SATURDAY 13TH APRIL 2019

IMF: Nigeria’s Excess Crude Account Not Achieving Its Goals Justifies country’s poor ranking in Sovereign Fund usage Says fuel subsidy should target the poor Funke Olaode, Shola Oyeyipo and Martins Ifijeh in Washington DC The International Monetary Fund (IMF), yesterday in Washington DC, United States,

declared that Nigeria’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) was not achieving the goals for which it was set up.

Speaking during a media briefing on “Regional Economic Outlook: sub-

Saharan Africa”, IMF's Director of the African Department (AFR), Abebe Selassie, said: “The concern that we have is about the ECA, because if you recall that the ECA economically was set up to

save resources when oil prices are high, and to be drawn on when oil prices are low. We do not think that the ECA has been doing effectively enough jobs that way.

“Because you see, when oil

prices fell, the economy was very hard in the last couple of years, we feel like much better job could have been done, saving enough more in the ECA when oil prices were at $100 and $120 per

barrel.”

The poor performance of the ECA, the IMF chief said, largely influenced IMF's decision to rank Nigeria Continued on page 6

Saraki Unmasks N'Assembly's N139.5bn Budget for 2018… Page 6 Saturday 13 April, 2019 Vol 24. No 8769

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Army Moves Deep into Zamfara Forest, Kills 35 Bandits The Nigerian Army yesterday

TARGETING ABIDJAN-LAGOS HIGHWAY...

L-R: Minister of Power, Works and Housing/Chairman, Steering Committee, Abidjan - Lagos Corridor Highway Development Programme, Babatunde Fashola; Togolese Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Zourehatou Kassah-Traore; Minister of Transport, Ghana, Kwasi Amoako-Attah and ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Pathe Gueye after the 12th meeting of the Steering Committee in Lome, Togo…yesterday

said its troops had moved deep into the forest in Zamfara State, killing 35 bandits and rescuing 40 abducted people, including children and women in the state.

In a statement by the Acting Force Information Officer of Operation Sharan Daji (OPSD), Major Clement Abiade, the military said it had engaged in operations designed to tackle banditry in Zamfara and other contiguous states.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, quotes Major Abiade as saying no fewer than 18 suspected bandits’ informants, rustlers, kidnappers and logistics suppliers were Continued on page 6

Atiku a Cameroonian, His Votes Invalid, APC Tells Election Tribunal He ought not to have taken part in Nigeria’s presidential election in the first instance It is idiotic, shameful and disrespectful, says Atiku Media

Alex Enumah in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has told the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja that former vice president Atiku Abubakar cum the candidate of the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23 presidential election is not a Nigerian.

The allegation was made about three weeks after the former vice president got the nod of the Presidential Election

Petition Tribunal to serve his petition against the outcome of the presidential election on the All Progressives Congress (APC) and winner of the poll, President Muhammadu Buhari.

The ruling APC in its formal

response to Atiku’s petition cited by THISDAY, declared that in the first instance, he (Atiku) was not eligible to contest the election on grounds of his nationality.

In a swift reaction last night, Atiku, through his media

adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, described APC’s response as idiotic, shameful and disrespectful to the office he once occupied as vice president of Nigeria.

According to the APC, since the former vice president is a Cameroonian and not a

Nigerian citizen, his petition against Buhari, should therefore be dismissed for lacking in merit.

Atiku and the PDP had on March 19, 2019, filed the Continued on page 6

Petrol Queues Resurface in Lagos, Abuja, NNPC Insists its Panic Buying … Page 54

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Saraki Unmasks N’Assembly’s N139.5bn Budget for 2018 ICPC boss accuses legislators of compromising Deji Elumoye in Abuja President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, yesterday made public details of the 2018 budget of the National Assembly saying a total of N139.5 billion was budgeted for the legislative body in the fiscal year.

Saraki, who took to his twitter handle @SP Nigeria, said the release of the legislative body's budget to the public domain was in accordance "with the commitment of the leadership of the eighth National Assembly to accountability and openness #OpenNASS".

He gave a breakdown of the budget to include N57.42 billion for House of Representatives; N35.58 billion for Senate; National Assembly office got N15.38 billion and N10.20 billion was voted for

legislative aides.

Others were N1.14 billion for service wide vote; N2.73 billion for National Assembly Commission and N4.37 billion for National Assembly Legislative Institute.

Under the personnel component of the budget, Senate had N1.8 billion; House of Representatives N4.9 billion; National Assembly Service Commission N1.17 billion and Legislative Aides N9.5 billion.

For overhead costs, while the Senate got N28.7 billion, the House of Representatives had N47.7 billion while N534 million was appropriated for the National Assembly Service Commission.

Under capital votes, Senate received N4.7 billion, House of Representatives N4.9 billion, while total capital for National

Assembly Service Commission stood at N309 million.

Other details of the budget include service wide votes N1.145 billion, General Service (overhead) N8.9 billion, Public Accounts Committee (Senate) N118 million , Public Accounts Committee (House of Representatives) N142 million.

Saraki had earlier in a letter dated March 26th, 2019, directed the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed SaniOmolori, to put in the public domain, details of the budget of the National Assembly.

The letter entitled: "NASS Budget Details" and signed by the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Dr. Hakeem BabaAhmed, reads: "The President of the Senate has asked me to request you to please ensure that the NASS Budget Details

with all the line items are ready for passage along with the National Budget when Senate resumes next week."

Nigeria's budget watchdog, BudgetIT, had of recent criticised the leadership of the National Assembly for failing to make public the annual budget of the legislative body for necessary public criticism.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, yesterday accused members of the National Assembly of compromising their major constitutional functions of oversight and investigation.

The ICPC boss said as a result of the comprise, “which comes in form of commercialisation of the

legislators activities,” they lack the will to carry out their constitutional roles.

Owasanoye spoke while delivering a paper titled 'The Role of the Legislature in the War Against Corruption and Graft' at the orientation course for the second batch of elected members of the 9th Assembly.

According to him, "Oversight function has been commercialised, which is why the mechanism hasn't been effective.

"The legislature has powers of investigation: this was very well utilised in the past. But many other times, the power is commercialised. You find out that the investigators become compromised in the process.

There's lacuna on what the legislature should do with the findings."

He further said: "We should avoid a situation where because people are being investigated, they come to say they want to change the laws to forestall that.

I want to urge the lawmakers not to support that.”

The ICPC boss also challenged the lawmakers to make the details of their budget public.

He said: "NASS Budget rose from N6.9bn in 1999 to N139bn in 2018.There's no country in the world where the legislature budget is up to one percent. But the question is there's no breakdown for the amount. It is opaque and disproportionate. "If you make the details, it may even lead to the need for more funds. Why would the legislature demand the details of agencies' budgets without making its own open?"

of the educational qualification of Buhari as contained in the form CF001 submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to the party, since the petitioners have waved their rights to challenge the propriety of information contained in the form CF001, their petition no longer disclose any reasonable cause of action.

APC also faulted the allegation of non-compliance with relevant laws made by Atiku and PDP, adding that their failure to make specific references to the compliance issue has fatal effect on the petition and therefore the petition has no enough material to justify the grounds of any relief sought.

Atiku had in his petition faulted the conduct of the February 23 presidential election on grounds of noncompliance with the electoral laws and other malpractices like intimidation of voters, unlawful arrest of his supporters and harassment by soldiers and

police and other security agents of those wishing to vote for him.

He claimed to have scored the majority lawful votes and prayed the tribunal to declare him the winner of the election.

In the alternative, the PDP presidential candidate prayed for an order cancelling the election and directing INEC to conduct a fresh one which will conform to relevant laws.

But the APC in its response argued that failure of Atiku to join the Nigerian Army, Police and other security agencies who performed the alleged harassment and intimidation as defendants in the petition to establish his claim, is fatal to the petition and that the claims should be struck out.

The party therefore prayed the tribunal to uphold the victory of its candidate, President Buhari who polled 15, 191, 847 votes to emerge winner and his subsequent declaration as president-elect

by INEC, while also urging that the petition against the

victory should be dismissed for having no cause of action.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the petition.

“The bandit hails from Naagwalam in Katsina State and confessed to being a member of a five-man syndicate responsible for kidnapping and highway robbery in Batsari and Jibiya axis,” the statement said.

It added: “It is instructive to state that the suspects arrested have been handed over to Nigeria Police and other agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.

“It is significant to mention

that subsequent operations in the forests led to the rescue of 40 abductees consisted of men, women and children from communities in Zamfara State.”

The OPSD spokesman said troops recovered four AK47 rifles, two locally-made pump action rifles, 17 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition and 20 cartridges.

Additionally, 10 motorcycles, 94 rustled animals, and two handsets were recovered during

the period under review.

Abiade affirmed that the Force Commander, Major General Hakeem Otiki, and men of OPSD remained committed to tackling the menace of banditry and other forms of criminal activities in Zamfara State.

He also said they were determined to ensure that bandits do not establish sanctuaries in the contiguous states of Kebbi, Katsina and Sokoto.

nations had continued to be a great challenge to the country and its economic outlook.

Stating this during his press briefing, Selassie said the major role in minimising money laundering in Nigeria “lies with policy makers” in the country.

He said: "From the IMF side, we of course provide a lot of policy advice, and more recently, we have also introduced governance and corruption watch, as part of efforts to improve governance and tackle corruption.

"Should the Nigerian government be interested, we have advice on how to strengthen public finance management frameworks, and how to strengthen accountability institutions that we can offer and work with the government."

He however stated that the IMF recognises President Muhammad Buhari's effort in addressing the outflow of illicit funds in the country.

Selassie said, "Nigeria and other slow-growing economies in sub Saharan Africa should pursue reforms capable of diversifying their economies and address those factors militating investment."

While Selassie said in fast growing economies such as Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana and Senegal “there is need to hand over the rein of growth from public to the private sector,” he emphasised that “the likes of Angola, Nigeria, and South Africa need to pursue reforms to facilitate economic diversification and address remaining economic imbalances.”

ATIKU A CAMEROONIAN, HIS VOTES INVALID, APC TELLS ELECTION TRIBUNAL petition against the declaration of Buhari as winner of the February 23 poll.

Their petition which was anchored on five grounds, prayed the tribunal to annul Buhari’s victory on grounds that the election was characterised by widespread rigging, violence and substantial non-compliance with electoral laws.

They also urged the tribunal to disqualify Buhari over alleged non possession of requisite academic qualification for the office of president.

However in its response, the APC urged the tribunal to void and considered as waste, the 11.1m votes recorded in favour of the petitioners.

The APC’s position filed by its lead counsel, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, faulted the candidacy of Atiku in the election, insisting that as a Cameroonian, he ought not to have taken part in Nigeria’s presidential election in the first instance.

Specifically, the APC in the reply averred that, Atiku was

born on November 25, 1946 in Jada, Adamawa in Northern Cameroon and is therefore a citizen of Cameroon and not a Nigerian by birth.

The party further claimed that prior to 1919, Cameroon was being administered by Germany and that following the defeat of Germany in the world war 1, which ended in 1918, Cameroon became a league of nation’s mandate territory which was split into French Cameroon and British Cameroon in 1919.

APC further argued that in 1961, a plebiscite was held in British Cameroon to determine whether the people preferred to stay in Cameroon or aligned with Nigeria.

According to the party, while northern Cameroon preferred a union with Nigeria the southern Cameroon chose alignment with the mother country and that it was a result of the plebiscite that northern Cameroon which included Adamawa became a part of Nigeria.

The APC therefore said that contrary to the assertion of Atiku in his petition, he (Atiku) had no right to be voted for as a candidate in the election to the office of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria held on February 23, 2019.

The party averred that by reason of Atiku not having qualified to contest the election, all votes purportedly cast for him and PDP in the February 23 election were wasted votes.

Besides the issue of nationality, the APC asserted that most of the claims contained in Atiku’s petition had become statute barred and that the tribunal is not the appropriate forum to entertain same, Furthermore, the APC said that the issue of educational qualification of the presidentelect, raised by Atiku cannot be treated by the tribunal because the period for claims and objections on such issues had expired and that the petitioners failed and neglected to use the period to challenge the validity

It Idiotic, Says Atiku Meanwhile, Mr. Ibe, who spoke for his principal, Atiku, described remarks that the former vice president is a Cameroonian as “idiotic, shameful and disrespectful of the office he had occupied as vice president of Nigeria.

He continued: “It is disrespectful of the office Osinbajo occupies and others will still occupy in the future.

This is the downside of excluding history as a subject in our schools. The APC is unaware that those in the defunct Northern Cameroon became Nigerian citizen a long time ago after a plebiscite. Are they trying to rewrite history or is this a case of dementia?

It shows that the APC has no defence in this case. We are hopeful that the judiciary will dispense justice fairly.”

ARMY MOVES DEEP INTO ZAMFARA FOREST, KILLS 35 BANDITS also arrested.

The troops, Abiade said, have continued to dominate the Area of Operation with aggressive fighting patrols and conducting day and night patrols deep into the forest areas to deny the bandits freedom of action while building the confidence of the local population.

He noted that the intensity and redoubled efforts in the conduct of military activities were complemented by Exercise

Harbin Kunama III, which commenced on April 1.

The OPSD spokesman said the operations have achieved tremendous successes, leading to the recovery of weapons, ammunition and rustled animals in various parts of their area of operation.

He disclosed that during the period, the air component of the operation carried out several air strikes around Kagara, Gando, Fankama, Fete and Dumburum

Forests.

According to Abiade, the forests provide sanctuaries and hideouts where kidnapped victims are often hidden but the air strikes are precision activities designed to avoid collateral damage.

He further revealed that one Muhammed Iso suspected to be a notorious kidnapper was intercepted in Niger Republic in collaboration with the security forces in the country.

IMF: NIGERIA’S EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT NOT ACHIEVING ITS GOALS second worst in the world in the use of Sovereign Wealth Funds.

The Bretton Wood Institution rating was based on the corporate governance and transparency scores of the sovereign wealth funds and the size of assets as a percentage of 2016 GDP of the countries considered.

Selassie, who was speaking on the reactions trailing the negative ranking, said: “I want to be precise on this issue because I have heard a lot of noise concerning it.

There have been two Sovereign Wealth Funds in Nigeria. There have been the Excess Crude Account (ECA), and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). The NSIA is running transparently, on standard best practice and it has been doing

a good job."

Also justifying why removal of subsidy was important, Selassie said it was because the lion share of the benefit of the subsidy went to the rich people.

According to him, “If you think of the subsidy, who drives the big cars, who uses the biggest generators in Nigeria?

It is not to say poor people are not going to benefit when subsidies are removed that is why our advice is that policies like subsidy removal has to be tied to social protection measures for the poorest people.

“We need to do this. In aggregate, if you have hundred dollars being spent on subsidy, my sense is the lion share - 70 to 80 per cent tend to go to the richer people. So, what we have to do is introduce

reforms, find a way for the poor to benefit more. I think it is better to use that resource to invest in health, to build more roads and education.”

He expressed optimism that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), a trade agreement between 49 African Union member states, which aims to establish single market followed by free movement and a singlecurrency union, would achieve integration among member states.

“From our perspective, we think that the AfCTA will help the region integrate. It has been the dream of our leaders dating back to independence days and we think that it is a very important initiative and beyond politics, it will have a positive impact economically.

“Like all trade agreements, like all integration measures, there can be adverse effects, but can these be identified and policies introduced to address them? We have to look at the big picture. Coming to Nigeria specifically, we think that Nigeria will also benefit as the largest economy from joining the AfCTA and being a full participant of that.”

Tasks Nigeria on Money Laundering In a related development, the IMF has called on the Nigerian government to strengthen public finance management if it must decisively tackle money laundering in the country.

It said outflow of illicit funds from the country to developed

SATURDAY APRIL 13, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍťËœ ͺ͸͚Î

NEWS

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

BUYING MADE IN NIGERIA...

L-R: Special Adviser on Investments and Innovations, Mr Akintunde Oyebode; Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Mrs Sola Salako-Ajulo, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Director, INNOSON Motors, Mr Alfred Nwosu; head, Corporate Aairs, INNOSON Motors, Cornel Osigwe; during a meeting with the Innoson Group in Ado-Ekiti‌on Thursday

Zamfara: We Did Not Bomb Civilian Targets, Claims Air Force Kingsley Nwezeh Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Nigerian Air Force said yesterday it did not conduct air strikes on civilian targets in Zamfara State.

It said NAF bombing campaigns against armed bandits in the Northwest were products of combined human intelligence that took “days of detailed day and night Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to ensure proper targeting for avoidance of collateral damage�.

NAF reacted to the recent alarm raised by Zamfara Traditional rulers that bombings by NAF fighter jets killed innocent people instead of the

targeted armed bandits and terrorists.

The position of the monarchs comes on the heels of a recent United States Department of State Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2018, accusing the Air Force of covering up the report of a panel it constituted to look into the bombing of an IDP camp in Rann, Borno State, that killed more than 100 civilians and aid workers.

But the Nigerian Air Force said the target selection process for air operations was rigorous and methodical in order to ensure proper target identification and prevent strikes on wrong locations.

“The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to some media reports insinuating that the recent air strikes conducted by its Air Task Force for Operation Diran Mikiya killed only innocent civilians in the areas attacked and not bandits. “The NAF finds such reports rather ridiculous because most of the locations attacked are within the Rugu, Sububu and Kagara Forests general area, which are known armed bandits hideouts that have been attacked in the past, without any outcry. “Besides, the NAF targets selec-

tion process for air operations is particularly rigorous and methodical in order to ensure proper target identification and thereby prevent strikes on wrong locations,� it said in a statement issued in Abuja.

The statement signed by its Spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said: “for the avoidance of doubts, the public is to please note that the locations attacked from April 8-11 2019, were selected based on human intelligence (HUMINT) reports obtained from security agencies and other government sources, traditional and community

leaders as well as reliable, vetted informants. “These were all further confirmed by days of detailed day and night Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to ensure proper targeting for avoidance of collateral damage.

To further ensure this, as standard practice, NAF attack aircraft on air interdiction missions are accompanied by ISR platforms that guide them to designated targets. “Furthermore, NAF pilots, by training and in line with extant Rules of Engagement (ROEs) for the operation, do not attack any location

if it is observed that non-combatants, especially women and children, are present. In such cases, the pilots would rather return to base with their munitions unexpended.

Consequently, it is inconceivable that the NAF would attack locations where innocent civilians reside.�

The statement further explained that “the NAF finds it rather mischievous that anyone would spread such deliberate misinformation whilst the Service is doing its best to effectively respond to the challenges facing the good people of Zamfara State and its environs.�

Ebonyi Accuses FG of Insincerity NERC Gives More Discos Nod to Procure in Boundary Dispute Resolutions Third-party Meters Benjamin Nworie Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ‹Ă•Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă“ Ebonyi state government yesterday accused the federal government of not displaying enough sincerity in ensuring that problems at border areas in Nigeria, not only in Ebonyi State, were amicably resolved.

Briefing newsmen in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state Commissioner for Border Peace and Internal Security, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala described the National Boundary Commission, NBC, as a toothless bulldog following its inability to demarcate the disputed land between the people of Igbeagu in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Ukele community in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State since the outbreak of the crisis several years ago.

The commissioner announced that Governor David Umahi would visit the Igbeagu community today to ascertain the level of destruction from the recent uprising in the area.

The boundary dispute, THISDAY gathered, started in 2003 and had claimed several lives, rendered over 7000 people homeless and

Chineme Okafor Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

numerous property destroyed in Igbeagu community in Ebonyi State.

He noted that the Commission had visited both Ebonyi and Cross River states at the heat of the crisis and even invited the affected communities for dialogue in Abuja, but that it was yet to demarcate the troubled area.

Ugbala argued that if the NBC and the Federal government had demarcated the disputed land as at when due, then there wouldn’t have been unwarranted records of deaths and destruction of properties on both sides of the divide. “Sometimes we doubt the sincerity of the federal government in ensuring that the problems in border areas, not only in Ebonyi state, are resolved.

Most times we look at the NBC particularly as a toothless bulldog because a lot of things had happened in that area even before the inception of this administration. “I can’t remember a single place they have taken a definite decision but because it’s not the duty of the Ebonyi State government to determine the boundary between it and Cross River and so we will

continue to look up to them. We have been called for several meetings in Abuja and we had always attended because Ebonyi State government is disposed to peace; and we said demarcate the boundary because there’s no land that is more important than the life of the people. “We are asking the media to tell the federal government and National Boundary Commission to come and do their job, because what they always come to do is Urban Carol; once in the month where the crisis comes up, they will come and visit, Ugbala said.

The Commissioner, who stated that the Governor received news of the killings in the area with shock and unhappiness, called on the Police and Army to improve on their deployment strategies so as to immediately nip the crisis in the bud.

He announced that all stakeholders, including the State Auditor- General, the State Director of Fadama, Councilors and other elected personalities from Igbeagu community were suspended indefinitely until there was peace in the area.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday disclosed that it had given two more electricity distribution companies (Discos) in Nigeria’s power sector the nod to engage third-party contractors to install meters for consumers under their networks.

Last week, the commission approved the requests of Abuja and Jos Discos to engage thirdparty meter vendors under the Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) framework it recently initiated to close up the existing metering gap in the power sector, as well as the prevalent incidence of estimated bills which often put Discos and consumers at loggerheads.

It said in a statement from its General Manager, Public Affairs, Dr. Usman Arabi, in Abuja that it issued permits to Ikeja and Benin Discos to engage the services of MAPs they have chosen in accordance with Section 4(3) of the MAP Regulations.

According to the statement, the approved MAPs are Mojec International Limited; Consolidated

Infrastructure Group Ltd; New Hamshire Capital Ltd which were successful in the procurements conducted by Ikeja Disco, while Benin Disco selected FLT Energy System Ltd; G-Unit Engineering Ltd; Inlaks Power Solution Ltd; Sabrud Consortium Nigeria Ltd; and Turbo Energy Ltd, during its MAP procurement. “Section 4(3) of the MAP Regulation 2018 requires all electricity distribution licensees to engage MAPs that would assist, as investors, in closing the metering gap and thus eliminating the practice of estimated billing in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI),� said the NERC in the statement.

It further explained that Ikeja Disco mandated IEDC Mojec International Limited to provide 399,790 meters within the framework; Consolidated Infrastructure Group Ltd will provide 397,922 meters as well, while New Hamshire Capital Ltd will give it 276,699 meters, to bring the total number of meters it would procure from them to 1,074,411. No figures were given

for the procurements made by Benin Disco.

The statement said that NERC has directed that the rollout of meters by the 11 Discos in the power sector shall commence no later than May 1, 2019, adding that customers of Ikeja and Benin Discos should expect that from the commencement of the rollout date meters would be installed in their premises within 10 working days of making payment to MAPs in accordance with section 18(3) of the regulations.

As regards the payment process, NERC said: “MAPs shall charge an upfront amount of N36,991.50 for single phase meters and N67,055.85 for three phase meters respectively.

These costs of meters are inclusive of supply, installation, maintenance and replacement of meters over its technical life. “The commission shall monitor closely the rollout plan of distribution licensees and overall compliance with the regulation and various service agreements by the MAP and electricity distribution licensees.�

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

Comical Foreign Trips in Search of Investors

T

he standard in sane climes is for their leaders to engage in strategic foreign trips for the benefit of the country. In this part of the world, the reverse is the case. Our leaders embark on trips abroad largely for the fun of it.

It’s usually a jamboree, with a retinue of aides and millions of Dollars down the drain. The one that pains me the most is that they run abroad in search of so-called foreign investors when their homes are in tatters. President Muhammadu Buhari was at it again, dashing to Jordan and Dubai in search of investors. On Monday, he met with six groups of investors at the sidelines of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), telling them, “Come to Nigeria and prosper. Come and have handsome returns on your investments, within the shortest possible time.”

Among those Buhari met was Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, a member of the Dubai ruling family. He is also a private investor and member of several boards of companies. We were told that Sheikh Maktoum was interested in establishing a power plant in Lagos. I am sure that he would halt the move as soon as he gets a full dossier of the bitter odyssey of existing investors in power generation in Nigeria.

Other big boys Buhari met with were Sheikh Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of Amea Power. The company develops, owns, and operates thermal and renewable energy projects in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Sheikh Nowais also owns Rotana Hotel chain; Sheikh Ali Rashid Lootah, Chairman, Nakheel Properties and Limitless Group, one of the world’s leading developers and a major contributor to Dubai’s real estate transformation; Sheikh Khalid Bin Kalban, who is the CEO of Dubai Investments, centred on real estate, processing industries, mergers and acquisitions, health care, education, and financial investments; Sheikh Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) which has supported over 66 projects in 29 African countries and Jitender Sachdeva, CEO Skipperseil Group.

Deep down, these investors must have been having a good laugh about motherland Nigeria. While these meetings were on, all that the potential investors were hearing about our dear country were gory stories of insecurity, hundreds of Nigerians

Buhari needs to understand that foreign investors are not charities; they are profit optimising and risk minimising capitalists looking for good environment for the investment of their cash. Places like Hong Kong, Malaysia, UAE and Singapore that are favourites of investors are known for their worldclass facilities. The most attractive destinations for FDI also have unwavering macro-economic environment being hacked to death, abductions and killings by Boko Haram, herders, bandits and armed robbers. These negatives about Nigeria have been on for about 10 years now, but the last four years of Buhari have been horrendous. We’ve never had it so bad. I wonder which investor will be willing to take his money to a country where he and his workers run a very high risk of being killed.

There is a long list of grisly stories involving expatriates. Just on March 15, Sagir Ahmed, a Lebanese engineer working for Triacta Construction Company was abducted while inspecting an underpass bridge at Dangi roundabout, Zoo Road, Kano State, and eventually hacked to death. As at press time, the police were yet to find his killers. So, which investor will be willing to move his money to such a lawless country?

How many foreign investors has Buhari attracted to this country in all these four

years of his globetrotting? It is a surefire fact that a country needs to first put its house in order, before talking about attracting distant investors. The operating environment must be conducive. Electricity supply, security and infrastructure must be of world-class standard. The tax system and ease of doing business must be attractive. All these attractions have deteriorated in Nigeria. It is an illusion to expect foreign businessmen to bring their money into a country where they will have to struggle to operate and also struggle to take their profit out. No foreigner will bring his hard-earned money into a hostile environment. This is what exists in our country at present.

With infrastructure in ruins/unfriendly operating environment, existing investors are gasping for breath. In Nigeria, electricity generation is less than one-sixth of South Africa’s, though our population is three times bigger. So, businesses must provide their own power at a very high cost. Recall that Nigeria was ranked 146 out of 190 countries in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index in 2018.

Many foreign investors pulled out of Nigeria as a result of the stifling environment, coupled with Buhari administration’s muggy policies.

I can clearly remember that when South African retail giant, Truworths shut its four outlets in Nigeria in February 2016, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Mark remarked: “We were unable to operate the stores properly any longer because we were unable to send merchandise to the stores; there’s regulation preventing that. Aside being unable to stock our shelves, we were struggling to pay rent and get access to foreign exchange which has dried up. We can’t get money out, so there was no point staying any longer.” I am sure that Mr. Yusuff Alli, Chairman of the Lulu Group, which operates a chain of supermarkets in the Middle East and Asia will not find the Truworths’ story exciting.

Alli was one of the potential investors that our President met with in Dubai Buhari should stop deceiving Nigerians with stories about going to attract foreign investors. He should think of other ways to justify his fascination with foreign trips.

This country lacks the enabling environment for foreign investment. The hefty $5.2 billion fine levied on MTN Nigeria by this government is one of such disincentives to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). It is

Starvation in Adamawa, Katsina IDP Camps The starvation in the Fufore camp for internally displaced persons in Adamawa State has assumed a frightening dimension.

No fewer than 1,400 IDPs are living in this camp. The IDPs at Fufore are struggling for survival because the National Emergency Management Agency has not supplied food to them in the last three months. The IDPs, mostly women, children and elderly people are starving. They now beg on the streets of Fufore to survive. The federal and Adamawa State emergency management agencies must move fast to restore food supply to the camp.

These hapless Nigerians are largely from Bama, Gwoza and Gamboru Ngala in Borno State, who fled to Cameroon after Boko Haram overran their villages and towns in 2013. The federal government brought them from Cameroon in 2014 and settled them in Fufore. They can’t return home because their villages and towns are still unsafe.

The Fufore tragedy is replicated in Zamfara State, where hundreds of victims of attacks by bandits are languishing in makeshift IDP camps across the state.

There is so much suffering in the three

known makeshift camps in this state - the abandoned government quarters in Maradun LGA, the uncompleted Emir’s Palace in Anka LGA and a primary school in Tsafe LGA. Facilities are inadequate for the distressed IDPs. Also, the camps are overpopulated because of the large number of people fleeing their villages because of bandits. There is no water or clinic in these camps.

The Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency is as good as dead here. IDPs can’t feel this agency. Here, people struggle for a meal a day. Do we need to beg the federal and the Zamfara State governments before they can send food and drugs to these camps?

Honestly, I can’t understand why billions of Naira is budgeted for NEMA, yet it is hardly impacting on IDP camps across the country.

The DG of NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja, has a lot of questions to answer. For me, the Customs should be directed to send seized food from their stores all over the country to these camps with immediate effect. Forces of good must continue to pressure federal and state governments to do the needful for IDPs across the country. Governments at all levels have failed these people.

Maihaja

having dire consequences on the country’s economy; investors are now wary of Nigeria.

If we do the right things, foreign investors will come on their own. With the new media, foreign investors have true picture of developments in all countries. They will come once they know that the environment in any country is conducive. It seems most of them even understand Nigeria more than our President does.

Again, Buhari needs to understand that foreign investors are not charities; they are profit optimising and risk minimising capitalists looking for good environment for the investment of their cash. Places like Hong Kong, Malaysia, UAE and Singapore that are favourites of investors are known for their world-class facilities. The most attractive destinations for FDI also have unwavering macro-economic environment.

Global confidence in the Nigerian economy is diminishing. Money that flowed into stocks and bonds in Nigeria four years back, which back then, McKinsey & Co. said could make Nigeria become one of the world’s 20 biggest economies by 2030, is now being moved out as growth prospects diminish. Buhari should spend quality time engaging the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) on how to encourage existing investors and save our economy from ongoing crisis instead of looking for imaginary foreign investors.

