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S’Court Upholds Decision Nullifying APC Primaries in Rivers Rivers APC: Our candidates will still be on the ballot Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja The Supreme Court yesterday upheld the order of a Federal High Court in Port-Harcourt, which last year barred the All Progressive Congress (APC) from conducting any primary election

pending the determination of a suit brought before it by a team of 22 aggrieved members of the party. In a swift reaction, The Rivers State chapter of the APC urged Rivers people and other lovers of democracy “to ignore Senator

Magnus Abe) and his allies for misrepresentation of facts on the Supreme Court ruling,” insisting that the candidacy of Tonye Cole and others of APC was not imperiled. The apex court in a judgment yesterday set aside the ruling

PDP hails judgement

of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, which in October last year, upturned the interlocutory order of the high court in the political case. In a unanimous judgment by a five-man panel of justices, the Supreme Court refused to

tamper with the high court judgment that ab-initio barred the APC from conducting its ward, local and state congresses in Rivers State, pending the determination of a suit filed by 22 aggrieved chieftains of the party.

The plaintiffs led by Ibrahim Umar, had on May 11, 2018, secured an interim injunction from a High Court in Port Harcourt, which restrained the APC from going ahead with the Continued on page 6

NEITI: FG, States, LGs Shared $8.5tn in 2018 … Page 8 Saturday 9 February, 2019 Vol 24. No 8707

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Soyinka Stuns Bookmakers, Endorses YPP Candidate, Moghalu, for President He will best do the job of leading Nigeria Ahamefula Ogbu Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, lived up to his controversial billings yesterday, when contrary to expectations and permutations, endorsed Prof.

Kingsley Moghalu, candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), for President. Soyinka and his civil society group, Citizens Forum, made the announcement in a statement he personally signed, where he

outlined circumstances leading up to the decision which he described as rigorous. Soyinka said he came back from the rumination on who would best do the job of leading Nigeria best before returning

a verdict that it was Moghalu that he settled for. The statement read, “The nation has been brought to her knees. Internally, the blaring media testimony needs no augmentation. Beyond her

borders, Nigeria is the tale of citizens designated pariahs of the global community for whom special dossiers are opened, and units of security agencies are specifically assigned. Online transactions are programmed

to reject basic usage once the word ‘Nigeria’ is inserted in the Data profile. There are few nation left, within or outside the continental borders where – no matter the codeword – a Continued on page 8

Those Who Incite Election Violence Must Be Held to Account, US Warns INEC must operate free from outside pressure, intimidation Ambassador Symington: We have no favoured candidate ISIS West Africa’s Hold, Membership in Nigeria Growing Chineme Okafor in Abuja and Emmanuel Ukumba in Laﬁa With just seven days to the Nigerian Presidential and National Assembly elections, the United States Government yesterday fired a cautioning shot to all actors, warning that “those who interfere in the electoral process or incite violence must be held to account.” This warning is coming on the heels of another caution by the US government that ISIS West Africa, a faction of Boko Haram, is growing its membership base,

and is increasing the tempo of its terror war against Nigeria in the north-east region. In a press statement by Secretary of State, Michael R. Pompeo, released in Washington, DC and dated February 7, 2019, the US government said it was in support of a free, fair, transparent, and peaceful election that reflects the will of the Nigerian people. The statement on the election caution by the US government reads: “It is critical that the Independent National Electoral Continued on page 6

FROM PRESIDENTIAL MEDIA TEAM… L-R: APC chieftain, Prince Tony Momoh; book presenter, Ken Nnamani; President Muhammadu Buhari; former governor of Ogun State and book reviewer, Chief Olusegun Osoba; National Security Adviser, Babagana Mongonu and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, during the book presentation by the Presidential Media Team: Nigeria on Firmer Ground Towards Lasting Peace and Progress, held at the State House Abuja…yesterday STATE HOUSE

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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͸͹΁

PAGE SIX THOSE WHO INCITE ELECTION VIOLENCE MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT, US WARNS Commission operates free from outside pressure and intimidation and in a totally objective manner. Nigerian security services must provide a safe and secure environment for the Nigerian people to exercise their rights. Those who interfere in the electoral process or incite violence must be held to account. The upcoming elections are an opportunity for Nigeria to solidify its place as a democratic leader in Africa.” ISIS West Africa’s Hold, Membership in Nigeria Growing Meanwhile, the United States Government has warned that ISIS West Africa, a faction of Boko Haram, is growing its membership base, and is increasing the tempo of its terror war against Nigeria in the north-east region. Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. Thomas Waldhauser stated this yesterday at the US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on AFRICOM and South Command (SOUTHCOM). Also yesterday, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington, during a visit to the Governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Almakura in Lafia, declared that the US did not

have any favoured candidate in the oncoming general election in Nigeria. At the US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on AFRICOM and South Command (SOUTHCOM), Waldhauser declared: “Now, ISIS West Africa has grown. They go by different names every once in a while, but they have grown in numbers. They’re now in the neighborhood, probably in the neighborhood of around 3,000 to 4,000. That's the best estimate that we have. “They have been very aggressive over the summer into this year. They now have taken large pieces of real estate in northern Nigeria and I think, of the two right now, they're the one that we have the most concern about because we are not sure what their intentions would be with regards to outside the region.” Waldhauser also said the United States would review its anti-terrorism engagement or partnership with the winner of Nigeria’s February 16 presidential election, to amongst other things, identify how best to move forward with the country’s fight against Boko Haram. Waldhauser’s submission to the US Senate Committee, however, is at variance with the

federal government’s continued claim that Boko Haram and all its associates have largely been degraded and that their operations in the northeast were confined to soft targets. In a transcript of the senate committee meeting, obtained by THISDAY in Abuja, Waldhauser also stated that the Nigerian government had made no progress with its expected rescue of the remaining Chibok school girls, kidnapped by Boko Haram in April 2014. President Muhammadu Buhari had stated that he was committed to the release of the remaining Chibok girls, as well as Leah Sharibu, who was also kidnapped by the terror group from Dapchi in Yobe state. Asked by the committee if the AFRICOM was observing Nigeria’s presidential election, and its importance on its operations, Waldhauser said: “We're very much aware of the elections on February 16, and from the military respect perspective, we watch that from the standpoint of actions leading up to and what will happen afterwards. “We hope it will be a peaceful election, but I think our sights are set on forward and not in the rearview mirror, meaning that whoever would win, that

now okay, let's sit down and talk about where we are and how we can best help, whether it be the displaced people and the issues with humanitarian issues in Northern Nigeria, whether it's their army and their work against Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa.” He further explained: “So, my answer to that question is let's get the election over, and they're watching this today, by the way. I mean, my comments are going to be watched in Nigeria, and it's very important that I don't sway either way. The bottom line is whoever wins, we want to sit down with them and now how do we move forward and improve this situation.” Providing an update on Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa to the committee, he stated: “First of all, we do not have offensive strike capabilities or authorities in those countries, so we can't strike. We can strike in Somalia, we can strike in Libya, but not in Nigeria, Chad and the likes. So, we don't have authorities there.” Asked to explain what he meant by AFRICOM not being able to strike, Waldhauser, said: “If we are accompanying, we have the inherent right of self-defense and collective self-defense. If we are not accompanying, which we have not done at all in Nigeria

and we haven't accompanied inside other places for quite some time, we do not have collective self-defense because I haven't designated it and we don't use it.” On the remaining Chibok girls that are yet to be rescued, he stated: “I would just tell you that of the 276 girls who were kidnapped in April of 2014, I think a number of 163 have been recovered but the others - there's 113 or thereabouts that still are unaccounted for. I could talk in more detail in the classified session but the bottom line is there has not been much progress from what I can see in terms of getting any of the remainder back.” In Nasarawa, Symington told Almakura: “I am emphasising that Nigerians must strive hard to ensure that the oncoming elections are credible like that of 2015, Nigerians would be held responsible for what they say or do in the forthcoming general elections.” The Ambassador added: “We don’t have a favoured candidate of party, but have one hope for the people of Nigeria to have a peaceful and credible election; we hope Nigerians come together and influence their neigbours and the World. “Freedom and democracy

should prevail and you have to work for it. I want all the candidates to say, practice and enhance a peaceful election. Peace is like freedom and like democracy, you have to grow it and everybody has to work for it and everybody has to be a part of it. “Every Nigerian will be held responsible for what they say and whatever they do before God and for your conscience before the court of public opinion. “Each of you should be guided by your hopes and dreams for a united Nigeria and we as your guest want the election to make you proud,” he said. In his remark, Almakura said: “It is our testimony that Nasarawa State will adopt international best practice in the conduct of free and fair elections as the All Progressive Congress (APC) conducted its general congresses which produced our candidates by observing produced rule of law according to democratic tenets. Earlier on Thursday, Symington, also warned Nigerians not to be deceived by politicians who may issue illegal directives to them using the name of President Muhammadu Buhari.

SOYINKA STUNS BOOKMAKERS, ENDORSES YPP CANDIDATE, MOGHALU, FOR PRESIDENT Nigerian ‘room’ has not been designated. “Her humanity litters the sand trails of the Sahara, it lines the Mediterranean sea-bed with the bones of a desperate generation, seeking ‘green pastures’. Lines from my poems have been appropriated and embossed as epitaphs on the tombstones of Nigerians washed up the isle of Catania and accorded dignified burials by total strangers, certainly paid more respect than Nigerians themselves consider due to their own humanity. Other would-be migrants have been slaughtered by religious fundamentalists on the shores of Tripoli, while waiting for their precarious crossing on suicidal boats. Yet others end up as commodities in the slave markets of Libya and Mauritania, hundreds recently rescued and airlifted – credit where credit is due! – repatriated by government. “It was not always thus. Numerous Nigerians believe

that it need not remain so. There is always a choice to be made outside any presumptuous orders – in reality associations guaranteed to perpetuate social disorders and the politics of inequality. This is not the thinking of any one individual but of a large section of this populace. If it were not, there would not have been a record number of nearly a hundred political groups aspiring to take over the reins of governance.” Soyinka said his civil society group did not need any instruction to estimate that several of the aspiring groups were mere plants, raised to sow confusion. He said: ‘It redounds to the credit of a few individuals, including some of the candidates themselves, who embarked on efforts to winnow down their own ranks, then seek a consensus candidate as standard bearer for the battle against the two political behemoths.

“They did not succeed, but that is no cause for despair. They still deserve the gratitude of Nigerians for their uniquely principled efforts. The Citizen Forum – last heard of during the time of the dictator, Sani Abacha – was pulled out of retirement to join in their effort to arrive at peer consensus. The Forum worked peripherally with them. It made no attempt – I stress this – no attempt whatsoever to impose its own preferences, but utilised material from the deliberations of at least four such selection groups. It remained on the fringe, except on invitation. “Our mission today is simply to present the result of that effort by Citizen Forum which, I am especially gratified to reveal, coincides with my own personal preference. The CF conclusion is obviously not binding on other groups or individuals involved in the exercise. May I take this opportunity to advise the public that neither Citizen Forum nor

myself, belongs to any Third Force or other Consensus seeking councils by any other name. Please ignore any such attributions.” He said his civil society group spent the past few months, studying the careers, experiences and track records of most of the presidential aspirants, “and most intensely those actually short-listed by the opposition parties themselves. Like millions of Nigerians, we watched the debates.” Soyinka continued: “ I physically interacted with some of the acknowledged top contenders, in some cases several times. We participated in handshake across Nigeria, where some candidates presented their briefs. “Among others, I delivered a keynote address. We watched television interviews. We have exchanged notes with highly respected international Civil Servants. The drive towards Consensus among these dedicated

groups sometimes took the form of test questionnaires to the aspirants, including items such as: ‘Who among the contestants would you choose, if you did not emerge as the ultimate preference?’ “There was nothing complicated about assessment parameters: mental preparedness, analytical aptitude, response to the nation’s security challenges, economic grounding, grasp of socio-political actualities, including a remedial concern with the Nigerian image in foreign perception etc. etc. not forgetting a convincing commitment to governance and resource decentralization – commonly referred to as Restructuring. The Forum rejected retrograde propositions of a political merry-go-round, which urge the electorate to choose this or that candidate in order to ensure “our turn” at the next power incumbency. Overall, the exercise was exacting but also – therapeutic. It proved yet again that there is

over-abundant leadership quality locked up in the nation, and that it is a collective shortcoming that the political space has not been sufficiently opened up to let soar such potential. Well, to cite the Chinese proverb: a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. “Let me reiterate: there is overabundant, but stifled leadership material, and there can be no excuse, now that that potential of high quality is being manifested, for constricting the political space in a population that is nudging two hundred million. And that statement is of course specially addressed to those who took part in this exercise, those who deliberately opted out of it, some of whom were assessed anyway. Such potential compelled us to exercise utmost rigour in what proved to be a most daunting exercise. The final determination however is – the flag-bearer of the Young Progressive Party – Kingsley Moghalu.

insisting that the candidacy of Tonye Cole and others of APC was not imperiled. Cole, who is a co-founder of Sahara Group, still expressed optimism that he and other candidates of APC in Rivers would be on the ballot for the elections and they would emerge victorious. Rivers APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, Friday said: “We are convinced that no harm has been done to the candidacy of our governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, and the others. We believe that, by the grace of God, we shall triumph and ultimately be on the ballot for the 2019 elections.” The main opposition APC also called on the teeming supporters of the party in Rivers to remain calm, while assuring that it would surely end in praise and declared that candidates of APC in the state would surely be on the ballot and go ahead to win on February 16 and March 2, 2019. In his reaction, Abe described the ruling of the Supreme Court as a stunning victory for Democracy, Justice and the rule of law in Nigeria. Abe, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Parry

Saroh Benson, reiterated that the issue in Rivers APC had always been about inclusion, justice, respect for party members and adherence to due process. "Today, the Supreme Court again made the point that no one is above the law consequently, it is time for us to put the interest of Rivers APC above every other interest. "The victory at the Supreme Court this morning is a stunning victory for Democracy and Justice. The God of justice has spoken and every other voice must now be silent”."We had always maintained that only one valid and lawful primary election was conducted by the APC in Rivers State, because the indirect primaries did not exist in law. "With this latest pronouncement by the Supreme Court, it is now clear that the voided congresses in Rivers State, as well as the indirect primaries that it gave birth to, has been knocked down not just by the State High Court, but that position has now been upheld by two separate panels of the Court of Appeal Port Harcourt Division and two panels of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

S’COURT UPHOLDS DECISION NULLIFYING APC PRIMARIES IN RIVERS indirect primaries that held on May 19, 20 and 21 respectively, which produced Tonye Cole as governorship candidate and other candidates to represent the party in the 2019 general elections. The APC had through its lawyer, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), begged the Supreme Court to clear legal impediments against the faction loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and allow its list of candidates that contained Tonye Cole's name. But the request was rejected by the panel of the apex court judges, led by Justice Mohammad Dattijo. The court instead re-affirmed its previous ruling that validated the order of a Port Harcourt Federal High Court order, which barred APC from conducting its Rivers primaries. The Supreme Court invoked Section 22 of its Act, which allows it to take over a matter and give final judgment to decide on the appeal. In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Sidi Barge, the apex court held that by virtue of Section 11 Rule 5 of the Appeal Court rules, the appeal against the high court ruling having

been withdrawn by the APC is tantamount to outright dismissal. Justice Barge posited that since the Court of Appeal failed or evaded to make dismissal pronouncement on the said appeal, the apex court has no choice than to invoke section 22 of the Supreme Court Act to assume jurisdiction over the case and decide on it. The judge declared: "It is my considered opinion that this appeal must be given a decent burial. The appeal having been withdrawn at the lower court by the respondent is deemed distilled. “This is what the lower court failed or evaded to do. Therefore by virtue of Section 22 of the Supreme Court Act 2004, the lower court having failed to exercise its powers provided under Order 11 Rule 5, this court is bound to do so. "Thus I'll allow the appeal and set aside the ruling of the lower court dated October 31, 2018. I hereby dismiss appeal No CA/ PH/198/2018, same having been validly withdrawn.” The Ojukaye Flag-Amachree’s led APC had appealed the ruling of a Port Harcourt Federal High Court judge, Justice Chiwendu

Nwogu, which nullified the APC state congresses and the nomination of Tonye Cole as the party’s governorship flag bearer in the forthcoming general elections. Justice Nwogu had on May 11, 2018, granted an interlocutory order restraining the APC from conducting any local government area congresses in the state. The appeal was however withdrawn on the order of the National Secretariat of APC at the Court of Appeal but the court refused to dismiss it as required by law. In the appeal to the Supreme Court filed by Ibrahim Umar on behalf of their faction, the Supreme Court agreed with them that the APC’s appeal at the Court of Appeal, having been withdrawn was liable to dismissal and not striking out.

