connect which helps subscribers stay connected all the time even if the subscriber’s phone is switched off, has zero balance, or is out of coverage area.

The last solution is the World Connect, which ensures that business executives stay connected to their offices anywhere in the world by offering them the most affordable roaming data in 60 countries with over 6.4 million wifi hotspots worldwide. The infrastructure will be available in all world airports.

Speaking in a documentary shown during the event, the world heavyweight boxing champion,Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua, who has Nigerian parentage, endorsed the Globacom network for its reach and speed, describing the network as his reliable partner.

“Irespecttheownershipandmanagement of Globacom and as a Nigerian, I believe charity must begin from home.

“I believe in Glo,” he said.

Stating the values he shared with Globacom, Anthony Joshua said “we have the fastest speed, longest reach and the Nigerian fighting spirit as game changers. Glo, I hail o!” He concluded by giving the “wakanda” salute.

Globacom recently signed an endorsement contract with the world heavyweight boxing champion covering Nigeria and Ghana.

Joshua currently holds four major world championship belts, namely International Boxing Federation (IBF) title, World Boxing Association (WBA) title, World Boxing Organisation (WBO) title,andInternationalBoxingOrganisation (IBO) title which he won between 2016 and 2018.

Tifa Travels Launches First LCC in Nigeria Sunday Ehigiator

First Lufthansa City Centre (LCC) in Nigeria has recently been launched by Tifa Travels, at the Ikeja-Lagos office of the company.

The LCC which is a global body for travel agencies, warehouses other service suppliers and inventories in the travel industry and exists in over 250 countries, including Kenya, Ghana and now Nigeria.

Speaking at the ceremony, the CEO/MD Tifa Travels, Mrs. Adelola Adewole, explained that it was a dream come through for her and her team, as she had all along dreamt of having a global outlook in her operations, as her affiliation to LCC just afforded her that.

According to Adewole, “having made the kind of impression and success in the Nigerian market, there was the need to reach out to the global market so as to consolidate on the gains that the agency has made over the years and push its agenda to the next level. ‘‘We now have added-on value to pass on to our clients by joining LCC. This is to ensure that our clients get the best of products and services available in the global travel market. We now have a bigger family around the world and a global reach to available to our clients.’’

She concluded that “Consequently, our clients anywhere in the world; were LCC affiliates are based are guaranteed first-class products and services once they walk into any of our offices”.

Speaking on the development, the Senior Business Development Manager of Lufthansa City Centre, Pablo Castro; who flew in from Spain to attend the event, said LCC which was birthed by Lufthansa in 1991, now operates independently of the airline and has presence in over 94 countries.

According to him, “LCC was established to work with emerging countries and economies”.

Speaking on the criteria for a travel agency to get affiliated with LCC, Castro said, “They must be International Air Transport Association (IATA) licensed. That is a priority and they must provide travel agency service, and this has to be approved by Lufthansa. ‘‘I am proud of Tifa Travels and what I have been finding out and wish them all the best as I am very confident that they will deliver on the culture of LCC and give confidence to the Nigerian travelling public.”

He concluded by recommending Tifa Travels to the Nigerian market, explaining that with LCC as partner ,

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

55

NEWSXTRA

Igbo Group Demands Apology From Obiano over Insult to Ohanaeze Seriki Adinoyi ÓØ ÙÝ

SYMBIOTIC COLLABORATION...

L-R: Chairman Executive Trainers, Ayodele Ogunsan; CEO Executive Trainers, Mrs. Ajoke Ogunsan; Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Development, American University of DUBAI , Prof. Jihad Nader; Prof. Eddious Evangelos of American University Dubai and Manager American University of DUBAI, Mrs. Alexandra Liccione, during Executive Trainers Collaborative/Business Visit to American University of DUBAI in UAE ...recently

NBA: Courts Boycott over Onnoghen to Uphold Rule of Law Bennett Oghifo

The decision of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to embark on a two-day boycott of the nation’s courts and its call on the federal government to stop its purported removal and trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter S N Onnoghen, was underpinned by the imperative of upholding the rule of law in the country and not based on any partisan or parochial premises.

President, Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), said in a letter to members of the association, a copy of which was made available to THISDAY, yesterday.