The MAN and the NACCIMA have persistently raised the alarm about many if their members shutting down due to stifling environment; yet, the response from governments at all levels have been lethargic.

Honestly, Buhari should spare a thought for the suffering masses of this country by spending quality time at home to tackle the countless problems facing us instead of wasting our limited resources on worthless foreign trips. Nigerians are fatigued by this same old story of searching for overseas investors. Within the first nine months of his first term, our President visited 26 countries in search of foreign investors, looted money and other humdrum things for poor Nigerians. There are few results to justify these trips while state resources are being depleted on them. This dreariness must end.

I believe our President ought to have cut short his jamboree to Jordan and Dubai much earlier, following escalating security crisis at home. His precedence should be the home front. He ought to have returned home swiftly to directly take charge of pressing security issues. Buhari must learn to connect with people who have lost loved ones.

On the flip side, another recent sickening jamboree was the five-day trip to Doha, Qatar, for the 140th meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) by a 15-man National Assembly team led by the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki. Over N100 million have gone down the drain for a trip that is incapable of putting food on the tables of Nigerians. The nine legislators on the list aside, I am still struggling to understand why they included six bureaucrats - the Clerk to the Senate, Mr. Nelson Ayewoh; Director, General Duties, Ms. Navati Illiya; Director (H/R), Mr. Atiku Ibrahim; Director and Secretary to the Delegation, Shehu Umar and Clerk, Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Bernard Okoh. What a country!

This should not be happening in a country where millions of people go to bed without meals. Ours is now the poverty capital of the world, with more than half of our people living below poverty line.

For me, considering the hunger, disease, poverty and gigantic unemployment in this country, Saraki should have attended the IPU meeting with not more than one legislator and a bureaucrat. In real terms, this country has never benefited from all their years of attending IPU meetings.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 13, 2019

SUPER SATURDAY

Mr. Eazi’s Easy Ride to Fame Banku Music exponent, Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, popularly known as Mr Eazi, is fast gathering fame, success and a relationship that got him even more admiration. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

M

r. Eazi has rocked a familiar path to success following his tremendous fame as an artiste among Ghanaian and Nigerian audiences. Mr. Eazi’s popularity is drawn from putting African music, especially Nigerian and Ghanaian hits on the world map with his songs, usually a representation of two distinctive cultures and countries well-loved for their R&B and Afro-beat sounds.

The self-acclaimed pioneer of Banku Music, which he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and pattern, before hitting spotlight, holds a remarkable story. “After I came back from Ghana, I got a job in oil and gas in Port Harcourt that paid about $6000 monthly but I quit because I was not finding fulfillment in it. I mean it was the same thing every day, the same routine over and over again. The decision to quit the job finally hit me when my boss’ wife left him even with all the money he had.

“After I left my job, I got my Master’s degree and with all that qualification I started selling phones in computer village and ev-

Mr Eazi

eryone thought something was wrong with me. Even my mother started special prayers for me but my father didn’t add that final voice that would have decided my fate. My break finally came after I got an invite to do two shows in London that made me £12,000 which I used to shoot two videos.

“When I told my mother what I did with the money, she stopped talking to me for about three weeks. I had to move in with a friend because even my relatives didn’t want me around but everything finally changed when I went back to London for shows that fetched me really good money.”

He had made a claim that musicians from Nigeria use Ghana sound for quick hits. In his words, ‘Ghanaian music has a great influence over present-day Nigerian music’. He would later clear the air on the statement which earned him severe backlash from music lovers and critics.

With a handful of awards and recognitions, the following years would usher him fame and the fulfillment he desires in music.

Mr. Eazi had an early beginning relocating to Ghana to further his education at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 2008. Then 16, the singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur began booking artistes to perform at college parties.

He showed interest in music after recording a guest verse on My Life, a song that gained traction and became a popular record at KNUST. Mr. Eazi released his debut mixtape, ‘About to Blow’ in July 2013. He gained an international audience following the release of the Efyaassisted single, ‘Skin Tight’ in 2015.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 13, 2019

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SUPERSATURDAY My Break Finally Came When I Got an Invite to Do Two Shows in London His second mixtape, ‘Life is Eazi Vol. 1 – Accra to Lagos’ was released on 10 February 2017. ‘Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos to London’ was released in 2018.

When he was 23, he returned to Nigeria and opened his own e-commerce platform. In 2014, Mr. Eazi quit being a club promoter after an artiste failed to show up for the largest party he attempted to throw. Within two months of returning to his native country, he was contacted by DJ Juls, a UK-based Ghanaian producer and disc jockey. Juls reached out to him after managing to get a hold of some of his recordings.

Due to not being able to locate the audio files of his old recordings, Mr Eazi’s attempt at working with Juls stalled for a long time.

He eventually found his audio files and emailed them to Juls, who made a new beat and created the artwork for the mixtape’s second single “Bankulize”. The song features vocals from Ghanaian hiplife artiste Pappy Kojo and was released in November 2014.

The official remix features Burna Boy and was released in September 2016. Mr. Eazi first premiered the remix on Ebro Darden’s Beats 1 radio show a month earlier.

In February 2016, organisers of the Vodafone-sponsored Ghana Music Awards made a decision not to nominate Mr. Eazi in any of its Ghanaian-only categories.

According to George Quaye, a spokesperson for Charterhouse, Mr Eazi was disqualified because of his nationality. Quaye also stated that Mr. Eazi was only eligible to compete in the African Artiste of the Year category. He failed to pick up a nomination in the aforementioned category because the organisers felt that he wasn’t as big as the other nominees.

Following his performance at the 2016 Ghana Music Awards, Wizkid claimed he had signed Mr. Eazi to his imprint Starboy Entertainment.

However, Mr. Eazi debunked the claim to Star FM Ghana in July 2017 that he was not officially signed to Starboy. He said that he was only in business with the imprint. The Nigerian/ Ghanaian artiste would later favour his

fans with a melody which he titled ‘Fight’. On the tune, Mr. Eazi included a noticeable Nigerian DJ Cuppy. They both collaborated to make the tune a decent one for the listening delight of their fans across the world.

His personal life shows him to be dating Temi Otedola, a fashion blogger, sister to popular Nigerian DJ Cuppy and daughter to Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola; a relationship that would get him even more admiration. Reacting to his affair with Temi Otedola that it was because of the business mogul’s wealth that he’s dating her, the singer said “I feel like at the end of the day what comes out of me is in me. You know people can say what they want to say.

“If you put your ears down and react to what they say, you won’t live, especially when you are in the limelight. You have to realise that your life is now entertainment for people. I don’t care about what people think. If your self-esteem is based on how much is in your bank account then you have a very serious self-esteem issue. So, my mind, my self-worth has nothing to do with my account. I have had experiences of ups and downs so if my self-worth was based on material things I would have killed myself.”

The relationship between both of them has grown stronger even beyond the speculations and rumours surrounding it that Mr. Eazi was reported to have

Mr Eazi and Temi Otedola

said, “I don’t think there is anything hidden about it. Temi is my one and only girlfriend.”

He opened up on how he met his girlfriend, Temi Otedola. The entertainer during a chat said he met Temi when her sister, DJ Cuppy, who is his friend invited him for one of her numerous events in London, United Kingdom. “I met Temi in London. It was an event; her sister invited me for an event.

Her sister was playing at the event, somewhere in Nightbridge and she said, oh come out, come out, follow me to this event, so I followed her to the event and then she was deejaying and all of a sudden it was just me and Temi sitting down and just watching her.” He further explained that it wasn’t like Cuppy expressly handed her sister to him but that she only invited him to the event and he got talking with her sister. “She didn’t like meet my sister, you know, she invited her sister, she invited me. And by the time her sister came, she was already playing, so her sister came to the table and it was me and her. So, obviously, you have to socialise, so I said, Hi what’s up, my name is Mr. Eazi.”

After I left my job, I got my Master’s degree and with all that qualification I started selling phones in computer village and everyone thought something was wrong with me. Even my mother started special prayers for me but my father didn’t add that final voice that would have decided my fate. My break finally came after I got an invite to do two shows in London that made me £12000 which I used to shoot two videos

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

COMMENTARY

OGUN INSTITUTE AS A METAPHOR

Soyombo Opeyemi reflects on the tenure of the outgoing governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun

T

he diamond anniversary of the Social Development Institute (Shasha), Iperu literally caught me flat-footed.

The news clip on the Ogun State Television (OGTV) on Thursday afternoon somewhat jarred me. The human lenses that beheld the ruins of this college should have been part of the historic 60th celebrations. It was a brisk moment of self-flagellation.

This imagery extract from one of the works of Wole Soyinka is most fitting for this exercise: “Usually one sees them in still photos – images of dying cattle in a land overtaken by drought, now landmarked by carcasses and skeletons, withered shrub and dry water holes. Occasionally however, the cine-camera takes charge, lingers over a calf that is reduced to nothing but skin stretched over a cage of ribs, and the final contractions of emaciated muscles. Flies settle and crawl over what remains of moisture on the prostrate beast, mostly around the eyes, ears and nostrils.

It makes a feeble attempt to lift itself, scuffing dirt with the sides of its hooves, then settles back on its side, immobile. Its enlarged eyes stare blankly into the lens. This disproportioned frame with extended ribs sinks slowly into immobility. At some point, you know the calf is doomed, its life slowly ebbing into the sands. The lens lifts towards the desiccated horizon, rises directly upwards to reveal a cloud of swooping vultures, suspended, circling, blotting out the pitiless sun.”

This allegory of “dying cattle” could perspicuously substitute for the narration of this author in 2013 after the visit of the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to the institution that had sunk into atrophy due to decades of neglect: “...Just picture structures abandoned in the bush for decades or that have lost their innocence to wars or some natural disasters... The termiteinfested hall - the best of the buildings - the (high) table and chairs standing grudgingly on legs that had lost their souls to the rage of termites, the pock-marked asbestos ceiling, windows without covers, roof threatening to collapse at the slightest fury of the elements....”

What made that visit by the governor in June 2013 more poignant was that there were actually some students in that school – doing what then? Studying? Were they up to a hundred at the time? The sight was most affecting as one took time to know the mission of those hapless youths in what might pass for a deserted jungle.

It was not totally an overcast day, and nothing had really forewarned the governor and his small entourage on how the day might turn out to be when the convoy left the state capital after noon and pulled up about an hour later at the Social Development Institute (Shasha), Iperu, a college established on February 20, 1956 by the government of Western Region, led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to offer leadership training to community leaders, traditional rulers and politicians. It offers Certificate and Diploma in Social Works and Social Development to youths in affiliation

IT WAS EVIDENT THAT FROM THE ASHES OF NEGLECT, A BRIGHT FUTURE HAD EMERGED FOR THE STUDENTS OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (SHASHA), IPERU

with the Olabisi Onabanjo University.

After a tour of the college, the governor was downcast. Although he managed to lighten up the shoe-string cultural display of the students, it was evident that the mind of the state’s helmsman had been taken up in some cogitations – the ramifications of his mission to rebuild Ogun State, knowing full well that Shasha was just one of the thousands of institutions across the state that had paid the heavy price of decades of neglect - the Nigerian factor - not just in education but health, agriculture, etc. The journey from Iperu to Lagos afterwards was expectedly sombre and I fantasized the governor retiring to his bed by 1 a.m. or thereabouts mulling the ‘sight of the day’ over, imagining the number of such scenes of regression yet to be identified in addition to the thousands already known, in the face of scarce resources of the state.

Efforts had to be redoubled in the renovation of existing schools while building new ones in order to expand access to education.

Any new school built that does not factor in the age we are is not worth it. So the state government had to be futuristic in the design of its new schools, a template that can now be imitated by any individual, group or future governments. Indeed, in every new project embarked upon by the Amosun administration in every sector of the state’s economy, compliance with the 21st century was an article of faith. Reclaiming the state is not a work of one, two, three or four terms. As one observed then, “Even if you devote the entire yearly budget to education alone and consecutively for 10 years, you will still be left with one or two dilapidated buildings.”

But the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. What is of moment now is that the pace and tempo of the ongoing development must not abate...

At the end of that enervating tour of Shasha, the governor promised to rehabilitate the institution. Did I hear some heckling?

Such promises were not new to the school; they heard them for decades. But to the glory of God, it was a renovated institution that celebrated its 60th anniversary last week Wednesday. You only need to request from the state television station the video clip of the college when the governor visited in 2013.

Indeed, as I watched the news flash of the 60th, the state’s officials that sat on the high table, in the very space that the governor was received in 2013, it was evident that from the ashes of neglect, a bright future had emerged for the students of Social Development Institute (Shasha), Iperu. I congratulate the students and staff of Shasha and laud the state governor for fulfilling his pledge to the premier institution. Of course, the government still has plans for the second phase of the reconstruction when finances of the state improve, but the image of a dying calf, some neglected jungle or an institution in the throes of death has now been supplanted with prospects of a bright and flourishing future for the students and people of Ogun State.

Soyombo sent in this piece from Abeokuta via densityshow@ yahoo.com

THE NORTH AND NIGERIA The north is weighed down by its socio-cultural beliefs and practices, argues Iliyasu Gadu

L

ast week the media was replete with news of the heroics of Governor Nasir el- Rufai where he came head to head with kidnappers on the ever busy and important Abuja-Kaduna highway.

It is not the commendable sense of responsibility and empathy in promptly taking charge of the situation as expected of him as chief security officer of Kaduna State that we should focus on. It was just that on that particular day the kidnap victims and the hundreds of travellers were lucky that the governor happened to be on that road.

Were the situation different, the kidnappers would have had a field day kidnapping hundreds of persons without fear of being apprehended. This sadly has become normal occurrence on that road.

But what is even more fundamental is that the episode reflects on the existential situation of northern Nigeria in contemporary Nigerian political economy. And this is where we should focus our attention.

All three geopolitical regions of northern Nigeria, Northwest, Northeast and Northcentral are in the grips of various forms of criminal insurgency. In the northwest virtually all the seven states making up the region are either haven for kidnappers or of criminal insurgents laying siege, robbing, killing, displacing and destroying livelihoods. In the northeast the Boko Haram insurgency has morphed into full blown International terrorist dimension involving neighbouring countries. In the north central, the situation as in the northwest and northeast is asymmetrical consisting of herder-farmer clashes, kidnapping and

various forms of sectarian violence, We will be missing the point if we focus on the criminal dimension alone. The wider view which studies backed by statistics show is that the north comparatively falls far behind in all areas of human development in Nigeria. And to cap all that there is universal agreement that the level of poverty in the north is even below world average.

No less a personality than Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, himself a northerner, acknowledged this recently.

It is this poverty that is responsible for the negative tendencies manifesting in the north today.

But the north is poor not due to lack of resources. Indeed on a comparative scale the north is more resource -endowed than the southern part of Nigeria. And again the north does not suffer a lack of entrepreneurs and outstanding personalities who have made a mark in various fields of human endeavour.

Indeed in the history of Nigeria the north holds sway in terms of political capital and the ability to prevail against the others in the intricate and intriguing art of political manoeuvring. With the exception of the short-lived General Ironsi military government in 1966 there has been no government, military or civilian, that the north had not led in Nigeria. Even now as I write against the background of the situation in the north, the top echelon of the President Buhari government including the president himself is dominated by northerners.

So how come the north is the way it is despite all the comparative advantages and

endowments it commands in Nigeria? The simple and obvious reason is that the north is where it is due to socio-cultural beliefs and practices.

In the north where the social structure has been institutionalised over the years, the ruling elite and classes have skilfully used religion to entrench and protect their privileges as well as deflect or prevent any incipient social uprisings directed at them.

Where the ruling elite and classes in the north avail themselves and their families and closed allies fully to the trappings and necessities of modern life, they continue on the other hand to exhort the masses to shun the very things they (the ruling classes) hanker after. In this way the masses are subtly encouraged to revel in and glorify poverty and shun the acquisition of “worldly things” which will prevent one from enjoying the bounties of paradise.

The entrenchment of such beliefs and practices has engendered a fatalistic conviction in the masses not to jeopardise one’s smooth passage to the hereafter and the rewards it promises by accepting things the way ordained. Invariably this exacerbates the class divisions as the masses relinquish their right to aspire to better themselves through personal and collective effort while the ruling elite on the one hand in acquiring these trappings become more powerfully entrenched in the social order.

In order not to lose their privileges the ruling elite in the north will never consciously seek to change the narrative wherein the masses will feel encouraged enough to aspire to change their circumstances. That

to a large extent explains why despite the north leading virtually all the government since independence, the north has remained impoverished in comparative terms.

Against this background, the question one may ask is: why the manifestations of negative tendencies in the north despite all this?

Through the generations and especially in this age of cutting-edge mobile communications and telephony, fast cars and the trappings of modernity, to continue to wallow in poverty is not a virtue.

And in order to join and catch up with the gravy train of modernity, what we see today happening across the board in the north is a reaction to the long-entrenched narrative and ethos of selfabnegation which the ruling elite in the north had promoted to protect their privileges and keep the masses under check. As the centre cannot continue to hold any longer in the north, this is manifesting in anti-social acts like kidnapping, banditry, robbing, widespread drug abuse and related activities.

As it is, the north is not just a danger to itself but to Nigeria as a whole. The clear and present danger is that we have a Nigeria running on two speeds.

The south where the absence of the sort of sociocultural beliefs and practices prevalent in the north has led to the populace being more productive individually and collectively, and the north where social mobility, individual and collective productivity and enterprise is ossified in the altar of beliefs and practices.

As a result the north has not been able to reap the bounties of its vast resource base. And it has also not been able to avail the country of the full benefit of its potential because its human resources are not productive enough in the ways that will develop both the region and Nigeria as a whole.

Ilgad2009@gmail.com

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

INSIGHT

Enough is enough...

Police and Increasing Cases of Rape

I

t has been argued that cases of violence against children are usually underreported and thus survivors, witnesses and their families are encouraged to speak out. However, speaking out can also come at a cost which further instils fear. Two recent cases come to mind which the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) has written petitions to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to do all in its power to ensure that the culprits in question are apprehended and justice is served. A 15- year- old school girl was gang-raped in Ikorodu, Lagos in February 2018, by four men. She has been living with the trauma of threats that she would die for reporting the incident or if she failed to honour any sexual invitation from the men who raped her. They also threatened to upload a video of the rape online. When the girl’s family reported the matter to the Ijede Divisional Police headquarters, and the police headed for an arrest, the family members of the culprit assaulted a police officer as well as one of the girl’s brothers.

The same year in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, a 16 -year-old girl was reported to have been abducted by a man to his house where he raped her. The child was afraid to inform her parents about what had happened to her. Eventually she got pregnant from the rape and the incident was reported to the gender unit of the Lagos State Police Command in October 2018. Prior to this, when the girl informed her rapist that she was pregnant, he provided her with some pills which nearly took her life – it was at this stage that her parents found out.

As of the time of writing, the FESTAC Police Division has made attempts to invite the perpetrator for questioning and he has successfully avoided them.

Even the lawyer who represents him has been evasive in providing the culprit who allegedly has tried to bribe the victim’s father, Mr. Iwuagwu, to close the case against him. Upon Mr Iwuagwu’s refusal, the culprit resorted to death threats, “if you don’t drop this case, you or your daughter will be down”, as reported by Mr. Iwuagwu who also laments the rather lack of interest and thus slow reactions from the police towards the matter.

Between January 2018 and December 2018, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Lagos, recorded 134 per cent increase in cases of rape, defilement and domestic violence in Lagos with 1,750 domestic violence cases, 279 child abuse cases, 78 defilement cases, and 44 cases of rape among other cases. While the number of domestic violence cases increased by 817, the incidence of child abuse and defilement rose by 251 and 37 respectively. Rape cases were 24 times higher compared to the 2017 report (‘Lagos Records 134% Rise in Sexual Abuse, Domestic

World Health Day: Righting the Wrongs

Violence”, Punch Newspapers, 3 February 2019).

According to the World Health Organisation, “Violence against children (VAC) includes all forms of violence against people under 18 years old, whether perpetrated by parents or other caregivers, peers, romantic partners, or strangers”. Nigeria is ripped with several cases of VAC such as these. However, several factors work against the child in the quest to curb the menace. A new report published by UNICEF and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, notes that “about half of Nigerian children reported some form of physical violence prior to age 18 years by an intimate partner, parent, adult relative, or community member” (The Economic Burden of Violence Against Children, 2019).

At the family level, we find situations whereby children do not have close relationships with their parents or members of their families and as such tend to take matters into their own hands for fear that no one would believe them. At the community level, the culture of silence is quite the norm – this arises from the fact that in many traditional systems, a woman or girl who has been raped is seen and one who has brought shame to the family.

Nneka Acholonu-Egbuna, Women, Peace and Security Advocate

T

he World Health Day was celebrated on Sunday, 7th April under the sponsorship of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The theme of this year is “Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere”. Universal health coverage is WHO’s number one goal. Key to achieving it is ensuring that everyone everywhere can obtain the care they need, when they need it, right in the heart of the community.

In Nigeria, like other countries of the world, the major challenges facing the health sector today include inadequate health officers, high patient-health professional ratio, chaotic coordination, scanty resources, poor accountability and inadequate health centres, among others.

The WHO ranked the Nigerian health system 187th out of 191 countries evaluated with high patient-health professional ratio. The ratio of a doctor, pharmacist, nurse and midwives to patients stands around 1:7000, 1:12000 and 1:1066 respectively. By WHO standards, a doctor is to 600 patients. How do we expect our human resources to be effectively and efficiently utilized if our professionals are put in such tight conditions? Recently, the doctor-patient ratio of Greece stands at 1:167, 1:200 in Austria, 1:250 in

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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

Italy, 1:333 in Britain, just to mention a few.

Looking to the future, countries with well-established, high-performing primary health care systems - an essential component to achieving UHC will be better equipped to combat infectious and non-communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and hypertension, and deliver critical health care, such as vaccines, family planning and care for new born babies, while those with weaker systems will struggle. In Nigeria, the primary health care system basics is in a shambles. Primary health care centres are dilapidated structures, poorly financed with inadequate facilities and drugs.

In many tertiary and secondary health centres, water supply is inadequate, not to talk of power supply and essential drugs.

At the end of 2018, there is still a lag in the expansion of NHIS to achieve a considerable coverage, suggesting that the majority of Nigerians are vulnerable to financial challenges when they interact with our health system.

To achieve universal coverage of health care services for the poor, Nigeria must scale up to achieve a wider coverage and move from out-of-pocket payments to other mechanisms of financing.

In the push for global health reforms, it is uncertain that Nigeria will achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 as a target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The NHIS despite its usefulness has been in crisis mode since its early days. It had been overwhelmed with corruption, from without and within, lack of funding, poor service delivery, use of substandard drugs and poor attitude of healthcare providers. All of these have festered because of poor supervision and weak regulation. The entire health insurance scheme needs to be overhauled for better service delivery.

Unfortunately, Nigeria’s health budget is hovering between three and eight per cent annually.

The 2018 budget allocated N340.45 billion to the health sector, which represents only 3.9 per cent of the total budget. We bear witness to some of the worst health- care statistics in the world and comes close to the bottom of virtually every development index.

I believe that to achieve health for “everyone, everywhere”, it is about time that we adhered to due diligence and back the primary health care and preventive medicine sector with the necessary tools, resources and political power to fully commence serious operations.

Yusuf Hassan Wada, Katsina

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NEWSXTRA

In Brief ‘Nigeria Will Continue to Help Neighbours’

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja said Nigeria would always cooperate with its African neighbours and continue to lend helping hand as necessary. The president’s spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement, said Buhari made the promise while receiving the outgoing Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Job Obiang Esono Mbengono, at a farewell audience in the State House. According to the statement, the president said Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea had always identified with each other, “and we will continue to maintain good neighborliness.� He also said Buhari said he was happy that the outgoing ambassador, who spent nine years in Nigeria, “settled and understood our people and culture quite well. “The statement added that Mbengono said Nigeria made great impact in his life, saying he learnt a lot “about this big and important country,� adding that the people were very friendly and warm.

It added: “Congratulating President Buhari on his re-election, he said: ‘Nigeria is in good hands, and we are happy.’

27-Man Committee for Okara’s Burial

BOOSTING ECONOMY...

L-R: President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Sir. Emeka Udeze; Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the representative of the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Victor Onwuzuruike, during NIMASA’s special day at the ongoing 30th Enugu International Trade Fair, yesterday.

World Bank Unveils Human Capital Plan to Propel Investment in Africa Adedayo Adejobi, åÓÞÒ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?

The World Bank has launched a new plan to help African countries strengthen their human capital. The objective of the plan is to enable Africa’s young people grow up with optimal health and equipped with the right skills to compete in the digitising global economy.

Sub-Saharan Africa scores the lowest of all the world’s regions on the World Bank’s Human Capital Index, a measurement of how well countries invest in the next generation of workers. The poor rating explained the high mortality and stunting rates in the region, as well as inadequate student learning outcomes - all of which have a direct effect on economic productivity.

In an effort to help countries turn these indicators around, the World Bank’s Africa Human Capital Plan has set ambitious targets to be achieved in the region by 2023.

These include a drastic reduction in child mortality to save four million lives, averting stunting among 11 million children, and increasing learning outcomes for girls and boys in school by 20per cent. These achievements can raise Africa’s Human Capital Index score upwards to increase the productivity of future workers by 13per cent. “Preventing a child from fulfilling his or her potential is not only fundamentally unjust, but it also limits the growth potential of economies whose future workers are held back.

GDP per worker in sub-Saharan Africa could be 2.5 times higher if everyone were healthy and enjoyed a good education from pre-school to secondary school,� said World Bank Vice President for Africa, Hafez Ghanem at the launch of the Bank’s Plan at the ongoing World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., United States.

The Plan also aims at empowering women to prevent early marriage and pregnancy for adolescent

girls. “The adolescent fertility rate in sub-Saharan Africa is 102 births per 1,000 girls-three times as high as in South Asia. This not only damaging for girls and their children, but it also hurts economic growth,� noted Ghanem.

The World Bank will increase its investments in human capital in Africa by 50% in the next funding cycle. This includes new World Bank grants and concessional finance for human capital projects in Africa totaling $15 billion in fiscal years 2021-2023. The World Bank will invest these funds strategically to unblock structural constraints to human capital development. It will also target game changing interventions that leverage technology and innovation and that prevent and reverse damage to human capital in

Toddler Walks into Open Transformer, Electrocuted Laleye Dipo Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹

Ijaw Community Cries Out over Military Invasion AdibeEmenyonu Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜ ÓÞã

Gelegele, an Ijaw community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo, has cried out over alleged invasion of the area by the Army from 19 Battalion, Koko and 4 Brigade, Benin.

Spokesman of the community, Chief Macaulay Ayiwei, who raised the alarm yesterday when he spoke with newsmen in Benin City, said they woke up to see the Army, over 50 in number strategically positioned around the community.

The spokesman alleged that the high presence of the military may not be unconnected with the land dispute between it and Benin community of Ughoton.

Ayiwei further alleged that the matter which had degenerated between the Ijaw community and Palace of Benin, had caused a strain in the relationship between the Gelegele community and the Binis.

Ayiwei who said the land dispute was currently before the State High Court, wondered why the military would take over the whole Ijaw community of Gelegele. “Yes, the court is billed to sit on this matter on Monday and Tuesday, but what are they (Army) doing here taking over the whole community? “If there is no sinister motive about this, why will a detachment of military from Delta and Edo States, armed with gunboats, take over a whole community as early as 6am on Friday. “While we have them around the community, about five truck load of them are stationed at Ekenwan baracks as we speak. “The whole Gelegele community is in utter confusion as to what is happening. We are also not unaware that their presence has something to do with the dispute between the Ijaw community and Benin.

fragile and conflict-affected settings.

The World Bank is already supporting countries to come up with new strategies to invest more and better in their people. Twenty-three African countries, covering over 60% of the region’s population, have joined a coalition of nearly 60 countries to join the Human Capital Project, committing to a set of accelerated investments in their human capital. “Human Capital Project countries are breaking away from traditional paradigms to make investment in their people a priority and are working in a more coordinated way across government to ensure that households have the right enabling environment to support human capital formation,� said World Bank Vice President for Human

A four year old boy, Arafat Jibrin has been electrocuted in Minna the Niger State capital.

The sad incident occurred at the Senior quarters of the federal low cost housing estate in Maikunkele, few kilometers from Minna on Thursday evening.

According to an eyewitness, Arafat was said to have taken a water container and went in search of his sister who had gone to fetch water some 500 meters from their residence.

It was gathered that while in search for his sister the deceased strayed into an AEDC electric transformer and was instantly electrocuted.

It was said that a man that was passing by at the time noticed an unusual activity in the transformer causing him to raise the alarm.

However, THISDAY learnt that by the time assistance could reach the deceased he had been burnt beyond recognition.

THISDAY gathered that the

remains of the little boy were taken from the transformer and buried according to Islamic rite same Thursday evening.

When contacted the Public Relations Officer of the Abuja Electricity Development Company AEDC Alhaji Adamu Muhammad confirmed the story describing the incident as “very sad.�

Adamu Muhammad said the Managing Director of the AEDC had already dispatched a high powered delegation led

by Sule Muhammad which also included the General Manager of the organisation in Niger State, Mr. Geoffrey Abba to pay a condolence visit on the family of the deceased. “We were in the residence of the family this morning (Friday) to condole them and pray for the repose of the soul of the departed soul,� Adamu Muhammad said.

Meanwhile sympathisers have be e n t ro o p i n g t o the family home of the deceased to condole with t h e p a re n t s .

Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has inaugurated a 27-man committee to oversee the final burial rites of renowned poet and author, Dr. Gabriel Okara. Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, who made the disclosure after the 106th Bayelsa State Executive Council meeting yesterday, noted that the action underscored the importance the government attached to a befitting burial for the late poet, literary icon and renowned novelist. Born on 24 April, 1921, in Bumoundi in Yenagoa, the award-winning poet is regarded as the first modernist poet of Anglophone origin, whose literary career spanned over six decades.Iworiso-Markson disclosed that the committee which is headed by the Deputy Governor, John Jonah, also has the Chief of Staff Government House, some serving commissioners, representative of the Association of Nigerian Authors and veteran journalist, Linsday Barret as members. He said Governor Dickson charged the committee to work closely with the Okara family to give the departed 98-year-old literary giant a burial befitting of a hero.