PDP hails judgment

The Peoples Democratic Party yesterday said the judgment of the Supreme Court, upholding the nullification of the primaries of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers state, was a victory for democracy and the rule of law. The PDP National Publicity

Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement also lauded the apex court for its courage in delivering the landmark judgment. He stated that the judgement had saved the nation from a serious constitutional crisis that could have marred the 2019 general elections. He said, “The judgment of the Supreme Court serves as a huge lesson to politicians and political parties, to eschew impunity and always conduct their affairs in a manner that is in tandem with the provision of the law. “The courage displayed by the Supreme Court in delivering the judgment at this critical time in our national life has also restored the confidence of Nigerians in the institution of the Judiciary and our democratic order.”

APC: candidacy of Cole, others not imperiled

Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the APC has urged Rivers people and other lovers of democracy to ignore Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast) and his allies for misrepresentation of facts on the Supreme Court ruling,

5 ) * 4 % ": t SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2019

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž FEBRUARY 9, 2019

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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

RELISHING INFRASTRUCTURE ... L-R: General Manager, CCECC, Mr. Jiang Yigao; Senator Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi; Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Chief (Mrs.)Yetunde Onanuga; Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi; Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; Chairman Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Gbenga Ashafa; and the Alake of Egba Land, His Royal Majesty Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, at the official test run of the Lagos to Abeokuta portion of Lagos -Ibadan rail revitalisation project ...yesterday

NEITI: FG, States, LGs Shared $8.5tn in 2018 Highest ever revenue in two years FG: N3.483tn; States: N2.85 tn; LGs: N1.667tn

Chineme Okafor Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă”Ă‹ Nigeriaâ€™s three federating units - federal, states and local governments shared N8.5 trillion from the Federation Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) in the 2018 financial year, the highest disbursed by the FAAC in the last two years, a report from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has revealed. NEITI, said in the report Quarterly Review - made available to THISDAY by its Director of Communications and Advocacy, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji that the N8.52 trillion shared among the three tiers of government in 2018 represented a 32.8 per cent increase when compared to N6.418 trillion disbursed in 2017 and was 67.1 per cent higher than N5.1 trillion shared in 2016. The report showed that while the federal government got N3.483 trillion in the 2018 FAAC disbursements cycles, representing 41 per cent, the 36 states in the

country collectively received N2.85 trillion, representing 33.4 per cent. All the 774 local governments in the country got N1.667 trillion, representing 19.6per cent. According to report, government revenues have been on the increase since 2017, as well as disbursements. It explained for instance, that in the first quarter of the year, FAAC shared N1.938 trillion, while N2.008 trillion was disbursed in the second quarter. Disbursements in the third and fourth quarters were N2.278 trillion and N2.299 trillion respectively. â€œThe rebound in federation revenue continued as a result of increases in both oil and non-oil revenue,â€? said NEITI, in its explanation of reasons for the steady rise in government revenue. NEITI also noted there were three consecutive quarters in 2018 when total disbursements exceeded N2 trillion, pointing out that the last time this happened was in the third quarter of 2014.

â€œWith the exception of the third quarter of 2017, the N2.299 trillion disbursed in the fourth quarter of 2018 was the highest quarterly disbursement since the second quarter of 2014,â€? the report added. On the statesâ€™ share of the FAAC disbursements, the NEITI disclosed that five states received higher than N100 billion each in 2018. The top beneficiary states it noted, were Lagos, which got N119 billion; Bayelsa -N153.1 billion; Rivers - N172.6 billion; Akwa Ibom - N202.4 billion; and Delta which got N213.6 billion. It further disclosed that 23 states received less than N60 billion each as total FAAC receipts in 2018. They included Cross River; Ekiti; and Ogun states which received N37 billion; N39.3 billion; and N39.6 billion respectively. Eight states namely: Zamfara; Gombe; Plateau; Kwara; Ebonyi; Nasarawa; Taraba, and Adamawa, received between N40 billion and N49.9 billion. Twelve states, it indicated

After 11 Years Trial, Court Acquits Ladoja of N4.7bn Fraud Davidson Iriekpen

After 11 years trial, reprieve yesterday came the way of former Oyo State Governor, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, as a Federal High Court in Lagos acquitted him of the allegation of N4.7billion fraud levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris also discharged and acquitted Mr. Waheed Akanbi, Commissioner for Finance during Ladojaâ€™s tenure. Akanbi was charged along with Ladoja. Justice Idris who has been elevated to the Court of Appeal, but concluded the trial through a fiat, held that the prosecution failed to establish ingredients of the charge against Ladoja and Akanbi. Ladoja was re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside Akanbi, on an 11-count charge of money laundering and conversion of N4.7billion from Oyo State

treasury to his personal use. â€œEFCC shielded the main culprits from prosecution and meted â€œabsolute injusticeâ€? to the defendants. â€œI must state that this country cannot sustain the fight against corruption in the manner in which this case has been prosecuted, where those that should be proper defendants to the case are shielded away from prosecution and kept away from facing the law. â€œThis is unacceptable; this is injustice and this court will not partake in injustice. â€œThere is no doubt that corruption affects us all; it threatens sustainable economic development, ethical values and justice. Corruption destabilises society and endangers the rule of law,â€™â€™ the judge said in a 250-page judgment. Idris held that there was the need for a fair and just prosecution of criminal cases in the fight against corruption. â€œProsecutors in this fight must be committed to promoting a justice system founded on fairness, equity,

compassion and responsibility. â€œIn the light of all I have said, I find that the prosecution has not established counts one to 11 against the defendants beyond reasonable doubts. â€œI am unable, in the circumstances, to find any of the defendants guilty on any or all of the counts as charged. â€œThe first and second defendants are, therefore, hereby discharged and acquitted on all counts,â€? he held. He added that the case of the prosecution lacked credible evidence and was full of contradictions, adding that same was poorly prosecuted. â€œI have examined 914 tendered documents forensically; if I have to read the entire judgment, we will leave here by 6p.m.; so I will skip some.â€? The judge added that the prosecutionâ€™s evidence was full of inconsistencies. â€œThe prosecution was not consistent in the amount of money allegedly missing in the sale of Oyo Stateâ€™s shares; these contradictions were not explained during the trial.â€?

received between N50 billion and N59.9 billion, and they were Yobe; Enugu; Kogi; Bauchi; Imo; Sokoto; Kebbi; Anambra; Abia; Benue; Niger and Oyo. In addition, six states - Jigawa; Katsina; Borno; Ondo; Kaduna and Edo, received between N60 billion and N69.9 billion, while Kano state received a total of N84.2 billion in 2018. NEITI said a close look at the disbursements to states indicated a wide disparity, where Osun state received the lowest net allocation of N22.8 billion and Delta received the highest net allocation of N213.6 billion, suggesting that net disbursement to Delta was 935 per cent of that of Osun. The publication however noted with concern that despite the upward trajectory in FAAC disbursements to the three tiers of government, the disbursements were inadequate to meet statesâ€™ budgetary requirements. It explained thus: â€œClearly, there was no state that could adequately

finance its budget solely from FAAC disbursements. There were three states where FAAC disbursements were more than 50 per cent of their budgets: Delta; Enugu; Yobe. For all other states, disbursements were less than 50 per cent of their budgets.â€? On internally generated revenues (IGR), the NEITI noted that it was highly unlikely that IGR would be able to make up for the shortfall in FAAC disbursements to states. According to the report, only four states - Cross River; Lagos; Ogun; and Rivers, had estimated IGR that was more than 50 per cent of their FAAC allocations, adding that out of these states, only Lagos and Ogun had IGR that was actually higher than their FAAC allocations. The NEITI review further revealed that estimated IGR in six states of Enugu; Kaduna; Kano; Kwara; Osun; and Oyo, was more than 40 per cent of their FAAC allocations. On revenue projection in 2019,

the Quarterly Review predicted an upward trend in revenue receipts into the government coffers from oil and gas sector as well as the attendant increases in FAAC disbursements. It said in this regards: â€œFAAC disbursements will increase further in 2019. This is largely due to expected increase in Nigeriaâ€™s oil production and further consolidation of efforts by OPEC to keep oil prices from falling. â€œWith the concerted efforts by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries to limit oil production, coupled with sanctions on Iran and Venezuela oil exports, it is expected that oil prices will not fall to the very low levels experienced from 2014 to 2017.â€? On the domestic front, NEITI said it was optimistic oil production will increase in 2019 given the takeoff of Egina offshore field, which started production in December 2018, with optimum production capacity of 200,000 barrels per day (bd).

INEC Extends PVCs Collection Till February 11, Undertakes Review of Preparation Adedayo Akinwale Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă”Ă‹

As part of effort to ensure that registered voters are not disenfranchised in the forthcoming elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) scheduled to end yesterday to Monday 11th February 2019 nationwide. The electoral body has also revealed that the collection of PVCs would now take place from 9a.m .to 6p.m. daily, including Saturday and Sunday. The chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this Friday at the regular meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) held at the commissionâ€™s Headquarters in Abuja. The meeting, he said, was convened essentially in order to have a final review of preparations. Yakubu noted, â€œAt this meeting, we will undertake a comprehensive review of our preparations. Overall, the Commission is ready for the

elections. Nevertheless, we are ever ready to fine-tune processes and procedures in order to serve Nigerians better. â€œIn the last couple of days, we have been inundated by calls from Nigerians to review the current process of collection of Permanent Votersâ€™ Cards. In response, the Commission has taken the following decisions: â€œThe collection of PVCs scheduled to end today Friday 8thFebruary 2019 is hereby extended nationwide to Monday 11th February 2019. This will include Saturday and Sunday. â€œAll State offices are hereby directed to review the procedure for the collection of PVCs and dedicate all the staff of the Local Government offices to the collection process. Staff are enjoined to be civil in attending to citizens and to escalate issues that they cannot immediately resolve to their superiors.â€? The Commission, however, reassured Nigerians that it would continue to take every necessary

step to ensure that no registered voter was disenfranchised on account of non-collection of PVCs. Yakubu stressed that the Commission was also taking urgent steps to address complaints of unavailability of the PVCs of some registered voters before the end the deadline for the collection. He said, â€œWe wish to reiterate that after the deadline of Monday 11th February 2019, all uncollected PVCs will be recalled and deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for safe-keeping until after the general election when the collection of cards and the continuous registration of voters will resume. â€œYesterday (Thursday) we had a crucial meeting with the security agencies and the national union representing the road transport workers. Issues of securing the environment for peaceful elections were discussed. Similarly, the issue of logistics, particularly transportation for the delivery of personnel and materials, was discussed.â€?

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

Buhari Cares Less about Federal Character

or a while, I thought President Muhammadu Buhari would look in the direction of the marginalised South-east when the tenure of Ibrahim Idris as the InspectorGeneral of Police expired on January 15. For once, I thought our President would make amends for his frightening lopsided security appointments. At that point, there were two immensely qualified top officers from the South-east in the top hierarchy of the police - one a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, a woman, and the other, an Assistant Inspector General of Police. I thought Buhari would respond to the demand of Senator Victor Umeh (APGA, Anambra-Central), who called on the President to urgently appoint somebody from the South-east into the National Defence Council and the National Security Council. These are bodies rooted in Section 153(1) (g) of our Constitution, yet, under Buhari, an entire region is not represented in the two bodies. It did not come as a surprise to me that our President squandered the opportunity to make amends by snubbing the South-east officers to appoint Mohammed Adamu as Acting IG. It simply reconfirms my position all the while that Buhari cares less about our Constitution and the Federal Character principle entrenched in it. The situation in the armed forces is most depressing. Section 217(3) stipulates that the composition of the armed forces must reflect the federal character of the country. The provision of this section is emphasised in Section 14(3) of the same Constitution. Buhari must immediately re-organise the country’s security architecture to reflect the diversity of Nigeria; the current situation in which a section of the country dominates is unhealthy and unacceptable. Also, for the sake of mother Nigeria’s unity, and to assuage marginalised sections of the country, it is pertinent to ensure fair representation of every part of this country in the top hierarchy of federal departments and agencies. Besides, reflecting federal character in the leadership of our security agencies is one very important step that could help reduce the killings in our land. These skewed appointments have created a loss of a sense of belonging in many parts of the country, hence the constant cries of marginalisation, agitation for secession and calls for restructuring. For me, our dear President has chosen

For the sake of mother Nigeria’s unity, and to assuage marginalised sections of the country, it is pertinent to ensure fair representation of every part of this country in the top hierarchy of federal departments and agencies. Besides,reﬂecting federal character in the leadership of our security agencies is one very important step that could help reduce the killings in our land to persistently mock Chapter 2, Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended). As a reminder, this section states: “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few State or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.” One man that has consistently berated the excesses of Buhari over the uneven distribution of public offices is former president Olusegun Obasanjo. I can clearly remember him saying that the ethos of nation building through even distribution of public offices had been abused by Buhari. Obasanjo added: “To start with, we seem to have taken nation building for granted. Nation building must be given continued attention to give every citizen a feeling of belonging and a stake in his or her country. For instance, the Federal Character principle, as espoused in our constitution, was to guide the leadership to search for competent hold-

ers of major offices to be distributed within the entire nation, and avoid concentration in a few ethnic hands or geographical places, as we currently have in the leadership of our security apparatus.” The warped appointments of heads of military and para-military agencies by Buhari is unending and infuriating. I will like our dear President to retire into his study and spend quality time reading a list I have compiled for him.Yes, he is aware of the appointments, but I need to prick his conscience with this list: Director-General, Department of State Security Services,Yusuf Magaji Bichi; National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Burutai; Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar; Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Retired Colonel Hameed Ali; Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mustapha Abdallah; Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mohammed Babandede; Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abdullahi Muhammadu; Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; Director General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; Minister of Defence, Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali, Minister for Interior , Abdulrahman Dambazau; Director General, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Modibbo Hamman Tukur; Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu and Controller General of the Nigeria Prison Service, Ja’afaru Ahmed. This list does not smell pan-Nigeria. It is bad enough that they are all from the North. It is worse that they are all Muslims. In a country where religion remains an issue, concentrating the security apparatus in the hands of one tribe and one religious group is a betrayal of trust of those Christians who voted for Buhari and an affront on our Constitution. We have never been this divided in our 58 years as an independent country. Hatred and bloodshed across ethnic and religious divides have assumed an unprecedented dimension, with our fault lines persistently stoked by this administration. God-fearing people must form a truthful coalition and pull Nigeria from the brinks. Genuine patriots must rise and salvage our drifting country by promoting mutual love and togetherness. Like-minded people across the nation must stand up for this task.