“The overarching principle

that informed and underpinned the NBA NEC decision is of course the promotion and protection of the Rule of Law. This overriding principle is characterised in and by the subset principles that dictate the separation of powers among the three arms of government, consistent adherence to due process and the non-negotiable independence of the judiciary.

“As they relate to the NBA NEC Resolution at its emergency meeting afore-referenced, these principles find application in the purported removal and trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honorable Mr. Justice Walter S N Onnoghen, CJN. “Those principles are immutable and serve as anchor for our profes-

sion, justice administration and indeed our democracy. They are far larger than and are applicable beyond Onnoghen CJN’s present circumstance and issues. They constitute the essence of our being, as the Nigerian Bar Association and as lawyers.

“These are non-partisan, abiding values that are blind to religious, ethnic and/or political persuasions, colourations and considerations.

The decisions of NBA NEC at its afore-referenced Emergency Meeting were based on these ennobling and enduring principles and not on any partisan or parochial premises.”

The NBA’s president said “In that regard, all the resolutions of the NBA NEC at its afore-referenced Emergency Meeting remain extant and binding on all of us. We continue to call on the Executive arm

of the FGN to reverse its various actions against the CJN and stop his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal,” Usoro explained.

He said in compliance with the NBA NEC’s additional directives, the 3-man Committee of the Association made up of Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Abubakar B Mahmoud, SAN and himself, had been at work and would be updating members on its efforts to actualise the NBA NEC’s mandate to the Committee.

The president on behalf of the NBA National Executive Committee (“NEC”), expressed gratitude and appreciation to all members for the overwhelming support that the NBA NEC received from you in regard to the boycott of Courts that was mandated by NEC at its Emergency Meeting held on 28 January 2019.

Diaspora Nigerians Charge Buhari to Group Preaches Violent-Free Follow Due Process on Onneghen Campaigns Chiemelie Ezeobi

Some Diaspora Nigerians resident in the United Kingdom, yesterday stormed the High Commission in London, charging President Muhammadu Buhari to follow due process in handling the case of suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onneghen.

The protesters who said they were Concerned Nigerians Living in the UK (CNLUK) also condemned the president’s recent actions, which they claimed brought untold hardship on their folks in Nigeria, thereby impressing more financial burden on them.

The placard bearing protesters stormed the High Commission at 11a.m. in their winter apparel, defying the -6 degree temperature but were said to have been ignored by officials at the commission depsite staying for the two hours.

According to the convener, Dr. Wilson Diriwari, CNLUK was a non-partisan group disturbed by recent developments in Nigeria.

He said: “CNLUK stands as a united front for Concerned Nigerians in Diaspora all over the world in a strictly non-partisan way, to tackle the politicians who are hell bent on destroying our fragile

democracy.

“The group is concerned about the unconstitutional suspension and arraignment of the CJN before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on corruption charges in defiance of the court order prohibiting the government from such action.

“As this atrocity continues to play out, it is becoming very clear that the Buhari government is not prepared to shift position.

“The implications are terrifying and leave us worrying about our relatives back home who might get caught up in whatever ensues next.

“Incessant refusal to sign the Electoral Bill into law as a surety for all Nigerians in the upcoming election; proscription of media houses, such as the Daily Trust Newspaper that was recently clamped down on by heavily armed military personnel.

“Disruption of opposition party’s campaigns by hired thugs, which has already resulted in the deaths of journalists and members of the public.

“The list above represents only a few examples of the pain being meted out to the citizens of Nigeria. The actions of the current government are filtering down to us in diaspora.

Worried by the increasing spate of politically-motivated violence in parts of the country in the build up to the forthcoming general elections, the Grassroots Women for Atiku/ Obi (GW4AO), has called on political actors to eschew violence and embrace peace in their campaigns.

Presenting its position when the Group, along with the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki, met with UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, the Grassroots Women for Atiku/Obi said it rose from a PDP National Women’s Conference held in Abuja “with a new hope for women’s political and democratic engagement.”

It added: “We feel compelled to raise awareness of the urgent need to stem the apparently rising rate of politically-motivated violence.