New CMDs for FMC Umuahia, UCTH

President Mohammadu Buhari yesterday approved the appointment of Dr. Azubuike K. Onyebuchi as the new Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State. In the same vein, the president approved the appointment of Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme as the new Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State. The Appointment of Dr. Onyebuchi is for an initial term of four years with effect from March 31, 2019. Congratulating the MD on his new appointment, the Minister of State, Health, Dr. E. Osagie Ehanire, reminded him of the enormous responsibilities of his office and the yearnings of Nigerian for an effective and responsive healthcare delivery system. Dr. Ehanire further urged Dr. Onyebuchi to bring his wealth of experience to bear on the discharge of his duties so as to take healthcare delivery to a greater height. A statement signed by the Director Press, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Boade Akinola, said the appointment of Professor Ikpeme is for an initial term of four years with effect from April 16, 2019. Congratulating Prof Ikpeme on his new appointment, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, reminded him of the enormous responsibilities of his office and the yearnings of our people for an effective and responsive healthcare delivery system for Nigerians. Adewole further advised the new CMD to justify the confidence reposed on him by the President, working with all stakeholders to ensure industrial harmony in the Health Sector and in support of Mr. President’s change agenda.

Surulere Community Protest Crazy Billings

Residents of Obele-Oniwalah Community in Surulere area of Lagos State are protesting over the excessive billings by the Eko Electricity Distribution PLC, which is in charge of electricity distribution in the area.

According to the residents of the area, ECKDP officials were fond of foisting excessive bills on consumers in the area and expect them to negotiate on how much they would want to pay. While consumers with pre-paid meters pay between N2,000 to N4,000 monthly, depending on how regular the light is, those with billing system are charged as much as N25, 000 monthly. A consumer, Mr. Kunle Adewale, who resides in the area said he had not been charged less than N15,000 monthly for almost a year now, with his last current charges reading over N25,000. All efforts at reaching the marketer in the area, Okpalaume Njideke Maryann to react to the allegation proved abortive as she refused to pick her calls.

Rotary Club Pioneers Multilateral Fellowship

Four clubs in Rotary District 9125 will today, hold the first multilateral friendship fellowship in Ida, Kogi State. The affected clubs are Rotary Club of Abuja, Karu Housing Estate: Rotary Club of Abuja, Kubwa Gateway; Rotary Club of Abuja, Bwari and the host Club, the Rotary Club of Ida Central.The idea of this multilateral fellowship was mooted in March during the joint fellowship between Rotary Club of Karu Housing Estate and Abuja Kubwa Gateway Club. The objective, according to the President of Rotary Club of Abuja Karu Housing, Mr. Dominic Ifidon is to foster closer ties and friendships among members of the four clubs. The chief host and Charter President of Ida Central, Musa Ismaila disclosed that some activities have been lined up for the visitors in Ida on Saturday ahead of the fellowship.

Part of such activities are courtesy call on the Atta, visit to Inikin statue and that of Omodoko.

THISDAY Photographer’s Car Stolen

Robbers in the early hours of last Thursday made away with the vehicle of THISDAY photographer, Mr. Sunday Adigun in front of his residence at No, 19, Unity Crescent, Oloke, Asese, via Ibafo, Ogun State.

The vehicle, a Honda CRV, 1989 model is blue in colour with registration number-APP 381 DS. The chassis number of the vehicle as at the time it was stolen is JHLRDI85XVCO549A2 and with the Engine number 6082.

The incident has since been reported at the Ibafo Police Station, Ogun State and investigation is still on going. Anyone with useful information that can lead to the recovery of the car should contact the nearest police station or call 08023359361.

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INEC Holds Supplementary Assembly Elections in Rivers Today Police Deploy 3,066 personnel for security

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today conduct supplementary elections for state assembly in four local government areas of Rivers State.

This is as the police have said they had deployed 3,066 personnel that would be complemented by deployments from other sister security agencies for safety, security and maintenance of law and order in the affected local government areas of the state.

A statement issued by INEC listed the affected local government areas as Abua/ Odual, Ahoada West, Gokana and Opobo/Nkoro.

According to INEC, elections would hold in all the wards and polling units in Abua/Odual and Gokana local government areas.

In Ahoada West elections would hold in 20 polling units spread across four wards while it would hold in 47 polling units spread across nine wards in Ahoada West.

In Abua/Odual, elections did not take place during the

March 9 Governorship and State Assembly elections because INEC officials could deploy men and materials because of violence. For Gokana, elections were disrupted and the commission could not collate results.

Meanwhile, the state Police Command said it had taken steps to ensure security in the affected local government areas.

A statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni (DSP), said, “The command has deployed a total of 3,066 personnel to be complemented by the deployments from other sister security agencies to provide safety, security and maintenance of Law and Order in the affected LGAs.” He stated that the Commissioner of Police and Chairman of the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Elections Security (ICCES), Usman Belel, after a meeting of all the agencies and other bodies directly charged with the responsibility to superintend over the elections, agreed to that there would be total restriction of movement of persons and vehicle

IN MOURNING MOOD...

L-R: Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Konbowei Benson; Deputy Governor, John Jonah and Governor Seriake Dickson at the event

in the affected local government areas from midnight on Friday to 2pm on Saturday.

He warned: “Very Important Personalities (VIPs) or politicians

Remain Undaunted, Dogara Urges Elected Lawmakers Shola Oyeyipo

Elected Senators and members of the House of Representatives have been advised to remain undaunted in doing what they were elected to do even in the face of insecurity, unemployment, underemployment, poverty and others that may overwhelm them when they take office.

Making the call during a dinner organised for the members and senators-elect in Abuja, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, advised the new lawmakers that the most effective way of doing that was through a knowledge-based legislative practice that would yield desired results effectively.

He charged the lawmakers that they could not afford to lose sight of the important job they had been

elected to do, which was to make a difference that would break the suffering Nigerians were undergoing.

He also asked them to clear their minds of any impression that by getting sworn-in as members of the National Assembly they were being inducted into an exclusive club of some kind of elites in the country, as they are “merely ambassadors of our different constituencies, and by extension, the nation Nigeria.”

According to Dogara, “We cannot afford to go to sleep as elected representatives of our people in these very challenging environment that our people have found themselves,” he stated, adding that, “Whether we are talking of insecurity in the country, or the challenge of unemployment, as a matter of fact, underemployment is as grave a challenge as unemployment in this country now. Whether

it is the struggling economy or the description that is now ascribed to Nigeria that we are the poverty capital of the world that was said to us here in this same venue, but in a different phrase.

“Let me remind us that very soon, after this orientation program, we are going to get the oath of office into the chambers and by that, we shouldn’t deceive ourselves that we are getting inducted into an exclusive club of some kind of elites in this country, but merely ambassadors of our different constituencies, by extension, the nation Nigeria. No ambassador brings dishonour to his own country, those that have served in embassies know that very well.

If you bring dishonour to your own government, the remedy is for you to be recalled back home, but I hope that we’ll not bring dishonour.

FoI Act: CSJ Sues Minister over Information on Environmental Protection Fund Ndubuisi Francis ÓØ ÌßÔË

A civil society organisation-Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has dragged the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Abubakar Bawa Bwari to court for failing to provide information on the establishment of the Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation Fund as stipulated in Section 121 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2017.

Latching on the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act, CSJ had on March 3, 2019 written the minister specifically seeking information on a number of questions, including: “whether the Fund has been established and if the answer is in the affirmative, the date of its establishment; the name of

the trustees or fund managers administering the Fund and the date of their appointment.

“The terms of their appointment and documents evidencing the terms; (d) the names of Mineral Title Holders so far contributing to the Fund and the amounts they have contributed and whether the amounts contributed are less than their assessed contributions.

CSJ also sought information on the names of mineral title holders who are yet to start contributions to the Fund, evidence of any demands to start contributions made to the mineral title holder who are yet to start contributions for the Fund.”

Also sought by CSJ was the total amount of money so far accrued to the Fund, and the details of any disbursements from the Fund; and the list of beneficiaries and

projects so far remedied from the proceeds of the Fund.

CSJ’s request to the minister was against the backdrop of the continued demand and allocation to the Ministry of Mines and Steel, large amounts of money for environmental remediation on a yearly basis.

The non-governmental organisation’s poser was to establish the reason for government’s continued funding of remediation which the law places as a duty on extractive companies.

In a statement made available to THISDAY and endorsed by its Lead Director, Eze Onyekpere and Legal Officer, Kingsley Nnajiaka, CSJ pointed out that the sum of N450 million was budgeted for this in 2018 and the same amount proposed in the 2019 federal budget

are barred from going to any voting centre with their security detail. Movement is only allowed from their houses to the voting centre and back,

as provided by the Electoral Act.” He stated that all entry and exit points to the affected local government areas will be

completely blocked until the elections were over, while no commercial activities would be allowed close to polling units.

Court strikes out Communication Minister’s Suit against APC over NYSC Certificate Kemi Olaitan ÓØ ÌËÎËØ

A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, yesterday struck out a suit filed by the Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, against the All Progressives Congress (APC), for excluding his name from the list of gubernatorial aspirants in 2019 general elections over his inability to present his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.

The APC had refused to allow Shittu to participate in the Oyo State gubernatorial primary because he failed to take part in the NYSC scheme after his graduation from the university.

The trial judge, Justice P. I.

Ajoku, while dismissing the suit, said Shittu did not file the case within the time stipulated by law.

She said, “I must first consider the provision of Section 285 of the Constitution that makes it mandatory for all pre-election matters to be filed within 14 days of occurrence.

“This particular case was not filed within 14 days, but outside the date. Therefore, I will not bother going into the merit of the case.

“Having failed to satisfy the dictates of the constitution, the matter is hereby, struck out.”

The defence counsel, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, in his reaction, said the law had taken its due

course.

“The judge acted by the 1999 Constitution and it is a victory for democracy”, the former Oyo state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice said.

Counsel to Shittu, Mr. Abdulhakeem Mustafa, (SAN), had tendered a 38 paragraph affidavit and 13 exhibits to support his claims with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He prayed the court to determine whether the action of his party to omit his name in the list of gubernatorial aspirants was lawful or a contravention of the constitution.

Kwara Religious Leaders List Criteria for Assembly Speaker Hammed Shittu ÓØ ÖÙÜÓØ

As the race for the 9th speakership position of Kwara State House of Assembly hots up, religious leaders in Offa, under the aegis of Offa Muslim and Christian Cleric Council (OMCCC), have called on the leadership of All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state to make use of experience, sacrifice and loyalty to the party rather than zoning formular in the consideration for electing the ninth Speaker of the state House of Assembly.

The clerics, however, said that out of the elected 24 lawmakers, only Hon. Saheed Popoola representing Ojomu/Igbodun constituency of Offa town remained the most qualified lawmaker to be elected as the 9th speaker of the house.

Speaking with journalists

in Offa yesterday, the Muslim and Christian clerics said that when considering Kwara State as a collective project, it was not logical to have a new governor and speaker in both executive and legislative arms in the state.

The group recalled that the governor-elect in the state, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, was coming into governance with private sector background, while all the elected members of the Assembly, except one, Hon. Saheed Popoola, were all new members.

The spokesperson of the clerics, Reverend Segun Ogungboye, who said that zoning arrangement in politics was good for power balancing, added, however, that experience among other qualities should not be sacrificed on the altar of zoning.

Reverend Ogungboye said that the group had made its opinion

on the issue known to the party structure in the state, calling on party leaders and members in the state to encourage sacrifice and loyalty to the party rather than zoning formular that may breed apathy.

“That the kind of unalloyed loyalty that Prince Saheed Popoola displayed in the lifetime of the eighth Kwara State House of Assembly and the sacrifices he made thereafter should not be sacrificed on the altar of zoning.

“That four years of legislative experience gained and garnished

by Prince Popoola should not be sacrificed on the altar of zoning “That the spirit and letter of the legislative rule that bequeath principal offices to high ranking legislators for prosperity sake should not be sacrificed on the altar of zoning,” he said.

Plus

Abisola Abisoye

Fear of Poverty Inspired Me to Greatness

GLOBAL SOCCER FAIRGROUND FASHION FILE SHOWBIZFLAIR

Bruce Nwachie

At 60, I Have Learnt to Appreciate What I Have Instead of Chasing What I Don’t Have

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

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PLUS

At 60, I Have Learnt to Appreciate What I Have Instead of Chasing What I Don’t Have Bruce Nwachie is the head dermatologist of Lagos-based Oasis Med Spa, a luxury corrective skincare clinic. He began his career in 1984 as one of the few male esthetics dermatologists in an industry dominated by women. Nwachie produces skin care products and treatments for all skin types. For this dermatologist, most Nigerian women are ignorant of the fact that bleaching creams are high in steroids which can have dire consequences as they age. This is one of the major reasons he goes round spas, teaching them the right and proper procedure to go about skincare. Nwachie, who clocked 60 last week, shares the story of his life and skincare career with Azuka Ogujiuba

L

ife has taught me to appreciate what I have Life has taught me to be open minded, to stress less, appreciate what I have instead of trying to chase what I don’t have. If you appreciate what you have, then you can value the source of what you have, always be happy. I was 60 years April 6 and I won’t change anything. I love the same parents that had me, I don’t have any regrets. I love my co-workers, my siblings, I love my life. I have learnt to appreciate life and also appreciate others.

Marriage is not a must, what matters the most is happiness The only thing close to regret in my life will be getting a divorce, and it didn’t break my heart because the older you get you begin to realise that marriage is not for everyone and marriage is not a must, what matters the most is happiness. I’m not married. I’m divorced but my best friend is my ex-wife. We are happier now than when we were married, the first 20 years was good and after that, we started growing apart. Happiness is the key, she’s happy and I am happy and that is what it should be. We are happy, the kids are happy, she’s 55 years old. When you walk to the alter to say ‘I do’, you are trying to please the society and not pleasing yourself. Most people are married and very unhappy and some people are happy without being married. So, like I said, happiness is the key. There’s no regret. I thank God for everything that has happened in my life including the marriage, the getting out of the marriage and the kids. If there’s

anything I’ll regret or would like to revisit again in my life, even if it’s for five minutes, is to see my mom and dad that are late, other than that there’s nothing I need, I’m good.

I’m a specialist in black skin I’m a skin care specialist, specialising in black skin. Over there in United States I had so many clinics, at one point, I had over nine clinics. What drove me back to Nigeria was the divorce. After the divorce, I had to exit and come back to Nigeria. I actually came to retire.

You can bleach your skin without using cream Yes, when it comes to skincare, there’s a lot that can be done. It breaks my heart to see what people in Nigeria are doing trying to get light skin. Most people don’t want to be their colour; they want to be the colour of others and they go about it in a very wrong way by using products that are high in steroids and thinning the skin. Later on, you start seeing them with veins and knuckles.

There are proper procedures that you can do which will brighten the skin and exfoliate the skin without pumping all that steroids under the skin and who knows what will happen 20, 30 years from now? The risk of cancer and so on. So far, I go round most spas in Lagos, trying to teach them the right way, because I don’t feel like we are competing with anyone. People come here and we show them the right way to do it because the market is very open for everyone. We try to educate people, which led us to the formation of Association of Practicing Medical and Spa Therapist which is an organisation trying to regulate the

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PLUS If You Are Happy Within Yourself, Your Life Will Be So Much Easier industry. We are still working with the Lagos state government for all the necessary approvals. Skincare/spa is something that’s new in Nigeria and it is growing. The key thing is to have people that are qualified, experienced running it. Some of the problems we have is that you may come in here for facials and I tell you it is N50,000 and you say you can also get it for N2000 and I will tell you that you are absolutely right, because there’s a reason why you can get it for N2000, - quality is the key, good products are the keys. I can give you bunch of products that will lighten you up and thin your skin, give you the green vein for N2000 versus doing it the right and natural way.

Some people are taking glutathione injection, which is an inhibitor of melanin while some people take the pills. In Nigeria, whatever we learn, we overdo it even more than the people who taught us. So, I always tell people to make sure whoever is giving it to them is the right person that’s supposed to give it to you; make sure you get it under a medical doctor. I tell people to study it because you are working on human skin and not on a car. You only have one skin and 50 per cent of what we do here is corrective skincare, what other spas have damaged is what we are fixing.

Cosmetic surgery should only be done if absolutely necessary If cosmetic surgery is not absolutely necessary, don’t do it. If it’s necessary, then do it. That’s my take on it. For example, you have an accident, you get disfigured then cosmetic surgery becomes necessary. If you can live with it, then why change it, that’s how God want you to be. Someone may come in here and say ‘I want to lose weight.’

First, I tell them ‘watch what you eat, go to the gym, that’s step 1, then step two, give that a shot first, then after that, you can come and we can start using machines that will melt the fats or freeze the fats and all that.’ It’s an interesting industry in Nigeria; interesting in the sense that it’s almost new. The skin care industry has been in existence since the 4th BC where the Egyptians used to take mud and all that.

Mud from the Dead Sea Mud from the Dead Sea works for the skin, but is it a permanent thing? No, it’s temporary. Most things are temporary. In Nigeria, most people want a permanent result but I tell them the only thing that is permanent is death. Other than that, nothing is permanent, it comes and goes.

My advice is ‘choose a reputable spa to deal with, choose a reputable product, be yourself, don’t try to bleach your cream, try to glow up and brighten up.’ All of a sudden, I don’t know what happened to the saying that black is beautiful. But now, it’s seems that white is better than black which doesn’t make any sense. It’s like we are losing our sense of pride. A white person is chasing the sun in the beach because they want to be black and a black person is trying to lighten up because they want to be white.

Growing up during the Nigerian civil war My formative years were quite interesting, growing up happened to be during the Nigerian civil war. My mom was a nurse and my dad was working with the rail road. After the war, I went to St Patrick’s College in Asaba. Those were the days I can never forget, what made me to be who I am and what I am was my secondary school days.

As a child then, watching so many

people getting killed during the civil war, remains indelible. At a point, you get used to it and accepting like it’s normal to the point that you can actually kill if someone gives you a gun because your heart is hardened and it’s either you kill me or I kill you. So, it makes no difference and also hunger but all those helped to make me to appreciate life. I tell you, people give not because you have but because you know what it is not to have. That should be enough reason for you to give because if you never had before and you finally get it, then make sure you give because you know what it is when you don’t have it.

The war was a terrible sad experience; a lot of people died, thank God, none of my siblings died during the war. I have a lot of family members that died; the hunger, the starvation and all that, it was really a sad experience. I don’t have any regrets in life because I leant how to survive during the civil war. You see an eight or nine years old kid without the parent trying to survive then. It makes you grow overnight. Today, I look at our societal values and look at the kids, the kids these days are so smart, they have book sense but are street bound. Their values are completely different. Growing up, I was always looking forward to taking care of my dad. The kids we have these days, I don’t know if they’re going to take care of us, because then, when your parents take care of you, you do that in return. Those values are some of the things we learnt from the war, from the dormitory while we were in school because we formed a brotherhood while we were in school. On my birthday, I mostly invite all my class mates that are in Lagos. Friends are not the ones you meet now but the ones you grew up with and haven’t spoken to in one or two years but immediately you meet that person you can start conversing like you people saw yesterday. Those are your friends, they know you inside outside. So my secondary school years, I won’t trade it for anything. After the secondary school years, I joined the Nigerian Defense Academy. I left the defense academy and went to the USA. In the USA, I thank God that I met some of my very good friends again from secondary school. It was like another reunion in Los Angeles. Most of us are back now and we still remain friends and have each other’s back. I thank God for everything.

My best gift as a child The best gift I can remember as a child was a bicycle and that was when I turned 10. If you give me a Rolls Royce and a bicycle, I would have taken the bicycle as a kid then.

I don’t think I have made any mistake in my life I thank God for everything; I don’t think I have made any mistake in my life. I am so happy with my life like I said earlier, I wouldn’t change anything when I have the same family, siblings, friends and in terms of friendship.

Sometimes you grow together then you grow apart some people. I have grown apart from them but the good true friends sometimes you value them more than your own blood brothers because you do things together.

I have treated over 10,000 people There was a time I was counting it and that was way back 20 years ago. For me to have treated over 10,000 people and I can tell that that 9000+ are happy.

They come back to tell me thank you, that’s a big joy to me. When you make

someone happy automatically you are happy. My whole life revolves around being happy, after work I go out every day to have fun. Some people are saving to buy a car and to build a mansion, that’s not my goal. My goal is that I can have money and go somewhere and say give me the finest drink you have, give me the best food that you have, eat, drink, relax, enjoy, and be merry.

I fear getting old and not being able to do things that I do My biggest fear in life I would say is getting old and not being able to do things that you used to do. I fear that more than death. Death is something I welcome with open heart, any day even now but being old and not being able to do what you have to do, being old and you need someone to clean you up, you can’t drive or eat by yourself, sometimes we try to cling to life when there’s no life left in you anymore. I always tell God that when it gets to that point that I can’t do the things I used to do for myself, I’m ready to go.

The most important thing that I desire is happiness Definitely, I desire a whole lot of things. The most important thing that I desire is happiness. I would do anything to be happy, that’s my number one desire. I desire for all my kids to be graduates thank God all my kids are graduating this year. I desire for my daughters and sons to get married if it’s their choice. I would never push them or encourage them but if that’s what they choose to do, then it’s fine. People tell me ‘won’t you like your daughter to have a child so you can be a grandpa.’ Not really, I have so many kids. In this office, Oasis, all my staff are like my kids. Kids are not just the ones you have. There are

good people out there looking for love and if you can share your love with them and make them happy, that what matters to me.

Life has taught me to be humble Life has taught me to be humble; you have to learn how to forgive, instead of stressing yourself over nothing. Life has taught me that life is a very short journey and the older you get, you realise that you are closer to where you are going than where you came from like me. I don’t see myself in another 60 years that will be a cause in my life. I don’t look 60, and I don’t feel 60. The things that I do while I was 35, 40 years old, I still do them. I still run the Lagos State Marathon. I still go to the gym, I still go out, I still do things that 30, 40 year olds can do. To me, age is just a number.

It depends on your mindset, what you think you are and how you’ve lived your life. When people ask me my age and I tell them, they don’t believe, because I go out and I still do the dance steps that kids these days can do, the shaku shaku, the zanku, just name it.

If you are happy within yourself, your life will be so much easier A man or a woman will not make you happy, all those are companionship. If you are happy within yourself, your life will be so much easier. Today, people think that money makes people happy.

Money doesn’t make you happy, though money is good to have, but it doesn’t bring happiness. Some people have so much money but they are in the hospital, some people have so much money but they cannot move, some people with the whole money they aren’t happy then what’s the essence of having money? You have to be happy, you have to be healthy.

Those are the two key things, happy, healthy and live your life.

My Best Friend is My Ex-Wife. We Are Happier Now Than When We Were Married

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

PLUS

Abisola Abisoye Fear of Poverty Inspired Me to Greatness She is a warm, friendly and courteous event planner, fashionista, healthy living enthusiast and cook. For Abisola Abisoye, the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos-based Ball Events Concepts, finding her passion came both naturally and quickly. Being the head keeps her on her toes, but she couldn’t be happier. A lot goes into event planning and she makes sure that every detail is executed to perfection. For her, it’s all about a solid team and a constant flow of creative ideas. Adedayo Adejobi finds out Abisola’s innermost fears, inspirations and what gives her fulfilment aside the job

ÍšÍťËœ ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

21

PLUS Cooking, Feeding People Give Me So Much Joy How did you get into Event Management?

I got into the Event Industry through ushering at parties and events. I have always loved seeing my imaginations or ideas come to life and event planning gave me that avenue.

What was the toughest event you have organised?

My toughest event so far was my first event. I had to do it, pregnant with my first child and I felt I had to hide it from the client. I was seven months pregnant and was drilled and drained because it was a major society wedding. When client found out I had a baby barely two months later, she was shocked and worried the baby and I were fine because of the stress I went through.

What is the best advice you would give to someone who is thinking about going into event management?

I would advise the person to do their market survey, pick an area of specialisation, write a business plan and get trained in that field.

What does it take to be a good event manager?

It takes diligence, hard work, dedication, loyalty and honesty to be a good event planner. I think the following traits are essential for you to thrive in this industry - integrity, honesty, transparency, diligence, consistency, dedication and loyalty to your client, staff and vendors.

What’s the Best Part of Your Job Now? The feedback, I live for those as they are mostly positive and heart-warming. ‘ŠÂ?Čą Â ÂŠÂœČą Â˘Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą ꛜÂ?Čą ™Š¢ȹ ÂŒÂ‘ÂŽÂšÂžÂŽČą as an events manager?

Honestly, I cannot remember but what I do recall was that I made N15, 000 and invested same in buying my own bundles of fabric for the next event and boy, was I elated.

You are over a decade in the industry; could you share the highs and lows?

I have gone through so many highs and lows but the ability to get through it is what has sustained me over the years. Ball Events will be 11years in June.

What are the key challenges?

Lack of tailored financial services to suit peculiar needs of the industry and lack of business continuity plan to the next generation.

As a woman, what gives you Â?ž•ę•–Ž—Â?ČąÂŠÂœÂ’Â?ÂŽČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÂ›ČąÂ“Â˜Â‹Çľ Taking care of my family gives me the ultimate fulfilment. I am a nurturer so when I am not at work or at an event, I am tending to my family. It gives me the ultimate joy.

Â˜Â ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžČąÂ“ÂžÂ?Â?•Žȹ‹Ž’—Â?ȹŠȹ ’Â?ÂŽÇ°Čą mother and a very busy events ™•Š——Ž›Ǿ I have learnt to master my time and plan everything accordingly. On most days, all goes well but some other days, we just go with the flow but I couldn’t have done it so well without my mother’s help. She had to move in with us to take care of us all and cover the grounds for me when I have to be away from home. ‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ’Â—ÂœÂ™Â’Â›ÂŽÂœČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÇľ The fear of poverty. ‘ŠÂ?ČąÂŠÂ›ÂŽČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÂ›ČąÄ™Â&#x;ÂŽČąÂ–Â˜ÂœÂ?ČąÂ&#x;Š’—ȹ

Â™Â˜ÂœÂœÂŽÂœÂœÂ’Â˜Â—ÂœÇľ My Shoes, phones, and my perfumes. I don’t have up to five.

What are your best vacation œ™˜Â?ÂœÇľ Barbados, Dubai and Orlando When you are not working, what do you do?

Cooking - it gives me so much joy to cook and feed people. ›˜ ’—Â?ȹž™ǰȹ ‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ&#x;ÂŠÂ•ÂžÂŽÂœČąÂ‘ÂŠÂ&#x;ÂŽČą œ‘Š™ŽÂ?ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžÇľ Honesty, contentment, perseverance and hard work. ‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžČąÄ™Â—Â?ČąÂ›Â˜Â–ÂŠÂ—Â?Â’ÂŒČąÂ’Â—ČąÂŠČą date?

The time alone to talk without interruptions.

What are your innermost secrets?

I can’t tell it. That’s why they are my innermost secrets. Â?ČąÂ˘Â˜ÂžČąÂ ÂŽÂ›ÂŽČąÂŠÂ—ČąÂ˜ÂžÂ?Ä™Â?ǰȹ ‘ŠÂ?ČąÂ Â˜ÂžÂ•Â?Čą you be?

A Jumpsuit. Â˜ÂžÂ›ČąÂ?ŠÂ&#x;˜ž›’Â?Žȹ—Š’•ȏ™Š’—Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜Â•Â˜ÂžÂ›Çľ Nude.

Your best styled celebrity?

Rita Dominic.

If you were to give a fashion advice, what would it be?

Never go out without your lip gloss.

What’s your beauty secret?

I drink lots of water and juice my veggies. ‘ŠÂ?Čą Â™Â‘Â˘ÂœÂ’ÂŒÂŠÂ•Čą Â?ŽŠÂ?ž›Žȹ Â?Â˜Čą Â˘Â˜ÂžČą •’”Žȹ ™•Š¢’—Â?Čą ž™Ǿ My height.

Which facial feature do you highlight?

My Eyelashes. Čą Â?ÂŠÂœÂ‘Â’Â˜Â—Čą Â?›Ž—Â?Čą Â?‘ŠÂ?Čą ™žÂ?ÂœČą Â˘Â˜ÂžČą Â˜Ä›ÇŻÇŻ.

Permanent brow tattoo.

What do you tend to overbuy?

Shoes.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would Â˘Â˜ÂžČą ›ŠÂ?ÂŽČą Â˘Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą Â™ÂŽÂ›ÂœÂ˜Â—ÂŠÂ•Čą ÂœÂ?¢•ŽǾ 8/10. Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą Â?ŠÂ&#x;˜ž›’Â?ÂŽČą –Š”Žȏž™ȹ ÂœÂ?¢•ŽǾ Smokey eyes, nude lips, can’t ever go wrong with it.

Your favourite item in the wardrobe‌ My black jumpsuits (I have quite a lot). Čą –žœÂ?ȏŠ™™•¢ȹ –Š”Žȏž™ȹ Â’Â?Ž–ǯǯǯ Mascara. Â˜ÂžÂ›Čą ÂœÂ?¢•Žȹ ˜Â?Čą Â“ÂŽÂŠÂ—ÂœÇŻÇŻÇŻ High-waist Skinny Jeans all day every day.

What’s the one garment that Â–ÂŠÂ”ÂŽÂœČą Â˘Â˜ÂžČą Â?ŽŽ•ȹ Č Â‹Â˜Â?¢ȹ Œ˜—ęÂ?Ž—Â?Č‚Çľ Above the knee shift dress.

What’s the one garment you feel conscious in?

A white dress.

The most treasured item in your closet?

A new jumpsuit I just got (It’s green by the way).

22

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

Fashion File

Annee du Cheval

Collection by Helejane

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

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

FASHION FILE

Année du Cheval Collection by Helejane Shot by luxury lifestyle photographer, Yemi Joseph (yjpictures), the campaign - Année du Cheval - is a collaboration of two brands, Helejané and Mak Nisy, leveraging on collective craftsmanship and expertise to create the most astonishing handbags. It captures timeless silhouettes of unique art that bear high quality details, creating a fascinating, fresh and forward-looking interpretation of luxury.

Earlier this month, HeleJané debuted her first hand bag collection during a private viewing with numerous collaborations with the bag manufacturer Mak Nisy.