El-Rufai’s Body Bags

I watched Governor Nasir El-Rufai on television on Thursday, struggling to clarify his threat that foreigners coming to intervene in our election “will go back in body bags.” He said he was only trying to vigorously defend Nigeria’s territory and did not call for violence against foreign countries. El-Rufai said: “What I said is based on intelligence that is available to us that the opposition is preparing grounds to cause a crisis in Nigeria by inviting foreign participation. They are discussing it. They call it the Venezuelan option. They know that they are likely to lose the elections. They are putting out information that they have. They have issued a poll showing that they would win. They are procuring the sympathy of the international community to issue statements like the three coordinated statements on the suspension of the chief justice and linking that to the elections as if the government or the ruling party has anything to hide regarding elections. “They are doing all this to prepare grounds to protest and cause crises in Nigeria and advance their so-called Venezuelan option. You all know what is happening in Venezuela. And we are not going to sit and allow unpatriotic Nigerians to confuse and procure the misguided support of countries that are supposed to be our friends without sounding a note of warning to them.” El-rufai was too clever by half. This man has done an irreparable damage to the image of this country. He presents himself as a desperate politician. His statement does not require any clarification. El-rufai’s “body bag” statement was unambiguous. I can clearly remember him saying “those that are calling for anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the person that would come and intervene, they would go back in body bags.” It is heartwarming that the team of European Union election observers has replied the Kaduna governor fittingly. The EU team said the threat would not deter it from observing the general elections set to hold on February 16 and March 2. It said: “We are aware of the comments by the Governor of Kaduna about non-interference by foreigners during a talk show on the elections Tuesday 5 February. The EU only deploys an election observation mission when it is invited to do so by the authorities of a country. The EU has been invited to observe all of the general elections in Nigeria since 1999. Thus this is the sixth time the EU is observing elections in Nigeria.” El-rufai and his cohorts are already pressing the panic button. They fear they may lose the election. This should not lead to reckless statements. These people should stop dragging this country in the mud.

The Failed Target to Revamp Torment of Maiduguri IDPs and Zamfara Killing Field Reﬁneries When this administration came up with its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), I was particularly interested in the target of revamping Nigeria’s four refineries and reducing petroleum product imports by 60 per cent by the end of 2018. Imported petroleum products were gulping the bulk of forex earned by this country; so, I was elated that this madness was going to end with the effective implementation of the ERGP. Unfortunately, this has not happened. I very much doubt if the managers of the ERGP are appraising their targets. This road map for Nigeria’s economic development is wobbling. The ERGP managers should be benchmarking their targets with achievements. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. I guess I need to remind the Minister of Budget and Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma and his team that 2018 has ended and that the ERGP has failed in its target of revamping the refineries. The four refineries are as good as dead. Practically all petroleum products consumed in the country are still imported. It is appalling to know that this ludicrous ERGP also aims to make Nigeria a net exporter of refined petroleum products by 2020. All talk no action. With the way the ERGP is being handled, 2020 will also come and go, and Nigeria will remain a big importer of petroleum products. Nigeria, the 12th largest crude oil producer in

Udoma

the world, is the only member country of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that imports almost all refined petroleum products it consumes. This is a big shame. For now, the two refineries in Port Harcourt, the one in Kaduna and another in Warri, with a combined installed capacity of 445,000 barrels per day are shiftless after four years of the ‘change’ government.

The hunger, pain and malnutrition in the camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, Borno State, require urgent attention from the federal government and the Borno State Government. These IDPs have lost their homes and property to Boko Haram guerrillas, yet, they are being pummeled daily in these camps with hunger and disease. The hunger here is unimaginable, with many of them without basic needs and sleeping in the open. That was why thousands of IDPs protested on Tuesday in Maiduguri. Led by women and little children, the IDPs from Kukawa and Guzamala local government areas, took to the streets from Teachers’ Village IDP Camp to Mala Kachala bypass up to Bukumkutu Roundabout. Fatima Ibrahim, an IDP from Kukawa, said she and family had spent almost two hungry months at Teachers Village IDP camp: “We are hungry; our children are seriously hungry. Thirty persons share a bag of rice. We are in need of foodstuffs; please tell them to bring food for us.” The Teachers’ Village IDP Camp is one big mess, with thousands of IDPs struggling for limited food and facilities. We must not allow these hapless Nigerians to continue wallowing in hunger and pain. My appeal today is to kind-hearted Nigerians to rise up and generously donate food and medication to these IDPs. I know that majority of Nigerians are kind-hearted. We must act urgently to reduce deaths in these camps. On the flip side, the killings in Zamfara by bandits continued for most of this week

unhindered. It is a shame that there were fresh attacks on communities by bandits despite claims by security agents that the bandits had been smoldered out. On Monday, the bandits stormed Ruwan Bore community in Gusau Local Government, killing the elder sister of a serving Senator, Kabiru Marafa and several others. They attacked the house of the village’s head and killed one of his wives. An eye witness said: “They put the gun in her mouth and blew up her head after which they abducted the village head and one other person and then moved inside the village. This morning, we carried out the burial rites of 13 persons including Ade, the district head’s wife and we were told that the bandits attacked two other villages of Tudun Wadan Mai Jatau and Takoka, where they killed scores.” One frightening thing about the attacks in Ruwan Bore was that victims were particularly identified before being either killed, kidnapped or maimed. The next day, the bandits moved to Gwashi in Bukkuyum Local Government Area and killed 11 persons, with several houses set ablaze. Enough of rhetoric. The federal government and its security agencies must come up with practical measures that will adequately bring the activities of bandits to an end in Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states. Hundreds of Nigerians have been sent to early graves by these criminals. It is a shame that this bloodshed is unending.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 9, 2019

SUPER SATURDAY Bimbo Ademoye Marks Birthday in Style It sometimes bothers Bimbo Ademoye that people stare at her body and at other times, she doesn’t care. To mark her birthday, the chic, simple and sexy actress took to the studio for a refreshingly sexy shoot, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

ollywood actress, Bimbo Ademoye just added a new year. To celebrate her birthday, the fun-loving actress took to the studio for a refreshingly casual but sexy shoot. The actress also launched a new website where she will be sharing so much more from her life and career activities. Bimbo is one of the actresses to watch out for in Nollywood as she keeps getting better with her acting prowess. The Nollywood star is known for her role in web series like This Is It, Desperate House Girls and several others. She started out acting in 2014 with a short film by Eva George titled, ‘Where Talent Lies’. That bagged her award for Best Actress at the African International Film Festival. Passionate about her craft, the Covenant University graduate says, “I have always had the passion for acting since I was a kid. It just had to be acting. I started by going for auditions. I went for every audition that I heard of and could find. “Eventually, I got discovered by the amazing Uduak Isong-Oguamanam. The first movie I acted in was a short film by Eva George titled, Where Talent Lies.” Since then, she has moved up in the industry and taking on roles and acting alongside known names in the industry including Stella Damasus in the movie ‘Gone’, with Rita Dominic in ‘Light in The Dark’, and in the movie ‘Back Up Fire’, where she got her breakthrough and on to her award winning role in the movie, ‘Personal Assistant’ for her convincing semi-literate character delivery. In her most challenging movie “All Shades of Wrong”, she played a rape victim and was glad it came out well. As a newcomer, it most definitely wasn’t easy for her because nobody wanted to take the chance of giving her a major. They felt she wasn’t popular enough to sell the movies. Like

every other newcomer, she went for auditions. And at times, was called back. Now, the 2018 Best Supporting Actress at the Best of Nollywood Awards has grown from facing challenges to having the urge and the hunger to always want to do better. The 26 years old actress and fashion entrepreneur in a series of interviews had disclosed that she could act without clothes as long as it aims to pass a vital message. To her, if going nude is for her to pass on a very vital message, then she would most definitely do it. “So if going naked is going to depict a message to the world in a way that they would feel me and almost feel like I’m the one it really happened to, then please leave my clothes apart.” However, chic, simple and sexy in reality, it sometimes bothers her that people stare at her body and at other times, she doesn’t care. “I really only feel conscious of being stared at depending on what I’m wearing. If I had the feeling before leaving the house that what I was wearing wasn’t very nice and I still left the house regardless; of course, I would feel uncomfortable. But if I left the house with the confidence of looking good, I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable; rather I’ll feel good with myself. They must be seeing the good that I’m seeing.” The “Desperate House Girls” star loves being in love and look forward to falling in love, hopefully getting married and definitely having kids. “So I don’t sound desperate though, let’s just say that I’m single and I look forward to being in a relationship.” Raised by a single father, Bimbo once revealed how her father took her to her first audition: “My dad fully supported me. He even took me to my first audition. I mean, my dad raised me alone as he was a single father. So, it was the only opinion that mattered and he was in full support.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 9, 2019

SUPERSATURDAY

Amara is the Secret of Kanu’s Fitness Football legend, Nwankwo Kanu and his better half, Amarachi have lived happily together, with Amara helping out with his ﬁtness, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

he saying goes that a happy couple stays together, eats together and plays together. And to add, exercise together. This could be said of Nigerian football legend Nwankwo Kanu and his lovely wife Amara as they were pictured during a recent workout session. They look nothing but beautiful together. In the picture, the couple can only simply be described as perfect. Kanu, 42 and Amara, 32, became husband and wife almost 15 years ago. Ever since that marriage in 2004, the couple have lived happily together after, except for the fleeting but shocking moment sometime last year when Amara reportedly called out her brotherin-law, Ogbonna Kanu on social media for allegedly taking her son’s ticket and attending a football match which was meant to be for her son and his father. The couple is blessed with three adorable children; two sons and a daughter. The top priority in the life of Amara is considered to be her husband and

children. In her interviews, Amara had repeatedly claimed that she married for love and had sincere feelings for her husband. It was believed that before her marriage, Amara was not sure what to do and certainly, she was not a football fan. But then everything changed. Amara is not one to hug the spotlight: “I had to make a personal decision to stay private for a very long time in order to build what I have built for myself and my children. I understood this from a very young age. I ignored critics and paid no attention to what people said. I overlooked Facebook and I only signed on to the platform in July 2011.” For any man, support and care of his wife and his family are very important. Although Kanu married Amara at a relatively early age in Nigeria, she already had the true feminine wisdom that helped her to keep the marriage strong and made the family happy. When she moved to the United Kingdom, she went back to the university where she bagged a first degree in Architecture and later a Masters in

Entrepreneurial Management from European Business School, London. Amara, the certified fitness expert, is noted to be highly conscious about, and an advocate of, healthy living, especially when it was her that inspired her husband’s corrective heart surgery in 2014, 17 years after his first heart operation when he was diagnosed with congenital heart defect in 1996. It was during one of their routine exercises that Amara had ‘pushed’ him to go for full diagnosis after she noticed his irregular heartbeats. According to her, his heartbeat sounded much louder than normal. She was listening to his chest, and it sounded odd. She would thereafter write a book about her battle for her husband’s life and bringing him back to full health after the surgery. The book, which was unveiled at the Emirates Stadium in London on July 14, 2017, was dedicated to other sports stars who have suffered heart problems, like Fabrice Muamba and Cheick Tiote. The event attracted Olympic gold medalist, Mo Farah and a host of other sports celebrities.

5 ) * 4 % ": t SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2019

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

INSIGHT

Getting set...

Exporting Anambra Wonder to Nigeria

hough a Prophet is not honoured in his country, Okwute Ndigbo, Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State is one man who has been honoured by his own people despite the fragments of opposition from his beneﬁciaries, particularly the incumbent Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano. Obiano, probably misled by his aides, initiated a flurry of attacks on Obi, but all the efforts to rubbish the image and legacies of Obi collapsed like a pack of cards. Peter, crowned ‘’Okwute Ndigbo’’ by Anambra State traditional rulers led by the Obi Alfred Achebe of Onitsha, having survived the attacks on his person and reputation quietly left APGA to the warm embrace of the PDP, which organized a delegation to Obi, led interestingly by Deputy Senator President (DSP) Ike Ekweremadu. Since leaving office as Governor, Obi has been involved in many initiatives for societal welfare. Among others, he has supporting educational institutions in their areas of need, mentoring the youths and contributing to national international discourse. Across the country and abroad, Obi’s image has soared as various audiences and readers appreciate his well-thought-out and value-added presentations, especially on the developmental challenges of Nigeria and the essence of good governance. Obi soon became the Anambra Wonder and a Nigerian Project. And we are thanking the former Vice-President and the 2019 February Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar for enabling us to transfer our Anambra pride in Peter Obi to Nigeria as his running mate. With that, Nigeria which is now in collapse would be restored as Anambra State was restored by the Obi administration. When some pockets of opposition challenged the choice of Obi as vice-presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar stood his ground. Our brothers and sisters from Yorubaland were perplexed on the foolishness of some Ndigbo and openly requested Atiku to give them the slot should Ndigbo reject their own. Thankfully, those pockets of opposition against Peter Obi have faded as they emerged. But the point must be made that common sense should dictate some of our choices. As the Yorubas would probably do, we should consider whether the choice of Obi by Atiku was the right one in terms of what is required of the office Vice-President of Nigeria. In the South-West, Ogun State has dominated the political sphere, but is by no means comparable to Lagos State in development. Ogun State is home to prominent national office holders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, General/ Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Ernest Shonekan, and current Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; yet the other five states of the zone are not threatening fire and brimstone. Peter Obi has the credentials for the position of vicepresident. As Governor of Anambra State, he emphatically rejected borrowing to build fly-overs whereas the roads were in a bad condition. He insisted that no nation can survive without savings, and opposed some of his colleagues demand for the sharing of the excess crude oil revenue. A look at some of his opinions and stands on important issues reveal a lot: - “If I must say OK to the government in promoting

made-in-Nigeria products, let’s first go to the offices and house of all public offices and ensure that at least 60% of the fittings and furniture are made in Nigeria”. - ‘’There is nothing in the Nigerian Constitution called ‘security votes’. What we have is contingency funds and it is being abused. I gave 257 Anambra secondary schools N10 million annually, N1 billion to hospitals and health colleges. I had only N2.5 billion security vote and I should be invited to account for it”. - On the discovery of a huge sum of money in an Ikoyi apartment block: ‘’My worry is that that money was dumped and wasn’t yielding profits. If the owner had kept it in the bank, it would by now yield around US$7 million (about N2.8 billion), which can cater for a state’s annual education budget’’. Obi loves education and has invested heavily in it with commendable results, even as he continues to decry that about 11 Nigerian children are out of school. As Governor, Obi took Anambra State from a 26th position in national examinations to Number One among the 36 States and FCT. The fruits of his investments in education are still been reaped, though nothing much has been added since he left office. Obi paid salaries and gratuities as and when due and cleared arrears of pensions. He also paid contractors for jobs completed. His records as Governor and in the board-rooms are there for all to see and read. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, odogwuchampionawka@yahoo. co.uk

Political Crises in OIC Countries

he Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) is a 50-odd corpus of countries with signiﬁcant Muslim population in member states purportedly united for a common course to further members’ interests, although those interests are hard to deﬁne within a changing world. Nonetheless, one thing is for sure: none of the member countries of the OIC can boast of any measure of political stability in the real sense of the word; internal crises, institutional cumbersomeness, creed-aided corruption, economic woes, human-arrested development indices, etc., are constantly wracking these member-nations. It is these countries that churn out migrants in their millions and then seek to send them over to non-OIC climes for some resettlement programme that now has that non-binding Marakkech Protocol for support (it is well within reason to assume that the rise of Jair Bolsonaro in Latin America, in Brazil really, was the reason why the Catholic Pontiff was hurriedly invited

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

down to the Arabian Peninsula recently to do some inter-faith dialogue thing in the public so as to mask multiculturalism in good cosmetic, the very stuff that Captain Bolsonaro and Donald Trump up north in the US despise). Now, enter Nigeria into the fray of crises-simpatico: the ill-advised and ill-timed removal of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen was a fiasco at best, the economy is huffing and puffing down a misdirected track leading to a certain abyss, our security umbrella is being confidently punctured by a motley of rag-tag joy-riding Islamists, and so on. It does now make sense to tie our undeservedly wretchedness to having that arrested development mentality arising from the fact that we are members of the OIC in the first place. Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

INEC: A Letter of Protest

e write with reference to our letters dated August 7 and December 9, 2019 wherein CERLSI wrote to INEC ofﬁces in Benin City and Abuja seeking to be included among organisations that will participate in key aspects of the February 2019 general elections, speciﬁcally in the areas of voter education, sensitization and enlightenment. Board and Management of the Civil Empowerment & Rule of Law Support Initiative (CERLSI) observed however, that in spite of our record of accomplishment in the highlighted areas above, and with less than a week to the elections proper our organisation was not contacted, and has not received any correspondence informing us of your approval or rejection of our request. We are aware that other organisations like ours have already commenced the voter enlightenment and education process leaving us with the assumption that we have been sidelined and excluded from participating in an area of the February 2019 elections wherein we have some record. With offices in Benin City and Abuja, CERLSI was set up in 2014, and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and with the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUMUL) of the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to educate Nigerians on the import of the vote, their rights and privileges under the laws of Nigeria. Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, Deputy executive director

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Î Ëœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÎ

NEWSXTRA

In Brief

TMG Cautions on El-Rufaiâ€™s Bodybag Threat

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) a Coalition of over 400 civic organisations has said it was appalled by the recent statement made by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, that international observers who allegedly interfere in Nigeriaâ€™s elections had death awaiting them as such people would be returned in body bags. TMG in a press statement issued to journalists in Abuja, by its Chairperson Dr. Abiola Afolabi, said, â€œAs a civic coalition working assiduously in concert with other stakeholders to promote democratic accountability through credible elections in Nigeria, it is clear to us that such a morbid and inďŹ‚ammatory rhetoric could be used as justiďŹ cation for attacks on many well-meaning international observers who have come to support the democratic process in our country.â€? According to TMG, â€œNo matter the premise of Governor El Rufaiâ€™s discussion on the issue of interference or intervention, the implied threat of people leaving in body bags, is totally unacceptable to the vast majority of peace-loving Nigerians, who welcome and are much appreciative of international eďŹ€orts to bolster and support Nigeriaâ€™s democratic institutions.â€?