In the last couple of weeks alone, we have seen reports of campaign violence occurring in Lagos State, Imo State, Kogi State, and Kwara State, with many cases of grievous injuries and deaths.”

UN Women was established by the United Nations as the global champion for women and girls to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. Its cardinal areas

of focus include women’s economic empowerment, ending violence against women, the pursuit of peace and security as well as promoting and supporting youth leadership, among others.

On the backdrop of those goals, the Grassroots Women for Atiku/ Obi in a statement by its DirectorGeneral, Ms Amina Jambo, raised concern over what it described as “the growing level of violence during and at campaigns venue,” and warned that unless politicians preach peace and encourage their followers to focus on issue-based campaigns, such growing spate of violence was capable of impacting the outcome of the elections negatively.”

“This gives us great concern for the safety and security, and indeed the human right to democratic suffrage of civilian citizens,” it stated, adding that such acts “of wilful impunity” are capable of affecting voter-turnout “particularly for women and youth.”

The GW4AO stated further: “As Nigeria prepares to choose its next leaders, gender-based violence and election violence should be firmly condemned by all, citizens and observers alike.

Izu-Umunna Cultural Association of Nigeria (IUCA) has berated Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State for taking a position that is detrimental to the collective interest of the Igbo nation and asked him to tender an apology to Igbo and Ohanaeze.

Obiano had condemned Ohanaeze for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his running mate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi respectively as the choice for the Ndigbo.

But reacting, IUCA in a statement signed by its President Dr. Ugo Patrick Ihekuna said it received with shock the insult Obiano heaped on the President of Ohanaeze and the leader of Ndigbo Chief Nnia Nwodo over the adoption of Presidential candidate of the PDP. “As a longstanding affiliate

of Ohanaeze, Izu-Umunna took part in all the discussions and deliberations leading to the adoption of the presidential candidate and including the Ime Obi on Thursday 24th January, 2019 at Enugu. We can attest that the decision at the meeting was a collective one, not that of Nwodo.”

The group said that every Igbo was surprised that Governor Obiano could make such statement against the leadership of Ohanaeze, warming that the governor was taking his hatred for Peter Obi too far and to the detriment of Ndigbo and Igbo vital interest.

“Besides, we believe that Ohanaeze is not one of the government parastatals of Anambra State, but Pan-Igbo Cultural Organisation. So it is not within your purview to decide what is good for Ndigbo via Ohanaeze: once Ohanaeze speaks, Ndigbo have spoken,” it further stated.

CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as MRS ESEOGHENEMARO IDIMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ESEOGHENEMARO JARIKRE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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Afenifere to Buhari “The jeopardy of Buhari’s anti-corruption war has really been one set of rules for the goose and another set for the gander. The president must immediately make his assets declaration form public so Nigerians can hold him as a man of his words” – The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, challenging President Muhammadu Buhari to fully declare his assets.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Between Buhari and Atiku, My Candid Forecast

F

ellow Nigerians, let me say how excited I am that the Nigerian Presidential election is barely two weeks away. Naturally, nothing dominates the news here than the topic of who is likely to win. I have no power of clairvoyance, but I have some modest and sufficient experience about Nigeria’s political history as well as world politics. This is the reason I often attempt to analyse and dissect the chances of the main candidates. Every candidate counts in an election of this nature. I’m forever proud of my decision to participate in 2011. Contrary to what many have said or written about me, I actually expected a miracle to happen and my extraordinary confidence must have been bolstered by the sheer audacity of Barack Obama who took on the humongous American establishment, and stubborn status quo, and tore them to shreds.

The same spirit must be the one propelling some of our friends and compatriots, Fela Durotoye, Oby Ezekwezili, Tanko Yunusa, Omoyele Sowore, Donald Duke, Eunice Atuejide, Alistair Soyode, Kingsley Moghalu, Tope Fasua, and others (not in any particular order).

The lesson I learnt from that 2011 experiment will live with me forever. The first is that Nigeria must find a way to return to a two-party system.