One of the most memorable moments included the reveal of the uniquely structured hand bags created entirely, of genuine leather while its hardware is crafted with solid brass and delicately plated with 24 carat fine gold.

In a series of rich photographs, the muse and her environment appear both elegant and relaxed, sophisticated and without artifice.

The clothes she wears correspond to her own life style as a woman of today: she adorns herself to suit her schedule in suits, sequins, fur, gloves, pearls, large sunglasses and a wide smile ... A faultless balancing act of success with a touch of sophistication. She, in particular prefers the collection’s symbolic bags carried in the hand as a companion or to ward off unwanted attention.

Among these is the Luggage lux, which is the oversized bag with a cool stretched pentagon shape.

It is sized to fit your everyday

essentials and some more. It comes in various sizes to suit your lifestyle choice. In addition are the Creative Director’s newdesigns for the collaboration: the elegant allure of the Diva, a timeless piece for a night of glamour, the dramatic Spice which promises to be a show-stopper, a captivating transitional companion such as the Boujie with layers of texture from the use of different leathers, the Bossi and Bodak, a new workessential, with its structured pattern and interior designed to fit work essentials and a medium-sized laptop.

HeleJané is a luxury fashion brand that has recently reemerged in Abuja, Nigeria. The beautiful handbags are created specifically for women of style and exquisite taste.

This collection celebrates modern femininity with a luxurious spirit with a make-it-personal campaign that allows you to Pre-order while customizing and creating your unique handbag.

Mak Nisy and HeleJané collaboration promises to deliver a handmade handbag to each customer, led by the creative direction and style of HeleJané to create bold, stylish and unique handbags.

The HeleJané minimalistic but luxurious aesthetic is visible in all six bag styles. The Mak Nisy and HeleJané collaboration consists of six styles and 12 variations namely – Spice, Boujie, Bossi, Bodak, Luggage and Diva.

The women behind the brands are Dolapo Deji-Torey (nee Adeyemi) and Amaka Nwosisi.

24

˜ ˞ APRIL 13, 2019

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

‘Birthday Anniversary’ Wrong

A

CCORDING to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, 6th Edition, for Advanced Learners, ‘your birthday is a day that is an exact number of years after the day you were born.’ It is also ‘a day that is an exact number of years since an organisation was established or an event first happened’: On August 29, Globacom will celebrate its 16th birthday.

Issuing from the foregoing, ‘anniversary’ on the other hand, means ‘a date on which something special or important happened in a previous year.’ It may not necessarily be the previous date, but ‘birthday’ ‘is an exact number of years‌.’ While ‘anniversary’ talks of ‘a date’ without exactitude as applies to ‘birthday’, we cannot, therefore, say “birthday anniversaryâ€?.

Apart from padding, it is morphologically and technically contradictory. ‘Wedding anniversary’, which is acceptable, is different from ‘birthday’ because it could be celebrated any day with or without chronological exactness.

Even for purposes of elegance, word economy and classical writing, it is good to just say ‘60th birthday’ instead of “60th Birthday Anniversary� as is commonplace! This week’s intro was provoked by a full-page advertorial in DAILY SUN of April 10 by the Enugu State Government in honour of His Excellency Sullivan I. Chime, CON, former governor, Enugu State, who clocked 60. The catachresis (“60th Birthday Anniversary�) was certainly not in God’s hands!

(Constructive, cerebral and well-researched interventions are welcome) “The tour will also afford the Executive of the group the opportunity to sensitise the general public on (to) its post-election activities.�

THISDAY front and inside page solecisms of March 30 come next: â€œâ€Śon the ground (grounds) that they failed to prove their case against the traditional ruler.â€? “While the 35 per cent affirmation which sought to give that percentage of representation to women appear (appears) to have taken a back seat‌.â€?

â€œâ€Śaccuses them to (of) rubbishing traditional institutionâ€? (DAILY Sun Front Page, April 3) â€?LASG, firm, bizman (sic) in legal battle over right on (to) propertyâ€? “As we have (had) noted earlier‌.â€? (DAILY Sun Editorial, April 3) “Victims tell tales of woes (tale of woe)â€? (Abujq Metro, April 3) “Nigerian youth generation has huge potentialsâ€? Get it right: potential (non-count) or potentialities The next two headline improprieties are from THISDAY of March 6: “NDLEAarrest (arrests) 65 in Ebonyi, burn (burns)18,083,787kg cannabis in Kogiâ€? “FG, states to commit more funds in (to) Universal Health Coverageâ€? “Aweek to the end of his stay in the House and office, the reputation of the House and that of himself look (looks) wretched‌.â€? “Osun Deputy Governor, SSG, others pay last respect as‌goes homeâ€? (THE NATION SOCIETY Headline, March 21) May his soul rest in peace (not perfect peace, by the way, as emotional people write): pay last respects. “Testimony galore at RCCG Holy Ghost Service for Marchâ€? (Sunday Tribune, March 31) Praise & Worship: Testimonies galore‌. “Ameobi lays siege for Baggiesâ€? (THE NATION SPORT Banner, March 22) Sportsmanship: lay siege to (not for), if at all this lexical structure has to be used! “Despite the fact that these ex-bank chiefs are on bail and has never negate any condition of their bail‌.â€? (DAILY INDEPENDENT LAW, March 19) How did we arrive here? The ex-bank chiefs are on bail and have never negated‌. “It hasn’t been too good (sic) in the last four years and it’s something that borders (bothers) me.â€? (0 Tribune Politics, March 18) Next on feature is THISDAY of March 29: “The euphoria among workers over this year’s May Day find (finds) expression in the fact that they can now take their destiny in their own hands.â€? “It was an unenviable task given the palpable hostility that rented (rent) the air.â€? “APC senator-elect advises colleagues to brace-up for the next republicâ€? Politics Today:

Still on phrasal verb brouhaha (brace up). It is not a syllabic entry. “The lack of adequate knowledge of the areas have (had) often made past exercises to be.‌â€? â€œâ€Śexecute programmes and policies which they promised the electorates (electorate) before being voted for.â€? “The redeployment of the sports administrator comes in (on) the heels of sweeping changes presently (sic) going on in the federal civil service.â€? Yank off ‘presently’ in the interest of purity and word economy! â€œâ€Śwe are assuming that among the privileged specie (species) of homo sapiens‌.â€? “Amajor platform under (on) which banking regulation has been carried out in Nigeria over the years has been through the use of statutory regulation.â€? â€œâ€ŚI thought I heard the preacher talked (talk) about the message of Jesus being rather simple‌.â€? “But, of course, the country is still indebted to the tune of a whooping $29 billion to the same IMF with service arrears mounting by $1 billion annually.â€? Spell-check: whopping. “Without my vote it could have been minus one vote for either of the two candidates.â€? It couldn’t have been ‘either of four candidates’!

Delete ‘two’ in the interest grammatical sanity. â€œâ€Śthat we are indeed free at last to breathe easy and live without the fears of yesteryears‌.â€?

The last word in the excerpt cannot be pluralized. “Lack of other skills force (forces) men and women into occupations that carry more risk than others.� “The other week, illegal fuel hawkers at Ojuelegba, in the Lagos metropolis, fell out with some of their co-dealers and fourth themselves.�

The miscreants fought one another (not themselves). “Areas like‌have had one skirmish or the other (another) since last week Thursday. “Either last Thursday or Thursday, last week “Orji Kalu looked dazed and traumatised even as he beamed smiles to the crowd.â€? The man could not have beamed a frown! We should not ignorantly circumscribe meaning of words through redundancies.

Leadership:Deaf,DumborinDenial(2)

I

find the words of my “Facebook friend�, Bolaji Innocent, quite illustrative, in a reaction to the first part of this article last week. His quote: “Our rulers tend to play the three monkeys - deaf, dumb and blind - when a sensible message does not massage their ego. If you’re a sycophant, they’ll listen to you attentively.� Is he wrong? Can the truth be sadder?

Well, let it be on record that some people are interested in nation-building, and are willing to sacrifice their jealously-guarded peace which public pontification can easily shatter.

We therefore continue with our lingering thoughts on how to unleash the thunder of our creative communities, for the sake of the common good: “Good sensible government policies that allow entrepreneurial capacities of its people to roam and flourish, have a way of attracting major investments.

When we get our distribution and exhibition channels right and running; when the right people drive a commonsensical pro-people agencies of government with a crusading desire to promote and project the creative endeavours of Nigerians, we shall begin to witness fantastic collaborations with Hollywood moneybags, the likes of which Bollywood is now enjoying.

Major Indian media conglomerates, Reliance Big Entertainment acquired about 200 theatres in 28 American cities to screen Bollywood and other regional movies; it earlier signed a 36-film, six-year deal with Steven Spielberg’s Dream Works SKG worth $1.2b. Walt Disney is reputed to have invested over $300m with Yash Raj Films, apart from Warner Bros collaborating with People Tree Films and Tandav Films. Other interventions are Sony’s Saawariya (a Dostoyevsky story) in 2007; Disney’s Roadside Romeo (animation), Warner Bros’ Chandni Chowk to China; 20th Century Fox’s Dum Maaro Dum and the (once) most successful flick locally, My Name Is Khan ($16m in India/$44m globally). By the way, wither the Nigerian data on the much-vaunted third global power in movie-making?

The point is, most of these stupendous deals began just after government took Bollywood seriously... and around the 2009 India-set mega-hit, Slum Dog Millionaire (a British/American/Indian collaboration shot mostly in India) which was produced with $15m but grossed $377m box-office! Of course it won eight Oscars out of 10 nominations! Another word for breakthrough.

However, none of these can be attained without the help of government. Though an intrinsically

private enterprise, the sum-total of creative efforts is the elucidation and documentation of people’s culture, lifestyle and struggles through the lenses of their defining citizens. Great nations recognise that their insular confluence of diverse economic, informational and strategic interests are best enunciated by a collaborative creative community - for exports to the farthest reaches beyond the motherland. Perhaps GEJ saw the fringes of that great promise, but history will record that he took the stuttering steps (embracing and recognising the power of creativity) that galvanised successive administrations to ascend and catapult the great promise of our Creative Enterprise to the zenith of global ascendancy.

Don’t snigger and wrinkle your nose - for this is how America cockily began to surge outfield (99) years ago... it is not late for us to start climbing.

To lavishly buttress my point, this is how an Associate Professor of Anthropology at New York University and a notable chronicler of Hindu films (Bollywood), Dr. Tejaswini Ganti puts it in a 2012 interview: “Until the advent of what is referred to as corporatisation, which really started to take shape in some sort of serious manner about five years ago, there was no integration between production, distribution, or exhibition, although that is beginning to change now. Finally, a very important difference between the two industries is that Hollywood has always had the support of the US government, since the early 20th century, to help its goals of expansion, unlike the Hindi industry, which first took shape under a colonial power.

The British were trying to figure out how to promote their own films in India and had no interest in fostering Indian filmmaking. After Independence, the Indian government treated films akin to a vice in terms of its censorship and taxation policies.... “The U.S. government from the early part of the 20th century saw the economic and ideological potential of film exports and Hollywood was often referred to as the little State Department. In fact, Will Hays, the head of the MPAA in the 1920s, asserted (that) every foot of American film sells one dollar worth of manufactured products somewhere in the world. So the issue of expanding market reach has to do with political and economic factors rather than simple content... “.

So, this is not a time for dogmas and crass partisanship. This is a venture where everyone wins - the government, practitioners, business people, consumers, the media, distributors, and allied sectors. The

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“It is regrettable that the police has (have) virtually turned Mushin and parts of Isolo into a police state, subjecting such areas into (to) a nightmarish reign of terror and anarchy.â€? â€œâ€Śthe new chairmen and councillors would usher in improved grassroot development schemes for the welfare of the people.â€? Always: grassroots. “During his investiture ceremony held at the college campus.‌â€? Always on (not at) the campus “The truth of the matter is that both the Liberian and Sierra Leonean crisis cost Nigeria a fortune.â€?

Singular: crisis; plural: crises. “Also, the country’s educational and health institutions are in total shambles.â€? This way: in a total shambles. “Building and construction firms have began (begun) to submit bids for‌.â€? â€œâ€ŚNigeria was observing a mandatory requirement for the conferment of validity to (on) its 2019 elections.â€? “Your life is an examplary one.‌â€? This way: exemplary. “He who pays the piper dictates the tune.â€? He who pays the piper calls the tune. “In spite of distance and regional location, the two countries at one time has (had) so much in common.â€? “Murder: Lack of funds stall (stalls) prosecutionâ€? I appreciate the source of confusion. It is a recurring shibboleth. â€œâ€Śmany Nigerians are dead, millions are today walking corpses, while unemployment, hunger and destitution is (are) rife in the land.â€? “Personal sacrifices and discipline are the only ammunitions civilians have for rescuing the nation from.‌â€? This way: ammunition. “One had thought that after the allegation levied (levelled) against Lionel Messi.‌â€? “The UNIBEN Alumni Association has congratulated two of its members for (on/upon) their achievements in politics.â€?

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

Nigerian Creative Communities deserve our full and wholesome support, and a watchful encouragement to soar beyond its current supine status. I believe it!!

To be clear, When we say a government accords an ‘Industry’ status to loosely connected groups of people identifiable by one broad profession, we mean that the government actually ‘means’ business. It recognises the vital importance of that profession to the development of the economy and the stability of the nation.

It understands that such a profession can add value to the system by exporting, in massive consignments, its products, general merchandise, services, culture, traditions, tourism destinations, and countless distinctly Nigerian items, articles and paraphernalia, through scenic representations in our movies which become (familiar) worldwide. Such a government desires that national artefacts like the crest, flag, stamps, buildings, games, protocols, etc, are seen, recognised and patronised all across the world. Such a government appreciates that dominating Africa economically and politically is underlined by vibrant, adept and professional motion pictures (and similar entertainment products) which are the sure and deliberate steps before ‘conquering’ the world.

Therefore, such a government will seek means and measures to protect and nurture the new ‘Industry’ – by spearheading the building of physical and intellectual structures; designing and drafting pragmatic, comprehensive laws and regulations to midwife and safeguard the operations and procedures of the Industry (not dilly-dally over an amorphous Motion Pictures Bill that has taken almost four years to draft, and yet no document in sight). So, to build a worldclass country and man-power, the world must first see the class and carriage of her visions and dreams via the windows of her arts and culture – her enduring civilisation!�

It is time to unclog the ears, drop progressive pretensions, roll up the sleeves and get to work... no serious nation can make progress when her rulers strut around like courtiers and mandarins in bellowing babanrigas and starched kaftans!

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 13, 2019

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REFLECTIONS

Saving Zamfara State

I

t is no longer a matter of debate that large swathes of land in Zamfara state are under the control of criminal gangs, bandits and economic saboteurs who are illegally mining mineral resources to the disadvantage of the Nigerian State. These groups have for years become a State unto themselves as they prey on civilians without let, and perpetuate conflict with considerable cost to civilians.

The tragedy of the Zamfara quagmire is that for years government’s capacity to deal with the problem has had little effect. Because of the failure to deal with the growing threat especially relating to Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM), we now have a situation that will further stretch even thinner the nation’s security architecture. As things are presently, the country’s military is porously thin because of nationwide security challenges.

For those who know little about the tragedy that has become of Zamfara state, it is much about the failure of leaders as it is about lucrative illegal mining and cattle rustling. While it is a trite constitutional guarantee that the welfare and security of the people are the primary purpose of government, those charged with the responsibility of ensuring that these demands of their offices are realized rather focused on religious dogmas as a cover for their personal failures.

Ordinarily, if they had demonstrated fidelity to the religious laws and obligations which they so faithfully implemented, they would have known it confers an obligation on them to be forthright, honest and accountable to the people.

So for the political overlords, religion became a smokescreen to indulge in forbidden pleasures while

While President Buhari has ordered the military to deal ‘ruthlessly’ with the armed gangs of Zamfara and other North Western states including Katsina, it is instructive he goes a little step further by giving specific timeline of what should be achieved at every stage of the operation. Leaving it open ended as it were will not galvanise the military commanders to be swift, decisive and result oriented. This is against the seeming renewed onslaught of Boko Haram in Yobe and Borno states

atrocities.

It is in this regard that the Nigerian government should begin to interrogate the involvement of foreign powers in the orgy of violence that has gripped Zamfara state. While it is now a known fact that the country is awash with small and light weapons, it is pertinent to ask who are those really fuelling the carnage? Why are they so intent in wiping out whole communities? Is it to denude the areas of human existence so they can have unfettered access to the mineral resources or there is a more sinister force at play?

These questions are in response to the claims of the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, who incidentally hails from the state, that some traditional rulers are in league with the bandit elements.

According to a press statement from his ministry, Dan-Ali said, “However, in spite of the concerted efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies, some unpatriotic persons, including highly placed traditional rulers in the areas, were identified as helping the bandits with intelligence to perpetuate their nefarious actions or to compromise military operations.” (Emphasis mine). If I were to say I feel sorry for the defence chief, it will be an understatement. Here is a minister with the full weight of the Nigerian State on his side admitting to the fact that bandits are getting help from some ‘faceless’ (one would assume) traditional rulers, but DanYari Ali has admitted they are known, yet nothing, absolutely nothing, other always lying through their teeth that than a lame warning has been done. “it is the will of Allah.” The will of the By now, ought not the identified Almighty remains that the governor, collaborators be in military detenlawmakers and traditional rulers tion? Why is it so much of a difficult build synergy and have a common task in showing examples of those front for the welfare and security of that have upended the lives of the people. But what Zamfara has thousands and engaged in economic witnessed in the past 16 years and sabotage? Or is it simply that the in particular the last 8 years is an defence minister knows much more aberration of what governance ought than he is letting out? to be. Many Nigerians are unaware It is something of a cheer that the that even as the federal government traditional rulers in Zamfara have moves to arrest the ugly situation of elected not to be made scapegoats by armed banditry in the state, Governor the defiance minister as they have Abdulazzi Yari was away in the challenged him to come clean on United States. Doing what exactly? those allegedly behind the carnage in Oh, I forgot, he has since abdicated the state. Two days after the telling his responsibility as the Chief Secuaccusation, the Zamfara State Council rity Officer of the State. It is an irony of Chiefs in a communiqué signed of sorts that the governor can find by the Emir of Anka and chairman the energy to drive the clamour for of the state’s council of chiefs, Alhaji issuance of certificates of return to Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad held elected officials of the state, but lacks an emergency meeting in Gusau the the drive to stay put and coordinate state capital to make their position or even observe the ongoing efforts known. to rid the state of the malfeasance of One appreciates the swiftness of banditry and other criminal enterthe royal fathers in asking Dan-Ali to prises. name and shame, if any, the traditionHowever, it is easy to situate the al rulers colluding with the bandits. worsening situation on the state But it is also pertinent to ask why for government for not engaging conso long did they play the Ostrich as stantly and creatively with the locals, to what has been happening in their but the issue of conflict resources is domains? Is it that there have asked a global headache. The Congo is a for military intervention behind the perfect exemplar of how not to manscene and their pleas were ignored? age resource conflict and hopefully They cannot be wholly excused from can offer a lesson or two to the federal the malady given that they stand government’s pushback in Zamfara in good stead to have been more state. strident for the kind of action that has The Congo has been perpetually been launched. at war with itself and neigbhours Also worrying is the finger pointing because of mineral conflict. The grim between the emirs and the military story, the disease and poverty of the in how the barely one week battle minerals-rich country is not so differ- against the criminal elements is ent from the grim reality in Zamfara. going. For the traditional rulers to acIt beggars belief that almost a cuse the airforce of missing the actual decade after over 400 children died of culprits and hitting “many innocent lead poisoning, nothing substantial villagers” in ‘misdirected airstrikes,’ was done to tackle the menace of calls for more stakeholders engagechild fatalities in Zamfara state. It ment. is left to the imagination how much “Reports from Mutu in Gusau more have died because those elected and Tsafe local government areas, and paid to protect the vulnerable Tangaram in Anka local government failed them miserably. and Dumburum in Zurmi local area, If anyone thought that lessons among others, are that the areas have been learnt, then it was a mere shelled were not the actual hideouts wish as wanton killings of natives of the bandits and the victims were supposedly by people who share the innocent civilians. We call on the same affinities in terms of culture, federal government to come to the religion and language in communities aid of the state, especially the people far flung from the hundreds of illegal in our rural communities who are mining sites in the state are swiftly in very dire need of life supporting executed and nobody is yet to be held material. Thousands have left their accountable for such unspeakable homes, and farming and all economic

activities have been put to standstill in most rural areas,” the emirs were quoted as saying.

This should not be taken lightly. For any meaningful outcome in salvaging the tenuous situation, no side should be treated in a cavalier manner. The traditional rulers ought to be temperate in their words as it could pitch the people against the military. More so, it is incumbent on the military to work towards winning hearts as intelligence is crucial in dislodging the bandits, and this critical information needed can only come from the natives.

Similarly, while President Buhari has ordered the military to deal ‘ruthlessly’ with the armed gangs of Zamfara and other North Western states including Katsina, it is instructive he goes a little step further by giving specific timeline of what should be achieved at every stage of the operation. Leaving it open ended as it were will not galvanise the military commanders to be swift, decisive and result oriented. This is against the seeming renewed onslaught of Boko Haram in Yobe and Borno states.

It is gratifying to note that the military has launched a full scale operation- Exercise Harbin Kunama IV in not only Zamfara, but Katsina and Sokoto states as well – to tackle the banditry that has left many a village deserted and social interaction severely damaged.

What the government and all should not lose sight of is the dire implication of food security and social cohesion that has been threatened. Evidence abound that villagers can no longer farm, community life is gradually, if not already, dying, religious obligations as well cannot be performed because it is uncertain when the next attack will happen.

By taking the drastic step to halt Artisanal and Small-scale Mining as well as asking all foreigners to leave the conflict area is commendable.

But does that mean that military operation is the viable legitimate option available? Would it not have been more rewarding to take a census of all foreigners operating in the area, determine those that are duly licenced to operate and sieve those who perhaps have fuelled conflict for their own profit more reasonable?

Let’s assume that the foreigners have left, what security guarantee for Nigerians, who may have been victims in the first instance but caught in the resource conflict? Are they now expendables in government’s efforts in clearing the mess in Zamfara? It would be interesting for government to unveil its long term plans for the state and other contiguous areas so that there is clarity as to what comes after the military operations. Without a doubt, the military cannot stay in the area for long as it is already too stretched. It is in this regard that the federal government should hold a broad stakeholders engagement on how they can be part of restoring sanity to the area. More than that, it should work towards the designation of gold and other minerals illegally harvested in Zamfara as conflict resource as was done with the Blood Diamonds of Liberia, the Coltan and other minerals of Congo etc.

To achieve this requires international synergy and highlighting how Western patronage is fuelling crisis, poverty and disease in communities in Zamfara. This is against several accounts of helicopter and light planes landing in the mining sites to ferry out gold. It is best to imagine the volume of revenue loss to the Nigerian government. At a time the federal government is seeking to expand its revenue base, there is the urgency to plug the loopholes not just in the Zamfara mines, but across the country.

If we have dithered in the past in taking concrete actions, now is the hour to show balls not only to save Zamfara, but to say, ‘Enough is enough!’

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 13, 2019

POLITY

Ugwuanyi’s Reelection and Reality of Good Governance

Louis Amoke

T

he post-election actions of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration in Enugu State in sustaining the tempo of peace and good governance have further demonstrated the governor’s sheer dexterity, vision, passion and commitment to rapid development of the state as well as the wellbeing of the people.

Ugwuanyi, who was overwhelmingly reelected through an election that was adjudged as one of the most peaceful and transparent exercise in the nation’s history, has remained grateful to God and residents of Enugu State for His abundance of grace and the people’s unceasing prayers, show of solidarity, goodwill and support. The governor saw the people’s love and support as a re-investment of their trust and faith in his administration to render more selfless service.

The renewed mandate was therefore, a veritable platform to continue to reward them with good governance as the true heroes of democracy.

Consequently,Ugwuanyi in his acceptance speech pledged “to devote our energies and time to work hard for the wellbeing and prosperity of all our people”, declaring that “now is the time to get back to work”. He reaffirmed his resolve to continue to serve with the fear of God to improve the lives of the people and lift the state to unprecedented heights of development and progress.

Shortly after his reelection, Ugwuanyi, who had earlier paid ‘Thank-you visits’ to markets and streets of Enugu, returned to the streets on a post-contract inspection of roads such as the old UNTH road, Enugu, Ogidi Street and Onyeama lane in Asata, Enugu, preparatory to immediate rehabilitation and reconstruction.

He also inspected the ongoing reconstruction of Carter Street, Asata, Enugu, which was

awarded by his administration during the pre-election period, as well as the erosion menace at Okwuosa Bridge, Ogui, Enugu, where he promised a swift intervention.

Afew days after, contracts for execution of the inspected projects and many others, such as the zonal secretariat annex at Nsukka town and additional works at Nkwo Inyi-Akpugoeze-Mamu Forest road in Oji River Local Government Area and Nike Lake junction - Harmony Estate road – Amorji Nike - Adoration Pilgrimage centre (Phase one), were awarded, totaling over N1.1 billion.

Also in the post-election period, the Ugwuanyi administration awarded multiple contracts for the construction/reconstruction of urban and rural roads and 263 classroom blocks including the purchase of two Hilux vans for effective monitoring and supervision of the projects.

Approval was also given for the construction of a state-of-the-art administrative building of the Enugu State University of Education in Ihe, Awgu Local Government Area. The foundationlaying of the first university of education in the entire South East geopolitical zone was performed by Gov. Ugwuanyi few days ago amid jubilation and excitement.

The state government during the period under review also approved the purchase of 22,150 set of lockers and chairs for students; 1,228 set of tables and chairs for the teachers; 1, 130 marker boards for teaching and 1,960 ceiling fans for conducive learning environment.

Other development projects that received the approval of the government for “better urban, inter-local government and community road infrastructure”, include, Aludele road, Nsukka; Bishop’s Court road, Awgu; Access road to Igbo Ano Specialist Hospital, Igbo Ano, and failed culvert, pavement and surfacing at Onuiyi road, Nsukka adjacent to Zik’s residence.

Still on infrastructure, the state government equally gave approvals for the “engineering studies and design” of Oji River and Nsukka modern township stadia for Enugu West and

Ugwuanyi

Enugu North Senatorial Districts respectively, pre-contract documentations for the construction of state secretariat annex at Nsukka satellite town which has been duly awarded for construction, and recruitment of 52 personnel for the State Fire Service to man the five newly built stations across the three senatorial districts of the state, for efficient and effective discharge of duties.

It is on record that the Ugwuanyi’s administration, few weeks to the general election, awarded N1.4 billion worth of contracts for the rehabilitation/reconstruction of One Day road, Awkunanaw, Enugu; Construction of Phase II of Nike Lake junction - Harmony Estate road - Amorji Nike - Adoration Pilgrimage Centre (road works); Rehabilitation of Kenyatta Market road/failed sections/potholes/Onah street, Enugu; Rehabilitation of Umumba Ndiagu-

Ebenebe road (phase one), Ezeagu LGA. Others include, the reconstruction of Amankwo - Amaeke Ngwo - Ama Brewery junction road (Bypass); Extension of Amalla-Orba- Orie Orba -Eke Ovoko- Ovoko junction road, and Rehabilitation of Pocket Layout internal roads, Independence Layout, Enugu, etc.

All these projects, which are ongoing, were in keeping with the governor’s commitment to full implementation of the 2019 budget to advance the cause of development in the state for the wellbeing of the people.

Recently, Enugu State came second in the list of the five most reformed states in ease of doing business in the country that were rewarded by the Federal Government at the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Awards 2019.

The impressive rating of the state attracted commendations from the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, and the National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Iyalode Alaba Lawson, at the opening ceremony of the 30th Enugu International Trade Fair.

The duo commended Ugwuanyi for his administration’s innovative measures and steadfastness in enhancing the ease of doing business in the state.

On the journey so far, the World Bank Ease of Doing Report in 2014 ranked Enugu State 27 out of the 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja on “where it is easy to start a business and where not.”

On his assumption of office in 2015, Ugwuanyi, promised to ensure a significant increase in the state’s rating through innovations and far-reaching reforms and transformation of the commercial environment, institutions, regulations, policies, processes and programmes that affect ease of doing business in the state.

––Amoke writes from Enugu Readers can continued online www.thisdaylive.com

TwistsandTurnsinLawan,Ndume’sBattleforSenate Presidency Ola Adedayo

U

sing the penultimate week edition of ‘NTA Tuesday Live’, the Nigerian Television Authority talk-show, as barometer to feel the pulse of the nation, it was evidently clear that the stand of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the election of the leadership of the ninth National Assembly, due to be inaugurated in the first week of June, may not be popular after all.

Most of those who phoned in believed that the ruling party, if it does not want a repeat of the event of 2015, where a dissident group within its fold, acting in collaboration with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took over the leadership of the National Assembly, the APC must act differently in its approach to the forthcoming election of the presiding and principal officers of the two chambers of the federal parliament.

The programme, hosted by Cyril Stober, had on its panel of discussants a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Muhammed Kumalia; Idahosa West; Daniel Hassan Bwala and Amuda-Kannike Abiodun, a professor of law at the University of Port -Harcourt.

The APC leadership and its National Assembly memberselect, particularly the senators-elect, have been at loggerheads over the party’s position that all members should queue behind the Senate Majority Leader, Ahmed Lawan, to succeed Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President. At the moment, there are two main contenders for the topmost post of the Senate: Lawan, a ranking member and oldest member of the upper chamber, from Yobe State, and Senator Ali Muhammed Ndume, equally a ranking member, from Borno State. The nation’s number three position has been zoned to the North-East from where the two contestants hail. While the ruling party has announced Lawan as its preferred choice, it also warned of the consequence that awaits members who oppose his candidacy.

Umar Anarhin, who phoned-in on the NTA Live programmes from Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, slammed the APC National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, for warning the senators- elect of the party of facing possible expulsion should they fail to adhere to the party’s position on Lawan.

“The party is not a trade union that Oshiomhole may be thinking he is leading. It is like he is comparing the party to a union but they are totally different. You can’t force a candidate on the rest. Why not lobby, beg and negotiate until a consensus is reached? With the way he is going about it, I won’t be surprised if the minority hijacks the process to become the majority. The aggrieved over the utterances and actions of the party may conspire with the minority to impose a leadership on the majority. Oshiomole should know that APC is not a union

that he can give orders. It is a political party”, he said.