Unity Schools Proceed On Midterm Break

FOR ROBUST ECONOMY... L-R: Funder/CEO, MSCA Worldwide Projects, Dr. Mark Abani; Director General, Budget Office, Abuja, Mr. Ben Akabueze; Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Alhaji Razak Jaiyeola; and CEO, Economic Associates/Gust Speaker, Dr. Ayo Teriba, at the ICAN Economic Discourse Theme; 2019 Economic outlook, held at Muson Centre, Lagos...recently

FG, Investment Partners, Sign $30bn Industrial Revolution Agreement Omololu Ogunmade Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă”Ă‹

The federal government yesterday in Abuja signed $30 billion agreement with investment partners to foster industrial revolution in the country and boost export earnings from made in Nigeria products. Tagged Made in Nigeria for Exports (MINE) project, the agreement which was signed in the Council Chambers of the State House, marked the formal preparation for the take-off of Nigeria industrial revolution plan as conceived in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. The investment partners who co-signed the agreement with the federal government were Africa Export and Import Bank (AFREXIM), Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), African Development Bank (AFDB), Bank of Industry (BOI), Nigerian

Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). The project has designated three places in different parts of the country as special economic zones (SEZ) for the take-off of the project. The three places were named as Enyimba Economic City, in Abia State, Funtua Cotton Cluster in Katsina State and Lekki Model IIn his speech at the signing ceremony, President Muhammadu Buhari said Project MINE was conceived to position Nigeria as the pre-eminent manufacturing hub in Sub-Saharan Africa and a major exporter of made in Nigeria products to the West African sub-region, the entire Africa and the World. The president also said the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) project had been championed by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelahmah but under his direct

supervision. He submitted that the project was designed to boost the countryâ€™s manufacturing share of the gross domestic product (GDP) to the tune of 20 per cent, generate $30 billion in annual export earnings and create 1.5 million jobs by 2025. According to him, to achieve these objectives, the federal government was offering investor- friendly incentives, up-to-date infrastructure and ease of doing business with a view to attracting local and foreign investments. He also said the project would serve as a catalyst for rapid and inclusive industrialisation, job creation and diversified export earnings in countries with exemplary development records. The president also disclosed that the Nigeria SEZ Investment Company Limited had been set up by the federal government to drive the

expansion of the initiative and ensure the participation of public private partnerships involving federal and state governments as well as local and foreign private investors in the project. He called for the intervention of experienced special economic zone developers and operators for a partnership with the federal government with the overall goal of upgrading the existing free trade zones in Calabar and Kano owned by the federal government. The president who said the expert developers would be expected to offer what he described as first-class standards of infrastructure and facilities, added that the Federal Executive Council had already approved the award of contracts in excess of N19.45 billion for the investment in Calabar and Kano Free Trade Zones.

FG Undermining My Authority for Gana: Adoption of Buhari by SDP as Political Reasons, Alleges Dickson Presidential Candidate Disgraceful, Betrayal Emmanuel Addeh Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă‹

Governor of Bayelsa State , Mr. Seriake Dickson, yesterday lambasted the federal government for serially undermining his authority as the Chief Security Officer of the state, maintaining that the government at the centre was playing politics with the stability of the oil-rich state. Dickson who spoke during a media chat in Yenagoa, capital of the state, said that rather than giving him intelligence information, many of the security heads were in the habit of feeding leaders of the opposition with information that should be made available to him (the governor). He noted that because the federal government and its security agencies view Bayelsa as a state that must be conquered, his position as the governor of the state was being sidelined when it comes to the issue of security and law and order. â€œYou can see that the interest the federal government has in the stability of this state. A state we have managed to return to peace and is crucial to the maintenance of regional peace.

â€œThe concern of the federal government of Nigeria is more of a political conquest than maintenance of law and order. They have undermined the security of this state in a way that a number of people donâ€™t know. â€œI am the governor whose authority has been most undermined in the country in the area of maintenance of law and order and security management. They are not interested in peaceâ€? he charged. Governor Dickson disclosed that he was in possession of reports of security commanders in Abuja calling militants and cultists in the state to attack innocent communities. â€œI have records that indicate that security commanders in Abujaâ€™s will be calling militants and criminals, telling them to attack communities. These people are protected by the Nigerian security establishment. â€œThe king of Peremabiri is still carrying a bullet in his head and many have been killed and thrown away. The Nigeria security has become the armed wing of the ruling party. This is sad,â€? the governor lamented.

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă”Ă‹

The Prof. Jerry Gana Campaign Group known as G19 has distanced itself from the purported adoption of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), for the February 16 presidential election. The group described the adoption as â€œshameful betrayal of trust.â€? President Buhari was on Thursday adopted as SDP presidential candidate at the end of the meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) held in Abuja The Director General of G19, Dr. Ike Neliaku, while addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, distanced Gana from the adoption and maintained that the adoption had plunged the party into a political mudslide. He fingered the partyâ€™s National Secretary, Mr. Shehu Gabam, as the arrowhead and stressed that principled NEC members were shoved aside to enable them carry out their â€œinsidious plot packaged

in a desperate bid to create a perception of acceptability.â€? â€œWe wish to categorically condemn and dissociate ourselves from this unfortunate, retrogressive, outrageous, unjust, mercantilist, disgraceful betrayal of trust and anti-party activity led by a small faction loyal to the running mate to Donald Duke, Alhaji Shehu Gabam. â€œTheir pronouncement puts the party in a political mudslide that not only put the party in bad light but is injurious to all other SDP candidates standing election on the platform of the party. â€œThis repulsive duplicity is unacceptable to our campaign team, our supporters and millions of esteemed SDP members whose voices we represented and on whose mandate this statement is issued,â€? he added. Dr. Neliaku claimed that the â€œsordid outcomeâ€? represented the manifestation of a long drawn sword of conspiracy designed, employed and executed from the beginning by some â€œevil gate keeperâ€? within and outside the party, to manipulate the process of its national convention.

Contrary to rumours making the rounds that students in the 104 Federal Government Colleges would embark on two midterm breaks during the Presidential and Gubernatorial elections holding in February and March respectively, the federal government has clariďŹ ed that the students would proceed on only one midterm break, beginning on Friday 15th to Tuesday 19th February, 2018. The midterm break is to allow pupils of unity schools who are all boarders, to stay safely at home during the Presidential elections, with a view to preventing them from becoming victims of any form of unrest associated with the elections. The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu who made this known during the 7th Ministerial Press BrieďŹ ng on Friday in Abuja, explained that there was no need for a second midterm during the gubernatorial elections, since the pupils were teens and not eligible to vote. â€œThis year we adjusted the mid-term break, the mid-term break will be from Friday 15th to Tuesday February 19, the break is just for unity schools. Since pupils are not on voting list and since you have only one term to take them to school I think we only need one break to do so,â€? he said.

Police Teargassing of IDPs

The teargassing of harmless Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by the Police during a peaceful protest against food deprivation in Teachers Village Camp, Maiduguri, Borno State, last Tuesday has caught the attention of House of Representatives Committee on IDPs, Refugees and North-East, which wondered why government had to degenerate so low. The committee chairman, Hon Sani Zorro, in a statement Friday, described as â€œunfortunateâ€? situation where IDPs deprived of food and basic needs for survival were brutally suppressed for crying over the injustices they face daily. He said the Federal Government must urgently supply desperately needed items to the IDPs without further delay and punish the perpetrators and beneďŹ ciaries of stolen food and other items belonging to the displaced persons. A former President, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zoro assured Nigerians that his committee was prepared to share vital information capable of ďŹ shing out the culprits, no matter how highly placed. He bemoaned that despite outcry to relevant authorities about the theft of food and other aid items procured by state resources by highly-placed politicians, nothing had been done to stop them from converting IDP food and other items as campaign tools in the countdown to the general elections.

Flying Doctors Recognised

Flying Doctors Nigeria, the ďŹ rst air ambulance service established in West Africa, has been nominated by the London Stock Exchange Group as one of the â€˜Companies to Inspire Africa 2019â€™. This is the second time the London Stock Exchange Group is carrying out the nomination exercise to list companies to watch and business concerns they believe had the potential to upset the business landscape in Africa. â€˜Companies to Inspire Africaâ€™ is a pioneering report put together by the London Stock Exchange Group yearly to recognise as well as showcase the outstanding work and inspirational stories of some of Africaâ€™s leading and privately owned organisations. Constituting the organisations that make it to the list yearly are high growth companies with unwavering credibility that have consistently shown tremendous growth prospects in spite of the numerous challenges associated with doing business in the region.

NPA Empowers 1,000 Women

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has trained and presented grinding, sewing machines and start-up capital of N10,000 each to 1,000 women and youths in Katsina State to assuage their suďŹ€erings and make them self-reliant and avoid over-dependent on government. This is even as the agency said it had distributed 4,000 blankets to Almajari schools and 500 pupilsâ€™ chairs to primary schools across the 34 local government areas of the state. The Managing Director of NPA, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, while distributing the machines to the beneďŹ ciaries in Katsina, Friday, said the Ports Authority had to intervened in the area of youths and women empowerment to reduce poverty in their respective communities and compliment Federal Governmentâ€™s eďŹ€ort at tackling poverty in the country. She said: â€œAside today programme, we also distrusted 4,000 chairs to Musawa primary school. We gave N25,000 each to 50 youths in Musawa local government and 40 irrigation machines to irrigation farmers in the same LGA. Considering the plight facing women in rural areas, we distrusted 50 sewing and grinding machines to 50 women in Malumfashi. We however ďŹ xed 282 Solar Light to 282 Almajiri schools in the state.

MAN Decries Neglect of Artisans

The Vice President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Oyo/Osun/Ekiti/Ondo branch, Mr. Lanre Popoola, has lamented the relegation of local artisans for lack of certiďŹ cation in favour of expatriates who were not better than them. He also said the coming of the expatriates was not in the best interest of the country, stating that it was a drain on the nationâ€™s foreign reserves as they are paid in dollars. He made the lamentation at an interactive session organised by the Ibadan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in conjunction with other members of the Organised Private Sector for governorship aspirants in Oyo State to highlight their agenda for the private sector in the state. The event which held in Ibadan, the state capital, was attended by the gubernatorial candidates of the National Interest Party(NIP), Mrs. Bonlanle Sarunmi-Aliyu; Zenith Labour Party(ZLP), Barrister Sharafadeen Alli; and Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), Mr. Olalekan Ayorinde. Popoola said, â€œHaving certiďŹ ed artisans will save this country a lot of money.

5 ) * 4 % ": t SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2019

Plus

Benson Ezem Life is a Process… You Don’t Get to the Mountain Top without Climbing a Ladder

FASHION FILE GLOBAL SOCCER FAIRGROUND SHOWBIZFLAIR

Funke Moore

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

Journalism was All I Wanted to Practice… Some Professionals Led Me to the Right Path

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 9, 2019

PLUS

Journalism was All I Wanted to Practice…Some Professionals Led Me to the Right Path The name Funke Moore rings a bell in broadcast journalism in Nigeria. For 35 years, the former general manager of Eko FM and later, Lagos State Television was on top of her game in a highly competitive domain. The ace broadcaster has been a positive inﬂuence to many she came across and several others that she might never have come across. The delectable mother of two takes Omolabake Fasogbon through her enduring and exciting moments of life both on the ﬁeld and home front as well as her next line of action after a short break

ust as expected, this personality is not making the present moment of her life dull in anyway. After 35 years of having had to heed to the becks and calls of a pay master, she is cooling off without reservation, at least for now, before she sets out on a new mission. Away, from acting to directives and later calling the shots, “Life could be this, and tantalizing”, was the impression on her face as she sips her drink and maintains a reclining position on her bouncing sofa, while savouring her favourite sounds and lyrics on the television. She recalls: “It’s been an interesting and tough 35 years, but I cherish those moments, I must confess. I remember I became interested in the job by the inspiring column I read on pages of newspaper as well as the contents and colour on the screen. I found the profession interesting and glamorous, not just that, I saw journalist as agents of change and development in the society and I felt I could also make impact. I might be wrong and might have made a better choice, I don’t really know, but journalism was all that I wanted to practice. I consulted some professionals on the field whose advice led me to the right path. So, the journey started officially. At Times journalism institute, known as Daily Times of Nigeria training centre, I studied newspaper reporting for one year. I proceeded to journalism school in Ogba for two years, and later went to the Lagos State University (LASU), to study English Literature. I purposely didn’t register to study Mass Communication because I already had journalism experience. “I needed the language skills and I knew that I could learn further on the job. I later proceeded to the University

of Lagos, where I also studied English Literature for my second degree. I am at present working towards enrolling for PhD. Lest I forget, I practiced briefly with the defunct Daily Times and Evening Times before I eventually moved to LTV where I started as a reporter/sub editor.” Quite expectedly, she encountered some rough edges on the way, but she managed them well, knowing that it was her cross. Reminiscing those times, she narrates patiently: “I started working at age 20 and I got married that same year. That means I was working, going to school and attending to marital demands. But then, I scaled through. As a matter of fact, I look back now and still marvel I was able to conquer those times, hence, I keep on telling young women that come my way that they don’t have excuse for failure. Although while at the helms at LTV and Eko FM, I tried to consider women because of their multiple roles and at the same time, encourage them to be hardworking. I recall that the only challenge that hooked me then was in the area of finance even though, I still don’t have enough now”, she chuckled. Wasn’t your salary and husband support sufficient? the reporter asked. She responded: “I needed money to adequately take care of my children. I wanted them to attend private university because of frequent ASUU strikes but could not afford it. Maybe, I would have had enough to attend to my multiple needs if my husband and I didn’t live apart, then, I could enjoy the luxury of his presence to task him more.” More inquisitive about this icon was how she was able to live her life and nurtured her children to greatness ever since she lost her better half about two decades ago. Surprisingly, she has lived without a man since she