Our young candidates would have better chances if they emerged from mainstream parties. It would have been a straight fight between, perhaps, an older candidate and a youthful one. I believe, this must be the reason Alhaji Atiku Abubakar promptly cashed in on that punchline when he described himself as the bridge between the old and the young. And if you watched the interview conducted by the strong lady, Kadaira Ahmed, with Atiku and Peter Obi, the difference was clear. Atiku looked more energetic, mentally alert, eloquent, knowledgeable, presentable, exposed, cosmopolitan and business-like notwithstanding the fact that he s only a few years younger than the President. I told some of my friends that night that if you give Buhari four terms, nothing would move because he would sit down in one position bemoaning the past and seeing future enemies. The stultification of Nigeria in the last four years is not as a result of PDP’s prodigality of the previous 16 years, but because of the sluggishness, taciturnity, clannishness, vindictiveness, obstinacy, and crass ignorance of many members of the Buhari cabal and cult.

There is nothing APC has not done to rewrite history. Their present supporters are the rudest humans I have ever encountered. They are incapable of any logical or superior argument. They are rigidly programmed to see anyone not in their camp as a thief and looter, as if that is all there is to governance. Atiku was able to point this out during the Kadaria encounter, when he boldly declared that rather than waste resources and precious time on chasing a few rats, he would consider granting amnesty to some of the looters as a quicker resolution and foreclosure to the unfortunate saga. Nearly 21 years after the death of General Sani Abacha, Nigeria is yet to fully recover all the alleged fortune in foreign lands. The money is not useful to Nigeria in foreign coffers. Some people disagreed with Atiku’s strategy for fighting corruption, but they forgot that it is foolhardy to grant amnesty to terrorists and murderers and refuse to consider same for pen robbers. The tragedy of Buhari’s entrenched position is that he and his disciples are not business-like. Everything must be fought as a jihad when some of the problems require tact and common sense.

I’m confident to say Buhari has not won new fans in the last four years, or better put, he has lost far more than he has gained, if any at all.

This election would be fought on several fronts.

The first is funding. Atiku will never be able to compete on this account. Buhari is certainly not

Buhari like former President Jonathan who was more democratically relaxed and thus allowed Buhari to campaign and roam freely. But for Atiku’s courage and extensive contact and global network, his campaign would have collapsed ages ago.

Buhari and his people must be worried about how Atiku has managed to run such an efficient campaign filled with substance, entertainment and excitement. While the APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, and others continue to abuse PDP and even members of their own party, Atiku and company cannot be seen attacking people. The melodious and mellifluous campaign song of Atikulation is catching on sporadically on social media. The infighting in APC should be cause for alarm. Things are falling apart in so many states and Buhari has not demonstrated enough capacity to reconcile his party. Except a miracle happens, APC is not likely to field candidates in several states of the Federation.

Next is ethnicity. This will play a major role in the imminent General elections. It appears that Buhari has walked into a major trap this time around. Unlike his pan-Nigerian outlook in 2015, he has atrociously become the most clannish leader in Nigeria’s contemporary history. For a man nursing a second term ambition, it is strange and inconceivable that he would throw caution to the winds the way he did when he carried his Fulanisation of Nigeria to bizarre levels. He should have known that when tomorrow comes, his perceived actions would come back to haunt and torment him. Except for his die-hard supporters, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for Buhari to say he is the true father of the nation when he has blatantly refused to embrace everyone. The interesting thing is that an in-depth analysis might show that there is a balancing exercise over time, but the nature and manner of the appointments Buhari has made is what leaves much to be desired and is particularly galling.

Once upon a time, Buhari enjoyed a cult-like followership in several parts of Nigeria, especially, in the North West and North East. I believe he still does, but not on the scale he did in the past.

I predict a substantial reduction in his votes in key States that he could afford to take for granted in the past. I will start with the massive State of Kano. Say what you will, former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, will chip off a minimum 40 percent of Buhari’s previous votes in Kano, that is if not up to 50 percent. Those who claim Buhari is invincible may be right to some extent, but he lost some precious diamond the day APC allowed the iroko tree called Rabiu Kwankwaso to quit APC. This development will plague Buhari in this election.