West Idahosa, a former member of the House of Representatives, echoed a similar view when he said: “The leadership of the National Assembly should be allowed to evolve within as a leadership that is not elected by members, most of the time, is sacked, especially if it doesn’t meet the expectations of members.”

According to him, “You cannot stop it. New generals will emerge on the floor. And if this forced leadership is not inspiring, it is right there that the leadership will be sacked”.

To Idahosa, it is unwise for the APC to issue threats on how the new leaders of the National Assembly should emerge.

“By doing that, you don’t encourage the growth we want in our democracy and, by extension, you don’t encourage the members to form their caucuses and develop their eventual leaders for the National Assembly,” he continued.

Kumalia believed it is the responsibility of the political party to ensure there is consensus among all members, vying for any position especially where you have more than one or two members indicating interest in a position.

His words, “If you can through persuasion, engagement and dialogue narrow the contenders to one or two such that the other candidates drop their ambition,that is okay. But in a situation where you talk down on some candidates and all those that want to contest for a position are seen as outsiders, it creates tension which ultimately brings about the feeling of independence among members.

“They will say since the party has anointed this person and the party does not want anybody to contest against him, yet they don’t want to engage and dialogue with anybody, they want to impose him on us, that means he is going to be a stooge of the executive.

“The day there is total harmony between the executive and the legislature, the ordinary people have been sold. So it is important that the leadership of parliament emerges through the stamp and authority of the lawmakers themselves in addition to the party overseeing the process.

“The Senate is not a chamber of boy scouts where you hand over command. I think that is what some find quite abhorrent”.

Abiodun agreed that the party has a big role to play in who emerges as principal officers in the National Assembly to the extent that it is only the political party that is allowed in the Constitution to sponsor candidates for elections.

“And once the various positions have been zoned by the parties, everything is off its table. I think they should engage other people who have interest in the same position, let them see reasons why they should step down. It is a democracy, not a military institution where it is command and obey”, the professor of law said.

“Even if they insist they want to contest after much persuasion, you allow them. That is democracy”.

Bwala, in his submission, believed that only a shadow election among all the contestants can reduce the tension the election of the National Assembly presiding and principal officers is generating.

“Let them sign an MOU, and the party engages all of them in a debate. Let them tell you their vision for the assembly and the country. Above all, set up a shadow election for them within their caucuses. This, I believe, will reduce this bickering going on”.

Now, should shadow election decide who takes the Senate President? In 2015, the majority leader position was zoned to the North-East with Lawan and Ndume also being the main contenders for the office. A mock election was conducted in the office of Senator Danjuma Goje. Lawan scored one vote while Ndume got eleven votes.

Meanwhile, whereas Lawan was first elected into the National Assembly in 1999, Ndume made his foray into the lower chamber in 2003. But it was Ndume who was elected as minority leader in 2007 and not Lawan. And with both of them now ‘promoted’ into the Senate, Lawan is occupying the office of majority leader which Udume vacated. In essence, even if it is clear that Lawan was elected into the National Assembly ahead of Udume, the fact that the latter occupied the office of minority leader in the lower chamber and majority leader ahead of the former makes Udume the senior of the two, and thus should be rated higher in deciding who gets the Senate Presidency.

In addition, party positions are shared based on commitment and loyalty of members. Recall that it was Ndume’s support for the policies of the Buhari-executive, against the wishes of his colleagues in the Senate, that earned him a suspension and his being stripped of his majority leader position with Lawan, becoming the beneficiary. However, Ndume is reported to have said that if the APC leadership does not want to support his bid for Senate President, it should make the contest an open one for all qualified senators-elect to participate, and canvass for votes from their colleagues. He spoke on the heels of the release of his nine-point agenda as President of the Senate.

Top on the agenda is his statement to lead the Senate to work harmoniously and inter-dependently with the executive without undermining the principle of Separation of Power while making new laws and reviewing existing ones in tandem with APC’s Next Level Agenda for Nigeria, especially those of Mr. President- Securing the country, Job Creation, Economic and Infrastructure Development, Fighting Corruption, Business and Entrepreneurship Development, Health Care Enhancement Services- HealthCare and Education, and Political Inclusion.

–Adedayo is resident in Lagos

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 13, 2019

27

POLITY

Conspiracy against Ogun Governorship Election Result Femi Ogbonnikan writes on the role of the “Lagos Cabal” in the emergence of governors in Ogun State, inconclusive projectsofoutgoingGovernorIbikunleAmosunandthecurrentdustbeingraisedbyAdekunleAkinlade,andhisparty,APM, alleginga“miscarriageofjustice”inthedeclarationoftheAPCcandidate,PrinceDapoAbiodun,aswinneroftheOgunState governorship election. Thus, Akinlade and the APM have approached the state’s Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, seeking redress for what they described as “massive electoral fraud” during the poll.

A

part from the civic responsibility every electorate above 18 years of age enjoys, as enshrined in the 1999 Nigeria Constitution, the rights to choose whoever to represent him or her resides in the power that confers such a privilege. On Saturday, March 9, the electorates in Ogun State spoke in unison and cast their votes for Prince Dapo Abiodun, as governor-elect.

After a tortuous journey that culminated in his electoral victory, Abiodun is now the beautiful bride of Ogun State, just to liken him to the narrative of a popular literature, “The Beautiful Bride”, as published by a renowned playwright, Olajire Olanlokun, in 2002.

Abiodun has emerged to save the state from being plunged into further debt and to set agenda for a new dawn.

By and large, the history of political development in Ogun State, since the birth of the state in February 1976, is incomplete without unveiled references to the input of the “Lagos cabal,” that has contributed (in one way or another) significantly, to the emergence of every successive governorship candidate. Beginning from the second Republic on October 1, 1979, that threw up Chief Bisi Onabanjo (now late), through the third Republic (Aremo Olusegun Osoba) in 1993, though ephemeral, and to the fourth Republic in 1999 that saw the re-election of Aremo Olusegun Osoba. The same feat repeated itself in 2003, which brought in Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and subsequently, the outgoing governor, Ibikunle Amosun, in 2011.

No single former governor of Ogun State emerged without the strong support base of the ‘Lagos cabal”.

All of them rode on the back of their benefactors to assume the coveted office.

With a particular reference, the outgoing governor, Amosun was a “child of circumstance” at that time in 2011, during the quest by the progressive elements, led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the then Lagos State Governor, to oust the PDP from power in the Southwest.

Tinubu took up the gauntlets and dared all the odds, despite the fact that the PDP, led by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, controlled power at the center, with the active support of the former governor of the state, Osoba, erstwhile Osun and Ekiti governors, Chief Bisi Akande and Otunba Niyi Adebayo, respecAbiodun with Oshiomhole tively. A capable and competent candidate who could wriggle power from Daniel, who was the then PDP governor, was sought after. Dr. Remi Bakare (Ogun Central) and Engineer no single structure has been built on it, likewise other projects like Ijebu-Igbo flyover, Ofada road, Ijoun/Ilara (Ogun West) Temitope Kuyebi (Ogun West) who were early favoured road, Agbado-Akute road, Ilaro flyover, Ijebu-Ode/Itele/Ijebugovernorship candidates of the then Action Congress (AC), Mushin road and others have suffered incompletion or rather, were prevailed upon to step down for Amosun who was of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and was given full landing to undone.

“Specifically, President Muhammadu Buhari Estate is a fly the Governorship ticket of the AC. disaster. Name any project Amosun has completed. Amosun The “Lagos cabal” threw its weight (both financial and moral is just embarking on wasteful spending with the meager resources) behind Amosun’s election in 2011. resources of the state government,” said a former member of his Back to Prince Dapo Abiodun, he would have a big task cabinet who craved anonymity. ahead when he assumes office. This is because there are Meanwhile, Akinlade’s position that the Ogun State questions about a good number of projects embarked upon Governorship election was rigged has been attracting negative

by Amosun during his two terms. For instance, the President reactions. A political science student of the University of Lagos, Muhammadu Buhari Estate located at Kobape, along Lagos/ Sagamu road, Abeokuta is still at a standstill. After the President in a piece, “Before Akinlade, APM abuse Our Sensibilities and Collective Decisions”, on his twitter@Adebash said, “In a liberal himself commissioned the project well over three years ago, democracy, of course, no doubt, he (Akinlade) had every right to challenge the outcome of the poll at a competent court of jurisdiction, but it is an abuse on the peoples’ collective decision to describe the most peaceful and well-conducted poll as characterised by rigging.

“Ogun is, no doubt, a politically sophisticated state with Casting undue aspersions on well-enlightened minds who can make a difference between the government of the people and for the people, and a government religious leaders, like Pastor Enoch for the extremely few.

Adejare Adeboye and others like “How best did this infant party want the people to decide when its godfather who ruled the state for a two-term, took the him for receiving the Ogun State people for granted in the presence of abundant resources? No Governor-Elect, Prince Dapo backward movement. The good people of the state have taken a wise decision on March 9, thus, putting an end to the political Abiodun, is certainly the work of dynasty of the “tall cap man”, who did not only play God, a person destined for perdition. but also took the people for a ride. They thought the people’s could be bought easily with billions of naira that was Where was election rigged by APC in conscience doled out during the electioneering period.

“The people gallantly sacrificed for a free, fair, credible and Ogun State? In Amosun’s dreams? violent-free governorship election held across the 20 local If President Buhari had already government areas of the state. That decision has, for the record, established Prince Dapo Abiodun, as the only legitimate behaved as a true leader of the party, governor-elect in the state. It will be wise and most rational for there is no way an Amosun would whoever is on the (other) side of the divide to respect the will of the people and never abuse their collective sensibilities and decihave been part of the last elections. sions. This, as a matter (of fact), (is) a time to defy all personal He would have been removed from interests and wrong counsels, focus on things that will connect for the progress and development of Ogun State, because the office and possibly remanded by now. us state is actually bigger than few individuals.”

That is an incontrovertible fact!

Also, in his write-up published in The Punch on August 18, 2017, Anthony Kila took a swipe at the waste of the state’s

resources, especially the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate.

According to him, “the sight of these 50 hectares of land is in Kobape, Abeokuta, with its exterior painted in the colours of the Nigerian flag. The spectacle of this yet-to-be completed President Muhammadu Buhari Estate has reaffirmed in me the conviction that for us to be truly civil free citizens, we as a people need to sit down to rationally analyse the powers of politicians and indeed all public office holders, find ways to make those that wield such powers accurately accountable and indeed find ways to curtail all public and political powers.”

An APC chieftain and prominent member of the House of Representatives, Hon Kayode Oladele, who is representing Egbado North/Imeko Federal Constituency, Ogun State, berated the current attacks on the governor-elect by some paid agents doing the bidding of their master on the pages of some select newspapers.

According to him, the writers of these articles are entitled to their own opinions, but they have failed woefully to convince right thinking people that they are not fifth columnists hired to undermine the incoming administration in Ogun State and build positive perception around the outgoing administration.

He said: “According to Douglas Adams, everything you see or hear or experience in any way at all is specific to you. You create a universe by perceiving it, so everything in the universe you perceive is specific to you. In psychological foundation, this type of write-ups will qualify as the writers’ social perception which in turn, helps to satisfy their internal needs or craving.

“A person trying to satisfy his internal needs may not see anything wrong in comparing apple with orange or throw the baby away with the bath water because he is already suffering from thought disorder jaundice or what behavioural therapists would call thought blocking syndrome.

“However, as clearly pathetic and unreasonable as his illogicality appears to the whole world, including the people around him, the most awkward part of it is that, he would still expect everybody to accept his postulation, reasoning or belief as real no matter how repulsive, horrendous, absurd, distasteful or repugnant to the pervading public opinion just as has been demonstrated by this writer”.

Concluding his response, Oladele advised the governor-elect, Abiodun to be “unperturbed; stay focused, remain calm, be collected and undaunted, even in the face of unwarranted intimidation or bully.

“There are substantial inequities to address, so many wrongs to right and far too many wounds to heal in the state. This way, the good people of Ogun State can say that a Daniel has come to judgment,” averred the lawmaker.

Also, Mr. Wale Adedayo, former Ogun State Chief Press Secretary (CPS), warned the outgoing governor not to set Muslims against Christians in the state.

In his piece, “Amosun shouldn’t set Muslims against Christians in Ogun State”, posted on his Facebook wall on Sunday, April 7, 2019, said thus: “Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, is certainly surrounded by persons who may not be able to look at him and tell him certain home truths. And it is another “A o m’Erin j’Oba’ (a Yoruba folklore of deceit).

“Casting undue aspersions on religious leaders, like Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye and others like him for receiving the Ogun State Governor-Elect, Prince Dapo Abiodun, is certainly the work of a person destined for perdition. Where was election rigged by APC in Ogun State? In Amosun’s dreams? If President Buhari had already behaved as a true leader of the party, there is no way an Amosun would have been part of the last elections. He would have been removed from office and possibly remanded by now. That is an incontrovertible fact!

“But since we are concerned about the last elections, Amosun may want to look in the mirror and confirm how many APC members were arrested by the law enforcement agencies for electoral malpractices. 99 per cent of those arrested were his top aides. They were caught in the act.

“However, more than the above, it is ungodly and certainly perfidious to use an office won by APC to fight the same party.

How much was Amosun worth ahead of the 2011 general elections which brought him to office, to the effect that he could bankroll APM in Ogun State? The transport and other unions were forced using resources of the state to back APM. That could not have happened if Abuja had done the needful about a perfidious being, who knows next to nothing about faithfulness.”

28

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 13, 2019

POLITY

Solution Media Brings Luxury Cruise to Lagos Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

N

igeria’s foremost and biggest Amusement Park and Resort owner, Solution Media & Infotech is set to revolutionize the tourism and hospitality industry with its plan to bring to the shores of Nigeria, a 42 metres long luxury yatch.

In a release signed by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Prince Adeyanju Lipede, the luxurious yacht which is part of “Hi-Impact Cruise” is said to be 12m high and designed with exquisite fittings for guests particular about quality and elegance.

The yatch is poised to cater to corporate organizations and individuals who desire to host their events in a serene environment that reflects their taste for excellence and uniqueness.

The magnificent edifice, which is designed for events such as Corporate Annual General Meetings (AGM), Conferences, Luxury Cruises,

Birthdays, Destination Weddings, Team Bonding Activities and Parties will be stationed at the water fronts of Nigeria’s economic capital, Lagos State.

The release also has it that the yacht has a guest capacity of 600 banquet seating and 1100 standing with full air-conditioned interior and chilling capacity of 528,000BTU. The automated sunroof impressive piece also has in-built 32 CCTV Cameras, 6 Automated Sensor Doors, 4 Cabin Rooms, an exotic bar, relaxing lounge, 7 very clean and hygienic toilets as well as 230 KW power generator the release contained.

Solution Media & Infotech is the owner and operator of the biggest Amusement Park and Resort in Nigeria called Hi-impact Planet Amusement Park and Resort, as well as Hi-Impact Television- Nigeria’s first full HD television station.

Hi-impact cruise yatch

‘Government Should Stem Obsolete Performance Engine Oils’

R

Ikenga

elevant government agencies have been called upon to urgently intervene in stemming the sale of obsolete performance engine oils that have been flooding the Nigerian market for decades.

Mr. Chika Ikenga, Group Managing Director Eunisell Group, made this call recently in Lagos in a

statement.

According to him, the intervention will protect companies currently using engine oils for modern vehicles with standards applicable to trucks and cars manufactured as far back as the 1970s.

He said: “Management is largely unaware that their decision to cut operating costs by purchasing cheap, obsolete oils for their fleets, has consequences – there are ‘hidden’ costs on not only their bottom line, but also on environmental and infrastructural degradation.

“Using obsolete service oils cause increased engine wear, catalyst poisoning and particulate filter blocking as well as increased piston deposits, degradation of low and high temperature

properties and increased soot-related viscosity. The costs on environmental and infrastructural degradation are even more staggering.

“Without realising it, companies’ efforts to save money results in increased expenditure. This is tantamount to the popular axiom, ‘penny wise, Pound foolish. This is entirely preventable.”

Ikenga, a chemist by profession, highlighted the environmental and health damage to include pollution, by way of increased Sulphur emissions from poor engine performance, affecting all strata of society with asthma and other chest ailments; oil leaks penetrating ground water, which in turn degrades available water supply, oil deposits in ground, fire hazards, reduce soil quality for agriculture and smoky engines’ reducing visibility, which portends danger to road users, increasing accident rates. He called on the government to embark on a massive campaign to create awareness by educating fleet owners, mechanics and the industry, to raise vehicle industry standards, and adhere to the internationally recognised American Petroleum Institute (API) guidelines.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R : Assistant Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mrs. Roselyn Wilkie; receiving the best customer’s award plague and cheque from the Chairman, Toyota Nigeria Limited, (TNL), Chief Michael Ade-Ojo and Executive Director, TNL, Mrs. Taye Ade-Ojo, during the 2019 Toyota awards night, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos... recently

L-R: Executive Director, Business Development and Operations, Global Accelerex, Kayode Ariyo; Executive Director, Technology and Innovation, Stanley Peters; General Manager, Corporate Services and Administration, Kehinde Adisa;andChiefProductOfficer,ChuksAnakudo, attheGlobalAccelerex pre-POSSummitpressconferenceinIkeja, Lagos…. recently

L-R: Dr Dominic Opara of European American University (EAU); Principal Partner, Foster Associates, Chief Femi Ojo; and ProfSimeonNnah,attheconfermentofHonouraryDoctorofScienceinFinanceandTaxManagementonOjo bytheEAUat theUniversityof LagosMainAuditorium…recently

L-R: Ex-officio, Association of Assets Custodians of Nigeria (AACN), Akeem Oyewale; Financial Secretary, Adebola Adedeji; President, Taiwo Sonola; Vice President, Aderonke Adetoro; and Publicity Secretary, Babatunde Majiyagbe, during the media conference of the Association in Lagos... recently

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

Emmanuel Dennis Beckoning on Gernot Rohr

13.04.2019

NEWS

The Title Decider PAGE 32

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÍťËœ ͺ͸͚Î

30

GLOBAL SOCCER

Emmanuel Dennis

Beckoning on Gernot Rohr

With the Africa Cup of Nations billed for Egypt just around the corner, Club Brugge winger, Emmanuel Dennis is pressing Nigerian national team gaer, Gernot Rohr, for a chance at the biennial competition with the rate he has been painting the Belgian League with goals

T

Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ̋ͺ͝ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ăœ Ă—Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă– Ă?Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?ĂŽ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă• Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă‹Ă? Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŒ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă‘Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă“Ă?Ă‘Ă? ̋͟͸ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?Ă–Ă‘Ă“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă“Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› The Brugge No. 42 headed home a Hans Vanaken’s delivery on the 39th-minute mark to stretch his side’s lead, his seventh goal from his 20 league appearances so far this season.

And it was the 21-year-old

that created the final goal of the contest at the Jan Breydel Stadium when he set up Wesley in the 80th minute.

Such was his performance that his manager, Ivan Leno could not help lauding the improvement he has made this term, while even drawing comparisons with two of the game’s greatest players. “The difference between today’s Dennis and that of three months ago is that he continues to play in turbo after twenty or

thirty minutes,� Leko said in his press conference. “He can provide extra motivation for top matches but in the past, he sometimes stops playing football after one goal or assists.

That is no longer the case. “Whether he will ever be able to reach the Ronaldo or Messi level? He has a lot of talent but will still have to eat a lot of sandwiches.�

After helping Club Brugge break 21 years curse by beating Anderlecht 3-2 in away at

Constant Vanden Stock Stadium penultimate week in which the Abuja-born star found the target in the 34th minute to put his side two-goal up, after Wesley Moraes’s early opener.

The Dream VII star use his Twitter to celebrate the win after 30 attempts in 21 seasons since 1998 before breaking the jinx of defeating Anderlecht in the Belgium Jupiler.

Dennis has now scored his sixth goal of the season and is already dreaming of UEFA Cham-

31

APRIL 13, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

Emmanuel Dennies

Emmanuel Dennies beats the goal keeper

pions League football and the win for Club Brugge just see them one point adrift of the Jupiler League leaders Genk and Anderlecht are suddenly fifth, occupying a non-European place on the standings. Dennis is a product of the Accademia di Abuja had before now played for the Nigerian U-15 national team.

In March 2016, he signed a contract with Ukrainian club FC Zorya Luhansk, playing in the Ukrainian Premier League and made his debut for FC Zorya on July 24, 2016, where he scored on bus debut.

Dennis started the season on the bench mostly before given his UEFA Europa League debut against Feyenoord on November 2. After impressing against Feyenoord, he got to play the other group stages games, with Zorya ending up getting eliminated from the group after finishing last. Dennis hadn’t however gone unnoticed though, with both Manchester City and an unknown German top club showing interest in signing him in the winter transfer window.

He instead ended up staying with Zorya for the rest of the season, h e l p i n g t h e m t o a t h i rd p l a c e i n t h e l e a g u e with his six goals in 22 league appearances.

I n 2 0 1 7 , C l u b B ru g g e a n n o u n c e d t h a t t h e y had signed Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis from Zorya on a four-year-contract of a fee worth €1.2 million, and was given the number 42 by his new club.

He started the season extremely well, scoring five goals in six matches including a goal in his debut against Istanbul Basaksehir and a brace against Lokeren.

Dennis continued his fine form in the playoff round, scoring for the second consecutive game to h e l p C l u b Brugge with a perfect start

in the playoffs as they p ush the chase on Genk in the race for the league title.

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

32

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

GLOBAL SOCCER

Tricky Test for Liverpool, City Title Push Leaders- Liverpool and defending champions, Manchester City will this weekend face tricky test to their Premier League title ambitions. While the Reds host a Chelsea side, which recently seem to have found their groove and are desperate to book a place in the top-four, the Citizens will be guest to Crystal Palace who dented their home record in the reverse fixture. The result of both matches no doubt would go a long way in shaping where the title tilts

Eden Hazard goes head to head with Liverpool Captain Jordan Brian Henderson

M

anchester City travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday in an attempt to leapfrog Liverpool at the top of the table, but the Reds can reclaim the summit later that afternoon hosting Chelsea in a pivotal clash.

Pep Guardiola’s men are attempting to achieve the quadruple, having claimed the Carabao Cup, reached the FA Cup final and the Champions League quarter-finals, where they host Tottenham in the second leg next week - looking to overturn a one-goal deficit, while Liverpool are looking to end a 29-year wait for the domestic title and made huge strides towards a place in the Champions League semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Porto on Tuesday - having lost to Real Madrid in the final last year.

When Crystal Palace defeated reigning

champions and league leaders Manchester City in December last year, they may have recorded one of their finest victories to date.

With Manchester City widely hailed as one of the decade’s greatest teams seen in Europe, a hit-and-miss Palace side travelling north to the sky blue half of Manchester were far from likely to cause an upset.

But, as is well known, in truly remarkable fashion the Eagles did the unthinkable and thanks in part to Andros Townsend’s thunderstrike - an effort befitting of such a win - left the Etihad with three points and three goals secured before Christmas.

This Sunday, the Citizens return to face the Palace, but this time at Selhurst Park. This leg of the clash should provide south Londoners with more optimism, as

Palace sit three places higher in the table having won three of their last five league matches compared with two from five in December.

But form pales into insignificance against the likes of Guardiola’s men, who have won seven of their last eight league games, keeping a clean sheet in six of them. And with a game in hand over league leaders Liverpool, a win at Selhurst Park would temporarily place them top before the Reds host Chelsea later same day - thus putting further pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s title-challengers.

However, City wouldn’t be the only team to benefit from victory at Selhurst, as three points would put Palace on a total of 42 - potentially level or even above West Ham United on goal difference. The Hammers face Manchester United away this evening, so Palace fans will be keen to

follow their progress.

Another big clash this weekend sees Bournemouth take on Brighton & Hove Albion, and, with the Cherries trailing Palace by just one point, it could be a chance for Eddie Howe’s south coast side to overtake Hodgson’s charges.

Providing another stern test for City on Sunday becomes all the more important, then, and Crystal Palace will be looking to be the first side outside of the top six to beat the Sky Blues twice in a season since 2011.

And although it was Townsend who stole the headlines at the Etihad, Luka Milivojevic separated the two sides with his penalty early into the second half.

Should he step-up from 12 yards again, fans will feel confident in his abilities having netted 10 times from the spot this season - just one shy of Andrew Johnson’s

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

33

GLOBAL SOCCER Premiership Table

Head to Head 27/04/14 Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea 08/11/14

Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea

10/05/15

Chelsea

1-1 Liverpool

31/09/15 Chelsea

1-3 Liverpool

11/05/16 Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea 16/09/16 Chelsea

1-2 Liverpool

31/01/17 Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea 25/11/17 Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea 06/05/18 Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool 29/09/18 Chelsea

1-1 Liverpool

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

P 33 32 33 32 32 32 33 32 33 32 33 33 33 33 33 31 32 32 33 33

GD 55 62 23 26 25 18 2 1 4 0 -9 -4 -17 -20 -12 -14 -17 -33 -46 -44

Pts 82 80 66 64 63 61 47 47 46 46 42 39 38 36 35 33 33 28 17 1

Premiership TODAY

Tottenham v Brighton v Burnley v Fulham v Southampton v Man Utd v

Huddersfield Bournemouth Cardiff City Everton Wolves West Ham

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

Man City Chelsea

14:05 16:30

SUNDAY

Crystal Palace v Liverpool v

Spanish La Liga Fixtures TODAY

Espanyol

v

Alavés

12:00

Huesca

v

Barcelona 15:15

Atlético

v

Celta Vigo 17:30

Sevilla

v

Real Betis 19:45

v

Getafe

SUNDAY

Valladolid

11:00

Bilbao

v

Vallecano

13:00

Sociedad

v

Eibar

15:15

Girona

v

Villarreal

17:30

Valencia

v

Levante

19:45

Serie A TODAY

SPAL

v

Juventus

14:00

Roma

v

Udinese

17:00

AC Milan

v

Lazio

19:30

SUNDAY

Torino

v

Cagliari

11:30

Fiorentina

v

Bologna

14:00

Sampdoria

v

Genoa

14:00

Sassuolo

v

Parma

14:00

Chievo

v

Napoli

17:00

Frosinone

v

Inter

19:30

Hot Shot NAME

Premier League record of 11.

There will be fireworks when Liverpool and Chelsea face each other at Anfield in the Premier League derby. Liverpool came from behind to beat Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium and they will be looking to retain top position in the standings with a win over Maurizio Sarri’s troops.

Mohamed Salah, who scored his 18th goal of the season in thºe 3-1 win over the Saints, will be the man to watch in the home team. Chelsea, on the other hand, are eyeing a place in the Champions League and they are likely to go for a win in Sunday’s football game as well.

A lively contest is on the horizon at Anfield, but seeing that the Reds are a real force to be reckoned with at home, we are tempted to put our money on Jurgen Klopp’s troops. It has to be noted that the Reds are eyeing their fifth consecutive win in the national championship.

When Steven Gerrard slipped against the Blues at Anfield in 2014, time seemed to stand still as Demba Ba raced through and dealt a hammer blow to the Reds’ title chances.

While the title was not lost on that day, psychological damage might have been done and the famous implosion at Selhurst Park allowed Manchester City to earn a crucial advantage.

This season, fate has willed it that Liverpool will play Chelsea in their fifth-last game of the campaign.

Funnily enough, City will play Crystal Palace this weekend as they did during Matchweek 33 in 2014.

A win against Chelsea this weekend will heal fans of their heartbreak from that fateful season if it ultimately results in Liverpool winning the Premier League.

The Blues have had an inconsistent

campaign and had to rely on incorrect calls from the officials to beat Cardiff City last time out.

While form matters very little in the big games, Liverpool will be encouraged after winning 3-1 against Southampton on Friday last week.

Klopp will be certain to get his players bouncing before the game and with just five games remaining; they will certainly know the importance of winning at this stage of the season.

The good news for Liverpool is that all their important players are hitting a rich vein of form at precisely the right time.

Roberto Firmino has rediscovered his samba magic and Naby Keita is scything through midfields like a hot knife through butter.

With the Reds gearing up for the run-in, all they need is a slice of luck to reward them for all their hard work this season.

CLUB

GOALS

Sergio Agüero

Man City

19

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

18

Pierre-Aubameyang

Arsenal

17

Harry Kane

Tottenham

17

Sadio Mané

Liverpool

17

Eden Hazard

Chelsea

16

Raheem Sterling

Man City

15

Jamie Vardy

Leicester

15

Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal

13

Raúl Jiménez

Wolves

12

Son Heung-Min

Tottenham

12

Roberto Firmino

Liverpool

12

Gylfi Sigurdsson

Everton

12

34

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

GLOBAL SOCCER

Otto Joe Boy in action during one of the GOtv boxing night

Action in the Trophy 5 -a -side football

Agbakoba-Onyejanya Lights-up Sangotedo GOtv Boxing Night 18: Ekpresso’ll Kiss the Canvass in Round 3, Boasts Dodo with Tiger Active Sports Centre Bverley Agbakoba-Onyejanya may be a lawyer by training and already a senior associate in Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL), but that has in no way reduced her penchant for sports, little wonder she decided to open a sports centre at Sangotedo, Ajah, in Lagos.

Tiger Active Sports Centre, which is a sports and recreational centre which contains, an astroturf, basketball, volleyball, tennis court and is also an event/viewing centre is meant to take care of the sporting needs of Sangotedo community.

“There was a need to bring up a sports community centre to Sangotedo. It is an area that has

a massive influx of inhabitants, with a lot of people migrating from different parts of Lagos to Sangotedo in their droves.

“We are more concerned about having banks, schools, churches and mosques in a community but we always seem to neglect the need to have a good sporting and leisure facility. It’s always the last thing that people think about when developing new areas and me being in the sporting industry for almost seven years I felt that there was a gap in this market and I was very excited to come in and fill that gap in this area,” Agbakoba-Onyejanya noted.

Tiger Active Sports Centre

was officially opened last Saturday by the Chairman, Eti- osa Local Government, Mr. Rafiu Olufunmi Olatunji, who was represented by his chief of staff, Mr. Kunle Ajayi.