Moore

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

PLUS I Was Working, Going to School and Attending to Marital Demands was 28 years. “My husband died some Growing up in Mushin years back in Montego Bay, Jamaica, but before he died, we were already has only helped separated, although not legally. But since then, I’ve not really had cause to me to identify the remarry, that’s why I’m still addressed as ‘Moore’ till date”. other part of life Back to the career lane, the grand mother of three thought of some that I might not have exciting moments at work as those days when they had to work with had the knowledge caution during the military era for fear of torture and dismissal. She elsewhere. Indeed, also found the first day she read the news on TV quite interesting and it has helped me memorable. “I remember those days, during the military rule, where we had to live my life with to be careful about what we dished out to the public. At times, you will caution. For instance, want to throw some principles of the profession overboard for fear of the as a young child, I paramount ruler. “Then, if you want to start claiming knew drug was bad objectivity and other principles of the profession, you are on your own o! because I saw the I can still remember one or two of my colleagues who were fired and eﬀect on people in detained over a story that didn’t go down well with the government. Also that environment, so unforgettable were those days we had to confine ourselves to the office I wouldn’t taste it anytime there were coups. The first day that I read the news was also worth sharing. Like I told you, as a reporter, I was only expected to file in my report and at times, do a stand up. Stand up wasn’t really frightful as one can retake several times and later edit unwanted aspects. This very day, the scheduled newscaster didn’t show up for the 2 o’clock news, so, a colleague walked up to me and encouraged me to take up the task. That was how I tied the head gear and headed straight to the studio to read the news I didn’t prepare for. I read it and it was good except for few diction errors which later drove me to FRCN training school for a basic announcer course. Thereafter, I started producing and presenting programme.” The high point of Funke’s career was rising to the prestigious rank of the General Manager of both LTV and Eko FM and later retired as a Director in the Ministry of Information and Strategy. As the General Manager of LTV, the grandmother of three made indelible mark in the state-owned station with a lot of accomplishments. Underground research carried out by this reporter point to the fact that she was one of the best staff the corporation ever had. Curiously, despite the accolades, this celebrated journalist noted that occupying the apex office in LSBC was also the lowest point of her career. “When I joined the corporation, I didn’t ever think of getting to the top, but you know, as I get older in age and on the job, I began to develop ambitions for greater things. As envisioned, I saw myself on the seat, but believe me, I wish I was never there.” She refused to reveal her reason despite much pressure but rather went sober and emotional. In this mood, she managed to utter some words: “I wish I had left the system like 10 years ago to pursue other dreams, perhaps, my journey would have been different. Sometimes, I regret why I stayed so long and didn’t heed to my children’s advice to leave and explore new areas. You know, I started on Federal level 6 and it took me so many years to get to the top, level 17 precisely, whereas some people joined the service and were taken on level 16 and even 17. It’s been a long journey. I am simply

Moore and children

sad about the way I exited, but I don’t want to talk about it.” Now sounding more alive and encouraging, she said: “I wouldn’t say I regretted really, but even if I did, it’s too late to regret. Notwithstanding, I enjoyed my job. You know how vibrant journalism is; no two days were alike for me. The year kept on moving and before I knew it, I had spent 30 years and more, I’ve been through so many management and governments. I was there during the military era and the transition to civilian government. I was able to cover Governor Tinubu briefly during his first term; it was really exciting away from the military experience.” When questioned about what she missed most in her former office especially in the news room, sounding

reluctant to talk about her former office, she replied, “Nothing”. “You mean nothing”? The reporter questioned further, she managed to reply: “Well, I’ve left the newsroom a long time ago, but I miss the rush for the headline, getting exciting story, attending editorial meeting and all that, but I didn’t really miss them because I did those things for so long. As the General Manager, I didn’t’ miss anything, in fact, it was the most stressful period of my life.” Offering a clue about the future, she enthused: “It’s not too late to explore new areas. I’m just 55 going on 56, I intend to pursue a new line of action as soon as possible but at present, I am into politics but not vying for any political seat.” Away from low moment, she’s got

several reasons to overlook her trials, “as long as one is alive, the best is yet to come. So far, my happiest moments were when I had my children and grand-children. I’m happy about the fact that I became a grandmother at 46 and we are all alive and in good health. For me, every day is worth celebrating.” The Epe born retiree described her growing up as not being eventful but full of life. “My dad died when I was four and half, therefore, I had to live with my mum and other relatives. Funnily enough, despite the fact that I was almost five when my father died, I can’t remember any memory of him. But growing up in Mushin was rather engaging and interesting. I didn’t miss the child’s game on the street, the didactic tales we were engaged with under the tree, I also remember the tyre race on the street and many more. I also learnt a lot of lessons from reading books, which my children learnt from cartoons.” Asked about how growing up in one of the most rugged areas of Lagos has influenced her moral, she said: “Oh! Spare me the stereotype. I lived in Mushin and that doesn’t make me a rogue or uncultured. A lot of us who grew up there are doing very fine and living a decent life. Growing up in Mushin has only helped me to identify the other part of life that I might not have had the knowledge elsewhere. Indeed, it has helped me to live my life with caution. For instance, as a young child, I knew drug was bad because I saw the effect on people in that environment, so I wouldn’t taste it, I also learnt a lot of dubious practices that I could never fall for them.” In her 55 years of existence, the media guru has learnt a lot of things which perhaps are beyond her age. She shared some of the lessons with the reporter. “I’ve learnt to be kind always to people and to give people benefits of doubts. I’ve learnt never to crucify people before hearing their sides on issues. I’ve also learnt to love others as myself because doing so will prevent me from hurting others.”

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

PLUS

Benson Ezem Life is a Process… You Don’t Get to the Mountain Top without Climbing a Ladder

Reverend Benson Ezem is a chartered architect, infrastructural development consultant and a fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Architects. He is the Group President of the Cosmo Base Group, which he has nurtured into a multi-billion naira conglomerate with diverse interests ranging from consultancy, construction, infrastructural development, manufacturing, and hospitality business. The Cosmo Base Group boss also runs Lively Hope Foundation with his wife. Ezem shares the story of his life with Emmanuel Ugwu

ou have built a ﬂourishing business conglomerate, were you born with a silver spoon and just needed little or no push to soar?

I was born into an average family. My father was a senior civil servant at ECN then, later NEPA. He was a district accountant. So I will say that we had all the necessities of life, we lived at good places, GRA. I never lived in any other place except GRA. So I don’t know whether it’s golden or silver spoon. I thank God for that. But one thing is that all the people who were competing with me then, we became very close. When I visit them I come home and appreciate and thank God for what level he has placed me under my father because I see them (friends) growing up maybe in one room but one thing about them was that they were very intelligent. When we come to school they made their A grades and I had to compete with them and we became very close. I think that was the beginning of mission to do something in people’s lives not withstanding your financial background; to help these people knowing that good things can come out of poverty with some assistance.

How was your life shaped? My father was a disciplined man because then, when you see the children of civil servants, they observed time for every activity such as breakfast. When he came home at about four o’clock, he would read the newspapers brought to him, and he would have his siesta. And you dare not wake him when he was having his siesta. He would wake up in the evening and would take me to Kano Club (I grew up in Kano) and we had just one hour to spare. My father was not into alcohol and I had always known my father to chair the bazaar of St Stephens Anglican Church, he was always the chairman. Another thing I knew

about my father is that people were always saying that he was very strict about giving out money to people. He was very prudent in managing money and he would always say this is ECN money, not JBO (John Bassey Onyenonu) Ezem. He would always say that he was only a custodian of that money and he could not spend it as his own. ‘O bu ego ndi ozo’(it’s other people’s money) he always said. I would say that he was incorruptible because the contractors would always come out to say that he would die poor because this man would not take money from them. They nicknamed him Alhaji mai kwudi, that is the man who owns the money but the money is not his own. He was the custodian of money. Because he was not ready to allow people free access to public funds, they would taunt him that he would leave this job and the money would still be there.

So, how in concrete terms did your father’s experience as a public servant affect you? When I had a new rethink about my life was when my father left NEPA. Government just came in one fell swoop and retired everybody in the 1980s. Do you know that my father retired with all the comforts we had and NEPA gave him just two weeks to pack out from our GRA home. I was in secondary school then, getting ready to go to the university. They gave him two weeks to leave NEPA quarters in GRA. My mum was always complaining that everything in that house was NEPA - furniture NEPA, air conditioner NEPA, television NEPA. So when my mother was trying to pack our things my father told her there was nothing to pack, just your box. My mother told me that she started crying and said ‘so we have worked useless life and this people couldn’t even allow us to get a decent place before throwing us out.’ My father hadn’t a house then. So this was what

made me to decide that I was not going to work for any man. That was what made me to start the business. This Cosmo Base you hear today was actually started when I was in the university and by the grace of God, by the time I came out of the university, I had a house of my own at the age of 24, built by myself. And as people would say, I was blessed as a millionaire at that time and they were not far from the truth. I was not married by then.

What role did your mother play in making you who you are today? My mother (May her soul rest in peace), was the woman who mentored me in business. She went through all these things with my father (when he was retired and thrown out of his official residence) and she would tell me I don’t want you to be like your father who worked for government and at the end of it all had nothing to show for it. My mother was into business, sewing and distributing products. She would wake up in the morning and tell me: chowa ewu oji mgbe chi ejibeghi (make haste while the sun shines). She would tell me that big men always wake up early, so why should I be sleeping; don’t I want to be a big man. This woman was harassing my life telling me that big men don’t sleep later than six in the morning. She would say that big men go out in the morning to make money and would ask me to follow her to recover money from her debtors. So she would wake me up by 5.30am as I was the only one around. All my brothers were sent to America even my sister but in my own case they said they won’t like to lose me. I was third to the last child but by virtue of my being around I was the closest to my parents. In fact my father believed that I was reincarnation of his own father and that’s why they call me Nnamdi. My elder brother is the patriarch of the family now. They tell me that my grandfather was the

richest Ubakala man while he lived.

In your formative years, were you tempted in any way to rebel against the strict discipline of your father? Well, the only time I would say I was rebellious to my father, if that is what being a rebel means doing not what your father wanted you to do, is that he wanted me to be a medical doctor but I refused. By the grace of God I had all the qualifications to accomplish my father’s wish because I made aggregate 16 in my WAEC exams. I had read about architects and I had known some medical doctors that my father took me to when I had malaria. My father was in charge of paying medical bills of NEPA staff to the hospitals and would be negotiating to save money for NEPA. My father wanted me to be a medical doctor. So when it was time for me to choose a career I told my father I did not want to rebel against you, that I was going to read medicine to satisfy you but I would give you the certificate so you can work as a medical doctor. Then he called my mother (Rosanna Nwugo Ezem) and told her what I had said. That day he changed his mind and said, ‘son, do what you want to do’. By then I had read about people like Architect Alex Ekwueme (may his soul rest in peace) and what he was doing, that he designed the school I went to, (federal government college). I read about how he was going around in chartered aircraft supervising the works he was doing. I also read about other great architects and I wanted to be an architect because I was good in art work. So, that is the only time I did not do what my father wanted me to do. I thank God today that I did not only become an architect but a fellow of my institute. I have today about 10 architects under my supervision and I’ve mentored no fewer than 20 architects in my lifetime.

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

PLUS My Father Didn’t Leave Houses and Other Properties But Left Legacies in the Lives of People Looking back, do you have any regrets in life or something you could have done differently if you had another opportunity? I don’t regret being an architect and as for my dad I think I learnt a lot from him. My father had a large heart. At one point in time there was no one that worked under him in NEPA from Abia State and beyond that I will meet and he won’t say to me, your father helped me in NEPA or my son, your father was very benevolent to us. I think this is what I picked; I just say if this man had been able to help people with the meager resources he had and when they see me they begin to ask me ‘are you the son of Ezem the one that worked at ECN’? That is where a man makes an impact. He didn’t leave houses and other properties but he left legacies in the lives of people, a name that is still ringing bell. Those people that he helped may not have been able to pay him back but in people’s lives God rewards you on other ways. That was why I said, if I have an opportunity I will replicate in large scale what my dad did in helping people. And God gave me a wife that has that same desire to help people and loves God. If you say that you love God he would love you. You cannot love God if you don’t love the people around you because that is what he said in gospel of Matthew, have you clothed those around you, have you fed those around you. If you say you love me take care of this people. So no one can say he loves people without loving God. Only politicians can say they love people without loving God because when they want something they love you and when they get it and there is no God to love they begin to love power and when it’s time again they begin to love you.

You speak glowingly of your wife, how did you meet her? Ha! My brother I was scared of marriage. I was blessed at a very young age - a man who started his business at 19 and at 22 I had architects working for me. I was blessed very young, I mean really blessed. I had my own house, my own office, everything. The only thing that scared me then was marriage. This is because by virtue of my business, the families I had encountered were families that were always quarreling and fighting - the husband pursuing the wife, the wife pursuing the husband. I began to wonder how could I go now and begin to bring a woman that would break my head after coming home at the end of the day’s work. I said instead let me stay without a wife. But thank God there was no alternative to marriage then. My mother, who was my mentor was always there to advise me and she said now you need a wife and we started searching from east to west, north to south. I was not getting the satisfaction I wanted until I did the final search here at Ubakala. They wanted me to marry from my home town, someone who is of the same culture, who understands our language. We were not coming home regularly because I was northern brought up. But God loves me and when the hand of God is upon a man he becomes his guide in everything he does including marriage. I gave my life to Christ in 1986 and I met my wife in December of that year. That was at a gathering, the annual Ubakala Day. I’m a kind of person that doesn’t waste time in gatherings; anything that will not give me value I don’t waste time in it. But on that day, because it was holidays no business man would be waiting for me and I just said let me walk down to this place – the market square at Apumiri. Lo and behold, there was this beautiful damsel like an angel from heaven. I saw her from a distance and my heart started beating fast. Not knowing that this same girl was the person some of the young men, my colleagues at Owerri were talking about that they didn’t like the woman because as a born again Christian she was not in their circle. Immediately you are talking to her she would turn it into the word of God. Before I met her God had told me that that girl they were talking about is my wife. That girl that all the boys don’t like, that one is my wife. Because she was not a party person, they didn’t like her. I proposed to her the same day I saw her. The rest is history.

For over a decade now you and your wife have been involved in doing charitable deeds and empowerment of youths through the Lively Hope Foundation. How did this gesture come about? Like I said earlier, I had a much disciplined upbringing. My father was deeply involved in the church and we were equally carried

along. My father fulfilled all the rituals in the church. He taught us the fear of God. He was a giver and he taught us to give. He said, ‘son if you can impact on people that is what will count for you.’ At our 25th wedding anniversary I brought out money, about N4 million and said to my wife let’s go abroad to celebrate our wedding anniversary. My wife rejected it and said instead of taking this money abroad to spend let’s do something for people. That was when we launched the Lively Hope Medical Outreach, the biggest so far in the history of this local government (Umuahia South). In the local government we have three clans – Umuopara, Ubakala, and Olokoro. In each of these places, they treated not less than 2,500 persons. The governor then heard about it and sent the commissioner for health to represent him and offered his commendation. He said I will honour this man who is helping our government to provide health care services to the people. He attended our church service and helped us complete our church building project. The church is one of the best in Abia State and we thank God for it. When a gift is from God, He works out the rest. I prayed for a wife like this and God gave her to me and she has given me not just children but outstanding children in their professions. My son made first class in mechanical engineering from the UK, this one my daughter masters in pharmacy in UK; my daughter is an accountant and is married. The last one …that is what gladdens my heart; I thought none of them was going to take my profession. But he is now studying architecture at Boston, Massachusetts. I call him my junior colleague. So I thank God for that. It is the gift of God. You see, the gift of God comes without sorrow. So if it is not the gift of God something else would come.

You are many things rolled into one, how do you perform the balancing act running your business and working in God’s vineyard? Beyond every other thing that satisfies me, what gives me joy is serving God. Every other thing is like vapour but if you know God you have life that goes beyond this life. The bible tells you that you are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world and the light which is put upon a hill cannot be hidden. So if I’m the light God has showcased me to go forth to shine on others. So that has been my foundation and with the little part I played in politics, I always advised myself that people are looking onto you as light, in my profession, people are looking unto you as light. It helps me to come to the level of excellence in anything I do. Those that know me can testify that I go for excellence in anything I do. I don’t go for half measures. People in my profession know that if you meet me in a situation where I have to sign out millions, will know that they must earn it; you must earn your certificate. I’ve had to quarrel with contractors because they wanted something they did not earn and I will say no and I will put my feet down. Let me tell you why Christians fail in their endeavours in life, it is because they live different life outside the church. But if you bring out who you really are both in the church and outside people will respect you for who you are. There are things that people who know me that I am not going to do no matter the billions you give me. As an architect I tell my staffs don’t collect money from people. Do your job satisfactorily and anybody who wants to appreciate you can appreciate you. I don’t do things that are not in line with my Christian values. We all belong to one religion or the other. If you love God having 200 houses only for yourself is of no value and living in a house where you have 200 rooms is madness and misplacement of values. As a child of God, when you come to power do you have to acquire houses in London that you don’t need, do you have to build houses in New York that you don’t need?