I will say President Buhari reached the peak

Atiku of his glory and popularity in 2015. For the first time, he was able to secure the support of so many who had written him off in the past as being too old and archaic. The hatred for PDP and its leadership blinded many of us from seeing all the warts we had complained about and Buhari became our new bride. Despite the blistering campaign for Buhari nationwide and the alliances formed between the powerful forces that combined to form APC, and some noticeable, but studiously ignored infractions during the election, the difference in votes between Buhari and Jonathan was under three million. Buhari’s popularity has since dwindled dramatically since then. APC chieftains know within them that they are currently on a very difficult mission to bring Buhari back to power. They are aware that he has become too old and tired and sickly, but they are goading him on for their personal survival. This explains all the moves to urgently take over other arms of government that are likely to make things difficult if they need to perform some magic like they did in Osun State recently.

My first forecast is that Buhari will win many States in the North West, but not with the kind of

margin that he had in 2015. Atiku will challenge him big time in Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna and even Katsina. It was easier for Buhari in 2015 because he contested against a Southerner, but this time around, Atiku is as Fulani as they come. Not just that, Atiku has structures and he’s been in the race for over 25 years and thus built many bridges and made strong connections with a veritably formidable network of friends and associates. Buhari used to do very well in the North East, especially in Bauchi, but it should be noted that, this time around, Atiku is from the North East and he would put up a major fight in his territory. Buhari may still have a slight edge, here and there, but nothing monumental enough to shake Atiku.

Atiku will perform better than Buhari in the North Central. This may help him cancel some deficit he may have acquired in the North West and North East. Atiku is likely to obliterate Buhari in the South East and South South, the traditional enclave of PDP. South East offers a unique advantage because Atiku’s Vice President candidate comes from here as well as Atiku’s adorable wife, Jennifer. But since every vote for Atiku is badly needed, he would have to find a way to galvanise people of his catchment area to come out to vote and defend their votes. The South West is a bit dicey for both Buhari and Atiku. Buhari’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo comes from this zone and he is well loved by his people though many have complained that Buhari has handed too much power to his cabal instead of empowering this cerebral, refined, hardworking and meticulous gentleman who has shown a capacity and ability to galvanise and unify Nigeria. However, Atiku’s matronly wife, Titi, also comes from this zone which further complicates the equation because she is also well loved by women who feel she performed well as wife of the Vice President, from 1999-2007. I still expect APC to defeat PDP in this zone even though the margin of victory may be slender.

As the Economist has predicted once again, I see a tight race but a slim victory that would make Atiku Abubakar the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We wait with bated breath!

Oxford University, Here I Come At the end of January, I received wonderful news regarding my application for admission to the African Studies Centre of the University of Oxford.

As everyone who follows me knows, academia is my first love. My dream was always to be a teacher and once I stepped into the hallowed precincts of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, then known as University of Ife, it was love at first sight with academics. The love fest was complete as I walked into the sanctuary of books at the University Library where I worked from 1977-78 and my passion for reading simply exploded. I knew that this was what I had been made for, and my career in journalism has merely been a rite of passage towards the achievement and fulfilment of my quest for the knowledge that comes from reading and academics.

And so, it was with great joy, elation and excitement that I received the letter from the Director of The African Studies Centre, and The Rhodes Professor of Race Relations at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, Professor Wale Adebanwi, informing me that at the instance of the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, I had been approved as an Academic Visitor at the African Studies Centre of Oxford University.

Professor Adebanwi wrote: “I am happy to inform you that the Management Committee of the African Studies Centre, University

of Oxford, UK, has approved your request for an Academic Visitor status at the Centre in the Hillary and Trinity Terms, 2019 - that is, between February and July 2019.

Oxford University’s African Studies Centre (see: http://www.africanstudies.ox.ac.uk/) is one of the world’s leading centres of African Studies.

The Centre is the focal point for graduate level work and faculty research on Africa. Alongside a vibrant doctoral (DPhil) programme, the MSc in African Studies, inaugurated in 2006, is already recognised as one of Europe’s most prestigious and most successful training programmes in its field. We have trained graduate students who are now holding important positions in different spheres of social, economic and political life in Africa and the rest of the world.

We note that during your fellowship at the Centre, you plan to work on a book manuscript based on your experiences as a journalist, writer, publisher and social media activist entitled, “Celebrity Journalism and the Social Media in Contemporary Africa.”

We will expect you to present aspects of your work at a seminar before the end of your fellowship.

NOTE: This piece is concluded in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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