Agbakoba-Onyejanya said the local government chairman had been on board with the project from the beginning and embraced it, saying the centre had attracted the huge presence of people .

On how the locals are expected to benefit from the project, she said, “It’s a place where families can come and enjoy sport . Even if you are not into sport you can come and relax, sit inside the functions room

and watch matches. The place has something for everyone.”

She indeed stressed the need to have more centres within the area.

“There is the need for more leisure centres like this for people to escape from the stresses, hustle and bustle of life.

We don’t have enough outlets for people to relax we hope that this community would make this their number one premier destination for all things sports and leisure,” she expressed.

Agbakoba-Onyejanya has mostly been involved in football, she owns an academy called Litle Tigers Football Club, which has been on since 2012.

Over 3,000 Runners Set for Ibadan City Marathon Kemi Olaitan ÓØ ÌËÎËØ No fewer than 3,100 participants would be taking part in the 11th edition of the 42-kilometre Power Oil/Splash FM Ibadan City Marathon scheduled for Sunday, April 14, at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, (former Liberty Stadium), Ibadan.

The General Manager, Operations, Splash FM and Lagelu FM, Mr. Tunde Olawuwo, who made the

disclosure while addressing journalists in Ibadan, said the race was packaged to promote good governance, transparency and accountability while also helping participants to keep fit and healthy.

He said the first male and female runners in the main race would go home with the prize money of N1 million and N750,000 respectively, stating that there would also be artisans race as well as

running for a cause during the event with all the participants getting certificates of participation.

According to him, the tournament had been able to achieve its objective of promoting good governance, transparency and accountability, noting that engaging in a marathon race required nothing but endurance.

He said, “It has been quite effective. When you start advocacy, it’s not a tangible

commodity you purchase at the market but a message.

When we started, we were to promote the right values and it shows in our content and this led to the ICPC looking at it and see that it’s worthy of partnering with us.”

The Chairman of the Oyo State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Niyi Alebiosu, assured the organisers of excellent coverage of the event.

312 Teams Qualify for Trophy 5-a-side Next Stage With the conclusion of the first round of knock-out matches, the Trophy 5-a-side Field of Honour tournament has entered the next round geared towards producing the successful 16 teams that will vie for the top prize.

The first round matches were exciting as teams came with their supporters who cheered them on to victory, fighting for the top position that will see them play for N3 million, as well as, earn bragging rights of being the best 5-a-side team in the country.

In addition, the winning team will proceed to the Pan African regional finals taking place in Tanzania to compete for the African title. They will also have the opportunity of

meeting with Samuel Eto’o, the African ambassador for the tournament.

Five lucky winners, also known as super fans, will be selected to accompany the victorious team to Tanzania on an all-expense paid trip.

The selection of the super fans has commenced and four of the super fans will be selected via in-bar recruitments across the four states. One super fan will be selected online.

To qualify for the super fan draws, fans are to visit select bars where they will get a scratch card upon purchase of at least two bottles of Trophy lager. With the scratch card, fans can win either t-shirts, face caps or receive a raffle ticket. At the finals of the tour-

nament, a live raffle draw will be held and four lucky winners selected to go on the trip to Tanzania. A fifth winner will be selected via online draws.

The maiden edition of the tournament is currently taking place the across four states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun States as a pilot phase. Subsequent editions will cover more states and eventually extend to the 36 states of the federation.

The next round of matches will begin April 13 and 14 across the four states.

In Lagos, they will hold at National Stadium Surulere, Trade Fair Complex Mini Stadium, Ojo and Gbagada mini stadium. In Oyo State, matches will take place at

the Liberty stadium, Ibadan, Adamasigba stadium, Ibadan and Ogbomoso stadium.

Matches in Osun will take place at the OAU football field, Arubidi football field, Ile-Ife and Osun State University football field, Oshogbo.

In Ogun State, the draws and matches will happen live at the MKO Abiola stadium, Abeokuta, practice pitch Dipa Dina stadium, Ijebu Ode and Honda football field, Sango.

All participating teams will go home with memorabilia and other merchandise in appreciation of their participation.

The semi-final and final matches will take place May 11.

Akeem “Dodo” Sadiku, the idol of Ibadan boxing fans, has declared his readiness to make his fans proud when he confronts Republic of Benin’s Ekpresso Djamihou in an international light middleweight challenge bout on April 21.

The encounter is one of the eight bouts scheduled for GOtv Boxing Night 18, which holds at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo (formerly Liberty) Stadium, Ibadan.

Dodo, who won his last three fights via knockouts, vowed that he will continue along the same line.

“My fans know that I’m the knockout king. I will make them proud by knocking out Djamihou. I don’t see him going beyond three rounds. I’m fully prepared for this bout and he will see hell,” said Dodo.

He added that his immediate ambition is to win the national title and believes that very soon, the ambition will be realized.

Four other Ibadan-based boxers are slated to fight at the event. They include the highly rated Ridwan “Scorpion” Oyekola, who will take on Tofeek “Taozon” Bisuga in the national super featherweight title bout.

The headline bout on the night is the African Boxing Union lightweight title clash between Nigeria’s Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph and Ghana’s Success “Brave Warrior” Tetteh, who has vowed to be the first boxer to defeat his Nigerian opponent. The event will also see Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde, West African Boxing Union welterweight champion, back in the ring. He will take on Ganiyu “Energy” Kolawole in a challenge duel. Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje, best boxer at GOtv Boxing Night 16, will face Michael “Holy Mike” Jacob in a lightweight clash. Fast-rising Adeyemi “Sense” Opeyem will duel with Sadiq “Happy Boy” Adeleke in a national bantamweight challenge. Also in action are Morufu “Oloke” Owolabi, who takes on Jamiyu “Sunshine” Akande in the lightweight division; and Issac “I Star” Chukwudi, who will fight Ibadan-based Jubril “Terrible” Olalekan.

The best boxer at the event will go home with a cash prize of N1million attached to the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy.

RCCG Football League Competition Returns after 13 Years

The first edition of Redeemed Christian Church of God Lagos province 70 football league competition taking place at Abete playing field in Iwaya Yaba , Lagos, returns with 16 teams keenly competing for the medals, cash prizes and t trophy. The competition dates back to the 1990`s but went into oblivion since 2005 due to lack of sponsorship producing the like of Nigeria internationals like of Alloy Agu, Dosu Joseph and many others.

The Chairman LOC and Brand sponsor of the competition, Pastor Yakubu Ahmed stated that the competition sponsorship was an initiative of the church to encourage and admonish the football players as the grass root level.

He said: these Christian based sport outreach projects are being recognised by secular sporting network as valid forms of engagement through which sport tackle the problem of society. He believes this is the real sport ministry, not just working in the church but taking the church outside to the people.

The Head of technical committee Oladapo Olayinka, who is the coach of 36 Lions feeders team, said he was honoured to be part of the organising team to reviving the long overdue Iwaya Football League. He was grateful to RCCG for their initiative and sponsorship. He stated that standard of the competition will live up to expectation with the level of public awareness.

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

35

GLOBAL SOCCER

Milkel Obi got the better of Gonzalo Higuain

Mikel Obi

Will He Retune

M

ikel Obi last don the colours of the national team in Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Lionel Messi inspired Argentina in the last group stage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and asked to be excused from the team for a while, if the words of Nigeria national team Manager Gernot Rohr was anything

to go by.

All through Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the former Chelsea midfielder was on ‘AWOL’, culminating insinuation in some quarters that he might have said goodbye to the team.

However, Rohr had always come to his defence, maintaining that he and Obi were in regular contact over the midfielder’s decision to regain full fitness before returning to international duty.

With Obi also failing to fix any particular date on his much-expected return to the Eagles, the FrancoGerman gaffer had declared in a media chat in January that he does not know the former Teda star’s schedule.

He also went on to dismiss the argument that the Super Eagles were lacking a natural number 10 in the centre of the pitch ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with the international future of Obi up in the air, the German tactician has stressed that he was not searching for a playmaker and had identified three players who could replace him if he was not available for selection “I am not worried about it because we have a lot of players who can be natural playmakers. You know we have players like Etebo who can be a playmaker, he can also be a good defensive midfielder,” Rohr had told national television.

“We have Alex Iwobi who played in this position and did very well in Johannesburg; we have Ahmed Musa who is coming in from the left side and can

give good balls and score himself. You know that it is not necessary to have this position of number 10 in modern football. Everybody must be able to make the play, to be a playmaker even the defensive midfielders or even the defenders have to give good balls and to construct the game.”

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles winger, Finidi George has called on Rohr to have a one-on-one talk with Obi to enable them reach a mutual understanding before the three-time African champions head to Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations, stating that Obi’s experience would be of a huge advantage despite not featuring in any of the qualifiers.

“Personally, I don’t know the situation concerning his availability, but he is a respected captain and if his current form is okay, then it’s a plus for the team. He doesn’t need to play all qualifiers for him to have the opportunity to join the team.

“He could be with the team even if he doesn’t get 90 minutes in all games; he could just help them in team building because he is a player other colleagues respect and the young ones will learn from. But as a coach, you need to speak to him before the tournament and clarify his role in the tournament to avoid a possible burst up and if he agrees then for me it will be a massive boost for the country in Egypt,” Finidi told AOIFootball.com.

Another former Super Eagles player, Emmanuel Okocha, the elder brother of Nigerian legend, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, had earlier warned Rohr that Obi still remained relevant to the national team, comparing him with current Ballon d’Or holder, Luka Modric, whom he faced at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

“Look at how he performed against one of the best midfielders the game has seen at the last World Cup, he stood his ground against Luka Modric and co. and it was just unfortunate he didn’t get enough quality support from his fellow midfield players for us to come away with a better result against Croatia; against Argentina, he did very well too,” Okocha said.

“At present, we do not have many creative players in the team’s midfield and that is sad. Take a look at our midfield in that game without him. Against Seychelles, most of them were just there.”

Rohr, however, still hang on a little hope that Obi could still turn up for the AFCON, saying he hopes

the Middlesbrough midfielder could lead his country to Africa Cup of Nations success later this year.

After leaving Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda earlier this year, Obi has dropped off the international scene, yet his move to Boro could trigger a recall.

“We are happy to see our captain now playing for a big club. We hope to see him fit and playing regularly,” Rohr had said “That’s what we want for all players. They should keep playing well with their teams and keep doing well. With Mikel playing in a tough league, maybe he can help Nigeria win the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.”

Meanwhile, while expressing his dissatisfaction with the doubts that surfaced over his Super Eagles future last year, Obi, speaking via his Nigerian intermediary Babawo Mohammed wondered how doubts over his commitments surfaced in the first place.

“The doubts over his commitments got to him because he adores playing for the Super Eagles and as captain, he wants to be a shining light for the young players in the team,” Babawo said.

“If Mikel is no longer interested playing for Nigeria he will make an official announcement but for now it’s due to injury. People should understand his commitment and love for the Super Eagles. He will no doubt support them to qualify for the Cup of Nations because he wants to play and lift it again with the Super Eagles,” he remarked.

Obi surprised bookmakers when he joined Championship side, Middlesbrough on a short term deal till the end of the season after he became a free agent in November after a two-year spell with Tianjin Teda in China.

“I spoke to a few clubs and I also spoke to Tony Pulis, had a good chat with him. He’s told me where he wants to go with it and it “The club wants to get promoted so hopefully, I’m here to help in any way I can. ‘It’s a family club and this is what I want. I like stability and this is why I was at Chelsea for a very long time.”

Pulis added: “I’m pleased to get him in. He is a man with a lot of experience and quality. He has a winning mentality and he wants to be here be a part of what we are looking to achieve.”

It, however, remains to be seen if Obi will join the team for AFCON final in Egypt or not.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t "13*- , 2019

FAIRGROUND Kings & Queens of Hearts Meet Casino Royale in Super Party

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

H

old Up! The Kings and Queens of Hearts Meets Casino Royale was on another level!

This has to be the hottest party yet of 2019. From Celebrities to socialites, influencers to corporates, the themed event which was hosted at Roma Lagos had the coolest people in attendance on Saturday, 30th March. Roma was just the perfect location to host a party where all the invited guests came dressed up like royalty in a bond movie. Yes, we know you’re picturing it and it was slayage all the way with all the A-listers!

The event, finely curated by entertainment company, Party And A Vibe (PAAV), featured the gentlemen’s bar being turned into a mini Casino with a poker table, black jack table, giant card frames, classic card games, board games and many more fun casino-vibe activities.

The highlight of the evening however, was the digital photo booth that had guests raving throughout the lavish party. The booth had lots of props for guests to pose with, creating awesome memories that left a sense of the glitz of Las Vegas and the elegance of Monte Carlo. If you have never experienced any of the latter, The Kings and Queens of Hearts Meets Casino would have just been your much needed introduction.

Making the evening even more fabulous was the celebration of the 35th birthday of Liz Osho, CEO extraordinaire of So.Me Solutions. Liz, as she is fondly called, arrived to the party looking stunning in a body-fitting red cocktail dress with layered frills reminiscent of a Michael Costello piece. She and her guests occupied the infamous ‘Morroccan red room’ at Roma and the way they partied indicates there’s every chance that the 30th of March 2019 at Roma will go down in the history books as one of Roma’s greatest parties.

But it was at the end of the night when Liz seemed to be at her best—when she took to the center of the room to slice her sparkling casino inspired cake in the company of loved ones, friends and family.

The party which started at about 8pm with red carpet appearances through till midnight had everyone rocking the best music with DJ Venum, Roma’s in-house DJ! Guests nibbled and munched on delicious food platters and of course, the drinks just kept on coming. IT WAS LIT!!!

It would only be right to say that our esteemed guests including Bolanle Olukanni, Denola Grey, Shade Ladipo, Adebayo Oke Lawal, Jemima Osunde, Bollylomo amongst many others had quite an amazing time.

“We do not joke with the quality of our events and the party experience for all our clients, both first-timers and returning customers. When you walk into Roma, it’s almost like you are in Ancient Rome. So when we chose the ‘Kings and Queens Meets Casino Royale’ theme, we knew we had to go all out to host a party in the ranks of a Las Vegas Casino party. I think we can proudly say that we achieved that and our guests had the ultimate party experience.” Uzo Izugbokwe, Founder Roma Lagos shared.

Roma Lagos definitely pulled out all the stops to host the coolest theme party and we are definitely looking forward to more. To see more pictures from the party, check out the hashtag #RomaRoyale and to see more of what Roma is doing, follow them on Instagram @romalagos.

Liz Osho

Jemima Osunde and Olive Emodi

Denola Grey

Chike Ezekpeazu

Bolanle Olukanni

Adebayo Oke-Lawal

Angel Obasi

Mercy Ajisafe and Liz Osho

Temisan, Steve, Liz Osho, Adebayo and Noble

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t "13*- , 2019

FAIRGROUND

Mercure The Moorhouse Uplifts Female Entrepreneurs Silky Touch Celebrates 35years Anniversary

M

ercure The Moorhouse Hotel, Ikoyi closed out the month of the Woman with a Luxury Pop Up event held at its sophisticated and lavish venue.

A cross section of female lifestyle vendors and their products were hosted by the hotel to guests and visitors alike to purchase as well as network. Moorhouse’s Manager, Ms Monica Aguilar spoke with pride at the talent and creativity of the African woman.

Guests were treated to a variety of canapes and drinks sponsored by La Cave.

Monica Aguilar Figueroa; Alexandra, Parra, Nereyda, Stephens,Claudia Rowland

Kiki Kamanu, Emily Etim and a guest

Chinwe Odo-Davis; wHabiba Balogun and Monica Aguilar Figueroa

Silky Touch Emporium, the leading luxury goods purveyor in the country, is marking its 35th anniversary this month with a bumper package for customers, as it would be offering 35 per cent discount on all items in stock.

The multiple award-winning company, which started out with its humble beginning on Olowu Street in the hearts of Ikeja, Lagos, has grown in leaps and bounds, spreading its tentacles with branches on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Victoria Island, Port Harcourt and Abuja today.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Victor Okolie: "This is our own way of giving back and showing appreciation to our loyal customers who have been consistent with us over the years. We really appreciate them. We want them to come and celebrate with us at 35 and also enjoy 35 per cent discount on every purchase.”

The sales promotion begins from April 8 till April 30, 2019 at Silky Touch stores in Lagos and Abuja.

Victor Okolie

Bovi, Babajide Sanwoolu, Maje Ayida, Others Speak at 2019 HR Expo

H

R Expo Africa is a broadbased Human Resource platform that attracts a wide spectrum of HR practitioners and other professionals from the private, public and third sectors across the world to Its’ vibrant and exciting hub of ideas yearly. It shapes the conversation on human capital development and organisational performance with special focus on new trends and dynamics, the overall objective is to bring to fore the best ideas with the greatest transformative potential to engender sustained productivity.

The importance of HR can't be overlooked at different sectors of the society hence the importance to talk about it giving it exposure on what it is about and how it can help mold the affairs of a company properly.

Speaking, organiser, Mrs Erefa Coker said, ' Our goal is to bring global perspectives, global speakers because ideally an HR conference is very expensive. So we thought why not bring it to Lagos and have own fantastic speakers alongside. We teach HR Managers on how to manage people so when they go back they would have new thoughts, new minds on how to manage their people." ' HR Expo believes learning is continual and people need to learn how to manage people well. This year the theme is The Art of Employees Engagement and they had 40 sessions with a corresponding amount of speakers. And there were so much each participants took out of the summit.

Babajide Sanwoolu, Lagos State Governor Elect and Mrs Erefa Coker, Organiser, HR Expo

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t"13*- , 2019

AUTO

Ford XLT and Wildtrak Ranger on mountain climb

The New Ford Ranger Takes on George’s Outeniqua Mountains Passes Stories by Bennett Oghifo

F

ord Motors South Africa recently presented the on and off road capabilities of the new Ranger- XLT and Wildtrak – during a launch of these mean machines for journalists from sub-Saharan Africa.

The Ford Ranger will be in Nigeria soon, courtesy of Coscharis Motors, sole representative of the automaker in the country.

The new XLT and Wildtrak Ranger are easily city SUVs that do not in any way wear the looks of the traditional workhorse. The gleaming machines glided through the streets of George onto the gravel roads and up the Outeniqua Mountains, using the winding tracks once treaded by the wagons of the early Dutch people that settled in these parts.

These are rarely used tracks and it was left for the journo-drivers to turn a switch to change

from easy terrain driving modes to 4x4 mode to enable them pave their way, guiding the XLT and Wildtrak Ranger over rocks and stones, avoiding sharp-pointed rocks on their right and very deep canyon on the left. There were no ugly incidences, fortunately, and the convoy reached the top of the Mountain where Ford had its camp.

The drive went further through the tortuous paths to Louvain Guestfarm, a tranquil working farm in the upper Langkloof valley. After the climb, the Rangers performed seamless movement down the mountain and off to George city.

Oh, there is still the charred remains of the once lush vegetation of the Outeniqua Mountains caused by the unfortunate wildfires of last year.

Ford said, with the launch of the New Ranger for 2019, it has raised the bar further in the ultracompetitive light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment.

Featuring an extensive range of mechanical, technological, feature and comfort upgrades,

the new line-up will make the Ranger an even more compelling choice amongst workhorse and leisure-oriented pick-up customers, the automaker said.

“The current Ranger has been a fantastic success story for Ford in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is the leading LCV export to markets in Europe, the Middle East and the rest of Africa,” says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager Marketing at Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Region.

“The New Ranger introduces fresh exterior and interior design cues that build on its ‘tough truck’ image, complemented by the adoption of new technologies that further bolster the Ranger’s established reputation for supreme safety, convenience and comfort,” she adds.

The model line-up has been revised for New Ranger, with the new XLS series slotting in above the entry-level Base and XL versions. The XLS offers superb value for money along with an impressive list of standard features.

Stallion Motors Urge Competition, Motorists to Deploy ‘Microdot’ Digital Security in Vehicles

S

tallion Motors Limited has enjoined competitions and motorists to fit Microdots digital security device, just as it deployed the application in select brands including Nissan, Honda, Hyundai and Changan vehicles that are assembled and distributed by the company and its subsidiaries in Nigeria.

Also known as DataDots, Microdots DNA is a mechanical pepper spray that is applied in multiple discreet locations on a vehicle including older brands of automobiles to deter theft and prevent illicit trade of stolen parts, habitually pilfered from Micro-dotted vehicles by delinquents.

This suggests that all Nissan, Honda, Hyundai or Changan brands of vehicles purchased from any of the Stallion Motors’ accredited dealerships have been fitted on-line with Microdots to deter theft and forestall undue vandals.

Since its invention in the 1800s, when they were first used during the Franco-Prussian War as a message system until they are revamped, Microdots have showed capabilities for risk management and recovery; reducing premiums paid on insurance and enhancing frequency of recovering stolen vehicles just as it promises peace-of-mind for vehicle owners.

Latelastyear,StallionMotorsLimitedwasappointed the official distributor of Microdot in Nigeria by DataDot Technology South Africa (Pty) Limited primarily to check wanton theft of motor vehicles andtradedstolenparts,whileitstimulatesconfidence in the country’s evolving automotive industry.

Plans are now underway to educate and inform

Microdots digital security device law enforcement agents especially the police, as well as insurance firms in Nigeria of the benefits of Microdots, while sensitising motorists on the need to get their vehicles Micro-dotted.

Stallion/DataDot Nigeria Head of Sales and Marketing Santhosh Kumar who gave this hint in Lagos also explained that the DataDot Technology works such that the micro-dotted vehicles including their parts are uniquely assigned with an identity that can only be linked to the rightful owner.

“This coded identity forestalls theft and intruders,

and in the case of theft, it makes recovery of the stolen vehicle an easy task, while it simultaneously acts as a deterrent to thieves and intruders,” Mr. Kumar said.

Already in use in sane climes, DataDot pioneered microdot technology in SouthAfrica in 2001 and are being used extensively to protect vehicles and assets.

“We are excited to introduce this new offering across Nigeria to enhance the positive experience of owning a vehicle without having to worry about theactivitiesofvandals,whoarehabituallyrenowned for vandalizing cars,” Mr. Kumar said.

CustomerSatisfaction Remains Our Focus, Says Carbon Retail Mr. Gautam Singh Ghai, is the Executive Director at Carbon Retail Limited. He speaks on the customer focused company as well as plans for the Nigerian market About your Carbon Retail Limited We are a three year-old company with retail operations in 7 countries across Africa. Namely Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Mozambique, DRC, Zambia and Sudan. We are the largest distributors of Dunlop & Sumitomo brands of tyres in Africa by volume. Our group Holding company is called Carbon Global Holdings Limited and we operate our business in Nigeria under Carbon Retail Limited.

What are your plans for Nigeria?

We are focused on the consumer side of the business apart from the dealer network. Our endeavour is to give the Nigerian consumer a world class retail experience with state-of-the-art Tyre experience centres across the country. Typically, we have seen that the Nigerian market has not experienced retail in its truest form and we believe this is the space we will create a niche in and offer the consumer a never seen retail experience in this space.

Can you elaborate more on the retail piece?

When you visit any of our stores in any of the countries we operate in, you will see a distinct feature that is customer centric. Our stores are created with emphasis on transparency and openness. Starting from our customer lounge to the toilets we take great care to ensure we cater to comfort of the customer. We believe in investing in training and development and ensure all new hires go through extensive customer care training and technical knowhow before getting behind the counter. All our technicians must go through in-house training and tests before they get to the workshop bay. As you know, buying tyres is a grudge purchase decision and we believe we must make this experience as pleasurable as possible for a customer so that the when they walk out of the store, we occupy a positive space in the minds of the customer. We have not mastered it yet, but we would eventually want to measure happiness and satisfaction on every customer we attend to.

What are you doing differently from the other players in the market?

We would not like to comment on our competitors.

To start with, we think Nigeria has not seen Tyre retail the way we see it. We see a lot of fitment centres, but none would really qualify on quality parameters when put to independent retail audit.

We started our flagship store in December 2017 and within 2 months of operations we introduced Tyre Insurance on any tyre bought from our store.

The 1st year we cover the tyres for free and should the customer desire, on a nominal charge he/she can extend it for another year. We have partnered with Prestige Insurance to provide this service to Nigerians. We are also the only company to Introduce Quick Service for all vehicle brands and we use only the top brands when it comes to consumables like Oil, Oil filters, Brake Pads and Shocks.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t"13*- , 2019

39

AUTO

Massilia Motors Introduces the New Mitsubishi L200 Pickup into Nigeria’s Auto Market Stories by Bennett Oghifo

M

assiliaMotorshasintroduced the all new Mitsubishi L200 Pickup into Nigeria’s auto market, a move designed to meet customers’ needs.

Massilia is the sole distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Nigeria and it is a joint venture between CFAO and CHANRAI Group. It unveiled the new L200 at an impressive event which held at the Landmark beach, Victoria Island, Lagos, recently.

The award winning pickup was launched by top officials of Massilia Motors, led by their Managing Director/CFAO Country Delegate, Mr. Thomas Pelletier.

The crowning moment of the event was when the curtain LED screens slid open and the L200 pick-up emerged on the podium to the delight of customers, celebrities and automotive journalists. Guests at the event experienced the immense benefits of the L200 during a test drive session anchored by MC Gideon Okeke and music provided by popular Nigerian disc jockey, DJ Xclusive.

The Managing Director addressing the enthusiastic gathering, welcomed them to the first automotive beach party launch. He also stated: ‘’Massilia Motors started business three years ago and so far it has been a successful story with the Mitsubishi L200 as a major contributor.

The Mitsubishi L200 is very important to us

because it represents 80 per cent of our sales, and I am optimistic that customers will like the new generation L200”.

The Mitsubishi L200 pickup gained popularity through its constant evolution in the last 40 years thanks to its driving dynamics, running costs, standard kit and attractive prices.

Pelletier said, “In terms of value for money, we are the best because we do not compromise in quality delivery and our Mitsubishi cars have been tried and tested over the years.

Our after-sales support is backed by qualified technicians who have been adequately trained by the Japanese manufacturer.”

Massilia Motors General Manager for Sales, Mr. Tunji Itiola explained that the Mitsubishi L200 is the best-selling model in the brand’s line up and the L200’s market share significantly increased in 2018.

According to him, the enhanced rugged exterior features and advanced safety features are prominent inclusions in the new vehicle which comes in three variants: single/double cabins 4x2 and double cabin 4x4 powered by 2.4 litre engine. The new pickup is already available in Massilia showrooms and dealers nationwide.

The L200 is used as a utility vehicle in a wide variety of applications such as construction sites, Fast Moving Consumer Goods distribution, oil field sites, among others.

Aside the new L200, the company also distributes the legendary Pajero, Pajero Sport, Outlander, Eclipse Cross and ASX.

The All New Mitsubishi L200 Pickup

Kewalram Chanrai now Sole Distributor of Jeep, Fiat, Dodge, Chrysler Brands

K

ewalram Chanrai Group is now the sole franchise representatives of FCA auto brands in Nigeria and has right to distribute all Fiat, Jeep and Chrysler automobile brands in the country, officials of the group said in a statement.

The FCA Group is the renowned manufacturer of premium Italian and American auto brands such as Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Ram, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, amongst others.

The automobiles such as the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Compass, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT version, Dodge Durango, Fiat Tipo, Fiat Pickup and the Ram Open back are already on display at the purpose-built showroom in Victoria Island, Lagos, solely dedicated to these brands. The company says more models would be added.

The company also plans to spread the presence of the brands to other parts of

the country using its already established branch network.

The acquisition of marketing rights for the world renowned automobiles is a major boost to Kewalram Chanrai’s reputation as a diverse conglomerate with strong presence in 12 countries including Nigeria. It has a distribution history spanning over 150 years.

As part of its repositioning strategy to ensure dominance in the market, the company has strengthened it’s after sales services for enhanced service delivery.

Officials said outstanding after-sales personnel have been trained by the manufacturers’ technical staff to render seamless after-sales services for all the brands. “We don’t just sell, we ensure effective after-sales services.”

The statement said Chanrai was chosen as the exclusive distributor for the FCA brands in the country because of its strong pedigree in automobile businesss, as well as its firm commitment to the provision of after-sales service.

Jeep

Penalty Point and One Way Driving

S

he was the third and only girl child in a family of six. Cute, humble, brillant and athletic, ebony black Cynthia was the darling of the family especially the late father whose bonding with Cynthia was cemented when at the early age of 50, he was diagnosed with a deadly ailment that kept him bedridden for over ten months in the hospital. For ten months, Cynthia who had earlier lost the mother in a road traffic crash which claimed the lives of over ten passengers was the wife, mother, nurse and the prayer warrior whose soothing voice woke other patients as she daily sought for heavens divine intervention for her father and other patients whose predication only needed a touch from above. Despite her tender age of 18years when the father took ill, she played the script professionally as if she was destined for that role. Her faith played out well as her father after a couple of months miraculously got healed and was discharged alongside some other patients who nicknamed themselves ‘landlords ‘because of their long stay in the hospital.

Barely twelve months after, Cynthia’s joy was short-lived when she lost her father in a bizarre circumstance. Now an orphan, she struggled, selling and buying in addition to doing odd jobs such as working as nanny to different families at different time. It was in the course of this life struggle that heaven smiled on her when a Christian family took interest and offered to bring her in as a step daughter, promising to provide for her what she lost through the death of her parents

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa (Corps Commander) Corps Public Education Officer Federal Road Safety Corps. + 2348033026491 including sponsorship for her education. It was this promise that paved the way for Cynthia who was admitted to one of the famous State University to study for a degree in Law. From the first year, she shone like the star that she is emerging best overall student both in her first and second year. On her third year however, tragedy struck as Cynthia who was in a company of two other colleagues was about crossing the road when a patrol vehicle belonging to one of the security agencies knocked her down and killed her on the spot.Cynthia is not the first as many others have either sustain various degress of injuries,or lost their lives in similar circumstances while others have remained crippled.

One way driving or wrong-way driving (WWD) is defined by WIKEPEDIA as the act of driving a motor vehicle against the direction of traffic. It can occur on either one- or two-way roads (in the latter case, arising from driving on the wrong side of the road), as well as in parking lots and parking

garages, and may be due to driver inattention or impairment, or because of insufficient or confusing road markings or signage, or a driver from a right-hand traffic country being unaccustomed to driving in a left-hand traffic country, and vice versa.