What is your guiding philosophy and advice for youths who would like to make success of their career as you have done? What I stand for can be captured in absolute fear and trust in God, living a life of integrity. I believe in living a life of integrity, hard work, resilience and personal assessment. What I mean is being accountable to myself, man and God. For the youths of this nation: I tell them that life is a process. You don’t get to the mountain top without climbing a ladder and you must take the steps of that ladder. Anybody that climbs to the mountain without a ladder would tumble down because you don’t know the steps of the ladder when coming down.

Ezem

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

Fashion File

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FEBRUARY 9, 2019 Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

FASHION FILE

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Ëœ Ëž FEBRUARY 9, 2019

INTERVIEW

Lulu-Briggs with his campaign tem

Dumo Lulu-Briggs

I Want Make Rivers State Safe Again In this interview with select journalists including Olaoluwakitan Babatunde, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Rivers State talks .about securing the state and ďŹ nding a solution to the concerns of rising unemployment

ou have been in Rivers State politics since 1992, what is the fastest route to lasting peace in Rivers? Education is still the most powerful weapon for achieving peace. I donâ€™t mean only class room learning. I mean continuous investment in skill development programmes for the over two million Riverians who do not have jobs. Our greatest challenge is to make Rivers safe again. Making Rivers safer is not more security, it is more secured jobs. If the State is to flourish, capital must be invested in enterprise. What motivates you to want to be the next Governor of Rivers State? First, a government that cannot create jobs does not deserve to keep its job. Secondly, there is no greater gift than that of giving oneâ€™s time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return. Finally, Riverians need less Government but more Governance So, I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for Riverians. How do you intend to honour this pledge? I will honor this pledge because I am a crusader for the forgotten man. This is what I have been doing for over three decades. I have a simple proposition that nobody is going to starve in this State. No child will be allowed to go to bed hungry. This is doable, but the first step is to more effectively manage our scarce resource. Just consider than in the last three years, the present government collected N380 billion from the federation account. Within the same period, Osun State collected only N40 billion. The tragedy is that despite collecting almost ten times more money than Osun State, the poverty rate in Rivers is higher. What speciďŹ c plans do you have to reduce poverty in Rivers? Any government that does not know the real cause of poverty cannot reduce it. Poverty is not caused by the lack of money; it is caused by the lack of opportunities to make money. So, my goal is to create new opportunities for Riverians. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report for Rivers State reveals that only three out of 46 economic sectors in Rivers accounts for sixty percent of stateâ€™s Five trillion naira economy. It means that most economic sectors in the State are underdeveloped. I will create opportunities for all sectors to thrive. Emphasis will be on business

growth and entrepreneurship opportunities in seven sectors â€“ Education, telecommunication, entertainment /recreation , motion pictures, textile / footwear, fisheries and road transport. How do you intend to increase women participation in Governance in Rivers? I will lead a state that will become the largest hand-craft business hub in West Africa. This is a women centric initiative. Everywhere I go, I tell people that these politicians that do not believe that a woman should have the same opportunity as a man, were born from women. The public score the current Rivers State administration high on project development. How would you rate the growth and development programs of this government? In the words of Winston Churchill, â€œIf we open a quarrel between the past and the present, we shall find that we have lost the future.â€? I am focused on ensuring that we do not lose our future. It seems that the only focus of the current government is roads. The government is so busy working on roads that they have not realised that the potholes in the careers of young Riverians has not been fixed. Rivers State is the unemployment capital of Nigeria. Official records reveal that the highest number of unemployed and underemployed youths in Nigeria live in Rivers. Of what use is a minimum wage policy to a man who has no job? Road projects are fine, but the people of Rivers no longer want to walk on roads; they want to walk to their office. That is why I have created the most ambitious jobs program in the over five decadeâ€™s history of our State. Are you saying that the current government has made no progress in the last four years? It depends on how you want to measure progress. If the official statistics says that Rivers State is the most difficult place to get a job in Nigeria. It means we are making backward progress. Progress should be measured by how the Government looks up to its citizens and not how the citizens look up to Government. Progress as defined by this current Government is adding to the abundance of those who have much. The progress I will make is to provide enough for those who have too little. Will your economic policy focus only on job creation? â€œYou askâ€?, what is my policy? I will say; it

Lulu-Briggs

is to wage war on unemployment. To use all weapons created by man to as fast as possible end the war on peace that is sweeping the Streets. The solution is to kidnap unemployment. My economic policy is to light the Olympic torch of prosperity in Rivers State.

It always seems impossible until itâ€™s done. My concern is really not whether the people are on my side. My priority is to be on the side of the people. The people want jobs, a safer state and affordable health care. Riverians want to fulfill their potential.

What new legislation or development policies will you introduce? (Cuts in) If you have over 3,000 different policies like in Rivers, you destroy all respect for the law. Rivers State does not lack policy, we lack great governance. So, the development policy of the Accord party is to promote peace and unity within and among all twenty three local Government areas. Or can there be development without peace?

What will you do if you lose? Nelson Mandela and I share a common philosophy. I never lose. I either win or learn. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.

What has been your biggest achievement in life? My most brilliant achievement was to convince God to create me (laughs). Frankly, it has taken me years to be an over-night success. Do you have the popularity and acceptance to pose a challenge to the incumbent?

The ďŹ nal report from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reveals that more than three million individuals have registered to vote in Rivers. What are you doing to guarantee peace ďŹ lled elections? Allow me to use this medium to tell all voters, not just in Rivers, but across all states. The only weapon you need is your permanent voters card (PVC). There is no road to peace. There is only peace. May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 9, 2019

POLITY

Dozie Nwankwo, a Dogged Fighter in the Federal House Chike Okeke

ne of the most valuable and significant attributes of democracy as a form of government is that it affords the Electorate the opportunity to assess the performance of political office holders on a regular basis. They use the instrument of regular elections to re-elect or drop their leaders in accordance with their assessment of the performance of such leaders. The general election of February and March 2019 will afford the Nigerian electorates one such opportunity to determine the fate of their leaders, from the highest political office – The President, to the membership of the National assembly and the various state houses of assembly. One such position which has affected public attention and interest is the Dunukofia, Njikoka and Anaocha (DNA) Federal Constituency Anambra State. The interest arises mainly from the fact that, from the turnout at all the campaign rallies of the incumbent, Hon Dozie Nwankwo and his general acceptance by the electorates, he is set to get an overwhelming mandate at the polls to return to the House of Representatives. Apart from his comprehensive medical outreach in all the towns that comprise the seven local government areas in the constituency and other constituency projects located in many communities, his various economic empowerment programmes have given many youths and women gainful employment and seed capital for their various businesses. Many campaign leaders of his Onyendozi campaign organization have become car owners, employees of labour and distributors of grinding machines, tricycles (kekenapep), electricity generating sets, dryers and various other small scale enterprises. In appreciation of the impact Hon Nwankwo is making in his constituency, many communities in the area have honoured him with Chieftaincy titles. They include but are not limited to Enugwu Ukwu Onyendozi Nwachinemelu, Ukwulu – Ifechukwudelu, various towns in Anaocha Local Government Area – Osinachi, Enugwu Agidi – Agunaechemba, Nteje Abogu – Akalaka. Many more communities are making arrangements for theirs. What more can a political leader ask for, to realize that his humble efforts towards uplifting his people are appreciated. In the business of the House of Representatives Hon Nwankwo has given an excellent account of himself. Since Charity begins at home, Onyendozi commenced his legislative duties in

the House by initiating action on projects that directly affect his constituency. Accordingly, he moved a motion calling attention to the poor state of infrastructure and abandonment of Federal Health Centers in Dunukofia, Njikoka and Anaocha Local Government Areas. Similarly, he moved a motion to tackle the devastating gully erosion in the same local Government Area. In response to this motion, members of the House Committee on Environment led by Hon Obinna Chidoka visited the Constituency and personally assessed the extensive damage done by gully erosion in the area. During the tour, the legislators sympathized with members of the community affected by the erosion and assured them that appropriate action would be taken to call the attention of the Federal Government to their plight. Sometime last week, the head of the Technical Committee on Yam Export, Prof Simon Irtwange, regretted that the 1986 Export Prohibition Act was hindering Nigeria’s yam export. He stated that the yam exporters in Nigeria were unable to do up to 50% of the export target of 2017 because of some difficulties and logistics problems and called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the Repeal of the 1986 Export Prohibition Act. The said bill referred to by Prof Irtwange is one of the bills sponsored in the House by Hon Dozie Nwankwo. The Bill for an Act to repeal the provisions of the Export Prohibition Act Cap E22 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and for related matters has passed through First and Second Reading in the House and is in the final stage of passage. Related to this bill is his motion of urgent public importance over the ban on exportation of dried beans to European countries from Nigeria by the European Union. The motion was adopted and moved. Other bills sponsored by Hon Nwankwo in the House are a bill for an Act to amend the provisions of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act. The main purpose of this bill is to reduce the time it takes to serve processes on various parties in court, especially on election petitions. Relying only on bailiffs to serve the parties causes undue delays and reasonable time will be saved if courier companies, Law Chambers and other organizations duly registered for this purpose by the Corporate Affairs Commission also perform similar functions. Hon Nwankwo is leading the debate on a Bill for an Act to repeal the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank (Guarantee Act). The Act is being proposed because it has become obsolete

Nwankwo

and serves no useful purpose as it was enacted to vest in the office of the President the power to guarantee foreign loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) needed at that time. Moreover, the NIDB for which the loan was to be guaranteed by the President is no more in existence, its functions and objectives having been taken over by the Bank of Industry. He is also leading the debate on a bill for an Act to amend the Provisions of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act Cap MS. EEN 2004. The bill seeks to upgrade the punishment for quacks in the Medical and Dentistry profession from fine of N5000 and N70,000 to at least N1,000,000 (one million naira) and 10 years imprisonment. This bill when passed will definitely reduce the number of fake doctors whose practice result in avoidable death of patients. Nwankwo has given Notice of Presentation of other bills which he will be called upon to present in due course. They include Amendment of the Provision of the Army Colour (Prohibition of use) Act Cap: A24 LFN 2004. Contravention of the provisions of the Act will attract fine of N1,000,000 or 6 years imprisonment or both. Similarly, he intends to present a bill for an Act to amend the provisions of the Nigerian Press Council Act 2004. The bill seeks to check the activities of bloggers and other social media

practitioners who spread fake news and invade people’s privacy. Other motions where notice of presentation Nwankwo has submitted to the Clark of the House of Representatives are: urgent need to address the menace of unqualified expatriate doctors practicing in Nigeria, ensure that quality regulatory bodies improve on their monitoring and evaluation efforts across Nigeria. He has moved motion on the need to ensure that all local and international markets in the Federal Capital Territory are fortified with fire prevention and fire extinguishing gadgets. There is no doubt that a Federal Legislator who had recorded these impressive achievements in less than three years of taking his seat in the house, (having spent previous one and half years in litigations to recover his stolen mandate) is adequately equipped and prepared to represent his constituency very effectively and bring democracy dividends to them. Therefore it is very easy to conclude that Hon Dozie Nwankwo came, he saw he conquered and is set to win more laurels for Dunukofia, Njikoka and Anaocha Federal Constituency. The only encouragement for hard work is more work. Onyendozi definitely deserves a return to the House with an even greater majority votes on 16th February, 2019. Onyendozi carry go. Chike Okeke, a media Consultant wrote in from Abuja.

Atiku/Obi Presidency, an Idea Whose Time Has Come Martins Lomba

he pace at which society is able to make meaningful progress is critically dependent on the quality and commitment of its leadership. For the better part of Nigeria’s history, poor, selfish, nepotistic, ethnocentric and religious freaks have ineffectively led her to disrepute and to have weak institutions. To remedy the situation will require more than a passing glance at the root causes of this catastrophic state of affairs. It will take a bold confrontation of the situation with genuine solutions by an impartial, sincere and focused leadership. The humongous bloodletting and general insecurity that have left many, faint hearted, including the abject poverty that has made our people destitute cannot be left to fester while a few individuals constitute themselves into a rogue cabal, tele-guiding an absent-minded and often absentee president. The Atiku personality is a realistic, purposedriven, goal-oriented, cosmopolitan and enthusiastic nation-building disposition, highly committed to addressing the fault lines in our quest for unity and audacious dealing with issues of restructuring, rule of law, empowerment, social justice and economic sustainability of all Nigerians. The Obi factor is a warm embrace to proven integrity, track record and selfless service premised on good conscience, open mindedness, prudence and outstanding management of

Obi and Atiku

processes with due diligence and uncommon determination. Throughout his public engagements, he has demonstrated capacity to get the job done and pursued uncharted courses with remarkable positive outcomes. Notwithstanding the scheming or seeming conspiracy of regions to align solely and essentially for power grab, here comes another in the replica of Shehu Shagari and Alex Ekwueme, to make further amelioration to the scars of the bitter civil war. Both these candidates have successfully run private enterprises to enviable heights and, without a doubt, are imbued with the clinical

passion to make a positive difference. They are dogged performers who recruit suitable hands devoid of ethno-religious sentiments. Most of the milestones recorded in the political evolution of Nigeria since the former president Babangida transition programme have had Atiku’s input and sacrifice. This includes the support and consolidation of the M.K.O. Abiola candidacy alongside several democratic undertakings like seeking judicial reliefs over stormy circumstances with Obasanjo, as well as presidential aspirations under different parties since 2003. The leading lights of the PDP government as at 1999 were brought

on board by Atiku, just as he also headed the national council on privatisation. Obi on his part was the first to reclaim his mandate through the courts and overcame all the turbulent trappings set before him honourably. He bequeathed a robust economy to Anambra state, undertook massive infrastructural development and achieved comprehensive, if not unparalleled, educational feats. Unlike the ‘promise and fail’ leadership that we have experienced, especially most recently, this duo are not known for rhetoric or careless talk, they say what they mean and mean what they say. Their enthusiasm about Nigeria is never in doubt, as they are both broad minded, tolerant, deliberate and quite sincere. Given the current travails we face under this dispensation of propaganda, false claims on scarce achievements, terrible lies, suppression of the media, selective corruption fight, vote buying, impunity and militarisation of our democratic space, there is emergency on our hands. This credible pair is most suitable to rescue our beloved nation and set it aright on the path of peace, progress, equity and positive exploitation. By the way, they have verifiable certificates and are not shy about declaring their assets; even so they are available for citizen engagement and interaction. They are committed to rebuilding trust, transparency, accountability and social welfare. A modern, self-sufficient Nigeria is possible; it only depends on who will drive it. I give you Atiku and Obi, please join the campaign and vote right. Let’s get Nigeria working again.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 9, 2019

POLITY

Ex- Generals’ Myth and the Marwa’s Intervention Olurotimi Daramola

ntil last Monday, the impression created in the media was that President Muhammadu Buhari lacks the support of his military constituency. There has been this myth cleverly created around ex-military Generals that they make and can also undo any Nigerian president they no longer feel comfortable with. The belief out there is that Buhari falls into the category of those lacking the ex-Generals’ support and must therefore be booted out at the polls on February 16. Drawing from this, it came as a rude shock earlier this week when a total of 71 retired military Generals led by the well-loved amiable former military administrator of Lagos State, Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa assembled at the Aso Rock presidential villa, Abuja to openly identify with and endorse Buhari’s re-election bid. Surprisingly, the endorsement cuts across officers in the three armed forces of Army, Navy and Air Force. The Generals comprising 13 Major Generals, eight Air Vice Marshals (AVM), two Rear Admirals, 12 Brigadier Generals, nine Air commodores, eight Commodores and 17 former military administrators, is a strong indication that indeed Buhari has his constituency fully and solidly behind him. This logical conclusion is further reinforced by the reasons adduced by the retired Generals for their visit and endorsement. After the brief ceremony, leader of the delegation, Gen. Marwa who also heads a Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse, PACEDA, in the country, gave the eye opener in their mission. Speaking to State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, Marwa said what informed the endorsement was the observations and the fulfillment of all Buhari promised to do in 2015. He stressed that if Buhari had failed in his duties, the retired generals would not have been in the Presidential Villa to endorse him. He said: “As an officer and a gentleman, his

Buba Marwa

word is his bond. After winning the elections, he brought out simple three-point programme; security, economy and fighting corruption. He led the fight and is leading the fight by personal example that is the height of leadership. Do as I do not as I say, he has demonstrated that. “On security, I have touched on the advances made the period before and when he took over from 2015 till date. I put the question, the bombings that used to go on in this FCT, Kaduna and so on, where are they today? The herdsmen crisis up and about, the hues and cries, where is it today? Where is IPOB today? The Boko Haram is not flying their flags like they did before. They were in my local government for eight months, actually they even lived in my house believe it or not but they have been chased away and now they are just in the fringes of Lake Chad. Things are better. “You look at the infrastructure, it is the

same thing, things are happening everywhere, highways are coming up, there is no state of the federation that there is no work going on, the railways the same thing. So the long and short of it is that when you demonstrate what you say you will do and you are from our own constituency, we must stand up and be counted. And therefore, the retired military officers today with former military governors, retired military officers from the rank of Brigadier General and their equivalents from the Navy and Airforce are here today, to tell him and to tell Nigerians that we are fully behind him in the elections next week and we will do whatever we can within the law to see that he is victorious in the elections.” Asked if the endorsement was done under duress, Marwa said, “absolutely not. Every human being is political, we maybe non-partisan, we all want a good country for ourselves, our children and grandchildren and even for those yet unborn. Look at the drug abuse thing for instance, he was the first president that launched a war against drug abuse in Nigeria through the committees, one of which I chair. Unless you have compassion, you will overlook the matter of drugs and think that these are the dregs of the society. But he did. “Look at the Biafran policemen who left the Nigerian police before the war, he remembered them. Airways workers, he remembered them. His first concern when he took over was not the huge projects but for the civil and public servants to be paid. He even said it on one occasion and I heard it clearly, that he wonders how governors sleep with workers not paid and suffering. And now, the national minimum wage, he has approved it. “And you can go down to what he is doing for the masses. Have you seen the Vice President of Nigeria enter the markets to give succour of N10,000? We have never seen this until this time. So, it is because he has performed. If he did not perform you will not see us here. Some of us are politicians already and belong to political parties. I am already in the APC and I’m in fact chairman of the central working committee of the Women and Youth

Presidential Campaign Team. But people like Admiral Ayinla said they were not partisan, but they know what is good and so they will work for his success.” The most senior of the retired officers, Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla, a former Chief of Naval Staff, added a clincher in his remarks when he said future generations would acquit President Buhari “most creditably,” and added: “On behalf of the generals here today, I congratulate you on the tremendous work done by this administration, and wish to state unequivocally that we are proud of you and fully behind you in the presidential elections next week. We pledge our full support and continued loyalty.” I believe the reasons advanced here can’t be faulted. One can see the genuineness of their effort. I have always been a fan of Gen. Marwa since his days in Lagos and this singular move that has demystified some ex-Generals and exposed the lies behind the perception that ex-Generals don’t want Buhari, has further deepened my love and loyalty to him. No, I understand why in Borno and Lagos where this fine gentleman General has served, his signature of achievements still dot the landscape of these two states. With this, let no one pull the wool on our faces that Buhari is not loved or supported by the military constituency. That pack of lie has fallen flat and the false perception wiped out by the latest reality as displayed to Nigerians by the Marwa-led team of ex-Generals. And so, I will like to admonish Nigerians with the words of Marwa at the historical ceremony in the Villa: “Peaceful election is what we call for. Allow the process to run, allow the people to elect their own leader. There should be no ‘mago mago’ and all those fake things that used to happen. Happily, we have the machine that will make sure that nobody who does not vote matters than somebody that voted. We ask Nigerians to come out in their numbers and vote for your candidate peacefully and after that protect your vote by remaining present until it is counted and announced before you go home.” ––Daramola sent in this piece from Epe, Lagos state

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 9, 2019

POLITY

Heroic Reception for Dapo Abiodun in Yewa/Awori Royal fathers in Yewa/Awori axis of Ogun State and the masses of the people turned out in large number to honour the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, whose campaign train landed in the zone this week. Femi Ogbonnikan report

ewa/Awori people in Ogun West, made up of five local governments - Ipokia, Imeko-Afon, Yewa North, Yewa South and Ado-Odo/Ota - are known for their engagement in commerce and trade. Their proximity to neighbouring communities in Republic of Benin places them in a vantage trading position. But they are yet to produce a governor for Ogun state, since its creation 43 years ago, on account of several years of marginalisation. This was one of the issues the Olota of Ota, Oba (Prof)Adeyemi Obalanlege, tabled before the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo during the DapoAbiodun campaign tour of the area on Monday.Aside the overall marginalisation of the entire Ogun West, Osinbajo, specifically, decried the low level of development inAworiland, being the industrial hub of Nigeria, and described the ill-treatment as act of “injustice”. He said he was fully aware of many challenges confronting theAwori nation when he was Lagos StateAttorney - General and Commissioner for Justice. Speaking at the Palace of Olota of Ota, Ogun State, Osinbajo said the entireAworiland ought not be relegated to the background in view of its crop of educated elites and location as an industrial hub of the country. He said: “We are promising you, that we would look into all these problems when we have DapoAbiodun elected in the forthcoming March 2 election, and the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari/Prof Yemi Osinbajo on February 16.” The VP appealed to the monarch, Council of Obas inAworiland and the people of the various communities to cast their votes for all the candidates of theAPC saying “it is the party that attend to numerous problems bedeviling the country.” He said if the Ogun State governorship candidate,Abiodun, is voted Ogun State APC Governorship Candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo campaigning in Ota into office, he will be able to do the needful, while other responsibilities beyond the reach of the state government, “Abiodun as governor can quickly put a call through to me as Vice President to intervene.” Earlier on February 3, Osinbajo, while at theAdo cultural day programme, inAdo-Odo/Ota local government, assured the people of the ancient town of the administration’s commitment to reconstructing all federal roads in the area as soon as President Muhammadu Buhari is returned into office.Also, the VP told the people ofAdo, that theAPC government in Ogun State, when re-elected, would meet their expectations, including the provisions of health facilities and proper funding of tertiary institutions. In his own remarks at the Olota’s Palace,Abiodun promised to live up to expectations with his electoral promises, if he is elected. He said he empathized with the people ofAworiland, especiallyAgbara, which the host community of a large number of industries in the state. TheAPC governorship candidate said he was sad to see the deplorable conditions of the road in the community which is the host community for multi-national companies that generate a substantial amount in internal revenue to the coffers of the state government. The Olota of Ota, Oba Obalanlege, inundated the Vice President and his entourage with numerous problems facing theAworiland. The monarch drew the attention of Osinbajo to the ill-treatment being meted out toAworiland, particularly the division caused by past administrations. “Aworiland is accommodating.And we are in both Lagos and Ogun states. I want to seize this occasion to tell you that we have been marginalised and which should not be. “We have massive votes inAworiland and which ought to translate to political power but rather, we have been marginalised. We are neither Yewa nor Egba. We are the first son of Okanbi, one of the sons of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race that came into being in Ogun State before others. We are senior but we have been marginalised. “Funny enough, we have been merged with Yewa and Egba traditional councils.Also, we want you to help us with the reconstruction of Ota/Owode/Idiroko road, because this is the only international Osinbajo, Abiodun and Kayode Oladele at Ado, in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State route that is connecting the neighbouring communities in the Republic elected. “In Yewa/Awori, we are very poor and that is the reason one homage to him in his palace. of Benin. While doing that, we are requesting for a flyover at Oju-Ore in of us becoming the governor of the state, since its creation 43 years ago The monarch said, “God has destined you to be our next governor in order to ease traffic flow along the Ota/Owode road.” has not been possible,” he said. But the royal father assured theAPC of Ogun State and you will get there, by the special grace of God.As my Chief The mood was the same in Yewa North Local GovernmentArea, massive votes from his domain in the forthcoming general elections. has highlighted, don’t forget us when you get there, because we have always earlier toured on January 29. Two monarchs, while making cases for It was no exception in Imeko-Afon local government area, as the govbeen supportive to theAPC and we will continue to stand by the party.” their respective domains, urgedAbiodun, not to forget the electorates ernorship ambition of theAPC candidate received a further rare support Earlier, the Balogun of Tayese of Ilara, Chief FalolaAdisa, requested when he emerged governor of the state. from royal fathers. The monarchs from the local council displayed their Abiodun to come to their rescue if he elected. He requested for the completion Speaking during the visit of theAPC governorship candidate to the support and further gave royal blessings to the ambition of the business of the abandoned Ilara-ijoun-ilashe road, establishment of a tertiary institution palace ofAbepa of Joga Orile, ObaAdeyemiAdekeye, and theAboro of mogul when he visited their respective palaces on February 6. in ImekoAfon local government, facilitation for the establishment of banks in Iboroland, ObaAbayomi Salako, the duo admonished the Iperu-born At the palace of Onidofa of Idofa town, the monarch, Oba David Ilara town, provision of electricity, portable water and standard health centres. Prince to ensure that he keeps to his electoral promises and said that AremuAdeyanju, was enthusiastic and overjoyous to receive the oil He expressed optimism in the ability of the governorship candidate as the the dividends of democracy should spread across to all the nooks and magnate in his palace. He expressed appreciation to theAPC governornext governor of the State. He said his (Abiodun) next visit to Ilara will be a crannies of Yewa land. In his own remarks, Oba Salako regretted the ship candidate and urged him to run an all-inclusive government when thank-you one, after his victory at the governorship poll. He added that Ilara fact that politicians were fond of making empty promises, but advised he gets into office. He urged him, not be deceitful in his governance as it had always voted for theAPC and would never change. Abiodun to fulfill all his electoral promises in a bid to better the lots of the is currently being experienced. In his remarks,Abiodun promised to harness the tourism potentials of Ilara people of Ogun state. Onidofa of Idofa said: “You will be victorious at the poll. But I implore and make the ancient town a tourist destination of the state. Oba Salako said: “This is my second time of meeting Prince Dapo you, not to forget the people around you. I want to urge the people While joining the legions of monarchs that have thrown their weight Abiodun and I can see the traits of a complete gentleman in him. Dapo around you to always advise you appropriately. When you get there, behind theAPC governorship candidate, Osile, Oke-Ona, Egbaland, Oba Abiodun is very rich and he is gentle. You might be rich and arrogant please don’t forget our local government area, because we need public Dapo Tejuosho, who could not conceal his emotions describedAbiodun as at the same time but he is gentle with all the wealth God gave him. My schools, electricity, industries and jobs for our teeming unemployed the most competent, capable and qualified among the candidates that are instinct tells me that you have won the March 2 governorship election youths in order to curb them from engaging in smuggling activities. I jostling for the number one seat of the state. and you will become the next governor of Ogun state by God grace.” According to him, the resilience, humility, generosity and listening ears of Also, in his remarks, theAbepa of Joga Orile, ObaAdekeye expressed also want to urge you, not to deceive the people when you get into office. God will crown your efforts and you shall be victorious on this journey.” Abiodun have endeared him into the hearts of the people of the state. appreciation for the visit of the governorship candidate and described In a same vein, the Oloola of Ilara, Oba SamuelAlabiAdeluyi, The Osile stated this, whenAbiodun and his campaign train paid homage him as the man of the moment. He enjoinedAbiodun to run an decribed theAPC governorship candidate as a man with vision for to the monarch in his Palace, while on a campaign rally ofAbeokuta North all-inclusive government that would include sons and daughters of a brighter Ogun State. The monarch said this, whenAbiodun paid Local GovernmentArea on Thursday, January 30. the Ogun West Senatorial district when constituting his government, if

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 9, 2019

TRIBUTE/TRAVEL

Fayemi at 54: Service, Battles and Victories Olayinka Oyebode

oming barely two weeks to his birthday, the judgement of the Ekiti State Election Petition Tribunal which re- affirmed Governor Kayode Fayemi as the validly elected governor of Ekiti State in the July 14, 2018 governorship election is seen in many quarters as a befitting birthday present to Fayemi who clocks 54 years old today. For Fayemi, the tribunal’s victorysweet as it tastes- is but another in the series of battles and triumphs that have become the hallmark of his public service life. The victories he has earned are almost in equal measure to the battles he has fought to be where he is today. Breaking out of his shadow to contest the 2006 primaries of the Action Congress (AC), was perhaps the first major battle of his public life. Even though he had previously waged a war, alongside other pro- democracy activists, against military dictatorship in the country as a member of the external wing of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). The 2006 primaries was for Dr Fayemi the first baptism of fire in the country’s political terrain. It was a keenly contested battle among the very best of the party in the state. The echoes of that battle of the titans had yet to fade out when the 2007 governorship election was held. The 2007 election battle in Ekiti, no doubt will have a generous mention when the political history of the country is fully written. The powers that be at that time had decreed the direction the 2007 governorship election in Ekiti should go. But the army of the people felt otherwise. At the end of the day the powers that be had their way. But Fayemi had the last laugh after about three and a half years challenging the dubious victory given to the PDP at the tribunal, leading to a re-run of the election in April 2009. Victory however came at the eleventh hour via the Court of Appeal ruling on October 15, Fayemi 2010. a sincere and consistent effort at banishing poverty and Fayemi must have thought that there couldn’t have sickness, resulting in massive improvement in all the been any better way to appreciate the people of Ekiti who stood by him throughout the three and a half years indices of development. His major concern has always been how institutions of state can be strengthened in battle to reclaim his mandate other than to submit to order to ensure effective service delivery. their service. And that was exactly what he did for His controversial loss at the 2014 governorship electhe four years he served as the Governor of Ekiti State tion in the state was not enough to discourage him from between October 16, 2010 and October 15, 2014. He demonstrated unparalleled penchant for develop- serving his people in other areas. Moments after leaving office, he devoted his time, energy and resources ment and his insatiable desire to get the government towards working for the success of the APC in the 2015 to provide for the weak and vulnerable in the society presidential election. At the inauguration of the Buhari led to some policies including the social security scheme which paid N5,000 monthly stipends to elderly administration on May 29, 2015, Fayemi was among those tapped by the newly inaugurated government indigent citizens above 65 years; free and compulsory to play some crucial roles in the government. Again, primary and secondary education; computer per child there arose a massive war by a section of the party in initiative in the public secondary schools; comprehenthe southwest aimed at stopping his nomination. What sive renovation of all public schools and hospitals; started as an ordinary media war later snowballed into free health care for the vulnerable in the society. The a full scale battle. For those at the frontline of the battle, need to spread development across the nooks and the mantra was “anybody but Fayemi”. crannies of the state also led to the introduction of five Again, through sheer doggedness and his own kilometres road project implemented yearly in all the council areas. These roads complemented the networks unique diplomatic approach to issues, the plot collapsed and Fayemi was named Minister in charge of of roads he constructed or rehabilitated for use in the the Mines and Steel Ministry. At the ministry, the battle urban areas. And when you add this to the structured empowerment programmes for the youths and women, shifted to those who hitherto had been making fortunes through illegal mining. So, while thinking through the you have a government that had something for everyright policy mix that would help reposition the mining body in terms of development and provision of good sector to meet the economic diversification and job crelife for the citizens. ation plan of the Federal Government, he had his eyes Fayemi’s administration was guided by the social democratic principle of lifting the weak and vulnerable fixed on the economic saboteurs and he never blinked until he halted the reign of one of the most notorious in the society. In those four years, Ekiti State witnessed

among them, who was reputed to have defrauded the country of well over a hundred billion naira through illegal mining activities. The planned concession of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex after it was successfully taken over by the Federal Government also sparked off a battle between Fayemi, as minister, and the National Assembly as the latter preferred a further injection of fund into the complex. Fayemi stood his grounds. But what is arguably the mother of all battles was one he had with the immediate past government in Ekiti, his home state, under the leadership of Ayodele Fayose. But like a cat with nine lives, Fayemi overcame all. And the crowning glory was the victory in the July 14 governorship election. As declared by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo “It is not life that matters but the courage you bring to it”, Fayemi, as a firm believer in the philosophy of the great nationalist, brings courage, resilience and tact to bear on every battle. The same way he drives his public service with great vision, working with imagination, insight, and boldness, his eyes fixed on the horizon, not just on the near at hand but the big picture and thinking strategically. Perhaps, his name “Folorunso” plays a role in the way he emerges victorious even in battles that are considered high wired. As someone who served as an altar boy in his local catholic parish during his youthful years, JKF as he is fondly called, realises the divine dimension to his victories. Thus, he is ever magnanimous in victory, harbouring no bitterness against his foes both current and expired. Born on Tuesday, February 9, 1965, Fayemi attended Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti and subsequently earned degrees in History, Politics and International Relations from the Universities of Lagos and Ife in Nigeria, and a Doctorate in War Studies from the King’s College, University of London, England. He is a Fellow of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan. He is also a Georgetown University Washington DC Leadership Fellow (2000). Dr. Fayemi served as Minister of Mines and Steel Development (2015-2018).He was the founding director of the Centre for Democracy & Development (CDD), a research and training institute dedicated to the study and promotion of democratic development, peace-building and human security in Africa. As a central figure in the coalition of civil society actors that resisted oppressive military rule in Nigeria, he was instrumental to the founding and running of opposition radio stations while in exile. He has received several awards and recognitions at home and abroad, and holds the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). He is married to Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the renowned women’s and children’s rights advocate, writer and social entrepreneur. Today as we raise glasses in celebration of 54 years of impact- a life defined by battles which at the very peak always turn into victories, one of Fayemi’s favourite songs that readily comes to mind is: Oye ka dupe, ara san, ategun fe, iji ja kogbe wa lo oye ka dupe. Happy Birthday, JKF!, the victory song has just started. –––Oyebode is Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ekiti State