People intentionally drive in the wrong direction because they missed an exit, for thrill-seeking, as a suicide attempt, or as a shortcut.

On a divided highway, especially freeway, WWD is a serious problem because of the high speeds usually involved, since the result is more likely a head-on collision. In the United States, about 355 people are killed each year in crashes caused by drivers headed in the wrong direction on the highway. Given an average of 265 fatal WWD crashes, 1.34 fatalities per WWD fatal crash can be calculated.

The significance of these kind of crashes is corroborated when this number is compared to the fatalities per fatal crash rate of 1.10 for all other crash types, which translates to 24 more fatalities per 100 fatal crashes for WWD crashes than for fatal crashes in general. Most drivers who enter a divided highway or ramp in the wrong direction correct themselves by turning around Depending on the jurisdiction, WWD is a punishable offense. In Efforts to reduce wrong-way driving[ One of the aims of highway engineering is to reduce wrong-way driving.

National Transportation Safety Board’s Highway Special Investigation Report This topic of safety has gained renewed attention in the recent years in the United States. In doing so,

the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published a special investigation report about wrong-way driving in which relevant safety countermeasures to prevent wrong-way collisions on high-speed, divided highways are identified.

One important part of this report is Section 4 which provides recommendations for different agencies, including Federal Highway Administration and NHTSA, to address wrong-way collisions.

Wrong-Way Driving Guidebook[edit] In May 2014, ICT and IDOT published Guidelines for Reducing Wrong-Way Crashes on Freeways.

[8] The researchers compiled the guidebook by reviewing previous studies, assessing current practices, and examining national and state design standards and manuals that pertain to WWD. The research team also obtained significant information from the National Wrong-Way Driving Summit hosted by IDOT and SUIE as part of this project in July 2013.

Overview of Wrong-Way Driving Fatal Crashes in the United States[edit] In August 2014, Institute of Transportation Engineers published a paper to provide an overview of the general trend of WWD fatal crashes in the United States; discuss general characteristics of WWD fatal crashes; and delineate significant contributing factors. [9] The researchers found an average of 269 fatal crashes resulting in 359 deaths occurred annually in the United States during an 8-year period covering the years 2004 through 2011.

It was found that Texas, California, and Florida account for the highest number of WWD fatal crashes and fatalities and represent almost onethird of the national totals.

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APRIL 13, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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EVENTS

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isdom Oluwafemi Bello-Odofin and his hearthrob, Judy from Mauritius, recently took their marriage oaths at the Ikoyi Marriage Registry in the presence of family members and friends. Reception took place at the 5Platters Restaurant, Adeola Adeku, Victoria Island Lagos. Here are the faces of some personalities that graced the event.

Photographs by Etop Ukutt

Groom’s Parents Commodore Ayo Bello-Odofin (rtd)and wife, Nkechi

The couple, Wisdom Oluwafemi Bello- Odofin with wife, Judy

L-R: Mr. Eniola Bello and Mr. Oladele Oyinlola

L-R: Mr. Ayodele Durowaiye and Mr. Richard Bello

L-R; Mrs.Toyin Omolaja and Mrs Chinwe Owolabi

L-R: Mr. Segun Belllo and Princewill Amachi

L-R: Precious and Blossom Bello- Odofin

L-R: Mrs. Eunice Olorunsogo, her husband Victor, and Mr. Olusola Bello

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EVENTS

Navy Captain AkinjideOlunloyo (rtd) and Commodore HarrisonIwetan (rtd)

Mr. and Mrs. Ikechukwu Okwu with their baby Sophia

Mrs. Tombra Mohammed and Mrs. Olajumoke Oyagha

L-R: Mrs. Edwina Akar and Mrs. Annentan-Jonathan

Mr and Mrs Uzor Daniel

Mr and Mrs. Bimbo Agunbiade

Hazzan Olawale and OyerogbaTobiloba

L-R: Stephanie Orialah and Nneka Megene

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VINTAGE

Chidinma, Kizz Daniel Entangle in Love Me Ferdinand Ekechukwu

A

frica to America Production has announced their upcoming romantic comedy movie titled Love Me. The cinematic project which is set in an hotel in Lagos and Dubai, will be released sometime in June. At a press briefing on Thursday, the head honcho of the production firm Dozie David Atuenyi, who also doubles as the movie producer explained that “Last year we conceptualise this production titled Love Me. The concept is the search for love through several different avenues. The whole idea is this which is about the representation of the heart desire.

“So it’s not just about the man woman relationship. In our story we have the lead character that is in a relationship but is unfulfilled. And she searches for something higher and when she finds it, she’s still not satisfied and she realizes that she got everything she wanted but lost what she needed. It’s a very interesting storyline.”

The movie stars Nigerian singer and songwriter Chidinma Ekile in the lead role.

Chidinma it would be recalled cut her teeth in the film industry by been a part of Kunle Afolayan’s movie titled The Bridge in 2017. This would be the petit songstress’s second movie.

Alongside Chidinma in the lead role is another Nigerian singer, Kizz Daniel. Love Me features several other screen favourites with huge following and influence among movie lovers across Africa and beyond. They include Ngozi Nwosu, Wale Ojo, Annie Idibia, Broda Shaggi, Alexx Ekubo, Linda Ejiofor Sulaiman, Nedu, Sharon Ooja and Timini Egbuson; all of whom will be sure to drive viewers to the cinemas through their influence, huge social media following and engaging content that will be promoted extensively via their channels and accounts. Atuenyi however noted that one of the things the production decided to do was to bring specific individuals who have excellence in their fields that could be brought to bear on the production. This in the sense that it carefully selected the people believed will bring value to that role, to that character. He explained that for instance the lead character Chidinma playing the role of Kemi Taiwo, is a different personality and that there’s a big difference between Chidinma and Kemi. On the choice of Chidinma and Kizz Daniel on the set, the producer said the casting followed a process which was done on individual characters and not casting to pair two people but individual

The Director of LOVE ME movie project, Felix Odion, Actress Matilda Lambert, Actress Vivian Anani, Acting Coach, Ronya Man and movie Producer, Dozie David Atueyi at the press briefing of the movie project held on Thursday in Lagos characters and the traits of each character and who best suit that role.

Speaking further on the work, Atuenyi who boasts of 17 years cognate experience in theatre production said “we believe this will be the establishment of Chidinma as an actor. We have to reach out to some people who have proficiency in their field. We sort a director who we have worked with in the past and whose meticulous attention to detail was necessary to execute this project. His name is Felix Odion. He came all the way from Australia just to direct this project.

Because some of our actors are new in the field, we also looked for someone (Israeli born Ronya Man) who could train these people to be able to deliver not just in Nollywood standard but something that could be comparable to what exist in Hollywood.”

Love Me. tells the story of Kemi Taiwo, (Chidinma Ekile) who works in the Housekeeping department of Gideon’s Hotel, a 4 star concern. By day, she carries out her thankless job of cleaning rooms and suites domiciled by the high and mighty. By night, she and her colleagues and closest friends, Kevwe, cynical realist, and Ada, a diehard romantic, dream of better days and deep pockets. The poor wages and pains of working for a slave driving boss are not enough to hold Kemi down. She dreams of owning her own hotel someday and is saving for an expensive hospitality course which will serve as a first step to realizing her dream. Her boyfriend, Kachi, a goofy accountant, is as economical with cash as Nigeria is with distributing electricity.

He more than makes up for it by being a sweet friend and great lover, not to mention, highly

beloved by Kemi’s charmingly oddball parents.

One day, Kemi has a chance meeting with Daniel, Nigeria’s top music star, and manages to bowl him over. Daniel, smitten, stops at nothing to win her heart but Kemi resists, shunning his expensive gifts and grand moves, believing that Daniel is on a ‘hit and run’ mission. Soon, it is clear Daniel wants more than to make Kemi a conquest. He genuinely likes her. Aconfused Kemi is further shaken by her friends’ conflicting counsel. Kevwe urges her to ditch Kachi for Daniel, arguing for financial security; while Ada pushes for Kemi to stay with Kachi, arguing for happily ever-after. Daniel ups the ante on his quest for Kemi’s heart, firing every weapon in his romantic arsenal. Unable to resist any longer, Kemi starts to fall for the superstar.

Glamouree Lifestyle Raises the Bar in Hairstyle

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ntrepreneurship lifestyle and community service were high points at the recent launch of a new line of hair products and a hair salon in Lagos. This was at the opening of a hair, beauty and lifestyle salon and hair care school run by Angel Nony Utomi in Agungi, Lekki, in Lagos, with some leading Ladies of Style and Enterprise, as well as parents of the proprietor, Prof. Pat Utomi and Professor Ifeoma Utomi in attendance.

The cutting of the tape opening at the first outlet of Glamouree Lifestyle was performed by the glamorous Chief Executive of the Leading Electric Meter Manufacturer, Mojec International, Ms. Chantelle Abdul. Others present at the soft launch of the Glamouree Centre on Dele Adeyemi street in Agungi include Nollywood actress Barbara Odoh, immediate past chairman of Ikoyi Club, Engineer Tunde Akinleye, and Ogbuefi Tony Nnacheta, former Anambra State Commissioner for Information.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive, Nony Utomi, with several of her classmates from University in England who spoke of her passion with hair, indicated that the Glamouree line of hair care products were already being produced and distributed to rave reviews. She said hair loss management would be one of the specialties of the Glamouree franchise which they aim to locate across the country and West Africa, beginning with the Lagos area.

In his opening prayer, Prof. Pat Utomi noted that it was fitting that after preaching youth entrepreneurship for so many years his own children would be responding to the message.

The Glomouree Centre includes a Hairdressing salon, with tracks for natural hair and permed hair, products, and wig boutiques and school for hair specialists.

Nony Utomi who has a degree in Fashion Marketing from Huddersfield University in the United Kingdom and has attended Hair Care programmes in Lagos and United States said that Glamouree was all about hair, indicating facilities for manufacturing their Haircare products were next in line.

Angel Nony Utomi and others at the launch

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Uche Odoh I Love Telling Positive Nigerian Stories Romantic Comedy, ‘Hire A Woman’, Dazzles pg. 48

WINIFRED OKORIE Promoting Afro Music with a Touch of Highlife pg. 50

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

I Love Telling Positive Nigerian Stories Uche Odoh is photographer, content creator, filmmaker and model who became popular after participating in the 2007 edition of the Amstel Malta Box Office competition. She talks to Tosin Clegg about her journey into Nollywood, productions, her new show and a lot more Growing up in Enugu grew up in Enugu, a quiet town and not much happens there entertainment-wise. So, I knew Lagos was the place to be. I studied Agronomy at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, and after I picked interest in filmmaking, I got a scholarship to Vancouver film school to study film production. Growing up, I watched a lot of Indian and Nigerian movies and they spurred my interest in acting, which was the reason I entered for Amstel Malta Box office in 2007 and I was among the top five.

I

Living My Childhood Dreams I’m still living my childhood dreams, sort of, it’s just that it’s only behind the scenes this time. Film production involves acting, but this time, I’m either directing or shooting. Uche Odoh is a filmmaker who loves telling positive Nigerian stories. I’m also a self-taught photographer and content creator. I currently have a web series ‘Life As It Is’ that is showing via Gosi Tv on YouTube. I’m also working on my first feature and developing more web series.

I’m born with an eye for capturing the hidden beauties of the world. I have the ability to create absolutely anything with a perfect combination of boundless imagination and 5-star production/ editing skills.

My AMBO Experience AMBO was my first entertainment experience in Lagos. It was a platform to showcase my talent and discover what I really wanted to do. It was my first time interacting with so many new faces in a closed space, competing for a prize and I was very young at the time. After AMBO I got into modeling, and because of the exposure I got in the house, it wasn’t difficult breaking into the market.

Modeling Was Fun I have worked with different brands and that’s across different platforms for television commercials, print and billboard adverts. Brands like Sprite, MTN, Equatorial Trust Bank, Zain Mobile then it became Airtel and a bunch of magazine covers. Modeling was fun at the time; I was a student, but after school I needed something more and that’s how I discovered my love for storytelling.

I Was Exposed to Nollywood Through My Cousin I was exposed to Nollywood early in life and that was through my cousin Oge Okoye who is an actor. I used to go on set with her and watch her act. So, it was only proper that after film school in Canada, I’d come back and tell our stories.

It’s tough being a young filmmaker out here because raising funds to shoot a film is not easy. However, the digital world has somewhat made it easier for

us, as you can create content with your mobile phone and share on global platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

Eastside Productions is my small boutique I started Eastside Productions because I wanted everyone to have affordable video content that is dope.

So, we create video content according to whatever budget you have; documentaries, product videos, concerts, music videos, films, web series and lifestyle shows.

Then I started Gosi TV which is an online TV channel on YouTube where independent creators can upload their content to reach the youth market.

Currently, we are showing ‘Life As It Is’ which is a story of a young university graduate who is trying to navigate life while dealing with family, relationships and all.

I Have Featured in a Number of Productions I have been involved in other activities, including event planning, and in 2011 I attended a short film course with Del-York International, facilitated by the New York Film Academy. I later went on to work with Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) and later the CMA Group. In 2016, I directed a short film for Homevida Org, titled ‘In Apathy,’ which went on to win the Homevida short film category at the Homevida 2016 awards. I have worked on the set of a number of notable Nigerian box office movies, including the hugely successful King of Boys and Up North, to name a few.

‘Life As It Is’ is a dramedy Everyone can relate to ‘Life As It Is’. It’s a feel good series, just to show everyone that we all go through the same things, but at different times. As for the content, I’m putting out, I want to educate people, I want to show off Nigeria to the world and I want to change narratives with it. ‘Life As It Is’ focuses on the life of a naive young lady ‘Nara’ who moves out of her overbearing mother’s house Mrs. Nkechi to spend time with her Aunty, Jumoke.

The web series will take us through Nara’s ordeal with work, relationship and basically life as it is.

Casting for ‘Life As It Is’ Was Stress-Free Each character was created with an actor already in mind. We reached out to them and they came on board and delivered daily on set. We are currently in the pre-production stage for the second season of ‘Life As It Is’ and I’m developing a couple more web series and working on my 1st feature film.

When I’m not directing or shooting, I work as an assistant director on film sets and television commercials. I’m also directing music videos this year.

Odoh

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Tosin Clegg 07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

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MY STORY

Gists THIRD EDITION OF ‘HANDLE IT AFRICA’ HOLDS IN MAY

Following the success of previous editions, the third edition of ‘Handle It Africa,’ Nigeria’s most engaging social media conference, is set to hold in May. In the past two years, ‘Handle It Africa’ witnessed a massive turn out of enthusiastic young Nigerians seeking knowledge about social media and how it can be utilised to grow their businesses and build strong personal brands.

With over 3,000 participants, the conference holds a track record of meeting expectations of all stakeholders through its panel selection, topical discussions on the use of social media, and exchange of ideas with industry stakeholders.

Speakers and panelists from previous editions include Adebola Williams, Japheth Omojuwa, Daddy Freeze, Bolanle Olukanni, Osagie Alonge, Aliyu Giwa, Otto Orondaam, Toyin Abraham, Kenny Blaq, Lasisi Elenu, Woli Arole, amongst others.

The third edition of the conference themed, ‘Social Media: Extending the Frontiers’, will build on and expand the standard that has been set through the years. Leveraging on its previous success, this year’s conference promises to achieve a wider coverage and reach.

“Today’s advancement in technology has had a commensurate effect on social media. Trends are leaping in bounds and only those of us who keep up can maximise the benefits of this growth,” said Olufemi Oguntamu, Convener of Handle It Africa and Lead Consultant Penzaarville. “This year, Handle It Africa will focus on new perspectives to social media. Our endeavour to harness the benefits of social media needs a strategic approach and this edition tackles all the best ways to not only maximize the benefits but also solve attendant problems. We cannot afford to miss the chance to change the social media landscape,” Oguntamu added.

SELASSIE

I Will Like to Do a Collabo with Ycee this Year Fast rising singer Selassie, whose real name is Richie Selassie Okonkwo, has proven that he is ready to take over the fiercely competitive Nigerian music industry. That is what he tells Tosin Clegg, as he recalls his journey into music, his new projects and much more

MINA’S DOLLZ TALK SHOW CELEBRATES ONE YEAR Mina’s Dollz Show is a Talk show on women empowerment and, according to the producer, Christina Bartlet, it seeks to inform and educate its viewers on a range of issues concerning women, such as health, relationship, lifestyle and more. The show has been on for a year and aired on Ben TV. It’s an hour programme which is designed not just to educate but also to entertain the audience. For every edition, an artiste will perform at the end of the show to close it, dropping a dose of entertainment.

Mina’s Dollz Producer, Christina Bartlet is an Entrepreneur, Film Maker and Producer whose passion for telling good stories via films or documentary has placed her in excellent and admirable heights among her peers.

Speaking to her on the one-year anniversary she has this to say, “We’ve worked hard this past year to bring you a talk show which empowers, inspires, educate and advices our viewers. We share inspiring stories and debate key topics with guests from across all industries. It has now been a year since the airing of our first episode back in April 6th 2018 and we’d like to thank everyone. “ The Show features informed guest who offers Insight and Evaluation of various issues to provide useful information to viewers. Going into a second chapter, the production team plans to get bigger and better with even more exciting content and interaction with their audience in a continued aim to empower women across the world to achieve their dreams.

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ow did music start for you?

CELEBRITIES, POLITICIANS ATTEND ISHAYA BAKO’S 4TH REPUBLIC

One of the most anticipated Nollywood films in 2019, ‘4th Republic’ premiered recently at IMAX, Filmhouse Cinemas, Lekki Lagos. The premiere played out the election theme with PVCs, ballot boxes, and election staff as ushers. With a dress code themed ‘Your Excellency’, the stars and guests explored the inauguration-themed dress code in full force.

The cast and crew; Kate Henshaw, Enyinna Nwigwe, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Sani Muazu, Enyinna Nwigwe,

Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju, Bimbo Manuel, Yakubu Mohammed, were joined by star guests Sola Sobowale, Waje, Tope Oshin, Chigul, Omojuwa, Kehinde Bankole, Linda Osifo, Lilian Afegbai, Denrele Edun and many more.

Directed by Ishaya Bako, 4th Republic is woven around a rigged election, violence and an intense election tribunal to claim the seat of governor from a corrupt incumbent.

“The feedback has truly surpassed our expectations,” Director Ishaya Bako explained. “I am very grateful to everyone for their turnout at premiere, we can’t wait for everyone to finally see our movie on April 12” he added.

The plot mimics Nigeria’s current political situation; a presidential election marred by allegations of rigging, pockets of violence across the country and an aggrieved presidential candidate, in court for his mandate. It will be out nationwide on April 12.

‘4th Republic’ is written by Emil B. Garuba and Zainab Omaki. The film is co-produced by Griot Studios Ltd. and Amateur Heads Productions with Bem Pever, Ishaya Bako, Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju and Ummi A. Yakubu serving as Producers. The film is funded by grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). 4th Republic was shot on location in Abuja, Lokoja and Lagos. It is distributed by FilmOne Distribution.

The number one person that made me come into music was MI. In fact, back then, I knew every MI song word for word. That was how I actually started music. Back in secondary school, YCee and I loved miming songs. YCee was a Lil Wayne freak and I was an MI guy. We put up shows and YCee would do Lil Wayne stuffs and I would do MI stuffs and girls will be screaming. One of the students then came up to me and said, ‘Guy, I’ve watched you do this; you’re very good at it.

I’m your classmate and I’m your fan. You should look into it.’

That was how I started.

Who would you love to feature with in the course of the year?

I would like to do a collabo with Ycee this year. I’ve spoken to him about it and the Selassie Family’s working towards it.

It will also be a blessing to work with Olamide sometime soon.

Olamide puts flavour on songs. It will be a huge pleasure to work with him and Wizkid.

What have you been up to?

This year, we’ve been in the studio working on songs. We released one of those songs we’ve been working on, titled YAPA. It’s been great and has been received in the surroundings, but, you need to grow more than your surroundings. So, we’re pushing it to international boarders as much as our resources and God will take us.

How did you come about YAPA? YAPA is every Nigerian’s dream and aspiration. YAPA is my aspiration. The song says, ‘things day, shayo dey, owo dey, everything dey yapa’. That’s Nigerian mentality –we want abundance; we want success. The song is for everybody –those that have made money, who have succeeded in life; those that want to succeed in life; those that are praying for miracle. I feel that it’s a song that carries the spirit, because it changes the mood everywhere I’ve performed it; people get so exited. They’re like oh my God! I want things to be yapa in my life.

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SHOWBIZFLAIR Hire a Woman is about a guy who hired a girlfriend to get back at his ex at a picnic.

Events turned things on their heads and quickly spiral out of his control and that of his female friends who plan the getaway. The 120 minutes feature Hire A Woman stars Belinda Effah, Mike Godson, Alexx Ekubo, Nancy Isime and former Big Brother Naija housemate Ifu Ennada who last minute replaced fellow ex housemate Bamike Olawunmi(Bam Bam Mike Godson and Efunnada on set

Romantic Comedy, ‘Hire A Woman’, Dazzles With the cast driven by good acting, new romantic comedy movie, Hire A Woman,

by Chinneylove Eze rose to number one position at the box office among Nollywood films and number three in overall position which has Hollywood and Nollywood movies at the top five. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

B

ehind every great movie is a movie producer and a director at the background supervising and guiding the cast and crew in its creation, seeing the movie project through to its completion.

Hence it is not surprising that since it hit cinemas on March 29,

2019 Nollywood movie, ‘Hire A Woman’ has earned tremendous buzz and acclaim. Just like its predecessor, ‘Hire A Man’. The new romantic comedy movie produced by Chinney Eze rose to number one position at the box office among Nollywood films and number three in overall position which has Hollywood and Nollywood movies at the top five.

Hire a Woman attained this position in just three days after release; second to Captain Marvel and US in the overall rating at the weekend box office in its first week down to its second week.

The movie tells a different story, plot and twists to deliver an eclectic feature film. In Hire A Man, a 29-year-old successful accountant does the hiring not

to brag to her friends at school reunion or at the wedding of a mutual friend but hires him to show off to her family, that she has a man of her own just to save her face from her younger sister who is equally successful and engaged.

In a video chat made available online days before the movie release, Chinney revealed that,

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SHOWBIZFLAIR Romantic Comedy, Hire A Woman, Dazzles

Nancy Isime

“Hire A Woman is a movie very special to my heart because filming it there was a lot of ups and down. But I know that all the time nothing good comes easy. Hire A Woman is a romantic comedy movie. . . It’s not sequel to Hire A Man; it’s a different story, different cast, though I brought back Nancy Isime. Hire A Man centres around family, Hire A Woman is centred around friendship.”

Shot in Whispering Palms Resort Badagry, Hire a Woman is about a guy who hired a girlfriend to get back at his ex at a picnic. Events turned things on their heads and quickly spiral out of his control and that of his female friends who plan the getaway. The 120 minutes feature Hire A Woman stars Belinda Effah, Mike Godson, Alexx Ekubo, Nancy Isime and former Big Brother Naija housemate Ifu Ennada who last minute replaced fellow ex housemate Bamike Olawunmi(Bam Bam). The cast sustain the film with good acting and Nancy Isime as it appears again proves she is a better actor than she is a presenter.

The producer, Chinney, made box office name as one of the youngest producer at 28 when her first movie registered as one of Nollywood sold out movies at N45 million gross earning with impressive runs in 2017. Now back at the box-office crushing numbers and cruising to number one, time will tell if she will repeat the feat.

Speaking, ChinneyLove Eze says the news of being number one Nollywood movie gladdens

her heart. Before her first cinema movie Chinney had done ten films made for television.

Directed by Nollywood oldie Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi, Hire A Woman, like its precursor (Hire A Man), is the perfect relaxation film.

Like the producer Chinney and the director Ikpoenyi, both practitioners share some things in common.

Ikpoenyi started out as an actor, and then became producer and transitted to a director. To his credit as a producer are memorable Nollywood movies like Evil Genius and Karishika. Formerly an actress who has been cast in over 12 movies, Chinney delved into movie production with her debut movie The Cartel (2012).

The movie got massive buzz and bagged five nominations at ZAFAA awards as well as four nominations at the Best of Nollywood Awards.

Credited as one of the youngest producer to grace the Nigerian film industry, Chinneylove Eze as she is fondly known is also the producer of Maduka Daughters which marked the beginning of her journey in 2013; When Love Finds You, The Good Wife, Sister ’s Quest, Devil in Red, Fast cash and a comedy film Okrika.

This Anambra indigene is inspired by producers like Emem Isong, Kunle Afolayan and Uche Nancy. In 2018, she released a new romantic comedy, June. Prior to the release of Hire A Woman the actress and producer had a pre-release party where Nollywood superstars and celebrities dined and wined.

Alex Ekubo

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SHOWBIZFLAIR WINIFRED OKORIE

Promoting Afro Music with a Touch of Highlife Winifred Okorie is a budding artiste and very passionate about doing music. With musical influences that cross continents in Nicki Minaj and Tiwa Savage, she started out first as a rapper before switching to her kind of music, which she describes as Afro with a touch of highlife. The Micro Biology graduate of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, who simply goes by the stage name Wini talks to Ferdinand Ekechukwu about her style of music

T

he conversation had barely started when she cuts in.

“Just hear this one,” she urged, looking determined to get her song heard. “I want to play the one I want to drop next,” she says. That would drop sometime this month. And then she plays from her Samsung mobile device one of her songs. She plays another one after that.

One could feel the melody. Not bad at all.

She has dropped four singles already; the fifth one to follow is titled ‘Okoro’. She carries with her a couple of other songs. Some of the songs she titled ‘Nwoke mara nma’ (handsome man), ‘maka echi’ (for tomorrow), and ‘Oh My God’. She describes her genre of music as Afro and a touch of highlife. “It’s not really like afro-highlife just afro and a touch of highlife,” she adds.

Starting out as a rapper, her first three singles were rap songs before the other ones…

She cuts in again. “And then I was thinking that I cannot sing; I was having doubt I cannot sing whenever I give it a thought. I was just doing rap that I wouldn’t have to stress my voice I wouldn’t have to bother myself.

I was just doing it freely like comfortably.

Along the line, my producer told me I can actually sing. I said okay I will love to give it a try. I will love to sing. He said I should try.

I’m still working with him but I have some other producers. He’s a good producer (she expresses some level of confidence in his producer). So I did my first rap song…”

Winifred Okorie is very passionate about music. She quickly informs that she has a mini studio in her one room bedroom apartment somewhere on the mainland. The studio mention pricked my ears. Not often you see budding artistes own a studio. “Yes I have a studio,” she reaffirms. How rich is she to own a studio in her living space? She lets out a mild smile that says much of her confidence before responding. “You know the thing is when you know what you want and you know what you can do in order to support yourself. So I save up money to set up the instrument in my house so I can record at any time when the inspiration comes.”

Wini as she would prefer to be called started doing music in 2015 while in school.

Not quite a long time though but her fervor overrides that. “I was in school; Abia State Polytechnic. So, I graduated 2015, moved down to Lagos 2016. I started doing small

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SHOWBIZFLAIR Promoting Afro Music with a Touch of Highlife works, then I saved up money and I started doing the music stuff early 2017.” Back in school, like every Wednesdays in each week, there’s a meeting she always attend.

“It’s for music talks and all that just the entertainment on the campus,” she recalls, her Igbo accent quite noticeable. “So, then there’s this music I recorded they were telling me to push it. It was nice though, that I should drop it. I said ‘no’, I don’t really want to start fully like coming out to the pavilion to perform and all that.

“I really don’t want it because I know I wouldn’t have chance for that because after lectures we go to the lab for practicals and I was still occupied. So I said let me pause music till after school.” Interesting thing about her, she doesn’t just sing, she also writes her songs. She explains further her journey. “Right from when I was little I have always had this passion for music; I love music so much. So, when I was seeking admission, my dad and mum…they were saying they want me to do medicine.

In me I didn’t want to dispute whatever they say because I truly know what I want.

I was telling them that medicine is too difficult; someone has to read and read,” she said repeatedly, emphasing her point.

Her mind was already made up for music. She didn’t think she will have the chance for medicine because even before she got admission, she had started writing music. Then when she listens to music she starts putting some words down different from the lines she heard. Then she had not in mind going to the studio. Eventually when she got admission, she was given Microbiology, which was quite a relief to her. While in school she was attending music activities at a time she had to stop because of her practical classes just so she can concentrate. Growing up listening to music, her musical influences were Nicki Minaj and Tiwa Savage. She says, “I listened to rap songs then the person that was really inspiring me was Nicki Minaj, I was listening to Nicki Minaj. So at a time I listened more of Tiwa Savage’s songs even now… yeah.”

Any side hustles or artistic work aside music? “I tried acting once but I don’t really like it; I don’t know why I don’t like it, I just see myself not liking it. My passion for music far outweighs acting you can’t compare.” She attributes her stay on the scene and how she gets events she performs at and her connection with other artistes to God. “The thing is when I go for shows after my performance I must get a connection to perform in another show in another place. That’s how it has been.

If I perform here, I will get a contact to perform somewhere else. In every show I performed since I came to Lagos, God has been blessing me so much. Even if it’s not a direct show contact, it will lead to giving me show or event that’s basically how it’s been rolling.”

She continues. “The thing is you know how Lagos event is. They don’t really pay artistes, like upcoming, they don’t really pay artistes in Lagos here. Except you are really pushing yourself that far and they will call you they would want to support you, that to show appreciation, in one or two ways. But where I get paid is in the east when I go to shows in the East they pay

Wini

me. Like throughout December I was in the East. I came back middle of January I was going for shows and all that I was paid.”

Despite the difference in both markets, she feels comfortable being in the Lagos market because of the opportunity, she admits, is far bigger than every other place.

Yet she still appreciates her root; proud Igbo girl. “Of course,” she said laughing. . . I’m proud like that I don’t live a fake life I’m very real to the core and its paying me seriously. I can’t live a fake life because after living the fake life you will now go back and start afresh. It doesn’t pay. It is better I live real life and get to where I’m going sharp, sharp.” One teased her that probably when she gets there she would start living a fake life like some established acts do. “I can’t fake o,” she insisted.