Wakiki Launches African/Afro Caribbean Food Delivery Service in UK Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

ood lovers and travellers to the United Kingdom from Nigeria will be happy to know about Wakiki.co.uk. Wakiki has launched a food delivery service in the UK, supplying African and Afro Caribbean food to Jollof Rice and Jerk Chicken lovers travelling or living in the London area in the UK. Working with various independent chefs, caterers and kitchens specializing in foods from Jollof rice, to moin moin and traditional local soups and the Caribbean oxtail curries, ordering food while

on holiday to the Uk is now as simple as clicking a button through their website on www.wakiki.co.uk. The kitchens who supply food use fresh on the day produce which ensures customers always enjoy the home cooked taste from chef’s, who were all hand selected by the owners. One of the best features on the Wakiki service is the ability to order from up to three different caterers depending on their areas of expertise and getting the food delivered through the Wakiki service in their expertly engineered food boxes which keeps food warm and is reusable.

Founded three years ago by two brothers Fuad and Timi Animashaun in the UK, they found a unique window to bring African and Afro Carribean kitchens to Nigerians in and out of the UK at different times for visiting, schooling, a long vacation or hosting a party, customers can order food in advance from Lagos and have their food delivered on arrival to the UK, or if you are hosting a party. Similarly, it is also useful for Nigerians and other Africans living in the UK to augment and support busy weekly schedules. The owners, Fuad and Timi, said their love for inclusion of African and the

Caribbean food flavours into the urban food delivery culture was a driving force to birthing Wakiki which is fast becoming a household feature in most Nigerian homes largely because of the convenience and ease of ordering through their website but also because of the quality assured and guaranteed service delivery both in taste from the kitchens signed up and registered on their platform to the speed of the service itself. To get Wakikied this Easter or while traveling to the London area in the Uk log in to www.wakiki.co.uk and get your food delivered upon arrival in three simple steps.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ë¾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

09.02.2019

NEWS

City Hope to Maintain Top Spot with Chelsea PAGE. 32 Visit

Asisat Oshoala Set for Barca Debut

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

GLOBAL SOCCER

Asisat Oshoala Set for Barca Debut Having been left out of Barcelona’s game against Albacete last weekend, Nigerian international Asisat Oshoala would be hoping to make her debut and probably start her goals account with the Catalans giants away to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday

arcelona women head coach, Luis Cortes is optimistic Oshoala can bring the team very good things and was excited to have landed the Super Falcons forward after watching her in training with the rest of the team. The coach, however, did not include the former Dalian Quanjian player in last Sunday’s clash with Albacete at the Mini Estadi. Ahead of Sunday’s clash with Albacete at the Mini Estadi, the

handler said the three-time African women queen will not suit up for the league game. “Asisat has arrived in a good physical condition. With the trip and the changes may be right now is not ready to play, but I think that from next week (Sunday) can start to bring us very good things to the team,” Cortes told the media. Oshoala and her new Barcelona side have been drawn against last season’s beaten finalists Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Queen’s Cup semi-final in Madrid, while Real Sociedad will

clash with Sevilla. Winners of the two semi-final matches on February 17 will square up for the final of the competition billed to be played in Granada on May 11. In spite of not having a too impressive turnout at the last African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Ghana, culminating in losing the 2018 CAF Women Africa Footballer Year title to South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana. Spanish giants, Barcelona, however, did not lose sight of the natural ability the Falcons star possesses. It, therefore, came as a little surprise when the

scouts of Camp Nou went for her signature. Oshoala last Thursday took her professional career to another level after moving to Barcelona FC Ladies on loan from Chinese club, Dalian Quanjian. The 24-year-old Nigerian, who was part of Super Falcons winning team at the African Women Nations Football tournament in Ghana late last year arrived in Barcelona on Thursday morning for the routine medical checks and then signed her contract in the President’s Office at

FEBRUARY 9, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

Victor Moses in action for Fenerbahce

the Camp Nou. The Director responsible for the women section at Camp Nou, Maria Teixidor, and Sports Manager, Markel Zubizarreta, witnessed the brief ceremony. Oshoala was three-times African Footballer of the Year- 2014, 2016 and 2017, won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball at the Under-20 World Cup in 2014 and was top goal-scorer in the Chinese Super League in 2017. She’s quick and powerful (1.73 m and 70 kg) and has previous experience in European football at Arsenal

(2016) and Liverpool (2015). “This is obviously one of the best clubs in the world. The team has a great history and wonderful football mentality,” she said after she completed her switch. “I am excited about playing with Vicky Losada again. She’s a great midfielder, with a lot of energy and skill. I also met Fabiana in China and she helped me to make this decision. “My goal is to strengthen the team and help them to win and make history. This is a fantastic op-

portunity because I’m sure something big will happen here,” concludes the Falcons player. Before joining the Barcelona, Oshoala has won highest goalscorer back-to-back in the Chinese women league. She became second Super Falcons player to play in the Spanish Gemini after Fransisca Ordega played for Atletico Madrid Gemini side. Oshoala had never compromised her passion for the round leather game right from the onset, as she abandoned her education for football against the wishes of her parents. “My passion for football made me drop out of school. This is one sport I won’t compromise. Growing up, people see me as a tomboy as I always play alongside male footballers and still do at Arsenal and anytime I’m in Nigeria. Those that chose to go to school do so because they want to make it in life likewise those of us that opted to play football. Though my opting to play football was against my parents’ wish because they were not happy with my decision then but now I have brought them joy. I’m still not ruling out returning to school,” Oshoala said. Oshoala is no stranger to the big stage. In 2015, at just 20, she was named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, making her the first player to win the new award from the BBC World Service, voted for by football fans around the world, beating Spain’s Veronica Boquete, German Nadine Kessler, Scot Kim Little and Brazilian Marta to the honour. Oshoala, who was the youngest player to be shortlisted, was the leading scorer at the U-20s World Cup in Canada in 2014 and was voted the tournament’s best player. Her performances led Nigeria to the final where they were narrowly beaten by Germany and she was also a major influence in the senior Nigerian team who won the African Women’s Championship the same year. The effort also earned her a national award, Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) from former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying she was overjoyed at being appreciated by the federal government. Oshoala made headline when she signed for Liverpool in July 2015, becoming the first African player to play for any English women’s side. “When I got the deal from them, I was very excited. I supported Liverpool when I was younger, especially when Luis Suarez was still here. He’s a player I have really admired,” Oshoala said.

In addition to Suarez, the Falcons star also idolises former Real and AC Milan midfielder, Clarence Seedorf. “I like him so much. I like players who work hard and give everything on the pitch. When you see a player like that, he is an inspiration. I love the way Seedorf played; I love everything about him. For the same reason, I admire Luis Suarez. He is ready to give everything and do everything for his club. I love players like that,” she said. However, less than a year later, Oshoala shifted her loyalty to Arsenal Ladies after a season with Liverpool, scoring three goals in 12 league appearances for the Reds. After which she sojourned to China to pitch tent with Dalian Quanjian. Looking back, she would always be grateful to FC Robo, where she cut her professional teeth. “I will always say a big thank to my first coach at FC Robo, Emmanuel Osahon. He discovered me and gave me my first break before I joined Port Harcourt club, Rivers Angels sports club,” she recalled. In a chat with THISDAY, former Falcons goalkeeper, Ann Chiejina is optimistic that the way Oshoala is going, she would one day climb the podium for the FIFA Award. “I just hope and pray she keeps working hard. With the way she’s going she is not too far from being selected for the FIFA Women’s Footballer Award,” Chiejina said. Meanwhile, Oshoala has called for the continent to make conditions better for women, saying: “We deserve more. The federations in every country have to do more for female football.” Nicknamed Superzee by her appreciative team-mates, the Nigerian striker owes her accolade to her speed and nose for goal. 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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GLOBAL SOCCER

City Aim to Maintain Top Spot with Chelsea Visit After conceding the top spot to Liverpool last December, Manchester City on Wednesday regained the Premier League leadership position, but with one game more. The biggest test to remaining on top comes up on Sunday against Chelsea, who interestingly was the ﬁrst club to beat the Citizens. Therefore, Pep Guardiola would be spurred to take his revenge as well as maintain the lead

anchester City will be looking to maintain their rejuvenated title challenge on Sunday when they welcome Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium. The Londoners were responsible for City’s first defeat in their title defence this season, and Pep Guardiola will know that a repeat this weekend could hand the initiative back to Liverpool in the race to the top. The champions go into the weekend as the league leaders courtesy of their midweek triumph over Everton but could be knocked off the summit when Liverpool face Bournemouth today, while Chelsea

could also lose their spot in the top four before Sunday’s game gets underway. City and Chelsea match is expected to be a high-voltage game where none of the teams would like to drop a point. Manchester City would be desperate to continue their winning run to keep putting the pressure on Liverpool when they lock horns against Chelsea on Sunday. Due to two disappointing draws by the Reds, Manchester City have closed down the gap and currently on level terms at the top, though Liverpool have a game in hand. On the contrary, Chelsea are in the fourth position with just two points ahead of Manchester United. Guardiola is a coach who has the

experience of winning titles in various leagues. So he will keep his players motivated, aiming to use the right tactics and continue the winning streak. Maurizio Sarri in his debut season as coach of Chelsea had a great start to the season but right now, the team is looking to be back to playing at their full potential after losing twice in January. In the first leg at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea outplayed City and handed them their first defeat of the season and Guardiola would be hoping to take revenge at Etihad Stadium and inflict a killer punch on Chelsea’s top four target. Meanwhile, Guardiola has said City’s return to the top of the Premier League was reward

for their refusal to concede the title to Liverpool but warned his players beating Chelsea would be a tougher task than seeing off Arsenal and Everton. The mouthwatering clash with Sarri’s side who sit fourth and 12 points off the leaders, could prove pivotal. Guardiola said: “We started well with Arsenal and Everton but now comes a really, really big test — a big bull. “Chelsea is an exceptional team with seven days to prepare that game. We will try. We have to prepare well. This is a real final for us this weekend. If we are able to take these points, we are going to take a huge step forward. “One month ago we could have been 10 points behind with the game against

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

GLOBAL SOCCER Premiership Table

Head to Head 27/02/10

Chelsea

2-4 Man City

25/09/10

Man City

1-0 Chelsea

20/03/11

Chelsea

2-0 Man City

12/12/11

Chelsea

2-1 Man City

21/03/12

Man City

2-1 Chelsea

25/11/12

Chelsea

0-0 Man City

24/02/13

Man City

2-0 Chelsea

27/10/13

Chelsea

2-1 Man City

03/02/14

Man City

0-1 Chelsea

21/09/14

Man City

1-1 Chelsea

31/01/15

Chelsea

1-1 Man City

16/08/15

Man City

3-0 Chelsea

16/04/16

Chelsea

0-3 Man City

03/12/16

Man City

1-3 Chelsea

05/04/17

Chelsea

2-1 Man City

30/09/17

Chelsea

0-1 Man City

04/03/18

Man City

1-0 Chelsea

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

Fulham C’Palace Huddersﬁeld Liverpool S’pton Watford Brighton

v v v v v v v

Man Utd West Ham Arsenal B’mouth Cardiﬀ Everton Burnley

12:30 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 17:30

v v

Leicester Chelsea

13:30 16:00

Newcastle

20:00

NAME

CLUB

GOALS

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

Aubameyang

Arsenal

Sergio Agüero

Man City

Harry Kane

Tottenham

Eden Hazard

Chelsea

Sadio Mané

Liverpool

Raheem Sterling

Man City

Son Heung-Min

Tottenham

Callum Wilson

B’mouth

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Fulham

SUNDAY

Tottenham Man City MONDAY

Wolvers

Hot Shot

Richarlison

Everton

Glenn Murray

Brighton

Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal

Paul Pogba

Man Utd

Marcus Rashford

Man Utd

Spanish La Liga Fixtures TODAY

Liverpool and seven days ago we could have been seven points behind. Now we are top of the league. “What is the lesson? Never give up. That is the best advice for all athletes. Everything is in your hands, try to win your games because life changes immediately. That’s why it is not necessary to look at the tables, just prepare well, recover well and prepare the game against Chelsea.” Chelsea head coach is however of the opinion that the Citizens are the best team in Europe. Sarri: “At the moment, in my opinion, Manchester City are the best team in Europe. They are an example for every club. “We need to work. Guardiola is in the third season in the Premier League, Klopp in the fourth or fifth, but we need to work. I don’t know another way. We need only to work and try to reduce the gap.” After the Chelsea encounter, City have a big break before their next Premier League fixture due to the Carabao Cup final, also against the Blues, and FA Cup fifth round trip to Newport. The first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie at Schalke also comes prior to the midweek home game with West Ham, which will eventually roll round on

February 27. “There are a lot of contenders to fight for the title and there are a lot of games to go. We will drop points and hopefully our opponents will also. With the amount of games we have in our legs we cannot give days off, so to be this consistent means a lot. “We came from 100 points and champions last season and then we are in a situation where we could have given up this season but it didn’t happen. We gave an incredible game against Liverpool. These players have shown incredible desire and performances for the last two years. How could I question them?” Guardiola lamented the lack of recovery time between this game and hosting Chelsea but believes this could prove a significant week in the title race should City claim a third successive win. Guardiola believes the demands of challenging for four trophies throughout February will take even more of a toll on his side than the famous demands of fixture congestion in December. City are still in with the chance of completing a historic quadruple of the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup, but Guardiola is concerned at the intense physical demands that will

place on his squad. A run of seven games across the four competitions in February is not quite as demanding a schedule as the nine matches they faced during December, three of which City lost. Liverpool will be looking to return to winning ways and regain top spot in the Premier League table today when they welcome Bournemouth to Anfield. The title hopefuls have drawn back-toback matches to surrender top spot, but host a Bournemouth side in inconsistent form. All of the noise coming out of Anfield is insistent that Liverpool are not feeling the pressure of the title race, but recent results suggest otherwise. The Reds were seven points clear at the top of the table not so long ago, but they will go into Saturday’s match sitting in second place after Manchester City moved above them on goal difference with a midweek win over Everton. A first top-flight title since 1990 remains in Liverpool’s hands as they still have an extra game to play, but Jurgen Klopp will know that his side cannot afford many more slip-ups after back-to-back draws against Leicester City and West Ham United.

Getafe Atlético Espanyol Girona

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Celta Vigo Madrid Vallecano Huesca

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

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Real Betis Sociedad Eibar Barcelona

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

Levante