She appears very humble. She adds more

to her story. “You know when I started even before I started going to studio I started associating with not really upcoming artistes but artistes that have already tried music before me. I was very loyal; I was very humble. I acted like I knew nothing musically. I was willing to learn and they taught me. As I was writing what I was doing, in the east it was good. But when I came to Lagos I listened to music and I went to the studio, I knew that I have to start afresh that I have not really done anything. It was a big challenge for me. So I had to put it on me that I have to work hard.”

Wini has got an interesting story and a music career that looks promising from her doings and her approach to singing like having a recording facility (a studio) in the house seems quite encouraging to a very good extent. But yet has got no plans for an

album. Her reason being that “I wouldn’t want to waste songs because no label yet.”

She has performed on same stage by chance with some other established artistes like Shaydee, Phyno, KCee, Mr. Raw, Skibbii, Rikardo Banks, Ice Prince, Niniola…”a lot” she says, trying to recall their names, and just then she mentioned “Papa Obesere”, her face lightens up.

She would like to work with a good number of the artistes but Flavor and Burna Boy first for the male while for the females she would love to work with Tiwa Savage.

Why Flavor and Burna Boy? Flavor for his kind of music and Burna Boy, “that one is a vibe machine, I really want to work with him I know we have a good theme together.

For Tiwa Savage, I love her kind of music so much I want to have her in one of my songs.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t "13*- , 2019

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Timaya and His Kids Dancehall singer, Timaya, took to his Instagram to share this adorable photo of himself spending some quality good time with his children - Emma, Grace, and Emmanuel.

SATURDAY APRIL 13, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSXTRA

Police Quizzes Ex- Edo Deputy Speaker over Shooting in Legislative Quarters Adibe Emenyonu ÓØ ÏØÓØ ÓÞã

The police have invited a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Edoror for questioning, over alleged shooting at the state Legislators’ quarters.

It was learnt that yesterday evening hoodlums alleged to have been brought to the quarter by the erstwhile Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly while celebrating the birth of his new child engaged in sporadic shooting.

It was also learnt that it took the intervention of the security agents in the quarters to bring the situation under control before sending for further reinforcement.

“We were earlier unsettled

EXPANDING CONNECTIVITY...

L-R: The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada, Prof. Deborah Odejimi, one of the smartphone beneficiaries, Miss Ufuak Eseose Faith of the Department of Nursing, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Ezimonye, Glo Regional Manager, Mr. Augustus Ndu Offor and the Registrar, Dr. Edwin Okoro at the presentation of Glo-Huawei smartphones and routers to Igbinedion University, Okada recently.

Queues Resurface in Lagos, Abuja, NNPC Insists its Panic Buying Chineme Okafor ÓØ ÌßÔË ËØÎ Kemi Olaitan ÓØ ÌËÎËØ

Nigerians are again mulling the hardship they may encounter if the emerging fuel queues in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt extend to other cities.

In Lagos, fuel queues resurfaced Thursday night and built up fast yesterday in some stations along Ikorodu Road and Awolowo Road in Ikoyi, causing traffic problems in the neighbourhoods.

In Abuja, some petrol service stations, especially within Wuse 2, Central Business District (CBD) and Wuse Zone 4 were seen by THISDAY to have long queues of vehicles for petrol. Some petrol stations in Port Harcourt have already raised the pump price of the product and are dispensing at

between N155 and N157 per litre, while other dealers along Aba, Ada George Roads and environs have locked up their stations.

In Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, long queue emerged yesterday evening with motorists struggling to purchase fuel at major filling stations where the product was available.

In one of the stations located on Obafemi Awolowo road, the entrance gates were locked even as the queues of motorists stretched more than 200 metres.

Other filling stations in Mokola, J. Allen, Molete, Challenge and Eleyele that were selling fuel, also had long queues of motorists to contend with.

One of the petrol attendants while lamenting the ugly development said Nigerians should pray

that the commodity “is available and not about the price”.

According to him, “What is important is that we should pray that filling stations have fuel to dispense no matter the price that it would be sold.”

However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday said the queues were as a result of panic buying of petroleum products, insisting that there was no looming scarcity, as the Corporation had reserves of a billion litres of petrol.

The NNPC also asked Nigerians to disregard trending social media reports of an impending fuel scarcity due to purported refusal by some oil marketers to lift products from depots.

Its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr.

Ndu Ughamadu said in a statement that such reports were fabricated by mischief makers with intent to create undue panic in petrol supply and distribution across the country.

According to the corporation, it has over a billion litres of petrol in stock, with an additional 48 vessels of 50 million litres each expected to berth in the country in this month alone.

The NNPC thus stated that there was no need for such panic buying or hoarding of petrol because there was no product scarcity expected.

It also assured consumers of the product that the pump price of petrol was still N145 per litre.

The corporation had earlier in the week cautioned depot owners or terminal operators not to sell petrol above the official ex-depot price of N133.28k per litre.

Patience Jonathan: Court Hears Oral Evidence in $8.4m Forfeiture Suit

Ekweremadu: Nigeria’s Challenges Have no Party, Tribe or Religion

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The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, says the 9th National Assembly would rise above political, religious, and ethnic divides to address the myriads of challenges facing the Nigerian people.

Ekweremadu spoke during the dinner to mark the end of the orientation programme organised for the members-elect of the incoming National Assembly in Abuja.

The lawmaker, who described the National Assembly as a microcosm of Nigeria, observed that bringing together the Memberselect from across the country had not only helped them to garner basic legislative knowledge, but also to familiarise with one another and better appreciate the peculiar challenges faced by various parts of the country.

“After elections comes the onerous business of governance and I am greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm and determination of Distinguished Senator and Honourable Members-elect to rise above narrow politics.

“It gladdens the heart that Members-elect are aware that once sworn-in as Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday took oral evidence in a suit seeking final forfeiture of about $8.4 million and N7.4 billion found in accounts linked to a former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had secured an interim order for forfeiture of the sums on April 20, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, following a motion exparte it filed.

Joined as respondents in the suit are: Patience Jonathan, Globus Integrated Services Ltd, Finchley Top Homes Ltd.,Am-Pm Global Network Ltd, Pagmat Oil and Gas Ltd and Magel Resort Ltd and Esther Oba. On October 29, 2018, EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, had moved his motion for final forfeiture of the sums, urging that same be finally forfeited to the federal government.

Meanwhile, defence counsel, Messrs Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and Mr. Ige Asemudara had respectively moved their processes in opposition to the motion for final forfeiture.

On January 15, the court had admitted electronic evidence presented by respondent counsel,

which depicted video exhibits showing various business outfits of the third and sixth respondents The court had then adjourned until February 28, for judgment.

Same day, the judge had first dismissed an application by counsel to the respondents, seeking to set aside the interim forfeiture orders made on April 20, 2018.

Meanwhile, giving its ratio on the motion for final forfeiture, the court held that it finds the affidavit evidences conflicting, adding that same can only be resolved if the parties concerned are called upon to give oral evidences.

When trial resumed yesterday, EFCC counsel (Oyedepo) called a witness, Mr. Chukwuma Orji, who deposed to some of the affidavits, and he made adoptions before the court.

Referring to his role in the course of investigation into the case, Orji told the court that he was Head of EFCC task force in Lagos, and named some of his team members as Ogare Ogbore, Idris Adamu. Abdullahi Tukur, Shehu, among others.

He said that he came across the account of Global Integrated Services Ltd, A. M P. M Global Network, Pagmat Oil and Gas Ltd, and Margel Resort Ltd, adding that he also came across an account name captured as Patience J.

House of Representatives of the Federal Republic, we are bound by our oath of office and House Rules to always act in the overall interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being, and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are bound by these instruments to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We may all have come in different vehicles as represented by our various political parties, but poverty and hunger faced by the masses of Nigeria have no political party. We may profess different religions, but the insecurity taking high tolls on our people has no religion.

“Therefore, it is imperative and we are indeed inclined to work as a team for the peace, justice, equity, and national prosperity, irrespective of political leanings and diversities.

“Ours is a call to service, a call to deliver democracy dividends, a call to meet the expectations of our people, and a call to ensure that the government of Nigeria works for the people of Nigeria and I have no doubt whatsoever that we will deliver on our mandates”, Ekweremadu stated.

with the influx of fierce looking men who were said to be guests at the child’s naming ceremony which took place in Edoror’s residence at the quarters, in no distant time we started hearing sporadic gunshots which made everyone scampered for safety,” the source said.

When contacted, the state commissioner of police, DanMallam Muhammed, said he was in Abuja for Inspector General of Police conference.

“They called me that there was shooting at the legislative quarter and I ask the police to investigate those behind it and bring the perpetrator to book. The most important thing is that no life was lost,” he noted.

Maxima Media Group Launches Views Channel Bennett Oghifo

Maxima Media Group recently launched its new TV platform, Views Channel, to capture the interest of youths on digital platforms and television in one space. The colorful event was anchored by Uti Nwachukwu, who led the audience through engaging moments all through.

Mr. Femi Ogundoro, Group Managing Director and CEO, said at the inauguration of the project held at Radisson Blu Ikeja Lagos, that youths were a large productive but misunderstood segment of the society.

According to him, their passion needed expression space. Mr. Ogundoro further stated that his vision for the project began in 2009 with the view to filling a vacuum in the music industry where there was no feedback or appreciation system.

“We thank God that today, we are birthing this channel. We want to give young people a channel to express their passion, irrespective of their discipline,” he said.

He told newsmen that traditional TV did not give enough space for youth’s expression, adding that this facilitated the creation of Views Channel to give youths opportunity to freely express their views, incurring no cost.

“Views Channel is trying to do now is to bridge the gap between TV and digital such that young people can express themselves.

Passion can be anything; it can be music, business, fashion or whatever.

“Our target audience is primarily 16 to 35 youths who dominate the

population. About 60 per cent of them actually constitute our population, they should be given a voice.”

Femi further said that Views Channel, currently broadcasting on StarTimes channel 108, was challenged by the status quo of providing content and still paying TV stations to air its programme.

Meanwhile, some of the participants at the launch eulogised the power of the youths who they said accounted for the highest influencing population in Nigeria.

Mr. Yinka Adebayo Executive Director, at MediaReachOMD said that the setting up of Views Channel was timely and stressed the need for repackaging and retooling of its brands to enable it remains relevant.

“We cannot afford to let our age be our cage. I don’t think any brand wants to age,” he said.

Representing the Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Omotunde Adenusi.

Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Brands; Nigerian breweries, opined that youths were usually suppressed and labelled as rebellious, stressed the need for society to listen to them.

“The loud silence we see in our youths has been given a voice. There is a need for this generation to learn new things, to become experts not artisans,” he said.

The event was well attended by key stakeholders in the media and advertising space including notable brands like Nescafe, Milo, Nigerian Breweries, Friesland Campina, Peak Milk, Stanbic-IBTC, De-United Foods, Airtel, Fan Milk Danone, Olam Group to mention a few not leaving out entertainers and social media influencers.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as TEDEJIRI MATHIAS OKPARUME now wish to be known and addressed as MATHIAS IGHO OPKARUME. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as WINIFRED ADEWALE LAWAL now wish to be known and addressed as WINIFRED OMOAYENA MOMOH. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IDAHOSA MAGDALINE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PHILIP MAGDALINE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MARY-ANN OBIAGELI NWAOKOYE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MARY-ANN OBIAGELI IYOHA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AGBATA JOSEPH ATTAH INEKECHE now wish to be known and addressed as AGBATA JOSEPH ATTAH. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, NWAOHA JOY refer to one and the same person as NWAOHA JOY ANWULIKA. All former documents bearing the both names remain the same. The general public should please take note.

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

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NEWSXTRA

Alumni Seeks End to Poverty, Reaches out to Indigent Students Omolabake Fasogbon

LAST RESPECTS...

The Opeluwa of Lagos, Chief Lateef Ajose, the younger brother of the deceased, Alhaji Kola Lawal - Olumegbon and the elder brother of the deceased, Alhaji Sikiru Lawal - Olumegbon during the last traditional rites for the late Olumegbon of Lagos, Chief Fatai Lawal - Olumegbon, in Lagos....... yesterday.

Nigeria Gets Favourable Group in 2019 AFCON Draws Drawn against Guinea, Madagascar and Burundi Kunle Adewale Three times Africa Cup of Nations champions, Nigeria has been drawn into a relatively easy group according to the draws made yesterday in Cairo, Egypt.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be playing in Group B alongside DR Congo, Uganda and Zimbabwe, which on paper, Nigeria should have a relatively easy passage to the next stage.

Reacting to the draws, Super Eagle Manager, Gernot Rohr

said he was satisfied with the draw and hope that Nigeria would progress from the group without much difficulty.

“We have a very young team, but without sounding overconfident, we are confident that we will progress,” Rohr said.

He however hoped that none of the players would get injured before the end of the season.

For former Nigeria international and winner of the AFCON in 1994, Victor Ikpeba, he is optimistic of Nigeria’s

progression from the group.

He however warned that the Super Eagles cannot afford to be complacent as some of these smaller nations could be very tricky. He therefore, warned that the players should take every game with all seriousness.

The team’s captain for the AFCON qualifiers, Ahmed Musa said after missing out of the last two editions the Super Eagles were going to Egypt with all seriousness, just as he said they were ready to take on any team.

The University of Lagos (Unilag), Alumni Association, (1989- 1991) has urged the federal government to employ all means to tackle poverty in the country, just as it donated food items and groceries to about 500 indigent students of the university.

The Nigerian economy has been projected to grow at 2.2 this year, regardless, the World Bank has maintained that poverty in the country would remain unchanged, just as the number of poor Nigerians recently hits 91 million.

President of the association, Mrs. Abimbola Omotoso, noted that the most affected by this menace was the common man on the street, who also happens to have children in institutions of learning. Omotoso saw education as one of the ways to tackle poverty in the country, hence, the association’s gesture to improve education outcomes both in the institution and the country as a whole.

She said: “We have decided to

Rotary International Donates $5.7m for Polio Eradication Kingsley Nwezeh ÓØ ÌßÔË

Host country, Egypt was drawn in Group A against DR Congo, Uganda and Zimbabwe, while defending champions Cameroon will play in Group F, alongside Ghana, Benin and Guinea Bissau.

Group D however, seems to be the proverbial ‘Group of Death’ as Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa and Namibia will slug it out.

The biennial competition which will be having 24 teams for the first time will kick off on June 21 to July 19.

come back to our alma mater, 30 years after we left, to give back to an institution that has shaped us to be what we are. We are aware that poverty rate in the country is quite astronomical, and we know once food has been taken care of, every other thing come under control, hence,we decided to kick off our gesture with donation of food items and groceries to not less than 500 students in the university in order to address their basic needs.

“Although, the donation is part of the activities line up for our reunion week, we intend to sustain this to make it run for at least twice in a year. We are marvelled by the turn out and the feedbacks we received today , and so, we realise we must do more to realise our objectives of making studies easier for students.

Hence,we have concluded to double up our efforts to carry along more members in diaspora and within the country as well as conglomerate, so we can pull more resources to address other needs beyond the basic.”

The Rotary International yesterday donated $5.7 million to aid the fight against polio in Nigeria.

The donation was handed over to UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Pernille Ironside.

Speaking in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, commended Rotary International for the donation and called on other partners to support Nigeria in its efforts to become a polio-free country.

The minister said Nigeria was on its last lap to end polio. He stated that in the next couple of months, Nigeria would be certified polio free.

However, the minister noted that it was imperative that children who were previously inaccessible in the North-east due to the insurgency must access vaccinations before the certification.

The minister commended National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for the routine immunisation in the country. He said there was great improvement on the coverage of immunisation.

“There is tremendous improvement on the routine immunisation, but we are not there yet, we need to work hard to ensure that we reach every child so that we can beat our chest and say yes we are there” Adewole said.

Buhari Leaves for Regional Security, Tears, Slain Dickson’s Photographer, PDP Leader Buried in Yenagoa Economic Summit in Chad Today Emmanuel Addeh ÓØ He maintained that thereafter, In Katsina, there were no mendations from even visitors ÏØËÑÙË Omololu Ogunmade ÓØ ÌßÔË

President Muhammadu Buhari will today leave Abuja for N’Djamena, the capital of Chad Republic, to participate in the Extraordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD).

Presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, who said in a statement that CEN-SAD was created by the Treaty of Tripoli on February 4, 1998 with six founding members, to create a free trade area in Africa, as well as “strengthen peace, security and stability, and achieve global economic and social development of its members,” added that Nigeria joined the current 29-member regional economic community in 2001.

According to him, delegations from 22 member-nations were expected at the extraordinary meeting of CEN-SAD taking place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, N’Djamena.

“President Buhari and other regional leaders will join their host and current Chairperson of CEN-SAD Conference, President Idriss Deby Itno to deliberate among others on political and security issues, state of peace and ways to address multifaceted threats in CEN-SAD area especially

Boko Haram and refugees; and make a declaration on the entry into force of CEN-SAD revised Treaty intended to fast-track the realisation of the objectives of the body.

“During the opening Session of the Conference, special Awards will be given to Heads of State and Military contingents in Mali, Sudan, Somalia, Central African Republic and in the Lake Chad Basin,” the statement added.

The statement also said the president would be accompanied to the CEN-SAD meeting by Governors Kashim Shettima, Akinwunmi Ambode and Adegboyega Oyetola of Borno, Lagos and Osun States respectively.

It listed others to include: the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen Adulrahman Danbazau (rtd); Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen Mansur Dan Ali (rtd); National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Mohammed Monguno (rtd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mohammed Babandede; and the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Sadiya Umar Farouq.

Shehu added that the president would return to the country at the end of the conference today.

Tears flowed freely yesterday as the late Government House Photographer, Mr. Reginald Dei and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Southern Ijaw Local Government, , Mr. Seidougha Taribi, who were allegedly killed by soldiers during the last elections, were finally laid to rest.

Many of those who attended the commendation service, including Governor Seriake Dickson; his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd); federal and state legislators from the state, party chieftains and several government functionaries could not hide their emotions, variously deploring the militarisation of the last election.

During the service which lasted hours, Dickson accused the leaderships of the nation’s security agencies of deliberately shielding the perpetrators of the heinous acts from justice.

The governor, who also took a swipe at President Muhammadu Buhari, vowed that next week, he would write what will be his last letter to the President on the what he said is the continuous compromising of security in the state by some All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in the state.

he would personally mobilise across party lines throughout the length and breadth of the state to confront those he said have hijacked federal security agencies to intimidate, maim and kill innocent citizens of Bayelsa.

Dickson said the two corpses, which were brought to the Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, were clear evidence of the killings allegedly perpetrated by APC leaders in the state with the backing of the Federal Government.

He accused the federal government of giving security cover to opposition leaders after committing brazen acts of criminality against the state .

“Today is a sad day, not because of the very young age at which their lives were cut short, but because of the way and manner they were murdered in cold blood in Oweikoroagha in their own homes by uniformed men at the command and behest of political operatives.

“The killers in Bayelsa that are known are protected by the agencies of the Nigerian state. If any one ever thought that all I have been saying about killers and their protection was politics, here lies the evidence.

“The FG is not interested in the peace security and stability of Bayelsa. They want Bayelsa to be turned into a state of blood like other states.

killings, but here soldiers were deployed for all APC politicians” Dickson said.

He added: “These two young men were cut down in their prime for no reason. The criminals responsible for this heinous crime are being guarded by security agencies. It is indeed another sad reminder of the things they (Federal Government) do to us as a state.”

Dickson who described the gruesome killings as acts of terrorism against the state said that Dei and Taribi were not near any polling unit when soldiers were led to kill them in their residence in Oweikorogha, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State.

While calling for calm, Dickson said he would embark on a ‘Niger Delta Movement’ to mobilise people in their various communities on how to defend themselves as the Federal Government had failed in its primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties.

He described Dei, 46, as a very professional, dedicated member of the media team in the Government House and Taribi, 50, who was also a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroots Mobilization, as a decent and honourable man.

He said that the late photographer drew com-

and foreigners to Government House because of his devotion to duty.

The Governor offered automatic employment to the young widows of the deceased and scholarship to the children they left behind.

Also in his remarks, the State Deputy Governor expressed shock that soldiers who are funded with tax payers money could turn their weapons against the people.

He said that the murder of the innocent persons was unacceptable in any civilised clime as their are specified rules of engagement for the military whose role in elections are defined, adding that the military had a responsibility to investigate the killings.

State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Moses Cleopas wondered why Bayelsans would kill their brothers over an election contested by two northern brothers whose places did not record such acts.

Others who paid tributes were Senator-elect for Bayelsa Central, Douye Diri, the Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Kombowei Benson, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Doudei Week, and the member Representing Southern Ijaw 2 Constituency in the House of Assembly, Monday Oboko-Bubou.

Saturday, April 13, 2019

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MISSILE

Falana on Vote Buying “The battle ahead is how we are going to reform the democratic session in a way that we will not all be collectively disgraced. We have never gone this low where publicly people are trading in votes. We never went that low” – Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, lamenting about “vote buying” that characterised the 2019 elections.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Wait a Minute, How Did We Descend this Low

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ellow Nigerians, I know truth is always bitter, but the time has come when we must all confront our realities and say it as it is. Nigeria is in a big mess and there is nothing a million Buharis can do to change the horrible situation around.

However, maybe, things may change slightly if Mr President is ready to change his own mind-set.

I read somewhere, in the last couple of days, that our dear President confessed that he is a very sad man, or to quote the source more appropriately, that the President said he is the “most unhappy” man on earth. I’m not sure if he actually used any of those words or if his Spin Doctors did so on his behalf, in order to save face, in view of the disgraceful and disappointing breakdown of law and order in virtually every part of Nigeria, especially in Northern Nigeria, a region that has produced most of Nigeria’s military and civilian leaders and some of the most powerful humans on earth.

More than ever before, Nigeria has not only become the poverty nation of the world, it has also become one of the most insecure nations of the world, a country that is perhaps one of the few dangerous places to live on Planet Earth. Almost every news out of Nigeria now is bad news. Human lives have become like that of chickens. Nigerians are being killed per minute, per second, and it is so bad, even our governments hardly bother to talk about it again, probably because they are ashamed of the colossal waste of human lives or, maybe negatively, as some suggest, because they simply don’t care. Most of those who inform us of the deadly massacres presently going on in our country are foreign journalists. Our government and our people have become desensitised and immune to the death of their fellow countrymen and women. If possible, I’m sure the government would prefer we just gloss over it and pretend nothing is happening. But these are fellow Nigerians being slaughtered like Sallah rams and it would be tantamount to promoting evil and wickedness to ignore the seeming genocide ongoing in our dear beloved country.

What is worse is the culpability of those who were once so vociferously vocal in the days of President Goodluck Jonathan but have now suddenly gone funereally silent out of fear, compromise or comfort under this regime.

What I know is that if we do not make concerted efforts to chase away the problems of Nigeria, the problems will chase us all in different directions like locusts and we do not know how things will eventually end.

Nothing has brought this reality nearer home than the lamentations of some Northern elites in the last one week, led by the powerful voice of my dear friend and sister, Kadaira Ahmed, a famous television personality, and another unusual demonstration in London, anchored by my friend and Brother, Bulama Bukarti, a PhD student and analyst at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. These two Northern intellectuals protested in Abuja and London respectively, jettisoning their comfort zones to speak up against the haplessness, helplessness, and seeming hopelessness, of the Buhari government in tackling the menace of chronic insecurity. Both are known to be admirers and supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari. The fact that they came out publicly to demonstrate against the government at

Buhari

different locations is enough proof to those who thought only the “wailing wailers” are grumbling and groaning. Someone should tell the ‘demigods’ in Abuja and elsewhere that their devotees are no longer smiling. In fact, they are crying and weeping uncontrollably.

I will not bore you with details of how Nigeria appears to be haemorrhaging dangerously to perdition. The bad news is flying left, right and centre. Although government is feigning that the Nigerian economy is well, the reverse is clearly the case. The petroleum sector, which happens to be the chicken that lays the golden eggs is facing its own challenges. There are wild allegations of gross malfeasance against the NNPC. Meanwhile, the substantive Minister in charge of the Petroleum Ministry is the President himself. If it is true that massive corruption, in form of oil subsidy scams, still practically exists right under his nose, then there is hardly any hope for Nigeria. But this is not my main mission on this page today.

I wish to make a few suggestions that can readily catapult our nation back to greater, loftier heights, almost effortlessly. Our problem is not as severe or malignant as it seems. Our unreasonable obstinacy and foolish attitudes are what have brought us to this sorry state.

President Muhammadu Buhari can lead us out of this perfidy by purging himself of his rigidity. First, he must accept that he is a leader of Nigeria, father of the nation, and not that of a section of it, and embrace every one of us. Unity would instantly eliminate many of our challenges. There is too much bitterness in the land. No nation can ever prosper when a large chunk, and the most productive and well-educated part of it, are treated as second class citizens. This is the main reason many people are clamouring for “restructuring.” The word means different things to different people. But I believe what needs to be restructured urgently is the pervasive oppression of fellow citizens in their own country. This has become highly amplified and too pronounced under this government. The jackboot mentality of the Buhari administration must wind down to a friendlier one. Not even kids can be brought up successfully under an atmosphere of fear, intimidation, bullying and downright commotion. Nigerians are not as bad as this regime tends to portray, but what can people do when they have brains and muscles but nothing to do with it.

The next thing to invest in without any shade of doubt is education. There are too many ignorant people all over the country. A properly educated citizenry would live and act more responsibly. They will be more employable

and have better chances to think creatively about setting up their own businesses. In other to achieve this, both the Executive and the Legislature must rejig our unrealistic budgets.

The Nigerian Presidential system, as presently configured, is just too profligate. Nothing has changed in the last four years to showcase the fabled frugality of President Buhari and his disciples. Rather the Presidency seems to have been on a binge, if we consider the atrocious budgets his government, ministers and their lackeys have been presenting. A conscious and substantial sacrifice must be made to drastically reduce public spending.

The recent scenario where governments funds are being tossed in the air like confetti, and as if money is going out of vogue, leaves much to be desired. The government can’t be spending money so lavishly and expect that the ordinary citizens would become less attracted to material acquisition, by hook or by crook. The outlandish ceremonials and celebrations of this government appear contrary to promises made pre-2015. Its sincerity of purpose remains to be seen.

President Buhari needs to shake up his new cabinet as soon as he is sworn in next month for a second term. I’m not one of those who would subscribe to many frequent reshuffles, but it is obvious that this cabinet has not sparkled much since it was constituted in 2015.

Apart from the few members who resigned for different reasons, none has been fired in a government bedevilled by abject incompetence.

President Buhari should please replace those he removes eventually with more accomplished people. If he brings some deadwoods again, the result should be obvious to all in advance, nothing but monumental failure.

If I were President Buhari, I will worry less about controlling heaven and earth and face the main business I was voted to fix. One of the biggest afflictions of this government is its obsession and proclivity to be in charge of the different tiers of government. Buhari has spent the better part of four years fighting all manner of enemies, real or imagined. In the process, he dissipated too much energy and squandered resources on many fronts.

He should try something different and allow all organs to function independently. If he pursues the same agenda like he did these past years, he will receive the same result and certificate of failure.

President Buhari should interact more with his people. He is just too aloof and standoffish.

If he could travel round Nigeria and speak to Nigerians regularly during his re-election campaigns, he should not stop doing so now. Love can achieve what war can’t. It is unfortunate that he does not personally sympathise or empathise with the bereaved families involved in the disasters ravaging our country. There is no country where 10 dogs would be killed and life would continue as normal, not to mention 10 citizens. The President should make it mandatory for his Ministers and their aides to visit their States of origin regularly. It is totally unacceptable that they are all comfortably ensconced in Abuja while they claim to be the representatives of their people. Also, as they say, all security is local, so if the President won’t support State policing, for reasons best known to him and his advisers, he should ensure no head of security should be posted to unfamiliar terrain. Even if they are not posted to their

own States, they should be sent closer home, to their Regions. The system of sending soldiers to crush Nigerians like millets is totally provocative and unhealthy. No Igbo soldier would go to Igboland and order his own people killed summarily. Since ethnicity and religion are too volatile in our country, the President should never send complete strangers to quell riots in any part of Nigeria.

Finally, I wish to respectfully suggest that President Buhari should find time to study what made the extraordinary and amazing Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola win the most remarkable election ever in the history of Nigeria. Abiola’s likeable personality, built on his love for humanity contributed in no small measure to his success. Abiola made strenuous and meticulous efforts at reaching out to different parts of Nigeria and their people. He employed people without any sort of discrimination on grounds of ethnicity, religion or sex. He created opportunities for people in different communities. He built mosques and churches. He established schools and donated classrooms and libraries. He gave scholarships, endowed professorial chairs and donated funds to all Nigerian universities.

His emergence as a pan-Nigerian Presidential candidate was not a fluke. It was a destiny that he himself had helped to shape.

The life of that departed hero and martyr is worth studying when it comes to issues of uniting our country. We lost Nigeria the day June 12, 1993, was killed. With a man like Abiola in power, there would never have been the kind of stupidly irrational divisions we have today. Insecurity would never have been this rife because he knew how to create jobs and encourage entrepreneurship. Abiola would have paid attention to the continued unity of our people and the diversification of our economy. He would have worked hard on improving our institutions. Political systems can’t work well if the institutions are useless. Abiola would not have tolerated individualism above institutions. That is largely responsible for the failure we are experiencing today. Notwithstanding the cult following the President appears to enjoy in a section of the country, he and the people who surround him in power today don’t seem to have the commendable ambitions of an Abiola or indeed his antecedents and pedigree. Our current crop of leaders have simply displayed limited, myopic vision in handling affairs of the State.

It is not too late to pick useful tips from 1993.

However, sadly, what I see today is a return to 1983. We can do better. Even, President Ibrahim Babangida’s electoral system can help us, despite his personal flaws. The Option A4 of that time was a stroke of genius. Our political parties have become too unwieldy.

Two major parties should be the only ones that can contest Presidential elections while there may be smaller parties in the States and Regions to contest local elections. That has been the only impact and relevance of parties like APGA, Labour Party, Accord Party and others. Electoral reforms should take care of this.

I have disseminated many of my views in this missive consistently, but I won’t be surprised if this government chooses to stick to a failed system that leads nowhere.

Whatever the outcome, let it be said that I played my part…

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